NEWSLETTER No. 13 · AROUND THE SCHOOL: Keys to Success - Getting Along, Confidence, Organisation, Persistence & Resilience “YOU CAN DO IT” STUDENTS OF THE WEEK Left to Right

From the Principal’s desk …. House Cross Country Our House Cross Country is happening next Thursday, May 18. It will be held at the park, starting at 12:30. Children are encouraged to wear their house coloured t-shirt for the event. We are also looking for helpers – if you are available please let us know! Thank you! NAPLAN The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy tests (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3 and 5. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy tests. The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide schools with information about how education programs are working and which areas need to be prioritised for improvement. NAPLAN tests are one aspect of the schools assessment and reporting process, and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. Whenever possible, we will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the testing week. Individual students are not permitted to sit tests after Friday May 12. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills in the areas of reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. Questions are multiple choice or require a short written response. The writing task requires students to write a text in response to a stimulus.

- Language conventions test includes

spelling, grammar and punctuation.

- Numeracy test includes number, space,

algebra, function and pattern,

measurement, chance and data

- Calculators are not permitted in the

numeracy test in Years 3 and 5.

To give you an idea of what the tests look like; sample questions and a sample writing task are available on the NAP website: www.nap.edu.au

Fidget Spinners Whilst the new craze of ‘Fidget Spinners’ is taking off with young people, we ask that these items remain at home. They have unfortunately become more of a distraction in class than anything else. It is also important to note that other items such as ‘goo’ are not appropriate for school as they can make a big mess in student’s tubs. Please make sure that all personal property remains at home for personal use. Thank you for your support. Yellow Paint You may have noticed (not sure you would miss it) that over the holidays we had quite a bit of our school painted yellow! This has not only been done to assist a student with low vision in our school to move around safely but to ensure that everyone is safe from running into poles and tripping up on hazards. We have an OHS subcommittee of school council, so if you notice other safety aspects around our school that need attention please let Narelle Wood, Michelle Donders or myself know so that it can be addressed. Walk Safely2School Day Next Friday, May 19 is walk safely2school day! We are encouraging you all to participate by either walking from home (if you live close to school) or walking a portion of your trip. Let’s see how many members of our school can get out and be active on this day. Curriculum Day Friday May 26 will be a Curriculum Day at MPS. Students are not required at school as teachers begin writing reports. Mother’s Day Stall The Mother’s Day Stall is on Friday May 12. Gifts range from $1 to $5.00 to take home. Thank you to Michelle Donders, for providing this opportunity to our students and to Narrissa Gell and Kelly Bedwell for their help. School Photos School Photos will be taken on Wednesday May 17. Information regarding the ordering process was sent home to families on Monday. Please contact the school if you did not receive this information. Melissa Houlihan Principal

NEWSLETTER No. 13 Wednesday May 10, 2017

P.O. Box 85, Murchison 3610 Phone: 58262391 Fax: 58262799

Email: [email protected] Website: www.murchps.vic.edu.au

School Values: Quality, Respect, Community & Responsibility

AROUND THE SCHOOL: Keys to Success - Getting Along, Confidence, Organisation, Persistence & Resilience

“YOU CAN DO IT”

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Left to Right

Back: Ashley, Miles & Fred

Front: Rory & Matilda

Gr F-1WW - Rory Bone - For being a kind and friendly classmate. Who is always willing to lend a hand! It’s great to see his smiling face everyday! Gr 1-2C – Matilda Ewart – For the all round effort you put into your school day. For having the confidence to focus on all learning tasks and being totally organised at the start of each day. Gr 3-4VB – Ashley Taylor – For consistently using the keys to success in the classroom & out in the yard! Gr 4-5TF – Fred Johnstone – Congratulations Fred! For your quiet & consistent efforts to display all 5 keys to success throughout the term. Gr 6F – Miles Dalgliesh – Miles has strived all week to be a leader, both in and outside the classroom. Well done Miles! TERM 2 PLANNER

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

4 8 9

10

11 NAPLAN MACC Van

12 Mother’s Day Stall

13 14 Mother’s Day

5 15 16 Scrambled Eggs SS - AFL

17 Scrambled Eggs School Photos SS - Athletics

18 Scrambled Eggs House Cross Country

19 National Walk Safely to School Day

20 21

6 22 School Nurse

23 School Nurse SS - AFL

24 SS - Athletics

25 District Cross Country MACC Van

26 Curriculum Day

27 28

7 29 30 SS - AFL

31 SS - Athletics

June 1

2 3 4

8 5 SSS Rehearsals

6 SS - AFL

7 SS - Athletics

8 MACC Van

9 10 11

9 12 Queen’s Birthday Holiday

13 SS - AFL School Council 5pm

14

15 16 17 18

10 19 20 21 Regional Cross Country

22 MACC Van

23 24 25

11 26 Reports home to Parents

27 28 Parent teacher Interviews

29 30 Hot Dog & Dim Sim Lunch Last Day of Term 2

July 1 2

PARENT-CHILD MOTHER GOOSE PROGRAM: Come along and discover the power and pleasure of rhymes, songs and stories. Parents/ grandparents with children aged from 0-5 years. The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program will take place at Murchison Primary School every Friday during the school term from 9.30am-10.30am. Sessions are fun, free and morning tea is provided! For more information phone the school on 58 262 391.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM: During Term 2 we will continue to run the breakfast program on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday’s. Each day we have provided Toast, Vita Brits, Porridge & Fruit. See the calendar for our specials. Thanks to Murchison Bakery for their generous donation supplying bread for this great program.

STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR: We will be selling Supa Cookies as a fundraiser. Students can purchase 1 cookie for $1 on Fridays.

SCHOOL BANKING HAS CHANGED TO FRIDAYS AT MURCHISON PS - See Shelly for information about opening an account so you can become a weekly saver too.

Murchison Primary School

Student Absence Form

Name:_____________________

Class:_____________

Date:_____________

Reason________________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature:_____________________________

Please hand to your class

teacher

MURCHISON SUPA VALU CENTRE – proud sponsor of the School Newsletter CELEBRATING 25 YEAR’S SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY SUPERMARKET MILKBAR NEWSAGENCY

Shop Hours: Mon – Thurs- 5:00am - 7:00pm, Fri- 5:00am – 7:30pm, Sat- 6:00am – 7:30pm, Sun- 7:00am – 7:00pm.

BATTERY RECYCLE DEPOT SHOP LOCALLY FOR CONVENIENCE & SERVICE CITYLINK PASSES available

MASK: We have been very busy over the last two weeks in MASK. I was very impressed with the childrens creativity making their Mother’s Day gifts. As well as making gifts, board and card games have been a huge hit! Some of our favourites being Chess, Connect Four, Guess Who, Trouble, Old Maid, UNO, Go Fish and Snap. Before the weather gets to cold we are trying to spend as much time outside as possible using the playground and also using the sports equipment. As the weather does get colder I have organised more arts and craft activities that the kids are very excited about. We are still looking for more family photos to add to our MASK family tree. Each child that returns this will receive 100 house points.

The MASK program runs from Monday-Friday 3.20pm-6.00pm. Please make sure your accounts are up to date and enrolment forms are updated and returned. Thank you Jenna.

SPORTING SCHOOLS

During Term 2 we are running Athletic & AFL sessions after school for 6 weeks.

AFL on Tuesdays & Athletics on Wednesdays , See Shelly for more details.

WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

FRIDAY MAY 19

Well it’s that time of year again when our school

seriously starts talking about walking! Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.

You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:

- Walking with them the whole way to school or

- If you live out of town and have to drive, park

the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.

Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey on Friday May 19! For more information, visit www.walk.com.au

VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Murchison Primary School is excited to be participating. The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 8 September 2017. Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books. All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and can choose to have their name included on the online Honour Roll. If you would like your child‘s name to appear on the Honour Roll, please sign the attached form and return it to your school. To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklists and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

Yes I consent to my

child/children name/s appearing on the online Honour roll for the Premiers Reading Challenge. Name of child/children…………………………………… ………….…………………………………………….. Parent Signature……………………………………………

SOCCER NEWS: It has been a great start to the soccer season with the beautiful weather greeting us every Saturday. Over the past couple of weeks we have had many parents, grandparents and as well as school staff members coming out and supporting our soccer teams which is great to see. Under 6 played Guthrie Panthers. They are all starting to find their feet and both their defence and attacking skills are taking place. It was a tough game but all the kids gave 100% and will continue to improve as the season goes on. This week the under 6’s will play at 11am. Good luck to them all. Under 7 played Bouchier Eagles, it was a tough game but all the kids gave it a good go. The players all had a bit of fun. Etienne Allen, Joe Bathman and Claudia Hahnel were sensational with chasing the ball and really getting in there having a go. The awards this week went to Joe Bathman and Etienne Allen. This week the Under 7’s also play at 11am. Under 10 took to the field against Wilmot Road it was another tough game with the Murchison team going down. Anna Rowland, Gilbert Richardson doing an absolutely sensation job of defending and attacking the ball throughout the whole game. Well done to the whole team, keep defending and attacking the ball. The awards this week went to Anna Rowland and Gilbert Richardson. The Under 10 team have a very early game this week being played at 8:30. Please don’t forget that the coach would like you all there at 8:00. Under 12 after a bye last week, Saturday saw us up against Guthrie Street Cobras. Right from the outset we took control of the game with the majority of the first half being played in our attacking half. The only thing preventing a blow out in the score line was our lack of composure in front of goal and some outstanding saves from the Cobra’s goalkeeper. However, the constant pressure saw goals from Blake Hepworth, Mark Brown and Will Geerling and we lead at halftime 3–0. We scored another 3 goals in the second half through Geerling 2 and Christopher Brown, who normally plays Under 10’s. On the odd occasion that the Cobras pushed forward they were thwarted by our defence who repelled their attempts and set up attacking moves again and again. The most pleasing things about this week’s result was the improvement in the team finding space and the quality of their passing. Danny Williams worked tirelessly in midfield and linked up well with Dusty Bowles & Joth Mallon and defenders Jack Peterson and Brianna Brown proved to be stalwart in defence. Our biggest test will come next week when they come up against Shepparton United who are in red hot form. So come along and show your support at 11.30am next Saturday at Mc Ewan Reserve, field 5.