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Special Events Next Week

Tuesday 10th-Thursday 12th May

NAPLAN

Wednesday 11th May

Sporting Schools Soccer begins 3.30p.m.

School Council Meeting 7.00pm

Thursday 12th May

Grade 5/6 tryouts at South

Friday 13th May

School Fun Run online sponsorship due

School Fun Run money due at school office

Wear Orange Day for One & All

Soccer Tournament

STUDENT LEADERS

Raya Gallimore & Jayden Johnson

Thank you for your work as Student Leaders.

Our School Values

Respect-having regard for self, others

and the environment

Inclusion-sense of belonging

Integrity-being honest and fair

Responsibility-being responsible for your actions & words

Personal Best-striving for excellence

In Term 2 our focus is on Respect.

Echuca West Primary School

Personal Best at the West echucawestps.vic.edu.au.

(03) 54822263

Newsletter No. 12 Friday 6th May 2016

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Open Morning

On Monday 18th May we are having an Open Morning. Parents and friends are

invited to come along and visit their child’s classroom anytime between 9.00am and

10.45a.m.

Extra-curricular Activities

Our Parent Opinion Survey over the last few years has indicated that parents do not

think we offer many extra-curricular activities. I am hoping these opinions are due to

a lack of understanding about what an extra-curricular activity actually is. Extra-

curricular activities are educational activities not falling within the scope of the

regular day-to-day curriculum. As a school, we believe we offer a wide variety of

these activities. We believe they enrich learning experiences and extend learning

beyond the classroom walls.

So far this term we have conducted the following extra-curricular activities to enrich

learning experiences and extend learning beyond the classroom walls:

Grade 3/4 Campaspe Downs Camp Grade 5/6 Twisted Science Excursion School ANZAC Day Service Grade Prep/One/Two Melbourne Aquarium Excursion School Fun Run/X-Country Big Red Kidney Bus Visit

Thank you to all of the staff who have planned and coordinated these events.

Fun Run/X-Country

On Monday 2nd May, students completed their fun run. The aim of the day was to

have fun and finish, even if a little bit of walking was involved! The first three place

getters in each age group were then recognised during a short assembly at the end of

the day. These students were:

12 Year Old Boys: 1st Max Childs, 2nd Liam Hamilton, 3rd Bodhi Chique

12 Year Old Girls: 1st Asha Gray, 2nd Alice Davidson, 3rd Eden McInnes

11 Year Old Boys: 1st Kynan Baldwin, 2nd Seth Blade, 3rd Jayden Johnson

11 Year Old Girls: 1st Dakota Monigatti, 2nd Dael Buntine, 3rd Halle Gray

10 Year Old Boys: 1st Charlie Mundie, 2nd Brodie Millen, 3rd Braydyn Taylor

10 Year Old Girls: 1st Cora Wilson, 2nd Kiarrah Johnson, 3rd Zoey Marr

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Grade 2 Boys: 1st Ryder Johnson, 2nd Will Newton, 3rd Shaun Darlacey

Grade 2 Girls: 1st Abbey Collins, 2nd Lila Rix, 3rd Caitlin McKee

Grade 1 Boys: 1st Caiden Kerber, 2nd Jack Mundie, 3rd Parkar Zeven

Grade 1 Girls: 1st Mia Clarke, 2nd Taylor Clarke, 3rd Serena Monigatti

Prep Boys: 1st Brodie Spedding, 2nd Lucas Hewish, Equal 3rd Paul Scott & Fred Kenna

Prep Girls: 1st Georgia Wiltshire, 2nd Jacey Nilbett, 3rd Jaida Randall

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Today we held our Mother’s Day Breakfast. We had a fantastic turn out and a yummy bacon and egg breakfast was en-

joyed by all. Thank you to the staff for preparing all of the food and the Parents and Friends Committee for decorating the

tables and organising the raffle. Thank you also to Mrs Devlin for organising the entertainment.

Wear Orange for Inclusion Day

Next Friday 13th May we are having a dress up day to promote inclusion in our community.

The One and All Campaspe Inclusion Program has organised the day and our school will be

taking part. All students are encouraged to come out of uniform and wear a hint of orange.

Gold coin donations will be requested on the day.

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CLASS OF THE WEEK

This week’s Class of the Week is Grade Two : For respecting each other’s choices about the types of games they

play at recess and lunchtime.

STAR OF THE WEEK AWARD

Grade Prep A— Paul Scott It is fantastic to see you always trying your best Paul. You are a very considerate member of our

class and you are always eager to help out. It is great to see you participating in class discussions and asking lots of

questions.

Grade 1B— Loxley Hudson Loxley, you are a gentle, kind and caring member of our class. You are an enthusiastic learner

and a great positive role model for your peers. Thank you for helping me out every morning setting up the classroom ready

for a new day. You are this weeks STAR!

Serena Monigatti Serena, you brighten up our classroom with your cheery disposition and great big smile. You have

blossomed into such an independent young learner with a great passion for acquiring new skills. I love listening to you read

each morning and sharing why a story is your favourite one. In Maths, you have been on FIRE with expanding and adding

numbers. You are our STAR!

Grade 2C— Zoe Irving You have such a fantastic and positive attitude as you walk into the classroom every morning. No

matter what we are doing in the classroom, I know that you will always give it your personal best and offer to help wherever

you can. Keep up the great work. Well done Zoe.

Will Millen For working had in the classroom and being a considerate and respectful student. I have loved hearing the many

facts that you have recalled from the Melbourne Aquarium this week. Keep it up. Well done Will Millen.

Grade 3D— Charlette Davison Charlette I am impressed by the amount of focus you’ve shown and the effort you have put in

towards our preparation for NAPLAN next week. You have had a real go at each mock test as if it were real. I also like the

way you have gone outside your comfort zone and joined in with the grade 3 and 4 SAG soccer

comp. Well done Charlette!

Grade 4E— Saraiah Macumber for the fabulous progress you are making in writing. I particularly

liked the persuasive text you wrote about why you should be allowed to keep a dragon as a pet. It

was really well organised and you used some fantastic vocabulary to convince the reader. Well

done Saraiah, what a star!

Grade 5F— Jed Buntine You have made an excellent start to term two. You always set a great example in showing our

schools five core values. You come to school every single morning ready to learn. It’s noticeable the way you apply yourself,

always working to a high standard. Keep up the terrific work Jed, well done!

Grade 6G— Bianca Norris Bianca consistently displays a positive attitude to learning. I have been particularly impressed in

your maths work and you have been working hard to challenge yourself in class. I have also been really impressed in your

ability to put in 110% to all the work you complete. You are a reliable and valued member of the Grade 6 classroom. Well

done Bianca!

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MY SCHOOL TOO

Charlie Kenna for helping to sort out a problem his friends were having.

SPORTS STAR OF THE WEEK

Jayden Johnson Your positive attitude and helpful nature make you a pleasure to have in my P.E. class.

However, what really impressed me this week was the way you controlled the soccer ball with great skill.

What a star! Well done Jayden!

INDONESIAN & MUSIC STAR OF THE WEEK

Parkar Zeven for ALWAYS doing his best and singing the Mother’s Day song so beautifully. Well

done, from Mrs Devlin.

STUDENT HEALTH—ASTHMA

Ventolin & Spacers.

As schools are no longer able to wash and reuse spacers from their asthma

emergency kits when assisting students with asthma symptoms, we

recommend that parents/carers provide ventolin and a spacer for their child

to have with them at school at all times. If your child has asthma please

ensure they have ventolin and a spacer at school.

WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTOS

If anyone is interested in purchasing a Whole School Photo these are available to buy at $10 each. The whole school photo is

displayed on the noticeboard outside the office. If you would like to order a copy please put your name down on the sheet in

the office. Orders need to be given to the office no later than Wednesday 15th June.

FUNDRAISING

All online sponsorship needs to be entered by Friday May 13th and sponsorship money is due at the school office by Friday 13th May also.

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MOTHER’S DAY RAFFLE

MOTHER’S DAY RAFFLE. Thank you to the following organisations for the wonderful donation of prizes for our raffle and congratulations to the lucky winners listed below:

Latex Pillow valued at $90 from Echuca Sleep Doctor - Alice Engstrom

6 Group Fitness sessions valued at $72 from Reform Fit & PT—Dearne

Tabone - Lynn Hewish

Facial (1 hour) valued at $50 from TSH Beauty Therapy - Lisa McKee

Woolworths Gift Card $50 - Paula Kerber

Chick Fit—30 minute personal training session - Suzi

Lenne

Echuca Nails gift voucher $35 - Estelle Scollary

The Pear Tree voucher $20 - Logan Blachford

Tea on High—teacup and saucer - Carlie Fleming

Bath Gift Set - Pam Langman

Gloria Jeans - 2 x $5 voucher - Cathlyn Herd

Westminster Gifts—Soap gift set - Emma Judd

Hobbysew—Craft pack - Alanna Rix

Paramount Theatre—Movie tickets - Will Newton

Best & Less - Bath Towel gift set - Aliyah Rankin

Rich River Pharmacy—Nail & Lipstick pack - Noah Mundie

Bargain Buys—Fragrance Reed Diffuser - Jett Fleming

Hair Room 501 $50 beauty Voucher - Dearne Tabone

Latte Lane—1 week’s free coffee - Alicia Callander

Chocolates - Taylor Clarke

SPORTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM—Starting this Wednesday 11th May

Sporting Schools Program in Term 2 Our Sporting Schools Program will

commence this Wednesday 11th May and will run for 7 weeks. We are running

sessions between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Wednesdays. This term the activity is

Soccer.

Wednesday 11th May—Soccer—Session 1

Interested children can pick up an enrolment form from the office. Children will

be given a snack straight after school. Please make sure that you pick your child

up at 4.30pm. School policy requires students to be picked up at the front of the

school after finishing the Sporting Schools Program.

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PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Echuca West Primary School is excited to be participating.

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 9 September 2016.

This is a wonderful opportunity for children to read lots of books. Children from Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books to complete the challenge.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and can choose to have their name included on the online Honour Roll. If you would like your child‘s name to appear on the Honour Roll, please sign the form your child has been given and return it to school.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklists and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

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SCIENCE NEWS

TWISTED SCIENCE

On the 27th of April the Grade 5’s and 6’s went to a place located in the Echuca Port called ‘Twisted Science’. There were

lots of activities there. There was a ‘green’ room there and half of us

went in there and the other half went and played with the activities. In

the room there was a static hair machine that made static electricity

and it made your hair stand on end. It was really cool. We also made a

variety of circuits. We made a light glow, fan spin and a buzzer buzz. I

learned the circuit codes from these objects. Some of the activities in

the play area were pipes that made sounds, air table, reflex challenge, pipe balls, dark room, huge building blocks, magnet

wall, reflector and so many other fun things. Also in the room when we did the circuit, we joined boards together. I

recommend going to Twisted Science, IT’S AWESOME!!

By Imogen Tall.

BIRTHDAYS IN THE SCHOOL THIS WEEK

We would like to wish a happy birthday to Maddi McConnell, Tanner Kerber, Blake Harding and Bianca Norris who are celebrating their birthdays this week. We hope they have a great day.

REMINDERS

Lunch Orders are Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Lost Property Box is in the Undercover area.

Student Banking Day is Thursday.

ADVERTISING SPACE

If you would like to sponsor our newsletter and advertise your business in this space we would love to hear from you. This will cost $20 each week to include your business card or logo in our weekly newsletter. If you are interested please contact the school on 54822263.

TERM DATES FOR 2016.

Term 2—Monday 11th April to Friday 24th June

Term 3—Monday 11th July to Friday 16th September

Term 4—Monday 3rd October to Tuesday 20th December

FUTURE DATES

Wednesday 18th May

Open Morning 9.00a.m.-10.45a.m.

Grade 3/4 Buddies with Specialist School at EWPS

Tuesday 24th May

African Drumming—School Performance

Friday 27th May

Interschool Sports—Round 1

Monday 30th May

Pupil Free Day—Report Writing Day

Wednesday 8th June

School Council Meeting 7.00p.m.

FUTURE DATES

Friday 10th June

Interschool Sports—Round 2

Monday 13th June

Queen’s Birthday Public holiday

Wednesday 15th June

Whole School Photo orders due

Friday 17th June

Interschool Sports—Round 3

Tuesday 21st June

Boys Footy Day

Friday 24th June

Last Day Term 2—dismissal 2.10p.m.

Monday 11th July

Start of Term 3

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GRADE REPORTS

Grade Prep A: Happy Mother’s day to you all and we hope that your enjoy your day. It was great to see lots of Mums at breakfast this morning. The Preps did an amazing job on Friday. They coped with the big day, the long bus trip and the aquarium brilliantly. Their follow up discussions and written work has been terrific. Thank you for getting them to the bus on time and ready for the big day. We also had our Fun Run on Monday which saw Georgia coming in first for the Prep girls, smiling and hardly puffed. Brodie came in first for the boys and looked like he could have run another two laps. We made fruit kebabs with orange glazing on Wednesday. As all the Preps still have ten fingers, it was a major success. We had Kiralee and Imogen in Grade 6 helping out. Our Art work is a secret so you will have to wait until Sunday to find out what we have been busy creating. Maths has been about counting and writing to 20, making numbers different ways and repeating patterns. Please continue to hear your child read every night and keep practicing the alphabet sounds. Have a great weekend.

Grade 1B: Happy Mother’s Day from Grade One.

I love my mum because she is beautiful. Zahli.

My mum cares about me. Stevie.

I love my mum because she cleans the dishes and cooks all the meals for us. Tomy.

My mum gives me hugs. Norah.

When it is bedtime, my mum gives me eskimo kisses. Loxley.

I love my mum because she gives me tacos. Ben.

I love my mum because I want her to be happy. She makes me laugh. Chris.

I love my mum because she gives me squeeze hugs and night hugs. Parkar.

I love my mum because she helps me read. She is the best mum for me. Dakoda.

I love my mum because she cooks me dinner. Jack.

I love my mum and she loves me too. Caiden.

I love my mum because she takes care of me. Serena.

My mum reads me bedtime stories. She is awesome. Mia.

I love my mum because she is the best mum in the world. Taylor.

My mum is beautiful and she can paint beautifully. Miley.

I love my mum because she takes me for a bike ride. Olivia.

Grade 2C: We all had a fantastic day at the Melbourne Aquarium last Friday. Our heads were full of fascinating information about all the different sea creatures. From tiny little sea snails to gigantic sharks. The shark tank was very exciting and we even got to witness a sleeping shark. We learnt so many interesting facts whilst we were there and we have been writing all about them in class this week. Did you know that sharks keep swimming as they sleep? And did you know that an octopus has 9 brains and 3 hearts! I’m sure if you ask a grade prep, one or two they will be able to tell you a super interesting fact. During Art this week we painted pictures of jellyfish and used watery paint to drip down some crazy tentacles! Continuing the sea creature theme, during reading we have looked at starfish, crustaceans, squids and octopus and marine mammals and have learnt many additional facts. This week in Maths we have started to look at rounding numbers to the nearest ten and the nearest hundred. On Wednesday we were also visited by the Red Kidney where we learnt valuable information about kidney health. Also well done to everybody who participated in the fun run on Monday, a spectacular effort by all. Have a great weekend everybody!

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Grade 3D & 4E: Our week literally got off to a speedy start with our Fun Run on Monday. Well done everyone for their enthusiastic participation; what a great effort! Good luck to 11 of our Grade 3/4 students who qualified to represent the school at the Interschool Cross Country today. Tuesday was a cooking day with Mrs Mathers and we made quiche. It was delicious. We discovered how to keep our kidneys healthy on Wednesday as we had a visit from the touring Kidney Bus. We learnt how important it is for kidney health to drink lots of water. On Thursday we made a couple of little gifts for Mother’s Day (sshh, don’t tell Mum) and we finished the week off with our Mother’s Day breakfast. What a lovely way to end the week. We hope you all have a lovely Mother’s Day weekend.

Grade 5F & 6G— Yet another busy week has flown by in the 5/6 learning community. This week grade 5 have completed practice test for their NAPLAN tests that will take place next week. We have been working hard on making sure everyone has the opportunity to achieve their personal best. In Maths, we have had a week of

revision and have covered fractions, shapes and angles. We have also been working hard updating our digital portfolios to reflect all the work that has been happening in class over the past term and a half. We have been investigating Natural disasters through our research based project in class which has students choosing from different activities that suit their learning style. The Fun Run on Monday was a great success with a fantastic level of participation from all our 5/6 students. Congratulations to the 18 students from Grade 5/6 who qualified to go on to Interschool Cross Country which was held today at Victoria Park. Grade 5/6 students were also given a fantastic opportunity to learn about Kidney health with an interactive session held by the Kidney

Health organisation. It was fantastic to see so many Mums/ Grandparents this morning for our Mother’s Day breakfast. We hope all our Mums get to have a lovely day with their families on Sunday.

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