Issue One

Term One

February 2012

www.challisecec.wa.edu.au

Welcome to the new school year

2012 has started very smoothly as we welcome many brand new families alongside lots of familiar faces to a

brand new school year.

I would like to start by acknowledging parents for making sure everyone is in school uniform, wearing

appropriate footwear and for tying long hair up/back. Thanks for making sure your children were prepared

from the very start of the year. As I move from classroom to classroom, I can see that most children have

their books, pencils and other requirements and they are very proud of their new school things. This

makes a real difference to them feeling settled and ready to learn.

The staff returned to school long before children started their first day as we have had much to organise

with the arrival of 5 new classrooms, the introduction of many new staff and the continued focus on

implementing literacy and numeracy programs.

A complete staffing list can be found elsewhere in this newsletter however I would like to publicly welcome

our new teachers and education assistants to our school. We are delighted that you have joined us and we

can already see evidence of teaching excellence at this early stage.

Teachers are planning parent information session throughout this week and I would encourage you to come

along to these sessions so that you can learn more about the school focus areas so that you can keep

practising the relevant skills at home.

You may have heard that one of our lovely children in J4 has been diagnosed with cancer (non-Hodgkins

lymphoma). While this is sad we are encouraged by the fact that there is treatment for this form of

cancer and we are all hopeful the child will get well. While he will not always be able to attend school, he

will attend when he is feeling well enough. Of course, cancer is not contagious.

The purpose of this letter is two-fold. First of all, we wanted to make you aware of the situation and the

fact that we have been discussing the illness at school. We have tried to handle the discussion and the

children’s questions in a sensitive and caring fashion. However, you may find that your child has questions

and concerns you wish to discuss as a family.

Second, because the child’s immune system is affected by the treatment he is at greater risk from chick-

enpox or measles that other children, We are asking that you please let us know as soon as possible if

your child develops either of these illnesses. This way, the child’s parents can be informed and appropriate

medical action can be taken.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please call if you have any questions or concerns.

Lee Musumeci

Principal.

A new year is upon us once again. It is my sincere hope you all had a chance to down tools, enjoy your family and take

some time out to refresh and recharge.

Along with the New Year come thoughts of resolutions. I have a few for myself and look forward to the journey.

My son Daniel turned 13 the day before school started…my baby…where has the time gone? Over in a blink! He, along

with 1000’s of others started High School, so together we start the next chapter…am I ready…I guess I have to be.

Life is full of seasons and constant change…learning to be like a tree is so important. What’s so special about a tree? To

survive, it needs to grow strong roots to weather the storms… and just like the tree, we need to do the same so when

storms come we bend but do not break. Parenting is the most important calling that we’ll ever have in our life. It

supersedes finance; possessions; job position. I am learning, along with the frustrations and challenges, it is the most

rewarding and humbling role and we don’t have to perfect or get it right all the time. Love is amazing, and I wouldn’t

want to be anywhere else. As we continue in our journey of parenting, may we remember what is important and learn to

let go of the rest.

To all the new parents…welcome to the Challis community. I have had the privilege of meeting some of you already. For

those who don’t know me, my name is Diane and I am the school Chaplain. I work 2 days each school with Mondays as my

day off. I am here to serve the school community offering a listening ear to students; staff; parents/care givers. I run

the Rainbows program for students who are dealing with grief & loss-Parent working away; parents separated/divorced/

step family; new baby; long illness; death of a loved one (including a pet); relocation. Life can be bumpy and when we

least expect it, it can throw us a curve ball. The program runs for 10 weeks. It gives the children a safe environment to

share and journey with their peers who are going/gone through similar. The ultimate goal is for them to find their happy

place in spite of the circumstances. Please don’t hesitate in letting your child’s class teacher or myself know if you feel

they would benefit from the program.

You can contact me through the front office or you can email me at dianet@youthcare.org.au Thought for the week: Always look at life through the windshield and never through the rear-view mirror.

Take care

Chaplain Diane

Chaplain Diane

Challis ECEC Active After- school Program The Active After –school program is a free physical activity program which runs once a week for Challis ECEC students

after school in the undercover area and Challis school grounds. A healthy afternoon tea is also provided free of charge.

It is funded by the Australian Government and co-ordinated through the Australian Sport’s Commission. The aim is to

provide primary school-aged children access to free, structured physical activity programs after school. The program is

aimed primarily at non-active children who may not at this stage be attending community sporting groups.

Teachers from Challis will supervise the children and sporting groups will be booked to provide a range of sports and

physical activities.

Parents are being asked to nominate their children in Years 1 and 2 to participate once a week on a Monday afternoon for

seven weeks each term from 3 p.m. to 4.15p.m. The Term 1 program will commence in Week 3. Students will need to

make a commitment to attend every week.

Teachers are also being asked to nominate students in their class. Parents will then be contacted by the school to

ascertain their interest.

Places are limited and depending on numbers not all children nominated will be able to attend. If you would like to

nominate your children please fill in the slip below and return to your child’s class teacher or the school’s front office as

soon as possible.

Parents will then be contacted to inform them if there is a place for their child/children.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I would like my child/children ___________________ Class/Year__________ ____________________Class/Year__________ to be considered for the Challis ECEC Active After School Program Parent Name ____________________Contact Number__________________

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSES

Welcome to the new school year from the Child and Adolescent Community Health Nurses.

We are based at the Community Health and Development Centre in Armadale, and will be visiting the school regularly

throughout the year. My name is Helen Box and I am available to discuss any health concerns you may have about your

child. I can be contacted on 9391 2166, 9391 2220 or through the school. I am also available on email:

Helen.Box@health.wa.gov.au

IMMUNISATION

Immunisation provides children with the best possible

protection against childhood diseases. If a measles case

occurs in a school, the Principal has the right to exclude

non-immunised children from school for 14 days. It is

therefore advisable to have your child immunised when they

turn 4 years of age.

Immunisations are available from your GP, or at the Challis

Parenting Centre or Armadale City Council’s Immunisation

clinics, or through Rheola Street Central Immunisation Clinic,

by appointment [93211312]

The school requires a copy of your child’s completed

immunisation records. Please provide this as soon as

immunisations have been completed. You may request an

immunisation statement by contacting the ACIR on 1800 653

809, or by visiting the HIC’s internet site at www.hic.gov.au

HEAD LICE

Head lice outbreaks occur frequently in primary schools during

the school year. The Department of Health recommends the

following method of treatment:

10 day Hair Conditioner treatment

If you do use insecticide treatment, it must be applied and

then repeated as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Parents’ can assist in the prevention and control of head lice

by checking their children’s hair frequently using the hair

conditioner method and treating appropriately when

necessary.

Friday is a good day to check hair as treatments can be

commenced over the weekend, if needed, and no school time is

then lost. A head lice fact sheet is available at the office.

Please consult your Community Health Nurse if you require

further advice on head lice management.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Please advise the school if your child has any medical condition that may require treatment/emergency treatment during

school hours. A care plan will need to be completed at school.

Thank you.

2.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.

At the Parenting Centre

No appointment necessary.

Please bring your purple immunisation

book and your Medicare card.

Enquiries: 94974218

Challis Parenting Centre in partnership with the Department

of Health will be hosting Immunisation Clinics on the following

dates:

Thursday February 16th

Thursday March 15th

Thursday April 26th

Thursday May 17th

Thursday June 21st

Community Notices

Dale Junior Hockey Club

Registration Day

Saturday 18th February

11.a.m.—2.p.m.

Ages 5-17 welcome

Bob Blackburn Reserve

Challis Road Armadale

Contact: Lisa 0414984364

Web: Dalehockey.org.au

I love the start of the school year. I love the opportunities that a fresh start provides. A chance to do things

better or differently or to make amends for poor behaviour or old habits. I can’t wait to see how much your

children can learn this year. I hope parents will get involved in school life so that we can work together and

see what opportunities 2012 will bring. I look forward to seeing you around the school over the next week or

so..

Kind regards,

Lee Musumeci

Challis Parenting and Early Learning Centre

Principal’s Message

FREE Workshops at the Parenting Centre

Contact 93991144 for more information or to book your place today!

All of these

Workshops and the

Creche are free.

Monday

20th February

Behaviour

Monday

27th February

Fussy Eaters

followed by

Toileting.

Monday

12th March

Children Sleeping.

All of these Work-

shops are facilitated

by our Child Health

Nurse Kate Rowland

Please ring 93991144

Challis Campus, 40 Braemore Street, Armadale, W A 6112

Tel: 93995851 / 93991144

Come in and join our playgroupCome in and join our playgroup

Tuesday 9Tuesday 9--10:30am10:30am

andand

Wednesday 9Wednesday 9--10:30am10:30am

J14 with Mrs FarmerJ14 with Mrs Farmer

Begins Week Begins Week Begins Week Begins Week Four Four Four Four

Tuesday 21st Tuesday 21st Tuesday 21st Tuesday 21st FebruaryFebruaryFebruaryFebruary

2012 Student School Term Dates

Semester 1

Term 1 Wednesday 1 February - Thursday 5 April

Break Friday 6 April – Wednesday 25 April

Term 2 Thursday 26 April – Friday 6 July

Break Saturday 7 July – Monday 23 July

Semester 2

Term 3 Tuesday 24 July - Friday 28 September

Break Saturday 29 September - Monday 15 October

Term 4 Tuesday 16 October - Tuesday 18 December

Principal Lee Musumeci

Deputy Principal Louise O’Donovan

Registrar Heather Lewis

School Officer Allison Bailey

School Officer Anne Driscoll

School Officer Jill Axford

Art Specialist MIchelle Gilks

Music Specialist Katie Samsa

Physical Education Specialist

Alex Tucker

Library Teagan Briggs

School Chaplain Diane Thoomes

Challis Parenting and Early Learning Centre Coordinator

Jacqui Ivanac

Family Support Worker Jenny Forrest

Child Health Nurse Kate, Jo

School Nurse Helen Box

PreK Teacher Caitlyn Haines

Education Assistant Liz Roughton

Playgroup Coordinator Sue Farmer

Kirrily Kruger Occupational Therapist, CDS

Katie Tebbit Speech Therapist, CDS

Psychologist Louise Hanna

School Based Support Worker

Liane Taylor

Challis Early Childhood Education Centre

Staff 2012

Classroom Teachers Non Teaching Staff

Support Teacher

Tania Winwood

Blane Wright