1. education
2. school

ISSUE 23
23rd October 2014
Excursion Payments - PLEASE
NOTE ANY PAYMENT AFTER THE
DUE DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Each year schools in the City of Whittlesea are invited to
nominate a student for their annual Student Recognition
Program. Our school nominated a Year 6 student, Casey, who
supports the Language School in Thomastown by volunteering
her services in the canteen on Saturdays from 8.30am to
1.30pm. Casey also supported her Dad to raise over $6,000 for
the World Hunger Appeal during the school holidays, as well as
supporting her aunty and grandmother’s volunteer efforts with
the elderly in a nursing home.
Yr.6 Uniform 2015 orders due 7th Nov
Graduation Payments due 14th Nov
Yr 3 & 4 Basketball Tournament due 7th
Nov - $8
Yr.2 Planks Push & Pull Incursion due 10th
Nov - $8
ENROL NOW FOR 2015.
Coming Events
Oct 20-25 Children’s Week
Oct 22-28 Book Fair
Oct 23-24 Year 3 City Experience Camp
Oct 23 Year 1 Swimming
Oct 24 Year 4 Tennis Clinic
Oct 27 Foundation Swimming
Oct 28 Foundation Swimming
Oct 29 Year 1 Swimming
Oct 29 Year 4 Camp Information Night @ 6.30pm
Oct 30 Year 1 Swimming
Oct 31 World Teacher’s Day
Nov 3 Pupil Free Day - Report Writing
Nov 4 Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Nov 5-7 Year 4 Waratah Bay Camp
Casey’s teacher Mr Bill Boicovitis and I had the pleasure of
attending the official Student Recognition Ceremony with
Casey and her family at Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention
Centre on Wednesday, 22nd October 2014 where the Mayor
presented Casey with the award. Well done Casey! We are very
proud of your achievement and hope you continue your great
work in the community.
ARTS EXHIBITION
Congratulations to everyone involved in our school’s Arts
Exhibition! Our school community was treated to a wonderful
artistic and musical feast last Friday evening. With magnificent
displays of artworks all around the Acacia Building, excellent
entertainment provided by individual students, the Mill Park
Singers and the school band ‘Rock Fusion’ closing the evening,
it made for a true celebration of The Arts.
11th November 2014
Committee Meetings
Buildings & Grounds; Eduction & Policy; Finance &
Fundraising; Community Building & Relations
OSHC
Term 4, 2014
School Council Meetings for 2014
28th October and 18th November
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Many thanks and congratulations go to our Visual Art teachers
Mrs Pam Hoyne and Mrs Saras Ramasamy, and our Years 3 – 6
Music/Performing Arts teacher Ms Fiona King, for organising
and coordinating this fabulous event. Thanks also go to our
auctioneer Mr Mario Galletti for doing an outstanding job with
the class artworks auction.
Special thanks to our students and their families for supporting
and celebrating the Arts Exhibition. The turnout was absolutely
fantastic. Bravo!
S
Generated a strong sense of harmony and goodwill
between all sectors of the school community
On behalf of School Council I call for nominations for the 2014
Brian Wooster Memorial Award. Nomination forms are available
at the school office which members of the school community
are invited to complete and return to the school by Friday, 14th
November 2014.
THINKING SKILLS
Dr Edward de Bono has focused on how humans think and is
the originator of Lateral and Parallel Thinking.
Much of our thinking is done in a disorganised, inefficient way.
We often try to do too much at once. Emotions, information,
logic, hope, risk and creativity are all mixed up together. It is
like juggling too many balls. As a result we begin to limit our
thinking and make poor decisions.
Often, we tend to use only one type of thinking at any given
moment.
One type of thinking is no longer adequate to cope with
today’s rapidly changing world. Judgement and argument
can no longer solve problems or move us forward. We need
to switch our thinking from one-dimension to six-dimensions
using Parallel Thinking.
Dr de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a process that allows for
collaborative, focussed and directed thinking. It allows us
to explore six different avenues of thought to build insight,
creative ideas and solutions. The process is a powerful tool
to help change the way we think and involves the following
methods of thinking:
White Hat: information, facts, data, figures
Red Hat: feelings, instincts, hunches, emotions
Black Hat: judgement, critic, analyst, review
Yellow Hat: benefits, positives, strengths, good points
Blue Hat: thinking, overview, agenda, decision
Green Hat: creativity, growth, ideas, possibilities
The Six Thinking Hats can be used in a variety of ways to gain
an informed perspective about an issue, a problem or decision.
In next week’s newsletter I will address Dr de Bono’s Direct
Attention Thinking Tools (DATT).
YEAR 6 CONGRATULATIONS
Special congratulations to the following Year 6 students who
have gained placement into extension programs at their
respective secondary schools:
S Max – Academic Scholarship, Ivanhoe Grammar
S Victoria – Academic Scholarship, Lalor North Secondary
College
S Abdallah - Academic Scholarship, Mill Park Secondary
College
S Tarsha - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Claudia - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Abdullah - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Jessica - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Yuto - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Brandon - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Yan Kai - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Zuwail - SEAL Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Timothy - Extension Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Rebecca - Extension Program, Mill Park Secondary College
S Dion - SEAL Program, Reservoir High School
Additional congratulations go to Abdullah who was presented
with the Academic Scholarship for Mill Park Secondary College
by the Principal, Ms Trish Horner.
SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
We have noticed that a number of children are arriving at
school around 8.00am. This is a reminder to parents that
teachers begin yard duty in the school yard from 8.45am to
9.00am. This means that children arriving at school before this
time are not directly supervised. Parents are asked to please
make sure children are dropped off at a reasonable time and
to remember that it is inappropriate for children to be dropped
off in the school yard and left unsupervised. The Out of School
Hours Care program is available from 7.00am and provides
supervised care before and after school. Information about this
program is available at the school office.
Well done!
BRIAN WOOSTER MEMORIAL AWARD
The Brian Wooster Award is presented by the School Council
annually to a parent of the school who has:
S
Demonstrated exemplary levels of voluntary
community involvement at the school
S
Demonstrated that the levels of service to the school
have been due to a commitment to education and to the local
community
S
Promoted Mill Park Primary within the school and
wider community
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STUDENT FREE DAY
Greetings from Sovereign Hill
The Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development (DEECD) allows schools to conduct four Student
Free Days per year. Please note that the final Student Free Day
for this year will be on Monday, 3rd November 2014.
Teachers will be writing end of year reports, therefore students
are not required to attend school on this day.
What an amazing 3 day adventure - a great time has been had
by all. The students have been exceptionally well behaved and
the Ma’am’s from the Red Hill and St Peter’s school’s have
commented on this. The students certainly acted the part of the
students from this era well - wait till you see all the photos. A
reminder that the wiki space is active if you wanted to see some
of the daily antics. Go to http://mppsyear5.wikispaces.com
PARENTING ARTICLE
Attached to today’s newsletter is an article from Parenting
Ideas written by Catherine Gerhardt titled ‘When does fun
flip into addiction?’ and addresses children’s fascination with
electronic gaming.
For more parenting articles on a variety of topics please visit
parentingideas.com.au
The Blood of the Southern Cross show was a real hit but ended
late at night and the students are tired and weary today as they
drag their feet through the pebbled, dusty, steep hills......
dragging the staff behind them! Oops I meant the other way
around.
I trust all the students have enjoyed the Children’s Week
festivities. I was telling Mrs Alessi on the phone earlier this week
that the irony is at Mill Park Primary School we are celebrating
children and their right to have a voice and be heard, the
contradiction at Sovereign Hill is the mantra that ‘Children
should be seen and NOT heard’ some of our very opinionated
students struggled with this!
I leave you with a quote from Henry Ford, ‘Whether you think
you can, or think you can’t – you’re right.’
Alessi
Principal
In conjunction with the celebration of Children Week one of our
student’s family members have successfully published a
children’s picture story book, “Annabel’s chewy-gooey birthday
cake”. This book is being launched at the Mill Park Library at
11am Saturday 25th October. The author will be at the library on
the day to share the story and sign any copies if you are
interested.
FROM ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Hi everyone,
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Every day counts – school attendance
We all want our students to get a great education, and the
building blocks for a great education begin with students
coming to school each and every day.
The happy campers will have slept well in their own beds on
Wednesday night contrary to the year 3 students who will be
sleep deprived from the excitement as they embark on their
city experience overnight on Thursday and return Friday.
Missing school can have a major impact on a child’s future – a
student missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by
the end of the year. By Year 10 they’ll have missed more than a
year of school.
I am sure I will have many tales to tell next week once all this
camping business is over! Take care have a great week - keep
smiling and celebrate our precious gems we know as our
children.
There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a
student misses puts them behind, and can affect their
educational outcomes.
Coming to school every day is vital, but if for any reason your
child must miss school, there are things we can do together to
ensure they don’t fall behind:
Keep smiling!
Fiona Rosa
•
Speak with your child’s classroom teacher and find
out what work your child needs to do to keep up.
Assistant Principal
•
Develop an absence learning plan with your child’s
teacher and ensure your child completes the plan.
POPPY APPEAL BADGES
I have Poppy Appeal Badges for sale at the offices for anyone
that is interested. Price range from $1 to $10.
Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school,
speak with your classroom teacher early as early as possible.
The new laws have been activated as of the 1st March 2014 and
this means that parents can be fined for not sending students
to school without an acceptable reason.
Vivian Gulia
Administration
If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let the
classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your
child to school every day.
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ATTENDANCE DATA
ICAS (NSW) TESTING RESULTS
SUMMARY 2014
It’s NOT OK to be away!
The ICAS (NSW) testing for 2014 took place from the 20th May to
the 12th August. The results are attached to this week’s
newsletter.
It’s COOL to be at SCHOOL!
Here are the student absences for Term 4, Week 2 2014. These
statistics cover the days for the period Monday 13/10/2014 to
Friday 17/10/2014.
Efstathia Therapiotis
CONGRATULATIONS - Early Bird
Congratulations to Groups Eucalypt 1, Eucalypt 4, Eucalypt 6,
Hibiscus 3, Waratah 10, Waratah 4, and Waratah 7 for being here
on time to start their learning all week!
ICAS (NSW) Testing Coordinator
100% Attendance winners - Term 4 Week 2 - 2014
Please note - The Commonwealth Bank are out of stock of the
Penguin Keyring and Whale Shark pencil case. Keep swapping
STUDENT BANKING
Congratulations to all the students who were here every single
day last week:
your tokens for great rewards.
Foundation –
Amber
Congratulations to the following students that have swapped
Year 1 – Logan
10 tokens for a great reward.
Alex (W1), Sam (W3), Madeleine (W6), Logan (W7), Bailey (W7),
Sophia (W8), Brooke (W8), Jake (W8), Chloe (W9), Teresa (H1),
Edelyn (H5), Holly (H6) and Cheyenne (E4). Well done!
Year 2 – Laura
Year 3 – Paige
Year 4 –
Heri
Please come to the office to collect your reward.
Year 5 – Brodie
Year 6 – Hailey
Vivian Gulia
Student Banking Coordinator
2014
Without
With
Week 2
Note
Note
Total
Progressive
Average
No.
Total
date
Student
Term 10
to Rate/
Foundation
11
12
23
918
10.0
Years 1
6
7
13
Years 2
12
23
35
Years 3
9
12
21
Years 4
6
18
24
Years 5
6
8
14
Years 6
8
10
18
TOTAL
58
90
148
686
893
705
829
625
575
5193
8.1
9.9
9.7
10.7
8.6
8.9
9.4
YEAR 6 GRADUATION GARMENTS
2015
An order form was sent home on Monday 6th October together
with the Essential Resources payment information for Year 6
students in 2015 to purchase graduation uniform.
It is highly recommended that parents/guardians check the
sizing of the garments for your child as we are using a different
supplier this year and sizes vary from our current uniform
supplier. A range of uniform sizes are available for your child to
try on at the office. Unfortunately circumstances prevent the
refund or exchange of items ordered. Orders must be received
by Friday 7th November 2014. No orders will be accepted after
this date.
Remember that being at school on time, every day, can
improve student learning! Please make sure you continue to
send a note if your child is going to be absent from school.
Jennifer Panettieri
Year 6 Uniform Coordinator
Steven Edwards
Student Attendance Data Coordinator
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Citizenship Awards
Year 3
Waratah W6 Ava
For always showing the value of respect.
Hibiscus H5 Hayley
For improved independence within the classroom.
Hibiscus H6 Ryan
Term 4
For demonstrating the value of responsibility.
Week 3
Foundation
Year 4
Waratah W1 Talei
Eucalypt E1 Rena
For being a caring and hardworking member of W1.
For continued enthusiasm towards her learning.
Waratah W2 Levi-Carter
Eucalypt E3 Jourdan
For showing a great sense of humour.
For her positive attitude.
Waratah W3 Vasia
For being extremely helpful.
Waratah W4 Boice
Year 6
For showing the value of friendliness.
Eucalypt E2
Waratah W5 Luxman
Zacharay
For showing the value of teamwork during maths
investigations.
For always being a wonderful helper.
Eucalypt E7 Zachary
For fantastic involvement in dancing for Graduation.
Year 1
Waratah W7 Skylah
For showing the value of respect.
Waratah W9 Noah
For showing the value of independence.
Waratah W10 Vanessa
For being an enthusiastic member of W10.
Year 2
Hibiscus H1 Nicholas
For showing the value of helpfulness.
Hibiscus H2 Tharinie
For always showing the value of friendliness.
Hibiscus H3 Nathan
For showing the value of helpfulness.
Hibiscus H4 Levi
For being a positive member of H4.
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Learning Awards
Year 3
Waratah W6 Rishant
For working hard to improve his comprehension skills.
Hibiscus H5 Dave
For demonstrating excellent reading comprehension
Term 4
skills.
Week 3
Hibiscus H6 Mihaad
For showing excellent reading comprehension skills.
Foundation
Waratah W1 Liam
For writing a detailed journal writing piece.
Year 4
Waratah W2 Taidgh
Eucalypt E1 Kangran
For finishing his Lemon words. Well done!
For an awesome persuasive piece about computers.
Waratah W3 Alonso
Eucalypt E3 Lara
For settling into his new school extremely well.
For her excellent times table knowledge.
Waratah W4 Esra
For writing a terrific story.
Waratah W5 Riley
Year 6
For using quotation marks and including fabulous detail
in his Superhero story.
Eucalypt E2 Joshua
Eucalypt E7 Danielle
For working hard to improve his learning. Keep it up!
Year 1
For working well on Grammar work on Parts of Speech.
Waratah W7 Lydia
For her Superhero story.
Waratah W9 Rozan
For improving in her reading.
Waratah W10 Katrina
For identifying the features of 3D shapes.
Year 2
Hibiscus H1 Sasha
For excellent persuasive writing.
Hibiscus H2 Bethany
For her wonderful map work.
Hibiscus H3 Demi
For her excellent ‘Superhero’ story.
Hibiscus H4 Max
For his excellent work on his maths investigation task.
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SPORTS CORNER
Zayaan, Elena, Melanie, Gabriella, Safaa, Hannah, Jessica,
Loretta, Athanasia and Vasiliki
Northern Regional Athletics:
Well done to the 8 students that competed last week at the
Northern Regional Athletic Championships. The level of
competition was extremely high (i.e. Long Jump competition
was over 4m) and although no one advanced to state
competition, it was a great experience that they will always
remember. Congratulations Jacob, Maggie, Mitchell, Dion,
Georgie, Claudia, Zayaan and Danielle who represented our
school and sport district with great spirit and sportsmanship!
Divisional Volleyball Championships:
It was an absolute pleasure to take on the coaching job for our
Volleyball girls this Monday at the Whittlesea Divisional
Championships. The event was held at St Francis P.S and I know
Miss Piraina was there in spirit (attending Year 5 Camp), as she
has done a wonderful job coaching the girls this year. I was so
proud and amazed at their level of skill while they competed
against Marymede Primary School.
The first set was won by Marymede (25-21), then our girls
stormed back to win the second set 25-17. It was back and forth
with both sides making great plays. In the third and final set (up
to 15 pts) the girls ran out of time as Marymede squeaked by
winning 15-10. It was non-stop encouragement and team work
from the following team members:
2014 Interschool Sport – In review
Our teams have enjoyed a very successful year taking home 11
Banners (Premiers/Runners up) from both the summer and
winter competitions. I would like to personally thank all our
Year 5 and 6 coaches for their amazing work with the kids and to
all the parents that were able to attend some of the games.
It is always hard at the start of each year or term to choose teams
to compete in the Bundoora Sport District. Although it is a very
fair and cooperative group of schools, that share ideas and work
together to provide the best possible sporting opportunities. It
is also a very challenging and competitive district that celebrates
teams/individuals that are able to advance and compete at
Divisional, Regional and State levels. That is why teams are
chosen based on a high level of skill and sportsmanship.
Intra-School Sport:
As it is important that all Year 5 and 6 students get a chance to
feel they part of a school team the Intra-school sport program
was developed. The program runs every Friday morning (9:0011:00) in Terms 3 and 4 and so far students have competed in
Netball, Hockey, Handball, Volleyball and Rounders. Each week
results are tallied and a standings/leader board is created
(similar to interschool sport). The main difference is that at the
end of the 2 hour session, all teams come together to record
wins/ties/losses, but to also celebrate individual achievements,
leadership and sportsmanship. This is the part of the program
that I enjoy the most as students nominate team-mates or
opponents for something outstanding that they witnessed
during the competition. Smiles are created and sense of
belonging is instilled.
End of Year Sport Function – Epping Leisure Centre
This year instead of a Swimming Carnival the school will be
trialling something new and attending Epping Leisure Centre
on both 3rd December (Foundation to Year 2) and 5th
December (Year 3 to 6).
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OVERDUE BOOKS
The Leisure Centre will be providing sport rotations run by their
highly trained staff from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Students will
rotate through such activities as indoor Soccer, indoor Football,
Beach and Hard Court Volleyball, Cricket, Tennis, Basketball,
Netball, Lacrosse, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Fitness/Gym sessions
and European Handball. A resounding 85% of students at
school when polled, wanted a change from swimming and with
an indoor facility, weather conditions on the day will no longer
be such a concern. It also allows those students who do not feel
competent in the water, something that they can feel safe
participating in with their classmates and teachers.
Overdue notices went home yesterday. We currently have 165
items over due this equates to $2475.00. I would rather spend
our Book Fair Commission on new books than replacing “lost”
ones. Please look for these missing books. The library is open
from 8.30am – 3.45pm every day so there is no excuse for an
overdue book.
Happy Reading
Sharon Turner
District Swim Team trials: Trials will take place early in Term 1,
2015 for students in Years 3 to 6 who wish to compete for our
school in the Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly or Breaststroke
events. Information regarding the trials will be provided near
the end of the year and will likely be conducted at the
Greensborough Indoor Pool.
Library
PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
NEWS
Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday November 11th at
9.05am.
Sincerely,
PE Teacher
If you have any feedback or ideas on fundraising, or have been
curious to see what events are upcoming, come and join us in
the Community Room.
‘BDSSA’ Coordinator
FUNDRAISING CALENDAR
Jason Gray
October: YEAR 6 GRADUATION BEARS AND MOMENTOS
November: ELECTION DAY BBQ
Hello fellow readers!
December: CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND BBQ/RAFFLE
Book Club pamphlets went home a couple of weeks ago. All
orders must be returned with cash in a school envelope by
Friday 24th October at 4pm. This will be the second last order
for the year so it is a good time to look at your child’s favourite
series or authors and do some Christmas shopping early.
Can you help?
BOOK CLUB
Do you know or have an association with a local business who
is keen to promote their services or products?
Each year the PFA collects donations from a variety of sources to
contribute to our Christmas Raffle and we rely on these to put
generous hampers together to offer as prizes.
No orders will be accepted after the above date, so get in early
to avoid disappointment
If you own a business or work for a company that would be
willing to donate products or vouchers, please contact the
school.
Sharon Turner
Book Club Coordinator
Companies and businesses that offer to help are acknowledged
here in the newsletter and their products and/or services are
mentioned and promoted at the time of the draw itself.
READING MATTERS
We are lucky to have already received gift certificates from
larger companies, why not promote yourself or your workplace
as a local competitor and support your child’s school in the
process.
BOOK FAIR
Catch the Reading Bug! Yes the final Book Fair for 2014 has
arrived and is open for business every morning at 8.30am. Lots
of different titles and for those thinking of (dare I say it)
Christmas, lots of stocking fillers. Come along and browse with
you child and talk about the books they like to read. Purchase if
you wish – prices start at $1 for erasers etc. and $7.00 for books.
We earn 30% on every item purchased and this money goes to
buying new books for our school library. Hope to see you there!
Kathryn Murray
PFA Secretary
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