Dear Parents

I am delighted to be able to continue to be the Mount Hawthorn Primary School principal for the coming semester.  I look forward to continuing to work with the staff and the community to ensure that students are successful, we continue to be distinctive, our practices are of the highest quality and as an organisation, we are responsive to the Department of Education and community needs.

It is great to be back for Term 3; the term that is a personal favourite.  It is the term that is synonymous with faction and interschool athletics carnivals.  What is not to love about being outside, participating in races and team games and seeing a sea of red, white, green and blue T-shirts?  Of course, Phys Ed events are not the only things that will happen this term.  Teachers have continued to plan excursions, in-school events and fundraisers.  In fact, we are starting the term off with a number of events – two day Music camp, a Scitech Show for the PP-2 children on Thursday, Year 4 and 5 Drama program for the next five weeks, a Literature Centre excursion for Year 4 and “Farmer Friday” on Friday 29^th July 2016.

Music students, who are part of the school orchestra and band, have been on camp allowing them to get some extra practice time and to have some fun together.  I would like to thank Mrs Barbara Symington and Mr Dale Pointon, music teachers, and the parents who made this camp possible. For more details and pictures see our school website.

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY

Monday was the first day of Term 3 for staff.  We had a very productive day working on a range of topics linked with the school’s business plan and Western Australian curriculum.

We reviewed the new Geography curriculum, heard an update from the School Wide Positive Behaviour committee, revisited the year level strategic plans to check that we were on track, and improved our skills in using B-Bots.  We have dabbled in coding, the language used to make robots or objects follow a set path.  We think that this may well be entering an area where the children know more than us!

The education assistants reviewed their roles and performance management processes with Mrs Lorena Rock.  They also spent a lot of time doing a stocktake (and having a toss out) of the Kindy resources.  I would like to thank them for working hard on the overhaul and renewing the resources available to the staff and children.

A BOUQUET OF THANKS

I would like to extend my thanks  to the cleaning and gardening staff who worked throughout the school holidays to ensure that staff and students returned to clean classrooms and tidy school grounds.

FARMER FRIDAY – Come dressed as a farmer!

On Friday 29^th July 2016 all children are encouraged to come to school dressed as a farmer.  We are raising money for the “Burrumbuttock Hay Runners” who support farmers affected by drought.  It costs a gold coin for children to participate.  This initiative has come about because Akeevah, one of our Year 6 students, gave a very compelling speech about the plight of farmers and what we can do to help them.

FACTION CAPTAINS AND VICE CAPTAINS

At the end of last term, the faction captains and vice captains for Semester 2 were announced.  Congratulations to Axford – Jessica and Callum, Shakespeare – Jamie and India, Menzies – Jaymon and Ruby and Braithwaite – Annabelle and Robbie.

DOGS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

Please remember to ensure that dogs do not come onto the school grounds.  It is also important that you remind your children to not pat dogs they do not know and/or where the owner has not given permission.  It is very easy for children to assume that all dogs like to have their ears rubbed or a wagging tail is an invitation to be patted.  Not always is this the case and the cutest and most docile looking dog can scratch or bite.  Child safety and looking after dogs is a joint responsibility.  Teachers have been asked to reinforce this message through their classroom program.  Please remember that if you walk your dog to school you need to keep it off the school grounds.

BOOK WEEK – GET READY!

It’s time to get the sewing machine out, find the dress up clothes, put the sparkle on the wands, and read books.  On Thursday 25^th August 2016 we are celebrating Book Week with a dress up parade at 9.00am.  Mr Mackenzie’s Year 5 class is running the assembly.  Everyone will be there so I hope that you can find time to come and see how spectacular we will be in our costumes.  I can’t decide between being one of the three little pigs, a Dalmatian, billy goat or chicken.  You will just have to wait and see!

KINDY ENROLMENTS FOR 2017

If your child or someone you know has a child who is eligible for Kindy in 2017, the closing date for all schools is this Friday 22^nd July 2016.  Please make sure that all of the required paperwork has been submitted.  Forms and information are available on the school website.  Please call the school if you have questions about the program or need more information.  Parents will be advised in the coming weeks if their child has a place.

P&C ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISING AT THE FEDERAL ELECTION

Thank you to everyone who contributed cakes, lolly bags, sweet treats and time to the P&C Association fundraiser at the Federal election.  It was a huge day with people from across the community going home with morning or afternoon tea, a sausage sizzle or bacon and egg roll.  The financial support of the P&C makes a huge difference to the school.  We have earmarked some of the money that the P&C has agreed to give us to put up permanent shade in the Kindy.  We hope that it will be in place before the end of the term.

SCHOOL CROSSWALK ATTENDANT APPROVED – VOLUNTEER REQUIRED

We have recently been successful in our application for a type B Crosswalk which will be trialled in Term 4.  We are now seeking expressions of interest from any person in the community who may be interested in volunteering for 45 minutes in the morning, and/or 45 minutes in the afternoon to assist us with our trial. If you know of a parent, friend, neighbour, retired person, relative or anyone who may be interested in the position on a full time or job-share basis can you please ask them to contact Karen Sheilds  karen.sheilds@yahoo.com.au for more information.  All training and a uniform will be supplied.

TERM ACCOUNTS

Term Accounts will be sent home with students this week and your prompt payment for these activities is appreciated. Thank you to the 83% of families who have made Voluntary School and P&C Contributions.  Payment of these contributions allows us to provide the excellent range of learning programs available to students at our school.  For those who have not yet paid we are happy to accept payment via credit card (Visa or Mastercard), cash or cheque at the school office, or if you would like to make a bank transfer payment please contact the office on 9242 3677 for account details.

SEEDLINGS PROGRAM – PART 2

After a very successful presentation to our students in Pre-primary to Year 6 last term about ‘Friendships’ from Di Wilcox, we are pleased to announce Part 2 of the program will be presented on Friday 5^th August. You may have attended or had your children talk about Healthy vs Unhealthy friendships and how to deal with friendship issues. Many of the strategies she discussed and modelled are used by the children every day and have been reinforced by the class teachers. Pre-primary to Year 2 students at 9.00-9.30am and Year 3 to 6 students at 9.30 – 10am with a focus on “Bullying”. Parents are welcome to attend and share in the message. The presentation has been sponsored by the MEZZ at Mt Hawthorn. For info about the program follow this link http://seedlingskids.com/ Lorena Rock

INTEGRATED PLAY PRE-PRIMARY TO YEAR 2

Term 3 is very exciting in our Early Years as we support an integrated play during the lunch time play. Commencing Week 1, the PP students are permitted to extend their play and visit the other playground and play spaces in the school. Once their confidence develops, we invite the Year 1 and 2 students to join the PP play space. The students are very excited as they get to interact with siblings, friends and others and access new equipment and different play spaces. The Yr 1 and 2 students love revisiting the PP playground and their past teachers. It was very exciting today as many took advantage of this new ‘rule’  and those students who were a bit hesitant had a lovely, quiet time enjoying their PP playground with Ms Ward. I hope all the siblings continue to play as happily together when they get home! Lorena Rock

LOTE – ITALIAN

Salvatore Soro, our Italian Language Assistant for Term 3 has arrived and the students have done their usual Vegemite initiation in classes. Fortunately, some water and Tim Tams were on hand to soften the sharp taste for Salvatore! Salvatore is a philosophy student at Milan Catholic University however; he is originally from the beautiful island region of Sardinia.
He is very excited to be here and delighted to be working with such an enthusiastic group of students. He has a keen interest in sport so we will be definitely putting his skills to use by running some soccer sessions in Italian classes. Salvatore will also be working with the students in small groups practising conversation and improving fluency.  Thank you to the Mann-Cork and Rolfe Family for hosting.  Benvenuto Salvatore! Welcome! – Signora Monisse

AUSTRALIAN MATHS COMPETITION

On Thursday 28th July selected students from Year 3 to 6 will participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition, a competition created by the University of Canberra. This is a very challenging annual Australia wide competition. It is the first year our school has chosen to enter children from this range of year levels and we wish them luck on the day. Please visit the AMC website if you would like to know more about this competition. Jane Gillies

READING HOUR

All Australian public and school libraries encourage everyone to participate in “The Reading Hour” from 6.00pm to 7.00pm on Tuesday 16 August (or any-time on that day). It is a great opportunity to celebrate reading and the importance and love of reading as a family. A great day to join or just visit the local library. Sharing a book with your child for 10 minutes a day, an hour a week is the aim for The Reading Hour.  We know it’s not always possible for parents to share a book at bedtime with their children, but if you can manage 10 minutes most nights, your child will have the best chance of becoming a good reader, with all the social and educational benefits that brings.

The Reading Hour is for everyone and there will be events and activities for all age groups. Visit  http://www.readinghour.org.au/ for more information.  Jennifer Townsend

CENSUS NIGHT – Friday 9th August 2016

In just one month’s time, millions of people across Australia will pause to complete the 17th national Census of Population and Housing, in what could be the country’s largest and most significant online event.  Click for Census FAQ’s and information.

IMPORTANT DATES

For the very latest updated information on coming events please check the School Website.

JULY

Thursday 21^st – Visiting Scitech Show Pre-primary to Year 2
Tuesday 26^th – Fremantle Literacy Centre Visitors – Year 4
Thursday 28th – Australian Maths Competition (selected students)
Friday 29^th – Dress as a Farmer Day (gold coin donation)

AUGUST

Monday 1st –  Excursion to Kalamunda History Village – Some Year 2 classes
Wednesday 3rd – Excursion to Kalamunda History Village – Some Year 2 classes.