Mansfield Primary School
Mansfield Primary School
Apollo Street, Mansfield 3722
Telephone 5775 2325
Fax 5775 1914
Principal: Paul Volkering
Assistant Principal: Hazel Bell
Email:
Website:
www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au
Newsletter 12
25th July, 2013
IMPORTANT DATES:
26th July S2S Yr 4 X/Country
Group A
‘Pot Luck’ Dinner P & F
7pm St. John’s Hall
26th July Farmers Market
2nd August Snowsports program
commences Mt Buller
S2S Yr 4 X/Country
Group B
Book Club orders due
9th August S2S Yr 4 X/Country
Group A
Snowsports program Mt
Buller
16th August S2S Yr 4 X/Country
Group B
Snowsports program Mt
Buller
19th-23rd August Bookweek ‘Read Across
The Universe’
23rd August S2S Yr 4 X/Country
Group A
Victorian Interschool
Snowsport
Championships
30th August S2S Yr 4 X/Country
Group B
Snowsports program
wonderful woman, mother and friend to so
many.
Schools are the focal point for so many
communities throughout Australia and our
school is no different, so we all feel for the
Rekers family at this difficult time. Having
known the family for many years, I know they
are a very strong and supportive group and
I’m sure that with the support of the
Mansfield community generally, they will be
buoyed by the strength of the community in
which they live.
School holidays are a time students to have a
break and refresh for the new term and
sometimes a lot can happen in the space of
two weeks. During the last holiday period our
school was the subject of a break and enter.
Vandals broke into the old canteen and were
in the process of destroying equipment, when
they were surprised by Education Department
Security staff. All schools have highly
sophisticated security alarms after many
years of being “soft targets” for vandals and
criminals. In a worst case scenario, Police and
security can respond to alarm calls within
minutes. If you are passing the school at any
time, and you see something unusual, please
ring local police.
POT LUCK DINNER
Would you like to come along and enjoy the
company of some of Mansfield Primary
School’s magnificent mum’s? If so, there’s a
lucky pot dinner tomorrow night in St John’s.
It’s a great opportunity to have some fun and
share in a few laughs. Prizes, food and an
occasional drink, can be a real hoot on a cold
winter’s night. $10 door entry. All proceeds to
the Parents and Friends. Everyone welcome,
starts at 7:00p.m. Sorry no fella’s.
PRINCIPALS REPORT
The Mansfield Primary School Community
were all shocked at the sudden passing of
popular teacher, colleague and friend, Mrs
Jenny Rekers. It goes without saying that
the last week of the holidays and the return
to school has been particularly difficult for
many staff, students and parents. Most
staff, parents and some students with their
parents, attended Jenny’s funeral service
last week which was a fitting tribute to a
PARENT OPINION SURVEY.
A random selection of parents will be selected to participate
on our annual Parent Opinion survey. Parents are selected
randomly from our data base. It may mean that you’ve been
sampled before or not at all. Regardless, we ask that if you
receive a survey, please complete it and return to the school
as quickly as possible. The survey helps us identify
improvement areas as well as understanding what we are
doing well.
E- SMART
The world in which we live is in a state of constant change
and as parents we need to be constantly vigilant in terms of
allowing our children to access social media and content on
the Internet. If you didn’t know, our school is a registered E-
Smart School. We are supported in many ways but
significantly we agree to work with our community to raise
awareness about the many pitfalls that exist on the Internet.
One area of increasing concern to many parents and schools is
that of use of mobile phones to transmit inappropriate
material. It seems that many primary age students either
have their own mobile phone or have access to one belonging
to a parent. Use of mobile phones to transmit inappropriate
material even from young primary age students is on the rise.
Parents can find helpful tips to make sure your own children
are safe when using a mobile by going to: https://
www.esmartschools.org.au/Pages/default.aspx
In a good move for schools, the government through the
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
(DEECD) has funded all schools to help support their E-Smart
strategy.
Here are some tips and hints:
When you think about your children’s online activities, do you
consider their mobile phones? They have evolved from simple
communication devices to mobile, miniature computers. For
example, smartphones have operating systems similar to that
of computers which allow users to download programs or
“apps.” These apps help users do things like access e-mail and
play games. Also, most mobile phones allow users to download
and upload content from the Internet just as they would on a
computer. However, mobile phones can be more difficult to
monitor than a computer, and children often use them
without adult supervision. Make sure to review your family’s
Internet safety rules with your children and become aware of
the following risks before allowing them to own mobile phones
Making Cyberbullying More Painful
Mobile phones make it easy for children to communicate with
their friends, but they also make them vulnerable to
cyberbullying. Mobile phones can be used at anytime and
anywhere, giving cyberbullies unlimited access to their
victims. Children may send and receive mean-spirited phone
calls, texts, and pictures at any hour.
Unintentional Sharing of Geolocation Data
Most smartphones have GPS technology which allows the
user’s precise location to be pinpointed by apps and on
websites. Social networking sites such as Four-square, Go
Walla, and Facebook take advantage of this technology by
encouraging their users to “check-in” or share their locations.
A “check-in” can be shared with a list of friends, so make
sure you know who is on your child’s friends list before
allowing them to use this type of technology. Children may
also share their locations unintentionally through pictures
taken with their smartphones; these photos often have
geolocation data embedded in them. Consider disabling the
location services on smartphones before allowing children to
post photos online.
DID YOU KNOW?
58% of 12-year-olds have a Mobile phone. Does this mean
that your child should have one? Instead of worrying about
the “appropriate age,” focus on the needs of your child and
your family. Does your child need an easy way to contact you?
Do you trust him or her to be responsible with a mobile
phone? Have you set clear guidelines for the use of mobile
devices? Considering these factors, rather than your child’s
age, will help you choose what is right for your family.
STUDENT ACHEIVEMENT
With mid-year reports and parent/teacher interviews behind
us, we move into the second semester with a clear focus on
teaching and learning. Each child’s report has work that
parents can do with their child at home and teachers have a
clear learning focus and goals for the students at school
within the curriculum that is being completed this semester.
From my experience where parents, the school and teachers
work in a close supportive framework, then the outcomes for
all students are ultimately enhanced.
To support your work as parents and as a result of our focus
on Literacy and Numeracy we will be running two sessions for
parents on both English and Mathematics, so that you are
familiar with what is being taught at school and how you can
also help out at home. Further advice about the dates and
time of these sessions will be made known in the Newsletter
soon.
ACTIVE AFTER SCHOOL COMMUNITIES
Parents are reminded that the Active After School
Communities program is on again this term. There are great
activities after school for your child to get involved in. Just
come along and enjoy. If interested please contact Belinda
Elliott on 0400123497 our Active After-school Communities
Coordinator.
PARENTING IDEAS
This week’s Parenting Ideas article features some tips and
advice on Catastrophies or children who see a “worst case
scenario”
A few years ago I attended a professional development
course by a lady named Helen McGrath. Helen has written
numerous books for both teachers and parents. (Try
“Googling” her!) Anyway, Helen often refers to one’s
“Disaster Scale”. I hadn’t heard of that before but when
explained, it made perfect sense. We can get things out of
proportion at times and kids are no different. Sometimes we
need to take a “chill pill’ and think, well, just how bad is this? I
hope you find this week’s article of benefit. These articles are
from the Parenting Ideas website www.parentingideas.com.au
and are designed to help give you some valuable skills and
thoughts in that ever important task of being a good parent.
GOLF
If your child is a budding golfer and can play well enough to
play a sound qualifying 9 holes, and would like to try out for the
State Golf Finals, then please see either Mr MacMunn or Mr
Volkering if interested. There is a small entry fee and students
eligible must be at Yr 3 or above and have their own equipment.
UNIFORM
There are an unusually high number of lost Uniform items in
the corridor awaiting collection.
Parents are urged to check lost property for missing uniform.
THANKS
A very special thank-you to all our Parents
who took the time to complete our
“Catching on Early” survey.
Paul Volkering
Principal
STATE CROSS COUNTRY
Congratulations to Brooke Mullins, Ebony McNamara and Elise
Empey who last week represented Mansfield Primary School at
the State Cross Country running in Melbourne. What a
fantastic effort girls.
Mr MacMunn
SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS
This Saturday (27th of July), Cecelia Walker and Cassie Dolling
will be busking, at the Mansfield Farmers Market. The market
will be on the basketball court at MPS. They will be busking to
raise some money to put into the P.E. budget, to get some more
circus equipment for the school to use. They will be doing it
from 11:00am until 12:00am. So please come along and donate
some money.
BOOK CLUB ISSUE 5
Scholastic Book Club Issue 5 has been sent
home with your child today. This issue is due to
be returned to school by Friday 2nd August.
Please return any orders to the book club boxes
located outside the school library by this date. If you are
paying by cheque please make the payment out to Mansfield
Primary School. No late orders can be accepted.
PARENTING IDEAS NATIONAL TOUR
On Saturday 3nd August, 9am—1pm., Michael Grose and Bruce
Sullivan are presenting a morning of inspiration, motivation and
learning for parents. $67 per person . Bookings made online :
www.parentingideas.com.au/parents or phone: 5983 1798.
Ride and Plant at Rifle Butts Reserve
A free family fun day at Rifle Butts Reserve for National Tree
Planting day on Sunday 4th August from 10am - 2pm. There
will be bike fun, activities for the kids, trees
to plant, talks from local rangers and Land-
care and a free BBQ lunch. All welcome!
For further information please contact
Kerstie Lee, Up2Us Landcare Facilitator on
0400 613 344 or [email protected].
Positive Parenting Telephone Service:
Are you the parent or carer of a child aged 2 – 10 years?
Are you looking for ways to have more positive communication with
your child?
For more information or to enroll phone
FREECALL 1800 880 660
ENROLMENTS TAKEN ALL YEAR ROUND
Start now and make a positive start last a lifetime
NEWSLETTER DATES 2013
Aug 8th & 22nd
Sept 5th & 19th
Oct 10th & 24th
Nov 7th & 21st
Dec 5th & 19th
PUPIL FREE DAYS—2013
1. January 29th: First day back for staff
2. April 26th: Friday after Anzac Day
3. June 7th: Friday before Queen’s birthday holiday the following Monday
4. November 4th: Monday prior to Cup Day
REGULAR BUS TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
1. A child at school not travelling home on the bus must bring a written dated note.
2. Each term one note to inform us e.g. “Bill” is not travelling on the bus on……………………..(day
of the week).
3. Bus Passes are only granted for emergencies—not social reasons. Casual bus passes will
not be issued.
4.Bus requests must be in writing and to the school.
Please note bus drivers cannot give permission.
My child………………………………………………………………………………………………………..will not be travelling
on the ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Bus Route on ………………………………………………………………………………….day of the week during Term
……………….2013
Signed…………………………………………………………………………………………(Parent/Guardian)
Thank you to Carol Lakin who is relieving
Kathy Smith in our Uniform Shop.
FILM FUNDRAISER Thankyou to Susan McCormick who organised a film fundraiser after school on the last day of Term Two. Despicable Me 2 was enjoyed by young and old alike and made $480 for MPS! It was a fantastic afternoon and thanks must go to Karen and the Mansfield Armchair Cinema for their continuing support of the school. It was so good to see so many kids and their families come to the film. A huge thankyou again to Susan for organising it all and to Sonali for helping on the day.
WOOD RAFFLE Last week Peter Scales risked his bowling arm (and his back), went through 3 chains on the chainsaw and a jerry of fuel to cut, split and fill a tandem trailer of beautiful red gum firewood. On Friday and Saturday Liz Scales and her merry band of helpers (Georgie, Debbie, Charlotte, Kate and Matthew) risked pneumonia and the main street to sell raffle tickets outside the IGA. $900 worth of tickets were sold – an incredible effort by the community – many of whom bought tickets even if they didn’t have a fireplace or wood heater. This included the winner Mr Eric Burt. It was an amazing donation from the Scales family. Thanks guys … we just hope that elbow recovers Pete!.....
FUNDRAISING – WHERE DOES IT GO?? At the end of last term the P&F committee had a meeting to organise the distribution of some of the hard earned fundraised dollars in the bank account. The following amounts were allocated; $4000 for new take home readers $2000 to the art room $800 to the Grade 4 S2S program All these things were on the ‘wish list’ that the P&F had in the staff room. Obviously there are lots more ‘wishes’ to be granted and hopefully more money can be allocated to other areas later on in the year. The P&F are thrilled with the outcomes so far as it highlights the main objectives for setting up a Parents and Friends group; FUNDRAISING – and the provision of a separate bank account for all money that is raised so it isn’t lost in the school’s general finances. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL PROMOTION STAFF AND STUDENT SUPPORT If you would like to be involved in the P&F in anyway (even if you want to just meet a fellow parent for a coffee) please contact your class rep. There is at least one person, and a class contact list, for every classroom.
Maths Tips for Parents
MONEY Encouraging children to think about money, saving money and considering how they spend money are important skills for all children to develop. Encourage your child to work out how much change you will get after buying something. Investigate costs for family trips together. For example, a visit to a theme park
may include transport costs, entry ticket costs and food costs. Discuss saving money for presents or something your child may want to buy. Work out how long it will take to save this much if they get a small amount of
money each week. Negotiate increases in pocket money as percentages. For example, a 5%
increase would be how much money per week? Encourage your child to save a percentage of their pocket money or birthday money, and work out how much this would be. For example, how much money would you have if you
saved 40% each week? Calculate together how much a mobile phone costs per month. How much is spent on messages
and how much on phone calls? For younger children Regularly count the coins in their money box or the loose change in your purse Work out as many ways as you can to make a dollar eg. 2 fifty cent pieces or 4 20 cent pieces