newsletter 7.5.15 - Mount Eliza North Primary School

Mount Eliza North Primary School No. 5140
Moseley Drive, Mount Eliza 3930
Tel. 9787 6611 Fax: 9787 6754
MAIL:
info@menps.vic.edu.au
KALORI
Issue No. 6
Inquirer
Thinker
WEB ADDRESS: www.menps.vic.edu.au
Communicator
7th May 2015
Risk-Taker
Knowledgeable
MENPS students aspire to become life long learners who take pride in their
ability to make a difference by taking action within local and global communities.
Principled
From the Principal’s Desk:
Walk-o-fun
Thank you to our parent organisers for
this fun event as we walked around the
tropics. I enjoyed changing outfits from
being a pirate to a captain and a few
others! This is one of the school’s
major fundraisers and funds will be
allocated to the construction of a new
sandpit and bike enclosure. I’m in the
process of getting final plans and
quotes. Fingers crossed that these
might be built during
the next term break.
Education Week
Monday, 18th May is
the
start
of
our
Education
Week
celebrations. We will
be inviting our grandparents along to
spend time in classrooms with their
grandchildren and enjoy a
cuppa with morning tea.
If the children do not have
any grandparents to attend, they are
welcome to invite a valued relative or
adult friend.
Look out for the flyer for
Open night on Thursday
21st which will explain
open classrooms and
musical presentations.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN testing for all students in
Years 3 and 5 commences on Tuesday,
12th May and continues over the
following 2 days.
We consider the testing an opportunity
for the children to demonstrate their
learnings and understandings at that
particular time. The very next day they
could have again moved on with their
learnings.
Caring
Open-Minded
Balanced
DIARY DATES
We treat the exercise seriously,
however we do not place any undue
pressure on our students to achieve.
I would hope that you also will
support the children and be aware
that they do often feel self-inflicted
pressure, and may be a little
emotional as well. The exam type
situation is a mostly unfamiliar
environment for our children and
each student will react differently. An
early night, a good breakfast,
reassurance from families and not
being late to school will all help
support our children.
Primary Years Program
You may have seen a few tired
teachers on Tuesday. I, along with 7
staff spent Saturday, Sunday and
Monday in the city with 500 other
educators as part of the International
Baccalaureate, ‘Making the PYP
Happen’. The majority of educators
were from Victoria but I also spoke to
teachers from Tasmania, Canberra and
NSW.
I had an interesting
conversation with a Principal from India
who is establishing the program in her
school. The 3 days certainly broadened
my understanding of the program and
helped confirm and expand the
knowledge of our staff. I thank the staff
for their commitment for giving up their
weekend to attend this course.
Staffing
We welcome Ms Natalia Lopo-Morales
to our school. Ms Lopo-Morales is
replacing Mrs Haynes for the
remainder of the year who has
commenced maternity leave.
Mark Watters
Principal
Reflective
May
7
Art Show Meeting 7pm
8
M/A to Coolart
8
MENPS Cross Country
12 - 15 NAPLAN Week
18 Education & Book
Week
20 School Council
21 Grandparents’ Morning
21 Open Night
26 Harmonies Unite 7pm
29 PFA Meeting
June
4
Lightning Premiership
Yr 6
4
Art Show Meeting 7pm
8
Queen’s Birthday
Public Holiday
9 - 12 Planning Week
17 School Council
19 Curriculum Day No students at school
26
Last day of term
2.30 Dismissal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Last week was the first of many Prep Tours for
new students in 2016. It is always a pleasure to
meet prospective parents and their children and
take them on a tour of our beautiful school.
When conducting a tour the School Captains,
Mark, Melissa and I take great pride in espousing
all the virtues of Mount Eliza North Primary
School. We explain the IB and the Primary Years
Program, our comprehensive transdisciplinary
curriculum and the five elements of the program.
We expound the philosophy and social and
academic benefits of Multiage. We highlight our
Junior School Council and student leadership
opportunities. We reel off the extra curricula
activities that our students can participate in for
example: Instrumental Lessons, French Choir,
Middle and Senior Choir, Ensemble, School
Band, Extension French class, Horizons
lunchtime programs, camps 2 – 6, Interschool
sport, Year 5 Wakakirri, Night of Notables and the
list goes on!
We talk about our professional and dedicated
staff and our high academic expectations,
standards and outcomes for our students.
While conducting the tours we walk around the
school and through our amazing facilities. As I
conducted my tour I couldn’t help but smile and
feel proud of the comments from the FRESH
EYES in my group. They were all truly impressed
and wanted to enrol their children straight away!
These tours always remind me of how wonderful
our school is and how much we take for granted.
How lucky we all are to work in such a wonderful
environment with supportive colleagues, students
and families. How lucky our students are to come
to such a wonderful school with great staff, high
learning outcomes and an outstanding curriculum
and facilities.
As I commented to our students at our whole
school assembly on Monday, it made me realise
how proud I am of the students, staff and
community that make MENPS the outstanding
school that it is today.
Sometimes it takes FRESH EYES and a
comment from someone else to make you realise
how much you have and how lucky you are!
School Councillor Profiles
Hello everyone, my name is Scott Doughty
and I have just joined the School Council
this year. I have two boys at MENPS; one in
Year 5 and one in Year 2. I have been
involved with the MENPS Art Show for the
past five years and have been Convener of
the show for the past two. My interests are
sailing and camping, both of which I enjoy
doing with the kids. Sometimes I feel I enjoy
these things a little more than the kids who would rather be
'plugged in' than on the water!
I am currently in the middle of a career change. Having spent
nearly two decades as an engineer in the automotive industry I
am now re-training as a builder. Having some extra time
available, now seemed like a great opportunity to contribute
further to the school community and get even more involved in
my children's education by joining the School Council.
Hello everyone, my name is David Smith
and I am a member of the MENPS School
Council, currently in the role of President.
This is my fourth year on the School Council.
I joined the School Council as a way of
contributing to the school in a way that I
thought would be valuable based on my
skills and experience.
My children, Isabella and Emerson are in Year 3. My interests
are Scuba Diving, Gardening, Yoga and my family.
Hello everyone, my name is Julie O’Brien and I am one of the
Assistant Principals here at MENPS. My role
on the School Council is as Treasurer and
member of the Management Committee. I
have been a teacher here at MENPS for 15
years and have been the Assistant Principal
for 4 years. I am married with two boys in their
early twenties. If you have any questions or
concerns regarding our wonderful school
please do not hesitate to contact me at school.
Hello everyone, my name is Kate McKenzie and I have been a
member of the MENPS School Council for the last 3 years. My
children are in grades 6 and 2 and absolutely love being part of
the MENPS community. I work full-time making it difficult to get
involved in school activities during the day, so joining the
School Council has given me an opportunity to be involved in
the school, whilst learning more about the school at a grass
roots level. When I’m not working or participating in School
Council, I love to cook and have a secret yearning to be on
‘The Block’ one day (if only it didn’t involve being on TV!)
Hi, I’m Mark Watters Principal and Executive Officer of
MENPS. I’ve just started my 33rd year in
education and have quite a few more to go. I
have been a Principal for 11 years and have
had the opportunity to lead 4 schools of
varying demographics which has given me
great experience to have a rounded view of
education. I have 2 children, a son in Year 7
at Mornington SC and a daughter who has just
finished Year 12.
I’m really enjoying my time at MENPS and meeting as many
people as possible!!!.
MUSIC NEWS
Year 6 Drum Band
After auditioning a multitude of talented year 6 students, I have chosen the students to become the Drum Band of
2015. They are Chanel Mullins, Helena Herman, Portia LewisSmith, Holly Bromage, Mia Flanagan, Olivia Batsch, Ella
McManamny, Natalyla Parton, Felicity Light, Ben Buturlin,
Hayden Berechree, Sophie Baker, Brodie Rawsthorn, Ben
Schmidt, Luke Baker. Congratulations on a
fantastic debut for the Monday assembly
performance after only one rehearsal.
Jaida Baulk danced at Beachside Dance
Festival against 10 others and was awarded
first place in the song and tap section.
Congratulations Jaida.
Open Night
Please refer to the Open Night Schedule to see when your child is performing. Multi-Age
performances and most presentations by instrumental tutors begin at 6pm and finish at 6.30pm.
Most senior performances begin at 7pm and finish by 7.30pm
Harmonies Unite
The Super Choir will perform on Tuesday 21st May with our Community Choir at Toorak College at 7pm. A huge
night—not sure their stage will fit us all in! Tickets at the door-$7.50 per adult, students are free.
Instrumental Hire and payments to Music Tutors are now overdue.
PLEASE REMIND MUSIC STUDENTS TO COME PREPARED WITH THEIR INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC
BOOKS.
Wakakirri
Please note that the payment for participation in Wakakirri is overdue. Rehearsals and emails to volunteer parents
will begin this week.
New Mornington Concert Band
For any musicians out there. The new Mornington Concert Band will rehearse on Mondays at 7.30pm until 9.30pm
at the Park Pavilion (in Mornington Park, bottom of main Street). BYO instrument and stand. For more information
ring Jenny Stevenson at Toorak College 9788 7260.
From the Nurse……...
Food Allergy Week (17 – 23 May) is an initiative by
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia that aims to
increase awareness of food allergy in an effort to
promote understanding and help protect those at
risk. Head to www.foodallergyaware.com.au to find
out how you can support.
Did you know that you can be allergic to any food?
However, 90% of reactions are caused by nine
foods – cow’s milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat,
sesame, soy, shellfish and fish.
MENPS BOOK FAIR
The annual MENPS Book Fair will be held during
Education Week 18th - 22nd May in the Multi-Purpose
Room.
Parents and grandparents may purchase books:

daily from 8.30 - 9.00 am or during Open Morning
9.00 - 11.00am or

Open Night 6.00 -7.30pm on Thursday 21st
Students thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to choose a
book with their family and the school’s library benefits
greatly from each purchase.
See you at the Book Fair.
PFA News
Congratulations to the following students on their fantastic
sporting achievements:

Harry Scott and Declan Jackson represented Mt
Eliza North in the Southern and Northern Division
Soccer Championships last week. The boys enjoyed
the experience but were not selected to compete in
the next round of competition.

Jacob Taberner, Jaeger and Branten Kindler, Kyle
Rees and Priya Redfern-Seamons all played in the
District Golf Championships last week. The students
played nine holes and had to score 55 and under to
advance through to the Regional championships in
November. Jacob finished in second place with a
score of 38, Jaeger scored 51 and Branten 52. Kyle
scored 58 on the day. Priya won the girls section of
the competition.

Congratulations to all students!
GRADE 4 BASKETBALL LEAGUE:
Last Wednesday saw the final game of the Grade 4
Basketball League being played. The students who
participated in the lunchtime competition demonstrated
teamwork,
enthusiasm,
commitment
and
great
sportsmanship. The teams finished in the following order:
1st place
Champion Meatballs
2nd place
Flaming Ducks
3rd place
Melting Barbie Heads
4th place
Cool Chicken Nuggets
5th place
Leaping Lizards
A huge thankyou to the following Grade 5 students who
refereed, scored and timed the games:
Jesse Ilsley, Liam Atkinson, Darcy Webb, Emily Shepherd,
Jessica Ward and Martha Power.
HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY:
On Friday 8th May the Mt Eliza North House Cross Country
is being held for Grade 3,4,5,and 6 students. The students
will assemble on the oval at 2pm for a 2.15 start. The event
will commence with the 12/13 age group and will finish with
the 8/9 age students.

11, 12/13 year olds –3 kms

10 year olds -2 kms

8/9 year olds-1 km. The top ten finishers in the 10, 11
and 12/13 age group will compete at the District
Cross Country on Wednesday 20th May.
Good luck to all competitors!
Abbey Power (Grade 6 student 2014) is currently the
Victorian Karate champion and recently finished first in the
Australian Open Karate Championships in her age group.
Abbey has been selected to train at the A.I.S. in June and is
hoping to be selected to compete in India later this year.
Outstanding results Abbey and best wishes from the Mt.
Eliza North community.
Sue Harris
Well…a huge congratulations to Anna Grigg and
Quinn Carradine for a fabulous Walk-OFun!!! Their organisation was so good they even
managed to arrange the perfect weather. Thank
you also to the large number of parents that
helped out. Everyone had a great time and the
counting has begun! Please collect your sponsor
money and send it in to school ASAP so we can let
you know the grand total raised for the school
through this fun event.
By now the children who ordered Mother's Day
presents should have them safely hidden away at
home waiting for Sunday.
Another congratulations to Yvonne Chan for a
massive effort coordinating this event and to the
many parent helpers that gave their time to help
too.
Grandparents morning is coming up soon so
please look out for my request for helpers to serve
morning tea. It would be for less than 2
hours so if you haven't helped out yet now
may be your time.
Later in the term we will be having another Hot
Dog Day and our annual school disco will be this
term too. Watch this space for details of both of
these events.
As always, we welcome anyone in the school
community to join the PFA. Come along, meet
new people and be involved in the fun events at
MENPS. Our next meeting will be on Friday 29th
May at 2:30pm in the staffroom.
I hope to see some more smiling faces there.
Susan Procter
Would your kids like an international ‘big
brother’ or ‘big sister’?
SOUTHERN CROSS CULTURAL EXCHANGE
is looking for voluntary host families for overseas
students aged 15-18 arriving in Australia in July
2015. Host families can choose a student based
on their interests, background and nationality, for a
duration of 3, 5 or 10 months. We have carefullyselected students arriving from Italy, France,
Germany, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden,
Switzerland and Spain, looking for families who
are willing to welcome them into their home and
show them the Australian way of life!
Want to learn about another culture without leaving
home?
Our international students are looking forward to
learning about Australia, and enriching the lives of
their host families.
Call Southern Cross Cultural Exchange
on 1800 500 501 for more information.
WE’VE MADE THE NEWS
The ‘Australian Teacher Magazine’ has just published
an article on our Senior School—Recycled Paper &
Cardboard Project.
We’re ALMOST FAMOUS!
This magazine is delivered to all schools around
Australia. We’re part of the ‘In The Classroom’ section
and represent the Visual Arts.
Well done us!
WANTED: BOTTLES,
BOTTLES &
EVEN MORE BOTTLES!
The more bottles we collect the greater and more
diverse art we can create. We’re planning on
making flower, bug & fish plastic bottle sculptures
and bottle top murals.
Mineral water, water and soft drink bottles
are the best. NO DAIRY PLEASE.
Middle School Art News - Recycling and Re-Inventing
Our Middle School students have been busy designing, paper mache constructing and decorating sea creatures and monsters
using recycled materials—bottles, newspaper and odd bits donated to the art room.
They appeared to enjoy using the
papier mache glue. Their art is so CREATIVE AND LOOKS FANTASTIC!
Cindy Minogue: Art Teacher
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Executive Officer:
President:
Mark Watters
David Smith
davidsmith61@bigpond.com.
Vice President:
Liz Wenham
Secretary:
Russell Gilchrist
Treasurer:
Julie O’Brien
Parent Representatives:
Kate McKenzie
Liz Wenham
Ryan Irwin
Mithran Doraisamy
David Smith
Scott Doughty
Leah Davidson
Sophie MacKinnon
Margaret Coughlan (PFA)
Teacher Representatives:
Melissa Wisniewski
Russell Gilchrist
Julie O’Brien
Chris Sutcliffe
SMOKING BANS TO APPLY ON
SCHOOL GROUNDS AND AT SCHOOL
ENTRANCES
From 13 April 2015, smoking was banned
within four metres of an entrance to all
primary and secondary schools in Victoria,
and within the school grounds, under an
amendment to the Tobacco Act 1987.
The Importance of Classifications
and Age Restrictions
Classification Systems:
In Australia, the same classification
system is used for TV, movies and video/
computer games. These classifications are
based around age and what content, e.g.
violence, language and themes, is
appropriate for different age groups. These
classification are G, PG, M15+, MA15+
and R18+. There is more determining what
is appropriate for your child than just
checking the classification. For example, a
game which is rated M 15+ is
recommended only for those people over
the age of 15 whereas MA15+ is
restricted to only those people aged 15
years or older; what affects the
classification is the content of the game.
What the Australian Classification
Board states in their parent information
page is that; ‘Parents and guardians are
the most appropriate people to determine
which films and computer games are most
appropriate for their children to see and
play.
The
classification
information
provided on classified products can assist
them to make that choice.’
What we recommend is that as
protectors of our children, we get
involved and do our own research
(published reviews, watch, play or
read). Whatever material/content we
have concerns over, we look at before
allowing our children access to it. We
can find out what interests them and
why.
The majority of social media websites
are restricted to users aged 13 years and
above. Facebook and You Tube require
users to confirm that they are 13 or
older to sign up.
This age restriction is there because these
sites require a level of maturity to use them
safely and responsibly.
What is suitable for students to see,
play and read at school?
According to the teacher information
sheet
provided
by
the
Australian
Classification Board, there is a Classifications
Act 1995 that lists publications, films and
computer games that maybe suitable for
students to see and play at school. In other
words there are guidelines that educators
need to follow.
The G (general) classification is suitable
for everyone. However, some G classified
films or computer games may contain content
that is not of interest to students.
The
PG
(parental
guidance)
classification of films and computer games
should be no higher than mild, but it may
contain material that students find confusing
or upsetting. PG classified material is not
recommended for viewing or playing by
persons under 15 years without guidance
from guardians. As a general rule at MENPS
all PG classified material needs to have
parental/guardian
consent
before
our
students are exposed to it.
To summarise, the best way to consider
the classification of our school is rated G,
because we follow the classification system
set out by the government. We sometimes
seek permission for children to watch PG
rated movies/program, as it is connected to a
unit of inquiry and their learning (this mostly
occurs in the senior school).
For any further information, I recommend
you look at the Australian Government
Classification website.
Cindy Minogue: eSmart Co-ordinator