Upload
berwick-lodge-primary-school
View
220
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Berwick Lodge Primary School, Newsletter, May 2011
Citation preview
DIARY DATES
Friday 13th May Interschool Winter Sport
Tuesday 17th May House Cross Country
Wednesday 18th may OPEN NIGHT
Friday 20th May Interschool Winter Sport (away
Maramba PS)
Monday 6th-Wednesday 8th June 5/6 Camp1 (5T, 5C, 6K,
6N)
Wednesday 8th-Friday 10th June 5/6 Camp 2 (5H, 5W, 6P, 6N)
NEWSLETTER N0.13 12TH MAY 2011
NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 13th May Grade 6 Transition Forms for
Year 7
Monday 16th May J-Rock Performance Permission
forms for Open Night
Tuesday 17th May Interschool Winter Sport (away
Maramba PS)
Friday 20th May 5/6 Camp Coolamatong Forms
Tuesday 24th May Preps - Basil Safety House
Friday 27th May 5/6 Camp Coolamatong Final
Payment
Friday 3rd June Prep, Grade 1&2 Swimming
Program
BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198
E-mail: [email protected]
Visit our Websites : http:// www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au,
Camp Australia/Out of School Hours Care: 9769 8251
CANTEEN IS NOT OPEN ON TUESDAYS
NAPLAN TESTS
People often ask me what I think is
the value of the NAPLAN tests.
These days the tests have assumed
an increased importance, primarily
because the
federal
government has
decided to use
the results to
create what is
commonly called
‘league tables of
schools’ via the My School website.
Consequently we can’t ignore
NAPLAN tests and all the more so
because the Prime Minister has
decided to link NAPLAN results to a
new initiative, ‘Performance Bonuses’
for the ‘top 10%’ of teachers on an
annual basis.
Personally, I believe that the
NAPLAN tests are a useful
diagnostic tool for teachers that
provide some valuable information
about how students are learning in
areas of literacy and numeracy in
Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The information
that the tests provide can help
teachers plan some specific work for
both individual and groups of
children to either help them improve
or capitalise on what they already
know and the skills they possess.
Beyond that, the results become
problematic when aggregated in ways
that lead to comparing school
performance or deciding which
teachers deserve an annual bonus of
up to $10,000.
Interestingly, countries such as the
USA and the UK are moving away
from such an approach to improving
student learning outcomes. Indeed,
high performing countries in school
education, such as Finland do not
have national tests nor do they have
performance bonuses for teachers.
There should be a lesson in this for
us. Other reasons for concern
include the fact that the NAPLAN
tests cover only a small fraction of all
that is taught and learnt in our
schools, yet none of this is included
in the ranking of schools. Insofar as
ranking teachers goes, our culture is
one of teamwork. Many aspects of
our work require a high degree of
collegiality and mutual support and
planning. Awarding 10% of teachers
substantial bonuses each year works
in opposition to the teamwork ethic
that is crucial in our profession.
There a number of other concerns
that I have on this issue, yet the most
compelling concern of all is that
precious little international evidence
exists that creating league tables of
school performance or paying
teachers performance bonuses
actually improves student learning.
Surely research evidence should be
guiding our policies in education.
BER UPDATE
On Monday Jodie Norton, our
school council president, Lynne
Brenner and I met with Andrew
Wood our APP project manager for
our BER building. Our meeting with
Andrew resulted in the following
outcomes:
(1) Andrew has taken on board our
desire to have the seven internal
sliding doors be changed to cavity
doors. This will be both safer and
provide more wall space in the
classrooms for displays, as well as
being more aesthetically appealing.
Most likely this request will be acted
on.
(2) We will have 4 interactive
whiteboards for
installation in the
building and we
can have them
placed where we
like, provided
that they are in
practical
locations.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER?
Please ensure you let the school office know if you have changed address or updated mobile phones with new numbers.
This information alleviates stressful situations on students when they are ill and we cannot contact parents
EMA 1st INSTALLMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE
SCHOOL OFFICE BETWEEN 8:30AM - 4:00PM
YEAR 7 TRANSITION
JUST A REMINDER THAT ALL GRADE 6 STUDENTS ARE TO
RETURN THEIR YEAR 7 APPLICATION TO SECONDARY
SCHOOL FORM TO MRS NAISMITH
BY FRIDAY 13TH MAY 2011.
SCHOOL AWARDS Congratulations to the following students who received awards over the last
week:
Elia PM
Olivia PM
Stephanie PW Hayley PL
Stevie PM Kayjen PC
Lachlan PC Charli PW Ruairi PL
Darcy PC
(3) Extra water taps and electrical
points will be installed.
(4) We have a choice of a small
gravel car park for staff being
constructed at the front of the
building or having the area
landscaped with trees, shrubs and
seats for children. There is no
provision for a bitumen car park. A
decision on this is being held over
(5) The expected completion date is
early September this year.
(6) Extra attention is being given to
the detail of the building to ensure
that we have a ‘top quality facility’
upon completion (David Chandler,
Orgill BER Implementation Taskforce
has given an undertaking that he will
personally oversee the quality of
workmanship on our building).
Earlier this week Julie Alliston,
DEECD BER Manager, contacted me
with what she described as a ‘great
outcome’ for us with respect to the
amount of money available to us for
our companion project. The figure
she cited to me was $570,000. I did
not share her enthusiasm, drawing
her attention to the fact that if this
figure was indeed correct then there
has been a
$430,000 overrun
on the budget!
That amounts to
almost 25% on a
$2 million project,
hardly a great
outcome and not
a figure on which any self-respecting
building company could stay in
business. Julie Alliston agreed to
meet with us next Wednesday at
2.00pm and will provide a detailed
cost breakdown for our project. I
advised her that we would have our
own professional experts analyse the
figures that she will be providing. We
should be entitled to $1 million for
our companion project and that is
what we will be seeking.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)
Q. What medical qualifications do
our staff have to treat sick and
injured children at school?
A. Level 2 First Aid Training. This
level is quite adequate for the level of
first aid care that staff can reasonably
be expected to have for their first aid
work. All staff undergo regular
training updates in asthma diagnosis
and treatment, treating children
suffering from an anaphylactic
reaction, epileptic seizures and
performing CPR.
QUOTABLE QUOTE
‘If you don’t believe in yourself then
you’re hardly likely to embrace the
accolades of others.’
HENRY GROSSEK
ASS I STANT PR INCIPALS ’ REPORT
ENERGY DRINKS
Recently we have become aware that
a number of our senior students are
bringing high energy drinks
(eg: Mother, Red Bull, V) to school or
buying and consuming these drinks on
their way to school. Teachers are
concerned that the consumption of
these drinks is impacting on the
learning and behaviour of some
students. Parents may be interested
in the following information with
regard to the effects of these drinks
on children.
‘Most energy drinks contain the
stimulant caffeine, which is what
causes the most concern. Instant
coffee has a caffeine content of about
60-80 milligrams per 250 millilitres,
Coca Cola 36mg per 375ml and
energy drinks such as Red Bull contain
80mg per 250ml. High amounts of
caffeine are known to result in
increased anxiety, reduced
concentration, dehydration and
insomnia. Although moderate
amounts of caffeine appear to have
few health risks for adults, this might
not be the case for children. Little is
known about the potential harmful
effects of long-term caffeine
consumption by children. In the past
it was illegal in Australia to
manufacture drinks with high
concentrations of caffeine. However,
the Australia New Zealand Food
Authority changed the standards for
the manufacture of energy drinks,
requiring them to be labelled: This
food contains caffeine and is not
recommended for children, pregnant
or lactating women and individuals
sensitive to caffeine.’
While we are able to
discourage students
from consuming
these drinks at
school as we have a
‘no canned drinks/
soft drinks’ policy, it is difficult for us
to address the issue of children
drinking high energy beverages on
their way to school. We ask that
parents discuss with their children the
ill effects of these drinks and support
us in ensuring that students are not
having these drinks on their way to
school.
STUDENT ENROLMENT
DETAILS
The office staff are in the process of
completing an update of enrolment
details for all students to ensure that
they are current and accurate. This
will mean that families will receive the
information we currently have for
their children and will be required to
review and amend the details for each
child separately. This process is
necessary as some of the enrolment
information is student
specific. The
information will be
distributed to families
by grade level between
now and the end of
this term. Families are
asked to be prompt in
returning this
information to facilitate
the process. As the
data entry is an enormous task it may
take our administrative staff a few
weeks to complete the update and
ensure that the new information is
active on the system.
Please note that all forms should
be returned to school whether
there are any changes or not.
We thank you for your support
in this matter.
EDUCATION WEEK OPEN
NIGHT – WEDNESDAY 18TH
MAY
All families are invited to attend our
Open Night on Wednesday 18th May
from 6:00 to 8:00PM. A program
outlining activities and displays will be
sent home next week. Prospective
families are also most welcome to
attend. The Student Leaders and
some of our other senior students
will be conducting guided tours for
first time visitors. If you know of any
families who may be interested in
attending our Open Night please
extend an invitation to them.
PARENTS VICTORIA ONLINE
CONFERENCE
Parents of primary and secondary
students are warmly invited to take
part in the fifth annual online
conference to be held by Parents
Victoria. The conference will be held
non-stop on the internet during
Education Week (Sunday 15th May to
Saturday 21st May). No special
software is needed, other than an
internet-connected computer and a
browser. The online discussions will
be very easy to join in, and guidelines
about how to participate will be
provided. Join in for all days, just
some days, or even a few hours,
depending on your lifestyle and other
commitments.
The conference will discuss the
following topical issues:
Cost of Schooling, Communication,
Parents as Volunteers, Fundraising,
Parent engagement in their child’s
education, training and pathways
planning, Homework and Student
Safety.
To access the conference all
participants must be registered. The
registration page can be found at
http://www.cybertext.net.au/pv/
pv2011registration.php
After submitting the form, registrants
will be directed to a
confirmation page and
will also receive an
email confirming their
registration.
The Parents Victoria
Online Conference 2011 website will
open from 6am on Sunday 15th May
and finish at 12 midnight on Saturday
20th May. We encourage families to
take up this opportunity!
BEDWETTING
Childhood bedwetting is a common
dilemma faced by families. We have
recently received some information
from the Bedwetting Institute of
Australia that we felt may be of some
use to families struggling with this
problem.
‘A new DVD based program, Bedwetting
Cured, has been developed by Dr Mark
Condon and Physiotherapist, Margaret
O’Donovan. It outlines a successful
program for parents to implement at
home with their children For information
and a free Bedwetting Fact Sheet please
visit the website:
www.bedwettinginstitute.com.au or phone
1300 135 796.’
We hope that this information will be
of some value to you.
LYNNE BRENNER & DEBBIE CUSACK
ASS I STANT PR INCIPALS ’ REPORT
SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Welcome everyone to my first School Council President’s Report.
I thought it might be of interest to summarise the role of your School Council and our purpose in the school community.
WHAT ARE WE
A school council is a legally formed body that is the major governing body of the school. It plays an important role in school
accountability and improvement processes as well as endorsing key school planning, evaluation and reporting documents.
It is important to note that a school council does not manage the running of the school. The Principal and his team manage
this area of operations.
WHO WE ARE
Our school council consists of seven parent members, four DEECD (staff) members and a PFA Co-Optee.
The team is:
President: Jodie Norton Principal: Henry Grossek
Vice-President: Michelle Sarjeant Staff: Lynne Brenner
Minute Secretary: Lois Smethurst Sue Naismith
Correspondence: Michael Tabone PFA: Samantha Cline
Parents: Prashah Sujenthiran
Craig Benedick
Carolyn Mehr
Lesley Lees
WHAT WE DO
Establish the broad direction and vision of the school
Develop, review and update school policies
Approve the annual budget and monitor expenditure
Maintain the school’s grounds and facilities
Report annually to the school community and DEECD
WHAT WE DON’T DO
Manage the school
Employ ongoing teaching staff
Represent personal interests
Determine class allocations
Discuss individual issues between staff, students and/or parents
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
Over the next few weeks, I will introduce you to the people who make up our school council. We hope that if you have any
issues or concerns, you will then be able to contact any one of us.
Please feel free to contact me directly via the school office or you can email me on [email protected]
Jodie Norton School Council President
SCHOOL COUNCIL DIRECTORY
President: Jodie Norton Principal: Henry Grossek
Vice-President: Michelle Sarjeant DEECD Members: Lynne Brenner
Minute Secretary: Lois Smethurst Sue Naismith
Correspondence Sec.: Michael Tabone
Parent Members: Prashad Sujenthiran PFA Co-Optee: Samantha Cline
Craig Benedick
Carolyn Mehr
Lesley Lees
Contact Details: Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198
Email: [email protected]
WHAT IS GETTING ALONG?
Types of Thinking That Build Getting Along
Being Tolerant of Others - means that when someone is mean to you or is different from you,
accepting that he or she is not a totally bad person. It means thinking that you may need to find out more
about the person and to respect differences.
Playing by the Rules - means thinking that by following
important school, home and community rules, your
community will be a better place to live and learn and you
will stay out of trouble and be more successful.
Thinking First - means that when someone acts badly or
unfairly or you want something, before you take action, you:
a) think of alternative courses of action; b) think of the
consequences of different actions you can take; and c) predict
the impact your actions may have on the feelings of the other
person.
Social Responsibility - means thinking that it is
important to be a good citizen and to help build a world with fairness and justice for all where
everyone feels safe and secure. It means being sensitive to the feelings of others, acting
honestly, and treating others (especially those who come from different backgrounds) with
respect, caring and reaching out to people in need, and working towards protecting the
environment.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This year all Grades 3 to 6 children will be participating in the Fantastic Fridays Program in Term 2. This program
will run on Friday afternoons (2:30pm to 3:30pm) starting from Week 2 and will run for approximately 8 weeks. It
is an elective program where students will be mixed with their peers to learn a variety of different subjects outside
the normal curriculum areas of Literacy and Numeracy. The elective programs on offer are:
Gymnastics
J-Rock
Lego
Cooking
Art / Craft Construction
Billycarts
County Fair
Fashion / Jewellery Making
Science and Technology
We have a number of teachers allocated to the various programs but are asking our school community for some
support. If you have any expertise in any of the following areas and would like to participate in the
program we would greatly appreciate your time and experience. These activities
require different materials and resources and we would greatly appreciate any
donations to support our Fantastic Fridays Program. These could include-
construction materials such as wood, screws, wheels, art supplies, foam cups etc.
Please see Traceye Rapinett for information or details about the program.
We believe everyone is settling in well with the new coordinator and a few changes. At Camp Australia we aim to
make kids Smile and so far we are doing just that!
Curriculum Day : Tuesday14th June is coming up and we have an Expression of Interest form, so please fill one in if
you think you’ll need care for this day. The session would run from 6:45am - 6:30pm. However, we need a mini-
mum of 20 children to run a program on this day. Expression of interest forms need to be returned no later than
Friday 3rd June.
Reminder: Parents please go through the OSHC rules with your child/ren and return the slip on the second page.
So far at BLOSHC we made beautiful things to give to that special mum in our lives, including a beaded key ring
and a hand painted calico shopping bag. This week we will be focusing on thinkgs that work with the wind.
M: Pin Wheel
T: Beaded Wind Charm
W: Wind Mill
T: Wind Spinner
F: Wind Sock
Our Star of the week:
Hayley 5T for being most helpful and always having fantastic manners.
Congratulations Hayley.
Our operating hours: Before school care 6:45am - 8:45am
After school care 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Our direct line is 9769 8251 or you can call the admin team at Camp Australia on 8851 4160.
Thank you
Dorien and the OSHC Team
BLOSHC NEWS
Library News
The Library Program at Berwick Lodge Primary School for 2011 has received many positive comments, both
from the students and parents. Olivia and myself would like to thank those who have provided us with feedback
and welcome your continued support.
This term the Library is open during the second half of lunch time on a Monday, Tuesday and
Friday for those students who would like to do some quiet reading or participate in a quiet
game/activity. It is open for all students in Years 1-6.
On Friday 13th May a BIG order of new and exciting books will be arriving for the library!
Over the coming weeks our two Library Captains, Selma and Lizzy, will be featuring some of
these books in our school newsletter and at our assemblies.
The Gruffalo is a children’s book by writer/playwright Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel
Scheffler, telling the story of a mouse taking a walk through a deep, dark wood. The book
has sold over 3.5 million copies, has won several prizes for children’s literature, and has
been made into a play. This wonderful book has been adapted to the stage by London’s Tall
Stories Theatre Company and has played sell out seasons throughout the world including the
West End and Broadway. After winning the 2009 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production
for Children, The Gruffalo played to packed houses throughout Australia and New Zealand last year, including
here in Melbourne, and we’re delighted to bring the show back. The Gruffalo is ideal for children aged 3-8, and
so for students from Prep to Year 2, many of whom will be familiar with – and love – the book.
The Gruffalo is playing from 28th June - 2nd July, 2011 at the Arts Centre. Please see the Arts Centre website
for more details if you are interested in taking your children along to see a wonderful play!
Smiles Miss Sarah Vine
Parents & Friends Association
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 2nd June 2011 at 1.30pm in Room 16.
Everyone is welcome, including toddlers. The PFA welcomes anyone wanting to join the fun and help make
a difference.
2ND HAND UNIFORM SHOP: Our next 2nd hand uniform shop will be open in the school canteen on
Tuesday 28 June 2011 from 2.30pm until 3.15pm. We would like to thank all those families who have
donated as they have assisted other families in our community. There will be a table with $1.00 items. Get
in quick!!
Current events
CHOCOLATE DRIVE: Thursday 12th May 2011. Our major fundraiser this term is our chocolate
drive. Chocolate carry packs will be distributed today. We hope that as many families as possible support
our fundraiser. We have great individual prize program for everyone who sells a box. There are also prizes
for the family who sells the most box, and prizes for the child in each grade that sells the most boxes.
This year we have made it so you can pay by BPay, credit card, cheque or cash.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Family Portrait Event: We will be holding a Family Portrait event. Further details will be announced
soon.
News
As of next week, every Thursday from 2.45pm, for a gold coin donation the PFA will be offering Tea,
Coffee or Hot Milo in Room 16. Everyone is welcome.
The PFA page on the Berwick Lodge Primary School Website has been updated. You will find a listing of all
our meeting dates and 2nd Hand Uniform Shops as well as all the major fundraising events for this year.
If you have any ideas or suggestions to help the PFA in any way please contact us via the school office or by
email on [email protected].
The PFA would like to thank you for your
continued support.
Adult Disco
Yes I would like to participate in the Adult Disco
Parent/Guardian’s Name: ___________________________________________
Child’s Name: Grade:
Contact Phone Number:
BUSINESS ADVERTISING
Advertisements published by the school are accepted in good faith and should not be regarded as an endorsement of any product or service.
Parents and members of the school community are advised to investigate any service or product to determine its suitability to meet their family's needs prior to accessing it.
COMMUNITY NEWS NARRE WARREN-BERWICK BLUE
LIGHT DISCO
BERWICK LEISURE
CENTRE,
MANUKA ROAD,
BERWICK
SATURDAY 4th June 2011
For Students in years 4, 5,
6, 7, & 8 only
Times 6:00pm to 10:00pm
COST: $10.00
Any enquires to Narre Warren
Police Station 9705 3111