2015 December 17th Newsletter - Greensborough Primary School

Greensborough Primary School—2062
130 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough 3088
Phone: 9435 1496 Fax: 9432 0598 OSHC: 9432 1802
Email: greensborough.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: www.greensborough.vic.edu.au
Borough Bulletin December 17th 2015
Friday 18th December
Last day of year 1:30 finish Merry Christmas
th
Thursday 28 January 2016 First day of school for students
Thursday 11th February
Wombat Camp Information Evening
th
Thursday 16 February
Grades 1/2 excursion to CERES
th
Friday 19 February
Bakers Delight Lunch
th
Monday 29 February
Curriculum Day (No students at school)
th
Wednesday 9 March till
Wombat Corner Camp Grades 3 to 6
th
Friday 11 March
Monday 14th March
Labour Day Holiday
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
We have had a lovely end of the school year with all children engaged in classroom activities and
enjoying the more relaxed curriculum program that, at this time of year, focuses on holiday
celebrations in different parts of the world. The tone of the school is very calm and everyone is
tidying shared areas and making preparations for next year.
Last Thursday night the Grade 6 students had their Graduation and it was certainly a night to
remember! Everything ran smoothly, demonstrating the enormous effort Maria and Gemma put
into the planning and rehearsals. The preparation the students put into their speeches, was
evident, as they spoke very eloquently. It was especially wonderful to see the students who had
participated in the Corrective Reading Program, read as fluently and confidently as their peers.
Margaret did a terrific job as MC and the audience greatly enjoyed the dances and songs
performed by the graduates. A special mention to our brilliant choreographer Jayde S, who led
rehearsals and taught students the dance she’d created.
Of course a night like this is a combined effort to make it such a success and I’d like to thank all
the parents, and past and present students, for their assistance: Kathy S, Ryan S, Carolyn J,
Shalyn B, Brenda M, Diane J, Yulia C and Vivian H, for setting up the magnificent decorations and
making the hall look very festive and then packing them carefully away the next day. I’d also like
to thank parents and students who assisted with serving the dinner and cleaning up afterwards:
Andrea H, Sylvia W, Tracy H, Simone J, Ella H, Jack H, Tara W, Charlotte W, Immogen J, Lara C
and Lucy C. Steve and Ryan were once again very popular DJs and provided great entertainment
after the ceremony. Everyone’s contributions were very much appreciated!
Thanks to everyone who assisted at the barbeque and sold cold drinks at Monday night’s Bush
Dance. It was terrific to see so many families in attendance, enjoying a picnic and dancing
together. This night capped off a fun filled day with grades joining together to learn dances. Thank
you to Parents and Friends who raised funds for both programs, especially Kim H, Tina B, Lara C
and Ros M for coordinating the event and spending the day purchasing items and setting up.
On Tuesday the students spent the morning with their 2016 classmates and teachers, and we
welcomed several new students from other schools. Everyone had an enjoyable time and both
teachers and students are looking forward to learning together and engaging in class programs
next year.
There is much to celebrate when we look back on what has been achieved in 2015. Magic Maths
has continued to be enormously successful and we have many students working well above
expected levels, and we’re ‘closing the gap’ for our students performing below the expected
standard. Spelling Mastery and Corrective Reading are also working well and it’s terrific to see the
number of students who have successfully completed the program and are able to return to the
class Literacy sessions. Margaret is to be congratulated on the excellent coordination of these
programs.
Our student wellbeing programs, including the Friendship tree and Bounceback are working well
and students in Grades 3-6 have remained very settled and calm. Our Gr 5/6 Literacy extension
group and Art extension groups have been very popular and have created the new signage for the
orchard/ vegetable garden and the butterfly garden. The links Janet has established with Banyule
Council are also proving to be beneficial to Chris with the ResourceSmart accreditation.
Establishing a dedicated Science classroom, staffing and resourcing this project has been exciting
and we’re looking forward to Jane beginning this program next year. Curiosity Corner is a
fabulous new learning space and we’re waiting for the signage design to be finalised. The Outdoor
Learning Area near the Library, fencing to allow the rejuvenation of the slope near the
amphitheatre, planter box on the circuit corner and the replacement of the wooden fence on the
corner are just a few of the additions to our buildings and grounds, which are maintained to a high
standard and look fabulous. Special thanks to the Cairns family who have recently cut back trees,
encroaching on pathways and have also been regularly keeping our garden beds free of weeds.
New initiatives, Science At School, Learning To Read and the playgroup have done much to raise
the school’s profile in the community and have been greatly enjoyed and valued by all who
attended. I’d like to thank Margaret for her efforts to ensure the success of these programs.
Existing programs such as Book Week, GATEWAYS and JSC are also highly valued by our
community and staff are to be commended for their work in implementing these programs.
Overall it has been a fabulous combined effort from staff, community members (especially
Wayne!) and our students to achieve these excellent outcomes. We’re looking forward to 2016
and continuing our school improvement agenda in both curriculum areas and student learning,
and also buildings and grounds projects.
We will have our final assembly for the year tomorrow commencing at 1.10 pm where we will say
our final farewell to the graduating class of 2015. I’d like to thank everyone for supporting our
school programs, especially Parents and Friends who have worked tirelessly to raise funds for
terrific resources for our students. On behalf of all of the staff I would like to wish everyone a
Merry Christmas and a safe and peaceful holiday break. We are looking forward to catching up
with everyone next year for the 2016 school year.
Angela Morritt
Principal
Student Wellbeing
Bounce Back
Last week our Grade 6s completed their transition program. In this session we talked about
personal space and body language. We discussed our own understanding of what personal
space is and how it may differ depending on whether we are with friends, family or strangers. We
talked about what it feels like when our personal space is intruded upon and how to realise if we
might have unintentionally intruded into someone else’s personal space. We then moved on to
body language and reading non verbal cues to understand what another person might be
communicating. The students were very perceptive and demonstrated a mature awareness of
non verbal cues such as crossing arms in front of the body, turning away and facial expressions.
Callista and Jaxon volunteered to take part in some role plays which, as you could imagine, were
very entertaining! Good job Callista and Jaxon for their fantastic acting.
Even though I will no longer be the Wellbeing Coordinator, I will still be back next year to help with
the Start Up program in February, and promise to drop back in to say hi from time to time. I have
had so much fun in the four years I have been at GPS, and am incredibly grateful to Angela and
Margaret for their outstanding professionalism and support. I have worked in many primary
schools and can honestly say that GPS is incredibly fortunate to have such an accomplished
leadership team. I am also grateful to all the fantastic staff, parents and particularly the students
at GPS for always being welcoming and enthusiastic. I wish the entire GPS community a happy
and safe break, and I will see many of you back in February.
Take care
Emma Bevan
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
PARENTS & FRIENDS
I would like to thank all the parents who helped us out with the BBQ at the school’s Christmas
Party. It was great to have several people offer their time to help set up the BBQ, and also to help
pack and carry everything back up. There were also a number of parents who volunteered at the
last minute to help out so that others could enjoy part of the evening’s events. We raised around
$1700 through the raffle, cake drive and BBQ.
I would also like to thank everyone for their support throughout the year with our fundraising
activities. Through supporting our food days, helping out with BBQs, attending the trivia/silent
auction night to assisting with our stalls and purchasing hot cross buns, we greatly appreciate it.
Through all of the support we have raised almost $16,500 this year. All the money raised has
gone to the following:
$1000 contribution towards Fruit Friday, $3500 to help set up the science program, $1700 for the
outdoor area of the library, new magic maths material for the teachers, 3 new compost bins for the
school, the Billy Tea Bush band who provided great entertainment at the Christmas Party and new
brochures for the school. We raised more than we anticipated and the extra money raised will be
going towards a new air-conditioner for the library.
It has been a wonderful year, and I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year break.
Kim Hill
On behalf of Parents and Friends
Library News
I would like to thank all of those parents who have assisted me during
the year. Shalyn B has come in every Wednesday and assisted with the
Grade 1/2 borrowing and shelving. Rosanna M has been a wonderful helper covering books and
running the Book Club. Teresa C has been of great assistance with the Prep borrowing. Without
all of you my task would be a lot more difficult.
An extra special thanks to Joan who comes every Monday to return and shelve books for me and
tidy the shelves! Thanks also to all those who have made donations to the library. Thanks again to
Abbey M who will take over the Book Club in 2016.
Overdue/Lost Books
I have sent notes home last week regarding overdue books. If you cannot find your missing books
please keep an eye out for them over the holidays. If at the beginning of the new school year the
books are still missing, then as per school policy there will a charge of 50% of the total cost of the
book. This money will be put towards the cost of replacing the lost book/s.
If you are leaving the school lost books will need to be paid for before the end of the
school year. Thank you for your understanding.
If a child is reading a fiction book and requires more time to finish the book they can have a chat
to me and we can work something out.
Holiday activities related to books
The 3 Little Pigs
Melbourne Arts Centre
2-17 January 2016
A very curly musical tale
A classic story with a musical twist in its tail is trotting into Melbourne, direct from London’s West
End!
Full of catchy songs, jokes and mischievous fun, this endearing musical will leave you squealing
with glee and howling with laughter.
He can huff and puff until he blows their house down, but will the Big Bad Wolf get the better of
the three little superstar piglets?
Discover how the three little porkers become world renowned celebrity superstars when forced to
leave the warmth of their mother’s overcrowded sty. Will the 3 Little Pigs cope without their
adoring mother’s “hogs and kisses”?
“Witty, clever and incredibly catchy” Broadwayworld.com
Victorian Government school holiday activities
The Victorian Government has an enormous list of holiday activities published on the below site.
So if you need something to do, there’s lots on offer!
www.vic.gov.au/.../holidays...holidays/school-holiday-activities.html
Books make a deeper imprint on young minds
In Sunday’s Age there was a very interesting article about having books in
the home and how it impacts on children’s reading. If you get time, have a
read.
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/sydney-print-version--our-bare-shelves-our-selves-20151210glk3ef .
Happy Christmas Reading!
Jen Farley
Librarian
Canteen Newsst
Skaterz Christmas Party (Canteen Fundraiser) was held on 1 December
The event was well attended with over 40 students and family members attending. Our students
are amazing! Well behaved, kind and considerate of others and keep a lookout for those who
have fallen, need some skating tips or just encouragement.
I feel priviledged to run such an event out of school, confident that our students will be amazing.
You should be very proud of yourselves!
It was wonderful to see the change in skating ability for some students over the last year. Special
mention to: Monique, Celeste, Isaac, Evie, Aaron, Emma and Magnus.
It was also great to see some of our grade 6s from last year coming back to support our event and
their younger siblings.
Thank you to all parents for your continued support of events at Skaterz and helping to keep our
canteen running.
Warmest Christmas wishes.
Simone Baldwin
Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Department of Education and Training is conducting research into the Victorian Premiers’
Reading Challenge (PRC) to understand parents’ experiences and needs, as well as any
improvements that could be made to the program.
We invite you to complete this survey if your child was registered for the 2015 PRC. The
Department has engaged Andrews Group, an independent research firm, to conduct this research
and your answers will remain confidential.
The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Click here to begin the survey<http://deecd.cmail19.com/t/d-l-jdjltld-jdliuythl-r/>
If you are having difficulties accessing the survey, please copy and paste the URL
below into your internet browser:
https://qau1.au1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9Rd7MoKOiVVAM3r<http://deecd.cmail19.com/t/d-ljdjltld-jdliuythl-y/>
If you have any queries about the research, please don’t hesitate to contact Jillian Harriott,
Research Manager at Andrews Group on (03) 9654 4480 or
jillian@andrewsgroup.com.au<mailto:jillian@andrewsgroup.com.au>. Alternatively please contact
the Reading Challenge on (03) 9637 3624 or
readingchallenge@edumail.vic.gov.au<mailto:readingchallenge@edumail.vic.gov.au
Thank you in advance for your time.
Term Four ~ Week 9 Week Ending December 4th 2015
Prep ~
Tiffany ~
For always being ready to learn new things. Fantastic
Tiffany!
Grade 1/2 A ~ Willoughby ~
For having such a great attitude towards learning this
week. Keep it up!
Grade 1/2 B ~ Zayne ~
For always being kind and including all his peers.
Grade 3/4 A ~ Phoebe ~
For an excellent effort put into her picture story book.
Grade 3/4 B ~ Lachlan P ~
For an all round great effort during the week.
Grade 5/6 A ~ Maslah ~
For trying extremely hard during our Information Reports
study.
Grade 5/6 B ~ Abhi ~
For making everyone smile each and every day at school.
Art ~
Milly S ~
For being such a kind and considerate student in the Art
room.
Student
Abigail ~
For her willingness to help and look after another student in
Wellbeing ~
the playground.
Term Four ~ Week 10 Week Ending December 11th 2015
Prep ~
Ezra ~
For showing how well he can focus in class. Well done!
Grade 1/2 A ~ Kate ~
For always being a kind, caring and respectful class
member.
Grade 1/2 B ~ Amelia ~
For her dedication to learning and the fantastic effort she
has put into everything she has done this year.
Grade 3/4 A ~ Monique ~
For always showing maturity in the class room and with her
friends.
Grade 3/4 B ~ Alex C ~
For being such a positive influence in class. You always
make us smile.
Grade 5/6 A ~ Tyson ~
For always being a helpful and caring student. Well done
Tyson!
Grade 5/6 B ~ Corey ~
For making us all proud with his speech at Graduation.
Student
Jaxon
For their brave and confident acting ability during Bounce
Wellbeing ~
and Callista ~
Back last week.
Holiday Kids' Club
Come along and hear stories about Jesus. There will be games, craft, music, face paint, jumping
castle and a whole lot more!
When: January 18-20 (Monday to Wednesday)
Program 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, drop off from 8:00 am and childcare available until 6:00 pm for
working families.
Where: All Saints' Anglican Church, 14 Church St, Greensborough
Who: kids in prep to grade 6 in 2016
Cost: $5 per child to help cover lunch and craft
For more information or to RSVP, contact Janie on 0413 901 997 or
Janie.beasley@optusnet.com.au