Dear Parents

80s BINGO

What a sensational night!  There was a collection of fluoro colours, a bit of taffeta, lots of leg warmers, Ghost Busters, Boy George and denim.  A total of $5,000 was raised and we had a fantastic time doing it. Marcus Ashby and Damien Caraher were the stars of the evening. Who knew that calling out numbers and resurrecting 80’s music could be so much fun?  A very special thank you to those who donated prizes and for organising the event.  It goes without saying that the staff table was particularly impressed by the generosity!

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mayor John Carey for making the venue available and for his donation of Star Wars toys and memorabilia which was auctioned on the evening.

One of the items auctioned was the chance to be the Principal for the Day.  Finn and Jake from Pre-primary had a wonderful time being Principal and Deputy Principal last Friday.  They used the office stationery, gave out the merit certificates at the assembly, visited all of the classrooms, put stickers on good work, critiqued the pottery houses in the Art Room, and made a phone call.  They also did some playground duty and supervised the children at Braithwaite Park.  We ended the day with a few games of Uno using the “Finding Dory” cards.  I don’t think that Finn and Jake quite expected to walk so far nor for the day to be so busy.  Such is the day in my life!

Thank you to the following sponsors:  Move Personal Training, Bodhi  J Day Spa, The Cabin, The Oxford Hotel, WA Cleanskins, New City Dry Cleaners, The Pirate Bar, Paragon Real Estate Agents and Bosch.

100 DAYS AT SCHOOL

Many of the early childhood classes have been celebrating 100 days at school.  It made me think … I’ve been principal for 100 days!  Time is a funny thing because sometimes I feel like I have been here for a very long time and at other times, I am still learning and asking questions that only a beginner would ask!  It is a timely reminder to reflect on what I have learnt, observed and participated in.

First and foremost, Mount Hawthorn Primary School is a busy place.  The staff regularly meet in the conference room and look at the term planners.  It is very obvious that we have something on every single day.  Sometimes I counsel staff that it is OK to have day when we just teach!  The staff work tirelessly to make sure that children have every opportunity to learn new things, participate in in-school events, and go out of the school to visit places.  The staff spends a lot of time together planning activities, checking that their assessment of student work is fair and consistent, learn about the WA Curriculum and check in on each other’s well-being.  I count it a privilege to be part of the staff.

The work of the teachers and school support staff is supported by parents and the wider community through the big and small things.  People volunteer for fundraising, attend meetings, come when asked to help with reading and Maths activities and make time to talk to teachers about their child’s learning. For this I am truly grateful.

In 100 days, I have asked lots of questions, made a few mistakes, been on and off the right track, made decisions that are best for the school, talked, listened, laughed and pondered.  It is all of these things that make me believe that I have the best job in the world.

The school’s Business Plan says that “we know we’ve done our job when our kids skip to school.”  I think that we are right on track!

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

Last week some of the Year 6 children represented the school at the Basketball Association Cup Excursion.  Congratulations to both of the teams who did exceptionally well, so well in fact that the boys’ team returned to the school in first place and the girls’ team placed third.

A huge thank you to:
Ms Sue Kenny for all of the preparations she put into organising our teams and Mrs Anita Putt for attending the event and keeping everyone track. Also, Mr Jason and Mrs Felicity Trevenen and Mr Adrian Warner and Ms Alison Teng for acting as coaches and team managers.

Our school representatives were: Akeevah T, Ella P, Mia P, Sara A, Sarah B, Ella G, Ploy S, Jessica H, Jasmine Y, Abbey M, Madeleine P, Annabelle J, Finn W, Robbie T, Jay L, Jamie B-R, Sean R, Nicholas Mc, Tom B, Shaun V, Ben S, Harrison D, Bay H and Freddy L.

BOOK WEEK DRESS UP DAY

Don’t forget that it is Book Week Dress Up Day on Thursday 25th August 2016.  There is going to be a parade at the assembly from 9.00am.  Please come along for a double celebration of Mr McKenzie’s Year 5 class assembly and to see the fantastic costumes. 

From Left: Elisabeth Shurmer, Julie Davidson (Snr Librarian), Deanna Higginson, Renae Adams, Madeleine Galbraith and Fiona McCaw

CITY OF VINCENT HISTORY AWARD

Mrs Madeleine Galbraith, Library Officer, has been working tirelessly to transfer the Mount Hawthorn Primary School archives to the City of Vincent Local History Centre.  She has been expertly supported by Ms Deanna Higginson who has been a relief library officer at the school, Mrs Julie Kelly and a team of dedicated volunteers.

Having some of the school’s precious records at the local history centre allows past, present and future students the opportunity to find out about the school.  Mrs Galbraith received a commendation for her work.  Huge congratulations to her and the team for their tireless work to catalogue photographs and documents.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

This week school photos have and are being taken.  It is great to see children looking all shiny and new with clean uniforms and slicked hair.  Please make sure that you use the envelopes that were sent home last week to arrange payment or go online to place an order.  The dates for each child’s class were sent home via TiqBiz last Friday and is available on the school website.
If you have lost your envelope and wish to order online the School’s code is A3HFPT and you will need to call Kapture on 9240 1714 for the students unique individual ID Number.

USING THE OVERPASS ON SCARBOROUGH BEACH ROAD

I cannot stress enough the importance of using the overpass on Scarborough Beach Road to get from the school to Braithwaite Park and vice versa.  Too often I see parents and children attempting to cross the road dashing between the cars, buses and trucks.  The overpass provides a very safe means of getting across what is an increasingly busy road.  I know that the City of Vincent has been working with the appropriate authorities and the speed limit has been reduced but this does not eliminate the risk of injury if someone is hit by a car.  Please use the overpass.

ATHLETICS FACTION CARNIVAL

Footwear for the carnival is normal runners, however if students have athletic, specific track shoes with rubber/plastic studs they are allowed to wear these. Please don`t go out and purchase these just for a one day carnival. Football, soccer, hockey boots or shoes with metal studs are not permitted. Please click HERE to view the Interschool selection Policy. Anita Putt, Physical Education Teacher

ACROD PARKING BAYS

At the front of the school and near Braithwaite Park are ACROD parking bays.  Please remember that only those cars who display an ACROD sticker can use these bays.  Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

OSCA

OSCA offer a valuable service to our community. They hire the facilities during their hours of operation including the tiger turf area in the junior school. Recently, we have been advised that many children, who are not under the care of OSCA have been helping themselves to the play equipment and playing a range of ball games in this area. As the paying client, they have priority over this area and the resources are only for the children in their care. We ask all families to leave this area as soon as their children are collected and ball games such as football and soccer are not permitted after school. It is a high traffic area with toddlers, parents and staff crossing the area and some injuries have occurred from soccer balls.  Please move to the oval or a community park to play these games. To support the OSCA team a member of the admin team will be on duty after school this week to remind non-OSCA children to leave and relocate. We would appreciate the cooperation of our parent community. Lorena Rock, Associate Principal

NETBALL

On Friday morning before school, Kate Beveridge from the West Coast Fever, visited to conduct a skills training session with two of our Year 5 netball teams. The students enjoyed learning and had a lot of fun. Caz Shurmer, Netball Coordinator.

FREO KWIK KICK

Last Sunday Year 5 students Rhianna K and Lily P competed in the Freo Kwik Kick competition before the Dockers and Crows game.
The girls successfully completed 25 kicks and marks within the 3 minutes of allotted time. The team to finish second managed 18 kicks and marks in the same time. A resounding result for the girls from Mount Hawthorn Primary School!
Rhianna and Lily were awarded trophies by the Fremantle Football Club and have the honour of being the 2016 State Champions.
Congratulations girls, Fremantle now have you on their radar to be a part of their ladies AFL side! Alek Gryta Year 5 Teacher

BIKE EDUCATION

Our class has been participating in Bike Education classes. By doing a team relay exercise we practised controlling the bike, braking and using signals. We also learnt about fitting our helmets properly. It was lots of fun and we like riding our bikes. Priya O and Jamie G, Year 4 Room 34

KOREAN VISITORS

Mount Lawley Senior High School teachers from the Korean Language Program visited Year 5 and 6 this week.

They conducted many fun activities with the students, including making gimbab, Tae Kwon Do, origami games and dressing in Hanbok traditional dress.

IMPORTANT DATES

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

AUGUST

Thursday 18th – School Photos – Pre-primary to Year 6 and Radical Reptiles – Kindy

Friday 19th – School Photos – Pre-primary to Year 6, Radical Reptiles – Kindy, Assembly Year 1 / 2 Rooms 3 and 6

Monday 22nd – School Photos – Catch up day, Graduation and Sport Photos

Tuesday 23rd – Liaison Parent Meeting

Wednesday 24th – Liaison Parent Meeting pm, School Photos – Catch up day, Graduation and Sport Photos

Thursday 25th – Book Week Dress Up Day and Assembly Year 5, Room 35

SIM TESTING

One avenue of musical opportunities for students in 2017 at Mount Hawthorn Primary School is via the SIM (School of Instrumental Music) program. Click HERE for more information.

PARENTING WORKSHOPS

The City of Stirling and Protective Behaviours WA are providing free informal sessions to educate and provide parents with the practical skills to empower their own children.