13 Newsletter 7th May 15

Date: Thursday
7th May 2015. Issue 13
Principal: Mr Stephen Crossley
Ph 55232218
Fax 55217839
PO Box 317 Portland Vic 3305
portland.bay.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au
From the Principal’s desk
Steve is back from his leave and returning to school next Monday. I’d like to thank everyone for all their support over the last
4 weeks while I’ve been in the Acting Principal role. I’d also
especially like to thank Larni Butler who has been teaching
Group 1 during this time. Jill Edwards was our visitor to our
assembly yesterday to be presented with the money raised of $172 on Crazy Hair
Day last term. The money goes towards the Lighthouse Foundation .
May Ball
Our May Ball was held on Saturday night and was a huge success. On behalf of our
school community, I extend a huge thank you to the organisers, people and business
who donated items and everyone who helped or supported us in any way. Thank you
and we will keep you posted on funds raised and purchases for our students.
Wellbeing Day
Last Thursday I visited Hamilton SDS and met with the Principal, Cameron Peverett
and two of the teachers, Sonya Holden and Julie Smith. The reason for the visit was
to share how our schools’ have introduced School-Wide Positive Behaviour
Support over the last year, and what some of our future plans are. For example: how
we run assemblies, how we acknowledge and reward students for positive behaviour,
how we teach students about our schools’ behaviour expectations on how to be a
learner, a respectful, how to be responsible and how to be safe.
I was very impressed with a special anti-bullying day they organised for the whole
school last term. The students rotated around various activities learning about how to
make and keep friends, how to get along with others at school and at work, and what
students could if they thought they were bullying.
We are organising a similar activity day in the last week of this term, called
Wellbeing Day. Some students from Susan and Phil’s classes have already met with
teachers to start the planning. If any parents would like to know more or be involved
in some way please let us know.
Sailing
Thanks to everyone, students, parents and staff (both Portland and Warrnambool
staff) for making last week’s sailing such a success. We thought we were especially
lucky with the weather!
Tomorrow Friday, 8th May, weather permitting, Brady, Ashley, Graydon, Isaac, Sean
and Jenny will be competing in the Sailing Regatta in Warrnambool. Susan and
Adam will be supervising the students and Darrell is driving the bus. Good luck!
Grip Student Leadership Conference
Last Tuesday Jamie Pumpa and Coster Saurbrey attended the GRIP Student
Leadership Conference in Mount Gambier with Teacher, Kylie Ferguson. Reports
are that the day was fun packed, they meet lots of new people and came home with
some good ideas and best practises on what makes a good leader.
Caught Being Good.
Congratulations to all the students who were given raffle tickets for demonstrating
behaviours for being respectful last week. This week’s raffle winners are:
Peter Saunders, Akaysha Morrison and Graydon Rudd.
Peter and Akaysha were recognised for making good choices and following
directions; Graydon was recognised for playing safe games.
Well done!
This coming week, the students will be focussing on learning how to be safe.
Happy mothers day to all the mums on Sunday and have a safe, relaxing
weekend……..Gillian Caithness, Acting Principal.
COMING EVENTS
TERM 2
Friday
8th May
- Sailing Regatta in Warrnambool
for selected students
Next Week
Monday
11th May
- Swimming
- Finance meeting 1pm
Tuesday
12th May
- RDA
- School Council Meeting 7pm
Wednesday 13th May
Thursday
-
14th May
Friday
-
15th May
Important Dates to Remember.
Monday
18th May
- School Photos Family Photo Order Envelopes
are available from the office.
Tuesday
26th May until
Friday
29th May
- Group 3 CAMP - Blackwood
Friday
5th June
Curriculum Day
No students for report writing day
Monday
8th June
- Queens Birthday Public Holiday
Swimming News
Huge effort by all this week at swimming. Our swim teacher,
Rose and I are seeing huge improvements in all the students.
This week's You're a Star award goes to Lucy Jennings for
trying new things in the water and the Top Effort award goes
to Jenny Elliot for trying a new swim program that she can
follow herself. She swam 700 metres - well done Jen.
Cheers Emma
MAY
BALL
2015
Congratulations and
thank you
to the
May Ball Committee,
and everyone who contributed in some way
on, another very successful event and
fantastic night.
Thank you to everyone
who donated and
helped in this very
worthy event for our
school.
Stars of the Week
“Caught Being Good”
Well done, Peter Saunders,
Akaysha Morrison and
Graydon Rudd,
Great Job in last weeks focus of :
“Being Respectful”
This week’s focus is:
“Being Safe”
Raffle winners : 1st Sue
Cowie, 2nd Boppa, 3rd
Judy Rodwell and 4th
Bernie Stiles.
Thank you to the following business on the raffle prize donations
At our whole school assembly,
we draw the
“Caught Being Good” raffle.
Throughout the week, staff give
students a raffle ticket for
displaying positive behaviour either
in their classroom, on the
playground or in any school events
such as excursions, outings or
community access.
“Great Fun !! Want
to do it again “ Jmara
Sailing - last Friday
1st May 2015
“2 thumbs up”:) - Noah
Fantastic day with great
weather and smiles all
around.
“Really had fun” - Brodie
Student Quotes:
re
a
se ng, ee
Th azi ev
am t job e.
a on
e
r
g ry
Wow !!!
5,4,3,2,1……...Awesome !
Amazing, it does something !
It actually worked !
Really ! I didn't think it
would do anything, wow !
Words on Wellbeing
Taking responsibility
Last week, I wrote about the critical importance of the 3 R's for us. So this is a little like checking homework! The
article was not about Reading, Writing & Arithmetic...it was about Remembrance, Respect and Reflection. And how
we build on these values for our wellbeing. So when we add another R word, it can be a little daunting. Because
the word I want to add is RESPONSIBILITY. A value we are thinking about this week. For it is sure hard these days
to take responsibility for our actions. And it is really hard to simply have to BE responsible. There is the little sister
or brother to care for; that funny shaggy-haired dog who needs to be fed and groomed; our personal hygiene and
care; the daily chores that need to be shared around the family.
So in our everyday life, we all have to act responsibly. Parents will often take responsibility for kids. But this
sometimes means saying NO. It sometimes means teaching that critical lesson that for an action there is a
consequence. For an inappropriate behaviour, there is someone who will need to take responsibility. And it can also
mean having to make choices; making a strong good choice rather than a weak, bad one. These are life-skills and
we need to sometimes explicitly teach and practise them.
Building our children into responsible adults can be a daunting task but it has rewards. There are many individual
needs here within our school community. And many caring, responsible parents and teachers who continue to build
self-esteem in the children attending Portland Bay. This is what a holistic education is about. We learn that through
partnerships we can share responsibilities and nurture the wellbeing of one another. So this week, think of all the
times you have taken on being the responsible one. And be proud of what you have achieved.
Some parents have asked if others may want to enjoy a regular morning tea (& yes, I am happy to take
responsibility for this)! Where some general discussion questions on Wellbeing may be shared. Or even just for a
getting-to-know-you chat. What do you think?
Sue Cowie - Wellbeing coordinator
L
Akaysha doing some
amazing magic show tricks
Adam, Adam, Adam….It’s
called a Washing Machine !!
Wednesday School Lunch.
*********************
Week 5’s meal is Pumpkin Soup & Bread
The cost will be $4.00
Please Complete the below form and return to the office, with correct money,
by Monday, Thank you.
Name:
________________
Group: ____________
Total enclosed: $__________________
Community Announcements :
Thank you to Subway
Portland for supporting
our Motor Heads program.
Very much appreciated
and we support our local
business.