TOOTGAROOK TELEGRAPH Weekly newsletter of

TOOTGAROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL Website: www.tootps.vic.edu.au

Telephone: 5985 2864

Email Address: tootgarook.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Issue 22 24th July, 2014

CALENDAR Saturday 26th July - Tootgarook Community Market – 1H rostered

Sunday 27th July – Friday 1st August – Tootgarook/Sorrento Ski Camp @ Mt Buller Wednesday 13th August - Girls Footy

- Boy Netball

2J are performing with their recorders at next Monday’s assembly

2014 PARENT OPINION SURVEY Next Monday, we will be distributing in excess of 100 surveys to families as part of the 2014 Parent Opinion Survey. The survey will take parents about 15 – 20 minutes to complete and the feedback and opinions provided through this survey play an important role in further informing our decision making processes and helping to make our school the best it can possibly be. The survey is completely confidential and all completed surveys are returned to the Department of Education for collation and analysis. If your family receives one of these surveys, we ask that you complete it during next week and then return the completed survey in the sealed envelope provided, back to the office by Friday 8th August. It would be great if we could get a 100% return to ensure the feedback we receive is truly reflective of our community.

2015 PREP ENROLMENTS This is a final call for any existing TPS families who have a sibling eligible to be enrolled in next year’s prep cohort. Once we have a closer indication of the final numbers, we can begin to plan for staffing, room allocations, resources etc. Next year’s intake looks like being a group with in excess of 30+ students enrolled at this stage; so we’re hopeful that all enrolment forms have now been received.

SCHOOL COUNCIL OVERVIEW Last Monday we had our July School Council Meeting and the following are some topics that were

discussed and acted upon- Snowsports Camp and Interschools Competition Policy discussed and passed. The camp is at

Mount Buller next week combined with Sorrento P.S. and students at Tootgarook are invited to participate in the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Competition in September. Details of the Interschools competition are in this issue of the newsletter. Next Wednesday Mr.Whitworth is planning to head to Mount Buller and instruct a group of students in Alpine racing technique.

Tootgarook Primary School is having a Peer Review this year to plan for the next 4 years. Emma Richardson from Valad solutions will be visiting the school next Tuesday to begin the process.

The grounds committee has commenced planning for alterations around the school. Immediately the goal posts near the playground have been removed and will be replaced by portable posts. Large holes have been filled including the cricket pitch where the stumps are placed. The school has had an audit on the trees surrounding the school grounds and we are working with the shire for a resolution. In the future the committee is planning around paths and vegetation near the senior toilets, roller door storage areas and fitness track around Quinn’s Park.

The market committee is preparing a proposal to local organisations to fund or assist in the funding of an electronic sign at the front of the school. New signs will be purchased for Rosebud Secondary College and Burdett Street. The market is 30 years old in October and we are looking forward to celebrating this milestone and having the local papers involved.

There is a continuing concern of the school’s ability to have enough market helpers to sustain running the market effectively. Each grade has a nominated month and if 10 helpers assist the grade has a $100 voucher to spend. The market revenue profit is reallocated at the school level within a budget. Currently funds are allocated for the Bendigo Bank Hall, Bluearth and School Orientated Projects i.e. Shade structure Prep-2 area, $27 439. This coming Saturday Year 1H has their allocated month and we look forward to a great market.

The Parent Association is preparing for Father’s Day in September. As in past years items will be available for students to purchase the Friday prior to the day.

Council discussed the impact that sickness has on staff at this time of the year. As it is a budget item

that is managed by the school a plan was agreed upon for the remainder of this term. Student learning is greatly affected by the quality of teaching that they experience. The school aims to provide the best replacement learning opportunities possible whenever staff are absent, despite the frequent difficulties of locating appropriate casual relief teachers. Parent/Guardian/s need to be aware of the process Tootgarook follows if a

casual relief teacher (CRT) is not available or if the budget or timetable do not allow employment of a CRT.

If a CRT cannot be employed to cover a homeroom class:

The following strategies will be employed in the following priority order – The homeroom grade will be split between classes.

A teacher who does not have homeroom responsibilities will cover the class. The day may be shared between these teachers so as to cause minimal disruption to their programs and to share the additional time that may be required over several weeks. (Includes Principal and Assistant Principal)

A specialist program will be cancelled and that teacher required to take the homeroom class.

If a teacher has time release, they may be required to assist with covering the homeroom class.

An older class may work together with a younger class for a period of time during the day.

What is vomiting? Vomiting is the body's way of ridding itself of harmful substances from the stomach, or it may be a reaction to something that has irritated the gut. Vomiting in adults is usually not a sign of anything serious and usually improves within 48 hours (two days) and may have completely gone within three days. It can occasionally be a sign of something more serious, such as a blockage in your bowel or kidney stones. If you are feeling very unwell or are worried about your vomiting, visit your doctor. Vomiting is usually caused by a mild bacterial infection. Food poisoning and other viruses can also cause vomiting although these often cause diarrhoea as well. Vomiting can be unpleasant and you may find you feel unwell for a few days after you have been sick. As we have had a number of students displaying the symptoms of vomiting and a raised temperature we would ask parents not to send their child to school until fully recovered and re enforce the importance of washing their hands frequently especially after going to the toilet.

TOOTGAROOK SNOWSPORTS TEAM The Tootgarook Snowsports team aims to provide students who have achieved an intermediate -advanced level of competence in skiing/snowboarding with a pathway into competitive skiing or snowboarding programs.

The Victorian Interschool Snowsports competition enables students to challenge themselves by participating within a high level competition against other students from across the state. This competition requires the students to have acquired a level of competency moving through a set course. The Tootgarook Snowsports Team aims to promote personal safety and the safety of others in the snow. The Tootgarook Snowsports Team aims to promote the school spirit of friendliness, social interaction, confidence, care and concern for others in an environment which is as competitive or relaxed as is appropriate for the individual student. Entry to the Tootgarook Snowsports program is from Year 3 onwards. In order to compete in the Victorian Interschools Competition it is highly recommended that students participate in at least one school based training activity at the Mount Buller Snowsports camp or private/lesson based raining. Students and families are required to find their own means of transport to and from the mountain – as well as their own accommodation for events and training weekends. They will also need to purchase their own lift tickets.

Victorian Interschool Snowsports Championships In 2014, the Victorian Interschool Snowsports Committee (VISC) will aim to bring together Mt Buller as the provider of the Event and the key participating stakeholders being Victorian Schools and Ski and Snowsports Australia. VISC will take on the role previously held by the Snowsports Development Foundation. The Mount Buller Event Management Team will be responsible for the organization of the competition. The Victorian Interschool website can be located at: www.vicinterschools.com.au You can also find information on the Mt. Buller website: http://www.mtbuller.com.au/Winter/Events-Activities/Victorian-Interschools The Victorian Interschool Snowsports Competition will comprise of the following events: Alpine Skier X/Skier Cross Moguls Cross-Country Relay Cross-Country Classic Skating Snowboarding Boarder Cross/Boarder X The divisions in which Tootgarook School students participate are: Division 4 –Grade 5 and 6 Division 5 –Grade 3 and 4

BOARDER/SKIER CROSS The course will consist of gentle jumps, bumps and turns.

If the competitor moves outside the flagged course, they will be disqualified

GS Lycra suits cannot be worn in this event.

All competitors must wear approved ski and snowboard safety helmets (bike and surf helmets are not acceptable).

MOGULS Competitors are usually given the opportunity to practise on the course, but this is not necessarily immediately before the competition.

Competitors not wearing helmets and bibs clearly visible during the competition and practise will be disqualified.

The competition consists of one ski down the course and will be judged by three judges as follows... 66% on technique 33% on air (jump) If a competitor falls and does not resume within 10 seconds, they will be disqualified

If a competitors skis venture outside the flags on either side of the course, they will be disqualified.

ALPINE and SNOWBOARD GS RACES Competitors must meet their managers at the arranged time. Do not be late as this will jeopardise your chances and others in the division.

Always be there for course inspection.

The competition consists of two timed runs. The second run is usually conducted in the reverse order of the first run. Very occasionally, the second run may be cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

If, during a race, competitors encounter interference or a slower competitor ahead of the they should not overtake them. They should withdraw to the side of the run and ski down the side of the course to meet an official at the end of the course to request a re-run. If a skier skis through the finish line, the re-run will not be granted.

If a skier is disqualified on the first run, they should still compete in the second run, and the second time will be counted in the team result.

If a skier falls, they should get up as quickly as possible, without assistance, and complete the race. If a skier cannot resume a race within 10 seconds, they will be disqualified. Divisions 5 and 4 will compete from Monday to Wednesday and divisions 3, 2 and 1 will compete from Thursday to Sunday. Click on the link below for the event schedule which is listed in the Important Documents page; http://www.vicinterschools.com.au/sites/vicinterschools.com.au/files/Site%20Files/2014_subaru_victorian_interschools_event_schedule.pdf Tootgarook school entries need to be lodged by Monday 11

th August. If interested please inform Mr. King or

Mr.Whitworth.

Students will be presented with certificates at Monday morning assembly.

Prep B – Mr Cappadona – Makenzie Cooke – for his very good knowledge of number facts and work in Mathematics.

Prep P – Mrs Prossor – Bradley Holliss – for his great understanding of place value using the MAB blocks.

1H – Mrs Hughes – Grace Bell – for being early for school all week and trying to do her best in all of her work. Congratulations Grace – keep it up!

1P – Miss Perkins – Wayde Orlando – for remembering to bring his reader everyday this term. His reading is really benefitting from this. Well done.

2B – Mrs Baird – Riley Swagata-Heylbut - for his attention and involvement in Literacy groups, sharing interesting word choices and demonstrating a great memory. Riley also celebrates and acknowledges the achievements of his friends so this award is to acknowledge him!

2J - Mrs Johnstone – Liam Hahn – for his fantastic efforts in BlueEarth and for developing more reading strategies.

3/4T – Miss Withers– Hailey May- For always keeping her handwriting neat and tidy. Keep up the great work Hailey and you will have your joining license in no time.

3/W – Ms Walton – Tom Flynn – for showing integrity in his work. He contributes to class activities and completes the tasks given to him.

4/5S – Miss Staley – Trista Norman 4/5S - Thank you for being a kind classmate who always offers a helping hand. Your thoughtful and caring nature is very appreciated in 4/5S, we are lucky to have you in our grade!

5Q – Miss Quintin– Well done Kasadee Johnson. I can see you've been trying very hard in English, focussing on your spelling and punctuation when writing. Keep smiling, it suits you!

6B – Ms Ward – Alex McIlfatrick – for always doing her best and for never giving up. Alex is a reliable friend to everybody in the class.

Art / Craft – Miss Davey -

Music – Mrs Young – Isaiah Columbine – 6B – you have put so much effort into your Poster about Flo Rida. The quality of your final product is outstanding and your project was informative and very well presented. Excellent work, Isaiah!

Our Tootgarook Market is on this Saturday 26th July with Mrs Hughes’s Grade 1H rostered

on – thankyou to the following people who have offered their help: Darren Walker, Jeff

and Cheryl Hughes, Nicole Hee, Trav Malloy, Lisa Bateman, Eliza McIntosh, Fiona

Bilbrough, Karen Stevens and Bec Coffey. If you are able help as more helpers are

required – please contact the school office.

Tootgarook under 11 girls netball are looking for 3 players to join their team. Training is held at Tootgarook Netball courts at 4:15 on Wednesday nights and games are on Saturdays from 10:00.

WOW! Family Life & Rye Lions Club Free

Men’s BBQ Breakfast –

Friday July 25th @ 8a.m on school grounds.

Don’t forget to please present this coupon

for your free bacon and egg roll!

Education Maintenance Allowance If you were not eligible for EMA during the first semester but now have a current

Healthcare Card or Pension Card which was valid on the 14th July or you are new to

our school - please see Fran or Judy at the School Office to fill in a form and

present your Health Care Card.

Frog Dreaming Men’s Support Group

A support and information group for men - examining their role and common problems that men face in 2014. Come and share your experiences in a supportive and relaxed environment.

This group is for men who feel alone and isolated and for those wanting to change their behaviour and find more positive ways of interacting with partners, children and or family and friends.

Where: Family Life, 10 Carmichael St, Tootgarook Time: 9:00 to 11:00 am When: Thursdays - Commencing 31 July 2014 Cost: Gold Coin Donation Individual counselling with a qualified counsellor is available on the same day after 11.30 am by appointment. For more information to join the group or to obtain individual counselling please call Adam at Family Life on 9770 0650 or email: info@familylife.com.au