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JASON’S JOURNAL – The Principal’s Message
One of the key reasons for student success at Blackburn Lake Primary School is the high expectations we set and expect. Over the last fortnight Loisia and myself have met with all staff as a part of their performance and development plans. I commend staff on their professionalism as we have adopted a new state-wide process. The strengths of the new performance and development model is that it will enable us to better reach our potential as a learning community, and drive continued improvement across the system. (As a parent) I know it is easy to sometimes be critical of our teachers and schools, and I am most proud of the work of the Blackburn Lake Primary School staff, who continue to contribute to a wonderful culture of improvement. This perception of pride has been reinforced at the beginning of this term from those outside of the school: Life Education teachers, bus drivers and swimming instructors - people who work with children every day, who have taken the time to congratulate myself, the teachers and the children on their outstanding behaviour. I thank and acknowledge all the positive role models of our school community who contribute to our strong school culture. NATIONAL GONSKI WEEK At Blackburn Lake Primary School we are committed to ensuring every student gets a high quality education. That is why we welcomed the decision last year by the State Government to sign a six year Gonski agreement with the Federal Government. Based on the recommendations of the landmark Gonski Review, that agreement means more targeted funding for schools over six years, starting in 2014. For us, the additional Gonski funding over the next six years will allow us to continue the educational programs and learning support we know make a difference in our student’s achievements. At present, we fund intervention programs that provide one-on-one assistance to students at risk of falling behind (such as Reading Recovery, Toe-by-Toe and QuickSmart Maths) but Gonski funding would enable this money to be spent on other school improvement initiatives – whether it be (for example) further building the skills and knowledge of teachers or improved ICT resourcing.
Unfortunately the recommendations for Gonski funding have been changed – the reason for a petition outside our school on Monday morning as a part of National Gonski week. Please visit the campaign website (www.igiveagonski.com.au) to say "no" to the education cuts, so we don’t have to say “no” to kids in the future.
ICT (INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES) SURVEY RESULTS Last term we sought the views of our community and in consulting received 158 families responses to our online survey in regards to the possibility of introducing a 1:1 ICT device program in Grade 5/6 at BLPS. In asking “Would you support a 1:1 device program for students in 5/6 at Blackburn Lake Primary School?” we received 42% in favour (Yes), 23% against (No) and 35% ‘Maybe’, with many rightly reserved but also a positive majority indicating support. Many of our community can see the benefits of such a program, recognising especially the ‘greater opportunity to learn appropriate use of technology in a safe environment at school’. From the responses given, it is evident our children have access at home to a variety of devices – especially desktops and tablets, and indeed are already very active at home in terms of regulating and monitoring the use of technology (with parental help). Indeed, setting up parameters in terms of time, type and appropriate use are vital at both home and school, with “An advantage of having this type of program in the curriculum is that it provides a good forum to open the discussion at an early age about safe use of the internet and social media devices. Teaching the students to self-regulate.”
No 23
31 July 2014
In proposing such a program, we would obviously build upon our current expectations of appropriate use, as noticed by one parent: “In observing the current use of iPads in junior classes, it has been reassuring that they are used as a tool for learning, not a replacement for rigorous teaching methods and handwriting skills still have a strong emphasis.” Alternately, the main concerns of “Too much reliance on technology, its OK to write, draw, open a book” and “Poor spelling or lack of effort as technology would correct” were dominant, as “It’s important to maintain the ability to write and spell and not rely entirely on computers/technology.” I agree! We thank families for their input, as the survey responses were discussed at length during this week’s School Council; assisting the school in determining the best provision for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in the future. With a dramatic division of views on this proposal, the school will not be implementing a 1:1 program in 2015, instead continuing to offer and seek best practices in teaching and learning, focusing our energies in the recommendations that come from next week’s Review Day. CLASS VISIT – 2S
Joining the children of 2S on Tuesday for their Literacy Block I was reminded not only of the high quality instruction in our classrooms, but also one of the preconditions for improvement – an orderly environment. An example of this was at the beginning of the Reading Hour, when Suellen quietly asked the Energy Monitors to “get the room ready” and they quietly went about the business of turning off the lights, closing the blinds, and turning on the interactive whiteboard. This enabled the students to tune into their Shared Reading, in which they impressively revised the structure of a narrative: identifying the orientation, the complication, and the resolution. In their groups the class also recorded themselves reading parts of the story, before listening to the narrative (including my cameo for the final page!) together. This text provided the basis for the group tasks around the room – again, the students knowing of their “learning intentions” (what they were doing and learning), and also doing so in a very organised and efficient manner, as they obviously know the classroom and school’s routines and expectations. A feature of our Reading Hour across the school is the whole-part-whole organisation of the children, providing explicit instruction and focus at the beginning of a lesson before breaking up into smaller differentiated activities for the different needs of the students. At the end of the session the children reflected on their learning as a whole class – again, with the clever classroom systems and Suellen’s expert questioning ensuring success for all.
PREP 100 DAYS Our delightful Preps and their teachers, Alana Hartman-Smith. Emma Maguinness, Liz Fay and Sue Rosendale shared a fabulous day with their Prep classes today full of fun and excitement, as they celebrated attending 100 days of school during 2014. Prep parents would be aware that this has been a very special countdown leading to a day of celebration. It is amazing how much the prep children have grown over the past 20 weeks and they are now truly part of the “Blacky Lake” family. As I moved through all the Prep rooms this week it was wonderful to see how engrossed the children are in their learning activities and how enthusiastically they approach their work. Congratulations “Preppies” as your parents, your teachers and your buddies are very proud of you! PREP TRANSITION PROGRAM Tomorrow, prospective Prep students for next year start our ‘Launch Pad’ Prep Transition Program. At this stage we have 55 children enrolled for next year. This is similar to that of previous years and is a testament to the strong reputation the school enjoys. If you know of any families whose children may be attending Blackburn Lake in Prep next year – especially those with siblings - it would be great to see them here tomorrow for what is effectively the beginning of their school life! I hope to see you at tomorrow’s whole school Assembly @ 3pm to welcome our Launch Pad parents, acknowledge our ‘Students of the Week’, and celebrate other achievements. Regards, Jason Walker - Principal [email protected]
LOISIA’S LETTERS - The Assistant Principal’s Message
Education is about building positive relationships and these relationships underpin everything we do as a school, as a community and as a society. At Blackburn Lake Primary School one of our core values and aims is to ensure ours is a school in which positive relationships are built into our culture. By doing this we ensure that our students have the knowledge, skills and understandings that will enable them to build positive relationships to allow them to grow and succeed in the future. We aspire to positive relationships between students, students and teachers, teachers and parents and all members of our community. With this in mind, it’s important to be aware that our schoolyard is a public forum and as such, conversations between individuals may inadvertently be overheard. Private conversations in a public forum are not always appropriate and I would ask that we are all mindful of our conversations when in the public spaces around the school. By doing this, we each live up to our individual responsibility of respectful conversations and positive relationships. PARENTS APPROACHING STUDENTS We seek the help of all parents and carers to ensure appropriate procedures are followed regarding any adult approaching a student. Please be aware, that regardless of the situation, no adult should approach another student. Likewise, parents approaching other parents, often inflames a situation, the reason we encourage you to please speak directly with your class teacher, Jason or myself if you have a concern or issue. These procedures are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students and parents and to ensure that if there is a concern, we can solve the issue quickly and appropriately.
CONCERN APPROPRIATE ACTION The academic progress of your own child
Directly contact the child’s teacher either by note, by phone or at an appropriate time to discuss any issues.
The welfare of your own child
For minor issues directly contact your child’s teacher to clarify information. For more serious concerns, contact the office. State the nature of your concern and arrange a suitable time to talk with the class teacher, the Year Level Coordinator, the Assistant Principal or Principal. To convey information about change of address, telephone number, emergency contact, custody details, health issues, etc. Please contact the office.
Actions of other students
Contact the class teacher for a classroom problem. Contact the class teacher, Coordinator, Assistant Principal or Principal for playground problems.
Please note: No parent should directly approach or reprimand another person’s child.
DIARY DATES FOR TERM THREE Friday 1 August 2:35 – 3:25pm Prep 2014 ‘Launchpad’ #1
Wednesday 6 August 7:30pm Parents Association Meeting
Mon - Wed 18 - 20 August Grade 4 ‘Mount Morton’ Camp
Friday 22 August 2:35 – 3:25pm Prep 2014 ‘Launchpad’ #2
Monday 1 September Curriculum Day
Thursday 4 September 9.00am – 11.00am ‘Father’s Day’ Stall
Saturday 6 September 9:00am – midday Working Bee
Tuesday 9 September 7:30 – 9:00pm School Council Meeting
Friday 12 September 2:35 – 3:25pm Prep 2014 ‘Launchpad’ #3
Friday 19 September 2:00 – 2:30pm Assembly (Term 3 ends - early dismissal)
DIARY DATES FOR TERM FOUR
Monday 6 October 9:00am Term Four commences
Tuesday 4 November Melbourne Cup Holiday
Saturday 29 November State Election voting in DJC
Friday 5 December 7:00pm – 10:00pm ‘Back to 1964’ 50th Celebration at Box Hill Town Hall
Friday 19 December 1:00 – 1:30pm Assembly (last day of 2014 - early dismissal)
The school will deal with issues between students as part of the school’s Student Engagement and Wellbeing policy and procedures. Warm regards, Loisia Steed – Assistant Principal [email protected]
STUDENT SCHOOL COUNCIL
Celebrating 50years at
Blackburn Lake Primary School
Now well into Term 3, 50th
anniversary plans are building into a series of events
aimed at recognising and celebrating this milestone achievement.
Celebration activities will begin soon, including:
Book Week (book marks and seed sticks)
50yr Tree Planting & Plaque unveiling
50yr Pavers (new path to be laid and revealed)
Dress Up Day
Time Capsule (print & electronic versions)
Former Principal, Staff & Student Day
50yr archives and exhibition in DJ Centre
Back to 1964 Dinner Dance at Box Hill Town Hall.
Help comes in all forms! If
you want to help plan and
deliver these activities to
the school community,
please contact Wendy on
0407 797 774 or email:
to get involved.
Help comes in many
forms.
Everyone keen to be
involved ...
is welcome to get
involved!
STUDENTS OF THE WEEK We congratulate the following ‘Students of the Week’ – to be presented at Friday’s School Assembly
Principal’s Award Noah B – 2S His careful & quiet manner – completing school work & also ‘monitor’ tasks
Assistant Principal Ella H – 2D Making our school a bright & happy place to be by sharing some fun & humour
Prep A Milly F Using interesting words in her very first Narrative Writing piece – fantastic Milly!
Prep L Sam C Demonstrating effective Reading strategies
Prep E Ella W Greeting the teacher with a big, friendly smile each day – thank you Ella!
Prep S Cooper G Wonderful work with our 100 days of school celebrations
‘ART ARTICLES’ The students have been hard at work carving green ware (dry clay which are not fired yet) using satay sticks and pins to embellish the clay. Underglazes and glazes have been applied and the kiln is firing hundreds of pieces which will be incorporated in the mosaic. Thank you for the donations coming in. We look forward to receiving all those things you are saving up to bring in.
In Art, Grade 2 will be involved in ‘Construction’ over the coming weeks. Could you please send along any medium sized boxes that you have at home. We are looking for boxes the size of a tissue box, muesli bar box, Arnotts shapes box. Please pass these onto either Sam or Jo.
Johanna McPhail Visual Arts Coordinator
MAGICAL MUSIC NOTES
Classroom Spotlight
Blackburn Lake Primary School is proud to be participating in this year’s Music Count Us In event which
involves learning and performing a song to promote and celebrate Music education in schools. The performance will take place on Thursday 30th October at 12.30pm sharp. I encourage you to register online at the following link to find out more about this event. www.musiccountusin.org.au. The words are attached to the newsletter.
Instrumental News
Open Concert Our next Open Concert has been changed, and will now be held on Wednesday 6th August (week 4). Sign
in sheet will go up this Friday (that’s tomorrow) in the DJC foyer. Be quick. If you are keen to perform, start
practicing. If you performed in the last concert, please leave space for those who missed out last time.
1D Noah M Taking responsibility for his learning!
1J Thomas S Always being an enthusiastic participant in all class activities – well done Thomas, keep it up
1L
2C Emily B Her positive attitude & the wonderful way she approaches all new learning experiences – well done Em!
2D Razan A A great start to BLPS
2S Grantham M Demonstrating his editing skills after Writing his narrative
3A Angus C Working hard at improving his joined-up writing
3J Ka-mon F Helping a new classmate settle in, demonstrating Caring in her actions
4A Ella N Always having a positive attitude towards her learning particularly in Guided groups
4E Brodie W Showing a great attitude during a narrative Writing task & completing it in a set time frame – well done!
4N Mia B Developing interesting characters for her narrative
4S Anna L Fantastic overall improvements in her Writing skills – I’m proud of you Anna!
5/6D Mitchell C Coping well with a broken knee & managing his crutches – whilst always having a smile on his face!
5/6K Jason Y An excellent iMovie explaining the six types of angles & their degrees – a great group effort
5/6M Grace J Mastering the use of a protractor when measuring & creating angles
5/6N Nathan Y Being so helpful around the classroom & a positive support to his friends
5/6T Bella E Continuing to show our TRRAC Values and trying to find the positive in all situations
Art Jesse P – 4S Working productively to decorate clay pebbles
Italian (LOTE) Matthew McG – P-A
Writing correctly weather words in Italian
Phys Ed Ryland E-S – 4S
Throwing the discus very well with either hand!
Ensemble News
String Stars The String Stars are preparing for a performance at the Waverley Eisteddford on the 23rd August. Please make sure that you attend all rehearsals between now and then. It is important that you are aware of what is happening on the day. Looking forward to a great performance. Marimba Group Has begun. Would love to see you all there. We will be preparing for a performance at assembly, as well as
learning some music to play as part of the Music Count Us In extravaganza. Students from grade 3 – 6 are
welcome to attend at lunch-time on Mondays in the Music room. Choir We have also begun our choir rehearsals. The choirs rehearse on Tuesdays.
Grade 2 & 3 choir meets at lunch-time
Grade 4 – 6 choir meets at 2.30 – 3.30
Choir is open to anyone in these grades. Come along for a chance to have a sing with friends.
Looking forward to a fun filled term of music making! Sam Collins Music Coordinator ([email protected])
Paint You a Song H. Angus, E. Claxton, J. Foreman, A. Gill, K. Girao, W. Kennedy, N. Wendt
Do do do do doo, Do do do do doo Do do do do doo, Do do do do doo
I see the birds flying high, flying high, flying high in the sky They’re all singing along, to that same old song I feel the beat, feel the beat, feel the beat, feel the beat in my heart And it keeps me warm, like a spark in the dark
You paint the melody I will paint the harmony Singing colours all around Every city, every town
Let me paint you a song if you promise, promise Let me paint you a song if you promise, promise Let me paint you a song if you promise to sing along
Do do do do doo, Do do do do doo Do do do do doo, Do do do do doo
I hear the wind rushing in, rushing in, rushing into the night Touch the stars, chase the light And there’s a song, there’s a song, there’s a song, there’s a song in the air If you listen close, you can hear it there
You paint the melody I will paint the harmony Singing colours all around Every city, every town
Let me paint you a song if you promise, promise
Let me paint you a song if you promise, promise Let me paint you a song if you promise to sing along
Piano break
Music forever, Brings us together Music forever, Brings us together Music forever, Brings us together Music forever, Brings us together
Let me paint you a song if you promise, promise Let me paint you a song if you promise, promise Let me paint you a song if you promise to sing along
© Music Council of Australia 2014
SUPER SPORTS REPORT DISTRICT ATHLETICS We have started our athletics practise. This year our District event is to be held on Tuesday 26 August. We will be very busy over the coming weeks to prepare for this event. If you have a child in Grades 3-6 please encourage them to come to school each day prepared to do some practise or trials if need be. Once trials are complete those involved will be bringing the relevant information. HOOPTIME Hooptime for both Grades 4 and 6 are rapidly approaching too. Grade 6 will be taking part on Wednesday 27 August (the day after ath’s). A busy couple of days for some of our 6’s. Grade 4 will be up and dribbling on Wednesday 10 September. MORNING MOVERS - See you all there!
MASCOT FOR A DAY Just a reminder that Box Hill Hawks are again holding their “Mascot for a Day” event. Our day is Saturday 16 August. Not long to go if you are interested – make sure you enter very soon! To enter this competition you need to email the club with your name, age, phone number and our school name to [email protected] Phil Lumsden Sports Coordinator
PARENTS ASSOCIATION Show your support for the PA and like us on Facebook (Blackburn Lake Primary School PA Committee) or
drop us a line via the PA Mailbox in the School Foyer or send us an email @ [email protected]
Up Coming Events ‘Dads & Kids Big Day Out’ Coming soon (September)
LAST CHANCE FOR ‘UN-NAMED – UNCLAIMED’ LOST PROPERTY: The ‘un-named unclaimed’ items to be donated are washed and ready for donation….but they will remain in boxes under the Late Arrival / Visitors Book sign-in shelf in the main school foyer for people to have one last check. Any items remaining at the end of July (Thursday 31 July) will be donated. None of the items are named or have any remnant of a name that might help us deduce the owner. Many thanks.
FREE – 7 day trial of Entertainment™ Digital Membership!
Blackburn Lake Primary School have organised an exclusive opportunity for you to use the brand new Entertainment™ Digital Membership (what’s this?) for FREE for 7 days! Simply activate your Free Trial by Thursday 31st July and you get 7 days from when you activate it.
What is the Entertainment™ Digital Membership?
A smartphone app that give you access to valuable offers at over 800 of
Melbourne's most popular businesses. Enjoy 25-50% off at your favourite restaurants, activities and attractions, hotels, travel, shopping and
much, much more!
Simply show your smartphone (is mine compatible?) to redeem At the end of your Free Trial, you will have the option to purchase the Entertainment™ Digital Membership for the whole year for only $65. Best of all, 20% from every Entertainment™ Digital Membership you buy contributes towards our school! For those lucky enough to be travelling over the next week, you can select you FREE 7-day Entertainment™ Digital Membership for other regions (eg. Port Douglas, Sydney, etc.). Hurry, you have to activate your Free Trial by Thursday 31st July! These free trials of the Digital Memberships are limited in number so don't miss out, and start your trial today.
START A FREE TRIAL NOW »
PURCHASE YOUR BOOK OR DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP
NOW »
https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/trial/26639_1857
Please contact Jen Robertson ([email protected]) if you have any queries.
UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS in MPR
Monday Afternoon 3.30pm – 4.00pm Thursday Morning 9.00am – 9.30am *****************************************************************************************************************************************
SCHOOL BANKING - Every WEDNESDAY is School Banking Day
ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES
As a school banker you will receive a Dollarmite Achievement Certificate when you reach 10, 20 & 30 deposits in the year. Congratulations to the following school bankers for receiving their certificates this week:
BRONZE Certificate for making 10 deposits: Poppy V-R, Ruby V-R, Jolie V SILVER Certificate for making 20 deposits: Tiombe D, Zoe L, Isla M, Jasmine S, Ryan S, Jack S, Bailey T, Holly T Your certificates will be passed to you through your classroom teacher
Please remember that no pooling of tokens is allowed between siblings (or friends!) as we are trying to encourage every child to save regularly to earn their reward.
PLEASE COMPLETE DEPOSIT SLIP Could everyone please make sure all the details are completed on your deposit slip, especially your STUDENT ID number, which is unique to each banker and makes our job easier when we are entering your
deposit into the Commonwealth Bank system? The number should be written on the inside cover of your savings book. Please let us know if you haven't got a number yet.
REWARD ITEMS For every deposit you make, you earn 1 Dollarmite token. When you have saved 10 tokens, you may redeem them for one of the following rewards:
** NEW ** Swimming bag
** NEW ** Money tin
Handball Set of 4 scented pencils Penguin or Shark plush keyring
Whale Shark pencil case
Light blue wallet - 2013 item
Knuckles game - 2013 item
Headphones - 2013 item
Pat, Pru or Spen moneybox - 2013 item (please specify). Thanks everyone for supporting the School Banking Program. Regards, Vickie Liew, School Banking Coordinator M: 0419 773 335
COMMUNITY NOTICES Any advertisements in this Newsletter are in no way endorsed by Blackburn Lake Primary School
JUNIOR FIELD NATURALIST CLUB The group meets at 7.30 pm on the last Friday of each month (except December) at the rooms of
the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria 1 Gardenia St, Blackburn, 3130.
9877 9860 (Mondays and Tuesdays, 9am-4pm) www.fncv.org.au/juniors
17 August Excursion: ‘Going Round the Bend’ morning walk around the Yarra Bend
with the Yarra Riverkeeper. 10am Studley Park Boathouse Kew Cost: $2.00
29 August Meeting: ‘Party Night’ The theme for the meeting is ‘Endangered Animals of the World’
Enquiries: Claire Ferguson email: [email protected]
Tips for staying active this winter! Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) is a common trigger for asthma. However, it does not need to be a barrier to Students participating in sports and physical activities.
Here are some tips to help prevent EIA in students: Before Exercise take reliever medication 5-20 minutes before warming up. Warm Up before exercise as normal. During Exercise watch for asthma symptoms and administer reliever medication if they should occur. Only return to exercise if symptoms are relieved. If symptoms appear again, administer medication again, until they are relieved. It is not recommended that the Student should return to the sporting activity after a second occurrence of asthma symptoms. After Exercise cool down as usual. Note that asthma symptoms can present up to a half an hour after exercise has stopped. Ensure reliever medication is still easily accessible should it be required.
Other things to remember: Ensure all students have current Asthma Action / Care Plans
If possible make activities that are scheduled for the night indoors as the drop in air temperature makes air colder to inhale and acts as a greater trigger.
Encourage students with asthma to participate fully! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEEP CREEK PRESCHOOL 510 Blackburn Road Doncaster East 9842 9002 POSITIONS AVAILABLE - 3 YEAR OLD 2015
• community based, culturally diverse • friendly, dedicated, highly qualified educators • play based incorporating early literacy/numeracy • conveniently located next to the Pines
email: [email protected]
www.deepcreekpreschool.org.au
FOREST HILL
CRICKET CLUB
Join in the fun down at the home of Zebra’s cricket Home ground
Forest Hill Reserve (next to Nunawading
Aquatic Centre) Junior Sides for all Ages
Registration Day – Forest Hill Reserve
Saturday 16 August from 10.00AM to 12.00PM.
All new players get a club shirt.
Experienced junior coaches
All cricket equipment is supplied U10, U12, U14 and U16 age groups. Friday night and Saturday Comps. Bowling Machine Season starts in October and runs
until Feb/Mar 2015
For further information John
Matthews – 0425 779 371 Website : www.foresthillcc.org.au
e-mail: [email protected]
10x10 Girl Rising is a global campaign to educate and empower girls. At the centre of the campaign is a feature film, ‘Girl Rising’. Girl Rising tells the stories of 9 remarkable girls from around the world who are striving beyond circumstances, pushing past limits and demonstrating the extraordinary strength of the human spirit to overcome the odds. Yet is also carries a powerful message - if we educate girls, we can change the future of some 66 million girls around the world who today only dream of going to School.
Together, we can create powerful change by seeing this film and also raising money at the film screening.
8pm on Thursday 31 July 2014 at Karralyka Theatre, Mines Road, Ringwood. Tickets are $21.50 which includes the film screening, light refreshments and
door prizes. Tickets are available now through www.karralyka.com.au or via their booking
office 9879 2933. Please note there is an additional $5.50 booking fee per transaction made online and via the booking office. The movie is for 15+ age group. As you can imagine, some of the stories and statistics narrated are confronting.
