Whole School News

In this week's Whole School News you can read about BYOD in 2024, our next Parent Connect meeting to help plan for Mothers' Day and NAPLAN 2023.

2024 Bring Your Own Device The current MCS iPad leasing program is due to conclude at the end of 2023, which requires the return of all school devices to the lease company. In planning for the future of technology in our community, MCS has made the decision to move to a BYOD environment (Apple device only). Each student's iPad device, pencil, case, keyboard and charger must be returned to the school before the conclusion of the 2023 school year. Device requirements (2024): Kinder - Year 4 will require an Apple iPad. Year 5 - 6 either an Apple iPad or Apple Macbook Air. Year 7 - 12 will require an Apple iPad or Apple Macbook Air. For our Year 11 and 12 students, it is highly encouraged for students to have a Macbook due to the nature of the work required in many of our senior courses both internally and externally through EVET opportunities. Our Prep will not be required to bring a device to school at this stage.

This link will direct you to more detailed information about specification requirements for the iPads and laptops. The school is aware that this is an additional investment for families and would like to make sure that there is sufficient time to prepare for this change of arrangements. If you have any questions about the 2024 introduction of BYOD please contact the school office via email.

Further updates will confirm additional details about the management and introduction of BYOD at MCS.

Parent Connect - Monday 20th March 9am-10am at MCS

You are warmly invited to join Mrs Hutton at our upcoming Parent Connect Meeting. The purpose of Parent Connect is to:

• connect with Mrs Hutton and other parents,

• discuss ideas to help consider how we can make our school an even better place for our young people, and

• help grow our sense of community within our school.

The focus of this Parent Connect meeting is planning for Mothers’ Day. Come for a coffee and a chat! No need to RSVP, just turn up on the day.

NAPLAN 2024

This week students have been completing NAPLAN readiness assessments. These assessments are intended to ensure that students are familiar with the format of these tests and the tools that are available to them. A significant component of these tests is the ability to use headphones and have many of the instructions read aloud. As such students will need to ensure they have headphones, at school, during these tests.

NAPLAN Testing will begin on Wednesday, 15th March and run through to Monday, 20th March. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. There will be opportunities to complete catch-up tests after this window, however there is a very specific sequence that these assessments are mandated to be completed in. As such, students who are absent will primarily be provided the opportunity to make these tests up by completing a second assessment on one of these existing days to ensure they stay as close to the prescribed sequence as possible.

On NAPLAN days students will need to ensure

• They have a fully charged iPad.

• They have headphones.

• If they are using wireless headphones, these are also fully charged.

Further resources include:

• Public demonstration site

• NESA NAPLAN website

• NAP parent/carer support page

• Watch a video that explains tailored testing

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact Mr Mark Walter.

Uniform Shop

Remember, the Alinta Uniform Shop will be operating online only from Term 2, 2023. The Uniform Shop will be relocating to their online dispatch centre, with all orders dispatched daily via Australia Post. Standard and express delivery will be available.

The final day of trading at 26 Ferodale Road will be Friday 31st March. If you require uniforms before Term 2, please visit the shop prior to the last day. Any online orders must be placed before Thursday 30th March and collected on Friday 31st March.

Before the shop closes, normal opening hours will apply until the final week, with Alinta then offering extended opening hours for winter uniform fittings, as follows (no appointment required):

• Monday 27th March 8am - 1pm

• Wednesday 29th March 1pm - 4pm

• Friday 31st March 8am - 1pm

To purchase online moving forward, you will need to register with Alinta, if you haven’t already done so, by visiting www.alintaapparel.com.au

If you have any questions, please contact the Uniform Shop on 0435 861 748.

Defence News

If you are an ADF Family and would like to keep up to date with activities and programs run by our MCS Defence Support mentor, please like the private MCS Defence Families Facebook page or scan the QR code below.

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