Kew Primary School Newsletter Diary Dates

Feb

Fri 17 Peppercorn Tree BBQ

Mon 20 Information Evenings:

Level 2 and Level 3

Tue 21 Information Evening:

Level 1 (Preps)

Level 4

Tue 21 Year 2 Swimming.

Wed 22 School Council

Tue 28 Photo Day

Weds 29 School Council

Nominations close 4pm.

Mar

Tue 6 Year 1 Swimming.

16th February 2012

No.2

KPS Ph 9853 8325

www.kewps.vic.edu.au

E kew.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

OSH 0411 444 316 9853 3781

Term Dates 2012

Term 1: 3 Feb to 30 Mar

Term 2: 16 Apr to 29 Jun

Term 3: 16 Jul to 21 Sept

Term 4: 8 Oct to 21 Dec.

Message from the Principal.

School Council Elections

Annual elections for vacancies on the 2012-2014 school council will take place in the period 22nd February through to 14th March. Vacancies that need to be filled are 4 parent/community members and 2 Department of Education and Early Childhood members. Members are elected for a two-year period and can renominate at subsequent elections. The following information is provided as a guide to school council operation-

Objectives of School Councils:

Assist in the efficient governance of the school

Ensure students’ best interests are primary

Enhance the educational opportunities for students

Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations

The Function of School Council is to:

Establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the

school's community

Participate in the development and monitoring of the school

strategic plan

Develop, review and update school policies

Develop, review and monitor the Student Engagement Policy and

the School Dress Code

Raise funds for school-related purposes

Approve the annual budget and monitor expenditure

Maintain the school’s grounds and facilities

Enter into contracts (e.g. cleaning, construction work)

Report annually to the school community and to DEECD

Generally stimulate interest in the school within the wider

community

School Councils Do Not:

Manage the school

Employ ongoing teaching staff with no fixed date for termination

Represent sectional interests

Renew the principal's contract or hire and fire the school principal

Determine class allocations

Discuss individual issues between teachers and students and/or

parents

Newsletter.

The newsletter will be published on

Thursdays every week during term

instead of on Wednesdays.

If you would like to submit an article

or item for the newsletter, it needs to

be sent to the school email by 11am

on Wednesdays.

In the interest of saving time and

resources parents will be able to

access the newsletter on the school

website www.kewps.vic.edu.au No

emails will be sent to remind parents.

If you do not have access to the

internet, please ask at the office for a

hard copy as we will no longer be

sending hard copies.

Purchase land or buildings

Enter into hire purchase agreements or obtain credit or loan facilities, unless authorised by the Minister

The Workload of Councillors:

School council must meet at least 8 times in each year, and at least once per school term

Meetings should be restricted to approximately 2.5 hours duration at most

In many schools, all school councillors are expected to sit on at least one subcommittee

Subcommittees generally meet at least twice each term

School Council Sub-Committees:

School councillors would normally sit on at least one subcommittee

Sub-committees might include:

Finance

Environment/grounds/facilities/buildings

Educational policy

Community liaison/community building/community relations

Other – e.g. outside school hours care, canteen.

The school council meets on the third Wednesday in each month in the staff room. Meetings commence at 7.30pm. I encourage interested school community members to consider joining the council. In this year of School Review your input into the future direction of the school would add to the positive community spirit at Kew. Nomination forms will be distributed to school families next Wednesday 22nd February. Nominations close at 4pm Wednesday 29th February 2012. Should an election be required you will receive further information with ballot papers being distributed on Wednesday 7th March. Please note that in all schools the principal acts as Returning Officer for school council elections.

The Government’s Vision for Education Reform

In late November last year Education Minister Martin Dixon outlined the government’s vision for education in a paper delivered at the University of Melbourne entitled: “Victoria as a Learning Community”. He outlined three ‘non-negotiable principles’ that would underpin the government’s approach to educational reform.

Choice: The government will pursue high standards for all schools. It will also support parent choice by fostering diversity across the government school system;

Local Decision Making: The government will give principals, in partnership with their parent community, the freedom to make decisions that best suit their school communities.

School Community Integration: The government will promote partnerships and greater involvement between schools and parents, business and the community.

Minister Dixon also nominated student outcomes, order and inclusion, innovation partnerships and internationalizing education as key reform areas for the government.

If you wish to view the Minister’s complete presentation visit -www.education.vic.gov.au/aboput/directions/

learningcomm.htm

Barry Archibald

PRINCIPAL

Message from the Assistant Principal.

Starting school is a major life transition for children and their families and of course, families who transfer to Kew PS from other school settings, go through a similar set of feelings. Successful transitions rely on partnerships that are both relevant and meaningful between school and families. Making these children and their families feel welcome is a way to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible. The Kew PS community does this exceedingly well and one opportunity to feel this community welcome is to attend the annual Peppercorn BBQ, that is being held this Friday 17th February, beginning at 5pm. It is a lovely family night where you can meet other families and the teachers in a casual, social setting.

Another annual event was held last Friday- Meet the New Prep Parents, an evening I had the pleasure of attending. A big thank you must go to the PTA members, most ably run by George Radcliffe, and the Grade One parents who hosted this evening. It was an evening where lots of stories of what the preps have learned already proved to be most entertaining. Our new Preps have settled in to school life in an amazing short time as have our new parents.

As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, the teachers have been working and planning in their teams so that they can de-velop curriculum to present to your children that is both challenging and inspiring. As part of the positive home- school partnerships

that are emerging this year, there will be a series of PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS HELD NEXT WEEK to inform you of how your children will be supported to continue their learning at Kew PS. Please take note of the days and times for each level as we have tried to allow sufficient time between these briefings so that parents can make their way to them if they have a number of children in different levels. The focal point of these evenings is to build common understandings of the school’s approaches to teaching and learning. Each level will explain how their team operates, what pedagogy they have planned, how the team operates and the expectations the teachers have for your children’s learning. The staff are encouraged to be flexible in how they use the different learning spaces and to be innovative in their teaching styles. This year there will be a big emphasis on learning from each other- this includes the teachers as well as the students.

THE INFORMATION EVENINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

MONDAY 20TH FEBRUARY- LEVEL TWO- 6:30- duration 45 minutes

LEVEL THREE- 7:30- duration 45 minutes

TUESDAY 21st FEBRUARY- LEVEL ONE (Preps)- 6:30- duration 45 minutes

LEVEL FOUR- 7:30- duration 45 minutes

Finally, I would like to finish this article with a quote that was brought to the staff’s attention during Tuesday night’s professional learning session by consultant Julie Chandler. It resonated with me for a number of reasons notwithstanding the fact that education is ever evolving and ever changing. “The successful transformation of schools calls for a “new professionalism” in which teachers’ work is increasingly research based, outcomes orientated, data driven, and team focused, with life-long professional learning as important in education as it is in medicine”- Professor Brian Caldwell 2007. As parents I would value your opinions in regard to this statement.

Robin Grace.

Message from the Canteen.

Please can all school aprons be returned to the canteen. They are navy blue with the Kew

Primary School Crest.

School Crossing Warden for Peel Street will be supervising crossing children from 3.15 –4pm.

PTA News

Welcome new members A big welcome to all new PTA members who either came to the meeting last week or indicated to me that they are keen to join – we now have a fantastic group of parents representing predominantly Prep, Year 1 & Year 3. When members are confirmed I will publish a list (and maybe some faces!) so that the wider community knows whom to approach with any questions about KPS and/or PTA issues. The great news is that we should be able to run all the events we ran last year, with the existence of a Big Gig/Trivia Night/Main Fundraising function still being dependent upon when the Fair takes place.

Year 2, 4, 5 and 6 Parents We would LOVE to have a couple more parents from Years 2, 4, 5 and 6 join the PTA. Having parents from all year levels means that the interests of the whole school are reflected in the types of events chosen, and it also makes communication to year groups far more efficient, so please, if you are a parent in one of the aforementioned years, particularly the Senior School, do consider coming along to a PTA meeting and joining what will be a fantastic, big, fresh group of enthusiastic KPS parents. The next meeting is Tuesday 6th March, 7:30pm in the staff room…refreshments provided!

Prep Welcome Drinks last Friday Last Friday approximately 50 fantastic Prep parents gathered in the Junior Hall with Prep teachers, Year 1 parent helpers and a few bunches of pretty Prep-attracting balloons to kick off 2012. It was a very relaxed, friendly and noisy affair (as it should be) so thank you to all the Prep parents who attended, and Faye Rodgers, Sally Downer, Susan Clayton and Robin Grace for coming along – may 2012 be a great year for you all and your children. A big thank you to all the wonderful Year 1 parents who chipped in either time, food platters or both, to host the night; it was a very easy night to run thanks to you guys: Belinda Holmes, Emma Cooney, Emma Moore, David Madonna, Jacqui Tomlins, Claire Tanner, Michelle Duke, Cate Thomson, Cait Mullins, Effie Alonso, Kate Denby, Andrea Stevens, Natalie Paine, Megan Toose, Christine Franklin, Angela Gill, Hilary Neill, Katrina Whelan, Debbie Welsh, Julie Coleman, and other-year parents: Emma Rush, Susie Clarke and Loraine Trist. (Apologies if I have missed anyone).

2012 Peppercorn Barbeque this Friday – Year 5 Parents to host NOW EVERYONE! This Friday (probably tomorrow by now) we have the annual start of year Peppercorn Barbeque at school. This is a whole-school event: students, siblings, parents, teachers and friends. Chris Powers has been frantically organising all the food and there will be loads of snags, hamburgers, salads and soft drinks for sale, or you can pack your own picnic of delectable goodies. Either way, if you’d like a glass of something stronger than lemonade you will have to BYO it, and bringing a rug or fold up chairs is also a great idea. Come along and help kick start 2012 – it’s a wonderful night to relax and catch up and the kids have an absolute ball!

Do you have a spare hour

on Sunday 26th February?

You do ….. then bring a

Pair of gloves, or

Broom / Rake, or

Pair of secateurs

But, most importantly bring yourself

(and the family)

Along to the Kew Primary School Working Bee.

This is a chance to tidy up the school (no major projects), just some weeding, sweeping and

general clean-up.

From 10am until 1pm

Sunday 26th February Your support is greatly appreciated

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Open Friday 17th February

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 1 orders are due next Wednesday 22nd

February.

Complete an order form and return to your teacher or directly to the office by the due date.

Credit card payment is preferred. Payments made online or by phone still require an order form with a receipt

number included to be submitted to the school office. One credit card payment of the full total is sufficient, even if ordering from multiple brochures.

If paying by cash, please use exact money and ensure it is sealed in an envelope labelled Scholastic Book Club,

with your child’s name and class on the front.

Cheque payments should be made out to “Scholastic Australia” – not to the school.

Please ensure your child’s name and class are on the order form, to avoid any delay or lost orders.

All Scholastic Book Club enquiries should be directed to m.eldridge8@bigpond.com

Miriam and Sam

Scholastic Book Club Convenors

School Banking

Welcome back to school all my little bankers! Just a reminder that every Tuesday is still banking day, just hand your wallets to your teacher on Tuesday morning to be taken to the office. I will process them and have them back either Thursday or Friday for you to take home. You will still be given your tokens with each deposit but I am only able to make orders once a term - you may be able to get two rewards at once if you have enough tokens at that time. There are some wonderful new rewards this year. Each of you will be given a list of them in your wallet. For anyone new to the school wanting to bank please go to the office and ask for a banking pack, there are lots to give out. I will visit each Prep class this week to talk to them about banking and show them the rewards. they will receive their banking pack either Thursday or Friday. Please leave a note at the office for me if you have any questions, if you can't see me around the playground at drop off and pick up. Thanks. Nic Bradley (bank lady).

The Benefits of CHESS

Planning Confidence Patience Discipline

With a flick of the wrist, your deadly enemy is demolished and you're in an indisputable position of power. But wait! Your opponent counter-strikes and the chase is on again....The latest computer game? Nope. The hot game of the moment is....chess. While the game is not new, its popularity certainly is. What was once seen as a “nerd” game is now played by children everywhere. So why is chess on the rise? Chess is an extracurricular activity that is also seen as an "intellectual" aid in helping children do better in school, especially in problem-solving and maths. Today the world is so technology-oriented that people need brainpower, not brawn, to compete. Not only can chess improve logic, concentration and focus, but it also helps children realise the consequences of their actions. According to research, test scores improved by 17% for students regularly engaged in chess classes, compared with only 5% for children participating in other forms of enriched activities. In approximately 30 nations across the globe, chess is incorporated into the country's scholastic curriculum. Just as athletics are a part of the required agenda at schools in the United States, chess has been that way in the European Nations. Chess also has social benefits. Children learn to be graceful losers – and winners – in front of their peers. Plus, the game is fairly democratic – chess cuts across physical, age, racial, economic and gender barriers. All that’s needed, besides an opponent, is a board and 32 pieces. CHESS IS FUN! It isn't just another board game. No chess game ever repeats itself, which means you create more and more new ideas each game. It never gets boring. You always have so much to look forward to. In every game you are the general of an army and you alone decide the destiny of your soldiers. You can sacrifice them, trade them, pin them, fork them, lose them, defend them, or order them to break through barriers and surround the enemy king. You've got the power!.....

Kew Primary is keen to encourage membership of it’s

Chess Club, held each Friday lunchtime in the LRC.

A general knowledge of chess is beneficial but not

essential. All year levels & skill levels are represented so

come & have a go! Your first session is free.

New techniques are taught & discussed each week by the

chess coach, followed by friendly supervised games.

Keen players may also represent the school at three

tournaments this year, one each in 1st

, 2nd

& 3rd

terms. The

team will be chaperoned by a parent or two & the current

chess coach (when available).

Inter-school Chess Tournament

Haileybury Castlefield Brighton

Tuesday 20th

March

9.15am – 2pm

Kew Primary would like to encourage participants for a tournament to be held on 20th March.

You do not need to be a member of the school Chess Club to attend the tournament.

There were about eight team members from Kew Primary at each of our tournaments last year so it would be fantastic to

have similar representation this time – for moral support, fun & companionship during the breaks.

It’s a competitive tournament but also a nice environment, with everyone like-minded, chess coaches roaming around

giving tips, bigger boys helping younger ones, no embarrassment if you lose every game, and great practice and experience.

It would be great if we could have a few parent volunteers to help car-pool & supervise, depending on the size of the group.

If you have any queries, or can volunteer some time on the day, please contact me on andstevens@internode.net.au

Regards, Andrea.

Will’s mum, Grade 310

& Volunteer KPS Chess Promoter.

Chess Ideas, Australia’s first Chess Coaching Company.

Tuesday 20th March 2012: 9.15 –2.00

Haileybury Castlefield Brighton

120 South Road, Brighton: Melways 76 G4 (Please

allow time for parking)

CHESS IDEAS and CHESS VICTORIA

Invites you to participate in an

Australian Chess Federation

Accredited

Primary Interschool Tournament

The official State body, recognized by the Aus-

tralian

Entries $19.00/student. Entries should be returned BY MAIL to Chess Ideas, P.O. Box 3158, Ripponlea 3185, as soon as possible as numbers are limited. Enquiries can be made on 9532-8370, or by emailing

admin@chessideas.com.au. When the tournament is full it will be posted on our website www.chessideas.com.au . We will only contact you if there is a problem with your entry. If you do not hear from us your entry has been accepted. Enjoy! For all enquiries call Sharon at Chess Ideas office

95328370.

PAYMENTS CAN NOW BE DONE ONLINE AT: www.chessideas.com.au

Transport Parents are responsible for transport to and from the venue.

Lunch Playing chess is a hungry and thirsty affair. Please bring plenty to eat and drink

Supervision Chess Ideas provides plenty of supervision, however it is always appreciated if schools send

along a parent or teacher to help attend to their students needs

Tuesday 20th March 2012, Haileybury Castlefield Tournament Entry - $19.00

School Name_________________________________ Child’s Name____________________________________

Year Level_______________ Parents’ approval (print) _______________________________________________

Contact Ph# ______________________ Signature ________________________________________________

(Visa and Mastercard only)

Name on card ________________________________________________ Card Type ____________________

Card #_____________________________________________________ Expiry Date ____________________

Kroma Dance Creative Dance classes for preschoolers and primary children are held at Evans Hall, St.

Georges Anglican Church (preschoolers), and at Ivanhoe East Primary School (primary age) in Warncliffe

Rd. Ivanhoe. These classes are facilitated by Kathy Vlassopoulos from Mangala studios in Carlton.

Creative dance inspires the imagination through movement using music, props, textures and sounds.

Creative dance is a fun and inspiring way to keep the body fit and strong.

Please check out the website for details of classes and timetable.

www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/kromadancecreativedance

Kathy Vlassopoulos - mob: 0409 355 602 - kroma_blue@yahoo.com.au

If you would like your child to participate in the DRAMA PROGRAM at

KEW PRIMARY SCHOOL

in Term 1, 2012 please either mail the form below or email the information to... Email: rene@dramatime.com.au Mail: 19 William St, Balaclava 3183

Please do not return form to school office.

Class details will subsequently be emailed. If you don’t have an email account pls include mailing address

Name: Grade:

Parent name:

Parent mobile: Home phone:

Parent email*:

School:

PAYMENT OPTIONS (please tick a box): Direct debit Cheque Credit Card

Direct deposit: Please insert your name when paying online or at bank. Westpac Bank: BSB 033047 ACC 452136

Cheques : Payable to : "Drama Time Pty Ltd". Mail to: 19 William St. Balaclava 3183

Credit card: Visa or Mastercard only. Please note there is a 3% surcharge on credit card.

Ph: 9528 8998 Email: rene@dramatime.com.au

www.dramatime.com.au

An exciting and rewarding drama

program for children of all ages!

“The goal of the Drama Time program is to help children develop creativity, explore their imaginations, improve communication skills and build self-confidence … And of course, Drama Time’s great fun!

Pip Mushin

DIRECTOR DRAMA TIME

AFTER SCHOOL DRAMA

Juniors Tuesdays Seniors Thursdays

3.40-4.30pm Junior Hall

$14 per class!

Card Number:

Expiry date: CVV number: (last three digits in italics on reverse of card)