Parent Newsletter No 1 February 1 2017

Page 1

North Perth Primary School An Independent Public School Albert Street North Perth WA 6006 Phone: (08) 9328 7104 Facsimile: (08) 9328 8166

Parent Newsletter Issue 1

1 February 2017

Inspiring young minds, creating possibilities Welcome to North Perth Primary School, an Independent Public School. I hope everyone had a chance to relax and catch up with family and friends over the summer break. 2017 is going to be an exciting year and parents will be provided with many opportunities to be involved in their child’s education. Please see your child’s teacher if you are able to assist in the classroom, on excursions or during special activities. Alternatively, your assistance in the canteen would be appreciated. The children love seeing their parents lending a hand and your involvement helps strengthen the partnership between the home and school. Key announcements and news items will be posted on our website so it is important for school families to subscribe to ensure they are kept informed of school matters. It’s a simple process—go to the home page at www.northperthprimary.edu.au and then click on the subscribe button in the top right-hand corner. Karen Lockyer Principal PARENT INFORMATION MEETINGS Tuesday 7 February 2017 Parent information meetings are conducted each year at our school. These meetings provide parents the opportunity to meet 4.45 – 5.30pm 5.30 – 6.15pm the teachers, to learn more about the learning program and to Kindergarten Room 16 Year 1 Room 9 Kindergarten Room 18 Year 1 Room 10 ask questions. Pre-primary Room 20 Year 1 Room 7 Kindergarten – Year 1 Classes Pre-primary Room 21 A Parent Information Meeting has been scheduled during Week 2 for each of the Kindergarten to Year 1 classes. Parents of K, PP and Year 1 students are encouraged to attend these meetings. Year 2 – 6 Classes The Year 2 to 6 teachers will be conducting individual parent-teacher interviews during Weeks 2, 3 and 4. This is an opportunity for parents to share information about their child. Teachers will also send home a copy of the class timetable and additional information. Each teacher will advise parents of the process they will be using to timetable the meetings. Specialist Programs Specialist teachers will also briefly outline their programs to parents over a cup of coffee. The dates will be advertised on the website. KEY DATES Friday 3 February Monday 6 February Tuesday 7 February Wednesday 8 February Thursday 9 February Monday 13 February Tuesday 14 February Wednesday 15 February Friday 17 February

Uni-Active Assessments (registered PP—Year 3 students) GATE Applications Close – Year 7, 9, 10 and 11 in 2018 Parent Information Meetings (K—Year 1) Assembly (Year 1—6) – Student Leaders announced Canteen Committee 9.15am Free Fruit Day—provided by canteen P & C AGM and General Meeting, Staff Room, 7.30pm Welcome Morning Tea (New Parents), Staff Room, 9.00am Uni-Active Program commences 7.45am

School Banking Wednesdays 8.15am in the school library


STAFFING UPDATE Our class structure and staffing allocation for 2017 is listed below. As we are continuing to accept new enrolments we will be monitoring class numbers carefully. Five of our permanent staff members are on approved leave for the following periods during 2017:  Lisa Mitchell— continuing in her role at the School of Special Educational Needs: Disability (SSEND)  Belinda Doust —continuing on parenting leave for Terms 1—3  Carina Bahn —continuing on parenting leave for Terms 1—3  Kelly Carder—continuing in a temporary position at East Fremantle PS  Lauren Ibbotson—continuing on parenting leave for the year. We have several new and returning staff members joining us in either permanent or fixed term positions this year. A special welcome to Emma Chin, a high ranking graduate teacher appointed permanently to our school and allocated to the Year 5 class. Welcome also to Michael Egan and Andre Dumolard. Mr Egan completed his pre-service teaching practice at our school in 2014, taught a Year 1 class in a country school last year and has been appointed to a temporary position in one of our Year 1 classes for 2017. Mr Dumolard is an experienced French teacher who will be working part-time with us this year. Staff members were introduced to the students today and will be introduced to parents at the first school assembly on Wednesday 8 February, commencing at 8.55am in the covered assembly area. ADMINISTRATION STAFF

SPECIALIST TEACHING STAFF

Karen Lockyer

Principal

Sharon Downsborough

Deputy Principal (Mon – Th)

Andrew Streeton

Deputy Principal

Debra Ansell

Manager, Corporate Services

Corrina Cook

School Officer

Natalie White

Library Officer (Mon—Th)

CLASS TEACHING STAFF

Linda Scott Sharon Wandby (Friday) Sam Kop

Kindy Grp 1 Kindy Grp 2 Kindy Grp 3

Room 16

Nicole Walker Caroline Smith (Friday) Kym Jaeger Lenore Cathcart (Friday)

Pre-primary

Room 20

Pre-primary

Room 21

Suzy Minson

Year 1

Room 9

Debbie Smith

Year 1

Room 10

Michael Egan

Year 1

Room 7

Sasha Dunn

Year 2

Room 2

Charlotte Walker

Year 2

Room 5

Julie Fort

Year 2

Robyn Newman

Room 18

Robyn Hart (Tues—Thurs)

Art

Art Room

Helen MacPherson (Tues—Friday) George Naumovski (Mon—Friday)

Music

Music Room

Andre Dumolard (Tues, Wed, Fri) Anna Person

French

Anna Person

Double Bass (Tuesday)

Leanne Treen

Violin Teacher (Wed)

Skye Reynolds

Brass (Thursday)

Alexandra Bak

Cello

Phys. Ed

Ensemble (Tuesday)

SUPPORT STAFF

Suzana Conda

Education Assistant

Denise Koch

Education Assistant (Special Needs)

Gillian Layton

Education Assistant

Usha Rajput Kerry Russell

Education Assistant (Special Needs) Education Assistant

Room 6

Cristina Scott

Education Assistant

Year 3

Room 1

Cindy Spight

Chelsea Gillam

Year 3

Room 22

Education Assistant (Special Needs)

Ann Righton (Mon-Tues) Vic Covban (Wed- Fri) Paul McFarland

Year 4

Room 12

Leanne Stewart

Education Assistant

Kath White

Education Assistant

Year 4

Room 19

Ray McGlade

Gardener

Emma Chin

Year 5

Room 13

Somayeh Mirzaei

Cleaner-in-Charge

Brian Hounsell

Year 5/6

Room 14

Tanja Coso

Cleaner

Mary Knee

Year 6

Room 15

Amir Rahimi

Cleaner


2016 GRADUATION CEREMONY

POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (‘TRIPLE P’)

The Graduation Ceremony to celebrate our Year 6 students completing their primary schooling was held in the school hall during the final week of school. The students were joined by special guests, staff members, family members and friends.

Free Parenting Seminars for K – Year 1 Parents

Congratulations to the following award recipients. AWARDS Citizenship Award

English Award

AWARD RECIPIENT Jade Bottrell Allegra Childs Chris Watson Daniel Matuszkiewcz Alison Mueller

Science Award

Gareth Chavand

Humanities and Social Sciences Award Music Award

Seb Burrell

Sportsperson Award

Luke Vervest

LOTE French Award

Mya Waters

Art Award

Daniel Hipsey

Mathematics Award

Zander Philogene

Dux Award

Alison Mueller

Mount Lawley SHS SVAPA Scholarship GAT—Languages

Mateo Alvarez Allegra Childs

Encouragement Award

Managing children’s behaviour can be challenging at times for most parents. Parents of Kindergarten, Pre-primary and Year 1 children are invited to attend free parenting seminars being offered this term to learn practical, positive and effective ways to manage common behavioural problems, and ways to help your child achieve their best at school and in the future.

Jackson Plange-Korndoefer

Traditionally the Year 6 students present a gift to the school and on this occasion they presented a much needed lectern for school assemblies. Congratulations also to Olivia Berson and Maddy Booth for being confident and well-spoken Leaders of the Ceremony. Thank you to the Year 5 parents who very kindly donated and served a delicious supper that provided a wonderful social opportunity.

NIGHT OF CELEBRATION 2016

Parents may choose to attend one, two or all three of the following seminars: When:

Monday, 27 February The Power of Positive Parenting Monday, 13 March Raising Confident Competent Children Monday, 20 March Raising Resilient Children

Time:

12.30pm - 2.30pm

Venue:

North Perth Primary School – Room 4

Cost:

Free – however bookings are essential.

Registration details will be placed on our website later this week.


PARENT PARKING There is limited parking available around the school so we encourage our school families to consider walking or riding to school. If you are unable to walk all the way to school, consider parking a short distance away and walking the last bit – it’s a healthy choice, will help the environment and also ease traffic congestion. There are manned crosswalks on View Street, Angove Street, Charles Street and Loftus Street to help keep everyone safe.

SECRET PLAYGROUND UPGRADE During the holidays some nature play elements were added to the Secret Playground including; balance beams/logs, stepping logs, a blackboard, a stage, and audience seating area for performances. Additional plants will also be planted in this area.

If you do drive all the way to school please abide by the road signage and be considerate of our Albert Street neighbours by not parking on their verge or blocking drive-ways. Thank you.

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS North Perth Primary School is committed to health

TERM DATES FOR STUDENTS 2017

promotion strategies and believes that learning healthy eating habits commences early in life. The School and staff promote a culture of healthy eating and are committed to providing relevant information, skills and resources to students and caregivers. In 2010 the School Council endorsed a set of guidelines to promote healthy eating which included the following statement:

―Parents are not to bring snacks or birthday cakes to their child’s classroom. This is for the health and safety of all students, including those who may experience significant allergy to particular foods.‖

Term 1: Wednesday, 1 February – Friday, 7 April Term 2: Wednesday, 26 April - Friday, 30 June Term 3: Tuesday, 18 July - Friday, 22 September Term 4: Tuesday, 10 October – Thursday, 14 December

This means food may not be distributed to other students to celebrate a child’s birthday. Please do not send birthday cakes, lolly bags or other snacks to your child’s class as we will be unable to distribute them. Thank you

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING DAYS  

Week 4: Thursday, 23 February 8.30am—9.00am Week 8: Friday, 24 March 8.30am—9.00am

North Perth Primary School is delighted to continue to work with UWA to offer Uni-Active to our Pre-primary - Year 3 students in Term 1, 2017. Uni-Active is a FUN movement program that encourages maximal participation, increased self-esteem and development of movement skills such as catching, throwing, running and balance. In Term 1, the skills Overarm Throwing and Balance will be focused on in the sessions. All participating children will receive a brief movement assessment prior to the start of the program. This program costs $112 for 8 sessions and will be offered in Term 1 on Friday mornings from 7:45am8:30am on the school oval. The program commences on Friday 17th February and runs until Friday 7th April, the last day of Term 1. Further information: Email uniactive-sseh@uwa.edu.au or call 6488 1378 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). Enrolment and payment can be completed online: http:hpeu.com.au/uniactiveenrolment


RESTORATION UPDATE At North Perth Primary School we are committed to restoring and maintaining historical elements of the school. Initially we focused on the Centenary Clock and Honour Boards and then the restoration of the three ceremonial chairs in the school hall. During Term 4 2016, the map drawers in the school hall were restored and are now being used to store early building plans and photos of the school. A plaque remembering local residents was recently discovered and is currently being restored. The plaque will be displayed in our hall when it is returned. During the summer holiday break the wooden verandahs were cleaned thoroughly and oiled as they had become very dry. Unfortunately, the damage caused by after-hours skateboarders is significant and we are considering ways to replace the damaged boards and prevent further damage to this beautiful feature of our school.

SCHOOL WATCH The assistance of parents and community members is requested to help minimise vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the school after-hours. Unfortunately, during the December—January period we were targeted by thieves who broke into the school by smashing the rear door to reception. Others broke roof tiles and stole a commemorative plaque. In the event that you see any suspicious activity or vandalism occurring, we would appreciate it being reported to School Watch on 9264 4771, 9264 4632, School Watch Free call on 1800 177 777, or the Police on 131 444. Parents are asked to remind children that the school grounds are out of bounds out of school hours. Children may access the school oval during daylight hours while accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult Many of our school families have dogs as pets and some like to include them in the daily walk to and from school. Please be aware that dogs are not permitted on school property, including the school oval and car parks between the buildings and oval. We request that parents also consider the safety of our students by not leaving dogs unattended near the school boundary.

Kids Helpline Free, private and confidential, phone counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

1800 55 1800

READING EGGS SUBSCRIPTION ABC Reading Eggs is an online interactive and fun reading program for early readers. It includes interactive animations, fun games, great songs and lots of rewards. The school has negotiated a reduced subscription for 2017 of $20.00 per student which will provide access to all parts of the Reading Eggs website at home and school. This is a significant saving on the usual $79.95 for a 12 month subscription. A letter and payment envelope has been distributed to all Kindergarten, Pre-primary, Year 1 and Year 2 students. Parents who would like to take advantage of this offer are requested to return the payment envelope by Thursday, 16 February 2017. More information regarding this online reading program is available from your child’s teacher and www.readingeggs.com.au


VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

Each year the school requests a contribution from parents to supplement the funding gained from other sources, including the State and Commonwealth Governments. The $60.00 contribution requested has been endorsed by the School Board and adheres to the Department of Education’s ‘Contributions, Charges and Fees Manual”, January 2015. Voluntary Contribution Collection Rates: Primary

PP

K

Total

2016

82.98%

88.03%

88.24%

84.39%

2015

87.95%

84.51%

92.42%

88.07%

2014

87.01%

88.15%

82.93%

86.54%

2013

83.54%

76.12%

82.50%

82.29%

We appreciate it when parents decide to make the contribution. In 2016 the voluntary contribution was an opportunity to increase our revenue by $26 700. We collected $22 532, a shortfall of $4168, to support our teaching and learning programs.

ON-ENTRY LITERACY AND NUMERACY ASSESSMENT Making sure young children have the essential skills for future literacy and numeracy development at school is crucial. North Perth Primary School will be participating in the Department of Education’s state-wide On-entry Assessment Program. This early intervention assessment program assesses the foundation literacy and numeracy skills of Preprimary students using diagnostic assessment tools to support teachers’ professional judgements and helps them develop appropriate teaching and learning programs. It also means that students at risk in critical aspects of their literacy and numeracy can be identified and appropriate action implemented. Parents of our Pre-primary students will receive a letter with more information about this assessment program which will commence shortly.

We are now seeking Voluntary Contributions for 2017. If you have not already paid, either directly to the school or through Campion with the 2017 Personal Items List, please consider paying the contribution of $60.00 per child to the school office as soon as possible. If you are unsure if you have already paid, please contact the school office.

Further information can also be found by accessing the On-entry Assessment Program website at det.wa.edu.au/educationalmeasurement/On-entry and clicking on Information for Parents.

We are able to accept cash and cheques made payable to North Perth Primary School. We also have credit card and EFTPOS facilities available at reception.

SAFE TO SCHOOL The following are tips provided by the Department of Education to assist parents to regularly remind their children about how to stay safe while walking to and from school.  Always travel in a group.  Walk on the footpath on the right hand side of the road so you face oncoming traffic.  Wherever possible, leave space between you and the roadway.  Stay in areas that are well lit.  Stay in view – avoid going into areas that are hidden (such as parkland bush or behind shopping centres) and planning trips to avoid such locations.  Be alert – earphones and headphones can reduce your awareness considerably.  If you have a mobile phone, have it turned on and ready to dial an emergency number.  If a passing car stops nearby, never get too close.  Do not hesitate to run from a situation if you feel at risk.  Report suspicious behaviour to your parents, school and the police (call 1314 44 to report an incident or 1800 333 000 to reach Crime Stoppers), noting number plates of cars and/or clothing or distinguishing features of individuals.

Thank you for your continuing support of our school.

GIFTED AND TALENTED SECONDARY SELECTIVE ENTRANCE PROGRAMS Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Entrance Programs provide a unique and challenging curriculum designed to bring out the very best in gifted students. These programs offer students the opportunity to study a selective academic, language or arts curriculum at one of 17 public secondary schools or online. Information regarding this program and the online application process was distributed to all Year 5 students in 2016. They were encouraged to apply immediately to avoid missing the closing date at the start of the school year. Applications for entry in Year 7, 9, 10 and 11 in 2018 close Monday, 6 February 2017. Parents can find more information and apply online at www.education.wa.edu.au/giftedandtalented or they can contact the Gifted and Talented Selection Unit on 9264 4307 or at gtsu@education.wa.edu.au.

To get the latest community safety information from police, visit WA Police on Facebook www.facebook.com/ WA.Police or online at www.police.wa.gov.au


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