Issue No: 34 19th November 2015

THE DORSET EDITION INSPIRE ACHIEVE SUCCEED

From the Principal’s Desk Rescorla Avenue, Croydon 3136 phone: 9725 5038 www.dorsetps.vic.edu.au dorset.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Diary Dates Nov

16th - 20th Swimming Juniors Prep - Grade 2 (Croydon Aquahub)

Tue 24th Grade 3/4 Fizzics Incursion

Fri 27th Grade 6 Graduation Photos (9.10am)

Grade 2 Sleepover

Mon 23rd Whole School Transition 10.00 – 11.00am

26th - 28th 2016 Foundation Interviews

Mon 30th Whole School Transition 12:00 – 1:30pm

Dec

Wed 2th Twilight Working Bee 5.00pm - 8.00pm

Mon 7th Whole School Transition 10.00 – 1:30pm

Thu 10th Christmas Carols Evening

Fri 11th Grade 6 Principal Morning Tea

Leaders’ Lunch 1pm

Tue 15th Grade 6 Graduation

Wed 16th Grade 6 Big Day Out

Thu 17th Last Day of Year (1.30pm early dismissal)

Fri 18th Curriculum Day (Pupil free day)

Jan

Mon 4th Book Selling Day

Wed 27th Book Selling Day

Thu 28th First Day of Term 1

Junior Swimming The junior swimming program is progressing well. Each time I attend the pool the children are actively engaged and want to demonstrate their skills. It is important that the children enjoy the swimming and strengthen their swimming techniques. Thanks Andy Bell for organising the program. I realise it takes a lot of time and effort by all involved. A rewarding program with beneficial outcomes.

Bendigo Bank On Monday we received our $1,000.00 donation from the Bendigo Bank. We have purchased the defibrillator with the money and have had it installed in the First Aid Room. I believe this is an essential item to have at the school to ensure we can aid all of our community. The staff have been instructed on how to use it and its purpose. I hope we never really have to use it but I’m glad we finally possess one. I feel a bit more comfortable knowing we can access it if need be.

Footsteps 2016 In 2016 we will be launching a new program called ‘Footsteps’. The aim of this program is to provide pre school children of non-English speaking backgrounds to have some language experience before they attend full time in 2017. If you are aware of any children in need of this program please direct them to school to see Lenis Quigg or Steve Lynch. It’s exciting to be able to offer such a program and I hope it will be accessed.

Puberty Education Madame Glenda has been running Puberty Education for our senior students and has discussed how to stay safe and be aware of issues that may concern their personal safety. Glenda has suggested that parents read the book “Everyone’s got a bottom” to their children to support her message/advice. Glenda believes children from Prep-6 should be read the book and the issues in it fully discussed. Young children are the most vulnerable to offenders. Research shows they can’t take hints and apply them to complicated abusive situations involving people they know. They need clear messages. This book is in print and available online for $19.90. Below is the link to the book “Everyone’s got a bottom”: http://www.true.org.au/resources/resources-overview/everyones-got-a-bottom Phone 07 3250 0240 for all enquiries or further questions.

Preparing for Secondary school Start preparing your child for secondary school. You can help them with these tips:

Show enthusiasm.

Start talking about secondary school with your child throughout the year leading up to the start of secondary school. Be positive and discuss the things about going to secondary school that you know they will be interested in - it could be an opportunity to try out for a school band, or to engage in experiments in science. Discuss the subjects they might learn and the friends they might meet.

Listen and acknowledge their concerns.

Discuss with your child what they think going to secondary school will be like. What do they think their classes will be like? What are they most looking forward to? How many children do they know from their primary school who will be going to their secondary school? Listening to your child talk may give you some indication of their concerns. If they have concerns, let your child know that you take them seriously, and together work out ways to address them.

Get your child used to their new school.

If you can, drive or walk past the secondary school your child will attend occasionally, and comment on it. For instance, you might talk about the nice garden or the fact that it has a basketball court. This will familiarise your child with the school. Most secondary schools hold an orientation day to help new students and their parents become familiar with the school. This may include a school tour, meeting fellow students and teachers, and taking part in special lessons and activities. This is a great opportunity for your child to get to know their new school.

Introduce or enhance study routines.

Prepare your child for the likely increase in homework by establishing study routines and preparing a study area free from distractions.

Begin or increase focus on time management.

Help your child to start scheduling their study and extracurricular activities on a calendar or wall planner, so they appreciate the power of time management. Regards, Palma Coppa Principal

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Menu

Warrigal Greens & Potato Curry

Rice Pilaf with leeks

Creamy broadbean dip with grilled Turkish bread

Yoghurt, Sesame & Mint Sauce

Breakfast Club Helpers & Donations

We are currently looking for volunteers to help run our wonderful breakfast club next year on Thursday and Friday mornings. If you could spare half an hour before school to cook some toast and make some warm milo, we would love to hear from you! We are also currently looking for donations of Milo and jam. Thank you for your support.

Chocolates There is still some chocolate money that has yet to be returned. If you have finished selling your box of chocolates, could you please return the money to the office. Thank you to all the families that have sold chocolates for our major fundraiser this year!

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Kitchen News

This fortnight in the kitchen the students are using warrigal greens, potatoes, turnips, kale, silverbeet, radishes, leeks and herbs such as tarragon, mint and parsley.

The strawberries which students have been harvesting have been frozen for use in the following fortnight’s sessions.

As we are nearing the end of the school year, I would like to place a request to any parents who may be available to assist with the kitchen or garden sessions in 2016 to let us or the office staff know. This also includes those who have students moving into Grade 3 in 2016 and commencing the SAKG program.

Your help will be greatly appreciated as it makes the sessions run smoothly and within the allocated time frame. The program runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Thanks, Gregg

Chaplain’s Chat with Dave

Icy pole Parenting

Kids love icy poles. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hot or cold day, if the canteen has icy poles, kids buy them. Have you ever wondered why? I have a theory. Yes, they are cold and get sweeter as they melt. But they are also messy. My theory is this: Kids love icy poles because they last so long. A tiny icy pole can last most of recess, if managed correctly. Other snacks are gone in a couple of seconds. We all get angry. When we are ignored or disobeyed by our kids, we feel under-appreciated and over-worked and it begins to wear on us. Then we get angry. We become ‘mad as a hornet’, ‘barking mad’, ‘hopping mad’, ‘boiling mad’… Nobody ever says, “I’m as mad as an icy pole.” Why? Because icy poles are cool, long-lasting and sweet. Before it entered a child’s grasp, every icy pole spent a long time in the freezer. Likewise, if we want to be icy pole parents, we need to spend some time – before the fact – getting ready for the angry times that will inevitably come our way. Here are some tips for being an icy pole parent. Get off the Maddercycle – I get mad at my child. That makes me mad at myself. Now I’m madder at my child for making me mad at myself. I hate being mad. So, now I’m madder because I got mad. I don’t want to ride this beast anymore! Break the cycle by recognising it and getting off. Embrace your Emotions – When you feel something, you can change it. Emotion creates desire. That’s its purpose. Listen to your emotions and ask yourself, “What do I want to change?” Then create a strategy to make the change. Give ME a Break – Two meanings here: First, stop picking on yourself. We all make mistakes. Leave them in the past and move forward away from them. Second, go do something you love. Go for a walk, meet a friend for coffee, create something. Take a break just for ME. Heal your hurts – We all have unresolved anger from our present and past. Parenting will bring these things up and out. When they emerge, don’t push them back under. Face and fix them. Prepare and Prevent – There are some situations that always make you boil. If you cannot send someone else, plan some strategies. Change the situation by mixing things up: What will you add or subtract? Create an exit strategy: How can you cut it short? Have a support person: Who can you ask for support? If you must go in, go in prepared. Communicate – We are not meant to do life alone. We are born into community and we get stronger as our communities grow. Without communication there is no community. Using our words to share our emotions builds relationships and resilience. The best way to teach this to our children is to model it. Talk about everything. Talk about feelings. Talk about joys and hardships. Talking makes us human. So, before you get angry, choose a new metaphor – “I’m as mad as an icy pole.” You might always be a bit messy, but with preparation,

you’ll stay cool no matter how hot the day gets and grow sweeter with time.

Notices sent home Notices sent home Recipient Fizzics Incursion Notice Grade 3/4 (Due 6th Nov) Sleepover Form Grade 2 (Due 9th Nov) Notebook November Instalment Notice Grade 3 (Due 13th Nov) Notebook Lease Contract Form Grade 2 Teacher Conference Notice 2016 Foundation Students (Due 16th Nov) Graduation Notice Grade 6 (Due 23rd Nov) Christmas Raffle Whole School (Due 10th Dec)

Uniform Shop

School uniforms can be purchased from our PSW Uniform Shop located near the Prep rooms. It is open: Every Wednesday from 2.45pm to 3.45pm Order forms are available at the office if you can’t make it on Wednesday.

Birthdays

Laney Ford Tia Carter Titus Chow Parneet Badwal Hannah Scott Chloe Olsen Liam Walker Olivia Heinen

Kevin Nguyen Axle Harrison

Erin Taylor Cody McLennan

Wayde Wytkamp

Mitchell Bowden Josh Kirwin Tahlia Franken Anthony Whitehead Joel Burch Flynn Davies Kallan Robertson Tyson Simcocks

Students of the Week

Leila Ludekens Claire Duck Lucas Mackie Mia Lauder William Plant-Buttle Kayley Brodersen Lily Bevan Rachel Bebe

Ruby Ryan Adam Holden Aiden Bailue McQuivey Sukaliana Isobel O’Shea Brodie Pittaway David Francesca Byron Sprigg Oliver Phillips

Last chance to claim your refund for your Buildings & Ground Levy. Our last working bee for the year is on:

Wednesday 2nd December from 5.00pm to 8.00pm We will be weeding, sweeping, tidying, spreading soft fall and other general duties, focusing on SAKG and the Peace Garden.

Thank You!!!

This week during our Monday morning assembly we

were presented with a $1,000.00 Hoop Time Sports

Grant from McDonald’s to purchase new basketball

uniforms.

Many thanks to Bel Layton for applying for the grant.

It is very much appreciated by the whole school

community.

Prep - Grade 2 Swimming

Dear Parents,

This coming Friday 20th November could the

students bring an old t-shirt and shorts/pyjama

pants to wear over their bathers for their last

swimming session.

Full school uniform is still to be worn over bathers

to walk to and from the pool.

Thanks,

Andrew Bell

Camp Australia There are a mixture of activities on offer in OSHC which include art and craft, cooking, science, imaginative play, board and card games, whole group games and construction kits. Homework time and outside play (weather permitting) are on offer every day. Because this is the children’s down time, they select the activities in which they wish to participate. During term 1 and term 4 there is a “No hat: No outside play” policy at Camp Australia in line with government regulations. These hats must have a brim that protects the ears, neck and face. No caps. SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB Bookings are now being taken for the summer holiday club. The

theme for these holidays is “A Summer of Colour”. There are lots

of fun activities based around summer and colours along with

exciting excursions including the Hedgend Maze and The Good

Dinosaur movie. Children have been provided with resources to

contribute their ideas for the holiday club activities.

Dorset OSHC Phone: 0417 604 663 Customer Service: 1300 105 343

www.campaustralia.com.au

Dorset P.S. Camp Australia hours: Before School Hours: Mon - Fri 7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. After School Hours: Mon – Fri: 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Camp Australia Staff.

We are always in need of helpers in the canteen !!

With a new year approaching, we need new helpers in the Canteen on Tuesday and Thursday and Friday afternoons as some of our wonderful helpers will be leaving. Please see Robyn in the Canteen if you can help!

GET YOUR FRESH FRUIT AND VEG AND HELP US RAISE MONEY! This year, we have joined forces with Tessa’s Harvest Box for a major, ongoing fundraiser. Not only is this a great opportunity for us to raise a large amount of money over the year, but a fantastic opportunity for you too.

You can have your fruit and vegetables delivered right here to school every Tuesday. This is how it works…

Fill in the order form and attach payment

Hand it in to the office by 9am Monday morning

Your box of fresh produce will be delivered here for you to pick up on Tuesday after 1pm

You’ll get up to 15 different varieties of seasonal produce for just $25.00. Great value. Excellent quality.

$5 from every order will be donated to us for every cash payment. $3 from every order will be donated to us for every credit card payment. We need a minimum of 10 orders per week to get the full donation.

Apple Man The apple man will be delivering apples to the school on:

Friday 20th November

He only has available at this stage:

Granny Smiths $10.00

Pink Lady $10.00

Fuji $10.00

Please place orders with Cynthia in the office by Thursday!