DIARY DATES

NUMBER 35 – 14 November 2013

SCIENCE SPECIALISATION PROGRAM

As reported in last week’s School Council report, PLPS was one of 55 schools in Victoria to be successful in gaining funding for a fulltime Science Specialist for 2014 - 2015. Luke Milgate and Abbie Phillips are currently undergoing training in relation to the implementation of this program. More details will be released in early 2014.

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE WORKING PARTY

Invitations are extended for three parents to become part of the school’s Bring Your Own Device [BYOD] Working Party. The BYOD Working Party will consist of 5 - 6 members. Current members are Helene Bearup, Stan Szuty and Monique Corcoran. Please contact any of these staff members or the school office if you are interested.

It is anticipated the BYOD infrastructure will be completed early 2014, with a possible rollout of devices in 2015.

MISSING CLASSES IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ADDS UP TO

POOR MATHS SKILLS

I read a worthwhile article by Josephine Tovey in last week’s Age in relation to factors that lead to poor Maths performances. Tovey states that new research shows young children who frequently take days off school have poorer results in Mathematics. I have included the article for your interest.

A major longitudinal study from the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows high rates of absenteeism in primary school - about one day a week - had a noticeably detrimental effect on NAPLAN numeracy scores.

Students who frequently missed days of school also had poorer literacy results, although it did not have an independent impact over and above other more influential risk factors, such as social and emotional problems or learning difficulties, the study found.

The negative effect of absenteeism on academic achievement is well established in secondary school but few studies had recorded its impact in earlier years, Dr Ben Edwards, executive manager of the study, said. ''High levels of absenteeism were associated with lower levels of numeracy when children were eight to nine years old and again when they were 10 to 11 years old,'' he said. ''What is concerning is that we find that even absenteeism in these primary years undermines achievement later on, and it seems to set in place a self-sustaining process.''

Associate Professor Janette Bobis from the University of Sydney said the nature of maths and the way it is taught - in topics and building on foundation concepts - might explain why children struggle to catch up.

''If they've missed out those foundational bits of knowledge, they're just going to be lost when they come back into a classroom situation,'' she said.

Fri 15 Nov Interschool sports for Yrs 5 and 6

LAST ROTATION—CANCELLED

Mon 18-19 Nov Yr 3 Camp to Portsea - 8.30am

Yr 5 and Yr 6 “Making Our Mark” Expo

Tues 19 Nov Yr 3 Camp return to school approx 2.30pm

Junior School Athletics Carnival Prep - 2.

Held at school. House polos to be worn

School Council Meeting 7.00pm

Wed 20 Nov Preps - Responsible Pet Ownership 12pm

PFA Meeting in the staffroom at 2.40pm

Yr 5 & Yr 6 “Making Our Mark” Market 10am

Thur 21 Nov Teacher V’s Students Netball competition

at lunchtime

Fri 22 Nov Junior School Assembly at 2.50pm

Mon 25 Nov Senior School Assembly at 9.10am

Tues 26 Nov Hoop Time Senior All Stars State Finals

Prep 2014 Information Night at 7pm

Wed 27 Nov New rescheduled date for the Prep

excursion to the Melbourne Zoo - 8.45am

Thur 5 Dec Digital Portfolio Presentations 4.30pm

Christmas Concert 7pm

Fri 6 Dec Junior School Assembly 2.50pm

Mon 9 Dec Family Picnic and Book Fair

Tues 10 Dec Prep 2014 Orientation Day 10am—1pm

Yr 6 Transition to Secondary Schools

Prep - Yr 5 Up Day

Fri 13 Dec Yr 5 and Yr 6 Beach Day

Mon 16 Dec Whole School Assembly 9.10am

School Council Meeting 7.00pm

Tues 17 Dec Yr 6 Graduation 7pm in the school hall

Wed 18 Dec Yr 6 Bike Ride and Picnic Day

Fri 20 Dec Last Day of the Term 1.30pm finish

Fri 24 Jan Uniform Sales Day 10am - 1pm

Wed 29 Jan Yr 1 - Yr 6 return to school

Thurs 30 Jan Preps 9.30am - 12pm or 1pm - 3.30pm

Fri 31 Jan Preps 9.30am - 12pm or 1pm - 3.30pm

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating

their birthday this week. We hope you have a lovely day.

NAME BIRTHDAY

Will H 14 November

Archer M 15 November

Ryan K 16 November

Cian G 16 November

Caitlyn S 16 November

Katrina I 16 November

Mitchell S 18 November

Rocco K 18 November

Alina S 18 November

Bonnie L 18 November

Ebony W 19 November

Zac B 20 November

ACT OF KINDNESS AWARD

SPECIALIST CLASS AWARDS for the last two weeks were:

Art – 2A & 5B, P.E – Prep A & 3A, Music – 2B, Spanish – 6B,

French – 1E & 2B and Computers – 3/4Z. Congratulations to

these classes on their super efforts with our specialist

teachers.

‘YOU CAN DO IT’ AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students who won our You

Can Do It awards for last week: Hannah M (1C) and Matthew

C (5C) for GETTING ALONG.

WORK EXPERIENCE

This week we have had two students assisting in classrooms

for their Year 9 work experience program at Mordialloc

College. Zac Hannaker has been assisting Mrs Ashburn and

Mrs Flinos in 2C and Ashleigh Roche has been assisting Mrs

Ryan in 3A. We hope you have enjoyed your time at Patto.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

''Suddenly the teacher's moved on to a more difficult concept and assumes the children have this background information.''

Another factor could be while children may read at home, they may not do maths activities, according to Professor Doug Clarke, director of the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Research Centre at the Australian Catholic University.

Professor Clarke said all parents could find ''incidental opportunities to do mathematics with their kids'', such as weighing ingredients, assessing prices in the supermarket and playing card and board games.

''Parents have a vital role in supporting the maths learning of their kids,'' he said.

The negative effects of frequent absenteeism on numeracy were avoided if the child had a parent who attended university, suggesting the capacity and willingness to assist children to catch up was important, according to the report.

ACT OF KINDNESS AWARD

JUNIOR SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

BASKETBALL STATE FINALISTS

SUPER TYPHOON HAIYAN COLLECTION

As most of you will be aware, the Philippines have just

experienced one of the most horrendous storms on record,

as Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the central Philippines

province of Leyte leaving a mass of destruction. Patterson

Lakes Primary School would like to offer our support. We

would like to ask that during the month of November all

students and staff at Patterson Lakes Primary School donate

a gold coin to help with the relief aid and clean up. Coin

donation to be given to the classroom teacher.

On Thursday 7th November the PLPS Girls Under 12/13

Basketball team competed at the Southern Metropolitan

Region Primary Girls and Boys Open Basketball Finals. The

team had shown huge potential leading into the fixture, but

were very mindful of the high calibre of competition on the day.

There were a number of fiercely contested matches, however

the team was strong enough to finish the tournament

undefeated!

The girls will be competing in the School Sport Victoria

Basketball Primary Girls State Finals on Wednesday 27th

November at MSAC. The same team of girls will be competing

the day before in the State Hooptime Basketball Finals which

is another amazing achievement!

On behalf of the school I would like to wish the team, coach

and families the best of luck!

Jason Zarb

Health and Physical Education Coordinator.

POSTPONED

Junior School Athletics Day

Now TUESDAY 19th November

Grades Prep - 2

Due to poor weather the JS Athletics Day has been postponed.

On the new date, Tuesday 19th November students in grades

Prep- 2 will participate in the Junior School Athletics Day held

on the school oval. The Athletics Day is a house sports event

in which all students are required to wear their house polos.

One year level at a time will head out to the oval to compete in

the following field events; High Jump, Long Jump, Shot-put

and Discus.

Prior to lunch all students in Prep - 2 will assemble on the oval

to watch and cheer for their houses selected sprinters. These

sprinters have been chosen to represent their houses after

showing great talent in their P.E classes.

After lunch students will assemble in the school hall for a

presentation ceremony and announcement of the winning

house!

Parents are encouraged to bring a chair or rug and set up in

the viewing area on the oval to encourage and support

students and to attend the presentations at the end of the day.

PARENT HELPERS are required between 9.00am and 1.30pm. Parent helpers will assist teachers with students at each event and record results. If you are able to assist please email Michelle Conway conway.michelle.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

Below is a timetable for the day:

9.00am - 10.20am - Grade 2’s Compete

10.20am - 1.30pm - Grade 1’s Compete

12.00pm - 1.10pm - Preps Compete

1.15pm - 1.40pm - Sprints (Prep-Grade 2)

2.50pm - 3.20pm - Presentations in school hall

COOKBOOK

ORDER FORM

Patterson Lakes Primary School is now accepting orders for its much

anticipated cookbook

Only limited quantities of this professionally published cookbook will be

available for sale.

Order your copies now Place your order by returning this Order Form with your payment in an

envelope clearly marked “COOKBOOK” to Julie Shaw

Why not order extra copies as they will make

beautiful gifts for your family & friends

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COOKBOOK ORDER FORM

Name:______________________________ Class / Group (if appropriate):

Number of Cookbooks Required:

The cookbooks are only $20, or just $ 18 each if you order 3 or more.

TOTAL Enclosed: $ cash, cheque or credit card

Payment in full is required with your order.

Cheques: Please make payable to: Patterson Lakes Primary School

Credit card: Name on card:

Credit card number:

Expiry Date: / VISA / MasterCard

COMMUNITY NEWS

City of Kingston - CPR Course at Waves Leisure Centre Do you have the CPR skills to save someone’s life? City of Kingston are holding a course at the Waves Leisure Centre Saturday 30th November from 1pm - 4pm. $45 pp, bookings are essential. For further details please call 9559 7111.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Chelsea YCW Netball Club Looking for new members in Under 9’s and Under 11’s teams for next year. Training and games are both held at the CDNA courts, Sturdee Street, Chelsea For further details, please contact Sue Gales on 0408 058 031

Carboot Sale 17th November, 2013, 9am – 1pm. Stalls available $25 pre paid, $30 on the day (if available) per car space. Trestle tables for hire $5.00 each. For bookings please contact Patterson Lakes Community Centre on 9772 8588

Longbeach Anglican Parish Fete Saturday 30th November from 9am - 1pm. Auctions, BBQ, books, cakes, craft, Indian food, jewellery, plants, toys, trash & treasure and lots more. St Chads Anglican Church, 12 Thames Promenade, Chelsea

Chelsea 3 & 4 Year Old Activity Session for 2014 When: Monday's from Term 1 2014 - 9am - 12.30pm Where: 72 Catherine Avenue, Chelsea Cost: $230 per term, plus $50 annual maintenance fee Contact: 9772 2796 or email coccare@iinet.net.au

Chelsea Longbeach Surf Lifesaving Club Chelsea Longbeach SLSC are having a “Come and Try Day” this Saturday 16th November 2013. Registration 12.30pm. Clubhouse is situation right on the beach, come down and have a look. The Strand, Chelsea

Chelsea Yacht Club Discover sailing at Chelsea Yacht Club. Tackers is a Yachting Australia program aimed at getting kids aged 7-12 in sailing. Program runs 13th - 17th Jan 8.30am - 12.30pm / 20th - 24th Jan 8.30am - 12.30pm. Chelsea Beach Foreshore. For further details contact Chelsea YC on 0490 137 055.

Mordialloc Community Centre Holiday Program Jan 2014 Don’t miss out on the fun !! Come to Bounce Inc, Melbourne Zoo, Rock Climbing, Kids Space, Geelong Adventure Water Park and more with our January School Holiday Program. Book now to avoid disappointment. Please contact Gemma Shea, Holiday Program Co-ordinator on 9580 3675 for more details.