School Newsletter – 29 April 2015

Principal’s Message

I would like to welcome two new families to the Mount Hawthorn community and trust everyone had a great holiday, which now seems a long time ago.

ANZAC DAY
I was really proud of our students for the respect they showed at the ANZAC Assembly last Friday. It is a very important day on our calendar and supported by many learning experiences which reinforce our rich history. The members of the RSL love visiting our school and seeing the students, and are very much part of our school community. I would like to acknowledge Mrs Hardman, Mrs Rock and Mrs Mears, (who is currently returning from Gallipoli), for organising the assembly. I would also like thank Melisa Lever for making an amazing morning tea worthy of our VIP’s and Mrs Gleeson and Mrs Wiggett for making the wreaths. I also had the pleasure of attending the ANZAC Services at Axford Park and ANZAC Cottage and was very proud of our Student Councillors and Ryan Cave, this year’s ANZAC Bursary recipient. More ANZAC Day news and Year 1 activities.

REPORTING TO PARENTS
One of the focus areas this term is Reporting to Parents, with the Interview Day being one of the many ways we report on student progress. A summative report will be sent out in the last week of term, which will indicate individual student achievement. NAPLAN testing will also be conducted on the week commencing 11 May, for students in Year 3 and 5. Teachers will also contact parents throughout the term in a variety a ways. The school will review the timing and format of the Interview Days and will seek feedback from the school community through Liaison Parents.

HOLIDAY ABSENCES
There is an increasing concern, which I share, within the Education Department about the number of students being taken out of school for holidays. These students miss important concepts, which are difficult to catch up with in the very crowded curriculum. If parents wish to take students out of school for holidays they are obliged to seek permission from the Principal or Associate Principal.
It is not appropriate to leave the week before holidays or a couple of days early, or even beating the traffic and taking students out at lunchtime on a Friday. I do understand there are always individual cases and my comments are made in relation to a trend I see occurring at the school.
If parents have to take students out of school for legitimate reasons they must report to the Front Office to sign students out.

MOVIE NIGHT SUPERVISION
Our student’s behaviour made me very proud at the ANZAC Ceremony at Axford Park last Saturday. I trust that this behaviour is carried into other situations where our students are participating in community based events and representing our school. We expect that parents will supervise their children at the Movie Night, as this is not a P&C responsibility.

CLASSROOM REFURBISHMENT
A number of classrooms are being painted throughout the term. During this time the students will be relocated to other rooms like the Harbeck Library for lessons. School Banking will be held in the Art room and the venue for some SIM Music lessons will be changed.

SPELLATHON
The Spellathon is finished and the verdict is in!
The total raised an amazing $22,500!
Funds raised from the Spellathon will go towards the key focus areas of English, with reading and home and school readers always a priority; the Library to maintain an up-to-date collection; and for Early Childhood resources for in and out of the classroom.
Congratulations to the following classrooms:
Junior: Mrs Emery’s Room 6 class
Senior: Mrs Kalabic and Ms Hogg’s Room 26 class
These two classes will be receiving a super-duper special surprise from Mr Mackesey – all will be revealed in the next newsletter…

AEDC DATA COLLECTION
Commencing May 2015, our Pre-primary teachers and students will be involved in the AEDC data collection. Parent Information will be coming home this week and please see the flyer.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER – MOTHER’S DAY EVENING AND RAFFLE
All welcome to a Mother’s Day open house on Friday, 1 May 2015 from 1.00pm (amended form 5.00pm) to 10.00pm at 49 Flinders Street, Mount Hawthorn.
The raffle will be drawn at 10.00pm, with the winner  notified on Saturday.
Tickets will also be sold at Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, 1 May.

AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
On Thursday, 2 April the Pre-primary students dressed in blue in recognition of Autism Awareness Day. A donation was optional; however a total of $92 was raised. The collection was combined with the donations raised by our friends at the Education Support Centre. Thank you to all the students, staff and parents who supported this event.

P&C News

LANEWAY FESTIVAL
Mt Hawthorn Streets & Laneways Festival – Sunday, 3 May 12:00-7:00pm
The P&C will have a stall at the festival, selling Recipe Books and baked goods from the cookbook. If you have a recipe in the book that you’d love to make and sell at our stall, we’d love your help! It should be something that can be served cold (keeps well) and can be served in slices or small portions. Please email Katrina Fisher if you’re able to help out.

 

We also need to some helpers to man the stall between 12:00pm – 7:00pm. If you’re able to help on the day, please click the button above to sign up, or email Alex Castle if you have any questions.

 

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT – THIS FRIDAY, 1 MAY – HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 
Only $5 per ticket
Gates open 5:00pm, Movie screens at 6:30pm
BYO rugs, chairs and beanbags – Onsies and PJs will be perfect
Sausage Sizzle, Snacks and Drinks available for purchase or BYO picnic dinner
Tickets are on sale online, via this link.
Tickets also on sale before school on Friday, 1 May

MT HAWTHORN COMMUNITY FAIR – SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER 12 – 6PM
Excitement is building, planning is well underway and we already have some wonderful class stalls being organised. Fair Liaisons will receive information for your stalls and dates for fair meetings soon.
Would you like to be more involved?  We need an Entertainment Co-ordinator and Stage Hands to help co-ordinate the fair entertainment and we also need Committee Members to help with planning the fair.  Did you know your business can provide sponsorship for your class stall and for the Fair?  If you are interested in helping or providing sponsorship please contact Fair Coordinator – Shari McKeown for more details. Make sure you visit our website and like us on Facebook to keep up to date with what is happening. Its going to be our best Fair ever!

QUIZ NIGHT DONATION REQUEST
The P&C will be holding a quiz night in June, 2015. At present we are seeking donations that can be used for prizes, raffles and/or auction. Previous donations have included larger items, such as a dishwasher, Dockers guernsey, overnight accommodation, and smaller items including bottles of alcohol, books, or pampering products. No item is too small as it can be used as part of a prize pack. Although it is asked that all donations are new and unused. If you can help, a donation box will in the front office (see Fiona), or email Jenny or Tanya
Money raise from the quiz night will be used to improve gardens and play spaces at school.