Important Dates

& Upcoming Events

06/02/20 – 05/03/20

Swimming Training

Belfast Aquatics

Monday 10th February

Parents & Friends AGM

& first meeting for 2020,

7pm in the School Hall.

All welcome.

Tuesday 18th February

District Tennis

Championships

(Port Fairy Tennis Club)

Friday 21st February

Whole School House

Athletics Brauerander

Wednesday 4th March

Curriculum Day - This

will be a Pupil Free Day

for all children

Friday 6th March

Division Tennis

Championships

Warrnambool

Friday 13th March

Division Swimming

Championships

Aquazone

Warrnambool

Thursday 19th March

Moyne District Athletics

Brauerander

Friday 1st May

Division Athletics

Brauerander

February 7th

Term 1, Week 2

A warm welcome back to all our students and families. I hope that

you were able to find time to relax and enjoy some quality family

time.

The students have settled in beautifully and are enjoying their 2020

classrooms friends and teachers. Even on Day one there were only

a few tears for our newest students before they settled into school

life! Some have shown great bravery and resilience.

I would especially like to welcome our new Foundation families,

starting school is one of those significant life markers and is such an

important part of your family journey. Your child’s education is

strengthened when students, parents and teachers work together

in schools. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying chatting

together on the first morning. In addition, we had a number of new

families join our school community this year and I am looking

forward to getting to know you all. Parents and Friends

This is a vibrant and active group who meet monthly to discuss

ways they can best support the school. They conduct fundraising

activities, social events, run the 2nd hand uniform shop, learn about

education initiatives, investigate ways to connect to the

community and much more. On the 10th of February they are

holding their AGM followed by a general meeting. Reporting

We are making a change to the way we report a child’s progress

to parents/guardians. In the past, parents received a written report

at the end of every semester, which showed a teacher judgement

against the Victorian curriculum as well as comments about what

they learnt. They also were rated on their behaviour and effort.

We will continue to allocate a judgement against the Victorian

Curriculum and parents will receive this twice a year. This page will

look very similar to the previous front page of your previous reports.

As well, you will receive a report approximately every 6 weeks that

will give you an indication of your child’s academic results as well

as a score for their attitude and effort. This is presented like a bar

graph which we hope will be easier to interpret and understand the

achievement level of your child as well as indicating the attitude

and effort that they put into learning. This will be a very similar

system to many other schools in the area.

We are currently developing a rubric that will explain the

behaviours that will indicate how we score the child’s attitude and

effort. We will be sharing these with the students and will be on

display in rooms. They will also be shared with parents/guardians.

We will continue to have Parent Teacher interviews twice a year.

I will be holding two parent forums on Monday 2nd March to further

explain this as well as a number of the other changes to the

curriculum. The first will be held at 9am in the Library and the 2nd

one will be at 7pm in the Library.

Curriculum In 2020 we have a strong focus on Numeracy and Writing as these were areas identi-

fied in a number of data sets that needed improving. We are also implementing a new instructional model called Explicit and Direct Instruction (EDI) for the teaching of

Literacy and Numeracy. The specialist teachers will be exploring a different model that suits their subject.

EDI is an evidence based approach that provides clear learning intentions for the stu-dents and a well organised and sequenced approach to the teaching of skills and

strategies. Teachers regularly check for understanding after a skill/strategy is taught, as the stu-dents are practising this with the teacher. When they have a correct understanding

then they have independent practice time. Staff are attending the “Big Write & VCOP” professional development day in

Warrnambool on Wednesday 4th March to learn new skills and strategies to teach writing. VCOP stands for Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation.

Starting next week, the F-2 students will be learning French. Each class will have a 30 minute lesson with Kelda Ind (trained teacher) and our Language Assistant, Alex

Lopez on Friday morning. Rebecca who offered French tuition last year is relocating and so won’t be offering this service in 2020.

Lynda Beekhof is running the school choral program which started this week. Interested students from Year 3-6 were invited to attend. The F-2 students sing with me on a Tuesday afternoon when I am available. We had our first session this week

which I really enjoyed! Currently we have 3 instrumental teachers in the school; Carly Rooke, Flo and Sue Hull-Brown who are able to offer piano, guitar and voice tuition.

Teacher Meetings

The relationship that you develop with your child’s teacher is a very important one! If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss any concerns you may

have, please make a time that suits both parties. Teachers need to be sitting in front of their class at 9am and are unavailable to meet with parents/guardians during

teaching times.

Teachers have meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 5pm. The leader-ship team meets as well, sometimes after school, however mostly before school on

Wednesday morning from 7:45am – 8:30am. In addition, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday a ‘Staff Briefing’ is held to discuss any events that are happening, staffing

changes, OH & S issues, upcoming learning opportunities etc. These run for 15 minutes.

Developing safe and flourishing learning environments

During the Learning to Learn program, which is conducted by all classes at the start

of the year, teachers work with their students to develop unique and individual

class expectations so that safe and productive learning environments are

developed.

At the whole school level, we have developed a Behaviour Management Flow Chart

which outlines the process when students make poor choices in both the classroom

and yard. Teachers will help students understand this chart over the course of the

year. This system was in place last year.

In the event that a child makes a poor choice in the yard, they may be asked to

have reflection time in the Library. Whilst in there, they work with the teacher on

duty to complete a reflection form. This then is sent home for parents to read and

sign.

Positive Education is embedded into our social and emotional learning at PFCS.

We continue to teach students about character strengths and the way these can assist them when needed.

Anna Drylie is our Well-being staff member and she works mostly on Thursday and

Friday. We are very fortunate to have Anna working with us as she has a

psychology degree and is currently undergoing provisional training. If you would

like to speak to Anna, you can call the school to make an appointment or if you

believe that your child would benefit from speaking with Anna, speak to the

classroom teacher and they will make that referral.

Port Fairy Folk Festival

This year the Port Fairy Folk Festival School’s program is providing the school with a

circus performer who will be workshopping circus skills on Thursday 5th of March.

All students will have one 45min workshop. The year 6 students will be given the

opportunity to learn the skills first and then help the other grades for the rest of

the day, if they choose. At this stage there will be no night performance.

The students will also be given the opportunity to attend a performance on the

Friday during school hours with St Pats. We are very lucky to access such creative

workshops and I would like to thank the committee for continuing the schools

program.

Please note these awards will be presented at tomorrow’s assembly,

beginning at 2:55pm

0/1V - Hunter Nagorcka

For showing increased bravery when coming into school in the morning.

Well done, Hunter!

0/1W - Ava Brown

For showing excellent listening skills during her first week of school. Keep up

the great work Ava!

1/2A - Lauchie Griffiths

For showing great Teamwork in the classroom and always being thoughtful

and willing to help when it is needed.

1/2D - Geordie Donahoo

For showing a positive attitude in everything he does and settling so well

into the new school year.

3/4M - Ryan

Showing great social intelligence by being an awesome class member.

3/4T - Holmes Arthurs

For his use of bravery while settling into a new school, well done Holmes.

4/5H - Fergus Reaburn

For a fantastic start to Year 4 by having a fantastic attitude toward his work

and setting a great example

5/6S - Jack Perrin

Well done on a productive start to the year. Keep up the awesome atti-

tude Jack! I can’t wait to see what you achieve this year.

5/6D - Eliza Ross

For her attention to detail with her schoolwork and her willingness to make

the classroom a safe and happy place.

Foundation - 2 : We are all settling into the school routine this week.

Welcome to our new Foundations who have also settled so well! In the classroom we

have been learning about our new class routines and getting to know each other. We

are looking forward to a fantastic

year of learning in 2020.

Grade 3 - 6 : The 3-6 team welcome you to the new school year.

The weekly newsletter is a great place to stay informed and updated on the Yr. 3-6

weekly happenings. If there are any questions throughout the school year, we encour-

age all parents and guardians to contact your child’s classroom teacher through Xuno,

if the matter is urgent please contact the school office.

Cooking, volunteers welcome! :

12:00 – 1:30 pm 3-4 M Tuesday Wk 2, 4, 6, 8

3-4 T Thursday Wk 2, 4, 6, 8

4-5 H Wednesday Wk 3, 5, 7, 9

5-6 D Tuesday Wk 3, 5, 7, 9

5-6 S Thursday Wk 3, 5, 7, 9

This week we have been getting to know our classroom and one another through the

schools ‘Learn to Learn’ program. As a conclusion each class will be attending the

Sheepdog Trials this Friday.

We are all looking forward to a productive 2020,

Ms Dorney, Mrs McLaren, Mr Hoey, Mr Dwyer, Mr Twycross

S.A.K.G.P. CAFÉ Our Cafe will resume the week of Monday 17th February.

A menu and order form will be coming out shortly.

HATS & BAGS

School Hats & Bags are always available to be purchased from the office. Hats are

compulsory in Term One and Term Four.,

School bags - $45

School hats embroidered logo - $15 available in size S,M,L & XL

(There is also a few of the hats with the screen printed logo

remaining at a cost of $10)

Welcome back for 2020! Firstly it was fantastic to see so many of our school

community out and about and keeping active over the holidays. I saw students

and families participating in fun runs, nippers, cricket, basketball, cycling, walking,

tennis and at the pool to name a few! I even saw some celebrity PFCS Tennis

players on the TV at the Australian Open! What an amazing experience!

A huge thankyou to those families and individuals that supported the school at

the Surf T Surf Fun Run/walk in early January. With their support we were

successful for the 8th year in a row, winning the Primary Schools Challenge (most

race entries for a Primary School, pro rata). The school received a $1000 cheque

which we decided to forward onto Clifton Creek Primary School (just north of

Bairnsdale) which was destroyed in the recent fires. Hopefully they can put our

donation towards some new sports equipment as we would have with our

winnings. Well done team!

A very busy first term to kick off the year; House and District Athletics, Swimming

training and Division Swimming Championships and District and Division Tennis

Championships!

Swimming training commenced today at 7:00am – 8.15am and will continue

every Thursday morning until the 5th of March. We had an amazing turnout and

lots of help from parents as well, thankyou. Information and permission for those

children that are eligible, is available on Xuno.

House Athletic Sports will be held for the whole school on Friday the 21st of

February, at Brauerander Athletics Track in Warrnambool. If anyone is able to

assist on the day with set up or with an event, please see me or leave your con-

tact details with the office staff. Our wonderful Parents and Friends group will run

a BBQ and snacks for the children on the day. All information and permission for

the House Sports will be on Xuno within the week.

Those Year 4 – 6 students that are interested in trying out for the Tennis team,

there will be trainings Wednesday lunch times. The District competition is quite

strong so I encourage those that already play tennis to have a go. Students need

to be able to serve and rally on a full sized court, umpire and keep score

themselves.

All the upcoming sporting dates are listed in the newsletter.

Finally, please ensure that your child brings a hat and water bottle to P.E classes.

We will be mostly on the lower oval this term and it becomes unmanageable to

have students leaving class to get a drink from the bubble taps in the main

school area, much easier to bring a drink with them if needed.

Brooke Green

Physical Education Coordinator

ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

A very big thank you to all those families who came in to the office prior to

the beginning of the school year and made payment of their 2020 Parent

Contributions, or made a commitment for payment.

If you have not yet spoken to Leah or myself about the 2020 Parent

Contributions and are not making automatic payments through

Centrepay, please phone, drop in, or email us.

We also greatly appreciate those families who have made the optional

and voluntary contributions to our Grounds/Maintenance and to the

Building Fund.

Another reminder will come out at the beginning of June (just prior to end

of financial year) for the tax deductible Building Fund.

A reminder also of the Cams, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF). This is a

Government funded program which gives each student $125 to be put

towards the cost of camps, sports or excursions. If you are a current

holder of a concession card or health care card, you will be eligible to re-

ceive this, application forms are available at the office.

If you had applied last year, this application will roll over automatically.

In addition to the CSEF, eligible Foundation families are also entitled to a

Winter Warmer package through State Schools Relief, consisting of one

rugby top or jacket, one pair of trousers and one pair of shoes.

Further information to come.

It is extremely important that the school is kept informed of any medical

or legal alerts related to your child/ren.

If your child suffers with any medical condition (asthma etc), we do require

an Action Plan to assist us provide your child with the best care. These

should be updated annually.

If there is any legal /access restrictions related to your child/ren, we

require copies of these documents to enable us to assist to protect your

child/ren.

We have put a roster out for Term One at the school office.

We need at least two helpers each Friday.

The more the merrier! The more people there is the quicker and easy it is!

We ask that parents that are volunteering to sign in at the school office and if they have

a working with children card to present it.

It is set up in the Rise Room.

Friday 14th Feb HELPER NEEDED HELPER NEEDED HELPER NEEDED

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP

Open dates/times for Term 1 :

Monday 10th Feb 9-9:30am Thursday 20th Feb 3:15-3:45pm

Friday 28th Feb 3:30-4pm Monday 16th March 9-9:30am

Friday 27th March 2:30-3pm

REMINDER SCHOOL OFFICE REQUIREMENTS : Volunteers at the school need to sign in but most importantly also sign out so that we

know when you have left the school grounds. It is important as the sign in and out book is

used for any emergencies and in such an event it is vital that we now who is on the

premises.

Also remember that the school must have a copy of your working with children check

before you work in a classroom with students.

SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM

Students who live more than 4.8km from their nearest Government school are eligible to

receive free transport to school through the School bus program.

Please enquire at the office if you are eligible and have not yet registered for this free

bus transport.

If you are already registered for this program, in the event that your child/ren does not

require the bus service, we do appreciate being notified. If they need to change bus,

or an extra child requires travel, we do require written notification/permission.

Please also remember that whilst changes can be made, unless it is an emergency we

cannot accept any changes after 3pm. on the day of travel.

Website : https://dental4schools.com/

School Mobile Dental Service will be visiting our school this term.

There will be application forms prior to Dental Health Visit :

Term 1 - 2nd & 3rd March 2020, more information to come.

THE PROCESS:

- The consent forms are to be handed out to the children and

collected. We ask schools to encourage children/parents to

return the forms through reminders (newsletters/notice board) and

follow up with children who may most benefit from our visit.

- Consent forms will need to be scanned back to us via prepaid

envelope sent with consent forms package.

- Forms will then be sent for processing and checking eligibility.

TYRENDARRA SHOW 8 FEBRUARY

There is no better fun for kids (and adults) than the

Tyrendarra Show. This year the Show Feature is Poultry.

Juniors are encouraged in this section. There are lots of

sections they can enter in :

horses;

cattle (Junior Parading classes);

art (theme A. Let’s go feed Magie Chicken and Trevor Duck

and Friends and B. Free choice) plus Specialist Section

“machines (eg tractors, motorbikes, trucks, rally cars etc);

farm & garden (all children’s entries will receive a prize);

craft work (including Lego);

floral Art; cookery; photography; junior Show Kids; pet

comp; scarecrow comp.

To see the schedule, have a look at the website:

www.tyrendarraagriculturalshow.com.au

Facebook Tyrendarra Agricultural Show

Or contact Show Convenor Robyn Nunn on 0427295271

Tae Kwon Do

In Port Fairy is

held on Tuesday

and Thursday

evenings at the

yacht club.

For any enquiries

please call Damian

McConachy on

0429337051.

LOST KITTEN

This kitten turned up on the weekend,

very friendly. Found in Dura Lane.

If you think this is your kitten please

contact Chloe on 0447 723 634