Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary...

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THIS WEEK AT M.P.S. Tuesday 21st June Division netball training selected students, Bill Woodfull netball courts, 3.20-4.00pm. Thursday 23rd June Judging of Christmas windows, Grades 5 and 6 -4pm at Maldon Café Friday 24th June Last day term 2, 2.30pm dismissal Friday Fundraiser Movie and popcorn- gold coin donation Casual clothes day- gold coin donation NO Assembly today Monday 11th July First day term 3 Newsletter No 15 June 20th, 2016 UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday 3rd August Sport meeting, 9.35am Friday 5th August Sport meeting, 9.35am Sunday 14th August Maldon Market fundraiser Wednesday 17th August School Council meeting, 6.30pm Thursday 18th August School Concert Thursday 1st September Grade 1 camp experience day Thursday 1st September– Friday 2nd September Grade 2 camp Sunday 23rd October Working Bee, 9am-12pm Saturday 29th October Market and Fair fundraiser Sunday 13th November Race the Train fundraiser Thursday 24th November Shopping Spree fundraiser Principal’s chat This week we have reached week 11- the last one of the term. We have had a very busy and productive term with many learning experiences and opportunities. I wish you all the very best for the two week break and look forward to seeing everyone back, refreshed and reenergised for term 3. Last Tuesday I attended the Kids as Catalysts pitch presentations. Our grade 5 and 6 students have been working hard to form partnerships with a range of organisations in our community as part of the Kids as Catalyst program which is designed to empower students and build school pride. Take some time to read the information in “What’s happening in the classroom?” below about the great projects that they will be working on next term. Last Wednesday we held our school council meeting for this month. After our council meeting we all attended a training session with a representative from the Department of Education who provided training around the roles and responsibilities of being a school councillor. We also discussed what governance issues are and what operational issues are. Governance items are discussed and managed by school council and operational items are managed by the principal. The training also highlighted the importance of staying true to our core business which is anything that is directly related to our strategic plan and annual implementation plan. Councillors found the training informative and it gave them further insight into their role on council. On the topic of staffing, most people are aware our grade 5/6 teacher Brett has been on leave for the past few weeks. Brett has made the decision to take leave for terms 3 and 4. In Brett’s absence Jessica Franklin will be joining us on staff for the first six weeks of term 3. We are in the process of appointing a replacement teacher for the remainder of the year. Over the past few weeks I have been working with our architect/project manager and the Department of Education on the plans for our building works. After going out to tender the price of the works came in well over budget and I have been collaborating with project manager and potential builder to bring the costs back under the budget. We are now back on budget following some modifications to the original works/designs. Desperately needed-parents/carers to cover new readers with contact. The readers cannot be put into classrooms until they are covered so it would be fantastic if they could be done over the holidays. Please let Debra at the office know if you can help out.

Transcript of Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary...

Page 1: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

THIS WEEK AT M.P.S.

Tuesday 21st June

Division netball training selected students, Bill Woodfull netball courts,

3.20-4.00pm.

Thursday 23rd June

Judging of Christmas windows, Grades 5 and

6 -4pm at Maldon Café

Friday 24th June

Last day term 2, 2.30pm

dismissal

Friday Fundraiser

Movie and popcorn-

gold coin donation

Casual clothes day-

gold coin donation

NO Assembly today

Monday 11th July

First day term 3

Newsletter No 15

June 20th, 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday 3rd August

Sport meeting, 9.35am

Friday 5th August

Sport meeting, 9.35am

Sunday 14th August

Maldon Market fundraiser

Wednesday 17th August

School Council meeting, 6.30pm

Thursday 18th August

School Concert

Thursday 1st September

Grade 1 camp experience day

Thursday 1st September– Friday

2nd September

Grade 2 camp

Sunday 23rd October

Working Bee, 9am-12pm

Saturday 29th October

Market and Fair fundraiser

Sunday 13th November

Race the Train fundraiser

Thursday 24th November

Shopping Spree fundraiser

Principal’s chat

This week we have reached week 11- the last one of the term. We have

had a very busy and productive term with many learning experiences and

opportunities. I wish you all the very best for the two week break and look

forward to seeing everyone back, refreshed and reenergised for term 3.

Last Tuesday I attended the Kids as Catalysts pitch presentations. Our

grade 5 and 6 students have been working hard to form partnerships with a

range of organisations in our community as part of the Kids as Catalyst

program which is designed to empower students and build school pride.

Take some time to read the information in “What’s happening in the

classroom?” below about the great projects that they will be working on next

term.

Last Wednesday we held our school council meeting for this month. After

our council meeting we all attended a training session with a representative

from the Department of Education who provided training around the roles

and responsibilities of being a school councillor. We also discussed what

governance issues are and what operational issues are. Governance items

are discussed and managed by school council and operational items are

managed by the principal. The training also highlighted the importance of

staying true to our core business which is anything that is directly related to

our strategic plan and annual implementation plan. Councillors found the

training informative and it gave them further insight into their role on council.

On the topic of staffing, most people are aware our grade 5/6 teacher Brett

has been on leave for the past few weeks. Brett has made the decision to

take leave for terms 3 and 4. In Brett’s absence Jessica Franklin will be

joining us on staff for the first six weeks of term 3. We are in the process of

appointing a replacement teacher for the remainder of the year.

Over the past few weeks I have been working with our architect/project

manager and the Department of Education on the plans for our building

works. After going out to tender the price of the works came in well over

budget and I have been collaborating with project manager and potential

builder to bring the costs back under the budget. We are now back on

budget following some modifications to the original works/designs.

Desperately needed-parents/carers to cover new readers with contact. The readers cannot be put into classrooms

until they are covered so it would be fantastic if they could be done over the holidays. Please let Debra at the

office know if you can help out.

Page 2: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

The works to the building are due to commence in week two or

three of term 3 and it will be completed in three stages. During

each stage different classes will be moved to the library and the

administration will be relocated to the portable.

Stage one: Gr 1/2 and Gr 3/4 will decant to the library at the beginning of

term 3. Admin decants to the portable for the start of term 3.

Stage two: Classrooms in the library return to their refurbished

classrooms. Gr 5/6 and Gr 4/5 decant to the library

Stage three: Admin returns to the main building. Classrooms in the

library return to their refurbished classrooms. Prep/1 decant to the

library.

Please be mindful that during term 3 there will be building works

around the school and some programs will be modified. Music and

Art will occur in classrooms next term due to space constraints and from

day one of term 3 John and Alisa’s classes will be located in the library.

Our school office will be set up in the portable and will function as

normally as possible. We will also have a shipping container located at

the back of the school to store equipment and resources whilst the

works are happening.

Today your child will receive their learning portfolio that contains work samples, a progress report and checklists highlighting what

your child has achieved and what they need to work on .

When teachers complete the checklist all students are assessed at the appropriate academic level for them. The top of the checklist will indicate the AUSVELS or Victorian Curriculum level your child is being assessed at. Some students are assessed above or below the average level depending on their academic level and their individual learning needs.

In Mathematics we use a Topic Based approach where we work on three topics per term, spending three weeks on each topic including completing pre and post testing. Therefore only five or six of our twelve topics for the year have been covered and we thought that it was important to highlight on the checklists that some areas of mathematics are yet to be taught.

Just a reminder that we require the portfolio to be returned along with the checklists in week one of term 3. The Semester 1 report (with the dots) is intended for you to keep, so you can take it out of the portfolio. There will be an opportunity at parent teacher interviews next term to discuss your child’s progress. If you have any questions in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

We are very fortunate to have some enthusiastic parents who are very

passionate about gardening. Jess (Conrad and Reuben’s mum) and

Marvic (Jacob’s mum) have been very busy researching and planning

their ideas and thoughts for in and around the wicking bed. They will be

working with our garden club to landscape and plant in the big wicking

bed and make the area around the chook yard and garden beds more

inviting. Go up and take a look at what they are up to!!

On Friday 10th June our school community raised $320 toward the

Community Generation project that Hugo and his mum Lauren are

working on in Cambodia.

Here is a kind thank you from the organisation:

Thank you kindly for your generous donation and support of our

Community Generation Crowd funding Campaign.

We are thrilled to have raised over 15K with our campaign. We have a

large School Clean Water Project, a School Sanitation & Hygiene Health

Birthdays

Back row L to R: Jacob, Callan, Tarkyn

and Alice

Front row L to R: Sophia, Zav and Abi

Whole school behaviour awards

Back row L to R: Sophia, Tarkyn,

Sonya, Liam and Abi

Front row L to R: Rex, Jack, Lillian,

Alannah and Essie

Creativity awards - Alice and

Xavier

Come along cup and Early birdie

award - 3/4A

Page 3: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

Program and a Household Clean Water Project all commencing construction and implementation at the end of

June. We couldn't have done it without you

Warm regards Jodie

School community

Before and After school care: A reminder that the before school care program will cease at the end of this

week. A decision has yet to be made on the after school care program and whether it will continue however

numbers are not looking good at this stage.

Wanted:

Does anyone have a trailer they would be willing to lend the school for a week or two in August? We are

running a wood raffle in conjunction with our Maldon Market fundraising on August 14th and need to display

the wood in a trailer and then deliver the wood to the winner. Please let Debra at the office know if you have

a trailer we can use.

We have had a run of children needing to use our spare clothing supply and it is now very low. If you have

some clothing at home which belongs to the school please return it to the office by the end of this

term. Also, if you have spare clothing, particularly small sized pants, that you are willing to donate to the

school it would be very much appreciated. Donations can be left at the office.

Fresh Fruit Friday: We have had only five people return their Fresh Fruit Friday forms offering help for terms 3

and 4 which does not cover the roster. It would be appreciated if you could check your calendars and offer to assist with the fruit cutting/popcorn making on one or more days in the second half of the year. Please return your forms to the office by the end of the week so that the roster can be completed and distributed in the first week back of third term, giving volunteers plenty of notice of their rostered days.

This week’s volunteers: Lee-Ann Smith and Genna Hines

Volunteers for July 15th: Lauren Wilbern and Patricia Gilbert

Volunteers for July 22nd: Nicole Funston and Lee-Ann Smith

Office info

Outstanding payments: If you have outstanding payments for fees, excursions, camps or uniform it would be

appreciated if you could make these payments before the end of the term. It is important to remember that in

the case of camps, excursions and uniform the school has already paid out for these items so we need

families to pay what they owe for these items NOW. If payment in full is not possible please speak to Debra

regarding setting up a payment plan.

Emailing of newsletter: A reminder that beginning with the first newsletter of term 3 all newsletters will be

emailed to families unless you have indicated that you would like to receive a paper copy. If you would like to

continue to receive a paper version, or you need to add an email address to our system, you need to return the

newsletter note to the office by the end of this week.

Voluntary contributions: Families are encouraged to make voluntary contributions towards buildings and

grounds maintenance and library resources if you haven’t already done so. At this stage of the year less than 40%

of our families have made voluntary contributions so we would love to receive a few more. Contributions can be

made by cash, cheque or BPay.

Permission notes to be returned:

Division netball permission slips and payment (selected students) are due this Wednesday 22nd June.

Oral Health Screening consent forms (if you would like your child to be screened in July) are due back at the

office by Friday of this week.

Page 4: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

Grade 4 to 6 term 3 netbook lease instalment: If you have elected to pay the netbook lease fee in

instalments the term 3 instalment is due on Friday 15th July. Students will not be permitted to take netbooks

home if the instalment is not made by Friday 15th July.

What’s happening in the classroom?

Whole school behaviour this week: Being perserverant

Cooking helpers needed: Next term Prep to grade 2 students will be doing cooking as part of our STEM

inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. We need a parent or two each week who can come and help in the kitchen, and work with Kay and a group of students to cook up a storm! If you are interested can you please contact Bernadette or John.

Young leaders:

This Friday, the last day of term, is a casual clothes day to raise funds for State Schools Relief. All students

can wear casual clothes and bring a gold coin donation to school with all funds going to State Schools

Relief which supports disadvantaged families with the cost of uniform, books etc.

On Friday all students will be watching a movie and enjoying popcorn. Students are asked to bring a gold

coin donation. All funds raised will also go to State Schools Relief.

Kids as Catalysts program: Kids as Catalysts is an in schools philanthropy initiative where kids get to make

an impact in their local community. Students choose an area of the community they are passionate about and

connect with a not for profit group to form a community partnership with. Through this partnership students

developed a project to donate their time, talent and treasure ($$$) towards. Below is an outline of five of the

groups we have at Maldon Primary school. The sixth group, Strive for Women, was awarded $160 towards their

project.

Animal Welfare Group

We are working with Landcare to help control the rabbit population. This will help farmers to sustain their crops

and help native animals maintain their natural habitat. We are working with our community partner to build bait

stations to donate to local farmers.

The panel awarded us $190 towards our project!

Young Leaders Friday FUNdraiser

Please leave orders with your classroom teacher.

Available each Friday are: Homemade Sausage rolls $2.50, Juice Box $1.50, Popcorn $1.00

Page 5: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

Boys and Men

We are working with The Maldon men’s shed to build billy carts. This project will help us to connect with the

older generation and we will learn woodwork skills. We will hold a billy cart race and then donate the billy carts

to community groups.

The panel awarded us $145 towards our project!

Cultural diversity

We are working with “The meeting place” in Castlemaine to make connections with local indigenous children.

Our project is providing quality art supplies for the meeting place. We will also be sharing our creative talents to

help produce a calendar that the indigenous children will sell to raise funds to maintain their art supplies.

The panel awarded us $160 towards our project!

Disability support

We are working with the Maldon hospital as part of their garden rejuvenation project. We will be designing and

creating outdoor flags to install in the garden. The flags will be a colourful reminder of our partnership with the

hospital and the residents and will leave a lasting impact.

The panel awarded us $160 towards our project!

Page 6: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

Kids expressing talent

We are working with the Maldon Pre School to install a percussion music wall in the kindergarten playground.

This will help the pre-school children to express their talents and create a happy play space.

The panel awarded us $150 towards our project!

3/4 Newshound pages: Here is another page composed by the Grade 3’s and 4’s as part of the Newshound

program.

Page 7: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering

Thank you

To Nicole Funston and Julie Symons for covering readers for use in the classroom.

Extra curricular catch up

Division netball training: Training for division netball will take place tomorrow night (not Wednesday as per

the original note) at the Bill Woodfull Recreation reserve courts from 3.20pm to 4.00pm.

Community

Page 8: Principal’s chat - Maldon Primary Schoolmaldonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/No-15-June-20th-2016.pdf · inquiry: investigations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering