School Newsletter – 1 April 2015
MOUNT HAWTHORN WINS INTERSCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The “Mighty Mount Hawthorn Swim Team Machine” is the Interschool Champion Team. After entering the competition in 2008, Mount Hawthorn now has their name on the trophy three times 2011, 2012 and now 2015. A sensational record!
After coming 2nd to Doubleview last year and with our rivals Kapinara swimming well, the team was well prepared. Nothing but our best would do! We said “swim until your legs are jelly”. They all did just that!
Mia won the Year 4 Champion Girl title by winning all her races and displaying the competitive spirit of the champion she is.
As often happens, it came down to the big points for relays to hold our lead from Kapinara and Doubleview. Every member of our swim team machine, led by our mighty captains Emma and Stephen, swam like the champions they are, slicing through the water, giving their personal best for the school and making us all so proud.
This fantastic result would not be possible without the commitment of the children, with their early morning trainings, their own personal squad trainings and the wonderful, dedicated parents of Mount Hawthorn PS community.
We would especially like to acknowledge the P&C, Rachel and Mel and all the parent helpers for the swim team breakfast and the wonderful support at the carnival. Mount Hawthorn had more parents helping than any other school. This commitment sets the Mount Hawthorn machine in motion and led to our success. Bring On Athletics, Cross-Country and the Winter Carnival!
By Jen Townsend and Anita Putt
Principal’s Message
It has been a very successful first term with the learning program in full swing. There have been many highlights with a steady flow of students coming up to my office to proudly show me their work.
Spelling and Reading continue to be priorities, with year level targets highlighted in the Strategic Plans (links to website). The Business Plan for 2016 – 2019 will be ratified early next term and will outline the strategic directions for the next three years.
Our school budget was finalised on 20 March, and we are in the process of funding extra Teaching and Support Staff. This will support targeted initiatives and specific year levels, and will be implemented at the start of Term 2. The Spellathon was extremely successful, and the funds raised will with funds be used for library and reading resources.
Our Music program, which includes a Band, Orchestra and Choir, are in full swing with many events planned throughout the year.
I have also had the pleasure of visiting all classrooms and observing the programs in action. Students have enjoyed some great excursions, which complement their learning program. They have also participated in quite a few school based events, many of which have been supported by parent volunteers.
If you get a chance, visit the Admin and have a look at the student’s wonderful artwork. Our resident parent art curator, Jenny Emmeluth refreshes this display each term. Banking and Book Club are back for the year and we value the efforts of the parent volunteers who have supported us.
Class based fundraising has commenced with the first cake stalls and funds raised going towards the next stage of the Friendship Garden near the Ed Support Centre. I believe we have raised enough money for one third of a mature tree, which will be the centre piece of the garden. The Year 6 students will be selling tickets for an Easter Raffle throughout this week.
Now for your homework for Easter – read a book with your children and get them outside by playing catch and throw with them. Enjoy the holiday break and thanks for your ongoing support.
TABLET PROGRAM
After a great deal of consultation and some debate, a decision has been made to proceed with the tablet program for Year 5 students, commencing in second semester.
Parents have asked about my thought process, and why I started consultation last year. As a school, we are continually managing and planning to provide complex networks of computers to meet the challenges of the digital revolution. Implementation of such ICT rich classrooms requires careful thought and planning, if these classrooms are to truly deliver the technology to enhance student learning and create truly engaging learning environments for today’s students.
I believe this program will complement the teaching program, by giving teachers access to the technology to enhance lessons. The program is not designed to be a replacement for text books or to have students just working on applications such as Mathletics.
Information on the planning for implementation will be available next term. It will be comprehensive and include and number of protocols.
REPORTING TO PARENTS DAY
Monday 20 April – All Kindy to Year 6 students do not attend. All students return to school on Tuesday 21 April (except Kindy Blue, Green and Orange groups).
ANZAC CEREMONY
On Friday, 24 April the school ANZAC Ceremony will take place on the junior tiger turf, commencing at 9:00am. The ceremony will be run by the six Year 6 Councillors. Members of the Mount Hawthorn Returned Services League and their wives will also be in attendance. During the proceedings, the choir will perform, and a specially selected student from every Pre-primary to Year 6 class will place a flower on the memorial plague. All students are to wear full school uniform (no faction t-shirts) including the correct school hat. If your child belongs to a uniformed youth group, they may wear their uniforms (guides, scouts, girls/boys brigade etc.)
RELIEF OFFICE STAFF
We are seeking Expressions of Interest for casual relief in the school Admin Office. We need people who are available from 8.00am until 4.00pm each day and have general office experience and good computer skills. Applicants will need a current Working with Children Check and to obtain a National Police History Check through the Department of Education Screening Unit. Please send your details to Marjorie Commijs to register your interest.
P&C
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
Get ready to learn “How to Train Your Dragon 2” at the 2015 Outdoor Movie Night, on Friday, 1 May.
Bring along your warm PJs and blankets for a fun night under the stars. Food on offer and prizes to be won. Tickets will go on sale online Week 1 Term 2, for $5 each. We would love your help in organising this event, in the lead up and on the night (or both!). If you can lend a hand, please contact Alex Castle on 0401 549 051 or alex@jumpingjigsaws.com.au
GIRLPOWER AND GOODGUYS SEMINARS
Find out how to help your child manage their friendships. Tickets on sale now for Girlpower and Goodguys seminars. MHPS Girlpower – Goodguys 2015
Go to www.trybooking.com/DALR
FOOTY TIPPING
It’s not too late to get involved in the year’s competition and with the season starting tomorrow, now’s the time to sign up!
If you’re keen to join in the fun this year, here’s how:
- Visit footytipping.thewest.com.au/ and login using the same details as last year, or register as a new member.
- Search competitions for “MHPS PC Tipping Comp” and join our competition (your membership will be approved shortly after)
- Fill in the attached form and drop into the Red Post Box in the front office to complete your payment – or if you don’t have time to get to school, simply scan and email back to me for processing.
- Forward this message on to anyone else you think might be interested in joining. The more members we have, the bigger the prize pool!
P&C’s Footy Tipping competition.
Community Notices
EASTER RAFFLE
Get your tickets before school in the undercover area on Thursday morning. Drawn at the end of the Assembly. Also, guess how many eggs in the jar – $1.00 per guess. Proceeds go towards the Pirate Garden.
SCHOOL SIGNS RADAR PROJECT
Last year, the City of Vincent installed two permanent road safety radar signs along Scarborough Beach Road near Mt Hawthorn Primary School to discourage speeding during peak activity periods.
The signs were joint funded by the City and the Office of Road Safety and are intended to remind motorists to drive within the 40km/hr limit in school zones and create a Safer Vincent for everyone, especially our kids.
As members of the Mt Hawthorn Primary School community, we welcome your feedback and encourage you to visit this web page to complete a short survey about the new signs: www.vincent.wa.gov.au/mthawthornradar
Your participation in this (very quick) survey will help us gauge community perception and report on the effectiveness of this community safety initiative. Thank you.
PRE PRIMARY PARENT INFORMATION
Pre-primary Parent Information Evening – Protective Behaviours. Harbeck Centre, 6.00pm Thurs 23 April.
SPECIALIST NETBALL PROGRAM TRIALS
Become part of the specialist Netball program at John Forrest Secondary College.
TRIAL DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2015 (8.45AM-11.00PM)
TRIAL DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2015 (8.45AM-11.00PM)
2015 Netball Trial Day
NETBALL TRIAL PACKAGE 2015
