thinking respect responsibility attitude care

JASON’S JOURNAL – The Principal’s Message

As you read this edition of The Lakeside News, there will likely be only 11 school days left in the year. Staff have discussed the importance of teaching structured content right up until the end of the school year and you can expect your child to be kept on task. Of course, there will be themed activities and end of year celebrations, but our main focus is to ensure the gap between this year and the next doesn’t begin early. Meeting with some Principal colleagues the other day we laughed at the number of people who ask, “you must be winding down at this time of the year.” They could not be further from the truth, as term 4 is the busiest in the school year with reports to be written, proof read and edited; classes and staffing to be organised for 2016; budgets set and ratified for the new school year; an Annual Implementation Plan sent into our Regional Office and Performance Management Meetings for all staff (including myself). At this stage we are on track to release the class information for next year – the children spending time with their 2016 teacher and classmates next Friday, so for those students (and parents) who are wondering who their teacher next year might be, the wait is nearly over.

PREPARING FOR 2016 – WHAT IS STUDENT TRANSITION? Student transition involves the programs, processes and opportunities used to support students entering, moving through and exiting our school. Our transition program supports students transitioning:

Into school – ‘Kinder to Prep’ and new student enrolments from P - 6

Through school each year - as students’ progress through each Year Level

Exiting the school - Level 6 to Level 7 and accessing special education settings.

Each student’s life experience is different, with our students coming from many different cultural and language backgrounds as well as a variety of family structures. Each child will have developed a range of skills and abilities that form the basis of their positive school experiences and ability to adapt to new situations. Throughout each child’s school journey the various stages of transition create periods of change for the child and their family. These periods can be both challenging and exciting. The aim of our transition program is to support each student to make every transition as smooth as possible. It is important to understand that the preparation for each stage of transition starts well before students take their next step and is supported through a combination of special and whole school programs. Student transition is most successful when:

Each student’s sense of belonging at school is strong

Processes are in place to build familiarity and reduce anxiety

Students are supported to build their capacity to adapt positively to change.

To develop these characteristics at Blackburn Lake PS each student is supported to:

Develop a strong sense of wellbeing including resilience, confidence and self-esteem

Experience personal success. This can be through academic achievement, the development

of effective social skills and a sense of accomplishment through the Arts, Languages and

Sport and Physical Education.

The key components of our comprehensive transition program are delivered through our curriculum, whole school teaching practices, special programs, parent information evenings and meetings. The list provided below is not exhaustive but provides further insight into our multi-dimensional transition program.

Student goal setting and reflection on achievements

Our fortnightly timetabled whole school Buddies program

Kinder to Prep – including Information Nights, Launchpad and Orientation Programs

A combined 5/6 Camp for the senior students together

No 39

3 December 2015

Level 6 to 7 Transition – including school visits

Student leadership programs – Student School Council, Level 6 Leadership

TRRAC Into Transition – Meet Your Year Level activities (next Tuesday)

TRRAC Into Transition – Meet Your Teacher session (next Thursday)

PLANNING DAYS With a strength of our school of our whole school approaches to teaching and learning, we promote continued student learning momentum through staff collaboration and team planning. Over the next fortnight we have rearranged our usual specialist timetable to facilitate a “Planning Day” for each team of teachers. This enables the teaching teams to spend a day together, reviewing their planning and programs from this year, and plan a learning program for the new school year. I thank the Coordinators listed below for their important leadership this year, with the Planning Days to be held:

Prep: Sue Rosendale - Monday 7th December

Level 1/2: Suellen Hall - Tuesday 15th December

Level 3/4: Shari Lo Presti - Wednesday 9th December

Level 5/6: Deb McDermott - Monday 14th December

Specialists: Phil Lumsden - Tuesday 8th December

I thank all teachers for the care and skill they show on a daily basis – an important ingredient to the successful culture of learning at Blackburn Lake Primary School. As a teaching team we have a strong emphasis on our collective responsibility for all the children, with changes to teacher placements (to be announced later next week) a part of our succession planning and cementing our whole school practices in teaching and learning. SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS As you know Compass is the new system we are using to manage many aspects of the interactions between school and home. Using your individual login details you can login and update your password and check your contact details @ https://blps.vic.jdlf.com.au/login.aspx. As we plan to increasingly utilise Compass, I ask all families to check their details – especially email and mobile numbers which can change. We thank the many parents who have logged into Compass to inform us of a student absence. In granting families access to the attendance rolls this system will take the place of written absence notes or phone calls next year - with a reminder of the step-by-step instructions available via our website homepage. Having Prior Notification (that is, parents entering absences that are coming up such as illness, in-term holidays, appointments, etc) will greatly assist teachers in their planning and also improve the safety of the students.

In promoting student safety we again ask all visitors to the school to “sign in” via the Compass kiosk at the Office. All students who arrive at school after 9am or leave prior to 3.30pm are legally required to be signed in / out by an adult and this can be done on the touch screen of the kiosk (pictured). It also has the advantage that as an adult is doing it, it automatically authorises the absence so there is no need to go back into Compass and do it later. The Kiosk prints out a ‘Late Arrival’ / ‘Early Departure’ pass which we ask to be given to the teacher to verify that you have been via the office, which is an additional safety measure.

The Kiosk also registers visitors to our school so we can see at any time what visitors are on the premises. This is important for security and all visitors should be able to show their visitors pass if asked by a staff member. Additionally, this is an important register in an emergency situation. The kiosk takes a photo as a record which is only available to senior administration staff and is unlikely to be needed, but it does prove who has signed in or out if there is ever a problem. Thanks for signing in via the Kiosk when you “visit” ‘our school for classroom assistance, PA volunteers, etc.

Students have been working on a variety of assessment tasks throughout the year, with some of these selected for portfolio publication. Children will be bringing home their Assessment Portfolio on Friday 11th December. Following the success of mid-year report distribution via Compass, at the end of this year these will be “paperless;” with all reports to be made available through this portal at the end of the day on Friday 11th December (coinciding with portfolio distribution). Please inform your teacher should you require a paper copy.

If you have misplaced your Compass username and password (distributed at the start of the year) or you are having difficulties logging onto Compass, please contact our Office who will be happy to help.

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES @ BLPS As a school we constantly revise the safety of the school environment – and continue our annual planned maintenance works that assist in preparing for the threat of fire (such as clearing our school grounds and gutters). During the holidays we had arborists check and remove and prune a couple of dangerous trees.

Being next to the beautiful Blackburn Lake Sanctuary classifies our school as a high bushfire risk and as such we are listed on Victoria’s ‘Bushfire-At Risk Register’ (BARR). Schools and children’s services identified as being at highest bushfire risk and included on the BARR will be closed on days determined by fire authorities to be “Code Red”.

Where possible, we will provide parents with up to three days’ notice of a planned closure following the issue of a Code Red warning by the CFA. We will contact you directly with a letter sent home with your child with advice on potential closures and will confirm the decision to close the day before the planned closure via SMS – another reason to log into Compass and update your details. I hope you can make it to tomorrow’s whole school assembly @ 3pm to celebrate another great week at “Blacky Lake” and acknowledge December birthdays, Maths Olympiad Competition, and also congratulate this week’s ‘Students of the Week’. Regards, Jason Walker - Principal walker.jason.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

‘STUDENTS OF THE WEEK’ We congratulate the following ‘Students of the Week’ – to be presented at Friday’s School Assembly

DIARY DATES FOR 2015 Friday 4 December 2.35pm – 3.25pm Prep 2016 ‘Orientation’ session # 3

Tuesday 8 December “TRRAC Into Transition - Meet Your Year Level”

Wednesday 9 December PA ‘SUSHI’ Day @ lunchtime

Thursday 10 December 6:00pm – 7:30pm Twilight Sports Friday 11 December “TRRAC Into Transition - Meet Your Teacher”

Thursday 17 December 6:00pm – 10:00pm Year 6 Graduation

Friday 18 December 1.00pm – 1.30pm Assembly (term 4 concludes – EARLY DISMISSAL)

TERM & DIARY DATES FOR 2016

Wednesday 27 January All day CURRICULUM DAY – no students at school

Thursday 28 January 9.00am start Term 1 starts - All students start school

Thursday 24 March 2.30pm Term 1 ends - Early dismissal

Monday 11 April 9.00am start Term 2 starts - All students attend school

Monday 23 May All day CURRICULUM DAY - no students at school

Friday 5 August All day CURRICULUM DAY - no students at school

Friday 24 June 2.30pm Term 2 ends - Early dismissal

Monday 11 July 9.00am start Term 3 starts - All students attend school

Friday 16 September 2.30pm Term 3 ends - Early dismissal

Monday 3 October 9.00am start Term 4 starts - All students attend school

Monday 31 October All day CURRICULUM DAY - no students at school

Tuesday 20 December 1.00pm – 1.30pm Assembly (term 4 concludes – EARLY DISMISSAL)

Principal Vishwa R – 4D Not ‘falling for’ any trick question when exploring the computations of two dice Assistant Principal

Derya E – P-S Showing responsibility by coming to the front office when there was a problem

Prep A Alfie O Taking responsibility for & having a positive & hard working attitude towards his learning – keep up your wonderful work Alfie!!

Prep B Elizabeth M For explaining to the class that silent e jumps over a consonant letter to make a vowel say its name! What a star!

Prep S Charlotte G Willow M

Fabulous work in Mathematics this week! Wonderful Reading to the class from her Guided Reading book

1D Alison H An outstanding presentation about the sport - Netball 1J Grace S A fantastic exposition about why Australian animals need our help 1L Miika S His outstanding speech on why he likes to ride his bike - fantastic work! 2C Celeste D-C The quiet way she goes about her work, concentrating hard & always trying her

best – you are a star Celeste! 2E Darcy D Really applying himself during Writing sessions & coming up with an excellent

exposition piece on ‘Wombats’ 2S Jack S Demonstrating to the class how to make a clear presentation – well done Jack!

LOISIA’S LETTER – The Assistant Principal’s Message

With the start of the “silly season” and people in a rush it is timely to remind all community members of the importance of safe use of roads. Whilst it is important to be punctual, it is more so important that you do not break the road rules to get your children to school on time. Please observe the speed signs – particularly the 40km/h around the school. There have been many examples of double parking and stopping in ‘No Parking’ areas for more than 2 minutes. This only exacerbates the issue of visibility for cars moving along Florence Street and it is essential that all drivers obey the law in this instance (as well as considering common courtesy). The school has recently been in contact with Whitehorse City local laws and also the traffic unit of Victoria Police and we expect a heightened presence in the area, so for the safety of your children and others (not to mention your hip pocket) please follow the rules of the road. Rather than directly approach those disobeying the rules, we encourage parents doing the right thing to report any incidents to Whitehorse Council Local Laws on 9262 6394. A strength of our school is our community and we ask that everyone continues to look out for and respect each other this December. Regards, Loisia Steed – Assistant Principal steed.loisia.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS

A matter of weeks ago, the Education Department provided a directive to Principals requiring a more stringent implementation of the Department’s existing policy on parental contributions. The apparent political imperative of the directive was to reinforce that the Victorian Government grant is provided to fund the essential costs associated with providing students with a free primary school education. The effect of the directive has been as follows:

School Councils may only require a compulsory parent contribution for “essential education items” which

are generally consumable items that are essential for use in the curriculum such as stationery, exercise

books, and art supplies;

3A Ruby H Persisting with & conquering telling time to the minute – you should be super proud of yourself!

3E Katya L-N Her excellent use of emotive language in her ‘school holidays’ persuasive text – well done!

3N Rory H Charlotte A

Building a newspaper chair strong enough to sit on Building a newspaper chair strong enough to sit on

4D Amber W A wonderful written persuasive piece on ‘Should School Holidays be Longer’

4S Bailey T Persistence & skill in tackling very challenging Maths investigations – great! 5A Meg W The excellent detail & vocabulary she put into her discussion piece ‘Should

Kids Wear Uniforms?’ 5K Jack S His excellent ICT skills when he lead the grade in their presentation 5L James F His incredible 3D extra time memory box – the artistic element highlighted your

high presentation standard 5/6A Ryland E-S His articulate & persuasive 1 minutes presentation – well done 6D Ellie G Outstanding thoughtfulness displayed throughout the year with assisting

teachers 6M Hannah S Learning how to draw highly accurate shapes with 3 dimensions – excellent

work! Art Hunter H – 5L An outstanding wire sculpture of a plane

Italian Oliver C-M – P-S

Emily B – 2C Layla H – 2E

Cooper D – 5K Khushi V – 6D

Emma Smith – 6D

Being kind & helpful to everyone in our Italian lessons including Sonia – well done! Approaching new Italian activities with energy & a positive attitude Approaching new Italian activities with energy & a positive attitude Participating enthusiastically in our Italian lessons & for showing motivation Showing responsibility & initiative in our Italian lessons – Sonia is proud of you! Showing responsibility & initiative in our Italian lessons – Sonia is proud of you!

Music Cooper S – 5L Displaying a sense of fairness when choosing whose presentation to show in class

Phys Ed / Sport Noah S – 2S His great display of ‘Responsibility’ during PE when he closed the door so we didn’t disturb the Piano lesson next door

Movember - Men’s Health

School Councils can request a contribution for “optional education items” being activities offered as

enhancements to the school curriculum such as excursions and camps, swimming programs on a user

pays basis;

School Councils can request parents make voluntary financial contributions for school resourcing such

as information and communication technology, building and grounds maintenance, and library

resources.

The impact of the directive has been to greatly limit Council’s capacity to raise compulsory parental

contributions.

In the 2016, we expect that government funds received by the BLPS Council (excluding staff wages) will represent only 55% of the total budgeted funds for the 2016 school year. At the same time, 36% of the budgeted funds for 2016 school year will be derived from parent contributions and various fundraising efforts. Council notes that historically, parents at BLPS have been very supportive of the school in making payment of both compulsory and voluntary contributions where possible. That has allowed Council to continue to provide the services and facilities our students enjoy whilst keeping parental contributions as low as possible. As a valuable member of our school community, we write to ask that in 2016, you continue to assist by making payment of both compulsory and voluntary contributions where possible.

Mark Eaton David Spong School Council President School Council Treasurer

EXTRA ALICE PHOTO AVAILABLE Some extra Alice photos are available, as follows: White Rabbit, 1L, 2C, 2E, 3N, 5/6 girls Wednesday and 5/6 boys Wednesday.

Help support a great cause by donating to my Movember account with all proceeds helping to raise awareness of - Men’s Health.

All donations will be greatly appreciated and valued. Make this shockingly bad moustache worthwhile!

Follow the link to donate or talk to Lyn in the office to make a donation in person.

https://au.movember.com/donate/payment/member_id/1046126/

Grade 6 Graduation 17th

December 2015 To the grade 6 parents, Just a couple of reminders regards graduation. Graduation payment Please note the graduation funds of $55 is now due. Please pay at the office at earliest convenience. Book donation We would like the traditional book / $10 donation by the end of the week. Parent letter Just a reminder to please complete your letter to your child and place in an envelope with their name on the front and return to their classroom teacher by the 9th December 2015.

Looking forward to a fantastic night!

ART ARTICLES Grade 4 students have been working on their observational skill development and have taken home some beautifully detailed and executed drawings. They used view finders to limit the amount of visual information they could see, which made the task more achievable. I have encouraged all students from Grade 3 up to purchase an A3 sketch pad ($2.50 from the local Two Dollar shop), HB pencil and an eraser, and do some drawing over the summer, both observational drawing and imaginative work. I am looking forward to seeing all the fabulous artwork they have done when we are back at school in January.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those committed parents who support their children’s artistic learning and those who have helped or donated things to the art room. It has been an excellent year and I have thoroughly enjoyed being you child’s Visual Art teacher.

Johanna McPhail Visual Art Coordinator

MAGICAL MUSIC NOTES

Classroom Grade 2 – 5 Over the next couple of weeks we will be having classroom concerts for students in grades 2 through to 6. Have a look at the list below to see when your concert it on, then come and sign yourself up on the sheets outside the music room. If playing an instrument (or singing) is not your thing, you might like to get some friends together to do a dance routine, or a skit.

2C Tues 15/12 3A Wed 9/12 5A Thurs 10/12

2E Tues 15/12 3E Wed 9/12 5/6A

2S Tues 15/12 3N Thurs 10/12 6D Mon 14/12

4D Wed 16/12 5K Wed 16/12 6M Mon 14/12

4S Wed 16/12 5L Fri 11/12 56A Fri 11/12

Marimba Ensemble Don’t forget to meet in the music room for our final practice.

Choir Tomorrow is our performance with the StringStars. Remember to bring your lunch and a water bottle when we meet at 12.45pm.

School Spectacular 2016 Thanks to all those who have shown an interest in being involved in School Spectacular for 2016. Expressions of interest close tomorrow. Don’t miss out!

I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but more importantly music; for in the patterns of music and all the arts, are the keys to learning. - Plato Sam Collins Music & Performing Arts Coordinator (collins.samantha.s@edumail.vic.gov.au)

SPORTS REPORT JUMP ROPE FOR HEART I have just found out that our school raised $8,031.71 for the Heart Foundation via our student’s efforts when taking part in the Jump Rope for Heart program. What a fantastic effort. Thank you to all those who were able to raise money. I have been assured by Katie, from JRH, that the funds will be put to good use!! We have received the “thank you” gifts for those students who qualified and these will be distributed as soon as possible. Great effort by all those involved!

MORNING MOVERS “Morning Movers” will officially end today for 2015. We will be back next year!

TWILIGHT SPORTS – 10 DECEMBER Once again confirming that evening will commence at 6.00pm and close at 7.30pm. Between 6.00pm and 6.30pm there will be some musical items to entertain you and our picnic activities will be held from 6.30pm to 7.15pm. House groups, along with any interested family members, will rotate through a sack race, an egg and spoon race, a “stilts” race and the evergreen 3-legged race during that time. All these events will be set up on the school oval and the corner court. When setting up on arrival please do so on the asphalt area between the playground equipment and level 1 and 2 rooms. Don’t forget to bring your own Picnic or buy a Sausage from the local Lions Club who will be running a barbecue. The Year 6’s will be selling drinks and lolly bags to support their “Big Day Out” during the last week of school.

DISTRICT SWIMMING TRIALS FOR 2016 - FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY Our District Trials will be held Friday 19 February, at Monash Aquatic Centre. If you are keen to take part you will need to do some training over the holidays. All events are swum over 50m so make sure you are practising to swim that far!! Individual events are held for boys and girls in 9/10, 11 and 12 year age groups for all strokes. We also have for freestyle and medley relays. Start Swimming!!

SPORTS UNIFORMS It is time to check those wardrobes and cupboards for any “lost” sports tops or uniforms. Please check carefully and return any “strays” to school as soon as possible.

HOUSE ATHLETICS – 2016 - TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2016 Just a reminder that next year we will holding a house athletics carnival for all students in Levels 3 - 6 at Bill Sewart Athletics Track. The date for this event is Tuesday 18 March 2016. It will be during the school day. Please mark this date in your calendars. We will need many adult volunteers, at least 24, on the day. If we can’t find enough volunteers then the day may not be able to be held. I know it seems a long way away but we will need to make sure people are confident enough to be involved in each event so we will need to make sure there is enough time to allow for any training may be required. If you are to assist on that day please let me know as soon as possible, via my school email address, so we can set things in motion. Regards, Phil Lumsden - PE / Sports Coordinator lumsden.philip.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

INNOVATIVE ITALIAN NEWS

L’angolo della bella Italia. Buon giorno a tutti! I am Sonia Gaetano-Tortelli in ‘The beautiful Italian corner’.

Well done to the Level Three students who recited their poem ‘La Settimana’ (The Days of the Week) at last week’s Assembly! “Ben fatto!” Well done! You did a great job!

Some updates on the wonderful work the students are currently completing in Italian: The Level Three, Four, Five and Six students are currently learning and rehearsing different Italian plays. They

are revising familiar Italian vocabulary as well as challenging themselves in learning unfamiliar Italian vocabulary.

In the last week of term 4, some senior classes will be performing these Italian plays for the junior levels. They

are very excited about this!

Preps, Level Ones and Twos are currently learning about toys - ‘giocattoli’. Each of the classes are learning

different ‘toy’ Italian vocabulary as well as making different toys. They are all buzzing with excitement as they

learn about different toys!

Also remember to visit our special Italian Prep spring garden (“Il Nostro Giardino della Primavera”) before

the Melbourne wind blows our spring plants away!! It is at the garden bed outside classrooms 1L and 2C. The

Preps and I have ‘planted’ the spring flowers and butterflies we made in class whilst learning ‘spring’ Italian

vocabulary. I am very proud of their efforts!

Excellent –Eccellente! Stay tuned for more Italian news soon. Arriverderci! “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” By Gail Devers.

Sonia Gaetano-Tortilla gaetano.sonia.s@edumail.vic.gov.au

PARENTS ASSOCIATION (PA) NEWS

The PA is a group of parents who meet every six weeks or so to organise social and fundraising events, run the canteen, uniform shop, school banking and help make the school a better place for our children. Meeting are advertised in the school Newsletter and any parents or carers of BLPS students are welcome to attend these meetings. You are welcome to contact us anytime at blps.pa@gmail.com. Office Bearers for 2016 - Secretary needed! The 2016 elected office bearers are Jen Robertson (President), Katie Davidson (Vice President) and Nevila Glenk (Treasurer). We still need a Secretary - could this be you? The secretary is responsible for taking minutes at PA meetings, circulating agendas and minutes for those meetings and generally keeping abreast of the range of correspondence that comes to the PA. This is then passed on to the relevant interest group, whether that is canteen, uniform shop or those involved in a specific fund raising activity. We would love to hear from anyone that may be interested, perhaps sharing the role with a friend or two. It is a great opportunity to learn about how the school functions, meet other parents and help contribute to make our school community the best it can be! Please contact us at blps.pa@gmail.com or talk to one of the office bearers if you see us around at school drop off/pick up. Hope to hear from you!

Thank you to all the families who purchased Mangoes as part of the BLPS Mango Fundraiser – we hope you are enjoying them! There was a slight hiccup with the farm but the final 40 trays were delivered to school today. With your help, we were able to raise a total of $1,092.00

for the school which is a fantastic effort. Thank you!

Lost Property End of Year We have a few non-uniform items remaining in the Lost Property cupboard. Do you recognise any? They will be moved to DJ centre next week and any items not claimed by last day of term will be donated to charity.

BLPS Parents’ Association

Mince Pies & Lemon Tarts

CHRISTMAS 2015

Bakers Delight Brentford Square is offering us the opportunity to purchase delicious

Fruit Mince Pies and Lemon Tarts and raise funds for Blackburn Lake Primary School.

The more pies and tarts you purchase the more money we raise.

Order forms have been sent home with the youngest child in

each family today. Return your completed order form with correct money

by Wednesday 9 December and place it in the PA Fundraising Box in the front office foyer.

A 6 pack of Pies or Tarts will cost $8.50 (RRP $9.00). For every 6 pack of Pies or Tarts ordered,

the school will raise $1.50.

Orders of 1 or 2 packs will be sent home with your nominated child on -

Wednesday 16 December.

Larger orders will be available for pick up from the school from 3.15pm – 4:30pm on the

same day (from the Gazebo).

Remember to ask family, friends and work colleagues if they would like to order some too.

Extra order forms are available from the front office or can be printed from the school’s

website http://www.blps.vic.edu.au/page/91/Notices

For further details please contact Nicola G on nicola@graysmail.com.au

Tea & Tissues Morning Tea! Thursday 28th January 2016 from 9am – School Library

BLPS Parents Association cordially invites 2015 Prep Parents to host the annual ‘Tea & Tissues’ (or ‘Cake & Celebrate’) Morning Tea for the 2016 Prep Parents.

Come along and enjoy some great company and also provide support. Please bring a plate to share!

For more information, contact Nevila (Oriel’s mum) at blps.pa@gmail.com

Hope to see you there! Parents Association, BLPS

Loyalty Programs

Thanks to all the 125 families who shopped at Toyworld Forest Hill over the past year and supported BLPS through the benefit card program. The school received a total credit of $500 from Toyworld which has been used to purchase a number of Lego Robotics for the Science Club. Well done everyone! For those who haven’t yet signed up, simply register your details at your next purchase in store and nominate Blackburn Lake Primary School. The school receives 4% of your purchases in the form of gift vouchers PLUS once you spend over $100 you will personally receive a 10% discount (excluding sale items). It’s a win-win for all! Already signed up but nominated a kinder/childcare? You can always request to change this to BLPS in-store. Enjoy shopping!

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS in MPR

Monday Afternoon 3.30pm – 4.00pm Thursday Morning 9.00am – 9.30am

Final opening hours for 2015

- Friday 4th December 2.30pm to 3.30pm (Final Prep Orientation) - We will then be closed for Stocktake

Re-opening for 2016 - Wednesday 27th January 9.30am - 11.30am ("Pupil Pack" Day)

Term 1 2016 opening hours

- Mondays 3.30pm to 4.00pm and - Thursdays 9.00am to 9.30am

SCHOOL BANKING - Every WEDNESDAY is School Banking Day

SCHOOL BANKING REWARDS For every deposit you make, you will earn 1 silver Dollarmite token. When you have saved 10 tokens, you may order a reward by handing in your 10 tokens the next time you bank at school together with your order card.

STOCK AVAILABILITY UPDATE: OUT OF STOCK: Shark key rings, Invisible Ink pens, Scented pencils Reward Items still available:

ET DVD Galaxy Glider Intergalactic Rocket 2014 Dollarmites Money Box 2015 Outer Space Money Box

** When ordering rewards, please nominate at least 2 or 3 items from now on, in case they are no longer available. ** IMPORTANT DATES FOR SCHOOL BANKING

Wednesday 9 December 2015 Last day of School Banking for 2015.

Any rewards ordered on this day will only be

delivered to school after Wednesday 27 January 2016.

Wednesday 3 February 2016 First of School Banking for 2016. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Our students really enjoy participating in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program and to keep this program running we need your help. We are looking for volunteers for next year to facilitate the banking of the students' deposits and distribution of School Banking rewards. We have a roster of volunteers which means you would only need to come in once every 3 weeks for about an hour on Wednesday mornings. The deposits and rewards ordering are processed via a web-based system provided by the bank, and all the money is counted and deposited at the nearest branch. If you are interested in joining our School Banking team or for more information, please contact Vickie L 0419 773335.

REMINDER: Grand Prize Competition - Win a family trip to Disneyland Just a reminder that student bankers who make 25 deposits or more in 2015 will automatically receive an entry into the competition draw to win a trip to California’s Disneyland. The prize includes return airfares, five nights’ accommodation, transfers and 3 days park entry for up to two adults and two kids, as well as AUD$2000 spending money. For further competition details, visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking.

ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES Congratulations to the following school bankers for earning their Achievement Certificates.

GOLD Certificate for making 30 deposits: Maria C, Ka Mon F, Oliver H, Bethany L

SILVER Certificate for making 20 deposits: Lucy F-R, Alana S Your certificate will be passed to you via your classroom teacher.

Thank you for supporting the School Banking Program! Vickie L | School Banking Coordinator | Contact: 0419 773 335

SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM

Coming up Term 1, 2016 . . .

The Impressionists Monet, Degas, Caillebotte, Morisot, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir

Blackburn Lake Primary School

Understand this era of Art and develop appreciation of the technique and the times of these artists whose work is exhibited in the most important galleries in the world. How did the times and places they lived in affect the way they painted. What is a “plain air” painter? Try your hand at using these same techniques to paint your own masterpiece. Develop your own art skills and knowledge of art so that you can do better presentations, better projects, have more fun with art activities, get increased pleasure from the quality of your own work and be able to critically evaluate art from this period. All materials included.

WiseOnes Application for 1st Term, 2016 This program is available for all Grade 1 - Grade 6 children who have qualified for WiseOnes. The unit for first term commences week beginning Monday, 8

th February 2016.

The unit will run for 8 weeks commencing: 8th

Feb, 15th

Feb, 22rd

Feb, 29th

Feb, 7th

Mar, 14th

Mar, 21st Mar. (Week 7) 11

th April, (Week 8) 18

th April.

Due to the shortness of Term 1, Week 7 and 8 will be at the beginning of Term 2. WiseOnes Teacher: Francoise Godden (mobile: 0420 355 388) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… I wish to enrol my child in the unit "The Impressionists” starting week beginning Monday, 8

th February, 2016.

I give permission for a copy of this slip to be handed to the WiseOnes teacher.

Child's Name ________________________________________________ School: Blackburn Lake Primary School

Date of Birth ________________________ Class (2016) __________

Parents' Names ______________________________________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: BH ___________________ AH ____________________ Mobile ____________________________

My child has already qualified for WiseOnes YES/NO I would like a free test for my child YES/NO. I would like my child to be tested with a fuller assessment to qualify for WiseOnes (assessment cost $250 inc GST).

Please send this slip and payment of $238.00 on Wednesday, 3rd February, 2016.

As we are a non-credit business, children will not be accepted into the program for the term unless the fees and enrolment form are returned by the above date.

If paying by cheque please make it payable Blackburn Lake Primary School.

For further information, please contact Pat Truscott on 9326 6441 or Mobile: 0407 313 657

NB: Due to the Government increase of teachers’ wages, please note the new cost of the program.

What's been happening in OSHC?

Holidays are coming up soon!

The booking portal is now open online.

We are open for 3 weeks over the school holidays starting Monday 4th January 2016.

Jump online and check out the fun things we will be doing these school holidays www.campaustrlia.com.au

Have a great weekend everyone! From the OSHC team :)

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Any advertisements in this newsletter are in no way endorsed by Blackburn Lake Primary School

Junior Field Naturalist of the Field Naturalists Club

of Victoria Inc.

12 December Club Christmas Party @

6.30pm

BBQ Dinner bring a plate of salad or sweet to

share. Email Claire. Donations needed for

End of Year Raffle. All Welcome!

No Meeting in December

24 January Excursion Sunday @ 11am

‘Beach / Snorkelling Day’ Meet at Black Rock

Pier

29 January Meeting Friday 7.30pm

‘Council Member Talks’

Email: Claire toclairef@gmail.com