COMO PRIMARY SCHOOL Principal: A. Malcolm

Telephone 9450 3112 Email como.ps@education.wa.edu.au

http//comoprimaryschool.wa.edu.au

Newsletter No. 1 – 5th February 2015 Dear Parents I would like to thank the school community for the warm welcome I have received on commencing as principal of Como Primary School. Can I extend a big welcome in return to all our new and existing families and wish you all a very successful 2015 school year. We have had a reasonable turnover of students between 2014 and 2015 (with the movement of Year 7 students to Secondary Education, and students across the grades moving to new schools) with our overall school population being close to 350 Kindergarten – Year 6 students currently enrolled.

Como Primary School is an excellent Primary School that offers a wide range of educational activities. Our School motto is "Only our Best" and we encourage all students to be actively involved in participating in the opportunities offered at Como Primary School.

Over the course of the next two weeks a series of information sessions will be held for parents of our Year 1 to 6 classes by classroom teachers. These information sessions not only allow the teaching staff to meet parents but also focus on classroom routines, homework, timetables, the use of school diaries, specialist subjects, grade related curriculum and excursions.

I am looking forward to getting to know the parents and students of Como Primary School over the course of this year and working with school staff to achieve success for all concerned.

Andrew Malcolm

Principal

Attendance and Punctuality are critical factors in maximising the learning opportunities of students and I remind all families that we have high expectations in these areas and look forward to your support throughout the year. Parents are reminded that I can not give them permission to take students out of school during term for tutoring sessions. The Education Act does make provision for students to attend appointments, such as dentist or doctors, but where possible appointments for non medical purposes should be scheduled out of school hours.

Newsletter With the school website and Smart Phone Apps providing this service we no longer print the newsletter. For parents who are not comfortable with electronic communications, the school office will also have a few copies available each week.

School Personnel 2015

Principal A. Malcolm

Deputy Principal P. Herne

Kindergarten T. Harrison/L. McCague

Pre-Primary 2 A Desmond/D. de Silva

Pre-Primary 1 C. Brook/D. de Silva

Year 1 Room 1 L. Edgecombe

Year 1 Room 2 D. Geers/R. Bellamy

Year 2 Room 5 M. Willis/S. Stals

Year 2 Room 7 G. Schwagermann

Year 2/3 Room 6 H. Falek/J. Hitchcock

Year 3 Room 8 F. Telfer/L. Callaway

Year 3/4 Room 9 S. Edwards

Year 4 Room 10 B. Cahill/T. Youd

Year 5/6 Room 4 R. Martino

Year 5/6 Room 3 B. McDonald

Art M. McDonald

Snr Music J. Pryor

Jnr Music A. Lissienko

LOTE/French D. Hughes

PMP L. McCague

Health M. Casey

EALD (ESL) J. Hitchcock

Learning Support D. Geers

Education Assistants

S. Buckingham, A. Mathieson, P. Ruffhead, J. Bahr S. Moghaddam, H. Shahri, K. Knuckey, B. Rousset, , M. Norozi

Registrar W. Quadrio

School Officer J. Adams

Library Officer J. Nowland

Head Cleaner T. Street

Gardener K. Mudie

IT Technician C. Bell

School Assemblies Our first assembly for 2015 will be held in the hall next Friday, 13th February at 2.15pm. All students from Years 1 - 6 attend our assemblies each week. Pre Primary students join us later in the year. We look forward to seeing as many parents as possible attend this special weekly event. Honour certificates and House points are read out at each assembly and many assemblies showcase a class item or other student item.

The Virtues Program This will recommence in Week 3 of the term. Our first Virtue is Friendliness.

On-entry Assessment Students in Pre Primary will participate in an assessment of Literacy and Numeracy over the next 3 weeks. Letters were sent home to parents today and teachers can answer questions parents may have at Class Meetings.

School Voluntary Contributions A reminder that the school voluntary contributions are now due, the amounts set for K – Year 6 are:

for one child $60 for two children $120 for three or more children $180 for four or more children $240

This includes a contribution to the P & C to assist with their fund raising. As all children benefit from these monies it is expected that all parents will contribute. Please forward your contribution to the class teachers by the end of next week. Thank you to those families who have already contributed.

Hours of Instruction A reminder to all parents of the times: Parents please note that generally children should not be at school before 8.15 am. Upon arrival at school all children should sit in the covered area. Children are not permitted in the adventure playground before school, and are not to be running around the school playing games. From 8.15 to 8.30 Mrs Herne or Mr Malcolm will supervise children and from 8.30am two staff members are rostered to supervise ball games on the quadrangle. ECE children may sit on the benches outside the classrooms but may not play on the equipment or sandpits.

Before 8.30 When students arrive at school please sit in the covered area.

8.30 am Students can engage in ball games in the quadrangle

8.45 am Siren : students move to class and lessons commence

10.55 am Recess

11.15 am Resume lessons

12.15 pm Lunch

1.00 pm Resume lessons

2.00 pm Afternoon recess

2.05 pm Resume lessons

3.05 pm School day concludes

School House (Faction) Competition At Como Primary School we have a House Competition which is designed to encourage school spirit and a good positive attitude in all our children. In next week’s newsletter we will provide parents with detailed information regarding the awarding of House Point Cards and Honour Certificates. We ask all parents to actively encourage their children in this important matter.

Student Homework Diary/Organiser for all Year 1 – 6 children is available from the school uniform shop

at a very reasonable cost of $6.00. We request please that all children have one for the year. They are invaluable and form an integral part of our school and home communication. Parents, your role includes:-

• Purchase of the diary

• Regularly check it and sign weekly

• Provide feedback as appropriate

• Respond to teachers’ messages as necessary

• Encourage children to be conscientious in the diary’s use.

Class Policies These are being finalised by teachers and will be sent home over the next two of weeks. We trust parents will find these interesting and informative. Any queries regarding class policies can be directed to your child’s class teacher. We ask all parents to complete the return sheet and forward these to class teachers as soon as possible.

PMP News PMP is up and running. This year equipment sessions will be held on Mondays for the Pre-Primary classes and Year 1s. Please consider volunteering your time (8.45 to 10.55am) as the program can’t operate without parent help. Your children will derive great benefit from the program and will appreciate your presence. Please complete the PMP Parent Helper return slip found in this newsletter and give to your child’s class teacher at your earliest convenience. L. McCague Coordinator

Parking Please remember that the Kiss ‘n’ Drop

Zone in Coode Street is not a parking zone at the start and end of the school day and Council Rangers attend regularly to monitor the situation and

could issue fines. Kindy and Pre Primary parents are encouraged to use Alston Avenue to park. Please remember that you cannot leave your car unattended in the Drop off Zone.

Welcome back to school – we hope you all had a great holiday! The canteen is open on Wednesday and Friday all

term, and the menu hasn’t changed from last term. Please see the school website or the canteen for a copy of the current menu. Don’t forget you can also order online at www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au. As always, the canteen can only run with the help of volunteers. If you have some spare time please email como.cookout@gmail.com, or fill out a Volunteer form in the office or canteen.

Canteen Roster Friday 6th February

Window 8.15 - 9.00am

Ingrid Meyer & Jenny Ramshaw

9.15am – 1.15pm Tracey Schimpf

10.15am – 12.15am Volunteer Needed

Wednesday 11th February

Window 8.15 - 9.00am

Karen Tan

9.15am – 12.15 am Tanya Hopper

Friday 13th February

Window 8.15 - 9.00am

Kylie Dixon

9.15am – 1.15pm Tanya Hopper

10.15am – 12.15am Volunteer Needed

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PMP Parent Helper Return

I am able to help with PMP on a Monday during term (please tick)

Fortnightly Every 3 Weeks Twice a Term Once a Term

Parent Name………………………………………………………….Phone No……………………….

Child’s Name…………………………………………………Room No………………………..

P&C News On behalf of the P&C, a big thank you to all our parent volunteers who helped the smooth transition into the 2015 school year for parents and students, particularly those in the uniform shop and canteen this week (and last). A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes over the summer break, and we look forward to hosting a number of events in Term 1 for your enjoyment.

Our first meeting of the year, as well as the AGM, will be held on Wednesday 18th February at 7.00pm in the Staff Room, at which we look forward to meeting our new Principal Mr Malcolm, and welcoming many new parents to our school! Come along and have your say, we’d love to receive your feedback on what plans we have for 2015, and working with you to make your children’s experience at Como Primary a positive and memorable one.

Don’t forget the two upcoming events, Maggie Dent’s presentation at the South Perth Civic Centre and the school’s Annual Crocodile Rock celebration. Please see the school app for details. Erica Schurmann P & C President

Uniform Shop News Uniform Shop Roster Friday 6th February

8.15 – 8.45 Monday 9th February

2.45 – 3.15

Katia, Paige & Mel E Bev, Shiromi & Rose

After School Italian Lessons These classes are held once a week after school starting at 3.15 on Tuesday, 17th February. The cost is $50.00 for the year, payable in two equal amounts of $25.00 in the first semester and $25.00 in the second semester. (These lessons are provided by the

Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre)

Community Notices Please look in your child’s class pamphlet boxes for brochures on the following: International Goju Karate Schools Helen O’Grady Drama Classes Team Tennis WA Classes held here at Como Primary. Kids n Sport Information is available in the office for the following activities: Creative Kids Art Club ActingUP Drama School Murdoch Uni Prep classes for 10yrs & above

Children’s School of Contemporary Art Offers creative classes for kids aged 3.5 – 15 years, in: Drawing & Illustration, Painting, Sculpture, Fashion & Textiles. Enrollments now open for term one 2015 Visit us at www.csoca.net for more information

Community Notices continued LEARN TO SWIM IN A STATE OF THE ART SWIMMING FACILITY. Trinity College Swim School would like to invite you to take advantage of our state of the art swimming facility and our highly dedicated and experienced teachers by enrolling in our Learn To Swim Program. Enjoy small classes for a more personal and tailored swimming experience. BOOK NOW FOR TERM 1 Contact Nicole on MOB 040 777 1967 as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Registration for all 2015 Sacramental Programs at Holy Family Parish (Como-Kensington) All Catholic children who are eligible to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation in 2015 are requested to register for their respective Sacramental Programs by Sunday, 8 - Feb 2015. Registration forms can now be obtained by sending an email to the Sacramental Coordinator at the following address: Registration forms are also available in the Holy Family Church foyer. Completed forms can also be placed in a designated box in the church foyer by the above deadline.

Johnny Moran Karate teaches kids karate classes at Como Primary, in the school hall. A special offer for Como students - 4

WEEKS FREE beginners karate lessons! Classes are held after school and are a great way for children of all ages to learn self-defense in a fun and safe environment. Students

who attend the school’s on-site After Care are collected and taken to the class in the hall and returned to After Care when

their class is finished. Karate has many benefits which include confidence, respect, discipline and fitness. Call now

to take advantage of this 4 week trial. 0402 830 402

Como Primary School Term Planner

Term 1 2015

Wk Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat 1. 1-Feb 2-Feb

Students start school

3-Feb

4-Feb 5-Feb 6-Feb No Assembly

7-Feb

2. 8-Feb

9-Feb 10-Feb

11-Feb 12-Feb 13-Feb Prefects’ Assembly

14-Feb

3. 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb

18-Feb P & C AGM 7.00pm

19-Feb 20-Feb Prefects’ Assembly

21-Feb

4. 22-Feb 23-Feb 24-Feb

25-Feb

26-Feb

27-Feb Prefects’ assembly

28-Feb

5. 1-Mar

2-Mar Labour Day

3-Mar

4-Mar Centenary Committee Meeting

5-Mar 6-Mar No Assembly

7-Mar

6. 8-Mar

9-Mar

10-Mar 11-Mar Presentation:

Maggie Dent 6.30pm at CoSP

12-Mar 13-Mar Prefects’ assembly

House Swimming Carnival

14-Mar

7. 15Mar

16Mar

17-Mar 18-Mar

19-Mar 20-Mar Harmony Day Croc Rock 6.00pm on oval

21-Mar

8. 22-Mar

23-Mar

24-Mar

25-Mar P & C Meeting

26-Mar

27-Mar Junior Music Assembly

1/S Swimming Carnival

29-Mar

9. 29-Mar

30-Mar

31-Mar

1-Apr

2-Apr I/S Volleyball Carnival

Term 1 Ends

3-Apr Good Friday

4-Apr

5-Apr

6-Apr Easter Monday

7-Apr Easter Tuesday

8-Apr 9-Apr 10-Apr 11-Apr

12-Apr

13-Apr 14-Apr 15-Apr 16-Apr 17-Apr

18-Apr