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
11TH FEBRUARY 2010
NEWSLETTER N0.02 DIARY DATES Friday 12th February Tuesday 16th February Tuesday 23 February Wednesday 24th February Thursday 25th February Friday 26th February
NOTICES DUE BACK BY Swimming Carnival Trials Casey Arc Second hand uniform shop Meet the teacher night 3:00pm-6:00pm Meet the teacher night 3:00pm-6:00pm and 6:30pm-8:00pm School Photos School Photos
Monday 22nd February Friday 26th February Friday 5th March
Gr 1/2 Water Awareness EMA applications close Preps Amy's Amazing Adventure
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS It is that time of the year when we start focusing on our annual school council elections. For those of you who are new to our school, we have a council comprised of twelve (12) members – with seven elected (7) parent category representatives, four (4) DEECD, that is staff representatives and one (1) Parent and Friends Association (PFA) co-opted representative. Of the four DEECD representatives, one must be the principal as an ex-officio member and Executive Officer of school council, with the other three being elected by staff. The definition of DEECD representatives is “such persons who are employed by the DEECD for at least eight hours per week, at any school”. Most commonly, however, DEECD representatives work at the location of the school council of whom they are a member. Members are elected for a two year period, with overlapping tenure so that there is some continuity of membership. School council members are expected to attend a total of 8 meetings at Berwick Lodge P.S. per year. That is two per term. Meetings are held on Monday evenings commencing at 7.00pm and being completed by 9.00pm. It is an expectation that school council members will also join one of our four sub committees and attend up to eight subcommittee meetings during the year. These typically are held in the evening or late afternoon, depending on what best suits members and run for about an hour. This year we have four parent category vacancies on council and one DEECD category vacancy. Parents whose tenures have concluded and are retiring are:
STEPHEN ROWE, DAVID ALLMAN, ANDREW LOEWE and ELLEN McDONALD Congratulations to the following The staff member who is retiring is: students who received awards over GLORIA KNIGHT the last week. After next Monday‟s school council meeting, as the Returning Officer for council elections, I will formally commence the three week election process by calling for nominations from our parent community and staff. Please consider this an early notification inviting you to consider nominating for council membership. It really is a great way to learn more about how our school operates; its responsibilities at the local level and to have input into the policies and directions of our school. We do have some fun too! Please don‟t hesitate to contact me at the school for more information should you be at all interested.
SCHOOL AWARDS
Simone 1J
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s) Q. Do we have a hot day policy? A. Yes we do. When the temperature reaches 36 C, we reduce lunch time outside to 30 minutes, with the remainder of the lunch time break being spent indoors. As our entire school is air conditioned, this ensures maximum comfort for all children on extremely hot days. Our policy is flexible in that the 36 C is a guide. Should we decide that weather conditions outside are too uncomfortable even though the temperature may not have reached 36 C, then we would exercise our discretion in bringing the children inside. QUOTABLE QUOTE
‘A friend without courage is no more than an acquaintance.’ HENRY GROSSEK
Our lovely second-hand uniform shop is running low on stock. So if you have any uniforms you wish to sell or donate, please bring them to the front office for collection. If you would like the PFA to sell uniforms, please clearly label with your name and telephone number and price you would like to sell at. Please note: uniforms must be clean and in good condition with current logo. Next second hand shop to open is Tuesday February 16th 2010 2:30pm3:15pm From the PFA team.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT PERSONAL ITEMS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL Some children are bringing valuable personal items to school such as mobile phones, I-pods, electronic games, toys and sporting equipment. Neither the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development nor our school provide insurance for personal property brought to school and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property. This is one of the reasons why it is our policy to discourage students from bringing mobile phones and other electronic equipment to school. We feel that students do not require them during the school day and they present a range of security issues and the potential for misuse. However, we do understand that some of our senior students who travel to school independently may have a mobile phone for security. In these situations the school‟s policy requires students with mobile phones to bring a note from their parent/guardian indicating the reason for the child having a mobile phone at school. The students are then asked to hand their mobile phone to their teacher at the commencement of the day so that it can be securely stored and returned at the end of the day. While the teacher will take care of the phone handed to them, the school will not take responsibility for loss or damage to the phone. Thank you for your support in this matter. STUDENT WELLBEING NEWS YEAR 6 MENTOR PROGRAM This year we are implementing a staff/ student mentor program where all Year 6 students have been allocated a staff mentor for the year. Staff involved in the program include all teachers,
integration aides, administration staff and Principal Class. Both the staff and students are very excited about the opportunities this program will provide for staff and our senior students to create stronger connections. Today the staff are hosting a special morning tea for the Year 6 students to enable students to meet their staff mentors. CURRICULUM NEWS LEARNING TO LEARN UNITS OF WORK During the initial weeks of Term 1 all levels are undertaking units of work with a focus on „learning to learn‟. This unit involves the establishment of classroom expectations with regard to behaviour and learning, and the development of each student‟s understanding of how they best learn. This time is important in building an effective and safe learning environment with positive relationships developing between teachers and students. All staff have reported that their students have made a good start to the year and this is reflected in the overall positive tone of the school as everyone goes about their work. CAR PARKING We have observed that some families are continuing to use the staff car park for dropping off and collecting their children before and after school. This practice creates safety concerns and makes it difficult for staff and other authorised users to have safe access. We hope that if you are approached by staff regarding this matter while parked in the car park, you will be understanding and follow their request for you to seek alternative parking. A good approach to avoid the traffic congestion, is to park in the streets
STUDENT BANKING Student banking has commenced for 2010. Please remember to fill out the deposit slip and send money with your child on Tuesdays.
further away from the school and encourage the students to walk to and from your car. MEET THE TEACHER NIGHTS All families should have received notification of the arrangements for Meet the Teacher Meetings to be held on Tuesday 23rd February and Wednesday 24th February. We remind families that these are due back at school by tomorrow. SCHOOL LEADERS At our first school assembly on Monday morning we announced our Student Leaders for 2010. We congratulate the following students and are confident that they will be effective leaders and positive role models for the other students. School Captains: Cameron 6W, Amy 6W School Vice Captains: Jack 6C, Kirsty 5/6N Buchanan House Captains: Amanda 5/6N, Charlotte 5/6N Casey House Captains: Brooke 6W, Kyle 6W Langmore House Captains: Sabrina 5/6N, Timm 5/6N Wilson House Captains: Amy 6W, Trent 6P Sports Captains: Matilda 6W, Reid 5/6N ICT Captains: Emma 5/6N, Brad 6C Library Captains: Catherine 6C, Sonja 6C Visual Arts Captains: Tiffany 6C, Liam 6P Performing Arts Captains: Monique 6C, Lucas 6W LYNNE BRENNER & DEBBIE CUSACK
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Schoolpix will be visiting our school on Thursday 25 th and Friday 26th of February for our annual school photos. On Thursday they will be taking the class and individual photos and on Friday the family photos, school leaders and swimming team will be photographed. In preparing for the photos students are requested to The open market, on the 13th March 2010 has been cancelled. We wear uniform or school colours, if possible, with their hair swept off their face. Families are advised to are sorry for any inconvenience. All people who have booked a stall, paid for wrist bands or showbags will be refunded in full. The complete their order envelopes and return them to school by the photography day. Pre-ordering may be PFA would like to thank all those that got behind this market. As completed online through the website the Casey Kids Carnival is on the same day we have been advised using your personal Order that we may not get the amount of people we need to make this a (www.schoolpix.com.au ) and ID Numbers which can be found on your order success. Once again thanks to all who supported this event. envelope. Sarah Hartnett, Vice President PFA
PFA NEWS
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 .
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Enquiries Contact: Len 8790 6721 or Jeanette 5996 9595 For sale Spiny Leaf Stick Insects Great low maintenance pets. Easy to set-up. Fantastic introductory pet for your child, watch then grow, hold them or just watch them do their thing! $8.00 each! Contact Seona 0438 561 900
Narre Warren Warriors Basketball Club is looking for new players and coaches. All ages welcome U/8s to U/18s - both boys and girls. Come and check out our club at a free, fun training session. When: 16th February at 6.00pm Where: Gym at Hillcrest College, 500 Soldiers Rd, Clyde Nth (enter via gate no 3). Interested players/coaches can then register for the winter season the next training night Tuesday 23 rd February. For further details please call Julie Bradley 0419 813 695. Registration day Sunday 14th February 2010, 10:00am - 12:00noon Officer Recreation Reserve, Corner Princes Highway and Starling Rd Officer Free sausage sizzle. Cans $1 Inviting new players to join the age groups of U9 to U16 Premiers 2009 in U10 For players new to the club please bring a copy of your birth certificate $ 130 Registration per child $100 for Under 9 Inquiries to the Registrar Rosemary Westwood 0403 583 240 Training and practice matches are organised for March Mouthguard fittings will be available on the day (claimable through Health Insurance)
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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 MUMS CLEAN UP AFTER THE KIDS!! 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
HairStyle 10% Off
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Students special Mon-Thursdays only Shop 2/52-62 Old Princes Hwy, Beaconsfield 3807
Ph(03) 9769 3031
DANCIN DIVA Fun classes in Hip Hop & Tap Exam classes in Ballet, Jazz & Tap
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City of Casey Microchipping Day Sunday 28th March 2010 9:00am-2:00pm City of Casey Civic Centre, Magid Drive, Narre Warren Microchipping Registration Pet Information $25 per Microchip per animal All animals must be suitable restrained (eg: Lead, cat cage, enclosure) Bookings required for livestock only Contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200