NEWSLETTER N0.4 SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2012 Time is running out to nominate for vacancies on school council. We are still short of nominations for the parent category (4 vacancies). Please get in touch with us if you are at all considering nominating. We welcome your involvement.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
PLEASE NOTE: (1) Eligibility to be nominated: Persons who have been convicted of an indictable offence or are an undischarged bankrupt are ineligible. To nominate as a parent representative candidate you must have a child enrolled at our school and are not employed at any government school in Victoria for more than 8 hours per week. To nominate as a DEECD representative candidate, you must be employed at a Victorian government school for at TIMEFRAME FOR ELECTIONS least 8 hours per week. (1) Friday 17th February 2012: (2) A ballot will only be called if we Call for Nominations receive more nominations than (2) Friday 24th February 2012: vacancies in either or both categories. Nominations Close In the event that we receive the same (3) Friday 2nd March 2012: Ballot number of nominations as there are Papers distributed in event of vacancies, then as Returning Officer, I election being required will declare all those people th (4)Friday 9 March 2012: nominated duly elected. Counting of Ballot & Declaration of Poll Nomination forms are available at (5)Monday 19th March 2012: the office and nominations close First & Second School Council on Friday 24th February 2012 at meetings after the Poll 4.00pm.
23TH FEBRUARY 2012
MEDIA REPORTAGE OF DRINK DRIVING INCIDENT AT OUR SCHOOL THIS WEEK I think it’s fair to say that we have all been shocked in some way by what has been reported in the various media outlets this week. It is a very complex and serious matter and is now in the hands of the appropriate authorities. Like everyone, I wish it didn’t happen. I have spoken with the Herald Sun and forwarded them an opinion piece on the issue, one that I hope presents the matter in an objective and fair manner. They may or may not publish it. Nonetheless, I am providing you with a copy with this newsletter so that you can read it first hand from me.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT CONTINUED... FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. How did the media find out so quickly about the drink driving event of last Monday? A.There is a very important lesson to be learnt from all this with regard to modern information sharing. News travels very fast in our digital age. It doesn’t take very long at all for news to be everywhere. That can be a B.two-edged sword for people. In this case, a summary of the police report from the previous day was, as is the usual case, made available to journalists and media outlets early in the morning. I was driving to school when I heard it on the radio. By the time I got to school, television crews were already interviewing parents. QUOTABLE QUOTE ‘News travels fast on the internet highway – without limits eventually there’s a crash!’
HENRY GROSSEK DIARY DATES Thursday 23rd February Friday 24th February Tuesday 28th February Thursday 1st March Tuesday 6th March Wednesday 7th March Friday 9th March Thursday 15th March Friday 23rd March
School Photos School Photos Book Fair Religious Education—Prep to Grade 2 Religious Education—Grade 3 & 4 Amy’s Amazing Adventure Curriculum Day - No students required to attend school National Young Leaders Day Grade 5/6 Bigbuzz Productions: Our Story
NOTICES DUE BACK Wednesday 29th February Friday 2nd March Tuesday 6th March Monday 19th March
EMA Applications Amy’s Amazing Adventure Prep Working with Food in the Classroom National Young Leaders Day Grade 6 Windcheaters Grade 5/6 Bigbuzz Productions: Our Story
SCHOOL AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students who received awards over the last week: Tyler PS
Chelsi PS Thomas PW Allanah PW Max PK
Regan PK
Kyra PM Max PM
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 2012 Applications for the 2012 Education Maintenance Allowance and School Start Bonus are now available from the school office. If you have a child under 16, and hold a valid Health Care Card, Pension Card or be a foster parent you may be eligible to receive the EMA. Your Health Care / Pension Card must be valid on the 1st February 2012. The 2012 allowance of $235 is split evenly between the parent and the school and is paid in two instalments, one in March and one in August. Education Maintenance Allowance applications must be lodged at Berwick Lodge PS before Wednesday 29th February 2012. Please see the school office for application forms or if you have any queries.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT MEET THE TEACHER NIGHTS A reminder to parents to look out for the appointment times being sent home with the youngest child tomorrow (Friday 24th February 2012). If you are unable to make your appointed time please let the relevant teachers know so that they can reschedule a suitable alternate time with you. All of our staff are looking forward to meeting the parents of their students.
NATIONAL RIDE 2 SCHOOL DAY – FRIDAY 23rd MARCH Let’s get ‘wheelie’ excited! Berwick Lodge will be celebrating National Ride 2 School Day on Friday 23rd March 2012, along with thousands of schools around the country. We encourage students and their families to leave the car home on this day and get a taste of the benefits, ease and fun involved in choosing to walk and wheel to school.
all bike and scooter riders. We will be reinforcing this practice at school and following up with families of students who are not complying with these regulations.
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 2012 for their three, five or ten month programs. Our international students from France, Germany, WEARING OF HELMETS Italy, Austria, Spain, Sweden, CHILDREN’S ACCIDENT A reminder to families that a person Norway, Denmark and Finland will INSURANCE who is travelling on a scooter or live as a local, attend a local Further to the information provided bike on a road, or road related area secondary school, arrive with their in our first newsletter regarding (footpath) must wear an approved own spending money and student accident insurance, we have bicycle helmet securely fitted and comprehensive insurance cover – all received flyers from EBM Insurance fastened on the riders head. The arranged by Southern Cross Brokers who provide StudentCover penalty for not wearing an approved Cultural Exchange. Visit us at policies for an annual cost of $29. helmet is currently $146. We have www.scce.com.au, email This student cover is only available observed a number of students scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll online – making it quick and easy to utilising their free on 1800 500 501, request our protect your child or children. scooters to get to little booklets of international Flyers have been included with and from school are student profiles, and capture the today’s newsletter. For further not wearing safety spirit of family and friendship! information, or to apply online, helmets. In the simply go to interests of student www.studentcover.com.au safety, we request LYNNE BRENNER that families support the school in & DEBBIE CUSACK ensuring that helmets are worn by
YEAR 6 TRANSITION INFORMATION FOUNTAIN GATE S.C. HIGH ACHIEVERS PROGRAM
Fountain Gate S.C High Achiever’s Program caters for students in Year 7 to 10 who have shown academic skills beyond that of their peers. Grade 6 parents and students who are interested in finding out more about this program can collect a brochure and application form from Mrs Sue Naismith, Room 24. Applications close Monday 30th March 2012.
SCHOOL BANKING School Banking accounts can now be opened at any Commonwealth Bank branch. You no longer need to complete application forms and return them to school. Just go into any branch and ask to open a Youthsaver account for School Banking. Remember to take in identification for you and your child (such as drivers license and birth certificate), you will receive a Dollarmites wallet and deposit book on the spot and be able to start banking on the next business day – it is that easy! If you are a Commonwealth Bank customer with NetBank you have the option to open the account online as well! From January 2012 when children make their first deposit they will get their first token and our school will also receive $5 commission. Thank you for supporting our school and teaching your child good savings skills.
Library On Show – Book Fair Time! To showcase our wonderful new library the school will be holding a ‘Scholastic Book Fair’ from Tuesday 28 th February 2012 – Thursday 1st March 2012! Tuesday 28th February 2012 – 3:30 to 6pm Wednesday 29th February 2012 – 3:30 to 6pm Thursday 1st March 2012 – 3:30 – 5pm This is a great opportunity for everyone to come and visit our new library. Scholastic Book Fairs are lively and fun events that enable children, parents and teachers to purchase quality books and classroom materials at reasonable prices, while earning free books for our school. Cash, cheque or eftpos facilities will be available. ‘Clifford’ the dog made an appearance at our school assembly on Monday 20th February 2012 to launch our Book Fair, and our Library/Asia Studies Captains (Con 6W and Shenelle 6N) also launched our competitions that have been running in the classrooms all this week. The winner from each year level will be announced on Friday 24th February 2012 and receive a $10 voucher to spend at the fair! It would be great to see as many people at our fair as possible to make this a successful event. Many smiles, Miss Sarah Vine
Berwick Lodge OSHC phone: 9769 8251
Coordinator: Dorien Erasmus
Welcome back! A very warm welcome to all our OSHC kids and parents, old and new, and especially the precious little preps. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need outside school hours care for your child. We are here to help. Holiday Club The first Camp Australia Holiday Club at Berwick Lodge was a great success! Some of the highlights were a visit to Polly Woodside and ACMI Screen Worlds. We also had lots of fun during the incursions, including Tae Kwon Do workshop, Dance Workshop, Mad Art and Karaoke 4 Kids. Thank you for your support. Don’t miss out on April Holiday Club! Visit www.campaustralia.com.au to enrol. Save on Care You can save 50% or more on Before and After School Care fees with the non-means tested Child Care Rebate. Almost all families are eligible. And remember – permanent bookings are cheaper than casual bookings. To find out more call Customer Service Team on 1300 105 343 Monday to Friday. Visit our website to register www.campaustralia.com.au. Once registered you can make bookings and cancellations, view your statements and manage your details anytime of the day online. Parents, please remember to CANCEL your child if you know he/she will not be attending ASC. Before school care: 6:45am – 8:45am
After school care:
3.30pm – 6.30pm
WHAT’S ON NEXT WEEK: Farmyard AFTER MONDAY SCHOOL Sheep Craft CARE
TUESDAY Paper Plate Pig
WEDNESDAY Tractor
THURSDAY Talking Cow Card
FRIDAY Carrot Napkin Holder
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COMMUNITY NEWS
RABBIT AND ENCLOSURE FREE TO GOOD HOME 1 and a half year old black rabbit requires a good home with a secure and safe area to roam freely. All enquires please call: Vanessa: 0425 833 648 or Brett: 0430 833 648.