By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Monbulk Primary School students are back in the swing of things this year, ready to take on new challenges, build friendships, and develop leadership skills – for many, the start of the school year is an exciting time filled with fresh opportunities.
Angus, a Grade 6 student, is looking forward to his role as a School Captain.
“I’m excited to be in Grade 6,” he said.
“My goal is to be an inspirational Captain and a good role model for the younger students.” Angus is also keen to help his Prep Buddy transition into Grade 1 next year.
Eliza, also in Grade 6, shared similar enthusiasm.
“I’m excited to be in Grade 6 because my older brother has been through it, and now it’s my turn,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to presenting at Assembly and learning things I thought were impossible.”
Eliza has a passion for sustainability and hopes to contribute towards making the school more eco-friendly this year.
For Jess and Oscar, both in Grade 4, the year ahead looks full of fun and adventure. Jess is excited about camp and spending time with friends.
“I just want to get good grades and have fun,” she said.
Oscar is also eager for Hoop Time and improving his skills in maths.
“I want to get better at Division and Subtraction,” he added.
Principal Estelle Alder said the first week back at school is all about helping students settle in and feel comfortable.
“We focus on building relationships between students, teachers, and families,” she said.
“We also reinforce our school values of Respect, Compassion, Co-operation, and Courage, which guide everything we do in and out of the classroom.”
Ms Alder also highlighted the school’s efforts to make the start of the year as smooth as possible for all students.
“We know that some children can be nervous about coming back to school, so we invite them to come in the day before classes start. They can meet their teacher, see their classroom, and get familiar with the school environment. This helps ease any first-day nerves,” Ms Alder said.
This year, Monbulk Primary is introducing new initiatives to support students.
One of the key programs is ‘Let’s Talk,’ where Grade 5 and 6 students are trained as peer support buddies to help others in the playground.
The school is also launching a Breakfast Club, where community members can volunteer to help provide a healthy start to the day for students in need.
Principal Alder is particularly excited about the growth and development of her students.
“Our vision is for students to be confident learners with outstanding character, ready to contribute to their community. It’s such a privilege to see them grow and discover new skills, make new friends, and achieve their goals,” she said.
With the first few days behind them, it’s clear that Monbulk Primary School is off to a great start in 2025, and the students are ready for whatever this year has in store.
