Mansfield Primary School

Mansfield Primary School

Apollo Street, Mansfield 3722

Telephone 5775 2325

Fax 5775 1914

Principal: Paul Volkering

Assistant Principal: Hazel Bell

Email:

mansfield.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Website:

www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au

Newsletter 12

25th July, 2013

IMPORTANT DATES:

26th July S2S Yr 4 X/Country

Group A

‘Pot Luck’ Dinner P & F

7pm St. John’s Hall

26th July Farmers Market

2nd August Snowsports program

commences Mt Buller

S2S Yr 4 X/Country

Group B

Book Club orders due

9th August S2S Yr 4 X/Country

Group A

Snowsports program Mt

Buller

16th August S2S Yr 4 X/Country

Group B

Snowsports program Mt

Buller

19th-23rd August Bookweek ‘Read Across

The Universe’

23rd August S2S Yr 4 X/Country

Group A

Victorian Interschool

Snowsport

Championships

30th August S2S Yr 4 X/Country

Group B

Snowsports program

wonderful woman, mother and friend to so

many.

Schools are the focal point for so many

communities throughout Australia and our

school is no different, so we all feel for the

Rekers family at this difficult time. Having

known the family for many years, I know they

are a very strong and supportive group and

I’m sure that with the support of the

Mansfield community generally, they will be

buoyed by the strength of the community in

which they live.

School holidays are a time students to have a

break and refresh for the new term and

sometimes a lot can happen in the space of

two weeks. During the last holiday period our

school was the subject of a break and enter.

Vandals broke into the old canteen and were

in the process of destroying equipment, when

they were surprised by Education Department

Security staff. All schools have highly

sophisticated security alarms after many

years of being “soft targets” for vandals and

criminals. In a worst case scenario, Police and

security can respond to alarm calls within

minutes. If you are passing the school at any

time, and you see something unusual, please

ring local police.

POT LUCK DINNER

Would you like to come along and enjoy the

company of some of Mansfield Primary

School’s magnificent mum’s? If so, there’s a

lucky pot dinner tomorrow night in St John’s.

It’s a great opportunity to have some fun and

share in a few laughs. Prizes, food and an

occasional drink, can be a real hoot on a cold

winter’s night. $10 door entry. All proceeds to

the Parents and Friends. Everyone welcome,

starts at 7:00p.m. Sorry no fella’s.

PRINCIPALS REPORT

The Mansfield Primary School Community

were all shocked at the sudden passing of

popular teacher, colleague and friend, Mrs

Jenny Rekers. It goes without saying that

the last week of the holidays and the return

to school has been particularly difficult for

many staff, students and parents. Most

staff, parents and some students with their

parents, attended Jenny’s funeral service

last week which was a fitting tribute to a

PARENT OPINION SURVEY.

A random selection of parents will be selected to participate

on our annual Parent Opinion survey. Parents are selected

randomly from our data base. It may mean that you’ve been

sampled before or not at all. Regardless, we ask that if you

receive a survey, please complete it and return to the school

as quickly as possible. The survey helps us identify

improvement areas as well as understanding what we are

doing well.

E- SMART

The world in which we live is in a state of constant change

and as parents we need to be constantly vigilant in terms of

allowing our children to access social media and content on

the Internet. If you didn’t know, our school is a registered E-

Smart School. We are supported in many ways but

significantly we agree to work with our community to raise

awareness about the many pitfalls that exist on the Internet.

One area of increasing concern to many parents and schools is

that of use of mobile phones to transmit inappropriate

material. It seems that many primary age students either

have their own mobile phone or have access to one belonging

to a parent. Use of mobile phones to transmit inappropriate

material even from young primary age students is on the rise.

Parents can find helpful tips to make sure your own children

are safe when using a mobile by going to: https://

www.esmartschools.org.au/Pages/default.aspx

In a good move for schools, the government through the

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

(DEECD) has funded all schools to help support their E-Smart

strategy.

Here are some tips and hints:

When you think about your children’s online activities, do you

consider their mobile phones? They have evolved from simple

communication devices to mobile, miniature computers. For

example, smartphones have operating systems similar to that

of computers which allow users to download programs or

“apps.” These apps help users do things like access e-mail and

play games. Also, most mobile phones allow users to download

and upload content from the Internet just as they would on a

computer. However, mobile phones can be more difficult to

monitor than a computer, and children often use them

without adult supervision. Make sure to review your family’s

Internet safety rules with your children and become aware of

the following risks before allowing them to own mobile phones

Making Cyberbullying More Painful

Mobile phones make it easy for children to communicate with

their friends, but they also make them vulnerable to

cyberbullying. Mobile phones can be used at anytime and

anywhere, giving cyberbullies unlimited access to their

victims. Children may send and receive mean-spirited phone

calls, texts, and pictures at any hour.

Unintentional Sharing of Geolocation Data

Most smartphones have GPS technology which allows the

user’s precise location to be pinpointed by apps and on

websites. Social networking sites such as Four-square, Go

Walla, and Facebook take advantage of this technology by

encouraging their users to “check-in” or share their locations.

A “check-in” can be shared with a list of friends, so make

sure you know who is on your child’s friends list before

allowing them to use this type of technology. Children may

also share their locations unintentionally through pictures

taken with their smartphones; these photos often have

geolocation data embedded in them. Consider disabling the

location services on smartphones before allowing children to

post photos online.

DID YOU KNOW?

58% of 12-year-olds have a Mobile phone. Does this mean

that your child should have one? Instead of worrying about

the “appropriate age,” focus on the needs of your child and

your family. Does your child need an easy way to contact you?

Do you trust him or her to be responsible with a mobile

phone? Have you set clear guidelines for the use of mobile

devices? Considering these factors, rather than your child’s

age, will help you choose what is right for your family.

STUDENT ACHEIVEMENT

With mid-year reports and parent/teacher interviews behind

us, we move into the second semester with a clear focus on

teaching and learning. Each child’s report has work that

parents can do with their child at home and teachers have a

clear learning focus and goals for the students at school

within the curriculum that is being completed this semester.

From my experience where parents, the school and teachers

work in a close supportive framework, then the outcomes for

all students are ultimately enhanced.

To support your work as parents and as a result of our focus

on Literacy and Numeracy we will be running two sessions for

parents on both English and Mathematics, so that you are

familiar with what is being taught at school and how you can

also help out at home. Further advice about the dates and

time of these sessions will be made known in the Newsletter

soon.

ACTIVE AFTER SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

Parents are reminded that the Active After School

Communities program is on again this term. There are great

activities after school for your child to get involved in. Just

come along and enjoy. If interested please contact Belinda

Elliott on 0400123497 our Active After-school Communities

Coordinator.

PARENTING IDEAS

This week’s Parenting Ideas article features some tips and

advice on Catastrophies or children who see a “worst case

scenario”

A few years ago I attended a professional development

course by a lady named Helen McGrath. Helen has written

numerous books for both teachers and parents. (Try

“Googling” her!) Anyway, Helen often refers to one’s

“Disaster Scale”. I hadn’t heard of that before but when

explained, it made perfect sense. We can get things out of

proportion at times and kids are no different. Sometimes we

need to take a “chill pill’ and think, well, just how bad is this? I

hope you find this week’s article of benefit. These articles are

from the Parenting Ideas website www.parentingideas.com.au

and are designed to help give you some valuable skills and

thoughts in that ever important task of being a good parent.

GOLF

If your child is a budding golfer and can play well enough to

play a sound qualifying 9 holes, and would like to try out for the

State Golf Finals, then please see either Mr MacMunn or Mr

Volkering if interested. There is a small entry fee and students

eligible must be at Yr 3 or above and have their own equipment.

UNIFORM

There are an unusually high number of lost Uniform items in

the corridor awaiting collection.

Parents are urged to check lost property for missing uniform.

THANKS

A very special thank-you to all our Parents

who took the time to complete our

“Catching on Early” survey.

Paul Volkering

Principal

STATE CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to Brooke Mullins, Ebony McNamara and Elise

Empey who last week represented Mansfield Primary School at

the State Cross Country running in Melbourne. What a

fantastic effort girls.

Mr MacMunn

SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS

This Saturday (27th of July), Cecelia Walker and Cassie Dolling

will be busking, at the Mansfield Farmers Market. The market

will be on the basketball court at MPS. They will be busking to

raise some money to put into the P.E. budget, to get some more

circus equipment for the school to use. They will be doing it

from 11:00am until 12:00am. So please come along and donate

some money.

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 5

Scholastic Book Club Issue 5 has been sent

home with your child today. This issue is due to

be returned to school by Friday 2nd August.

Please return any orders to the book club boxes

located outside the school library by this date. If you are

paying by cheque please make the payment out to Mansfield

Primary School. No late orders can be accepted.

PARENTING IDEAS NATIONAL TOUR

On Saturday 3nd August, 9am—1pm., Michael Grose and Bruce

Sullivan are presenting a morning of inspiration, motivation and

learning for parents. $67 per person . Bookings made online :

www.parentingideas.com.au/parents or phone: 5983 1798.

Ride and Plant at Rifle Butts Reserve

A free family fun day at Rifle Butts Reserve for National Tree

Planting day on Sunday 4th August from 10am - 2pm. There

will be bike fun, activities for the kids, trees

to plant, talks from local rangers and Land-

care and a free BBQ lunch. All welcome!

For further information please contact

Kerstie Lee, Up2Us Landcare Facilitator on

0400 613 344 or info@up2us.org.au.

Positive Parenting Telephone Service:

Are you the parent or carer of a child aged 2 – 10 years?

Are you looking for ways to have more positive communication with

your child?

For more information or to enroll phone

FREECALL 1800 880 660

ENROLMENTS TAKEN ALL YEAR ROUND

Start now and make a positive start last a lifetime

NEWSLETTER DATES 2013

Aug 8th & 22nd

Sept 5th & 19th

Oct 10th & 24th

Nov 7th & 21st

Dec 5th & 19th

PUPIL FREE DAYS—2013

1. January 29th: First day back for staff

2. April 26th: Friday after Anzac Day

3. June 7th: Friday before Queen’s birthday holiday the following Monday

4. November 4th: Monday prior to Cup Day

REGULAR BUS TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

1. A child at school not travelling home on the bus must bring a written dated note.

2. Each term one note to inform us e.g. “Bill” is not travelling on the bus on……………………..(day

of the week).

3. Bus Passes are only granted for emergencies—not social reasons. Casual bus passes will

not be issued.

4.Bus requests must be in writing and to the school.

Please note bus drivers cannot give permission.

My child………………………………………………………………………………………………………..will not be travelling

on the ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Bus Route on ………………………………………………………………………………….day of the week during Term

……………….2013

Signed…………………………………………………………………………………………(Parent/Guardian)

Thank you to Carol Lakin who is relieving

Kathy Smith in our Uniform Shop.

FILM FUNDRAISER Thankyou to Susan McCormick who organised a film fundraiser after school on the last day of Term Two. Despicable Me 2 was enjoyed by young and old alike and made $480 for MPS! It was a fantastic afternoon and thanks must go to Karen and the Mansfield Armchair Cinema for their continuing support of the school. It was so good to see so many kids and their families come to the film. A huge thankyou again to Susan for organising it all and to Sonali for helping on the day.

WOOD RAFFLE Last week Peter Scales risked his bowling arm (and his back), went through 3 chains on the chainsaw and a jerry of fuel to cut, split and fill a tandem trailer of beautiful red gum firewood. On Friday and Saturday Liz Scales and her merry band of helpers (Georgie, Debbie, Charlotte, Kate and Matthew) risked pneumonia and the main street to sell raffle tickets outside the IGA. $900 worth of tickets were sold – an incredible effort by the community – many of whom bought tickets even if they didn’t have a fireplace or wood heater. This included the winner Mr Eric Burt. It was an amazing donation from the Scales family. Thanks guys … we just hope that elbow recovers Pete!.....

FUNDRAISING – WHERE DOES IT GO?? At the end of last term the P&F committee had a meeting to organise the distribution of some of the hard earned fundraised dollars in the bank account. The following amounts were allocated; $4000 for new take home readers $2000 to the art room $800 to the Grade 4 S2S program All these things were on the ‘wish list’ that the P&F had in the staff room. Obviously there are lots more ‘wishes’ to be granted and hopefully more money can be allocated to other areas later on in the year. The P&F are thrilled with the outcomes so far as it highlights the main objectives for setting up a Parents and Friends group; FUNDRAISING – and the provision of a separate bank account for all money that is raised so it isn’t lost in the school’s general finances. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL PROMOTION STAFF AND STUDENT SUPPORT If you would like to be involved in the P&F in anyway (even if you want to just meet a fellow parent for a coffee) please contact your class rep. There is at least one person, and a class contact list, for every classroom.

Maths Tips for Parents

MONEY Encouraging children to think about money, saving money and considering how they spend money are important skills for all children to develop. Encourage your child to work out how much change you will get after buying something. Investigate costs for family trips together. For example, a visit to a theme park

may include transport costs, entry ticket costs and food costs. Discuss saving money for presents or something your child may want to buy. Work out how long it will take to save this much if they get a small amount of

money each week. Negotiate increases in pocket money as percentages. For example, a 5%

increase would be how much money per week? Encourage your child to save a percentage of their pocket money or birthday money, and work out how much this would be. For example, how much money would you have if you

saved 40% each week? Calculate together how much a mobile phone costs per month. How much is spent on messages

and how much on phone calls? For younger children Regularly count the coins in their money box or the loose change in your purse Work out as many ways as you can to make a dollar eg. 2 fifty cent pieces or 4 20 cent pieces