IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP

March 26th-29th – Gr 5-6 Canberra Camp Wednesday 27th – School Library Bus April Friday 5th – Last day Term 1; Drawing of Easter Raffle; Bulb Orders Close; Dismissal 2.30pm Tuesday 23rd – 1st day Term 2

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Student Writing: At Monday’s assembly, eight of our students shared samples of the writing they have recently been undertaking. As I have mentioned previously, improving the quality of our students’ writing is one of our main school goals for 2019. It was wonderful to see the pride and confidence of our Grade 1/2 students as they shared their work in front of the crowd. Four of our Grade 3 to 6 students shared examples of the work they have been undertaking on developing their vocabulary and sentence structure. Across all year levels, we currently have some fabulous examples of authentic and engaging writing occurring and I look forward to more of our students sharing their texts at assembly. Grade 5/6 Canberra Camp: Next Tuesday, our Grade 5/6 students will head off on their Canberra Camp. Over four days, they will experience some great educational activities including visiting the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House and the Australian Electoral Office. Other great experiences include visits to the Australian Institute of Sport and Questacon. Over the years, our Canberra camp has provided very rich learning for our students about the history of Australian democracy and I am always amazed by the factual and conceptual knowledge our students return with. Many thanks to Mrs Malone and Ms Cotter for the work they have put into organising the camp and for the level of effort and commitment that goes into staffing a camp. Thanks also to Fiona Allen who will also be attending the camp. Euroa Secondary College Transition Visit Yesterday, we were visited by the Principal of Euroa Secondary College, Mr Cheung, and Ms Kohn who is the Year 7 Co-ordinator. They spoke to Grade 6 students who are intending to transition to Euroa Secondary College in Year 7. Former student, Blake Ezard, also came back to visit his old school and help our Grade 6 students with their transition to high school by sharing his experiences of life in Year 7. Over the rest of the year, all of our Grade 6 students will have many transition experiences to help them to step-up to high school. Ride to School Morning It is fabulous to see our bike shed full at the moment and we certainly have a number of active families who are availing of the fine weather by riding to school. On the last day of term, we will once again be holding a Ride to School morning at Avenel Primary School. For the past seven years, this event has been a huge success with participation growing each year. Our very own Avenel “twist” is that we offer students the opportunity to ride in convoy as part of the Avenel “Riding Schoolbus.” Our staff will also be cooking pancakes so it is sure to make for an exciting start to the last day of term. I will provide more information on this great event in the coming weeks. Rowing Fundraiser Last Saturday, six of our Grade 5/6 students and two of their parents (Jarrod Smyth and Brent Davies) assisted me with our boat-holding fundraiser at the Mercantile Regatta at Nagambie Lake. The Rowing Victoria officials complimented our students on the manner in which they fulfilled their duties and it is always wonderful to see our students rise to the challenge of taking on a new task. Money raised from this event goes towards our Energy Breakthrough program and I would like to thank our students and parents for their support and involvement.

All the best, Neil

OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ….

EASTER RAFFLE: Thank you to those families who have donated an Easter item for our Easter raffle which will be drawn at our final assembly on Friday 5h April at 2:00pm. Donations can be left at the office up until the last day of school for the term. Don’t forget to sell your raffle tickets, if you require more raffle books they are available from the office. Tickets are $1 per ticket. Please be generous to this great cause.

ABSENCES: Parents are required to enter their child or children’s absences directly on Compass. Your child’s teacher receives this

notification. There is a Government requirement for schools to contact parents/guardians in the event of absence where no advice is received on Compass as soon as practicable on the day of a student’s absence. Parents can assist and help eliminate unnecessary phone calls by completing any absence details in Compass promptly when your child is away or going to be away. It is a legal requirement for students to attend school every day of the school term. There is a huge correlation between student attendance and positive student outcomes. Should your family be going on a family holiday during term time these details should be entered onto Compass. Additionally written notice must be received by the Principal to approve the absence. COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR TEACHER: Communication with your classroom teacher is really important. Teachers will communicate with you in person, via Compass newsfeeds, emails and written notes. Teachers are not always available to speak with you before and after school and are not available during their class time to speak to a parent, so we recommend email as a very effective method of interaction for most situations, or even to request a time to get together. Teachers cannot necessarily see their emails when they are working with students throughout the day in class. If a matter is urgent a phone call to the office from parent is the best approach or a hard copy note. Any changes to pick up or information that must be passed onto your child and teacher will always be passed on from the office. Thanks for your understanding of this.

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS Bulb Fund Raiser! Hopefully you have received a catalogue for our 1st fund raising effort for the year. Orders are due in by Friday 5th April (last day of term 1 as their sales deadline for bulbs is April 12, 2019. Spring bulbs are a great choice for new gardeners and

an easy one for the pros! They are a terrific way to get the kids outdoors and attuned with nature and provide a fun and easy activity for you to do together. May is perfect time for planting, and whether you are a passionate gardener or someone just discovering the joy of plants, you will love the exciting selection. Free growing instructions and advice is given with every order, so you are assured of sensational results, it is so simple, all you have to do is place your order!!!

AROUND THE ROOMS

To –Archie Butler

STUDENT OF THE WEEK – Tilly Eagles - For demonstrating excellent organisation by ensuring she has the right materials for all of her learning tasks. Koby Sidebottom - for his focus and dedication to his independent learning tasks. Campbell Smith -for his friendly, inclusive attitude to all students. Sophie Cahir -– for being organised for learning and involving herself in all discussions to ask questions and build her knowledge. Luca Kecskes - – for his confidence and enthusiasm when presenting his work during Create It. Eliza Tubecki- for her ability to explain her reasoning when placing fractions on a number line. Charlotte Hillbig - for her open and honest autobiography and confidently sharing it with the class. Jonty Dawe- for his enthusiastic participation in his collaborative drama performance. Charlie Lingard - For his creativity and interesting ideas when planning his oral narrative. Wren Malone - for her engagement and enthusiasm for literacy tasks; asking questions and seeking feedback to improve. Ellie Day - for her excellent use of character traits during creative writing sessions. Camilla Bull - for taking on feedback to improve her narrative writing piece. Grace Aldridge - for her interesting ideas and excellent word choices when writing a narrative. Thomas Byers - for his accuracy when applying the correct terminology to describe the properties of 3D solids. Heath Lane - for his effort and enthusiasm in drama sessions. Lindsay Smith - for seeking feedback to improve his writing.

AVENEL PRIMARY SCHOOL

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MONTH

DATE

EVENT

March 26th – 29th Gr 5-6 Canberra Camp

Wednesday 27th School Library Bus

April Friday 5th Last day Term 1 – Drawing of Easter Raffle – 2.00pm Last day to order bulbs in P&F’s bulb find raiser

Tuesday 23rd First day Term 2

Wednesday 24th School Library Bus

Thursday 25th Anzac Day

30th – 3rd May Book Fair

May Wednesday 8th School Library Bus

Friday 10th Avenel Cross Country

14th – 16th NAPLAN Testing Gr 3 and 5

Tuesday 21st District Cross Country

Wednesday 22nd School Library Bus

Thursday 30th Division Cross Country

June Wednesday 5th School Library Bus

Monday 10th Queen’s Birthday

Wednesday 19th School Library Bus

Friday 28th Last day Term 2

July Monday 15th 1st day Term 3

Wednesday 17th School Library Bus

Wednesday 31st School Library Bus

August Wednesday 14th School Library Bus

Monday 19th – Friday 23rd Science & Book Week

Wednesday 28th School Library Bus

September Wednesday 4th Avenel Athletics

Tuesday 10th Kids Teaching Kids

Wednesday 11th School Library Bus District Aths

Friday 20th Last day Term 3

October Monday 7th 1st day Term 4

Wednesday 9th School Library Bus

Thursday 10th Division Athletics

Wednesday 23rd School Library Bus

November Tuesday 5th Melbourne Cub Public Holiday

Wednesday 6th School Library Bus

Saturday 9th Set up for Avenel Fete & Clearing Sale

Sunday 10th Avenel Fete & Clearing Sale

18th – 22nd Gr 3-4 Camp

21st – 23rd Energy Breakthrough

Wednesday 20th School Library Bus

December Wednesday 4th School Library Bus – returns only

Wednesday 18th School Library Bus – returns only

Friday 20th Last day Term 4

COMMUNITY CORNER

NOW SHOWING @ EUROA CINEMA 23rd/24th – Ben’s back 30th – The Mule 5th – Loro 6th – 4.00pm & 10th – 2.00pm – How to train your Dragon – The Hidden World 6th/7th – On the basis of sex 13th – 4.00pm & 17th – 2.00pm – Ralph breaks the Internet 13th/14th – If Beale Street could talk

Tickets $10 – Preschool children free. Ice-creams, popcorn etc available from the Kiosk. Screening times: 8.00pm Friday; 8.00pm Saturday and 4.00pm Sunday. JUNIOR NETBALL PROGRAM The Avenel Under 12 Netball program is due to start in Term 2. The program is aimed at students from Grade 3 – 6. If you are interested in your child participating in the program, please call (or text your child’s details) to Mel Harper 0435 899 805. Thank you.

Avenel Golf Club’s winter season is fast approaching with our Opening Day being Saturday April 6

th. (See

flyer later in newsletter). In order to get the course up to scratch, we have scheduled a couple of working bees for Saturday the 23

rd and Saturday the 30

th March, commencing at

approximately 9.30 am. The club will provide a sausage sizzle lunch. If you are unable to attend the working bees, please drop by the course when it’s convenient to you and do what you can to assist with the clean-up. We welcome new members and beginners to our Club. Competition days are Tuesday – mixed – names to be in by 9.45am with play commencing at 10.00am. On Saturday we hold our Men’s and Ladies competition with names to be entered by 11.45am and competition commencing at 12.00 noon. Please feel free to come and join us on these days.

Let’s give head lice the flick. Make Sunday night,

hair checking night.

For more information regarding

head lice and how to treat please visit:

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/

public- health/infectious-diseases/head-lice

GOOD LUCK to the 3 Avenel Tennis Senior Teams participating in Grand Finals this Saturday and our 3

Junior Teams who are vying for a grand final berth this Saturday

morning.

Thank you to all who have supported the Club throughout another great season. Hope to

see you all back on the court next season.

Dear Parents The Avenel Primary Lunchtime Dancers have been working hard in their dance sessions and are ready to perform for you. Performing for an audience is a special of the program as the dancers look forward to showing off their moves. The performance will take place at 11.30am on Monday 1

st April in

the open space of the main building. Please wait outside to allow time for students to rehearse and we will invite you in just before they are about to start. Thank you for enrolling your child in the Lunchtime Dance Program. Georgia Lombard Creative Dance and Drama – 0402 024 891.