JASON’S JOURNAL – The Principal’s Message At school over the holidays the usual maintenance work took place during the break, with a new split system air conditioner / heater connected in the Art Room as well as the installation of a synthetic turf area adjacent to the David Jewell Centre. This naturally shaded space has been very popular, so much so that during this month we are drawing a daily raffle to select a lucky class to play on the “corner court” each recess / lunch break (with this area designated out-of-bounds before and after school for staff supervision). The synthetic turf has been made possible with money from the recent Chocolate fundraiser as well as remaining Autumnfest (2011) funds. Our Parent’s Association and wider parent community continually strive to provide many “extras” that other schools do not have. Whilst our students have been the beneficiaries of these enormous efforts, you may have already heard about the decision made (mainly due to the wondrous workload) that Autumnfest will become a biennial event. Please continue to support Parent’s Association activities, as well as consider your involvement as we soon begin organisation for Autumnfest to be held in 2014. SCHOOL CAMP Our Year 4 Camp further develops the interpersonal skills of the students and allows them to put into action the school and Bounce Back program values. The students safely arrived at Mount Morton yesterday and from all reports have been enjoying the many experiences of camp life – orienteering, rock wall climbing, bushwalking, trampolining, art and craft, bush cooking, flying fox, frisbee golf, and team initiatives and games (such as the giant swing and low ropes course – and even duties such as assisting with service at meals!) Traditionally at Blackburn Lake, our Year 6 students have travelled to Anglesea each year. In a trial to take place next year, our Year 5s and 6s will all go together on a camp experience - heading to Sovereign Hill in mid-February. With this change we hope this camp will provide opportunities for senior student leadership as well as friendship building. This will be a great experience for the children and educational activities will certainly complement their Term One unit of study on Identity - Our Heritage. I thank the staff who, for without their energy and efforts, we would not be able to offer school camps at Blackburn Lake Primary School. As we aim to improve alignment of our camping program to our curriculum, we seek parent input into whether our camps should be across the school, only in particular levels (such as 5/6) or otherwise. Please visit the survey link @ camp survey.

AEU INDUSTRIAL ACTION – HALF DAY STOP WORK NEXT TUESDAY (AM) The Department is currently involved in enterprise bargaining with the Australian Education Union (AEU) and other sectors in relation to their logs of claims covering employee. As part of the unions’ industrial campaign I have been notified today (Thursday) that BLPS AEU members will participate in a regional stoppage of work, taking place next Tuesday. No normal programs will be offered next Tuesday morning, and a letter has been sent home today (Thursday) and a copy on our website homepage to inform students of affected classes. On behalf of all staff members, we thank you all for your patience and support throughout these unusually protracted Agreement negotiations.

No 31

11 October 2012

SUMMER SPORT ROUND ROBIN SUMMER SPORT ROUND ROBIN Speaking of sport, I was impressed with how well our 5/6 students represented BLPS and themselves at Tuesday’s Summer Sport Round-Robin. I managed to visit the teams at a number of venues on the day - the boys’ Basketball at Old Orchard PS, girls’ Basketball at Surrey Hills PS, Volleystars and Bat Tennis at Laburnum PS and Kanga Cricket and Rounders at Kingswood College. Thanks to Gay Burnett (whilst Phil Lumsden is on leave this month) and the teachers for their sports skills and supervision, with congratulations to the Volleyball boys and Kanga Cricket teams for their victory on the day - qualifying for District. A number of qualifying BLPS students also experienced individual success on Wednesday 10th October, representing BLPS in the Victorian School Sports’ (VSS) Whitehorse Division Athletics Carnival. Well done to these children for their participation, and also to those who now proceed to the next level following victories. SUNSMART A reminder that as part of our SunSmart policy, it is compulsory for all children to wear a hat when outdoors in Term 4. If you have misplaced your child’s hat, broad-brimmed protection is available through our Uniform Shop (as any children without a hat will be required to sit in the designated shaded gazebo during recess and lunch breaks).

TWILIGHT WORKING BEE In preparation for the summer season, next Friday (19th October) the Facilities Subcommittee have organised a “Twilight Working Bee”, starting immediately after school and working until

a barbecue at 7:30pm - when we will draw the Hoyts Cinema tickets raffle. As well as a school grounds tidy up, we hope to complete work on the bike shed and create pathways around the “corner court” (the new synthetic turf). The previous Working Bee was a huge success and we hope to again have a great turn out next week. Any contribution for any amount of time will assist us greatly – and if you do come along, please bring a shovel and wheelbarrow. STEP INTO PREP Next Tuesday evening we are holding a Prep 2013 Parent Information session in the school Library (commencing at 7:00pm). If you know of any families whose children may be attending Blackburn Lake PS in Prep next year, please remind them to send their enrolment forms to Lyn, Chris or Caroline at the office. There are three Orientation Mornings (all on a Friday between 9:30am and 10:30am) that Prep parents need to keep in their calendar. They are: 16th, 23rd and 30th November. PLANNING FOR 2013 Planning is now underway for the 2013 school year, including class structures and teaching arrangements. If you have any concerns regarding the placement of your child next year based on educational grounds, you may put these in writing and forward them to me by Wednesday 31st October - using the proforma that is available on the www.blps.vic.edu.au homepage. Please note also that requests for a particular teacher will not be acknowledged, as the educational needs of all children in the school must be considered and teacher movement across levels is common practice at BLPS. This practice is a key component of building staff energy, collaboration and pedagogical knowledge. Determining class placements is a complex task and staff members undertake a considerable process to ensure that the best possible placement is made to meet each student's educational needs. Factors that we take into consideration when making class placements include: academic achievement, personal / interpersonal development, friendship groups, gender balance and other individual needs. It is important to understand that with so many factors to consider it is not possible to accommodate every request. (Historically at BLPS, students in multi-age classes have remained with the same teacher for their Level Four schooling. This may not be the case in future, depending upon the 2013 class structure and changes to personnel; with the same policy to be applied as to all students of the school – we seek your input into how your child’s needs will be best met). PLANNING FOR THIS TERM Students tomorrow will bring home a “Parent Planner” notice – a Level specific newsletter outlining this term’s special events (also listed in the calendar below) as well as information about each Level’s unit of work – fitting in with the whole school Movement topic and its outcomes. I hope to see you at our whole School Assembly tomorrow @ 3:00pm tomorrow to acknowledge our ‘Students of the Week’ and hear reports on the Summer Sport Round-Robin and Level 2 excursion to Scienceworks.

Regards, Jason Walker – Principal walker.jason.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

LOISIA’S LETTERS – The Assistant Principal’s Message UNIQUELY BLACKBURN LAKE PRIMARY Throughout this year, Staff grappled with, and put into words the unique values of Blackburn Lake. To do this, they reviewed the School’s past experiences, considered present practices and visualised the social and educational qualities they saw as part of the school’s future. They asked, ‘Why?’ when they studied the school’s strengths and, ‘Why?’ when contemplating areas for school improvement. Finally, they began to document what we value at ‘Blacky Lake’. The first of these was ‘Caring’ Caring is showing consideration, cooperation and being aware of others and how they might be feeling. Caring means we are friendly, thoughtful and inclusive. We assist others and work together to reach our common goals. As classroom and playground friends, we look out for others and cooperate with each other to keep everyone safe. Caring is noticeable by the way we get along.

Everyone in our school has the right to feel safe and be cared for by others

CARE THROUGH DRUMBEAT To continue to empower our students and continue to build a positive school community the school has acquired a grant of $3900 to use for a ‘Drumbeat’ Program. Drumbeat is a program which uses hand drumming to assist students by raising self-confidence, increase social confidence and reduce feelings of alienation. We anticipate the introduction of Drumbeat will become part of our Buddies Instructional Program. It aims to engage students in a cooperative group process and aims to continue to build on students’ social skills. We expect it to enhance Caring throughout our school as students show consideration and cooperation and become aware of others and how they might be feeling. Thank you to Jo Myers who assisted in writing an application for this grant. Regards, Loisia Steed – Assistant Principal steed.loisia.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

TERM FOUR DATES

Wed - Friday 10 – 12 Oct 3 days Year 4 Camp Morton

Tuesday 16 October 9am – 12.45pm AEU STOP WORK ACTION

Tuesday 16 October 6:00 – 7:00pm Facilities Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday 16 October 7:00 – 8:00pm Marketing and Communications meeting

Tuesday 16 October 7:00 – 8:00pm Prep 2013 Parent Information Night

Thursday 18 October Level 4 ScienceWorks excursion

Thursday 18 October Prep Toys Over Time incursion

Friday 19 October 3:30 – 8:00pm Twilight Working Bee

Monday 22 October 9:30 - 10:30am Finance Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday 23 October 6:30 – 7:30pm Education Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday 23 October 7:30 – 9:30pm School Council Meeting

Wednesday 24 October Level 3 Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre excursion

Thursday 1 November Year 5 Leadership incursion

Tuesday 6 November All Day Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Thursday 8 November Level 2 Billycart incursion

Tuesday 13 November Prep Craftpower incursion

Wednesday 14 November 7.30pm AGM Parents Association Meeting

‘STUDENTS OF THE WEEK’

We congratulate the following ‘Students of the Week’ – to be presented at Friday’s Assembly

MAGICAL MUSIC MATTERS STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR This year the Victorian State Schools Spectacular featured an 80-piece orchestra, 1500-voice choir, 1400 mass dancers, 23 lead vocalists, 40 principal dancers, 40 ensemble dancers, 18 backing vocalists, 30 circus

Thursday 15 November Level 3 Flight incursion

Friday 16 November 9:30 – 10:30am Prep 2013 Orientation Morning

Thursday 22 November JSC - Melbourne Zoo - ‘Endangered Animals’ Day

Friday 23 November 9:30 – 10:30am Prep 2013 Orientation Morning

Tues & Wed 27 & 28 Nov Level 3 TaskWorks excursion

Wednesday 28 November 11:00 – 11:30am Parent Helpers Morning Tea

Friday 30 November 9:30 – 10:30am Prep 2013 Orientation Morning

Tuesday 4 December BLPS Pathways (Transition) Day

Year 7 Orientation Day

Thursday 6 December 9.00-11.00am Parents Association Christmas Stall

Friday 14 December Reports sent home

Monday 17 December tba Christmas Carols Community evening

Thursday 20 December 6:00pm Year 6 Graduation

Friday 21 December 1:00 – 1:30pm Assembly (final school day of 2012 - early dismissal)

Principal’s Award Mitch W – 5/6N Outstanding sportsmanship * leadership at interschool (Round Robin) Kanga Cricket

Assistant Principal Maddie G An exceptional booklet presentation & an outstanding recount about her holiday in Hawaii

Prep A Oliver D

Isobel F

His concentration and assistance to others during PMP – well done!

Sharing her knowledge and understanding of subtraction and counting backwards

Prep B Prep B Being counting superstars, working hard & practising your counting by 2s

Prep E Evie P Her creative imagination writing about our book ‘Down the Back of the Chair’!

Prep K Elliot F Great Maths work on the iPads – well done!

1/2D Madeline S Always displaying a positive attitude at school

1R

1S Tiffany Y Great improvement with her handwriting this term – well done!

2D Jesse P Displaying fantastic leadership skills during a game of Kickball – well done!

2L Hunter H An outstanding PowerPoint presentation on his holiday – well done!

2M Billy Y Working hard to complete his acrostic poem

3A Carlos L An excellent recount on his holidays – fantastic work

3J Lexie G Excellent problem solving strategies during Maths

3S Victoria G Using interesting vocabulary when writing recounts – well done Victoria!

4E

4K

4M

5/6C

5/6M

5/6N Andreas M Outstanding participation, skill and team work whilst playing Bat Tennis for BLPS

5/6S Lauren C Excellent leader4ship & positive encouragement as Captain of a ‘Volleystars’ Team!

Art

Italian Kayla J – 3S

Henry S – 3 S

Exemplary behaviour

Exemplary work in Italian

Music

PE / Sport

performers and a group of Blackburn Lake Primary School students. Channel 7 will broadcast the 2012 Victorian State Schools Spectacular this Sunday at 3.00 pm.

JAMES H MUSIC CAPTAIN’S QUOTE OF THE WEEK: The biggest selling movie soundtrack of all time is ‘The Bodyguard’, released in 1992 featuring songs mostly from

Whitney Houston. It has sold 45 million copies worldwide.

MISSING BLANKET FROM ‘SEUSSICAL’ The Wilkinson Family lent us their blanket for ‘Seussical’ Musical.

It is a red / blue tartan with a heavy rubber backing. Could all parents who lent us a blanket please check to ensure they have the correct blanket? If found – please return to Prep K.

SUPER SPORTS REPORT

“MORNING MOVERS”:

Numbers have continued to grow over the last few weeks. Competitive teachers!! Or maybe it is the weather! Keep turning up to get those bodies and minds ready for the school day.

INTER-SCHOOL SPORT On Tuesday 9th October, Grade 5 & 6 students represented Blackburn Lake PS in the Blackburn District Sports Association’s SUMMER SPORT ROUND ROBIN (2), with our teams competing against teams from Laburnum, Surrey Hills and Blackburn Primary Schools. We fielded teams in five Sports: Basketball, Volleystars (modified Volleyball), Bat Tennis, Kanga Cricket and Rounders. Results : Basketball Boys A Team – 2nd

Basketball Boys B Team – 2nd Basketball Girls – 2nd Rounders Green Team (Gr 6) – 2nd Rounders Red Team (Gr 5) – 4th Kanga Cricket – 1st Bat Tennis – 4th Volleystars Boys – 1st Volleystars Girls Red – 6th Volleystars Girls Green – 3rd

In winning our Round Robin competition, the Boys Volleystars team and the Kanga Cricket side will play St Thomas the Apostle Primary School who teams won these sports in the District’s first Round Robin (involving Roberts McCubbin, Kingswood and Old Orchard) to decide the Premiership winners for the Blackburn District. You don’t need to be the winners on the day to achieve through Inter-School Sport! Here is a report by the Captain/Vice Captain – Joseph and Minnie, Grade 5 Rounders team: ‘Today we played 5 games of Rounders. When we got there we discovered that all the other teams were Grade 6s! We ended up doing okay, just winning one game. We played against Laburnum Sloggers, Blackburn, Blackburn Lake (the grade 6 team), Laburnum Green and finally Laburnum Gold. We had some great pieces of play and all improved over the time. We had a great day and had lots of fun…’

WHITEHORSE DIVISION ATHLETICS CARNIVAL On Wednesday 10th October, six students represented BLPS in the Victorian School Sports’ (VSS) Whitehorse Division Athletics Carnival. They were eligible to compete having been recognized as the best athletes in the school AND at the Blackburn District Sports Association’s Athletic Sports. We are proud of our representatives and of their achievements on the day. Tayla Demontigue – 1st 10 yrs 1500m 5th 10 yrs 800m Ryleh Killian – 1st 10 yrs Discus 1st 10 yrs Shot Put Alice Pamminger – 2nd 11 yrs 800m Maddie Rae – 4th 12/13 yrs Long Jump 6th 12/13 yrs 100m Lucy Richardson – 8th 12/13 yrs Discus Zac Robotis – 1st 12/13 yrs Long Jump 4th 12/13 yrs 100m

With first and second placegetters proceeding through to the Eastern Metropolitan Region Athletics Championships being held next Thursday 18th October, we wish Tayla, Ryleh, Alice and Zac continuing success

Hooptime Finals Just a reminder that the Grade 6 “All Stars” will be competing on Monday 22 October at Maroondah Stadium in their Regional Finals and Grade 4 ”Future Stars” (Lakers and Bulls) at Nunawading on Thursday 8 November. Gay Burnett acting Sport Coordinator (via) lumsden.philip.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS

President: Andrea P Vice President: Lynne W Treasurer: Rebekah R Secretaries: Nicole R & Lisa C

So show your support for the PA and or drop us a line via the PA mailbox in the school Foyer or send us an email at blps.pa@gmail.com

Chocolate sales help with mini oval On the first day of term 4 the kids saw our new mini-oval, set up with a contribution from the Chocolate Drive. The area looks amazing, and the kids are eagerly awaiting their turn to play on the area (currently taking place class by class via raffle to avoid a stampede!). For more pictures, go to our Facebook page (Blackburn Lake Primary School PA Committee).

Canteen update Over the last 15 years the school has benefited from an extra $100,000 raised by Canteen. We have had

four people express some interest in forming a Canteen Coordinators Group to get our Canteen back in action however their times are limited and at this stage don’t match up to make a solution so if there is anyone interested in doing something by themselves or more people to do it in part please get in contact with us. Please contact Jason either in person or via email expressing which you are interested in. For a position description email Lisa at waz.lisa@bigpond.net.au.

The Blackburn Lake Parents’ Association is incredibly important to our school. Over the last 3 years it has raised over $80,000 for the school. The PA is currently the healthiest it has been for a long while. It has great support from the school community with good member numbers and helping friends. Many of the current PA executives are happy to continue into 2013 but additional nominees are of course always welcome. I have been President for the past 2 years initially taking the role on as a Co-president. I work P/T, have 2 very active boys, extremely active husband and am also active in sports myself. This year I have seen funding from PA provide things like iPads for our kids’ classes, seating around the school, the new bike shed, plants for the school and line marking on the asphalt. I am not re-standing for President at the AGM in November, to pass on the baton (so to speak). The role is what you make of it and with a healthy PA it is not onerous AT ALL.

The PA members would like to invite parents and carers to consider becoming new members as general committee members BUT if anyone would be interested in being the President please consider this too. If you would like to know more please call me, Andy 0400 880 042

Parents’ Association AGM

Our next meeting will include the PA Annual General Meeting and will be held on Wednesday 14 November at 7.30pm. It is at this meeting that we review our activities for this year and the executive will be elected for 2013. EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

Please put it in your diary now.

Uniform shop Open times in the Multi Purpose Room Kitchen area Monday 3.30 – 4.00 pm and Thursday 9.00 – 9.30 am.

School Banking is Wednesdays Welcome back to Term 4 and it was good to see lots of bankers starting the term off well.

REWARD ITEMS There's a slight delay on any book light orders, we will hopefully receive them in the new term, and so please be a little patient while they arrive. If you have 10 tokens saved you can redeem them for the following reward items:

Money box - choose from 5 characters Drink bottle Book light Pen Pod - metal case holder with 2 blue ball pens and 3 highlighters USB stick ** NEW **

DOLLARMITES ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE Congratulations to the following student for their great saving this year: BRONZE certificate for making 10 deposits: MARIA C SILVER certificate for making 20 deposits: STEFANIE P-S, ZOE S Thanks everyone for supporting the School Banking Program Regards Vickie L - School Banking Coordinator 0419 773335

School Banking rewards

Update

Please be advised that due to the over-

whelming response to the School Banking

Rewards, some of the rewards are now OUT

OF STOCK for the remainder of this School

year.

Due to the Handball, Watch, Lunchbox and

Wallet being out of stock, we have bought

the availability of USB forward from Term

4 to TODAY

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Term 4 2012. . .

KNIGHTS AND CASTLES LORDS AND LADIES

Blackburn Lake Primary School

Knights & Castles; Lords and Ladies will include heraldry, the significance of colours and symbols, your family coat of arms, knights and chivalry, the Battle of Hastings (Bayeux Tapestry), the castle and warfare, Troubadours and Jesters, prowess and bravery, the Lord, Lady and children of the manor, Latin and French, pilgrims and monks. In Week 8 you will be invited to a presentation by the students.

WiseOnes Application for 4th Term 2012 This program is available for all Grade 1 - Grade 6 children who have qualified for WiseOnes. The unit for Term 4 commences week beginning Monday, 15th Oct, 22nd Oct, 29th Oct, 5th Nov, 12th Nov, 19th Nov, 26th Nov and 3rd Dec. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. I wish to enrol my child in the unit "Knights and Castles; Lords and Ladies" commencing week beginning Monday 15

th

October, 2012. I give permission for a copy of this slip to be handed to the WiseOnes teacher. Child's Name ______________________________________ School: ______________________________

Date of Birth ________________________ Class (2012) ________

Parents' Names _________________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: BH ________________ AH __________________ Mobile _________________________

Email: ________________________________________________

My child has already qualified for WiseOnes YES/NO I would like a free test for my child YES/NO. I would like my child to be tested with a fuller assessment to qualify for WiseOnes (assessment cost $200). Please send this slip and payment of $212.00 on Wednesday, 10

th October, 2012.

As we are a non-credit business, children will not be accepted into the program for the term unless the fees and enrolment form are returned by the above date. If paying by cheque please make it payable to:- ‘Blackburn Lake Primary School’ For further information - please contact Pat Truscott on 9326 6441 or Mobile: 0407 313 657.

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Any advertisements in this newsletter are in no way endorsed by Blackburn Lake Primary School

BLACKBURN LAKE

SANCTUARY

Meet @ the Visitors Centre Central Rd Blackburn 3130 Saturdays 6, 13, 20, 27 October - 10am – 12noon ‘WEEDBUSTERS MONTH’ We will make a difference with your help! Watch out weeds Tools, morning tea provided. BYO hat, gloves Sunday 11 November – 2 – 4pm ‘Chasing Butterflies’ with keen enthusiast, Lois who will show us some of her great photos and what Butterflies like – which plants and when to see them!

ALL WELCOME! For information: email:

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~blsac Or Education Officer 9262 6211

Junior Naturalists Juniors Group of FNCV Inc

The group meets at 7.30 pm on the

last Friday of each month (except

Dec) at the rooms of the Field Naturalists Club of

Victoria Inc, 1 Gardenia St Blackburn 3130.

OCTOBER EXCURSION - Sun 21 October ‘Werribee Gorge Walk’ 11am

OCTOBER MEETING - Fri 28 Sep @ 7.30pm ‘New Zealand North Island Volcanics’

Speaker – John Bosworth, FNCV Marine Group Leader

For further information & bookings contact:

Clare Ferguson 8060 2474 or email: toclairef@gmail.com

BASKETBALL FOR BEGINNERS WINNER - BASKETBALL VICTORIA BEST JUNIOR PROGRAM

At Nunawading Stadium, Burwood Hwy, East Burwood

HEADSTART - An introductory skills program for 6 to 12 year olds to prepare them for club basketball

3 New and Improved Stages: Stage 1 - Aussie Hoops: Beginner introductory level. Predominantly skill development Stage 2 - Rookie Level: for players whose skills are developing but need to improve their game play Stage 3 - Club Ready: for players who need more time developing game but have skills required TERM 4 STARTS TUESDAY 16th October WEDNESDAY STARTS 17th October Call: 9415 6112 www.mebainc.net Email: info@ausbasketball.com.au

Blackburn Cricket Club In2Cricket Program 2012/2013

Blackburn Cricket Club runs its renowned Milo In2 Cricket program on Friday evenings at 6pm from October to February.

First Session Friday 26th October

Cost $75 (Includes all sessions, backpack, t-Shirt, hat, bat, ball and other goodies)

Any questions and queries can be made to In2Cricket@blackburn.org.au

Or Coordinator Rob Willis 0448 528 126

Registrations are now open. Follow the links at WWW.BLACKBURN.ORG.AU

Give your child a great creative opportunity in 2013 Our choir and dance programs provide exciting opportunities for your child’s artistic development,

fostering self-esteem, confidence and social skills, whilst learning to sing or dance. Book an audition time now for our Kew or Box Hill centres for commencement in 2013.

Call us for further information: 9836 2877 or visit our website www.niypaa.com.au.