July 2018 Page 1

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Bellbridge Primary School Telephone 9749 6161

120 Bellbridge Drive, Hoppers Crossing, 3029 bellbridge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au www.bellbridgeps.vic.edu.au

STUDENT ABSENCES Absences so far this year - 4497 Absences same time last year - 4185

DATES TO REMEMBER Monday 30th July - Book Club Orders DUE (no late orders accepted) Wednesday 1st August - Grade 3 Football Clinics Thursday 2nd August - Prep 100 Days of School Wednesday 8th August - Gr 1 ARTVO Excursion Wednesday 8th August - Gr 2 Werribee Mansion Excursion Wednesday 8th August - Gr 3 Football Clinics Wednesday 8th August - Gr 5 Suzanne Cory High School Excursion Wednesday 15th August - REAL Robotics Event Wednesday 15th August - Gr 3 Football Clinics Thursday 16th August - P-2 Athletics Friday 17th August - Crazy Hair Day Monday 20th August - School Council Monday 20th August - District Athletics August 21st – August 23rd - Responsible Pet Ownership Incursion

PREP ENROLMENTS for 2019

Next week, we will be informing the Education Department of our predicted student enrolments as part of our

annual School Census provided for the Education Department. Our accuracy in predicting Prep enrolments is

critical due to the planning required for classroom space and staffing.

Parents of current students at Bellbridge who have a younger sibling who will be starting Prep in 2019

are strongly encouraged to enrol now.

Please contact the office as soon as possible to collect an enrolment package.

PRINCIPAL WRITES

WELCOME TO TERM 3 We hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and happy holiday. Based on my observations during a recent tour of the school, our students have certainly returned to school with a positive mindset and ready to resume their learning. The environment in classrooms is settled and focused, and it appears like students have easily slipped back into their productive, respectful and responsible ways in the classroom and in the yard. Credit is also given to our staff for the thoughtful and purposeful planning that has enabled classrooms and teams to maintain the consistent approaches that were embedded last semester. Well done to everyone!

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Besides the purposeful learning and teaching happening in our classrooms next term, we have a range of extra-curricular activities and special events planned to support our learning and personal development.

WYNDHAM SPELLING

BEE

ACTIVE TRAVEL

on Wednesdays

Grade 5 / 6 HOOP TIME

Basketball Competition

Prep 100 Days of School! Book Week RESPONSIBLE PET

OWNERSHIP

North Melbourne

Footy Clinics

Urban Upcycle Incursion

(Prep)

Grade 1 / 2 Swimming

Program

CRAZY HAIR DAY P – 2 ATHLETICS BOOK WEEK

Family Science Night FOOTY DAY

Grade 6 Camp

PARENT OPINION SURVEY 2018 The online Parent Opinion Survey has been made available to all families this week, with a message

sent out via Compass. The survey is completed annually by the Department of Education and

Training and is conducted using a sample of parents at every school in Victoria. All responses to the

survey are anonymous.

The survey helps our school gain an understanding of how you view our school climate, student engagement, and relationships. Our school will use the results to inform school planning and improvement strategies. The survey will be conducted online by ORIMA Research Pty Ltd and only takes 15 minutes to complete. It can be accessed from Monday July 23rd to Sunday August 26th. The survey is available in English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha) and Hindi. September. For more information, see: www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/management/improvement/Pages/performsurveyparent.aspx STUDENT ATTENDANCE: ‘EVERY DAY COUNTS’ Attending school regularly is a key factor in students making expected progress in their learning. We are very concerned about the significantly high number absences from school experienced by some students and families. As part of our commitment to the ‘Every Day Counts’ program, we maintain a focus on monitoring students with a high rate of absences from school. This includes making regular contact with parents and families regarding school support measures, and in some cases, reporting our concerns to the education department and other relevant agencies. In addition, we celebrate consistent and high rates of students’ attendance with awards at assembly, individual certificates for students with 100% attendance, and special class rewards for five consecutive days of 100% attendance (fruit kebabs, sausage sizzle).

Prep A - 6.70

1A – 5.48 2A – 6.67 3A – 4.22 4A – 7.24 5A – 6.25 6A – 6.32

Prep B – 2.77

1B – 7.18 2B – 4.80 3B – 9.13 4B – 5.60 5B – 4.60 6B – 6.59

Prep C – 6.50

1C – 7.62 2C – 4.65 3C – 7.04 4C – 3.11 5C – 6.70 6C – 6.41

Prep D – 4.72

1D – 6.00 2D – 5.21 3D – 5.70 4D – 4.65 5D –6.29 6D – 5.65

Prep E – 3.14

1E – 5.05 2E – 7.33

Average–4.77

Average–6.27

Average–5.73

Average–6.52

Average–5.15 Average–5.96

Average–6.24

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TABLE: STUDENT ATTENDANCE in Term 2, 2018 (average number of days absent per student in each class

144 students had 100% attendance in Term 2.

Classes with less than 3.0 days per student each term assist us in achieving our Annual Implementation Plan target by the end of the year – ‘the average number of student absence days over the course of the year will be less than 12’.

Unfortunately, only one class achieved less than 3.0 days (average) this term

Many classes recorded average absences that are double and triple the targeted amount, which is very concerning and disappointing.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AROUND OUR SCHOOL We are very fortunate to have three school crossings around our school with school crossing guards on duty each day to ensure the safety of our students and their families. The safety of students and parents on Matlock Street and Bellbridge Drive is a constant concern in our community. You can help to keep your children safe by:

Using the school crossing as an option for crossing the road

Obeying the parking signs around the school – do not park in disabled car parks unless you are allowed

Not parking in the Bus Zone to pick up students

Not double parking near parked cars – this blocks traffic and can cause accidents

Not parking in, or walking through the staff car parks

Respecting the parking restrictions and parking responsibly, especially on Matlock Street. We, as a school, cannot take any responsibility for parents who engage in unsafe and/or illegal use of the roads, bus stop or school car parks. Last term some parents were booked for parking incorrectly on Matlock Street and Macedon Avenue which is generally a fine of more than $150. Please make good choices and help to keep our students safe. EXPECTATIONS about the Use of the Playground AFTER SCHOOL We understand that many children really enjoy playing on our wonderful playgrounds at Bellbridge, but at the end of the school day it is essential that our staff can identify any child who has not been collected from school. This is impossible to do when we have lots of children on our playgrounds. Therefore we have implemented the following expectations:

NO pre-school children or toddlers are to play on the playground equipment at any time as it has not been designed for pre-school age children. Parents or carers who choose to allow their pre-schoolers and toddlers to play on the school playgrounds, do so at their own risk and it is the responsibility of the parent/carer to provide supervision.

Students who walk or ride bikes/scooters home from school are NOT to play on the playground after school as all students are to make their way home or to their designated meeting place where they are picked up by a parent as soon as the bell goes at 2:40pm.

Parents or carers are responsible for the supervision of their children if they choose to allow them to play on the playground after 2:40pm.

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SCHOOL COUNCIL REPORT Our recent School Council held on Monday 23rd July included the following:

Correspondence was presented and discussed (

Discussion about progress being made with the installation of LED lighting throughout the school (to be completed in Term 3 holidays)

Presentation of the monthly financial report, including operating statements in relation to expenditure and program budgets – approved and motions accepted.

Presentation of the Principal’s Report re: Staffing, Student Learning & Engagement, School Accountability and Community. It featured an analysis of student attendance data and a discussion about ‘parent choice’ reasons provided for absences, as well as a discussion about the upcoming online Parent Opinion Survey and possible strategies that may increase the response rate (20 / 200 responses were received last year).

Workforce Planning for 2019 was explained and the processes required, e.g. August Census documentation, predicted Prep enrolments for next year, advertising staff vacancies, budgeting.

Student Attitudes to School Survey data was discussed. We celebrated that students in Grades 4 – 6 appear to have a high degree of positive satisfaction related to Effective Teaching Practice (86%; 82.5% in 2017), Teacher-Student Relations (87.6%; 82.6% in 2017) and Learner Characteristics and Disposition (85.6%; 80% in 2017), Social Engagement (82.5%) and Student Safety (85.6%). Next meeting: Monday, August 20th.

HOW PARENTS can RAISE CONCERNS about ISSUES at SCHOOL At times, parents may have queries or concerns related to their child, a situation, a teacher or the school environment. In order to maintain a respectful, responsible and supportive home school partnership, our leadership team and staff make themselves available for open communication about these issues.

Parents are advised to make a time to meet with a TEACHER to discuss issues related to their child’s learning and/or social, emotional or behaviour concerns.

Parents are advised to make a time to meet with the PRINCIPAL (or an Assistant Principal) to discuss issues related to the governance of the school, the safety or welfare of the community, or if a meeting with a teacher is not deemed to have been resolved with an acceptable level of satisfaction.

Our Principal and Assistant Principals are highly visible within and about the school grounds before and after school, and are very approachable when they are on supervision duty during these times.

Parents can also contact the Office to make appointments with Teachers and the Principal Class.

When we are able to address concerns or issues promptly it can assist in parents and teachers arriving at a timely and shared solution. Open and honest conversations between parents and teachers also support clear understandings of specific situations. Where necessary, other staff, such as an Assistant Principal, Principal or local support services may be able to lend support and advice as well. We look forward to continuing our positive and productive home school partnerships with all families at Bellbridge.

Debbie Clancy Principal

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ATTENTION HOLIDAY PROGRAM AND BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE USERS

Did you know Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate schemes end on 1st July 2018? Your information does not automatically rollover to the new Childcare Subsidy and you will not receive any subsidy if your assessment is not completed. Below is a step-by-step guide to ensure you're ready to go:

1. Set up a myGov account if you haven't already o For information on how to create a myGov account, go

to https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/online-help/create-mygov-account

2. Link your myGov account to Centrelink o You'll need your CRN for this. Log into your myGov account and go to Services to link your accounts.

3. Complete the Child Care Subsidy assessment

o You will find this on your myGov Centrelink account homepage. Learn more about the new subsidy and how to transition. To estimate what your new Child Care Subsidy might be, go to the Payment and Services Finder. Kindly provided by TeamKids.

SAME-DAY NOTIFICATION OF UNEXPLAINED STUDENT ABSENCES

Parents and carers have an obligation to notify the school of their child’s absence as soon as possible on or before the day of absence by adding a reason via Compass, or leaving a phone message by calling our office on 9749 6161 and

following the menu prompts.

From the start of Term 3, parents will receive an automated text message generated by Compass if their child is

absent from school as of 9:30am. It is expected that parents will respond with a reason for the absence if one has not

been provided already.

Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children through reporting and monitoring of absenteeism is the responsibility of both parents/carers and schools. New School Attendance Guidelines From the end of Term 2 2018, all Victorian government schools must contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same-day of an unexplained student absence. The same-day notification requirement supports the safety and wellbeing of all students. Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and parents/carers need to know if their child is not at school. Prompt communication also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of a child’s education. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. Parent/carer’s responsibility Parents/carers are required to ensure their child attends school every day and have an obligation to contact the school to notify the school of their child’s absence. Parents/carers should inform the school in advance of known upcoming absences, or on the day of absence as soon as practicable. In addition, in order to implement this requirement, it is essential that parent/carers provide schools with their most up-to-date contact details.

LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY LEAVERS

Any child arriving to school after 8.30am is required to attend the office with a parent/guardian to obtain a late pass. If your child is leaving school early, the parent/guardian is required to send a note with their child on the morning informing the classroom teacher of the time they will be collected and who will be collecting them. The parent/guardian is required to sign the child out at the office, where arrangements will be made for the child to come up to office.

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ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

If your child is absent from school for any reason, we require parents/guardians to notify the school office that they won’t be attending. When your child returns to school, a note must be given to their teacher detailing the date and the reason for the absence.

If your child has any long term absences from school, (e.g. holidays, extended illness etc.) a note is required to be given to their teacher informing them of the absence prior to them commencing the absence.

CHANGE OF PERSONAL DETAILS

It is of the utmost importance that all family contact details are kept up to date. SMS, via Compass is regularly used to inform parents/guardians of an upcoming event that requires consent and payment and will be used to inform families in emergency situations. A Change of Details form can be obtained from the office. Please note that changes to email addresses and mobile numbers can be updated on Compass.

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION ITEMS

Thank you to all parents/guardians who have paid their Essential Learning Items fee of $200.00 per student. This fee is set by School Council and is used for activities and services that are essential to support student learning of the standard curriculum. This is a reminder that payments can be still made on Compass or at the office via cash or EFTPOS.

COMPASS

Please note that Compass is now our preferred payment option for fees and charges and is also being used for Parent/Teacher Conference bookings, and Student Reports. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the office.

CSEF

If you have a health care card or a pension card, you may be eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) payment. You can obtain an application from the office. A copy of your health care card or pension card will be required. Please note: If you have a prep student start in 2018 or are a new family to the school you will need to complete a new application form. If you applied in 2017 at Bellbridge Primary School, you do not need to reapply unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. Applications close on the 16 April 2018.

Recycled materials needed This term in Performing Arts, Prep students will be making musical instruments with plastic single serve drink bottles. If

you could send any water, juice, or soft drink bottles to Room 31, it would be greatly appreciated. Please rinse the

bottles out before sending these to school.

Thank you, Joan Hofmann Performing Arts teacher

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INVITATION TO ATTEND NDIS INFORMATION SESSION FOR FAMILIES

Upcoming Information Sessions Thursday, 2 August 5.30 -7.30 p.m. Rosamond School

276 Ballarat Road Braybrook Register here

Tuesday, 7 August 6.30 -8.30 p.m. Warringa Park School 81 Warringa Crescent Hoppers Crossing

Register here

Wednesday, 8 August

6.30 -8.30 p.m. Western Autistic School – Laverton campus 1 Burnley Street Laverton

Register here

Thursday, 9 August 6.30 -8.30 p.m. Ascot Vale Special School 1 Tasma Street Ascot Vale

Register here

Information sessions are being conducted across the Western Melbourne Area for parents and school staff. Please choose the date and venue that is most suitable to you. If you require assistance with this registration, please contact your child’s school for assistance.

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIA is an independent statutory agency. Their role is to implement the NDIS.

Information for families and students who live in Western Melbourne Area Students who are in one or more of the following categories have had their contact details provided to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to facilitate a smooth transition into the NDIS: 1. Students receiving Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) funding for Vision Impairment; 2. Students enrolled at a Specialist School exclusively for students with Moderate to Profound Intellectual Disability; 3. Students with disability transport program (Specialist School Bus, taxi or conveyance allowance); 4. Personal care support at school (Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) funding at level 4, 5 or 6; and/or

Medical Intervention Support (MIS).

How do I know if my child is eligible for NDIS? If your child meets the age, residency and disability requirements of the NDIS and you live in the Western Melbourne Area your child may be able to access the NDIS. Western Melbourne Area includes the following Local Government Areas;

Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong Melbourne Moonee Valley Wyndham

When and how will parents be contacted? The NDIA start date in the above LGAs is October 2018. The NDIA may contact you by phone or letter before October 1st 2018 to begin the process of access to the NDIS. Please be aware that the NDIA will call from an ‘unknown’ caller ID

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number and only leave a voice message if your voice mail identifies you by name. This is due to privacy concerns. If they are not able to contact you they will send you a letter. The NDIA is contacting a large number of families so you may not be immediately contacted. Your patience is appreciated.

What do I need to do after the NDIA contacts me? As the NDIS may fund supports and services in addition to what your child is currently receiving at school, we encourage you to respond to the NDIA as soon as they get in touch. It is important to note the NDIS does not fund supports that relate to your child’s learning. These will still be the responsibility of schools and the education system. If your child is eligible for the NDIS, you will be asked to work with the NDIA to develop a plan which will identify the services and support best suited to your child.

What will change and what won’t? Your child will be assessed for need and may be eligible for a range of supports. For now, your child’s bus to school and support for personal care needs at school will continue to be delivered in the same way. If there are changes to arrangements in the future these will be gradual and we will talk to you first. For now there is no change.

What if my child isn’t receiving personal care or transport? If you live in Western Melbourne Area and your child is not currently receiving these services through the Victorian Government, and you believe they might be eligible for the NDIS, we encourage you to approach the NDIA to be assessed. You can contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110.

What if I don’t live in the Western Melbourne Area? The NDIS is transitioning across Victoria, Local Government Area by Local Government Area from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019. To see when the Local Government Area you live in is scheduled to transition, please refer to the website: https://myplace.ndis.gov.au/ndisstorefront/about-us/our-sites/vic.1.html. Closer to the Area rollout more information will become available.

Additional information For additional information, visit: http://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/our-sites/vic If you have any further questions please contact Peter Roberts, Manager Health and Wellbeing 8397 0735 or Joanne Marshall, Manager, Inclusion, Access and Participation SWVR on 8397 0707.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK AWARDS

Congratulations to the children named below for receiving Awards.

Ishaq Mohideen Imran, Zakaria Khalifa, Brayden Rottura, Dion Martin, Prep D, Isaac Saleski, Noah Houli,

Mackenzie West, Arijzon George, Amel Khalif, Charlie Plowright, Abigail Tottle, Lachlan O’Kane, Ayoub Alobaidi,

Alyssa Gorniakowski, Kai Dibenedetto-Grant, Jack Clarke, Ruhan Bavanaka, Zoe Batzogiannis, Dim Sankiim Samte,

Sanjana Shivashankaran, Sylvie Yip, Dylan Connolly, Elijah Hawes, Kate Kennett, Rakai Smith-Kahukura, Lucky K’Nyaw,

Liyana Balla, Shaurya Joshi, Latoya Iese, Samreen Kaur, Jasiel Sinio, Suhani Karnani, Prep D, Archie Przibilla,

Mikkel Halliday, Brian Chen, Amy Hamley, Yuvraj Mangat, Ranbir Dayal, Ethan Hyett, Ariella Mitchell, Isla Batzogiannis,

Joshua Akhuar, Joshua Burgess, Christian Cowan, Mujtaba Haider, Jack Turnbull, Savannah Brcic, Sonya Zulkifli,

Emily Whiley, Tegan Bounden, Cathleen Benny, Isa Balla, Keiran Kennett, Harley Marmara, Fizza Irfan, Tamara Corbo,

Ella Haywood, Rishit Sharma, Rebecca Woodgate.

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Achievement Program @ Bellbridge

Bellbridge Primary School have been a part of the Achievement Program for several years now. We

have achieved the benchmarks of Physical Activity, Safe Environments, Sun Protection, Healthy

Eating and Oral Health and Mental Health and Wellbeing. In 2018, we aim to achieve the

benchmarks of Tobacco Control, and Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Tobacco Control Families with parents that smoke Families with parents that don’t smoke

The risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or cot death)

doubles.

An average risk applies for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death

Syndrome or cot death).

Children have higher rates of lung or airways

infections, such as: bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Children have an average rate of lung or airways infections,

such as: bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Asthma is more common and more severe in children. Children have average and less severe asthma normally.

Children have a lowering in lung function. Children have normal lung function.

Children are more likely to contract ear infections and have an

increased risk of meningococcal disease.

Children have an average chance to contract ear infections and

an average risk of meningococcal disease.

Source: https://www.quit.org.au/articles/improve-your-familys-health/

Alcohol and Other Drug Use Alcohol

In Australia, many of us use alcohol to celebrate, commiserate, relax, and have fun – and children pick up on this. If you drink alcohol regularly, it’s a good idea to show your children that it isn’t a necessity by considering doing the following from time to time:

Eating dinner without alcohol

Using ways to wind down other than drinking

Turning down a drink because you don’t feel like it at a party

Organising family events and catch-ups with friends where drinking isn’t the focus for the adults – think about other activities you could do together

Watching sport without alcohol

Medications

It’s not just our relationship with alcohol that gets passed down to our kids. Our attitudes towards medication can also have a big influence. In Australia, we are overusing pharmaceutical drugs. Painkillers and medication are used to cope with stress, anxiety and insomnia. Like any other drugs, pharmaceuticals can have side effects so it’s important to only take them when necessary and to follow the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. You can teach your child early how to manage minor aches and pains without painkillers, such as:

Icepacks or heat treatments, depending on what’s causing the pain

Comfort with hugs and attention

Distraction through games

Rest and relaxation techniques

Physical therapy Source: https://adf.org.au/alcohol-drug-use/early-childhood/

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