Principal: Mr Graeme Cupper Address: Commercial Street, Merbein, 3505 Phone: 03 50252501 Fax: 03 50253524 Email: merbein.P10@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.merbeinp10.vic.edu.au

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Mrs Sandra Luitjes

COMPASS PROGRAM

If you are having difficulty logging into the school’s

COMPASS Program, please phone the school and

talk to Josh, the school’s computer technician

during school hours.

Spring has hit, the warmer weather is here and it is the perfect time to be out in the garden and planting! The Food Technology staff and students have been working on our ‘Playground to Plate’ Program, which will see new garden beds for vegetables and herbs planted next to the Food Technology Room. This will allow our students to experience cooking with produce directly sourced from our own gardens. Congratulations to Bridget Byrne for being the successful recipient of the grant for this program.

PUPIL FREE DAY

Next Monday 10th September is a Pupil Free Day.

There will be no school for students on this day.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART PHOTO

NEWSLETTER 2018 Thursday, 6 September

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Successful Students – Strong Communities

DATES TO REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 7th Friday Yr 2 Sleepover and Excursion

10th Monday

Pupil Free Day

11th Tuesday Yr 10 VicRoads Road Smart incursion

12th Wednesday Whole School Assembly

13th Thursday -Merbein exchange students travel to China -Yr 7 Immunisations

14th Friday Yr 4-6 Merbein District Summer Sport Gala Day

20th Thursday ‘ASPIRE’ Primary Sports Day

21st Friday -Last Day of Term -Footy Colours Day -Earlier Finishing time of 2.30pm -OSHC earlier finishing time of 5pm

OCTOBER 26th Friday Pri Proposed Grandparents Day

NOVEMBER 7th–9th Yr 3-4 Ballarat Camp

19th-22nd Yr 5-6 Melbourne Camp

2018 TERM DATES Term 4: 08/10/18 – 21/12/18

STUDENT DENTAL SERVICE Sunraysia Community Health Services 137, 13th Street Mildura, phone 50210944. visit www.dhsv.org.au

MERBEIN P-10 FACEBOOK PAGE Check the Facebook Page for updates about the school and upcoming events. www.facebook.com/merbeinp10college

CHANGE OF BUS PICK UP TIME – BUS 200 Students who catch bus no. 200 at Narra's Bakery (Cnr Walnut Av and 15th Street) will need to catch it at Centro Plaza at 7.55am for the rest of the term due to road works.

2018 BEBRA'S AUSTRALIA CHALLENGE – J. Richardson The 2018 BeBra's Australia Challenge (www.bebras.edu.au ) is part of an international initiative. The goal is to promote Computational thinking amongst students. Bebras is aligned with and supports the new Digital Technologies Curriculum. The Challenge is delivered on-line and will be held during school hours in the first two weeks of September. Permission notes have been sent home for parental consent. This is required because students who receive scores of 100% are published on a national honour roll along with their schools name. Please check that your child’s permission form has been returned.

EVACUATION PROCEDURE – G. Rhodes The Education Department mandates that we have one Emergency Drill each term. In Term 1 we held a ‘Lock Down’ Procedure, last term we held an ‘Onsite’ Evacuation Procedure and in the last week of this term we will hold an ‘Off-Site’ Evacuation Procedure, which will see us leaving the school grounds and assembling on the open space on the way to Chaffey Park where the old channel was located.

NEW ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT – R. Morgan Parents are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day your child is absent from school by either emailing the school, phoning the school 50252501 or entering the absence on Compass Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility. Since the end of Term 2, 2018, all Victorian Government Schools have been required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained. This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day. Missing school puts them behind.

MERBEIN P-10 FACEBOOK PAGE Check the Facebook Page for updates about the school and upcoming events. www.facebook.com/merbeinp10college

COMMUNITY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – G. Rhodes In the Community Section of the newsletter there are two community projects asking for your support by logging onto a web site to lodge your vote. Both are meritorious projects and both put funds into our local Merbein Community. Please make the effort to access the website and place your vote. It would be great to have these projects funded and have an injection of money put into our local community.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM The Merbein & District Community Bank & Merbein Development Association are financially supporting the Breakfast Program. Foodbank Victoria also supports the breakfast program with donations of food. The following organisations also provide volunteers to assist with the program; Merbein P10 College parents, the Board & Staff of the Merbein & District Community Bank, Merbein Development Association, Merbein Lions Club, Merbein Uniting Church and Merbein Rotary. The Breakfast Program is held in the school cafeteria. All students are welcome to come along between 8.00am and 8.45am each morning if they would like a FREE tasty breakfast to kick-start their days learning.

If you have time to volunteer for this

community service from 8-8.45am on school

days, please contact the school, we would

love to hear from you. Please note that volunteers will need a Working with Children’s Check.

STUDENT ABSENCES If your child is away from school, please notify the school by one of the following methods: log into the Compass parent portal, phone the school, send a note or email the following address: Collihole.heather.h@edumail.vic.gov.au

PLAY GROUP - TOTAL LEARNING CENTRE (TLC) A free Playgroup for children ages 0-5 and their parent/carer is held at Merbein P-10 College every Thursday from 1-2:30pm during the school terms. Children and their carers share books, make fun stuff, play, dance and sing. Parents can receive information and support, share a cuppa, and get to know other families. Come and check out our fantastic new space! For more information phone 0437 077 689.

SCHOOL BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS BSB - 063 714 Bank Acc Number – 10060535 Account Name - Merbein P-10 College Official Account.

UNIFORM SHOP School uniforms can be purchased from the school’s main office between the hours of 8.45am and 4pm during the school week. If these hours are inconvenient for you, please ring the school to make an alternate arrangement.

PRIMARY NEWS

YEAR 2 SLEEPOVER – S. Gardiner Tomorrow, Friday 7th September, the Year 2 students will return to school at 5pm in casual clothes with their gear, to participate in the Year 2 Sleepover. A reminder that students need to be picked up at 8am on Saturday morning. Students Need To Bring: * Suitable running shoes * Sleeping Bag, pillow, mattress etc. * Pyjamas, change of underwear * Toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush etc. * Teddy bear (if required) * Torch * NO LOLLIES PLEASE * All possessions must be clearly named

YEAR 2 NEWS – W. Finn The Year 2 students will enjoy their ‘From Paddock to Plate’ Excursion tomorrow Friday, 7th September.

YEAR 3 NEWS – W. Finn Tomorrow, Friday 7th September, the Year 3 students will be staying at school participating in their normal class routines.

GREEN BUILDING ASSEMBLY – W. Finn The weekly Year P-3 Assembly will be held tomorrow, Friday 7th September as usual, however the Year 2 students will not be participating.

HATS – R. Holy The weather is beginning to get warmer. It would be appreciated if students could start packing hats to wear on PE days. This will be good preparation for next term when our Hat Policy “No Hat, No Play” will be enforced.

LIBRARY TIMES –TERM 3 Years P-1 have library on Wednesdays every week. Years 2-3 have library on Tuesdays every week. Years 4-6 have library on Mondays every week. Please check that your child returns their library book on their library day each week in their blue book bag or a waterproof bag.

STUDENT BANKING PROGRAM If you wish your child to participate in this program, please send your child’s bankbook along to the Green Building Office every Thursday morning. The Bank will collect and process the banking and then drop the bankbook back to school before the end of the school day.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM (OSHC) Children must be booked into OSHC to attend. If bookings need to be cancelled, please notify Cheryll. Cheryll Hodge is our school’s OSHC coordinator and can be contacted on 0428 258035 if you have any queries.

MINI OLYMPICS REPORT – D. Lord The results were impressive. A number of our students are now eligible to go to the next stage and compete at the regional level. The most pleasing aspect of the day was the manner in which all our students competed to the best of their ability with smiles on their faces. They encouraged and supported each other. Some results are below (some students couldn’t remember their results).

Zhoe Willison discus 4th

Ireana Nemtsas discus shot put

3rd 2nd

Jayden Hawkes discus 3rd

Chris Bizimana discus 5th

Megan Young shot put 2nd

Evangelo Alofi shot put 1st

Brock Nokes long jump 3rd

Sapphire Dodds

triple jump 800m

3rd 8th

Mason Knight triple jump 100m

4th 5th

Brock Nokes high jump 3rd

Oscar Vidler 800m 9th

Chloe Moore 1500m 7th

Lucas Crabtree 1500m 8th

Harrison Linklater shot put 5th

Nate Leggett long jump 3rd

Tasharni Quinlivan triple jump 800m

2nd 3rd

Billy Millard hurdles 200m

2nd 3rd

Riley Casey 100m 1500m

5th 8th

Xavier Price 800m 4th

Jessie Price long jump 4th

Douglas Allen 200m 2nd

Tayla Brown 800m 3rd

Jayden Doherty 800m 1500m

7th 8th

PRIMARY INCURSIONS – G. Rhodes The Circus Challenge Day was held this Monday. I received very positive reviews from teachers and students alike. A Primary Sports Day for the upper primary students will be held on Friday 14th September at our school. The Aspire Olympic Program will be held on Thursday 20th September. Five Olympians from the sports Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and Golf will be visiting our school to help run an ASPIRE Sports Day. Between 250 -300 students from local Primary Schools will be participating in sport activities at our school on the day.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART DAY REPORT – R. Holy Last Thursday, 30th August our Primary Students participated in their “Jump Rope for Heart Day”. Students participated in a ‘Jump Off’ and eight different activities that were designed to keep them moving and active for two hours. They had great fun and it was good to see the Year P-6 mixed groups working so well together. The school raised a total amount of $2,869 for the Heart Foundation. Well done to everyone who participated and collected sponsored donations.

AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS COMPANY REPORT – K. Grimmer On Monday, the primary students were treated to an amazing show presented by Clint from the Australian Circus Company. Many students had the thrill of going up on the stage with Clint to help him perform. He showed us his juggling skills, diablo tricks, plate spinning, balancing acts and his prowess on a VERY tall unicycle. Some lucky teachers were given the opportunity to appear on stage and provide a comedy act, which had the audience in stitches. After the show, all students participated in smaller workshops where they were able to learn how to juggle and do plate spinning tricks. It was a fabulous experience for the students. Here are some of their comments: ‘It was cool because we got to learn how to spin the plates and juggle’ - Kira Page ‘Clint showed us new stuff and he taught us how to spin the plates and juggle. He was really helpful’ - Bree Parker ‘It was fun learning how to do the circus acts’ - Ryan Doherty ‘It was a great opportunity and it was inspiring and I am very thankful that we got to see it’ - Mikayla Johnson ‘It was really funny and the best performance that we have had this year’ - Nick Powell ‘It was good to learn some of the tricks’ - Megan Young ‘It helped us learn new tricks and was lots of fun’ - Zhoe Willison

HEAD LICE Head Lice continues to be a problem. Please be vigilant and check your child’s hair regularly. Thank you to the parents who have rung the school to let us know that their child is being treated. Several treatments over several weeks are necessary to eradicate them completely. There is a topical spray called ‘NitWits’ available from chemists as an everyday repellent.

LOST PROPERTY The lost property is building up. Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly named. If your child is missing articles, please check in the lost property boxes. The lost property boxes are located in the following areas. The Years P-3 is situated In the Green Building office. The Years 4-6 is situated just inside the door of the Orange Building.

OPTIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LESSONS AVAILABLE FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS – J. Hudson

Guitar lessons, both Group and Individual. For more information and cost, please email iwansoebardi@gmail.com or call Iwan Soebardi on 0418919220.

Drum lessons. Contact Luke McCarthy for more information and costs on 0417 897 906 or email lukemccarthy@lukemccarthy.id.au.

Piano or keyboard lessons, the cost is $27 per 30 minute lesson plus books as required. For further information, please contact Louise Judd by email at louisejudd53@gmail.com or phone 0408596944.

LAST FRIDAY’S GREEN BUILDING ASSEMBLY AWARDS Congratulations to those students who received awards at last Friday’s assembly. Well done!

SECONDARY NEWS

YEAR 7 IMMUNISATIONS Year 7 last round of immunisations take place on the morning of Thursday 13th September.

WORK EXPERIENCE – G. Rhodes The Year 10 students have been out in the work force over the past two weeks. Many will return to school with some lasting memories of this experience. They now have two weeks before the end of term to re acquaint themselves with the work expectations of year 10 and the preparation for VCE in 2019.

ELECTIVES INFORMATION 2019 – G. Rhodes Next week all students in Year 7-9 will be issued with Electives Booklets to make Elective Class Selections for 2019. The students will have the selection process explained to them in year level meetings. They will then take the Selection Forms home to discuss their

selections with their parents who MUST sign the

Elective Selection Form.

These forms need to be returned to the

school main office before the end of term.

YEAR 9-10 ELECTIVES – G. Rhodes At this school, the Year 10 students are given priority for their electives, however we do try to allocate as many students as possible to their first elective choices. When allocating students to their elective choices we put their first six choices in the Selection Program. If we have to make decisions about which students are allocated electives, we place the 2019 Year 10 students first (provided they have returned their Elective Selection Sheet by the due date) then we place them in order of receipt of the Elective Sheet. Students in all year levels who return their sheets early, have a better chance of getting their chosen electives than students who return their Elective Sheet later.

YEAR 8 ELECTIVES – G. Rhodes Students in year 8 are asked to select 12 electives from the 20 on offer. The top 10 selections are placed into the selection program, which tries to allocate as many students preferences as possible. If there are clashes, the students that return their selection form quickest will get priority.

LOST PROPERTY The lost property is building up. Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly named. If your child is missing articles, please have them check the lost property box located in the main entrance to the school.

DOCTORS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS Remember our doctor’s room is open every Tuesday from 10am–3pm for secondary students. Student appointments can be made through staff at the school or by calling the Merbein Family Practice on 03 5025 2511 or students can simply drop into the rooms at recess or lunch on Tuesdays. This is a great service, not just when students are sick but for things like prescriptions, asthma and anaphylaxis plans, catch-up immunisations, mental health and any other issues

facing secondary students. Students will need to

give their Medicare Card details to the GP

clinic. An easy way to do this is for the

student to take a photo of the card on their

phone. Parents do not need to attend appointments with students but are very welcome to come along if the students wish.

COMMUNITY NEWS

GOOD MORNING WEDNESDAY AT THE MERBEIN LIBRARY A social morning of puzzles and activities, shared with a cuppa every Wednesday, 10am to 11am. Bookings not required.

MERBEIN COMMUNITY ART TRAIL BBQ Merbein District Historical Society has partnered with Lower Murray Water to develop the Merbein Community Art Trail as part of the 'Pick My Project' Initiative. Event: A Free Community BBQ to inform and assist the community in the voting process. When: On Friday 7th September at 3pm. Where: At Cluster Box One, River Ave (next to Merbein Town Entrance Sign across from Chaffey Park). The first 100 people who arrive and vote for our project will receive a goodie bag. The Merbein Community Art Trail Project is costed at almost $200,000. Ultimately, securing the funding depends on the amount of public support our project receives. Voting closes on 17th September 2018. Voters must be Victorian & over 16 years old. Voting is online or by phone 1800 797 818 (for those with no email address) https://www.lmw.vic.gov.au/about-lower-murray-water/our-community/pick-my-project/ (or google Pick My Project)

RED CLIFFS NETBALL CLUB Twilight Netball Registrations are now open. Age Groups are 9/U (minimum age Grade 2), 11/U, 13/U, 15/U, 17/U and Ladies. Training is held Mondays from 5-6pm at Mansell Reserve, Mildura. Games are held on Tuesday/Wednesday nights at Mansell Reserve starting in October. Grading commences the first two weeks in September. Please register as soon as possible by visiting www.starspirits.com.au. For enquiries email admin@starspirits.com.au.

MERBEIN GOLF CLUB – PICK MY PROJECT Merbein Golf Club and Cabarita Post Office have been selected for a Pick My Project, which is a Victorian-first community grants initiative. Could you please click on the following link, https://pickmyproject.vic.gov.au/rounds/pick-my-project/ideas/merbein-golf-club-and-cabarita-post-office-re-build, register and vote, which will give the club and post office an opportunity to receive $200,000 in funding to go towards the re-build of the club house. Once logged in, could you also please consider sharing the link with your friends and family on Facebook. Melinda Binding is the club’s point of contact on phone 0447 790 949.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS This service will be held at the Merbein Uniting Church on 23rd September at 2pm. This service will include individual blessing of pets. All welcome.

ART DIRECTIONS 2018 Exhibition held at the Mildura Arts Centre from Thursday 30 August - Sunday 14 October. Through this exhibition, we celebrate the practise of arts educators in our region from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions as well as community arts educators. Try to find time to get along to this fantastic arts exhibition. Showcasing artwork from

local art teachers. Keep an eye out for artwork

from two of our Merbein P-10 College Art

teachers. Duncan Watson and Bridget

Byrne.

COBRAS BASKETBALL CLUB For Junior Registrations contact Josh Lee, phone 0427 024 610. Senior tri-outs will take place on 12th September from 4-5:30pm & 14th September from 5-6:30pm (Under 16, 18 and Senior Grades). All registration and tri-outs will be held in the Merbein P10 College Basketball Stadium. Contact the club today on email cobrasbasketballclub@gmail.com or Facebook. For further information contact Josh Lee (President) 0427 024 610 or Cassie Munn 0409 632 898.

VICTORIAN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR SPORTS ASSOCIATION (VEWSA) The VEWSA is a community based, non-profit association run by players, volunteers and parents. VEWSA provides sporting opportunities for people who use powerchairs for mobility at local, regional, national and international levels of competition. The Victorian Powerchair Sports League (VPSL) will launch in October 2018. A new and exciting competitive league for people with a physical disability. VPSL displays the all-round skills of each athlete in the three sports of Football/Soccer, Hockey and Rugby. It is open to all ages, genders and disabilities. Information can be found on the website: http://vewsa.org.au/2018/08/21/launching-the-victorian-powerchair-sports-league/ There is a survey online aimed at giving an indication if any new players are interested in joining the league. The survey will also help to indicate what areas to expand in the future. The survey can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VictorianPowerchairSportsLeague.

MERBEIN LIBRARY STORYTIME Introduce your child to socialising with others as they develop their literacy skills. Sessions are free and you do not need to book. Baby Bounce is a program for 0-12 months. Storytime is aimed at pre-school aged children. Tuesdays & Fridays - 10:15am Storytime Wednesdays - 2:15pm Baby Bounce.

MERBEIN LIBRARY SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN Activities are designed for students currently attending primary school. Bookings essential: Cost is $2.00 per child, per activity’

Tuesday 25 Sept 11am - Flying Fun

Wednesday 26 Sept 10am -12pm - Lego (FREE)

Thursday 27 Sept 11am - Making Music

Tuesday 2 Oct 11am - Dragon Eggs

Wednesday 3 Oct 10am - 12pm - Lego (FREE)

Thursday 4 Oct 11am - Bopping Whales

FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS There is a list of free workshops below that will be held in the school holidays at the Mildura Arts Centre

Alas! Through the Looking Glass at 10.30am on Tuesday 2nd October (13-17 years old).

Abstract Hands-on Art on Wednesday 3rd October (8-12 years old).

Panel Discussion on the importance of Arts Education at 11am on Saturday 8th September.

For more information and to secure a place, phone the Mildura Arts Centre. LAST POINTER STANDING The Nichols Point Primary School Fundraiser will be a fun night of music and prizes. It will be held in the school gym on 8th September beginning at 6.30pm. BYO nibbles, drinks and glasses. There will be a silent auction and prizes throughout the night. Tickets $40 per person available from the Nichols Point School Office.

YOUTH SERVICES SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM For young people aged 12-16 years.

24th September Lazerforce

25th September Street Art

26th September Pool Day

27th September MasterChef

1st October Ten Pin Bowling & Rollerama

2nd October Movies & Pizza

3rd October Geocaching Treasure Hunt

4th October Fishing Day

5th October Getting ready for Year 7

Enrolments close 21st September. For further information, contact the Mildura Rural City Council Youth Services on 50188280. To register visit www.mildura.vic.gov.au/outh or email youthservices@mildura.vic.gov.au.