Dear Parents,
MOVIE NIGHT SUCCESS
Thank you to everyone who attended the Movie Night last Saturday. Walking around on the night I could see the sense of belonging from parents setting up beds in cars to kids running around with their friends and of course the beautiful weather played a significant part.
Congratulations
to our PFA for your organization of such a great community event.
COMMUNICATION
IS KEY
Whilst we have
just completed an evening of “Get To Know You” Interviews and we have our
Information Nights scheduled for next week I would like to stress that there is
never a bad time to talk with your child’s teacher about their progress and
what you can do to help. Teachers will contact you via a phone call regarding
something they see but if there is anything you wish to pass on please feel
free to make an appointment to discuss any issues further.
A cohesive and
open relationship is vital to the educational journey between your family and
ours.
SENIOR
SWIMMING
Yesterday I paid
a visit to our Senior Swimming Program where I witnessed students learning and
demonstrating their knowledge around water safety. Most Australians love a
beach or pool holiday and it is vital that our students know not only how to
look after themselves but also their friends.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Today Alison, Jayne and I attended a professional learning day focusing on Leading Literacy in our school. Jayne and Jess will then attend further sessions, which they will bring back to inform our entire staff about the challenges and opportunities moving forward for our staff and students.
This is just one
more example of how the educators at Mentone Park PS are improving their
professional knowledge so as to provide your children with the highest quality
education.
STUDENT
LEADERSHIP
Next Wednesday
our 10 Grade 6 School Leaders will join with the student leaders from Clarinda
PS, Clayton South PS and Westall PS to explore what it means not only to be a
school leader but also a community leader and influencer.
Alice and I are
looking forward to a great day of learning and inspiration.
Don’t forget to bring in your Coles Sports Vouchers to help us replenish our sports equipment. School boxes are also present at Coles in Mentone but if family and friends can help you collect and then bring them into school that would be greatly appreciated.
NEW
WEBSITE – COMING SOON
We are updating some documents and photos for our new website at the moment with a launch date later this term. I look forward to your feedback regarding ways we can improve the information sources we provide.
STAFF CARPARK
Parking continues to be a concern around our school, with many parents and students walking, riding or driving through the staff car park. Please regard the safety of all children.
Please DO NOT make a U-Turn in Blackwood Avenue using the school driveway. This creates a dangerous situation for cars, pedestrians and bike riders.
READING TO YOUR
CHILDREN
I think every parent knows the value of
reading books to young children. Last year I published this article in our
newsletter so now that we are a few weeks into the term and home routines are
taking shape I thought I would publish it again.
“Reading together still important after children start school, expert says”. Professor Bridie Raban, at the University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Education makes the point that many parents stop reading to their children after they reach school age, and this is a lost opportunity to continue to develop their literacy skills
“Research identifies a clear link between the development of good literacy and numeracy skills at an early age and higher levels of educational achievement, employability, higher earnings and social participation later in life,” she said.
Best wishes
We are updating some documents and photos for our new website at the moment with a launch date later this term. I look forward to your feedback regarding ways we can improve the information sources we provide.
Parking continues to be a concern around our school, with many parents and students walking, riding or driving through the staff car park. Please regard the safety of all children.
Please DO NOT make a U-Turn in Blackwood Avenue using the school driveway. This creates a dangerous situation for cars, pedestrians and bike riders.
“Reading together still important after children start school, expert says”. Professor Bridie Raban, at the University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Education makes the point that many parents stop reading to their children after they reach school age, and this is a lost opportunity to continue to develop their literacy skills
“Research identifies a clear link between the development of good literacy and numeracy skills at an early age and higher levels of educational achievement, employability, higher earnings and social participation later in life,” she said.
Despite the bells and whistles of
digital books, 86 per cent of Australian children preferred a traditional book.
The article provided the following tips for
parents:
Reading tips
1.
Make reading part of the
daily routine. Make a bedtime story something to look forward to.
2.
Read regularly yourself.
3.
Join a local library.
4.
Read books on different
topics and find themes that interest your kids.
5.
Play word and word
association games.
6.
Talk with your child: it
builds communication skills, vocabulary and increases confidence.
Source: Literacy Solutions and Optus
The online article can be found at:
Cameron Agars
Principal
FROM THE OFFICE
Dear Parents,
Thank you to the families who have already returned their Student Enrolment Information Forms, please return the forms as soon as possible. It is important to advise the school when there are any changes to your family details.
Thank you,
Patti, Jane and Trish
Administration Team
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
CLASSROOM CUISINE
AVAILABLE WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS
COLES SPORTS FOR SCHOOLS
PFA UPDATE
A huge thank you to everyone who came
down for the Drive In Movie Night on Saturday last weekend! Everyone we have
spoken with, both on the night and since the event, loved seeing the movie
"Honey I Shrunk The Kids" and watching the kids have a lot of fun!
The night was a huge success (so much so that the neighbours have asked if they
can come to future events like these) so a massive thank you to everyone
who volunteered their time and played a part in the lead up and on the
night!
Our first PFA meeting for the year
was very productive with many of the years fundraising events having
coordinators assigned. We are still looking for coordinators for the
following events (please note that as we have previously organised these
events, coordinator/s (yes you can share the role) will have all
information (notes, previous flyers, suppliers, and all background
info etc) to ensure the role is simple, relatively easy and FUN for you to
do solo or share with a friend):
- Mother's Day Breakfast
- Father's Day Stall
- Father's Day Breakfast
- Footy Day Lunch
- Trivia Night
- Bunnings BBQ
- Halloween Themed School Disco
The remaining Term 1
fundraising activities include:
- Easter Raffle (we are all so grateful for you selling / purchasing tickets for our always popular annual easter raffle)!
- Hot Cross Bun Drive & Hot Chocolate/Hot Cross Bun Day on 27th March
- Icypole Days will continue throughout Term 1 - keep an eye out for Flexibuzz announcements)
Our next meeting
will be on Monday March 19 at 7pm at the Corner Store in Mentone and it will be
the AGM. The AGM is where you can nominate to hold a position on the
committee and hear how the process works. We would love everyone who is keen to
play a small but important role in the school to consider nominating for a
position on the committee (you also don't have to attend every
single meeting as a position holder). The meeting itself should be short
and sweet (enough time to enjoy a glass of wine and meet other parents)!
We look forward to seeing lots of faces there as all are welcome!
Kind regards,
Kate Solomon
0411 643 044
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - CLASS REPRESENTATIVES 2018
OSHCLUB News
The theme for this week is
Communication. The group will need to work together as individuals in various
games, activities and crafts. Also this week we are trialing new menu ideas
developed from the suggestions of the kids themselves, these include,
sandwiches, spaghetti and yoghurt.
Next Week (26th Feb – 2nd
March)
Focus will be on other
cultures. Activities will include learning about different countries, flag painting,
lots of art and craft, and sharing our own cultures with one another
David Quinn
OSHClub Co-ordinator
SCHOOL BANKING - WEDNESDAY
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Dear Mentone Park Families,
Welcome to another year at school and the beginning of a new issue of Scholastic Book Club catalogues!. Orders can be left with the office or please order via the online ordering system called “LOOP” - details are in the catalogue. When ordering there is an option to mark as a gift if you would like your order sent to the office instead of to class for your child to take home.
To families new to our school the Scholastic Book Club generates reward points which we claim back throughout the year as new books and resources for teachers to use in class. Each book club order earns 20% in rewards points – they soon add up! Scholastic often have some great books on special for as little as $2, so look out for their “gold coin books” in the catalogue
If you need any assistance please don’t hesitate to contact me via the school office or call the Scholastic Customer Service number 1800021233.
Best wishes
Jenny O – Book club coordinator
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Dear Parents,
If you are interested in purchasing second-hand school uniforms,
please send Megan and Jess a text to arrange to meet.
Megan (0404 228 320) and/or Jess (0411 031 589) on Tuesday mornings (9am) or Friday afternoons (3.30pm).
Thank you
Megan & Jess
Working With Children Check Reminder
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
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.
