berwick lodge primary school, newsletter, august 2011
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NEWSLETTER N0.23
DIARY DATES
Monday 15th August J-Rock Performance
Tuesday 16th August Canteen Special Lunch day
Wednesday 31st August Grade 6 - CERES Community
Environment Park
Thursday 1st September Grade 5 - CERES Community
Environment Park
Father‘s Day Stall
Monday 22nd September 5/6 Hooptime
Wednesday 21st September Clover Cottage Dinner
11TH AUGUST 2011
NOTICES DUE BACK BY
Friday 12th August 3/4 Camp Rumbug
Permission Forms
Monday 22nd August Grade 5/6 - CERES
Community Environment Park
Fridasy 26th August Father‘s Day Stall
Monday 29th August 3/4 Camp Balance
Thursday 14th September Clover Cottage
Dinner
Wednesday 17th September 5/6 Hooptime
BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198
E-mail: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Visit our Websites : http:// www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au,
Camp Australia/Out of School Hours Care: 9769 8251
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT SINGAPORE TRIP
Everyone on the trip is having a great
time. With the aid of modern
technology we are keeping in regular
contact via skyping. In fact, a highlight
at Monday evening‘s school council
meeting was the ten minutes we
spent chatting with the teachers
while watching them on our plasma
screen. The children were having a
wonderful time in the
pool and all was well.
Earlier this week I
received a courtesy
call from our regional
office - acknowledging
our school on our inaugural student
visit to Singapore, in addition to
enquiring to see if all was well. Our
team returns on Saturday evening
and they should all hopefully be
refreshed by Monday morning.
GROSSEK’S VIEW
For the past 12 years I write a
regular column for Themes
Educational magazines on topics of
my choosing. I do enjoy this activity
for a variety of reasons. My current
article was written with concerns I
have over Disability & Impairments
program funding that I believe exists
within our education system. It was
suggested that I provide you with a
copy via our newsletter as it may be
of interest to you.
Short changing our disabled
students
One topic of constant discussion
amongst many of my colleagues is
that of funding inadequacies for our
disabled students in regular schools.
It is a hot topic and rightly so. Over
my long involvement in state
education I have witnessed many fine
improvements to our education
system. Adequately meeting the
needs of our disabled students is,
sadly, not one of them in my opinion.
Back in the 1970‘s when the move to
better integrate disabled students in
non-special setting schools had
significant traction, a government
report warned that it would be
costly. That it has proven to be, and
in more ways than one. Disturbingly,
decades later, many principals are
exasperated at what they see as an
increasingly harsh model used for
assessing the level of Disabilities and
Impairments (D&I) funding allocated
to students with disabilities.
Currently, the consequence of such
concern is being played out in
Victorian Courts as a number of
parents are suing the State of
Victoria for allegedly not providing
an adequate level of resources to
meet their children‘s special
educational needs. For obvious legal
reasons no comment on those cases
can be made. Nonetheless, it is a sad
indictment of the overall state of
affairs that such action is being taken
in the 21st Century.
How has it got to such a state? Two
core reasons stand out – parents
exercising their right to enrol their
disabled children in regular schools
coupled with state governments
anxious to balance their books.
Crucially, the right of parents to
enrol disabled children in regular
schools presumes that regular
schools will receive an appropriate
level of funding to meet the individual
learning needs of these children. On
the face of it, our existing highly
sophisticated D&I assessment
procedures appear to meet this
presumption. There is certainly no
lack of evidence required to
substantiate additional funding being
allocated to the individual children.
Quite the contrary! Principals and
parents will if anything, complain
about information overload – the
metaphorical number of hoops
through which schools must jump to
secure funding is exasperating.
Canteen Closed on Tuesdays
Continued...
Montaya PW
Kane PL
Samudra PW
Saritha PM
Natalia PL
Lilly PM
SCHOOL
AWARDS Congratulations to the following students who received awards over
the last week:
COMING ATTRACTIONS!
“The Lodgie Awards” Grade 5/6 FILM FESTIVAL
Monday 19th September 2011
Daffodil Day Friday 26th August
2011
This year Daffodil Day is celebrating 25
years in Australia. During the month of
August we will be selling merchandise to
raise much needed funds for cancer
research, support and prevention.
The daffodil is an international symbol of
hope for people who have been affected by cancer including
patients, family, carers and friends.
If you would like to purchase any daffodil merchandise please
go to the office. There is a variety of items to choose from
including badges, key rings, pens, bears and even footballs!
They range from $5 - $30.
Daffodil Day is a day for all of us to give hope for a brighter,
cancer-free future, so with your help we can make a
difference.
Thank you for your support
Jo Zammit
At the end of the very time-consuming and detailed process of applying for D&I funding, hopes are often high, only
to be dashed when the verdict is delivered. This has a quite far reaching impact on all concerned – ranging from
anger to disillusionment to frustration and even rage. More often than not the practical consequences are played
out in too many classrooms as teachers struggle to juggle their time and resources across all students. No one
wins in that situation.
Our new state government would do well to reframe what appears to be an approach to D&I funding of one
starting with a given bucket of money to one of ascertaining the level of need first, and then finding the right size of
bucket.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)
Q. Under what circumstances should I approve my child repeating a grade?
A.Exceptional circumstances only! Unless you have a high degree of certainty that your child will benefit
academically or socially from repeating a grade, then don‘t do it. There are potential social/emotional costs for
children repeating a grade and these must be taken into account when making a decision on having your child
repeat a grade. I advise parents who are considering such an option for their child to speak with their child‘s class
teacher and also one of our principal class members before making the decision.
QUOTABLE QUOTE
If you want to sound more humble than you really are then try – I’m the first to acknowledge that I’m not perfect!
HENRY GROSSEK
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT CONTINUED…
SINGAPORE TRIP
Last Saturday we said goodbye to
our students and teachers as they
embarked on their journey to
Singapore. They arrived safely and
are having wonderful time
attending festivals and celebrating
special cultural days and events
with their
hosts. The
weather has
been about
32 degrees
every day and
the children
have had a great time experiencing
a different education system at the
Tampanese School. We hear the
swimming pool at the hotel is
getting a good workout at the end
of each day too!
We have been very fortunate to
be in contact with them several
times this week (including a special
visit during our School Council
Meeting on Monday night) via a
Skype video call.
They arrive back home this
Saturday and we can‘t wait to hear
all about their wonderful stories
and looking at their photos and
video footage when they return.
HEAD LICE
The following information
regarding Head Lice came through
via email this week, and with a
number of outbreaks in our school
over the week I thought parents
might like to take this opportunity
to have a look at the following
website.
Headlice101.com
This site is an online community
where parents and schools can
seek out information about Head
Lice and discuss ways to best
prevent and treat them. Head
Lice 101 will be a space to ask
questions and share your
advice on how to best stop the
spread of Head Lice through our
schools.
Stop by the Blog
to see what they
have to say or
head over to
NitChat to get
talking to other
community members.
NUDE FUDE AWARDS
Over the past few weeks as a
part of our Environmental /
Sustainability Through line the
Prep students have been
participating in Nude Food
Day on Fridays. Due to the
overwhelming success of the
initiative they have invited the
rest of the school to take part
in the challenge. National
Nude Food Day is Wednesday
19th October 2011however
our students have taken up
the challenge this term to
make a difference at our
school.
Nude Food Day is a fantastic
opportunity to teach children
about their impact on the
environment and their health.
With positive messages of
‗Healthy Body, Healthy Planet‘,
we want our students to be
empowered to choose
healthy, rubbish free food for
their lunches.
This week we would like to
congratulate Miss Tan and the
students in Grade 5T for
winning this week‘s Nude Food
Award for the least amount of
classroom
rubbish. Keep
up the great
work kids, let‘s
see if the BLPS
staff can win
next week‘s award!
For more information, facts and
interactive activities visit the
following website
http://www.nudefoodday.com.au/
TRACEYE RAPINETT
ASS I STANT PR INCIPALS ’ REPORT
HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER?
Please ensure you let the school office know if you have changed address or updated mobile phones with new numbers.
This information alleviates stressful situations on students when they are ill and we cannot contact parents
Thank You Thank you to all the wonderful students and staff who took the time to record “Get Well”
messages for Leida and Marnie’s DVD. Your messages were so encouraging and
beautiful and left me quite emotional. It has been the best medication that I
have been given! Thank you especially to the two girls for taking the initiative to
create the DVD, Mrs Smethurst and Mrs Pope, Selma, Sarah, Nithiya and the
Mehr family for seeing to the DVDs personal and safe delivery.
Trish Luke
Enrolments for 2012 are now being accepted! Enrolment forms are available from the school office. Original birth certificates and immunisation certificates need to be sighted by the office at the time of enrolment.
2011 Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to all students participating in this year‘s challenge. It is great to see so many
enthusiastic readers eagerly borrowing books from the recommended booklists.
Don‘t forget to let your teachers know when you have completed a book so it can be verified on the
Premier‘s Reading Challenge website by a coordinator. All books must be entered online and verified by Friday
16th September 2011.
Congratulations to the following students who have completed the 2011 Premier’s Reading
Challenge.
Eden F 6N
Chloe H 6N
Happy Reading! Bernadette Kelly
Visual Arts
THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU!
To the wonderful parents Monique M, Sharon B, Michelle M, Mr McLeod, and Kate N, who helped
with the Mosaic grouting on Monday 8th August 2011.
We could not have done it without you!!
Jo Zammit/ Julie McLeod
Visual Arts Teachers
Junior School Council News...
Dear Parents,
As part of our fundraising efforts for our Sponsor
Children, Pheear and Oshdi, we have registered
with Pauls Collect a Cap. Each specially marked
milk bottle cap donated earns our School 10c.
We are hoping to raise as much money as possible
to enable us to help Pheear, Oshdi and their
communities in Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
The money we raise helps their community to
provide education and school supplies, training in
farming skills, medical check-ups and supplies,
building materials for new classrooms and clean,
safe drinking water.
The caps can be placed in the marked collection bin
outside Mrs Cusack‘s office.
Thank you for your support Vanessa Stevens and Lianne Morgan
On behalf of the Junior School Council
WHAT IS ORGANISATION? Things to Say to Communicate “Setting Goals”
―I can see that you are
intent on achieving your
goal.‖
―You see, setting goals
helps you do your
best.‖
―How does it feel to
have achieved your
goals?‖
―I can see that you wish
to achieve your goals
for this lesson. This
takes discipline and organisation.‖
You seem very committed today to achieve your
goal.‖
―Without goals, it‘s harder to do our best.‖
―I think you can see that luck is not involved in
achieving your goals.‖
SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Welcome everyone to my School Council President‘s Report.
SCHOOL COUNCILLOR PROFILES
This week I would like to introduce Michelle Sarjeant, one of our parent representatives and Carolyn Mehr, also a parent
representative and new to our School Council this year.
Michelle Sarjeant: I live in Narre Warren South and was recommended to enrol my son into Berwick Lodge Primary
School even though this meant travelling. The school has a high and valued reputation, and has helped us out in many ways.
With that in mind I wanted to contribute and volunteer my time to the school, in order to be able to give something back.
As such I was part of the PFA for 18 months, and then went onto be part of the school council. I worked for 7 years before
having our son, and come from a marketing/sales background. I enjoy being a member of the school council and learning
more about what the school does for our children and their development..
Carolyn Mehr: I'm the mother of Yasmin in Grade 3 and Leida in Grade 6. I've been married to Ahmad for almost 13 years
and have lived in Berwick for about 8 years. My husband is from Afghanistan so we experience quite a culturally diverse and
interesting life. My previous work experience was in retail management and I was Store Manager of 3 Freedom Furniture
stores before leaving for a complete change in career. I left to enter the 'rag trade 'and learnt the trade of fabric cutting from
my father. Later my husband and I started our own business cutting clothes for high fashion designers along with school
uniforms. We work from home so not having to deal with traffic each day is worth its weight in gold. The work is always
varied and challenging. Having our own business allows me to be a little flexible with hours so I am able to attend many
school events and be involved where possible in the school community. My greatest achievement in my life has been my two
beautiful daughters. Mr Grossek may argue the highest point in my life was cutting the suit that Nathan Buckley wore when
he won the Brownlow Medal in 2003. I have really enjoyed my first 6 months on School Council. It has given me a greater
appreciation and respect for how much work actually goes on out of the classroom to provide our kids with the high level of
education they have available to them at Berwick Lodge Primary School.
MOSAIC PROJECTS
As many of you may have seen, this year we have commenced a number of new mosaic projects to complement the ―You
Can Do It‖ mosaic that was completed by our Grade 5 & 6 team last year. This year our Grade 1 and 2‘s completed a
mosaic mural on the wall outside the art room and our Grade 3 and 4‘s have nearly completed the music themed mosaic
(designed by our own Art Captain—Sophie Tran) on the wall outside the Performing Arts Room. These areas now look
fantastic and are a wonderful addition to our school. Special thanks must go to our wonderful art teachers, Julie McLeod and
Jo Zammit and our fabulous artist in resident, Helen Harman who have guided and assisted our students in these works.
J-ROCK
Wishing all our students, teachers and extra special helpers the best of luck next Monday 15th August 2011 as they compete
against 10 other schools at Hisense Arena, in the J-Rock competition. I know you are all going to be great.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly via the school office or you can email me on norton.jodie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
Jodie Norton School Council President
SCHOOL COUNCIL DIRECTORY
President: Jodie Norton Principal: Henry Grossek
Vice-President: Michelle Sarjeant DEECD Members: Lynne Brenner
Minute Secretary: Lois Smethurst Sue Naismith
Correspondence Sec.: Michael Tabone
Parent Members: Prashad Sujenthiran PFA Co-Optee: Samantha Cline
Craig Benedick
Carolyn Mehr
Lesley Lees
Contact Details: Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198
Email: norton.jodie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
Parents & Friends Association
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 1st September 2011 at 1.30pm in Room 16. Everyone is welcome, including toddlers. The PFA welcomes anyone wanting to join the fun and help
make a difference.
2ND HAND UNIFORM SHOP: Our next 2nd hand uniform shop will be open in the school canteen on Tuesday 30th August 2011 from 2.30pm until 3.15pm. We would like to thank all those families who have donated as they have assisted other families in our community.
PFA CAFÉ: Is open on Thursday afternoon‘s from 2.45pm in Room 16. If you arrive at school early to
get a car park close by, or you want to come and keep warm, please come and visit us and enjoy a hot drink for a gold coin donation.
Current events
FATHERS DAY STALL: Thursday 1st September 2011 Forms were sent home last Friday for our Fathers Day Stall. There will be a wide variety of gifts to chose from
including mugs, photo frames and games, for that special Dad, Grandad or Great Grandad. All forms must be returned by Friday 26th August 2011. If you have a few hours to spare, please fill in the Parent Helper slip at the bottom of the form. We appreciate your assistance in setting up and running the stall.
PIE & SLICE DRIVE:
The PFA are holding a Pie & Slice Drive this term with our pies and slices being supplied by Emerald Bakery. There will be a variety of savoury and sweet pies and also some yummy slices. Order forms
will be sent home this week. Remember to ask family and friends for their much appreciated support of our school.
Upcoming Events CLOVER COTTAGE: Wednesday 21st September 2011.
Clover Cottage information forms will be sent home shortly. To assist us on this night, we are still looking for assistance with donations and prizes. If you work for a company that would be willing to donate a product or gift voucher, we would love to hear from you. Any company who donates will receive promotion for their
business in our newsletter. Please contact Sarah via email if you can assist.
DRIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT: In December we will be holding another fun filled Drive In Movie Night at Akoonah Park. This is a great opportunity to advertise and promote your
business. If you work for, or own a company that would like to advertise, please contact Sarah via email.
NeWS
SCHOOL PROMOTIONS: Remember to keep collecting your Woolworths Earn and Learn
Receipts, Coles Sports for Schools Vouchers and Pauls Collect-A-Caps. Boxes for each promotion can be found at the office or send them through your classroom so you can earn house points
too !
THANKS again for your continued support.
We are trying to do things to make our school community stronger.
Advertisements published by the school are accepted in good faith and should not be regarded as an endorsement of any product or service.
Parents and members of the school community are advised to investigate any service or product to determine its suitability to meet their family's needs prior to accessing it.
BUSINESS ADVERTISING
COMMUNITY NEWS
TAX RETURNS SELVEY TAXATION SERVICES
Individual & Business Returns
14 Day Refund
Partnerships, Companies & Trusts
Taxation & Business Advice
BAS & GST Advice
Discounts for Couples, Students & Pensioners
Investment Properties
REGISTERED TAX AGENT
Over 20 years experience
Contact Wayne on 0412 714 421 or
email: seltaxer@gmail.com
FOR SALE Hills 4 Station swing set, including riding horse, slide and
baby set. Cost: $160.00
Porta Cot Playpen - as new $60.00
Cubby house furniture (all timber) includes table and
chairs, oven, stove, etc $80.00
Please phone 0408 588 449
FOR SALE
German Shephard Pure Bred Pups
Fully vaccinated
Vet checked
5 Females and 3 Males
Black/Tan/Sable
Call: Okie on 0401 660 022
CRYSTAL CLEANING
SERVICES P/L
For all your carpet/upholstery and
general cleaning needs
Special Offer 3 rooms/3 seats
Professionally steamed cleaned for $77.00 incl.
GST Free deodorising Free stain treat-
ing
Other services: Vacate clean-up/ready for sale
For bookings & enquiries contact
Steve 0411 752 279
$1.00 from each booking goes back to BLPS.
Plus $1.00 to Royal Children's Hospital
BOOK NOW!
Do you know a Salesian College past pupil or are one your-
self?
Why not get in contact with your old class mates and book
your tickets for the
2011 Salesian College
Past Pupils Annual Reunion & Hall of
Fame Dinner!
Friday 26 August 2011
The International of Brighton – Georgian Room
81 Bay Street Brighton VIC 3186
$80p.p canapés + drinks (excl. spirits) + 3 Course Dinner
RSVP 12 August 2011 – Partners + Families all welcome!
For bookings call (03) 9807 2644 or visit http://
www.salesianchad.vic.edu.au/past_pupils.html
We hope to see you there!
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