W H A M

Conf idence Commitment Co-operat ion

Curios i ty Creat iv i t y Empathy

Respect Tole rance In tegri t y

Enthusiasm Independence Apprec iat ion

Landscape Drive T: 9842 7744 E: milgate.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au East Doncaster 3109 F: 9842 7044 W: www.milgateps.vic.edu.au

W h a t ’ s H a p p e n i n g a t M i l g a t e

No 17/13 – 1 November, 2013

NAPLAN RESULTS

Milgate places in the Top 10% for all Victorian

Government Schools!

MTQ

Maths Talent Quest

Students at Milgate have

again had excellent

success at the Statewide

Maths Talent Quest

Competition.

Milgate was awarded 2

High Distinctions, 12

Distinctions and 9 Credits!

Congratulations to all our

students.

DIARY DATES 2013 TERM 4 MONDAY 7 OCTOBER – FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER

Fri 1 Nov Skip-a-thon & Sausage Sizzle

Tue 5 Nov PUBLIC HOLIDAY – Melbourne Cup Day

Fri 8 Nov Year 2 – Excursion - MC²

Fri 8 Nov Prep Transition [9.15 – 10.30am for Preps starting in 2014]

Tue 12 Nov School Council Sub-Committee Meetings [6.30pm]

Fri 15 Nov Walk to School Day & Healthy Breakfast [8.00 – 8.40am]

Fri 15 Nov CASSE Student Day

Tue 19 Nov School Council Meeting [7pm]

Wed 20 Nov Prep to Yr. 2 – House Sports [9.15 – 10.40am]

Fri 29 Nov R.E. Celebration [at OLOP]

FULL LIST OF DIARY DATES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

Fri 20 Dec Last Day [early dismissal 1pm]

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Over the last few weeks, there have been many learning opportunities and successes for students. All

students are enjoying their learning in their inquiry units – engaged, enthusiastic and excited about their

learning. Some students have been following up at home, using their initiative and taking action based

on their unit of Inquiry such as writing / illustrating books, creating designs and art work, researching

further information, etc.

On Friday 18 October our Year 1 students had a sleepover at the school in the stadium. They had fun

participating in a variety of games, a scavenger hunt and movie. They all enjoyed spending the night in

the stadium and then having breakfast with their friends. Thank you to Sarah Brown and Lyn Sanders

for organising the night and also to all the parents who assisted with the games, staying overnight and

preparing breakfast. It was a great time for the students.

Congratulations to Will P (5KW) and to Abbey C (6FB) who competed in the state athletics competition

this week. Will came third in the long jump and Abbey came first in the 800 metres. Both students will

be competing in the National Athletics Competition in Brisbane in November.

Congratulations also to the following students – Stanley A,

Winson A, Dominic C, Ethan G, Kendrick L, Keith L, Stafford L

and Jonathan N who competed in the Interschool Chess Semi

Finals at Glen Waverley Secondary School on Friday 25 October.

They competed against 17 schools and came in fifth to qualify for

the finals on 8 Nov at Box Hill Chess Club.

Yesterday at 12:30pm the whole school gathered in the stadium to sing ‘Keep On’ as part of the

Australia wide ‘Count us In’ initiative. We streamed live to the Victorian Arts Centre at 12:15pm prior to

singing the song. This program has been running since 2007 and is all about celebrating the value of

music education to students’ development, whoever they are, wherever they are. It involves more than

600,000 students, teachers - and often parents – from schools all over Australia who sign up to learn,

rehearse, and then perform the same song, on the same day, at the same time. Count Us In is for all

schools - primary and secondary, State and independent, nationwide. Further information and activities

on the website: www.musiccountusin.org.au.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2014 CLASSES When developing individual classes each year, teachers consider a number of factors including

academic ability, special skills and talents, social competencies, gender, students who work well

together, those who may not work well together and friendship groupings. While the students are

consulted about current friendships, it is only one of the criteria considered because building

new relationships is also part of our education process and an important skill for students to develop.

The placement of students for the coming year is a complex process where teachers put great thought

and sensitivity into their planning. They discuss, reflect and review their decisions over a period of time.

If students have any learning or social needs to be considered when placing them in classes for 2014,

parents can write a letter addressed to the Principal stating their needs and requests for consideration.

If parents have written requests in previous years, we do not retain these as students’ needs and

friendships change from year to year. If the consideration from a previous year is still important, a new

letter should be written. Parents are not able to request specific teachers. The closing date for these

considerations is Wednesday 6 November. Any requests received after this date are not able to be

considered.

Staffing, school structure and class locations are currently being planned. All of these aspects are

planned and allocated according to educational, learning and student needs. In 2014 there will be no

multi–age / composite classes.

ONE TO ONE iPAD PROGRAM FOR YEARS 3 AND 5 IN 2014 In 2014, the Year 3 and 5 students will require iPads that will be used in their learning. A couple of

weeks ago a number of current Year 2 and Year 4 parents attended the meeting to explain the 2014

iPad program. Parents who were unable to attend were sent a booklet explaining the iPad program.

The documents and information in regard to the iPad program are available on the website under:

Parent Information / 1:1 iPad Program. In 2014, all students from Years 3 – 6 will require their own

iPads to use in their learning and the Prep – Year 2 classes have school sets of iPads to use in their

classrooms.

SCHOOL REVIEW All schools have a four year strategic plan that provides direction in the areas of: Student Learning,

Student Engagement and Wellbeing, Student Pathways and Transitions. Every 4 years, schools have a

school review to assess the four year strategic plan. This provides an opportunity for the school to

reflect on student outcomes and key improvement strategies, as well as focusing on what the school

can do in the future to continue to improve. This ensures ongoing improvement. It is also an opportunity

to celebrate the student achievements and improvements in learning over the four years. The process

includes an independent reviewer working with the school analysing the data and making

recommendations for the future. As a result of the recommendations, a new four year strategic plan is

written.

Debbie Mierisch

Principal

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR PREP? We are still accepting Prep Enrolments for 2014.

Interested parents are invited to book a school tour with our Principal - Debbie Mierisch or

Assistant Principal - Mark Roberts. For sibling enrolments please come by the Office

for an enrolment form or download it from our school website.

SCHOOL REMINDERS

SUNSMART AND HATS Milgate is a Sunsmart school and all students are expected to wear hats for all outdoor activities during

Term 4 and Term 1 each year to protect their skin from sun damage.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL - STUDENTS WHO ARE STILL AT SCHOOL AFTER 3:45PM Students are supervised in the school ground from 8:45am – 9:00am and 3:30pm – 3:45pm so no

students should be at school before 8:45am or after 3:45pm unless they are at basketball practice, with

an adult or attending Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC).

There are a number of students who are still waiting to be picked up from school after 3:45pm.

Sometimes if parents have been delayed they have contacted the school and asked for their child to wait

at the office. However, there are some students whose parents are consistently late that have not

contacted the school and their children wait at the office. In an emergency the school can assist children

at the Office but if parents are unable to collect their children by 3:45pm they are able to go to OSHC.

As of Monday 4 November, if a student is often or consistently at the Office after 3:45pm they will be

given a notice for their parents and then if it continues, they will be taken to OSHC. Apart from

exceptional circumstances when parents contact the school, the school staff are not able to supervise

students after 3:45pm due to meetings and work commitments. Thank you for your assistance and

consideration with this.

PARENT MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS DURING THE DAY Office staff are not always able to get messages to students during the day, except in a genuine

emergency, as it unnecessarily interrupts the students’ learning time. If parent circumstances change

during the day and you need to notify your child of a change for after school, you may call the Office to

leave a message. All students with a message will be called to the office at around 3:20pm and given

the details. Please consider whether it is necessary to call the school for a message.

If you know you are unable to collect your child from school at 3.30pm, then please consider the

following alternatives before contacting the school:

Ask another trusted parent / family member / friend to collect your child. You do not also need to

contact the school to notify your child.

OSHC [you do not need to contact the school to notify us or your child they will be going to after

school care, OSHC staff will arrange for your child to attend].

If you would like to remind your child about something during the day, one idea is to put a note in your

child’s lunchbox if they need a reminder about some activity or different arrangement for after school.

ARE YOU TRAVELLING OR MOVING IN 2013/2014?

If your family is travelling overseas and your child won’t be in attendance at Milgate at the start of the

school year in 2014, please notify the Office either by email milgate.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au or by writing

a note. We require the student’s full name, current grade, last day at Milgate and returning date to

Milgate.

If your family is moving interstate or overseas and your child will be attending another school, please

notify the Office as soon as possible with your child’s full name, current grade, last day at Milgate and

the name of the school they will be attending.

PE / OUTDOOR EDUCATION NEWS

UPCOMING SPORTING EVENTS 2013

Fri 15 Nov Walk to School Day & Healthy Breakfast [8 to 8.40am - everyone welcome]

Wed 20 Nov Prep to Year 2 House Sports [9.15 – 10.30am]

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS Athletics Congratulations to Abbey C & Will P who competed at SSV State Athletics on Monday 28th October at

the Albert Park Athletics Track.

Student Event Result Abbey C 12 Yr. Girls’ 800m

12 Yr. Girls’ 1500m 1st 1st

Will P 11 Yr. Boys’ Long Jump 3rd

Both Abbey and Will have now qualified for the Team VIC Athletics Team to compete in Brisbane from

Friday 22nd – Wednesday 27th November, Abbey for her 800m event and Will for his Long Jump event.

Basketball Congratulations to the Yr. 5 & 6 Boys and Girls Basketball Teams who competed at the Templestowe

District Basketball Round Robin on Monday 21st October. The Boys unfortunately lost in the semi-final.

The girls played six games and were undefeated for the day. They then went on to play in the

Manningham Division final today [Thursday 31 October] and defeated Donburn PS [54 to 25]. Well done

girls and good luck in the next round.

Congratulations to the Yr. 5 & 6 Girls Basketball Team who competed at Regional Hooptime on

Thursday 24th October. The girls were undefeated for the day; therefore they now go onto play in State

Hooptime Competition on Tuesday 26th November.

Volleyball Congratulations to both the Girls and Boys Volleyball Teams, who competed in the Templestowe District

Volleyball Round Robin on Thursday 24th October. Both teams played extremely well and the Girls

placed 2nd and the Boys placed 3rd in the Templestowe District.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION FREE Hot Shots Tennis Shirts for ALL Milgate PS Students To register for your shirt it is very simple:

1. Visit www.hotshots.tennis.com.au

2. Click on the ‘Register to Claim Your Free T-shirt’

3. If you are already registered, enter your Tennis ID or if you have forgotten it - your email address.

4. If you are a new registration, scroll down and enter the postcode for the school

5. Select Milgate PS as the venue at which you participate.

6. Make sure you select the venue with the yellow "schools" logo beside it.

7. Then complete and submit the rest of the form – easy!

If you wish to know more about how you could help out with any aspect of the PE/Outdoor Learning

Program, please contact James Will at school or have a look at the Physical Education Handbook on

the Milgate PS website under the Notices section.

James Will PE/Outdoor Learning Coordinator

iPad

Up

dat

e

New Operating System – iOS 7 A number of students have upgraded to the new operating system and there have been changes to

the security settings on the iPad.

If you upgrade to the new operating system we would recommend that you check the security

settings on your child’s iPad. The screenshots below show how to limit location services and a new

feature which allows the blocking of certain websites. Please feel free to contact your classroom

teacher or Sarah Brown, if you require any assistance.

We had packed our bags early and had waited

months for the YEAR 1

SLEEPOVER!

It was finally here! We

arrived at the stadium, Mum and Dad pumped up

our air mattresses and rolled out our sleeping

bags. We were quick to say good bye because we

wanted to play games. We made mummies, juggled

eggs on spoons, put the

nose back on the clown and played pass the parcel

with Ms Mierisch.

Then we watched a movie on the big screen in the

stadium before finally brushing our teeth and

heading for bed.

Before we knew it, it was

morning and time for cereal and toast. We then

went on a scavenger hunt before it was time to go

home.

When we got back to school on Monday we all

wanted to know if we

could sleepover again in the stadium next Friday night!

Thank you to all the families that helped out with the sleepover, particularly to

the brave ones who stayed the night with us. Thanks also to the parents that

helped with the games on Friday night, shopping and breakfast the next

morning. The children had a wonderful time and we couldn’t have the sleepover

without your support!

Thank you!

Year 1

Sle

epove

r

Sle

ep

CASSE: CREATING A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

CASSE AWARDS Zahir SH [3TW] For always being willing to help and do the right thing.

Ivan L [1SB] For helping translate to a child so he stays safe.

Gail Ashworth

CASSE Facilitator

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

On Tuesday 29th October a selection of Year 5 students were chosen to attend a Leadership Program at

Doncaster Secondary College. The program was run by a group of carefully selected Year 8 students

who displayed exceptional leadership skills to guide our students through a variety of activities which

encouraged team work, initiative, communication and open mindedness.

As the School and House Leadership process has begun for our Year 5's, the timing of this program was

perfect. Our students participated with enthusiasm and actively involved themselves in all the activities

presented to them throughout the day. Well done to all involved.

SKIP-A-THON … THIS FRIDAY If you haven’t already returned your money, please send in your sponsorship money as soon as

possible. All sponsorship money is being counted on Monday 4th November and any money received

after this date will be gratefully accepted but will not be eligible to win the prizes.

The boy and girl from each year level who raise the most money will win 2 x tickets to Watermarc

Aquatic Centre in Greensborough. The classes who raise the highest amount of money from Prep-Yr. 3

group and Year 4-6 groups will win a surprise class party!!

Parents are most welcome to come along and watch the skipping activities on Friday.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE A schoolwide sausage sizzle is also being held on the day of the Skipathon. Orders have now closed

and reminders have been sent home to those who have not yet paid to bring their money on the day of

the sausage sizzle. The school canteen will be closed on this day.

TERM 4 - P&F DATES TO REMEMBER

Fri 1 Nov Skip-a-thon event

Fri 1 Nov Sausage Sizzle

Mon 4 Nov All Skip-a-thon sponsorship money due to be eligible for prizes

Thu 7 Nov – Wed 4 Dec Doncare Christmas Tree gift collection

Thu 12 Dec Christmas raffle drawn at Milgate Carol’s Night

Angela Eichler P&F President – milgate.pf@gmail.com

Watermarc

ACTIVITIES AT MILGATE – TERM 4

Basketball Milgate Community Basketball for students in Years 1 - 6. $30 registration | $30 for basketball top Enrolment forms available at the Office.

Chess Club

MONDAYS 3.30 to 4.30pm in Library 11 week program | $9.50 per lesson OR $104.50 for term Enrolment form - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities] | www.chessideas.com.au

Formosa Chinese School

SATURDAYS 9.45am – 12.30pm or 10am – 12noon for 2yo Playgroup Please contact Vicki Shue (Principal) on 0413 049 985 or principal@formosa.org.au.

Hip Hop / Zumba FRIDAY lunchtime for students in Years 1 – 6 9 week program | $80 [First trial class FREE] Enrolment form - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities] Enquiries - Rebecca 0403 241 480 | randtbarton@bigpond.com.au

Kelly Sports (Prep to Yr. 4)

Super Summer Sports TUESDAY 3.40 - 4.40pm Enrolment form - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities]

Gym Fun WEDNESDAY 12.50 - 1.50pm Enrolment form - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities]

Musical Inspiration

Music lessons available for trumpet, drums, saxophone, clarinet, flute, keyboard/piano, violin, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar and singing. Lessons rotate during school time. Enrolment form - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities]

Tennis WEDNESDAY lunchtime $80 | All equipment supplied | FREE tennis racquet & Hot Shots t-shirt for all NEW enrolments | Commencing Week 2 12.50 – 1.20pm Years 2 to 6 1.20 – 1.50pm Prep & Year 1 Enrolment form - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities] Enquiries - Craig 0488 722 538 | info@thetennisguru.com.au | www.thetennisguru.com.au

WiseOnes

The Science of Being a Naturalist 8 week program | Commencing Mon 14 Oct | Cost $220 This program is available for qualified students in Year 1 - 6. Enrolment - Office | www.milgateps.vic.edu.au [Notices - Extra-Curricular Activities]

C OM M U N I T Y N E W S Please see our Community Noticeboard (located opposite the Art room) for any interesting community events. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) does not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is accepted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) or Milgate Primary School for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.

FOR PARENTS / CARERS WHAT’S ON Festive Fair When: Sat 16 Nov [3 – 8pm] Venue: Uniting Church [109 Wood St, Templestowe] Details: Rides | Wildlife | Face & Nail Painting | Trash & Treasure | Christmas food & decorations | Plants

| Food stalls | Music & Entertainment | Loads of Fun!

Council-backed energy answers for Manningham parents

Save money on your energy bills with free expert energy advice from new council-backed, not-for-profit,

service Positive Charge.

Find smart energy answers through our free energy helpline on 9385 8555. Get tailored advice to cut energy

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You can also find independent product recommendations for solar, LED lighting, insulation, electric bikes

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negotiated especially for our members.

Positive Charge is a new service to help households and businesses save energy, money and the planet.

Its mission is to cut carbon emissions and support communities take control of their power bills.

The service is free for Manningham residents and is supported by Manningham City Council.

To get involved visit positivecharge.com.au or call the energy helpline on 9385 8555

A huge thanks to The Grainstore Bakery for generously donating

the numerous loaves of bread towards our Sausage Sizzle

fundraiser … raising funds to upgrade our Prep Courtyard!

MILGATE ACHIEVERS

All Milgate Achiever Awards can now be found on our website [see below for directions].