thinking respect responsibility attitude care

JASON’S JOURNAL – The Principal’s Message

We welcome all families to tonight’s Education Week Arts Showcase –

with the ‘ArtWorks’ Show open again from 6:30pm & the Music Show beginning at 7:00pm.

As outlined in last week’s ‘Lakeside News’, we ask all students performing to wear uniform, requesting children to be seated with their parents (with Prep children to be seated with school staff on the floor).

This week we proudly celebrate public education access for all in Australia through

‘Education Week’. Despite the regular media portrayal of a crisis in our education

system, we proudly offer as a system and a country universal access to education for all of our citizens, as it is rightfully recognised as a mechanism to advance the interests of our nation and our society. At a local level we enjoy and take very seriously our role in working with you and your family to help educate your children and provide them with a full range of possibilities for their future; also knowing that there are many opportunities and programs we provide at Blackburn Lake that are not available at all schools. Media coverage, although at times alarmist, serves a real purpose in spurring our system on to continue as a world leader in public education and promotes growth. Our goal, as a school, is similar to our goal for your children; to be the best we can be and continually aim higher than what we have mastered. Thank you to all our staff, our children, our parents and visitors who were able to help us

celebrate ‘Education Week’ this week at BLPS. It was fantastic to see so many

grandparents here on Monday morning, and too, many parents during our open evenings on Tuesday (the ‘Come and Explore from 1964’ treasure hunt) and Thursday’s ‘Arts Showcase’, providing children with the opportunity to show off their achievements and

many talents. Thank you to all our visitors during the week as ‘Education Week’ gives us

the opportunity to share our great school with you; and many thanks to the teachers not only for their efforts this week but also for the valuable contributions they make for every child every single day.

STAFFING Blackburn Lake Primary School has a genuine concern for student wellbeing, with this known in educational circles. We also promote our core school TRRAC value of “care” through training our staff in our many programs: ‘Bounce Back’, whole school ‘Buddies’, ‘Drumbeat’, ‘Circle Time’, Student Leadership, and responding to conflict through a whole school ‘restorative practices’ approach. Recently Jo Myers began a role with the Anglicare TEACHaR program and is already making a positive impact in children’s lives. I have recently been informed that another of our staff – Natasha Chidgey, has successfully applied to work as an educational specialist in the same program. I congratulate Tash on this six month appointment, with Judy Mansell taking over 5/6N next month for the remainder of this semester. We wish Natasha well in her new role – working across Eastern Region schools and look forward to her return at the beginning of 2015.

Our next School Council approved Curriculum Day is next Monday 26th May (a student free day)

with teaching staff finalising assessments and writing Mid-Year Reports, Educational Support staff undertaking ‘Understanding Autism’ training’.

No 15

22 May 2014

BUDGET As a member of the Victorian Principal’s Association (VPA) and following the high level of recent coverage, I bring to your attention the VPA’s concerns with the federal level of education funding in Victoria for this year (previously known as Gonski). The VPA understands that there is a huge discrepancy with the level allocated into education in Victoria compared to NSW and QLD in the 2014 year, with the figures below indicating allocated funding to date:

• Victoria $23.7 million into government schooling • NSW $118 million into government schooling • QLD $131 million into government schooling • Tasmania $17 million into government schooling

As well as being supported in our work by volunteer efforts, Blackburn Lake PS, through the invaluable support of the school community in raising money from fees and fundraising, has been able to provide higher

quality programs and facilities. The sale of student work at the ‘ArtWorks’ Show is a recent example of our

budgeting limitations, as it enables us to purchase materials to provide a higher level of program than many schools can and do. With your help, we will continue to improve our school and the education we provide your children. Late last week myself and a handful of Principals from schools representing the Whitehorse and Maroondah Networks requested a meeting with our State MPs and we were grateful for the time of Mitcham MP Dee Ryall. Whilst Blackburn Lake PS will be in a different state electorate due to rezoning, our challenges of providing quality classrooms will be an ongoing issue; I believe we do an exceptional job given half our classrooms are “portable” learning environments.

ASBESTOS AUDITS Our Facilities subcommittee work tirelessly to ensure our facilities are the best they can be; and I thank the parents who attended last weekend’s Working Bee. Working within the economic reality, a key function of this group is to also promote the safety of our students. 'WorkSafe' are rolling out a new approach to Asbestos Audits which is aimed at making the school environment safer for our students, staff and any visiting contractors. Audits will identify areas of the school that have asbestos and these areas will be identified with a sticker, alerting any person of the presence of asbestos prior to any work being undertaken that might disturb it. Asbestos as a building material has long been banned in Victoria, however where it has not been disturbed, it remains safe. As a part of my duties I regularly check our Asbestos Management Plan. This plan and our school Asbestos Register are provided to all contractors who are likely to work on an area containing asbestos. This is to ensure that absolutely no works are conducted without the proper safety guidelines being met. The school will continue to follow best practice in dealing with asbestos, but nonetheless, in the not too distant future you may notice some new stickers on areas such as the portable classrooms (where the eaves contain asbestos), which will indicate to any “tradies” that they need to stop and ensure the appropriate measures are taken before proceeding to ensure the safety of all concerned. As the wellbeing of your children is paramount, we have a detailed Emergency Management Plan that we regularly discuss at Staff Meetings – indeed classes have discussed safety and emergency procedures and as recently as last Monday practiced an emergency evacuation. I hope to see you at tomorrow’s whole school Assembly @ 3pm to acknowledge our ‘Students of the Week’ and recap some of our Education Week celebrations (eg a String Ensemble item).” Regards, Jason Walker - Principal walker.jason.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

TERM TWO DIARY DATES Monday 26 May Curriculum Day - no students at school Monday 9 June Queen's Birthday Holiday Friday 27 June 2:00 – 2:30pm Assembly (Term 2 concludes - early dismissal)

Monday 14 July 9:00am Term Three commences

Friday 19 September 2:00 – 2:30pm Assembly (Term 3 concludes - early dismissal)

Monday 6 October 9:00am Term Four commences

Tuesday 4 November Melbourne Cup Holiday

Friday 19 December 1:00 – 1:30pm Assembly (last day of 2014 - early dismissal)

LOISIA’S LETTER – The Assistant Principal’s Message

WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY - TOMORROW Recognising that active kids are healthy kids and also that if more students walk or ride to school there will be less traffic. Tomorrow we encourage and support ‘National Walk Safely to School Day’. If possible, please walk with your children to school, reinforcing safe pedestrian behaviour (such as children up to 10 years old holding an adult's hand when crossing the road). If your children can’t walk the whole way, we ask you to park the car a good distance away from the school and walk the rest of the way. STUDENT SAFETY – TRAFFIC & PARKING Recently Whitehorse Council Officers and Police Highway Patrol have been targeting our local streets in the hope of improved traffic flow and ultimately student safety. I remind parents that whilst it is important to be punctual, it is more important that you do not break the road rules to get your children to school on time. Please observe the speed signs – particularly the 40km/h around the school.

Please heed the Florence Street “No Parking” signage. What does this mean? Under the road rules, “No Parking” means a driver must not stop on a length of road signed “No Parking” unless the driver is dropping off or picking up passengers and does not leave the vehicle unattended. If the ”No Parking” signs do not indicate a time limit (such as the signs on Florence Street) then the driver must complete the pick up or drop off within 2 minutes.

I would also like to remind parents that the school yard is not supervised by staff before 8:45am. This means that children should not be dropped off before 8:30am in the morning. If you need to leave the children before that time then they should be booked into the Before School Program and you can make that booking by ringing 0423 794 541. Warm regards, Loisia Steed – Assistant Principal steed.loisia.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

URGENT! YEAR 6 to YEAR 7 TRANSITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

URGENT REMINDER

NEED ALL YEAR 7 TRANSITIONS BY TOMORROW!!

Year 6 to Year 7 Transitions: Application for Year 7 Placement Forms need to be returned to your child’s class teacher by TOMORROW Friday 23 May. Forms must be returned regardless if your child is attending a government or an independent secondary school. If you have any questions regarding the transition process, please see me as soon as possible. Regards, Natasha Chidgey (5/6N) Transition Coordinator

FIRST AID - THANK YOU Last Monday morning a Grandmother visiting our school fell and injured her ankle. To everyone who was concerned for her welfare and inquired as to whether any help was needed – your thoughtfulness was appreciated. To Peter who waited patiently at the front of our school in order to direct the ambulance on its arrival – we thank you for your time and assistance, it was truly valued. To Dawn - our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK We congratulate the following ‘Students of the Week’ – to be presented at Friday’s school assembly

YEAR 5/6D - ‘Thank You’ WATER

Guess how any Lollies are in the Jar? For 50c you have guesses on Friday 23 May 2014.

Year 5/6D students will visit each classroom and you can buy a raffle ticket to win the jar or lollies. The money we raise will go towards buying more ‘Thank You’ water for the Canteen to sell.

Have as many guesses as you want.

VISUAL ART ARTICLES

Thank you everyone for supporting your children’s learning by coming along to the ‘ArtWorks’ Art Show. What a fabulous night as students proudly showed their artistic achievements to their family and friends. It is wonderful to see them getting positive reinforcement of the value of their efforts in Visual Art. Our program benefits greatly from your support so again thank you for coming.

Principal’s Award Jessica A – 1J Sharing her personal Writing from home – a wonderful exposition!

Assistant Principal Nathan Y – 5/6N Being aware of how a friend might be feeling & showing them care & support

Prep A Matthew McG Showing a detailed ‘Show & Tell’ about his garden stakes that he keeps in his miniature garden!

Prep L Leonardo F Writing a great story about feeding an Ostrich at the farm

Prep E Evan P Writing a great persuasive piece on using manners – well done!

Prep S Claudia M Being a friendly & caring class member of Prep S

1D Jack S Always participating in all class discussions enthusiastically!

1J Georgia S Her constant hard work & help in the classroom – you are a star!

1L Jessica H Showing excellent thinking skills during problem solving activities – well done!

2C Harry M His fantastic attitude & the enthusiasm he showed when learning about Whale sounds in our integrated tope ‘Light & Sound’ – well done Harry!

2D Olivia G Working hard to produce a convincing argument to build a Swimming Pool at School

2S Jaclyn McC The impressive presentation of all her work especially her exposition Writing

3A Jagger M Writing an exposition arguing that ‘Kids Should Not Wear School Uniforms’

3J Ashleigh M Always supporting other class members & tidying up after others

4A Jerry H Getting straight down to work planning & drafting an exposition about the ’12 Apostles’

4E Warner H Showing great dedication to his Reading during ‘Guided Reading’ sessions – good stuff!

4N Elias K Demonstrating a responsible attitude by working hard & helping others – well done!

4S Kal P An exceptionally well researched exposition about why ‘Ice Hockey’ is more dangerous than ‘Field Hockey’ = amazing!

5/6D Lachlan R Always trying his hardest& never giving up even when things are difficult

5/6K Sam H Excellently presenting his group project on ‘Landslides’ – well done!

5/6M Jacob C Doing a great job as Art Captain & assisting Joh to set up the Art Exhibition in the DJ Centre foyer

5/6N Nathan J

Olivia D

A clear description of the Science behind a ‘Formation of a Cyclone’

A clear description of the Science behind a ‘Formation of a Cyclone’ – well

done Livie!

5/6T Luke T An outstanding Writing piece on ‘Children’s Health’ – great structure, language & use of persuasive techniques

Art

Italian Layla H – 1J Listening attentively to the story ‘Mangia Mangia’ in Italian

Music

Phys Ed Catherine Z – 2C

Demonstrating fantastic footwork when playing ‘Hop Scotch’

If you are planning to attend the Arts showcase tonight make sure you allow enough time to see your children’s art before or after the Music Showcase. It should be a great night. See you there. On another note: The Preps have begun using the ties that were kindly donated. So watch the halls for some dangerous creatures coming soon.

MAGICAL MUSIC NOTES Thank you to the BLPS community for such a warm welcome to the school.

We have been busy getting to know each other, and are working towards our performances at Education week in the

Preps and the 5/6 classes. The Choir and String Ensemble will also be entertaining us for the evening.

I encourage you to come down and hear our talented musicians during Education Week.

Sam Collins Music Coordinator

INTELLIGENT ITALIAN The Prep students are studying the ‘Weather’ this term and learning the song ‘Sole Vento’ (Sun Wind).

They are learning to say and write weather terminology such as ‘piove’ (raining). ‘fa caldo’ (it’s hot), ‘nuvole’ (clouds) and ‘nevica’ (it’s snowing).

Ciao Vincey M Italian Teacher

SUPER SPORTS REPORT WINTER SPORT Grade 5 and 6 will be taking part in their winter sport round-robin on Friday, June 20. Notice and other details will be coming home next week. Please check bags!!

WHOLE SCHOOL SWIMMING PROGRAM - Monday 14 July to Thursday 24 July 2014 Our program will be held during weeks 1 and 2 of Term 3. The dates are Monday 14 July to Thursday 24 July 2014. Please note this is a 9 day program. We are not swimming on Friday 25 July.

A letter with a Payment Form, plus a pink Permission and Medical / Special Needs form (a Permission and Medical / Special Needs form is required for each student) will be sent home tomorrow. All pink Permission and Medical / Special Needs form to be completed and returned to the classroom teacher and the payment form with payment via the youngest child in the family to their classroom teacher please by FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2014, so that we can finalise the swimming program organisation .

MASCOT FOR A DAY Box Hill Hawks are again holding the “Mascot for a Day” event. Our day is Saturday 16 August 2014. To enter this competition you need to email the club with your name, age, phone number and our school name to andrew@boxhillhawks.com.au Phil Lumsden Sports Coordinator

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

= $2 WINTER PLUS

WARM UP MORNING TEA

Wednesday 28 May – ‘Milo & Snowball’

Next Wednesday 28 May at recess, the PA are holding a ‘Milo & Snowball’

morning tea for the children from the Canteen.

Milo & Snowball $2. OR

Milo (only) $1.50 extra Snowball $ .50c. So bring along your money (as above) to school next Wednesday 28 May and come down to the Canteen at recess for a nice warm Milo and a yummy chocolate marshmallow Snowball.

All funds raised will go directly to the school

PERFECT GIFT FOR MOTHER’S DAY! Buy a NEW 2014 | 2015

Melbourne Entertainment™ Membership for your Mum (or yourself) this Mother's Day and for only $65.00 She'll receive over $20,000 worth of valuable offers that can be used from now until 1 June 2015. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Choose from the traditional Entertainment™ Book or the NEW Entertainment™ Digital Membership, which puts the value of the Book into Mum's smartphone. Plus, 20% from every Entertainment™ Membership we sell goes directly towards our School!

You can order directly online and pay with credit card at:

https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/1894b68

You can also buy and collect your book in person this Friday before assembly from 2.30pm in the DJ Centre foyer. Please contact Jen Robertson (blps.pa@gmail.com) if you have any queries at all.

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS in MPR

Monday Afternoon 3.30pm – 4.00pm Thursday Morning 9.00am – 9.30am

SCHOOL BANKING

ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES Congratulations to the following students for making 10 or more deposits this year. You each receive a Dollarmite Achievement Certificate when you reach 10, 20 and 30 deposits throughout this year. BRONZE Certificate for making 10 deposits:

Peter C

Elijah C

Amelia F

Elizabeth F

Lachlan H

Kaiden M

Clare P

Lara P

Clinton S

Mitchell S

Natalie W

Your certificates will be passed to you through your classroom teacher PLEASE COMPLETE DEPOSIT SLIP

Could everyone please make sure all the details are completed on your deposit slip, especially your STUDENT ID number, which is unique to each banker and makes our job easier when we are entering your deposit into the Commonwealth Bank system? The number should be written on the inside cover of your savings book. Please let us know if you haven't got a number yet. REWARD ITEMS

Every time you deposit money in your bank account through School Banking, you will earn one silver Dollarmite token. Once you have earned 10 tokens, you may redeem them for one of the following reward items:

Handball Set of 4 scented pencils Penguin plush key ring Shark plush key ring Whale Shark pencil case Light blue wallet - 2013 item Knuckles game - 2013 item Headphones - 2013 item Pat, Pru or Spen moneybox - 2013 item (please

specify). TERM 2 COMPETITION

For your chance to win, simply make 3 or more deposits at school during Term 2 and you will automatically enter the competition. First prize is 5 nights at Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast, including passes to Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild, and a Dolphin Family Aqua Adventure. For 130 Runners Up, there will be $250 Toys "R" Us Gift Cards to spend. See the flyer below for more information. Thanks everyone for supporting the School Banking Program. Regards, Vickie Liew, School Banking Coordinator M: 0419 773 335

COMMUNITY NOTICES Any advertisements in this Newsletter are in no way endorsed by Blackburn Lake Primary School

Les Miserables HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE

219 Exhibition Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Ruby Hall - Little Cosette This is Ruby’s professional musical theatre debut. She is 7 years old and

attends Blackburn Lake Primary School.

FOR SALE

An Ikea Extendable Child’s White Wrought Iron Bed Frame – excellent condition $100 ono New assorted White Bathroom Basins $20 each Contact: Alison 9872 4385

PLAYERS WANTED - Get Active & Have Fun with Rugby League! The Eastern Raptors Rugby League Club is your only local rugby league club, providing the opportunity for local boys and girls to play Rugby league from Under 6’s through to Under 14’s. The Club is pleased to invite all new players to come and have a TRY! We have vacancies in all teams. No experience is necessary; our accredited coaches are willing to teach all aspects of the game. The season has just started but it’s not too late, get on board now!

The Club is located at Colchester Reserve, Colchester Road Boronia and we train on Monday and Wednesdays from 5.30 – 6.30pm.

For further information, please call Rebecca Marnock on 0421 154 776 Rugby League is an exciting game combining the skills of passing, catching, running and having FUN! Go to www.easternraptors.com.au for further information