1. education
2. school

th
11 November 2014
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
FOUNDATION 2015 GREAT START
Yesterday the
2015
Foundation
class had their
first transition
day and it was
a
wonderful
success.
Commencing
with a Storyland
experience with
their
new
teachers,
the
children then moved on to tabloid sports in the stadium.
We were so impressed with how enthusiastic and ready for
school they were. This is a great tribute to their parents and
kinder teachers and we are certain that they will thrive at
school next year. The Foundation teachers for 2015 are
Daniel Packett (Leader) Tracy Henderson, Rebecca Squire,
Milly Scott, Laura Job, Jessica Barbanti, Olga
Andrinopoulos and Sarah Paul. There are 8 classes and
the average class size is 22.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL SIZE
With eight Foundation classes for 2015, some parents have
asked about the size of our school. This is a very
complicated issue and one over which the school is really
at the end of a long line of external decisions. Decisions
about the density of the City of Manningham mean that
there are many more families living in the area than
previously. In addition, the neighbourhood is exceptionally
well located in terms of services and proximity to
Melbourne, which is reflected in recent strong property
sales. Decisions in the 1990s about school closures for
Doncaster East Primary, Botanic Park Primary, Bulleen
Primary, Yarraleen Primary, Ayer Primary, Templestowe
High School and Donvale High School are now impacting
on the city’s remaining schools. This situation is being
experienced right across the eastern suburbs of middle and
inner Melbourne.
Our school itself is performing
exceptionally well and is thriving as an internationally
recognised school. Our neighbourhood schools of
Doncaster Gardens, Donburn and Doncaster East
Secondary College are all beyond capacity.
However, it is true, that in 2015, we will need to be much
stricter about enrolment for Foundation 2016. We do not
wish to implement a strict zone, as that would exclude
many younger siblings of current students. It would also
mean that we would have less diversity in our community.
We wish to reassure parents that Serpell is committed to:

The provision of an international standard of education

One teacher one class, single year level structures.
The Foundation building is actually built to
accommodate several classes in the central flexible
learning space. In 2015 we will continue to provide for
an individual teacher and space for each of the 8
classes.

Specialist teacher provision. As the school grows, we
add specialist services. For example we have 2.5
teachers for PE and sport.

Small class sizes. In 2015 the class structures will be:
Year Level
Ratio
Classes
Year F
1/22
8
Year 1
1/21
7
Year 2
1/21
7
Year 3
1/26
6
Year 4
1/26
6
Year 5
1/23
6
Year 6
1/28
5
The ratio numbers increase after Year 1 because
children are funded differently after the first two years.

Planning is underway for the future. We are on the
waiting list for two storeyed portables, to replace the
single storey ones on Burleigh Drive. In 2015 we will
still have one spare room!
CLASS PLACEMENTS FOR 2015
Over the coming weeks, we will commence the process of
organising classes for 2015. The children will be asked to
make a list of their friends and they are guaranteed to have
at least one or two from their list in their class for next year.
The current year level teaching teams will then construct
classes based on an even academic distribution, learning
styles and friendships. We take an enormous amount of
time and effort to get it right and parents will receive full
th
class lists on Friday 12 December, one week prior to the
vacation. The students will also have a transition morning
that day, so that they can meet their teacher and class
mates. What we find is that the children only care about
their friends, the parents mainly worry about the teacher
and the teachers try to perfectly match and mix the
students to the class. Unfortunately I cannot take teacher
requests.
However, if you have requests for twin
placement or a personal issue of which we need to be
aware, please send me a letter briefly detailing your
concern.
IF YOU ARE LEAVING US…
For those families panning to move over the vacation, we
would appreciate it if you could let us know in writing, so
that we can make accurate class plans for 2015. It will also
mean that we can assist you in linking with your new school
through the system.
WILMA CULTON
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Grant success for our Walk to School Program!
Great news! Aukje Coleman, our Walk to
School parent ‘Champion’ submitted an
application for a Small Grant through the
Manningham Council Community Grants
program and was successful! We now
have $2000 to use to promote our Walk to
School program within our school community and in the
broader Manningham school communities.
Tomorrow is our next Walk to School Day. It
is a very special ‘Walk to Remember Day’
where everyone is encouraged to wear a
poppy in remembrance of the soldiers who
have died in the wars to provide the freedom
we all enjoy in Australia every day. Please
support this great event by taking your child to a coloured
checkpoint tomorrow morning where they can walk to
school and start their day in a very healthy way!
Thank you to all of our parents who volunteer their time to
be at the checkpoints tomorrow morning to welcome our
children. There will be a lucky ticket draw tomorrow. The
prizes have been very generously donated by Officeworks
Doncaster.
Good health!
SUE YOUNG
SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH
Certificates of Merit will be presented in Assemblies next
week to all children who made it through to the Science
Talent Search Finals - due to the Year 6 camp the Years 5
and 6 students will be presented with their certificates in
Week 8. Those students who received bursaries and were
unable to attend the Presentation Day at La Trobe
University will also receive their cheques at these
assemblies. Due to the quality and depth of projects
presented this year, Serpell Primary was awarded a Hugh
McKnight Encouragement award, as well as a generous
cheque that will contribute towards our science budget.
This award will be presented to Mrs Culton in the P - 2
Assembly next Monday.
Lachlan Zubevich and Pennie Clarke
Science Talent Search Coordinators
FROM THE STUDENT WELLBEING LEADER
This term, I have been running The Seasons for Growth
program with students in Years 4 and 5. This program has
been designed to support young people through the
changes that occur in their lives due to the death of a
parent or relative, the separation of parents or other
changes that may occur in the family. By working through
a series of activities, the child’s understanding of the
changes occurring around them is explained and their
ability to cope is increased. It is a very positive way of
building resilience. The current group of students are
sharing their stories and experiences and enjoying the
weekly meeting.
Students who attend the Lunch Club in the Library are
having fun and at the same time are learning the important
skills of interacting with their peers in a positive manner.
The end of the year is quickly approaching and I would like
to plan a get together for families to celebrate a wonderful
year! I am currently looking for any parents who would like
to help me organize this get together. Please contact me
through the School Office.
I look forward to seeing you around the school and at the
year-end gathering, all parents and grandparents are more
than welcome!
Student Well-being Leader-Marianne Mak
SPORTING ACHEIVEMENTS
Bat Tennis – Manningham District Final
th
On the 30 of October the
Blue Bat Tennis team
played against St Gregory
Primary School in the
Manningham District Final.
Serpell
played
outstandingly well, both in
skills and sportsmanship.
The final score was 45-35.
The bat tennis team
included Nathan Miao, Felix Xu, Kiren Martin, Lloyd Lok,
Tommy Chen, Gordon Li, John Chan, Terence Tan, Saniah
Saad Ahmed, Christina D’Orazio and Victor Nacief. On the
rd
23 October the team also had a convincing win in the
Templestowe District final against O.L.O.P.
Special thanks to Mrs Waters for organizing us and helping
us prepare to achieve our goals. Also, we would like to
thank Niki D’Orazio for helping with transport.
By Nathan Miao and Lloyd Lok
DIARY
Wed 12
Nov
Wed 12
Nov
Mon 17
Tue 18
Wed 19
Nov
Nov
Nov
Mon 24
Wed 26
Nov
Nov
Thu 28
Nov
Mon 1
Wed 3
Dec
Dec
Thu 4
Thu 4
Mon 15
Wed 16
Thu 18
Fri 19
Wed 28
Dec
Dec
Dec
Dec
Dec
Dec
Jan
Thu 29
Thu 5th
Jan
Feb
‘A Walk To Remember’ – Walk to
School Day
Children, Challenges and Choices
Parenting Workshop – 7pm
(Session 1)
Book Club Orders Distributed
Year 6 Camp Departs
Parenting Workshop – 7pm
(Session 2)
Year 5/6 Swimming – Week 2
Parenting Workshop – 7pm
(Session 3)
CRE Assemblies Found – Yr 2 10am
Yr 3-4 11.20am
Foundation Swimming Commences
Parenting Workshop – 7pm
(Session 4)
PA – Staff thank you Lunch
CRE Year 6 Assembly
Community thankyou Morning Tea
Class Parties
Year 6 Graduation 7pm
Last Day of Term – 1.30pm Finish
2015 Booksales & Uniform Shop
8am – 5pm
First Day of 2015 – Year 1 – 6
First Day of 2015 – Foundation (Prep)
Transition Diary
2015 Foundation Year Level
T-20 Cricket
The boys and girls T-20 Cricket teams competed in a
Round Robin format at Hislop Park on the 31st October
2014.
Both teams performed admirably and won their 3 qualifying
matches to qualify for the Grand Finals.
The boys team lost to Eltham North but displayed great
skills and teamwork to reach the final.
The Girls team won an exciting Grand Final by 4 runs and
now qualify to play in the Eastern Regional Finals to be
played at Donvale.
Thank you to all the parent support and transport helpers
on the day. Their efforts were well appreciated – especially
to Mrs Waters who helped with transport on her day off!!
Graham Matthews
Sports Coordinator – Coach
Classroom Experience 1
Wed 19th Nov
9.30am –
10.30am
Classroom Experience 2
Uniform Shop Open for
Foundation Only
Thur 27th Nov
9.30am –
10.30am
Classroom Experience 3
Tue. 2nd Dec
9.30am –
10.45am
SERPELL NETBALL
SCHOOL BANKING
(11/10) Round 8 Game Results:
U11 Comets 2 lost Donvale 3
Meteors 4 lost St Clements 5
U13 Jets 20 won Deep Creek 7
The countdown to the end of year student banking has
begun. There are only 4 more weeks of student banking
left!! The last day of student banking is the 9th of Dec.
There is no student banking in the last week of school.
Please take note that there is only 3 more weeks left to
place your rewards redemption for the year!!
Last day of redemption - 2nd of Dec.
(18/10) Round 9 Game Details:
9.45am Comets v Deep Creek - Court
8
9.45am Meteors v Eltham - Court 2
10.30am Jets v Deep Creek - Court 7
Happy Banking!
PARENT’S ASSOCIATION
If you are interested in joining a Team or attending
a Training Session, please contact Joanne Johnson 0403 301 017 or [email protected]
Serpell Netball Club Committee
SERPELL BASKETBALL CLUB
RESULTS of Games W/E 8 Nov
Leeds Street
U9 Girls
U11 Girls
Open Girls
U9 Boys
U9 Boys
U9 Boys
Star Shooters
Starlets
12
Sapphires 19
Challengers 24
Coyotes 22
Scorpions 28
Milgate - forfeit
Milgate Sparkes 18
OLOP pelicans 18
Donburn Dynamos 14
OLOP Panthers 2
Donavele 8
U11 Boys
Open Boys
Super Sonics 2
Cyclones 16
Firebirds 41
Beverley Hills 45
Open Boys
Sabers
Milgate Blaze 50
13
RESULTS of Games W/E 7 Nov
TEACHER’S LUNCH
The annual teacher’s thank-you lunch will be held on Thurs
4th Dec. We would love many families to contribute a plate
of food. Please look out for the upcoming flyer with all the
details.
TEA TOWEL FUNDRAISER
Thank you to everyone that ordered tea towels. We will
advise everyone of a delivery date once we have a
confirmed date from the supplier.
A big thank you to Belinda Hill for organising this
fundraiser.
NEXT PA MEETING
The next PA meeting will be held this Friday 14th Nov at
9.10am in the staffroom. All welcome.
Natalie Lauder
President, Parents’ Association
COMMUNITY NOTICES
BULLEEN
Gr 2/3 Girls
Gr 2/3 Girls
Gr 4/5 Girls
Gr 6 G Girls
Gr 2/3 Boys
Stars
22
Ivanhoe 8
St Charles Stars 11 Boorandarra Park 2 11
Starlets 28
St Gregorys 8
Sensations
No game
Strikers
33
TP White 13
Gr 2/3 Boys
Gr 4/5 Boys
Scorchers 4
Spikes
St George 7
BYE
Any queries: Kim Voulanas (Leeds St Coordinator) –
[email protected], 0400 546 855 or
Gordana Duvnjak (Bulleen Coordinator)
[email protected]
The Department of Education does not endorse the products or
services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is accepted
by the Department of Education for the accuracy of information
contained in advertisements or claims made by them.