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
NEWSLETTER N0.18 DIARY DATES Friday 17th June Saturday 18th June Sunday 19th June Monday 20th June Wednesday 22nd June Friday 24th June
5/6 Interschool sport (home) Family Portraits Family Portraits Prep, 1&2 Swimming Program Prep, 1&2 Swimming Program Prep, 1&2 Swimming Program
Saturday 25th June Sunday 26th June
Family Portraits Family Portraits
16TH JUNE 2011 NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 17th June Friday 24th June
Hot Dog Day Last Instalment - Singapore Trip Ministry of Dance Notice
Canteen Closed on Tuesdays
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT UPDATE FOR STUDENT INFORMATION DETAILS Over the past month all families have received a Student Information Full Details form to complete so that our records will be up to date. Quite a number have not as yet been returned. I’m sure that you understand the importance of this information – in particular any changes to your contact details, student medical details and legal access restrictions. If you have not returned this form, please do so as a matter of priority.
THANK YOU We really appreciate the effort made by parents, often under difficulties, to collect their children from school promptly at 3.30pm. Earlier this term we were becoming concerned at the number of children who we were keeping in the foyer area of the main building, often until well after 3.45pm. The number of such cases is now very small and decreasing – thank you.
STAFF/STUDENT BUDDY PROGRAM I noticed several Year 6 students eagerly arranging their next ‘Buddy’ meetings with members of our office staff this morning (while I was writing this report) and their eagerness brought a smile to my face. All staff have designated Year 6 ‘Buddies’ whom they meet regularly throughout
the year for friendly chats in the context of a mentoring role. It’s a great program – very worthwhile in a number of ways.
BER UPDATE As I indicated in last week’s newsletter, I was meeting with a state government official last week to discuss progress with respect to our BER project. I informed the official that we were at an impasse with the Victorian DEECD over our project. In saying this I presented our case as being: (1)The DEECD proposal that we have a balance of $605,000 available for our companion project is unacceptable as this would represent an overrun of $395,000 on our notional $2 million library/4 classroom template building. (2)We be given full responsibility (within the National BER Guidelines) for the management of our companion project – this being consistent with the Victorian Government’s stated aim of devolving responsibility to schools for the management of major projects. The official indicated that the government would require a fortnight to consider our request. David Chandler, Deputy Chairperson, BER Taskforce will be meeting with me again next Wednesday for our regular update on our project.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s) Q. Why are student reports sent out early in term 3? A. Two inter-related reasons explain this. Firstly, we prefer to have our parent teacher interviews held as soon as possible after reports are distributed while they are fresh in everyone’s mind. We prefer to assess student progress as close to the end of term 2 as possible, making them midyear reports in practice as much as in name. Were we to issue reports before the end of term 2 and conduct parent teacher interviews in the following two weeks, then this would reduce by three weeks our assessment of progress by the children. Teachers devote 2 to 3 weeks to the completion of all student reports, then another week is taken by principal class members in reading and signing them, not to mention their printing and publishing. Mid Year reports would actually be term 1 reports if we completed the entire process before the end of term 2.
QUOTABLE QUOTE ‘Worrying over things that you can’t change has the unintended outcome, or otherwise, of preventing you from dealing with that which you can change – starting with yourself!’
Henry Grossek
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT CHILD CARE REBATE Camp Australia have just alerted us that there have been recent changes to the Child Care Rebate payment options that may impact on families who utilize our before and after school care program. The Child Care Rebate (CCR) pays up to 50% of out-of-pocket expenses and is non-means tested. Almost all families are eligible. To have payments made directly to your child care provider (Camp Australia) as a fee reduction, or to receive more regular payments for the Rebate for next financial year, families should call the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150 by tomorrow. You will need to nominate Payment Option 1 (Weekly / Fortnightly paid directly to your child care service provider)
Narre Warren South. If you are interested in attending please phone 9704 2781 to book. Places are limited so be quick. PREP – YEAR 2 SWIMMING PROGRAM Our Prep – Year 2 students commence their Water Awareness program next week. The children will be attending on Monday 20th June, Wednesday 22nd June, Friday 24th June, Monday 27th June and Wednesday 29th June at Fastlanes Aquatics, Haileybury College. The children are quite excited about attending these sessions at a new venue and the classes are busy organising themselves for this.
students who attended the camp. If parents are aware that they may have failed to collect their child‟s medication following camp they should contact the office to make arrangements for its collection.
GRADE 3/4 CAMP INFORMATION EVENING The 3/4 Team will be running a Camp Information Night on Wednesday 29th June at 6:30pm in our OHSC Building. During this session staff will provide parents with details of camp arrangements and an overview of Camp Rumbug (Waratah Bay) activities. Parent helpers will be required for each camp and expression of interest forms will be available at the meeting. Camp 1 will be from Monday 5th September to GRADE 5/6 CAMP FREE COMMUNITY EVENT Wednesday 7th It was terrific to hear the stories The City of Casey is funding a free September and from our campers of the community event with eco Camp 2 will run wonderful time they had at Camp warrior Jason Kimberley (founder from Wednesday 7th September to Coolamatong last week. The of the „COOL AUSTRALIA” web Friday 9th September. article written by one of our resources for children. Jason At the Information Evening Parent Helpers which is included believes that conservation begins parents will be notified of which in this week‟s newsletter make for at home and will „Entertain, camp their child‟s class will be really Educate and Empower you to Go attending. interesting Green‟. He will provide simple On Thursday 30th June forms will reader and solutions and tips for making be sent to seek camp deposits and provides positive change in your home and arrange payment options. another insight in the community. He talks to the to the children in a language that they can wonderful experiences offered on DEBBIE CUSACK & understand. This event takes place camp. TRACEYE RAPINETT at 7:30PM on Wednesday 22nd June at the Oakgrove Community There is still some medication Centre, 89-101 Oakgrove Drive, which was left behind belonging to
SCHOOL AWARDS Congratulations to the following students who received awards over the last week: Jordy PL
Tanis PM
Zak PW
Holly PM
Jasmin PC Hayden PC
Keyanah PW
SMILES DAY! On Thursday 23rd June the Junior School Council are running SMILES Day. On the day we are asking families to bring in gold coin donations to help families and communities in Africa become able to support themselves and make their own money via buying them animals, or providing them with seeds to be able to grow their own food. These gifts change the lives of people in these communities and help them to start to break the poverty cycle. World Vision have provided us with red boxes that will be placed in each classroom and one will be placed in the office area too. There will also be a guess the teacher as a baby/child photo competition. It will be a gold coin to enter and there will be a prize for the person who gets the most correct. Thank you for your support
Vanessa Stevens and Lianne Morgan On behalf of the Junior School Council
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. There is a collection bin in the front foyer, located outside Mrs Cusack’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
It’s our Fantastic Friday County Fair! We have lots of great things to buy and competitions to enter including:
Fairy Floss Badges Pet Rocks Colouring Competition Billy Cart Races Jelly Bean Count Lucky Dip Raffles - 1st prize - giant beanie kid Sponge Throwing at our wonderful teachers and more! Be prepared for a fun day at school.
BLOSHC NEWS Holiday Club bookings are now open. Please visit www.campaustralia.com.au to book online for our holiday program at Berwick Fields. Next Week at Camp Australia we will have a Teddy Bears‟s Picnic! M - Teddy paper Chain/Paper Doll T - Felt teddy Bear W - felt Teddy Bear T - Picnic Basket F - Create your own picnic puzzle
OSHC Hours: Before School Care After School Care
6:45am - 8:45am 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: Kaaviyan (3M): For always following the rules and being very respectful towards staff and friends.
New Enrolments/Bookings & Cancellations: All new enrolments/Bookings & Cancellations are completed online at www.campaustralia.com.au
5/6 CAMP COOLAMATONG Diary of a Camp Dad (aka Parent Helper Camp Diary) My first school camp. I‟m nervous and excited. But I think my wife is more nervous than me. I‟m out of my comfort zone. Looking after someone else‟s kids is a new experience. I wonder what they‟ll be like? What happens when they get out of control? Bags are loaded and we‟re on our way. “Finding Nemo” is playing on the TV. The bus driver pauses with more tidbits of trivia; some interesting, some maybe not. The kids don‟t seem to mind. Hang on, he‟s paused it one too many times. Chants of “Nemo, Nemo” begin. Another parent helper gives them a glance. They settle back down. She clearly has more skill than me. I find out she‟s not a newbie; that explains it. We made it to Camp Coolamatong. We are greeted warmly by camp staff. The school staff are well organised and in no time we are settled in and into our first activity. The kids are great and they‟re listening to me. Why doesn‟t this happen at home? I‟m really getting into these activities and the kids are a joy. They‟re working as a team and encouraging each other. What‟s going on? We‟re all having fun. These kids have achieved in 2 hours what I‟ve seen take 4 days on corporate seminars - trust, leadership, teamwork. They‟re embracing the “Getting Along” theme of the school camp. We‟ve hand milked a cow, survived a ropes course, taken a boat trip, built a campfire, ridden mountain bikes and tried archery. Add to that free times activities of rope swinging, unicycles and soccer, and we are all tuckered out. It has been an amazing three days full of action, laughter and some tears. So what have I learnt from camp? These kids are amazing. Some have tried things for the very first time and all have been so supportive of one another. The teachers work very hard and are genuinely concerned about the well being and development of every student. The kids have been so well behaved and I am proud to be a parent at Berwick Lodge. Would I recommend volunteering to other parents? ABSOLUTLEY.
Enrolments for 2012 are now being accepted! Enrolment forms are available from the school office. Original birth certificates and immunisation certificates need to be sighted by the office at the time of enrolment.
WHAT IS ORGANISATION? Definition of “Organisation” Organisation means setting a goal to be successful in your schoolwork and other areas, planning your time so that you are not rushed, having all of your supplies ready, and keeping track of what you have to do and when your have to do it. Types of Thinking That Build Organisation Setting Goals - means thinking that setting a goal to so your best in school helps you be successful. It means you have a better chance of achieving good results when you set shirt-term goals. Planning My Time - means thinking about making sure you understand what your teacher wants you to do before you start working and writing down when your homework is due. It means thinking about the different parts of the assignment and making sure you plan enough time to get each part done.
2011 Premier’s Reading Challenge Congratulations to all students participating in this year’s challenge. It is great to see so many enthusiastic readers eagerly borrowing books from the recommended booklists. Don’t forget to let your teachers know when you have completed a book so it can be verified on the Premier’s Reading Challenge website by a coordinator. All books must be entered online and verified by Friday 16th September 2011. Congratulations to the following students who have completed the 2011 Premier’s Reading Challenge. Ethan S 6N Samuall M 6N
Happy Reading! Bernadette Kelly
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
Parents & Friends Association NEXT MEETING: Thursday 30th June 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 to 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!! 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. A huge thank you to the families who have already donated something to our events.
Current events FAMILY PORTRAITS: The photos will be taken on Saturday 18th June 2011 and Sunday 19th June 2011. There are samples of photo types on display 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 we are holding two additional photo days on Saturday 25th June 2011 and Sunday 26th June 2011. Places are limited with only five places remaining per day. Booking are available from the school office. Be quick!
Upcoming Events HOT DOG DAY - Tuesday 28th June 2011 Forms for the Term 2 Hot Dog Day were sent home this week. We are now able to offer Halal hot dogs and bottled water. Forms are due back by Friday 17th June 2011, late orders cannot be accepted. The PFA are looking for volunteers to help us run the stall, without your assistance we cannot run days like this. If you can assist on the day between 9.30am-1.30pm, please complete the reply slip on the order form.
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 to read 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. The PFA are always looking for ideas and assistance, if you would like to send us a comment or a fundraising idea please send us an email on blps.pfa@hotmail.com or leave a message at the school office. THANKS again for your continued support. We are trying to do things to make our school community stronger.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
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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 Please contact Steph 0402 563 606
Kids In Family Day Care Service 0430 477 172
COMMUNITY NEWS
SAFETY HOUSE PROGRAM “Keep our children safe” That is our mission statement BUT WE NEED PARENTS HELP to continue We currently only have 4 parents trying to keep this program alive Could you help keep our children safe? We are holding our AGM on Monday 20 June 2011 at 7.30pm At Berwick Lodge Primary School Mansfield Street Berwick Any questions or concerns please don‟t hesitate to contact Linda Graziano (Secretary) on 0408 521 190 or 9796 1685 Note: Program meeting to be held immediately prior at 7pm ALL WELCOME: PARENTS GRANDPARENTS NEIGHBOURS FRIENDS
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.
COMMUNITY NEWS Moonlit Sanctuary Easter School Holidays Young Ranger Program
NARRE WARREN-BERWICK BLUE LIGHT DISCO
Environmental Activities, Native Animal Care, Fun and Games during July 2011.
BERWICK LEISURE CENTRE, MANUKA ROAD, BERWICK
Monday 4th, Wednesday 6th, Friday 8th, Monday 11th, Wednesday 13th Friday 15th July 2011 Cost: $39.00 per day, or $105 for 3 days. Bookings essential - suitable 8-14 years. Hours: 10AM – 3PM Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants and remember your hat. Lunches: BYO or available for $7.50
SATURDAY 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
Moonlit Sanctuary 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale Ph. 5978-7935 Web: www.moonlit-sanctuary.com Open daily between 10am and 5pm
FOR SALE AB King Pro - in excellent condition with all parts + DVD and instructions - $40 Buffy & Angel Video Both complete series on VHS - $40 Hard Back/Paper Back 40 + Books - $40 Call Dan 0433 435 814
Raffle Tickets for Sale: I am selling Raffle tickets to support my daughter, Madeleine McCrum and the U/17 State Volleyball team. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Great prizes including a BBQ, Hampers valued at +$150, sports gear, chocolates and vouchers. Please see Mrs. McCrum in room 9 to purchase tickets. Drawn 26th June at State Volleyball centre. Thank you for your support.
Thursday 8.15pm Sunday 9.30am $10.00 per class Contours Berwick 39 Enterprise Ave Bring in this ad for your first class free!
Newsletter Advertising We have the opportunity to obtain a year’s supply of newsletter covers for our school free of charge. Australian Newsletter Services who supply this service are able to make the offer by selling space on the back of our cover to local businesses. We would like to give parents of our school community the opportunity to submit expressions of interest to advertise their own business on our school newsletter. Please contact Australian Newsletter Services on freecall 1800 245 077 for more information.