PORTARLINGTON PRIMARY

Peanut & Cashew Free School Newsletter

Friday 18th of August

Issue 13

Respectful, Responsible, Safe and Kind Learners

Science Week National Science week is recognised between the 12th and 20th of August and is an annual celebration of science and technology. Our senior students were involved in a visit from the Bio-Lab and explored the scientific concepts involved in flight. It is a great way for children to learn about aerodynamics and other concepts such as-

force, thrust, lift, drag, weight, and gravity

Helping your Child at Home with Learning

Congratulations to the parents who have been involved in our literacy course over the past few weeks. They have been learning the best ways to help their children at home with literacy . Our literacy coach Brenda Platt has been coaching our parents through a great program that takes 4 weeks to complete. This program also qualifies parents to support us as classroom helpers.

Transition to Primary School Our 2018 prep classes our filling fast and we started the Leap into Learning transition program this week. Between now and the end of the year, the children who are starting their first year of school with us in our Foundation year level will be involved in many opportunities to transition into school. The year 4 students will be buddies for the foundation children next year and also involved in the program too.

BOOK WEEK PARADE NEXT FRIDAY AT 9am

PORTARLINGTON PRIMARY …….

CONGRATULATIONS- NAPLAN

We received our school NAPLAN results this week. Congratulations to our students and our amazing teachers. Our overall school results show fantastic improvements in 9 out of 10 measures with year 3 numeracy showing considerable progress compared to 2016.

An critical measurement is the Relative Progress and Learning Growth measurement where we track the improvement rates of our current Year 5 students from when their learning results were in Year 3 in 2015. We call this a ‘matched cohort’ because we are comparing the same group of students over a two year period. Year to year measurements are still important but they are based on the results of a different group of children.

Learning Progress & Growth Results 2014-2017– all NAPLAN subject areas Our goals for every student are to achieve high learning growth. Our results over the past four years are improving. The arrows on this graph show that our Year 5 students achieving medium to high learning growth is increasing and the number of students achieving low learning growth at our school are decreasing. Our 2017 data for students who have been educated at Portarlington (i.e.– not new to our school) show even greater success. These results also show that we have strong curriculum and teaching and learning at our school.

School Buildings Update and Tours of the Current Buildings As you will all be able to see, our new buildings are looking sensational and it will not be long before the facility is at lock up stage. Staff and school councillors had the opportunity to have a site visit this week. The building at this stage is on schedule for completion on the last day of school at 4pm. If the schedule remains on time, this is the handover date and time and then the builders then take over the remainder of the site to refurbish the heritage buildings, demolish the other buildings and relocate the portable buildings over to the new area and prepare for the new sports field. The demolition is currently on schedule to be carried out in January. Term 4 is extremely busy for us as we are continuing with our teaching and learning program as well as having a school concert, swimming, buddies excursion, kinder and year 6 transition, report writing and also organising the end of year events such as the graduation and our final assembly just to name a few. Packing up and setting up a new school is also going to be exciting but challenging. Tours of the current buildings- We have managed to schedule a time for past staff and students to visit our school . This will occur on the 7th of November between 4.30 and 6pm. This will only be a tour as all historical items have been archived in preparation for our move. It will give past staff and students and opportunity to wander through and have a trip down memory lane.

PORTARLINGTON PRIMARY……..

Portarlington Primary……..

School Council Update - August The last school meeting was held on the 15th of August. SCHOOL POLICIES & PROCEDURES– are all updated and available on our website and on the COMPASS online portal (see resources). The following topics were covered- School Vision, Purpose and Values– We have collected feedback from parents/guardians about our current vision, purpose and values. There is support for our current School Vision, Purpose and Values. School Council will further review this when we develop our new strategic plan after our school review. Past students and staff—Tours of our current, old buildings were approved for the 7th of November from 4.30-6pm in groups of 30. Bookings must be made at the office. The following policies were ratified- 1. Staff Health and Wellbeing 2. Bullying and Harassment 3. Student Engagement and Inclusion 4. The following reports were tabled and ratified- 1. Principal’s Report - Excursions approved this month-

Prep and Year 5 buddies excursion- Friday 20th of October 2017 Year 5-6 Blue Light Disco- Thursday 23rd of November 2017. Year 2 Sleepover at school- Friday 24th of November 2017 Prep -2 Carols at Parks Hall- Friday December 1st 2017. Prep- year 6 Swimming Program 6th , 7th , 8th, 11th , 12th , 13th , 14th and 15th of

December 2017 Prep – 6 Final Assembly at Parks Hall- 20th of December 2017. Year 6 Graduation 20th of December, dinner at the Portarlington Golf Club fol-

lowed by ceremony at school. Curriculum Day Approvals-No 4-

Date- Friday 13th of October 2017 School Visits, Flexible Learning Environments

2. Out of School Hours Care (Kelly Club) 3. Finance– the financial reports and purchasing card transactions for the

months ending the 30th of June and 31st of July were approved. The Clean-ing contract was approved (until the end of the year). The arborist work was approved.

4. Healthy Together 5. Grounds and Buildings– Disposable of old school equipment and resources was discussed and will be further discussed as the year progresses. 6. Market Report -

Feedback from stallholders and local business supported the current timetable of the monthly markets.

Provision of food was also discussed with the Market Sub-Committee of Management to report back to the school council in September.

NO SCHOOL-Curriculum Day Term 4 Date- Friday 13th of October 2017

CHILDCARE– CONTACT KELLY CLUB: 0448 449 113

Students of the Week……..

Lilija Polwarth-Schuster…..confidently showing what she knows about writing a Procedural text. Luella Brain…..always taking control over her own learning through persistence and hard work! Love your work! Katherine Davey…..working productively during maths and smashing her financial maths task! Ellison Jolly…..always helping others in the classroom. Zoe Zoroja…..sharing her fantastic number story during maths reflection. Well done Zoe! Jordan Nash…..finding her creative voice during writing sessions. Lucy Kefaloukos…..doing a fabulous job settling into our school. Poppy Brooks…..growing by 33.3% on her division test. Brendan Connell…..being aware of his thoughts and recording them when reading. Lachie Reilly…..offering to help his teacher set up the classroom everyday-and always helping with a beautiful smile. Talon Cassidy…..learning SO MANY of his OWL Words! Ben White…..making nearly a years growth in just 4 weeks of division lessons. Well Done!! Liam De Araugo…..always following our SWPB rules all day, everyday throughout the school. Mia Soall…..working very hard to write an engaging sizzling start and sharing it with the class! Frankie Brain…..always using her initiative in class. Paul Williams…..settling into school life at Portarlington Primary School. Madison Soall…..writing an awesome sizzling start in writing today. Jesse Hunter…...always being a supportive and caring classmate! Emily Bagge…..being confident and organised completing her work.

Principals Weekly Award…….

Oliver Wilkie…..for creating a new school COMEDY CLUB Trey Stevens…..for creating a new school COMEDY CLUB

Portarlington Primary……..

Portarlington Primary ……..

Portarlington Primary School Our Purpose Portarlington Primary School strives to maximise the potential of all students through high academic expectations and a supportive school culture. We know that all children can learn and can become effective lifelong learners. We foster a strong partnership between students, staff, parents and the community. We provide a safe, caring and dynamic learning environment that supports strong interpersonal relationships in a climate of collaboration and mutual respect between students, staff, families and the wider community. Our relentless focus on learning provides

opportunities for the optimum progress of all students. We promote a philosophy that supports the development of independence, adaptability, cooperation and the creative abilities of all of children which empowers them to become resilient, active and harmonious members of our ever changing world.

Our Vision Portarlington Primary School is a school community empowering respectful, healthy, independent life long learners to be global, creative thinkers who will achieve and make a difference in a rapidly changing world. LEARNING is a life-long process that supports us to achieve our full potential. To succeed in the future, our students must develop the capacity to learn and adapt, collaborate, innovate and problem solve. First and foremost we recognise parents and families as having the most important and enduring impact on the learning, health, wellbeing and safety of their child. This understanding underpins the value that we place on developing authentic relationships with parents as partners in our learning community We aim to promote high levels of engagement of parents in their child’s learning and development. Our school encourages a strong sense of justice and personal responsibility for each other, the community and the environment. Portarlington Primary School encourages and models the values of mutual respect where safe, positive relationships between all members of the school community form the basis of our school culture. Honesty is held up as a strong moral belief for all. There is a sense of fairness, kindness and compassion for others. All members of our school community are expected to always do their personal best showing integrity, commitment, persistence and excellence in all their interactions with each other. Linked with our core business of improving the learning outcomes of our students, is our high expectation of self-responsibility and self-respect by every member of our school community.

At Portarlington Primary School, we are all Learners and we are all Respectful, Responsible, Kind & Safe.

NO SCHOOL-Curriculum Day Term 4 Date- Friday 13th of October 2017

CHILDCARE– CONTACT KELLY CLUB: 0448 449 113

Portarlington Primary……..

Keeping our Beautiful Children Safe in the Sun! Hats must be worn outside commencing the 1st of September until the 1st of May each year.

Child Safety Standards

Enter at the Office only-To maximise safety we request

that parents and visitors do not use other doors to enter

the school. Parents and visitors are not permitted to go

directly to classrooms at any time without signing in at

the office and discussing their needs with an office staff

member. Thank you for your understanding.

2017 School Calendar

Please check the calendar regularly as some events are subject to change.

August 15th August Athletics—Landy Field 17th August Bio Lab Incursion 21st—25th Aug Book Fair Week 25th August Book Week Parade September 22nd Sept Footy Dress Up Day Last day of Term 3 - 2.30pm October 9th October Start of Term 4 13th October NO SCHOOL 18th October Inter-School Soccer 20th October Buddies Excursion-Aerodrome 25th October Geelong Cup—Public Holiday -NO SCHOOL 27th October Pink Day

November 2nd November Year 6 Art Excursion 11th November Remembrance Day 14th—16th Life Ed Van 21st November Kinder Transition 23rd November Blue Light Disco 5/6 24th November White Ribbon Day Year 2 Sleep over 28th November Volunteers Morning Tea Kinder Transition December 1st December Carols—Parks Hall P-2 5th December Orientation Day Whole School Transition 6th—15th Dec Swimming 20th December Final Assembly– 12 noon Year 6 Graduation 21st December Swimming Carnival 3 –6 22nd December Last day of School - 1.30pm

NO SCHOOL-Curriculum Day Term 4 Date- Friday 13th of October 2017

CHILDCARE– CONTACT KELLY CLUB: 0448 449 113

Portarlington Primary ……..

Unpacking the Child Safety Standards– each fortnight we unpack one standard in our school newsletter. The full document has been distributed to each family and a copy is available on our website and on our COMPASS school online portal.

Child Safe Standard Number 4– Schools must have screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel.

This means that everyone in our school understands that child safety is everyone’s responsibility. Our school culture aims for all staff and volunteers to feel confident and comfortable in discussing any allegations of child abuse or child safety concerns. New employees and volunteers are supervised regularly to ensure they understand our school’s commitment to child safety and that everyone has a role to play in protecting children from abuse, as well as checking that their behaviour towards children is safe and appropriate.

Other strategies include compulsory working with children checks for all adults involved with the child related activities, National Criminal History Records checks are conducted for all employees.

2018 ENROLMENTS-

Our prep program for 2018 is filling quickly. If you have a child starting in prep next year you will need to complete an enrolment form (available from our school office). If you know someone who needs to enrol their child please ask them to contact our school on 52592572. Our friendly office staff will be able to help you with any queries or to arrange a tour. We are grateful for your support and

look forward to a successful program. If

you have any questions, please see the

front office at school.

Portarlington Primary……..

Eggs and Egg Products are Now Permitted at Portarlington Primary School.

For the past 7 years, we have had children enrolled who have suffered life threatening and severe anaphylactic reactions to eggs and items containing egg products. These children have now left our school. According to our current records, we do not have any children listed with anaphylactic reactions to eggs or egg products. If any parents have children with anaphylactic reactions to eggs or egg products or anything else, a management plan from a doctor is required (as with asthma or any other anaphylactic reactions to food products, bee stings, stone fruit, shell fish etc.) and the school must be informed so that the appropriate policies, guidelines and education processes can be put into place. Foods containing Peanuts and Cashews are still NOT PERMITTED at our school because we have children with life threatening and severe anaphylactic reactions to these nuts. Thank you for your understanding with this matter and for respecting the safety of our children.

Earn and Learn We are excited to be taking part in the 2017 Woolworths Earn & Learn program. During the previous campaign, we were able to purchase some great resources with the points we earned, thanks to you. From now until September 19th 2017, you can collect stickers at Woolworths that go towards Earn & Learn points. For every $10 you spend at Woolworths (excluding the purchase of tobacco, liquor and gift cards), you will receive a sticker. These stickers can then be given to your children to collect on a special sticker card. (60 Stickers per card). Once it is completed, they can simply bring it back here to school or you can drop them into your local Woolworths collection box.

The more points we earn, the more we can redeem from a choice of over 10,000 educational resources including Mathematics and English resources, art & crafts materials and much, much more!

Portarlington Primary ……..

BOOK FAIR WEEK

21st August till 25th August

Time: Monday – Friday

afternoon 3.15 – 4.00

Tuesday –Friday Mornings

8.30—8.55

Where: Portarlington Primary School Library.

Books from as little as $6.00 and a variety of items from $1.00.

Please come and support our Book Fair so we can obtain

resources for our Library.

*************************************************

CUSHIONS FOR OUR LIBRARY

Help needed! Our library floor reading

cushions have had so much use over the

years that we are in need of some new

ones.

If anyone is able to help make us some new cushions, please see

Wendy in the library after school or come see our friendly office

staff.

Portarlington Primary……..

Car Parking –Pick Up and Drop Off It is a really exciting time for our school with our new building rising out from the ground. With increased cars and deliveries, car parking can become difficult. Families are reminded that for our CHILDREN'S SAFETY it is illegal to park next to the school crossings in Newcombe and Fisher Streets. Cars parked too close to the crossings reduces visibility and puts children at risk. Thank you to everyone who is helping us out to keep the students safe.

Kids Help Line-1800 55 1800

..learning & learning & learning

Reminder-Student Supervision

Staff supervise the school yard between 8.40—9am, 11-11.30am, 1.40-2.15pm and 3.15-3.30pm. Children arriving at school before 8.40am must be booked into the before school care program Kelly Club as no supervision is provided before this time.

Yard Supervision

Please discuss this with your child. Our school yard is always supervised. Staff wear fluorescent vests for easy identification. Staff members may also be found in the office and staff room during break times. Passive play operates (with a teacher), at lunch time in the library.

Walk to School Wednesday Great to see so many active travellers already! Leave your car at one of the markers—front of ARCARE (Wiffen Park, or two in Newcombe St) and walk, ride, scoot or skate with the children from there.

Nude Food Lunch Boxes

Bring lunch and snacks that are

not dressed in any packaging

and food that is wearing less

sugar, salt and fat.

Washing Roster First Aid Room

18th August Rosey Smith 25th August Donna Turpin

Emergency Management–

We practise our emergency management plan every term. These procedures include on and off site evacuations and lock downs. To report any emergency please dial 000

* * * * * * * * *

Shut The Gates Please Could everyone leaving / arriving the school throughout the day please close the

gates. * * * * * * * * *

NO SMOKING Thank you for role modelling healthy behaviours. We have a NO SMOKING policy. This includes -

NO SMOKING on footpaths around the school or while you are picking up or dropping off children. You must go over the road. NO SMOKING in cars parked around our school at any time.

Portarlington Primary ……..

..learning & learning & learning

Hand Hygiene and Avoiding Germs Families and staff are experiencing increased bouts of illness over the past few weeks. This is a timely reminder to discuss the importance of washing your hands after going to the toilet. Hand sanitisers are available in all classrooms. We also encourage children to cough into their elbows instead of their hands and to use tissues.

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS TERM 3

The Uniform shop is open every Thursday alternating mornings and afternoons at the school for those wishing to purchase any new uniform items or school bags. Please come see the front office

and we will be happy to direct you to the PSW staff.

August 3rd 8:45am - 9:30am August 17th 2:45 –3:15pm August 31st 8:45am –9:30am September 14th 2:45pm –3:15pm September 21st 8:45am—9:30am September 28th 2:45pm—3:15pm

PORTARLINGTON PRIMARY …….

Changes to the Working with Children Act (2005) Please review your visitor and volunteer policies following the changes that commenced on 1 August Changes to the Working with Children Act 2005 (Act) commenced on 1 August 2017. The changes to the Act are designed to strengthen the protection of Victorian children by implementing key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The changes do not affect the requirement for individuals who engage in ‘child-related work’ to have a Working with Children Check (WWC Check). ‘Child-related work' is any work that involves ‘direct contact’ with a child that is part of the person’s work. It does not include occasional direct contact with a child that is incidental to the work the person is performing at the school (whether or not that work is paid).

Key changes for schools There are two key changes to the Act: 1. The definition of ‘direct contact’ with children has been expanded to include oral, written or electronic communication as well as face-to-face and physical contact; and A WWC Check is now required for anyone engaging in ‘child-related work’ regardless of whether contact with a child is supervised by another person or not. This means that a volunteer or visitor who is supervised by a teacher must have a WWC Check if they engage in ‘child related work’. What does this mean for schools? Schools should review the parts of their visitors and volunteers policies that refer to requirements for WWC Checks to:

update the definition of ‘direct contact’ with children so that it includes oral, written or electronic com-munication (as well as face-to-face and physical contact); * clarify that anyone engaging in ‘child-related work’ as part of their role or duties, whether an employee, volunteer, visitor or contractor must have a WWC Check regardless of whether they are being supervised by a teacher or another adult with a WWC Check. The Department is updating its School Policy and Advisory Guide (SPAG) pages, and developing an exemplar policy template for principals to assist them to develop their volunteers and visitors policies. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.

What does this mean for parents? The changes to the Act have not altered the provisions relating to parents. parent, or immediate relative, who volunteers at their child’s school as part of an activity that their child is participating in is not required by law to have a WWC Check.

However, schools are encouraged to develop their own policies to assess and verify the suitability of volunteers and visitors to the school, and may decide to require a parent to have a WWC Check, depending on the activities and nature of the volunteer work being performed.

Parent volunteers are encouraged to contact their child’s school to determine if the school requires them to hold a Working with Children Check card.

Where can I find out more? For more information about parents in schools, see: Parent Participation at School The Department of Justice and Regulation has developed fact sheets and advice pages to help Victorian organisations understand their new obligations. For more information, see: Working with Children – Toolkit for Organisations Where can I direct volunteers or contractors to get a WWC or for more information? WWC Check applications can be made online at workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au and are free for volunteers. Australia Post has more than 400 outlets processing WWC Check identity verifications across Victoria, as well as a video explaining what applicants need to do, see: Lodging your application - Working With Children Check Individuals can also contact the WWC Check Customer Support Line on 1300 652 879 (local call charge) for further information. By Carmel White Manager, PESG - People

PORTARLINGTON PRIMARY …….