Hello Everyone

An article republished with permission from Brigitte Roberts Mentone Grammar.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Recently, you may have seen a number of stories in your news or social media feeds about the dangers of a phenomenom called ‘The Momo Challenge’. While we have not experienced any issues with students at our school, we want to ensure our parents are aware and equipped for the conversation if and when it arises. It is important not to be alarmist and for you to make an informed decision about how to broach this topic with your child.

‘The Momo Challenge’ depicts a disfigured face on a bird’s body. This can be seen as a disturbing image that could easily upset or worry a younger child. The Momo challenge has allegedly been seen in ‘pop-ups’ on sites such as Minecraft, YouTube and Fortnite. It can be played via WhatsApp and it asks participants to do a series of challenges, one of which ends in a suicide. It then threatens the participants and their families if they do not participate. Please know, there is little evidence of this actually happening, but it appears to be spreading as some people are using the image in the profiles resulting in young people discussing it, without having the actual experience or exposure to it.

Although the Momo challenge appears to be more fear than fact, it’s important that parents talk to their children about it. The best way to start is to ask a general question about whether they have seen anything online that upset or worried them. Explain that there are often things that happen online that can be misleading or frightening and that some things are designed to get a lot of attention.

Parents need to follow their child’s lead — introducing the idea of the Momo challenge to a child who isn’t familiar with it might lead them to investigate. On the other hand, avoiding mentioning it won’t provide a chance for a good discussion. Take your child’s lead and whatever you decide about talking about Momo, make sure that they know that contacting strangers and doing anything at all that they are asked to do online or off that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable is not OK.

Remember that curiosity is a natural part of growing up so don’t blame them for being drawn to this sort of digital drama. Try to listen, keep calm and help them to recognise that however tempting these things may be to explore, it’s never sensible to be drawn in.

Parents of younger children may also want to install YouTube Kids or a more controlled version of YouTube intended for families, for better control of what young children may come across online.

Let’s use this recent media and digital hype in a positive way by taking the opportunity to open conversation about cyber safety in the home. Here are some useful tips:

1. Be Informed: It is important to have a balanced perspective of the technology use in question. The media’s view of technology is often slanted toward sensationalism, grabbing headlines, and getting ratings. Websites such as Common Sense Media and Family Zone have fantastic, balanced and unbiased articles aimed at informing parents about the latest technology trends.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

* * * * * * * * *

March 2019

Saturday 16th Bunnings BBQ

Monday 18th Grade 3/4 Incursion

Fizzics

Wednesday 20th Year 5/6 Incursion

Living & Growing

Friday 22nd Casual Dress Day

Bring an Easter Egg

for the Raffle

Friday 22nd Grade 5/6 Gala Day

Sport

Monday 25th Grade 5/6 Incursion

‘Inspire’ Leadership

Monday 25th Prep : Responsible Pet

Ownership

Wednesday 27th Grade 5/6 Incursion

Living & Growing

Friday 29th Grade 5/6 Summer

Sport Gala Day

April 2019 Tuesday 2nd School Council AGM

Friday 5th Last Day of Term 1

2:30 pm Finish

Term 1 Issue 3

March 15th, 2019

Term Dates 2019

Term 1 29 January - 5 April

Term 2 23 April - 28 June

Term 3 15 July - 20 September

Term 4 7 October - 20 December

2. Get Interested: Parents are encouraged to be interested in their child’s learning and technology use. Talk to your children about what they're up to online. What are they finding fun? What do they find annoying? Join in on their online activity. Keep the conversation open and ongoing.

3. In view: We strongly recommend that devices stay out of bedrooms and remain in public spaces. Almost every cyber-safety agency echoes this advice. It is hard to access inappropriate or hurtful material when the device is in the family room. It is hard to hide cyberbullying when the conversations are taking place in a shared space.

4. Filters: Filters provide the safeguard of preventing access to offensive sites. Most filters allow you to choose the degree of filtering based on the age of the child. Install the filter and make sure that it is not being violated with some kind of technological work around, such as filtered on Chrome but not on Safari.

5. Set up family computer rules: The needs, age, development, character, and maturity of each child should be taken into account as you set up guidelines for computer use. Set up appropriate boundaries for your children and a system for monitoring them. Some computer safety programs have built-in timers that allow parents to set limits on a child’s computer time.

6. Use Technology to Build Relationships With Your Children: Young people today love to communicate us-ing technology. You can join into the communication by understanding how the various tools work and then using them to interact with your children. Keep in mind though, that technology can’t take the place of personal face-to-face contact with your children. Take your child out for ice cream or sit on the couch and talk. The Internet has a lot of advantages in our society but nothing takes the place of spending time together.

In order to keep you best informed, we have included several links with this notice which you may find helpful:

https://parentzone.org.uk/article/three-minute-briefing-momo-challenge

https://www.forbes.com/.../dont-panic-what-parents-really-need-to-know-about-mom...

Kind Regards,

Bridgitte Roberts

Head of Student Wellbeing

Pyjama Day

Last Friday the JSC raised $305.00 for State School’s Relief by organising their pyjama day and bring a gold coin donation. State School’s relief assist needy students with uniforms, shoes and books.

It is a terrific cause.

Swimming Champions

Congratulations to all our student athletes who competed last week at the District Swimming Carnival. You represented our school with such grace and determination! We are very proud of you all. Of particular note was Elisabeth winning the Butterfly event – she is a potential Olympian and a marvellous swimmer.

Thank you to Mr Nitsios for coaching the team.

School Council AGM

We are having our School Council AGM on

Tuesday 2nd of April at 7 p.m. in the staffroom to present the 2017 annual report.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Term 1 Issue 3

Professional Learning

Last Friday our Leadership Team was lucky enough to see Lee Watanabe Crockett author of “10 Essential Shifts of Everyday Practice” is an author, speaker, designer, inspirational thinker and the creative force behind some of the most exciting transformations in education happening worldwide today. Study over 50 specific examples of class-room micro shifts that make the larger shifts in practice simple to achieve as a collective group.

Connect the six essential fluencies--solution fluency, information fluency, creative fluency, media fluency, collabo-ration fluency, and global digital citizenship--to the shifts of practice that develop students' key 21st century skills and higher-order thinking.

Explore topics in student-centered learning competencies such as project-based learning, essential questions, STEM education, and digital skills.

Learn why fostering connections to learning --from improved emotional connections to the value of clear learning intentions--improve student-centered learning outcomes and higher-order thinking.

One of the most prevalent messages was the notion of students from F-6 making a list of what THEY believe are the most urgent problems in the world that need solving. Refer to handout. We are using some of this information in our Inquiry process.

Footsteps

Footsteps presented a free dance class to our students for the Quality Beginning and will be running 4 lessons in term 2 in the dance component of PE.

Sue Larkey Professional Learning

Renee Warchulski and Jess Banfield attended a Sue Larkey professional learning session on students with additional needs- she is a highly sought after speaker in this field.

Living and Growing Sex Education Event.

This evening was very well attended with over 40 people present. Thank you to Miss C and Miss Issa for hosting it.

Swimming

Our Term 4 intensive swimming program has now changed back to Don Tatnell with a saving of $50 a head!! We thought this was way too much money not to save, hence the change.

New House System

Our House Spirit are a team of people who assist with energising the current House system. This group meet with the Captains and organise special events that they think up and plan. We are very excited about this.

Sue Leighton-Janse Principal

Term 1 Issue 3

DREAM BIG - Our school values: Determination, Resilience, Excellence, Ambition & Self Motivation.

Last week’s Dream Big award goes to CAMERON JONES

This week’s Dream Big award goes to LAURA LU

You can see the photos of students who have received the Dream Big award in the corridor outside the Library.

FA: Alina Lowe: For outstanding perseverance, determination and never give up attitude to improving her letter writing and looking after her fellow students. Well done and keep it up! GO ALINA!!!

FB: Alexander Fingleton: For being an enthusiastic learner who always contr ibutes to class discussions, asks questions and shares his answers with others. You are also a lovely and helpful friend in our class who is kind and caring. Well Done, Alexander! Keep it up!

JA: Abby Baskett: Your determination towards your learning is inspirational Abby. You are always trying your best and producing five star work, setting an example for others to work towards. You are a leader in the making. Thank you.

JB: Danul Amarasuriya: You have tr ied very hard the last few weeks and are improving in your writing

every day! You always display excellent manners and show kindness to all. Thank you for your wonderful passion towards YOUR LEARNING!!

JC: Toby Harris: This student has been making a great effor t with all of his work and should be very proud! He has a caring nature towards all of his classroom friends which is fantastic to see!

MA: Tommy Vos: For being so dedicated towards achieving your reading goals. Especially in adding to your vocab dictionary. You are recording your deep thinking excellently and showing ample evidence of using your reading strategies. Well done Tommy!

MB: Ethan Li: You have really kicked off the year in style, showing dedication to your work and your class, eagerness to do well and beginning to really challenge yourself to achieve great results. It’s a pleasure to see. Keep it up!!!

SA: Tiana Bajic: For always giving 100% in all class tasks and for literally being the embodiment of joy. You are such a star T. I’m very proud of you!

SB: Martina Zhuang: All term you have been focused and dr iven to complete all classroom tasks on time. This week your maths work was fantastic and you were driven to complete all your 'Fermi Problems' using 5 Star Criteria. Keep up the great work Martina, you're a superstar!

Art: Cruz Boer: FB For showing perseverance whilst cutting out the organic shapes for your Matisse

inspired collage.

Sport: Ben Gorbatchev: For his enthusiasm and effor t to get the most out of PE. You were outstanding with your throwing and catching skills. Well done!

FA: Mia Clarke: For outstanding perseverance, determination and your never give up attitude towards

improving your letter writing and looking after your fellow students. Well done and keep it up! GO MIA!!!

FB: Sierra Kennedy: This is for your enthusiasm with all your learning this week, dur ing reading, writing and pattern work. You are a friendly student to others, who always has lovely manners. Keep it up Sierra. Well Done!

JA: Nancy Chen: For your dedication in all of your learning this week. You are always trying your best to learn English and it is amazing to see you reading and having conversations with your friends. Well done and keep it up.

JB: Kobe McNish: You are such a resilient and car ing young boy. You try your hardest in every task and take all goals on board. Thank you so much and you should be very proud!

JC: Sonny Rennison: You show such determination with everything you do. You have such a bubbly

personality and a big smile on your face every day! We'll done superstar for all your efforts!

MA: Penelope Gray: For always being so kind and helping others wherever you can. You always do the r ight

thing and set a wonderful example for everyone around you. Well done!

MB: Ryan Wu: You have shown determination and ambition to do well in class, and work hard to achieve

both your own, and your teacher’s goals. You are a positive and helpful member of the class with both your

attitude and behaviour. Keep up the brilliant work!

SA: Petar Kocic:.You give every task you have 100% enthusiasm and determination. You are a wonderful friend and leader to your peers and you are diligent in your job every week. Well done Petar!

SB: Alessandro Pirisi: All term you have been focused and dr iven to complete all classroom tasks on time and displaying 5 Star Criteria. This week your persuasive writing work about overseas school camps, was outstanding. Keep up the great work Alessandro.

Art: Tinsley McGrath: For your very colourful and detailed flower painting. Tres Bien!!

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD w/e 08/03/19

Term 1 Issue 3

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD w/e 15/03/19

Term 1 Issue 3

LOST

A gold signet ring with the initials KW possibly lost in the school grounds. This ring

has sentimental value and the owners would love to get it back.

If found, please return to the office immediately. A reward is available.

MBPS students have been very busy creat-ing “French Flavoured” artworks this term in preparation for our Art Show in term 2. This term the students are being inspired by French artists—Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne and Claude Monet. The senior classes made crepes on Shrove Tuesday and other classes made masks to celebrate Mardi Gras. They have been learning the French vocabu-lary for greetings and introductions, colours, feelings and parts of the body. We are very fortunate to be able to exhibit the student’s work in St Nicholas’ Gallery and our Opening Night is Wednesday 22nd May 6-8pm. More information will be forth coming at the end of term. Merci, Madame Marchant

Principal : Mrs. S. Leighton-Janse

Assistant Principal: Mrs. J. Minogue

Teachers :

Foundation A Mr. D. Krieger

Foundation B Ms. E. Christensen

Junior A Mr. S. Gliddon

Junior B Miss R. Warchulski

Junior C Miss J. Banfield

Middle A Miss D. Cravana

Middle B Mr. A. Coutts

Senior A Miss K. Issa

Senior B /Snr P.E.: Mr. O. Nitsios

Literacy Sup/Music: Ms. L. Angwin

Art/French/

Read. Recovery: Mrs. D. Marchant

Leading Teacher/

Specialist Maths/

Junior P.E.: Mr. T. Green

Education Support Mrs. T. Cowan

Miss I. Franco

Mrs. C. Renfree-

Marks

Mrs. N. Woinarski

Ms. C. Qian

Business Manager : Mrs. K. Parry

(Mon/Tues/Thurs)

Admin. Manager : Ms. K. McGrath

(Mon/Tues/Wed/Frid)

Admin. Assistant: Mrs. M. Marsh

2nd Liam Henderson

3rd Marat Zhuang

5th Martina Zhuang

7th Ava Petrie

Tommy Vos

9th Reem Taha

10th Jimmy More

11th Darcy Grad

12th Michael Phan

Lachlan Stratford

15th Mia Spence

20th Mason Livingston

21st Scarlett Williams

Brijen Acharya

22nd Charoltte Bloomfield

23rd Beren Urrutia

24th Penelope Gray

30th Tuana Tozlu

BIRTHDAYS

Term 1 Issue 3

MBPS BANK ACCOUNT

DETAILS:

BSB No: 313-140

Account No: 12048397

Bank Australia

For more information check out the website

- www.classroomcuisine.com.au

Place your lunch orders online up until 8.30am on Wednesdays and Fridays and your lunch orders will be delivered to school.

MBPS PAYMENT PLAN

Any families who are having difficulties

paying their school account are to make

payment plan arrangements with our

Business Manager, Kathy Parry on

Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.

FOR SALE

Fresh Eggs laid by our school chooks!

$5.00 for 1 dozen eggs

Ask at the office.

Term 1 Issue 3

Term 1 Issue 3