PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Parents and Friends
How the year is flying by already! This week has been very exciting with Mentone Park PS coming 1st in the handicap division of the District Swimming Carnival (handicap means the student number adjusted results). This is a FIRST for MPPS and all our swimmers, staff and parents should be very proud!
DOGS ON SCHOOL PREMISES
As the owner of 2 beautiful dogs, one of my favourite pastimes is to walk my dogs and find large open spaces for them to run around. Our school oval is such a place for other dog owners in the local area. Unfortunately though, some of our neighbours are not very considerate and we often come to school to find dog poo on our oval. If you bring your dog to run around on our oval, please be considerate of our students who play here the next day and pick up after your dog. If it is not you, but you see someone else, please pass on this message also.
Speaking of our furry friends, I would also like to remind parents that dogs are not allowed on school premises during school time or school activities. We know that most dogs are not a risk to children, but there have been cases where children have been hurt by dogs in school grounds. As a precaution, all dogs are banned from school premises.
BEFORE / AFTER SCHOOL SUPERVISION
Parents are reminded that school supervision begins at 8:45 in the morning and goes until 3:45 in the afternoon. During these times, school is in operation and parents and students are reminded that school rules apply during these times - this includes the use of the playground equipment. Many of our Foundation and Junior school students love to play on the "biggies" playground before and after school. This equipment is designed for children who are older and taller. Parents are asked NOT to let their children play on this equipment during school operating times.
In term 2 we will get our new "littlies" playground equipment, so all the excitement will be at that end of the school!
PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
DOGS ON SCHOOL PREMISES
As the owner of 2 beautiful dogs, one of my favourite pastimes is to walk my dogs and find large open spaces for them to run around. Our school oval is such a place for other dog owners in the local area. Unfortunately though, some of our neighbours are not very considerate and we often come to school to find dog poo on our oval. If you bring your dog to run around on our oval, please be considerate of our students who play here the next day and pick up after your dog. If it is not you, but you see someone else, please pass on this message also.
Speaking of our furry friends, I would also like to remind parents that dogs are not allowed on school premises during school time or school activities. We know that most dogs are not a risk to children, but there have been cases where children have been hurt by dogs in school grounds. As a precaution, all dogs are banned from school premises.
BEFORE / AFTER SCHOOL SUPERVISION
Parents are reminded that school supervision begins at 8:45 in the morning and goes until 3:45 in the afternoon. During these times, school is in operation and parents and students are reminded that school rules apply during these times - this includes the use of the playground equipment. Many of our Foundation and Junior school students love to play on the "biggies" playground before and after school. This equipment is designed for children who are older and taller. Parents are asked NOT to let their children play on this equipment during school operating times.
In term 2 we will get our new "littlies" playground equipment, so all the excitement will be at that end of the school!
PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
Thank you to the parents who attended our first meeting for 2016 a few weeks ago, and to all the parents who have now volunteered to be Class Representatives. We are still looking for Class Reps for two grades: 1O and 5/6R.
Our next meeting is our Annual General Meeting, where we will be electing the positions of President, Treasurer, Secretary and Fundraising Convener.
We would love to have a big turnout for our AGM and some new members on board. Please join us in the Kids' Cafe on Monday 21st March at 9:00am - coffee and morning tea will be available.
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
We held our first meeting of school council on 22nd February. We are looking forward to the work we have planned for the year for Buildings and Grounds and for parents through the Education Committee. Remember, if you would like to be a part of School Council, nominations are now open and can be made at the school office.
Our B&G committee presented quotes for new signs and a new playground, both of which were approved. We are very excited to be working on new school sign designs which will sit with pride at the corner of Broome and Blackwood Avenue as well as other signs around the school.
The most exciting news though was the approval of our new junior playground! The first stage will be to remove the old one (see Alison's note below for the upcoming working bee). Once the area is ready, the new equipment will be installed, followed later by new landscaping and a new sandpit - HOW EXCITING!
The Education committee has the role of reviewing school policies and presenting them for approval. This month, the following policies were approved:
Our next meeting is our Annual General Meeting, where we will be electing the positions of President, Treasurer, Secretary and Fundraising Convener.We would love to have a big turnout for our AGM and some new members on board. Please join us in the Kids' Cafe on Monday 21st March at 9:00am - coffee and morning tea will be available.
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
We held our first meeting of school council on 22nd February. We are looking forward to the work we have planned for the year for Buildings and Grounds and for parents through the Education Committee. Remember, if you would like to be a part of School Council, nominations are now open and can be made at the school office.
Our B&G committee presented quotes for new signs and a new playground, both of which were approved. We are very excited to be working on new school sign designs which will sit with pride at the corner of Broome and Blackwood Avenue as well as other signs around the school.
The most exciting news though was the approval of our new junior playground! The first stage will be to remove the old one (see Alison's note below for the upcoming working bee). Once the area is ready, the new equipment will be installed, followed later by new landscaping and a new sandpit - HOW EXCITING!
The Education committee has the role of reviewing school policies and presenting them for approval. This month, the following policies were approved:
- Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy
- Students Supported through the Program for Students with Disabilities
- Financial Support for Students in Competitions
CURIOSITY AND POWERFUL LEARNING
If you would like to find out more about Curiosity and Powerful Learning, there is a parent session being held at Mentone Primary School on Thursday 17th March, from 7:30 - 8:30pm. This event is open to all parents of schools in Kingston involved in this work.
The presentation will be delivered by Wayne Craig, former Regional Director in the Education Department, who developed the Powerful Learning and Teaching framework. Wayne is a wonderful, passionate speaker and will give you a solid understanding of the framework and how education is changing to meet the needs of our ever-changing world.
The presentation will be delivered by Wayne Craig, former Regional Director in the Education Department, who developed the Powerful Learning and Teaching framework. Wayne is a wonderful, passionate speaker and will give you a solid understanding of the framework and how education is changing to meet the needs of our ever-changing world.
To book a place at the information session, follow this link:
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
WORKING BEES 2016
Term One: Saturday 19th March 10am
Term Two: Sunday 29th May 12pm
Term Three: Saturday 3rd September 9am
Term Four: Friday 25th November - twilight
Our first working bee is on in two weeks! The focus will be removal of the old equipment in the Junior Playground and preparing the area ready for installation of the new equipment. We are looking for a contact who may be able to assist us with a bobcat. Please see notice sent home with students today.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE
MPPS is again proud to be a part of the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, coming up on the 18th March. On the day, students will be working in multi-age groups and rotating around a series of activities to explore different concepts and elements about bullying, bullying behaviour, bully prevention and dealing with bullies and bullying. Students will again be learning to "take a stand together" and claim "Bullying. No Way!" Each student will receive a wrist band with the above slogans printed on it for participating on the day. Children are encouraged to wear a small "splash of orange" to recognise the day.
A Bullying. No Way! special assembly will be held
on Friday the 18th March at 3pm on the Basketball Court. This will be instead of the Monday assembly.
Parent information can be found on the Bullying. No Way! website. I encourage you to have a look on this site and discuss these important concepts with your children.
DISTRICT SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Congratulations to our District Swimming Team (pictured) who participated at the carnival yesterday. A massive thank you to Miss L for her organisation of this event and to Mr Hardie and Mr Riley for attending and cheering on our students. Please see Miss L's report below for the exciting results.
PARENT LINE - 13 22 89
There are many services available for parents and carers who would benefit from counselling or support. One of these services is Parentline. Parentline offers a confidential, anonymous telephone counselling, information and referral service for all Victorian parents and carers with children from birth to 18 years of age.
Counselors are available to discuss issues including child behaviour and development, parent-child relationships, education, bullying, living with adolescents, family violence, family breakdown and parental stress.
Parentline is available 7 days a week from 8am to midnight.
Phone 13 22 89 for support or visit parentline.vic.gov.au
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Congratulations to our Achievement Award recipients for the year so far! It is wonderful to see students showing excellence and striving for their best right from the start of the year. Seeing students make growth and reach their goals is by far the most rewarding part of a teacher's job. Keep up the good work everyone, we look forward to seeing many more students appearing in the awards section of the newsletters as they celebrate their achievements throughout the year. Names and reasons for awards are printed in level newsletters.
Here are the award recipients for week 2, 3, 4 and 5:
AUSSIE OF THE MONTH
At the last assembly of each month, two students will be awarded "Aussie of the Month" certificates and badges, which we hope they will wear with pride in the following month.
The Aussie of the Month award is a primary school based program initiated by the Australia Day Committee of Victoria. We are proud to be one of more than 300 Primary Schools in Victoria participating in the program.
The award is designed to encourage children to be proud of themselves and their school and to understand the responsibilities and rewards of community participation. Teachers will be nominating students who show initiative and endeavour. Staff will collectively make the final decisions as to who the two recipients will be. There will be a Foundation/Junior (P-2) recipient and a middle/senior (3-6) recipient.
I am pleased to announce our Aussie's of the Month for February are:
Eden - for showing caring and compassion while assisting a new student feel welcomed to our school and to our country. Eden has taken time to assist a new student of a non-English speaking background with classroom tasks and social interactions.
Kirby - for always offering assistance to his classmates, consistently doing the right thing and being a role model for others at all times.
Great job Eden and Kirby!
Alison Lough
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL
Mentone Park is proud to be supporting the Good Friday Appeal. Students are invited to wear their pyjamas tomorrow (Friday 4th March) and bring a gold coin donation with all proceeds being donated to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Envelopes have also been sent home for families wishing to donate money to this very worthy cause.
Mentone Park is proud to be supporting the Good Friday Appeal. Students are invited to wear their pyjamas tomorrow (Friday 4th March) and bring a gold coin donation with all proceeds being donated to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Envelopes have also been sent home for families wishing to donate money to this very worthy cause.
School Forms & Parent Payments
Don't forget to return your permission forms as well as your family details. It is important to ensure that your current details are correctly recorded at school. Please complete these forms ASAP and return to school. Even if you have no changes, please return so we know that your details are current.
Thank you to those parents who have already paid their parent payments. Statements were sent home this week for all families. Please remember to return your payment forms if you pay on QkR or Bpay so that we can reconcile statements against payments. Please ensure excursion fund is paid ASAP as some events (such as Tri-skills) have already commenced.
Thank you to those parents who have already paid their parent payments. Statements were sent home this week for all families. Please remember to return your payment forms if you pay on QkR or Bpay so that we can reconcile statements against payments. Please ensure excursion fund is paid ASAP as some events (such as Tri-skills) have already commenced.
DISTRICT SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Yesterday, our swim team from grades 3-6 attended Noble Park to race against other schools in the area. The students really tried and gave it their best shot in every single race this year and it showed in their results. We are super excited to say that Mentone Park came 3rd overall which meant we finished 1st under the handicap! Well done to all the students who attended and represented our school.
Miss L
SUSTAINABILITY
Our Sustainability program kicked off successfully this week in grades 3 to 6! In line with our People Power theme across the school, students explored the impacts we as people have on contributing waste to the planet, particularly in the school environment, and ways in which we could minimise it.
All classes began by discussing the sustainability expectations
and why they were important to learning and getting the most out of the program.
Each class then made a pledge on a piece of recycled bunting. We discussed
small and achievable promises that we could make to help reduce the waste at
MPPS. Each class was questioned afterwards, “What would happen if we all kept
our promise/pledge?” Responses were amazing with comments such as:
-
“a healthy environment equals a healthy us”
-
“our school would be a beautiful place”
-
“there would be no rubbish”
Grade 3 and 4 students then got dirty as they sorted through
their classroom waste, conducting an audit to determine what they were most
wasteful with. Grade 5 and 6 were reflective as they examined their own environmental
footprint.
The program continues next week with Prep to grade 2 who
will also add to our whole school pledge bunting.
Thank you!
Miss Oates
Sustainability
TERM 1 CALENDAR
Here is the calendar of events for this term. It is updated fortnightly.
Here is the Kids Café class roster for Terms 1 and 2, please make a note in your diary of your class dates. I will send tiqbiz reminders to individual classes as your week approaches. To make things easier for the class reps, please call or text me on 0413 009 493 to let me know of your availability on your rostered day.
11th 1O
18th cleaning & counter sales, everyone welcome
Term 2
April 15th 2O
22nd 2UO
29th 3B
May 6th 3G
13th 4H
20th 4W
27th 5/6L
June 3rd 5/6R
10th 5/6S
17th Prep B
24th cleaning - all welcome
We are still looking for a volunteer to make pizza bases on a fortnightly basis with another parent. It’s not a difficult job and can be done on any day during the week.
Liz and the Kids' Café Team.
Working With Children Check
All parents/guardians, visitors & volunteers to the school MUST sign in & out of the school and display their WWCC in a lanyard, which is available at the school office.
The Department of Education requires any person involved in an activity where children may be present to have a current WWCC or have supplied proof that they have applied for a WWCC with the Department of Justice. All schools are required to comply with the Working with Children Act 2005.
Volunteers are expected to carry the WWCC card on their person at all times when working or volunteering at the school or during school related activities.
There is no fee for this check. Apply now by visiting: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
OSHC Newsletter
To all parents, a polite reminder to make sure you fill out
booking forms online or ask Anicca for a booking form to fill out, so if you
have permanent bookings your children are printed on the rolls.
We understand that some parents have had difficulty using the online service, but we have been told that it's being looked at. In the meantime if you are confused don't hesitate to call Anicca on 0402 192 685 and she will direct you to the correct person for assistance.
We understand that some parents have had difficulty using the online service, but we have been told that it's being looked at. In the meantime if you are confused don't hesitate to call Anicca on 0402 192 685 and she will direct you to the correct person for assistance.
This week the children have been playing group games, board
games, table tennis and outdoor play, as well as getting to know each other. Some of them have already formed friendships.
We are enjoying our week and hope you are too.
From OSHC Team
COMMUNITY SERVICE & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and Mentone Park Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.
PIANO LESSONS
Piano lessons are available for Grade 2-6 students during school time.
If you are interested, please contact Mrs Jocelyn Millard on 0418 629 586 or 9583 6172.
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