PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT

DIARY DATES Friday 18th December Last day term 4—1:30 finish

Thursday 28th January Office open for payments 9.30-4.00pm

Friday 29th January Office open for payments 9.30-4.00pm

Monday 1st February First day term 1 2010

Tuesday 16th February Second hand uniform shop

NEWSLETTER N0.40 17TH DECEMBER 2009

NOTICES DUE BACK BY

20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198

E-mail: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Visit our Websites : www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au,

http://berwicklodgeps.globalteacher.org.au

SCHOOL AWARDS

Congratulations to the following

students who received awards

over the last week.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

GRADUATES

Congratulations are in order for our

graduates of 2009. On Monday evening

we all celebrated a wonderful graduation

dinner - graduation is one of the very

special events on our calendar and most

certainly one of my most favourite.

As I reminded our graduates during the

evening, their contribution to Berwick

Lodge Primary School extended up to

seven years for most of them. In

acknowledging that fact, they should

remember with pride their very

significant contribution our school’s

excellent reputation.

Furthermore, their graduation reminds

us all of the fact that our world is

constantly changing, whether we like it

or not; whether we handle it well or not.

Most importantly, they will be in charge

of their destiny more than anyone else.

In saying this, it is important to

remember that, as graduates, not only

will they be confronted with change, but

also they have the capacity to be change

agents – for themselves as well as for

society at large. That is an exciting

opportunity. I know you are all up to it.

Good Luck!

ECHOES FROM OUR FIRST 20

YEARS

For many years we used to have our final

school assembly on the afternoon of the

last day. Along the way we experienced

some really blistering hot afternoons and

some parents suggested that it might be

a good idea to have our final assembly

early in the morning. What a great idea!

For the past 5 or 6 years now we have

held them on the final Monday morning,

when it’s still relatively cool. This year’s

final assembly was marked with the

presentation of a large number of awards

and certificates of recognition and Casey

won the House competition for the first

time in five years. Well done Casey!

What with global warming and the early

dismissal and final assemblies that s-t-r-e-

t-c-h to 45 minutes, I don’t think we will

be having final assemblies in the

afternoons of our last school day for the

year in the foreseeable future. They may

well remain an echo from our past.

I hope you have enjoyed this segment

throughout the year – snippets from our

school’s history vault. I will endeavour to

collate them into an online publication

on our website for your keepsake.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)

Q. What do you do in the holidays

is a question children frequently ask

me. Well, this one is for you, our

kids!

A. It varies. Some years I stay at home,

relaxing and catching up with friends and

family over a variety of get-togethers.

Other years, like this one, we head off

on a holiday. This year Deborah and I

are driving to North Queensland and

spending time with Jennie Tranter and

her family (Deborah’s daughter and

former administration officer at our

school). Then we will visit the

Whitsunday Islands for a few days before

heading back. We intend to take our

time on the way up and back – enjoying

the outback towns and sights at a

leisurely pace. Then it’s back to work at

Berwick Lodge!

THANKS TO OUR PARENTS

AND STAFF

Firstly, thank you to our two Canadian

teachers who are leaving us to return to

Canada after spending a great year at our

school. Anna Graham and Krista Wells

have contributed so much to our school

in a very short time. Thank you and

please take our best wishes with you

back home.

We have a first rate staff and they work

very hard at our school. I’m sure you all

know that, but that shouldn’t stop us

from acknowledging the fact. Many, many

thanks. To our parents - whether it’s on

school council, the PFA, in the

classrooms, on excursions, attending

camps or supporting your child with

their education, thank you ever so much.

We wouldn’t be the school we are

without you. Merry Christmas and good

cheer to you all!

QUOTABLE QUOTE

‘The best thing about a year

that’s passed is that we were

here for it.’

HENRY GROSSEK

Sienna PC

Brandon PC

ASSI STANT PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT

COMMUNITY NEWS

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP Our lovely second-hand uniform shop is running low on

stock. So if you have any uniforms you wish to sell or

donate, please bring them to the front office for collection.

If you would like the PFA to sell uniforms, please clearly

label with your name and telephone number and price you

would like to sell at.

Please note: uniforms must be clean and in good condition

with current logo.

Next second hand shop to open is Tuesday February 16th

2010.

From the PFA team.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided to assist

eligible families with the costs associated with the education of

their children.

To be eligible for receipt of the EMA you must:

be either a parent or guardian of a primary or secondary

school student up to the age of sixteen; and

be an eligible beneficiary of a Centrelink pension, allowance or

benefit within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004 or

be a Veterans Affairs (TPI) pensioner or be a foster parent.

Consequently parents/guardians are able to access the EMA if they

have a valid Health Care Card or valid Pension Card.

The eligibility criteria must be met as at the first day of Term 1 (27

January 2010 which is the first day for teaching staff) and Term 3

(12 July 2010).

The EMA application must be submitted to the school by 26

February 2010 .

The EMA provides an annual amount of $225 for primary students.

This amount is split evenly between the parents/guardians and the

school.

Parents with continuing eligibility, who are paid the first instalment of 2010 through this school will not be required to complete a

new application for the second instalment. Parents who transfer

children to another school after 26 February 2010 and prior to

or on 6 August 2010, must reapply at the new school for the

second instalment.

EMA NEWS

For Sale Yamaha PSR-18 keyboard

and stand Excellent

condition - $65 Call Terryl

0412 040 241

WANTED

GIRLS BORN IN 2000 WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN A GIRLS’ UNDER-10 TEAM TO

START PLAYING IN FEBRUARY 2010

CONTACT DENNIS: 9707 1286

GRADUATION

What a fabulous night we all enjoyed on

Monday as we celebrated the graduation

of our grade 6 students. Students, family

members and staff joined together to

reflect on the seven years of primary

school and congratulate our graduates

on their achievements. Our School

Captains, Rachael and James, presented a

heartfelt reflection of their time at

Berwick Lodge on behalf of our 108

students. Special thanks needs to be

extended to the grade 5/6 teaching team

who organised all aspects of the night,

from the emotional powerpoint

presentation to the memento folders

that were given to each student. Thanks

also to other staff members who

attended the evening and helped out on

the night.

Many of our students and parents have

commented that ‘Bernard’, our

performer, was an inspiration to them –

not just through his brilliant dance

performance, but also his personal

‘words of wisdom’ for our students and

parents. Good Luck to all of our

graduates for the future.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

PERFORMANCES

Our prep students and students in Years

1 and 2 enjoyed performing for their

parents yesterday. Many families

attended the performances and were

proud to see their children singing with

such enthusiasm. The children and staff

appreciated the support from families

despite the changing arrangements to

accommodate the weather.

BEST WISHES

Tomorrow we will be farewelling some

students at various year levels. We

would like to wish these students all the

best, and thank them and their families

for their contributions to our school

over the years. To Anna Graham and

Krista Wells, our Canadian friends who

will be returning home, good luck in

your endeavours, and thank you for all of

your hard work and commitment to

BLPS.

Congratulations to Jodie Luketic

(formerly Donnellan) on her marriage

last weekend. From all reports Jodie

made a radiant bride and had a

wonderful day.

We wish Andrew Searle and his fiancé

Dell, all the best for their New Zealand

wedding in January.

We wish our whole school community a

happy and safe holiday break and look

forward to seeing you all in the New

Year.

LYNNE BRENNER & DEBBIE CUSACK

Entertain the kids this school holidays at the

The Yarra

Valley Railway

Christmas Holiday

Timetable Trolley rides will depart Healesville

Station hourly between 10am to 4pm on the following days:

26th – 31st Dec, and every Wednesday to Sunday throughout the rest of the school Holidays

Have a Safe & Merry Christmas

For more information please call 5962 2490 www.yvr.org.au

FOUNTAIN GATE JUNIOR

FOOTBALL CLUB

Registration Day

Sunday 21st February 2010

12.00pm--3.00pm

Sausage sizzle on the day

Looking for all age groups u/9

to u/16

All new players must bring

proof of age to register on the

day

Big discounts for all under 9

registrations

All enquiries please contact

the Secretary Mary on

0417 351 045

COMMUNITY NEWS

MICHEL’S PATISSERIE, PARKHILL

PLAZA,SPECIAL

Purchase a medium coffee or chocolate and try

our fruit mince tart on us.

BUSINESS ADVERTISING

The Party Food Shop

Your one stop party shop Paul Stemson 0418 141 946

Phone 9704 6940 Fax 9704 6214

New Bigger Shop, Factory 3/12 Deblin Drive, Narre Warren 3805

1300 1 PARTY or 9704 6940

ROB’S British & Irish Products

The Best Butcher on the Block.

177 Lonsdale Street Dandenong

9792 5188

Specializing In: British Gammon, Haggis, Irish Boling

Bacon, Pork Pies, Welsh Faggots, Scottish Pies.

White Puddings, Scottish Black Pudding, English Black

Pudding, Scottish Kippers and Much Much More!!!

BUSINESS ADVERTISING

FRAMING BY BRAD Specialising in

Scanning of negatives & slides, Restoration of photos, Framing of photos, All types of photography

Brad Norton Chief Framer/Photographer

0417 953 199 Web: Www.aarp.com.au Email: brad@aarp.com.au

CRYSTAL CLEANING

SERVICES P/L

For all your carpet/upholstery and

general cleaning needs

Special Offer

3 rooms/3 seats

Professionally steamed cleaned for $77.00 incl. gst

Free deodorising Free stain treating

Other services

Vacate clean-up/ready for sale

For bookings & enquiries contact

Steve 0411 752 279

$1.00 from each booking goes back to BLPS.

Plus $1.00 to Royal Children's Hospital

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all the BLPS

community. Thankyou very much for all your support this

year.

TravelManagers is a network of professional Travel

Specialists who have been selected from amongst the best in

the industry to provide a person to person travel service,

when and where you need it.

Competitive leisure or business travel rates

Groups and Sports clubs

Home or office visit at a time to suit you

Personal one on one service

Great earlybird & weekly specials

15% discount on Travel Insurance

when you mention

Berwick Lodge Primary School CALL or EMAIL

Joanne Haines Personal Travel Manager

Tel: 9769 9932 Mob: 0404 032 483

Email: joanneh@travelmanagers.com.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY DANCE

CLASSES

Classes Held

Thursday 14th January

Dance and Musical Games Group ( Birdie Dance,

Limbo Etc )

11.30 am – 12.30 pm (6- 9 Years )

High School Musical

12.45 pm – 1.45 pm (6- 9 Years )

Thursday 21st

Hanna Montana 11.30 am – 12.30 pm ( 6- 9 Years )

Michael Jackson 12.45 pm – 1.45 pm Suitable for

8 to 12 years

$ 10 Per Child Per Class

Parents are welcomed to stay

Where Masonic Hall

106 High St

Berwick

Bookings Essential Ph 98892022 or Email

charismadance@bigpond.com

Charisma Dance Centre

Staycool Heating & Air

Conditioning Pty Ltd

For all you heating and cooling

needs phone 24 hours

Call us to get ready for summer

9703 2500

www.staycool.com.au