KURUNJANG PRIMARY SCHOOL ~ “Learning Together”

NEWSLETTER 8 - 2021

Thursday 25th March, 2021

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

It is usually at this time of year that we hold our Family Fun afternoon where families can attend school to have a picnic lunch with their children and participate in games and creative pursuits. Although we haven’t been able to hold this event, we are very excited that the colour run, planned, but cancelled last year, is able to go ahead next Thursday. It was looking initially that the event would not allow for spectators beyond the children and staff as per other events such as the swimming carnival earlier in the term. We are so pleased now, that we are able to have parents and carers come to cheer the children on in their laps of the oval for the colour run.

We also had our first incursion since 2019 with the Alpha Show performance of ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ on Tuesday. We hope that your children provided you with an animated description of the narrative and performers.

I mentioned in last week’s newsletter that last Sunday was Harmony Day and the children have spoken about inclusiveness, respect and belonging as celebration of diversity and anti-discrimination. Every student in Years Foundation to 6 drew a portrait of themselves and these were all joined together as a visual display of unity and belonging. When dropping or picking up your children, please pop over to the passageway leading to the student foyer and sick bay in the main building to view the display. Thank you to EAL teacher Mrs Cathy Burton and visual arts teachers, Mrs Ana Havran and Mrs Lidia Woolley for their planning for Harmony Day.

We conducted the Annual General Meeting of the Kurunjang School Council on Tuesday night and welcomed the parent and Department of Education members for 2021. Mrs Liz Bajada was elected President for a fourth term, Mrs Debra McDonald Vice-President, and Mrs Kellie Spencer as Treasurer. Membership of the school council subcommittees in Finance, Education and Policy, Buildings and Grounds, and Fundraising, were also determined but if any parent would also like to serve on one of the subcommittees, please let us know. You are most welcome and you do not need to serve on school council to participate.

The 2020 Annual Report was presented to school council for their endorsement and included the summary and data for the school in the areas of school’s context, achievement, engagement, wellbeing and financial position. If you were unable to attend the AGM but are interested in reading the Annual Report please enquire at the office.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Today the students in Years 3 and 5 will sit the NAPLAN practice test for writing. Year 3 will complete on paper and the year 5s on the iPads. Tomorrow they will compete the Omnibus test (a combination of numeracy, reading and conventions of language). The purpose of the co-ordinated practice tests is to replicate the maximum number of concurrent test sessions that will be undertaken during the actual NAPLAN tests to be administered in the week of the 12th May.

Next Thursday (1st April) is the last day for students in Term one. (Friday 2nd April is Good Friday) Students will be dismissed for the holidays at the usual time of 3.10pm. We hope that you will be able to join us at 2.10pm for the colour run before the dismissal at 3.10pm. Please note that the curriculum day is on Monday 19th April (the day after the holidays) so the children will return to school on Tuesday 20th April.

~ Learning Together

NOTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

REGARDING EXTENDED ABSENCES FOR

FAMILY HOLIDAYS OR EVENTS

We appreciate that families from time to time may be absent for family holidays or events. In the event that you know you will be absent please come to the office to collect a notification regarding extended absences for family holidays or events form for approval. This will enable the class and specialist teachers to be aware of the absence and for the absence to be recorded on compass.

CHANGE OF DETAILS

If you have changed any of your contact details could you please advise the school office ASAP so that our records can be updated. It is

vitally important that we have current contact details in order to call parents.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

AWARDS

Student of the week awards are made each week and announced in the newsletter on a Thursday. The awards are presented to the

students at assembly on Friday at 2.30pm in the Gym.

Foundation Potts ~ Amelia Andrews Foundtion Potts ~ Zac Stevens

Foundatoin Lisa ~ Chayse Johnson Foundation Lisa ~ Aubrey Knight

Foundation Amy ~ Zac Pesci Foundation Amy ~ Korena Bliss-Thompson

Foundation Ryan ~ Jesee Johnson Foundation Ryan ~ George Dooley

1/2 Havers ~ Isaak Mulalic 1/2 Havers ~ Billie Hayne

1/2 Patton ~ Isabelle Stokes 1/2 Patton ~ Xavier Slee

1/2 Gonzalez ~ Louis Laasia 1/2 Gonzalez ~ Annalisa Calabro

1/2 Krystyna ~ Deakin Kelly 1/2 Krystyna ~ Imogen Martin 1/2 Micallef ~ Naomi Setema

1/2 Micallef ~ Ege Elmas 1/2 Estelle ~ Hollie Rawlings 1/2 Estelle ~ Atieli Pakalani

CELEBRATION OF LEARNING FOR

PHYSICAL EDUCATION – GRADE 5 AND 3/4

Students have had a very successful start in Physical Education in 2021. Year 5 students have focused on developing specific sports skills and knowledge of rules and strategies in Volleyball and Hot Shots Tennis. They have also had a strong focus on improving their aerobic fitness capacity by preparing for House Cross Country through learning how to pace themselves for a long-distance race at the beginning of each lesson. Students are looking forward to participating in the beep test during the last week of term one to see where their aerobic fitness is at.

Year 3/4 students have revised the fundamental motor skills of an overarm throw and catch. Students challenged themselves and applied these skills in minor team games. They have just begun their Tennis unit focusing on racquet familiarisation and the components of a forehand stroke. Yea 3/4 students have also had a strong focus on improving their aerobic fitness capacity in preparation for the House Cross Country.

We have had some great success stories at Kurunjang Primary in the sporting events that have happened during term one. Firstly, a big congratulations to Year 5 student Samirah Hassan for successfully getting through to region in the 11’s Backstroke.

Congratulations to our Year 5/6 Cricket team who were the overall winners on the Lightning Premiership day and will move on to the next stage. Also, congratulations to our Year 5/6 Volleyball team who were runners up on the Lightning Premiership day as well.

CANTEEN

3 Party Pies Flavoured Milk (Chocolate or

Strawberry)

$5.00

FORWARD PLANNING

Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd March

Teeth On Wheels ~ Visit School Tuesday 23rd March

The Alpha Show ~ Whole School incursion

School Council ~ AGM at 7.00pm in Staffroom Monday 29th ~ Wednesday 31st March

Teeth On Wheels ~ Visit School

School Colour Fun Run ~ Consent Form & Money Due

Tuesday 30th March

Information Evening ~ All Melton Secondary Schools 6.00pm

Thursday 1st April

School Colour Fun Run

Last Day Term 1 ~ 3.10pm Dismissal Monday 19th April

Curriculum Day ~ Student Free Day First Day Term 2

Thursday 22nd April

Year 3/4 Camp ~ Deposit Due Thursday 27th May

Camp Year 3/4 ~ 1st Instalment Due Thursday 17th June

Year 3/4 Camp ~ 2nd Instalment Due Friday 25th June

Last Day Term 2 ~ 3.10pm Dismissal Monday 12th July

Curriculum Day ~ Student Free Day First Day Term 3

Thursday 12th August

Year 3/4 Camp ~ Final Instalment Due Wednesday 8th September – Friday 10th September

Year 3/4 Camp ~ PGL Campaspe Downs Adventure Camp

Friday 17th September

Last Day Term 3 ~ 3.10pm Dismissal Monday 1st November

Curriculum Day ~ Student Free Day Melbourne Cup Eve

Tuesday 2nd November

Melbourne Cup Day Friday 17th December

Last Day Term 4 ~ Early Dismissal 1.10pm

LOST LIBRARY BOOKS

We currently have a large number of overdue library books. Could I ask all Parents and Carers to help their children look at home for books that belong to our school and return them to the library ASAP.

Thank you Lynne Notman ~ Library Technician

DISCLAIMER

All advertisements placed in this newsletter and flyers sent home on behalf of sporting groups and auxiliaries are done so in good faith. It should not be assumed that Kurunjang Primary School is recommending these activities. Parents have a responsibility to make sure that activities are suitable and safe

for their children.

HARMONY DAY

Harmony Day was on Sunday 21st March 2021 and was celebrated at KPS throughout the week of 15th – 21st March. Harmony day is a time for all Australians to remember and respect our diverse cultural backgrounds and to share what we have in common. The central message of Harmony Day is that ‘Everyone Belongs.’

History - The first Harmony Day was in 1999. Harmony Day

coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

What is discrimination? Discrimination is the unfair treatment

of people or groups of people based on their culture, religion, beliefs, appearance, age or sex.

KPS

At KPS, Harmony Day was celebrated over the week to celebrate everyone’s differences, raise awareness of ways to respect everyone and avoid discrimination.

KPS has students born across the continents of Asia, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia.

There are more than 33 languages spoken by students and their families across KPS.

Classrooms – in classrooms Harmony Day was discussed and

information shared about students cultures throughout Circle Time each morning. In some classes students were encouraged to teach others how to count to ten in a language other than English and to share their cultural background and what their culture brings to Australia to make it such a multi-cultural community.

Classrooms teachers also took the opportunity to encourage students to be kind and in many classrooms students drew out a random name and had to write a message of kindness to them. Some were decorated and displayed in classrooms, whilst others were made into cards and letters and students were able to take these home. Although some students found this task difficult it allowed them to challenge themselves to find positives in others.

Art room – Our amazing Art teachers Ana Havran and Lidia

Woolley took on a challenge to create a whole school artwork where students created a self-portrait. These are being turned into a large mural displaying the diversity of students within our school. A progress shot has been attached to celebrate student’s achievement.

At Home

It is important to celebrate all cultures across this amazing country of Australia that we get to call our home. At home, have conversations with your children about their cultural heritage, what everyday sports, clothes and foods enjoyed in Australia actually originated in their country of birth. We should be proud of our differences and celebrate them. We encourage you to set a good example and be a role model to your children by accepting all people regardless of their cultural backgrounds so that we make sure everyone feels like they belong.

To speak with someone from the wellbeing team please call:

9743-0633 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Jenny, Wendy, Tom, Deb, Kathleen, Monique and Dylan (Leadership and Wellbeing Team) You can also contact your child’s teacher via compass who will contact the wellbeing team on your behalf and request that they make contact with you.

LATE ARRIVALS:

If your child is running late for any particular reason, please take them to the office to be signed into school. A late pass will be issued to your child to be given to the teacher.

Wilson Pee Wee Tennis (4 – 7 years) MLC Hot Shots (5 – 12 years)

Junior & Adult Coaching (Group & Private Lessons available)

Squad Training for Elite Juniors Mums in Tennis Program

Professional Racquet Restringing Ask us about NEW Cardio Tennis!

Phone: Steve Kelly 0409 173 273