16th September 2008 - Northern Territory Schools

Tuesday 16 September, 2008 No: 28
Dear Families
Last week was a very busy weekend for some of our
students. All year our Alawa School Choir has been
practising for BEAT. With other schools they
performed at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on
Saturday evening. Mrs Viv Chellew was extremely
proud of the group’s efforts and said the night was
spectacular. Congratulations to:
Rus Kundu, Ruby Perryman, Shania Rosas,
Rochelle Fejo-Tasker, Kallum Bourke,
Taylor Walker, Isabella Mellios, Malory Gearin,
Paula Williamson, Shenay Godinho,
Jarrah McGarvie, Joe Althouse, Sarah-Care Fern,
Bree Bury and Michaelyn Dai.
On Saturday our Tournament of Minds Team competed at Charles
Darwin University. The children wrote, produce and presented a
literature play based on Shakespeare’s plays. They too were very
impressive. Ms Anna Karob led the group that consisted of
Fayaaz Ferozkhan, Chaltu Jima, Jarrah McGarvie, Paula Williamson,
Devlin Mason, Joe Althouse and Hercules Schutte.
Last week at the Principal’s Cluster Meeting we were shown the draft of DET’s cluster revised policy on
Student Absenteeism. Below are quotes from it.
While non compulsory school aged children are not legally required to enrol in school, the Northern
Territory Education Act requires that parents ensure that all children in their care who are enrolled in a
Government School attend that school on each day that instruction is provided, regardless of the child’s
age. (my emphasis). Further
The absence is un-notified or the explanation provided deemed unreasonable by the Principal including
…….. i.e. taking children shopping during school hours, students choosing not to come to school, students
being too tired to come to school, families going camping/fishing for purely recreational purposes on
school days.
Clearly the message is, if school is open, unless your
child is sick or representing the cluster/NT in sport it is
the family’s responsibility to bring your child/ren to
school.
- Parent/teacher interviews tomorrow evening,
have you made your appointment
- NAPLAN (National Assessment Program)
results for Year 3 and 5 students will be sent
home next Tuesday with the newsletter.
- Wall-E, the latest film from Pixar Animation
Studios will be shown at Alawa’s night at the
deckchair Cinema on Thursday 16 th October.
- Welcome to our assembly this Friday hosted by
the Kangaroos.
Sharon Reeves
Alawa Primary School
Newsletter
Week 8 Attendance
Eagles 86.96 93.33 91.58
Quokkas 88.52 93.68 87.00
Crows 94.76 86.8 92.91
Kangaroos 90.48 88.33 87.92
Lizards 98.65 89.13 93.48
Quolls 85.56 100 88.64
Tassie Devils 91.40 88.26 95.65
Water Dragons 97.83 93.91 89.57
Those that achieved our target this week – again only
half of our classes!
Only class that has maintained their class improved
attendance rate.
School attendance is compulsory.
Website:www.schools.nt.edu/alawa; Phone: 89279122 or Fax: 89271695; 27 Pett Street, Alawa, 0810

End of the term is near and there are quite a few
students who have overdue library books, some from
last term. Please help your child/ren to look for any
library books. Also any home readers you may find
as well. I will endeavour to send home overdue
notices over the next week or so.
Thank you and happy reading
Mrs Price
Lunch specials for September
Thursdays – chicken burger with cheese, lettuce,
mayo plus a chocolate popper milk $4
PORTFOLIOS
There is still are large number of outstanding
portfolios to be returned. Could families
please search for these as the portfolios will
be required for next term to complete the
year’s progress report Your attention to this matter
will be greatly appreciated.
WHEEL-A-THON
Please keep bringing Wheel-a-thon money in. On
Friday Week 10 Assembly, we will
announce the lucky winners of the draw.
Ice cups are distributed at 3 pm for every
$20 each student raises. Student
Recording Sheets need to accompany
each student in order to receive an ice
cup from the GLA kitchen.
Cheers,
Ms Lyn Oxley – Wheel-a-thon coordinator
BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS
Families have until the 26 September 2008 to redeem
any outstanding credit left on the voucher. Please
contact Mrs Briant in the front office if you have any
queries.
LUNCHES
Please ensure that your child/ren have recess and
lunch as food will only be provided by Mr Bruce
in an emergency, that only happens once or
twice a term. Otherwise lunches will be charged
for.
LOST PROPERTY
There is a large amount of lost property such as
chiller lunch bags, clothing, pillow (from camp),
football, tent pegs, school bag. Please feel free to
look through for anything your child/ren may have
lost.
SWIM AND SURVIVE
Get Involved In the Active Family Fun Day
When: Sunday 21 st September, 2008
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Parap Swimming Pool, Ross Smith Ave, Parap
Cost: Free swim entry plus prizes, games & fun!
Come along and enjoy the fun program of water safety
activities for all the family.
ntswimsurvive@rlssa.org.au for further information
phone 8981 5036
Students and Thriving Thursday gardeners are
busy creating the beds of our new rainbow
garden. We are lucky we have the old
sandpit as a base for our beds, this will
provide fabulous drainage. We've also
relocated the beautiful NAIDOC poles from the native
garden out the front. You should come along on
Thursday Evening to have a look! Our application to
become a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
Demonstration School went in last Friday and we will be
hearing about that by the end of October. Our new fowls
have settled in well, it's amazing how fast they grow!!!
This week and next week the CSIRO lab on wheels are
giving workshops on 'working scientifically'to the Self
Learners. Kima and Ave are the rostered volunteers this
weekend. Sustainability Tip #6 Paint your roof white,
the heat is reflected and so you stay cooler, using less
electricity on air conditioning.
Take care, everyone
Ms Bindi
Hello Everyone!
YMCA Alawa OSHC is now into its ninth week and the
children who come along are having a great time; so
much so, that some children are asking their parents to
pick them up later! The fruit and vegetable seeds we've
planted in the farm are growing and hopefully
next term we can start eating our own
produce. The children are enjoying music
games, games with the exercise balls and a
Friday movie. We cook every Thursday and
this week we will make savoury scrolls to eat for
afternoon tea. There are still vacancies for more children
at YMCA Alawa OSHC so pick up an enrolment pack
from the school office or phone Eloise (Coordinator) or
Rita (Assistant) on 0439997403 for all enquiries.
Holiday/Vacation Care is available at YMCA OSHC
Nightcliff, phone 89488455 or YMCA OSHC Parap, on
89423401
WEEK 8 STUDENT AWARD FOR
Ignition - Eagles Natasha Frame
Improvement in all areas of the classroom. Well done!
Miss White
Zeca Godhino
Beautiful manners all week. You are a great role model
Website:www.schools.nt.edu/alawa; Phone: 89279122 or Fax: 89271695; 27 Pett Street, Alawa, 0810