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2011 Newsletter 37 - Doncaster Primary School

2011 Newsletter 37 - Doncaster Primary School

2011 Newsletter 37 - Doncaster Primary School

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“Pleasure in the job putsperfection in the work.”AristotleCore PrinciplesWe have considered the foundationson which we will build our reformagenda. Now I want to turn to thefundamental principles on which westand in education policy and whichwe will pursue throughout ourstewardship of the Victorian LearningCommunity.This Government has three, nonnegotiableeducation principles. Theseare:1. choice2. local decision-making3. school-community integration.Choice: all students, all schoolsThe Minister for Education is theMinister for all Victorian students – ingovernment, Catholic andindependent schools.While I have particular responsibilityfor the delivery of a strong and highperforming government schoolsystem, I want to support all schools torespond to the choices made bystudents and their parents and toprovide high quality options thatstudents and parents want to select.We must build confidence and engageparents and students in the sharedenterprise of providing consistentlyhigh quality education for all Victorianstudents, regardless of the school theyattend or the sector it is in. We knowthat the results of Victorian studentsare among the highest in Australia.The latest NAPLAN results confirmthat while improvement is patchy, wedo perform above the nationalaverage on most measures and equalthe national average on the rest.This reflects the combinedcontribution of all Victorian schoolsand I am pleased to be Minister forsuch a diverse and high-performingsystem.In the context of our principle ofchoice, I also want to point out thatmany government schools areac hieving impressive results inNAPLAN. <strong>Doncaster</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong>,Fish Creek <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> and Donald<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong>, among many others,are achieving NAPLAN results that areamongst the highest in the nation.<strong>School</strong>s are adopting innovativeapproaches to education, like openlearning spaces and newtechnologies, and working withcommunities to provide earlychildhood services.In addition we have world classspecialist government schools like theJohn Monash Science <strong>School</strong> andMaribyrnong Sports <strong>School</strong> and fourselective entry secondary schools. Thisdiversity is something we will continueto foster.In September we announced a $2.5million grants program to enable moregovernment schools to develop aspecialisation in a field of their choice.We also recently announced theestablishment of the new Bio21science school in Parkville, and earlierthis year we supported WerribeeSecondary College to become the firstgovernment secondary school to offerthe senior International BaccalaureateDiploma.Our commitment to a high quality andincreasingly diverse governmentschool education system is clear. Thisis because we believe thatspecialisation and diversity not onlypromote choice, but enable schools todevelop their strengths and that thissupports higher standards and betteroutcomes for all students.Complementing these reforms is ourcommitment to lift non-governmentschool funding to 25 per cent of therecurrent cost of educating a studentin a government school. Weunderstand the sacrifices that parentshave made to ensure their childrenparticipate in a high quality education.This commitment characterises qualityeducation systems and we want tofoster this.We have also recently contributed tothe Commonwealth's (Gonski) reviewof funding for schooling, articulatingthe importance of choice, coherenceand need. This included questioningwhy the Commonwealth provides 10per cent of the cost of schooling for agovernment school student - less thanit provides for those students in highsocioeconomic status non-governmentschools. It sets out our position tomove, over time, to more coherentfunding conditions and to enhanceCommonwealth funding to all schools -not reducing the funds available nowor in the future.Many of you will have been throughseveral changes to funding andrecognise the importance ofPage 2transitional fairness. Any move fromold to new arrangements must enablestable planning for schools. Irecognise the significant opportunityfor sustainable reform ofCommonwealth school fundingarrangements and I intend torepresent the interests of all studentsand all schools as that debatecontinues.Whether a government or nongovernmentschool, our goal is toensure that every parent has a choiceof high quality education.Congratulations to the team at<strong>Doncaster</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> for suchoutstanding teaching.Congratulations to our students onthese brilliant results!STAFFING for 2012At present, we are interviewingteachers for positions for next year.This process will not be finalised untilnext week. Our learning communitywill be informed regardingorganisation for 2012 in December.‘THANK YOU’ MORNING TEAA Thank You Morning Tea will be heldon Tuesday 6th6December, at 11am,for the many parents, CRE staff andKids Hope Mentors who helpthroughout our school.Invitations were sent home earlier thisweek.OUR TRADITIONAL END OFYEAR CONCERTYou are warmly invited to attend ourEnd of Year Concert on Tuesday 20thDecember. Please refer to the flyerincluded in this week’s Bulletin.OUR ‘TRADITIONAL END OFYEAR HAMPER’This week, each family receivedinformation regarding donations offood and toys for our hamper. Raffletickets were are also attached to thenotice.Thank you in anticipation of yourgenerosity!TIMELINE for the END of theYEARPlease note our dates section in theBulletin each week, as this time of theyear is always very busy!LEVEL 1 (PREP) SWIMMINGPROGRAMThe Swimming Program for children in


Prep begins on Wednesday 7th7December and concludes on Friday16thDecember.See your child’s classroom teacher formore information regarding thisprogram.CLASS GROUPINGSChildren will be visiting their 2012grades on Wednesday 14thDecember,between 10 and 11am. At this timethey will meet their teachers andclassmates for 2012.Class lists for children other than Prepare not published, for reasons ofconfidentiality.IMPORTANT DATES in 2012Included with this week’s Bulletin is an‘Important Dates in 2012’ page.Please keep it handy for quickreference!IMPORTANT REMINDERSStudent Requisites for 2012On Monday 14th November, all familiesreceived letters regarding their child’srequisites for the ‘2012 <strong>School</strong> Year’.Payment for your child’s requisiteswould be appreciated by thesuggested timeline. Parents, you donot need to purchase any materials foryour child for the 2012 school year, aseverything is included in the studentrequisites. The charge for 2012 is$315 per child.Distribution of Student ReportsThe Student Reports will be sent homeon Thursday 15thDecember.As you can appreciate, the staff devotean enormous amount of time andeffort to the ‘Assessment andReporting’ process. The productionand sharing of our high quality reportsand student portfolios is evidence ofthe professionalism of the staff andthe importance we place on thehome / school partnership.Due to these factors, the StudentReports cannot be distributed earlierthan Thursday 15thDecember. Ifstudents are leaving school before thisdate, reports will be posted to yourhome address, or alternatively, theycan be held for collection next year.Thank you for your understanding inthis matter.Enrolments for 2012If your child, or those of your relativesand friends, turn 5 years old by 30thApril 2012, then they are eligible to beenrolled at school.We would encourage you to enrol thisterm, as this will assist us in planningour ‘Transition Program’ in Term 4.Kinder to <strong>School</strong> TransitionProgramOur Transition Program for childrenenrolled for Prep in 2012 has begun!Page 3For more information regarding thisprogram, please contact the Office on9848 1122.‘Bright Beginnings’ - Belonging,Being, BecomingOur Bright Beginnings playgroupoperates on Friday mornings from9.30 to 11am.A detailed information broc hureregarding our ‘Bright Beginnings’Playgroup is available from the Office.IN THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN• Library News (page 4)• Chaplain’s Corner (page 4)• ‘Circus Family Fun Night’ - End ofYear Concert (page 5)• Chinese Translation Service (page 6)• Before <strong>School</strong> Sports at DPS (page6)• Important Dates in 2012 (page 7)• WiseOnes (page 8)• Advertising (page 9)These attachments provide a greatdeal of information about our schoolprogram. I highly recommend them toyou!Regards,Vicki MackrellPrincipalCongratulations Nicole!We are thrilled to share that Nicole Subhani, our <strong>School</strong> Girls’ Vice-Captain, hascompleted the Prelude Level of the Australian Girls’ Choir. It has been a wonderfulexperience for her with weekly sessions, two huge and spectacular performances andlots of fun. Next year she will move into Concert Level and have theopportunity to perform and travel with the choir.Congratulations Nicole for your dedication andlovely talent!!If any girl loves singing and dancing I can highlyrecommend this professional and energeticprogram.Annette Subhani


Page 4Chaplain’s CornerHigh <strong>School</strong> Next Year??I recently found a neat little booklet on how parents can supporttheir children as they move into high school. It is put out by theWestern Australia Education Department. Just follow the links tothe transition booklet in the website below:http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsandyouParent Support and Resources all YearEveryone has times of difficulty. There are many supportorganisations that offer help with different circumstances, suchas grief and loss, drugs and alcohol, dads groups, anger andviolence, blended families, families that speak languages otherthan English.These can be accessed by calling the Parentline on 132289(8am -12 midnight Mon -Tues. Sat - Sun 10am - 10pm)I am also available to meet with parents on most Tuesdays andWednesdays. Leaving a message for me at the Office is the bestway to organise it.Regards,Kathy Armour<strong>School</strong> Chaplain


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Page 6Chinese Translation Service,Each Friday, 8am to 10am8 10Dear Parents,If you require any assistance in translating theBulletin, notices or any relevant information intoChinese, please come to the Staffroom on Fridaysbetween 8 and 10am. Please bring along theinformation that needs translating. Every Fridaymorning, there will be a Chinese translator at yourservice.At <strong>Doncaster</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong> we are committed to encouraging our children to be fit and healthy.We offer Early Morning Sport sessions that are free!!!When: Monday to Friday,8:15 to 8:45 amWhere: Top Basketball CourtWe also offer programs such as tennis, badminton, triathlon and Zumbathat require a minimal fee. The details for these sessions are publishedregularly in the Bulletin. Please keep an eye out for them!!From ‘Manningham Leader’, 27 July <strong>2011</strong>


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Transport to and from <strong>School</strong>I am available to pick up children from home and drive them to school, and drive them home again.I am also willing to drive children or adults to sporting activities, medical appointments, musiclessons, dancing classes, etc.Phone Bev Robertson (a past DPS parent) on 9848 4951 or 0428 692 345.Page 8Coming upTerm 1, 2012 ...ELECTRONICS<strong>Doncaster</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong>Learn how electricity flows as a current and how a circuit is completed. Spend time learning how to read awiring sequence and connect a circuit correctly. Discover which objects are "conductors" and what is staticelectricity. Can you make a lie detector and test it on your partner? Find out about security, lightning andatoms. This is a fun unit for both girls and boys.WiseOnes Application for 1 st Term 2012This program is available for all Grade 1 - Grade 6 children who have qualified for WiseOnes.Mrs Mieke Alexander is taking some sabbatical leave overseas. We are aiming to complete the firstterm unit by 31 st March, even though the term is short.The unit for first term commences week beginning Monday, 6th February, 2012 and will run for eightweeks on the weeks beginning: February 6 th , 13 th , 20 th , 27 th , March 5 th , 12 th , 19 th and 26 th .✂……………………………………………………………………………………………………………I wish to enrol my child in the unit “Electronics” starting week beginning Monday 6 th February, 2012.I give permission for a copy of this slip to be handed to the WiseOnes teacher.Child's Name ______________________________________ <strong>School</strong>: <strong>Doncaster</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong>Date of Birth ________________________ Class (2012) ________Parents' Names ________________________________________________________________Address______________________________________________________________________Phone: BH _________________ AH __________________ Mobile ________________My child has already qualified for WiseOnes YES/NOI would like a free test for my child YES/NO.I would like my child to be tested with a fuller assessment to qualify for WiseOnes (assessment cost $200inc GST).Please send this slip and payment of $212.00 by Friday, 3 rd February, 2012.As we are a non-credit business, children will not be accepted into the program for the term unless thefees and enrolment form are returned by the above date.If paying by cheque please make it payable <strong>Doncaster</strong> <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>School</strong>.For further information, please contact Pat Truscott on 9326 6441 or Mobile: 0407 313 657.NB: Due to the Government increase of teachers’ wages, please note the new cost of the program.


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