InTouch Newsletter Page 1

Principal’s Report Amanda Williams

Dear parents/carers,

Last Thursday FPS students and community participated in 2 great events. The first was our Swimming Team participating in the Interschool Swimming Carnival. Our swimming team swam fast like a pod of dolphins with many of our students winning places and races with parents supporting and cheering from the sidelines. Well done to all our participating swimmers who attended training sessions at Elite swimming pool and for also demonstrating a fabulous sporting spirit where they encouraged and supported each other from day 1 at the opening trials. We are especially proud of the positive attitude that our students showed during this competition. A special thank you to the parents and carers who helped to organise and support our swimmers and a huge thank you to our fabulous teachers Sandra McOrist, Katia Scicluna and Josh Velez for their hard work and making this such a great and enjoyable event for all involved.

During the evening was our first community event with Open Classrooms, the launch of the Vision and Mission and SWPB Matrix and the farewell to Karl. It was really wonderful to see so many families at this event and chatting in classrooms with teachers and other families. Some families took time to also see the classrooms across the school inclusive of the Specialist teachers’ classrooms and were impressed by how great our learning spaces are looking, plus the consistency from room to room. Many families also enjoyed the BBQ. Thanks to the Hub and the many volunteers for organising the BBQ and icy poles and can you believe that we ate a total of 750 sausages! A huge thanks to our Student Support Senior Officer Lynn Neill for launching the Vision and Mission and SWPB matrix. Lynn’s speech outlined the development that incorporated community, teachers and students. We have spent a lot of time this year setting our classes up to explicitly scaffold and support the school values and the SWPB matrix to explicitly outline expected behaviours. Already we are using this language to support us on our mission to realise our vision every day.

Finally, School Councillor Peter Hormann gave a wonderful speech to farewell Karl who is moving on to share his skills with the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Karl (who arrived at the very last minute!) gave a very heart felt speech. We wish Karl every success in his new position and have reminded him that he is welcome back to visit any time.

Flemington Primary School, Corner Mt Alexander Road & Flemington St , Flemington 3031

P.O. Box 7 , Flemington. 3031 Te l: 9376 7137

ht tp: / /www.f lemingtonps.v ic .edu.au Email: Flemington.ps@edumai l .vic .gov.au Fax: 9376 2230

email: f lemington.ps@edumail .v ic .gov.au

In Touch Newsletter Thursday, 2 March 2017

Volume 2017 Issue 05

CALENDAR

WED, 8 MARCH

No School for Prep Students

MON, 13 MARCH

Labour Day – No school

WED, 15 MARCH

Prep Students attend today

FRI, 31 MARCH

End of Term 1 – School finishes at

1.30pm

MON, 17 APRIL

Easter Monday – No School

TUE, 18 APRIL

Start Term 2

TUE, 25 APRIL

Anzac Day – No school

Page 2 InTouch Newsletter

Tomorrow is a very special assembly with the presentation of our Student Representative Council who have the very important job of representing the ideas, opinions, feedback and suggestions of our students at FPS. They are represented from Year one to Year six. In Term 3 our Prep SRC representatives will join the SRC council. Congratulations to all of our SRC representatives and we are looking forward to working with you to help all students at FPS “be their best”.

Happy Learning My story, our story Dear Parents, to keep you informed about what is happening in classrooms, all year levels have put together an overview of what is happening with our inquiry unit “My story, our story”. It is a whole school unit that encourages students to apply deep thinking around the topic of identity and how this shapes them and others. It aims to build a sense of self and develop an understanding that at FPS we are all different yet special. At the end of the term there will be a showcase afternoon where all families and carers will be invited in to classrooms to see our amazing learning. Please note this diary in your diary! Prep

In Prep we will be exploring our family stories and investigating how these stories are the same. The prep students will share information about their family with their peers by answering the following questions:

Who am I? Who is my family? How are we the same?

The preps will celebrate our unit My Story, Our Story by creating a flip book, designing a picture frame and contributing to our prep padlet.

We are looking forward to learning about all of the families that make up our Flemington Primary school community. Year one

Students will be investigating their family story and exploring how Flemington Primary School is made up of many families who each have a unique story

Content Questions we will be covering are:

1. Who am I? 2. Who is my family? 3. What is my unique story?

Year two

Our year 2 students are learning to:

- Explore how FPS is made up of many families who each have a unique story. - We will be exploring the questions: Who am I? Who is my family? What is my unique story? - Describe their cultural experiences - Identify cultural diversity in our school - Explain how they might respond in different cultural situations.

InTouch Newsletter Page 3

Year three

Grade 3 students will be investigating and creating poetry, which shows the importance of their role as a member of our school community and identifying characteristics about themselves.

Our key understandings are:

Whilst my story is unique, it shares similarities with others

I have values which shape my personality and sense of belonging, which enables me to contribute/function within our school community.

Guiding Questions:

What is my unique story? How is my story similar to others? How do my values shape and influence my contribution to the school community? Year four

Students in Grade 4 will be creating a poem about their special place at school with an accompanying portrait. The poem will reflect how they feel about our school, the contributions they make to the school and how this helps to shape their identity.

The following Content Questions will be addressed:

1. What is my unique story? 2. How is my story similar to others? 3. How do my values shape me and influence my contribution to the school community?

We look forward to sharing our work with family and friends at the end of term! Year five and six

We are undertaking an exciting whole school inquiry to investigate and answer the question ‘Who are we at Flemington Primary School?’ The Grade 5/6s will also extend their inquiry to investigate who makes up our local community. They will undertake investigations to answer the following guiding questions:

- How is my unique story similar to others? - Why is it important to interact within my community? - What unique stories exist within our local community? - How do my values shape me and influence my contribution to the school and local community?

Students will interview members of the community to learn more about the contributions that people make and recognise how this impacts on their own lives. Students will work towards creating a final product that celebrates a member of the community through picture and words.

Students will interview members of the community to learn more about the contributions that people make and recognise how this impacts on their own lives. Students will work towards creating a final product that celebrates a member of the community through picture and words.

OSHC Program

Camp Australia manages the Before & After School Care program. All bookings, absences and payments need to be made

through the Camp Australia website.

Do not leave messages on the school answering machine.

Customer Service

8.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday

1300 105 343

Website www.campaustralia.com.au

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Pupil of the Week Week beginning 27 February 2017

Grade Student Reason

Prep L Michael Y Settling in to the school routine so quickly. Well done!

Prep MC Otto M Displaying a growth mindset when trying new tasks. Great work Otto!

Prep W Blake G Trying his best to listen to the teacher and do his best learning. Well done!

1I Alexa P Responding to feedback given by others

1K Sada K Coming to school with a smile, ready to learn. Keep it up Sada!

1P Lachlan M Showing a Growth Mindset to do his best handwriting! Keep it up Lachlan!

2M Dante D Including others in discussions when on the floor and in small groups.

2D Sid R Using polite manners at all times

2S Bonnie S Being a good sport in PE.

3G Lara S Being a kind and inclusive friend to all her classmates in the classroom and playground.

3M Amelia W Always listening to others, using her manners and being respectful. Well done.

3N Audrey P Consistently practising and modelling putting in her best effort to all learning tasks.

4J Nura A Being organised and starting her work promptly.

4R Matthew B

Being a patient and kind Prep Buddy. Matthew went the extra mile to help with his Buddy's learning. Well done!

4T William I For his enthusiasm towards his alliteration writing. Well done!

5F Josie C

Being a role model for positivity and respect towards others, showing kindness to your peers in all situations.

5P George E

George displayed kindness when willingly sharing his textas (that have funny names!) with his classmates. Well done!

6A Ana M Being safe on our community walk.

6V Sabirin M Stepping out of her comfort zone writing and presenting her SRC speech!

Office News Office Hours, 8.30am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)

The State Government has introduced a CSEF initiative to assist with the cost of school excursions, camps and sporting activities. The CSEF is available on the first day of either Term 1 (30th January) or Term 2 (18th April), to those who are:

a) Beneficiaries under the State Concession Act – holders of valid Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC), Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or Veteran Affairs Gold Card or are

b) Temporary foster parents.

To access the scheme, parents and carers must compete and return the application form, which is available at the office (only one needed per family), along with copy of card to the office by Friday 17th March, which is preferred date, or Friday 30th June 2016 (last date to accept applications).

If you are eligible for CSEF, which is $125 per primary school child per year, you will be able to use this money towards excursions, swimming and camps.

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 2 order forms that were sent home recently are due

back to the office by Wednesday March 15th by 9.00am

No late orders will be accepted Please note, that orders sent before this date will now be

processed to Scholastic as received so the earlier the order, the earlier you will receive the book/s. Please note, all credit card payments are now processed via Loop and orders will be

sent direct to the school for distribution.

Tiqbiz is an app that can be downloaded on your phone. It is easy to use and we will use it this year to distribute all whole school information about events. This will include reminders about book week, curriculum days, public holidays or a simple message such as that students have arrived at camp safely. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

For those families already using Tiqbiz, this is a reminder to change your box selection for your child’s year level to show their new year level for 2017. Please contact the office if you require assistance.

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FPS Parent & Carer’s Committee

(HUB) Ellen Connor, Alice Blake, Garth Hardiman & Janine

Donohue E:flemingtonps.hub@gmail.com

The Flemington Primary School Parent and Carer’s Committee is known as the HUB.

The role of the HUB is to hold events that fundraise for the school and/or encourage a sense of community. We also aim to support the FPS teachers and staff and enhance our children’s enjoyment of school. The events we organise include special lunches (a lunch order once a term), school concert catering, Mother’s/Father’s Day stalls, after school canteen and a fete every second year. Everyone is welcome to be involved and contribute ideas. Whether you want to do a lot or just a little, there are all sorts of ways to help out. We are selling icy poles after school 3 days a week this term and new volunteers to assist are always welcome. As other events come along, we’ll call for volunteers and keep you updated on what is happening. We’d love to hear your ideas too!

We communicate via the school newsletter, the school app Tiqbiz or by email to people who have provided their contact details to us. If you would like to be on this email list, please drop us a line.

All money raised by the HUB is used to support school activities, such as improving the school grounds or buying class readers. It is worth noting that under department regulations, committee funds cannot be spent on core curriculum. Feel free to contact us with any questions, ideas or feedback via our email address or there is a HUB pigeon hole outside the school office where you can leave a note.

Welcome BBQ – wrap-up

Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers who helped make the Welcome BBQ last Thursday such a success: Alice, Bart, Bridgette, Fiona M, Jane D, Janine, Julie L, Kathy B, Kim L, Lucy, Luke F Mal B, Mary K, Rochelle C, as well as Jo in the office for help ordering stock. We ended up cooking and giving away a whopping 750 sausages – well done team! The feedback we have received on the event has been overwhelmingly positive – the open classrooms were a great opportunity for families to explore the school and connect with teachers and other parents. It was great to hear from our Principal Amanda Williams about the school’s vision and values and school-wide positive behaviours framework. And although the school community is very sad to see Karl from Camp Australia leave us, it was nice to have the opportunity to give him a fitting send off.

Canteen

The canteen will be open after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout Term One. We are selling icy poles, drinks and other treats for $1.

We are looking for new volunteers who can help out for 15-20 minutes after school on these days. If you are able to help, please contact our canteen co-ordinator Lucy Shaw shawsathome@gmail.com.

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Community News

InTouch Newsletter Page 7

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Pancake Day the Healthy Way by Pieta Cedaro APD see https://www.facebook.com/thebalancedplateaustralia/ for more healthy eating tips Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday has been celebrated by Britons for centuries and has since spread around the world given how much we love these little morsels!! Yes, pancakes can be a super healthy food provided what you put in them and on them!! So here are a few trivial facts about Shrove Tuesday and a healthy recipe to follow:

1. Not sure when it is each year? Well you are certainly not alone! That’s because the date for Shrove Tuesday changes every year, because it is determined by when Easter falls. However, it always precedes Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), and either falls in February or March. This year it falls on Tuesday 28th Feb.

2. Why Shrove Tuesday? The word stems from the English word shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and penance. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom for Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent.

3. So why pancakes? Tradition states that pancakes were eaten on this day to use up any rich, indulgent foods like eggs, butter and milk before the start of the 40-day fasting season of Lent. Even though it is thought of as a Christian tradition, it is believed that Pancake Day is likely to have its origins as a pagan holiday, when eating warm, round pancakes – symbolising the sun –and was in fact a way of celebrating the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Here is our family’s healthy multigrain pancake recipe-feel free to add a handful of blueberries or a little diced apple or pear once batter is poured and flip away. Or cook as is and serve with our favourite a little berry or apple, date & ginger compote and fresh ricotta. Remember pancakes are also great as a savoury meal simply omit sweetener and add grated vegetables such as carrot and zucchini, or some corn kernels along with finely shredded spinach with any one or two of your favourite herbs (think chives, parsley, basil). Top with a little mashed avocado or low fat fresh ricotta and smoked salmon or a poached egg. Yum!!

Best Multigrain pancakes

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 25 mins

Makes 10 pancakes: Serves 5 -2 pancakes each

Leftover pancakes are great wrapped individually in cling wrap and frozen. Remove from freezer and microwave for 20 seconds on high or leave on the bench the night before for a snack or breakfast the following day.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup white plain or white spelt flour or gluten free plain flour blend

½ cup buckwheat plain flour or brown rice flour or lupin flour or oat flour (you can make this by processing your own oats to a fine meal) or ½ cup gluten free quick oats works fine too but expect a slightly more chewy pancake

½ cup fine or instant gluten free cornmeal or polenta

1 tablespoon sugar

4 teaspoons gluten free baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups buttermilk, shaken*

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method

Step 1: In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the sifted flour(s) of choice, polenta/cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a liquid measuring cup, measure out the buttermilk*. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter should have some small to medium lumps. Step 3: Preheat your well sprayed nonstick pan over medium heat. Mix the batter before spooning into pan as it can tend to separate from the liquid on standing. Using a 1/3-cup measure, scoop the batter onto the warm hot plate or frying pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until small bubbles form on the surface of the pancakes. Flip and cook other side for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown. Step 4: Once cooked serve pancakes immediately or transfer to a baking sheet and place in a preheated 100 C oven to keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, spraying the pan between each pancake. Serve immediately with sides as per plan e.g. sugar free maple syrup, berries, stewed apples or pear with a few dates, banana or ricotta.

*Make your own buttermilk: Combine 1 1/2 cups low fat milk (any variety of low fat milk should do-low fat soy works well too) with 1½ tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

InTouch Newsletter Page 9

Flemington Primary School Behaviour Matrix- Students 2017

Always

Learning Spaces Classrooms, Specialists, Hall, Library and School

Events

Inside Spaces Corridors, toilets, office

Outside spaces

Oval, amphi-theatre, court yard, play equipment,

To and From School

Pick up areas, drop off, trams and shops

Be Safe We ensure that we keep each other’s bodies and minds safe.

We use materials and equipment appropriately and move around safely. We keep our details private, eg: full name, age, photos, password and lock our device with a passcode. We use age appropriate websites and apps. We keep our hands and feet to ourselves. We work quietly and acknowledge other’s right to learn. We listen to all staff. We are sensitive to all opinions, cultures and beliefs and ask permission before passing on information/photos We take turns and share equipment. We ask questions to improve our understandings. We use our words to solve problems and differences. We use manners when entering spaces and speaking to others. We use our best efforts in all tasks. We leave spaces tidy and as we found them. We move and walk quietly through corridors, foyers and toilets.

We wait quietly in a line to enter spaces and walk inside. We inform teachers/others when leaving the room (e.g.toilet, music lessons). We use appropriate resources /websites that are ‘Just Right’ for children and know who we are communicating with.

We wait our turn. We walk calmly and orderly on our left.

We are aware of others around us and let the yard duty teacher know if someone is hurt/needs help. We follow the agreed rules of the game and use sports and playground equipment correctly. We wear a broad brimmed hat during Term 1 and Term 4.

We cross at the lights and follow road rules. We walk our bikes, scooters etc., in the school grounds and wear helmets. We wait on the footpath for the tram, teacher, lollipop person or parent before we cross a road.

Be Kind We encourage others and accept help. We include and help others.

We are good communicators and we listen to others and think about how they feel. We celebrate people’s achievements.

We wait patiently. We use our manners when we greet visitors and ask if they need help.

We take turns, speak nicely and encourage others.

We speak politely to others – please, thank-you, excuse me. We say hello and good morning to people in our school community.

Be Respectful

We use manners and are honest.

We listen, acknowledging and accepting other’s ideas and thoughts when they speak to us. We use whole body listening to everyone and wait for our turn to speak. We ask permission to use others devices.

We give people space and privacy in the toilet. We wait safely and patiently. We care for school furniture, spaces and equipment.

We use our manners and are good sports when playing. We look after our garden and walk on the footpaths.

We use manners on public transport, in streets and in shops. We give up seats for adults. We use appropriate language, voice, tone, volume.

Be Ready to Learn We have a positive growth mindset.

We are organised; we have materials ready and we have checked the timetable. We stay on task and complete assigned tasks. We take responsibility for our own learning. We show and develop resilience by continuing to have a go.

We arrive and return on time. We listen to and follow instructions.

We return all equipment to the classroom or hall. We respond quickly when the music starts and bell rings: toilet, drink and line up on time. We listen to the yard duty teacher.

We know who we are going home with or our family plans (we communicate with our parents/siblings). We pack and carry our own bag, complete our homework. We arrive at school and class on time.