NEWSLETTER N0.9
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
THE HUNGER GAMES (FILM) This film, released in Melbourne cinemas last week, is a 2012 American dystopian science fiction action-drama film, based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. The book, a young adult novel, written as a trilogy has been hugely popular Internationally and is being touted as a similarly popular film. Why the fuss? Earlier this week I publicly voiced my concerns as follows: “It’s a film to which you want to be careful about taking your kids. I find the key premise repugnant – children killing each other as sport for voyeuristic adults in power. I’m not going to lecture parents, but I strongly advise them to talk with their children about this film and I will be inviting community discussion at our school. Are we getting to a point where we need to draw the line on violent films?”
Having seen the film, I stand by those remarks. The film has an ‘M’ rating, meaning that children under 15 can see it at a cinema, the proviso being that they are ‘mature’. In my opinion this is not a film that children under the age of 15 should see without parental guidance. It is a fast-paced and gripping film with a variety of positive messages and some serious social comment. Nonetheless, the framework of the film is based around the concept of twenty four 12 to 18 year olds being forced into a ‘game’ of killing each other to survive – a theme I find abhorrent. It is a dark film; one which provides us all with an excellent opportunity to reflect on a variety of important questions. These may include: (1) Is a film’s popularity a fair test of its appropriateness for younger audiences? (2) Are we as adults taking an active enough interest in what our children watch on television and at the
29TH MARCH 2012
cinema? (3) At what point can legitimate questions be raised about fantasy films regarding the themes they explore? Quite a few older primary school age children have read the books and many still want to see the film. You have nothing to lose by having some meaningful discussion with your kids about it. REMINDER: AFTER SCHOOL CHINESE PROGRAM Last week I presented information on this new voluntary program to be offered at our school in term if you are interested in having your child participate, please return the expression of interest form as soon as possible. If you have misplaced or discarded the form, please contact our office staff and they will provide a replacement form for you. Continued…..
PRICIPAL’S REPORT CONTINUED….. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q.? When is work commencing on our BER refurbishment program? A.That’s a good question. We are still in the documentation preparation process with the DEECD – longer than we had hoped for! At this stage we are looking to mid-May as the starting time for the project. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. QUOTABLE QUOTE ‘Fear mongering is the easiest of ways to be influential – though not always with the best of outcomes?’
HENRY GROSSEK
FRIDAY 30TH MARCH 2012 - TERM 1 FINISHES AT 2.30PM MONDAY 16TH APRIL 2012 - TERM 2 COMMENCES DIARY DATES Friday 30th March Monday 16th April Friday 20th April Tuesday 24th April Thursday 26th April Friday 27th April
Term 1 finishes 2:30pm Term 2 commences 5/6 Interschool Winter Sport (home) Gr 1 & 2 Casey Safety Village Gr 1 & 2 Casey Safety Village Gr 3 & 4 Melbourne Museum Gr 1 & 2 Casey Safety Village Gr 1 & 2 Casey Safety Village
Friday 4th May
NOTICES DUE BACK Tuesday 17th April Wednesday 18th April
Gr 1 & 2 Casey Safety Village Gr 3 & 4 Melbourne Museum
SCHOOL AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students who received awards over the last week: Ella - Louise PM Rose PK
Bella PW Andre PK
Mira PM Tristian PS James PS
Riak PW
EMA 1st INSTALLMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE BETWEEN 8:30AM - 4:00PM
Visual Arts News Last weekend our school exhibited some fabulous art work in the local Berwick Show. We received a Special Judges Award and an Encouragement Award for our display. Congratulations to all students as you are creating some amazing art!!
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT MICHAEL GROSE PARENTING MAGAZINE This week Michael Grose has released the first online issue of his Parenting ideas magazine for 2012. This magazine has some excellent articles related to a range of issues that parents may face. We encourage families to have a look at the magazine. We have also included in today’s newsletter a flyer taken from this magazine which suggests 25 great parenting ideas. This is a great example of the type of issues that Michael addresses through his magazines and newsletters. Families can access Michael’s latest magazine at http:// www.parentingideas.com.au/Parents/ Parenting-Magazine
Check their children’s hair at least twice over the holidays. (Eg: Week 1 and Week 2) If any live lice are found, treat immediately. (Complete follow-up checks and treatment.) If any eggs are found, apply lots of conditioner, and patiently remove all eggs. If every family is diligent in this exercise, we will be able to break the head lice cycle in the school. We thank you in advance for your cooperation, and look forward to ‘Lice-free Term 2 at B.L.P.S.!’
CANTEEN A reminder to all families that from the commencement of Term 2 the canteen will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays only. There will be no canteen on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The new menu and price list have been sent with the newsletter.
END OF TERM ONE Parents are reminded that Term 1 ends tomorrow (Friday 30th March). In line with our usual practice for SOMERS CAMP 2012 the end of term the students will be Thank you to families who replied to dismissed from their classrooms at the expression of interest for 2:30PM. Somers Camp. We have received Term 2 will commence for students over 70 names of students and teachers on Monday 16th interested in attending this camp. April 2012. When our school has been notified HEAD LICE CHECKS regarding the number of students We wish all families a safe and During the two week holiday break, that we are entitled to send, we will enjoyable holiday and Easter break and we would appreciate the support of make our selection and inform all look forward to welcoming everyone every family in the school in the families who have responded of the back next term. detection and total eradication of outcome. This information should any live lice and/or eggs that are be available early next term. found in children’s LYNNE BRENNER hair. While we SCHOOL HOLIDAY & DEBBIE CUSACK realise that families ACTIVITIES are busy, we feel that The City of Casey offers a range of it would be a most activities and events to suit children worthwhile exercise of all ages during the school in eradicating lice from the school. holidays. The program for the Autumn Holidays 2012 is available To be successful, every family from the school office. would need to commit some time to:
Please could all parents check the lost property for any lost items of clothing that their children maybe missing. Lost property is currently on display in the corridor of the main building.
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
Confidence means believing you can do it. It means not being afraid to make mistakes, to try something new, or to express an opinion
BUSINESS ADVERTISING PERSONAL TRAINING DO YOU WANT TO TONE UP OR LOSE EXTRA KILOS? BRIGHT CHEERY STUDIO. IF YOU DONT LIKE GYMS OR YOU’RE STUCK IN YOUR TRAINING THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO BE A/C & HEATING, VERY AFFORDABLE RATES, I WILL HELP YOU SET & REACH YOUR GOALS ONE ON ONE SESSIONS. RESULTS GUARANTEED! CALL CHRISTINA - 0438005074
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
COMMUNITY ADVERTISING 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 5 or 10 month programs. Our international students from France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden 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! NARRE WARREN-BERWICK BLUE LIGHT DISCO
COMMUNITY ADVERTISING
BERWICK LEISURE CENTRE, MANUKA ROAD, BERWICK
2012 SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
SATURDAY 31st March 2012 (NO APRIL DISCO)
St Michael’s Catholic Church, Berwick, invites Catholic children currently in Year 6 or above to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation begins with a Parents Meeting on 24th April, either 1.30 pm or 7.30 pm at St. Michael’s Stadium. Attendance to one of these meetings is compulsory if your child is to participate this year. For more information, please contact St Michael’s Parish, Berwick, on 9707 1355 or email secrtary@stmichaelsparish.org.au
For Students in years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 only Times 6:00pm to 10:00pm COST: $10.00 NO PASS OUTS Any enquires to Narre Warren Police Station 9705 3111