DIARY DATES

NUMBER 41 – 18 December 2014

Fri 19 Dec End of Term 4 - 1.30pm dismissal time

Tues 27 Jan

2015

Uniform Sales Day 10am - 1pm

Thur 29 Jan Yr 1 - Yr 6 Students return to school 9am

Preps 9.30am - 12pm or 1pm - 3.30pm

Fri 30 Jan Preps 9.30am - 12pm or 1pm - 3.30pm

Mon 2 Feb Prep 2015 Parents/Carers Morning Tea in

the Staffroom 9am

Wed 4 Feb Prep 2015 Testing Day - No Preps at

school today.

Yr 4 BBQ to Roy Dore Reserve

Fri 6 Feb Yrs 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival at the Pines

Pool in Frankston 9am. Parent Helpers

Required - Please see Michelle Conway

Wed 11 Feb Prep 2015 Testing Day - No Preps at

school today

Thur 12 Feb Runners Club Returns for 2015. Runners

to meet at 8.10am on the school oval.

Fri 13 Feb Yr 6 Interschool Sport

Yr 3 Roy Dore Reserve BBQ 9am

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Thanks to the many parent volunteers who were involved in our Classroom Helpers program, Camps, Excursions, Sports, Enrichment for All, School Council, Parents and Friends and Fundraising.

Thanks to the staff for their professionalism and continued commitment to the students and parents at Patto. l would like to acknowledge the proactive work of School Council, its subcommittees and working parties. Their leadership in a number of areas has been a key to our continued school improvement this year.

Finally, l would like to extend my appreciation for the strong support and endorsement of parents to the many initiatives implemented at Patterson Lakes Primary School during 2014. We look forward to your continued support in 2015.

FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL

School will conclude at 1.30pm on Friday, 19th December, 2014. A special school assembly will be held in the courtyard at 1.00pm to farewell our Year 6 students and announce our 2015 School Captains, Junior School Councillors, House Captains and Environmental Leaders.

STAFF LEAVING PATTO

At the end of the week we will be saying farewell to Danny Wilkins, Cecile Danne, Belinda Mercuri, Elise De Lany and Debbie Beasley. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and thank them for their most valued contributions to the school during the time that they have been with us.

FAREWELL TO YEAR 6 STUDENTS

The school celebrated the success of our graduating Year 6 students at Monday’s Graduation Ceremony which was held in the Hall. On behalf of staff, I wish all Year 6 students every success and happiness at their new secondary school next year. I am confident that every student will uphold the values of Integrity, Respect and Excellence, and will make us feel proud of their achievements in future years.

FAMILIES LEAVING PATTO

I wish all families who are moving to new locations, or whose youngest child is finishing Year 6, every happiness for the future. We thank you for your support of the school during your time at Patterson Lakes Primary School.

These families include: Ajnas, Bedingfield, Bratsos, Gittos, Hubbard, Kampmann, Lobb, Martin, McLeod, Nikolaidis, Petterwood, Stamatis, Anderson, Bashir, Cheung-Chin, Inavolu, Jarman, Macek, Marchmont, Martin, Matthews, Murray, Rouse, Saks, Tider, Unsworth, Carter, Cassels, Connor, Cook, Corcoran, Duncan, Edwards, Goodridge, Harkin, King-Watts, Lawrence, Perez-Elizalde, Simpson, Symeonidis, Walker, Woolard, Ardiana, Burton, Carmody, Carter, Dillon, Hansen, Hanssen, Hawkins, Lappin and Nayna.

On behalf of staff, l wish all members of the school community a safe and happy festive season.

The school has completed another very successful year. Some achievements worth noting include above state averages for Years 3 and 5 in NAPLAN. The school’s representation at State and Region in Athletics and Basketball. The completion of our new Science and Staff Rooms. The upgrading of our basketball courts through the use of fundraising money. Two of our Year 1 classes were finalists in the STAV Science Drama Awards. A successful application for a South East Water grant of $3000 to install a solar plant driven watering system in the Vegetable Garden. 3rd place in the State Finals for Dance Theatre in Robotics. A very successful Fete and a fabulous Christmas Concert.

NAME BIRTHDAY

Hunter H 18 December

Keanu C 19 December

James N 19 December

Kayla B 23 December

Justine L 24 December

Jazz S 25 December

Kyla S 26 December

Alyssa C 27 December

Madison M 27 December

Isaiah B 27 December

Avantika S 28 December

Steffani S 29 December

Trent M 29 December

Hannah U 30 December

Raymond Z 31 December

Aaron G 31 December

Tyler L 1 January

Jake B 1 January

Victoria G 1 January

Jack B 1 January

Ryder T 2 January

Matthew S 3 January

Aden S 4 January

Laura S 5 January

Jade B 5 January

Charli D 6 January

Jack M 6 January

Isabelle N 7 January

Mikayla G 7 January

Jack L 7 January

Sarah B 8 January

Sophie B 8 January

Madeleine L 9 January

Nyah L 9 January

Sosemans A 10 January

Hunter S 11 January

Ryder S 11 January

Ryan T 11 January

Madeleine C 12 January

Allegra P 12 January

Taj R 12 January

Matthew B 12 January

Ahllia D 13 January

Lily W 13 January

Kalila E 13 January

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT HAPPY BIRTHDAY

STUDENT REPORTS

Student reports were sent home on Monday. Please remember to return the comment section of the report to your child’s class teacher if you haven’t already done so. It will be photocopied and returned to you. Also, the Physical Education page provided by our specialist teachers has been confusing for some due to the wording in the graph. Even though it says ‘Health and Physical Education’ under the heading of ‘Learning Area’, the rating on the graph is for Physical Education only. I have contacted the provider of the reporting program regarding this concern but due to the directives from the Department of Education this cannot be changed to Physical Education at this stage.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Congratulations to the following six students who have not had a late arrival or an absence for the whole school year in 2014: Ryan H (Prep B), Haydn S (4D), Katie H (5C), Will A (6A), Zac K P (6A) and Harrison L (6C). Harrison (6C) has had a perfect attendance rate for the last 3 years. An amazing effort! 4D won the award for the class with the best attendance rate for 2014. Prep E won the award for the class which was the best to arrive at school on time this year. Overall, it is pleasing to report that there has been a significant improvement in students arriving at school on time for 2014 and we will achieve our goal of reducing lateness to less than 2.5 days per student. Our attendance rate has also continued to improve in comparison to 2013 and previous years. CONGRATULATIONS Nikita D (4A) competed at the State Relay Little Athletics competition at Lake Side Stadium in Albert Park on 13/12/2014. His team won the GOLD medal in the Mixed U10 - 4x100 Metre Relay. Well done Nikita!

HOLIDAY WORKS

Over the holidays some of the major works that will take place are: A new auto flushing device and new flooring will be installed in the Senior Boys’ Toilet. The carpet in Room 28 will be replaced and another section of covered walkway will be installed near the Library.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating

their birthday in the coming week and over the Christmas

school holidays. We hope you have a lovely day.

NAME BIRTHDAY

Aaron C 14 January

Caitlyn O 14 January

Georgia D 15 January

Lachlan L 15 January

Samuel S 15 January

Ashley F 17 January

Baily P 17 January

Madi T 17 January

Jayda E 20 January

Charlotte W 20 January

Amy M 20 January

Lauren M 20 January

Emma B 21 January

Jayden W 22 January

Brodie K 22 January

Kasha E 23 January

Jessica L 23 January

Cameron W 23 January

Mitchell W 23 January

Keely M 24 January

Malia F 24 January

Sommer F 25 January

Dior D 25 January

Trinity H 25 January

Mackenzie V 26 January

Jarryd H 27 January

Aaron J 27 January

Charlie A 27 January

Keira D 28 January

Zac F 28 January

Kayra K 28 January

Sara S 29 January

Austin M 31 January

Jasmine M 31 January

Chloe L 1 February

Mackenzie M 1 February

Alexander M 2 February

Lily B 2 February

Charli M 2 February

Xavier B 3 February

Audrey B 4 February

Austin M 4 February

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIQBIZ

For those of you who are yet to install our School App, we

have attached the following brochure explaining the

installation process. Please remember over the holidays

to “untick” your children’s current Year Level and then

“find and tick” the new one for next year.

RUNNERS CLUB REPORT FOR 2014

Congratulations to all the 179 students who participated in the 2014 Runners Club Program. This year

has been overwhelming with the number of students who have walked, jogged or ran in this social

weekly sports program. Well done to the students below who ran the most amount of laps for their age

group. We look forward to Runners Club Program continuing next year on Thursday mornings at

8:10am (commencing Thursday 12th February). All students in all year levels are most welcome.

Runners Club program will commence in 2015 in Week 3.

PLPS 2015 Swimming Carnival (Years 3 - 6)

Students in Years 3 - 6 will be participating in the 2015 Swimming Carnival at the Pines Pool in

Frankston North on Friday February 6th 2015.

Buses will leave school at approximately 9.10am and return at approximately 3.00pm for a normal

3.30pm dismissal.

Students are to wear their house polo shirts with their bathers underneath and bring the following:

Towel

Hat

Sunscreen

Goggles

Lunch and snacks

Large drink bottle

Change of underwear

Plastic bag for wet clothes and towel

Optional money for canteen ($5 max)

Students will be provided with a house coloured swimming cap to compete in as they arrive.

Pines Pool is a 50m outdoor pool. Students will be able to compete in the following 50m events:

Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Butterfly. If time permits, students who were not confident to

participate in a 50m event will have the chance to participate in a shorter ‘noodle race’ with the

assistance of school staff in the pool.

Students will get the chance to have free play in the small ‘toddlers’ swimming pool during the day.

School staff will be supervising at the carnival as well as carrying out particular roles for the day.

Lifeguards will be on duty and St Johns First Aid has been booked for the event.

When students are not competing they are expected to sit under the shade cloth area and be wearing

their house polo shirts and hats at all times.

Students will compete in their age groups. If students are turning 11 in 2015 they are in the 11 year old

age group and so on. Our school’s District Swimming Team will be selected using the results from this

carnival and announced at school during the following week.

Unfortunately Year 6 students will be on camp when the District Swimming event is held (Monday 2nd

March). Our successful Year 6 student’s times from our school’s carnival will be passed on to the District

Sports Coordinator to be used at the District Swimming event, therefore all Year 6 students must try their

very best at our carnival!

Parent helpers are required to help record student swimming times on the day. If you can help

please email conway.michelle.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

Golf Sessions in P.E Last week in P.E, some of our senior students had the pleasure of learning some golf skills from Paul

Boxall. Paul is from Sandhurst Golf Club and would love to see some more students get involved in the

sport. For details of his Golf Summer Holiday Program, refer to the following details.

School Swimming Lessons 2015 In 2015 students at Patterson Lakes PS will be participating in a Learn to Swim Program at the new Peninsula

Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) in Frankston. Students are expected to participate in the program offered in

order to meet curriculum standards for Health and P.E.

Permission forms will be handed out to students in the first week back at school in 2015 and are to be returned by

6/2/15.

The first year levels to begin their program are the Year 3/4’s on 17/2/15. Other year levels are to follow in Terms 1

and 2.

Parent helpers will be required, particularly for the junior year levels. Please see your child’s

classroom teacher in 2015 to offer your assistance.

Please read the parent information sheet provided by PARC on the next page.

Any queries contact conway.michelle.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

School Swimming Parent Information Notice

Dear Parents,

Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) would like to welcome you into our School’s Learn to Swim Program.

We pride ourselves on our unique program which includes beginner to advanced techniques and water safety skills.

Water Safety and learning to swim are essential life skills that provide learners with the confidence and skills to enjoy aquatic environments and activities.

At PARC, we are committed to providing the foundation that we believe is necessary for your child to build solid and sound aquatic skills.

The following briefly outlines some of what we’ll be providing in our school’s learn to swim program:

A fun and exciting learning environment

Quality and innovative programs, including a strong focus on water safety

A dedicated team of AUSTSWIM qualified teachers

World class facilities

Children participating in our program will grow in confidence, improve their swimming technique and gain valuable experiences through fun and exciting lessons. All our classes are well prepared and all of our swim school instructors are AUSTSWIM qualified.

Parent participation is always encouraged, and to ensure that our program runs smoothly and efficiently, we ask that you read and appreciate the following guidelines:

If you have any queries regarding your child’s swimming lessons, please speak directly to the swimming coordinator at your school who will contact us with your concerns.

All enquiries are dealt with as a matter of importance and we’ll ensure feedback is provided to the swimming coordinator who will then contact you

Please avoid attending your child’s swimming lessons until day 2. This allows us to re-assess all children and to ensure they are placed in their correct classes

Any special requests regarding your child’s lesson needs to be in writing and forwarded to your swimming coordinator at your school prior to lessons commencing

PARC does not issue refunds or credits. If you know in advance that your child will not be attending all lessons, and you still choose to enrol, your child will be charged for the lessons missed

The parent assessment letter that you are asked to complete is a guide for us only. This is to ensure that your child receives lessons from day one. Re-assessments are conducted as part of the first two lessons. Therefore, any questions regarding your child's level after the second lesson can be referred back to your swimming coordinator at your school

Swim caps are highly recommended during lessons. By wearing swim caps the children can swim more efficiently without hair in their mouths or on their faces as well as the water quality is maintained and filters are kept cleaner. Swim caps provided free of charge for all students in 2015.

For hygiene reasons children are unable to borrow swimming caps

Please note that if your child’s assessment letter is not received prior to the commencement of lessons, then unfortunately he/she will be unable to participate in lessons

All children will receive a participation certificate and PARC information on other services on offer.

I would like to thank you for your support in your child’s swimming lessons here at PARC.

Kind Regards

PARC Schools Swimming Team

Beat the Brain Slump these Holidays

Help your child beat the brain slump these holidays

Summer holidays are a great time to get your child reading for relaxation.

Most children are pleased to have a break from the rigours of school work over the summer holidays, but many will not open a book again until the beginning of the next school year. Not only does this make it difficult to get back into the swing of study when the time arises, it also means a valuable opportunity is missed.

And that is the opportunity to discover the joy of reading for pleasure.

Reading for pleasure is a wonderful way for your child to escape and unwind. It's also a great way to keep their brain active.

Studies have shown that children who stop reading over the school holidays experience something American researchers call the "summer slide" - a term used to refer to students' learning losses over the summer break.

Researchers used the analogy of a 'tap' to provide some insight into their findings, saying that while children are at school there is a flow of information, and all children have the same opportunities to learn.

When they are not at school, however that 'tap' is turned off, unless there is some active engagement with books or other resources. Children whose 'tap' stays on throughout the summer holidays return to school with an advantage over those whose 'tap' may have been turned off for the past two months.

Over time, that advantage accumulates, and becomes a reason why some children are more successful at school than others.

Success aside, there is a world of enjoyment waiting to be discovered inside the pages of picture books and novels. Books are perfect for the sofa, the back lawn and the beach – all the places your child is most likely to be lounging these school holidays.

The Department has even compiled book lists for children of different ages – making it easy to find something for your pre-schooler, Preppy, eight-year-old or teenager.

The book lists, which are refreshed every year by reading experts to include popular new releases, form part of the Premiers' Reading Challenge – an annual event that inspires young people of all ages to read more books.

So while their textbooks may be closed for the summer, their brains certainly shouldn't be. Make sure your children have a ready supply of books that appeal to their age and interests these school holidays, and help them discover the joy of reading for fun.

To download a copy of the Premiers' Reading Challenge booklists, visit:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/booklist.aspx