PRINCIPAL’S REPORT NEWSLETTER N0.37 1ST DECEMBER 2011

STAFFING UPDATE

I am very pleased to inform you that

Katrina Dennien has accepted my

offer of employment for next year.

Katrina will be replacing Lucy Harding

in grade 5, as Lucy has

accepted a teaching

position at Berwick Fields

P.S. next year. Katrina has

worked at our school

regularly this year as a

CRT, currently teaching

Kylee Ziino’s grade, and has five years

teaching experience behind her.

TEENAGE CHILDREN ON OUR

SHADE SAILS AFTER SCHOOL

HOURS

This practice seems to be picking up

lately and it worries me greatly. These

children are at great risk of serious

injury. We don’t know who they are

but perhaps members of our school

community are aware of who they

are. They may be a family member of

children who attend our school or

former students themselves. If you

become aware of who they are, and

depending on that, you may be in a

position to have a wise/stern word

with them or let us know at the

school or contact the police. Your

assistance in this matter might save a

child from a consequence they may

regret for the rest of their lives.

PREP TRANSITION PROGRAM

Our annual Prep Transition program

is well under way and feedback to

date has been very

positive. I always

really enjoy the

occasion – the

children are so small

with such big smiles

and an infectious enthusiasm which is

completely uplifting. Next Tuesday

morning I have the pleasure of

meeting with parents of our 2012

Prep children and this is one of my

many favourite special occasions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)

Q. Do I always inform parents

when I have discussions with

children in my office?

A. No. There are many reasons why

children come to my office – more

often than not the reason has nothing

to do possible disciplinary behaviour

being incurred by the child. I don’t as

a matter of course inform parents of

all such meetings between children

and myself during the course of the

week or year. I draw on my many

years of experience in deciding on

whether to call parents in such cases. I

do believe that there are more than a

few occasions when issues can be

dealt with at school without having to

involve parents in the matter. In saying

this I am not referring to the more

serious issues or chronic issues that

leave us all exasperated.

CONTINUED…..

Thursday 22nd December -

end of Term 4 2:30pm

Thursday 2nd February 2012 -

start of Term 1

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 2012

and School Start Bonus (SSB)

Applications for the 2012 Education Maintenance Allowance and School Start Bonus are

now available from the school office.

If you have a child under 16, and hold a valid Health Care Card, Pension Card or be a foster

parent you may be eligible to receive the EMA. Your Health Care / Pension Card must be

valid on the 1st February 2012. The 2012 allowance of $235 is split evenly between the

parent and the school and is paid in two instalments, one in March and one in August.

The School Start Bonus is provided to assist low-income families with the costs associated

with their child starting Prep or Year 7. If you hold a valid Health Care Card, Pension Card

or be a foster parent, and have a child starting Prep at Berwick Lodge in 2012 you may be

eligible to receive this one-off $300 payment.

Closing Date: Parents/Guardians with Prep children commencing in 2012 need to lodge a

School Start Bonus form before Thursday 15th December 2011.

Education Maintenance Allowance applications must be lodged at Berwick Lodge before

29th February 2012.

Please see the school office for application forms or if you have any queries.

Of course, by all means contact me at the school if your child is upset over an issue that involved a meeting with

me in my office, and I have not contacted you, and you really feel that we should talk. However, be also aware of

the risk of being overly protective of your child, when on occasion it may be best to accept that they may be upset

following a meeting with me.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

‘Rumours have the longest legs’

HENRY GROSSEK

PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT CONTINUED…..

DIARY DATES Tuesday 6th December 5/6 End of Year Excursion Casey Race

Last Day for School Banking

Wednesday 14th December 3/4 Melbourne Zoo

Thursday 15th December 3/4 Melbourne Zoo

Thursday 22nd December Last Day of Term 4

Thursday 2nd February 2012 1st Day of Term 1 2012

NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 9th December 3/4 Melbourne Zoo

Monday 12th December Grade 6 2012 Windcheater/T-shirt

Thursday 15th December Education Maintenance Allowance/School Start Bonus (Prep)

PARENT HELPERS’

MORNING TEA

Invitations to this annual event are

being sent home with students

today. The morning tea will be

held on Tuesday 20th December

2011 at 11:00am

in the school

gymnasium. If

you have been

one of our

wonderful

helpers and miss

out on an invitation we apologise

for missing you. Please feel most

welcome to attend the morning

tea.

BABY NEWS

Congratulations to Jo and Marcus

Zammit and their

family on the safe

arrival of Darcy

Ronald Zammit on

Wednesday 23rd

November 2011.

Darcy’s birth weight

was a healthy 4800 grams (10lb

7oz). Jo has

already visited the school to

introduce Darcy to staff and we

are certain we will see more of

him in the coming weeks.

STUDENTS IN THE

GROUNDS OUTSIDE

SCHOOL HOURS

We have noticed that several

students are arriving at school

very early each morning and

playing in the playground without

adult or guardian supervision. We

remind parents that our staff are

on duty from 8:45am to 9:00am in

the morning and 3:30pm to 3:45pm

in the afternoon. Dorien Erasmus,

our OHSC Coordinator can be

contacted directly on 9769 825I if

parents would like further

information about the excellent

before and after school care

programs.

We have also observed a number

of students who appear to return

to school after hours, some as late

as 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the

evening. We are concerned that

these students are placing

themselves at risk as there is no

supervision at this time and there

are many areas of the school yard

that are isolated. On occasions

children have been seen

trespassing on the roof of the

school and the potential dangers

of this practice should be evident.

Students have been reminded of

the risks involved with being in

the grounds outside of the

supervision times and we

appreciate parent support in

this matter.

LYNNE BRENNER AND

LOIS SMETHURST (ACTING ASSISTANT

PRINCIPAL)

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

SCHOOL BANKING

Last day of School banking will be on Tuesday

6th December 2011. We will resume next year.

Thank you to all the students that have

participated in the school banking for 2011.

In my final year of primary school, I thought wow this is going to be cool. With graduation getting near, I think I want to curl up in fear.

Next year I’m getting older, I feel like crying on a shoulder. High school is so big and new, I’m so scared I’m going to spew.

The year is coming to an end, I can see it now, It’s around the bend. I don’t know what I’m going through, What on earth am I going to do.

Some of the things this year that I have

done, Have been really, really, really fun. We had a film festival and we made a movie, And I thought ours was really groovy.

This year is almost over, I wish I had a four leafed clover. So I could wish to stay another year, Then I wouldn’t have to leave right here. So now I have to finish this, Berwick Lodge is the thing that I will miss. By Renee 6N

LOST PROPERTY

Please could all parents check in the

lost property for any lost items of

clothing that their

children maybe

missing.

Myuna Farm Visit by Prep M

Last week we went to Myuna Farm. We got to feed the animals and we got to ride ponies. I

saw a big white peacock and a big colourful peacock too. I went on a train ride. I got to milk

the goat, it felt funny. It was fun on the bus. It was our first excursion. By Katie, Prep M.

I went to Myuna farm. My favourite was the rabbits and the turtles. I went on the train and I

got to hold a bunny. I went on a bus. Elia went in a taxi. I had fun. I saw pigs. The boy’s

name was farmer Daniel. We watched a movie. We played on the playground. We got to

feed the animals. I didn’t hold a guinea pig. I love the sheep. By Jai, Prep M.

On Wednesday Prep M went to Myuna farm. I had a ride on a horse and a train. We saw a

snake, emus, kangaroos and sheep. I held a rabbit, it was fluffy. I had a good day at Myuna

farm. By Elia Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw a pig and I saw a bull. By Zachary, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to see the animals at Myuna farm. I saw some sheep and alpacas and ducks and horses. I

saw rabbits and pigs and cows and lambs. By Emily, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I got to hold a guinea pig and I got to hold a rabbit.

We saw pigs and we saw chickens. I saw the goats getting milked. I had fun feeding the ducks

and I saw snakes. I saw the cows and the reindeer. By Molly, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw sheep and a pig. I saw ducks and a rooster and

an emu. By Stevie, Prep M.

Last week I went to Myuna farm. I went on the train and I fed the ducks. I saw a rabbit, a horse, a sheep, a pig,

cows, lambs and a goat. I saw a bull and I saw an emu. I saw chickens and I saw a rooster and snakes. By Lucas,

Prep M.

I went to Myuna farm. I saw rabbits. By Goy, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw a rabbit. I saw a pig. I saw the farmer. I had fun. By Olivia, Prep M.

I went to Myuna farm. I saw an alpaca and a big fat pig. I saw a water buffalo and a goat. By Zeke, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw a guinea pig and rabbits. They were black and white and I went on a

train. I had fun. I saw a bull. It had big horns. We fed the animals. It was lots of fun and we saw ducks. By

Hayley, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw a goat and two cows and sheep. I saw some ducks. By Connor,

Prep M.

Last week I went to Myuna farm. I saw a bull it was a bullock. My favourite animal was the emu.

I played tiggy in the maze with my friends. I saw the sheep. I fed some of the animals. My

favourite thing to do was feeding the ducks. I went on a train to go and feed the ducks. On the

way I went on a bus. By Ajay, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I got to hold a rabbit and a guinea pig. I saw a pig and

some roosters. I got to feed ducks and feed all the animals. I saw the emus and I saw sheep. By

Tanis, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw a guinea pig and I saw ducks. I saw a horse. By Isabelle, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I fed the sheep. By Dion, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I saw ducks. I saw a pig. I played on the slides. I saw a horse. I got to

hold a guinea pig and a rabbit. I saw a cow. I saw a goat. I saw lambs. I had fun. I played in the maze. I had Mum

with me. My favourite animal is the guinea pig. It was a hot day. I saw emus. I fed the goat. I milked the goat. I

went on the train. By Lilly, Prep M.

On Wednesday I went to Myuna farm. I got to feed the animals. I got to hold the bunnies. I had fun. I saw a

horse. I saw a cow. I saw and snake and a rabbit. I got to ride a horse. I saw a maze and I

played tiggy in the maze. I got to milk the goat and it felt funny. I got to go on a train. It was

bumpy. I played on the playground. By Holly, Prep M.

WHAT IS PERSISTENCE?

Things to Say to Encourage Persistent Behaviour

When you catch the young person behaving persistently say:

“You really put a lot of energy into that.”

“Your results have improved due to your sustained effort.”

“Great effort.”

“You stuck to that like glue.”

“Boy, you are on task all the time.”

“You didn't give up!”

“You really tried hard.”

“You sure don’t give up easy.”

“Doesn’t that feel good?”

“Making that effort will help you learn.”

“You’re not going to let mistakes stop you.”

“Your effort is so important. It will help you succeed.”

“You worked hard on this.” (written on a note)

“Look at this. It comes from giving it her best shot!” (holding up student’s work in class)

“You continued even when the going got tough.”

“Your on-task behaviour is much improved. Your results continue to get better.”

Parents & Friends Association 2ND HAND UNIFORM SHOP: If you have any uniforms at home that are still in wearable

condition we would greatly appreciate some donations or, we can sell them on your behalf. As we

have had the last 2nd hand uniform shop for the year, donations can be dropped off at the PFA café,

Room 16 on a Thursday afternoon (2.45 - 3.30).

PFA CAFÉ: Is open on Thursday afternoon’s from 2.45pm in Room 16, next to the grade

two portables. As the weather gets warmer we will be providing cold drinks, for a gold

coin donation. So don’t wait outside your child’s classroom in the heat, come in and grab a

cool drink. We will still have tea & coffee available so make sure you drop in for a chat.

Upcoming events

DRIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT: In December we

will be having another fun filled Drive In Movie Night at Akoonah Park. There will be a jumping castle, face

painting, fairy floss, pop corn and a delicious sausage sizzle to cover all your dinner needs!!

This is a great opportunity for advertising for your business. If you work for, or own a business, and

would like to advertise on the night please email us at blps.pfa@hotmail.com

We will be glad to offer any assistance in organising your advertisement.

Do you know someone who does face painting? Our usual face painter is unavailable to attend our Drive

In Movie Night and we are experiencing difficulties in locating a new one. If you are able to help please

could you email the PFA at blps.pfa@hotmail.com

BILLY G’S COOKIE DOUGH: Thank-you to all the families that placed a Cookie Dough

order. The orders will be distributed via your child’s classroom at the end of the day on

Tuesday 13th December 2011. As the tubs of dough are quite heavy please ensure that you

arrange for someone to collect your order if you are unavailable, as they are too heavy for a

child to carry. Tubs must be collected on Tuesday 13th December as they need to be kept

cool and there is no storage at the school.

Orders are due for collection on Tuesday 13th December 2011.

SUNSCREEN: We are selling roll on sunscreen which is available to purchase for $6.00. It

is a perfect size to place in your child’s school bag, your handbag or in the glove box! It can

be purchased from the office or from the PFA café on a Thursday afternoon.

Robert Day Sales Consultant Dandenong Hyundai 179 Princes Highway, Dandenong 3175 Telephone: (03) 8791 3199 Fax: (03) 9791 6302 Mobile: 0423 699 279 Email: robertday@danhyun.com.au Web: www.dandenonghyundai.com.au

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CRYSTAL CLEANING

SERVICES P/L

For all your carpet/upholstery and

general cleaning needs

Special Offer 3 rooms/3 seats

Professionally steamed cleaned for $77.00

incl. GST Free deodorising Free stain

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Other services: Vacate clean-up/ready for sale

For bookings & enquiries contact Steve 0411 752 279

$1.00 from each booking goes back to BLPS.

Plus $1.00 to Royal Children's Hospital

FOR SALE

Thomas the Tank engine “Figure 8 Set”

Wooden Figure 8 Track

Thomas Train and Carriage and, 2 other trains &

carriages.

Cost $50

Contact Sally 0402 027 007