June 26th, 2014 Now available on our website every Thursday afternoon @ www.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au Issue No 20

27 Spencer St, Nar Nar Goon 3812 Phone: 5942 5311 nar.nar.goon.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

www.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au

DIARY DATES

Dear Parents and Friends;

E SMART:

We had a very informative Cyber Safety parent information session on

Tuesday evening with over 30 parents in attendance. The presenter

alerted us to numerous popular internet sites and how they can

potentially place students at risk. He also gave us lots of strategies to

help us improve our internet security and safety. One interesting point he

did make was that the internet and on line programs available to children

are changing so rapidly that he needs to update his presentation every

four months! This highlights the importance of being vigilant and

regularly monitoring how students use and access the internet both at

school and at home. Children can very innocently place themselves at

risk without even realising the danger-don’t forget many mobile phones

now are a “mini computer” and children can go online and access apps

very easily. The presenter also spoke to our senior students in the

afternoon and gave a further presentation to the whole staff at our staff

meeting. I would like to thank Ben, Jacqui, Rachael, Rod and Virginia

for helping supervise the “crèche/ movie night” which enabled parents to

attend the evening and Kerry and Robert for organising the evening and

looking after the presenter throughout the day and evening. Kerry and

Rob are continuing to work on our E Smart program throughout the year

– much of the work parents would not be aware of – it is a huge

undertaking and I would like to acknowledge their hard work. If you

were unable to attend the parent session I would strongly recommend

that you visit the following sites as they will give you lots ideas and

strategies and will also explain the different social networking sites that

our children are accessing. It is vital that we give both you and your

children the tools and the understanding to keep students safe online:

http://www.amf.org.au/

http://www.esmart.org.au

OHS AUDIT:

As mentioned in previous newsletters, we had an OHS audit on Monday

with a representative from Noel Arnold and Associates (the company

carrying out the audits on behalf of the Education Department.) It was an

extremely thorough audit that went from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, but I am

pleased to report that the auditor stated “This is the best Primary School

I have visited in regards to OHS compliance”. As you can appreciate,

there was a great deal of documentation and hard work that occurred in

preparation for the audit (thanks largely to Virginia Meredith and John

Cranston), but I can now say with confidence that we have taken all the

necessary steps to ensure OHS is taken seriously and that we have the

safety of our students at forefront of all decisions we make. In two

weeks’ time we will receive a full report from the auditor and

recommendations as to the next steps we need to take in relation to OHS.

ONLINE NEWSLETTER:

Please don’t forget to go to our website and subscribe to the newsletter.

As from Week 1 in Term 3 the newsletter will be emailed via this

subscription process fortnightly on our website. The website address is:

www.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

It is hard to believe the term is almost over. It has certainly been a very

busy one with reports and parent teacher interviews and a myriad of

whole school activities and events. I hope that you can all enjoy a hard

earned rest – stay safe and stay warm!

We will see you all on Monday 14th July for the start of Term 3.

Warm Regards; Mrs Fran Van Lambaart Principal

HEAD LICE There have been a number of cases of head lice reported in the school. It is important to combat this problem. The only way to do this is if everyone checks their children’s hair regularly and treat it appropriately. If everyone does this we stand a better chance of eradicating the problem.

IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA AND TIMELY TO USE THE HOLIDAYS TO CHECK AND THOROUGHLY TREAT CHILDREN’S HAIR

WHERE NECESSARY Treatment usually needs to be applied at least twice

for it to be effective. Payments Overdue

PAFA Chocolate Money Friday 13th June Payments Due

Gr 5 Camp Deposit Fri 27th June

From The Principal’s Desk

JUNE Friday 27th Last Day Term 2—2.30 finish. Buses run to this timetable

JULY Monday 14th First Day Term 3 Wednesday 16th Policy and Building & Grounds

NO STANDING ZONE Please note that Longwarry Road

is a “NO PARKING” zone. This also applies to selected

areas of Spencer Street during drop of and pick up times,

both AM and PM. Signs to that effect have been erected.

Please be aware that fines will be incurred.

Bella K Tycen M Jaliya D

Jemma P Lachlan H

Bella C Hannah S Mason B

LATE ARRIVALS

29

Happy Birthday

ACE ACTIVE TENNIS

The boys from Ace Active Tennis ran a program at

our school recently. If you would like your children

to continue having coaching please contact them -

Ace Active Tennis

Providing group and private coaching

for all ages and standards.

Call Josh on 0433 546 220

Garfield Fresh Harvest

2895 Princes HWY, Garfield 3814 Phone: 5629 2027 The Nar Nar Goon school community would like to thank

Garfield Fresh Harvest for their continuing support of the Fresh Fruit Friday Program.

And a huge thank you

to our wonderful PAFA for all you do for us. Thanks for all the yummy, tasty treats this term!!

MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL

If a child requires medication at school we need a signed note from parent/guardian. It must state child’s name, the medication name and dose, time to be administered, and the duration it is to be taken (not just the current date). eg if it is to be taken for a week then all dates must be listed. Medications must be clearly labelled with the child’s name and instructions and handed to the classroom teacher. A proforma note is available at the office or you can write your own. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

We are really sorry…… We are currently unable to return lost property to it’s

owner. There are currently over 40 unnamed items

that cannot be returned. Please check the Lost Property racks outside the Grade 5/6’s rooms for items your children may have lost. Unclaimed items are sent to charity at the end of the term.

If items are clearly named they

will be returned.

LATE ARRIVALS/EARLY LEAVERS

It is a Department Regulation that you please make sure you or your child signs the Late

Arrivals Book at the office, even if they are 5 minutes late.

Likewise, if they are leaving early they must be signed out, and the bus book amended if

appropriate.

TERM DATES 2014

Term 3

14th July – 19th September

Term 4

6th October – 19th December

Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 4th November

ENROLMENTS FOR 2015

If you know of anyone who lives in the area and are thinking about enrolling their

children for next year, please let us know or get them to contact the school as soon

as possible. Also, if you have a sibling of a child already attending here who is starting

their Foundation year, please let us know. Information packs are now available from

the office.

Likewise if you are intending to leave the school at the end of the year, please notify

the office as soon as possible to assist us with planning for next year.

A reminder…… That you must subscribe to the Newsletter so that you can receive your Newsletter!!!!

We are going electronic and this will be the only way to receive your fortnightly newsletter as from Term 3.

www.narnargoonps.vic.edu.au

Line Dance Classes Thursday’s 7pm

Pakenham Bowls Club

16 Anderson Street, Pakenham

All ages and experience levels. Children welcome

Friendly Social Environment

Enquires

Brenda 0408 351 099

Walk, ride, scoot & skate to school

Isn't walking to school risky for kids? We definitely encourage parents to walk to school with their younger children – and gradually build up to letting children

walk on their own as they get older.

Common parent concerns about letting their children walk to school alone – such as perceptions of stranger danger, traffic

concerns and neighbourhood crime – fade away when parents walk with their children from a young age, teach them about

walking safely, and gain in confidence in their children's safety sense.

Walking helps children develop their motor skills, increase their coping skills, self-esteem and social skills.

Walk to School is a VicHealth initiative www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au.

For more information contact Council’s Active Children’s Officer, Kate Beveridge on 1300787624.