Principal’s Report

August 22nd 2013 Issue 24

Private Bag 1, Mine Road, Korumburra. 3950 Telephone: 5655 1309 Email: korumburra.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Fax:: 5655 2861 School Hours: 9.00 a.m.—3.30 p.m. Web address:: www.korumburraps.vic.edu.au

K.P.S. PRESS

Vicspell Last night Korumburra Primary School hosted the Vicspell South Gippsland Zone Final Spelling Competition in the BER building. Mrs Rotthier convened and organized the event. She was ably assisted by a number of our staff who helped with the organization and preparation in a number of different ways. Jacqui’s support team included Ms Laurie Bier, Ms Haley Anderson, Mr David Gray and two of our past teachers Mrs Judy Smith and Mrs Judy Simcock. Once again, it was an extremely well organized event and demonstrated the very sophisticated spelling skills of all of the competitors from the various schools. We had entries from Fish Creek Primary School, Foster Primary School, Loch Primary School, Inverloch Primary School, Poowong Primary School and South Coast Christian College. Our own school team consisted of Ella Roberts and Kieran Lewis from Year 5 and our Year 6 School Captains Joel Findlay and Emily Field who were representing the school for the second year running.

These 4 students were chosen to represent Korumburra Primary school after going through a rigorous selection process within the school. All of our students did a great job and were excellent representatives for our school. There was hot competition in both year levels. It is then with great pleasure that we congratulate Kieran Lewis on winning the Year 5 event and Joel Findlay the Year 6 event. Both Kieran and Joel will now go on to represent our school and our district in the Provincial Final which will be held in the near future. Thanks to all the parents and students who attended last night’s event and also thanks to those spectators who provided moral support to our contestants.

(Continued on page 2)

Our VicSpell Participants, Emily, Joel, Ella and Kieran

ICT/Netbook Parent Information Evening

On Monday night (19th August) parents were invited to attend an ICT/

Netbook Information Evening in the BER Building. The evening was

very well attended even given the extreme weather conditions on the

night. The purpose of the evening was to provide teachers with an

opportunity to share with parents how the Netbooks are being used

as a tool for learning in the classroom. It also presented an

opportunity for parents to provide feedback to the school as to what

they see as working well and how the school can further develop the

Netbook program. Given the rapidly developing nature of

technology, these information evenings and shared decision making

will be ongoing and enable the school to make informed decisions

that best suit our students at Korumburra Primary School.

Whilst the program is not without its challenges and areas for future

improvement, the response from parents was overwhelmingly

positive:

92% of parents responded that they are very satisfied or

satisfied with the monetary value of the Netbook program

100% of parents responded that they are very satisfied or

satisfied with the School Netbook Program

90% of parents responded that they are very satisfied or

satisfied with the school’s communication to parents in

regards to the Netbook Program

71% of parents responded that they are very satisfied or

satisfied with school’s Netbook repair process

100% of parents responded that they are very satisfied that

their children are using the Netbooks in a safe and

appropriate manner.

Thank you to the parents and staff that were involved in the night. I

would also like give a special thank you to Ms Laurie Bier for her

organisation and ongoing commitment to ensuring that Korumburra

Primary School continues to be a leading school in ICT.

Korumburra Primary School is UNITED!

Thank you to the teachers that have been focusing on this term’s

value in your classes. Visiting parents may have noticed a variety of

posters and projects that advertise what it means to be UNITED.

Teachers are having ongoing discussions in their classes as to what

being united is. They have been investigating the meaning and

importance of being united such as getting along, working together,

team work, cohesion, consensus and combining of ideas just to

mention a few.

2014 Prep Orientation Days

I would like to remind parents that the first orientation session for our

2014 Preps is on Wednesday the 11th September commencing at

9:15am. I also ask any parents that have friends who are still

undecided about their child’s enrolment to please contact me at the

school to arrange a school tour.

Upcoming Camps

There are a number of upcoming excursions and camps. We have

our Year 4’s staying 2 nights in Allambee for their camp on the 9th –

11th of September, our Year 1 classes are travelling to the

Healesville Sanctuary on the 17th of September and our Year 3

students are staying overnight in Phillip Island on the 16th of

October. Thank you to the teachers and parents for your

commitment to our camps and excursions program.

Cluster Project

Currently Korumburra Primary School is hosting 2 student teachers

from Monash University. Both Aviva and Karen are here to observe

classes as part of their teacher training and also to focus on using a

variety of student assessment tools. Both girls are part of a cluster

project that aims at developing student teachers’ hands on practical

assessment strategies in a real school context. Other participating

schools are Poowong Primary School, Nyora Primary School and

Korumburra Secondary College. It is a pleasure to have both Aviva

and Karen in the school. Both have a nice way with the children and

it is great to see them getting involved in all aspects of the school.

Nathan Pirouet

Principal

Principal’s Report Cont…..

Well Done Awards August 19th

Assistant Principal’s Report

Head Lice Check

We certainly appreciate the efforts of the many parents who contact us to tell that their child has head lice. This seems to be an-going battle for many families and as a result, we have employed nursing staff from Korumburra Medical Centre to check all our students’ hair in Years Prep – 2 where the problem is worst. Brothers and sisters of those children who were found to have head lice were also

checked.

Please note that even after treating the hair, the lice eggs must be removed as the various cleaning products won’t kill the egg

contents. It will only kill live lice.

We thank parents for their support with this problem and hopefully today’s inspection will help eradicate the current outbreak. Further information is being distributed to families affected. If any families need further advice on how to treat their children’s hair, please

contact our School Office and we will provide further support.

2013 Music Camp

The date for this year’s Cluster Music Camp was set at a meeting attended by a number of our Cluster teachers last night. October 28 & 29 are the dates set down for this terrific event. We have had many of our students participate previously and interested Year 4 – 6 students are asked to watch out for an Expression of Interest note that will be available soon. Last year, students could nominate to take part in either Rock Band, Percussion, Choir, Song Writing, Acoustic Guitar or Concert Band groups. This is always a great event and we look forwood to this year’s Music Camp being another

great success.

Helping Our Children Learn

So often we hear from parents who are always doing their best to help their children learn something. Here are some interesting

figures from a world renowned study:

We learn:

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we do

50% of what we both see and hear

70% of what we discuss with others

80% of what we experience personally

95% of what we teach others

In light of these figures, when helping children, consider the statements above and see if they can help with their own learning as

well as having support from family and friends. Good luck!

Spot The Spelling Mistake

No one spotted the spelling mistake in my last newsletter report which was possibly because it was our first digital edition! See how

you go spotting this week’s very tricky spelling error in my report!

David Gray

Assistant Principal

NEW UNIFORM PINAFORE

Parents have been asking about a pinafore for the girls to wear

in winter. We have samples in the office if parents wish to look

at these items. Please call in and take a look at the samples we

have.

Year 6 Transition

Linda Jennings and Susan Lloyd from Korumburra Secondary College visited the students on Wednesday to distribute information packs for

their 3-Day Transition to be held from September 18-20 (last 3 days of Term 3). There were many questions about secondary school and the

students are looking forward to visiting their NEW school next month as well as in December for the state-wide transition day. There is also an

opportunity for a small number of students to be involved in the Early Bird program which allows them 2 extra mornings at Korumburra

Secondary College to help them acclimatise to the new environment.

Vic Spell

Congratulations to Ella Roberts, Kieran Lewis, Joel Findlay and Emily Field for representing KPS at last night’s spelling competition. Thank

you to Mrs Rotthier for organising and conducting pre-competition spelling challenges.

Science

The Year 6 students have been conducting a number of science experiments recently as a follow-up to the Life Ed Van visits. We began with

a demonstration of the respiratory system using sheep lungs (for those brave enough!) and have moved on to inflating balloons, propelling

table-tennis balls using a straw and testing lung capacity. Students have also been writing science procedures in preparation for secondary

school.

Ruby and Holley conducting Reaction Ruler experiment

Connor and Tate testing their reflexes with a Reaction Ruler

Nigel Kilpatrick

Senior Department manager

Senior Department Report

Junior Department News

Maths is more than just knowing your numbers!

The Preps are learning Math concepts, developing skills, using number strategies and problem solving. It can involve manipulating and using

a variety of objects and materials as well as modelling and recording their understandings, learning strategies, working together, talking and

sharing ideas whilst having fun!

The Preps in Mrs. Clark’s classroom

have been developing an understanding

of 3D shapes. They were challenged to

build some 3D shapes using Magnetics.

This involved lots of problem solving to

successfully create specific 3D shapes.

The children have also been learning to measure the length of things using informal units of measurement e.g. paper clips, plastic links,

match sticks, blocks and icy pole sticks. Their vocabulary to describe and express their understanding is also encouraged. The children have

also been introduced to formal measurement using rulers and tapes.

Reinforcing the recognition of numbers 1-10 is

great fun when it involves playing games. The

children are counting, recognising numbers and

learning strategies whilst playing ‘The Beetle

Game’, ‘Knock Out Nine’ and the ‘Number

Crab’.

The children are also developing their number knowledge of two digit numbers especially the ‘Teens’. Here the children are using unifix

blocks to model that they understand a teen number is made up of one ten and loose ones. Everyone agrees Maths is FUN!

Jan Clark

Classroom Teacher

In Year 3, we have been studying ‘what makes day and night and how we have seasons’. Many of the students have also shown interest in

the planets of our solar system with their eagerness to read the excellent reference books from our school library.

The Year 3 Camp deposit was due this week. Therefore any family who still needs to make this payment is encouraged to do so as soon as

possible, so that camp organisation can continue positively.

Can all parents remember to check their children come to school with the warm items of the school uniform for eg jackets? We do like to get

the children outside even if it is only briefly and with the weather being as cold as it is, some children do need more clothing on.

The Year 4’s are enjoying their ‘Korumburra Changing Over Time’ topic and are also looking forward to Allambee Camp in 3 weeks time! Let’s

hope the sun comes out by then!!

Leigh Shelley-McCahon

Year 3 Classroom Teacher

Middle Department News

Music News

The Korumburra Buskers Festival is on again this year on the 3rd of November 2013! Any individual wanting to participate should head to the

following website…http://korumburrabuskersfest.com/ I hope to see many of our talented students participate on the day. The Choir and I will

be performing as well as many other colourful musicians. There are prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd of monetary value. Please check out the website

for more information.

Gabrielle Smith

Music Teacher.

The school is a buzz of activity at the moment with students preparing for some important events.

The Year 5/6 mixed netball team is training for the Netball Victoria Primary Schools Championships, which they will be attending on Tuesday

10th September at the State Netball/Hockey Centre.

Many Year 5/6 boys and girls are in the midst of trials for the District basketball tournament, which will be held on Friday 6th September at the

Korumburra Recreation Centre. Teams will be announced soon.

The students who qualified for the South Gippsland Division Athletic Sports are also preparing for this event on Wednesday 4 th September at

Mary MacKillop, Leongatha. Students who perform very well may then qualify for the Regional Athletics to be held at Newborough on Friday

13th September.

Good luck to all those students involved in these coming events!

Shelley Snooks

PE Coordinator

P E News

K.P.S

a

UNITED

Community

School

WELL

DONE

AWARDS

Jakeb Taylor Smith

Laura Bevis

Tom Veltri

Kiera Witton

Sophie Walker

Casey Walker

Jessica Koolen

Lisa Terry

Liam Anderson

Brain Kelson

Merissa White

Josh Clinton

Holly Fowler

Amber Thompson

Zac Clapperton

Charlee Walker

Holley Smith

Book Club – Orders for Issue 6 are due back at school by Friday 30th August.

Premier’s Reading Challenge – Only 3 weeks remain to complete ‘The Challenge’. All completed reading lists need to be returned to the Library before 10th September. If you have not had your name acknowledged in the newsletter for completing ‘The Challenge’ please come and see me in the Library as I have received a completed reading list with no name or class on it.

Overdue Notices – These have been handed out. Please return your overdue books as soon as possible.

Book Week – Unfortunately, due to very wet weather and Wet Day Timetables this week, Book Week activities have been limited to one day so far! Yesterday a small group of children enjoyed listening to ‘The Terrible Suitcase’ which won the Early Childhood Category. Some

great rockets and suitcases were created.

Hopefully the weather will be kinder to us for the rest of this week.

Helen Cripps

Library Technician

Library News

Korumburra Netball Association

Mixed Netball Season 2013

We would like to invite all Boys and Girls in Year 3,4,5 and 6

to play mixed netball.

Registration night is on the 27th August, at 5 pm. until 6pm

Season commences on Tuesday 3rd September, 2013

If you are unable to attend registration please contact either

Tania 0408 575 311 or Nadine 0409 189 150

William Anthony, Max Crooke, Jay Walker and Claire Trewin

Calendar of Events

2013

26th August Finance Committee Meeting 9:30 am

27th August Buildings & Grounds Meeting 5:00 pm

3rd—7th September Book Fair Library

4th September Division Athletics Mary Mac Leongatha

4th September School Council Meeting 7:30 pm

6th September Basketball Tournament Korumburra

9th—11th September Year 4 Allambee Camp

10th September Netball Vic Schools Challenge

11th September 2014 Prep Orientation Session 1

Maths Olympiad 5

13th September Regional Athletics Newborough

16th September P & F Meeting 9.30 a.m.

2014 Prep Enrolments due in.

17th September Year 1 & 2 Healesville Excursion

18th—20th September Year 6 to Secondary College

19th September Young Ambassadors Presentation Evening at Coal Creek

20th September Term 3 ends.

12th October HPV Event Casey/Cardinia

14th—18th October Annual Art Show

16th—17th October Year 3 CYC Cowes Camp

23rd October 2014 Prep Orientation Session 2

25th October—6th December Junior Swimming Program

25th October Preps Zoo Excursion

28th October Cluster Music Camp

State Athletics

4th November Curriculum Day Student Free

13th November 2014 Prep Orientation Session 3

18th November Skekere Beats African Drumming

10th December Statewide Transition Day

2014 Prep Session 4

Year 6‘s to their secondary colleges

17th December Year 6 Graduation

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KORUMBURRA

Telephone 5655 1133

Dean Goad 0419 399 856

Scott McKenzie 0427 552 898

Healthy, Happy Kids Hint No 14 Instead of high sugar hot drinks in winter, try your child on herbal teas. Peppermint is often a favourite, and is good for tummy upsets. Kids often enjoy the fruit teas as well. Read the labels and buy the ones without additives. courtesy of :

www.naturalkitchenstrategies.com.au

Healthy, Happy Kids Hint No 15 Buy a nutcracker and always have a bowl of fresh nuts, especially almonds and walnuts, ready for older children to crack for themselves.

courtesy of : www.naturalkitchenstrategies.com.au