HEATHMONT EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

HEATHMONT EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOUIS STREET HEATHMONT

Telephone 9729 5439 Fax 9720 4187 Email heathmont.east.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Internet Web Site http://www.heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au/

Issue 2 Fortnight ending

February 22nd 2013

LOOKING AHEAD

Mondays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Uniform Stall open in the gym 3.15pm – 3.45pm

Uniform Stall open in the gym 8.40am-9am

Uniform Stall open in the gym 8.45am -9.15am

FEBRUARY 2013

Saturday 23rd

Whole School working Bee

MARCH

Monday 4th Kids Car Ed Grade 1/2 Incursion

Preps begin full time learning

Grade 5 Bike Education

Wednesday 6th Prep Excursion - Chesterfield Farm

Thursday 7th

Grade 5 Bike Education Road Test (Back Up day Friday 8th

)

Friday 8th

Kids Car Ed Grade 1/2 Incursion

Monday 11th

LABOUR DAY HOLIDAY

Tuesday 12th

Grade 3 Excursion Collingwood Children’s Farm and Victoria Market

Wednesday 13th

Grade 5 Bike Education-Norton’s Park Bike Ride

Thursday 14th

Grade 4 Excursion Collingwood Children’s Farm and Victoria Market

Monday 18th

PUPIL FREE DAY

Saturday 23rd

GRAND PRIX

AIM HIGH @ HEPSDear Parents

We’ve had another great fortnight at HEPS. The students have settled into their new classrooms well,

teachers are loving their students, building positive relationships, and it’s a delight to see students

engaging in happy and constructive play during recesses.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2013 CAPTAINS I look forward to presenting our House Captains and our Vice House

Captains with their badges and contracts at Friday’s assembly. The

leaders for 2013 are as follows:

HOUSE CAPTAINS – BLUE VICE HOUSE CAPTAINS – BLUE Paige Phillips Abi Curtis

Xavier Phillips Reese Moore

HOUSE CAPTAINS – GOLD VICE HOUSE CAPTAINS – GOLD Breanna Turnbull Charlie Martin

Liam Devlin Brodie Tyzzer

HOUSE CAPTAINS – GREEN VICE HOUSE CAPTAINS – GREEN Abbey Heymanson Tilly Arnott

Chris Mullenger Lane Risojevic

HOUSE CAPTAINS – RED VICE HOUSE CAPTAINS – RED Angie Symon Steph Arnold

Sam Philp Luca Chiefari

Congratulations girls and boys!

We look forward to working closely with you in your leadership roles.

MAROONDAH LEADERSHIP CLUSTER

On Wednesday 20th

February, our School Captains and House Captains attended a leadership day; they

worked with students from Dorset, Croydon, Bayswater North, Tinternvale, Ruskin Park Primary Schools

and mentors from Heathmont College. Together they brainstormed characteristics of good leaders and

effective teams. They identified assertive behaviour, teamwork and effective problem solving. By the

end of the day they set goals on which they would work for the good of their respective schools. This is

great professional development for our leaders.

PERSONAL GOODS

The Department of Education and Early Childhood development does not hold insurance nor does it

accept responsibility for private property brought to school by students, staff and visitors. Students are

discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school such as mobile

phones, calculators, toys, sporting equipment; DEECD does not hold insurance for personal property

brought to schools and cannot pay for any loss or damage to such property.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Families are strongly encouraged to ensure that their child wear the correct school uniform.

The way in which the school uniform is worn sends an important message to the wider

community, and reinforces a sense of pride and belonging amongst our students. I have

attached a copy of the Uniform Policy for you to help clarify expectations.

COUNCIL ELECTIONS

As you would be aware nominations for School Council closed on Tuesday 19th

at 4.00pm February,

2013. We received the exact number of nominations as there are vacancies in both the parent category

and the DEECD category and as such these nominees will join the 2013 School Council. Congratulations

and welcome to our parents: Ian MacLeod, Wayne Smith, Andy Martin and Michael Beer and staff from

HEPS: Chris Finighan and Lesley Wallace. I look forward to working with the School Council to

maintain a strong and supportive learning environment for our students.

IT’S NOT OKAY TO BE AWAY

Student absence has been high at HEPS for many years. Often we exceed State and Like School

benchmark data. It is important for families to realize every time school is missed there is a lost

opportunity to improve in learning. The more frequent the absence, the more likely progress in learning

will be limited. Our message is simple “It’s not OK to be away”.

Listed below are the BENEFITS OF REGULAR ATTENDANCE OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS:

The development of skills and attitudes such as self-discipline, punctuality, being organized and

sticking to routines will optimize life choices

Leads to making friends and learning how to maintain relationships over a period of time

Leads to learning social skills necessary to live and work with others

Students are safer at school than on the streets

People are more positive towards those that have a good attendance attitude

The more students attend, the more they learn and the more they will like school

Please read our School Attendance Policy (attached) to further refresh your memories on the school’s

practice.

SCHOOL SONG/ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FARE

Attached to this newsletter are the words to the school song as well as our

national anthem; parents in the past have appreciated these so that they can

practise the songs with their child/children at home.

INFORMATION EVENINGS

Thank you to the many parents who attended our Information Evening this week; the interest was great

and the teachers appreciated the opportunity to clarify and explain the year ahead. We hope to continue

this valuable partnership in your child’s education throughout the learning year.

DISTRICT SWIMMING

Congratulations to the sixteen students and Miss Arthur who represented HEPS

at the District Swimming Carnival at Tintern on Monday. All students

competed admirably and were happy with their efforts. Thank you to the

parents who helped with transport, organization and positive encouragement, so

important to our students and appreciated!

TESTING, TESTING AND MORE TESTING

The preps have experienced vigorous testing one-on-one with their teachers in Numeracy and Literacy

whilst the grades one and two students have all experienced one to one testing in Numeracy. This helps

provide a clear picture of where every child is at in their understanding of concepts and

content so that teachers can strategically target their teaching.

SCHOOL NURSE – an update

We have interviewed various candidates for the role, but are yet to find a person that will

meet the criteria of the role. We continue to pursue a suitable person for this important

position.

IPADS COMING OUR WAY

After much consideration and research we will order up to 45 iPads for our students. This will provide a

class set of iPads as well as extras to be distributed around the classes for group/individual work. We

anticipate that we will complement these digital learning tools with other varieties of tablets and / or

notebooks throughout the year providing a variety of tools to support learning. This was possible as a

result of the fantastic fundraising last year.

Kind regards,

Kitty Allard.

Principal.

Are you a member? It’s Free to join

Hi, Ringwood library is one of the Eastern Regional Libraries and is located near the Eastland shopping

centre. Membership is free – you can apply online or visit any of our branches. Children will need a

parent to join them up. Please bring along proof of your current name and address. We are open seven

days a week and you can borrow books, DVDs and lots more! Check out our website www.erl.vic.gov.au

or our new page on Facebook. We have lots of Premier’s Reading Challenge books available for loan

now! Our afterschool club runs on Thursdays and is especially for children (5 years and over) and their

parents. Come along and hear stories, play games and enjoy a simple craft activity. If you need any help

from a staff member please contact us on 9870 0177. Looking forward to meeting you soon-

Helen Matthews – Youth Services Librarian Ringwood

LIBRARY

PARENTS’ WALKING GROUP

2013 Time: straight after assembly

Place: Meet at Prep playground

Day: Each Tuesday, starting Tuesday

March 5th.

MUMS AND DADS VERY WELCOME!

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE SCHOOL YOU ARE

EXPECIALLY WELCOME!

SEE YOU THERE!

LIBBY

CHAPLAIN

CANTEEN ROSTER

Canteen Manager Vicki Allan

Disclaimer: Heathmont East Primary School does not necessarily endorse the products in this newsletter and parents are at liberty to make their own choices.

WE

Wednesday February 20th

Sally Fathers

Friday February 22nd

Merryn Brien

Nicky Marran

Monday February 25th

Julie Maxwell

Wednesday February 27th

Kylie Armstrong

Friday March 1st Justine Olsen

Liz Perry

Monday March 4th Help Needed

Wednesday March 6th Kym Corn

Friday March 8th Nicky Marran

Emma Fullarton

Monday March 11th

LABOUR DAY

Wednesday March 13th

Jeanine Chiefari

THANK-YOU FOR

YOURCONTINUED

SUPPORT.

When you purchase goods at Bayswater Good Guys please ask the Good Guys in Bayswater for a reward voucher so that HEPS can redeem Bayswater Bucks. Please forward to the school office. Thank you.

For your convenience we would like to remind you that payments for excursions,

swimming and other school activities can be made directly via the school’s bank account.

ACCOUNT NAME: Heathmont East Primary School Official Account

BSB: 063 – 191

ACCOUNT NO: 1003 9330

Please ensure the family name and excursion details are noted on the payment.

PAVER FORMS are available at the office $27.00, FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY. Please collect a template

Join our School Rewards Program and every

time a student, family or staff member

purchases a pair of shoes from the Athlete’s

foot stores, $5.00 goes back to our school in

the form of sports uniforms and equipment.

Dear PARENTS, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY DINNER & MYELOMA RESEARCH

FUNDRAISER

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:

Friday, 8 March 2013 from 7:00 PM to 10:30

PM (EST)

Box Hill Community Art Centre

Station St and Combartin St

Box Hill, Victoria 3128

Australia

View Map

Attend Event

Share this event:

You are Invited to an International Womens’ Day Dinner &

Myeloma Foundation Fundraiser

Champagne on arrival 3 courses Roving Desserts Goody

Bags Entertainment Music Games Inspirational Speaker Photo

Booth ...

Read More

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter

BOOK HERE or for more details ph on 1300 146 178 or email: jenruth@orgwell.com.au We hope you can make it! Jen Rutherford

Organisational Wellbeing

Come and join the Bayswater Junior Football Club Registration Day Sunday 17th February

10.30 am to 1pm Junior Clubrooms

Cnr Mountain Hway & Bayswater Rd, Bayswater. Our goal is to have a safe, friendly and supportive environment where players, parents, families and friends are encouraged to develop a sense of belonging, team spirit and sportsmanship.

All new players registering in our U9 and U10 teams this season will receive a club bag and training football as part of their membership.

Free Sausage Sizzle. If you cannot make this day and you would like to register, or require any further information please contact:

President.- Bernie Lennox - 0418 369 442 president@bjfc.org.au

Vice President -Brad Graper - 0407 688 556.

Registrar - Beccy Dawber - 0401 306 209

Calling all happy snappers.

Why not enter Maroondah City Council’s 2013 Photo Competition?

Maroondah City Council’s Photo Competition is open to all ages with a

junior, intermediate and open section. The competition is a great way to show

us what Maroondah means to you.

Photos must be taken in Maroondah after 1 July 2012.

You can enter up to 2 x A4 photos either electronically or by mail.

There are some great prizes to be won thanks to our sponsors:-

Croydon Camera House, Karralyka Centre,

Croydon Leisure & Aquatic Centre and Eastland Shopping Centre.

All entries will be displayed at Maroondah Art Gallery, Maroondah Federation

Estate in Ringwood and all entrants will be invited to an Awards Evening on

20 June 2013 where the winners of each section will be announced.

For more information or an entry form either visit our Customer Service

Centre, call us on 1300 88 22 33 or visit our website,

www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

COME & PLAY NETBALL Boronia Uniting Netball Club

Is looking for NEW PLAYERS

2013 Winter Season COMMENCING

SATURDAY 16th March 2013

Ages 8 upwards

Beginners and all standards welcome

Training Tuesdays at Chandler Park Netball Courts

(Behind K-Mart Boronia)

Play Saturday mornings/afternoons

Knox Regional Netball Centre (FTG)

No games on School Holidays or Long Weekends

Please Contact:

ALLISON KENINS

Mob: 0405 818 951

EMA - Newsletter Information 2013

Education Maintenance Allowance - information for parents currently receiving EMA

Changes to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2013:

The EMA continues to help families on lower incomes with financial assistance to cover the cost of educational expenses

including textbooks, stationery, uniforms and excursions for their child up until the age of 16.

From 2013, the Victorian Government is restructuring the EMA to better target financial support to families on lower incomes.

Payments made direct to parents will be increased for eligible recipients at all year levels up to age 16, with an additional

increase for parents with students in Years Prep and 7 in recognition of the additional costs at these transition points.

In 2013 the annual EMA payment for families with children in primary school (years 1-6) will receive a payment of $150. Families

with children in secondary school (Year 8 up until the age of 16) will receive an annual payment of $250.

The School Start Bonus which was previously received by EMA families has been discontinued as a separate payment from

2013. However, additional funding has been incorporated into the EMA meaning that parents of children in Prep and Year 7 will

receive boosted EMA payments of $200 and $300 respectively in those years.

From 2013, the EMA will no longer be paid 50/50 between the parent and the school. The 50% school portion of the EMA will no

longer be paid to schools on behalf of parents. However, $62 million over four years will be redirected to the State’s most needy

schools to assist families on lower incomes. These funds will form part of the school Student Resource Packages to be allocated

at the local level.

New EMA payment option

From 2013, on the EMA application form you can choose to have your EMA payment;

Paid by direct deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) into your nominated bank account or

Paid by cheque which will be posted to the school for collection or

Paid to the school to be held as credit which you can use towards education expenses

The introduction of the new payment option to have the EMA payment directed to the school provides parents with extra flexibility

to assist with budgeting towards education expenses.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the EMA in 2013, you must:

be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and

be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act

2004* or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a temporary foster parent.

* i.e – the parent/guardian must be the holder of a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.

The eligibility criteria must be met as at 29 January 2013 (Instalment One) and 15 July 2013 (Instalment Two).

Payment Amounts - 2013:

Prep Years 1 - 6 Year 7 Year 8 – Age 16

Instalment One $140 $105 $210 $175

Instalment Two $60 $45 $90 $75

Annual Total $200 $150 $300 $250

*Student year level (or age for ungraded and special school students) will determine the amount payable. Parents of students t urning 16

years in 2013 are paid on a pro rata basis.

Contact: School Office for an EMA application form and to lodge your application. The closing date for EMA application forms to

be submitted to the school is 28 February 2013.

Heathmont East Primary School

OUR SCHOOL SONG

(Introduction)

There are days that are great at this school,

When it’s a joy to be inside;

But the days that we ought to remember now

Are the days that we really tried.

So put your best foot forward now,

Come on and give it a try.

When you’re at school remember this

And you’ll have a very good time -

So sing out -

(Chorus)

HEPS IS - the school for you and me.

IT IS - the place I’d rather be

AT HEPS - we always do our best.

(Verse 1)

We’re learning to read and write,

We’re starting to ride a bike,

We’re growing in every way. (Music Break)

We always try to get along,

It isn’t hard to do -

There’s someone there to lend a hand -

To show us the way;

To brighten our day -

We know that -

(Repeat Chorus)

(Verse 2)

We’re doing new things at school,

Learning to swim in the pool.

We’re growing more every day

Tra la la la la

At HEPS!

Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,

For we are young and free;

We've golden soil and wealth for toil,

Our home is girt by sea;

Our land abounds in Nature's gifts

Of beauty rich and rare;

In history's page, let every stage

Advance Australia fair!

In joyful strains then let us sing,

"Advance Australia fair!"

When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,

To trace wide oceans o'er,

True British courage bore him on,

Till he landed on our shore.

Then here he raised Old England's flag,

The standard of the brave;

With all her faults we love her still,

"Brittannia rules the wave!"

In joyful strains then let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

Beneath our radiant southern Cross,

We'll toil with hearts and hands;

To make this Commonwealth of ours

Renowned of all the lands;

For those who've come across the seas

While other nations of the globe

Behold us from afar,

We'll rise to high renown and shine

Like our glorious southern star;

From England, Scotia, Erin's Isle,

Who come our lot to share,

Let all combine with heart and hand

To advance Australia fair!

In joyful strains then let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast,

Or dare a foot to land,

We'll rouse to arms like sires of yore

To guard our native strand;

Brittannia then shall surely know,

Beyond wide ocean's roll,

Her sons in fair Australia's land

Still keep a British soul.

In joyful strains the let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

HEATHMONT EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL

ATTENDANCE POLICY

RATIONALE The Education Act 1958 requires that children of school age (six – fifteen years) resident in Victoria are required to be in full-

time attendance at a government or registered non-government school unless they are receiving approved home tuition,

correspondence education or have been granted an exemption by the Regional Director. It is recognised that absenteeism

contributes significantly to student failure.

2. GUIDELINES 2.1 To maximise student learning opportunities and performance by ensuring that children required to attend school do so

regularly, and without unnecessary or frivolous absences.

2.2 Education is a sequential process. Absences often mean students miss important stages in the development of topics,

causing them to find ‘catching up’ difficult.

2.3 All enrolled students are required to attend school unless reasonable and valid grounds exist for them to be absent.

2.4 Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children attend school regularly, and are only absent if ill or if

absolutely necessary.

2.5 Students are expected to arrive at school with sufficient time to prepare for the school day. The core hours of the

school are between 9am and 3.30pm.

3. IMPLEMENTATION 3.1 Parents are required to provide a written note or return a completed absence slip, provided in the School Newsletter,

to the school explaining why an absence has occurred. Appropriate levels of notification include written letters,

absence slip or email.

3.2 The Principal has a responsibility to ensure that attendance records are maintained by staff and monitored at school.

3.3 All student absences are recorded in both the morning and the afternoon by teachers, are aggregated on our CASES

21 database and communicated to the Department of Education and Training.

3.4 The Principal has a further responsibility to ensure that unexplained absences/lateness is investigated, and that high

levels of absenteeism are adequately explained.

3.5 Classroom teachers will contact parents of children who are absent for more than two days with no explanation. The

Principal or nominee will contact parents of students with high levels of unexplained or unapproved absences, with

the view to developing and implementing strategies to minimise absences.

3.6 Ongoing unexplained absences, or lack of cooperation regarding student attendance, will result in a formal attendance

conference being organised. Unresolved attendance issues may be reported by the Principal to the Department of

Human Services.

3.7 Student absence figures will appear on student half year and end of year reports.

3.8 Aggregated student attendance data is reported to DEECD and the wider community each year as part of the annual

report.

3.9 The school will implement the DEECD initiative of ‘It’s Not Okay to be Away’ to promote regular school attendance.

3.10 If a student leaves the school during the day, parents/guardians must ensure the child is signed out at the office and

then signed in on return.

3.11 Where prolonged absence is planned, eg holidays, written notification is encouraged before the absence.

4. EVALUATION 4.1 This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s review cycle.

HEATHMONT EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL

UNIFORM

RATIONALE The wearing of school uniform is an expression of pride in the school and assists in developing school identity.

School uniform provides a regular standard of dress and reduces competition amongst children whilst providing

economical clothing to assist parents.

1. GUIDELINES

1.1 The School Council supports the compulsory wearing of uniform at school, on

excursions and when representing the school unless otherwise stated.

1.2 The compulsory uniform, approved by School Council is as follows:

navy blue windcheater

navy blue hooded top

navy blue bomber jacket

pale blue polo shirt or skivvy

navy blue tracksuit pants

navy blue gaberdine pants

blue/white checked dress

navy blue skort

checked grey/blue winter pinafore

dark blue shorts

appropriate footwear , laced leather shoes or runners

HEPS sun hat

The Year 6 top has autographs of Year 6 students.

1.3 The HEPS uniform will be shown to prospective parents prior to enrolment

together with the Uniform Stall price list.

1.4 The Parents Association will assist by the bulk purchase and making of some items

of school uniform, and by arranging for the sale of these through the Uniform Stall.

2. IMPLEMENTATION

2.1 It is the parents' responsibility to ensure that children attending school are clothed

suitably for the weather, their safety, and for activities undertaken as part of the

school program.

2.2 Jewellery or any other fashion/fad items may not be worn apart from watches,

sleepers or studs.

2.3 Sports uniforms are to be worn by children in teams representing the school. These

uniforms must be washed and returned promptly after the last match of the season.

2.4 The School Council delegates the power to the Principal to grant exemptions.

2.5 Parents are requested to send a letter explaining any short term absence of school

uniform.

2.6 Parents are to be notified if the student is not dressed in accordance with the

School Council Uniform Policy

2.7

2.8

2.9

The school reserves the right to request parents to ensure that their children adhere

to certain standards of dress for reasons of safety and decency.

Band uniforms must be worn by students representing the school. These may be

purchased from the school uniform shop.

Clothing or accessories outside of those mentioned in 1.2 are at the discretion of

the principal.

3. EVALUATION

3.1 This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s review cycle or as the need arises.