jason’s journal – the principal’s message
TRANSCRIPT
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thinking respect responsibility attitude care
JASON’S JOURNAL – The Principal’s Message
Term 3 has come and gone so quickly. From our swimming program to excursions and incursions, from staff professional learning to the Election Day fundraising, we’ve seen a great deal going on at Blacky Lake. The staff go to great lengths to ensure every child enjoys a full range of programs and not a day goes by where there is not something exciting going on at school. Of course, that does not mean that we can rest on our laurels, as Term 4 promises to be just as exciting – kicking off with our musical production in Week One - and we will all continue to aim high to ensure we achieve the best outcomes possible. ‘ALADDIN’ After many months of hard work and commitment from students, staff, choreographers and parent volunteers, our school production is almost ready for opening night in the first week of next term – the evening of Wednesday 9th October. If you haven’t done so, avoid disappointment and purchase your tickets online @ www.trybooking.com/DHYI). Our school production is a truly incredible undertaking, requiring the collaboration and commitment of every staff member and student in our school; countless hours of unpaid overtime culminate in this unique educational opportunity for the children of Blackburn Lake Primary. I have no doubt that you will agree that this effort is well and truly worth it for what so many of our students get out of their experience, the scale of which would be very difficult to replicate in any other school. ‘FOOTY COLOURS’ DAY As you all know I wear my heart on my sleeve (or lanyard as it were) when it comes to footy. The last day of term tomorrow will also be our ‘Footy Colours Day’, with a Party Pie and Yummy Drummy lunch also available for those who made this order last week. I have been trying to keep a lid on things this year after the crushing disappointment of last year’s Grand Final loss, but the last day of term may just see me blow the lid right off! I look forward to seeing plenty of brown and gold in the mix and will possibly be issuing detention for anyone caught wearing red and black! I congratulate our Student School Council for their organisation of tomorrow’s ‘Footy Colours Day’ and once again thank our brilliant and hard-working Parents Association for supporting the day with a special lunch order (with a reminder to children to bring some money for over-the-counter snack purchases at lunchtime in the Canteen). NAPLAN I have been advised that the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) have identified an error in the placement of some of the national average indicators in the Year 5 and Year 7 NAPLAN student reports. As a result, this has required the reprinting of student reports with a consequent delay in distribution. It is expected that delivery of reporting packages to Victorian schools will now take place in early Term 4.
ACARA has released the 2013 NAPLAN Summary Report, with this showing Victoria’s early year’s program has consistently achieved outstanding results in Year 3 across all subjects. Below is an example of Victoria’s results in Year 3 Reading, where students achieved the second highest state mean score and earned results considerably better than the national average.
No 30
19 September 2013
For the full summary, visit http://www.nap.edu.au/results-and-reports/national-reports.html Next term I have no doubt that the collective Blackburn Lake data will be above state and national averages and we look forward to measuring the individual growth of Blackburn Lake PS students against this information when released. CYBERSAFETY @ HOME Social media is a powerful tool that possesses both advantages and disadvantages. A number of parents have commented to me that they have enjoyed an insight into the school this term by “following me” on Twitter @BlackburnLakePS. Alternately, we are finding that there are increasing incidents happening out of school hours that are impacting upon our students. This is what we are hearing:
Instagram is one of the most popular programs with primary students, despite the terms and conditions
stating that users must be 13 or above. Instagram and other photo-sharing sites allow users to locate
someone from the geotagging settings, which can be turned off on phones and on the Instagram site.
Adding hashtags to your photos on Instagram (example: #kitten) makes them visible to others using the
same hashtags and makes it easier for others to find your pictures and connect with you. Setting your
profile to private means your photos won’t be visible on public tag pages;
Minecraft, Snapchat and Kik (messaging app) have become very popular games and messaging
platforms for young children. Some students have reported increased requests for contact with
strangers in these programs. Some primary children who are playing in Skype report that they are
often asked to turn on their webcam while playing Minecraft. The recommended age for the use of Kik
is 17+;
Parents are reminded that the minimum student age for registering for a Facebook account is 13 years
of age. If you are allowing your primary aged children to access Facebook I would encourage you to
very closely monitor the situation. It is easy to make comments in the privacy of the home that might
not be made face to face. Students and parents may make comments on each other’s page that
causes offence. Sometimes what might be a flippant comment when spoken in a friendly manner
comes across in a different way when written for all to see. Although this social interaction occurs
outside school hours the impact has, on occasions, been felt at school so please be vigilant in
monitoring your child;
Excessive gaming. The impact of gaming into the late hours or throughout the night can mean young
children struggling to concentrate or falling asleep at school. Some primary schools have indicated
that this is now an issue in the early years, either from game playing or watching parents who are
gamers.
With the coming holidays (and the potential increase in ICT use at home), please talk
to your child about what your expectations are of their online behaviour. Take the time
the read the www.parentingideas.com.au article Danger: ‘screenager’ ahead… to
assist you in setting some ground rules and basic guidelines.
End of term early finish @ 2:30 tomorrow.
Parents, I hope to see you at our early whole school Assembly @ 2pm, where we will acknowledge our Students of the Week, celebrate the highlights of the term with an “edition” of Blacky Lake News and congratulate everyone for their efforts. We will also finish the term with a sample item from next term’s ‘Aladdin’ production. On the weekends and holidays we encourage families to safely use our grounds and if you see any suspicious activity after school hours please call DEECD Emergency Management ( 9589 6266) or Whitehorse Police Station on 9871 4111.
Regards, Jason Walker - Principal [email protected]
DIARY DATES FOR TERM THREE
Friday 20 September All day
2:00 – 2:30pm
‘True Colours Footy Day’ Cancer Council –Student School Council fundraiser
Assembly (Term 3 ends - early dismissal)
The first student day for 2014 – following two Curriculum Days - will be Thursday 30th January for all students. For 2014 term dates: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/pages/datesterm.aspx?Redirect=1
‘STUDENTS OF THE WEEK’ We congratulate the following ‘Students of the Week’ – to be presented at Friday’s School Assembly
DIARY DATES FOR TERM FOUR
Monday 7 October 9:00am Term Four commences
Tuesday 8 October 7:30pm ‘Autumnfest Meeting’ in MPR
Wednesday 9 October 5.30pm & 7.30pm
‘Aladdin’ - Whole School Production – all 5/6s &
Prep E, Prep S, 1J, 1L, 2M, 3K, 3/4J & 4S
Thursday 10 October 5.30pm & 7.30pm
‘Aladdin’ - Whole School Production – all 5/6s &
Prep A, Prep B, 1D, 1/2D, 2D, 3A, 3S & 4E
Tuesday 5 November Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Thursday 7 November 7:30pm ‘Autumnfest Meeting’ in MPR
Monday 25 November 7:30pm ‘Autumnfest Meeting’ in MPR
Tuesday 26 November 6.30pm ‘Prep Parent Information Night 2014’ - Library
Friday 20 December 1:00 – 1:30pm Assembly (last day of 2013 - early dismissal)
Principal’s Award Jonty H – 5/6S His teamwork during the ‘Spider-web’ challenge during the Supreme Incursion
Assistant Principal
Prep A Emily B Creating an interesting plan for a Narrative Story then working well to complete a rough and good copy!
Prep B Jack P Being a positive and helpful member of our class and a great friend and classmate to all in Prep B!
Prep E Will P Completing a detailed, colourful and informative ‘Healthy Me Week’ project
– awesome!!
Prep S Holly T Writing a wonderful Father’s Day sentence – wonderful!
1D Harry M Showing a great attitude when rehearsing for ‘Aladdin’ and demonstrating that the show must go on!
1J Natalie W Creating a terrific narrative with a clear problem and solution – great job Natalie!
1L
1/2D Grantham M An excellent effort with his homework presentation!
2D Ashleigh M Writing a brilliant narrative. I loved how you made the story interesting by using adjectives
2M
3A Ryan H Accurately describing the difference between area and perimeter and giving real life examples
3K Daniel F An excellent triarama depicting Hercules Battle with the Hydra
3S Anna L Demonstrating a very good understanding of the concepts of area and perimeter – well done Anna
3/4J Sam H Being a positive team member and always giving his best to learning tasks
4E Joel D All of his hard work in a ‘Flags of the World’ page and his impressive
geographical knowledge
4S
5/6C Lachlan J Showing incredible resilience regarding his injury. In addition, terrific problem solving Maths in Term 3
5/6M
5/6N Tom S Respectfully and responsibly for filling his role as Student School Council representative with a positive attitude and great sense of humour
5/6S
Art Charity O – PB Her enthusiastic attitude and appreciation of others during Art – a pleasure to have in Art, well done Charity!
Italian Amarli W – PA
Eva B – 5/6S
Knowing how to say the fruit names in Italian – Bravissima!
Reading accurately in Italian
Phys Ed
STUDENT LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK @ BLPS This week the Grade 5 students had a visit from Ryan who is from Supreme Incursions. The idea of the incursion was to teach us about leadership and teamwork. We rotated through 5 activities, each with a different skill to learn. The 1st activity was called walk the plank. In this activity we had to spit into two groups. We were given several thin planks of timber to make a bridge. We had to make it across without anyone falling off. We had to do this as a team and help each other. As we progressed through levels, we had fewer planks to use to support us. We learnt that support and encouragement can go a long way. The 2nd activity was called moon ball. We had to throw a big exercise ball to each other and catch it. To make it harder we had to throw up ahead and then tap it without dropping it. After we did that and had time to spare, we were given the parachute to try and elevate balls into the air. The most successful way was to count to 3 and lift the parachute up at the same time. This activity taught us how important communication is trying to lift the parachute at the same time. The next activity was the spider web. We had to climb through the web without touching it. We had to work as a team to help each other through the web. Lots of us went underneath the web until we advanced to higher levels and could only have a certain number of people go under. The highest level reached was level 6. Lots of encourage and support was needed as well as communication. The 4th activity was the egg drop. We were split into two teams. We had to construct a supportive protection for an egg. But there’s a catch. We were only allowed to use 15 straws, sticky tape and a pair of scissors. We only allowed cut 10 out of the 15 straws and using 10 straw length pieces of tape. At the end we had an egg drop to see which was the best design and form of support. It was a tough challenge and needed to use the skill of communication to decide on roles and ideas. The final activity was a trust exercise. Were teamed up with a partner and one of us was blind folded. There were lilly pads placed around on the floor inside a triangle. Our partner had to lead us to the end of the triangle without their partner (blindfolded) stepping on any of the lilly pads. It was very challenging and we learnt that communication and trust was the key to success. We very much enjoyed this challenging incursion and it will help us with our leadership presentations next term. A big thankyou to Natasha for organising this experience we will never forget. Tayla Mc 5/6N
2014
Saturday 15th
March 12:00 – 5:00pm
STUDENT SCHOOL COUNCIL
TOMORROW!!! TRUE COLOURS FOOTY DAY On Friday the 20th September we will be having a True Colours Footy Day.
Please bring a gold coin donation for Cancer Research. Please make sure you get your order and money in to the classroom by tomorrow (Friday 13 September) for PA Party Pies and Yummy Drummies @ $1 each and an additional drink for $1.50. On Friday 20th you can dress in your favourite footy colours. If you don’t follow footy please dress in any sporting colours, such as netball, soccer or basketball. You can win merchandise from your favourite footy teams, through team quizzes. The quizzes will happen when you hear your team’s song
played over the loudspeaker please go to the 5/6 classrooms. Please teachers and parents, dress in footy colours too! Classes will be running drills, games and AFL activities on the day. All money raised will be donated for cancer research. Kai and Liam on behalf of our Student School Council
‘Aladdin’ MUSIC NOTES
Have you purchased your tickets to this year’s BLPS production (Wednesday 9th October and Thursday 10th October) @ http://www.trybooking.com/DHYI ?
If not you’ll need to do so quickly, tickets are almost sold out!
SUPER SPORTS REPORT DIVISION ATHLETICS Good luck to Eliza C, Alyssa D, Jessica C and Joseph G when they take part in the Division Athletics next term on Wednesday 9th October.
BASEBALL VICTORIA – SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMP Is baseball your game? Are you a potential Major League Baseballer?? Baseball Victoria is holding their annual Holiday Camp in Cheltenham during the first week of the school holidays. If you are interested check out their website for further details and registration information – www.baseballvictoria.com.au
SOMERS CAMP Welcome back to our 9 Somers campers. They have been away for 9 days. By all reports they all had a great time - apart from the odd “accident” on the giant swing!!
SPORTS UNIFORMS – PLEASE RETURN TO BLPS Our major sport events are now finished. Please check drawers and cupboards for any stray Basketball or Sport Tops and Footy Jumpers. We are still looking for a couple of them. Thanks! Phil L PE / Sports Coordinator [email protected]
PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS
Your 2013 PA Executive team President: Nicola G Vice-President: Miranda K Treasurer: Rebekah R Secretaries: Nicole R & Lisa C
Show your support for the PA and like us on Facebook (Blackburn Lake Primary School PA Committee) or drop us a line via the PA Mailbox in the School Foyer or send us an email at - [email protected]
Secretary role up for grabs! The 2014 Treasurer position on the PA has been snapped up! Disappointed? Well, after 3 years as Co–Secretaries Nicole Ryan and Lisa Croxford are standing down at the end of this year. This means the Secretary position for 2014 is now up for grabs. Hurry to express your interest in this role!
Duties involve: Attending and taking minutes / preparing agenda for approximately 5 to 6 meetings during the
school year (currently held on Tuesday or Wednesday nights) Maintaining a list of members and 'Helping Friends' and circulating the members and helping
friends forms at the start of the year to the school Acting as an email liaison point between the Parents Association and our members e.g. in
distributing minutes, notice of meeting, requests for volunteers for events etc
Assisting with newsletter items from time to time
Benefits include:
Being 'on the pulse' of goings on at school and contributing your views on how the PA might assist
The fantastic feeling you get from being a volunteer Being part of the PA team
The motivational tool for your children that is attending a regular meeting with Jason (i.e. 'hmm, is that something I should mention to Jason when I see him next week at the PA meeting?)
You'll be given a full and complete handover of the role, and ongoing support as you transition into it. If this sounds irresistible to you (or if you'd like to share the role with a friend as Nicole and Lisa have done) please call or email Lisa on 0409 773 849 or email: [email protected]
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UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS MONDAY AFTERNOONS 3.30pm – 4.00pm in the MPR THURSDAY MORNINGS 9.00am – 9.30am in the MPR
UNIFORM SHOP NEWS REOPENING - THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER!
The Uniform Shop is now closed for renovations and will reopen again on Thursday 10th October in Term 4.
Orders will be processed again in Term 4 once we reopen. Thanks Allison and Mel
SCHOOL BANKING Thanks to everyone for banking this term, happy holidays and see you all back in Term 4!
NEW ACCOUNTS If you are interested in opening a ‘Dollarmite Saver’ account for your child, please go up to the office to get an information pack which will give you details on how to set it up, either online, or in person at a Commonwealth Bank branch. If your child already has an account with the Commonwealth Bank, he or she can start banking with us straightaway - just bring the deposit book in every Wednesday morning to the Staffroom. Please give me a call if you have any questions about School Banking.
MONEY BOXES - No longer available in 2014 Each year the Commonwealth Bank brings out new reward items for the school banking program, so for 2014 they have decided to phase out the moneyboxes to make way for other fun and exciting rewards. So if you are intending to get a Dollarmite money box, please make sure you order them by the end of this year. If you would like more than one moneybox, and you have enough tokens (10 per moneybox), you are more than welcome to get as many as you can. So let us know if you would like to get Addy, Cred, Pat the Dog, Pru or Spen to keep your money safe for you! ☺ NOTE: Pat the Dog is out of stock temporarily, we hope to get more of him next term, but you can still put your order in for now and wait for Pat to arrive in the near future. Thanks for supporting the School Banking Program. Regards, Vickie Liew, School Banking Coordinator 0419 773335
Coming up Term 4, 2013
Drawing With a Twist – M C Escher
M C Escher was an artist whose artwork was linked with his travels, dominated by visible reality. His prints originated in his studio, not from observations of the world around him but were inventions of his own imagination. The unit will include features of M C Escher's work: mathematical and scientific elements, tessellations, infinity, reflections on a shiny surface, structurally impossible shapes, experiments with perspective and distance, combinations of spatial experiences; left and right, up and down, graphic techniques: contrasts between black and white. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT DRAWER, JUST COME WITH YOUR IMAGINATION!
WiseOnes Application for 4th Term 2013 This program is available for all Grade 1 - Grade 6 children who have qualified for WiseOnes. The unit for fourth term commences week beginning Monday, 14
th October 2013. The unit will run for 8 weeks
commencing: 14th
Oct; 21st
Oct; 28th
Oct; 4th
Nov; 11th
Nov; 18th
Nov; 25th
Nov and 2nd
Dec. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. I wish to enrol my child in the unit "Drawing With A Twist – M C Escher" commencing week beginning Monday, 14
th October, 2013. I give permission for a copy of this slip to be handed to the WiseOnes teacher.
Child's Name ______________________________________ School: ___________________________________
Date of Birth ________________________ Class (2013) ________
Parents' Names ________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________
Phone: BH __________ AH ____________ Mobile _______________ Email: ___________________________
My child has already qualified for WiseOnes YES/NO I would like a free test for my child YES/NO. I would like my child to be tested with a fuller assessment to qualify for WiseOnes (assessment cost $200 inc GST). Please send this slip and payment of $220.00 on Tuesday, 8
th October, 2013. As we are a non-credit business,
children will not be accepted into the program for the term unless the fees and enrolment form are returned by the above date. If paying by cheque please make it payable to ‘Blackburn Lake Primary School’. For further information please contact Pat Truscott on 9326 6441 or Mobile: 0407 313 657.
COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Any advertisements in this newsletter are in no way endorsed by Blackburn Lake Primary School
Victorian Seniors Festival - “SENIORS HUMAN LIBRARY” As part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, Whitehorse Manningham Libraries and Whitehorse Council
are holding a Seniors Human Library. This free event will take place on –
Wednesday 16th October between 10.00am & 1.00pm @ the Nunawading Library.
What is a “Human Library”?: “Borrow a book with a difference at the ‘Seniors Human Library’. The ‘books’ are actually senior community members who can be borrowed for 20 minutes, engaging in conversation with their ‘borrowers’. Through these conversations you will have the chance to connect with and learn from people with different life experiences and backgrounds to develop a greater
understanding of one another.” The event is open to all members of the public.
BLACKBURN LAKE
SANCTUARY
Meet @ the Visitors Centre Central Rd Blackburn 3130
SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER @ 2pm ‘What’s in the Lake? Turtles!!’ Learn about real live Turtles with Graham from ‘Turtle Australia’
For information: email:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~blsac Or Education Officer 9262 6211
Junior Naturalists Juniors Group of FNCV Inc
The group meets at 7.30 pm on the
last Friday of each month (except
Dec) at the rooms of the Field Naturalists Club of
Victoria Inc, 1 Gardenia St Blackburn 3130.
MEETING – Friday 27 September ‘St Kilda Penguin Research’ with Tiana Preston
For further information & bookings contact: Clare Ferguson 8060 2474 or
email: [email protected]
Attention all Mums! Do you have a child who is1 to 3 years old?
Are you & your child together most days of the week? For more information, please contact: Jill Hnatiuk Deakin University
Ph: 9251 7262 [email protected]
We are currently looking for mums and children to take part in
an exciting new research study about mothers’ and young
children’s physical activity & active play **Time commitment is minimal**
Receive a $10 voucher for your time
BUSHLAND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ‘Spring has sprung in Whitehorse!’
These free interactive sessions have been developed for 5-12 year olds. Limited spaces are available so please book early.
Discover the Mullum Mullum Celebrate the International Year of Water! Join us for a ‘hands-on’ exploration of the Mullum Mullum Creek to see what lives there and how we can protect this important waterway. When: Wednesday 2 October, 10am-11.30am Where: Yarran Dheran Visitors Centre, Ashburton Drive, Mitcham.
Wild about flowers Spring has sprung at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and that means the flowers are blooming! Join us on a ramble to explore a range of wildflowers and investigate why they look and smell so wonderful. When: Tuesday 1 October, 10am-11.30am Where: Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Visitors Centre, Central Road, Blackburn.
Steve’s Bees – Buzz on!! Meet a real bee keeper and investigate the weird world of bees. Discover the many reasons we should encourage them to buzz on! When: Thursday 3 October, 10am-11.30am Where: Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Visitors Centre, Central Road, Blackburn.
Bookings are essential for all bushland education programs Phone: 9262 6211 Email: [email protected]
STEAM TRAINS FOR KIDS – Great Family Railway Fun Day! MALDON STATION
Saturday & Sunday 5 & 6 October 2013
From 10.00am Train Rides - Steam & Diesel, Animal Farm, Model Railway,
Clown on board, Novelty Rides, Fun Games, Sausage Sizzle, Horse Cart Rides - JOIN THE FUN!
PH : 5470 6658 More information at: www.vgr.com.au
MELBOURNE PLAYGROUNDS - FREE GUIDE! Melbourne Playgrounds is a free on-line guide to thousands of Melbourne activities for the entire family! Activities cover playgrounds (more than 3800 reviewed with photos), Play Centres, Aquatic Centres, Skate Parks, BMX tracks, miniature train rides, sport and recreation, nature activities, museum & science, educational pursuits, indoor activities, hobbies and cultural activities such as music and dance.
Melbourne Playgrounds is unique in that it provides reviews, ratings and photos of activities.
There is also an extensive list of family activities outside Melbourne covering all of Victoria which is useful when planning a day trip or longer holidays within the State.
The website is: http://www.MelbournePlaygrounds.com.au
Star in our Family Fashion Parades Forest Hill Chase is on the lookout
for 75 of the most stylish families
to star in our family fashion
parades on the 11th, 12th & 13th October! Simply email us a photo of your
best family fashion pose and
vote to win!
PLUS all children get to keep the
clothes they model!
Visit :
www.foresthillchaseshopping.co
m.au
for more details on how to enter.
School holiday fun for all!
A trip to the National Sports Museum is the ideal outing these school holidays. There's hours of fun for all the family. With special school holiday activities daily, MCG Tours and cafe, it's the perfect day out!.
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We are inviting stallholders to be part of our “Spanish Fiesta and Fireworks” on Friday 18th October 2013,
between 4.30 and 8.00pm. There are a limited number of indoor stalls and outdoor stalls available. Stalls cost $40.00, so book now to avoid disappointment. Booking forms are available from the School Office
or you can contact Leonie Branson on 0418 358 131 or email: [email protected]