Issue 12 – May 5th, 2016

Thursday 5th May - Year 3 & 4 Yarra Valley Water IncursionThursday 5th May - Interim Reports sent homeFriday 6th May - Interschool Sport – Home GameTuesday 10th May - NAPLAN – Language Conventions and WritingWednesday 11th May - Breakfast ClubWednesday 11th May - NAPLAN - ReadingThursday 12th May - NAPLAN - NumeracyThursday 12th May - Year 4 Robotics ExcursionFriday 13th May - Interschool Sport – BYE

ACTING PRINCIPAL REPORTHello Everyone,

This year Kim Ferguson, our junior years PE teacher has introduced a fantastic ‘Perceptual Motor Program’ to our foundation students. These programs focus on gross motor development and encompass a range of skills and experiences including:-

Balance Eye / hand coordination Locomotion Fitness

Students also enjoy a rich language experience, utilising a variety of words relating to the skills being developed.

Thank you to the numerous parent helpers who come every week and support the children through the many stations. The program relies on a strict student / instructor ratio.

Next week our year 3 and 5 students sit the NAPLAN tests. Below are some practical ideas for the parents of our year 3 and 5 students.

How to best support your child- Ensure your child has a good night sleep Give them a solid healthy breakfast – but don’t overload them Provide healthy snacks and lunch on test days and plenty of water; Cut back on after school activities if your child is tired, but encourage fresh; air and a

fun play outside Kids pick up cues from us – so keep it low key. The test will cover normal

classroom/curriculum work learnt over a period of time, so no extra tutoring or last minute studying is necessary;

Encourage your child to do their best but don’t put any pressure on them - emphasise that this is just one of many tests they will have during their schooling, and is to help them learn better ;

Most of all – reassure them that you are proud of them … for who they are - not what they can do.

Schedule of Testing

Year Level Tuesday May 10 Wednesday May 11 Thursday May 12

Year 3

Language Conventions

40 min

BREAK

Writing40 min

Reading45 min

Numeracy45 min

Year 5

LanguageConventions

40 min

BREAK

Writing40 min

Reading50 min

Numeracy50 min

Included in this week’s newsletter is a feedback form following our community ‘Family Fun’ event held last Thursday.

As always we value our school community’s opinions and always seek to continuously improve. If you attended the event please complete the enclosed sheet and return it to school with your child.

Until next week,Ty HogginsActing Principal

COMMUNITY FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Last Thursday afternoon many families came to our Community event, which was organized by the PE teachers. There were 9 activities for everyone to join in on a rotation basis.

There was football, an obstacle course, tennis, basketball, skipping, hooping, geeter boards/stilts, dodge ball and soccer. The children, teachers and parents all joined in the games together and had a great time.There were free muffins and fruits to enjoy.

Thank you to the Muffin Break at Plenty Valley and IGA in Whittlesea for their very generous donations.

Cheryl Abbott

PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS

Wow…I am excited to announce these weeks ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ online donations balance as of 4.30pm Tuesday 3rd May is $2,097.00.

34 students from WPS have been actively fundraising to support the Heart Foundation. All sponsorship form donations will be added to this balance on our jump off day 22nd June.

Keep up the great efforts for a healthy heart. Skipping Club Thursday second break @ the Gym.

Happy skipping

Kim FergusonPE

$2097.00

Star of the Week

Foundation M/Powell

Awarded to: Will SorensenFor: being a helpful member of the classroom.

Foundation Powell Awarded to: Indi WrightFor: listening for the sounds she knows in words and identifying where she can hear the sound e.g. beginning or end of a word.

Year 1 Capito Awarded to: Ruby ChiodoFor: trying her best in all class activities.

Year 1 Miller Awarded to: Brianna AponsoFor: displaying confidence when reading in her group.

Year 1 Starkey Awarded to: Riley GibsonFor: making new friends in year one.

Year 2 Goetzke

Year 2 Panahinejad

Awarded to: Gabby GriffithsFor: being a caring friend and including others.Awarded to: Jake MortensenFor: being a confident learner.

Year 2 Vitale Awarded to: Xavier MorrisonFor: showing our school value of confidence when persisting with his writing last week. Well done.

Year 3 Kaur Awarded to: Leia RichmondFor: always being helpful and generous towards her peers. Great attitude Leia!

Year 3 Walsh Awarded to: Dean LiddleFor: consistently completing his learning to an excellent standard. Keep up the great learning Dean!

Year 4Mion/Walsh

Awarded to: Will CritsilisFor: an excellent opening sentence in his narrative.Awarded to: Charlie ParksFor: being a kind, caring and responsible classmate.

Year 5 Dipaola Awarded to: Emilee DonnellyFor: exceptional writing and reading skills. What a superstar.

Year 5Cook/Tolmay

Awarded to: Lilly StokesFor: putting lots of effort into all her work and doing amazing learning in all areas.Awarded to: Trishy CochraneFor: always work hard in all her learning, doing a fabulous job with her maths and writing.

INTERSCHOOL SPORTS REPORT

Week 1

Football – Whittlesea 36 d St Joseph’s 0

Netball A – Whittlesea 21 d St Joseph’s 0 Goals: Hayley 6, Charlee 8, Chloe 7

Netball B – Whittlesea 7 d St Joseph’s 0 Goals: Taysha 3, Tara 4

Week 2

Football – Marymede 82 d Whittlesea 1

Netball A – Marymede 13 d Whittlesea 10 Goals: Hayley 2, Charlee 4, Chloe 4

Netball B – Whittlesea 28 d Marymede 3 Goals: Tara 18, Kelsey 10

State Football:

Congratulations to Seth and Lewis who tried out for the State Football team. They completed two different trials and progressed through both to the Regional trial. There were many talented footballers at the events and the boys have done very well to achieve this level.

INTERSCHOOL SPORTS DRAW

SCHOOL BANKING NEWS

$858.36 raised through School Banking last year!

Thanks to the fantastic efforts of our students. Our school receives $5 when a student makes their first ever School Banking deposit and 5% on every deposit made through the school (to a maximum of $10 per individual deposit). These funds will go towards fundraising.

Saving regularly is an important habit to get into, whether you're saving a little or a lot. Keep up the great work and remember to bring in your School Banking deposit every Tuesday. Thank you for supporting the School Banking program. Thank you to our wonderful parents who volunteer as our School Banking Co-ordinator’s and process the banking everyweek.

SCHOOL CHAPLAIN REPORT

Fierce Conversations (part 4)

 I continue with thoughts from Susan Scott’s book, Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time. It revolves around being present, to listen to another, to form a deeper and more supportive relationship. In the movie Avatar, the indigenous Na'vis’ of the planet Pandora acknowledged each other with the greeting, “I see you.” These words carry the sense of being present for the other. I would respond with, “I am here with you.” We all have a deep yearning to be known and to feel loved. We form links with people, and being present with them helps bring out the authentic relationship. That is our goal as agents of positive change.

 Our glass ought to be “half full” when we link with others paying fierce attention to their story. We must be fully present in order to be transformative. We are not called to pretend to listen, all the while rehearsing our response. When a moment arrives for us to speak, we must trust that an appropriate and affirming answer will come as needed. The important thing is that we focus our attention on the speaker. People can quickly discern when they are not being listened to properly. There are so many subtle body language and social cues that give it away. To listen in an authentic way is to have genuine curiosity about what the other has to offer in the relationship. We are willing to let go of our own agenda in order to do this. We need not be afraid.

 We are called to set aside our indifference to the need to build up and honour, and to take up compassionate and active listening. Every conversation counts. We need to get past “How are you?” and use instead, “I am here with you.” When we listen with curiosity we discover opportunities to ask about interesting things. We have an opportunity to inspire others with questions that go deep.  A fierce conversation helps to lift people’s efforts above what is shallow and second rate. Even if a first rate achievement is rarely attained, the quest for it will inspire and justify the effort, and transform the relationship.

 

Peter Ackland - school chaplain

 2016 BOOKLIST

Thank you to the families who have already paid the booklist fees for 2016. Please note that booklist fees of $225 per student were due by Friday 26 th February 2016.

The excursion levy of $70 per student can be paid in full or by 2 instalments of $35 each. The first instalment of $35 is due now and the second instalment of $35 is due by Friday 10th June 2016. If you have any queries please contact Donna Gray at the school office.

REMINDER

Families who had previously paid for the year 3 – 6 swimming program, please contact the office to arrange your refund. Refunds can be made by cheque, direct deposit or offset against any outstanding fees.

CSEF – CAMPS, SPORTS AND EXCURSION FUND

If you hold a current Health Care Card or Pension Card please contact the office as you may be entitled to receive a payment of $125 for each child. This payment can be put towards any camp, sports event or excursions/incursions for your child. Forms need to be completed by 24th June, 2016.

SCHOOL BANKING

School Banking is every Tuesday. Please contact the Office if you would like a school banking pack to be sent home for your child.

CANTEEN

The canteen service provided by Metro Canteens operates every Friday. Families are able to place an online order up until 11:30pm on Thursday each week. You will need to set up an account through –

www.flexischools.com.au

COMMUNITY NEWS

Did you know WHITTLESEA PRIMARY SCHOOL HAS A MARKET?

Why not come!

Our market is held at the College on the third Saturday of the month and is run by the Whittlesea Secondary College and Primary School Chaplaincy Committee to raise money so both schools can have a chaplain – Peter Ackland at the primary school and Eva Natsis at the college.

It is the committee’s main fundraiser and needs your support as a customer and even as a stallholder. There is a good range of stalls including craft, homemade cakes and jams, fresh fruit and veggies, nuts and dried fruit, clothes, DVD’s, plants, dog supplies, gifts and of course enjoy a BBQ sausage or hamburger with a coffee.

The next market on 21st May will include a Car Boot Sale, a great opportunity to clean up after Christmas. The smaller car boot sites are $10 with the regular stall sites being $20. Just

line up at the gate around 7am if you would like a spot. If you have any enquiries please ring 0419 357 395. Check out our facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/saturday.community.market.whittlesea

WJBA is currently taking new registrations for Season 2.Open to boys and girls aged between 5 and 16.

Games played Monday night, Training on Tuesday night,at Whittlesea Secondary College

Head to www.whittleseajunior.basketball.net.au to register or contact www.basketballwjba@gmail.com

Come down and have some FUN!!!Early Childhood Education and Care Courses are now being offered at PRACE – Merrilands Community Centre, Reservoir in partnership with Education Institute  (TOID: 21707). The courses begin in early May.

DIPLOMA OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE (CHC50113)

LOCATION: ReservoirDURATION: 30 Sessions over 12 monthsPLACEMENT: 6 weeks

CERTIFICATE III IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE (CHC30113)

LOCATION: ReservoirDURATION: 17 Sessions over 6 monthsPLACEMENT: 3 weeks

CERTIFICATE III IN EDUCATION SUPPORT (Teacher's Aide) (CHC30213)

This qualification will give you the skills and knowledge to provide assistance and support to teachers and students in a range of educational settings. This includes early childhood education, as well as Primary, Secondary and Special schools.

Graduates work as education assistants/teacher aides and support workers (working with children with disabilities)

Location: Merrilands Community Centre

Days & Times: Mon & Wed: 9.15am to 3.15pm, Fri: 9.15am to 3.15pm (2 sessions only)Dates: Wed 18th May to Wed 17th Aug (Classroom) +Fri 17th & 24th June (Classroom)18th Aug—14th Oct 2016 (Practical Placement)

Duration: 24 sessions, 2 workshops (TBA) + 100 hour practical placement. (Excludes:  Public & School Holidays.)

Cost: Concession: $180, Full: $900, Fee For Service: $2,685 (Concession- Limited Places)+ Service & Amenities Fee

For more details please ring PRACE on 9462 6077 or visit our website: www.prace.vic.edu.au