August 8th, 2019 Newsletter No. 12

It’s wonderful to return from leave and see our learning community in full swing, and to see the engagement kids already have with Sharing our Planet - Sustainability and their related inquiries. I asked 5/6s what sustainability meant and Riley said that “Its just making sure that there is enough of everything for the whole planet.”

Our school camping program began last week with grade 3/4s attending Camp Wyuna at Queenscliff on Thursday and Friday. It was lovely to see and hear how much children learnt from and enjoyed their experiences, with canoeing, the camp fire and a visit to the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre as highlights. Thank you to Alanah and Ange for all their time and organisation and to Sam, Jill and Marg for their time and support. We also really appreciate the help of parents who provided transport.

Later in August grade 5/6s will head off to Malmsbury for two nights and grade 2s will have a sleepover at school. Grade 1s get to have dinner at school and Preps, breakfast. The camping program enables students to develop independence, have fun and learn. All the SLPS Learner Assets come into play. Students need to be thinkers, communicators, collaborators, self-managers and researchers.

Planning for 2020 – We need your help!

As we begin to plan classes, programs and budgets for next year knowing student numbers is very important. We are taking enrolments and organising information sessions for 2020 students. If you know any students who will be coming next year please get them to ask at the office for an enrolment form, or let Jenny or Janette know so we can make contact. If you are planning a move next year we’d also appreciate you letting us know.

After School care from term 4!

We are pleased to announce that we will be able to offer After School Care from Term 4. Kelly Club will be our providers and they will be here to launch their program from 2.30 on Thursday August 29th, so come along to find out more and let kids join in some activities. Save the date and stay tuned for details.

Parent Opinion Survey… as of today we only have 10% response rate!

Has your family has been randomly selected to participate in the 2019 Parent Opinion Survey? If so you will have an email with details.

Each year the school conducts an opinion survey amongst a sample of the school community. I ask you to please take the time to complete the survey as your opinions are important to us and will contribute to the future management and organisation of our school. It is completely anonymous and takes 10-15 minutes.

This is our last paper newsletter, to be sent home

Today newsletters will be emailed to all families. Please check your inbox to ensure that we have your correct address and contact us if you don’t receive an email. For parents who like a paper copy you are more than welcome to pop in and print your newsletter on the parent computer in the open learning space. Just ask Jenny or Janette. Emailing means we can ensure that newsletters get home and get to a wider audience and we save paper and printing costs.

Jenny Cowburn

Principal

Welcome back to term 3

Congratulations must go to all the students who have returned to school with a positive attitude and showing the school values of being respectful, responsible and safe. There has been a steady flow to the office with students collecting their rewards for completing a row on their sticker charts and even more names added to Mrs. Cowburn’s lunch list.

Our Inquiry focus for this term is Sustainability and Mr. Nicholson’s STEAM classes have already commenced rubbish audits at school and in the community. This data collection will provide direction for student learning this term. Staff and students have adopted some projects to support this term including collecting bread tags, phones, plastic bottle tops and Colgate products to recycle. Collection containers are in the main foyer at school.


  


I had the pleasure of joining Mr. Nicholson and the choir who performed for the Probus Club at the Bowling Club on Monday morning. The students’ performance was enjoyed by all including some of our families and showed real ‘community spirit’. Some of the Probus members also gave us a quick bowls lesson before we returned to school.

The St Leonards Fire Brigade visited us on Monday afternoon and talked to us about fire safety. If your child comes home to discuss a fire safety plan, this would be a good time to put one in place.

We welcome Jill Ruzicka a student from Switzerland who will be working and learning with us for the next four weeks. As well as learning about our culture and country, Jill will share her knowledge of her home and customs with us.

Bike Ed lessons begin this week and Miss Carroll has done an excellent job organizing the timetable. Thank you to the families who have made sure that bike checks have been completed in preparation for these lessons.

Some families will have received a Parent Opinion Survey to complete online. We would appreciate all who received one to complete them as the data collected from these helps us improve and plan for the future.

Chris Layley

Acting Principal