Issue #3 6th April 2023

Principal’s Report
It’s hard to believe that Term 1 is at a close; our students and teachers have embraced the change in the leadership at the
school with such ease and for me, it has been an absolute joy to come to work every day and to be welcomed into the fold,
so again, thank you. The staff at the Maharishi School are always on hand to assist the students and I would like to thank the
teachers, teacher aides and our office staff for their efforts and support over the term.

In Term 1 we welcomed our new Pearls and new families to the school, participated in creative writing workshops with Ingrid
Laguna, provided sporting opportunities through the Homework club and Athletics, attended webinars online, had a visit
from Firefighters, attended Harmony Day activities and a Leadership Conference, SRC meetings and fundraising events,
Buddy sessions, celebration assemblies of student work and achievement, excursions to Bundoora Farm and Werribee zoo,
and we even completed NAPLAN for our students in grades 3 and 5. So many activities were enjoyed by all; what an exciting
way to finish Term 1.

Term 2 will see our Diamonds and Emeralds attend their combined biennial camp to Beechworth, staying at Camp Priory in
May. This camp is always a highlight because of the range of activities at this historical goldmining location. Having both
classes together adds so much value to students’ connectedness and in strengthening their relationships.
We are finalising our excursions and activities during Term 2, including: PIT Gymnastics each Friday afternoon and Train Like
a Vixen Netball Clinic; there are many others still being organized, so stay tuned.
On behalf of the School Board and School Staff we would like to pass on our best wishes to our school families for a restful
and safe break.

Key Dates
Term 2

Mon 24th Apr School Planning Day (Student-Free)

Tues 25th Apr ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Wed 26th Apr Term 2 Begins for Students

School assembly – all welcome
Fri 28th Apr PIT Gymnastics start date for term
Mon 1st - 4th May Year 4-6 School Camp

Term 2 Homework Club

This term, our Homework Clubs of Cooking, Choir, Tennis and Chess, were well attended and embraced by many of our
students with between 15-20 students in each activity. For Term 2, we aim to provide our students with a diverse range of
programs, just as we did in Term 1. The activities for Term 2 will be: Table Tennis, Cooking, Basketball and Choir. The providers
we have invited to the school come with a wealth of experience and skill in their chosen field. Please see the attached notice
on the details for the Term 2 Homework Club.
Emeralds – Fundamentals of Growth #2: Energy.

In SCI classes, the Emeralds have been studying the second Fundamental of Growth ‘Energy’.

In our studies, we started by doing some ‘word work’ on the dictionary definition and also finding synonyms for the word
‘energy’.

We then listened to and discussed Maharishi’s explanation about Energy and how it relates to our Consciousness-Based
Education studies:

“The reservoir of energy and intelligence is at the source of thought. It’s obvious that whatever energy and intelligence is
displayed through our action, it all comes through our thinking – thinking is the basis of action – and whatever energy and
intelligence is displayed in thinking originates from the source of thought.

For all students I have just one practical advice: practice the Transcendental Meditation technique. Just a few minutes of TM
every morning and evening and you will be very alert. Then, you will gain knowledge so quickly that you will be expert in every
field.”

After considering how to nurture, cultivate and protect our inner energy, we researched other applications of energy in the
world, including electricity, photosynthesis, oxidisation and other various kinds of energy.

We were fortunate enough to then learn more about the powerful energy in the element of fire from the fabulous and
knowledgeable Firefighters at Thomastown Fire Station. They visited our classroom and kindly guided our research projects
on the ‘Fire Triangle’, home fire safety and community fire safety. – Ms Russell
School Assembly

During our recent School Assemblies, we acknowledged our students’ achievements across various aspects of school life.
Here is a small sample: Harmony Day and student work

Harmony Day
Heroes
Athletics Carnival
Interschool Athletics report 2023:
Congratulations to all Diamonds and Emeralds who participated in last Friday’s Interschool Athletics Carnival at
Meadowglen International Athletics Track.
Mrs Robertson, Olivia Burnham, and I were so impressed - not just by the level of purposefulness and enthusiasm shown by
the students, but also the great team spirit and joy in the whole group on the day. To quote our wonderful coach Kylie,
‘Primary School Sports is all about giving students the chance to experience and learn’.
All students showed outstanding school pride and energy on Friday – whether it be by competing in their events, by being a
good sport or as a wonderful cheerleader and supporter on the sidelines.
Sometimes it is the unforeseen challenges that present themselves that truly show the capability of a person.
Apart from the students who were fortunate to place in events, we had wonderful displays of valour from different
students in many different ways: Mia, for being graceful and committed in her race despite the starter’s mistake, Parker for
insisting he must run in the team relay despite a heel injury, and all our high jumpers – Taitum, Sonny, Leon, Rafeef, and
Oliva Dani for competing in an event we had no training for. We would like to acknowledge Maram and Sonny for running
TWO relay races in a row and the 200m runners Mara Jean, Taitum, Alexis, Deon, Mia, and Sasha whose races were
suddenly postponed without notice due to time constraints. There were many individuals who overcame obstacles on
Friday, and I hope we can share all the stories this week in class to appreciate everyone’s efforts.
We would like to say a big thank you to Ms Culcasi, Suzi, and our coach Kylie for all their behind-the-scenes efforts to
support the students – and to our remarkable parents and families who supported the children with such joyful enthusiasm
and love. You all made it a great day with a lot for us to be proud of.
Results table:
Track event
9/10 Y/O Boys 800m Sasha – 3rd
12/13 Y/O Boys 800m Taitum – 3rd
10 Y/O Boys 100m sprint Gabriel- 3rd
11 Y/O Girls 100m sprint Alexis – 4th
12/13 Y/O Girls Shuttle Relay (4 X Mara Jean, Shaniece, Alexis & Gemma
100m) – 1st
11 Y/O boys Shuttle Relay (4 X 100m) Deon, Vicco, Gabriel & Sasha: 3rd

12/13 Y/O boys Shuttle Relay (4 X Parker, Miles, Taitum & Sonny: 4th
100m)
Field event
9/10 Y/O Girls long jump Olivia - 1st
11 Y/O Girls long jump Alexis – 1st
12/13 Y/O Girls long jump Shaniece – 1st
11 Y/O Boys long jump Vicco – 3rd
12 Y/O Boys long jump Darcy – 4th
9/10 Y/O Girls discus Angelique – 1st
12/13 Y/O Boys discus Taitum – 2nd
9/10 Y/O Girls high jump Olivia - 1st
12/13 Y/O Boys high jump Taitum – 4th
9/10 Y/O Boys triple jump Gabriel - 1st
11 Y/O Girls triple jump Alexis – 2nd.
12/13 Y/O Girls triple jump Mara Jean – 4th
11 Y/O Boys triple jump Vicco - 4th
12/13 Y/O Boys triple jump Parker – 3rd
9/10 Y/O Girls shotput Angelique – 3rd; Kirralee – 4th
Celebration photos