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 1 9th February, 2012

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 1:

15th February No Prep children at school 17th February P-2/3 Swimming permission forms due Book Club Issue 1 due School Assembly 3pm Nobian Place 20th February School Council Meeting 7pm 20th February P-2/3 Swimming Program commences 22nd February No Prep children at school 29th February No Prep children at school EMA applications close 2nd March School Assembly 3pm Nobian Place Marlene Bingham’s retirement function 6th March Student photos

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Welcome back to the new school year. Congratulations to all Mansfield Primary School families, for making such a great effort to ensure that we had nearly 100% of students in school uniform on the first day back. Well done to everyone!

All classes have settled back into routines really well. Music is now played before the bell that alerts the students to get to their respective assembly points and be ready for classes when the bell goes. Teachers meet and greet students at the assembly points for each class and commence work shortly after entering the classroom.

Please avoid interrupting classes and teachers during this time.

Our changed timetable is also allowing for a focused two hour Literacy session, followed by a similar Numeracy session. The support of our Maths Specialists will also enable all teachers to concentrate their teaching of Maths in such a way that better supports our students.

Our new Preps commenced last Friday as well and had a wonderful first day. They are matched to a Year 6 Buddy, so that their first few days at school are safe, yet exciting. Our Year 6 students are to be commended for the way they have responsibly set about their task as “Buddies”.

The school swimming program has also commenced and is in full swing at the moment. The weather has been a little cool for swimming especially in the morning session. There will also be a Swimming Carnival later in the term. Please see the “important” term dates.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PREPS FOR 2012 AND WE ALSO WELCOME SOME NEW FAMILIES:

Jasmine, Toby & Ayshia Beekman Deanne, Anthony & Alex Clarke Tania Beanland, Rodney, Sam & Will King Genevieve, David & Aaliyah Lloyd-Roma Stephen, Audrey, Christian & Bonnie Rabie Louise & Cooper Taylor-Moyle David, Katarina, MacKenzie, Levi, Hennessy & Chesney Sonali, Darren, Edward, Jonathon & Benjamin LeBrocque WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU

ALL!

Assemblies are on each alternate fortnight this year and all parents are encouraged to attend. Our first Assembly was last Friday, in our first week back. All Assemblies will be held in the Nobian Place. Musical performances will feature at most whole school Assemblies. It would be great to see more of our families from outlying areas attend from time to time.

Our newsletter has also gone to fortnightly publication. There are several reasons for this, not the least of which is the workload required to publish weekly, but also the time taken away from other urgent and important tasks.

All staff are back onboard and working well, adapting to some new changes designed to provide more focused teaching and learning time. Tom MacMunn has commenced as our P.E teacher and Sam Corden commenced as Year 2 teacher. Robyn Jackman and Louise Kilgour share a Year 5/6 class and Nicole Comerford is sharing a Year 3 class with Brooke Robertson as well as performing her role as Student Welfare coordinator.

Nicole has already visited all classrooms and spoken to students about her new role within the school.

We have implemented a number of strategies designed once again to make the schoolyard a safer and more welcoming place.

If as a parent you have any concerns about your child at school there is a process we would like you to follow. Firstly talk to your child’s teacher about those concerns, and then if necessary organize an appointment to see Nicole who may be able to work with the teacher and parent to resolve any issues.

You may also talk to either me or Hazel Bell regarding anything of any concern at any time.

Some parents will have seen an interesting program about education and schooling on ABC television this week on the Four Corners program. Here’s the link if you’d like to watch it: abc.net.au/4corners/revolutionintheclassroom.

Parents will also have received a notice concerning your child and the opportunity for a parent/teacher interview. Please make sure you complete the form and if an interview has been requested, please make sure you attend.

Parenting Ideas

Shortly after I was appointed to Mansfield Primary School last year, I commenced a feature in the newsletter under the banner of parenting Ideas. This feature will once again take place in all future newsletters. It is designed to support parents in your roles and hopefully you find the various articles of interest. This week’s Parenting Ideas publication is centred on helping your child to make this year a great year at school for them.

Marks’ Supermarket Promotion

We need to increase our funding base and for every dollar you spend at mark’s IGA, we have the chance to get some easy money. All you have to do is register at Marks’ and we benefit from their support.

Last night I attended the presentation of cheques from last year’s effort. Our school received $448.00 from Marks’ IGA Supermarket. This is a wonderful example of support within our community, but I feel we can do much better next year

and it would be good if every family got behind our fundraising efforts and supported this easy way to make money for the school. Let’s aim for $1,000.00 next year.

PREP PARENTS

A new feature and level of support provided by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) is available by email for all Prep parents. Useful tips and hints as well as information about what to expect are part of this feature designed to support families with “Preppies”.

To subscribe to Prep for Parents, see:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/prepare/prepforparents/default.htm

Paul Volkering

Principal.

Change of Information

If over the holiday period you have changed your address, telephone/mobile numbers or place of work, the school needs to know as soon as possible so that we have current information available in case of an emergency. Family update forms are available at the school office. Lost Clothing/Property Is your child/children’s clothing labelled? Please check all clothing, hats, lunchboxes etc to make sure your child’s name is clearly visible. If your child brings home an article of clothing that doesn’t belong to them, please return it to the school (either in the lost property box now located next to the bus table outside the office door or the school office) so that the clothing can be returned to its correct owner. Sunhat policy

Please remember that your child has a hat. If your child does not have a hat during terms 1 and 4, they will be required to stay in the shade and will miss out on any class sporting activities. Hats are available from the office at a cost of $8.00. Absence Notes

A reminder that DEECD requires all student absences to be approved via written communication with the school. The school office has printed Attendance Note pads if you would like one, as it makes it easier for families to supply the school with a note. Remember "It’s not ok to be away". - “Missing a day of school every fortnight during the years from prep to 10 is equivalent to missing more than a year of school.” Uniform Shop Carol Lakin, grandmother of Bella & Flynn, will once operate our uniform shop each Thursday morning between 9-10.30am. Order can be placed at the school office if you are unable to visit the shop at that time. Piano Lessons

Piano lessons with Anna McKenzie commenced 8th February. Please contact Anna 5775 2138 or 0417 134 424 for enquiries.

9.10 -

9.45am

9.45 -

10.20am

10.25 -

11.00am

11.40am -

12.15pm

12.20 -

12.55pm 2.40 - 3.15pm

Monday 56T 4/5L 6JM 5PM 4CJ Admin

Tuesday 3BN Admin 5PM 6JM 4CJ

Wednesday 4/5L 5PM 5/6T 4CJ 3BN

Thursday 3BN 5/6T 4/5L 6JM Admin

SWIMMING PROGRAM FEBRUARY 6TH TO 17TH, 2012

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for Holders of a Health Care Card. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to assist eligible families with the costs associated with the education of their children. To be eligible for receipt of the EMA you must: • be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary school student up to the age of sixteen; and • be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent. Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA if they have a current Health Care Card or Pension Card. The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 1 (1st February). The EMA application must be submitted to the school by Wednesday 29th February, 2012.

EMA provides an annual amount of $235 for primary students and is paid in two instalments. This amount is split evenly between the parents/guardians and the school. Schools receive the school portion electronically twice a year and parents/guardians receive their portion via two cheques. We encourage parents to sign over their cheque to the school so that this can go towards payment of the school contributions. Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first instalment of 2012 through the school, will not be required to complete a new application for the second instalment. EMA APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

February 9th & 23rd

March 8th & 22nd

April 26th

May 10th & 24th

June 7th & 21st

July 26th

August 9th & 23rd

September 6th & 20th

October 18th

November 1st, 15th & 29th

December 13th

NEWSLETTER DATES 2012

BOOK CLUB 2012/ Issue 1 We offer this initiative as both a way of promoting reading and fundraising within the school. About twice a term your child will bring home a flyer where you can order books that are delivered directly to the school. If you wish to participate, simply complete the order form and return with payment to the Book Club lockers outside the library. If paying by cheque, please make payable to Mansfield Primary School. Each student must have a separate order form. The closing date for each issue will be published in the newsletter. This date is not always the same as the recommended date on the flyers. Commission raised is used to extend classroom resources throughout the school. Last day to accept orders will be Friday 17th February, 2012. (Please note this is Friday

week) NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED.

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 ……………….2012 Signed…………………………………………………………………………………………(Parent/Guardian)

From the School Chaplain Smart and smarter

At the beginning of the new school year it is wonderful to see everyone again. In particular it is wonderful to see the grade 6 students in their special t-shirts which they designed last year.

They look clean and fresh, and their t-shirts make them stand out. The prep students have also started – and a BIG welcome to you and your parents who are just beginning the school journey – and they are looking the part, proudly dressed in their new school uniforms. Everyone looks smart; it’s great to see. Looking smart helps us to feel good about ourselves. Feeling good about ourselves helps us to learn and play well together. So I hope that now everyone is looking smart, we can all get down to the task of having a year of smart learning. I look forward to the year with you all.

Sue McDonald

MISPLACED ITEM At the end of Term 4 last year a white DS Lite was handed into the school

office by a staff member. This DS has now gone missing. If you are able to assist us with locating this item it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Women’s Health Goulburn North East Training, Workshops & Events | 2012 Identifying Family Violence WORKSHOP

Would you like to increase your understanding of what family violence is? Come along to this 4-hour Workshop where we will explore: • Information about the nature of family violence

including statistics and the myths about the causes of family violence;

• Practical information about what you can do if your client is experiencing family violence;

• Information about safety planning and referral pathways in your local area.

WHEN Tuesday 21st February 2012 10am – 2pm- LUNCH PROVIDED WHERE MACE Building, 145 High Street, Mansfield COST Free (limited places) QUERIES Rachael Mackay, Ph: 03 5722 3009 TO REGISTER Email: whealth@whealth.com.au Phone: WHGNE Reception on (03) 5722 3009A

POTTERY CLASSES Adults & Kids Classes begin Monday 13th February, Book Now! Phone: 0417 392 805 Email: mail@wendyjagger.com www.wendyjagger.com