Pakenham Consolidated School 2 Rundell Way, Pakenham 3810

Phone: (03) 5941 1511 Fax: (03) 5941 1541 Email: pakenham.cs@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: pakconps.vic.edu.au

Dates to Remember

MARCH

Monday 12th

Labour Day

Wednesday

14th

GRIP Leadership conference

Thursday 15th

Year 3-4 to

Bunjilaka Place

Monday 19th

School Council

AGM

Tuesday 20th

School Photos

Thursday 22nd

Year 1-2

Incursion

Friday 23rd

House Meetings

Thursday 29th

Easter Bonnet parade

Last Day Term 1

APRIL

Monday 16th

Students return

Monday 16th to

Friday 20th

Year 6 camp

Wednesday

25th

Anzac Day

From the Principal

A LONG TIME COMING

I am very excited to announce that after a long time and a lot of negotiating,

Pakenham Consolidated School now owns the land on Rundell Way that is

being used as a car park. I want to send out a huge ‘THANKS’ to Ainslie

Thomson, who has been on the long journey to make this happen. We now

have to work with the community to work out the best way to establish a

proper, safe car park. I can’t guarantee that this will happen in the next week,

but I will guarantee that we are working on it already and will make sure that

we get the best result in the shortest amount of time.

I would like to report that our system of having children take themselves to

their classrooms if they are late, or being called to the office if they are being

picked up early, has made a huge difference to our classrooms. The children

are much less distracted by late comers or early leavers and therefore are able

to continue their learning. I will ask that parents who need to collect their

child during lunch breaks try to prearrange it so that the child doesn’t go

outside. Children often don’t hear the announcements when they are outside

and it is disruptive to continue to call them when half of the school is in class

learning. Please try to avoid collecting junior students between 12:30pm and

1:20pm and senior students between 1:30pm and 2:20pm.

I have been out in the yard most mornings before school and I love seeing

children walking or riding with their parents and friends. It is important to

remember that no one should be at school before 8:30am. The yard is not

supervised before 8:45am but breakfast club is open every day from 8:30am

for anyone who arrives early. Bikes and scooters should be walked into the

school and left in the bike shed. It is dangerous to ride in the yard and

unfortunately we will have to start confiscating bikes and scooters if children

continue to ride in the school grounds.

Thanks to all the children and families for making the House Cross Country a

huge success. I really enjoyed seeing the support that was shared across all

the participants.

We have a lot happening in our last 3 weeks of this term including school

photos, year 3 / 4 excursion, and Easter celebration. I hope everyone enjoys

the extra day off this weekend.

Katrina Stewart

From the Principal

Star of the Week

0BH-Elektra, 0CA-Mikey, 0KP-Kellan, 0KW-Ryder, 0RW-Bailey

1EA-Levi, 1JA-Casein, 1JJ-Logan, 1/2P-Logan

2ES-Ethan, 2FF-Ronita, 2HC-Angus, 2JZ-Mia

3CC-Marley, 3ER-Ben, 3/4R-Isabella

4AB-Lachlan, 4JS-Ayanna,

5JT-Marshall, 5MW-Zac, 5OH-Achol

6DS-Charli, 6JK-Zach, 6LD-Danielle, 6SN-Curtis

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Week 4—Friday 23rd February 2018

SENIOR SCHOOL

Week 4 —Friday 23rd February 2018

Week 5—Friday 2nd March 2018

0BH-Lukos, 0CA-Oscar, 0KP-Elle, 0KW-Madi, 0RW-Joshua

1EA-Alexis, 1JA-Lyra, 1JJ-Sam, 1/2P-Caitlin

2ES-Nicholas, 2FF-Bayleigh, 2HC-Raine, 2JZ-Cooper

Week 5 —Friday 2nd March 2018

3CC-Lily, 3ER-Zach, 3MG-Kayden, 3/4R-Chris

4AB-Jorja, 4JS-Ariella, 4SL-Libby

5MW-kelly 5OH-Alex

6DS-Brooklyn, 6JK-Deakin, 6LD-Dakoda, 6SN-Chase

School Photos

Photo Day is Tuesday 20th March 2018.

School Photo order forms have been sent home.

The preferred payment method is via credit card online, however, if this payment

option does not suit, we have limited payment envelopes available at the Administration Office.

Family photo order forms are also available at Administration.

Administration

Camps, Sport and Excursion Fund (CSEF)

Just a reminder that if you hold a pension or health care card you may be eligible to

apply for CSEF.

Applications are available from Administration.

FOUNDATION Akuch, Marlee

YEAR ONE Dante, Jayden

YEAR TWO Dakoda, Ben, Jayden

YEAR THREE Tianah, India

YEAR FOUR Katara, Natasha

YEAR FIVE Riley, Ayomi

YEAR SIX Michael, Chin

Bucket Filler Award

WE ARE A BUCKET FILLER SCHOOL

Kelly has visited every grade this term and discussed the bucket filler program with all our students. The program is continuing on from last year so the students are fully aware what it means to be a bucket filler.

Could we please ask that you encourage your children at home to be a ‘bucket filler’ and to have discussions with them about being a ‘bucket filler’ and ‘how to fill a bucket.’

Reminder: A bucket filler is someone who uses their words and actions in a positive way to make others feel good and when we make others feel good, we feel good too.

We fill buckets by speaking nicely to others, being friendly, being helpful, using our manners, taking turns, etc…….

If you would like more information on this program please contact

Kelly Dow.

Bucket Filler

PCS Easter Raffle

Raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

We are asking all PCS families to please donate an Easter item to go in our Raffle that will then be drawn on Thursday 29th March 2018 at the Easter Bonnet Parade (last day of term 1).

You can give your items to your classroom teachers or to the lovely

administration staff.

A book of 10 raffle tickets will be coming home to each family to sell. Tickets are only $1 each.

Raffle ticket stubs & money are due back no later than 27th March 2018.

Many Thanks, PCS Fundraising committee

Hot Dog Day

A huge thank you to the parents who helped Mrs Fromhold cook and

distribute over 400 hot dogs. It was great seeing all enjoying their ‘Special Canteen Food Day’.

Please also remember that on these ‘special days’ we are unable to accept lunch orders due to the commitment that is required of the staff,

volunteers and the canteen requirements itself.

Our next special canteen food day will be on Wednesday 6th June 2018 and will be ‘Spaghetti Bolognaise Day’. We will have Gluten Free and

Vegetarian options available.

Fundraising News

Fundraising meeting

Next fundraising meeting has changed to Monday 19th March 2018 at 9.45am (straight after assembly) - at OSHC building.

All welcome.

PCS Community Group

Next PCS community group meeting is Friday 16th March 2018 at 2pm

in the OSHC building. All welcome.

Seeking helpers for Canteen Duty

Fridays 11.30am to 1.30pm

Please let Naomi know if you can help Donna in the canteen.

Dates needed for term 1: Friday 16th March & Friday 23rd March

Text or call Naomi on 0404 898 418

Emergency Management Training

During the school year we will be testing our emergency procedures to ensure that the School Community are familiar with their role, should

such an event occur. These evacuation safety drills and lock down safety drills will occur at random. If you are in the school, visiting during these times, we ask that you follow Staff directions. If you are

about to enter the school, you may be asked to leave and return later.

We will try to minimise any inconvenience, however, as in real emergencies, students may not be available to be picked up until after the practise drill has concluded.

Thank you for your understanding as we promote safety preparedness

throughout our School Community.

News

Bookclub

Bookclub 2: closes 14th March 2018

Year Six Camp

Year 6 Camp Coolamatong : 16th to 20th April 2018

Final payments due: 16th March 2018

Coming up

Last year each family received a welcome letter in order to access our

Parent Portal. This letter gave you an access key and instructions to

access your child's information. We hope that you took the opportunity

to log on to the portal and have a look around. We understand that

since that letter went home you may have forgotten your username or

password. A reminder that you should have registered with an email

address which becomes your username and then created your own

personal password. You would have also been required to enter a

unique access key when registering for the first time. If you misplaced

the welcome letter or didn’t get the chance to register please let the Ad-

ministration Office know and we will arrange to have the letter reprint-

ed for you at our earliest convenience. Foundation families will receive

their welcome letter with this newsletter.

Once registered you can access the Parent Portal directly from our

school website by going to www.pakconps.vic.edu.au and clicking on

the Parent Portal link on the left hand side of the homepage.

PCS Parent Portal

Don’t forget you can record absences, check and edit important family

and medical information, send messages to your child/ren’s teachers

and access the fortnightly newsletters on the portal.

Keep an eye out in our next newsletter for more handy tips when

using the Parent Portal!

Feeling Is Thinking

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We will be running “Feeling is Thinking” in Term Two and Three here at the school. This program is run for Year Three to Six students (depending on numbers).

We would like to offer this group to your child / children in your care. We will be running this group during school time at the school.

The group is to assist children with their relationships and in expressing their feelings.

This group is facilitated in small groups (no more than eight children) and focuses on issues such as exploring feelings, strong emotions: what do they look like, what things make people angry, managing anger, taking risks and practising changes.

“Feeling is Thinking“ runs for eight weeks and each session is for one hour. The group concludes with a ‘Celebration’ session.

“Feeling is Thinking“ will be facilitated by myself and Kelly Dow, our Primary Welfare Officer. If you think your son or daughter (or child in your care) would benefit from “Feeling is Thinking“ we would encourage you to talk to him / her about this. Should you decide that they would like to participate please return the reply slip to myself as soon as possible.

There will be a $10.00 fee for this program to help with the costs of the journals that your child will receive. Once your child has been placed into a group you will receive a confirmation letter and a request for payment. Please do not send payment until you receive this request.

Pakenham Consolidated School are pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.

If you require further information about “Feeling is Thinking“ please do not hesitate to contact myself here at the school on 5941 1511.

Cindy Healey

Complex Case Manager and

“Feeling Is Thinking“ Coordinator

Wellbeing

Feeling Is Thinking Application Form

Name of Child: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Year: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Parent/Guardian: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Contact Number: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Child’s allergies to food: _______________________________________________________________________________________

How does your child/children in your care express their feelings?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes I would like my son / daughter / child in my care to participate in the

Feeling is Thinking Group

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature

Yes I would like to participate in the Feeling is Thinking Group

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature

Wellbeing

Seasons for Growth

Dear Parents/Carer,

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At Pakenham Consolidated School we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce or related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful educational Program called Seasons for Growth. This Program is facilitated in small groups of up to eight children (with a minimum of four - five in each group before the program can run), at three different levels, Level One is for children in Years One and Two, Level Two is for children in Years Three and Four and Level Three is for children in Years Five and Six.

The Program is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The Program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem solving, decision making, effective communication and support networks.

The Seasons for Growth Program is made up of a one hour session, once a week, over an nine week period. The Program then concludes with a ‘celebration’ session.

Seasons for Growth is facilitated by myself, and Kelly Dow our Primary Welfare Officer. We have received special training in the use of this Program. If you think your son or daughter, or child in your care, would benefit from Seasons for Growth we would encourage you to talk to him / her about this. Should he / she decide to participate please fill in the attached form and return it to me in the Wellbeing Centre as soon as possible.

There will be a $15.00 fee for this Program to help with the costs of the journals that your child will receive. Once your child has been placed into a group you will receive a confirmation letter and a request for payment.

Please do not send payment until you receive this request.

Pakenham Consolidated School is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.

If you have any questions about the Program please do not hesitate to contact me at the school on 5941 1511.

Cindy Healey

Complex Case Manager and

Seasons For Growth Co-ordinator

Wellbeing

Seasons For Growth Application Form

Name of Child / Children:__________________________________________________________________

Year:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Parent / Guardian:________________________________________________________________

Contact Number:____________________________________________________________________________

Please provide a brief summary of what change has happened at home:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes I would like my child / children to participate in the Seasons for Growth Program.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature

Yes I would like to participate in the Seasons for Growth Program.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Student’s Signature

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Date

Wellbeing

Special Breakfast

The breakfast club will be holding a special

HOT CROSS BUN breakfast on Thursday 22nd March 2018.

We would greatly appreciate any donations of fruit or chocolate hot cross buns.

Please drop them off at our Administration Office or the Wellbeing Centre.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Breakfast Club

A huge thank you to Bunnings Pakenham for their donations and continuing support of Pakenham Consolidated School programs.

A special thank you to April, Bunnings Community Liaison.

Thank You

Our Bedtime Stories evening was a great success with over 200 participants.

Families rotated throughout classrooms hearing stories from a

number of teachers dressed in robes and pyjamas.

It was lovely to see everyone get into the spirit of the night

with some children bringing soft toys and cushions to get

comfortable.

Hot milos and biscuits

were offered in the

staffroom between stories.

Mrs Greenough presented

a Parent Information Session on how we teach reading and

support our children at home. We were so pleased to see so

many parents participate.

We thank you for your ongoing support for our

school programs and are delighted at the

impressive number of participants this year.

Bedtime Stories

On Tuesday 6th March 2018 our school held our annual house Cross Country day. Although it

turned out to be a hot day it was a beautiful and sunny with great conditions for running.

Throughout the day we witnessed some fantastic efforts with all of the students trying their best

and challenging themselves to do the best they could. We saw some great encouragement from on

and off the course with everybody supporting each other making sure that everybody crossed that

finish line.

Although I will not be announcing the winning house until our next assembly along with who made

our district school team the first, second and third place getters from each year level were:

Foundation: Boys : 1st Ace 2nd Cooper 3rd Laurance

Girls : 1st Olivia 2nd Aliet 3rd Sky

Year 1: Boys: 1st Alier 2nd Xavier 3rd Levi

Girls: 1st Lexi 2nd Annabelle 3rd Mya

Year 2: Boys: 1st Kayden 2nd Mayen 3rd Leyton

Girls 1st Talia 2nd Chloe 3rd Ella

Year 3: Boys: 1st Ruach and Blake 3rd Leon

Girls: 1st Allyra 2nd Christina 3rd Lyshae

Year 4: Boys: 1st Bryan 2nd Lincoln 3rd Ryan

Girls: 1st Sienna 2nd Gemma 3rd Alexandra

Year 5 Boys: 1st Josh 2nd Zoran 3rd Riley

Girls: 1st Achol 2nd Leone 3rd Ayomi

Year 6 Boys: 1st Brayden 2nd Matthew 3rd Michael

Girls: 1st Brooklyn 2nd Charli 3rd Rachel

Thank you to all those staff that helped and all those parents who came and

supported the event.

House Cross Country