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Congratulate

Our Commitment; Excellence, Innovation, Community Dear Parents

Thank you to all parents who are observing the parking regulations around the school, after the hectic start the vast majority of parents have settled into smooth and safe routines. A reminder - that staff car parks are restricted to staff access only. My School Website The My School Website went live earlier this week with comparative NAPLAN results for all schools across Australia. Our 2013 NAPLAN results show continued growth in student performance and reflects the refocusing of the school on our core business, improving student outcomes and school performance. It was pleasing to see Mona Vale mentioned in the Manly Daily today in the article on Student Success acknowledging our high performance. Congratulations to our dedicated staff, supportive community and happy engaged students. Sensational Sentences One of the school targets in 2014 is to improve sentence writing by our students. To support this we have started “Sensational Sentences at Mona Vale”. Each week students will be provided with a different piece of stimulus material and students will write up to three sentences on this piece and the three best examples from each grade will be sent to me for selection as the Sensational Sentence of the Week. More information is included in this newsletter. Good luck and keep encouraging a love of writing. Parent Pick Ups in School Grounds I remind parents that while we encourage and are happy to have parents within the school grounds in the afternoon waiting to pick up children, please do not congregate outside classrooms as this can be very disruptive to lessons. In particular, parents who are waiting for Year 3 students in our new demountable precinct (dubbed Smurf Village by our students) are asked to wait in the central Cola near the Canteen. Thank you for your support in this matter.

March 7, 2014 Week 6, Term 1

From the Principal

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BYOD @ Mona Vale Progress on the implementation of our BYOD initiative (Bring Your Own Device) is progressing according to schedule with an anticipated trial early in term 2. I have asked Mr Matt Kelson to manage this project and he has written an update for this Mona Vale Mail. Mr Kelson has outstanding technology skills and a clear understanding of the integration of technology to support quality learning and teaching. As I indicated previously, we will start the BYOD program with our stage 3 students, years 5 & 6 and progressively roll it out across the school. This is an exciting initiative that will keep Mona Vale at the forefront of educational innovation. Term Accounts Thank you to the parents who have already paid their term accounts. Term accounts have been issued for all students so programs and resource purchasing can begin. Your prompt attention to this matter is most appreciated. While Mona Vale receives funding from the Government to support programs, your contribution allows us to provide the highest quality resources and support for all students. Thank you for your ongoing support. Greg Jones Principal BA Macq MA Ed Macq

Hello parents of MVPS

My name is Mr Matt Kelson I am a year 6 teacher who will be co-ordinating

BYOD at our school.

Mona Vale Public School is in the planning stages of having wireless points

activated for students in years 5 & 6 to bring in their own device to access

the internet through our school Aruba network Wi-Fi. The implementation of

BYOD is a crucial step forward for Mona Vale Public School in ensuring our

students are given the opportunity to use this 21st Century technology for their learning, to gather

information, collaborate with others and to be engaged with their learning like never before.

Early in Term 2 we will be holding a BYOD information evening to address many key issues with

implementing BYOD in schools such as digital device ownership and use, equity, network

security and many more. Stay tuned for upcoming dates for this information night through our

school newsletter. Our school community is important to us and if there are any parents who

would like to join a BYOD committee, please contact Greg Jones (greg.jones@det.nsw.edu.au)

or (matthew.kelson@det.nsw.edu.au).

BYOD

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Term Accounts Thank you to all the parents who have paid their accounts. Please note all accounts are due by this Monday 10th March. This includes the K-2 User Pay Sport payment. If you have misplaced your account please contact the office for a copy. Year 6 Expression of Interest High School Forms This week every Year 6 student received an individual Expression of Interest Form for high school. It is very important that these forms are returned promptly to the office. Nits We have a few cases of nits at the moment. If your child has nits please inform the office. When the office is informed we send a note home to the class so other parents can check their children. You are welcome to report a nit issue anonymously; all we need to know is what class has the issue. Please regularly check your child’s hair for the pesky little critters. Raffle Thank you to all the students who have already sold their raffle tickets and some keen beans who are requesting more books. Our P&C volunteers, headed by Katy Wiseman are busy counting money and raffle tickets that have been returned. A few things will make life easier for our wonderful volunteers: Please pay in notes rather than coin. Cheques are acceptable and can be made payable to Mona Vale Public School. Please return the correct money and raffle ticket butts in the bag provided. If you have lost your bag, please return money and raffle ticket butts in an envelope clearly marked with your child/ren’s name and class/es. If you do not wish to sell your tickets, please return them to the office ASAP so we can redistribute to other students. If you would like additional books please pop into the office. Parent Teacher Interviews Parent teacher interviews will be taking place from Monday 17th March to Wednesday 19th March. Parent teacher interviews are booked online at www.schoolinterviews.com.au, enter the event code: RYFCU. A separate email was sent this morning with more details. Please note support classes will not be holding Parent Teacher interviews at this stage as they have recently held individual meetings with parents. Regards Leonie Gallard School Administration Manager

From the Office

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There are so many new faces in the Canteen. It’s great to see. Thank you to those who have called to volunteer their time in the mornings to help with the smooth running of the Canteen. Many hands make light work Here is the roster for the next couple of weeks:

Monday 10th Tuesday 11th Wednesday 12th Thursday 13th Friday 14th

Alison Boyd Susan Young Margeurite Kraft

Karen Pember’s Mum Linda Newman Michelle Le Creurer

Denise Laurence Ange

Michelle Le Creurer Robyn Stonell

Sandra Avadissian Corrina Bouman Julie Shirdon

Monday 17th Tuesday 18th Wednesday 19th Thursday 20th Friday 21st

Syliva Atkinson Lana Mares Tatum Moane

Gus Worland Donna Radinovic Dusanka Gendic

Craig Raikuna Jack Pfeiffer

Louise Crowther Hannah Jones Michelle Le Creurer

Olivia Munro Bianca Barkley

Chess Day The school is hosting a big chess tournament on Wednesday 26th March. On that day the canteen is so busy! If you are free and would like to volunteer for a couple of hours between 9am-1pm on Wednesday 26th March please let me know. Eat well and drink lots of water.

Rebecca O’Donnell Canteen Coordinator 9997 2442

Canteen

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Music Staff Information In Year 2 classes all students learn recorder as part of their one hour music lessons with Mrs Shaw. If students wish to continue to develop their recorder skills they can join our recorder ensemble in years 3-6. As previously mentioned in past newsletters this group is lucky enough to be part of a concert at the Opera House as part of a series called Festival of Instrumental Music. The recorder ensemble is taken by Mrs CarolynThiele. Mrs Thiele is a music classroom teacher who is at Mona Vale Public School Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We are really lucky to have her on our staff. Carolyn Thiele received a Bachelor of Music from Elder Conservatorium and a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Adelaide. She is very experienced on so many musical instruments; she has an A.Mus.A on piano, reached 7th grade+ on violin, can also play oboe, harp and guitar. She has been teaching in classrooms since 2004 as a generalist primary school class teacher and more recently as a music specialist. Mrs Thiele teaches Kindy and Year 3 as well as taking recorder ensemble and starter string ensemble. Request for Help (Curtain Maker & Violin Helper) I am busily making sure both music classrooms have lots of fantastic instruments for all our classes to play on. Alongside the other staff we are making sure the room is colourful, exciting and fun to be in when creating and listening to lots of different styles of music. I am hoping there may be a parent with experience in making curtains who could help me jazz up the room a little. If you could help please give your details to the office and I will be in touch. Year 1 learn violin in their music lessons during the week with Miss Wright. If you have violin experience and are looking for an opportunity to volunteer with the students; we would love some extra hands. I have some parents willing to help, but need a couple more on Wednesday and Friday. If you can spare an hour and know about the violin please let me know. Mrs Jacqui Shaw Creative Arts Coordinator Mona Vale Public School

Creative Arts

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Term 1: Staff Development Day Tuesday 28th January

Students Return Wednesday 29th January

Year 5 OC students return Thursday 29th January

Kindy 2014 start Monday 3rd February

Last Day for students Friday 11th April

Term 2: Staff Development Day Monday 28th April

Students return Tuesday 29th April

Last Day for Students 27th June

Term 3: Staff Development Day – Monday 14th July

Students Return – Tuesday 15th July

Last Day for Students Friday 19th September

Term 4: Students and Staff return Tuesday October 7, 2014

Last day for students – 17th December, 2014

Uniform Shop Hours

Mondays

2:30pm to 3pm

Tuesdays

8:30am – 10:30am

Thursdays

8:30am – 10:30am

Reminders

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Ruby’s Story Brooke, Chris and their only daughter Ruby are a local family from Wheeler Heights. Brooke is a

stay at home Mum and Chris runs his own tiling business. 17 month old Ruby was diagnosed as

having a rare, malignant brain tumour in December last year. After being told that there was no

hope for Ruby and that she would pass away within the following weeks or months, Brooke &

Chris obtained a second opinion to be given hope. Renowned surgeon Dr Brian Owler advised

he would operate and successfully remove the majority of the tumour. Due to the aggressive

nature of the tumour and the fact that Ruby is so young and can only be treated with

chemotherapy her chances of pulling through this are still only around 20-30%. Ruby is currently

undergoing her first round of treatment at Westmead Children's hospital. The course of

chemotherapy is approximately 6-8 weeks. After this time they will do an MRI to see if she is

responding to the treatment. If she is then they will continue, if not then they will need to look at

their options and decide whether seeking further treatment outside of Australia is an option for

them.

Community News

2014 Term 1 School Calendar (subject to change each week)

Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

6A

March 3 Interrelate Family Evening

March 4

March 5

Year 4 & 3-6P to Sydney Wildflower Garden

March 6

K-2 Life Ed

March 7

K-2 Life Ed

7B

March 10

K-2 Life Ed Pittwater Zone Swimming (Warringah Aquatic)

March 11

K-2 Life Ed PCS Extension Class Placement Test

March 12

K-2 Life Ed

March 13

K-2 Life Ed Selective High School Test (9am Barrenjoey High)

March 14

K-2 Life Ed

8A

March 17

K-2 Life Ed Year 6 Interrelate

March 18

3pm-6pm Parent Teacher Interviews

March 19

Year 3 & 3-6S to IMAX Cinema 3pm-6pm Parent Teacher Interviews

March 20

PCS Choir Rehearsal for Music Festival

March 21

9B

March 24 Year 6 Interrelate

March 25

Sydney North Swimming Carnival (Homebush)

March 26

Chess Tournament

March 27 March 28

10A

March 31

Year 6 Interrelate

April 1 April 2

Year 6 CARES (6M, 6C & Yr6 Support Unit Students)

April 3

Year 6 CARES (6K & 6G) Year 5S & 6C at Mac Uni

April 4

Band Camp (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)

11B

April 7

Year 6 Interrelate

April 8

April 9

State Swimming Carnival (Homebush)

April 10

9am-11am School Captain Presentation at Narrabeen 9:30am Honour Assembly

April 11 Grandparents Day & Easter Hat Parade 6pm-9pm Year 3 & 4 Disco Last Day for Students

Tae Kwon-Do for males and females of all ages.Established on the northern suburbs since 1974.

Monday 4.30pm Mona Vale Public School

Friday 6.00pm Narrabeen Sport High School Gym

Sunday 6.00pm Many Village Public School

T his sport is fun and helps in developing self confidence. It teaches mutual respect, self discipline, self defence, personal safety and increases overall physical fitness.

Tae Kwon-Do is taught in many private and public schools throughout Sydney. Classes are designed for all ages and fitness levels, children are welcome from 6 years of age. We teach how to avoid issues of confrontation and discrimination.

Grand Master Suh, a ninth Dan Black belt, has over 40 years of training experience and is one of the worlds top exponents in this sport. Tae Kwon-Do is an official Olympic sport for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

For further information please phone Mr. Suh

9981 7788

www.pi t twater.nsw.gov.au/ l ibrary

Mona Vale Library Chess Club

Venue: Pelican Room - Mona Vale Library 1 Park Street Mona Vale

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Date: Thursday 20 March 2014

Cost: FREE Afternoon tea provided

Bookings: Essential call Mona Vale Library on 9970 1600

More info: Please call Rebeccah or Sharelle.

Come along to the launch of our new chess club for both young and old.

Beginners and more experienced players welcome; particularly seniors who may be

interested in sharing their expertise.

FREE!

Single with Children is a non-profit social organisation operated by the Single Parent Family

association. We provide social activities every week for both custodial and access single parents as

well as their children.

SINGLE PARENTS

FAMILY BBQ

Are you looking for activities to do with your children? Do you want to make friends with other single parents who

share similar experiences to you?

Then come along to the Single with Children family BBQ

Join us for a day of fun at Lake Parramatta Park and sausage sizzle. This is a

beautiful location with walking trails alongside the lake, children's play equipment

and enough open spaces to throw a ball. There is even a cafe on site for the adults

who really need a coffee to get through the day

WHERE: Lake Parramatta Lackey St North Parramatta

WHEN: Sunday 30th March

TIME: From 10:30 am, sausage sizzle starts at 11:30pm

WHAT TO BRING: Bring picnic rugs and /or folding chairs .BYO snacks/ sides etc

COST: NB: Non-members $2.50 for a sausage sandwich and drink, (free for members - 1 per person/child)

WHO’S INVITED: All single parents and their children. Non members welcome and if you join on the day - receive $5.00 off membership.

RSVP: By Friday 22nd of March Leanne Bennett 0410645490 Assistant children’s functions co-ordinator

For information call 1300 300 496 or go to www.singlewithchildren.com.au