BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198 E-mail: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Visit our Websites : http:// www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au, Camp Australia/Out of School Hours Care: 9769 8251
26TH MAY 2011
NEWSLETTER N0.15 DIARY DATES
NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 3rd June
Friday 3rd June Monday 6th-Wednesday 8th June Wednesday 8th-Friday 10th June Tuesday 14th June Monday 20th June
Interschool Winter Sport (home Beaconhills College) 5/6 Camp1 (5T, 5C, 6K, 6N) Friday 24th June 5/6 Camp 2 (5H, 5W, 6P, 6N) Curriculum Day - Pupil Free Day Prep, Grade 1&2 Swimming Program starts
Prep, Grade 1&2 Swimming Program All Chocolates & Money due back Last Instalment - Singapore Trip
CANTEEN IS NOT OPEN ON TUESDAYS
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT STAFFING Lynne Brenner will be commencing Long Service Leave tomorrow and will be away until the beginning of term 3. We all wish Lynne a very enjoyable time while on leave and look forward to hearing all about her trip when she gets back. Traceye Rapinett will join our Principal Class team for the remainder of term 2 while Lynne is on leave. Melanie Hare, one of our CRT‟s will replace Traceye in her class during this time. Trish Luke has informed me that her treatment for cancer will be continuing during term 3 and that she will not be resuming work until term 4 at the earliest. Trish is in good spirits and is looking forward to regaining her health and returning to Berwick Lodge as soon as that is possible. Our best wishes are with her. DR LAWRIE SHEARS: AN ICONIC VICTORIAN EDUCATOR This year Dr Lawrie Shears celebrates his 90th birthday and he deserves to be acknowledged for his very significant contribution to Victorian public education. Dr Shears went through the state primary and secondary education systems as both a student and teacher. For 15 years from 1973 to 1988 he held the position as Director-General
of Education in Victoria. Among his many achievements as a reformer, his influence in developing schoolcommunity partnerships remains an enduring legacy. He introduced policies that changed the way schools and communities interact and provided community members with a voice within school organisations. I recall Dr Shears as very highly respected bureaucrat who cared very deeply for children and valued the importance of parents in their child‟s education with a passion. I also recall Dr Shears commitment to broadening our educational horizons – he promoted the international links that have formed the basis of today‟s policies and practices. A great educator by any measure! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ‟s) Q. My child is suddenly claiming to suffer from tummy aches or „not feeling well‟ in the morning on school days. Should I send them to school or keep them home? A. Sooner or later this happens in many households with school age children. It can mean many things.
Your child is genuinely unwell. Your child is having some sort of problem at school – this could be with other children, their work or staff. It could also relate to anxiety issues your child may be experiencing with the consequence being that they want to stay home with you. It may also be that they simply want to stay home on that day and are just testing the waters. You know your child best – firstly check to see if they appear unwell, have temperature, seem pale or in obvious pain. If you feel there may be some other reason, have a chat with them. If this proves inconclusive, speak with your child‟s teacher. Importantly, don‟t over react on the first occasion – watch for any pattern that may emerge. It‟s hard to draw firm conclusions, other than illness the first time, but if the behaviour becomes repetitive, then a visit to the doctor and/or a meeting with your child‟s teacher would be wise to consider. QUOTABLE QUOTE ‘Old habits die hard – so do new ones.’
HENRY GROSSEK
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT SUNSMART UPDATE: UV BELOW THREE – SAFE TO GET SOME VITAMIN D As schools and early childhood services across Victoria prepare for the onset of the cold autumn and winter months, SunSmart is encouraging everyone to get some sun exposure during their week to help with vitamin D levels. Although ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer, it is also the best natural source of vitamin D, essential for strong bones, muscles and overall health. Whenever UV Index levels reach three and above sun protection is required. At that level, UV radiation is intense enough to damage the skin and contribute to the risk of skin cancer. In Victoria, average UV levels are below three between May and August, making it a great time to get outside for some sun to help with vitamin D levels. At this low level, the UV is generally not damaging to the skin and sun protection is not required unless in Alpine areas, near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or if you are going to spend extended periods of time outdoors. Children and young people with fair to olive skin should receive two to three hours of sun exposure to face, arms and hands, or equivalent area of skin spread across a week. Children and young people with naturally very dark skin will need approximately three to six times this recommended exposure level. Given that UV levels vary across the state, SunSmart recommends
checking the SunSmart UV Alert for your region each day to make sure UV levels are below three. PLAYGROUND WORKS We have recently had all our playground equipment audited and repairs have been undertaken to improve the safety of the equipment and to ensure it meets with the current Australian standards. These repairs include replacement of many of the chains, replacement of several landing platforms and removal of the flying fox from our Year 1 and 2 playground. These audits are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure the safety of our students. We have also recently had the slide replaced on the Year 1 and 2 playground. The total cost of the audit repairs and slide replacement was $6540.00 We would like to thank the PFA who donated $1210.00 of their funds for the new slide. The children have been very excited having this popular piece of equipment reinstated.
at Berwick Lodge and specifically in the Prep area. We look forward to welcoming these new families in 2012. GRADE 5/6 CAMP Next week our Grade Five and Six students will be going on camp to Coolamatong at Paynesville. They are all very excited and looking forward to the many exciting activities planned. We hope the weather is kind to them but we are sure that they will make the most of their time away. We would like to wish them a happy and safe time on camp and we look forward to hearing their reports on their return.
AFTER SCHOOL PICK UPS We have noted an increase in the number of children who have not been collected by their families by 3:45PM. This is impacting on our administration staff who are required to contact families to clarify pick up arrangements and supervise these students until their parents arrive. Frequently we are finding that some students are still waiting to be picked up well after STEP INTO PREP EVENING 4:00PM. While we understand Last night we held our „Step Into that there can be extenuating Prep‟ evening which was well circumstances for late pick up, we attended by families who have remind families that our children enrolling for primary procedure for students not school next year. Those who collected by 4:00PM is to attended thoroughly enjoyed our accompany the children to the guest speaker, Dot Deviny who Out of Hours School Care spoke about the development of Program where they can be children and their readiness for collected and a charge will be school. We would like to thank issued to the family concerned. the members of our Prep team who also spoke to families giving LYNNE BRENNER & an outline of the programs offered
REMINDER FOR ALL CHOCOLATES AND MONEY TO BE RETURNED BY FRIDAY 3RD JUNE 2011 TO YOUR CLASS TEACHER
DEBBIE CUSACK
EMA 1st INSTALLMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE BETWEEN 8:30AM - 4:00PM
Dear Parents/Guardians, This year all Grades 3 to 6 children will be participating in the Fantastic Fridays Program in Term 2. This program will run on Friday afternoons (2:30pm to 3:30pm) starting from Week 2 and will run for approximately 8 weeks. It is an elective program where students will be mixed with their peers to learn a variety of different subjects outside the normal curriculum areas of Literacy and Numeracy. The elective programs on offer are:
Gymnastics J-Rock Lego Cooking Art / Craft Construction Billycarts County Fair Fashion / Jewellery Making Science and Technology We have a number of teachers allocated to the various programs but are asking our school community for some support. If you have any expertise in any of the following areas and would like to participate in the program we would greatly appreciate your time and experience. These activities require different materials and resources and we would greatly appreciate any donations to support our Fantastic Fridays Program. These could includeconstruction materials such as wood, screws, wheels, art supplies, foam cups etc. Please see Traceye Rapinett for information or details about the program.
WHAT IS GETTING ALONG? Things to Say to Communicate “Being Tolerant of Others”
“We can‟t make assumptions about what people are like without really knowing anything about them. You need to take the time to find out.” “You accept people, warts and all. You are a true, blue friend,” “People will sometimes make mistakes or do disagreeable things. This doesn‟t make them totally bad; they are still worthwhile people. I think you apply this understanding in your dealings with others.” “You are taking time to find out more about a person without judging them.” “You show real tolerance of others. You are a good role model for helping all of us get along.”
HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER? Please ensure you let the school office know if you have changed address or updated mobile phones with new numbers. This information alleviates stressful situations on students when they are ill and we cannot contact parents
BLOSHC NEWS Next Week at Camp Australia we will visit another interesting and colourful country...Mexico! M: Mexican Placemat T: Papel picado (pinched paper) W: Maracas T: Handprint Sun Craft F: Pinata
Curriculum Day : Tuesday 14th June 2011 A friendly reminder that Curriculum Day is Tuesday 14th June 2011 and we have an Expression of Interest Form, so fill one in if you think youâ€&#x;ll need care for this day. The session would run form 6:45am - 6:30pm. However, we need minimum of 20 children to run a program on the day. These forms need to be filled out no later than Friday 3rd June 2011.
OSHC Hours: Before School Care 6:45am - 8:45am After School Care 3:30pm - 6:30pm Our direct line is 9769 8251 or you can call the Camp Australia Admin on 1300 105 343
Thank you Dorien and the OSHC Team
Star of the Week: William 2Z: For New Enrolments/Bookings always being polite & Cancellations: and offering his help All new enrolments/Bookings & to the staff. Cancellations are completed online at www.campaustralia.com.au
Library News I am pleased to announce that the Berwick Lodge Primary School Library Blog is now up and running. It showcases the work the students have been doing in the library during Term 1 and Term 2 as well as information about our captains, the programs and the library in general. If you would like to visit our blog it can be found at: http://blpslibrary.global2.vic.edu.au/
It would be fantastic to see some comments written on our blog by our wonderful students and also our very supportive parent community! Smiles Miss Vine
Art News Mosaic Madness! On Monday, the 1/2 students took part in the beginning of our second Mosaic Wall. We are lucky to have back again with us, artist Helen Harman to teach the students a range of basic mosaic skills and techniques to create a fabulous mural. The mosaic mural represents happy and good emotions, featuring smiley faces with bright coloured tiles as a background The students are very excited and proud of this project and we are sure the completed work will be a valuable addition and extension to the Visual Arts Program for the 2011 Year 1 & 2 students. Be sure to have a look at the amazing work, which is on the exterior wall of the Art Room in the prep area. Jo Zammit and Julie Mc Leod Visual Arts Teachers
You Can Schools Program Working with Canteen and the Sony Foundation, Berwick Lodge Primary School will be collecting old mobile phones to be recycled. The funds from these mobile phones will go to much needed funds to build youth cancer centres across Australia. The more mobile phones we collect and recycle the more educational tools Berwick Lodge Primary School will receive. These could include video cameras, laptops, and possibly Interactive Whiteboards which will be a great addition to our school.
SCHOOL BANKING The back packs are now available to order. Please could you place your orders by Tuesday 28th June 2011, as they will be discontinued from next Term. You must have at least 28 tokens to order the back packs. Could you also indicate which money box you would like with your back pack.
There is a collection bin in the front foyer, located outside Mrs Cusackâ€&#x;s office. Please hunt around at home, or ask your friends, neighbours, work colleagues and local community groups, to look for any old mobile phones and place them in the collection bin located in the school foyer. Please help Berwick Lodge Primary School support a worthy cause.
Vanessa Porter On behalf of the Junior School Council
AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION The Australian Mathematics Competition Awards is a competition open to any student in Grades 3 - 6. Following our successes in past years, we are pleased to announce that we will once again be offering the opportunity for Grade 3 - 6 students to participate in this competition. All students who participate will receive a certificate showing their level of achievement and a detailed report of their performance on each problem with comparative statistics. The competition will be undertaken at school on Thursday 4th August 2011. The cost for entering the competition is $5.50 per student. If you are interested in having your child/children participate in this competition, please complete the reply slip below, include the registration fees and return to your childâ€&#x;s class teacher by Friday 3rd June 2011. Should you have any further queries about the competition please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Paul Whitehead, Numeracy Co-ordinator in Room 24. Please note that no late registrations will be accepted. (Only children in Grade 3-6 are eligible to enrol).
PAYMENT ADVICE 2011 AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION Name of Student/s :
_____________________________ Grade______ _____________________________ Grade ______
Total moneys enclosed at $5.50 per child is $ ___________
Parent / Guardian Signature : _________________________________
SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT Welcome everyone to my School Council President‟s Report. SCHOOL COUNCILLOR PROFILES This week I would like to introduce myself and Lynne Brenner who as well as being a member of school council is also one of our hard working Assistant Principals. Jodie Norton: Having been a parent at Berwick Lodge Primary School for the past seven years, I was very proud to be elected School Council President this year. I have two boys at the school who are in Grade 6 and Grade 3. Over the last fifteen years, I have worked in finance and operations management positions for a wide range of companies. That has given me the experience to now run my own business with my partner. My spare time is spent supporting my beloved Magpies and planning that next overseas trip. One of my goals as President is to explain what school council does so that our school community gains a better understanding of the role we have in the school. Lynne Brenner: My career in education has spanned almost 30 years during which time I have witnessed many changes in education and the demands placed upon those in those responsible for student learning. I have undertaken various teaching and leadership roles. I commenced at Berwick Lodge when the school opened in 1990 as a class teacher of Year 1. In the subsequent years I taught at different levels from Prep to Year 4. My experience in a variety of leadership positions lead to me undertaking further study in 2000 so that I could apply for Principal Class positions. My appointment as Assistant Principal at Berwick Lodge commenced in 2002. Over time I have served as a member of School Council or attended School Council as an interested party. I am currently a voting member of School Council and convene the Resources Sub-Committee. OPEN NIGHT AND “STEP INTO PREP” NIGHT I have had the opportunity over the past couple of weeks to attend both our Open Night and our Step Into Prep Night. It was wonderful to meet many of our existing parents and to also speak to some of our prospective parents. Our Open Night was well attended by our current families and it was great to see so many excited children sharing what they had been doing with their parents, grandparents and siblings. Last night we held our first Step Into Prep Night which invited families to come along and find out how to support their child through the transition to Prep. I would like to acknowledge the fantastic effort of our staff and students in organizing these events. SCHOOL COUNCIL OPERATIONS To assist the school council in their ongoing work, sub-committees are often set up. We have three sub-committees that provide advice and make recommendations to the school council. These sub-committees are made up of both school council and non school council members. Our sub-committees are in the areas of Management, Resources (Finance) and Learning Environment. In coming weeks, I will explain further what each sub-committee is responsible for and how they assist the school council. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly via the school office or you can email me on norton.jodie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au Jodie Norton School Council President
SCHOOL COUNCIL DIRECTORY President: Vice-President: Minute Secretary: Correspondence Sec.:
Jodie Norton Michelle Sarjeant Lois Smethurst Michael Tabone
Principal: DEECD Members:
Henry Grossek Lynne Brenner Sue Naismith
Parent Members:
Prashad Sujenthiran Craig Benedick Carolyn Mehr Lesley Lees
PFA Co-Optee:
Samantha Cline
Contact Details: Phone: 9707 1766 Email: norton.jodie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
Fax: 9796 2198
Parents & Friends Association NEXT MEETING: Thursday 4th August 2011 at 1.30pm in Room 16. Everyone is welcome, including toddlers. The PFA welcomes anyone wanting to join the fun and help make a difference. 2ND HAND UNIFORM SHOP: Our next 2nd hand uniform shop will be open in the school canteen on Tuesday 28th June 2011 from 2.30pm until 3.30pm. We would like to thank all those families who have donated as they have assisted other families in our community. There will be a table with $1.00 items. Get in quick!!
Current events Remember to return Chocolate boxes by Friday 3rd June 2011 or you will be invoiced for the full box. Prizes for selling a box will be given as soon as we know who has sold full boxes. FUNDRAISING ASSISTANCE: For our Clover Cottage evening and our Walkathon, we are looking for some assistance with donations and prizes. Do you own or work for a company that would be willing to donate a product or gift voucher? If you do we would love to hear from you. Any company who donates will receive promotion for their business in our newsletter. Please contact Sarah via our email below or leave your details at the office.
Upcoming Events FAMILY PORTRAITS: The Family Portraits Forms were sent out last week, if you are interested please return forms as soon as possible. The photos will be taken on Saturday 18th June 2011 and Sunday 19th June 2011. There are samples of photo types that will be taken in Room 16. Sitting fee is $15 and you receive a framed 10” x 13” family portrait. If you have family or friends outside of school community who would like to have their portraits done, when both families have their photos taken on same day, both will receive an additional 8” x 10” for your enjoyment as long as photography package is purchased. We have had a great response to this event so far, so if you want to get your photos done please get your form back quickly as places are filling up.
News PFA CAFÉ: On Thursday‟s the PFA are offering tea, coffee or hot milo, for a gold coin donation. If you arrive at school early to get that car park close by, or you want to come and keep warm on our cold wintery days, we invite you to come along to Room16 from 2.45pm. There will be papers, Avon, Mary Kay catalogues and toys for the younger kids to play with. Currently, we are opening on Thursday afternoons only, however we welcome feedback as to whether other days would be appreciated as well. Thank you to Toni Sier for the Avon hamper that was donated to the PFA for the Clover Cottage Night. Toni will be in the Café next Thursday for any enquiries. WE are always looking for ideas and help, so if you want to comment but are unable to contact us, you can email the PFA on blps.pfa@hotmail.com or via the school office. The PFA would like to thank you for your continued support.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
BERWICK LEISURE CENTRE, MANUKA ROAD, BERWICK SATURDAY 4th June 2011 & 2nd July 2011
For Students in years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 only Times 6:00pm to 10:00pm COST: $10.00 Any enquires to Narre Warren Police Station 9705 3111
TAKE HOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER Give your children the wonderful opportunity to have an international big brother or big sister by hosting one of our exceptional international students arriving in Australia in July for their 5 or 10 month programs. Our international students from France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Spain, Japan and the Scandinavian countries will live as a local, attend a local secondary school, arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance cover – all arranged by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Visit us at www.scce.com.au, email scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll free on 1800 500 501, request our little booklets of international student profiles, and capture the spirit of family and friendship!
FOR SALE Kambrya Uniform 1 x sports polo (red house) size 12 - $15 3 x boys summer shirts size 16 (2 are as new & 1 still has tags) - $35 2 x boys winter shirts size 37 - $6 each 1 x Kambrya woollen jumper size 18 - $40 1 x Kambrya tie - $6 All items almost new
LOST A grey Hoodie. Has Casey Hockey on it and the name Will. If anyone has accidently taken it home could you please return to the office or Room 25 (3M). The jumper is part of a team uniform so we urgently need it back. Advertisements published by the school are accepted in good faith and should not be regarded as an endorsement of any product or service. Parents and members of the school community are advised to investigate any service or product to determine its suitability to meet their family's needs prior to accessing it.