HEIGHTS HYPE
September 4th 2014 Newsletter 13
Thank you to everyone for their involvement in our activities during Literacy and Numeracy week. The Book
Character Parade and Numeracy Scavenger Hunt were extremely well-received! While the weather didn’t
allow us to hold the parade outside as planned—Wednesday’s sunny afternoon was perfect for the scavenger
hunt.
The Preps enjoyed their excursion to the Melbourne Museum on Tuesday 26th August and it was terrific to
see their exuberance overflow into the follow-up sessions—particularly the discussions, writing and drawings
they completed. It has been wonderful to see their confidence and ability develop over the time I have been
here at FHPS. You can read more about their exciting day further in this newsletter.
Well done to all of the students who have remembered to bring (and wear) their hat this week. Please also
remember to write your name inside your hat, this makes it much easier for us to return when it goes missing!
We still have a large pile of mulch which needs to be
spread around the school gardens. If you are able to
help, we would love to see you, your spade and
maybe even your wheelbarrow next Friday, 12th
September between 2:30 and 4:30pm at our school
Working Bee.
Godetevi la settimana!
Gill Higgins Acting Principal
Monday, 8th September Finance Committee 6:30pm
School Council 7:00pm
Friday, 12th Working Bee 2:30-4:30pm
Tuesday 16th and
Wednesday 17th
Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday, 19th Footy Day
End of Term 3—2:30pm finish
Monday, 6th October Start of Term 4
IMPORTANT DATES
SEPTEMBER
Kohen McC
Sionell E
Dan E
Josh S
Will C
Lilli O
Anthony H
Ceyda C
Caitlin R
Dane E
Beth W
Chloe C
Bella D
Ethan D
Taylah M
Tyler A
Mya P
Alesha P
Anthony T
Sienna D
Shaye D
Asha B
Although it has been mentioned may times before throughout our newsletter, unfortunately I am gong to have to ask our school community for your support in the safe and appropriate use of our school staff car park yet again. Over the past fortnight we have had numerous parents driving into the staff car park just prior to dismissal time and parking within. This is not allowed! It is unfair to have some parents ignoring our school rules and endangering our students in doing so. We have also had quite severe damage to a staff car by an unauthorised car who then left the scene without notifying the owner of the damaged car.
Last week I witnessed cars entering the park from the exit gate, apparently believing that this would not be noticed! A number of cars have halted in the entry gate collected their children and then proceeded through the car park at alarming and dangerous speed. This must stop! Most of our parents are aware that we do not have the capacity to allow families to drive through the car park at 3.30 and so arrange to be at school early to secure
a parking spot or park a little further away and walk a short distance to collect their children. We all know that it is uncomfortable when the weather is inclement but, we must think of others!! I have personally asked parents not to park in the car park when they have been identified, however, the practice continues. If you have a legitimate reason for requiring to park in the school car park you must make arrangements via the office and we will always consider any reasonable requests. As reported in previous newsletters our school policy regarding the wearing of broad rimmed hats has changed to fall into line with Sunsmart recommendations, hence all students have been expected to wear their summer hats from Monday, 1st September. We have been lenient this week to allow families time to ensure hats are available for students, but from this Monday 8th September students without their correct broad rimmed hats, will be required to remain in the quiet area during recess and lunch breaks. Hats may be purchased for $10 from the school uniform shop on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during school business hours. Parent teacher interviews will be conducted in the last week of term three. Already many of you have booked in your appointment times. If you are unable to access this online please contact our school office who will be happy to assist you in doing so. Our Year 3 and 5 students NAPLAN results have been provided to the school and have been sent home to parents today along with a brochure on how to interpret the results. Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a great weekend everyone ! Carole Gagiero - Assistant Principal
Please note
NO changes to be
made—thank you.
Orders due
Wednesday 10th
September
CANTEEN NEWS: Friday 12th September Special Lunch:
Chicken Souvlaki Wrap Shredded Chicken Breast
With lettuce cucumber and tomato.
& Cookie
& Nudie Juice
(apple, tropical or apple & blackcurrant)
$6.50
Thank you for your support, Linda Eames Canteen Manager
CITIZENSHIP AWARDS: Congratulations to the following students who received a Success Award for the weeks:
22ND AUGUST 29TH AUGUST
PB: Ry B PB: Yan C
PS: Phoenix H PS: Alex N-K
1/2G: Stewart F 1/2G: Sophie B
1/2H: Gabi W 1/2H: Amy S
1/2K: Noah S 1/2K: Ruby C
1/2T: N/A 1/2T: Josh M
3/4M: N/A 3/4M: Summah G
3/4R: Zander D 3/4R: Jackson H
3/4S: Rani T 3/4S: Cain A
5/6B: Kodie H 5/6B: Chloe S
5/6K: Ben Y 5/6K: Wylie F
Science: N/A Science: 1/2H
SCHOOL NEWS: FHPS NETBALL TEAM—We are seeking Grade 2, 3 and 4 students to start up two after school netball
teams. Games are at Jubilee Park on Tuesday afternoons. If you are interested and would like more information
please see Krystal in the school office.
RACV SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY—we are seeking businesses to sponsor our RACV HPV Energy
Breakthrough Challenge. The RACV Energy Breakthrough Challenge is designed to provide opportunities for
students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle that will
represent an energy breakthrough. The program encourages participants to examine and use the latest
technology while considering its impact on the environment and the way people live locally and globally. If you think that your business could assist Frankston Heights Primary School please don’t hesitate to contact the
school on (03)9783 4988. We will be very grateful for any assistance your business could offer.
2015 BOOKLISTS – We are currently in the process of organising our 2015 booklists. If parents would like
to deposit funds towards their 2015 books, please see Maria in the office on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE—WILL END IN 2014. EMA WILL NO LONGER BE
AVAILABLE IN 2015.
PREP HOMESTEAD
On Tuesday 26th August the Preps went on their first excursion to the Melbourne Museum.
After arriving at school, collecting their nametags and getting into their groups, we waved
goodbye to FHPS (and lots of prep parents) and set off on our way.
Our bus driver Steve did a fantastic job of getting us there safely and we saw lots of trucks
and trams along the way.
After getting off the bus and having some morning tea we set off to begin our exploring.
First stop was ‘Our People’ an informative exhibition all about Indigenous Australians. The
students enjoyed seeing the clothing and jewellery that were made by hand.
Next we visited the Rainforest section where we got to see some beautiful birds, interesting
insects and hairy spiders! The tall trees showed us the effect that a bushfire can have and
the devastation done to houses.
From there we headed down to the animal section, and the highlight I think for all the
preps! After walking past the gigantic bones of a Blue Whale, we then headed in to see the
dinosaurs! The Bugs Alive section had some very interesting creepy crawlies and we also
saw amazing see creatures and animals from all over the world.
With the weather being so perfect we were able to spend our lunch time out in the play-
ground before heading in to explore the Human Body and Melbourne exhibitions.
Each student was also lucky to attend a short session run by a museum staff member that
was all about old toys.
It was a fantastic day and the preps represented FHPS so well. I don’t know who had more
fun on the day, the adults or the children!
A special thank you to all our parents who attended and also all of those who offered their
time and helped with getting the students organized on the day. We couldn’t have done it
without you and it was greatly appreciated.
We look forward to planning our next adventure!
Mrs. Britt and Miss Scott
Prep Homestead
Ninja Numbers: Students are well on their way through the
levels of number facts. It’s automatic recall your teachers
are looking for. Keep on practising.
Mathletics: Some students are reaching GOLD certificates!
Complete the lessons to get the highest points.
During Literacy and Numeracy Week
students at FHPS took part in a range of special
maths tasks and sessions. The Maths Scavenger
Hunt saw students hustling all over the school to solve
problems and collect items!
Students were placed in mixed year level groups. As
the groups solved a problem they were given a letter with the aim
of completing a unknown word.
The first group to get all the letters and answer the final question was
Group 6. Well done to all our hunters, your teamwork and enthusiasm was
fantastic!
Earlier in August, eleven mighty mathematicians
battled for the 2014 Times Table and Number Fact
trophies.
The Junior Number Fact event involves students from
Prep to Year 2. Class Champions use automatic recall to solve
addition and subtraction questions. Congratulations to our Junior
winner Ying C.
The Times Tables Championship is for students in Year 3 to 6. To
identify a winner, this year the questions reached the 15 times tables. Frankston
Heights Primary Schools’ 2014 Times Table Champion is Ben Y.
CLASS CHAMPS PS: Daisy F
PB: Mason G
1/2T: Ying C
1/2G: Kaleb McC
1/2H: Tayah B
1/2K: Taylor T-F
3/4R: Rasna P
3/4S: Rani T
3/4M: Al D
5/6B: Samantha M
5/6K: Benjamin Y
NUMERACY at FHPS Num
ber
Fac
t
Num
ber
Fac
t
Num
ber
Fac
t
& T
imes
Tab
le
& T
imes
Tab
le
& T
imes
Tab
le
Whole
Sch
ool
Mat
hs Sca
venger
Hunt
WINNERS Curtis W
Teleaha'Rose C
Stewart F
Alesha P
Dan E
Rani T
Shae B
Last Friday’s maths afternoon was brilliant!
Thanks to all the parents for joining in!
Staying Safe Around
Swooping Birds
With Spring around the corner, it’s that time of year again when birds start nesting. During the nesting
season some birds may swoop people that get too close to their nest.
Male magpies, they are the ones with the white backs, will defend an area around their nests during
breeding season. The area is usually within 100 metres of the nest if you are walking but can be 150m if
you are riding a bike. Protective behaviour can start as early as July (when they start nesting) and go
through to November (when the chicks are fledging). A magpies defensive behaviour can be a swoop or
a dive bomb, sometimes that can involve contact.
Noisy Miners and wattlebirds will swoop to defend their territory all year round. We have Noisy Miners
located near our front office and they tend to swoop. Please be aware of this.
Swooping is their most common way of scaring off intruders (whether it is humans or other animals).
Some attacks can leave a person with head or eye injuries, so swooping birds should be taken seriously.
What can we do to stay safe during this time?
When walking, wear a broad rimmed hat and sunglasses, sometimes putting eyes on the back of
your hat can deter the magpie.
If you are riding a bike, attach a flag to a pole on your bike, this may deter them, or get off and walk.
If you can avoid the area and find another route home until the magpies babies have left the nest,
that would be better for both parties.
Don’t fight back if a bird swoops. Throwing sticks or stones at it can make it more aggressive.
If you find a fledgling on the ground don’t pick it up, dad is probably watching from afar. If it is still
there at night and you are concerned for its safety, pick it up and put it in a tree.
Moonlit Sanctuary School Holidays
Young Ranger Program
Environmental Activities, Native Animal Care,
Fun and Games during Spring 2014.
Monday 22th
, Tuesday 23rd
, Thursday 25th
, Friday 26
th September
Monday 29th
, Tuesday 30th
, September Thursday 2
nd, Friday 3
rd October
Cost: $45.00 per day, or $120 for 3 days (pro rata for additional days).
Bookings essential - suitable 7-14 years. Hours: 10AM – 4PM
Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants and remember your hat. Lunches: BYO or may be purchased in our cafe
Moonlit Sanctuary 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale
Ph. 5978-7935 Web: www.moonlit-sanctuary.com
Open daily between 10am and 5pm
Note: Due to road works Moonlit Sanctuary is only accessible from Baxter-Tooradin Rd till
mid November.