Mansfield Primary School
Mansfield Primary School
Apollo Street, Mansfield 3722
Telephone 5775 2325
Fax 5775 1914
Principal: Paul Volkering
Assistant Principal: Hazel Bell
Email:
Or visit:
www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au
Newsletter 7
15th May, 2014
IMPORTANT DATES:
16th May Catching on Early
program commences
18th May Parent & Friends
WORKING BEE 1pm
19th to 23rd May Education Week
19th May School Council meeting
20th May Yr 3-6 District Cross
Country Botanical
Gardens 9.30-12.00pm
22nd May Education Week-
Morning Tea 10.30am
23rd May Yr1/2 Historical Walk
11.30-1.30pm
National Walk to School
Day
School Assembly 3pm
24th May Parents & Friends Cake
Stall
29th May Prep Historical Walk
11.30-1.30pm
30th May Catching on Early
(session 2)
4th June Yr 3/4 Historical
Excursion—Glenrowan
5th June Zone Cross Country—
Yea
6th June Report writing day-Pupil
Free
9th June Queens Birthday
holiday-Pupil Free
13th June School Assembly 3pm
20th June Catching on Early
(session 3)
27th June Last day Term 2
Education Week special morning tea on
Thursday May 22nd at 10:30a.m. Check out
the program in this week’s Courier and let
your friends and family know. Please see the
back page of this newsletter for the program
highlighting the activities and opportunities
for school visits.
CURRICULUM DAY
Our staff along with teachers from St
Mary’s, Merrijig and Jamieson schools came
together two weeks ago for a professional
learning day in Mathematics. Curriculum Days
are chosen by the school leadership team and
approved by School Council. The Department
of Education and Early Childhood
Development (DEECD) mandate that the first
day back at school each year, is a designated
state wide curriculum and planning day, but
apart from that day, schools may chose the
remaining days themselves to suit their own
purposes. Rob Vingerhoets, a prominent
educator and Maths “guru” lead our day which
was organised by Jess Harris from St Mary’s
and Yvonne Robinson from Mansfield Primary.
Our thanks go to Jess and Yvonne for their
hard work, organisation and leadership.
WORKING BEE
Our Parents and Friends group are a group of
dedicated parents who support our school in
many fantastic ways. Apart from raising
money for the school through cake stalls,
functions and other activities, they also help
bring our school community together. They
are conducting a WORKING BEE this Sunday
to help spruce up the school grounds as we
head into winter.
If you have some time this Sunday at 1:00pm,
please come along and support the P&F who
work tirelessly for the school.
EDUCATION WEEK.
During May we celebrate Education Week.
Next week is a great opportunity to come
and visit the school and help us celebrate
Education Week. Come along to our
HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS
Managing serious infections including colds and flu are
becoming a major source of concern for medical practitioners
and health authorities around the world. With winter just
around the corner, it is timely to remind everyone of some
simple hygiene measures that can make a difference.
Most importantly the Victorian Health Department
recommends a few simple steps along with good common sense
that will mean we reduce the threat of significant outbreaks
within our school and community.
1.Always cover your mouth when either coughing or sneezing.
2.Use a tissue or handkerchief to clear the nose or to cover
your mouth when coughing
3.Wash and dry your hands thoroughly after going to the
toilet.
4.Never share food, food containers or eating utensils.
Parents are asked to share this information with their
children and to make sure your child has some tissues or a
handkerchief with them every day.
UNIFORM
While response to wearing the correct school uniform has
generally been very good this year, there are some children
and families not supporting our goals in regard to uniform.
Parents are reminded that all children are expected to be in
Uniform and to wear the school uniform in the correct
manner every day. Parents are also urged to check “lost
property” as the number of unmarked items continues to
grow. If your child has lost an item of uniform, check lost
property as it is most likely buried somewhere in there. Girls
shorts may be worn, but must be at proper length, not with
the legs rolled up!
CHANGED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Parents are reminded that new traffic arrangements are now
in place in both Apollo Street and Victoria Street. Apart
from a new “roundabout” new parking areas are in force.
Notably, there is more room for buses to “bank” at the front
of the school and the Disabled car spaces have moved
further north. Please observe safe driving around the school
and be aware that the speed limit is 40kmph, which is being
monitored by Police.
Mt Buller enrolments
If you child is currently enrolled at Mansfield Primary School
and attending the campus in town, please advise us if you
intend to seek enrolment at our Mt Buller campus for winter.
If you are intending to enrol at Mt Buller campus, please
advise Lisa Gray in the school office as numbers are closing
quickly.
KOORIE STUDENTS
If your child is either Koorie or of Koorie background, could
you please let Mr Volkering know. A number of students when
asked, indicated that they were either Koorie, or Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander. To help ensure our records are
correct, and to ensure that we are supporting all students
equally, please advise us of you think our records on your
child don’t indicate their Kooire or Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Island background.
NAPLAN
I’ve written before on this topic and I, like most educators,
don’t like the way in which the current program is conducted.
Most families would know that every day, teachers assess and
test students both formally and informally. This assessment
by teachers culminates in two formal reports every year, with
further opportunities for dialogue between your child’s
teacher and you as a parent if necessary.
For the record the aspects of the test I don’t like are:
1.The pressure it puts on some students, especially those
students with a disability or a special learning need.
2.The timing. May is far too early for a Year 3 student.
3.The fact that NAPLAN tests the students on only one day,
rather than over time.
4.The use of the tests to compare schools on a league table.
5.The creation of a belief that some schools are successful
and others failures due in part of their NAPLAN data.
Suffice to say that we appear to be stuck with NAPLAN and
until such time as the voice educators is heard and acted
upon, we will have to continue to deliver the program to our
students.
GONSKI GONE!!!!
It would appear that the Federal Budget along with a general
lack of intent by key decision makers to properly fund public
education, has seen the demise of the Gonski funding that
was promised to schools in the lead up to last year’s federal
election. The debate should never have been about how much
schools got, nor about public verses private education
funding, it should have been about long term equity funding in
Australian schools.
One only has to go overseas to countries like Finland, Holland,
Sweden, Germany, South Korea and Japan to see how those
countries are forging ahead, due to a clear and coherent
policy around funding of education. Interestingly, none of
those countries have a private school system as well
entrenched as ours.
In my time as a Principal I’ve witnessed so much waste in
Education that it almost makes me sick. Politicians from both
sides come into power and tinker with Education policy to the
point that good people are replaced and good programs are
terminated. One would think that in a young vibrant country
like ours, rich in both human capital as well as resources; that
a clear bipartisan policy would exist in terms of how schools
are funded and how they are to be run. But no, nearly every
election there is more tinkering with education policy.
Australia’s educational ranking in terms of our international
standing continues to slide. Usually it’s teachers and lack of
productivity in schools that become a public “whipping boy”.
Significant numbers of young people continue to disengage from
education from about Year 9 onwards and access to training and
university is becoming largely the domain of the rich. If you can
afford an education, then you can get one. If you happen to be
further down the socio economic ladder, then you may get a
good education. Many of you will know how hard it is for young
people in our community to try and sustain themselves if they
are fortunate enough to be able to study beyond secondary
school.
I was desperate for the additional funding that Gonski would
bring to our school. I had plans to employ additional teacher
aides in every class and to be able to develop specific programs
for our gifted and talented students as well as our special
needs students. Alas, another policy decision lost!
PARENTING IDEAS
On a brighter note, this week’s Parenting Ideas focuses on
emotional intelligence. Kids these days have a lot to deal with.
Their world seems far more complex than when we were at
school. Having a high level of emotional intelligence can mean
that students cope better and manage challenging situations
better. I commend that attached article to you.
Parenting Ideas is brought to you through our subscription to
Parenting Ideas. For further help and
support go to:
www.parentingideas.com.au
In the meantime keep up the great work
you are doing as a parent.
Sincerely,
Paul Volkering
CAKE STALL!!!
The fabulous fundraising Mansfield Primary School Cake Stall at the Farmers’ Market is happening again on
Saturday 24th May.
In the past, this has been one of our most successful fundraisers for the school. Please be in-volved and bring something to sell, or come and buy! How to help: Bake something homemade (NO packets please) - cakes, biscuits, cupcakes, slices, fruit loafs We can also sell any produce from your garden or chooks Best sellers are usually: Savoury - quiches, cheese biscuits Kids treats - toffee apples, gingerbread men Wholesome - e.g. carrot cake, lemon poppy seed, apple Gluten-Free - e.g. flour less chocolate cake Old fashioned goodies - sponge, grandma’s slice etc
The Shire Council Environment Health Officer will waive fees for fundraiser, BUT we are bound by the Food Act which means that goods MUST be baked in a clean kitchen and good personal hygiene MUST be practised when handling food. Labelling: Goods must be labelled. Please label goods with sticker or paper: including ingredients, date made and your initials. (Alternatively let us know what you have done and we can put a code on if you don’t want your initials there). For example Flourless Chocolate Cake
Chocolate, almond meal, sugar, butter, eggs
25/6/11 C.L.
Presentation: Presentation sells well! Please present goods on paper plate or op shop china plate covered by glad wrap. Biscuits look good in cellophane bags or jars. Cellophane bags are available at the packaging shop in the main street, next to the bike shop. Where/When to deliver your goodies: Deliver direct to cake stall at Farmers Market - High Street medium strip opposite Post Office between 8-9ish on Saturday morning. Or deliver to school front office on Friday afternoon before. Please contact us if you have any queries and THANK YOU in advance! Janine Appleton 0428 150 800 Anna Francis 0409 884 459 Belinda Elliott 0400 123 497 Kate Stonnill 0438 098 594 If you cannot cook for us, please come and buy some goodies - fill your pantry or freezer with treats to help the school!
NEWSLETTER DATES 2014
May 29th
June 12th & 26th
July 24th
Aug 7th & 21st
Sept 4th & 18th
Oct 9th
Nov 6th & 20th
Dec 4th & 18th
buddy day for 12p Last term 12P spent an enjoyable day with their big buddies. The Grade Ones went to Jamieson and the Grade
Twos went to Mirimbah. Below is what the students wrote about their day.
Jessica Andrews- My buddy Meg is very nice.
William Browning- We did science with water bugs.
Dylan Carter- We played on the playground.
Mia Davis- My buddy put a bandage on my finger.
Ashton Dean- My buddy Ollie is my friend.
Ella-Rose Dowd- We went to Jamieson School.
Connor Gibney- It was fun playing with Rieley.
Henry Gove- We made boats and raced them.
Jett Kipping- I thought I saw a fish.
Audrey Kirk – Samantha and I collected bugs under rocks in the water.
Elise Kirley- I like my buddy Kaitlyn so much.
Britney McIntyre- My buddy helped me.
Jaycee Murphy- I liked catching creatures.
Tyler Murphy- I liked it.
Ethan Peck- We went to Jamieson to play.
Bridie Peterson- We made a maze.
Josh Tanner-We went on a walk. It was fun.
Storm Welch- We made a maze in the river.
Emma Witkiss- I played with Lily.
Year 6 Tshirts
We have 1 size 12 & 1 size
14 current Year 6 Tshirts
$25.00 each. Now available
at the school office.
Phone 5775 2325
www.mansfieldps.vic.gov.au
open
E xc e p t i o n a l P r i m a r y S c h o o l E d u c a t i o n w i t h h i g h l y
q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s s h a r i n g s k i l l s a n d k n ow l e d g e
Mansfield Primary School
Open House
A week of activities & information
for the whole Mansfield
Community. All are welcome to
visit our school, ask questions and
find out more on becoming part of
our school community.
Monday 19 & Wednesday 21
May: 10am - 11am School Tours for new families. Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21
May: 12.30 - 3.30pm Open Art
Studio.
Artist in residence, Wendy Jagger
with the grade 6 students
demonstrate the art of the pottery
wheel and bowl making.
Thursday 22 May: 9am -10am All invited to visit our Open
Classrooms.
Especially valuable for parents,
grandparents, special friends and
volunteers to see how we look on
a day to day basis.
10.30am: Enjoy our visitors
morning tea presented by the
Parents & Friends.
Mansfield Primary School has
many unique opportunities
for students.
One example is our School to
Summit Program. This program
offers an outdoor learning
experience for all students from
Prep to Grade 6. The program
develops students over a range of
outdoor activities culminating in
an outdoor adventure challenge at
Mt Buller in Grade 6. Supporting
each student in their transition to
Secondary College.
Mr Paul Volkering:
Principal
An experienced Principal in
both rural and
metropolitan schools. He
has the Prime Minister’s
Centenary Medal for
Services to Education.
Mrs Nicole Comerford
Supports students,
families & individuals.
Nicole has a Master of
Education - Special
Needs.
Mrs Lyn Gardiner
Experienced Senior
teacher and Visual Arts
Specialist. Over the
past six years Lyn has
developed the Artist in
Residence program.
house
Mrs Julie McInnes
Year 3/4 Coordinator and
Literacy Coordinator with
a Master of Gifted
Education.