PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT

DIARY DATES Tuesday 9th February Prep ‗Mock canteen visit‘

Wednesday 10th February PFA meeting 9:30am OSHC building

Friday 12th February Swimming Carnival Trials Casey Arc

Tuesday 16th February Second hand uniform shop

Tuesday 23 February Meet the teacher night 3:00pm-6:00pm

Wednesday 24th February Meet the teacher night 3:00pm-6:00pm

6:30pm-8:00pm

NEWSLETTER N0.01 4TH FEBRUARY 2010

NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 26th February EMA applications close

Monday 8th February Swimming trials

BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198

E-mail: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Visit our Websites : www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au,

http://berwicklodgeps.globalteacher.org.au

WELCOME

I hope that you all had a wonderful

break over the Christmas holidays

and are fully refreshed for a great

year. I certainly enjoyed a relaxing

holiday with my family and

experienced scuba diving for the first

time – enjoying the marvels of the

Great Barrier Reef.

During the holidays our school

underwent several maintenance

programs – our annual building

paintwork ―refreshment‖ program

was completed, the gymnasium floor

stripped and resealed and all line

markings repainted. In addition, a

desalination plant to enable us to

access underground water for our

grounds was installed and our

computers upgraded across the

school.

Last week staff participated in a one

day professional development activity

as part of an introduction to the You

Can Do It student wellbeing and

personal development program that

we will be introducing this year. This

program will augment and strengthen

our existing range of student

wellbeing initiatives that we currently

provide.

OUR FIRST WEEK

I am really pleased to report that we

have had an outstanding start to the

school year. The kids are great, our

staff is refreshed and it has been a

very smooth and trouble free

beginning. It is only early days yet but

the first week has been a wonderful

launching pad for the great plans we

have for 2010.

BUILDING EDUCATION

REVOLUTION (BER) UPDATE

I have been in regular contact with

John Allman, General Manager,

Education Partnerships, Office of

Government School Education, since

early January with respect to moving

forward on our P21 project. John‘s

brief has been to negotiate a

satisfactory resolution to the impasse

at which we have been with respect

to our project. The discussions have

been frank and cordial and John has

presented me with a set of proposals

for consideration. As I told John, the

proposals he offered state nothing

new to those already on the table,

except for the concession that, ―the

DEECD would welcome information/

preliminary work undertaken by the

school locally regarding the

relocation of the stormwater and

sewerage pipes‖.

John has taken back to the State BER

team my request that the quotes for

the rerouting of the services in

question be the benchmark for the

tendering of that cost item, rather

than merely being welcomed. In

addition, John has taken on board

our concern over a failure by the

DEECD to make available to us the

tender quotes for our project to

ensure transparency and competitive

pricing.

I will keep you informed of progress

in these discussions.

CONDOLENCES

It came as quite a shock to learn of

the sudden passing of Anne Wills,

one of our founding students, during

the school holidays. Anne was only

26 years of age and together with her

older brother, Gareth, were students

at Berwick Lodge P. S. in our first

year, 1990. Vin Wills, Anne and

Gareth‘s mother was a very active

member of our school community in

our early years and her contribution

to our school was greatly

appreciated. Our sincere

condolences are extended to Anne‘s

family and friends.

Earlier this week, Julie McLeod, one

of our long term teachers, father

died after a long illness. Our deepest

sympathy is extended to Julie and her

family in this sad time.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

Q. How useful is the My School

website information for

comparing school performance?

A. In my opinion, not very useful at

all. The best that can be said about

the NAPLAN results, on which the

data about student performance is

based, is that it provides some useful

diagnostic information about

individual children in selected areas of

their literacy and numeracy

development.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

‘League tables of schools fuel more

doubts than douse flames.’

HENRY GROSSEK

ASSI STANT PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT

WELCOME TO 2010

Welcome back to all our families! We

hope that you enjoyed a relaxing holiday

break. We also welcome our Prep 2010

students and new students starting at

Berwick Lodge in Years 1 to 6. The

children have all settled in very well,

especially the Prep students who have

confidently taken their first steps in their

schooling journey. If you see any new

faces around the school please welcome

them to our school community.

SAVER PLUS

We have recently received some

information regarding a ―Super Saver‖

scheme which is run by the Brotherhood

of St Laurence in conjunction with the

ANZ bank. This is a savings and financial

program that teaches money skills to

people on lower incomes and

encourages them to build savings to help

pay for their children‘s education.

Participants‘ savings are matched $1 for

$1 (up to $500) and the money saved is

used to pay for educational items such as

uniforms, books, excursions and camps.

Parents who have previously taken

advantage of this program have provided

us with very positive feedback.

If you are interested in further

information regarding this scheme please

let the office know and they will pass on

the relevant contact details.

STUDENT ACCIDENT

INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS

Parents and guardians are advised that

they are generally responsible for paying

the cost of medical treatment for injured

students, including any transport costs.

Most medical costs will be refundable by

Medicare. If you are a member of an

ambulance or health insurance fund, you

may also be able to claim transport or

other expenses from the fund.

The Department of Education and

Training does not hold accident

insurance for school students,

however, other insurance cover is

available.

The Department is aware of two

insurers, JUA Underwriting Agency Pty

Ltd and Willis Australia Ltd, that provide

accident insurance policies for students.

These policies provide specific benefits

for students who are injured in accidents

for a reasonably low cost. Other

insurers may also do so.

It is recommended that families consider

Ambulance Membership as ambulance

costs are incurred for an ambulance to

attend, regardless of whether

transportation to hospital is necessary.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE 2009

In the past Berwick Lodge has produced

a hard copy of their annual school

magazine and sold it to families at a

subsidised cost. With rising costs of

producing the school magazine, a

decision was made to produce and

online magazine that families would be

able to easily access through our school

website. This magazine was placed on

the website prior to the holidays and

feedback from families who have viewed

the magazine has been very positive. We

encourage families to visit our website at

www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au to view

the 2009 magazine and check out other

features of our updated website.

HOLIDAY PROJECTS

During the school holidays several

projects were undertaken around our

school as part of our ongoing efforts to

provide a safe, attractive and well

equipped learning environment for our

students. To enhance the building and

grounds we have completed the annual

painting upgrade to the permanent

buildings, steam cleaned all carpets,

tidied up the garden beds and

surrounding areas and commenced the

installation of the desalination plant for

our ground water system. We have also

undertaken repairs to some of our shade

sales that have been vandal damaged.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our

dedicated PFA, new interactive

whiteboards have been installed in each

of our Prep classrooms and the prep

teachers are very enthusiastic about

utilising these in their classroom

programs.

STUDENT REQUISITE

PAYMENTS

Thank you to the many families who

have already paid the compulsory

student requisites payment for 2010.

The BPay option of payment has proven

to be very successful in allowing parents

to organise their payment from home.

Parents using this method to pay school

costs need to be mindful that the

payment takes one to two working days

to show up on our banking records, at

which time the receipt will be issued and

sent home with your eldest child.

If you have any queries regarding

payments please contact the school

office.

STUDENT LEADERS

This year we have made some minor

changes to the structure of our student

leadership roles. Our 2010 School

Captains were appointed at the end of

2009 and we are in the process of

electing other leaders. Elections for our

eight House Captain will be held

tomorrow (Friday) and will be

announced at next Monday‘s school

assembly. In past years we have had 8

sports captains but this year we will be

having two Sports Captains, two Visual

Art Captains, two Performing Arts

Captains, two Library Captains, and two

ICT Captains. These positions will be

appointed by staff and will also be

announced at the assembly. This new

structure will allow us to offer leadership

roles to children with a greater range of

interests.

Parents are invited to come along to our

next assembly to witness the

announcements being made on Monday

8th February.

CARPARKING

Parents are reminded that the car parks

provided at the Mansfield Street Milkbar

and the Berwick Lodge Medical Centre

are for patrons of these facilities only

and are not available for the use of

parents picking up students from our

school. Likewise the car park at the

front of the school is intended for staff

usage. Limited parking is available for

people with disabilities in the staff

carpark and the Cyril Molyneux Reserve

car park. It would be appreciated if our

community could be mindful of leaving

these spaces available for those in need.

Parents may have also observed that

there is now a sign on the ground at the

entrance to the staff carpark to remind

pedestrians that access to the school

grounds is not available through this gate.

This is for safety reasons.

LYNNE BRENNER & DEBBIE

CUSACK

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP Our lovely second-hand uniform shop is running low on

stock. So if you have any uniforms you wish to sell or

donate, please bring them to the front office for collection.

If you would like the PFA to sell uniforms, please clearly

label with your name and telephone number and price you

would like to sell at.

Please note: uniforms must be clean and in good condition

with current logo.

Next second hand shop to open is Tuesday February 16th

2010 2:30pm-3:15pm

From the PFA team.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to

assist eligible families with the costs associated with the

education of their children.

To be eligible for receipt of the EMA 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 foster parent.

Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA

if they have a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.

The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term

1 (27 January 2010 which is the first day for teaching staff)

and Term 3 (12 July 2010).

The EMA application must be submitted to the school by 26

February 2010 .

The EMA provides an annual amount of $225 for primary

students. This amount is split evenly between the parents/

guardians and the school.

Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first

instalment of 2010 through this school will not be required

to complete a new application for the second instalment.

Parents who transfer children to another school after 26

February 2010 and prior to or on 6 August 2010, must

reapply at the new school for the second instalment .

EMA NEWS

Hi and welcome all, to another year at B.L.P.S.!!! The PFA

committee would like to welcome everyone back from the

nice long Christmas break.

We have a fantastic line up for fundraising this year, starting

off in March with an Open market and Easter raffle. The

Open market is for anyone wanting to book a stall to sell

and/or promote their business. Forms will be distributed in

the next few days. As well as the market, there will be some

fantastic rides, cake stall, showbags and a huge sausage

sizzle.

Next PFA Meeting is to be held 9.30am Wednesday 10th

February 2010, at the OSHC building. The PFA is looking for

new members, everyone is welcome including toddlers!!

Cheers

Michelle Sarjeant and PFA Committee

PFA NEWS

Welcome back to all parents, teachers, students and especially

to our new comers at Berwick Lodge. We are ready for a fun

and jam-packed New Year! We would like to get involved with

the children throughout the school year, so we would like to

hear your ideas, suggestions and feed back on things in our

program.

Camp Australia are bringing in some new practices including:

All new customers can register for a new account

online via the website. Www.campaustralia.com.au

(more information in regards to this can be received at

the OSHC building)

A customer portal, which aims for all previously

enrolled/registered parents will be able to make

changes/bookings online. (Camp Australia account

number and their password are required to access this.)

As of 2010 there are some new fees,

An annual enrolment fee

An overdue account fee. (Registered customers should

or will receive this information in the mail/email.

Please note: grades 1-6 students make their own way to and

from OSHC. Preps are brought to and picked up from their

classrooms.

Our operating hours are: Before school care 6:45am—8:45am

After school care 3:30pm—6:30pm

Our direct line is 9769 8251 or you can call the admin team at

Camp Australia on 8851 4160.

Stay tuned for more BLOSHC news throughout the term.

Thankyou

Regards OSHC team

Dom: Co-ordinator

Olivia: Assistant Co-ordinator

Yvonne & Robin: Assistants

OSHC NEWS

To Parents and Guardians,

As the school year commences for 2010 we would like to

issue a friendly reminder that the limited parking spaces we

have on our premises are strictly for customers use with a

limit of 5 minute time limit applying between the times of

2:00pm-4:00pm on weekdays. These times are clearly

outlined by parking signs displayed on the premises. This

carpark is not to be used for parents waiting to collect

students and students may be at risk of altercations with

vehicles during the rush to get home as traffic accumulates

down Mansfield Street. By cooperation we can ensure that

2010 will be a safe and successful year.

Sincerely the friendly staff at

Mansfield Street Food Mart

MANSFIELD STREET MILK BAR NEWS

Beleza, our uniform store will be

relocating to their new

warehouse at 72 Wedgewood

Road, Hallam Melway 96 D3 as of

Monday 15th February.

The Party Food Shop

Your one stop party shop Paul Stemson 0418 141 946

Phone 9704 6940 Fax 9704 6214

New Bigger Shop, Factory 3/12 Deblin Drive, Narre Warren 3805

1300 1 PARTY or 9704 6940

ROB’S British & Irish Products

The Best Butcher on the Block.

177 Lonsdale Street Dandenong

9792 5188

Specializing In: British Gammon, Haggis, Irish Boling

Bacon, Pork Pies, Welsh Faggots, Scottish Pies.

White Puddings, Scottish Black Pudding, English Black

Pudding, Scottish Kippers and Much Much More!!!

BUSINESS ADVERTISING

FRAMING BY BRAD Specialising in

Scanning of negatives & slides, Restoration of photos, Framing of photos, All types of photography

Brad Norton Chief Framer/Photographer

0417 953 199 Web: Www.aarp.com.au Email: brad@aarp.com.au

CRYSTAL CLEANING

SERVICES P/L

MUMS CLEAN UP AFTER THE

KIDS!! For all your carpet/upholstery and

general cleaning needs

Special Offer

3 rooms/3 seats

Professionally steamed cleaned for $77.00 incl. gst

Free deodorising Free stain treating

Other services

Vacate clean-up/ready for sale

For bookings & enquiries contact

Steve 0411 752 279

$1.00 from each booking goes back to BLPS.

Plus $1.00 to Royal Children's Hospital

For enquires call Danny

9646 2820

DANCIN DIVA C E L E B R A T E L I F E & D A N C E

Fun classes in Hip Hop & Tap

Exam classes in Ballet, Jazz & Tap

Have fun, get fit & meet new friends

GROUP GUITAR

LESSONS FOR TERM 1 2010 New Enrolments for group guitar lessons are

currently being accepted for Term 1, 2010. These

lessons are held after school on Wednesdays in the

music room. You can obtain an enrolment form for

these lessons from the school office. If you would

like to enroll your child please fill in an enrolment

form and fax or post it to Excel Music. Small Reminder

Re-enrolment from one term to the next (including

from one year to the next) is automatic so, once

enrolled, you do not need to send a new enrolment

form each term in order to continue. Cancellation Procedure

If you would like your child to discontinue lessons,

please notify Excel Music directly (not the school

office) in writing.

This can be via: - fax (9801 8992)

- mail (PO Box 5319, Studfield

VIC, 3152),

For further information, please contact Excel Music

on (03) 9801 8991.

BARGAIN BOOKSALE

CRANBOURNE LIBRARY

SATURDAY 13TH FEBRUARY

8:30AM—2:00PM

Conference Room, Casey Indoor Leisure

Complex,

Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne

GRAB YOURSELF A BARGAIN

Great books from 50c to $5.00

Do you want to stay connected to your child?

Do you wonder why they aren’t listening to you or how to

deal with their anger?

Do you find living with kids exhausting?

Are they just driving you completely batty?

Come along and share your frustrations, skills and maybe get new ideas on parenting Who: Dads, mums & carers of children 0 – 12 years

When: 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Wednesday 17th & 24th February and

3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th March

Where: Berwick Neighbourhood House, 112 High Street, Berwick

Cost: FREE !! (please ring to book)

Contact: Helena at Parentzone on 59912200 or 0488 550 490

Parents Building Solutions

Connected Parenting

BERWICK SQUADRONS

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 8- 18 YEARS

NOW RECRUITING ARE YOU A BOY OR GIRL AGED

BETWEEN 8 AND 18 YEAR? DO YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN AIRCRAFT OR FLIGHT? MAYBE YOU WANT TO BE A PILOT WHEN YOU

GROW UP? OR PERHAPS YOU JUST WANT SOMETHING FUN TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME, THEN COME ALONG TO THE SQUADRONS

OPEN NIGHTS BERWICK BOYS SQUADRON:

Will be held on Wednesday night 24th February 2010 from7:00pm - 9:00pm

In the Gymnasium

At the Berwick Lodge Primary School Mansfield Street Berwick.

BERWICK GIRLS SQUADRON: Will be held on Monday Night 22nd February 2010

From 7:00pm – 9:00pm. In the Narre Warren Mechanics hall

At 59 Webb Street Narre Warren.

For more information about the Squadrons, Call 1800 502 175

www.airleague.com.au rnwowen@iprimus.com.au

FOUNTAIN GATE JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB

Registration Day

Sunday 21st February 2010

12.00pm--3.00pm

Sausage sizzle on the day

Looking for all age groups u/9 to u/16

All new players must bring proof of age to register on the

day

Big discounts for all under 9 registrations

All enquiries please contact the Secretary Mary on

0417 351 045

WANTED

GIRLS BORN IN 2000 WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN A

GIRLS’ UNDER-10 TEAM TO START PLAYING IN

FEBRUARY 2010

CONTACT DENNIS: 9707 1286

COMMUNITY NEWS

Casey Chiefs Junior Rugby League Club

Welcome all new members, friends and family to our Club.

Registration Days

Casey Fields, Berwick – Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne. Saturday February 6

th 2010 2pm to 4pm

Melways: 134 E7

Ballam Park, Cranbourne Rd, Frankston. Saturday February 13

th 2010 2pm to 4pm

Melways: 103 B4

Mornington Park, Esplanade, Mornington. Saturday 20

th February 2010 2pm to 4pm

Melways: 104 D10

Ray Bastin Reserve, Narre Warren – Cranbourne Rd, Narre Warren. Saturday 27

th February 2010 2pm to 4pm

Melways: 110 E8

Age Groups: UNDER 7’s – UNDER 18’s Girls Flag Touch: UNDER 12’s – 18’s

For more information regarding registration requirements please go to http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-2121-24912-0-0&sID=27469 or please contact –

Chris Howard – 0407 688 709 Leanne Howard – 0407 688 719 Or via email at caseychiefsJRLC@yahoo.com.au

Salesian College Chadstone Bosco Street Chadstone

Open Evenings Monday 8 February

Thursday 18 February

Commencing at 7.00pm Tours are conducted every Monday morning at 9.30am.

Applications for Year 7 2011 are closing on

Friday 26 February 2010

Please contact College Registrar on 9807 2644. mmenz@salesianchad.vic.edu.au

www.salesianchad.vic.edu.au

…is being held at Timbarra Primary School (Mel Way 110

J3) on Sunday 14th & 21st of February from 11am-1pm.

We are looking for players in Under 9, 10, 11 & 12 age

groups for the 2010 season. Male & female players of all

skill levels are most welcome.

Any queries can be answered by Dean (0425 825 593) or

Alison (0419 344 252).

Please ask Mum/Dad to bring along a copy of your proof of

your age so that we can register you in the correct team.

See you there…..

TIMBARRA &

COMMUNITY JUNIOR

FOOTBALL CLUB

NARRE WARREN—BERWICK

BLUE LIGHT DISCO

BERWICK LEISURE CENTRE

MANUKA ROAD, BERWICK

SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

TIMES 6:00PM TO 10:00PM

COST $10.00

ANY ENQUIRIES TO NARRE WARREN

POLICE STATION 9705 3111

•Ballet • Tap • Jazz

• Hip Hop •Street Dance

•Contemporary

•Drama • Singing • Music

•Kinder Dance •Acrobatics

• Pilates • Bollywood

•Pre-school classes for ages 2-6

• Boys only classes •“Fun & Fitness” Classes

• Special Needs Dance •Extension Classes

• Optional Exams & Eisteddfods • Qualified teachers - affiliated with Cecchetti International, A.T.O.D., S.F.D. &

Trinity Guildhalll

Cathy-Lea A C A D E M Y O F P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

Phone 9 7 0 4 7 3 2 4 Principal: Cathy-Lea Smith (B.Ed., M.Ed., L.C.I.C.B., L.S.F.D)

www.cathy-lea.com

Studios : 5/15-19 Narre Warren (opposite Casey ARC)

“Experts in Entertainment Education”