BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198 E-mail: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Visit our Websites : www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au, http://berwicklodgeps.globalteacher.org.au
NEWSLETTER N0.39
20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
DIARY DATES Friday 11th December Monday 14th December Tuesday 15th December Tuesday 15th December Wednesday 16th December Wednesday 16th December
10TH DECEMBER 2009
DIARY DATES CONTINUED Gr 1/2 Healthy breakfast Gr 6 Graduation 5.15pm Parent Helper Morning Tea PFA Second Hand Uniform Gr 5/6 Casey Race/Cranbourne sports Gr 1/2 Christmas Concert 9.30am
Thursday 17th December Friday 18th December Monday 1st February
Last day for the Canteen Last day term 4—1:30 finish First day term 1 2010
NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 11th December
Gr 3/4 Christmas Hamper
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT BUILDING EDUCATION REVOLUTION (BER) UPDATE As of last evening I was informed by our project manager with APP, Caroline Vorwerg, that she had taken my latest proposal to the Victorian DEECD BER Team for consideration. That proposal is that APP split the tender for the routing of the stormwater drain and sewerage pipe and the building into two separate project components and to accept the quote of $60,000 that I have received from KLM Spatial for the stormwater/sewerage rerouting component. Earlier in the day I had been notified by Caroline Vorwerg that the State BER Team had approved our choice of site for the new building and that the rerouting of the services would be undertaken. However, I was also informed that the entire project would be put out for tender early in 2010. I rejected this proposal on the grounds that there was no need to include the rerouting aspect because I had already obtained an excellent tender price ($60,000) for the works at no cost to the project. By including this aspect in the tender, the State BER Team were both wasting time (as KLM can start on the rerouting component immediately) and in all probability adding unnecessary costs on the project by having the rerouting works tendered at all. Also, going on our most recent experience, their quotes may well be much higher than that which we have already obtained. Caroline Vorwerg, indicated to me that our proposal is a departure from existing practice for all other schools and that the State BER Team is taking this into consideration. Nonetheless, she was
hopeful on our behalf. I had earlier reminded Caroline that our school had been very poorly treated to date and that we were not averse to taking our case elsewhere. STUDENT REPORTS As you would be aware, these are distributed on Friday. I share the responsibility for reading them with Lynne Brenner and Debbie Cusack and we are all highly impressed by the achievements of the vast majority of our students. While there is always possible room for improvement, we should acknowledge the fine efforts and achievements of our students. In saying this, I also acknowledge the fine contribution our staff has made toward the children’s educational development. The reports they have written are a credit to them too. ECHOES FROM OUR FIRST 20 YEARS With graduation almost upon us, it does bring back memories of years gone by. Back in our first year, 1990, we had only 18 students in year 6, with the teacher being David Ryan (because the number was so low, it was actually a composite 5/6). Well, our graduation celebration was very different to that of now. It didn’t take anywhere near as much time also, with only 18 students graduating! The dinner was held in our gymnasium with our Year 5 students providing the table service. To liven things up, we had the gym decorated in a very attractive array of helium filled blue and gold balloons and our school choir sang a medley of songs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s) Q. Have any of your previous students had their children attend Berwick Lodge? A. Not yet – the 1990 graduates would be turning 30 or 31 this year, so it has been possible, I guess! Nonetheless, next year, in another first for our school, one of our founding students, Carly McQualter, has enrolled her child to commence in our Prep level. Gee that makes some of us feel old! QUOTABLE QUOTE
When the option of ‘running around in circles’ looks appealing, you know you’re in trouble. HENRY GROSSEK
SCHOOL AWARDS Congratulations to the following students who received awards over the last week. Grace PT Georgie PT Lucas PL Tiah PL Alannah PC Antonette PT Brodie PO Lachlan PO
Vanessa PT Trinity PT Angelina PL Apryl PC Brodie PT Georgia PT Sharni PO Chloe PO
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT STUDENT REPORTS All children will be bringing home their end of year reports tomorrow (Friday 11th December). A great deal of time and effort has gone into the preparation of these reports and we are impressed with the standards our students have achieved. We are sure that parents will be proud of the progress their child has made throughout the year. Support from home contributes significantly in all areas of academic and personal development of our students. Thank you to Berwick Lodge teaching staff for the time that they have put into the end of year reports. Whilst parent teacher discussions are not formally scheduled at this busy time of year, parents are welcome to contact class teachers or specialist teachers if they have any queries regarding their child’s report. We remind all parents that it is a DEECD requirement that the school receives acknowledgement from you of receipt of your child’s report. For this purpose a reply slip has been enclosed with the report. The reply slip gives you the option to comment on your child’s progress at school this year. This slip is filed in your child’s classroom file along with a copy of the child’s report. Congratulations to all of our students on their hard work throughout the year! YEAR 6 GRADUATION We wish our year 6 students all the best for their graduation ceremony which is being held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre next Monday night. Many of the Year 6 students have attended Berwick Lodge for the full 7 years of their primary education and it has been interesting watching them grow from the apprehensive first day of preps to confident group that they have become.
Good Luck to all students who will be leaving children are missing items of clothing. Lost Berwick Lodge at the end of the year. property is currently on display in the corridor of the main building. We encourage PARENT HELPERS’ MORNING TEA you to come along and check for those items Thank you to those parents who have you may have noticed have gone missing in responded to the invitations that were sent recent weeks. home with students last week for our annual Parent Helpers’ Morning Tea. This will be LIBRARY BOOKS held next Tuesday 15th December at All library books are now due back at the 11:00AM in the school gymnasium. If you school library. Notices are being sent home have been one of our wonderful helpers and for outstanding books and we request that have missed out on an invitation we apologise you have a hunt around the house for any for missing you. Please feel most welcome to Berwick Lodge library or home reading books attend the morning tea. that you may still have. Invoices will be issued for books that have not been returned. STUDENT REQUISITES Thank you to all families for your Recently we have sent home the notices cooperation. regarding student requisites for 2010. It is important that all families pay for FINAL ASSEMBLY FOR 2009 their child’s requisites prior to the All parents are invited to attend our final commencement of the school year. assembly for 2009 which will take place at Payments can be made up until the close of 9:00AM (weather permitting) on Monday 14th school on Friday 18th December or prior to December. During this assembly many the commencement of school. The office will exciting announcements will be made be open to receive payments on Thursday including the announcement of our 2010 28th and Friday 29th January between 9:30AM School Captains. We will also be making a and 4:00PM. Payments can also be made presentation of two bicycles donated by Ride using Bpay. Information regarding this option 2 School (Bicycle Victoria) to a boy and a girl is provided on the Student Requisite notice. in Year 6 to encourage continued safe riding to school. Judith Grayley is also attending the LOST PROPERTY assembly to present a Community Service There is currently an overabundance of lost Award to a Year 4 recipient. At this property. This raises two concerns. Firstly, as assembly the specialists will present their most of the clothing items are not clearly Term 4 awards. named, they cannot be returned promptly to This assembly also provides us with the their rightful owners. We understand clothing opportunity to formally farewell students and is expensive and it is difficult to distinguish staff who will be leaving Berwick Lodge at the individual ownership of similar items and so end of 2009. we are asking you to please ensure all clothing is clearly named. Secondly, we are concerned with the large number of lost LYNNE BRENNER & DEBBIE CUSACK items that are not being collected and ask for your assistance in checking whether your
PFA NEWS On behalf of 2009 PFA committee we would like to thank all the students and their families for supporting us this year. As a small team we have done a fantastic job raising $24,600.00 approximately for the year. I personally would like to thank Sarah Hartnett, Rose Hughes, Sarina Kovacs, Kath Keen, Michelle Sarjeant, Tracey Walsh, Bell Burgess, Andrea, Lisa Badenhop and Samantha for their outstanding effort this year. I also would like to congratulated the new committee for 2010. President—Michelle Vice President—Sarah Secretary—Tracey Assistant Secretary—Kath Treasurer—Belle Have a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. Samantha Oldfield 2009
GRADE 1/2 CHRISTMAS CONCERT Grade 1 and 2 Christmas Concert The Grade 1 and 2 students and teachers would like to invite family and friends to their Christmas Concert next Wednesday 16th December at 9.30am. The concert will be held on the basketball courts. The children are very excited to get a chance to perform the Christmas songs they have been practising. Visitors might like to bring along a rug or something to sit on. We look forward to seeing lots of our Grade 1 and 2 families. Let’s hope that the weather will be kind to us this time. Bernadette Kelly On Behalf of the Grade 1 and 2 teachers
GRADE 1/2 HEALTHY BREAKFAST Friday 11th December. Due to the overwhelming response of students wishing to attend our Healthy Breakfast, we have extended the Venue rooms to include Room 6 (Ms Wells) and Room 8 (Ms. Kelly). Children attending are reminded to bring a plastic bowl, cup and spoon. We will see you at 8.00am.
EMA NEWS The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to assist eligible families with the costs associated with the education of their children. To be eligible for receipt of the EMA you must: be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent. Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA if they have a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card. The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 1 (27 January 2010 which is the first day for teaching staff) and Term 3 (12 July 2010). The EMA application must be submitted to the school by 26 February 2010 . The EMA provides an annual amount of $225 for primary students. This amount is split evenly between the parents/ guardians and the school. Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first instalment of 2010 through this school will not be required to complete a new application for the second instalment. Parents who transfer children to another school after 26 February 2010 and prior to or on 6 August 2010, must reapply at the new school for the second instalment.
CANTEEN NEWS The canteens last day will be Thursday 17th December. Wishing every one a safe and happy Christmas. Christmas Cards for Sale Creatively designed by Connor 2P $2.00 each Please purchase from the office Thankyou Jo Zammit & Julie McLeod
CHRISTMAS HAMPER COLLECTION Grade 3 & 4 students are collection food (no fresh food please) and Christmas goodies to make hampers for disadvantaged and needy families for the Christmas season. The food and goodies collected will go to the St Andrew’s uniting Church in Berwick to be made into hampers and then taken to uniting Care ‘connections’ in Narre Warren to be distributed to disadvantaged and needy families in this area. Christmas fare of some kind such as shortbread, bon-bons, sweats, cakes and pudding, soft drinks are most acceptable and packet and tinned foods suitable for families are appreciated. No Christmas gifts please , just food items. All collections will end on Friday 11th December 2009 Thankyou for your support. It is much appreciated. Lyn Chudleigh
COMMUNITY NEWS FOR SALE—12 week old bunny white with blue eyes $10.00 FREE to good home—7 week old kittens 2 x white/tabby, 1 x white/brown/tabby, 1 x black/tabby. If interested in any of these pets please call Bernadette 9799 9487 Hawthorn Football Club Friday 22nd January 2010 Regional training day at Pakenham Football Club Toomuc Recreation Reserve, Princess Highway Mel Ref 215 K5 The players will be training then conduct a free clinic and autograph signing session. Hawka the club mascot will be in attendance and there will be a BBQ and drinks available. 8.30am training, 10.30am children's clinic onwards
Big Day Out for Dogs and Canine Christmas Market This will be held at KCC Park (state dog centre) Mel ref 128 J12 on Sunday 13th December from 10:30am onwards. This is FREE to attend and visitors can even bring their own dog along, on a lead, of course.
Entertain the kids this school holidays at the
The Yarra Valley Railway Christmas Holiday Timetable Trolley rides will depart Healesville Station hourly between 10am to 4pm on the following days: th st 26 – 31 Dec, and every Wednesday to Sunday throughout the rest of the school Holidays
Have a Safe & Merry Christmas
For more information please call 5962 2490 www.yvr.org.au FOUNTAIN GATE JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB Registration Day Sunday 21st February 2010 12.00pm--3.00pm Sausage sizzle on the day Looking for all age groups u/9 to u/16 All new players must bring proof of age to register on the day Big discounts for all under 9 registrations All enquiries please contact the Secretary Mary on 0417 351 045
BUSINESS ADVERTISING The Party Food Shop Your one stop party shop Paul Stemson 0418 141 946 Phone 9704 6940 Fax 9704 6214 New Bigger Shop, Factory 3/12 Deblin Drive, Narre Warren 3805 1300 1 PARTY or 9704 6940
ROB’S British & Irish Products The Best Butcher on the Block. 177 Lonsdale Street Dandenong 9792 5188 Specializing In: British Gammon, Haggis, Irish Boling Bacon, Pork Pies, Welsh Faggots, Scottish Pies. White Puddings, Scottish Black Pudding, English Black Pudding, Scottish Kippers and Much Much More!!!
FRAMING BY BRAD Specialising in Scanning of negatives & slides, Restoration of photos, Framing of photos, All types of photography Brad Norton Chief Framer/Photographer 0417 953 199 Web: Www.aarp.com.au Email: brad@aarp.com.au
CRYSTAL CLEANING SERVICES P/L For all your carpet/upholstery and general cleaning needs Special Offer 3 rooms/3 seats Professionally steamed cleaned for $77.00 incl. gst Free deodorising Free stain treating Other services Vacate clean-up/ready for sale For bookings & enquiries contact Steve 0411 752 279 $1.00 from each booking goes back to BLPS. Plus $1.00 to Royal Children's Hospital Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all the BLPS community. Thankyou very much for all your support this year.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY DANCE CLASSES
Classes Held Thursday 14th January Dance and Musical Games Group ( Birdie Dance, Limbo Etc ) 11.30 am – 12.30 pm (6- 9 Years ) High School Musical 12.45 pm – 1.45 pm (6- 9 Years ) Thursday 21st Hanna Montana 11.30 am – 12.30 pm ( 6- 9 Years ) Michael Jackson 12.45 pm – 1.45 pm Suitable for 8 to 12 years $ 10 Per Child Per Class Parents are welcomed to stay Where Masonic Hall 106 High St Berwick Bookings Essential Ph 98892022 or Email charismadance@bigpond.com Charisma Dance Centre REMEDIAL, RELAXATION, SPORTS WORLD MASSAGE $60.00 PER HOUR HEALTH FUND REBATES AVAILABLE PHONE 0458 497 764 Www.healingmassage.net.au
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15% discount on Travel Insurance when you mention Berwick Lodge Primary School CALL or EMAIL Joanne Haines Personal Travel Manager Tel: 9769 9932 Mob: 0404 032 483 Email: joanneh@travelmanagers.com.au