GRAHAMVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Quality Education for All

Principal - Simone Higgins

Acting Assistant Principal - Anda O’Keeffe 13/02/2020

Respect Personal Best Teamwork Community

KEY DATES AHEAD

Friday 14th Feb

Yr 1/2 Classroom Parent

Helper Information Session

at 8.45-9.15am

Wednesday 19th Feb

Bluearth

Friday 21st Feb

Yr 5/6 Open Water Learning

Foundation Classroom

Parent Helper Information

Session at 9-9.30am

REMINDER

Foundation students DO

NOT attend school on a

Wednesday until March

the 4th.

The weather was on our side on Saturday morning for

our Chinese New Year celebrations. Again I would like to

thank the Chua family for sponsoring this fantastic

community event. I would also like to thank Mrs Rogers

for working with our students to create great art work

that was used as a back drop for the event.

The students have been visiting the Life Ed van along with Harold over the

past two weeks. This is another great learning opportunity that is available

to our school and our students to teach them about important health and

safety matters.

I have enjoyed visiting classrooms and talking to the students about their

learning this week. I am very proud of the great routines that both the

teachers and students have established. This year we will again be using the

Seesaw app to communicate what the students are working on and their

learning goals. Please see your child’s teacher if you require information

about downloading this app.

Please remember to phone through to the school office from 8am

if your child is going to be away. Also if you need to pick your child

up early from school, please provide a note to their classroom

teacher. We are working to minimise the disruptions to the

teaching and learning programs especially after lunch this year.

I know the year has only just commenced however if you have a child

starting school next year can you please see Glenda in the office to ensure

we have their name down.

On Monday night the Parents’ Club elected a new President Bethany Ivory.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the work that

Kylie Pritchard has put in over the last three and a half years in her role as

President. I am extremely fortunate to have such a committed and dedicated

Parents’ Club who give time to raise funds for our school. Any support you

can offer is greatly appreciated and I know Bethany would love to have you

assist in any way you can. The first fundraiser of the year is our annual Easter

raffle, and more details will be provided on this soon.

Happy Valentine’s Day for tomorrow and have a great weekend!

Simone

If you need to pick your child up early on any day, please

provide a note to your child’s classroom teacher. We are

working to minimise disruptions to the afternoon teaching

and learning time this year.

We thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation

throughout the year.

Term 1 Calendar 2020 Grahamvale Primary School

Week

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

4 February

17

18

19 No Foundation

Students Bluearth

20

21 Year 5/6 Open Water

Learning

5 February

24

25 Division Swimming

26 No Foundation

Students

27 CENSUS DAY

Student Lunch

28

6 March

2

3

4

Region Swimming House Lunch

Bluearth

5

6

7 March

9 Labour Day Holiday

10

11

12

School Photos

13

8 March

16

School Council Meeting

17

18

Bluearth

19

20

9 March

23

24

Student Lunch

25

26

Region Tennis

27

LAST DAY OF TERM

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School photos will be held on Thursday March 12th.

More information will be available in the coming weeks.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

00A Elisa 12A Ellie 34A Charlotte 56A Samarah

00B Remi 12B Zaeemah 34B Ahmed 56B Liam

00C Candice 12C Tayah 34C Cassie 56C Nate

12D Ava 34D Tarlia 56D Max

12E James

12F Kate

2020 STUDENT AWARDS

PRINCIPAL AWARD Congratulations to Aston from Year 4 Mellington on receiving the Principal Award. Aston what a great start to the school year you have

had not only in the classroom, but also by your

efforts in helping the school to look great again!

I always enjoy seeing your smile in and out of the

classroom. You are a true ambassador for

Grahamvale, always displaying the school’s values.

Keep up this great attitude

and level of confidence

Aston and you will

continue to achieve great

things!

ACADEMIC AWARD Congratulations to Jayden from Year 6 Scott on receiving the Academic Award. Jayden has started his final year of Primary School with a positive,

mature attitude. He is willing to ‘have a go’ at new things, and

demonstrates a growth mindset by seeking and responding to

feedback on his learning. Jayden is an independent learner;

managing his behaviour and using his initiative to problem solve and

complete tasks on time. Jayden understands what it takes to achieve

his learning goals. He is friendly and cooperative in class, works well

in a team and aims to achieve his personal

best across all areas of his learning. During

Literacy and Numeracy, Jayden often

shares his problem solving strategies and

reflections with the class, and happily tries

new strategies that extend his learning.

Keep up the great work Jayden, with your

‘can do’ attitude you are sure to achieve

any future goal you set your mind to.

Do you shop at Rebel in

Shepparton?

If you do make sure

you get a Rebel card

and have it linked to

Grahamvale Primary

School. Every dollar you

spend means points for

our school to purchase

new items and equip-

ment. We also use our

points to purchase

prizes for our sports

days and special event

days.

HELPING HANDS ROSTER

At Grahamvale Primary School we care for our

families in need whether it be through a time of

illness, death or hardship in the family.

We are seeking willing people to go on a roster to

make a meal or two throughout the year.

Each year we do have a new roster so even if you

have volunteered in the past please let Glenda or

Sue know if you are available to help us out.

The meals are distributed at the

discretion of the Principal.

“One of the most important things you

can do on this earth is to let people

know they are not alone.”

― Shannon L. Alder

Grahamvale Primary School Council

Notice of Election and Call for Nominations

An election is to be conducted for members of the Grahamvale Primary

School Council.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the school office and must be lodged by

4pm Monday 17th February.

There are three vacancies to be filled. These are for a period of two years.

Fairleys Supa IGA Community Rewards Program

Our school is registered for the Fairleys Supa IGA Community

Rewards program. Families can register in-store.

Funds generated by customer point donations are converted to

cash and handed over at the end of the financial year.

Grahamvale Sport Club 2020 key dates:

21st February registrations close – no late registrations will be accepted

Early March - teams announced

Positions Vacant:

The Sports Club is seeking to fill the position of Vice President. If you are interested and would

like further details, please contact Carla Dixon on 0407 476041.

Grahamvale Sports Club is rostered as the assistant convenor at the Shepparton Netball

Association (SNA) in 2020. The commitments are minor for the role. The focus is shadowing the

convenor with the intention to fill the convenor role in 2021. The convenor role is critical for the

morning netball competition. This role can be shared by two people.

We are seeking volunteer/s to fill the assistant convenor role. Please contact Tracy Taylor on

0458 321 125 if you are interested in filling the position.

Lids4Kids

Thank you to all those who donated their lids last year. We collected over

10,000 lids, which is an amazing effort.

We will continue to collect these lids this year. There are containers in each

class room. Can we please ask that you only bring in Number 2 or 4 recyclable lids - milk bottle

lids, soft drink lids, water bottle lids and bread clips. No pop top lids or medicine bottle lids

please. Lids must be washed before you bring them to school. Weekly totals will be announced at

assembly.

These lids are then processed into plastic filament that is used in 3D printers. The printers then

make prosthetic hands for kids. For more information on this Google envision-hands.

The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian early childhood services and

schools, to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect. The standards provide a

framework for schools to review existing policies and practices and all other aspects of child safety, to ensure a

‘Zero Tolerance’ approach to any form of child abuse. You can access our policy on the school’s website.

Welcome to Physical Education (PE) for 2020.

Our goal in Physical Education is for everyone to feel successful when

participating in a variety of activities. This enables students to develop a

positive attitude toward physical activity which will hopefully continue

throughout their lives. Students will be encouraged to have fun and enjoy

PE, rather than focus on winning. They will also be encouraged to

participate, doing their personal best, in a wide variety of activities.

During Term one, all students will be participating in a wide range of

games and activities that promote teamwork and getting along with

others. Students will continue to learn and work on the Bluearth

principles. Year 3-6 students will do some training towards the end of

Term 1 for the school cross country run held early in Term 2.

During Term two, the whole school will be involved in dance. The junior

students will also work on Fundamental Motor Skills and the senior

students will be involved in fitness activities.

Your child will have PE once a week. They will have it the same day and

time each week. Can you please ensure that your child has appropriate

shoes, such as sneakers, for this lesson. Students without their hat will

not be allowed to participate and will need to sit in the shade and watch.

If your child can not participate in PE due to injury, illness, etc can you

please give a note to their classroom teacher or myself explaining why

they can’t participate and for how many weeks.

If you have any questions please feel free to come and see me.

Suzanne Watts

PE teacher/ Sports Co-ordinator

FlexiBuzz

Please make sure you have downloaded the FlexiBuzz app to your phone. This is a

great way to stay up to date with the happenings around the school and to get

those ‘timely’ reminders. Don’t forget also to update to your child’s

new year level or you could miss out on vital information.

Welcome back everyone!!! We’re in for another busy year and I’m so excited also to be back

from sick leave.

All students are now expected to have a named Art Smock!!

FOUNDATION

Our students will be learning how to find and use everything in the Art Studio (We painted

our Chinese New Year fans on day one!). Our next theme will be “Me” and my friends at

school. We will explore paint mixing and drawing of shapes and lines. Watch out for the next

piece of artwork for your FRIDGE!!!

Years 1/2

Our Chinese Dragons are amazing. We hope you enjoyed watching the performance at the

festival last weekend at school. Next we will move onto our theme of “Me” and explore

more concepts including texture, line, space and shape. Our students will become very good

at locating everything within the Art Studio and will share lots of ideas on how to present

Artwork. Keep an eye out around each classroom for our first piece of named Artwork.

Years 3/4

Our Chinese New Year fans were a great display on the picket fence last weekend at school.

The students are now looking forward to taking home their work. Next we move to explore

paint and colour by having fun with watercolours and straws to make funky people with

unusual hair. We will explore colour mixing, texture, shape and line throughout Term 1.

Years 5/6

After making some terrific Chinese Crackers for our festival last weekend, the students are

really looking forward to a term of Steam Punk. We will be learning the concept of Steam

Punk over the next few weeks and then launching into individualised “Robots” to display the

skills learnt. Did you know you can make a simple cog from cardboard? With paint it will look

rustic and realistic. Students will be encouraged to collect photos on iPads to show their

progress.

As with other years we are happy to accept donations of small, clean items (beads, ribbon,

buttons, permanent markers, special pens, pom poms etc)

If you have other items just check I can store them before bringing them along. We are very

good at recycling here at Grahamvale, so just ask. Looking forward to a great year with

everyone.

Mrs Rogers.

ART NEWS

Classroom Parent Helpers 2020

Thank you to all parents who have volunteered to assist with

student learning this year. Information sessions will be held for Foundation – Year 2 parents who

wish to assist in classrooms this year. These sessions will be presented by classroom teachers.

It is a requirement to attend this session to review the classroom helper policy and sign our

annual confidentiality form. Year 3- 6 parent helpers will also require to sign the confidentiality

form. These are available from their classroom teacher or at the front office.

Please check below for dates and times.

Year 1/2 8:45 – 9:15am

Friday 14th

February

Library

Foundation 9:00 – 9:30am

Friday 21st

February

Library

Please come and see me if you have any questions.

Thank you

Anda O’Keeffe

Acting Assistant Principal

We are very excited to begin a new program at Grahamvale Primary School. Lots of parents have been asking what is STEM? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Students will be learning about Science concepts while incorporating Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Students will be participating in problem solving, conducting experiments, working in teams, creating projects and presenting information to real audiences about real world issues.

This Semester the focus will be on Biological Sciences. These are the following topics for each year level:

Foundation: How plants grow and survive

Years 1/2: Types of animals and their life cycles

Years 3/4: Producers, consumers and decomposers and the impact of environmental changes to a food web

Years 5/6: Living things and adaptations

If you have a particular interest in an animal, plant or any living thing and are interested in sharing your knowledge with the students please come and see us!

Have a fantastic first term!

Emily Lancashire (STEM Years F-4) and Carly Cursio (Years 5/6)

Car Park The car park does become very busy, particularly after school. During the first weeks of the

year it is even busier. For the benefit of new families and as a reminder to existing families the

following are some rules and ideas that help improve the safety and efficiency of the area.

•The speed limit is 10kph

If parked in the front row closest to the school, you need to turn left to exit

If parked in the row closest to the road, you need to turn right to exit

However parents that use Drop & Go in the mornings can use either exits if safe

•Only cars with a disabled sticker displayed should park in the disabled car parks

•Always use the pedestrian crossing provided rather than weaving in and out of the cars

•Open car doors carefully

•NO parking in the Drop & Go area UNTIL AFTER 9am

•Only pick up and drop off students when your car is in a designated car park or you are using the ’drop and go zone’ in the morning

•If you wish to park near the front of the school, please pick your child up and leave immediately.

If you wish to stay and talk to anyone, please park further down

•Do not stop and wait for a park as traffic gets banked up on the main road. If someone is actually backing out, then it is okay to give way and take that park

•If there are no parks available you may need to drive out onto the main road and come around again until there is one available

•The ‘drop and go zone’ in the morning is located at the far end of the carpark. Please use this whenever possible to ease congestion in the morning. After school you can park in this area but you need to turn left when exiting the carpark

Parking along the school side of the road outside the car park is acceptable between the

signs near the entry and exit and to the north of the exit past the ‘No Parking’ sign. Any

parking on the side of the road before the entry is illegal and extremely dangerous. The

Police will fine drivers caught doing a u-turn across the double lines or those who are

parked illegally.

To ease congestion at 3:20pm, it is suggested that you do not necessarily come at this

time. There are usually more parks available by 3:30pm and after 3:35pm it isn’t busy at

all. Of course you would have to explain to your child/ren if you are going to pick them up

later than 3:20pm. Car pooling is another option that has worked successfully in the past.

We are very fortunate to have a car park as many schools don’t have such a facility available.

Where possible, particularly at the 3:20pm pick up time, we will have a staff member on duty to

help with traffic movement. If we use common sense and be patient and courteous it should

work effectively and safely.

Thank you for your continued support!

PRIMARY SCHOOL

PRIVACY INFORMATION for parents and carers

During the ordinary course of your child’s attendance at our school, school staff will collect your child’s personal and health information when necessary to educate your child, or to support your child’s social and emotional wellbeing or health in the school context. Such information will also be collected when required to fulfil a legal obligation, including duty of care, anti-discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. If that information is not collected, the school may be unable to provide optimal education or support to your child, or fulfil those legal obligations.

For example, health information may be collected through the school nurse, primary welfare officer or wellbeing staff member. If your child is referred to a specific health service at school, such as a Student Support Services officer, the required consent will be obtained. Our school also collects information provided by parents and carers through the School Entrance Health Questionnaire (SEHQ) and the Early Childhood Intervention Service (ECIS) Transition Form.

Our school may use online tools, such as apps and other software, to effectively collect and manage information about your child for teaching and learning purposes, parent communication and engagement; student administration; and school management purposes. When our school uses these online tools, we take steps to ensure that your child’s information is secure. If you have any concerns about the use of these online tools, please contact us.

School staff will only share your child’s personal or health information with other staff who need to know to enable the school to educate or support your child, or fulfil a legal obligation.

When our students transfer to another Victorian government school, personal and health information about that student will be transferred to that next school. Transferring this information is in the best interests of our students and assists that next school to provide optimal education and support to students.

In some limited circumstances, information may be disclosed outside of the school (and outside of the Department of Education and Training). The school will seek your consent for such disclosures unless the disclosure is allowed or mandated by law.

Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including about how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx

Throughout this notice, ‘staff’ includes principals, teachers, Student Support Service officers, youth workers, social workers, nurses and any other allied health practitioners and all other staff at our school. This includes employees, agents and service providers (contractors) of the Department, whether paid or unpaid.