Hello everyone

The Swimming Program commenced on Monday and has continued to operate efficiently and effectively through the week. The pre-

grouping carried out by the organisers at the Boroondara Sports Complex meant our Grade 1 – 5s were straight into action as soon as

they arrived at the pool. Minor tweaks were made as the children physically demonstrated their levels of capability, ensuring all in-

struction is appropriately catering for the varying ability groups. The Foundation program at Aquarena has also been positive and

smooth in its operation, with the children being quickly organised into their groups and commencing their lessons. We offer a huge

thanks to Mr Batt for his exceptional logistical organization; getting over 500 children to two different venues in a timely manner is no

mean feat! We are also grateful to our teachers who are dealing with compromised timetables and schedules to enable the program to

proceed, and to the many parents who are assisting with supervision and with bus ratios. Swimming is a vital component of our Physi-

cal Education Program and you may have noted Minister Merlino’s comments this week regarding every child being able to swim 50

metres by the time they finish Grade 6. The rationale for conducting our swimming program at this time of year is simple. We want the

skills and knowledge the children gain through their involvement to be fresh in their minds as the holidays and warm weather approach,

and water-based activities become part of the Australian summer.

Our 2017 Foundation children visited us again yesterday as they spent an hour or so at their second Orientation session. Many of

them are already demonstrating a comfortable familiarisation with the school, which will stand them in good stead for their actual com-

mencement in the new year. While they were busily occupied in the classrooms, Transition Coordinator Ms Schultz addressed their

parents in the stadium. She also arranged for: Uniform Shop Coordinator Julie Dussin to speak to them about their uniform orders;

Canteen Manager Di Cleary to inform them of the canteen’s processes; Joey Arnold from OSH Club to let them know about before and

after school care; and a representative from the Commonwealth Bank to speak about school banking. We hope the information we have

provided them helps with their transition into our school and its community.

We didn’t have space in last week’s newsletter to comment on Gelato Day. We are always full of admiration for the creativity the chil-

dren and their parents demonstrate when it comes to the dress-ups, with many fabulous costumes on display. We broke all records for

efficiency in distributing the gelato from Tom’s van and the icy poles from the canteen, with 650 children catered for in 16 minutes! As

this is the last year that Italian will be conducted at BPPS, we may have to consider replacing this fun occasion with Crème Glacée

Day in 2017!

Last week we mentioned that two of our Year 5 students were to receive recognitions in the Boroondara Literacy Awards conducted by

the City of Boroondara. We are pleased to announce that Mia Kagiaros was awarded a Highly Commended and Angelina Liu won

first prize in the prose section for their age groups. In a field of over 500 entries these are truly outstanding achievements – congratula-

tions girls!

We were thrilled to see the photos and story in a recent edition of the Progress Leader regarding our involvement in Green Day for

Peace. With our inclusion in the Boroondara Bulletin recently highlighting our involvement in the Safe to School program, it is nice to

have some of these wonderful initiatives recognized so publicly. Our thanks are extended to parent Stuart Milligan for his help with the

photos and story in the Progress Leader article.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

No 38 1 December 2016

boroondara.park.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au www.bpark.vic.edu.au

Tel 9857 5157 Fax 9857 6794

DIARY DATES Friday 2 December OSH Basketball BBQ & Presentation 3.30-4.30pm outside Hall

Tuesday 6 December Whole School Transition Day 9am—3.30pm

Tuesday 6 December Foundation 2017 Orientation Program 10am—2pm

Tuesday 6 December Parents & Friend Association Meeting Staffroom 7.30pm

Wednesday 7 December Grade 3/4 Dancemob Workshop

Thursday 8 December Carols Night @ BPPS 7.15—9.30pm

Friday 9 December Swimming Program concludes

Monday 12 December Grade 6 excursion to IMAX and Melbourne Museum

Tuesday 13 December Grade 3/4 Matt Glover Drawing Workshop

Tuesday 13 December Grade 6 Movie Afternoon

Tuesday 13 December Parent Helper/Volunteer Afternoon Tea 3.30—4.15pm

Wednesday 14 December Foundation excursion Lego Education Centre

Wednesday 14 December Grade 6 Graduation 6.45—8.30pm @ BPPS

Thursday 15 December Grade 6 picnic Leigh Park

Friday 16 December Final Assembly 2.30—3.30pm

Monday 19 December Pupil Free Day—no students at school

Tuesday 20 December CANTEEN CLOSED

Tuesday 20 December Last day Term 4. 1.30pm dismissal

Wednesday 25 January Book Collection 9.30am—3pm from the Art Room

Monday 30 January Book Collection 9.30am—3pm from the Art Room

Tuesday 31 January First day Term 1 2017 for all students

OSH Basketball

bbq & presentation

friday

We remain concerned at the number of children who are accessing inappropriate movies, and computer and video games. We are

seeing manifestations of these unhealthy practices in the games the children are playing, the crude language being used and the fact

that some children stay up so late with this pre-occupation that they are unable to function effectively at school. Whilst we know

most parents are extremely vigilant, we ask all parents to please monitor your child/ren’s viewing and gaming practices which may

be entirely unsuitable for their level of maturity.

We are trying something different this year to acknowledge our parent helpers. In previous years we have conducted a morning tea,

but with so many parents having commitments with work and other activities, attendances have been dwindling. So this year we are

going to have a Parent Helper Afternoon Tea on Tuesday 13th December from 3.30 to 4.15 p.m. All those who have assisted the

school in any way throughout 2016 are warmly invited. We hope to see many of you there so that the school staff have an opportuni-

ty to say thank you.

Next week’s newsletter (published on 8/12) will be the last formal edition for the year. There will be a brief edition on 15/12 which

is largely consists of recognitions, ‘thank yous’ and farewells, but does not feature the other regular inclusions.

Eric Regester

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

CHILD SAFE POLICIES

After the Royal Commission into the safety of children, the Victorian Government has implemented a number of pro-

cesses to ensure these recommendations are implemented in our schools. Here is a link to the Minister’s message to

parents and educators. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlYhtS_bXUU

As a result we have updated and instigated a range of policies to ensure these protocols are in place at BPPS. The fol-

lowing policies can be located on our school’s website at http://www.bpark.vic.edu.au/page/206/Policies They are the

Child Safe, Medication, Recruitment and Visitor policies. Whilst there you will also notice we’ve updated a number of

additional policies. These include those which support our active travel to school initiative and our commitment to the

environment. There are also policies which relate to parent payments as per the Department of Education regulations.

TRANSITION DAY

Next Tuesday is our whole school transition day. As well as our current BPPS students there will be more than 30 new

students joining us from other schools. We’ll also be welcoming our 2017 Foundation students. This will be the third

occasion for the newest members of the BPPS community to spend time at school. We look forward to a great day

where the children will get to meet their teacher/s for 2017 along with their new classmates. In advance we’d like to

thank the staff for the planning which has gone into ensuring a great day.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Do you have any plans for the holiday period? If not the Victorian Government has a link to a number of great oppor-

tunities. You may find these useful http://www.vic.gov.au/about-victoria-tourism/holidays-daylight-saving/school-

holidays/school-holiday-activities.html

Randal Symons

CUT-OFF DATES FOR PAYMENTS AT THE OFFICE

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO PAYMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED AT THE OFFICE

AFTER Friday 16 DECEMBER

IF YOU ARE PAYING 2017 FEES THIS YEAR THEY MUST BE RECEIVED AT

THE OFFICE BY FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER

Christmas Giving Tree in Office Foyer! As Christmas approaches there are many needy families in the community

who are not able to enjoy the special privileges and treats of the Christmas

season.

Each year we ask our school families to donate food or new toys to be given

to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. If you would like to donate an item

please place your new unwrapped gifts under the Giving Tree (in the office

foyer) before collection on Friday 9th December

(Suggestions for gifts are available at the office)

Thanks for your support!

Second Hand Uniform Stall Many thanks to everyone who came to our Second Hand Uniform Stall last Friday We raised $318, all of which goes directly to the school. Thanks also to the 2nd Hand Uniform Team for facilitating this service.

BPPS NEWSLETTER 2016

Thursday 8 December will be the

final edition of the regular

Boroondara Park Press. There

will be a brief Principal’s

newsletter published on

Thursday 15 December

Thank you to those who have put themselves forward to help. There are many days still left to fill; please complete the Canteen

Helpers form if you can help. If you feel you cannot commit to the canteen the whole day remember anytime you can help is

appreciated If you are unable to work on your selected days, could you please let me know on 0419 506 318.

Di Cleary, Canteen Manager

The ‘Artist of the Week’ award for next week will be shared between 3 students – Scarlett Campbell from 6CF, Sucheta Pereira also from 6CF and Dan Stavretis from 5CB. Each of these students has shown extremely well developed skills across a number of elements. They drew, printed, embossed and added a calligraphy com-ponent. These students then demonstrated their crea-tive flair in the final presentation of this lengthy pro-ject. Fabulous effort Scarlett, Sucheta and Dan. Chris Trollope & Jennifer Hortin

9—11am 11am—1pm

Friday 2 December Help Needed Help Needed

Monday 5 December Help Needed Help Needed

Tuesday 6 December Jane Fellingham Help Needed

Wednesday 7 December Help Needed Help Needed

Thursday 8 December Help Needed Help Needed

Friday 9 December Help Needed Help Needed

Monday 12 December Help Needed Help Needed

Tuesday 13 December Help Needed Help Needed

Wednesday 14 December Help Needed Tania Adamson

Thursday 15 December Help Needed Help Needed

Friday 16 December Help Needed Help Needed

SPECIAL DATES

December 8 Carols Night

Canteen open for sales until 9pm

Hot food, drinks, ice creams

Until sold out

December 20

Last day Term 4

CANTEEN CLOSED

The Department of Education and Training

(DET) does not endorse the products or ser-

vices of any private advertiser. No responsi-

bility is accepted by DET for accuracy of in-

formation contained in advertisements or

claims made by them.