Screen Time: Did you know that the average eight year old in Australia has spent 1 whole

year of their life in front of a screen? An article I read recently reinforced the battles many

families encounter with screen time. The article highlighted the challenges many families

face managing screen time at home. The article quoted research from Dr Joanne Orlano

from ‘Family Technology Use’, where it found that by the time a child in Australia turns

eight, they will have spent 365 days in front of a screen. The

most common form of screen time is:

watching online videos

using an app or video to learn, eg watching a YouTube video

to learn how to draw

play games

talk with family members via Skype

sending a video text message

information searching, eg search the app store to find a new

game

From this list, the top use for an eight year old is watching

YouTube. A whole year is a daunting statistic for parents. Whilst

we all acknowledge the challenges associated with managing

screen time and kids using technology, a positive and proactive

approach is the most effective.

Attached is some advice for parents on how to manage and use technology effectively with

your child. Mr McCoombe recently sent an example of a set of agreements that may be

considered for families on how to manage screen time at home. We will continue to provide

further information, advice and strategies on how families can maximize the benefits of

technology, whilst managing screen time.

Meet and Greet Parent/Teacher Discussions: It was very pleasing to see so many families

attend our Meet and Greet Parent/Teacher Discussions yesterday afternoon. The sharing of

information is a valuable contributor to the ongoing process of developing an effective

home – school partnership. For those families that were unable to attend, please ensure you

are familiar with content of the Year Level Newsletters or Information Booklets sent via

Compass.

How Full is Your Bucket: Over the last 2 weeks, I have read a book to each of our

Foundation classes titled, ‘How Full is Your Bucket?’ The message in this book is the core

to a happy and vibrant school community. The filling buckets concept is a guide to daily

happiness for kids. I encourage you to discuss ‘filling buckets’ with your child. An online

version of the book is available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWe6Z3zFwoA

Thursday 21st February 2019

BELLBRAE PRIMARY

SCHOOL NEWS

Phone 5261 2660 Fax 5261 6177

E-mail: bellbrae.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

www.bellbraeps.vic.edu.au

Issue 3

2 Bellbrae Primary School School Improvement Plan: Like every school in the state, Bellbrae PS has developed their

school improvement plan that outlines our key areas the school will focus on to maximise

student outcomes. The plan aligns with our strategic intent of improving student

achievement, wellbeing and engagement. Our key improvement strategies for this year will

be:

1. Teaching and Learning: To embed our whole school writing instructional model

to further develop the writing pedagogy of staff and improve student outcomes.

2. Building Practice Excellence: Deepen collaborative teaching practices to improve

student outcomes through regular cycles of inquiry and the use of student data

(PLC).

3. Wellbeing: Develop a whole school approach to wellbeing through Respectful

Relationships, Tribes and School Wide Positive Behaviour to enhance student

voice and agency, positive relationships, and student attendance.

4. Building Practice Excellence: To develop and implement a whole school evidence

based spelling approach to promote consistent practice and improved outcomes.

5. As a staff team, we are committed to achieving the targets against our improvement

plan and have begun work on each of these areas. I look forward to providing our

families with regular updates on our progress and achievements.

Wellbeing: Our new Wellbeing Officer, Bree Schmidt, has begun rolling out some new

programs and opportunities to support the wellbeing of our students. Bree has designed two

evidence based programs to support students experiencing anxiety and developing

resilience. Bree will be able to provide more information on these programs in the coming

weeks. Bree will also coordinate a Parenting Seminar each term. We are aware of a

nationwide increase in the prevalence of anxiety among primary school aged children, so

our term 1 Parenting Seminar will focus on, ‘Parenting Children Who Worry Too Much’.

Further details regarding this seminar will be available in the coming weeks.

Community Hour: Every Friday the entire school will engage in a school community

program for the last hour of the day culminating in our weekly Assembly. Activities will

include gardening, waste management, tidying the library, sustainable educational activities,

raking soft-fall and sand pits, beautifying the school and learning more about our Edible

Garden.

House Meeting – Bubb, McLean, Follett and Marendez: Recently, Mr McCoombe and I

met with our House Captains and discussed ideas on how to build the profile of our Houses.

The ideas included regular House meetings, developing a House chant or song and

introducing a House Honour Board. With this in mind, we held our first House meeting

yesterday afternoon led by our House Captains. They did an awesome job leading their

House in rehearsing their song and evoking House spirit. Our students also heard the origins

and history of their House names. I encourage families to quiz their children on their

Houses’ song!

Year 6 Buddy program: Our Foundation and Yr 6 ‘Buddy’ program has many benefits – it

provides great support to our Foundation students and it is vehicle to develop leadership

skills for our Yr 6 students. Recently, a parent of a Foundation student wrote to our Yr 6

students congratulating them on their role as a buddy. This letter highlights and describes

our Buddy program. Please see letter on page 7.

3 Bellbrae Primary School School Councillors for 2019: Thank you to the parents and staff who nominated for the

positions on School Council 2019. As a result of our nomination process, I am pleased to

announce our School Council for 2019;

Parent Member Category Emma Reynolds (new to Council in 2019)

Troy Bird (new to Council in 2019)

Krystin Trewin

Jacquelle Gorski

Daniel Halliwell

Chris Lamb (re-elected to Council)

Adam Leggett

Mitch Barrow (re-elected to Council)

Department of Education Category Anna Nielson

Luke O'Meara

Stu McCoombe

Christian Smith

Our first meeting and AGM will be on Monday, 18th March.

On behalf of the school community, I thank and congratulate the parents and staff listed

above for their time and support.

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

Christian Smith

SPORTS NEWS

Tomorrow at Grovedale Tennis Club, Riley Collinson, Chloe

Taylor, Javier Lucas, Lincoln Brown & Liam Packett are

competing in the District Tennis Tournament against students from

schools in the City to Surf District. We wish them luck......

4 Bellbrae Primary School

EVENTS TO COME……………….

FROM THE OFFICE

A FEW REMINERS:

NAVIGATING COMPASS – If you are having any trouble accessing

information on Compass make sure you are opening with a browser (in menu)

if using a tablet or phone.

EXCURSIONS & EVENTS ON COMPASS – Just a reminder that all

excursions, camps, swimming etc. are to be paid and consented on Compass

as they arise. Please make sure you do this by the due date as you don’t have

access after. Without payment and consent your children will not be able to

attend these activities.

COMPASS PASSWORDS – Passwords for Compass must comprise of 8

digits comprising of at least one number, capital letter and symbol.

STUDENT WELLBEING RESOURCES

In order to provide resources and information to support parents, I will be submitting

regular newsletter articles with a specific focus each term. The focus for this term

will be anxiety (see flyer included in this newsletter), and if you would like additional

resources please feel free to contact me at the school.

Welfare Officer - Bree Schmidt

FEBRUARY 2019

22nd - Friday Formidable Vegetable Sound System Incursion - Prep - 6

MARCH 2019

11th - Monday Labor Day – Public Holiday (no school)

18th - Monday School Council First Meeting and AGM – Time TBA

22nd – Friday Year 5/6 Bellbrae Disco – 7.00 – 9.30pm – Bellbrae Hall

APRIL 2019

5th - Friday Last Day Term 1- 2.30pm Dismissal

22nd - Monday Easter Monday – Public Holiday (no school)

23rd - Tuesday First Day Term 2

25th - Thursday Anzac Day - Public Holiday (no school)

MAY 2019

5th Sunday ‘MAYFAIR’

6th - Mon Year 4 Camp to Urban Camp Melbourne

AUGUST 2019

Wed 28th –Fri 30th Year 3 Camp to Camp Wyuna Queenscliff

OCTOBER 2019

Thurs 31st – Fri 1st Nov Year 2 Camp to Burnside Camp Anglesea

NOVEMBER 2019

4th - Monday Curriculum Day (no school)

5th - Tuesday Melbourne Cup Public Holiday (no school)

Wed – 6th - Thurs 8th Year 5 Camp to Sovereign Hill Ballarat

5 Bellbrae Primary School

STAFF PROFILE

Name: Melanie Jackson

Years Teaching Summary: I taught

in East Bentleigh at Valkstone

Primary School for nine years. I did

a stint in the UK teaching in London

schools for a year. Whilst on

maternity leave I have been working

for Barwon Child, Youth and Family

Services, teaching parents’ literacy

and numeracy skills in order for them to teach their children.

School Responsibilities: Literacy Support Teacher and Grade 5 Classroom

Teacher on a Tuesday.

Likes: Holidaying with my family, playing team sports, ice-cream and cooking

new recipes (if they turn out right!!)

Dislikes: cooking recipes that disappoint my taste buds!

Hobbies: Basketball, touch footy and camping in my caravan!

Favourite Movie: The Greatest Showman at the moment!

NEWS FROM THE GARDEN

On Friday Year 5 and 6 students will spend the day participating in workshops with

themes around sustainability, music, gardening, ecological awareness and positive

social change. As part of the day we will be setting up drip irrigation for the veggie

beds, adding compost, creating our giant potato patch and spreading seeds as we head

into autumn.

On another note, Mr Hurrell is looking for parents, who have a working with

children's check, to help out in the garden one lunchtime a week. If you’re interested

please contact the office with your available day and I'll be in touch.

Thanks, hope you all have a wonderful weekend on our beautiful coastline.

Lachlan Hurrell

6 Bellbrae Primary School

YEAR 6 CANBERRA CAMP

Our year six students had a great time at Canberra. As well as getting to know each other we

had fun, showed resilience and learnt a lot. Student behaviour was excellent and it was a

pleasure to be a part of the group. Amongst other venues we visited Parliament House, The

Australian War Memorial, Old Parliament House and The High Court. All of these tours

worked towards covering our Civics and Citizenship unit for this term. We received a PACER

Rebate of $30 per student that went towards camp costs.

7 Bellbrae Primary School

KILOMETRE CLUB

Dear Parent and families,

We are very excited to be launching into Kilometre Club again this year! Our first session

will take place next Thursday 28th February from 8.30 – 8.45am. We are looking forward to

seeing lots of familiar and new faces along to our morning sessions that will be taking place

on Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week.

Keep an eye out on compass and an ear out at assembly for more details from school house

captains in the coming weeks.

Don’t forget to stretch,

Leonie Brown and Luke Heard

BUDDY PRGOGRAM - POSITIVE FEEDBACK

Dear Grade 6 Students.

As the mum of a preppy I would just like to say a HUGE thank you for taking your Buddy

responsibilities so seriously.

My preppy boy has settled in so well and that is down to having his buddy and his friend’s buddies

look after him & show him the ropes. In just this past two days I’ve seen Grade 6 students go out of

their way to hi-5 him, meet him in the morning to tell him that they will be there to play at lunch

and shout him to say goodbye at the end of the day. My boy has beamed from ear to ear telling me

how fun his lunchtimes have been and it is such a reassurance to know he is cared for. Little things

like warning him not to sit on rocks because of the bull ants and helping him find his sister when he

was upset are huge things to us, his parents. You have made this scary milestone a pleasant and

happy transition.

Each and every one of you should be so proud of yourselves, you are a credit to the school and of

course your parents!

Thanks again,

One very impressed Mum!

8 Bellbrae Primary School

WELL DONE AWARDS Freddie Price for your great listening and contributions to class discussions!

Harlem Pec for awesome listening and always giving your best effort

Hugo Henderson for a great start to the new year and getting involved in Friendship Day activities

Josh Newbould for always achieving your personal best!

Eve Von Einem for her incredibly descriptive recount in writing this week

Aubry Priest for his effort developing innovative team strategies in Blue Earth

Hazel Kadera, for being so motivated with her learning. Fantastic!

Isla O'Brien for giving her best effort in writing this week!

Grace Taylor for showing great organisation with her morning routine!

Zara Greene, for being such a helpful and thoughtful member of 3C. What a star!

Harriet Beck for an amazing start to the school year and her confident approach to make new

friends

Emmie Doyle for showing great stamina and concentrating so well in writing time

Noah O’Brien for his amazing attentive listening. Well done Noah!

Eddie Wilson for his excellent brainstorming about ‘The Treasure Chest’. Well done Eddie!

Zoe Harris for always demonstrating respect and consideration with her peers and teachers

Jarrah Bakaitis for explaining his problem solving in maths

Archie Brown for being an excellent classroom helper. Thank you Archie!

Maggie O'Brien for showing great stamina in her writing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Birthdays This Week 17th February……………………….….. Indi Phillips & Harper Atkins

19th February……………………………….Lennox Geary & Aidan Marshall

21st February…………………………….Estella Carbonelli, Lily Lloyd & Xavier Palmieri

22nd February……………………………..Harper Edwards & Kit Blizzard

23rd February……………………………………………..Ada Garrard

9 Bellbrae Primary School

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CANTEEN – Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

Don’t forget you can order online.

Create your own account at……….

www.ultimateschools.com.au

SICKBAY WASHING ROSTER - Fridays

DATE VOLUNTEER

Friday 1st March Nicole Edmonds-Wilson

Friday 8th March Merryn Williams

Friday 15th March Kate Buchanan

Please call into the office Friday afternoon, strip the bed and return early in the next week

SECOND HAND UNIFORM - Any day of the week that suits

DATE VOLUNTEER

Week Starting Mon 25th Feb Carey Semple

Week Starting Mon 4th March Eloise Thomas

Week Starting Mon 11th March Bronwyn Wakefield

COMMUMNITY NEWS

ANGLESEA NETBALL 11 & UNDERS

Information & Training Session: This Friday, 22 February 2019

Time: 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Venue: Anglesea Netball Club

Age: 11 & under – you cannot turn 12 this year!

This is an opportunity for parents to obtain

information and for the club to gather numbers

for the upcoming season.

Helen’s Special next week are

Hot Dogs

$5 each

Term 1 NAME Friday 22nd Feb Fiona Price

Thursday 28th Feb Jacquelle Gorski

Friday 1st March Miyo Fallshaw

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MAYFAIR SPONSORS 2019 Supporting these businesses is the best way to show your appreciation

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