Chatham Primary School

Newsletter

Issue 14 — 23 May 2019

Be Safe Be Fair Be Kind

Address: Weybridge Street, Surrey Hills 3127

Telephone: (03) 9830 1933

Email: chatham.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Website: www.chathamPS.vic.edu.au

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE As I write this newsletter we are truly absorbed in a plethora of experience which has been evolving and developing for some weeks. The experience of our Chatham Market on Saturday was truly an experience that involved so much of our immediate community but broadly many others as family members, past students and parents and voters of course descended on Chatham for a day that was brilliant in its weather, ambience and positive spirit. Whilst this successful experience involved so many parents and their families it was capably and unerring led by the President of our Parents Club and Convenor of our Fund Raising Committee, Ms Belinda Dalton. Magnificent Belinda.

Our Chatham Market did raise a significant sum of funds on Saturday and on Monday evening our School Council considered the opportunities for this expenditure. As a result some important information was provided to all families through Compass yesterday about the results of this fund raising effort and where these funds will be spent for our School. These experiences also give us the opportunity to test the limits of our processes and infrastructure and enable us to plan for further events, not the least our School Fair planned for 23rd November 2019. Again our School Council appreciates the need to ensure that our families know the level of consideration taken to plan and implement fund raising events but also to communicate in a timely manner where the raised funds are intended to be spent. Staffing I am delighted to advise that Mrs Madeline Barry had a baby girl very recently. All are well and the new baby has been named Poppy Amelia Barry. We wish both Zac and Maddy well in the extraordinary and enjoyable times ahead. Mr Barry will continue paternity and related leave for the next few weeks. Ms Catherine Townsend will assume responsibility for 6ZB for the period of Mr Barry’s absence. Again Ms Townsend is well known to our students and staff and has assumed classroom responsibil ities at all levels across the school. Education Week Whilst this continues to be an extraordinary week it was wonderful to experience our Open Evening last night and have families visit our school. On Monday and Wednesday this week we also conducted school tours with prospective parents for 2020 and beyond. It was motivating and rewarding to see the large number of parents who took the opportunity last night to visit the school and the various classrooms. At the time of writing we are looking forward to experiencing our Grandparents Day. District Cross Country – Anderson’s Park – Hawthorn Congratulation to our 57 students from Year 4-6 who participated in this demanding course on Tuesday. It was positive to witness the focus and efforts of our students through the demanding course and the capacity of the students involved to be highly placed to compete with confidence. We are delighted to advise that nine of our students will be involved in the Divisional Cross Country to be held at Ruffey Park, Victoria Street, Doncaster on Thursday 30th May 2019. This Divisional completion involves students who achieved in the first ten places at Kooyong, Glen Iris and Kew District competitions.

We congratulate the following students and wish them well for next Thursday: Hamish K, Marcus J, Annabel S, Amber S, Jake C, Ibby W, Toby J, Amelia B and Bella M. Thank you again to our staff and parents who attended and continue to actively supported our students. Como House Excursion – Tuesday 21st May – Year 2 It was inspiring to see the length that students (and their families) and our staff had gone to on Tuesday to dress up and thereby reflect a very different period in Australian history. It was also wonderful to see that a number of parents attended this positive and engaging experience. I would encourage you to view the display in the upstairs junior corridor if you have not done so already. Student leadership Over the last few weeks our staff have been focussed on the work and plans for our Year 6 students at Chatham. All students partake in leadership experiences and are involved with a number of teachers across the school on Thursdays. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students and not readily available elsewhere. It does require my staff to go the extra lengths in their work and preparations. All teachers involved are in the process of developing action plans for their group for 2019. On Thursday 9th May our 16 Peer Support Leaders experienced a training day with Ms Yodgee. This involved those students developing communication skills and learning a good deal about skills of active listening, empathy, decision making, problem solving assertiveness, (as opposed to aggression) facilitation and perseverance. Additionally, on Tuesday our Junior School Council members worked with Mr Fernandez at a forum for surrounding schools at the Global Goals Primary Forum. The challenges of this experience included how we might design sustainable community services for our future. The forum included about seventy students to explore global goals and propose innovative solutions to achieve positive change. Whilst the entire program involves seventeen related goals our students at this stage focussed upon:

Good health and well being

Affordable and clean energy

Reduced inequalities

Sustainable cities and communities

Responsible consumption and production

Throughout such a forum students work collaboratively in teams of 6 to design or re design a sustainable community service that would help achieve these global goals by 2030. I would suggest that such engagement and discussion is fertile ground for our students and their thinking about futures. Again I thank our Year 6 teachers for their work in this regard. Camp Australia - Out of School Hours Care Camp Australia has the contractual arrangement with our School Council to provide this service at Chatham Primary School. As such, whilst I oversee the matters pertinent to the use of our facilities I do not oversee the planning, structure and delivery of the program. This is of course does not mean that I do not take some abiding interest here. Nevertheless we have a Services Committee of the School Council that monitors the provision of this service and liaises with senior personnel from Camp Australia. Please be advised that if you any matters of interest to you in this regard please contact Camp Australia in the first instance. Additionally, I would ask that you keep me informed. We will continue to progress any matters of interest, but we do not lead or manage the service. School Council It was refreshing to experience another meeting of School Council last Monday night; to share in the progress our school was making across a number of areas and reflect on pathways and matters for our future. Whilst I have written about the role of the various Committees of School Council in the past on Monday evening we confirmed the membership of the following Committees of School Council. Buildings and Grounds Mr Alex Evans Convenor – parent Mr Christopher Cotching Principal* Mr Ryan Oswin Parent Mr Michael Clemenger Parent Mr Seamus Lynch Parent Emma McIndoe Parent

Communication and School Development Ms Katie Barnett Convenor – Parent Mr Christopher Cotching Principal* Ms Georgie Kirwan Assistant Principal Ms Renae Hanvin Parent Ms Erica Fosbender Parent Ms Louise Ross Parent Education Ms Georgie Kirwan Convenor Ms Siobhan Johnson Acting Learning Specialist – Literacy Mr Zac Barry Acting Learning Specialist – Mathematics Ms Susan Minshull Teacher Mr Jason Talbot Parent Ms Fiona Glen Parent Ms Elisha Cotterell Parent Finance Mr Dan Heath Convenor and Treasurer - Parent Mr Christopher Cotching Principal* Mr Spiro Vallos Parent Mr Richard Struthers Parent Mr Trent Adams Business Manager Fund Raising Committee Ms Belinda Dalton Convenor – Parent Ms Fiona Evans Parent Ms Erica Fosbender Parent Ms Jo Harris Parent Ms Kristy Mcilvenna School Council President Ms Marita Clayton Parent Ms Louise Ross Parent Ms Katie Barnett Parent Services Committee Ms Elisha Cotterell Convenor – Parent Mr Christopher Cotching Principal* Ms Lisa Gilbert Teacher Ms Adele Sylvester Teacher Ms Coniela Chin Parent Please note: The School Council President and Principal are ex office on all Committees of School Council. At times the Principal may ask the Assistant Principal to deputise. Facilities Matters This is a continuing matter on our agenda as we progress our school. The following will give you some indication of the wide range of matters that are being addressed. I am assured by Bay Building Group that the carpet in the foyer will be replaced this Saturday 25th May. This will be installed by Bay Building Group and completes the expenditure of the Government grant of some $328,000 approximately managed by the Victorian School Building Authority for this purpose. I am advised that the demolition of the old portables on the northern boundary will occur in some 3-4 weeks. The demolition company involved will be required to have specific accreditation to demolish this facility strictly consistent with relevant legislation and regulation. These buildings contain lead paint and it is imperative that they are handled appropriately. I would expect this to occur when no students, staff and parents are on the premises. I will advise you closer to the time of demolition. In the meantime this has given us more time to remove materials and other items of furniture.

The pedestrian gate near the existing out of School Hours Care facility can be opened after some grounds works completed by Mr Peter Manning on Tuesday. As indicated in recent correspondence to parents on Tuesday 21st May the placement of this gate is no afterthought. Unfortunately the location of the previous gate, whilst convenient did not allow a line of sight for staff on yard duty at recess and lunch times. Apart from obvious security issues we were keen to ensure that children did not access Banool Street in the event of a ball going onto the road, unless permission and appropriate supervision can be ensured.

In time we hope to improve the approach and path around and connecting this gate. Under no circumstances do we expect the double gates to be used by pedestrians. These are secured and will be generally opened by rubbish contractors on Tuesdays and Fridays.

As indicated our Music area is now in the Mod 5 Portables adjacent to the grassed area at the north of the school. Ms Jayne Setford continues to develop this area as we plan for the times ahead.

Again we have much to share and report and I look forward to our reporting our emerging plans for Term Three and beyond. Christopher Cotching Principal

Assistant Principal’s Message

Education Week School Tours It has been wonderful to meet so many new families who have joined us for school tours throughout Education Week. Tomorrow Siobhan Johnson will be holding a Story Time session for Kindergarten students at 9.30am in the School Library. Parents are welcome to stay with their children or join the School Tour also occurring at this time. If you have a child commencing Prep in 2020, please pick up an enrolment form from the School Office and return it to Judy (Enrolment officer) at your earliest convenience. Establishing our numbers for 2020 early assists us with our future planning and once enrolled, families will receive communication from the

Principal about future transition activities. We are currently reviewing and developing our approach to Prep transition with great interest and enthusiasm. Siobhan Johnson and I have been visiting our local Kindergartens/Day Care Centres and it has been a very positive experience to meet with the directors and teaching staff currently working with our future students. This is a very important relationship to establish

and one that will contribute to ensuring the happy and smooth transition of all students commencing Prep at Chatham Primary School in 2020.

Thank you,

Georgina Kirwan Assistant Principal

If students wish to enter the competition, they submit their entry via the online form: https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/about-council/awards/boroondara-literary-awards/enter-boroondara-literary-awards Please ensure students have parent/guardian permission to enter (which the online form states).

Here are the details of how the Parent Club fundraising funds are to be spent for our students and school community in the very near future.

CHATHAM PARENTS’ CLUB INFORMATION PAGE TERM DATES 2019 Term 1 January 29 to April 5 Term 2 April 23 to June 28 Term 3 July 15 to September 20 Term 4 October 7 to December 20 BELL TIMES 8:50am classroom opens, 9am classes begin 11:00am -11:30am snack/recess 1:30pm -2:30pm lunch 3:30pm dismissal UNIFORMS Surrey Clothing is our preferred supplier of all items for the Chatham uniform. Visit www.surreyclothing.com.au, visit them at 424a Station St, Box Hill 3128, or phone (03) 9890 3487. They deliver to the school to make it easy for you! SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SHOP The second-hand uniform shop here at school is open to donate to or buy from. It is open from 3pm each Friday afternoon. OFFICE CONTACT Email chatham.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9830 1933. WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS All volunteers, parent helpers, contractors and service providers are required to have a current WWCC. Visit www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au to apply. CHICKENS Need eggs? Our lovely free-range chickens are laying! Enquire at the office. FOOD We have a nude food policy to reduce unnecessary packaging. Also, please do not send food containing nuts to school, as some children have severe allergies. QkR PAYMENTS Most payments can be made simply and securely on QkR. Download the app today! https://qkr.mastercard.com COMPASS Compass School Manager is our school management system and parent portal. Go to https://chathamps-vic.compass.education or download the app from the App Store or Google Play. If you are not sure about your username and password, please contact the school office. CANTEEN The canteen is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All orders are to be made on QkR by 8.30am on the day of order. GRANTS Got an idea for a grants proposal? We’d love to hear it! CONTACT US Email chathamparentsclub@hotmail.com or join the Facebook community at ‘Chatham Parents Club’.

An exciting fun, tennis program for beginners from 5 to 9 yrs where your child can learn tennis at school

Sponsored by Tennis Australia & Kelly Tennis

Friendly, qualified pro tennis coaches run the 8 week program at your school

Each new student will receive a FREE tennis racquet & Tennis Australia Hot Shot t-shirt on enrolment

Time 8.00am – 8.40am Date Monday mornings Term 1 2019 Venue Chatham Primary School Hall Cost $120.00 per term Contact Linda at Kelly Tennis: 0418 773 988

linda@kellytennis.com.au www.kellytennis.com

Canterbury Cobras Auskick

Auskick Registration is now open. Canterbury Cobras Auskick is held at Canterbury Spor ts Oval

on the Corner of Guildford and Chatham Roads in Surrey Hills for Kinder Kids up to Grade 2. Of the

school aged children more than half of the participants are Chatham Primary students.

Sessions begin on Saturday April 27 and are between 9.00am and 10.15am.

Please register at http://www.aflauskick.com.au/ and select postcode 3127 – Canterbury Cobras Auskick

Centre.