2010 Newsletter 26 - Doncaster Primary School

Doncaster Primary School
2—12 Council Street, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108
Phone: (03) 9848 1122 Fax: (03) 9840 2664
www.doncasterps.vic.edu.au
email: doncaster.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Principal: Vicki Mackrell
Thursday, 26 th August 2010
Issue 26
‘The Bulletin’
Our Vision
Doncaster
Primary School
will be highly
valued as a
learning
community
which strives for
excellence in
education,
purposeful
interaction,
equality of
opportunity,
diversity of
challenge, and
which promotes
ethical, moral
and personal
development.
Our Guiding
Values
Honesty and
Integrity,
Respect,
Teamwork, Trust,
Fairness and
Equity
Calendar
Friday 27th
August - 9am: Whole School Assembly: 5B performing. Cake Raffle: 3S
- 9 to 10.30am: Bright Beginnings, Session 1
- 11am to 12.30pm: Bright Beginnings, Session 2
- Prep Swimming
Monday 30th
August - Tidy School: 3S on duty ALL WEEK!
- 1.40pm: Grade Prep to 3 Street Stylze Dance Club
Wednesday 1st
1
September - Interschool Badminton Tournament at Albert Park
- 10am: ‘The Jungle Book’ Dress Rehearsal
- 1pm: ‘The Jungle Book’ Matinee Performance at Doncaster
Secondary College
- 1.40pm: Grade 4 to 6 Street Stylze Dance Club
- 3.45 to 4.45pm: After School Frenc h Club
- 7pm: ‘The Jungle Book’ Evening Performance at DSC
Thursday 2n 2
n d September - 1pm: ‘The Jungle Book’ Matinee Performance at DSC
- Chess for Grades 1D, 2K, 2S, 2W and 3A
- 7pm: ‘The Jungle Book’ Evening Performance at DSC
Friday 3rd
3
September - 9am: Whole School Assembly: 4S performing. Cake Raffle: 3A
- 9 to 10.30am: Bright Beginnings, Session 1
- 11am to 12.30pm: Bright Beginnings, Session 2
- Prep Swimming
Monday 6th6
September - Tidy School: 3G on duty ALL WEEK!
Tues day 7th7
September - 10am: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Dress Rehearsal
- 1pm: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Matinee Performance at DSC
- 7pm: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Evening Performance at DSC
Wednesday 8th
8
September - 7.30 to 9am: Prep Father’s Day Breakfast in the Conference Room
- 1pm: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Matinee Performance at DSC
- 3.45 to 4.45pm: After School Frenc h Club
- 7pm: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Evening Performance at DSC
Thursday 9th
9
September - Chess for Grades 1D, 2K, 2S, 2W and 3A
- 1.40pm: Grade 4 to 6 Street Stylze Dance Club
Principal’s and Assistant Principal’s Patter
PARENT / TEACHER COMMUNICATION
uilding cooperation between parents and
B teachers affords greater opportunities for
our children and their learning.
Effective schools recognise that they are
preparing young people for their adult lives.
This means that we need to work together to
make this happen!
In last week’s Bulletin, we
acknowledged the importance
of communication and
participation in building
partnerships. Ways in which
this currently happens are
outlined, but what else can we
do? Please read, reflect and
send us your ideas.
✂ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have read Bulletin No.26, 2010
Congratulations to our last winner: The Thompson Family
Parent Signature: __________________________________________________________________________________
Eldest Child’s Name and Grade: ______________________________________________________________________

‘The Bulletin’
Page 2
“Keep moving forward”
Walt Disney,
‘Meet the Robinsons’,
2007
• Weekly newsletter, ‘The Bulletin’,
which outlines all school events
• A ‘Parent Information Pack’,
distributed to all families at the
beginning of each year. This
contains a Student Wellbeing
Policy and Program booklet,
Parent Guide, Student Health,
Education Maintenance Allowance
and Assembly Performance Roster
for the entire year
• ‘The Golden Ten Minutes
Program’, from 8.45 to 8.55am
every day, enables parents to visit
the classrooms every morning to
observe student work and speak
to the teacher
• Class Representatives scheme
with scheduled meetings
• Parent Information Forums
throughout the year, eg: Transition
to Secondary School, Curriculum
and Level forums
• Parent / Student / Teacher
Conferences at the end of
Semester One, scheduled for 20
minutes duration, to set learning
goals for Semester Two
• Parent / Teacher Interviews at the
beginning of the year to share
information and establish learning
goals
• School Council membership with
annual elections and open to all
parents
• School Council Committee
membership, eg: Policy and
Planning, Out of School Hours
Care, Canteen, Finance, open to
all parents and not restricted to
School Councillors
• Parent volunteers in classrooms,
on excursions, sporting events, eg:
swimming and cross country
• At least one parent / student
activity per term, eg: Twilight
Sports and barbeque, NASA Linkup,
Level Balls, Musical
Productions, Mother’s / Father’s
Day Breakfasts
• Interpreter availability at parent /
teacher interviews and weekly at
school for translating the Bulletin
and notices
As you can see, we value and
welcome parent partnerships at
Doncaster Primary School!
What else can we do? Please
complete the attached reply slip and
return it to the Office.
OUR PRODUCTIONS - AN
UPDATE
Yesterday, all children received an
important notice regarding dress
rehearsals, matinees and evening
performances. If you did not receive
this letter, please contact the Office.
ENROLMENTS for 2011
If your child / ren, or those of your
relatives and friends, turn 5 years old
by 30th
April 2011, then they are
eligible to be enrolled at school.
We would encourage you to enrol this
term, as this will assist us in planning
our “Transition Program” in Term 4.
‘140 DAYS of SCHOOL – for
PREP PARENTS!’
Early in the term, Prep children and
their families celebrated 100 days of
school! The focus of this event was
the children.
Toward the end of this term, we
reach the 140 days milestone. This
time we would like to focus on the
parents of Prep children! On Tuesday
14th September, we will be hosting a
breakfast at 7.45am and a supper at
7pm. An invitation was sent home on
Tuesday of this week.
Prep Parents will have the
opportunity to share their
experiences with each other and
representatives from the Doncaster
Primary School teacher team. Our
intention is to make the transition
from kinder to school, and the first
year of school, to be an outstanding
success.
Each year we evaluate all of our
programs and the Prep Program is no
exception. Student, parent and
staff opinion is highly valued and
eagerly sought. We readily make
changes to programs based on
feedback received.
SAFETY and SECURITY at
DPS
A huge thank you to all those
parents who have been helping to
close gates after they leave
children in the morning. It is
much appreciated! Thanks also
to Michael, our groundsperson
extraordinaire, for constructing
our temporary fence!
Parents, please remember that If
you work or volunteer with
children in schools, eg:
swimming, in classrooms, on
excursions, you will require a
Working with Children (WWC)
Check.
In 2006, the Victorian
Government introduced a new
checking system to help protect
children from physical or sexual
harm. The WWC Check creates a
mandatory minimum checking
standard across Victoria. The
WWC Check helps to keep
children safe by preventing those
who pose a risk to the safety of
children from working with them,
in either paid or volunteer work.
It is a criminal offence for parents
to engage in ‘child-related work’
without having a WWC Check. It
is also an offence for an employer
or volunteer organisation to
engage you in ‘child-related work’.
To apply for a WWC Check, you
can obtain an application guide
and form from Australia Post.
You can start ‘child-related work’
once you have lodged your
application. You will need to
show your receipt as the Office as
proof you have applied for a WWC
Check.
Applying for a WWC Check is free
for volunteers.
Parents, please remember that
when you come to our school,
whether it is to help in your child’s
Doncaster Primary School
Principal: Vicki Mackrell
2 - 12 Council Street, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108 email: doncaster.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9848 1122
www.doncasterps.vic.edu.au
Fax: (03) 9840 2664 Out of School Hours Care: 0423 794 665

‘The Bulletin’
Page 3
classroom or to deliver forgotten
lunches or swimming bags, that you
must come to the Office and sign
our ’Visitor Book’ before visiting
classrooms. This serves several
purposes. It enables us to check
that you have a WWC check, provide
you with a ‘Visitor Pass’ and enables
us to meet emergency procedures
and Occupational Health and Safety
guidelines.
If you are volunteering in your child’s
classroom or accompanying the
grade on an excursion, please
openly display your Working With
Children card in the lanyard
provided when you sign in, so you
can easily display your WWC.
Thank you for your continued
support in relation to these security
and safety protocols.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to all students and
staff on completing a most
successful ‘Athletics Carnival’.
Special thanks to Mrs Warren and
Mrs Doueal for their outstanding
organisation of the event.
We were delighted to see parents in
attendance, supporting their
children and the school.
Thank you!
THANK YOU!
Last week’s Bulletin called for
assistance with cartage of props and
choir risers for our productions.
Enormous bouquet of thanks to
Francie Allen and Annette Subhani
for their offers of assistance. It most
sincerely appreciated!
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
ADVICE REQUIRED!
We are seeking the help of a
qualified structural engineer, who
could give advice regarding our LTC
(light timber construction).
If you can help, or you know of
someone who could help, please
contact me on 9848 1122.
Thank you in anticipation.
‘SHINE ON’ TICKETS
AVAILABLE
One of our school parents recently
purchased tickets for ‘Shine On
2010’, Victorian State Schools
Spectacular at Hisense Arena. She
has since learned that her family
can’t attend!
She would like to sell the tickets, at
cost price. The details are as follows:
• Saturday 18th September at 2pm
at Hisense Arena
• Two adult and two children’s
tickets, total cost $83
• Section 37, Row Y, seats 459 - 462
If you are interested, please leave a
message at the Office and we will
pass it on!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Parent Participation – Opinion
Survey
On Monday 30th August, 68 families
will receive a randomly selected and
anonymous Parent Opinion Survey.
We must have the replies back by
Friday, 3rd
3
September. This timeline
has been set by the Department of
Education and Early Childhood
Development and is completely out
of our control. We would appreciate
your support in ensuring that surveys
are returned to the Office by the due
date. I can guarantee you that they
are entirely anonymous and we use
your feedback to make our excellent
school even better!
support regarding this matter.
‘Bright Beginnings’ - Belonging,
Being, Becoming
Due to popular demand, we are now
offering two Bright Beginnings
sessions!
The playgroup will operate on Friday
mornings: the first session from 9 to
10.30am; the second session from
11am to 12.30pm.
A detailed information broc hure
regarding our ‘Bright Beginnings’
Playgroup is available from the
Office.
Drink Bottles
Please ensure that your child has a
drink bottle, so that they have a
ready supply of water. Children are
encouraged to keep these bottles
on their tables and drink throughout
the day!
IN THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN
• Professor Knowall’s Amazing
Science Facts (page 4)
• “The Jungle Book” and “Alice in
Wonderland” performance dates
(page 5)
• Cake Raffle (page 6)
• Cook Ken and Fit Fran (page 6)
• Spelling Competition
Congratulations (page 7)
• 2S Cyber Bullying Posters (page
8)
• 2K’s Building Report (page 9)
• Action Drama Studio (page 10)
• Parent / Teacher Communication
Reply Slip (page 11)
• WiseOnes (Page 11)
• McCain Veggie Patch (page 12)
• Chinese Interpreter (page 12)
• Advertising (page 13)
These attachments provide a great
deal of information about our
school program. I highly
recommend them to you!
Regards,

‘The Bulletin’ Page 4
Sleep. ZZZZZZZZ
Hello all,
Professor Knowall’s Amazing
Science Facts
A lot of success with last week’s article about sleep. Apparently it assisted lots of people in falling asleep by
simply reading it. What does help people fall asleep when they are restless? Here are a few
strategies which may help you.
The first thing to consider is your room. Is it
• quiet enough?
• dark enough?
• at the right temperature?
• ventilated? Most people sleep best in a slightly cooler room with adequate ventilation.
The second thing you might consider to help you sleep is to develop a bedtime routine. A consistent, relaxing
routine before bed sends a signal to your brain that it is time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep. Make
the time before sleep a time of peace and quiet, and find your unique routine that relaxes you.
Your bedtime routine might consist of:
• Reading a light, entertaining book or magazine
• Listening to soft music
• Making simple preparations for the next day such as organizing your clothes, making a list for what you need
to do tomorrow
• A light bedtime snack, a cup of hot tea, or a glass of warm milk
• Hobbies such as jigsaw puzzles
• Set a regular bed time. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, and it will be easier and easier to
fall asleep.
Taking care of your body can have a big impact on the quality of your sleep. You’ll sleep more deeply if you
watch what you eat before bed and exercise regularly. A big slice of chocolate cake might seem like the perfect
way to end the day, but it’s wise to avoid eating a large meal within two hours of bed. Try to avoid heavy, rich
foods as bedtime snacks.
So you have finally got to sleep and then you wake up at 3am. This is a time most people don’t want to be
awake. What can you do to go back to sleep?
• Stay relaxed. The time-honoured technique of “counting sheep” works by engaging the brain in a repetitive,
non-stimulating activity, helping you wind down.
• Do a quiet activity: If you’ve been awake for more than 15 minutes, try getting out of bed and doing a quiet
activity.
• Don’t stress about it: Hard as it may be, try not to stress over an inability to fall asleep again, because that
very stress and anxiety encourages your body to stay awake. Remind yourself that although it’s not a
replacement for sleep, rest and relaxation still can help rejuvenate your body. Concentrate on relaxation, not
sleep.
Television and Computers
Many people use the television to fall asleep or relax at the end of the day. You may
even have a television in your bedroom. However, television actually stimulates the
mind, rather than relaxing it. The same can be said about using a computer
just before you go to bed. It stimulates your mind, not relaxes it.
Wow, so much to consider when you are trying to go to sleep. I hope
this helps you have a great night’s sleep!
Professor Knowall

‘The Bulletin’ Page 5
Performed by children in
Grades Prep to 3
Ж Wednesday 1 st
September, 1pm and 7pm
st September, 1pm and 7pm
Ж Thursday 2 nd September, 1pm and 7pm
At the Doncaster Secondary
College Presentation Centre
Ticket Prices:
Matinee - Adults $10, children $5
Evening - Adults $16, children $8
Ticket Sales:
http://www.trybooking.com/GZL
Performed by children in
Grades 4 to 6
Ж Tuesday 7 th September, 1pm and 7pm
Ж Wednesday 8 th September, 1pm and 7pm
At the Doncaster Secondary
College Presentation Centre
Ticket Prices:
Matinee - Adults $10, children $5
Evening - Adults $16, children $8
Ticket Sales:
http://www.trybooking.com/HAN

‘The Bulletin’ Page 6
Your turn is near …
Cake Raffle Reminder
3A
Date: Friday 3 rd September
We really appreciate your support and are looking forward to
your contribution. Thank you!
From Ms Seng, Mr Jeffs and Junior School Council
Cook Ken and Fit Fran’s Tips for
Healthy Living!
Hello Everyone,
Last week we told you about our detective work where we spent time investigating
the food being eaten by children at school.
This week we have been coming up with some great lunch box ideas that will keep you
energised all day long!
It is important to make sure you include one nutritious snack food in your child’s
lunch box. This might be a cheese stick, low fat flavoured milk, a mini muffin or a
low fat cookie. It is important not to over pack these types of snacks. Research has
shown that lots of lunch boxes are filled with at least three of these kinds of
snacks, which is far too many!
Ask your child to choose one of these snacks they woul d like in the morning. This
allows them to take ownership of their lunch and make good food choices. It also
ensures they will eat the food you pack for them!
Happy snack choosing!
Cook Ken and Fit Fran

‘The Bulletin’ Page 7
AI M
2010 International Competitions and
Assessments for Schools
Spelling Competition Congratulations!
Students from Doncaster Primary School achieved outstanding results when they participated in the
University of New South Wales International Competitions and Assessments for Schools. Those students
whose achievement was outstanding were rewarded with Certificates of Credit, Distinction and High
Distinction.
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are developed by Educational
Assessment Australia (EAA) of the University of New South Wales and are conducted annually across Australia
and in 12 other countries. There are over 1.5 million entries worldwide.
The Competitions are for students from Years 3 to 12 and assess their academic ability in aspects of
Mathematics, Science, English, Writing, Computer Skills and Spelling.
“ICAS are excellent independent assessments of the skills that students need in education, the wider
community and the workplace of the future,” said Dr Peter Knapp, Director of EAA. “All students from
Doncaster Primary School are to be congratulated on their outstanding efforts.”
An enormous thank you to Mr Wicher and Ms Foster for their outstanding and tireless coordination of this
competition!
Congratulations to the following students:
High Distinction
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
Nicolani Susanto Christopher Lee Elina Chi
High Distinction (Writing)
Grade 4
James Xu
Grade 6
Justin Jiang Daisy Li Vivian Tee
Distinction
Grade 3 Grade 5 Grade 6
Ayiana Alcouffe
Rebekah Wong
Credit
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6
Julianne Lee Liying Liu
Jillian Lu
James Xu
Congratulations to you all on “Aiming High!”
Ms Mackrell
Audrey McCarthy
Raymond Chi
Amy Wang
Nirali Adhvaryu Rebecca Chemmanam
Theodore Choi Ruby Evans Sarah Goh
Alexander Tsonis Dominic Guo Bethany Luo
Jade Vella-Wright Tsu-Jie Ng
Michael Kim Jason Kwe Cindy Liang
Tiger Lin Janet Liu Liyi Liu
Kevin Yu Sarah Hasan
Alice Tian Sally Wang
Jason Wong
Stephanie Duong

‘The Bulletin’ Page 8

‘The Bulletin’
Page 9
2K’S BUILDING REPORT
The new building now has the roof on it and the roof is made out of metal. The building has a frame
made out of wood.
By Xavier
On a Monday afternoon, I looked out of the window. I saw that the builders have built a roof. The
roof is protecting the concrete area from getting wet. The bricks are ready to put on and some parts
already have bricks put up there! The frame of the building is wood. There is already insulation in the
roof.
The new building has really progressed since the start of the year and it will make a lovely building
when it is finished. The workers have been working very hard to reach their goal and give us a
wonderful building.
By Angel
On Monday, we looked out of the classroom window at the new building. On the building frame we
can see where the windows will be and the doors too. The roof is on and it is made of metal. The
builders have put bricks all around the building site.
By Rachel
If you go into 2K and look out of the back window, what do you see? Wooden frames that look like
pine wood and a tin roof that has something special on it that won’t get it rusty. There are bricks
stacked up ready to be used for the building.
By David

‘The Bulletin’
Page 10
AI M -

‘The Bulletin’
Page 11
AI M
PARENT / TEACHER COMMUNICATION REPLY SLIP
We value and welcome parent partnerships at Doncaster Primary School!
Please tell us your ideas for future improvement.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Child’s Name: ______________________________________________
Grade: _____
Parent’s Name: __________________________________________________________________
Contact Phone: ___________________________________
✂

‘The Bulletin’
Chinese Translation Service
Each Friday, 9am to 11am
Page 12
McCain Veggie Patches

‘The Bulletin’
Page 13
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Doncaster Primary School do not endorse the products or
services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is accepted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development or Doncaster Primary School for accuracy or information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.