NEWSLETTER N0.23 DIARY DATES Monday 15th August J-Rock Performance Tuesday 16th August Canteen Special Lunch day Wednesday 31st August Grade 6 - CERES Community Environment Park Thursday 1st September Grade 5 - CERES Community Environment Park Father‘s Day Stall Monday 22nd September 5/6 Hooptime Wednesday 21st September Clover Cottage Dinner 11TH AUGUST 2011 NOTICES DUE BACK BY Friday 12th August 3/4 Camp Rumbug Permission Forms Monday 22nd August Grade 5/6 - CERES Community Environment Park Fridasy 26th August Father‘s Day Stall Monday 29th August 3/4 Camp Balance Thursday 14th September Clover Cottage Dinner Wednesday 17th September 5/6 Hooptime BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198 E-mail: [email protected]Visit our Websites : http:// www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au, Camp Australia/Out of School Hours Care: 9769 8251 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT SINGAPORE TRIP Everyone on the trip is having a great time. With the aid of modern technology we are keeping in regular contact via skyping. In fact, a highlight at Monday evening‘s school council meeting was the ten minutes we spent chatting with the teachers while watching them on our plasma screen. The children were having a wonderful time in the pool and all was well. Earlier this week I received a courtesy call from our regional office - acknowledging our school on our inaugural student visit to Singapore, in addition to enquiring to see if all was well. Our team returns on Saturday evening and they should all hopefully be refreshed by Monday morning. GROSSEK’S VIEW For the past 12 years I write a regular column for Themes Educational magazines on topics of my choosing. I do enjoy this activity for a variety of reasons. My current article was written with concerns I have over Disability & Impairments program funding that I believe exists within our education system. It was suggested that I provide you with a copy via our newsletter as it may be of interest to you. Short changing our disabled students One topic of constant discussion amongst many of my colleagues is that of funding inadequacies for our disabled students in regular schools. It is a hot topic and rightly so. Over my long involvement in state education I have witnessed many fine improvements to our education system. Adequately meeting the needs of our disabled students is, sadly, not one of them in my opinion. Back in the 1970‘s when the move to better integrate disabled students in non-special setting schools had significant traction, a government report warned that it would be costly. That it has proven to be, and in more ways than one. Disturbingly, decades later, many principals are exasperated at what they see as an increasingly harsh model used for assessing the level of Disabilities and Impairments (D&I) funding allocated to students with disabilities. Currently, the consequence of such concern is being played out in Victorian Courts as a number of parents are suing the State of Victoria for allegedly not providing an adequate level of resources to meet their children‘s special educational needs. For obvious legal reasons no comment on those cases can be made. Nonetheless, it is a sad indictment of the overall state of affairs that such action is being taken in the 21 st Century. How has it got to such a state? Two core reasons stand out – parents exercising their right to enrol their disabled children in regular schools coupled with state governments anxious to balance their books. Crucially, the right of parents to enrol disabled children in regular schools presumes that regular schools will receive an appropriate level of funding to meet the individual learning needs of these children. On the face of it, our existing highly sophisticated D&I assessment procedures appear to meet this presumption. There is certainly no lack of evidence required to substantiate additional funding being allocated to the individual children. Quite the contrary! Principals and parents will if anything, complain about information overload – the metaphorical number of hoops through which schools must jump to secure funding is exasperating. Canteen Closed on Tuesdays Continued...
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Berwick Lodge Primary School, Newsletter, August 2011
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NEWSLETTER N0.23
DIARY DATES
Monday 15th August J-Rock Performance
Tuesday 16th August Canteen Special Lunch day
Wednesday 31st August Grade 6 - CERES Community
Environment Park
Thursday 1st September Grade 5 - CERES Community
Environment Park
Father‘s Day Stall
Monday 22nd September 5/6 Hooptime
Wednesday 21st September Clover Cottage Dinner
11TH AUGUST 2011
NOTICES DUE BACK BY
Friday 12th August 3/4 Camp Rumbug
Permission Forms
Monday 22nd August Grade 5/6 - CERES
Community Environment Park
Fridasy 26th August Father‘s Day Stall
Monday 29th August 3/4 Camp Balance
Thursday 14th September Clover Cottage
Dinner
Wednesday 17th September 5/6 Hooptime
BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198
Enrolments for 2012 are now being accepted! Enrolment forms are available from the school office. Original birth certificates and immunisation certificates need to be sighted by the office at the time of enrolment.
2011 Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to all students participating in this year‘s challenge. It is great to see so many
enthusiastic readers eagerly borrowing books from the recommended booklists.
Don‘t forget to let your teachers know when you have completed a book so it can be verified on the
Premier‘s Reading Challenge website by a coordinator. All books must be entered online and verified by Friday
16th September 2011.
Congratulations to the following students who have completed the 2011 Premier’s Reading
Challenge.
Eden F 6N
Chloe H 6N
Happy Reading! Bernadette Kelly
Visual Arts
THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU!
To the wonderful parents Monique M, Sharon B, Michelle M, Mr McLeod, and Kate N, who helped
with the Mosaic grouting on Monday 8th August 2011.
We could not have done it without you!!
Jo Zammit/ Julie McLeod
Visual Arts Teachers
Junior School Council News...
Dear Parents,
As part of our fundraising efforts for our Sponsor
Children, Pheear and Oshdi, we have registered
with Pauls Collect a Cap. Each specially marked
milk bottle cap donated earns our School 10c.
We are hoping to raise as much money as possible
to enable us to help Pheear, Oshdi and their
communities in Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
The money we raise helps their community to
provide education and school supplies, training in
farming skills, medical check-ups and supplies,
building materials for new classrooms and clean,
safe drinking water.
The caps can be placed in the marked collection bin
outside Mrs Cusack‘s office.
Thank you for your support Vanessa Stevens and Lianne Morgan
On behalf of the Junior School Council
WHAT IS ORGANISATION? Things to Say to Communicate “Setting Goals”
―I can see that you are
intent on achieving your
goal.‖
―You see, setting goals
helps you do your
best.‖
―How does it feel to
have achieved your
goals?‖
―I can see that you wish
to achieve your goals
for this lesson. This
takes discipline and organisation.‖
You seem very committed today to achieve your
goal.‖
―Without goals, it‘s harder to do our best.‖
―I think you can see that luck is not involved in
achieving your goals.‖
SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Welcome everyone to my School Council President‘s Report.
SCHOOL COUNCILLOR PROFILES
This week I would like to introduce Michelle Sarjeant, one of our parent representatives and Carolyn Mehr, also a parent
representative and new to our School Council this year.
Michelle Sarjeant: I live in Narre Warren South and was recommended to enrol my son into Berwick Lodge Primary
School even though this meant travelling. The school has a high and valued reputation, and has helped us out in many ways.
With that in mind I wanted to contribute and volunteer my time to the school, in order to be able to give something back.
As such I was part of the PFA for 18 months, and then went onto be part of the school council. I worked for 7 years before
having our son, and come from a marketing/sales background. I enjoy being a member of the school council and learning
more about what the school does for our children and their development..
Carolyn Mehr: I'm the mother of Yasmin in Grade 3 and Leida in Grade 6. I've been married to Ahmad for almost 13 years
and have lived in Berwick for about 8 years. My husband is from Afghanistan so we experience quite a culturally diverse and
interesting life. My previous work experience was in retail management and I was Store Manager of 3 Freedom Furniture
stores before leaving for a complete change in career. I left to enter the 'rag trade 'and learnt the trade of fabric cutting from
my father. Later my husband and I started our own business cutting clothes for high fashion designers along with school
uniforms. We work from home so not having to deal with traffic each day is worth its weight in gold. The work is always
varied and challenging. Having our own business allows me to be a little flexible with hours so I am able to attend many
school events and be involved where possible in the school community. My greatest achievement in my life has been my two
beautiful daughters. Mr Grossek may argue the highest point in my life was cutting the suit that Nathan Buckley wore when
he won the Brownlow Medal in 2003. I have really enjoyed my first 6 months on School Council. It has given me a greater
appreciation and respect for how much work actually goes on out of the classroom to provide our kids with the high level of
education they have available to them at Berwick Lodge Primary School.
MOSAIC PROJECTS
As many of you may have seen, this year we have commenced a number of new mosaic projects to complement the ―You
Can Do It‖ mosaic that was completed by our Grade 5 & 6 team last year. This year our Grade 1 and 2‘s completed a
mosaic mural on the wall outside the art room and our Grade 3 and 4‘s have nearly completed the music themed mosaic
(designed by our own Art Captain—Sophie Tran) on the wall outside the Performing Arts Room. These areas now look
fantastic and are a wonderful addition to our school. Special thanks must go to our wonderful art teachers, Julie McLeod and
Jo Zammit and our fabulous artist in resident, Helen Harman who have guided and assisted our students in these works.
J-ROCK
Wishing all our students, teachers and extra special helpers the best of luck next Monday 15th August 2011 as they compete
against 10 other schools at Hisense Arena, in the J-Rock competition. I know you are all going to be great.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly via the school office or you can email me on [email protected]
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 1st September 2011 at 1.30pm in Room 16. Everyone is welcome, including toddlers. The PFA welcomes anyone wanting to join the fun and help
make a difference.
2ND HAND UNIFORM SHOP: Our next 2nd hand uniform shop will be open in the school canteen on Tuesday 30th August 2011 from 2.30pm until 3.15pm. We would like to thank all those families who have donated as they have assisted other families in our community.
PFA CAFÉ: Is open on Thursday afternoon‘s from 2.45pm in Room 16. If you arrive at school early to
get a car park close by, or you want to come and keep warm, please come and visit us and enjoy a hot drink for a gold coin donation.
Current events
FATHERS DAY STALL: Thursday 1st September 2011 Forms were sent home last Friday for our Fathers Day Stall. There will be a wide variety of gifts to chose from
including mugs, photo frames and games, for that special Dad, Grandad or Great Grandad. All forms must be returned by Friday 26th August 2011. If you have a few hours to spare, please fill in the Parent Helper slip at the bottom of the form. We appreciate your assistance in setting up and running the stall.
PIE & SLICE DRIVE:
The PFA are holding a Pie & Slice Drive this term with our pies and slices being supplied by Emerald Bakery. There will be a variety of savoury and sweet pies and also some yummy slices. Order forms
will be sent home this week. Remember to ask family and friends for their much appreciated support of our school.
Upcoming Events CLOVER COTTAGE: Wednesday 21st September 2011.
Clover Cottage information forms will be sent home shortly. To assist us on this night, we are still looking for assistance with donations and prizes. If you work for a company that would be willing to donate a product or gift voucher, we would love to hear from you. Any company who donates will receive promotion for their
business in our newsletter. Please contact Sarah via email if you can assist.
DRIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT: In December we will be holding another fun filled Drive In Movie Night at Akoonah Park. This is a great opportunity to advertise and promote your
business. If you work for, or own a company that would like to advertise, please contact Sarah via email.
NeWS
SCHOOL PROMOTIONS: Remember to keep collecting your Woolworths Earn and Learn
Receipts, Coles Sports for Schools Vouchers and Pauls Collect-A-Caps. Boxes for each promotion can be found at the office or send them through your classroom so you can earn house points
too !
THANKS again for your continued support.
We are trying to do things to make our school community stronger.
Advertisements published by the school are accepted in good faith and should not be regarded as an endorsement of any product or service.
Parents and members of the school community are advised to investigate any service or product to determine its suitability to meet their family's needs prior to accessing it.