essex heights primary school
TRANSCRIPT
ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL Essex Road, Mount Waverley. Vic. 3149
Telephone: 9807 4944 Fax: 9888 2249
Before/After School Care - 9807 2615 / 0417 941986 Website: www.essexheightsps.vic.edu.au
Email: [email protected]
Principal Andrew Crossett
Assistant Principal Ina Kuehlich
Assistant Principal Joan Scott
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Yr 5 Camp – Sovereign Hill
As reported in last week’s Contact, I joined the Yr 5 children on their Camp to Sovereign Hill. This was a great trip for the children and enabled them to experience life in the 1850’s, in a way that brings their Unit of Study on Australian History alive. Camps, excursions and incursions are very important as they provide experiences for the children that would not normally be possible in a school environment. They also help connect their learning to the ‘real world’ and give a context and focus that makes their learning more effective. There were many highlights on this visit to Sovereign Hill. Some included;
The chance to stay in accommodation that is ‘onsite’ at Sovereign Hill, thereby adding to the experience.
Attending the spectacular sound and light show – “Blood on the Southern Cross” which tells the story of
the Eureka Rebellion.
The Mine Tours that really gave us a feel for the tough life faced by miners in the 1850’s
The Education Sessions where the children were able to dress up and act out roles from the Eureka
story.
Watching the gold pour and seeing liquid gold (worth over $100,000) before our eyes.
Panning in the creek …. and finding our own gold. In fact, some children (and one staff member)
suffered from a little ‘gold fever’ and it was difficult to drag them away.
Perhaps the greatest highlight …. shopping!! The souvenirs and authentic old fashioned lollies proved
very enticing and there was some serious shopping taking place in our last hour at Sovereign Hill.
My thanks to the staff who attended and made this experience possible for the children.. Thanks to Sonja Ludvik, Felicity O’Flynn, Anita Kuchta, Helen Croft & Laurel Higgins. Thanks also to Helen Broderick who had the responsibility for organising the camp …. and did a wonderful job.
CALENDAR DATES
3rd May Finance Committee Meeting – 7.30 p.m. staffroom
10th May School Council Meeting – 7.30 p.m. staffroom
11th May Mother’s Day Stall
14th May RACV – Vist to Prep
15th – 17th May NAPLAN testing – Years 3 & 5
15th May Piano & Keyboard Concert – School Hall – 7.00 p.m.
17th – 23rd May Book Fair
21st – 25th May Education Week
24th May Hot Dog Day
28th May Percussion Concert
29th May Brass & Woodwind Concert
8th June Reporting & Assessment Day. Students do not attend school this day
19th June Strings Concert 20th June Guitar Concert
16th July 50th Birthday Celebrations for the children
13th August Strategic Planning Day. Students do not attend school this day
ISSUE 11
3rd May,
2012
Building Update
If you have been to school recently you will have noticed that the steel framing is well under way for Building 3. Following the completion of this work, the timber framing and roofing will begin so that aspect of the program is proceeding smoothly. However, the recent wet weather has slowed the landscaping works and continues to be a problem. Work has just finished on the retaining wall for the ramp that links the Stadium to the rest of the school. Shortly, they will begin preparation for the basketball courts on the western side of the property, beside the Instrumental Music classrooms. We are hoping that this stage to have them completed before the end of the Term, but that is again very weather dependant. The builders reported at our most recent Site Meeting, that the anticipated completion date is now early September, before the end of Term 3.
Essex Heights - SMS Communication System Last year we attempted to implement a system of SMS Communication to all school families. Unfortunately it had limited success and was not really utilised. We have now reviewed and updated all family contact details and will shortly conduct another trial for the SMS System. A Parent Bulletin will be circulated shortly to nominate a specific day and time for a test message so that we can trial the system again. Please ensure that any changes to your personal details are notified to the Office as we attempt to keep all our records up to date. See you around the school, Andrew Crossett
PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (P.F.A.) SHOWING APPRECIATION TO OUR TEACHERS Parents value teacher’s efforts. However, we rarely have the opportunity to publicly express our appreciation. This is our chance to do so by nominating our teachers and leaders for the NEITA 2012 ASG INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS AWARDS. Its easy to nominate and show our teachers how much we appreciate and support them. Nomination forms can be downloaded or completed on line at:www.neita.com.au or requested from the NEITA secretariat by phoning free call 1800 624 487. Nominations can be made by individual parents and grandparents, the parent association, school council (committee of management), secondary student council, and community organisations. The PFA is having a Hot Dog Day fundraiser for the children on Thursday 24th May. Notices and order forms will go home shortly. Betty Ciorciari
Walk Safely to School Day - Friday May 18th 2012
Our school will participate in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday, May 18th. Not only is walking a wonderful way to get you where you want to be, but it also gets your health and your child’s health on the right track too. There will be meeting points where staff, parents, other family members and children can meet and walk together. The PFA and JSC will provide fruit to the walkers on arrival at school, to cap off a healthy morning. Walk Safely to School Days ask that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. Although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.
Walking: it takes you and your health to good places! Active Kids are Healthy Kids! You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:
1. Walking with them the whole way to school 2. If they get the bus or train, walk past your usual stop and get on at the next stop 3. If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.
Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes, it also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.
Last year just over 60% of EHPS children walked or rode to school on Walk Safely to School Day. Can we do better this year?
___________ INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM The first of our concerts will be commencing very soon. Details are: Tuesday 15th May Piano & Keyboard Concert
Monday 28th May Percussion Concert
Tuesday 29th May Brass & Woodwind Concert
Tuesday 19th June Strings Concert
Wednesday 20th June Guitar Concert
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Science Rocks! Science Talent Search Don’t forget to mark in your diary the key dates for the Science Talent Search. There is still plenty of time to enter this competition. The S.T.A.V. website for further information is http://www.stav.org.au/ Would students please see either Ms. Capsalis or Mrs. Austin by Friday May 4
th to confirm their expression of interest. Entries DO NOT have to be finished by
this date. There is a cost of $8.00 for an individual entry which is submitted. Please do not send any money to school at this stage. Thank you, Science Talent Search Co-ordinators Maria Capsalis and Jenny Austin
Registration closes: Friday 1 June
Entry submission: 1. All Experimental Research/Creative Writing posted or delivered to arrive at STAV in the week beginning Monday 23 July, arriving by Friday 27 July at the latest. 2. All other metropolitan entrants must attend a Judging Day venue on Saturday 11 August.
Judging Day: Saturday 11th August, 2012 Exhibition and presentation day: Monday 29 October, 2012
Maggie is on Long Service Leave for the rest of the term enjoying some time to ‘smell the roses’.
Maria Vlahos will step into the role – so please make her welcome. Maria’s contact number is 0409 934573
FRIDAY 4th May Penny Fleming, Chadima Fernanda, Amarjit
Nagra, Irene Liu
MONDAY 7th May Trish Roberts
WEDNESDAY 9th May Andrea Jordan, Grace Son, Veronica Adolphe
FRIDAY 11th May Stephanie Wendler-Canning, Megan Rogers,
Jenny Quinn, Bee Bee The
PRINTED LUNCH BAGS 50 bags = $3.00 10 bags = $0.60
Please contact Maggie if you have any queries or are unable to attend –
9807 1815
SCHOOL BANKING NEWS Who will be the new Dollarmite? As part of the Commonwealth Bank’s centenary celebrations we want to find Australia’s best School Banking Saver! Between 16 April and 30 June 2012, we are running a fun and exciting School Banking competition with the winning child being transformed into their very own Dollarmite character. To enter is easy. A student simply needs to make 5 deposits at school during the competition period and then provide us with their best savings tip AT www.commbank.com.au/beadollarmite
The winning school/class will receive 25 IPads and a $1500 excursion!
For the winning student, as well as being ‘Dollarmized’, they will receive an annual movie pass for their family.
50 runner up prize packs that include iPads, excursions, movie tickets
Thousands of Dollarmites consolations prizes for the students. It’s not too late to join the competition – simply open a Youth Saver account at any Commonwealth Branch and bring your wallet to school on banking day to be in with a chance to WIN!!
FRIDAY 11TH
MAY 2012
9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. IN THE SCHOOL HALL EACH CLASS ALLOCATED A TIME
LOVELY GIFTS TO CHOOSE FROM $1 - $5 PLEASE BRING NAMED CARRY BAG & MONEY ON THE DAY
This is a traditional PFA event, which relies on the assistance of parents, grandparents & carers. It provides the children with the opportunity to purchase a gift for their mum, grandmother or special guardian/carer in their lives to help celebrate Mother’s Day. It is a great day & we would appreciate your help on the day. Please let the PFA know if
you can help in advance or come & join us on the day. Morning tea provided. [email protected]
Asthma, Coughs and Colds: Information for Parents and Carers
The common cold, caused by an upper respiratory tract infection, is one of the most common illnesses for children and adults in Australia. Colds are more common in winter months as people spend more time indoors, in close contact, and can be more likely to pass on viruses that cause the common cold. Colds can be a trigger for asthma, and asthma management can become more difficult for children and teenagers attending school if they have a cough or a cold. Ensure your child reduces the risk of passing on coughs and colds by avoiding coughing or sneezing on, or near other people and that they wash their hands appropriately after blowing their nose or handling used tissues. Coughing or sneezing onto the inside of their elbow instead of their hands can also prevent the transmission of infections. If your child is unwell, it is recommended that they stay home and rest to reduce the chance of spreading infections and to give them a better chance to recover quickly. While there is no known cure for the common cold, symptoms such as headache, cough and runny nose can be managed, and children with asthma are advised to see their doctor before using any medication, or herbal and natural remedies, as these may react with their asthma medications. Many cold and flu medications available over the counter are not suitable for children and teenagers, and some medications may also trigger asthma symptoms, it is best to avoid these unless recommended by your doctor. People with asthma should avoid the following medications if possible:
Aspirin
Ibuprofen/Naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)
Beta blockers tablets and eye drops (used for high blood pressure and glaucoma)
ACE inhibitors (used to control blood pressure)
Saline drops and nasal sprays may help relieve blocked sinuses, and gargling with salty water may help relieve a sore throat. If cold symptoms become more severe, parents and carers are encouraged to consult their doctor as soon as possible for advice. Nasal sprays should not be shared between people as this may transmit infections and viruses. It is also highly recommended that in the lead-up to winter, people with asthma ask make use of influenza (flu shot) vaccinations. For more information on the common cold, medications and references used in this article please see the Better Health Channel (State Government of Victoria) - www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au and the NPS website - www.nps.org.au. For further information, please contact the Asthma Foundation of Victoria on 1800 645 130 or email
DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR?
Kids love winter. All that rain…All those puddles!
Need new shoes to help keep feet dry? Drop into The Athlete’s Foot! $5 from every pair of shoes purchased at The Athlete’s Foot will be donated back to the School in the form of sporting uniforms
or equipment.
Chadstone Shopping Centre Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre The Glen Shopping Centre Eastland Shopping Centre Knox City Shopping Centre Southland Shopping Centre
PRODUCTS & SERVICES ADVERTISED IN ‘CONTACT’ ARE ON A PAID BASIS
AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY BEING PROMOTED BY ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Parentzone's newsletter "Parent News" is an important resource for teachers, welfare
staff and parents. It lists courses and services for parents and children available in the
Eastern Region and is available on the Anglicare website www.anglicarevic.org.au.
Go to: Media, Newsletters, Parentzone and select Eastern. Listed below are the courses
being run by Parentzone staff in Term 2, 2012.
For all Dads of Children 0 – 18
"Dads Matter: What Kids Really Need From Their Dad"
Thursdays 3 May 3 – 21 June; 7 - 9.30pm Cost $80, Concession $40 (negotiable)
Bayswater; (Bookings Essential)
"Why Being A Dad Matters"
Mondays, 7 May - 25 June 25 (not meeting on 11 June); 7.00 to 9.00pm
Cost: $70, Concession $35 (negotiable) Nunawading; (Bookings Essential)
For more information or to book phone Ingrid 9721 3643
For Dads, Mums & Carers of Children under 12 years
"Behaviour" "Rules and Consequences"
Wednesday 16th May; 1.00pm -3.00pm Wednesday 23rd May; 1.00pm -3.00pm
"Discipline vs Punishment" Cost: Free (bookings essential)
Wednesday 9th May; 1.00pm -3.00pm Location: Millgrove;
For more information or to book phone Helena at Parentzone on 9721 3656 or 0432 499 814
For Dads, Mums & Carers of Teenagers 12 -18 years
"Talking Teens"
Tuesday 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May; 7.00- 9.00pm Free (Bookings Essential)
Yarra Junction;
"Dealing with Feelings"
For dads, mums & carers of children under 12 years; Wednesday 30th May; 1.00pm -3.00pm
Free (Bookings Essential) Millgrove
For more information or to book phone Helena at Parentzone on 9721 3656 or 0432 499 814
For Mums, Dads & carers of children aged 5-12 years
"Resilient Parenting"
Fridays 1 June to 22 June; 10am - 12.00pm Mitcham
Bookings: Mitcham Community House: 98726658