CALENDAR DATES

Term 2 5

th June Instrumental Concert – Guitar

6th

June Pupil Free Day – No School for students 9th June Queens Birthday Public Holiday 12

th June School Council Meeting – 7.30 pm.

17th

June Instrumental Concert – Percussion 23

rd June Instrumental Concert – Woodwind/Brass

24th

June Ambulance Visit – Prep 26

th June Crazy Hair Day – Yr 6 Fundraiser

27th

June Last day of Term 2 – 2.30 p.m. finish

Term 3 14

th July Term 3 commences

21st

July Maths Talent Quest – registration close 29

th July I.C.A.S. English – Yrs, 3, 4, 5 & 6

11th

August Pupil Free Day – No school for students 12

th August I.C.A.S. Maths - Yrs 3, 4, 5 & 6

13th

August Maths Talent Quest – Entries to Latrobe 14

th August Yr 4 Sleepover

14th

August School Council Meeting – 7.30 p.m. 20

th August Maths Talent Quest – Display of entries

11th

September School Council Meeting – 7.30 p.m. 19

th September Last day of Term 3 – 2.30 p.m. finish

Term 4 6

th October Term 4 commences

23rd

October Maths Talent Quest – Award Ceremony 31

st October Showcase 2014 – Robert Blackwood Hall

19th

December Last day for 2014 – 1.30 p.m. finish

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

The Preps enjoyed a fabulous day yesterday as they celebrated with a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Thank you to the Prep teachers and many parent helpers who made this an unforgettable event. We even had to carry out a rescue of one of the bears from the roof of the Prep building! On Monday and Tuesday, parents and their families were invited to the Strings Concert and the Keyboard and Piano Concert. These events provide an opportunity for students to practise their performance skills and are a wonderful extension to our Instrumental Music program. Thank you to all staff, Instrumental teachers and the Instrumental Music Co-ordinator, Alyssa Kennedy, for organising these sessions. I am always delighted to attend these evenings and see the enjoyment of the children and note their pleasing progress. In fact it has been a very musical week with the Chamber strings involved in the Victorian Strings Festival and the Year 4 students undertaking an excursion to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. I would like to remind parents that all school policies are available on the school’s website. In particular, I would like to highlight that the School Dress Code Policy says: The school will:

promote a strong sense of identity and pride in the school through students wearing an approved school uniform;

assist in maintaining individual student safety and group security at school and when travelling to and from school and on school excursions;

promote active and safe participation in school life;

reduce the potential for students to feel peer pressure to wear fashion items at school.

As a safety precaution, it would be helpful if parents could please continue to encourage their children to wear no or very minimal jewellery to school e.g. only studs or sleeper earrings, any necklaces tucked inside the uniform. I would like to wish the Year 5 students an enjoyable and interesting trip to the Sovereign Hill gold fields next week. Thank you to all staff who support our students to enable these experiences that greatly enhance the children’s development and learning.

Ina Kuehlich Assistant Principal

ISSUE 15

29th May,

2014

EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

Do you have a valid Health Care Card, Pension Card or are a Foster Parent, then you may

be eligible to apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

If you lodged your form at the start of 2014 and are still eligible, your instalment will be automatical ly processed and it will not be necessary for you to complete a new form. If you have received a new Card recently, we request that you bring this to the Office so we can photocopy and advise the Department of your new expiry date.

If you have RECENTLY become the Holder of one of these Cards and would like to apply for the EMA, then you can obtain an Application form at the Office. It will be necessary for the school to photocopy your card when the Application form is processed.

Applications must be lodged at the school by the 1st August 2014

Fun Run News What a successful event! Thanks to everyone who took part, both running and helping. We had a fantastic team of parents cutting up and distributing the fruit and icy poles.

Thank you to everyone who returned their sponsorship money promptly. We raised a total of $8580 which will be used to purchase a series of fitness stations for the school grounds.

The top fundraisers were: Tom S, Kayla S, Ashley C, Faith W and Daniel C. They each received a remote control helicopter at assembly last Monday. We were also lucky enough to have some random prizes to distribute. Thanks to the families who made those possible. Congratulations to 5H for raising the most money, and to Prep O for having the most children participating in the fundraising. They each received a plate of cup cakes!

In addition the children who raised over $100 and over $30 will receive a small reward in due course – this will take some time, so please be patient.

For the older children, the Fun Run was also a selection event for the interschool cross country competition. Congratulations to all children who participated at that last Monday. A special congratulations to Blair P., Max Z, Mitha M. and Natalie G. who have progressed to the Monash-Waverley Division round. They will race at Norton’s Park next week and we wish them all the best.

PARENTS & FRIENDS ‘NEWS’ Our next PFA meeting is on 4th June in the staffroom at 7:30pm. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Entertainment Books and Digital Memberships are available NOW! The Entertainment™ Book, and the brand new Entertainment™ Digital Membership, are your guide to the most popular restaurants, attractions, shopping, travel and more, all with valuable up to 50% off and 2 for 1 offers. There are also discounts available at retailers such as Woolworths, Caltex, Dan Murphy and Big W. The cost of the book is $65. You only need to use a couple of vouchers and you will have recouped your investment. Then you can save lots of money for over a year as the offers are valid until June 2015. NEW this year – A digital membership can be selected which means that you can search for and redeem your offers anywhere you take your Apple or Android device. Your membership can be shared across four devices in your family. Books may be ordered online or using the order form included in this newsletter. Ask your family, friends, neighbours or work colleagues if they would like one, as the school receives $13 from each book sold. You can order online at https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/187402c. Other payment options are cheque (made payable to Essex Heights Primary School), cash, Visa or Mastercard. Please include your child’s name and Class on the order form and return to school via your Class Teacher. The book will be delivered to your child’s classroom. For more information or to make special arrangements for book collection, contact Linda Cornell c/o 5H or 6K, phone 9807 2493 or email ehpspfa@gmail.com.

BASC The Program has started to develop some of the vegetable patch. So if you come along to aftercare on a Thursday you can go down to plant some vegetables. We look forward to some family recipes that we can use to make some tasty treats.

Next week at Aftercare we will be doing some more work on paper folding, creating a play for our cup puppets, Active Aftercare and don't forget digging in the vegetable patch.

Finally, I would just like to thank a few people who are integral to our program’s daily operations; Mr. Crossett, Mrs Scott, Ms Kuehlich, Mrs. McCann, Mrs Skouteris, Mrs Sounas, Mrs Ciorciari, Ms Carne, the school staff and program staff. These people are pillars of strength for the program and I thank them for there continuing support.

Thank You Paul Davis

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM This week, we have enjoyed the Strings, Keyboard and Piano Concerts and next week we have the Guitar concert. Parents of children who learn an instrument at school have already received notification of these dates but these concerts are open to all of our Essex Heights community and we welcome anyone and everyone to attend. Admission is Free. See below for the dates and times for the remaining concerts.: Guitar Concert Thursday 5

th June Starts at 6.30 p.m. in the Eucalyptus Building Collaborative space

(entry through doors near Library) Percussion / Ukulele Tuesday 17

th June Details to be advised later

Concert

Brass & Woodwind Monday 23

rd June Details to be advised later

Concert

Just for the Boys - Lunchtime Dance A Lunchtime Dance class will be offered later this term exclusively for boys. They will learn dance warm ups, create their own movements and learn a dance routine inspired by martial arts. The class will be offered to boys from Years 1 - 6. This program is a great way to get boys involved and interested in dance. The cost for this program is $35 for 6 half an hour sessions. The classes will run at lunchtimes in the hall on Mondays and Wednesdays. The first class will be on Wednesday 11

th June and the final session will be the first Monday back in

Term 3, Monday 14th

July. On Monday 14th

July the boys will perform their routine at assembly. If you would like your child to participate in this activity, please obtain a registration form from the school office or visit creativedanceanddrama.com and request a form via the contact page.

SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH 2014

FOOD FOR OUR FUTURE:

SCIENCE FEEDING THE WORLD Registrations are now due for this year’s thought provoking topic. Please see Ms Steward in B5 (Banksia Building) before Friday 30th May to register. This is only for registration and your entries are NOT due on this day.

INDONESIAN NEWS Berita Bahasa Indonesia! Bahasa Indonesia – Parent Classes

Congratulations to our parents who participated in Indonesian language classes. Their final class was this week and they have finished with some great conversational and bargaining skills! The amount they accomplished in the sessions was very impressive! Well done to you all – Bagus sekali! Salam hangat (warm regards) Alex (Bu) Douros

Absent: Nicola, Amanda & Polly

Bargaining for those souvenirs!

Parent Class

DON’T FORGET - Please report to Front Office to sign the Visitor’s Book and

get a label before proceeding to the Canteen

FRIDAY 29th May

10.00 a.m. Anna Ascar, Caroline Thomas, Karen Lim

MONDAY 2nd June 11.00 a.m.

Louise Power, Rose Wang

WEDNESDAY 4th June 10.15 a.m.

Katrina Kelly, Sophie Sautner, Shai Bianchi

FRIDAY 6th June 10.00 a.m.

PUPIL FREE DAY. No school for students today

SCHOOL BANKING:

FROM THE HEALTH CENTRE

Coughs, Colds and Asthma

Coughs, colds and the flu are one of the most common triggers of asthma. The common cold is caused by an upper

respiratory tract infection and is a common illness for children and adults in Australia. As we approach the colder

months, here are some tips to keep in mind to prevent and reduce the spread of coughs, colds and the flu:

Avoid coughing and sneezing on or near others and wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of

disease.

If your child is not feeling well, it is recommended that they stay home and rest, to reduce the spread of

infections and to speed up their recovery process.

Everyone should have the annual flu vaccination to ensure they are protected from this disease. You or your

child may be eligible for the free flu vaccination. Details about who is eligible can be found here and can also

be determined by your doctor.

Prior to purchasing any medications or herbal and natural remedies’, you should seek the advice of your

doctor or pharmacist as some medications can react with asthma medications. Such as Aspirin,

Ibuprofen/Naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications), Beta Blockers tablet and eye drops (used

for high blood pressure and glaucoma), and ACE inhibitors (used to control blood pressure).

Stay warm this winter!

For more information, please contact The Asthma Foundation of Victoria on 1800 278 462 or www.asthma.org.au

Parent and Carer Asthma Information Sessions

The Asthma Foundation of Victoria is funded by the Federal Department of Health to provide free asthma education sessions to groups of parents and carers. These sessions can take place at the school or at a

location of your choice. The session runs for approximately one hour and covers:

Asthma triggers

Signs and symptoms

Asthma action plans

Asthma medication

Asthma First Aid

If you are interested in attending a parent and carer asthma information session, please contact The Asthma

Foundation of Victoria to arrange a session on 1800-ASTHMA or sdoherty@asthma.org.au

For more information, please contact The Asthma Foundation of Victoria on 1800 278 462 or www.asthma.org.au

ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

MAY 2014

Working Bee

Mothers Day

Breakfast

Mothers Day Stall

YRS 3 & 5 NAPLAN

School Fun Run

YRS 3 & 5 NAPLAN

YRS 3 & 5 NAPLAN

Book Fair Book Fair Book Fair Book Fair Book Fair

Walk-School day

Strings concert 2nd Hand Uniform

Sale

Piano & keyboard

concert

JUNE 2014

Yr 5 Camp Yr 5 Camp Yr 5 Camp

ICAS Yrs 3,4 &6

Guitar Concert

ICAS Science Yr 5)

School Council

Percussion concert

Brass & Woodwind

concert

Ambulance visit to

Preps

Crazy Hair Day Last day Term 2

2.30 finish

JULY 2014

School Holidays School Holidays School Holidays School Holidays School Holidays

School Holidays School Holidays School Holidays School Holidays School Holidays

Term 3 commences

Maths Tal.Quest

registrations

I.C.A.S English

Yrs 3,4,5,6,

PRODUCTS & SERVICES ADVERTISED IN ‘CONTACT’ ARE PLACED ON A PAID BASIS AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY BEING PROMOTED BY

ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL