North Perth Primary School Albert Street North Perth WA 6006 Phone: (08) 9328 7104 Facsimile: (08) 9328 8166 Email: northperth.ps@education.wa.edu.au www.northperthprimary.edu.au
Parent Newsletter Issue 1
3 February 2016
Inspiring young minds, creating possibilities Welcome - especially those joining us for the first time. I hope everyone had a chance to relax and catch up with family and friends over the summer break. 2016 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. The children love seeing their parents lending a hand and your involvement helps strengthen the partnership between the home and school. Best wishes to everyone for a very rewarding year. Karen Lockyer, Principal PARENT INFORMATION MEETINGS Parent information meetings are conducted each year at our school. These meetings provide parents the opportunity to meet the teachers, to learn more about the learning program and to ask questions. Kindergarten – Year 1 Classes A Parent Information Meeting has been scheduled during Week 2 for each of the Kindergarten to Year 1 classes. Parents of K – Year 1 students are encouraged to attend these meetings. Tuesday 9 February 2016 4.45 – 5.30pm Kindergarten Room 18 Combined K & PP Room 16 Year 1 Room 9 Year 1 Room 10 Year 1 Room 7
5.30 – 6.15pm Pre-primary Room 20 Pre-primary Room 21
Year 2 – 6 Classes The Year 2 to 6 teachers will be conducting individual parent-teacher meetings during Weeks 2—4. They 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 individual meetings. KEY DATES Friday 5 February Monday 8 February Tuesday 9 February Wednesday 10 February Thursday 11 February Friday 12 February Monday 15 February Tuesday 16 February Wednesday 17 February
Uni-Active Assessments (registered students) GATE Applications Close – Year 7, 9, 10 and 11 in 2017 Peter Combe Performance (PP—Year 3) Parent Information Meetings (K—Year 1) Assembly – Student Leaders announced School Banking – Library Canteen Committee 9.15am Uni-Active Program commences 7.45am Hockey Clinic (Year 1—6) Uniform Shop 2.30—3.00pm Sporting Schools Hockey (Year 2—6) TBC P & C AGM and General Meeting, Staff Room, 7.30pm Welcome Morning Tea (New Parents), Staff Room, 9.00am
School Banking Wednesdays 8.15am in the school library
2015 GRADUATION CEREMONIES The Graduation Ceremony to celebrate our Year 6 students completing their primary schooling was held in the school hall last December. The students were joined by special guests, staff members, family members and friends. Congratulations to the following recipients of awards presented during the Graduation Ceremony. AWARDS
AWARD RECIPIENT
English Award
Beth M Darcy M Rhiannon S Mustafa A Ruby W
Science Award
Eduardo A
Music Award
Charlotte M
Sportsperson Award
Lucien P
LOTE French Award
India A
Art Award
Ella B
Mathematics Award
Beckett G
Dux Award
Ruby W
Mount Lawley SHS SVAPA Scholarship GAT—Languages
Beth M
Citizenship Award Encouragement Award
Seb H
Congratulations also to Alison M and Zander P for performing their role as the Leaders of the Ceremony superbly. Thank you to the Year 5 parents who very kindly donated and served a delicious supper on the evening. On behalf of the school community we wished them the very best for the coming years in all that they strive to achieve. We hope each of them cherish the time they spent at our school and remain in touch as they continue their life’s journey.
UNIFORM SHOP UPDATE The Uniform Shop will be open in Term 1 on the following dates: Week 3: Monday, 15 February 2.30 – 3.00pm Week 7: Wednesday, 16 March 8.30-9.00am If you have recently ordered a Surf &/or Polo Shirt in size 4 or 6, the Uniform Shop is currently out of stock of these items due to a supplier issue, your order will be delivered within the next 2-3 weeks. Your patience is greatly appreciated. Welcome to our new Uniform Shop volunteers: Melissa Horne, Nicole Campbell-Watts and Julie Smit. Thank you ladies for taking on this valuable role for 2016.
TERM DATES FOR STUDENTS 2016 Term 1: Monday 1 February – Friday 8 April Term 2: Wednesday 27 April - Friday 1 July Term 3: Wednesday 20 July - Friday 23 September Term 4: Tuesday 11 October – Thursday 15 December
POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM Free Parenting Seminars for K – Year 1 Parents 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. Parents may choose to attend one, two or all three of the following seminars: When:
Monday, 29 February Seminar One: The Power of Positive Parenting Monday, 14 March Seminar Two: Raising Confident Competent Children Monday, 21 March Seminar Three: Raising Resilient Children
Time:
12.30pm - 2.30pm
Venue:
North Perth Primary School – Room 4
Cost:
Free – however bookings are essential.
For more information please email Karen.Lockyer@education.wa.edu.au. A registration form will be distributed to all K—Year 1 students this week. To register, please complete the form and return to North Perth PS Reception before Wednesday, 17 February 2016. Thank you.
STAFFING Our class structure and staffing allocation for 2016 is listed below. As we are continuing to accept new enrolments we will be monitoring class numbers carefully to ensure maximum class sizes are not exceeded. Six of our permanent staff members are on approved leave for the following periods during 2016: Lisa Mitchell— continuing in her role at Special Educational Needs: Disability (SSEND) for 2016 Jillian Peirce—on leave for Term 1 with Brian Hounsell teaching Room 13 in her absence Christine Jarvis– on leave during Term 1 to pursue other interests in the education field Carina Bahn—continuing on parenting leave for Terms 1—3 Kelly Carder—seconded to a position at East Fremantle PS for Semester 1 Lauren Ibbotson—continuing on parenting leave for 2016 We have several new and returning staff members joining us in either permanent or fixed term positions this year. Staff members were introduced to the students on Monday and will be introduced to parents at the first school assembly on Wednesday 10 February.
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
Kindy Grp 1 Kindy Grp 2
Room 18
Nicole Walker
Kindy Grp 3 Kindy Grp 4 Pre-primary
Room 16/17 Room 20
Kym Jaeger Lenore Cathcart (Thurs)
Pre-primary
Room 21
Suzy Minson
Year 1
Room 9
Debbie Smith
Year 1
Kim Hogan
Belinda Doust Sam Kop
Robyn Hart (Tues, Wed, Thurs) Helen MacPherson (Mon, Tues, Wed)
Art
George Naumovski (Mon—Fri) Lenore Cathcart
Phys. Ed
Anna Person
Ensemble
Anna Person
Double Bass
Leanne Treen
Violin Teacher
Ian Easton
Brass
Alexandra Bak
Cello
Music
Health— Values
Art Room Music Room
Room 19
SUPPORT STAFF Suzana Conda
Education Assistant
Denise Koch
Education Assistant (Special Needs)
Room 10
Gillian Layton
Education Assistant
Year 1
Room 7
Usha Rajput
Sasha Dunn
Year 2
Room 2
Education Assistant (Special Needs)
Julie Fort
Year 2
Room 6
Kerry Russell
Education Assistant
Charlotte Walker
Year 3
Room 5
Cristina Scott
Education Assistant
Robyn Newman
Year 3
Room 1
Cindy Spight
Chelsea Gillam
Year 3/4
Room 22
Leanne Stewart
Education Assistant (Special Needs) Education Assistant
Ann Righton (Mon-Tues) Vic Covban (Wed- Fri) Brian Hounsell
Year 4
Room 12
Kath White
Education Assistant
Year 4/5
Room 13
Ray McGlade
Gardener
Paul McFarland
Year 5
Room 14
Sue Krleska
Cleaner-in-Charge
Mary Knee
Year 6
Room 15
Tanja Coso
Cleaner
Chetan Gevaria
Cleaner
THE SCHOOL OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGAM (SIM) In Years 2, 3 and 5 every child completes the Musical Aptitude Test (MAT) with Mrs Mac. This is an aural test which assesses the student’s ability in pitch, rhythm and tunes. During this session Mrs Mac discusses the possibility of joining the SIM program; she clarifies which instrument(s) can be offered to that year level, and she encourages the students to listen very carefully to the MAT CD. On the CD the students are asked to compare the elements of pitch, rhythm, and then tunes. Practice examples are provided before the test commences. The results of the MAT are used to rank students in each year level. Mrs Mac provides additional information in regards to the student’s musical achievements, and classroom teachers are also consulted as to the students’ abilities to manage the additional responsibilities. ‘Expression of Interest’ letters are handed out to selected students; however, there is another step in the selection process to complete before final decisions can be made. This is when the SIM teachers meet the proposed students to complete a physical assessment to examine such things as fine motor skills, size, joint stability and any other qualities considered essential to play a particular instrument. With all of the above steps completed, we then hand out the official ‘Offer of Instrumental Tuition 2016’. Students selected in 2015 will be seen by our SIM teachers in Week 2 for their physical assessment. Students new to the school have also been flagged and will complete the MAT next Monday morning. The weekly 2016 SIM Timetable is as follows: Monday Tuesday Thursday
Violin Years 3 – 6 Cello Years 4 – 6 Strings Ensemble Years 5 – 6 Double Bass Years 6 Trumpet/Trombone Years 6
Room 11 Art Room Hall Room 11 Music Room
Sharon Downsborough Deputy Principal
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 2015. 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 2017 close Monday 8 February 2016. Parents can find more information and apply online at 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. PEAC INFORMATION FOR YEAR 6 STUDENTS Round 1 Course Booklet (Courses are for Year 6 PEAC students only), will be available on the PEAC website from Tuesday, 2 February on the following link: http://www.northmetropeac.wa.edu.au/index_htm_files/Round%201% 20Course%20Booklet%202016.pdf The PEAC nomination system on the website will open from Noon Tuesday 2nd February - Midnight Tuesday 9th February for Year 6 students to enter their course preferences. See the following link: http://www.northmetropeac.wa.edu.au/nomination_info.htm PEAC INFORMATION FOR YEAR 5 STUDENTS An Invitation to all 2016 Year 5 PEAC students to attend their first course "Introduction to PEAC " ( ITP ) will be sent home during Week 2. EARLY YEARS EXTENSION (EYE) The Early Years Extension (EYE) Program will continue for 2016. The Year 3 EYE program will commence 15 February. Details of the timeline and program will be received by schools in Week 2. For all enquiries regarding the PEAC and EYE courses please contact Andrew Streeton, Deputy Principal.
SPECIALIST PROGRAMS 2016 During Term 4 we asked parents to indicate their four preferred specialist areas to be implemented at the school. We received 66 responses which indicated a similar high level of support for Physical Education, Languages Other Than English, Science, Visual Arts and Music. There was also a good level of support for Humanities and Social Science. Health, which complements the Physical Education program, had a lower level of support. Suggestions for other curriculum areas to be delivered by a specialist teacher included computing, technologies, coding, robotics, ICT, science drama and public speaking. When determining the specialist areas for 2016 we considered the survey results, feedback from staff, expertise of staff attached to the school, availability of suitable teachers, school and system priorities and policy directions, and available funding. The Specialist Program for 2016 includes: Visual Arts – each Year 1 to 6 class will receive a weekly 60 minute Visual Arts lesson with Robyne Hart. Music - each Year 1 to 6 class will participate in a weekly 60 minute Music lesson with Helen Macpherson. Year 2 to 6 students will also have the opportunity to join the school choir. The Music program will continue to be supported by the selective instrumental music program which is conducted by visiting teachers. Physical Education - each Pre-primary to Year 6 class will receive a weekly 60 minute Physical Education lesson with George Naumovski. The program will also include weekly sport sessions, clinics and sporting competitions. The school will continue its involvement in the after-school Sporting Schools program and Uni-Active Program. Health Values - During Term 1 Lenore Cathcart will implement a Health Values program with a weekly 60 minute session with each Year 1 to 6 class. The lessons will initially focus on the four school values: Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Inclusivity. This will be followed by the revitalization of our whole school You Can Do It (YCDI) Program which focuses on building students social, emotional and motivational capacity using the five keys of Getting Along, Organisation, Persistence, Confidence and Resilience. Ms Cathcart will link her program to Harmony Day and the National Day of Action Against Bullying. Science Program We are currently investigating strategies to support the Science teaching and learning program in 2016. What happened to LOTE? The survey last year asked parents to indicate their preferred language to be studied at North Perth Primary School by ticking two of those listed. The results were: French 32 (48.48%), Mandarin 25 (37.88%), Italian 20 (12.12%), Indonesian 15 (22.73%), Spanish 12 (18.18%), Auslan 9 (13.64%), Japanese 8 (12.12%), Australian Indigenous Language 6 (9.09%), German 3 (4.55%) and Korean 1 (1.52%). As our French teacher’s contract concluded at the end of 2015 and Ms Ibbotson is continuing her parenting leave for 2016 the school has an opportunity to investigate the policy direction for LOTE in Western Australia, establish closer links with the local high school and review the availability of suitably trained teachers for the preferred languages before committing to the employment of a teacher of a specific language. The school is using this opportunity to implement the Values program during Term 1. No decision has been made for Term 2. Please do not hesitate to call into the office to chat if you have any questions regarding the LOTE program or any of the other specialist programs.
UWA is excited to be working together with North Perth Primary School to offer Uni-Active to all Pre- Primary - Year 3 students in Term 1, 2016. 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 Throwing and Balance will be focused on in the sessions. All children will receive a brief movement assessment prior to the start of the program, copies will be given to the parents and school. 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 will start on Friday 12th February and run for 8 weeks until Friday 8th April. Enrolment and payment can be completed online: http://hpeu.com.au/uniactiveenrolment Places are limited.
NORTH PERTH PRIMARY SCHOOL School Council ~ Parent Representative Vacancy PURPOSE The School Council is formed with the fundamental purpose of enabling parents and members of the community to engage in activities that are in the best interests of students and will enhance the education provided by the school. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL The School Council has nine members comprised of three parent representatives, two community representatives and four staff representatives, including the principal who is automatically a member. Members of the Council are appointed for a term not exceeding three years. Members may be reappointed for a further term once or more than once. Any person appointed or elected to a casual vacancy on the Council will hold office for the residual period of the predecessor’s term of office. The Council may also co-opt a member of the local community to be a member of the Council for a defined purpose. In April the membership of our three parent representatives will expire . We are now seeking nominations from parents who may be interested in joining this decision-making group. MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL The number of meetings held each year is determined by the Council. The meetings are currently conducted before school on selected Mondays, once or twice per term. The meeting dates and times for 2016 will be determined by the members when the School Council convenes in April with the new members. NOMINATION PROCESS 1. Nomination to be submitted to the Principal before 3.00pm on Friday 12 February 2016. Nominating parents are required o submit a statement (maximum 150 words) outlining their reasons for nominating and any relevant committee and/or professional experience. The statements may be distributed to school parents/carers if an election is required. 2. The principal will confirm receipt of the nominations. 3. All nominees will be invited to attend the School Council meeting on Monday 22 February 2016. 4. If only three nominations are received the nominees will be confirmed as the new parent representatives. 5. If more than three nominations are received an election will be held with parents/carers of students enrolled at the school voting. If you would like to know more contact the following: - Kati Tonkin, Chair, on nppsschoolcouncil@gmail.com - Karen Lockyer, Principal, on 9328 7104 or Karen.Lockyer@education.wa.edu.au Thank you for your interest in being part of this important decision-making group.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER The school newsletter is one of the key ways we inform parents of educational programs, management matters, school events and class activities. It is published on the website fortnightly on a Wednesday – these dates will be recorded on each Term Planner. Parents are encouraged to check the school website regularly for the latest newsletter.
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