Newsletter No.3 Term 3 Tuesday 15 th August 2017 Tel: 9404 8373 – Fax 9404 7502 –www.hockingps.wa.edu.auSMS: 0417 942 643 FROM THE PRINCIPAL P&C DISCO A big thankyou to all our P&C volunteers for the hard work and time given to make the disco so much fun for the students. The Lock in style ensured the focus of the evening was on the students dancing and having funs with their friends. It also helped the volunteers ensure students engaged with other in a safe environment which gave them room to move and groove. Of course without the volunteers the disco would not be possible, so once again on behalf of all the students’ thank you very much. COMMBANK - START SMART PRIMARY PROGRAM - FREE FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS This week year 1 – 6 students will be participating in the Start Smart Primary program provided free by Commbank. The program is a series of curriculum based workshops delivered to each year level teaching money skills in a way that students can understand and enjoy. The Start Smart program changes the way young people learn about money. By making money management interactive, engaging and fun through a series of free workshops and online resources, it aims to equip students with the confidence and competence to make smart decisions about money. The workshops have been developed with a panel of leading specialists in primary education, cognitive development, instructional design and financial literacy. Please note that although our workshops are delivered free of charge, they do not promote the products or services of the Commonwealth Bank. Their goal is improving the financial literacy skills of the next generation. Be sure to read Mr Rielly’s information about Science week in this newsletter and make to time to visit our Library to the amazing ‘Science Beyond the Gate 2.0’ displays produced by the students of Hocking Primary School. NATIONAL LITERACY WEEK National Literacy week is being celebrated at Hocking Primary School Week 7 of Term 3 (Monday 28th August to Friday 1st September). The book we are exploring as a whole school is “My Two Blankets,” written by Irena Kobald and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. It was the Winner of the 2015 Children’s Book Council Award for Picture Books. In support of this we will be hosting ‘Hocking’s International Food Festival’ on Friday with students encouraged to wear a cultural dress or dress in orange (sports dress is not included in the cultural dress) and bring a plate of food to share. Notes went home last week. DATES TO REMEMBER 15th – 18 th August Commbank Incursion 18 th August Champion Schools Cross Country One Big Voice Choir Excursion 21 st August Water Corporation Incursion Yr 3’s 21 st – 25 th August Keep Australia Beautiful Week 22 nd August Jumps, Throws and 200m 23 rd August PP3 Assembly 400m 25 th August Faction Carnival 28 th August – 1 st September National Literacy Week From the Principal P&C Disco Commbank – Start Smart Primary Program – Free Financial Literacy Workshops National Science Week National Literacy Week Welcome To Our New School Board Chairperson Jeans Friday – Meet Our New Sponsor Student Early Childhood Playground – Update 2018 Kindy and Pre-Primary Placements Champion Schools Cross Country and The One Big Voice Choir Merit Winners Hocking PS Students Attends Parliament House Values – Conservation Mental Maths Lexile Legends Early Childhood Nature Playground Sun Smart From the Science Lab BUZ Program Bully Proofing What Can You Do About Litter School Board Parents and Citizen (P&C) Warwick Secondary College Specialist Trials Community Advertisements
P&C DISCO A big thankyou to all our P&C volunteers for the hard work and time given to make the disco so much fun for the students. The Lock in style ensured the focus of the evening was on the students dancing and having funs with their friends. It also helped the volunteers ensure students engaged with other in a safe environment which gave them room to move and groove. Of course without the volunteers the disco would not be possible, so once again on behalf of all the students’ thank you very much.
COMMBANK - START SMART PRIMARY PROGRAM - FREE FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS This week year 1 – 6 students will be participating in the Start Smart Primary program provided free by Commbank. The program is a series of curriculum based workshops delivered to each year level teaching money skills in a way that students can understand and enjoy. The Start Smart program changes the way young people learn about money. By making money management interactive, engaging and fun through a series of free workshops and online resources, it aims to equip students with the confidence and competence to make smart decisions about money. The workshops have been developed with a panel of leading specialists in primary education, cognitive development, instructional design and financial literacy. Please note that although our workshops are delivered free of charge, they do not promote the products or services of the Commonwealth Bank. Their goal is improving the financial literacy skills of the next generation.
Be sure to read Mr Rielly’s information about Science week in this newsletter and make to time to visit our Library to the amazing ‘Science Beyond the Gate 2.0’ displays produced by the students of Hocking Primary School.
NATIONAL LITERACY WEEK
National Literacy week is being celebrated at Hocking Primary School Week 7 of Term 3 (Monday 28th August to Friday 1st September). The book we are exploring as a whole school is “My Two Blankets,” written by Irena Kobald and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. It was the Winner of the 2015 Children’s Book Council Award for Picture Books. In support of this we will be hosting ‘Hocking’s International Food Festival’ on Friday with students encouraged to wear a cultural dress or dress in orange (sports dress is not included in the cultural dress) and bring a plate of food to share. Notes went home last week.
DATES TO REMEMBER 15th – 18
th August
Commbank Incursion 18
th August
Champion Schools Cross Country One Big Voice Choir Excursion 21
Champion Schools Cross Country and The One Big Voice Choir
Merit Winners Hocking PS Students Attends Parliament House Values – Conservation Mental Maths Lexile Legends Early Childhood Nature Playground Sun Smart From the Science Lab BUZ Program Bully Proofing What Can You Do About Litter School Board Parents and Citizen (P&C) Warwick Secondary College Specialist Trials Community Advertisements
Hocking Primary School 50 Gungurru Avenue, Hocking WA 6065
WELCOME TO OUR NEW SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRPERSON Congratulations and welcome to Mr Grant Bowen who was successfully nominated as the new School Board Chairperson for 2017. Grant has taken over from Ms Janelle Perkins as of this term. We would like to sincerely thank Ms Janelle Perkins for her commitment, dedication and support to Hocking Primary School as School Board/Council Chairperson since the school opened in 2008. Ms Perkins will remain as a school board member but future contact should be through Grant Bowen at [email protected]. See profile below:
“I am very proud to be a part of the Hocking Primary School Community. I have 2 children currently at the school and one more that will be joining in a couple of years. We absolutely love it.
I look forward to being able to help continue to support the school, the kids, and the parents on what has been an incredible journey so far.
If you see me around the school, please feel free to say hello or contact me if want to have a chat.” Grant Bowen – School Board Chairperson
JEANS FRIDAY- MEET OUR NEW SPONSOR STUDENT Joan is 8 years old. She is in Grade 2 at the Sisia Primary Campus. Joan is Roman Catholic and belongs to the Mmeru tribe. Mmeru tribes-people originate from the foothills of Mount Meru (Tanzania’s second tallest mountain which stands 4,566 metres high), and also reside at the foothills of Mount Kenya (Kenya’s tallest mountain). Traditionally they are farmers.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND – UPDATE Last Friday a meeting with the contactors determined a number of items that needed rectification before children can access the area. We are hopeful that these works will be completed soon. Teachers have been touring the area with their students and they are very excited about their new playground.
2018 KINDY AND PRE-PRIMARY PLACEMENTS All notifications of places in Kindy and Pre-Primary have now been communicated. For 2018 we had more applications than places so in these circumstances the Department of Education requires all schools to provide
places according School Education Regulations 2000 which specify how schools must prioritise enrolments. Principals assess applications for enrolment for the following year after the enrolment closing date (the first Friday of Term 3 each year). Given that most schools have boundaries which set what is called a local-intake area schools are not in a position to deviate from these legislative requirements, by which all public schools must abide.
Kindergarten – pre-compulsory school If the number of children applying to enrol at a Kindergarten with a local-intake area exceeds the number of available places, enrolments are prioritised in this order:
1. A child who lives in the local-intake area of the school, who has a sibling enrolled at the school for that year and who lives closest to the school.
2. A child who lives in the local-intake area of the school, who does not have a sibling enrolled at the school for that year and who lives closest to the school.
3. A child who does not live in the local-intake area of the school, who has a sibling enrolled at the school for that year and who lives closest to the school.
4. A child who does not live in the local-intake area of the school, who does not have a sibling enrolled at the school for that year and who lives closest to the school.
Pre-primary to Year 12 – compulsory years of school Under the terms of the Regulations, each school must accommodate all children from the local-intake area who are of compulsory school age (Pre-primary to Year 12).
Once a school has confirmed the number of local-intake enrolments and the school has spare capacity and appropriate programs, applications from children outside the local-intake area can be assessed after the enrolment closing date (the first Friday of Term 3 each year).
Hocking Primary School 50 Gungurru Avenue, Hocking WA 6065
If you have submitted an application for your children to attend a school that is not their local school, you will be informed of the outcome after the enrolment closing date (the first Friday of Term 3 each year).
The priority for enrolling children outside the local-intake area is in this order: 1. A child who is accepted into a special program including Approved Specialist Programs (secondary
schools). 2. A child who has a sibling enrolled at the school for the year; this does not include a sibling who has
gained enrolment through special programs including Approved Specialist Programs (secondary schools). 3. A child who lives closest to the school (not closest to the boundary of a local-intake area).
CHAMPION SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY AND THE ONE BIG VOICE CHOIR Finally, we all wish our student participating in the Champion Schools Cross Country and the One Big Voice Choir event on Friday the best of luck, we know they will be striving to do their very best.
REMINDERS All skateboards, scooters and bikes are to be carried or wheeled to and from the bike racks where they must be secured for the day.
Protective safety equipment is encouraged at all times. Only use the designated Kiss ‘n Drive area to drop and collect students. School gates open at 8.15am. Students should arrive at 8.25am. If students arrive prior to this time they must sit outside the
Deputies’ Office. Four Square games are only to be played during recess and lunch time.
Drivers are responsible for safety on the roads and in car parks. Steve Dickson – Principal
HOCKING PS STUDENTS ATTEND PARLIAMENT HOUSE On Thursday the 10th of August, 7 Year 6 students were invited to represent Hocking at Parliament House by Ms Sabine Winton MLA to learn about the building and the three levels of government. Ms Winton is the local member for the electorate of Wanneroo (and she also taught Denzel and Bradley!)
We arrived at Parliament House at 11 am in enough time to take a few photos before we met Ms Winton on the steps of Parliament House (although we didn’t quite get the timing right on her attempted photobomb). Ms Winton took us on a tour of Parliament House including time to wander through the members’ library and listening to speakers on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. Here we watched Ms Winton make a 90 second speech about us and some other schools in our district. Ms Winton also paid for our meal in the dining room; we ordered lunch and dessert, it was delicious!
The highlight of the day was when we were invited on the floor of the Legislative Assembly and watched Ms Winton do her speech. She included our names and mentioned Mr Dickson and our new school play equipment.
Hocking Primary School 50 Gungurru Avenue, Hocking WA 6065
At the end of our amazing adventure through the halls of Parliament House we all took a lot of selfies with the amazing landscape of Perth City in the background.
We’d like to thank Ms Winton for her time as she personally guided us through Parliament House and showed off her favourite places.
By Madison, Noah, Callum, Denzel, Megan, Bradley and Hayley. Steve Hardingham – Deputy Principal
VALUES AT HOCKING –CONSERVATION Sustainable Development: The management of the environment should take into account the need to preserve its diversity and balance for the future. Balance the use of resources in a way that maintains a consistent and steady supply for all. Manage Australia’s very fragile environment in a way that will ensure the survival of all natural things. Use things in moderation and they will last a lot longer. Care for my cultural and natural environment. Things will last as long as I look after them. Look after my environment.
To develop my child’s understanding of sustainable development I can: Set up recycling practices at home. Try to repair things rather than replace them. Reward them for turning off light switches and taps. Cook only what will be eaten at meal times so that there isn’t any wastage. Discuss with them why we need to conserve things. Go shopping for need as opposed to want. Discuss with them which things are running out – oil, iron ore, minerals, water etc. Ask them what they can do to help conserve things. Use scrap paper to write on. Grow your own vegetables and fruit. Make them ride or walk to school while you ride or walk to work. Teach them to use public transport systems.
MENTAL MATHS MONU-Mental Champions: Congratulations LA18, Yr 5 for making consistent progress throughout the year so far. Well done! DEVELOP-Mental Champions: Well done LA9, Yr 2 for the excellent progress being made. Keep up the great work!
LEXILE LEGENDS Over the last couple of weeks we have been focussing on improving student participation and engagement in this program. Our target at the beginning of the year was 55 million words. We are well short of reaching this goal at this stage. With our energies now aligned to improve engagement in the program we envisage a positive outcome on reaching our goal by the end of the year. Lexile Legends for this fortnight are LA 15 Yr 6.
EARLY CHILDHOOD NATURE PLAYGROUND Completion of our playground is not far away. There are a number of minor alterations which need to take place before the handover is complete. We are hopeful that the playground will be open by week 6 of this term. In the meantime, the early childhood staff have been invited to take each class of students for a tour of the playground, explaining the different features and aspects of the facility. The students will be informed of expectations and the opportunities available when playing in the new play space. The innovative design and engaging features have surpassed all our expectations and we are thrilled to offer such a unique, inspiring and challenging play space to our children.
There are a number of play elements and opportunities which have been included in the design of this playground to provide benefits for the students.
Hocking Primary School 50 Gungurru Avenue, Hocking WA 6065
These include;
Creative and Imaginative: Elements that can be manipulated and used in imaginative and creative play experiences help develop the flexibility of mind essential for problem solving and coping with typical ups and downs of life.
Social/Emotional: Formal and informal spaces for imaginative play, gathering and hanging out; and open-ended play elements that encourage interactions across age groups. Emotional intelligence skills, such as empathy that are difficult to “teach” are able to be practised and developed through meaningful interactions between children at play.
Physical: Balancing, hanging on, being upside down, climbing up, down and through, stepping and jumping, support children to build strength, coordination and agility as well as their resilience, self-esteem and sense of mastery.
Sensory: The use of diverse materials provides children a breadth of sensory input which include opportunities to tumble, roll, swing and spin which is all critical for children’s brain development.
Cognitive: Overlapping with other areas such as creative and imaginative provide a myriad of opportunities for developing problem solving and critical thinking skills. This new play space also supports aspects of the curriculum such as maths, science, literacy and the environmental and social sciences.
Risk and Challenge: A risk-benefit approach to include graduated challenges appropriate for a range of ages and abilities that are easily apparent to children has been incorporated in the design of the playground. This empowers children to make their own decisions about what to tackle. These opportunities help them to develop resilience, risk assessment and problem solving skills as well as an appreciation of their own physical competence and limitations.
Landscape Planting: Trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers help to soften the space and provide natural shade and shelter form the elements and habitat for wildlife. They also provide children with an ongoing supply of natural loose parts for play, such as sticks, twigs, flowers, nuts and berries and over time create semi-secluded gathering spaces for hidey opportunities. We are sure that everyone can see the value of this construction for the student’s development and enrichment in all areas. Well established benefits of the play that takes place in Nature Playgrounds, based on extensive research carried out by the University of Western Australia are outlined below
Summary of key benefits (Nature Play WA website) Natural, irregular and challenging spaces help kids learn to recognise, assess and negotiate risk and build
confidence and competence.
Children who play regularly in natural settings are sick less often. Mud, sand, water, leaves, sticks, pine
cones and gum nuts can help to stimulate children's immune system as well as their imagination.
Children who spend more time outside tend to be more physically active and less likely to be overweight.
Children who play in natural settings are more resistant to stress; have lower incidence of behavioural
disorders, anxiety and depression; and have a higher measure of self-worth.
Children who play in natural settings play in more diverse, imaginative and creative ways and show
improved language and collaboration skills. Single use, repetitive play equipment becomes boring
quickly.
Children who play in nature have more positive feelings about each other.
Bullying behaviour is greatly reduced where children have access to diverse nature-based play
environments.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are reduced after contact with nature.
Mark Pegoraro – Deputy Principal
SUN SMART TIPS Sunscreen should never be the only method of sun protection nor should it be used to stay out in the sun longer, remember to Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! Slide!
Graham Jones – PE Teacher
Hocking Primary School 50 Gungurru Avenue, Hocking WA 6065
FROM THE SCIENCE LAB Hello everybody and welcome to the latest update from the science lab.
SCIENCE WEEK IS HERE !
From Monday the School Library has been awash in an amazing series of presentations reflecting the fantastic enthusiasm we have for science at Hocking. So far we have had 90 students present application forms to participate in our ‘Science Beyond the Gate 2.0’ display. Already the Science Lab is beginning to fill with amazing items, ranging from models, dioramas, circuits, investigations and collections and many more to come.
The topics that these great displays cover range from biology to astronomy to physics to chemistry and beyond. The imagination and effort that has gone into all of the work is outstanding. I can’t wait to see them all on display, I’m sure we’ll all learn a lot. In Week 5 all of the students will be able to view and experience what has been created, and this year parents and friends are invited to come into the library after school, from 2.40pm to 3.00 pm, on each day.
Hopefully everyone who attends will be inspired to learn even more about science. The Science Committee looks forward to seeing you there!
Sc i enc e out s i de t he s c hool Whilst Hocking Primary School may appear like the centre of the scientific universe in Week 5, there are many other activities that you can attend there are many events that are on during this week and these can be seen at https://www.scienceweek.net.au/
SCIENCE JokeS What do clouds wear in their hair?
Rainbows.
What does the universe have in common with a
candy store?
A Milky Way.
What is the happiest thing in the sky?
The sun. It's always beaming.
What would you call it if the sun never set from
January to December?
A light year.
Grant Rielly – Science Teacher
BUZ PROGRAMS Hocking Primary School is a “BUZ” (Build Up Zone) school across all years now and your kids will be seeing these posters in their classrooms and across the school. Please become aware of the tools that they are using to “Bully-proof” themselves, to “Hopscotch” problem solve and to manage their feelings through the “Feelings Management Creed”.
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY FOR PARENTS TO BORROW.
another way we show that
Phil Leenman – School Chaplain
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT LITTER? Pack a zero waster lunch with reusable containers and no rubbish to throw away.
WATERWISE
Jane Squire – Water Wise Coordinator
SCHOOL BOARD
Your Hocking Primary School Board consists of 11 members who represent Parents/Caregivers, Staff and your P&C. All members are available should you have any concerns, questions or ideas about Hocking Primary School.
Your School Board would love to hear from all parent and community members. We are here for you, your children and your community. If you would like to know more about the School Board or you have something to say please contact us via email [email protected] or write to the Chairperson, School Board C/- Hocking Primary School.
Grant Bowen– Chair Person Hocking Primary School Board
PARENT & CITIZENS (P&C)
P&C NEWS Disco Thank you to the wonderful disco committee and volunteers who helped make our disco such a wonderful success! Also thank you to all of the families to who purchased tickets and supported the P&C.
Woolworths Earn and Learn Woolworths Earn and Learn is back, so keep collecting your stickers and help our school earn some great prizes. Stickers can be placed in the collection boxes located at the school front office or Hocking Woolworths.
Faction Carnival The Faction Carnival (years 1-6) is on Friday 25th August 2017. Sausage sizzle order forms will be coming home today with information about how to purchase you child’s lunch on the day. Also don’t forget the uniform shop is open every Monday morning, so get in early and purchase your faction shirts and hats.
Casino Bus Who needs a night out? Why not have a fun night out and support our P&C at the same time? Book it into your diary, 16th September 2017. More details soon to follow, so watch this space.
Hocking Primary School 50 Gungurru Avenue, Hocking WA 6065
Entertainment Books The new 2017/2018 Entertainment Books are now available! A sample of the book is on display in the front office if you would like to see it. To order your copy now, go to www.entbook.com.au/87773g or collect a form from the office.
Safety House Committee Currently we have 13 have Safety Houses in Hocking and surrounds, unfortunately we do not currently have a Safety House Committee. The role of the committee would be to set up and monitor Safety Houses in our area. If you are interested or know anyone who may interested in being part of the committee please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
Facebook Please like us on Facebook to keep updated on our events and services. https://www.facebook.com/HockingPrimarySchoolPc/?fref=ts
The next P&C meeting will be held on the 11th September at 7-8pm in the school staff room. All are welcome; we hope to see you there.
Priscilla Maunder – P&C President
CANTEEN NEWS The Faction Carnival Meal Deal flyers are coming home today. The form and money need to be returned to the P&C box no later than Tuesday 22nd August. Please do not pay by Direct Debit – This is a P&C Event.
The canteen would like to thank our wonderful volunteers for the help the past fortnight Kristi Barry, Janice Njo, Lisa Serrino, Amanda Smith and Manuela Harrison thank you so much ladies!
Tammy Park – Canteen Manager
SCHOOL BANKING We would like to say a big thank you to Donna Watts and Louise Sykora for all your help over the years with Banking, both ladies have had to move on to other commitments. We would also like to welcome Grace Glass and Melissa Nicholls to the banking team, they have both stepped up to help out. Thank you ladies your help each week is very appreciated.
Lisa Walmsley – Banking Coordinator
WARWICK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL YEAR 6 SPECIALIST PROGRAM TRIALS & TESTING
2nd TRIALS (For students who have NOT already trialled)
WEDNESDAY 23rd AUGUST, 2017
PROGRAM VENUE TIME Academic Extension Warwick SHS Library, meet outside the front office
Run by Mrs Jody Weaver Please bring pens, pencil, eraser
9:45 – 10:45 am
Specialist Netball (DoE Approved, Netball WA Endorsed)
Warwick SHS Courts, meet in gym foyer. Run by Miss Briana Barber Please wear PS phys-ed uniform, appropriate shoes and bring a drink bottle
11:30 – 12:30 pm
Specialist Football (DoE Approved, WAFC Endorsed)
Warwick SHS Oval, meet on south grass area, near administration office. Run by Mr John Batten Please wear PS phys-ed uniform, appropriate shoes and bring a drink bottle
11:30 – 12:30pm
Dance Elite Program
Warwick SHS Performing Arts, meet in school gym foyer. Run by Mrs Janne Nolan Please wear legging, PS shirt and jazz shoes (or socks)
12:30 -1:30 pm
Please contact school administration reception to apply to trial and test for programs. Telephone 6240 4400, Email [email protected]
