Newsletter Drouin West Primary School 'Nurture, Enrich, Inspire, Succeed' Issue 1/15 Hours of supervision: 8.45am—3:45pm 4th February, 2015 Mondays Lunch orders and Student Banking Fridays Assembly will be held at 3pm in the mul-purpose room. Parents/guardians/carers and interested community members are most welcome to aend. Tuesday February 10th “Fair” planning meeng at 9am in the staffroom. Please come along and help plan this fantasc event. We need your ideas and support to make the “Fair” every bit as great as our first was that we held in 2013. Saturday February 14th Ficifolia Parade: All students are invited to parcipate in the Ficifolia Parade. Please read the informaon on the noces sent home today and also the paragraph in Mrs. Ware’s secon on the next page of this newsleer. Friday February 27th ‘Tea Under the Oaks” Please read the flyer at the back of the newsleer for all the informaon about this fantascally excing event. Monday March 9th Labour Day public holiday. Sunday March 15th Drouin West Primary School “Fair.” Friday March 20th Whole School Photos Parent handbooks are available online or as a hard copy from the office IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS TO REMEMBER: P.O. Box 176 Phone: 03 56 251971 535 Main Neerim Road Drouin 3818 Fax: 03 56 252175 Drouin Wes t 3818 Email: [email protected]Our Chaplain Mrs. Ronalds our Chaplain will be available to speak with students and families on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please ring the office to book an appointment or you may leave Mrs. Ronalds a note in her letter box which is situated in the administration foyer. Acknowledgement: National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program have been funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. New Staff Welcome to Mr. Matthew Suter, Miss Cathleen Ryan and Mrs. Courtney Heath.
Transcript
Newsletter Drouin West Primary School
'Nurture, Enrich, Inspire, Succeed'
Issue 1/15 Hours of supervision: 8.45am—3:45pm 4th February, 2015
Mondays Lunch orders and Student Banking
Fridays Assembly will be held at 3pm in the multi-purpose room. Parents/guardians/carers and interested community members are most welcome to attend.
Tuesday February 10th “Fair” planning meeting at 9am in the staffroom. Please come along and help plan this fantastic event. We need your ideas and support to make the “Fair” every bit as great as our first was that we held in 2013.
Saturday February 14th Ficifolia Parade: All students are invited to participate in the Ficifolia Parade. Please read the information on the notices sent home today and also the paragraph in Mrs. Ware’s section on the next page of this newsletter.
Friday February 27th ‘Tea Under the Oaks” Please read the flyer at the back of the newsletter for all the information about this fantastically exciting event.
Monday March 9th Labour Day public holiday.
Sunday March 15th Drouin West Primary School “Fair.”
Friday March 20th Whole School Photos
Parent handbooks are available online or as a hard copy from the office
Acknowledgement: National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program have been funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
New Staff Welcome to Mr. Matthew Suter, Miss Cathleen Ryan and
Mrs. Courtney Heath.
From The Principal’s Office
teachers. Parent Information Sessions This year we will not be organising these sessions as we have done in previous years. We recognise that family life is very busy and for some families arranging for babysitting is difficult. Our experience is that a small number of families come each year and important information can be communicated through school and class newsletters.
Following the feedback from our review, we have discussed other opportunities for parents to come into the school during the year which will focus on celebrating children’s learning.
If parents/guardians have any questions or concerns we urge you to contact the school and speak to the class teachers or myself.
Staffing Updates At the very end of the year we learnt that Jane Strickland had been offered and accepted a scholarship with Melbourne University to start her Doctorate. This is a unique opportunity and we were all very excited for Jane as she embarks on an academic career in education. Jane has written a letter to say goodbye which is included with this newsletter.
We are delighted to appoint Mr Matthew Suter to fill the vacancy of Physical Education for 2015. Matthew has experience in both Primary and Secondary schools in Gippsland. Matthew will be working at Drouin West each Tuesday (3/4B, 3/4A, 5/6A and 5/6B) and Wednesday (F/1B, 2/3A, F/1A and 1/2A). Please introduce yourself to Matthew and make him feel welcome as he gets to know the families at Drouin West.
Ficifolia Festival Street Parade Sat Feb 14th Permission forms have been sent home this week for those children who will be coming along and representing our school in the parade on Saturday February 14th. Come along and join in the fun as we join in the Ficifolia Festival celebrations in 2015.
We are encouraged to use this year’s theme: “I love Drouin”. Students are asked to wear green, brown or another dark color representing the Ficifolia tree trunk, branches, flowers. All students will have the opportunity to make the foliage and flowers in art and parents can add these decorations at the football oval as we assemble for the parade.
Please note: 2015 Prep students must be accompanied by an adult in the parade to participate in this event.
It has been delightful to catch up with our students and families since school started last week. Everyone is looking refreshed and seemed to be happy that school has started. Adjusting to getting back into school routines with the busyness of the start
of the new school year can be a challenge after a long holiday break. It is important that adults stay calm and reassure their children as the rhythms and routines of getting organised for school get started. We understand and appreciate the amount of information being sent home at the beginning of the year. Well done to those families who manage this efficiently, we really appreciate your prompt return of forms. I would recommend that all families work out a process of keeping important dates and forms for excursions readily available. This will ensure students and parents know what is happening at school and information, printed on Purple/Mauve Paper is completed and returned in a timely manner. It is time consuming for all involved to chase up notices and can add stress to students who need to focus on what they are learning when they come to school. School Attendance-Every Day Counts It is vital to ensure students attend school every day and get the most out of their schooling. Research clearly shows that the students who attend school regularly and complete year 12 have better health and employment outcomes and higher incomes throughout their lives. We know from our own school data students who are late and miss too many school days are falling behind their classmates. The message we inadvertently give our children about the value of schooling when we are late and when we miss school is significant. We want every child to have the best opportunity to gain from educational programs. Let us work together to give every student at Drouin West the chance to learn by not interrupting the learning process and ensuring every day counts! Parent Teacher Student Learning Conferences Parent/teacher/student learning conferences are a great opportunity to meet your child’s classroom teacher and share important information about your child, their learning or medical needs. All parents are encouraged to arrange an appointment time to meet the child’s classroom teachers for 2015. While parents of Foundation level will come in on a Wednesday in February, all other parent/teacher/student interviews will be held on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18
th February from 3.30-5.30pm.
Class teachers will place an appointment booking page on their classroom door from Thursday afternoon and parents are asked to slot in a time to meet with the teacher/teachers. If these times do not suit families, please arrange a mutually suitable time with the
From The Principal’s Office continued
Head Lice Alert As in previous years, we will be organising Head Lice Checks across the school at the beginning of each term. By checking hair at the beginning of the school term our school community can prevent an epidemic. This approach has been very successful since 2010 with only a few cases of head lice detected at our school. Let’s hope our combined efforts will help us to manage this community health problem, for which we all need to take responsibility. Parents are expected to regularly check and treat their child for headlice before children return to school. Thorough and a repeated treatment (around 7 days) of all family members is usually necessary to ensure this is not an ongoing problem for families. Removing all eggs, which is very time consuming process, reduces the chance of the cycle continuing. School Council Elections 2015 All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. They are legally formed bodies that set the key directions of a school within Departmental provided guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students. There are three possible categories of membership including elected parent category, elected Department of Education and Training (DE&T) employee category and an optional community member category. Parents on School Council provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. How can you become involved? Consider standing for election as a member or encourage another person to stand, and if nominations exceed vacancies cast your vote. What is expected of a School Council member? Attend School Council meetings throughout the year (generally two meetings per term) and actively participate in sub committees. (Finance, Policy and Development, Fundraising, Out of Hours School Care, Chaplaincy and Buildings and Grounds) Do I need special experience to be on school council? No. What you do need is an interest in your child’s school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape our school’s future. More information regarding the nomination process will be included in next week’s newsletter. Please contact me if you would like further information regarding involvement in our School Council for 2015.
Car Park Routine As with all schools, the end of the day dismissal time is busy and student safety is a priority. At Drouin West it is particularly busy at 3.15 p.m. with all families using private transport. It is very important for safety and efficiency in delivering and picking up
the children that all parents follow the established routine. Please make sure cars are parked in the appropriate areas and do not block the exit of other cars. Please also note that the road around the school is one way with the entrance from Main Neerim Road on the north east boundary. Staff are on duty at the car line collection point or supervising students at the front of the school. Parents not using the car line are required to collect students from the front of the school and take them to their vehicle. Students will not be permitted to walk out to the front car park unless they are supervised. I would encourage all parents of younger children to hold their hand. School Stationery and Curriculum costs and voluntary contributions. School Materials and Curriculum costs and voluntary contributions are due at the start of every school year. Prompt payment is always appreciated enabling the full implementation of our curriculum programs across the school. The state government provides funds for schools to cover staffing costs, facilities, utilities, cleaning, grounds eg lawn mowing, maintenance and schools are required to work within these budget allocations. Essential Educational Items Parents are required to pay for books, stationery, art materials, physical education equipment, photocopying, computer printing, tissues, etc. At Drouin West, as in previous years we have tried to keep our fees as affordable as possible for families. We bulk buy all student requisites at the beginning of the year to enable us to pass on the GST. savings to parents. Our school fees for 2015 is $120 for all students. Drouin West School Council has also invited parents to make a voluntary contribution of $10 per child which will be put towards school improvements. Parents are welcome to contact the school and arrange to come and speak with me if they need further information regarding school materials and curriculum costs and voluntary contributions. Families who are eligible for a Health Care card have received financial assistance through Education Maintenance Allowance in previous years. The government is no longer providing EMA to families. If any family has a valid Heath Care Card, School Council has agreed to give a $20 discount per child, if accounts are paid by the end of term 2. Parents may also elect to use Centrepay.
Happy Birthday !!!!!! Happy birthday to the following students and staff who celebrate their special day during the week of Monday, 2nd February to Sunday, 8th February.
Mark McKenzie F/1B, Eve Thorpe 2/3A, Emily Sellers 2/3A, Georgia Foti 2/3A, Miss Bayne, Mrs. Finger and Miss Baker.
Don’t forget to come to
the office and collect a birthday sticker.
Dolphin Friends On the holidays, my family and I went to Sea World. While we were there, my sister Violet and I got to meet a dolphin.
We got to pat the dolphin and had our photo taken with him. It was awesome!!!
By Harry Dodd 1/2A
Farewell from Miss Strickland I’m saddened to announce that I will not be teaching at Drouin West Primary School in 2015. This year was my first
year teaching in a primary school and I loved it. I learnt a lot from my colleagues and loved the enthusiasm of the
Drouin West PS kids and the support of the school community.
I have had an interest in special education for over 15 years and this year gained a Masters in Special Education. I enjoy
studying and I have been incredibly fortunate to be offered a scholarship to complete a PhD with Melbourne Graduate
School of Education. The three year study is a full time position that aims to build the numeracy capabilities of children
with intellectual disabilities. I will remain living locally and work in various special schools and some primary schools
to collect information. My passion for education has led me to various roles in the past and often leads me back to
familiar places.
I will give all possible assistance to the new PE teacher and hope they will have the same excellent experience at Drouin
West Primary School as I have had.
Kinds Regards,
Jane Strickland
Help Drouin West Primary
School Thank our local
Drouin West CFA Volunteers
We will be placing Red
Balloons around the school to
show our appreciation
Free I
cy P
oles
BYO Picnic Tea, drinks and
rug or deck chairs.
Tea Under the Oaks
&
National Red Balloon Day
FRIDAY 27TH
FEBRUARY 2015 6PM
Drouin West Primary School 'Nurture, Enrich, Inspire, Succeed'
Bring the family along
and get to know staff
and other families in a
relaxed, fun atmosphere
Fun, Gam
es and
prizes to be won
Drouin West Primary School would like to thank the following generous sponsors
who have already donated to our 2015 Fair.
Please support these companies in appreciation of their assistance.
The fair will be held on Sunday 15 March 2015 from 11am to 3pm.
Company Contact Ph:# Donation Value
B&B Automotive 5625 2350 1 x Wheel alignment $66
J H Cuthbertson Pty Ltd 5625 1504 Donation $350
Drouin Gourmet Café 5625 2255 3 x vouchers $10 each
Drouin Health Barn 5625 4344 1 x voucher $10
Drouin Dental Service 5625 1718 Donation $50
Gippsland Vacuums 5625 5065 Coffee Machine $350
Gippsland Bulk Supplies 5625 2637 2 x bags of fertiliser $52
Graeme Arthurson Real Estate 5625 5803 Food & Wine hamper Real Estate voucher Hardcover book signed by author
$200 $500 $29.95
Home Hardware Drouin 5625 2955 Trestle table $35
Jacksons on Albert 5625 5004 Voucher $40
JigSaw Hairdressers 5625 9463 2 x vouchers $50 each
Robin Hood Hotel 5625 4884 Meal voucher $40
Saferoads 5625 6600 Donation $100
TNT Auto Parts 5625 2777 Car cleaning products $35
Tony Pisa Motors 5625 3339 Donation $50
STUDENT ABSENCE NOTE
Attention staff of Drouin West Primary School
As the parent/guardian of ................................................................... Grade ....................
I wish to advise that the absence on ...................................................................................
was due to: Illness Appointment Family Holiday Parental Choice
Singing Lessons— Helen Brown at home Phone: 0408 595 490 or email: [email protected]
Do you miss me?
These two lovely
toys have found
their way to the
office and are
waiting patiently
for their owners
to come and
collect them.
Education Support Finance & Administration Relief Training Program 2015 A 5 day ES Relief Training Program will commence on Thursday 26th March at the Newborough Training Centre and will be
offered to participants in the South Eastern Victoria Region.. It is anticipated that as a result of the program, a ready ‘pool’ of Education Support relief staff will be available to support
schools for periods of planned and unplanned absences.
The availability of trained personnel will ensure schools can effectively continue financial and administrative operations
with minimal disruption during staff absence.
WHO CAN APPLY?
The Relief Program will be aimed at attracting and recruiting participants with a finance and administration background not
currently employed by DE&T or on the school level payroll.
The training program will provide for up to 10 participants and will be conducted over two stages:
Stage One: five days computer based training using CASES21 Administration and Finance modules, an introduction to
finance policy and ‘best practice’ plus a follow up revision day during Term 2 (this will include lunch (final day only) and
the presentation of a Certificate of Successful Completion).
The training will be conducted at the following location: Newborough Information Technology Training Centre, Lowanna
Stage Two: 70 hours of voluntary work experience at a range of host schools to be scheduled for completion during Term
2.
The completion of both stages of the program does not guarantee employment. Staff successfully completing the program
will graduate onto a relief list accessible to schools through the Recruitment Online (ROL) Talent Pool.
APPLICATION KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
A business or finance and administration background and Well developed computer skills.
Be available to complete Stage 1, 5 Day computer based training at the Newborough Training Centre 26/27/30/31 March 1st
April. Stage 2, Work Experience to be completed before end of term and a day of revision and celebration before end of
term 3.
A current Working with Children (or in the process of applying) and a Criminal Records Check (information to be provided
as part of the application process)
Be available for short-term employment in schools at short notice
Current or recent volunteer service in a school will be highly regarded.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please contact Ann in the office for further information.
School Assemblies Parents are very welcome to come along to school assemblies. These are held each Friday afternoon in the Multi Purpose Room from around 3.00pm depending on how many items and announcements we have on a particular week.
HATS! HATS! HATS! A reminder that students will need to bring along and wear their hats in term 1.
School Website Have you missed the newsletter? Do you want information about the school? Please take the time to visit: www.drouinwest.vic.edu.au
