School Agreements • Mutual Respect

• A en�ve Listening

• Apprecia�ons

- No Put Downs

• Right to Pass

• Personal Best

Dates for 2019 Term 1: Jan 29 - Apr 5

Term 2: Apr 23 - Jun 28

Term 3: Jul 15 - Sep 20

Term 4: Oct 8 - Dec 20

Children are supervised

in the yard from

8:45 un"l 3:35

NEWSLETTER

TERM 1 - WEEK 1

1st February, 2019

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

NO HAT,

NO PLAY

MENTOR FOCUS

T: 5565 8332

F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Resilience is the ability to cope with lifeResilience is the ability to cope with lifeResilience is the ability to cope with lifeResilience is the ability to cope with life’’’’s s s s

ups and downs. Childrenups and downs. Childrenups and downs. Childrenups and downs. Children’’’’s resilience is s resilience is s resilience is s resilience is

enhanced when they:enhanced when they:enhanced when they:enhanced when they:

• have an older person outside the have an older person outside the have an older person outside the have an older person outside the

home they can talk to about home they can talk to about home they can talk to about home they can talk to about

problems and feelingsproblems and feelingsproblems and feelingsproblems and feelings

• know someone they want to be know someone they want to be know someone they want to be know someone they want to be

likelikelikelike

• believe things will turn out all believe things will turn out all believe things will turn out all believe things will turn out all

rightrightrightright

• have a sense of a power greater have a sense of a power greater have a sense of a power greater have a sense of a power greater

than themselvesthan themselvesthan themselvesthan themselves

• are willing to try new thingsare willing to try new thingsare willing to try new thingsare willing to try new things

• feel that what they do makes a feel that what they do makes a feel that what they do makes a feel that what they do makes a

difference in how things turn outdifference in how things turn outdifference in how things turn outdifference in how things turn out

• like themselveslike themselveslike themselveslike themselves

• can focus on a task and stay with can focus on a task and stay with can focus on a task and stay with can focus on a task and stay with

itititit

• have a sense of humourhave a sense of humourhave a sense of humourhave a sense of humour

• make goals and plans, both short make goals and plans, both short make goals and plans, both short make goals and plans, both short

and longer term.and longer term.and longer term.and longer term.

On behalf of all staff, I would like to welcome all our students and families back to school. We hope

you all had a fabulous break over the Summer. It was wonderful to see so many happy faces walk

through the school gates yesterday morning. We have had a calm start to the year with lots of

engaging ac�vi�es to se le into new learning communi�es and start the year off. We wish

everyone a great Term 1 and look forward to working with you all during 2019.

I would also like to also officially welcome all our founda�on students and their families to our

school community. The children se led in well and had a fantas�c day with Mrs Mac yesterday.

We also welcome the following students and their families to our school community.

Dayne Woosnam - Grade 1 - Dayne started at KDPS at the end of last year.

Katya Atkins Grade 2

Karalee Tippins Grade 2

Jaylah Forrester Grade 4

Kye (Grade 5) and Josh (Founda�on) Shaw

Levi Meyer – Grade 5

Condolences

On behalf of all staff students and parents I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Heidi

Devlin, Adam, Chase (Grade 5) and Beau (Grade 3) Porter on the passing of their dear son and

brother Kynan. Kynan was a also a past student at Koroit and District Primary School and is fondly

remembered by many of our staff.

Pain"ng

The school is looking great aBer our painter Joe Whi on worked �relessly to complete the job over

the Summer break, and what a marvellous job he did. You are all welcome to pop in to the main

learning spaces and admin building to see the new look.

Uniforms Reminder

School Council reviewed the Uniform Policy at the end of last year. Their recommenda�ons are as

follows;

Boys Girls

Black school shoes or runners (coloured

is ok)

White or navy socks

Navy shorts

Navy long pants (tracksuit or pants)

Navy polo shirt (long or short sleeve)

with logo

Navy fleece or windcheater with logo

Navy vest with logo

Black school shoes or runners (coloured

is ok)

White or navy socks or Navy �ghts in

Winter

Navy shorts/skort

Navy long pants (tracksuit or pants)

School tunic in Winter

Navy and White check dress

Navy polo shirt (long or short sleeve)

with logo

Navy fleece or windcheater with logo

Navy vest with logo

Hair �es – navy, white or Irish green

FROM THE PRINCIPAL From the Principal con"nued…..

T: 5565 8332 F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Principal: Marina Milich - School Council President: Jac Monk

Signing in and out

We love it when parents visit the school. It is important that you sign in and sign out if you are visi�ng between the hours of 9 and

3.30pm.

Beginning of year informa"on pack

Next week we will send home a beginning of year informa�on pack. The pack will include the following informa�on;

• Photo and Local Excursion Permissions for 2019

• Parent Helper Informa�on

• School fees informa�on

• Personal Informa�on updates

• XUNO informa�on

We are preparing to invite all parents to use the Xuno website for informa�on. In order to begin this process, it is essen"al we

have all email addresses updated. In the mean �me you can s�ll access Skoolbag to view the newsle er. We will keep the

school community informed.

Communica"on between home and school diaries – each day, students will bring home their diary, please check for informa�on

and sign each day. Teachers will provide instruc�ons on recording home reading in the diary and please feel free to write absent/

other notes to inform teachers. All students must bring their diary to and from school each day. Being responsible for the diary is

an excellent organisa�on skill for students to prac�ce.

Individual Student queries/Teacher appointments Teachers are available from 8.30am – 8.50am before school or aBer school

on Tuesday and Thursday only (teachers are required to a end mee�ngs on Monday and Wednesday and need to be available to

get to the mee�ngs promptly). Please write a note in the diary or contact the office to make a �me to speak with your teacher.

Facebook Private Messenger – we ask parents to please refrain from messaging individual teachers/support staff through private

messenger. The DET do not endorse this mode of communica�on. We have provided a number of different op�ons for you to

follow through with if you would like to speak with your teachers at appropriate �mes of the day. Please also refrain from using

the ‘whole school facebook messenger’ for individual student queries – general informa�on about dates/the school etc is

acceptable.

Harvard School of Educa"on comes to Melbourne

In the last week of the holidays Mrs Hoy, Mr Ryan and Mrs Milich a ended the Harvard School of Educa�on and completed the 5

day Harvard Data Wise course. This means we can con�nue strengthening our work on how we effec�vely operate as a teaching

and learning team when evalua�ng how students are learning based on what they are doing and saying in class. We learn how

they are learning by evalua�ng their work, talking to them and evalua�ng their test results, so that we can design each student the

best plan to support each student moving forward in their learning. We are excited about implemen�ng the very high quality

learning at Koroit and District Primary School.

Rubbish Free Lunches/Nude food – As a sustainable school, we encourage rubbish free lunches. This means all food items packed

in containers, then placed inside the lunch box. Teachers have established a reward system for students with good food choices

and rubbish free lunches.

Beginning of year assessments

All beginning of year assessments will take place during learning �me over the next couple of weeks.

Curriculum Day – Friday 15th February

Teachers will be working with an external professional learning facilitator to complete work started on Wednesday 30th January.

This will be a pupil free day.

Lunch Orders

Lunch orders are available from Poppies on Wednesdays and Fridays. An updated order form is a ached to this newsle er.

Please write child’s name and grade with the order on the front of a brown paper bag containing the correct money. Change

will not be given. Please place lunch orders in wooden box located in the office before 9am.

Assemblies

Whole school assemblies will be held every Friday aBernoon at 3.10pm in the school hall. Parents are welcome and encouraged

to a end.

Welcome to 2019 at Koroit and District Primary School – all families are invited to our whole school BBQ on Wednesday 20th

February from 5.30pm, followed by visi�ng ‘open classrooms’ from 6pm – 7pm. Our open classrooms will give you the

opportunity to meet teachers as well as see and understand the processes and programs applied for teaching and learning this

year. Our specialist teachers will also have an exhibi�on in the middle area of the 3-6 building. We look forward to seeing you all

at our welcome night.

Marina Milich

Principal

From the Principal con"nued…..

T: 5565 8332 F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Principal: Marina Milich - School Council President: Jac Monk

Breakfast Club runs every morning before school from 8.30-8.50am.

All students are welcome to come and have some Cheerios, porridge,

Vita Brits, fruit or baked beans to charge up their ba eries before school.

Breakfast Club

TERM ONE - Week by Week Ac�vi�es NOTES/REMINDERS

T: 5565 8332 F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Principal: Marina Milich - School Council President: Jac Monk

As we are becoming more

environmentally friendly we are trying

to limit the hard copies of this

newsle er being sent home. If you

would like to receive the newsle er via

email, please send your email address

to:

allen.glenda.g@edumail.vic.gov.au

and I will put you on the mailing list.

A reminder to parents to A reminder to parents to A reminder to parents to A reminder to parents to please let us know if there please let us know if there please let us know if there please let us know if there

are any changes of are any changes of are any changes of are any changes of contact details that may contact details that may contact details that may contact details that may have occurred as soon as have occurred as soon as have occurred as soon as have occurred as soon as possible, eg. New phone possible, eg. New phone possible, eg. New phone possible, eg. New phone numbers, addresses, etc.numbers, addresses, etc.numbers, addresses, etc.numbers, addresses, etc.

2019

WEEK 2

Mon 4 Feb Founda�on 9 - 1.30

Tue 5 Feb Founda�on 9 - 1.30

Wed 6 Feb Founda"on Rest Day

Thu 7 Feb Founda�on 9 - 1.30

Fri 8 Feb Founda�on 9 - 1.30

WEEK 3

Mon 11 Feb Founda�on 9 - 3.25pm

Fri 15 Feb Curriculum Day - Pupil free

WEEK 4

Wed 20 Feb Welcome to 2019 BBQ and open classrooms 5.30-7pm

Fri 22 Feb Special assembly for Presenta�on of Leadership Badges 2.45pm

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

Tue 12 Mar Whole school athle�cs day @ Brauerander. Parents welcome 9.20-2.30pm

WEEK 8

Fri 22 Mar Annual KDPS Easter Fair 5-8pm

WEEK 9

Mon 25 Mar 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Tue 26 Mar 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Wed 27 Mar 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Fri 29 Mar 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

WEEK 10

Mon 1 Apr 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Tue 2 Apr 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Wed 3 Apr 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Thu 4 Apr Founda�on families Pizza Night. (how to support with reading and school work

at home) 5.30-7pm

Fri 5 Apr Last day of term 1 3-6 swimming 10-12pm

Mon 11 Mar Labour Day, public holiday.

T: 5565 8332 F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Principal: Marina Milich - School Council President: Jac Monk

WELLBEING

Nicole FarrellyNicole FarrellyNicole FarrellyNicole Farrelly Primary Welfare Officer

Star�ng school involves a big change for children. It’s normal for children to have strong feelings as they start to think about these changes, such

as excitement about the prospect of going to school as well as nervousness about what lies ahead.

Some children may also feel sad, angry or anxious about leaving their early childhood service.

Understanding and suppor�ng your child to handle the feelings associated with star�ng school will help to reduce their stress and develop posi-

�ve coping strategies.

Here’s three ways to help children cope:

1. Understanding common behaviours and what they mean

Understanding how your child is feeling and why they are behaving in a par�cular way can help you work out how to support them, emo�onally

and prac�cally.

Young children oBen have difficulty explaining in words how they feel. Instead they may show their feelings through their behaviour.

During the transi�on to school you may no�ce the following behaviours emerge or increase in frequency: clinging behaviour, restlessness, with-

drawing, being anxious, sleep difficul�es or aggressive behaviours.

As it can be difficult for children to explain how they are feeling, it is oBen up to the adults around them to help work out what feelings and emo-

�ons may be underlying a child’s behaviour.

When you no�ce a change in behaviour you might ask yourself:

• What is my child feeling?

• Why might they be feeling that way?

• Have they behaved this way before?

How did I support them previously?

When you no�ce these changes in behaviour, you will s�ll need to reinforce or set clear limits for your child while thinking carefully about what it

might be telling you.

2. Talking about your child’s feelings

During this transi�on period, children may benefit from some extra nurturing and understanding to help them feel secure and confident.

PuSng aside some special �me with your child will give you an opportunity to talk with them and help them express their feelings about star�ng

school.

Being open and recep�ve to how your child is feeling as well as providing comfort and a en�on when needed will help to support them through

these changes.

Some useful ways to prompt these conversa�ons include:

• Sharing a story about when you have started something new (eg. a job) and some of the feelings you had. This may help your child to feel

more comfortable to express how they are feeling.

• Using open ended ques�ons that elicit more than yes or no answers (eg. “What did you like about school today?”).

• Using prompts and encouragement or gestures like smiles and nodding to show your child you are interested in what they are saying.

3. Helping your child to recognise and express their feelings

One of the first steps in helping children understand and manage emo�ons is labelling feelings.

Once children understand what par�cular emo�ons feel like in their body, they can start to use words to describe them and begin to work out

how they might manage their feelings.

Here’s some useful ways to help children recognise their feelings:

• Label and name your emo"ons. This helps children to put a name to the expression you are showing: “I’m so excited to go to the park with

you”, “I feel frustrated that I have lost my keys.”

• Help label your child’s emo"ons. This will help your child match how they are feeling with the name of the emo�on. This can be beneficial

when your child is not yet able to describe some of their more complex feelings (eg. worry). “I can see that you’re worried about making new

friends.”

• Invite your child to describe their feelings. “I feel disappointed it’s raining and we can’t go out to play. How about you?” “How do you feel

when you go to visit Sara?”.

Talk about feelings in stories you read with your child. Pinpoint some of the characters’ feelings and relate them to what is happening in the

story. “Aisha looks a bit sad about going to school.” “How do you think Aisha is feeling about star�ng school?” At �mes, you could extend this to

relate it to your child’s own experiences (eg. “has this happened to you?” or “have you felt that way?”) to help your child make links to their own

experiences. h ps://www.kidsma er.edu.au/

Three ways to help children cope with star"ng school

COMMUNITY NEWS

T: 5565 8332 F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Principal: Marina Milich - School Council President: Jac Monk

T: 5565 8332 F: 5565 8812 E: koroit.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

h ps://www.koroitps.vic.edu.au/

Principal: Marina Milich - School Council President: Jac Monk