Mansfield Primary School

Mansfield Primary School

Apollo Street, Mansfield 3722

Telephone 5775 2325

Fax 5775 1914

Principal: Paul Volkering

Assistant Principal: Hazel Bell

Email:

mansfield.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Or visit:

www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au

Newsletter 17

23rd October, 2014

IMPORTANT DATES:

24th October Book Club Issue 7 due

School Assembly 3pm

Yr 5 Camp returns

Benalla 8.30pm

27th October Whole school photo

2.30pm

28th October Prep Transition 9-11am

28th-30th October

School to Summit Yr 6

30th-31st October CFA visit

1st November Mansfield Grand Parade

3rd November Curriculum Day—Pupil

free

7th November Buddy Day P & 4

Nillahcootie

School Assembly 3pm

11th November Prep Transition 9-11am

13th November Prep Musical 6pm

Nobian

Kanga Cricket

13th to 14th November

S2S Yr 4 Stirling Camp

20th to 21st November

S2S Yr 3 Sheepyard

Art Camp

21st November School Assembly

22nd November Bush Dance

23rd November Working Bee 2-4pm

24th November Swimming Program

commences (3wks)

25th November Prep Transition 9-11am

27th November Yr 1/2 Musical 6pm

Nobian

1st December Swimming Program

Week 2

5th December School Assembly 3pm

8th December Swimming Program

Week 3

9th December Prep Transition 9am-

1.30pm followed by an

information session 1.30

- 2.30pm

MARKS FUNDRAISING

They say that there are only two certainties

in life…death and taxes, well as a school

community we’d like to add a third, “free

money” for the school! It’s easy as 1,2,3.

All you have to do every time you shop at

Marks’ IGA, is to make sure you have your key

tag with you. I told Steve Marks at the start

of the year that I thought we could take $5k

off him this year, so let’s leave the other

schools behind and chalk up the best ever

result for our school.

A big effort this term will mean that $5k will

be tucked away in our bank come February!!

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:

Parents are advised that Monday, November 3rd, is a CURRICULUM DAY here at Mansfield Primary School.

We are joining with Mansfield Secondary

College to share our morning and complete

some work involving Science teaching and

Literacy teaching. The aim of the morning is

to develop a greater appreciation of the way

on which both schools deliver those aspects

of the teaching and learning program.

Schools are allowed four “Pupil free” days per

year, the first of which is the first day back

for teachers which is used as a Planning Day.

Apart from that; schools can decide on the

days they want for either professional

learning or report writing. All days need to be

approved by School Council.

11th December Yr 6 Graduation

16th December Volunteers Morning Tea

11am

19th December Last day of the school

year

New date:

Mango orders

will now be

taken until Wed

29th October.

BUSHDANCE

We hope all families get behind the forthcoming Bush Dance.

School Council and our Community Development and

Fundraising group are working hard to try and get as many of

our families together for a fun night on Friday, November

22nd.

The Bush Dance is for adults and children and will be

conducted under the large covered area where the basketball

court is. We know the weather will be excellent, so come

along and enjoy a fun night. Food will be provided as part of

your ticket, but numbers need to be known for catering

purposes. Why not get a group of other parents together and

come along with the children and have a fun night.

Tickets will be available from the school office closer to the

date.

WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTO

Parents are asked to make sure your child is in correct school

uniform for the whole school photo coming up on October

27th. As somewhat of a tradition here at MPS, we have a

whole school photo taken each year. It’s a great way to

remember all those children your child went to school with.

The photo that we take of the entire school is held in the

school foyer but the photo is also available for purchase.

Contact the school office.

STUDENT SAFETY

The Department of Education and Early Childhood

Development is reminding all schools and Principals to step up

safety and security especially in relation to those entering

school sites.

I remind all parents that you must report to the school office

before collecting your child or visiting your child during

normal school hours. Parents are also advised to relay this

message to extended family members. It is not appropriate

for extended members to enter classroom demanding to

speak with a child. They will be refused.

On the subject of student safety. If your child comes home

complaining of illness please make sure you advise the school

as soon as possible. We recently had one child go home and

not return for several days and on further investigation

discovered the child had a nasty contagious illness. It is

important that we are aware of those illnesses, so please

advise the school

If you require further support on any issue associated with

your child’s safety, health and well-being, please speak to the

school Principal or Assistant Principal, Hazel Bell.

REMINDERS

We are well into planning for 2015 and therefore we ask your help in making sure you advise us if you will not be here in 2015. If you know for sure that your child will be moving to another school or state, please make sure you advise your child’s teacher or the school office as soon as possible. Schools plan for grades and classes early so that we can

maximise budgets and resources as our funding is dependent

on enrolment numbers, every student either enrolling or

leaving is important.

SCHOOL CAMPS

This week the Year 5 children are on their School to Sea

school camp at Angelsea. The students got away safely on

Tuesday morning and from all reports the weather has been

excellent albeit a little cooler than ideal, especially for the

surfing! The children will make their way back to Benalla late

Friday night.

Parenting Ideas

This week’s Parenting Ideas thoughts provide some simple

steps you can implement to give your children some great

support and help as well as helping yourself in that critical

role you have as a parent.

Despite what you may think, the fundamental job of the parent has not changed since the dawn of time. And it’s never too early to start.

The first habit from Stephen Covey’s wonderful book The 7 habits of highly effective people states that we should start

every project or undertaking with the end in mind.

This principle holds true for any activity whether it’s planting

a vegie patch, renovating a house or raising children. When

you know what you are trying to achieve then choosing the

right strategies becomes easy.

The end game or goal for parents is redundancy. Yep, you

read it right. Your job is to make yourself redundant as a

parent from your child’s earliest possible age. It always has

been and always should be.

When redundancy is your aim most of your time, effort and

energy will go into promoting independence. You’ll stop doing

things for kids and start giving them opportunities to do things themselves. You’ll spend most of your active parenting

time teaching, explaining and prodding your child toward

independence.

Independence leads to the 4 Cs

When independence becomes your priority, suddenly will

reveal a pathway to the development of other positive

qualities and traits in your children. These include the key

four: confidence, competence, creativity and character.

Here’s how:

Confidence comes from facing your fears and doing things

for yourself.

Competence comes from the opportunity to develop self-

mastery that independence offers.

Creativity is developed when kids solve problems themselves

as opposed to someone solving them on their behalf or, worse,

sheltering them from any risk of harm. It’s amazing how

resourceful kids can be when they are given the chance to

resolve their own problems.

Reminder to all students

Term 4 = Hats On

Character, which is essential for success, is forged under

hardship and is needed if kids are to live a sturdy life. Kids

need to be exposed to disappointment, failure and conflict if

character strengths such as grit and perseverance are to be

forged.

Independence takes many forms

Independence has many guises and can be developed in many

ways, though in the end it is adults who are the gatekeepers

for their children’s independence.

On a basic level developing independence is about developing

children’s autonomy. Without realising it, many parents make

choices on their children’s behalf. Kids build self-confidence

when they do things for themselves, and make their own

decisions.

Independence is built when children spend time in

unpredictable circumstances and environments such as the

bush, and also have the opportunity to navigate their

neighbourhoods on their own. There may be some risk involved

but that is where the learning lies. Eliminate the risk and you

eliminate the learning.

Allowing kids to follow their own impulses even if they are

different to your own is the key to gaining independence. This

may mean that your children choose healthy interests and

pursuits that you are unfamiliar with, or even swim against the

tide of your wishes.

Allowing kids to take responsibility and own their own

problems builds confidence and competence. Start by

expecting kids to help at home. Look for ways to develop self-

help skills and don’t take their problems on as your problems.

Manage visually

When your end game is redundancy and your priority is

independence building then managing your kids in a visual way

becomes your most obvious strategy. Management by mouth,

in contrast, is a dependency strategy. So talk less, use signs,

lists and rosters backed up by consequences to develop

independence and responsibility in your children.

Create junior versions of independence

It can be scary and also difficult developing independence in

one big step. So smart parents intuitively develop junior versions of independence by breaking up big activities into

digestible bits. Want your three-year-old to make the bed?

Then start by arranging the teddies and the pillows (a junior

version of making the bed) and let them work their way up from there. Similarly, if you want your five-year-old to walk to

school on his own but it’s currently beyond him, then

accompany him most of the way and let him walk the last 200

metres on his own. That’s a junior version of walking to school.

In all the noise and commotion about raising kids today it’s

easy to forget that the job description for parents hasn’t

changed since the dawn of time. Love them, bond with them,

teach them and spend time with them. But also work like mad

to develop their real independence so they become capable of

handling what life will throw their way.

Then you’ll know your job as a parent is done! It doesn’t mean

you won’t stop worrying about them ... that’s a story for

another time. But it does mean you've finished the main task

of parenting, that is, to make yourself redundant at the

earliest possible age.

Paul Volkering

Principal.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Hayley Wilson who attended Mansfield

Primary School up until last year. Hayley recently won the

open girls competition for skateboarding at Volcoms Wild in

the Parks event. She also appeared in a large article in the

Herald Sun on Monday October 13th. Well done Hayley we

will all be keeping an eye out for your future successes!

LOST

Ella Seddon has lost a purple beanie kid named ‘Jess”. Ella

sleeps with Jess every night so if you have found it can you

please return it to Ella in 12B.

MANGO ORDERS

Please note that Mango orders have been extended to next

week, Wednesday 29th October. This is a Parent and Friends

fundraiser.

YEAR 7 UNIFORM ORDERS INFORMATION

Last term students received a letter and uniform list from

the College.

Appointments for uniform fittings were made at the Year 7

Information Evening last Wednesday evening.

Alternatively ring the school on 5775 2022.

Orders and payments need to be made by OCTOBER 29 for

uniform to be ready before the start of the year.

For more information about the uniform please head to our

website www.mansfieldsc.vic.edu.au

SCHOOL APP

Unfortunately due to the new operating system update on the

IPhone our new school app is having some technical problems.

Apologies to families who received many notifications of the

same message. Hopefully it will be resolved shortly.

We need YOU!!! to be part

of the

High Country Festival

Grand Parade?

Saturday 1st November

The P & F would like to enter a float in this

year’s Grand Parade to showcase our fan-

tastic Primary School. …..but we need your

help!!!

All we ask is for parents to encourage their

children to participate and get them to the

Botanical Gardens by 9.30am on

Saturday Nov 1st for judging…and pick them

up after conclusion of the parade …also at

the botanical gardens.

All students need is to wear their house colours. The theme this

year is “Festive” so add as much flair as possible to your house

colours. We will have more to add on the morning.

If you play an instrument and would like to walk and play…

please do.

Please return the attendance slip (attached separately) to school

no later than Wed 29th October.

For more information: email ….katestonnill@gmail.com

Silent Auction Items Required!

Our Annual Bush Dance fundraiser is fast approaching (November 22nd).

Apart from attending this fun-filled family night, we are hoping you can assist by donating

goods or services for us to auction on the night . If you own a business or have goods which may

be suitable to sell, could you please fill in the following and return to school ASAP. We will make up a

gift voucher to auction on the night. THANK YOU!

........................................................................................................................................................... ………

Name..............................................................................................Phone No........................................................

Goods/ Services........................................................................................................................................

Business Name (if applicable)...................................................................................................................

Value of donation $.......................

SOCIAL TENNIS

Thursdays 9am -11am

Mums, Dads, Grandmas & Grandpas.

Place tennis in a non competitive

environment.

Playground for kids to play whilst you have a

hit

Mansfield Tennis Club

Elvins St

Mansfield

Enquiries: Debbie Mims

5775 2805 or 0411 149 085

FIELDS OF YOGA:

Term 4, 2014

Saturdays 1st NOV 9.30am: YANG/12noon KIDSYOGA/ 4.30pm YIN 15th NOV 10.00am: Adults Practice 20th DEC 10.00am: Adults Practice

Master Prac-tice YIN & YANG and workshop

Saturday 6th Dec & Sunday 7th Dec Conscious Transitions with Stefan Camilleri & Ella McRae Merrijg & St Johns Hall, Mansfield Primary School

$12.00 per casual practice: Payment made before class begins

$90.00 for block of 10 practices at any venue (excluding master classes & workshop): Must be used over 6 week period: two/three classes a week

Bring yoga mat & water bottle: Blocks, bolsters and straps provided

Contact: Ella @ Fields of Yoga: 0407 206 010 or email : justinandella@bigpond.com

NAMASTE

SPECIAL OFFER FLY CO is offering to donate

$5.00 to Mansfield Primary

School for every treatment

when our families use their

service. Fly Co specialise in

the treatment of flies,

spiders & mozzies and a

standard sized house cost

$147 inc gst. Thank you to

the FLY CO for your

donations. Please call

Clarissa on 1800 008 420.

Family Payments: Thank you to the families who have paid their

subject contributions or made arrangement to pay

instalments. Families are reminded that, unless

otherwise arranged, family payments are now

overdue. Payment for the end of year swimming

program is due now, if you have not already paid

please make payment as soon as possible. A family

statement of amounts owing is emailed/mailed at

the beginning of each month.

EFT payments to the School:

We are very happy to receive payments from

parents using electronic banking. BPay or bank

transfer are great. Remember to include your

family number (bottom right hand corner eg

JOA0003). If you want to pay for a particular item

on the family statement, can you please either ring

the school or send an email to

mansfield.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au and detail how you

would like your payment allocated. If no contact is

made the payment will be allocated to the oldest

charges. Remember if you are paying for an

excursion on line to return the signed permission slip

to the office.

Thanks for your support, Joan and Lisa

Our Artroom is in need

of wool, small plastic

bottles, tins (eg. Soup/

tuna,etc) and

newspapers.

Thank you…..Mrs G

ART NEWS During the Term most grades have spent some

time looking at quilts, then placing and rearranging

pieces of fabric to help make five quilt tops.

These quilt tops will be quilted to make quilts

which will then go to the Monash Children’s

Hospital for children with cancer.

The recipients keep their quilt, taking it to the

hospital each time they undergo treatment.

These photos show the Grade 5RN students

watching their two quilt tops being quilted by a

member of the High Country Quilters. These

quilts and many more go on display on November

1st & 2nd at the Charity Quilt Exhibition.

Conveyance Allowance Claims Term 4/2014

If you drive 4.8km or more to a school bus stop or to school without passing a school bus stop you may

be eligible for Conveyance Allowance Term 4/2014. Application forms are available at the School Office. Please submit application forms by 31st October for

reimbursement in Term 4/2014.

If you have received Conveyance Allowance already this year your application will be automatically

submitted for Term 4.

Mt Buller 2015 Season Membership

early bird offer

The 2015 Mt Buller Season Membership offer

for all students up to year 12 is $449 up until

October 31st. That is a saving of $300 off the

normal price.

With the 2015 Australian Interschools hosted

at Mt Buller this offer provides significant

value to all Interschools families.

The Season Membership price will rise on

November 1 2015. For details on the included

benefits and discounts on Lessons, Retail and

Food and Beverage please click on the link

below:

http://www.mtbuller.com.au/Winter/Passes-

Rental/Season-Memberships

Need a Baby sitter? Do you need a friendly, reliable and

experienced babysitter to watch your

children.... We’re offering our service to watch

children aged 5 – 12 years old so

please give us a ring!

Taylah (0417 741 678)

Kaitlyn (0498 611 934)