13 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

School Vision

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members,

Welcome Back

Welcome back to school for the final term of 2017. There are lots of great activities planned for students again this term, including: cricket competitions and workshops, a lightening sports carnival, swimming carnival, Remembrance Day, student leadership speeches and selection, camps and excursions, Madeley’s Got Talent, parent ‘thank you’ morning tea and our Year 6 graduation. We look forward to all of the great learning that will continue to occur throughout the term.

This term we will be sending home three newsletters. The remainder of our school communication will be transmitted via Connect so please ensure that you contact the school office if your Connect account is not working properly.

Planning for 2018

Now is the time when we begin planning classes for next year. With that in mind I would appreciate being advised, as soon as possible, if your child will be leaving Madeley Primary in 2018. Student enrolments determine what our staffing allocation will be so we need as accurate a number as possible. In early Term 4 we will begin arranging classes for 2018. Relevant information about how classes are formed includes:

• Classes are structured based on enrolments and recommended class sizes. Classes are then constructed to maintain a gender balance and an even distribution of student needs/abilities in each class.
• We aim to maintain at least one friendship for each child where possible but this is not guaranteed.
• Composite classes are an inevitability over which we have no control but students are not disadvantaged by such arrangements. The same class selection approach is taken in these classes as all others. We do try and avoid repeated years in composite classes if possible.

The process we use:

1. A draft class structure is created based on student enrolments (predicted)
2. Staff meet to discuss and allocate students to draft classes, consideration is given to:
   a. Student academic needs
   b. Student behavioral needs
   c. Student social needs
   d. Gender balance
   e. Previous placement in composite class
   f. Parent comments/requests
3. Admin review draft classes and meet with staff to clarify, modify, confirm classes
4. Staff meet to discuss final placements (this may involve multiple meetings)
5. Classes are displayed for parents and students outside the Library. This will not happen until the beginning of Term 1, 2018 as there is a strong chance that enrolments will change over the holidays and a restructure of classes will take place.

If there are any matters you would like us to consider (that are based on educational grounds) we ask that you submit them to me in writing (Stephen.bevan@education.wa.edu.au) before the end of Week 2, Term 4 – Friday, 20th October. Please note that requests for particular teachers will not be considered under any circumstances. Requests received after draft classes are formed may not be considered.

I would like to assure all families that we go to great lengths to structure classes to meet the needs of every student. This is a complex process that is given a great deal of time and effort.

Contact and Medical Information

This week we have had to have a swarm of bees removed from the school site. A number of our students are highly allergic to bee stings. This is a timely reminder that student medical and parent contact information needs to always be up to date including any allergies or medication being taken by students. We work hard to ensure that our students have a safe environment in which to learn and play and we need to always know what medical or health needs that they have. Please contact the school office whenever medical or contact information changes so our records are always up to date.

1 to 1 Program 2018

We annually evaluate our program to ensure our students have the best opportunities to acquire essential skills in digital technologies for their future. The parent funded 1-1 program is vital to this goal and we recognise and value your commitment to your children’s education.

In response to parent feedback regarding the cost of devices we are expanding the program to include MacBooks and iPads for students entering Year 4 in 2018. Parents can now access the Winthrop portal to order their device. The links for this will be sent home via Connect If purchasing devices from another supplier you will need to check out the required specs on the Winthrop site. Devices that fall outside the basic specs cannot be used as part of the program.

So what does this mean for parents of students entering Year 4 in 2018? You have three choices you can make:

1. Purchase a MacBook through Winthrop or another supplier
2. Purchase an iPad through Winthrop or another supplier
3. Purchase neither device, opting for the school to make one available (for lessons only).

If you are unsure of what to do you may wish to attend an information session which will be held in the next month. The day and time will be sent via Connect.

Students who are in other year levels and are currently using Macbooks will be able to do so for the remainder of their time at our school.

The Role of Parents and Screen Time

As a parent of four children ranging in age from 10 to 19 I understand the constant challenges of monitoring and managing the amount of time kids spend on devices. The truth is that we use (and usually love using) our devices for so many things. This is not going to change. Our job as parents is to help our children learn responsible, appropriate and healthy ways to use the amazing technology that we now have available to us. Attached to this newsletter is another article from the source below that gives some practical ideas about this topic.

Rubbish Bins

Over the holidays we had local people filling our skip bins with their rubbish. This has caused additional cost to the school. These people are not permitted to access the school site and dump their rubbish so we ask that parents let us know if they see or hear of people doing this so that we can follow up through the local Council and/or police.

Have a great term everyone!!
Stephen Bevan
Principal

School Calendar & Important Dates

The School Calendar is updated regularly and can be synched to your phone/computer for easy access. Please check the calendar for dates and further details of activities.

**Please be aware the dates published are a guide and may change**

Term Dates 2017

Absence Notification

It is important that the school is notified of any student absence within 3 days of the absence.. Parents / Guardians may notify us by using the Absentee Form which is located on Schoolzine, Madeley Primary School Newsletter Menu Bar.

Example of Newsletter Menu Bar

Free Parenting Seminars at Madeley Primary School

Positive Parenting Program Term 4, 2017

A well-researched and evidence-based parenting program is being offered to parents/carers at Madeley PS in Term 4 2017. Research has demonstrated the acceptability of the Triple P strategies across cultures.

Parents/carers are invited to attend free parenting seminars to learn practical, positive and effective ways to:

• strengthen bonds with their children;
• encourage children’s social and language skills;
• develop children’s emotional self-regulation, independence and problem solving ability;
• manage common behavioural concerns.

Parents of children aged between 3 and 8 years are welcome to attend. Parents may choose to attend one, two or all four of the following seminars and/or discussion group:

When:

Seminar Series:

Parenting

Thursday 19th Oct 9am – 10:30am Seminar Two: Raising Confident Competent Children
Thursday 26th Oct 9am – 10:30am Seminar Three: Raising Resilient Children

Discussion Group:

Wednesday 25th Oct 9am – 11am Discussion Group: Dealing with Disobedience

Venue: Madeley Primary School (please sign in at Administration Office)
Cost: Free – however bookings are essential.

For more information, or to register to attend any or all of these free parenting seminars please:

Complete the slip below and return to Madeley PS Administration Office

Operation Christmas Child

We are supporting Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child.

This activity involves the packing of a shoe box with suitable items for an underprivileged child somewhere in the world.

All boxes need to be returned to the school library by October 20th

All boxes must include the cost of shipping, each box is $10.00

For more information please check out the Operation Christmas Child website.

Year 4 Zoo Camp

Brief Itinerary and Zoo Camp dates DLA1, DLA2 and DLA3

• Thursday 2nd November (GLA1)
• Thursday 9th November (DLA2)
• Thursday 16th November (DLA3 & GLA4)

Students to return to school between 3.45 and 4pm for departure to the zoo.

(Please meet on the lawn outside DLA1).

• 4pm – bus leaves Madeley Primary School for the Perth Zoo.
• Students return to school at approximately 2.30pm the following day and can be collected at this time.

What to Bring

Students will need to bring the following items to camp:

• Sleeping Bag
• Pillow
• Pyjamas
• Toiletries (please no aerosol deodorants)
• Insect Repellent – roll on or pump spray (not aerosol)
• Water Bottle
• Warm jumper (the zoo can get cold at night!)
• School uniform to wear on Friday
• Hat and sun cream

Please ensure all items are named.

No electronic games, phones or other handheld devices to be brought on the camp. Students are permitted to bring cameras if they would like to record their experience, however please do not send cameras that are part of another device (eg Ipod Touch, DS, etc)!!! Any unsuitable devices that are brought to camp will be looked after by teachers and returned when we get back to school. The same rule applies to any trading cards or toys. Any cameras that students bring need to be labelled clearly and will be the responsibility of the student.

What to wear

Students need to wear comfortable casual clothes for the first night including ENCLOSED FOOTWEAR and will wear their Madeley uniforms while at the zoo the following day.

Food

We will be having pizza for dinner at the zoo on the first night, and a picnic lunch will be provided at the zoo the following day. If your child has any special dietary requirements please contact your child’s teacher on the below emails.

Contact while at Perth Zoo

We will have our mobile phone while we are the Zoo. Please keep this number for camp emergencies only.

Elise: 0439 975 459, Sally: 0427 484 080, Bethany: 0423 418 822

Student Behaviour and Expectations

All students are expected to maintain a high standard of behaviour and class work leading up to the camp as well as during our time at Perth Zoo. Any students that are showing inappropriate behaviour will not be permitted to attend or stay at Zoo Camp, and parents will be contacted to collect them.

Permission, Medical and Payment Form

Please complete and return the attached form with your payment. All payments are due by Friday prior to the date of your child’s camp.

• Thursday 2nd November (GLA1)
• Thursday 9th November (DLA2)
• Thursday 16th November (DLA3 & GLA4)

If you have any questions regarding the camp, please contact Miss Pirga, Mrs Price or Miss Dunbar at school on Elise.Pirga@education.wa.edu.au, Sally.Price2@education.wa.edu.au or Bethany.Dunbar@education.wa.edu.au

Year 4 Teachers
Elise Pirga, Sally Price and Bethany Dunbar

Sport

Faction Swimming Carnival Years 3-6

We are encouraging all students from Years 3-6 to participate in our Faction Swimming Carnival. Children who are concerned about “racing” can nominate for a novelty (fun) event. It will be compulsory to wear a faction coloured swimming cap ($3 at the uniform shop) when competing.

Date: Friday 24th November
Time: 11:00 - 2:30pm.
Cost: $5.00 for the bus (with seatbelts).
Location: Warwick Senior High School. Parking available on Lloyd Dr (off Beach Rd heading East ONLY).

Students will need to nominate which races they are capable of participating in and have their choices signed off by their parents. The pool is 25m long, we do a deep water start and students can’t stand until the 15m point so students can only enter the 25m races if they have passed stage 4.

Once the student nominations are returned, (Due by Friday 3rd November) a full programme will be written up dependent on the number of children nominating for races.

This day is about participation and we hope to cater for everyone. There will possibly be divisions and/or heats. If a child nominates for both 25m and 50m races, it will not necessarily mean that they will be in both. Children who can’t compete will be attending as spectators and are still required to pay $5. Children will be transported by bus to and from the event and parents are welcome to attend.

Please complete the slip below and return to the school office with the accompanying $5.00 to school by Friday 3rd November.

STEM

Equipment Needed

To go with our new outdoor sink we are after some donations of the following items:

• Plastic funnels and sieves
• Plastic tubing or plastic pipes ( small/short pieces and pliable)
• Teapots
• Muffin trays
• Small plastic jugs/watering cans
• Cake/loaf tins
• Oven trays
• Small pots or saucepans

If you have any of the above items can you please pass them onto your child's classroom teacher.

Jenny Wheeler
STEM Coordinator

Library

Scholastic Book Club “LOOP”

We are now using the online system offered through Scholastic Book Club called “Loop” for your book club orders and payments.

You can access this by going to the website or downloading the app on your mobile device.

Welcome to Book Club LOOP!

Thanks
Mrs Simpson and Mrs Miller
Book Club Organisers

School Services

School Canteen

Thank you for your continuing support, please check on-line for our specials.

Regards
Toni and Jillian

School Nurse

Head Lice

It is important that parent/guardians check their child/childrens head and, if necessary, treat any lice or eggs. Children must be treated for head lice before they can return to school.

In the interests of the other children at school, it is our policy to contact parents of children who are found to have head lice and request that they be picked up and treated accordingly.

Caroline Turich | Community Health Nurse
T: (08) 9345 7101

School Banking

Explore the future and win with School Banking.

Term 4 is here and the Future Games competition is in full swing, with two exciting prize draws to enter.

Get started by making three or more School Banking deposits during the competition period – from Monday 14th August 2017 to Friday 10th November 2017.

Play the Future Savers app for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch

The Future Savers app is an amazing adventure in augmented reality that brings the future and the Dollarmites to life, teaching fun money lessons along the journey.

P&C News

P&C Dates

The next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 25th October at 7:30pm in the staffroom

P&C meeting dates for 2017 are:

25th October
6th December

Please check the Facebook page for confirmation of meeting dates.

Entertainment Books

Entertainment books are still available - please click on the link below or you can visit the school office for an order form. It is available in printed or digital format for $70 - $14 of this is donated to the P&C. The digital version will be available for immediate upload to your phone, the printed version will be sent to your child's class.

Facebook

Did you know that the Madeley P&C has a Facebook group? Please look us up at “Madeley P&C” to join and keep up to date with the latest P&C information.

The Fathering Project

Fathering Project- Madeley Champion Dads

The Fathering Project’s Schools’ Program aims to positively promote the important role of fathers, and father figures, to the entire school community through the formation of our “Madeley Champion Dads Fathering Project’ group.

Bringing up children is hard work. It can be physically demanding, requiring at times lack of sleep, skipped or unhealthy meals, and exposure to illness. It can also be mentally draining, particularly if your partner or your child struggles to cope with life in some way, and/or you have a busy or stressful job.

Make fathering as easy for yourself as possible by making sure you keep as fit and healthy as you can. Exercise regularly, eat properly, and get adequate sleep. Share problems and issues with other people, and get support when you need it – don’t imagine you have to cope with everything yourself.

• Be active with your kids – go bike riding together, kick the footy around at the park, or shoot some hoops
• Learn to cook healthy meals with the kids
• Take all your holidays, and use at least some of them to take family vacations away from home

For useful weekly tips, we currently have a Facebook Page- "Madeley Champion Dads Fathering Project" and we also encourage people to also like and follow "The Fathering Project" which is the support behind our group.

For more information on the three facilitating organisations, please check out the following links;

Before & After School Care

Camp Australia

For information regarding bookings before and after school care, please visit…

Camp Australia provides a before and after school care program for students. This is located on the school site.

Times:

Before Care 7am – 9am
After Care 2.30pm – 6pm

For further information please contact the contacting the following:

Mobile Phone No: 0413 588 434
Camp Australia: 1300 105 343
Fax No: (03) 8610 2044
Website: www.campaustralia.com.au

Please refer to Camp Australia for up to date prices and information regarding any discounts available. Government rebates may also apply.

Community News

Please check the ‘Noticeboard’ at the end of the newsletter for more Community News, Clubs and Activities in the local area.