IMPORTANT DATES

• Friday 16th September – Assembly – Green – Room 8
• Friday 16th September – School Disco
• Friday 23rd September – P&C Lap-a-thon
• Saturday 24th September – School Grounds Busy Bee

STAFF NEWS

There will be some further changes to staff in Term 4.
I wish to advise you that I will be leaving Mount Hawthorn Primary School as of Thursday 22nd September 2016. I am the recommended applicant for the permanent principal’s position at Karrinyup Primary School.
I have been thrilled to be the school’s principal for the past three terms. It has been a huge learning experience for me as I stepped into Mr Dale Mackesey’s shoes and led a school that does so many things, well.
The staff are excellent and have been incredibly welcoming and very patient as I have found my feet. Their commitment to working with each other, developing quality learning programs and going the extra mile for the children is second to none.  Your children are very fortunate to have teachers and education assistants who know them well and work to their strengths.
I would like to acknowledge Mrs Lorena Rock, Mrs Jen Townsend, Ms Louise Swain and Mrs Bronwen Mears for their leadership and encouragement during my time at the school. It is very safe to say that a day has not gone past when one or all of them (!) has given me information, stopped me from making a bad decision, added context and shared a laugh.  To Mrs Marjorie Commijs, Mrs Sharron Procter, Mrs Vicki Roberts, Mrs Fiona Oates, Mrs Leanne Beeck, Ms Linda Gennoe and Miss Diana Pavlichtchev, I thank them for their support and for keeping me on track. They have worked through the emails and random Post-it notes and ensured that I have kept my head above water.
Thank you to the School Board and P&C Association for their efforts to make theschool a vibrant place for staff and students. The work of volunteers in any capacity means that the school is able to achieve far beyond what is usually possible.
The appointment of a new principal is being finalised through the regional education office.  Mr Mackesey and I have been in discussions about how the transition is best managed so that we can ensure there is the least amount of disruption to theschool.  I anticipate that I will be able to announce who the new principal is early next week.  Mr Mackesey will continue in his role as Principal Consultant with the Department of Education and he is enjoying the varied conversations with principals and school staff throughout the state.

WELCOME AND FAREWELL

Mrs Marjorie Commijs will be taking long service leave for Term 4. I would like to thank Mrs Commijs for all of her work throughout the school year. She has done an amazing job of keeping school finances and people on track and in such a largeschool, she checks that we are compliant, have enough staff on any given day, and knows when we can and cannot spend money.  Of course, she has done a superb job of making sure that I understand how things are done at Mount Hawthorn Primary School and I appreciate her patience and direction. I am sure that you will join me in wishing her a lovely break from school. We welcome Ms Marise Fitzmaurice to the school as the relieving Manager Corporate Services.  Ms Fitzmaurice has been working at Ellenbrook Secondary College and is very keen to get stuck into the role in a primary school.
We welcome Miss Diana Pavlichtcheva to the office.  Miss Pavlichtcheva will be working on Wednesdays to Fridays every week until the end of the year.  Miss Pavlichtcheva has worked casually in a number of schools south of the river.
Welcome back to Ms Mel Brierley who has returned to the school after having long service leave.  Ms Brierley is working in the library one day a week.  I would like to thank Mrs Katie Hardman for working in Ms Brierley’s place.
Farewell to Ms Annette Love, our school chaplain. Ms Love will be increasing her time at Roseworth Primary School. Thank you to her for her work in the school and at the Education Support Centre. She has worked alongside a number of children to provide valuable in-class support.

BEST WISHES TO MRS CRONIN

Next Friday afternoon the staff will be acknowledging the work of Mrs Desie Cronin as she begins her retirement. Mrs Cronin has been at Mount Hawthorn PrimarySchool for the past 11 years.
Mrs Cronin’s career has extended across 46 years and in many schools in both the country and metropolitan areas.
Mrs Cronin has been a highly valued early childhood teacher, who provided a secure, safe and nurturing environment for students, and encouraged parents to be partners in the education of their children. She was held in high regard by all sections of the community for her values and sense of justice. Mrs Cronin always had positive relationships with her colleagues.
On behalf of the staff and school community, I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Cronin for her commitment to public education and wish her a very happy and long retirement.

BEGINNING OF TERM 4

Term 4 begins on Wednesday 12th October for students.  The staff will begin work on Monday and have two days of professional learning.  We will be having a curriculum focus, working with each of the curriculum leaders to make decisions about 2017.

OUTSTANDING READERS

Congratulations to Olive W and Lucia W for being amongst the Top 20 readers in the State for the Scholastic Read More in May Challenge.

LAPATHON

I am thrilled to hear how many sponsors and donations the children have collected as we lead into the Lapathon.  It will be a wonderful afternoon on Friday 23rd September 2016 and you are welcome to come and see how well the students run, walk, jump and skip around Menzies Park.

INTERSCHOOL ATHLETICS

Congratulations to all of the students who have been selected to be in the Interschool Athletics Team.  I hope that you have a fantastic two days competing against others from Subiaco, West Balcatta, Floreat Park, Lake Gwelup, Karrinyup and Wembley primary schools.

SUN PROTECTION POLICY

I have absolutely no complaints about the weather and love that the sun is giving off warmth, it’s light when the alarm goes off and doesn’t get too dark in the afternoon.  Of course if we had daylight saving … a debate for another time!
In all seriousness the chance of being sunburnt increases at the year goes on.  Please remember:
Children need to have a hat in their bag everyday so that they have easy access to one when the days get hotter.
All children must wear a hat when playing outside at recess and lunch in terms 1 and 4.
Apply sunscreen at the beginning of the day, as you see fit for your children.
The school will support the sun protection message by asking children to move to the shaded area if they are not wearing their hat outside in Term 4, continue to look at the provision of shade for everyone, and revise the “slip, slop, slap, seek, slide” message as part of the Health curriculum.

CYBER SAFETY PARENT WORKSHOP

Wednesday 12th October 6.30 – 8.30pm in school Harbeck Library.
The parent workshops are designed to cover the fundamental principles of cyber safety, including an introduction into the most popular social media platforms and practical tips for keeping kids safe online. We also cover information on setting boundaries around technology, online behaviour management, and tools for managing technology both in and outside of the home. – “Y Safety” – Hope to see you there!

BATTERY RECYCLING

School battery collection will be in the week commencing Monday 19 September 2016.
Please drop your used batteries into the bin in the Harbeck Library.
What batteries can be collected?
Household dry cell batteries including AA, AAA (single use or rechargeable), C, D, button batteries, 9V and 6V.
*Note   Lead acid batteries, such as car batteries, laptop computer batteries and mobile phone batteries cannot be collected.  Please contact your local council for details of how to dispose of these batteries.

GET YOUR KIDS ACTIVE BEFORE SCHOOL

UWA is offering a FUN movement skills program at Mount Hawthorn PS that encourages maximal participation, increased self-esteem and development of movement skills such as catching, throwing, running & balance.
Details are as follows:
Tuesday mornings before school: 8:00am-8:45am in Term 4 on the school oval
Available for Kindy-Year 2 students in Term 4
Focusing on the skills: Striking (teeball & cricket) and Hopping
8 week program, cost is $112 per child
All new participants will receive a movement skill assessment (Parents & school will get a report of the results)
To enrol: http://hpeu.com.au/uniactiveenrolment

LOST CAT

Molly, in Year 2, lost her toy cat during Book Week. The cat “meows” when you squeeze it and it is orange with black stripes. If you have the cat or have seen it, please contact the school.

FATHER’S DAY

We would like to thank all the Dads who attended the Rooms 10 and 12 Dad Games and BBQ breakfast; it was fantastic seeing all the Dads (and some stand in Dads) creating memories with their children.
Thanks to Paula, Lorraine and Shoni, for cooking.
What a great day!
From Year 1, Rooms 10 and 12
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Father’s Day Raffle and brought tickets.  Congratulations to on the winners:  Angeline H, Daniel G, Harry B, Tanya.

NET SET GO RUN BY NETBALL WA

Net Set Go will be running in Term 4, Wednesdays 3.30-4.30pm, on the schoolnetball courts. It is a great introduction to netball skills in a fun environment. The eight-week programme commences 19th October (Week 2) and is open to girls and boys in Years 1- 3.
The cost of the programme is $100 and includes a participant pack. The course is run by trained coaches from Netball WA and places are limited.
For more information or to register please click the link below

ANZ NetSetGO

or contact Amy Murphy at Netball WA on 9380 3733 or emailamy.murphy@netballwa.com.au.