Mansfield Primary School

Mansfield Primary School

Apollo Street, Mansfield 3722

Telephone 5775 2325

Fax 5775 1914

Principal: Paul Volkering

Assistant Principal: Hazel Bell

Email:

mansfield.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Website:

www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au

Newsletter 12

22nd August, 2012

IMPORTANT DATES:

24th August Skiing week 4 Cross country skiing week 3 Fun Friday 11.30am- 12.30pm 29th August Happy Hat production 6.30-7.30pm 29th to 31st Aug Victorian Interschool Snowsports Championships Mt Buller 30th August Father’s Day Stall 21st September Footy Colours Day Junior School Council Last Day Term 3

the Level 1 and 2 students as they share their learning in the Happy Hat Land Musical. The Prep to Year 2 teachers under the leadership of Ms Sketcher have been working hard to practice their singing and performances as part of the Performing Arts program. Parents should have returned a note letting the teachers know how many people will be attending. I’m sure the night will be a huge success. We celebrated Book week today with a parade of the children’s favourite story book character and story-telling event in the main street. Many thanks to our story tellers, Melinda Grant, Niall Reidy and Bill Forrest for their support of our school. It was great to see so many parents come along and support the event as well. Our Curriculum Day last Monday, August 20th enabled teachers to travel to Melbourne to visit two schools, Hartwell Primary School and Livingstone Primary School in Vermont. Both these schools have exciting and stimulating learning environments for their students as well as engaging programs. Courtesy of both state and federal government funding, Hartwell Primary School has had $6.5 million dollars invested in the school and the outcome has been nothing short of outstanding. All government schools deserve to be funded on a equitable basis and our School Council will be working toward funding support for our school. MPS staff attending the curriculum day had an individual learning focus and came away with a number of challenges and goals for implementation in their own classrooms back here at MPS. The early start and travel throughout the day was challenging yet very rewarding.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

It’s been great to see our skiers enjoying the opportunity to refine their snow skills over the last few weeks of our Ski program. Our sincere thanks go to Cathy Johnstone our Ski program coordinator and also to the parents who have been giving up their time to come along and support the program. Well done to everyone, students included! Congratulations also to Ollie Walker who won the Individual Division 5 Classic Cross Country Ski event last weekend on Mt Stirling. If I am correct, I think this is the first time that a local student has won the event. Well done to Ollie. Congratulations also to Dan Walker, 1st in Div 4 Boys and Warwick Crawford 3rd in Division 4 Boys. Together with Ned Angliss the three boys then teamed up for third in the teams race. Hopefully all our Prep to Year 2 parents can come along next week, Wednesday August 29th commencing at 6:30p.m and support

Parenting Ideas

Over the last few weeks we’ve had a focus on raising girls, or providing some insights into raising girls. This week, it is the boys turn and having raised or still raising five boys of my own, it is no small task to keep them on track and to guide them in the right direction. My best “insight” to raising boys is to make sure that you spend time with them in a pursuit that they enjoy. It might be Skiing, hiking, running, or simply playing the X Box, but parents can gain a great deal of mileage with their sons by simply engaging in an activity with their sons on a regular basis. This week’s Parenting Ideas publication gives parents an insight into the raising of boys. Please take the time to read the “Insight” and thereby take another positive step toward more effective parenting. I hope you enjoy the reading and good luck in that ever rewarding experience of being a good parent. RESOURCES COMMITTEE.

School Council has four committees that oversee different aspects of the school. One of those committees is the Resources Committee which overlooks after the school grounds, buildings and maintenance, general resourcing matters and strategic site development. Jamie Butterworth is the Convener and other members include: Carol Watts (teacher), Neil Allen (parent), Georgie Connan (School Council Treasurer) and Paul Volkering (Principal). Parent input to the way in which our school develops in future is important, so if you are concerned about an aspect of the school, or you see something that you feel should be changed, or you would like to see something improved, please forward your input to: mansfield.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Paul Volkering

Principal.

FATHERS DAY STALL We are having a Fathers Day Stall at school on Thursday 30th August. There are lots of goodies that Dad's will love including mugs, pens, torches, keyrings and much more!!!! Prices will range from $2 - $5. BOOK CLUB

Scholastic Book Club Issue 6 has been sent home with your child today. This issue is due to be returned to school by Friday 7th September. Please return any orders to the book club boxes located outside the school library by this date. If you are paying by cheque please make the payment out to Mansfield Primary School. No late orders can be accepted.

Health Information—Sever’s Disease

Sever's disease is the most common cause of heel pain in pre- adolescent and adolescent children.

It occurs most commonly in children between 7 - 14 years of age and results from repetitive stress being placed on the growth plate of the calcaneus or heel bone. Over time this stress causes micro- trauma, inflammation and pain.

Research shows that inappropriate footwear increases the likelihood of developing Sever's disease.

Shoes without adequate support do not encourage a healthier and more neutral foot position during activity which can lead to increased strain on the soft tissue structures of the foot, the Achilles tendon for example.

Sportfirst Mansfield offer a huge range of kids footwear that offer cushioning in the rearfoot, midsole support which encourages a more efficient foot posture and reduces strain on the Achilles tendon.

If you would like to know more information please feel free to come in and speak to Fraser at Sportfirst.

Interschool X/country

results

Individual Classic Div 4 Boys:

1st Dan Walker

3rd Warwick Crawford

19th Ned Angliss

Classic Team Result: 3rd Place

Individual Classic Div 5 Boys

1st Ollie Walker

Individual Classic Div 4 Girls

Bella MacMunn

Skate Relay Div 4 Boys

(Dan Walker, Warwick Crawford & Ned Angliss) - 2nd place

STAR STUDENTS 9th August P1A Connor Healy An excellent listener who makes valuable contributions to class discussions. P1B Ben Les Working very well on “FRACTIONS”. P1J Chloe Van Winden For making a real effort to learn her Magic Words. 45L Ben Grundy For modelling fractions of all types with enthusiasm. 5PM Mickey Wilkinson For continuously producing outstanding PLP work including an amazing Olympic Torch!. 56T Josh Payne Contributing his insightful knowledge and perceptions on all topics to our room. What an active learner! PHYS ED Connor Morgan For excellent listening and great perseverance when learning to juggle. CITIZEN AWARD Sue McCormack (Sam Guppy’s mum) For picking up rubbish in our yard as she came into school. Thank you Sue.

STAR STUDENTS 2nd August P1A Saskia Haslau A valuable class member who always practises the Triple R’s. P1B Ben Dunkerely Excellent explanations of ‘What Is A Fraction?” 4CJ Levi Wilkinson For making a fantastic model. 45L Denny Walker Fabulous role playing of a narrator in the BFG play. Well done. 5PM Justin Sargent For being a great group member when practising plays in reading groups.

NEWSLETTER DATES 2012

September 6th & 20th

October 18th

November 1st, 15th & 29th

December 13th

COMMUNITY NEWS

High Country Library

Fathers Day at Mansfield Library. ‘Dad the builder!’ Make a tool box for your dad on Thursday 30th August 3.45pm. Please book on 5775 2176.

Mansfield Junior Cricket

AGM Tuesday 28th August, 5.30pm at Lords Reserve ALL WELCOME Mansfield Junior Football

Any U10 & U12 Junior Footballers who still have raffle tickets/books, please return them to Betta Electrical to Tammy Purcell. MANSFIELD RELAY FOR LIFE

COMMITTEE-CALLING FOR NEW

MEMBERS

The next Mansfield Relay for Life 24hr relay is scheduled for October 5th & 6th, 2013—only 13 months away. The Mansfield organising committee has several vacancies it wishes to fill so work can commence on next years event. Please consider coming on board. Contact secretary David Mims on 0411 149 085. Basketball Spring/Summer Competition

JUNIORS-U12, U14, U16 & U18/20 REGISTRATION ON THURSDAY AUGUST 30TH & THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH AT COMPLEX 4 – 6PM OR EMAIL- basketball@mansfield.vic.au TOTAL COST - $130 (includes REGISTRATION/INSURANCE & ALL GAME FEES) MINIMUM PAYMENT UP FRONT $70 SEASON WILL COMMENCE WITH TRAINING/TEAM SORTING ON THURSDAYS SEPTEMBER 13TH & 20TH - Times TBA COMPETITION STARTS AFTER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS THURSDAY & FRIDAY OCTOBER 11TH & 12TH

TRIVIA CORNER

A newborn hedgehog starts to get spines as soon as it is born!

STAFF PROFILE MRS MONICA SKETCHER

Monica Sketcher received her first two degrees in Teaching and Arts from Deakin University and

began teaching in the year 2000. In the first few years, Monica taught in Melbourne and

overseas in England and Switzerland. In between travelling with her teaching, learning new

languages and exploring Europe, Monica also completed a Master in Education through Deakin

University, specialising in Arts and Social Education. Monica is currently teaching Performing

Arts and Information Communication Technology (ICT) at Mansfield PS and also Music at

Merrijig PS. A strong advocate for music and literacy, she involves her students in a range of

activities that combine excellent oral language through songs, poems and rhymes and also

actively promotes music and performance in everyday life through bands, choirs and real

performance experience. She is continuing to update her skills regularly, read current research

findings for new ideas and is also currently studying a second Masters of Education – Specialising in School Literacy

Leadership through Monash University. Her broader research interests are in improving Oral Language skills, the use

of ICT as a tool in education and music and intelligence. In addition, she is a member of the Australian Literacy

Educators Association (ALEA) and Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA). Monica Sketcher

believes that every child can succeed if given the opportunity to try new skills and if given high standards to aim for.

BOOK WEEK

PARADE 2012