INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FROM THE OFFICE 2

AROUND THE SCHOOL

3

FROM THE CHAPLAIN PFC NEWS

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The Year 7 Camp to Rawson Village was held last week – this camp at the beginning of the year provides an opportunity for the students to get to know new students to the school, make new friends and challenge themselves in the diverse activities in which they participate. All reports were of a happy and safe time which the students enjoyed. Thanks to the Year 7 Coordinator Mrs Kate Morgan for her work and enthusiasm in organising the camp and in settling the students into their new routines at the beginning of their secondary education. Thanks also to the teachers who supported Mrs Morgan; without their willingness to contribute, such opportunities would not be possible. Our Year 5 & 6 Camp takes place next week; I’m sure the students are looking forward to it! As parents and teachers we strive to develop in our children autonomy, responsibility and respect for others. The Student Code of Conduct (primary students have already received this, and for secondary students it is on page 8 of the Student Planner) outlines our expectations of students in supporting good outcomes for the learning and safety of the whole student community. I encourage parents to discuss this with their student, and to support us in maintaining an environment conducive to effective learning. A lot has been written about 21

st century learning – one of the proficiencies that students

and teachers will need is developing a growth mindset. Students need to be continuous learners; this requires perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks. I trust that your student, from Prep right through to Year 12, has started the year wanting to learn and to meet goals and challenges at their particular stage of their learning journey. Margaret Buttigieg

For the past 2 weeks we have been exploring surds. In our small class of 14, we have been learning how to simplify, add subtract and multiply surds. Last lesson our knowledge was tested when we played surd dominoes. This was an altered version of dominos. Eg

× = 60. Our class was challenged to see which group of two could complete the domino set the fastest, without a calculator. It took a lot of brain power & perseverance to complete the challenge and in the end Liam F & Lachlan T were the winners. Ruby B & Isabella T, Yr 10 Teacher Mr. Chris Rayeroux

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Newsletter Monday 23 February 2015 Volume 386

24 HR ABSENTEE LINE 5991 0801– PLEASE USE INSTEAD OF MAIN SCHOOL NUMBER

DATES TO REMEMBER

Prep Literacy Evening 24 Feb

OES Unit 1 Mountain Bikes Excursion

25 Feb

OES Snorkelling 26 Feb

SCHOOL PHOTOS 2 Mar

Y3-6 Athletics 3 Mar

Y7, 8, 9 & 10 Immunisations

5 Mar

YEAR 10 MATHS EXTENSION

Uniform Shop hours are: Mondays 3.00 pm to 5.30pm Thursdays 8.30 am to 10.30am The 2nd hand uniform shop will re-open last Friday of each month

Wow!!! What an amazing entertainer – Mike Jackson certainly had our Year 4 students in the palm of his hand. His sense of humour and extensive musical talent made for a very entertaining and informative Ukulele incursion. The students learnt C, F and G7 chords in no time at all and were singing along to some old favourites like Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree, Row Row Row Your Boat and many more. Bronwyn Kyne Emerson: Last Thursday we had a fantastic Ukulele lesson with Mike Jackson. We shared a ukulele between two people and we learnt so much. It was fun because he was so funny. I thought it was hard at first but now it’s easy. Ishaan: The Ukulele incursion was spectacular. Our teacher was Mike Jackson. We got to have our collars up. He told us never to touch the tuning pegs. Jessica: The Year 4 incursion was amazing. Mr Jackson was so funny. We did a little song about the Ukulele, he made me jump with fright at the end of the song. Mr Jackson is very old but he encourages a lot of people and he is very talented. I had a lot of fun! Amir: At school Mr Jackson showed the Year 4’s how to play the Ukulele. It was really fun and great. We pretended to be rock stars! That was really crazy and hilarious. Mr Jackson also taught us how to play several

songs that were R2-D2 and Young Bart Simpson.

The Year 4’s really enjoyed playing the Ukulele with Mr Jackson.

FROM THE OFFICE

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I am pleased to advise that Casey Grammar has been selected to participate in the 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This is an internationally recognised assessment programme conducted by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) on behalf of the OECD group of nations, and provides international feedback on student achievement. In 2015 we will be asking a randomly selected group of 14-16 year old students to complete a one-day programme of assessment which will be administered by ACER & PISA. We will shortly be receiving detailed information regarding this programme and will keep parents updated via the Newsletter. Simon Beaumont, Head of Operations

Parents are reminded that the school should have an up to date Asthma Plan for all students with asthma.

Please ensure you have completed enrolment forms for ALL your children, no matter how young they are. The sibling enrolment policy can only operate if your children are registered.

The Uniform Shop unfortunately did not receive delivery of the girls’ white school sock with logo in time for the start of the school year. They are now in stock. All girls who had to wear plain white anklets for the beginning of term should now purchase the correct uniform sock.

There are a large number of uniform items in lost property. We are happy to return named items to their owners but there is nothing we can do if items are unnamed. If your student has lost an item, please make sure they check the lost property cupboard on the back veranda of the Administration Building. Any unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of the term.

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

YEAR 4 UKULELE INCURSION

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT

ASTHMA PLANS

SIBLING ENROLMENTS

GIRLS’ SOCKS

LOST PROPERTY

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AROUND THE SCHOOL

YEAR 7 CAMP

Year 7 students have returned from three days on camp at Rawson Village. Their feedback was very positive: How were you feeling about going on camp before we left? - I had only heard good things about Year 7 camp. - I was excited and happy about not having homework. - I was so nervous. I couldn’t even eat that morning. - I was a bit nervous because I always hate leaving my parents for more than a day. - I was quite worried because I had never been camping in the bush. - I felt excited because it was a chance to meet new people and make new friends. - I felt confident since I had most things organised and I’ve been on camps before. - I hadn’t been on camp for 3 years and going back to camp was amazing! What activities did you enjoy the most at Rawson? - The mountain bike riding, because I went through all the mud and had fun until I fell down. - I really enjoyed the ‘initiatives’ activity because we had to incorporate teamwork and think about what we were doing. - Rock climbing because it is enjoyable racing people and testing your skills. It is also rewarding getting to the top. - Canoeing. I liked the rapids. I have canoed before but never in rapids. - There weren’t any that I didn’t enjoy, but I’m sure that the people who pulled me up the flying fox thought otherwise. What did you think about the meals? - Delicious, especially the lasagne and the salad. - The meals were really yum. They fed me better than my parents feed me at home! - I liked everything, except for the vegies. How did you feel about the Year 9 leaders and the teachers who were working with you? - I thought they were kind and compassionate and were willing to help us whenever we needed it. - My Year 9 leader was really nice and a great leader. She even did the scary things to show people that it wasn’t that scary. - It was nice that the Year 9 leaders were energetic and helpful. - I want to be a leader in Year 9. Are you pleased with your achievements? What did you learn about yourself?

- I learnt to read a compass and how to put a harness on. - I faced my fear of heights. - I broke the record for rock climbing. Which memories of camp will stay with you the longest? - The night bushwalk after dinner. - When I shot a bullseye in archery. - When I got my head stuck in the commando course net. - When Mr Peake and Mme Morgan performed their skit. - All the wonderful people and teachers I got to meet. - Getting home and falling into bed. Kate Morgan Year 7 Coordinator

Dear Friends Last Tuesday a number of students and staff gathered at lunchtime for a brief Ash Wednesday observance. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the preparatory season for Easter. Ash Wednesday is like a check-up for the soul. On this day people are invited to reflect on their living, name the things they know are imperfect, or plain wrong, repent of them, ask God’s forgiveness, and resolve to start anew. This of course is a private and

internal conversation between ourselves and God. To give expression to it, and to help to make the sense more complete, a visible gesture is necessary – and this is where the Ash bit comes in. We gather some of the Palm Crosses left over from Palm Sunday last year and burn them. The ash is gathered, mixed with oil, and during the service applied to the hand making the mark of the Cross. The ash is coarse, gritty and incredibly black. It does not feel pleasant on the skin – reminding us that we are repenting of unpleasant things. The Cross reminds us of the forgiveness that is ours through Jesus’ death and resurrection. We begin preparation for Easter, conscious anew of what is happening in our own living, grateful for God’s grace and forgiveness and encouraged to try to be better people. May this Lent be for all of us a time of self reflection and resolve to be better people, making the community and world a better place.

This year all Year 8 students will take part in the Imagine Program. It provides an opportunity for students to undertake a variety of different activities and improve their ‘hands on’ skills. Currently, 8G are improving (or for some, beginning!) their textiles skills with Miss Chandra and Mrs Gilbert. They have already learnt how to sew on a button and are now designing and sewing their own mobile phone, X-Box or Gameboy cover. Rachael Gilbert & Harna Chandra Year 8 Imagine Program Facilitators.

The PFC would like to remind parents that the Second Hand uniform shop is open from 8:30am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 3:30pm on the last Friday of each month. We can be found in the PFC room near the gymnasium. If you have any queries please contact Bharti on 0419 184 245.

3 New Holland Drive Cranbourne East Vic 3977

PO Box 302 Cranbourne Vic 3977

Telephone (03) 5991 0800 Facsimile (03) 5995 2888

Email info@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au

www.caseygrammar.vic.edu.au

PFC NEWS

FROM THE CHAPLAIN - ROBERT MCUTCHEN

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YEAR 9 IMAGINE PROGRAM