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Friday 7TH November, 2014
Dear parents, friends and carers,
The yard is supervised
Before School from 8.45am
After school until 3.45pm
Recess: 11:00am-11:30am
Lunch eating:1:30pm – 1.45pm
Yard time: 1:45-2:30pm
School Finish: 3.30pm
This is a reflection by Natalia in Year Two about writing.
From the office
Footscray Primary School
BSB:063 132
Account number 10090179
----------------------We now have EFTPOS
available at the school office to
pay all bills. Credit card facilities
available.
Newsletter Distribution.
If you would like to receive the
newsletter by email please send
your email address to:
brown.jessie.m@
edumail.vic.gov.au
I used to think writing was something to annoy you until
you burst.
Now I think writing is some sort of magic humans can
make.
As a writer:
I try my best
I don’t give up
I read through books for interesting words
I encourage myself
I just keep trying
What does it mean to learn? What does it mean to become
educated? How do students learn? How do teachers teach?
These are the big questions that we ask and explore as
educators. I read Natalia’s reflection on herself as a writer and
reflected that these are the attitudes and qualities which we
must develop as a learner.
Our students at Footscray Primary School are encouraged to
be reflective and thoughtful through considering their own
learning and experiences. Natalia is considering how she was
as a writer and how she views herself as a writer now. This
learning is transformational as she has changed her view and
belief of herself as a writer.
Her words reflect the courage and independence to try her
best and never give up! “I just keep trying! I encourage
myself!” What important messages for all of us.
Congratulations Natalia for demonstrating to us what it truly
means to be a learner at Footscray Primary School. I believe
this is why we are a great school because we are developing
the tool kit of learning for all of our students.
2014 Term Dates
Term 4:
6 October to 19 December
2015 Students Return
Year 1-6: Thursday 29th January
Foundation: Friday 30th January
Leaving the School- Please inform the Office Staff
To assist with the planning for 2015 could you please contact
Jessie Brown in the school office on 96871910 if your child/ren
will not be returning to Footscray Primary School in 2015. This
will help us greatly with planning budgets and recruitment of
staff.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Executive Officer: Philip Fox
President: Bianca Moore
Vice President: Mark Hollis
Secretary: Henrik Steenberg
Treasurer: Chris Lacey
(Finance/OSHC)
Parent Representatives:
Anura Kankanamge
Caroline Scott - Wellbeing &
Community; Out of Hours School
Care
Martin Sharkey - Facilities &
Sustainability
Mark Hollis - Finance
Teacher Representatives:
Bridget McLaughlin
(Education & Policy Subcommittee)
Stacey Richards
Classroom Allocation for 2015
I have included a copy of our classroom allocation policy and
encourage you to read through this carefully. We aim to form
well balanced classes of children that take into account the
social, emotional, academic and physical characteristics of
children. We also aim to provide all children with the
opportunity to be part of a class that will allow them the best
opportunity to learn.
I believe we must learn to relate to a range of people and
personality types. We also want to encourage our students to
develop broad friendship groups and learn the important skills
of making friends. Teachers will use their knowledge of
children prior to class placement as well. This includes
specialist teachers who have known the children over many
years.
Philip Fox
Principal
Physical Education – Term 4
In Term 4 great learning has been occurring across all classes
in Physical Education.
Our Foundation students have been making big improvements
to their fundamental movement skills as they get ready to
move into Grade 1. So far this term we have been focusing on
dribbling/the ball bounce as well as throwing and catching in
different games and activities. Students have also been able to
enjoy using some new equipment and learn about being safe in
gymnastics activities.
This SATURDAY for Kids and Teens
Stig live @ the library Stig Wemyss is one
of Australia's most beloved narrators of
audio books for kids. Fans of Andy
Griffiths are sure to have chuckled along
to one of Stig's renditions. Join Stig live
@ the Footscray Library for a wildly
entertaining show chock full of fun!
Date: Saturday 8 November
Venue: Footscray Library 56 Paisley St
Time: 2.00 PM
Free Bookings available at
http://maribyrnong.eventbrite.com.au
Across Grades 1 and 2 students have been continuing to
practise their striking skills. The Grade 1 students have been
playing hockey as well as participating in gymnastics where
they have been learning about safely landing, moving their
body through obstacles and balancing. The Grade 2 students
have continued to refine their skills in tennis and have been
developing arm strength practising safe handstand and
cartwheel progressions.
In Grades 3 – 6 the students have been playing different team
sports each week, and continue to focus on transferable skills
that can be used across different games and sports. The Grade
5/6 students are now well into their Summer Interschool
Sports Program, with all teams showing fantastic attitude and
effort each week.
As the weather continues to warm up please remember to
send your child to school with a hat, light clothing and
adequate footwear on the day they are scheduled to have PE.
This really helps ensure the students are safe and get the most
out of their weekly class.
Chris
Health & Physical Education
Science Incursion:
Energy, forces and the bouncing ball
On Thursday we received a visit from Gilmore Girls College science
teacher Lachlan Mcomish and a group of Year 9 student mentors (lead
by our very own Lien!). They came to help us with our inquiry into
energy and forces and facilitate some experiments exploring the
efficiency of energy transference in a bouncing ball.
We warmed up with a slinky drop and then discussed the various forms
of potential and kinetic energy in different contexts. Then broke up into
groups to measure how variables such as height, surface, drop angle
and ball construction affected the energy transfer of a bouncing ball.
We look forward to another visit from Gilmore and for building an even
closer relationship with our neighboring school.
Student of the Week
Grade
Student
Attitude
00G
Izzy
Enthusiasm
00S
Havva
00T
April
Reflective
00Z
Harley
Risk Taker
1A
Jasmine
1M
Jasper
1J
Kanwarpal
2C
Samuel
2L
Asiya
2M
Sophia
34B
Rami
Commitment
Confidence
Enthusiasm
Risk Taker
Independence
Curiosity
Empathy
Curiosity
Chanh
Commitment
56P
Jessica
Thinker
56S
Sarah
Art
Wendy
2L
Enthusiasm
Oriel
FG
Creativity
34J
Bobby
FS
For bringing a great attitude and excellent effort to all
areas of her learning this week.
For using a planning tool to share informative facts
Knowledgeable about tigers in preparation for her information report.
Mohamed
Bilingual
Hanh
Reason
Confidence
Open-minded
For being thoughtful when reflecting on her effort and
achievement in her writing, and being open to
feedback to help improve her learning.
For showing confidence and a risk taking attitude in
maths.
For showing great dedication to the gathering of
information and the construction of her information
report on pandas.
For developing his confidence as a learner, taking
more risks and putting in effort with his work. Well
done.
For always coming to school and showing enthusiasm
and determination in everything he does. Maths,
reading, writing and spelling, he puts in so much
effort, trying his best all the time!
For showing confidence and participating in all areas of
his new class and school.
For working hard to complete set tasks independently
and for seeking help if needed to ensure she completes
work as expected.
For being interested and excited to learn about money
and history both at school and at home!
Listening and thinking about what others have to say
and how they feel. Well done on consistently doing
your part as a learner.
For reflecting thoughtfully about different types of
angles in our school environment.
Sorry! For adding to the useful words he can spell and
using sounds to read new words.
Thinking out loud and sharing ideas and opinions with
the class. You were able to share your inner voice
during reading and share your thinking and
understanding about fractions during numeracy.
Approaching all of her work throughout this term with
both confidence and independence. Sarah has shared
her learning and ideas confidently with our class.
For being an enthusiastic grade throughout the year.
Being creative in her writing and producing many
simple sentences in Bilingual sessions. Well-done!
Being a great listener and showing self-discipline
during his learning time. Keep up the good work.
CALENDAR Term 4 2014
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
10 November
11
12
13
14 9.15pm PFA Annual
Year 2 excursion to
Koorie Heritage Trust
2.30pm Foundation
Transition
Year 1 dinner
4:30-6:30pm
general meeting in
library
19
20
21
26
27
28
17 5.30pm Facilities 18
and Sustainability Sub
Committee
24
25
6pm School council
Foundation 2015
Transition
1 December
2
3
4
5
F – 4 Swimming
Program
F – 4 Swimming
Program
F – 4 Swimming
Program
F – 4 Swimming
Program
F – 4 Swimming
Program
8
9
10 F – 4 Swimming
11
12
F – 4 Swimming
Program
6pm School council
F – 4 Swimming
Program
Program
5/6 Beach Program
Foundation 2015
Transition
F – 4 Swimming
Program
5/6 Beach Program
5/6 Beach Program
15
16
17
18
19 Last day of term
Year 6 Graduation
Year 6 Big Day Out
3.30pm Cake & Vegie
Stall
Moving Up Day (current
F-5 students)
1.30pm
early finish
ALL ABOARD
What is All Aboard?

The All Aboard program aims to enable every student at Footscray Primary School to
participate in all aspects of school life when the cost of doing so might be a barrier.

The All Aboard program is collaboration between the school, parents, carers, families and
the community.

Last Year All Aboard was able to support students take part in school camps, and the
annual swimming program
How can I access All Aboard?

All families can request assistance from All Aboard by asking to speak with Maria Silber on
(03) 9687 1910 Wednesdays or Thursday or via email [email protected]
email….

Applications are assessed by Maria Silber the Student Welfare/Community Liaison Office

All Aboard aims to offer assistance to everyone who requests it

Decisions will be based on individual needs

All applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality
How can I support All Aboard?
Because of your support in 2014 we raised $3,000 for the All Aboard program. This meant that
every student was able to take part in school activities. A fantastic result – THANK YOU!
For 2015 we are planning a range of events to raise the money needed to fully support the All
Aboard program and we can’t do it without your help.
If you have any fundraising ideas or would like to get involved in supporting the All Aboard
program by donating either time or making a cash donation please see the office.
Classroom Allocation Policy
Rationale:
A clearly defined, collaborative process for the placement of children into classes will lead to greater
efficiency, increased understanding and improved opportunities for learning. At Footscray Primary School we
recognise the professionalism and commitment of all teaching staff in arranging the annual allocation to classes
from prep to Year 6.
Aims:
 To provide each child with the opportunity to be part of a class of children that will allow them the best
opportunity to learn.
 To form well balanced classes of children that take into account the social, emotional, academic and
physical characteristics of each child.
 To ensure that optimum use is made of the prior knowledge that teachers, parents and others have of each
child prior to class placement.
Implementation:
 While the allocation of children to various classes, class structures and class compositions are all ultimately
responsibilities of the Principal, a collaborative process with the school community will be employed.
 The process of forming classes will commence in October of the previous year.
 The principal, in consultation with staff and after considering student numbers, will determine the number
of classes for the following year, class sizes and the year levels of each class.
 Expressions of interest will be sought from staff members to teach year levels and specialist areas. Once
decided, staff members will be required to work collaboratively to create draft classes of students.
 Consideration will be given to gender, the previous class, each child’s ability, behaviour and friendship
groups etc. Individual needs and a whole school perspective must be considered. Children will submit
preferences of students they think they learn well with for the following year.
 Year Prep-2 classes should be smaller whenever possible.
 Preferred class compositions are either single year level or dual grade levels.
 The Principal will formally seek input from parents via the newsletter. All parents input must be directed
to the Principal and placed in writing. Class placement must not be discussed with classroom teachers. If
practicable, the Principal will inform staff of parent input prior to the formation of classes.
 Once draft classes are completed, the principal will make any necessary final alterations.
 Under exceptional circumstances the Principal may reorganise classes throughout the year.
 Staff members will not disclose the composition of proposed classes prior to any formal announcements.
 Children who enrol at the school during the year will be temporarily allocated to classes, with the possible
need to alter the placement once further information regarding the child is known.
 Details relating to the school organisation, classes of children, and the roles of teachers will be released to
parents on the day of orientation day.
 Concerns regarding the placement of specific children in classes, the allocation of particular teachers to
classes, or the overall structure of classes must be directed to the Principal.