jason‟s journal – the principal‟s message · tomorrow we are supporting „national walk...
TRANSCRIPT
JASON‟S JOURNAL – The Principal‟s Message Over the past weeks teachers have been busy – along with the usual teaching duties - in writing Mid Year Reports for all children, which will be issued to parents on Friday 22 June. These reports will present parents with an up to date picture on how their child/ren is performing at school in all areas, both socially and academically. On average, reports take anywhere between two to three hours per student to complete, which is a great deal of extra work completed late at night or on weekends by our teachers. Student reports will be accompanied by your child/ren‟s student portfolio. Student portfolios hold important work samples and progress reports, which parents are able to comment upon and keep at the end of the year. The children are normally very proud of these portfolios. I have often heard children say, after completing exceptional work, “perhaps this is good enough for my portfolio”.
Please note that next Monday 21st May has been approved as a CURRICULUM DAY - and students will not be in attendance.
Staff will utilise this day to finalise reporting and portfolios.
Immediately following the issuing of student reports, parents are offered the chance to hear more about their child‟s progress and are provided with a chance to ask questions about the report during Parent / Teacher Interviews. These will be held this year on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th June. Please keep a watchful eye out for Parent/Teacher Interview notices, which will be sent home soon and include access to our online Parent Teacher Online system (PTO). It is most important that ALL parents set aside time to meet with the teacher/s (even if you believe your child/ren is progressing well at school) as portfolios will be distributed at these interviews.
STUDENT SAFETY – TRAFFIC It is timely once again to remind all community members of the importance of safe use of roads at and around the school during busy „drop-off‟ and „pick-up‟ times. Recently, I have seen or had others report the following to me:
Students crossing Florence Street without using the provided crossing. All students are expected to utilise the crossings at all times and we ask parents to also use them as an example for our students;
Community members speeding within the 40km zone. It is important to be punctual to school, however, if you are running late, please do not break the road rules to get your children to school on time. Safety must come first!
Parking illegally. There are a number of restricted parking areas around the school. Please also avoid clogging local traffic by staying in the 2 minute zone for longer than this, and also parking over driveways of local residents who can be left „blocked in‟, which must be very frustrating;
Students waiting to be picked up standing on the nature strip. I ask parents to speak to children about the dangers of standing too close to the road, and ask everyone to use the footpaths around our school.
Please be aware that police and Whitehorse Council parking inspectors often undertake blitzes in our area and a number of community members have recently received fines when dropping off or collecting their children.
No 14
17 May 2012
Recognising that active kids are healthy kids, and also that if more students walk or ride to school there will be less traffic. Tomorrow we are supporting „National Walk Safely To School Day’. If possible, please walk with your children to school, reinforcing safe pedestrian behaviour (such as children up to 10 years old holding an adult's hand when crossing the road). If your children can‟t walk the whole way, we ask you to park the car a good distance away from the school and walk the rest of the way.
HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY Walking to school tomorrow will be a good opportunity to “warm up” for our House Cross-Country run, with Prep – 2 children running between 10:00am-11:00am (with starting times below) and Years 3 to 6 running after recess (11:40am – 1:00pm). All children will start on the school oval and finish on the basketball court. Please dress in your House colours: Acacia (yellow), Jacaranda (blue), Kurrajong (green) and Waratah (red) with parents of course welcome to come along and cheer!
WORKING BEE - SUNDAY 20 MAY The Facilities Committee have organised a Working Bee for this Sunday, 20th May. The focus of the Working Bee will be to give the grounds an „autumn make over‟ and to finish off our new areas – expanding the bike shed, weeding the Rainwater Garden, and continuing the “start” made on our most recent addition to our grounds – the Butterfly Garden. As an incentive to come along, one lucky person will win a family voucher for Hoyts Forest Hill. Every person (including kids) that comes to the Working Bee will be in the raffle to win! This will be drawn at the Working Bee sausage sizzle on the day. Good Luck!
EDUCATION WEEK As a part of our Education Week celebrations, we have two Village Gold Class tickets (along with a $50 food
voucher) to be won by one lucky family next week. How do I enter? Early next week a “passport” will be sent home to all families. Bring this to school on Thursday evening and when you visit each area on the “Learning Walk” (Treasure Hunt) you will receive a stamp in your passport. Passports handed into the office will go into the
prize draw – to take place at our special early morning Whole School Assembly on Friday. Good luck and see you around the school. In showcasing the great work we do every day at Blackburn Lake Primary we invite you to:
‘MUSICAL SHOWCASE’ CONCERT
Tuesday 22 May 2012 7.00pm – 8.00pm Performances by our school choirs and ensembles.
GRANDPARENTS DAY
Wednesday 23 May 2012 various times Grandparents and Special Friends are invited to come between:
9:00 – 10:00 (Prep) 9:00 – 10:00 (Grade 1/2) 11:30 – 12:30 (Grade 3/4) 9:00 – 10:00 (Grade 5/6)
Learning Walk Thursday 24 May 2012 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Enter the treasure hunt at the office to find the „Learning‟ items around the school
Including the annual ‘Art Works’ Show - „A Celebration of the Arts’
Open morning – beginning with an early School Assembly Friday 25 May 2012 9.00am – 11.00am
A whole school assembly 9.00 – 9.30 held in the D J Centre - all welcome!
CLASS VISIT – 2D This term our whole staff professional learning focus has been on literacy, with all Term Two Staff Meetings focusing on improvement of our teaching of Spelling. On Tuesday morning many of the skills and strategies recently discussed by staff were in practice during the 2D Literacy Block. The students were involved in a number of activities planned for their ability levels – one group (pictured) saying their wordlist into an easi-speak microphone and then listening to their recordings. During this Word Study session some students undertook independent activities based on their Spelling words (such as making word shapes using playdoh). Other pupils at this time worked with class teacher Debbie, who orally tested children‟s spelling of words and Teacher Aide Nicole assisted others to make a memory game using their words. I assisted some students to find their own Word Study words in the dictionary – a skill that we as adults take for granted, but an example of a foundation skill that is taught and practiced at primary school.
After a class spelling game of „Spit It Out’ the children showed me a PowerPoint presentation on the electronic whiteboard, outlining their ideas for a mural. Last term 2D students wrote to me asking if they could create a mural on the wall outside their classroom. Due to the quality of the letters and the creativity of the ideas (and indeed the PowerPoint presentation this week), I have given the class the “thumbs up” and the children will be working on designing and producing an outdoor piece of artwork. I thank Debbie and 2D for their initiative and look forward to seeing the finished mural of “the 12 rings”.
I hope to see you at tomorrow‟s Whole School Assembly @ 3pm to acknowledge our „Students of the Week‟. Regards, Jason Walker – Principal [email protected]
LOISIA‟S LETTERS
Occasionally a staff member will at their peril, brave changing the school’s timetable. Even the mightiest have fallen
prey to the hidden dangers that lurk below the surface of altering the daily timetable. Those fearless enough to touch the
untouchable, venture into the treacherous world of ‘other timetables’ and human wrath.
Our school timetables are reflective of the many programs offered at Blackburn Lake Primary. Apart from our daily, Whole School Timetable, additional timetables keep our school functioning. These timetables include our Teacher Aid Timetable, Instrumental, Visiting Teacher, Curriculum Intervention, Reading Recovery, Yard Duty and Extreme Weather Timetable and extra- curricular, including Swimming, Choir and WiseOnes.
The school‟s Yard Duty Timetable lists a number of activities that your child can access throughout their lunchtime play period. These include:
Monday
Senior Marimba
Tuesday
Gardening Club
Science Club
Junior Marimba
Wednesday
Organised Time - D.J Centre
Thursday
Library
Friday
Games Club
Concert Band
String Ensemble
Tuesdays with Ewan - Science Club
Students have been exploring telescopes using them to view a range of landscapes. So far we have had great groups of students who have gained valuable skills in the science of Astronomy. Ewan McAllister 4M
The Game-Master speaks
Friday is GAMES CLUB
Do you like the strategic battle of Chess? Or do you prefer the subtlety and intrigue of Guess Who? Perhaps putting two & two together for a bit of Connect 4? How about some dangerous snakes and wonky ladders?
GAMES‟ CLUB IS ON! - Friday lunchtime. Chris Brown 5/6C
Games from Home – A reminder- Whilst we encourage students to enjoy and use their playtime productively, if children bring toys, cards or other collectables from home, these toys are their responsibility as we are unable to ensure their safety. Whole School Timetable Changes Monday 14th – Friday 18th - NAPLAN Testing & House Cross Country Monday 28th – Friday 1st June – District Cross Country & Year 5 / 6 Camp
TERM TWO DATES
Sunday 20 May 9am – midday Working Bee
EDUCATION W
EEK Monday 21 May All Day Curriculum Day (student free day)
Tuesday 22 May 7:00 – 8:00pm Musical Showcase featuring our
Ensembles and Choirs - DJC Wednesday 23 May Various Times Grandparents Day activities
Thursday 24 May 7:00 – 8:00pm Learning Walk (“school search”)
including Art Works Show
Friday
25 May 9:00 – 11am Open Morning (beginning with a
Special Morning Assembly @ 9:00)
Monday 28 May District Cross Country @ Ruffey Lake Park Doncaster
Wed – Friday 30 May –
1 June
3 days Year 6 Camp at Camp Wilkinson Anglesea
Monday 11 June All Day Queen's Birthday Holiday Wednesday 13 June 7.30pm Parents Association Meeting - MPR
Tuesday 26 June 3:40 – 8:00pm Parent / Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 27 June 3:40 – 6:00pm
Friday 29 June 2:00 – 2:30pm Assembly (Term 2 concludes - early dismissal)
OTHER IMPORTANT 2012 DATES
Monday 16 July 9:00am Term Three commences
Mon - Friday 16 – 27 July Whole School Swimming Program
Mon & Tues 20 and 21 August
‘Suessical Jnr’ - Whole School Musical Production
Kel Watson Theatre (Forest Hill Secondary College)
Wednesday 22 August Curriculum Day (student free day)
Sunday 9 September PA „SAUSAGE SIZZLE’ @ Bunnings Nunawading
Thursday 20 September JSC - Cancer Council - „True Colours Footy Day’
Friday 21 September 2:00 – 2:30pm Assembly (Term 3 concludes - early dismissal)
Monday 8 October 9:00am Term Four commences
Tuesday 6 November Melbourne Cup Holiday
Thursday 22 November JSC - Melbourne Zoo - ‘Endangered Animals’ Day
Friday 21 December 1:00 – 1:30pm Assembly (last day of 2012 - early dismissal)
Tuesday Science
Club with Year 4
students
„STUDENTS OF THE WEEK’
We congratulate the following ‘Students of the Week’ – to be presented at tomorrow’s Assembly
SUPER SPORTS REPORT
“MORNING MOVERS”! Congratulations again go to 1/2 D for the highest total of laps last week. The other grades might need to start chasing!!
CROSS COUNTRY TIME - FRIDAY 18 MAY Our BLPS House Cross Country event will be held tomorrow.
Just a reminder that Preps will run at 10.10am, Grade 1 at 10.20am and Grade 2 at 10.30am. Senior grades will run in age groups – 9/10 years (Grade 3‟s will run as 9/10‟s), 11 years and 12/13 years. Good luck to all our runners.
Principal‟s Award Angus g – 1R Sharing his new achievement – on the monkey bars
Assist Principal Austin S – 2L Demonstrating safety – for safely pushing in chairs within the classroom
Prep A Amy C Her outstanding sounding out of her high frequency words – you
blew me away
Prep B Leia G Being a happy and helpful member of our class!
Prep E Catherine Z Outstanding work in every subject
Prep K Clinton S Wonderful diary writing – you listened to and recorded so many sounds – well done
1/2D Amber W Always participating with enthusiasm and confidence
IR Nicole X Excellent Handwriting in her Journal this week!
1S Ka-Mon F Such a wonderful effort completing her Spelling homework each week – what a star!
2D Jessica C A brilliant recount about Mothers Day – well done!
2L Kinnon McD Demonstrating enthusiasm while learning counting patterns – keep up the great work!!
2M Cooper S Using great listening still during whole class discussions
3A Khushi V Showing how much her Reading has improved during our „Guided Reading‟ sessions!!
3J All 4E Students For helping us do our best by quietly working while we did NAPLAN
3S Victoria G Outstanding homework presentations – always very impressive Victoria
4E
4K Matthew M Great ICT skills when creating a Publisher Brochure about „Angles’
4M Fintan McC His outstanding achievements in a recent Automatic Response Test and always showing deep levels of thinking
5/6C Holly B Continuing to work to consolidate important Mathematical concepts!
5/6M Anastasia K Having the confidence to speak at Assembly last week, speaking very clearly and having fun
5/6N Blake J Writing a descriptive, creative and beautiful „snap shot‟ for his Mum
5/6S Tegan C Great contribution and enthusiasm during „M Power Girls‟ leadership training
Performing Arts
Visual Arts Afnan T – P-E
Tom McC – 2M
His excellent effort in painting and decorating his paper clay hearts – well done!
Excellent focus on his work to create balance and symmetry in his frame
Italian (LOTE) All Students – 1S Pronouncing the Italian weather words correctly
Phys Ed / Sport Laura H – 4M
Lily C – 4E
For her great effort to improve her Distance Running!
For her great effort to improve her Distance Running!
We would love to see lots of colour on the day so please encourage your child to wear house colours if they have them. Make sure they are suitable for running a cross country! If your child needs special medication, such as for asthma, please ensure they carry it with them. Thank you to those who have volunteered to help. Please meet me on the Basketball court at the time you indicated you could help and you will be given a task such as scoring, organising placegetters and marshalling out on the track. It is hoped we will be able to announce the winning team at Assembly tomorrow. Following the House Cross Country our school team will be chosen to compete at the District Cross Country on Monday 28 May at Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster.
ELITE SPORT TRIALS I missed out on congratulating another student who made it through to the next round. Dylan S was selected to go through in AFL!! Great job Dylan! Good luck at the next stage!! HOOPTIME Grade 4 and 6 students have begun preparing for their tournaments with great enthusiasm. If you would be able to assist please let your child‟s teacher know. Grade 4 will be taking part on Monday 18 June and Grade 6 on Monday 25 June.
WHOLE SCHOOL SWIMMING PROGRAM - MONDAY 16th July to THURSDAY 26th July Detailed notices relating to our upcoming swimming program scheduled for the first 2 weeks of Term 3 on Monday 16th July to Thursday 26th July at Nunawading Pool will be sent home soon. As for previous years, we anticipate that all of our students from Grade P- 6 will take part in this valuable, whole-school program. This year‟s program will cost $120 per child and this covers bus transport, pool entry fee and cost of instructors. We will be asking for payment by Friday 15 June 2012. Thanks for your support of this important whole school program. Phil Lumsden PE / Sports Coordinator [email protected]
MAGICAL MUSIC MATTERS
MUSIC TRIVIA Did you know? The world‟s biggest selling musical instrument is the Harmonica. It was invented in Germany in 1821. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC UPDATE - SINGING LESSONS I am excited to announce that BLPS will be offering singing lessons as part of the Instrumental Program. We are fortunate to have Jane Stamp offering her time, as she has extensive experience as both a teacher and performer. If you are interested in your child having private or a small shared lesson please fill out the instrumental expression of interest form in the foyer and place it in my pigeon hole.
MUSIC SHOWCASE NIGHT - TUESDAY 22 MAY @ 7.00pm
Don't forget to mark your calendars for Education Week. All the Ensembles (Junior & Senior Marimba
Ensembles, Concert Band, String Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble (formerly „The Trio‟) and Choirs (Junior, Senior & Chamber Choirs) will be performing on Tuesday 22nd May at 7.00pm. The Instrumental Teachers will also be attending so come along and say „Hi‟ to them. All students will be required to meet at 6.45pm in the Music Room. Thanks everyone, Jo Myers Music Coordinator [email protected]
AMAZING ART NEWS
Just a reminder everyone that the annual Art Show is on again on Thursday night 24 May at 7.00pm. Bring your family and friends to show them what a great artist you are! Dress in your best for the „Gala Opening‟. Please bring along $5 so you can buy your work by putting a RED dot next to your name on your artwork and feel proud of your achievements. Look forward to seeing your there Jo McP and Pia C Art Teachers
PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS
HOW TO CONTACT US Please feel free to drop the PA a line via the “PA Mailbox” in the school Foyer or alternatively send us an email to [email protected] or click on the “Contact Us” on the school website.
MOTHERS DAY STALL - GREAT RESULT! A BIG thank you to everyone who helped with the - making, wrapping, setting up and displaying, plus serving on the day. The children had a „fun time‟ making their purchases for Mum. The profit made from the Stall was $910, which is a great result!
Best wishes Robyn W and Simone T
NEXT PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING The next PA meeting will be held on
Wednesday 13th June @ 7:30pm in the MPR Everyone is welcome – come and join our friendly group!
UNIFORM SHOP Please note the Uniform Shop is open on Wednesdays 3.30 – 4.00pm. & Thursdays 9 - 9.30am
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CANTEEN ROSTER - MONDAY 28 MAY - TEAM 3
Pamela J Amanda B Fiona H Kristina K Paula Y
Keep those receipts coming in. Let's see if we can win a weekly prize! Danielle Canteen Coordinator
FOREST HILL CHASE RUN AROUND AUSTRALIA 2012
Win a $46,000 gold medal makeover for your school! Week 4 Results
Congratulations on finishing week 4 of ‘Run Around Australia’, it’s been another great effort from all schools
with some fantastic results. Please find below the leader board after week four.
Leader Board Ranking
1 St. Luke the Evangelist P
2 Parkmore Primary
3 St. Timothy’s Primary
4 Orchard Grove Primary
5 St. John’s Primary
6 Burwood Heights Primary
7 St. Thomas the Apostle P
8 Blackburn Lake Primary
9 Livingstone Primary
10 Mt. Pleasant Primary
Remember you can visit runaroundaustraila.com.au to check
your schools progress on the map around Australia at any
time during the program.
Best Performing School of the Week
Our week four best performing school winner is St. John’s
Primary. They have won a fantastic gift from Rebel Sport and
a bonus 200km toward their run. Congratulations on a
fantastic effort and keep up the great work!
SCHOOL BANKING WEDNESDAYS! TOKENS FOUND IN THE SCHOOL YARD Two silver tokens with a reward sheet wrapped around them were found in the school grounds this morning. Please let me know if they belong to your child.
REWARD ITEMS If you have 10 tokens saved you can redeem them for the following reward items: Money box - choose from 5 characters
Drink bottle Lunch box Watch Handball BOOKLIGHT - new! Money box - choose from 5 characters
COMPLETING DEPOSIT SLIPS Please remember to fill in the details in your deposit slips - it saves us a bit of time if we have all the correct information ready to go. Don't forget to complete the stub as well for your own records.
DOLLARMITES ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE Last week's Bronze Achievement Certificate for making 10 deposits so far this year goes to:
TIOMBE D JAMES G JASMIN L ZOE L JARRYD T TIFFANY Y
Congratulations and well done for being such consistent savers! Regards Vickie L - School Banking Coordinator 0419 773335
Who will be the new Dollarmite? As part of the Commonwealth Bank’s centenary celebrations we
want to find Australia’s best School Banking Saver!
Between 16 April and 30 June 2012, we are running a fun and exciting School Banking competition with the winning child being transformed into their very own
Dollarmite character. To enter is easy. A student simply needs to make 5 deposits at school during the competition period and
then provide us with their best savings tip AT www.commbank.com.au/beadollarmite The winning school/class will receive 25 IPads and a $1500 excursion!
For the winning student, as well as being ‘Dollarmized’, they will receive an annual movie pass for their family.
50 runner up prize packs that include iPads, excursions, movie tickets
Thousands of Dollarmites consolations prizes for the students. It’s not too late to join the competition – simply open a Youth Saver account at any Commonwealth Branch and bring your wallet to school
on banking day to be in with a chance to WIN!!
Parents Victoria Online Conference - THIS SUNDAY 20 MAY Parents and other interested participants are warmly invited to take part in the sixth annual online conference to be held by Parents Victoria. The conference will be held non-stop on the internet during Education Week, commencing at 6.00 a.m. on Sunday 20 May 2012 with discussion topics including: Celebrating Public Education Travel to School Multiculturalism Curriculum Bullying Mental Health School Payments and Funding There is also the opportunity to comment on other Education issues that may concern you. No special software is needed just an internet-connected computer and a browser. The online discussions are very easy to join in, and guidelines about how to participate are provided. There are prizes for schools for participation.
The conference is proudly sponsored by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Register at: http://www.cybertext.net.au/pv/ Further information, email: [email protected] Ph: 9380 2158 or visit: www.parentsvictoria.asn.au
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Any advertisements in this newsletter are in no way endorsed by Blackburn Lake Primary School
BLACKBURN LAKE SANCTUARY
Meet @ the Visitors Centre Central Rd Blackburn 3130 „Sticky Beaks‟ are back! Sunday 20 May - 2-4pm „Attracting Birds to your Back Garden‟ with lots of games, feathered fun & bird watching for the kids
Saturday 30 June - 10am-12noon „Community Planting Day‟ Everyone Welcome!!
Sunday 8 July - 2pm-4pm „Celebrating 21 years of our Wonderful Visitors Centre‟ Join us for a trip down memory lane.
For information: email: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~blsac
Or Education Officer 9262 6211
Junior Naturalists Juniors Group of FNCV Inc
The group meets at 7.30 pm on the
last Friday of each month (except
Dec) at the rooms of the Field Naturalists Club of
Victoria Inc, 1 Gardenia St Blackburn 3130. MAY MEETING - Friday 25 May @ 7.30pm „Fungi‟ – speaker Jurrie Hubregtse JUNE EXCURSION – details to come „Walk in the Dandenongs‟ JUNE MEETING – Friday 29 June @ 7.30pm „Reptiles‟ – speaker Simon Watharow Editor of „Wildlife Secrets‟ magazine & author of „Living with Snakes and other Reptiles‟ JULY EXCURSION – 8 July @ 11am „Dingo Discovery Centre‟ JULY MEETING – Friday 27 July @ 7.30pm „Helmeted Honey Eater‟ – speakers Bruce & Sue AUGUST EXCURSION – 25 August @ 10am „Planting with Helmeted Honey Eater‟ AUGUST MEETING – Friday 31 August @ 7.30 „August Birthday Party – theme – Desert Life‟
For further information & bookings contact: Clare Ferguson 8060 2474 or
email: [email protected]
Shape Victorian Public Libraries - The louder the voice, the clearer the message
The Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries is conducting a landmark review of Victoria‟s public libraries and wants to know how you see tomorrow‟s library. You can have your say by going to www.tomorrowslibrary.com.au and join the conversation before 31 May by ‘Liking’ Tomorrow’s Library on Facebook and ‘Following’ on Twitter. The public library provides communities with invaluable access to knowledge, the latest information technology and a wide range of community services. As public access to new technologies and social media increases, the role of the public library is evolving. We need to know what future libraries look like. Tomorrow‟s Library is an opportunity for you and your school community to have your say and shape the future of Victorian public libraries. We invite you to take a moment to go to our community contributions page and tell us about:
the books, magazines and other items you can access at your library your library building or mobile library the computers and other technology you can access through your library the services provided by your library
Our community consultation paper is available in ten languages on our website. A full discussion paper is also available. The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring public libraries remain vibrant, modern and effective resources for all Victorians in partnership with local government.
Your thoughts, comments and ideas will inform a comprehensive report on public libraries due to be published at the end of 2012. Submissions close 31 May 2012. Your voice. Shaping the future.
