Important Dates: August 15th National Aerobics Comp Queensland 18th School Council 7pm September 3rd Grade 3/4 Expo Sports 4th Dads & Mates Breakfast 6th Fathers Day 7th Curriculum Day(No Students Required) 15th School Council 7pm Student AbsentHot Line Number 5964 7783 Launching Place Primary School Issue 24 Thursday 13th August 2015 Are You the Parent or Carer of a Child with a Disability? As part of the Victorian Governments commitment to make Victoria the Education State, the Department of Education and Training has begun a review into how schools can better support students with special needs including those with autism and dyslexia. The review into the Program for Students with Disabilities includes the opportunity for parents to tell the Department what they think of the current program and how it can be improved. Renowned human rights practitioner and Australia's former Disability Commissioner, Dr Graeme Innes, will lead face-to-face consultations for the review which is designed to guide and improve our Department's approach to providing support to students with additional needs.You can get involved by taking an online survey which will be available from September via: www.education.vic.gov.au/specialneedsplan Your responses will help shape the Education State and encourage creative solutions to providing outstanding special needs education in Victoria. Aerobics Tomorrow our Secret Weapon and Ultra Sparks aerobics teams are travelling to the Gold Coast to compete in the National Aerobics championships, which are being held on the 15th August.This is an extremely exciting time for the students and their families.The chance to compete at a National Level is nothing short of an amazing feat.We wish you luck, bust most of all enjoy every minute of the experience. We know that you will have fun under the watchful eye of Miss Nyman and Miss Mackie. Congratulations At this time of the year, our year 6 students are beginning to get excited as they prepare for secondary school.Several students have applied for scholarships and entry into various programs at the school they will be attending next year.It is with pleasure that we congratulate Mason B for gaining entry into the SEAL (Select Entry Accelerated Learning) program at Lilydale High School.This is a wonderful achievement. Page 2 Launching Place Primary SchoolCarter Street Launching Place 3139Telephone 5964 7783Fax 5964 6171Email launching.place.ps@edumail.vic.gov.auABN 96 199 518 803 What a fabulous time grades 3 and 4 had at Camp Curumbene last week. Despite the changeable, extremely cold weather, all the children participated in a range of exciting activities including abseiling, orienteering and flying fox. The camp provided a plethora of opportunities for the kids to join together in team and character building activities ensuring that all students had a fantastic experience. Many thanks to Kasey Bishop for her great organisation of the camp and to Lara Mackie, Zoe Kendall, Brent Smith, Glenn Waterhouse and Andrew Devisser for their assistance in making sure that everything ran smoothly.A special thankyou to our wonderful parent volunteers, Simon Blackney, Ian Doolan, Jaimie Comer and Susan Reid for giving up their time to attend camp.They were a great support for all students. My favourite part of camp was going abseiling.It was lots of fun but a bit scary.I felt proud of myself that I could walk down the wall backwards. Anita Q 3/4 M What I loved most about camp was the flying fox.It was very high and went really quick but I wasnt scared at all.Ethan D 3/4 K Canoeing was lots of fun and I got to go in my favourite coloured canoe blue.I liked archery but the flying fox was my favourite as I could pretend that I was superman.Hunter L 3/4 B I enjoyed the flying fox but I really liked orienteering.Everyone got to run around and we got to see every part of the camp.I also liked the food it was really good.The burgers were the best!Jackson H 3/4 B Camp School camp is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop new skills, friendships and interests. All of the outcomes self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, and self-respect build personal competencies. These personal competencies are reflected in the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character! However, for many kids (and their parents!) just the thought of sleeping away from home can provoke high anxiety.The benefits of school camp are numerous; here are just a few to consider: 1. Development of social skills School camp is a great opportunity to develop a range of social skills. Most activities at camp involve team work, which is great to strengthen established friendships and also to develop new friendships by connecting with children they dont regularly talk with at school. Through bonding activities, children develop supportive relationships not only with different children, but also with their teachers. At camp, children have the opportunity to learn about acceptance, caring and understanding. 2. Development of independence skills For many children school camp is their first time away from family and home for a few nights. Parents are not there to remind their kids to eat their vegetables, brush their teeth, or to have a shower. Therefore, this is a great opportunity for kids to learn how to take care of themselves and to do things on their own. Most kids do rise to the challenge and learn to rely on themselves when they spend time away home. 3. Development of decision-making skills Should I go with my friends or should I do the activity I really want to do? Should I have the third slice of toast? Should I stay up or go to bed? Supervising teachers are not able to hover over Building a Strong School Community through Camp Page 3 Please Note: That other advertisements and publications published in this newsletter do not imply school or Department of Education and Early Childhood Development endorsement. each child all the time, so at camp, children are responsible for making their own choices. 4. Increased environmental awareness During camp, children are exposed to authentic nature-based experiences. Hands-on activities in the outdoors stimulate all senses and facilitate learning. Children become more aware of the environment, develop outdoor skills and appreciation for nature. 5. Learning new skills At school camp, children will be exposed to a range of activities that they may not have tried before. When away from their parents, children are often more adventurous and willing to try new things. Narelle Messerle and Deb Hobbis RSL March Photo Board Dads and Mates Breakfast Date: Friday 4th September Time: 7:30am onwards Where: GP Room Kitchen closes at 8.15am Dont forget- Pancakes go like hotcakes! (Please note that this is not a free dress day) Vietnam Veterans March Sunday 16th August All members of the school community have been invited to participate in the Vietnam Veterans March in Yarra Junction next Sunday. If you are interested, please join in the march from the Cenotaph at 10:30am. Cont from Page 2 Page 4 Orders are to be written on a brown paper bag with your childs name and grade at the top and items ordered with prices; correct money is appreciated. If you dont have paper bags at home there will be a cost of 10c per bag. Please dont staple or put sticky tape on lunch order bags. Please note Cheese twistems and BBQ Lone Stars will no longer be available and removed from the menu. We have Cheesey Rice Wheel, Spc Apple Jelly, Two Fruits Tubs at 50 each.We are still in need of helpers to assist in canteen so please fill out the forms sent home previously and return then to the school office or to myself in Canteen. Or alternatively leave your name and phone number and the Thursdays you are available at the school office. Please look out for the new menu and Canteen Nibblings that will be sent home soon with the full term roster on it. Keep Warm Canteen Canteen WE NEED YOU ! Our Bus Shopping Tour has been booked for Saturday 5th September. We will visit approx 10 outlets like clothing, home wares, bags, lollies, its a fun day chatting with friends & grabbing a bargain or 2. Please complete form already sent home or at office with a deposit by Friday 14th Aug. The more the merrier (& cheaper the seats) ! Scouts raffle tickets have gone home Wednesday, $2 each with a profit of $1.50 per ticket to School so please support this fundraiser. ALL sold& unsold tickets must be returned by Friday 14th Aug. Next meeting Monday 17thAugust in GP room after assembly. P & F team. Country Fair Friday 23rd October is coming around fast. Plenty of activities are under way, we always need some more hands to help. ***That is why we are putting a call out for any volunteer parents*** please let the office or Janine know. Any other suggestions or ideas are welcome. You are very 'Welcome' to join any of our meetings. P & F TeamParents and Friends Matthew PPrep N Lara TPrep N Gracie BPrep R Kael SPrep R Emily B1/2 B Luca L-H1/2 B Aaron J1/2 C Elizabeth McI1/2 K Riley A1/2 T Paige S1/2 T Winter P3/4 B Matt M3/4 B Declan P3/4 K Miranda B3/4 K Anita Q3/4 M Jett A3/4 M Jevan M3/4 S Blake C3/4 S Darcy D5/6 C Josh P5/6 C Acacia R5/6 C Luke A5/6 F Holly B5/6 F Maeryn B5/6 L Jesse I5/6 L Callam Z5/6 L Page 5 This term the 3/4s have been looking at non-fiction texts in Literacy. We are starting to draft our own information reports. As part of this we have learnt to identify the different text features. We worked in small groups to create a poster showing the different text features in magazines and books. Have a look at our awesome posters! Page 6 Page 7 It was our distinct pleasure to have the Ultra Sparks and Secret Weapon perform at Upper Yarra Secondary College for our students. We recognize that the teams were nervous about performing in front of nearly 200 year 7 and 8 students, however they did an amazing job. Both our students and teachers commented upon how well trained and professional they were. The teams were an inspiration for us and have started many conversations about how we can continue to work with aerobics teams in high school. We all wish you the best of luck in the upcoming Nationals.Go Launch !!!!!! Mitchell Gray UYSC Junior School Leader From Upper Yarra Secondary College Page 8 Learn to play the Violin at LPPS Contact Sally Banks Phone: 0422 266 598 or sebanks@hotmail.com If you book a job within 1 month of receiving a quote from Nelson Asphalting and you mention LPPS school newsletter, we will donate 2.5% of invoice price to the school. Asphalt Driveways Asphalt Footpaths Asphalt Repairs Asphalt Car Parks Asphalt School Yards Clinton Nelson 0412 167 649 info@nelsonasphalting.com.au www.nelsonasphalting.com.au Best Value - Best Finish - Best Service