20 August 2015

Newsletter 14/2015

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and Friends,

The month of August is Education Support Month and this week is National Support Staff Week where we take time to celebrate our wonderful Education Support Staff and acknowledge the HUGE contribution that they make to our school. Our integration aides and office staff help keep our school running smoothly and efficiently. There are many ways in which they support all students throughout the school and they are always first to put their hand up to assist a student, teacher, parent or other member of our community in need. Please take the time to say hello and thank you to these wonderful ladies if you see them around the school.
Anne, Lisa, Gail, Jennifer, Alison and Jane, we thank you!
Happy ES Month!   
 

WORKING BEE THANKS

The Working Bee last Saturday was a huge success! Thank you to all the families who came to assist us with cleaning, raking, pruning, weeding, tidying and repairing. The Kid's Cafe area has been cleaned from end to end and top to bottom and is looking fabulous;  the overgrown branches and gardens have been pruned back and have created more accessible play spaces; the soccer and footy goal areas have had the ground aerated and new lawn seed laid; the soft fall in the playground areas has been raked back around the equipment; and the weeds are no longer taking over the gardens!
If you couldn't make it to this one, please put the date for the term 4 working bee in your calendars (Sunday the 15th November)!








 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Planning for 2016

 
It won't be long before we need to make decisions regarding class placements for 2016. It is imperative that we have accurate enrolment records in order to make the best decisions for students at each year level. If you have a child starting Prep in 2016, please get your enrolment forms in by the end of next week.  Also, if you know of any other families who are going to be moving into the area or have spoken to you about having their children attend Mentone Park next year, please encourage them to get their enrolment details in asap or contact the office to arrange a school tour with me. If your child will not be attending Mentone Park next year, please inform the office of this also (this does not include Grade 6 students heading off to secondary school).

 
 

Communication


Thank you to the families who have signed up to our school communication app - tiqbiz. The feedback around the use of this tool for communication has been extremely positive. It won't be long before all communication between school and home including newsletters, notices, messages, permission forms, absences and links are all being sent via tiqbiz only as we move away from paper notices and letters.  Please download the tiqbiz app (free) from the app store if you have not done so already.  School information can also be found on our website. If you still require a paper copy of notices you can request this at the office.

 
 

School Start Time


Please remember that the school opens for students to come in at 8.45am. We encourage students to come in at this time and put their bags away, change their take-home books, read quietly, practise spelling words or times tables, get work books and stationary ready for their first lesson and have a calm and positive start to their school day.  No students are to be in the school buildings prior to 8.45 unless they are enrolled in before school care.   

 
 

3/4 Camp


Next Wednesday our Grade 3 and 4 students and teachers head of to camp Angahook at Airey's Inlet along the Great Ocean Road. We wish them all an exciting and safe 3 days and 2 nights. For many students, this will be their first school camp. If I can offer any advice, to the students it would be get lots of sleep and don't forget to pack plenty of pairs of socks and of course your teddy bear to cuddle at night! To the parents - enjoy your 2 nights of peace and quiet!




Alison Lough
ACTING PRINCIPAL

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Book Week - Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character

Monday 24th August
9:10 Book character dress up parade
9:30 Multi age activities in classrooms
Come and enjoy the fun. Everyone is welcome!  
 

National Science Week  15-24th August 2015

Did you know that this week is National Science Week? Science is an integral part of our lives. This year’s theme for Science Week is Making Waves – the Science of Light.
Light is everywhere and is fundamental to our existence. In fact, photosynthesis is at the origin of all life. Light enables us to enjoy a rainbow, scan our purchases at the supermarket, conduct researches at a synchrotron, take photos and x rays, study the cosmos and read a book at night to name just a few things.

There are many activities which have been organised to celebrate and explore scientific ideas and principles.

Some of the events include:

Market of the Mind at Queensbridge Square and Living Science at the Queen Victoria Market presented by the City of Melbourne in partnership with the CSIRO. Market of the Mind will feature the unique talents of scientists, ice sculptors, cabaret performers and musicians, while Living Science offers families the opportunity to investigate the DNA of strawberries, make their own fizzing lollies and put chocolate under the microscope.

Neural Knitworks: Whether you’re a whiz with yarn, or just discovering the joy of craft- crochet wrap, knit or knot—and find out about neuroscience. In 2015, the Neural Knitworks team invites you to create your own home-grown Neural Knitwork for National Science Week. Together we’ll create a giant ‘virtual’ neural network by linking your displays visually online.Your creation can be big or small, part of a formal display, or simply consist of neighbourhood neuron ‘yarn-bombings’. Knitworks can be created at home, at work or at school. No knitting experience is required and all ages can participate.
See the 2014 gallery http://www.scienceweek.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Neural_Knitworks_gallery_v2.pdf for yarn craft inspiration.
Neural Knitworks is based on the principle that yarn craft, with its mental challenges, social connection and mindfulness, helps keep our brains and minds sharp, engaged and healthy.
Have fun as you:
  • design your own woolly neurons, or get inspired by our scientifically-informed knitting, crochet or knot patterns;
  • natter with neuroscientists and teach them a few of your crafty tricks;
  • contribute to a travelling textile brain exhibition;
  • increase your attention span and test your memory;
  • calm your mind and craft your own brain health as you forge friendships;
  • solve creative and mental challenges;
  • practise mindfulness and relaxation;
  • teach and learn;
  • develop eye-hand coordination and fine motor dexterity.
So, what is a neuron?
Neurons are electrically excitable cells of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The billions of neurons in your body connect to each other in neural networks. They receive signals from every sense, control movement, create memories, and form the neural basis of every thought.
For ideas and patterns to use for your project visit the link http://www.scienceweek.net.au/neural-knitworks/ If you do create a neural knitwork I’d love to see a photo of them – or bring one in to school to show me.

For more information about National Science Week visit the website
http://www.scienceweek.net.au/
Let’s get thinking and creating.

Sue Grisdale
ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL



TERM 3 CALENDAR

Here is the calendar of events for this term. It will be updated fortnightly.

GRADE 3-6 HOUSE ATHLETICS

What better way to celebrate a great athletics seasons than a mini athletics day!

Friday 21st August – 8:50am to 10:40am

Parents are welcome to come help and support students on the day.
EVENTS:
SESSIONS:
100M
800M
SHOT PUT
LONG JUMP
9:00- 9:15
8/9yrs
12/13yrs
11yrs
10yrs
9:20- 9:35
10yrs
11 yrs
12/13yrs
8/9yrs
9:40 – 9:55
11yrs
10yrs
8/9yrs
12/13yrs
10:00 – 10:15
12/13yrs
8/9yrs
10yrs
11yrs
10:20- 30
Presentation & pack up
Don’t forget to wear your HOUSE COLOURS!!
Please make sure students are at school no later than 8:50 so they can be placed in their age groups before the event commences.
Hope LaycockP.E Teacher

BOOK WEEK


BOOK FAIR 

FATHER'S DAY BBQ


HELPERS NEEDED

The PFA need helpers for the following events:
Father’s Day Stall and Father’s Day Breakfast on 3rd September;

Footy Day Lunch on 18th September;
Art Show on 14th October;
School Disco on 29th October.
If you are available to help at these events please write your name on the sign-up sheets on the Community Notice Board.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

We have one Entertainment Book at $65.00 for sale.  If you would like to purchase it, please contact the Office.

WOOLWORTHS EARN & LEARN STICKERS

We are currently collecting the Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers.  Families, please can you ask for the stickers when you shop at Woolworths?   If you shop at the Thrift Park store we have a collection box there.  You can also deposit stickers in the box near the office at school.
The stickers will be redeemed for equipment to support our programmes here at Mentone Park.
Thank-you.  
Kerry McKenna

CAN YOU HELP?

We require new 4 litre plastic ice-cream containers for our water saving program.  Please deliver to Mrs Unwin's room.
Thank you
Noela Unwin

We have had some very busy weeks in the Kids Cafe and I am very grateful to the fabulous team of regulars and class volunteers who come to help out. We have been a bit short on rostered class helpers over the last couple of months, so please could you check the roster below and try to come on your class’ day. We love the help but the kids love it more! This is the roster for the rest of this term.
Aug 21st - 2R & 5D
28th - 1/2U & 6W
Sept 4th - prep to 2
11th - grades 3 to 6
17th - clean up - all welcome
You may have heard rumours that pizzas are coming back on the menu…this is true, we are thinking about bringing them back for term 4 BUT ONLY if we can find volunteers to make the pizza bases! I currently have two mums who are willing to come in once a fortnight and I need at least two more to alternate with them. It’s a job that can be done on any day that suits (but obviously not Friday) and takes a couple of hours. Please contact me (0413 009493) if you are interested. 
We need to make a few alterations to the ovens and benches in the cafe and I’m putting the call out to any builder parents who might be interested. I’d love to get this done in the next holidays so please contact me asap as I will need to find someone outside of the school community if no one is interested.
Thank you
Liz & the Kids Cafe Team


PIANO LESSONS

If you would like your child in Grade 2-6 to learn the piano in school hours at Mentone Park Primary School please contact Mrs Millard (B.MUS. Ed) on 9583 6172 or mob. 0418 629 586.

OSHC

This week at before and After School Care:
To make it possible for us to contact casual staff in time it is essential to book as far in advance as possible. Please also note if your child is booked into basketball or netball program as well as after school care, please let your child know to check in with us before they head of. For the safety of the children booked in with us it is important we know where they are at all times!
The last few weeks of our program has included lots of dress ups, soccer and cardboard boxes for a wide range of activities!
Joanna is off on holidays for two weeks. Leah and casual staff will be helping out!
We are enjoying our week and hope you are too!
From Anicca and the OSCH team       

COMMUNITY SERVICE & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and Mentone Park Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.













5 August 2015

Newsletter 13/2015

PRINCIPAL'S DAY: 

 A Message of Thanks to Kendra Parker & Alison Lough

On behalf of the Mentone Park Primary School Council and the Parents’ & Friends Association, we would like to acknowledge the wonderful job you do and express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the efforts and contribution you have made to our school. The long hours and dedication over and above that you have shown is to be commended. Thank you for your inspiring and strong leadership throughout your time at Mentone Park. Our school is developing because of your commitment to achieve the best for our children and the greater Mentone Park community.
We look forward to celebrating further goals and achievements at Mentone Park and wish you all the very best for another wonderful year ahead. 
Happy Principal's Day for 2015.

Andrew Davis  - Wendy Davis
School Council President  - PFA President

PRINCIPAL'S DAY MORNING TEA

On Thursday 13th August, all Parents, Grandparents and Friends of Mentone Park Primary School are invited to celebrate Principal's Day with Kendra and Alison and the PFA at Hendriks Cafe, 105/107 White St, Mordialloc from 10am to 11am.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Dear Parents and Friends
What a lovely surprise I got when I opened the email to write my report and saw the message above! I am sure Mrs Lough will agree with me that we do what we do because we love our work!  We love being able to influence the outcomes for young people by providing them with a solid educational foundation.  We love working with children and their families and seeing the joy of learning.  We love working with teachers to build the best school and provide the best learning for our kids - we just love our job!

Yesterday, after months of preparation and input from the whole school community, we conducted our school review under the guidance of Bronwyn Van Amerongen, an independent reviewer.  Supporting us on the day were my peers, Laureen Walton - Principal of Sandringham East PS and Marcelle van Maanen - Principal Mentone PS.  Simon Hamilton, our Senior Adviser from the Department, was also present for the morning session.  Andrew Davis - School Council president and Fiona Longmuir - School Council representative, represented the parent community throughout the day.  Thank you to all these people who gave up their day to be a part of our school improvement journey.
It was a wonderful day of reflection and celebration of the hard work we have put into improving learning for our students over the past 4 years.  Looking back at what we have done was overwhelming - so much work and dedication by our teachers along the way.  Some of the initiatives we have implemented over the past four years of our Strategic Plan have included:
  • Introduction of Writer's and Reader's Workshops
  • A whole school approach to the teaching of Mathematics
  • Introduction of AusVELS
  • Implementation of the whole school curriculum for Units of Study (i.e science, history)
  • Passionate Pursuits
  • Literacy Support programs across the whole school
  • Introduction of the Performing Arts program
  • Increased access to ICT - iPads, interactive and static screens in all rooms, Netbooks
These are just some of the major initiatives and changes that are helping to shape and improve the learning of our students going forward into the next 4 year Strategic Plan. 
I certainly went home last night feeling very proud of the work we have done and the outcomes we have achieved.  I look forward to continuing our journey of whole school improvement together!


This will actually be my last newsletter for this term as I head off on some Long Service Leave from 14th August.  Whilst I am away, Mrs Lough will be the acting principal in charge of the school.
We also wish Mrs Unwin a happy holiday as she too heads off on Long Service Leave for the same period.  Whilst we are both heading over to Europe, at the same time, we are not actually going together!  Mrs Unwin will be travelling across the European countryside via train and car with her family and Carol Drinkwater, whilst I will be cruising the Mediterranean before returning to Turkey for a family wedding.
If I don't get to see you before I leave, I look forward to seeing you all on my return in term 4.

Kendra Parker
PRINCIPAL

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT


On Tuesday, all students from P-6 were treated to a performance by Matt and his cartoon character friend - NED! Ned stands for "Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best"! These three important messages were delivered to the students via some humorous storytelling, magic and amazing yo-yo tricks.

Some ways that you can use NED at home are:

1. Share a story about never giving up on something that was important to you as a child.

2. Be your child's number 1 encourager! Recognise something that your child is trying to be awesome at and applaud their efforts.

3. If your child is excelling in a particular area, identify new challenges that will keep them doing their best.
                       WORKING BEE

Next Saturday the 15th August is our Term 3 Working Bee. Working Bees are a great opportunity to mingle with other families, enjoy a BBQ lunch and spend time improving and enhancing the school grounds that your children use each weekday.

If you haven't already, please return the slip that was sent home yesterday indicating how many will be in attendance so I know how many to cater for.

Looking forward to seeing you there with your shovels, rakes, trowels and tools!




Alison Lough
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

MILLIE

Millie our Shingleback Lizard has gone a new home at the RSPCA in  Pearcedale, where she can live in a more natural habitat.  One RSPCA staff member in particular was very excited to have her and may even end up adopting her.

TERM 3 CALENDAR

Here is the calendar of events for this term. It will be updated fortnightly.

CURRICULUM DAY THURSDAY 30TH JULY 

What a cold miserable day it was last Thursday; but not for the staff at Mentone Park.  The atmosphere was warm and it was great to see teachers working in teams to further their learning in the areas of Spelling.
Led by an enthusiastic presenter, Michelle Hutchison, we were introduced to a new approach that covers Prep to Year 6.  It is called “SMART Spelling.”
 
Say
Meaning
Approach
Remember
Teach

Do you know how many letters in our alphabet there are?  Of course you all do!  But do you how many sounds there are?  There are 44 sounds – 20 vowel and 24 consonant sounds. 
Students will be taught the link between sounds and letters, they will learn about graphs, digraphs and trigraphs: but the best of all is that spelling rules have been condensed to just 4.  WOW that saves a lot of memorizing! 
Over the next few weeks, teachers will be introducing this approach and sending home a weekly sheet of words being studied in the classroom.  Like Maths, Spelling is based on patterns and this helps the students see the links with sounds and letters. 
Remember, saying the words and counting sounds rather than individual letters help establish the pattern.
Well done to Mrs. Sue Grisdale and the English Learning Team for organizing this worthwhile day.


BOOK WEEK

Favourite ‘Book Character’ Parade
Monday 24th August 2014

To celebrate Book Week the students are encouraged to dress up as their favourite ‘book character’. They will participate in a morning parade and then work in multi-age groups exploring a range of literacy based activities.
Who is your child’s favourite character from a book?
There will be a parade of book characters at 9.10am on the basketball courts. Parents welcome.

 ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

We have one Entertainment Book at $65.00 for sale.  If you would like to purchase it, please contact the Office.

WOOLWORTHS EARN & LEARN STICKERS

We are currently collecting the Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers.  Families, please can you ask for the stickers when you shop at Woolworths?   If you shop at the Thrift Park store we have a collection box there.  You can also deposit stickers in the box near the office at school.
The stickers will be redeemed for equipment to support our programmes here at Mentone Park.
Thank-you.  
Kerry McKenna


CAN YOU HELP?

We require new 4 litre plastic ice-cream containers for our water saving program.  Please deliver to Mrs Unwin's room.
Thank you
Noela Unwin

Hydraulic Splitter

If anyone has access to a Hydraulic Splitter or knows of someone we may approach to borrow one, could you please contact the school office,



Here is the Kids Cafe class roster for the rest of the year. Please note that there is a new link for the online roster;  http://vols.pt/mvLArg
If your class are not rostered on you are still most welcome to come along, but please use the link so that I know who is helping me on that day.  
Thanks very much,
Liz
TERM 3
August
 7th - 1B & 3/4H
14th - 2O & 5/6S
21st - 2R & 5D
28th - 1/2U & 6W
September
 4th - prep to 2
11th - grades 3 to 6
17th - clean up - all welcome

TERM 4
October
 9th - PS & 3/4G
16th - PM & 3/4O
23rd - 1O & 3/4S
30th - 1B & 3/4H
November 
 6th - 2O & 5/6S
13th - 2R & 5D
20th - 1/2U & 6W
27th - prep to 2
December
4th - grades 3 to 6
11th - clean up - all welcome

SCHOOL BANKING



PIANO LESSONS

If you would like your child in Grade 2-6 to learn the piano in school hours at Mentone Park Primary School please contact Mrs Millard (B.MUS. Ed) on 9583 6172 or mob. 0418 629 586.

OSHC

Hello to all our parents at OSCH, this week has been very cold and wet and has not been in our favour to play outside but we have had a lot of fun inside with our house games and colouring in competitions, movies and even indoor ball games. All of our children have enjoyed playing with dress ups and making cubby houses using sheets and blankets. If any parents are getting rid of sheets, clothes, dress ups and would like to donate please speak to Anicca for more information.

From Anicca and the OSCH team       

COMMUNITY SERVICE & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and Mentone Park Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.