Welcome to the 2014 School Year

Important Dates To Remember Tuesday 11th February Prep – 4 Assembly @ 2.40 pm. Monday 24th February Immunisation Year 9 & 10 Students. Monday 10th March Public Holiday – Labour Day – School Closed. Monday 17th March College Athletics Day. Tuesday 18th March College Photo Day. Tuesday 25th March Parent Teacher Interviews. Thursday 3rd April College Fete. Friday 4th April Last Day of Term 1 – Dismissed at 3.10 pm.

can you do about it? The first thing is to talk to your son or daughter and find out what the WELCOME TO THE 2014 SCHOOL YEAR: problem is. Then make contact with us at school and ask to speak to your child’s teacher or a Welcome everyone to the new school year. A leader in their Learning Community. You can call special welcome to our new Prep children and by the main office and make an appointment to their families as well all new students across all speak to the College Principal, Mr Sproal or the year levels. We also welcome our new teaching College Assistant Principal, Mr Lishman. The staff: Lois Tabe, in the Prep to Year 4 Learning Learning Community Principal in each Learning Community, Laura Monks, Mickalya Ward and Community, Jan Scott ( Prep - 4), Carol Guthrie Krystina Edwards in the Years 5 - 8 Learning ( Year 5 - 8) and Sofia Mougos (Year 9 - 12) are Community. only too willing to assist parents and students whenever possible. At the moment, Jan Scott is THE YEAR AHEAD: on medical leave and Mary Pruscino is the acting Community Principal in Prep - 4. Jan will be back 2014 is shaping up as an exciting year for at school in about a fortnight. If you contact the Laverton College. It is great to see the steel office at school and the leader you wish to speak framework of our new gym has been erected and to is not available, please be assured that they the gym is beginning to take shape. Completion will return your call at the earliest possible time. date is expected to be July. Later this term, School Council will consider the new College RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR / RESPECTFUL Mission, Vision and Values. All going, well we will LANGUAGE: have our new Mission, Vision and Values in place. These are important steps as our College is due This year Laverton College will be making a strong to develop a new ‘Strategic Plan’ for the next four focus on ‘Respectful Behaviour / Respectful years, at some point during 2014. We are Language in each Learning Community. We pleased to say that College enrolments since the expect all staff show respect to all students and end of 2013 have been very good and we expect community members and in return we expect the to have close to 600 students from Prep to Year same in return. 12. Our teachers are all geared up for a highly productive year of teaching and learning. Students are expected to respect themselves, fellow students, the staff of the College, WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM AT community members and the College SCHOOL? environment. Respect for self means taking pride in your appearance, being on time for school and At school we hope that every day is an exciting setting goals to achieve and making a genuine and enjoyable one for each and every student. effort to achieve those goals. However, sometimes this is not the case. If your son or daughter has a problem at school what In the past Laverton College has been concerned the day should phone the College office for that some students, whilst respectful at school assistance. fail to maintain the same level of respect for others when travelling to and from school. It is important for all students to be aware that the College rules apply equally to students going to and from school as they do when at school. If we become aware of students not showing respectful behaviour whilst travelling to or from school, families will be informed and If you are going to be late in collecting your child consequences will be applied. please let the College know and we will keep your child at the office. Please take note of parking Laverton College has an expectation that all restrictions, there is to be NO entry into the students will attend school neatly presented in College driveway, for safety of our students. school uniform each day and that they are on time for school. This means that students are at school ready for class before the bell at nine o’clock in the morning. Students not on time for Telephone contact can be made with the College school can miss out on important information by contacting on 9369 1833. If you need to that interrupts their day. Students arriving late collect your child early please report to the Main also disrupt the class. All families are asked to Office so that your child can be signed out. The support the College by ensuring their children are College will not allow students to leave early ‘on time’ each day. unless arrangements have been made with parents. NO student will be permitted to leave SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTION: school early unless collected by an authorised adult. Attached to this newsletter is a notice calling for nominations for School Council. If you are interested in joining Laverton College School Council, we would welcome your nomination. 8.50 am Children arrive to School. Any parent of a Laverton College student can 9.00 am School starts. nominate for School Council. Nomination forms 9.00 am – 11.00 am Class time. will be available from the main office at school. 11.00 am – 11.30 am Recess. Laverton College ‘School Council’ meets once a 11.30 am – 1.30 pm Class time. month on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1.30 pm - 2.10 pm Lunchtime. 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Anyone wishing to find out 2.10 pm – 3.10 pm Class time. more about School Council is asked to contact 3.10 pm Dismissal. the main office.

Have a great week and …..Stay Cool! Neil Sproal Please call the College if your child is away. College Principal Remember ‘It’s not ok to be away’. The DEECD recommends that the maximum number of REMINDERS: approved absent days for any student should not exceed more than 6 days for the whole year.  No dogs are permitted in the school grounds at any time.  Laverton College car parks are designated for staff parking only. If your contact details have changed over the  Parents and visitors to the school are school holidays, you are asked to provide details requested to avoid smoking in the vicinity of of changes to the office so that we can update the school. Smoking is not permitted in the our files. This applies to changes in school grounds. circumstances such as:  All visitors are asked to report to the main  College office before proceeding to a new address Learning Community.  emergency contacts  Students are not permitted to use mobile  custody arrangements phones whilst at school. Phones will be  telephone /mobile numbers etc. confiscated. Families wishing to make  work details contact with their son or daughter during The Education Maintenance Allowance is paid to College Uniform: parents of eligible students under 16 years of age and the students are enrolled at a Government We expect all students to wear the correct School in Victoria. To be eligible you must be the Laverton College P – 12 uniform for the 2013 holder of a Centrelink Concession Card / Foster school year. This includes wearing plain black Parent or Veterans Affairs Pensioner Card which shoes/runners. Laces must also be black. is valid as at 28th January, 2014.

EMA forms are available from the College main office and MUST be lodged by Friday, 28th February, 2014.

LATE APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE PROCESSED.

LAVERTON COLLEGE BLOOD DRIVE: Skirts, shorts and dresses must be no higher than Once again staff and students at our school 6 cm above the knee, when kneeling. generously donated their time and blood in order to help save numerous lives in 2014. Uniform items can be purchased from: Double C Jeanery The next lot of bookings have been made at 2 Aviation Road Laverton Werribee Donor Centre for Wednesday 26th 9369 4307 March 2014. There will be 2 groups of 7 (6 students and 1 staff) leaving at 10:00 am and 2014 Compulsory Student Package: 11:00 am and returning to 12:00 pm and 1:00pm respectively. The total cost of the 2014 Compulsory Student Package is $300.00 plus the cost of text books. If you are aged 16 - 17 you must observe the The package pays for all class sets and readers, following changes to the youth donation policy as photocopying materials, diary, computer costs implemented by the Australian Red Cross Blood etc. If you are eligible for EMA (Education Service: Maintenance Allowance) the first total instalment will cover the majority of the Compulsory Student “ To help our youth donors maintain their Package charge. Please see Mrs Pace or Ms haemoglobin and iron stores, the Blood Service Marks in the Main office if you wish to use EMA will be implementing a change to how frequently for the Compulsory Student Package. Once a you can donate. student turns 16 years of age EMA ceases and the student should apply for Youth Allowance From 12 January 2014 donors aged 16 & 17 years through Centrelink (Telephone 13 2490). will be limited to one donation every 12 months.

The policy will be implemented retrospectively. This means that from 12 January 2014 you will STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA: not be able to make another donation for 12 months from your last donation date or until your Students with asthma have sensitive airways in 18th birthday.” their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers the airways narrow, making it hard for the student to If you are interested in donating blood and you breath. Symptoms of asthma commonly include satisfy the above criteria please see Young Blood cough, tightness in the chest and shortness of Ambassador Tristan Lee or Mrs Di Mieri for breath/rapid breathing and wheezing. details. Many students have mild asthma with very minor Alternatively all students over the age of 16 are problems and rarely need medication. However, able to donate at their own convenience at any of some will need medication on a daily basis the Donor centres in Melbourne. (particularly before or after vigorous exercise). Most students can control their asthma by taking regular medication.

It is recommended that students with asthma carry a puffer with them at all times. HATS:  Children in Prep to Year 6 must hand asthma puffer (along with their own All students need to wear their College hat in spacer ) and an updated Asthma Action Terms 1 and 4 when playing outside or doing Plan (completed by a Doctor) into the P – sport. 4 or Years 5 - 8 Office for the First Aid Office to take care of. Students who do not bring their hats will sit under cover if they are outside.

Please ensure that all hats are named so that if WELCOME BACK: they are lost we can return them to the correct child. If your child has lost their hat please check It has been a very smooth start to the New Year the lost property box which is located near the in the Prep - 4 Community. All students have Prep - 4 office. settled well and we would like to welcome the preps and new students to our learning MEDICAL ALERT AND SPORT ALERTS: community. If your child cannot participate in sport or has a The teachers for this year are: medical reason (i.e broken arm etc.) we need a Prep – Mrs. James note advising the reason and the length of time Prep/1 – Mr Renton the student will not be able to participate Grade 1 / 2 - Miss Garro (sport/running around etc). Grade 2 – Mrs Pruscino and Mrs Moran The student will then be issued with a “Sport Grade 3- Mrs. Bethke Alert” or “Medical Alert” badge which they will Grade 3/4 Mrs. Pocervina wear while at school. They must collect it before Grade 4 – Mr. Gauci and Ms. Henry. school and at the end of the day return it to the Prep - 4 office. If your child is away for any reason please call the office on 9369-1833 to advise. Phone calls will be If your child suffers from asthma they must have made for children who are absent and have not an updated Asthma plan and their notified the College. medication/puffer/spacer handed into the Prep - 4 office for use at school . Remember that it is NOT OK to be away. PREP - 4 ATTENDANCE TROPHY: Support your children and remind them to read every night and return books every day. Most Every Monday morning the Attendance Trophy students will get homework every week. will be awarded to the class with the best attendance for the previous week. BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS We have introduced another attendance award In class, students will be working with teachers to into the assemblies. All students who have 100% identify appropriate and acceptable behaviours in attendance go into a draw with their class. Each the classroom and playground in order to class has a draw and one student from each class maintain a safe and happy environment in which wins a prize. all students can learn. If issues arise parents will be notified by phone or letter. PREP - 4 ASSEMBLIES

GRADE PREP TIMES Assemblies for this term will be held on Tuesday in Weeks 3 and 6 starting at 2.40.pm. All Preps do not attend school on Wednesday for all welcome. of February. Parents in Mrs James class will be phoned to make an appointment time for testing TAKE HOME READER BAGS the preps on Wednesdays. The preps in Mr Renton’s class will be tested throughout the Students need to bring the reader bag that they week. had last year back to school. If the reader bag can’t be found then a replacement folder can be purchased from the Prep - 4 Office for $6.00.

PARENT DETAILS If you have changed your phone number or address please notify the office of the changes.

Mrs. Mary Pruscino - Acting Prep - 4 Community Principal MY SMART GARDEN @ HOBSON’S BAY SUSTAINABLE HOMES EXPO:

WYNDHAM HUMANITARIAN YOUTH GROUP:

Recreation, Activities & Workshops for Newly Sunday 23rd February 2014 Arrived Refugee & Migrant Young People aged 16 to 25 years. Come along to make new friends, As part of the Sustainable Living Festival in learn new skills, have fun and talk to friendly February, Hobson’s Bay Council is hosting a workers about any settlement or youth issues Sustainable Homes Expo that will link the community with sustainable products, services Meet at Wyndham Youth Resource and advice that can reduce your energy and Centre, water bills, and help you to build and/or renovate 86 Derrimut Road, Hoppers sustainably. My Smart Garden will be running a Crossing range of activities on the day: 3.00 – 5.00 pm 10am-4pm My Smart Garden stall – plus an Thursday 20th February – Amazing Race Autumn Veggie Seed Swap! FREE (Williamstown Thursday 20th March – Cooking Town Hall) Thursday 17th April – School Holiday Activity Don’t hang up your gardening boots when the Thursday 15th May – Dancing temperature drops – now is a great time to get Thursday 19th June – Police & Fire Station seeds planted for vegetables in Autumn and Thursday 24th July – Creative Night Winter! Sign-up on the day, (or members – come Thursday 21st August – How to get a Job and say hello!) to take home free seeds of cool Workshop weather favourites like sprouting broccoli, daikon Thursday 25th September – School Holiday radishes, cylindra beetroots and tuscan kale. See Activity you there! Thursday 16th October – Youth led event Thursday 13th November – Youth led event 2pm Introduction to Edible Garden Design FREE Thursday 11th December – Movie & Dinner (Williamstown Town Hall) (School Holiday activities 9:30am – 3:30pm) Ask not what you can do for your garden, but All programs are FREE. what your garden can do for you! A Smart Garden is an integral part of a sustainable home, For more information please contact: and in this session we’ll show you how a garden Kiemi Lai, 9680 61812 or email or even a small courtyard can minimize your [email protected] waste and water use, while providing you with shelter, habitat and delicious fresh fruit and veg ALTONA MAGIC SOCCER CLUB: all year round! Take the first steps towards designing your edible oasis and find out more Family Day and Open Registration Day about the Council’s free My Smart Garden  Open Training Session, program.  All players in attendance,  Signing and photos, 4pm Bokashi workshop FREE (Williamstown  Activities for the kids, Library Gallery Space)  Entertainment, Like to recycle your food waste but don’t have  A visit from the Melbourne Victory Players. space for a worm farm or compost bin? Bokashi, meaning ‘fermented’ in Japanese, allows you to nd When: Sunday 2 March 1.00 pm – 5.30 pm compost on a verandah, balcony or even under Where: Paisley Park Soccer Complex the sink! It’s a great solution for apartment Altona North dwellers and offices, or to complement and fast- track other compost systems. With Bokashi you home, and learn everything you need to know to can recycle meat, dairy, citrus, onion, bread and get started. even small amounts of fat and oil. Come along for your chance to win a Bokashi system for your

Laverton P-12 College School Council Election for 2014

Dear Parents,

The notice attached to the other side of this letter is the 2014 Notice of Election and Call for Nominations for School Council. An election for School Council is held each year at this time. There are five parent representative positions to be filled.

In addition, there are two employee representative positions to be filled.

Interested in joining School Council?

In essence, the role of School Council is to set the long term future for the College and to maintain oversight of the school’s operation. It is not about running the school – that’s the role of the Principal, Assistant Principals, Leadership Team and staff.

Three of the critical roles for council are:  Developing and approving the Strategic Plan for the school.  Approving the annual budget, and  Setting and renewing policies.

School counselors are elected for a two year term. Besides attending School Council, councilors may be asked to assist with one of the college’s sub committees, which are Finance and Crashendo Music Program. School Council meets twice each term. Sub Committees meet each month. Council meetings usually run from 5pm to 6 pm on a Tuesday.

Please consider nominating and having the opportunity to have a say in the development of our college and our college community. You can nominate yourself or you can be nominated by a friend.

In the event that more people nominate than there are positions, a vote to take place. Details of the election process will be providing to all families, if a vote is required.

For more information, please do not hesitate to talk to Neil Sproal or Paul Lishman or any of the existing school councilors

Regards,

Neil Sproal Principal 4/2/14

Schedule 4: Notice of Election and Call for Nominations

An election is to be conducted for members of the School Council of

LAVERTON P – 12 COLLEGE

Nomination forms may be obtained from the school and must be lodged by 4.00 pm on

11/02/2014.

The ballot will close at 4.00 pm on

25/02/2014.

Following the closing of nominations a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:

MEMBERSHIP TERM OF OFFICE NUMBER OF POSITIONS CATEGORY Parent member From the day after the 5 date of the declaration of the poll in 2014 to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2016 DEECD employee From the day after the 2 member date of the declaration of the poll in 2014 to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2016

If the number of nominations is less than the number of vacancies, a notice to that effect and calling for further nominations will be posted in a prominent position at the school.

Mr Neil Sproal College Principal