15 Darling Avenue, Upwey 3158 Vic Phone: (03) 9754 2369 Fax: (03) 9754 8148

Email: upwey.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.upweyps.vic.edu.au

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Friday 13th October 2017 Thursday 12th October “Passions Program begins” Monday 16th October Soccer Clinic, years 4-6 Tuesday 17th October Summer Sports,Years 5 & 6 Thursday 19th October Passions Week 2 Friday 27th October Brooke Stratton Olympic High Jumper visit.

Passions takes off! This Thursday saw our Passions Program begin with volunteers in our school community sharing one of their passions with our students. Activities this year include: Magic and Balloon Workshop, Animal Care, Felt Creatures, Origami, Biscuit Dec-oration, Lego Creation, Scrapbooking, Basketball and Clothing Design. The enthusiasm was intense across the school with guinea pigs being bathed, paper being embossed, sewing machines explained and paper meticulously folded. Thank you so much to all of our volunteers: Ms. Wood, Miss Quirk, Mrs. Bush, Kelly W, Sue, Mrs. Christofis, Toshi, Mrs. Kittredge, Zdenka K, Jenny M, Kerrie C and Steve W.

PASSIONS - WEEK 1 Animal Care with Mrs Kittredge.

Even our transition kids had a play with the animals!

P/1B Olyvia For her effort in completing addition ‘Rocket Racers’ number facts. Fantastic work Olyvia!

P/1B Tyler For his outstanding writing from the ladybugs perspec-tive. Well done Tyler!

P/1B Bode For being an outstanding mentor reader. Fantastic work Bode!

SCHOOL HATS Dear parents, A reminder that all stu-dents are required to wear their school hat in term 4. If your child does not have their hat,

they will have to play in the covered court yard. Hats can be purchased at Beleza School uniforms. The office will have hats to purchase by the end of next week as we are waiting for an order to arrive.

PASSIONS: LEGO ACTIVITES

ART TERM 4

It's going to be a busy term in the art room!

Students in Prep 1 B are studying Georgia O'Keefe's flower paint-

ings, focusing on the art elements of space and colour. Students

used magnifying glasses to get "close" to flowers we picked and

are drawing close up flowers that use the whole page space.

2/3 students are designing landscape paintings with a focus on

perspective and the artistic terms : foreground, midground, back-

ground and horizon line.

4/5C students are creating armatures (skeletons) for their

sculptures that are based on the sculpture art of Barbara Kobylinksa. They are using masking tape to shape and fit together recycled materials before they paper mâché, paint and decorate

their creations.

Grade 6 students are excited to begin their paling people, com-

pleting the background painting this week, so they can begin to transfer their designs. While grade 5 student continue their work

on their cold wax batik cushions.

Division Athletics

Well done to the students below who were invited to attend the Division Athletics which was held Wednesday.

I hear that all of our students represented themselves and our School with pride. Emily W and Charlotte G made it through to the next competition which is for the whole of Eastern Region! Wow well-done folks!

Thank you so much to the Francis and Woodford families who assisted with transporting students to the event.

Term Four Calendar Distributed Last term all families should have received home a Term Four calendar containing important dates, events and estimated costs. We hope that this will assist families in preparing for what can be a busy time of year. Please keep your calendar on the fridge or in another handy spot so as you can refer to it easily. Our ‘Important Dates’ section of the newsletter each week will serve as a reminder of upcoming activities. If you need an additional calendar please just visit our office. Change of Date – Graffiti Awareness Incursion (Year 4 -6) Speaking of the Term Calendar I need to inform families about a change to one of the events which was originally listed for Friday 20th October. The Graffiti Awareness Incursion, provided by the Upwey Township Group will now be held on Friday 10th November due to the presenter experiencing a clash of dates. I apologise for the change and hope you can all just note this on your calendars. Congratulations Ryley! Today is Ryley Nyari’s final day providing educational support within our Prep/One classroom. I know you will join me in congratulating Ryley on succesfully obtaining a new full-time position at Sherbrooke P-12 Col-lege. We thank Ryley for all the support he has provided to our younger students and for also assisting in our Before and After School Care Program. We wish him the very best for the future.

Summer Sports Round Robin – Coming up next Tuesday Year Five and Six students will travel to the venues below next Tuesday to partipate in our local Summer Sport Round Rob-in. Basketball: Dandenong Basketball Stadium Volleyball: Tecoma PS Softball: Gilbert’s Park, Knoxfield Please remind students to wear appropriate clothing for weather conditions on the day and to bring spare clothes ‘just in case’. Water bottles, snack and lunch are also required. Students participating in softball and basketball will travel by bus, volleyballers will walk to Tecoma PS. Soccer Clinics Begin Monday 16th October – Year 4 -6 Mrs. Kittredge has very kindly organised some soccer clinics for our senior students that will be held over the next few weeks. Please ensure that students wear appropriate clothing and footwear on Mondays, as well as bring along a water bot-tle, as that walk back up the slope to grab a drink is exhausting! Chocolate Money Just a friendly reminder to ensure that you have returned the money to pay for all those lovely Cadbury chocolates that you have been eating out of that box at home. Thank you to everyone who helped out by purchasing and to the PA for organis-ing. Changes to Assembly in Term Four Please note when referring to the Term Four calendar that assemblies will only occur once per fortnight. Given the amount of special events coming up and the time put aside for important activities such as Passions, we wanted to ensure that we were protecting learning time. We will evaluate at the end of Term Four whether this was effective or not. Halloween on the Green On Saturday 28th October a fun, community event will be occuring in the hills at Ferny Creek Reserve. You may like to put the event in your diaries now, as there will be free rides and entertainment available to families. It is a great opportunity to dress up and ‘trick or treat’ in a safe environment. Info and tickets ($6 per person) are available online at: http://hotg.philanthropic.org.au

Dylan C Discus Throw

Angleina F 200m Dash

Charlotte G Shot Put

Liam G Triple Jump

Sicelo H 100m Dash

Maddie P 200m Dash

Emily W Long Jump

Article of the Week: Dispelling Educational Myths

Professor John Hattie has looked at thousands of studies involving millions of students to analyse a number of myths versus reality in regards to teaching and learning outcomes. BY: COPIED FROM: http://go.nature.com/2xNJHPl

Myth: Teaching at private schools is better than teaching at public schools Reality: Professor Hattie says research suggests this is not true. When it comes down to the quality of teach-ers, it’s very, very hard to find evidence that there is any major difference between public and private schools in terms of the growth, the value that teachers add. In fact it’s almost a myth to believe they’re that different. You get some of the best teachers in Australia in some of our poorest school areas. What really matters is good leadership within a school, and how teachers are selected and developed, no matter whether it is private or government.

Myth: How much you spend on your child’s education equates to how well they will do at school Reality: Evidence shows that it is the quality of teaching that matters most. Professor Hattie says parents can choose schools, and choose to pay private school fees, but they can’t choose their child’s teachers. There is no linear relationship between what you might spend on a child and the education outcome for the child.

Myth: Homework is a necessary evil Reality: Meta-analysis has shown that the amount of homework a student does in primary school has no ef-fect on student achievement or progress. The research is not saying that there should be no homework, but if schools are going to set homework (which many parents expect) then the focus should be on the type of homework given. Homework does have more effect on results for secondary school children, but generally students are given way too much. A short time spent practising what was taught that day can have the same effect as one or two hours of study. Professor Hattie says what happens in the classroom is what matters most. Five to 10 minutes practising what was taught at school that day has the same effect as one to two hours studying something different. The worst thing you can do with homework is give young kids projects to do.

Myth: We should be happy if our children are ‘doing their best’ Reality: Not so. Professor Hattie says telling a student to ‘do your best’ is the worst thing a teacher or parent can do. Some of the most effective learning happens when teachers ask students what they predict their re-sults will be before a test. Upon establishing a student’s expectations of their own abilities, a successful teacher will challenge them by saying they can do better. What a student achieved yesterday should never be okay tomorrow.

Myth: Teachers should be experts on their subject and do most of the talking in class Reality: Most teachers talk between 80 and 90% of the time during a lesson. The research has shown that stu-dents are more engaged and learn more when teachers talk around 50% of the time, or even less. Evidence shows that children can learn very effectively from their peers; when another student explains concepts to them. The best teachers encourage their students to be active and engaged in the classroom, exploring ideas, and not just passively listening.

Myth: Extra-curricular activities distract and diminish school performance Reality: Professor Hattie says extra-curricular activities are actually powerful in terms of helping children learn. The best predictor of health, wealth and happiness in adult life is not academic achievement at school but the number of years schooled; extra-curricular activities can be a fun and inviting way to get children to enjoy school and want to spend more time there learning.

Myth: TV has a negative effect on a child’s learning progress Reality: Not directly. Professor Hattie says the problem with a child watching too much television is that it stops them from spending that time learning in more productive ways, such as by reading or developing their communication and relationship skills.

Shopping Tour – Sat 18th Nov

Natio (Abbotsford) – Suppliers to major department stores of quality, natural, Australian- made cosmetic, skincare & body products. Gift packs and product overruns all at great prices.

*Candy Stripes (Preston) Childrens, baby wear , Children up to 16 years – huge variety and lots of specials & *Raglan Fashion House (Preston) – Great outlet with ladies wear XS- XXL and Menswear up to 6XL

*Diana Ferrari - (Fairfield) – outlet for popular brand of men’s and women’s casual & dressy shoes.

*Ottoman Emporium (Coburg) – Major brand names at great prices and imported products. Cushions, quilt cover sets, doonas, pillows, sheet sets- National and Local manufacturers at great savings. *Classica Kitchens (Brunswick) –Huge range of various pots, cake tins, coffee cups, glass ware & Porcelain products *Bambi’s Imports (Coburg) – Importer of gift & home ware, plates, glasses, cutlery. Brands such as Robert Welch, Salt & Pepper, U & Me, vases, ornaments etc.

Choice of: *Converse – (Collingwood) selection of sports shoes, casual, bags, sports bags & back packs, track Pants and tops *The Aroma Shop (formally In Essence Aromatherapy) (Collingwood) market leaders in Aust., carrying a wide selection of Essential Oils, Massage Oils, Bath Oils, and Blended Body Oils, Boy Care products, Vaporisers, Soaps, candles and assorted gift packs starting from $10.

*Kambrook/Breville – (Collingwood) Assorted range of electrical goods for every member of the family. Hairdryers, shavers, bath spas, cooking, electrical juicers, steamers, slow cookers plus lots of Kitchen small goods – bowls, jars etc

*The Richmond Chocolate Factory (Richmond) – Delicious boxed & loose chocolates, extensive Ernest Hillier range, Belgium selection, bulk nuts, sauces & lollies

*Bonds (Formally United Brands/UFO) – (Bridge Road, Richmond) Bonds baby wear, Holeproof and Bonds and various clothing (casual and gym wear) for male and female also including Hang Ten for boys. Save up to 50% on Berlie, Jockey, Red Robin underwear, T’s, socks and various for the whole family.

If time - next door to United Brands -*Siricco (Richmond ) - Ladies quality vinyl and leather upmarket handbags and travel goods, cases, briefcases, folders, belts, gloves, lots of accessories, leather jackets.

It’s reached that time of year where we need to start thinking

about getting organised for Christmas.

What better way to do it then getting driven around town to all the best outlets, no

nagging partners (or kids!), yummy lunch (with refreshments), and enjoy some laughs

with others!!

We have arranged a day with some different outlets to usual and some favourites.

Unfortunately there have been some closures, but nevertheless it will still be a great

day full of bargains J

Cost: $65 (this is subsidised)

Date: Saturday 18th November

Lunch: 2 course meal and glass wine. The Pumphouse restaurant

Time: 7:30am – 6:30pm (pick up/drop off Upwey Primary School)

BOOK NOW at the office with FULL payment due before the day

BRING: Water bottle, snacks and shopping bags J

* * * HANDY HINTS * * *

A large shopping bag is handy (i.e. pink/white/blue bags are excellent)

A list of wants and needs i.e. presents for relatives, neighbours, friends, workmates, special parties or

occasions coming up i.e. Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Easter Christmas etc

Wear comfortable running shoes and clothing – you may want to try things on

A watch is handy so you can keep an eye on the time

If shopping for others make sure you get their measurements, details, brands colours etc noted

A tape measure is often helpful. A bottle of water is handy especially at the end of the day

13th Oct - 20th Oct

Zack P

A very happy birthday to

Sue & Mrs Christofis who celebrated

their birthday’s over the holidays