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Dates to Remember

Thursday 19th December Whole School Concert – 7.00 pm on the Basketball Court

Friday 20th December Last Day of School Year – 2013 (2.30pm Dismissal)

Whole School Party

Buddy Present giving

Traditional Water-Fight on the oval

Tuesday 28th January Teachers and Staff return to School.

Wednesday 29th January Students commence the 2014 School Year

FROM THE PRINCIPAL I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Cardinia Primary School community for their support and assistance throughout the 2013 School Year. Once again the School has continued to grow and develop the programs and opportunities that it provides all of its students with, and this is only possible when everyone works together and parents and staff are willing to contribute in any way that they can. I wish all of our Grade 6 students all the best for the future and trust they will reflect on their years with fondness and appreciation for all the different opportunities they have had at Cardinia Primary School. As a school, we generally take for granted that what we offer, is general practice in most schools but our students are indeed fortunate to be privy to many and varied events and extra-curricular activities. Such activities can’t be run or organised if you don’t have parents and staff willing to give up their own personal time and we are indeed very fortunate to have so many people to do this. One of our very long serving and committed family to the school will be leaving us this year, after 15 years being very much a part of the School. Karen and Scott Sheppard, along with Jed, Caleb, Angus and Nicola will be greatly missed. Karen has been a classroom helper, cook, lemonade maker, Playgroup Co-ordinator, Crossing lady and volunteer throughout this time. Always quietly going about her work with a minimum of fuss but ensuring everything is done properly. Scott has been a member of School Council as our President for 7 years – stepping aside in 2013. Scott has worked tirelessly to improve the school both behind the scenes and in a more practical sense at Working Bees and Fundraising activities – cooking any number of sausages and developing a reputation as “Con the Fruiterer” at our School Fetes. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas Break and takes time to enjoy life and the company of family and friends. I’m sure Santa will be busy bringing everyone that special gift that they so desperately want. Have a Merry Christmas!

Wednesday 18th December, 2013

Newsletter Number 39

PLEASE take care at all times in the Car Park areas. Caution and alertness needs to be uppermost in everyone’s minds when in these areas.

It is very important that if any parent or friend of the school has any concerns, queries or problems regarding any aspect of the school to bring it to the attention of your child’s teacher or Allan straight away. Under no circumstance should parents/guardians approach other students in the school grounds.

All outstanding payments need to be finalised by the end of the year.

THUMBS UP

To all the Grade 6 students and the parents who came along and participated in the Grade 6

Graduation event at Luna Park. Everyone seemed to have a great time … especially the mums who got a little wet in the Pirate Ride!

To Mrs Esler for organising the Grade 6 event to Luna Park, ensuring a very smooth and pleasant event for our students who are moving on to Secondary School.

To Mrs Young for all her work in putting the majority of the Christmas Concert elements together this year, ably supported by Mrs Mattingley and Mr White our back-stage co-ordinator. All is in readiness for the grand finale of the year.

To all our Parent Helpers who have once again gone out of their way to support, organise or run many of the varied programs and events organised by the school throughout 2013.

To Nikita Stokkel and Jason Bonney (past students) who received Academic Excellence Awards at the KooWeeRup Secondary School Presentation Night on Monday.

Further to last week’s news regarding Cameron Sporish – Cameron received swag of awards including the RSL Citizenship Award, KooWeeRup Masonic Lodge Scholarship, Dux of the College with a score of 94, the Geography Prize, Science Prize and to round it all off the Bass House Achievement Award. Not a bad effort!

To Jodie and Liz for the fantastic mementos they have collated and produced for the Foundation students and their parents. A great keepsake for all and a lot of hard work to produce.

To the Ridgway Family for once again being the sponsors of our Senior and Junior Citizenship Awards and the Grade 5 Encouragement Award. Ian and Pam have been sponsoring these awards for the past 30 years which is just fantastic.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

School Resumes in 2014

School resumes for staff on Tuesday the 28th of January and students return on Wednesday the 29th of January, (Including Foundation for the first week of Term 1). The office will be open on an irregular basis in the week prior to school re-commencing but please phone first to ensure someone is available to attend to your needs. Books can be collected during this period, or all children who haven’t collected their books by the start of the School Year, will receive them on their first day of school in 2014.

ITEMS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST: Children like celebrating their birthdays at school with a cake, cupcake or lollipop but please be

mindful of children with allergies and check with your child’s classroom teacher. We also need to be mindful of the school’s stance on lollies, so we need to limit our celebration treats to a cake or lollipop-type treat. Your co-operation would be appreciated.

The Attendance Cup for this week was again awarded once again to 1H. Well done guys and

remember to keep up the fantastic attendance.

Friendly Reminders: When parking on Cardinia Road – school side please leave space between the fence and your car to allow for a clear walkway for parents and children to walk in safety to the school entrance. Walking along Cardinia Road needs to be avoided at all times. It is important that children arrive punctually at school, 5 – 10 minutes before bell time in the mornings so that their day can commence on time and in a casual manner. Cardinia Road and the front of the Hall car park are available for parents to park and pick up students, or there are limited spaces in the Church Car park located off Dalmore Road, but please don’t park on the Nature Strip or block the driveways in this area. It is School policy that all students need to be collected by an adult, at the end of the day, to avoid an accident from occurring in these congested areas, which can get very hectic at the end of the day for 15- 20 minutes. Your assistance, patience and understanding in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Parents and Friends of students are reminded that smoking and the consumption of alcohol is not permitted on school grounds or when participating in school activities when students are present. Lollies and sugary drinks (particularly soft drinks) are not to be ordered as part of School Lunches. Please consider the nutritional value and healthy nature of the food items ordered from the shop when placing your orders. Your co-operation in this matter will be greatly appreciated. How Do I raise an issue or make a complaint? It is very important for any school to know if any families or individuals have any concerns about the school their child/ren are attending so that the issue can be addressed, misconceptions corrected or issues followed up. Cardinia Primary School is no different and it’s important that such concerns are taken to the school directly and that the school should always be the first point of contact. We need to know if you have any concerns about your child’s education or well-being. Teaching and learning works best when parents and teachers talk to each other and work together to solve any problems. When contacting the school:

Plan what you want to say, so you can clearly explain what the problem is. (You might want to take notes.)

Have some ideas as to how the problem could be solved.

Talk about the problem with your child’s teacher/s or principal by telephone or organise a face to face meeting. Most problems can be solved this way.

If you still have a concern after talking to your child’s teacher/s you need to speak to the principal.

Remember you can be supported at any meeting by a friend, colleague or representative from a support organisation if you wish.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT – 2013

Final rehearsals & the finishing touches are being done for our Christmas concert tomorrow night. Please check the Tech room door to see if your child needs to wear or bring anything special for their show. Thank you & we will see you all on Thursday night at 7.00pm sharp.

Our Grade 6 Students headed out on Monday to Luna Park for their Graduation. It was a fantastic day and all our students, teachers & parent helpers had loads of fun. Thank you to our parent helpers who helped to make the day a success. We wish all our Grade 6 students all the very best for their academic future.

No Meal Deal – Whole School Party Instead As we are having the Whole School Party on Friday, this week there will not be a Meal Deal on offer this Thursday. If you haven’t already done so, could you please forward the payment for this activity as soon as possible. Once again thanks to Karen Muntz and her band of willing helpers who week in and week out have provided the various delicious range of Meal Deals. These ladies put in a whole day each week ensuring that everyone receives their meal and everything is well prepared. Thank you – one and all.

END OF YEAR PARTY – 2013 After last year’s success we will again be doing our sausage sizzle. Kids will get a lanyard to have marked off for every food item. They will get 2 sausages in bread, a prima, an icy pole and a Christmas treat.

Can everyone please pay $3 per child to the office in an envelope marked “PARTY” as soon as possible.

We will also need approximately 12 helpers on the day. If you can help, please see Karen Muntz.

Friday’s Timetable:

On Friday the following timetable will be followed to end the Term.

9.00 am: Classrooms – video of Concert and Christmas Activities

11.00 – 11.30 am: Recess

11.30 – 12.30 pm: Buddy Present Giving – BER Building

12.30 – 1.30 pm: Whole School Party

1.30 pm- 2.00pm: Class presents and Clean Up

2.00 – 2.20 pm: Water Fight on Oval

2.30 pm: School Dismissed

CHRISTMAS CONCERT SUPPER

THURSDAY 19th DECEMBER

We are asking families to please donate an item of food for the adult’s supper after

our concert this year. Cakes, slices, biscuits, crackers and chips are some

suggestions.

All food can be left in the Tech Room kitchen on Thursday after school or before the

concert.

Supper with tea & coffee will be served straight after the performance for the

adults. All children receiving a gift from Santa will also be given a treat and a Juice

Box.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT ANY ITEMS

REQUIRING REFRIGERATION OR PRODUCTS CONTAINING

CREAM.

SCHOOL CONCERT- 2013

Our annual School Concert will be held this Thursday the 19th

of December. The concert

will commence at 7.30 pm but students are asked to be at school at 7.00pm, as we would

like to start the concert at 7.30 pm sharp.

As well as the children performing from Prep to Grade 6 various items for your enjoyment

and entertainment it is also a celebration of the 2013 School Year with various awards and

prizes being presented to students and members of our Parent Community.

Please remember that this is an Alcohol Free Event and no smoking is

allowed within the School’s Grounds

Presentations will be made to all of our Grade 6 students comprising of a book and

Certificate donated by the Cardinia Primary School Council.

Citizenship Awards – Junior and Senior donated by Ian Ridgway and Family

Grade 5 Encouragement Award – donated by Ian Ridgway and Family

Rotary Club of Pakenham – Academic Excellence Award

KooWeeRup Senior Citizens – Encouragement Award – Grade 6

Kooka Awards for all-round studentship – Boy/Girl for each grade.

2014 School Captains announced and Badges presented.

Presentation to Parents from Parents Club

Raffle Drawn

At the end of the night’s proceedings a Jolly Man in Red might make a surprise visit and

give everyone a little present and a bag of goodies.

FACEBOOK NEWS

The School Council have agreed to change the way the school uses Facebook as a form of

communication. We will be closing the current Facebook Group at the end of the year

and setting up a fan page that will have the official word from Cardinia Primary School.

You can simply ‘like’ the page and receive updates in your news feed. The page will be

ready for the new school year so keep an eye out early in the year.

Poppi Plumb from 1H with her special friend Candy.