OCTOBER 19th

2016 PREP TRANSITION Last Tuesday’s first transition session for our new Prep children was very successful with all six teachers commenting that the children had enjoyed their teddy bear picnic and were ready to start now! There were some tears however, I am sure those mums recovered a little lat-er. All teachers also commented on what a lovely group of children are coming to TBPS. Thank you to the ESS staff and senior students who helped settle our new 2018 Prep children into the classrooms. DEPARTURES To assist our 2018 planning we would like to hear from families who are moving and their children not returning to The Basin PS. Please let us know in writing as soon as possible. REGIONAL ATHLETICS Today we have 11 students representing our school at the Regional Athletics Carnival, which involves students from the outer eastern sub-urbs of Melbourne and from all sectors including Government, Catholic and Independent schools .– GO THE BASIN! On behalf of our school community, congratulations to these athletes on qualifying for this high level of competition and we wish you well.

UPGRADE Excavation of the gym site continues in earnest with a convoy of trucks this week taking the soil away. We cannot believe how much soil they are excavating! One good piece of news, especially for those parents who are ex-students of TBPS, is that the ‘time capsule’ placed in the ground in 1985 has been unearthed. Over the last 5 years I have had ex-students using metals detectors, metal probes and even shovels all attempting to locate this capsule without success. The time capsule was to remain in the ground for fifty years so we are interested in your thoughts about where we should place the capsule for the reaming 18 years. After the Country Fair on Saturday 28th October, a fence will be in-stalled around the old admin building in preparation for the demolition of half of this building. A new office section, with entrances from both sides, will be constructed in the same period style as the old part.

PUPIL FREE CURRICULUM DAY - MONDAY 6th NOVEMBER. The last Pupil Free Curriculum Day for the year is on Monday 6th No-vember. As the ‘Melbourne Cup’ public holiday falls on the Tuesday 7th November, school will resume in that week on Wednesday 8th Novem-ber.

October 24th 1/2 Mont De Lancy 25th 1/2 Mont De Lancy 28th School Fete 31st 3/4 Hooptime finals November 1st 5/6 Hooptime finals 6th Curriculum Day 7th Melbourne Cup Day 9th Multi Age Day 13—15th Gr 4 Camp 15—17th Gr 3 Camp 27—1 Dec 5/6 Camp December 4—15th Prep—3 swimming 5th Christmas Carols - 5.30 picnic & 6.15pm start 19th 1/2 Movie excursion 20th Grade 6 Graduation TERM DATES FOR 2017 TERM 4 9th Oct - 22nd Dec

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

COUNTRY FAIR – HELP REQUIRED! Just over a week to the Country Fair. The committee have been busy planning the day. The volun-teer roster this year is online and available for you to sign up, to select the times you can help and available stalls. Currently we are at a 46% rate for helpers however we still need more helpers to cover all stalls. Please feel free to forward this on to friends and family who would be happy to help on the day too. Another remember to pre purchase your ride wristbands and save by following the link below to pur-chase your wristbands. Junior $12.00 ($18 on the day) unlimited on all rides excludes kite flyer or Senior $18.00 ($25.00 on the day) unlimited on all rides including kite flyer (must be over 110cm to ride). Click the link or copy and paste into a browser to view ride wristband presales www.trybooking.com/PIJK Thanks again Marquita and Country Fair Committee STUDENT PLACEMENT REQUESTS Determining class placements is a complex task where staff members undertake a considerable lengthy process to ensure the best possible placement is made to meet each student's educational needs. Factors that we take into consideration when making class placements include: academic achievement, personal / interpersonal development, friendship groups, learning styles, gender balance and other individual learning needs. It is important to understand that with so many factors to con-sider it is not possible to accommodate every request. Teachers discuss, reflect and review their decisions over several weeks. However, please be aware that each and every factor in the decision as to where a child is placed for next year is given our utmost attention. Please note, requests for particular teachers cannot be considered as the best in-terests of all of the students and the effective management of the school must be taken into ac-count. Please don’t make assumptions about teacher placements, with staff movement, whether within the school or across the system, If you have any information based upon ‘education grounds’ that should be considered in relation to the placement of your child it needs to be sent to me in writing by no later than FRIDAY 10TH NO-VEMBER. As situations change, previous requests should be resubmitted if the reason still exists. After this date, new information will not be considered. Parents will be notified of placements in the last week of term.

Graeme Russell Principal

SCHOOL COMMUNITY WALK TO SCHOOL

As a part of our involvement in Walk to School October we would like to invite our school community to join staff members on a walk to school. The community walk will take place on Thursday morning 26th October at 8.30a.m. Staff members will leave from 3 starting points:

The Basin Triangle Batterham Reserve (Driveway end) Miller Park Reserve (Carpark)

Hope you can join us!

October 14th Kade Terure 15th Charlotte Nicholls Isla Crowhurst 16th Hayden Montell Travis Hillier 17th Charlotte Dobson 19th Hannah Andaloro

WORKING BEE REPORT The July working bee broke all previous records but last Saturday was a whole new ball game. Stunning weather combined with a huge turnout to make this one the best by far. Focus this time was on the junior side in preparation for the Country Fair on Saturday, 28th October. We want the school to show its best for the public and two dozen pairs of hands have given it a proper spring-cleaning. There could hardly be a square foot that escaped someone’s rake, shovel, pruning saw or blower. Speaking of the Country Fair, for everyone who can lend a hand for an hour or so to help run this incredible day please check out the job list and sign-up sheet or on the school Compass news feed. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080549a8ae2ea3fe3-stalls Thanks to all our amazing parents who rolled up their sleeves and pitched in; Steve, Emma & Brad, Dale, Brad & Sarah, Darrell & Kate, Sarah, Aaron, Chris, Rod & Nina, Gilbert, Rohan, Don, Marquita & Glen, Mick, Sharon, Megan, Gavin and anyone else whose name I didn’t catch on such a busy day. If that is you, my apologies and thanks again! It was great to meet so many new people as well as the seasoned veterans at the BBQ at the end (thanks to chef Marquita). Thanks, also, to the menagerie of children who accompanied parents on the day. They really are the heart of our school community. Sasha Kober (Buildings & Grounds Committee)