February 19th Week 4, Term 1, Issue 2

MYRNIONG SCHOOL VALUES

Co-Operation Respect Acceptance

Resilience Do Your Best

MYRNIONG PRIMARY SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

A.B.N 18 297 726 276

Acting Principal: David Garner

School Council President: Ainsley Bellette

Blow St Myrniong, 3341

Phone: (03) 5368 7232

Outside Hours Care: Phone (03) 5368 7027

Message from the Principal

Newsletter Term 1 Week 4 Year 5/6 Urban Camp It was a pleasure to attend the 5/6 camp in Melbourne last week. The students had a wonderful time overall – despite walking over 40km around Melbourne! There were many highlights, and feedback from external observers about how well behaved our children are was wonderful to hear. Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences and Parent Meetings Tuesday 3rd March will see our Term 1 parent-teacher-student conference. These are an im-portant part of starting the year to touch base with your child’s classroom teacher/s and discuss learning goals for the year. Students will be largely driving these conferences. Information re-garding bookings appears later in this newsletter. However, should you wish at any time to catch up with a teacher in a more formalised meeting, you are welcome to contact them to make a meeting time on a Wednesday or Thursday after-noon. We have staff meetings on Mondays and Tuesdays, and also teachers are planning and setting up classrooms each morning. So we certainly welcome these meetings, we just ask that week fit them within teacher’s other commitments. Curriculum Day Just a reminder that you have an extra-long weekend with your families as we have our Annual Curriculum Day on Tuesday 10th March which we share with each of the other Moorabool schools. We will be focussing on the teaching and learning of Literacy, in particular how we maximise engagement in our reading and writing lessons and how we plan lessons to maximise student learning growth. Sports Day We have finally confirmed a date for our Athletics Sports Day on Monday March 16th, at the Mason’s Lane facility in Bacchus Marsh. All students will start soon preparing for each of the sports in both PE classes and in daily rotations. More details will fol-low closer to the date.

2020 School and Vice Captains For all new families this year, I would like to introduce you to our school captains for 2020: Campbell and Lily (centre) Our vice captains: Mabel and Tyler (right and left) These are new roles for our school, and we are excited by the leadership these students will bring to our school this year. MPS Principal Position I would like to let the community know that Mr Peach has officially retired from his role as princi-pal of Myrniong Primary School. A department representative came to meet with school council last week to discuss the advertisement of the Principal position vacancy, which will be advertised later in the term. Until I see you in person, David Garner

"It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experienc-es." ~ Nelson Mandela

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Monday 10th February

Slater O - for being a fantastic leader.

Aiden C - for being a risk taker when starting his learning journey.

Lewis G - for being a caring

friend to others.

Koby L - for always doing his best

and being a great role model.

5/6NG

FW FS 1/2BL

1/2s 3/4L 3/4W

5/6M

Ike B - for a fantastic attitude to his learning.

Lenny S - for a fantastic start to

the school year.

None Given

Emily B - for a fantastic start to

the year.

Alice H - for a great start to Japanese 2020.

Tyler G - for asking scientific

questions during the experiment.

Mitch D—for outstanding leadership of our younger students in the yard.

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD

Angus P - for an excellent work of

his teddy bear.

Monday 17th February

Abel E—for being a respectful

listener.

Holly B - for putting in effort in

all that she does.

Peggy A - for always showing respect for the school and her classmates.

Addison C - for her increasing

confidence and contributions to

class discussions.

Rhys Mc—for working hard on

his writing. Well done!

Alfie G - for his brilliant effort in

writing.

Sienna W - for being an amazing camper.

None Given Lachlan B - for being an amazing camper.

Sarah B—for amazing memorisation of Japanese vocab.

Lenny S - for sharing his science

knowledge and ideas with the

class.

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD

Beth D - for outstanding behaviour at the Grade 5/6 camp.

FW FS

1/2s

1/2BL

3/4L 3/4W

5/6N/G 5/6M

JANUARY / FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Zack M Declan L Logan S

James C Dayna A Georgia C

Summer W Neal S Ava G

Adyson B Mitch D Aiden G

Alice H Michael C Flynt B

Slater O Tyler C Lily F

Sebastian K Mason S Oscar O

Aiden C Lois L Jack A

Charlotte R Callum L Coop B

Alan Mc Hannah T Teejay C

Hunter W Marlee S Daniel B

Torah K Georgie P

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UPCOMING DATES

Feb 20th Thu - Welcome BBQ 5pm - BYO Meat, bread supplied Feb 24th Mon - Assembly 9;10-9;30am Gr 1/2BL Feb 27th Thu - Special Lunch Day (Orders due by Monday24th) Mar 2nd Mon - Assembly 9:10-9:30am (Grade 1/2S) - Clean-up Myrniong Day Mar 3rd Tue - School Photo’s - Parent Teacher Interviews - Early Dismissal 12:30pm Mar 9th/10th - Public Holiday/Curriculum Day Mar 16th Mon - Sports Day (Masons Lane, Bacchus Marsh)

ANNUAL PRIVACY REMINDER

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website http://www.myrniongps.vic.edu.au/myrniong_parents/.

For more information about privacy, see: Schools’ Privacy Policy – information for parents. This infor-mation also available in nine community languages.

A huge thank you to HAPPY HOME KING EARTHWORKS

And HAPPY HOME QUEEN SCHOOL ACIVITIES GUIDES

Whose businesses have sponsored the visiting

Cartoonist Richard G

who came to our school on Monday and worked withcovered the

cost of this

LEVIES & VOLUNTARY FEES Thank you to those who have paid the school levies of $200. An updated statement will be sent out at the beginning of February via email. A reminder that any outstanding costs can be paid via BPay (preferred option, EFT or Cash ). Payment plans are available if required and can be set up with the office. There is a drop box in the office for notes and money. Please ensure that all money is in a named envelope (we have there is the office if required). Voluntary Fees can be made to the school anytime through the year. The Voluntary Contribution is a donation towards our Buildings and Grounds. CAMPS / EXCURSIONS—Please note: as per School Council Policy, all Camps are to have a deposit paid prior to commencement of camp with regular payments from then on. All excursions are to be paid prior to the excursion. Any previous years outstanding accounts need to be paid prior to any Camps/Excursions being attended in the current year. If not, your child will be excluded. If you are paying a camp, can you please ensure you are making regular payments.

SCHOOL PHOTOS - Tuesday, MARCH 3rd com m encing at 9am . Students are required to be in full school uniform. Order forms have been sent home. These are to be returned on the day of the photo’s with money enclosed or credit card details. These get given directly to the photographer. If you want a sibling photo, these forms are available at the office.

DRESSAGE COMPETITION

Addison F in Grade 6 will be competing in the Primary Schools Dressage

Competition this Sunday 23rd February.

We wish her all the best and hope she enjoys the day and look forward to

seeing how she goes.

Parish of Gordon - Sacramental Program

An information and enrolment night for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Thursday 20th February, 2020 at St. Patrick’s School Hall at 7pm for Children in Year 4 or above.

Please bring a copy of your child's baptismal certificate to the meeting.

The cost of the program is $50 per child

WELCOME NIGHT — FOUNDATION & NEW FAMILIES

TOMORROW NIGHT Thursday February 20th. The night will commence at 5pm and conclude

at 6:30pm. The night gives everyone a chance to meet all parents, students and staff in a relaxed,

informal manner. Everyone is encouraged to BYO food and drinks. The staff will be operating the

BBQ and are only too happy to cook any food you might need cooked, in an expertise manner.

Our school will be supplying, bread, tomato sauce and napkins. Games and activities will be organ-

ised by our dedicated staff (eg: basketball, cricket etc). Everyone is invited and we hope you can at-

tend.

SPECIAL LUNCH DAY—Thursday 27th March We will be having our first special lunch day for the year next Thursday. Forms were sent home yesterday. Please make sure these are returned with payment by Monday evening due to catering. EASTER RAFFLE—Drawn at last assembly Each year our fundraising committee run an easter raffle. This is made up of donations from our families. We ask that each family donates 1 raffle item (ie: easter egg/something to do with easter) for our raffle. This is a great fundraising for our school and we have many prizes. Raffle tickets will be sent home soon. This will be drawn at our final assembly before the holidays. . WEEKLY ADVERTISING Our school is offering advertising space in our newsletter. The fee (for a business card size ad) is $15 per term or $50 per year. Please contact Karen in the office. STUDENT ENROLMENT FORMS / Update details A copy of student/family information/forms were sent home yesterday for all students except for new and Foundation students. Can you please ensure that you read through the information and make any changes if required and return to the office asap. Can you please sign and return these even if there are no changes. CAMPS, SPORTS, EXCURSION FUND—Available at the office If you have a current Health Care/Pension Card you will be eligible for the CSEF Funding (Government Funding—$125 per student per year). This money can be used for any Camp, Sporting Events and Excursions. It will sit on your school account as a credit and can be allocated as needed. Forms are available at the school office (or see attachment). We will need a copy of your card. Can you please return your application and copy of the card to the school office by Friday 21st February. If you applied last year you do not need to apply again. Your application will automatically be rolled over.

DENTAL VAN This year we will be having the Dental Health Van come to our school the week of Monday 20th April. This is a free service for all children aged between 2-17 years. Forms will be sent home today. This is a great opportunity for your child to have a free examination and minor fissure seals if required. The forms need to be returned to the school office by the 13th March,.

Our annual School Sports day will be held on Monday 16th March at Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre, Masons Lane, Bacchus Marsh. This involves 3 other Primary Schools (St Brigids, St Patricks School, Gordon and Balliang East PS. All parents/grandparents are invited to attend. Parents are to drop off and pick up their children directly at Masons Lane Reserve by 8:45am and pick up at 1:30pm. Children are to wear blue shorts and a white t-shirt or polo top.

Please ensure your child has plenty of drinks, sunscreen and food.

We will be operating a Canteen on the day (including a barbeque).

A Canteen Pricelist will be sent out closer to the date

We are looking into a coffee van to be available for coffees, hot chocolates, latte, milk shakes etc.

Should you have any queries, please contact our school office.

We require helpers to run the canteen on the day. If you are available for an hour,

Sports Day - Canteen

Yes, I can help at the canteen on Monday 16th March. Please tick the time (1 hour) be-

low, more volunteers will be needed during lunchtime and to cook the barbeque

Name : ___________________________ Ph: ___________________

Time available : 9-11am ____ 11-12pm____ 12-1pm____ 1-2pm____

School council elections –

Information for parents WHAT IS A SCHOOL COUNCIL AND WHAT DOES IT DO? All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set

the broad direction of a school in accordance with their constituting Order and the Education and Training Reform Act

2006. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its

students.

WHO IS ON THE SCHOOL COUNCIL? For most primary school councils, there are several possible categories of membership:

A mandated elected Parent member category – more than one-third of the total members must be from this category. DET employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not engaged in work at the school

A mandated elected DET employee member category – members of this category may make up no more than one-third of the total membership of school council. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members

An optional Community member category – members are co-opted by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be Community members

A small number of school councils have Nominee members.

For all schools with a Year 7 and above cohort, there is an additional category of membership:

A mandated elected Student member category, two positions.

Generally, the term of office for all members is two years. The term of office of half the members expires each year, cre-

ating vacancies for the annual school council elections.

Why is parent membership so important?

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help inform and shape the di-

rection of the school.

Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their chil-

dren feel a greater sense of belonging.

Do I need special experience to be on school council?

Each member brings their own valuable life skills and knowledge to the role. However, councillors may need to develop

skills and acquire knowledge in areas that are unfamiliar to them. It is important to have an interest in your child’s school

and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school’s future.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL COUNCILLORS

School councils in Victoria are public entities as defined by the Public Administration Act 2004. School councillors must

abide by the Code of Conduct for Directors of Victorian Public Entities issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

The Code of Conduct is based on the Victorian public sector values and requires councillors to:

act with honesty and integrity (be truthful, open and clear about their motives and declare any real, potential or perceived conflict of interest and duty)

act in good faith in the best interests of the school (work cooperatively with other councillors and the school community, be reasonable, and make all decisions with the best interests of students foremost in their minds)

act fairly and impartially (consider all relevant facts of an issue before making a decision, seek to have a bal-anced view, never give special treatment to a person or group and never act from self interest)

use information appropriately (respect confidentiality and use information for the purpose for which it was made available)

exercise due care, diligence and skill (accept responsibility for decisions and do what is best for the school)

use the position appropriately (not use the position as a councillor to gain an advantage)

act in a financially responsible manner (observe all the above principles when making financial decisions)

comply with relevant legislation and policies (know what legislation and policies are relevant for which decisions and obey the law)

demonstrate leadership and stewardship (set a good example, encourage a culture of accountability, manage risks effectively, exercise care and responsibility to keep the school strong and sustainable).

HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED? The most obvious way is to participate in and vote in the school council elections, which are held in Term 1 each year. How-

ever, ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.

In view of this, you might consider:

standing for election as a member of the school council

encouraging another person to stand for election.

Remember Ask at the school for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what

to do Consider standing for election to council this year

Be sure to vote in the elections. Contact the principal or business manager for further information.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Our School Council elections commence Tuesday the 18th February with the calling of five parent nominations and two DET (Staff) nominations. The process for election is through nomination by yourself or by members of the community. It is a rewarding and interesting experience. Parents on School Council provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Nomination forms are available from the office or we can email a copy at your request. I thank our school council members for giving up their time and for the contribution that they have made to our school. Retiring members are still able to renominate if they have students enrolled at our school. I also encourage other members of our school community to consider nominating. The election timeline is:

Tuesday 18th February, 2020 -Notice of election and call for nominations Tuesday 25th February, 2020- Closing date for nominations

Thursday 27th February, 2020 Date by which the list of candidates and nominations will be posted

Friday 28th February, 2020 -If an election is required, ballot papers will be prepared and distributed. Tuesday 3rd March, 2020- Close of ballot Wednesday 5th March, 2020– Declaration of the ballot

The first meeting of the new Council will be held on Tuesday 24th March at 5.30pm in the staff room, following the AGM which is held prior at 5pm.

FLEXI BUZZ

A reminder to all families to remember to add the 2020 class boxes to

Flexibuzz and remove the old 2019 class boxes. The Password to join is Myrniong1.