Issue 3 – February 18th, 2016

2016 CALENDAR Friday 19th February Inter School Sport – Teeball and Soccer Wednesday 24th February Breakfast Club Thursday 25th February Year 3 & 4 Excursion to State Library Victoria Friday 26th February Inter School Sport – Teeball and Soccer Friday 26th February Booklist and Excursion Fees Due Monday 29th February Whittlesea Division Swimming Wednesday 2nd March Breakfast Club Friday 4th March Inter School Sport – Teeball and Soccer Wednesday 9th March Northern Region Swimming Wednesday 9th March Breakfast Club Thursday 10th March Year 3 & 4 Robotics Excursion Friday 11th March Inter School Sport – Teeball and Soccer

PRINCIPAL AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL REPORT

Hello Everyone,

I was telling everyone at our assembly that we had an Occupational & Health Audit last Friday – in fact it took the whole day. The great news is that the man, who was very thorough in his audit, was most impressed with our school. This means that we operate under the strict guidelines and policies of the department and have a safe school. Before he even started the audit he said that he could already get a sense of our commitment to our value of excellence that he would happily send his children to Whittlesea Primary School. Another terrific compliment!

Religious Instruction The new Ministerial Direction states: “From Term 1 2016, Special Religious Instruction (SRI) may only be delivered during lunchtime, or in the hour before or after school for a maximum of 30 minutes”. We have been able to provide one staff member, Laura Parkes, to supervise students during first break every Tuesday starting in Term 2. The cost of the required text is $10.00. A notice accompanies this newsletter and payment is required no later than Tuesday 15th March, 2016.

This is a nine week term and it is almost the end of week 4! Despite all of our teachers working during their holiday break; it continues to be a very busy time of the year. There are lots of organisational procedures and processes to be put into place, which will ensure consistent classroom, and school practices are implemented.

Schools, like most places, operate better when everyone is clear about what is expected of them. This includes children, teachers, and parents. All teachers are working long hours towards this end and this should be noticed and appreciated. If you are happy with something your child’s teacher has planned or organised or if you are excited by the work your child is doing it would be nice to pay them a compliment. I hope that you had this opportunity during the parent teacher interviews this week. We warmly welcome parent helpers into our school. Banking and Book Club have already started (thank you) and we will be seeking classroom support very soon. Your assistance in all aspects of the school is greatly appreciated, whether this is in the classroom, on school council, or excursions.

Unfortunately, we haven’t had anyone pick up a ‘nomination form’ from the office for School Council  Everyone who has been on council, in my nearly seven years as principal here at Whittlesea, has made comment about how informative and valuable this experience has been. Please consider nominating or come and see Ty or me for more information if you are undecided.

Whittlesea Primary school is committed to providing a safe and positive environment based on our values of Community, Confidence, Honesty, Excellence and Respect.

Kindest regards, Bente and Ty

2016 Booklist Reminder

Thankyou to the families who have already paid the booklist fees for 2016. Please note that booklist fees of $225 per student are due and payable by Friday 26 th February 2016. The excursion levy of $70 per student can be paid in full by 26th February 2016 or by 2 instalments of $35 each. The first instalment of $35 is due by Friday 26 th February 2016 and the second instalment of $35 is due by Friday 10th June 2016. If you have any queries please contact Donna Gray at the school office. Some families may be eligible for the Camps Sports and Excursion Fund . 1. CSEF eligibility Below is the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF). Criteria 1 – Eligibility To be eligible* for the fund, a parent or legal guardian of a student attending a registered Government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school must: • on the first day of Term one, or; • on the first day of Term two; a) Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be a holder of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR b) Be a temporary foster parent, and; c) Submit an application to the school by the due date. * A special consideration eligibility category also exists. For more information, see: www.education.vic.gov.au/csef Parents who receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with one of (a) or (b) above.

Criteria 2 - Be of school age and attend school in Victoria School is compulsory for all Victorian children aged between six and 17 years of age inclusive. For the purposes of CSEF, students may be eligible for assistance if they attend a Victorian registered primary or secondary school. Typically, these students are aged between five and 18 years inclusive. CSEF is not payable to students attending pre-school, kindergarten, home schooled, or TAFE. Eligibility Date For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either term one (27 January 2016) or term two (11 April 2016). Closing Date Parents are encouraged to lodge the application form by 29 February 2016, so that payments can be made from March 2016.

Application forms are available at the school office. SCHOOL CHAPLAIN REPORT Life Investments (part 3) Our thought investments need to be well grounded and in our control. A proverb states that “a train of thought without any freight will go off the rails.” Our own thinking may be mostly our downfall when Life takes a negative turn. We need to change our thought process if we remain stuck. If our thoughts are toxic, we need to think outside of the box. There is no reason to imprison ourselves in a negative attitude. People around us care so we don’t have to make this journey of Life alone. Although social media may play a positive part, there is nothing as valuable as a close set of friends and family willing to stand by whatever the cost. These are solid investments to draw us away from wallowing in self-pity. We can forgive ourselves and accept the person that we are. It’s about respect and sharing quality time with others to invest into our own lives. Things may be rough at present but we can share a hope in our becoming stronger for it and getting through it. So let’s take our daily chances and be thankful for the dividends that come along. A step in time is a sure way to invest in Life. The chances do come by if we are looking for them provided our thinking is not imprisoned. We need never let fear control us nor allow somebody else to build our lives. Even if many choices we make lead to failures, this ought not to deter us. The learning experience, good or bad, is a gift to cherish. With a mind full of well-grounded freight our thoughts won’t go off the rails. Peter Ackland - School Chaplain

SCHOOL BANKING

School Banking is every Tuesday. Please contact the Office if you would like a school banking pack to be sent home for your child.

CANTEEN

The new canteen service provided by Metro Canteens commenced last week and will operate every Friday. Families are able to place an order from a PC, Tablet or Smartphone up until midnight Thursday each week. The online system is through www.flexischools.com.au, where you will need to set up an account.

INTER-SCHOOL SPORT

For those parents who would like to watch the inter-school sport games, below is the timetable and venue location for Term 1. All students that are not in an inter-school sport team will be going to the Whittlesea Bowls Club for their alternative sport

Date: Teams: Venue:

Feb 19th Whittlesea v Hazelglen Soccer - Whittlesea Primary School Teeball- Teeball - Walker Reserve Feb 26th St Joseph’s v Whittlesea Soccer – St Joseph’s Catholic School Teeball – Waterview Reserve

March 4th Lakes v Whittlesea Soccer – The Lakes P-9 School Teeball – The Lakes Reserve

Mar 11th Marymede v Whittlesea Marymeade Catholic College for both sports

BRIDGE INN DISTRICT SWIMMING RESULTS

Our wonderful and dedicated swimming team competed at Northcote Pool on Monday. The children swam against swimmers from seven other schools and there were some excellent results gained.

At the completion of the sports, age group pennants and overall winner and runner-up pennants were presented. Our 10 year and 12 year age groups won on the day, our 11 year age group came 2nd and our school came 2nd overall. Children who came first or second in an ‘A’ event or relay will now compete at the Whittlesea Division final on the 29th of February.

Individual results:

Alex Luscombe – 2nd A freestyle, 2nd A backstroke, 1st butterfly Lewis Grogan – 1st B freestyle, 1st A Breaststroke Brock Greaves – 1st C freestyle, 1st B backstroke Luke Luscombe – 1st D freestyle Riley McLay – 3rd B breaststroke Blake Robertson – 6th A freestyle, 4th A breaststroke Jack Johnson – 4th B freestyle, 6th B backstroke Harry Johnson – 4th C freestyle, 5th A backstroke, 3rd B breaststroke Daniel Goudge – 2nd D freestyle Luke Ferguson – 4th A freestyle, 4th A breaststroke Charlie Parks – 2nd C freestyle, 2nd A backstroke Hamish Caine – 1st D freestyle, 2nd B backstroke Charlee Brander – 4th A freestyle, 4th A breaststroke, 3rd butterfly Keeley Parks – 3rd B freestyle, 2nd A backstroke Hayley Barmby – 4th C freestyle, 5th B breaststroke Georgia Braddock – 1st D freestyle, 4th B backstroke Emilee Sorensen – 1st A freestyle, 1st A backstroke, 1st butterfly Haylee Brackley – 3rd B freestyle, 2nd A breaststroke Taysha Coates – 3rd C freestyle, 5th B backstroke Mae Ellis - 2nd D freestyle, 6th B breaststroke Jade McLay - 3rd A freestyle, 2nd B backstroke Mia Webster - 2nd B freestyle, 3rd A backstroke Rachel Firebrace – 1st C freestyle, 3rd B breaststroke Chloe Mott - 2nd D freestyle, 2nd A breaststroke Olivia Sorensen – 1st freestyle, backstroke and butterfly in special category

Relays: 1st – Open medley – Alex, Lewis, Emilee and Charlee 1st – 12 yr boys freestyle - Alex, Brock, Lewis and Riley 2nd – 10 yr boys freestyle – Luke, Charlie, Hamish and Chloe (filled in) 2nd – 10 yr girls freestyle – Mia, Rachel, Olivia and Jade 3rd – 11 yr girls freestyle – Haylee, Emilee, Taysha and Mae 4th – 11 yr boys freestyle – Jack, Harry, Blake and Daniel 4th – 12 yr girls freestyle – Charlee, Keeley, Georgia and Hayley

SPORTS DATES- 2016

Term 1 District Swimming Northcote Pool 3-6 Feb 15 Division Swimming Northcote Pool Feb 29 Region Swimming Northcote Pool Mar 9 Swimming lessons Whittlesea Pool Yrs 3-6 Mar 15-24 T-Ball Weekly Competition Boys/girls Feb 12-Mar 11

Soccer Weekly Competition Boys/girls Feb 12 – Mar 11 School swimming Whittlesea Pool Yrs 3-6 Mar 15-24 lessons Term 2 Football Weekly Competition Boys April 15-June 1 team 10 Netball Weekly Competition Girls April 15-June A&B teams 10 Football/netball Grand Final June 10 School X Country Walkers Reserve Yrs 3-6 May 10 District X Country Bundoora Park 10-12 yrs May 24 Volleyball Marymede Boys/Girls May 31 Division X Country Bundoora Park June 1 Region X Country Bundoora Park June 15

Term 3 Hooptime (3/4) Mill Park Stadium Boys/Girls July 22 District Athletics Meadow Glen 10-12 yrs Aug 26 Hooptime (5/6) Mill Park Stadium Boys/Girls Sep 9 Division Athletics Meadow Glen Sep 13 Term 4 Region Athletics Meadow Glen 10-12 yrs Oct 12 Cricket Marymede Boys/Girls Oct 21 T-ball (3/4) Mill Park Diamonds Boys/Girls TBC Football TBC TBC Girls Nov 25

Star of the Week Foundation Awarded to: Kaiden Mortensen Mackfall For: showing enthusiasm during learning and sitting in STAR during learning. Well done superstar. Foundation Powell Awarded to: Mia Caminito For: displaying confidence in the mornings, saying ‘bye’ to mum. So brave Mia! Year 1 Capito Awarded to: Henry White For: showing excellence in all classroom and activities. Year 1 Miller Awarded to: Gemma Martin For: working hard to produce excellence work. Year 1 Starkey Awarded to: Amber Deas For: being an amazing classroom helper. Keep it up! Year 2 Goetzke Awarded to: Emily Urbani For: always trying her best in learning. Year 2 P Awarded to: Darcy Laird For: being able to turn things around. Year 2 Vitale Awarded to: Jordan Smith For: showing our school value of community by always helping others and Miss Vitale in the classroom. Year 3 Kaur Awarded to: Josh Evans For: being an excellent learner during mathematics lessons and picking up on addition strategies. Year 3 Walsh Awarded to: Layla Welland For: displaying persistence when solving addition equations. Keep up the great learning. Year 4 Mion Awarded to: Jack Chadwick For: an amazing attitude towards his learning that reflects our school value of excellence.

Year 4 Walsh Awarded to: Isaac Justice For: a wonderful start at W.P.S and demonstrating excellence towards his learning.

Year 5 Cook Awarded to: Jack Morley For: his well written speech for the SRC.

Awarded to: Haylee Brackley Year 5 Dipaola For: showing confidence in all aspects of her learning. Well done superstar. Year 5 Tolmay Awarded to: Ben Novak For: his excellent SRC speech.

Year 6 Dunstone Awarded to: Sebastien Dundas For: his fantastic concentration he applies to his learning. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to schools Schools are reminded that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs. In some circumstances, medical or other expenses will be paid by the Department where it is assessed that it is likely, in all the circumstances, that the Department is liable for negligent (careless) acts or omissions of its staff/volunteers. Student accident insurance/ambulance cover policies are available from some commercial insurers, and can be obtained by school councils on a whole-of-school basis, or by parents/guardians for individual students. Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage.

Actions Required  If there is whole-of-school student accident insurance/ambulance cover in place, principals should remind parents/guardians about existence of such a policy  If there is no whole-of-school policy, principals should remind parents/guardians that: o parents/guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs; and o parents/guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers  Principals should remind parents/guardians and staff that the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property  Parents/guardians and staff should be reminded about the accident/ambulance policy and personal property situation in your school as soon as possible

Important Notes It is not compulsory for schools to purchase whole-of-school policies. It is recommended that the views of school communities be sought on whether to purchase a whole-of-school student accident policy/ambulance cover, taking into account the lower cost per head of student for whole-of-school policies compared to individual policies, and whether premium for such a policy should be paid from general funds or obtained through special levies from parents/guardians. The Department cannot advise parents/guardians on whether to purchase a student accident policy/ambulance cover, or which policy to purchase. It is recommended that they seek assistance in this matter with their insurance broker or find a suitable personal accident insurer in the Yellow Pages or online. Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff and visitors. This can include mobile phones, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. As the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property students, staff should be discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school.

COMMUNITY NEWS

BARISTA BASICS

Introduction to the world of espresso coffee making. Learn how to prepare espresso coffee using a commercial espresso machine Location: Merrilands Community Centre Mode of Study: Classroom training, practical experience working with a commercial espresso machine plus off-site tasks/research Time: 9.15am—3.15pm Days & Dates: Friday 26 February & Friday 4, 11 & 18 March 2016 Duration: 4 sessions Cost: Concession & Full: $28, Fee for Service: $241+ Service & Amenities Fee

For more details please ring PRACE on 9462 6077 or visit our website: www.prace.vic.edu.au MERNDA RAIL - YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE DESIGN OPTIONS

The State Government has committed to extending the South Morang train line to Mernda to cater for the significant growth in Melbourne’s north. The Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) will deliver the Mernda Rail project and they want you to come along and have your say on the design options and tell them what’s important to you as a community member.

Come to a drop in session and meet the project team, view maps and provide feedback. Saturday, 27 February 2016, 9am-12pm Bridge Inn Hotel – The Lounge 1425 Plenty Road, Mernda

Wednesday 2 March 2016, 5:30pm-8:30pm Marymede Catholic College 60 Williamsons Road, South Morang

Saturday 5 March 2016, 12pm- 3pm Mernda Village Community Activity Centre 70 Mernda Village Drive, Mernda

Tuesday 8 March 2016, 5:30pm-8:30pm Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre – the Blue Gum Room 35 Ferres Blvd, South Morang

The events are family friendly and open to anyone- mum, dad, brother, sister, gran and grandpa and you only need to attend one. Bring the family along anytime throughout the sessions. No need to RSVP either!

If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please contact the Mernda Rail project team for more information via the details below:

Email: [email protected] Phone: 1800 762 667 Web: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/merndarail For languages other than English, please call 9280 0780 to access a translation service. They have also created a Social Pinpoint Page- a great way to get online with the kids, discuss your ideas and to let the project team know what you like, what you don’t like, what you do want to see and what you don’t want to see. You can leave your feedback on Social Pinpoint via the link on the project website – levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/merndarail

Did you know WHITTLESEA PRIMARY SCHOOL HAS A MARKET? Why not come!

Our market is held at the College on the third Saturday of the month and is run by the Whittlesea Secondary College and Primary School Chaplaincy Committee to raise money so both schools can have a chaplain – Peter Ackland at the primary school and Eva Natsis at the college.

It is the committee’s main fundraiser and needs your support as a customer and even as a stallholder. There is a good range of stalls including craft, homemade cakes and jams, fresh fruit and veggies, nuts and dried fruit, clothes, DVD’s, plants, dog supplies, gifts and of course enjoy a BBQ sausage or hamburger with a coffee.

The next market on 20th Feb will include a Car Boot Sale, a great opportunity to clean up after Christmas. The smaller car boot sites are $10 with the regular stall sites being $20. Just line up at the gate around 7am if you would like a spot. If you have any enquiries please ring 0419 357 395. Check out our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saturday.community.market.whittlesea