Mount Waverley Primary School Park Lane, Mt Waverley P.O. Box 337 Mt Waverley 3149

Phone 9807-1480 Fax 9888-1495 Email: mount.waverley.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.mountwaverleyps.vic.edu.au

NEWSLETTER No 3 THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2012

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT - TONIGHT

Years Prep, 1 & 2 : 6.30pm & Years 3 – 6 : 7.30pm, ….followed by Year 4, 5 & 6 Camp Information

From the Principal…

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL LEVIES A reminder that the deadline for payment of 2012 levies is next Wednesday, 29th February. If you are yet to complete payment, please do so as soon as possible. If any family believes that payment by the due date is not possible, please contact the Principal to discuss payment options. The school is required to settle accounts for bulk student supplies at this stage of the year, hence the need for all accounts to be finalised in February. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) APPLICATIONS/PAYMENTS* Families that have a current Healthcare Card are eligible to apply to receive the EMA which assists with the payment of school levies. Applications close on the 29th February 2012. Please contact the General Office for an application form. *Some families have completed a form but have not paid the EMA payment required – could you please finalise payments by next Wednesday. Thank you.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Close of Nominations will take place at 4.00pm today. The decision will then be made regarding the next step in the election process and the community will be informed accordingly. Thank you to those who have nominated for School Council.

IT’S NOT OK TO BE AWAY! Parents and students are reminded of the importance of regular school attendance. While the majority of students attend regularly, teachers are aware of an increasing number of students who are frequently absent, missing instructional time and risking slipping behind in their learning. It is important that all children attend school on a daily basis unless unwell. Occasionally special family circumstances may also require a break in attendance which is unavoidable. Frequent absenteeism also increases the likelihood of weaker social skills and in some cases may even lead to school refusal in some children. Parents are urged to place regular and punctual school attendance at the top of the priority list in supporting the development of their child.

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS – ON-LINE BOOKINGS NOW AVAILABLE Parent/Teacher interviews are being held this term on Wednesday, 7th March. Bookings are once again being offered on-line from today (please see back page in this Newsletter). If you are unable to attend on this day (4pm – 8.15pm), teachers will be available on other days for interviews before school from 8.30am or after school until 4.30pm - please see your teacher directly to make a time – we would appreciate if you did not ring the office.

SOLAR PANELS FOR MOUNT WAVERLEY As mentioned previously, Mount Waverley was successful in applying for a solar grant under the Federal Government’s Solar Schools Program. The school was awarded a $50,000.00 grant to allow the integration of solar panels into the school’s energy system. Despite a considerable delay, work is due to begin shortly to install the new technology at our school. This will further expand the school’s green credentials and reinforcing good practice in relation to sustainability. Very exciting!

Trevor Saunders

OLIVIA N. 3A

You Can Do It Champion of the Week

for

‘Getting Along’

Congratulations Olivia!

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY The school recognises the need to provide and maintain a safe environment for our students, teachers, parents and visitors. To further develop our strategies to maintain a safe environment, several initiatives are in place.

The first is a ‘Parent Involvement Log’ housed in every classroom. These logs are for recording the names of all parent helpers with details of their involvement in class activities as they enter and leave classrooms. All classroom helpers are asked to use this log as a matter of course. Logs are also kept by specialist teachers and need to be completed accordingly.

The second initiative is the provision of a ‘Hazard Alert Register’. This is kept in the General Office for the use of parents and others to report any potential hazards.

Christopher Parker, Occupational Health & Safety Representative

EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE At Mount Waverley Primary School our education committee consists of our 2 Assistant Principals, 3 Teachers and 3 School Council Representatives. In 2012 we would like to extend the committee to include some more parents to share in the discussion. These parents do not have to be members of school council. The purpose of education sub-committee is to:

Develop school policies Exchange information and share experiences and perspectives Pose questions and clarify viewpoints Help develop a shared, school community-wide understanding of teaching and learning

If you are interested in joining the committee for 2012 please email Mark McKelson at mckelson.mark.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

NIHONGO CORNER Konnichiwa Minasan. (Good afternoon everyone!!) On Harmony Day, we would

like the students to taste Japanese Savory Pancake called OKONOMIYAKI. There will be no cost as this will be a trial for future events.

If any parents would like to help us in preparing the OKONOMIYAKI it would be greatly appreciated. I would love a spread of helpers throughout the day to help with the preparation in

readiness to serve the OKONOMIYAKI by 5:30pm – Twilight sport evening.

Also, if there is anyone who lives very close to the school that can loan out their BBQ on that evening it would be very much appreciated. Please let me know A.S.A.P. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out the slip in this newsletter and return to the General office by Wednesday, 7th March. Arigatou Gozaimasu

SUBWAY LUNCH – WEDNESDAY 7th MARCH [PLEASE NOTE: the date on the term planner for this event has been changed from the 2nd MARCH to the 7th MARCH] A reminder that all Subway orders MUST be received by the General Office by next Tuesday, 28th February. Sorry NO late orders can be accepted.

IMPORTANT SCHOOL DATES

Thur 23rd

Feb Parent Information Evening

Yr 4, 5 & 6 Camp Meetings Mon 27

th School Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tues 28th

Last day to order Subway lunch Wed 29

th School Levies Due &

EMA applications close Thur 1

st March District Swimming Competition

Fri 2nd

Yr 6 Sport v Mount View Primary Wed 7

th Subway Lunch

Parent/Teacher Interviews Mon 12

th LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Tues 13th

Year 4 & 5 Camps (4 days) Wed 14

th Parents & Friends Meeting 7pm

Wed 21st

Harmony Day

Twilight Sports Evening Fri 30

th End of Term 1 – 2.30pm dismissal

MATHLETICS CERTIFICATES Congratulations to 2B, 2D, 2E, 3B, 3C and 4C on being awarded the Top Mathletics Class certificates last week! Congratulations also to the following students who attained silver and gold certificates in recent weeks! SILVER - Billy J, Leo K, Jemima M, Mineth N, Portia H, Casey M, Melinda M, Eric S, Dylan D, Vinuji L, Shivani V, Nicole Y, Lalita W, Edwin L, Jeremy L, Ethan H, Soobena S, Alina G, William SM, Victoria W, George M. GOLD - Alanna M, Binuki D A, Jason Z, Patrick V, Tim H, Kallista A, Morgan B, Sophia A, Samantha J, Matthew L.

YEAR 6 INTERSCHOOL SPORTS RESULTS Mt Waverley V Mt Scopus Mt Waverley won: Girls Softball A, Mixed Volleyball & Bootball. Mixed Softball & Kanga Cricket C had a walkover. Mt Waverley lost: Kanga Cricket A & B, Bat Tennis, Danish Rounders, Girls Volleyball & Girls Softball B Chris Keleher, PE/Sport Coordinator

HARMONY DAY Keep an eye on this newsletter for more information about our Harmony Day being held on Wednesday, 21st March. All students are welcome to come to school dressed in their countries traditional costume or they can wear anything orange which represents multi-culturalism.

Also if there are any groups that would like to present a Cultural Performance at our morning assembly (9am), could they please contact Mark McKelson, Assistant Principal as soon as possible. Thank you.

JUNIOR CHOIR (Preps – Yr 2) Junior choir will resume tomorrow Friday 24th February. If your child would like to attend they are welcome to come to the music room at first bell next Friday. In Term 1, we will collect any interested Preps from their classrooms.

TRIVIA NIGHT – Saturday 2nd JUNE At Mt Waverley Primary School our major fundraising event for this year is our very popular Trivia Night – make sure you mark your diaries now for this fun-filled night! Of course to run a successful event, we need as many volunteers as possible to assist with planning this evening. Please complete the slip in this Newsletter if you can help. We would love to have as many helpers as possible and it’s a great way to support your school community. Thank you.

SPARE GYM EQUIPMENT? If anyone has any spare portable gym equipment they no longer use (weights etc) we would love to use them for our staff fitness classes. Please drop any equipment to Mrs Knee’s portable classroom in 1A.

RUBBISH FREE LUNCH WINNERS Congratulations to our winning classes last week! Our junior winner was 1E who had 100% rubbish free lunches in their class. Our senior winner was 5A who had 93% rubbish free lunches in their class. All our winning classes are rewarded with 15 minutes extra play time!

CLASS SCORE CLASS SCORE CLASS SCORE CLASS SCORE PA

Not At

School

1A 89% 3A 76% 5A 93%

PB 1B 90% 3B 92% 5B 48%

PC 1C 77% 3C 87% 5C 58%

PD 1D 91% 3/4Y 67% 5/6Y 62%

PE 1E 100% 4A 83% 6A 69%

PF 2A 40% 4B 79% 6B 75%

2B 77% 4C 57% 6C 56%

2C 80% 4D 84% 6D 88%

2D 83%

2E 80%

Hi, I’m Earnest and I care about the environment.

Please help us to keep our school

environmentally friendly by using the

buckets in your classroom for food

scraps and containers.

When you click finish, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically - check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your email immediately. You can return to www.schoolinterviews.com.au at any time, and change your interviews - until bookings close on Tuesday, 6th March at 9.00am.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR

SCHOOL INTERVIEWS ONLINE

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** If you DO NOT have access to a computer: **

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SECTION, CUT IT OUT AND RETURN IT TO THE CLASS TEACHER. The earliest we receive it, the better your chances are that we can secure your requested time slots.

A hard copy of your interview times will be given to your eldest child.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE CLOSE TIME SLOTS IF MORE THAN ONE TEACHER IS REQUESTED

SPECIALIST TEACHER CODES:

A - Art C - Computer E - E.S.L. J - Japanese

L - Library M - Music R -Reading Recovery S - Sport

STUDENT’S FULL NAME

CLASS

CLASS TEACHER INTERVIEW?

Please tick 1 box

SPECIALIST TEACHER INTERVIEW? You can

enter 1 or more of the below specialist’s codes

PREFERRED TIME*

1 4.00pm–5.15pm OR

2 6.15pm–8.15pm

YES NO 1 or 2

YES NO 1 or 2

YES NO 1 or 2

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews will be held between 4.00pm – 8:15pm on Wednesday, 7th March. You can now book interviews for the times that suit YOUR FAMILY

BOOKINGS CLOSE: TUESDAY 6th

MARCH at 9.00AM

2K9L3

Go to: www.schoolinterviews.com.au Enter THIS school event code. Then follow the 3 simple steps.

BOOKINGS OPEN TODAY SO THAT ALL FAMILIES MAY BOOK AT THE SAME TIME

**For parents that don’t have internet access, complete the section below**. Interviews are STRICTLY 10 mins, if you require more time, please contact your teacher directly and make alternative arrangements.

If there are no suitable times available on the schedule for a specific teacher, parents will need to contact the classroom teacher directly to arrange an alternative interview time outside of the allocated schedule. Parents can change their interview times any time prior to the closing date, by re-visiting the www.schoolinterviews.com.au website, and using the code. Parents wishing to change their interview times after the closing date should contact the school directly.

LIBRARY NEWS The National Year of Reading has been Launched!

This is an initiative by libraries and the Australian government which is all about Australia becoming a nation of readers. The media, writers, schools of course, publishers, booksellers child care providers, and heaps of others are getting behind the push to promote reading as a life skill and catalyst for well-being, to promote a reading culture in every home and to encourage families to share books with children every day.

Look out for news, events and competitions throughout the year!

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has already started, so look out for the permission forms soon.

Year 1 are visiting the local library later in the term.

Boori Monty Pryor, author and Children’s Laureate for the National Year of Reading, will be visiting to

meet our Year 1 & 2 children soon. He will also meet the Year 6 children and later in the year and the

Year 3 & 4 classes in term 4.

The Book Fair comes in Education Week,

Book Week is from August 18th to 24th and on August 25th The Reading Hour will take place – more

on that soon.

PREP LIBRARY NEWS Our Preps have all had three or four library sessions by now and have been keenly borrowing and returning books for their classroom library corners. This week however, if they have a library bag, they will choose a book to bring home and read with Mum or Dad. Please ensure your child has a clearly named library bag, big enough to hold large picture books and sturdy enough to keep the books dry and safe from damage. Library bags can be purchased at the uniform shop or made at home, and shops such as Target and Kmart also sell them. Most of the Preps have found their way to Lunchtime Library and many have ventured in to the library with Mum or Dad in the morning before school to browse or read a story, which is great. The library is almost always open at 8.45. However, sometimes I may have a meeting or be delayed, so please remember before school library is not a before-care option. At the moment Preps are not permitted to borrow at lunchtimes, as they can tend to be extremely enthusiastic, stockpiling a huge stack of books and losing track of them after a while! Later in the year they will be able borrow at lunchtime. I will look forward to meeting more Prep parents in the Library before school. Jacqueline Griffeth, Teacher- librarian

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP Thank you to all those families who helped and supported the second hand uniform sale. We are also in need of polar fleece jackets, rain coats, school bags and hats. Please label and leave all donations at the General Office. Please contact me if you have any suggestions or in case of emergency 0409706281. Thanks. Mechelle, Volunteer Parent

SICK BAY ASSISTANCE We require a parent/guardian to change and wash the linen in the sick bay once a week for the remainder of this term. If you can assist, please contact Anne or Christine in the General office on 9807-1480. Thank you.

MORNING TEA REMINDER If you have a child in Prep E (Miss Wilcox’s class) don’t forget you are invited to a morning tea for parents/carers tomorrow morning, Friday 24th February at 9:05am – 10:45pm (just after drop off) in the Staff Room.

VIOLIN LESSONS The school has a violin teacher, Nirmalini Kumarakulasinghe, who has extensive experience in teaching violin, viola and piano and is willing to take on new violin students this year. She teaches children from Prep to Yr 6 and although she is unable to provide them with an instrument she would be able to advise parents on the best place to hire a violin. Nirmalini is also able to teach using the Suzuki Method as an alternative program if required. Individual tuition will be combined with occasional group sessions, encouraging children to participate in school performances. If you are interested in having your child learn violin during school hours please contact Nirmalina on 0422-915178, who will discuss cost and times of lessons.

LITTLE PIANO SCHOOL: Russian trained, piano and theory teacher. Iryna. If you love music and have always wanted to play, I welcome you to my home studio in Mt Waverley to learn and enjoy piano or exam study inc. AMEB, VCE. All beginners welcome. Ph: 9807-6504

FOR SALE: Bike safety seat for toddler - Rosebank brand. Up to 22kg child. Very good condition. All fastenings and instructions included. Has been stored inside when not in use. $25.00 Ph:0412 695 057

PRAYING FOR THE SCHOOL: Come and invest your time in praying for this awesome school community each Thursday at 9am in the Conference room. Please contact Swee Yong on 0425-854487 or Gamal 0434-468802

CLAYTON FESTIVAL – This Sunday, 26th February between 12pm-6pm, held on Clayton Road. This festival attracts over 20,000 people and features 3 stages of entertainment with cultural performances. Now in its 9th year, they have now included the Youth Zone and the Enviro Zone and Community Arts projects. Everyone is welcome!

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TRIVIA NIGHT ASSISTANCE Please return to the General Office Letterbox by Friday, 2nd March

Yes! I would love to volunteer to assist in the forthcoming Trivia Night. Parent/Guardian Name: Phone No: Email Address:

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OKONOMIYAKI ASSISTANCE Please return to the General Office Letterbox by Wednesday, 7th March

Yes, I am available to assist on Harmony Day on Wednesday, 21st March at the following time/s: 9:00am-10:00am to help shopping and carrying ingredient and bring to school. 10.00am-11.00am to help chop all vegetables

11:30am-1:30pm to pre-cook Okonomiyaki. 2:30pm-3:30pm to pre-cook Okonomiyaki. 5:00pm-7:00pm to set up the BBQ table for Okonomiyaki on the day Parents/Guardian Name: Contact No:

Youngest Child’s Name: Class: