Extra Curricular Activities
At Moonee Ponds Primary School, in addition to our classroom learning programs, we offer a range extra-curricular activities and programs to support the engagement and extension of all students. These include:
- The Alannah and Madeline Foundation Better Buddies Program (Prep/ Foundation & Year 6) –
Every year Year 5/6 students become a buddy for a prep/ foundation student and weekly activities are planned and conducted during class time. The school uses the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, Better Buddies tools and framework and have received the highest accreditation from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation in recognition of our program. Feedback from parents, Year 5/ 6 and prep/ foundation students and teachers involved is highly positive about this program.
- Environmental Club “The Green Team” –
Moonee Ponds Primary School is a “Resource Smart Registered School”. The school “Green Team” is a voluntary program where students from across the school work with teachers and classes to promote environmentally responsible practices. This group has received accreditation from City West Water as a “water saving school”. The group works with classes to reduce water usage, plant and maintain the herb and vegetable gardens, promote the “nude food” and no rubbish policies and work toward becoming a five star Resource Smart School. The Green Team offers leadership opportunities for students in Green Team Captain and representative roles.
Included in the new Sports and Performance Centre is a weather station. Monitoring our solar energy is another area the Green Team contribute to becoming a “Resource Smart School”. Our school will soon be receiving a new 99 KW solar panel system to reduce our school’s impact on the environment.
The school has worked with the local council to create safe routes to school. Check them out at: Active Paths Routes to MPPS
- Chess Club –
Through partnership with “Chess Education”, MPPS Foundation – Year 6 students are given the opportunity to join the chess club. The club meets weekly at lunch times. The club offers chess education sessions and supervised games, where skills and strategies are developed. Chess Education provide a trained chess tutor. Students may also attend school chess tournaments representing the school. Chess Education Website
- Visual and Performing Arts events –
All students are involved in the alternating biennial Visual Arts Show and Performing Arts Concert. The aim of the events is to showcase and celebrate student talent and development. Art work from all students is hung for the Visual Arts Show which runs over two days and evenings with an opening on the first evening. All classes prepare and present dramatic/musical items in two concerts held at the Moonee Ponds Clock Tower in the alternate year. The events build confidence and resilience and involve the whole community.
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Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP) –
The Victorian High-Ability program is a 10-week virtual enrichment program for students in Years 5-8 at government schools. The virtual program, delivered by Virtual School Victoria, focuses on extending and developing students’ mathematical and English abilities. The programs focus on tasks that stimulate students’ critical thinking, problem solving and creativity – enriching their understanding of English and mathematics. The program does not focus on accelerating students through core Victorian Curriculum content.
The Department is centrally managing the selection process for the program based on student academic performance. It uses a selection algorithm that is based on student achievement data to assess student ability and readiness to participate in the program. A combination of high NAPLAN scores and being one or more years ahead of their peers (based on teacher judgement data) indicates high ability.
There are two courses each term, an English and Maths course. A student can only participate in the English and Mathematics once over the course of Year 5/6. They will then be eligible again in Year 7.
- Enrichment Series
The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series provides extension and enrichment activities across the curriculum to engage, challenge and extend high-ability students from prep to year 12. Schools can nominate students to participate in activities within the series according to their abilities and interests.
- Social Skills and Life Skills Groups –
Are created on a needs base to assist students in their social and life skill development. Life skills groups centre on supporting students with disabilities.
- Premiers Reading Challenge –
All students are invited and encouraged to take part in this annual event. Premiers’ Reading Challenge Website
- 5/6 Annual Public Transport Challenge –
Students in Year 5 and 6 participate in a team competition where points are scored for visiting sites of interest in the inner Melbourne area using public transport. The challenge aims to build knowledge, confidence and experience in using public transport to access important social and cultural sites in our city. The program also builds collaboration and problem solving skills while connecting students to the broader life of Melbourne.
- Special Events & Celebrations –
As a school we celebrate learning and mastery through state-wide, national and international events. Students are typically involved in cross age and whole school activities. Some examples are; Book Week, Science Week and Education Week.
- Other extra-curricular activities –
For details of other Music and Sport activities see dedicated pages on this website.