PRINCIPAL POSITION/ APPOINTMENT 

Mount Hawthorn Primary School (MHPS) benefits from a well established network of volunteers performing very important liaison between school and classrooms. Last week during the regular, and my first, parent liaison meetings, I was very happy to receive the feedback that a more detailed explanation regarding the principal’s position was sought by school community members. On reflection, some of the following details were not included:

• The school’s direction is well set by the business plan and supported by the school board, our IPS review is imminent and will provide an accountable report to our target achievement, most likely to occur in Term 1 2017. My role as principal is to initially follow the plan and then make recommendations to the board and staff where I identify opportunities or improvements;
• Mr Dale Mackesey holds the substantive position of Principal, as required by the employer DOE, until he takes on a different substantive appointment. Mr Mackesey, after a wonderful nine years of service to MHPS, is supporting school leaders across WA until mid 2018 in his role as Principal Consultant Statewide Services;
• The North Metropolitan Regional Director is aware of the MHPS community concerns and is aiming for the best stability accessible within public sector employment standards.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Congratulations to our Year six leaders who delivered a very respectful service to honour Remembrance Day 2016. A very special mention must go to Conor C who bravely played The Last Post and Reveille, I’m sure making all those present and the diggers we honoured very proud. MHPS would also like to acknowledge and thank Commander Royce Spencer representing the Mount Hawthorn RSL for his support and speech reflecting the strong community values of MHPS.

ANZAC COTTAGE

The future is in capable hands, with youngsters like Nicholas M in the world. Nick, a student of Mount Hawthorn Primary School, is the Marjorie Williams/ANZAC Cottage bursary recipient for 2016. On Saturday, Nick took a leave pass from his cricket game to attend our Remembrance Ceremony and to present a short piece on the significance of poppies. He had taken the trouble to learn his speech off by heart and delivered it so confidently and clearly.  He is indeed a worthy recipient of the bursary and a credit to his family, his school and himself. The Friends of ANZAC Cottage wish Nick all the best as he heads for secondary school.  Anne Chapple – Anzac Cottage

FOOTBRIDGE CROSSING

To ensure the safety of our children please use the footbridge when crossing Scarborough Beach Road between Braithwaite Park and the Pre-primary entrance to our school.

PARENT SURVEY

We are currently surveying children in Years 2, 4 and 6 about bullying. We are also seeking feedback from parents of children in these year groups about bullying. Parents will be sent a link to the survey via their Liaison Parent representative.

CAMPION BOOKLIST COLLECTION 2017

*Please note that the collection day is Tuesday, 24 January 2017 from 8.30am to 11.00am in the Undercover area (not 25 January as previously publicised via the Liaison Parents). The school office re opens on Wednesday, 25 January 2017 and will not be open on the collection day.

SCHOOL BOARD

Expressions of interest
Would you like to make a contribution to supporting our Schools?  If so, then being a member of the Schools Board may be for you. The Board is calling for expressions of interest from those who would be willing to serve for a 2 year term. The Board holds about 6 meetings per year and helps to shape the goals, priorities and policies of the Schools. In addition, the Board approves the budgets for the Schools and helps to evaluate the performance of each School. Finally, as a Board member you would also have a role in promoting the Schools within the local Community.

If you would like to nominate for Board membership, please email me at southern.cross@icloud.com
Next School Board meeting Wednesday, 23 November 2016
MHPS community members are invited to attend the next meeting commencing at 7.00pm in the Harbeck Library.
Michael Jenkin, Board Chair

ALLERGY AWARE

Mount Hawthorn Primary School (MHPS) strives to be an ‘Allergy Aware’ school. (‘Nut Free’ is different). MHPS continues to be proactive to reduce risks e.g. camps and canteen.
An allergen avoidance policy is designed to reduce the risk of inadvertent exposure as far as practicable; it is never possible to achieve a completely allergen-free environment that is open to the general community.
The school adopts a range of risk minimisation strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to known allergens including informing the school community parents of known food allergies. Avoiding these foods supports the school greatly reduce the risk (e.g. peanuts/tree nuts as a main ingredient and not foods which “may contain ……….”). View our Policy HERE

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE

Our School Psychologist, Michelle Hodge, helps the school meet the social, emotional, learning and behaviour needs of students. Working closely with the school administration, teachers, students and parents, the school psychologist helps the staff at Mount Hawthorn Primary School make improvements that are good for all students, particular groups of students or individual students.

Services Provided
The School Psychologist provides support to teachers, students and parents with school based issues regarding learning, behaviour, mental health and well-being. The School Psychology Service is provided for two days a week and accordingly, urgency and importance of cases drive service priorities. If unable to provide a service directly, the school psychologist is able to make recommendations to access other services.

Accessing a School Psychologist
If you have concerns regarding your child’s learning, behaviour or emotional well-being at school, please contact the teacher to discuss your concerns. If further support is required the teacher will liaise with the school’s leadership team (the Principal or Deputy Principal). This will then afford an opportunity for the concerns to be discussed and an appointment arranged with the School Psychologist if appropriate.

PRIMARY EXTENSION AND CHALLENGE (PEAC)

PEAC is a part time withdrawal program for Year 5 and 6 primary students in government primary schools. Identified students are selected to participate in differentiated programs offered in a range of delivery modes. Students attend half day sessions once a week at selected centres.
During Term 3 all students in Year 4 were tested for possible entrance into the 2017 PEAC courses. All students are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm, commitment and perseverance during the testing sessions. The eleven students from our school who gained access to the program are to be congratulated on this achievement. Bronwen Mears

MUSIC ASSEMBLY 

On Thursday, 3 November the talented students from Mount Hawthorn played and sang their hearts out at the annual Music Assembly. It was great to see and hear all the hard work our students have been putting into rehearsals on recorder, glockenspiels, ukulele, band, orchestra and choir as well as some whole school singing.
Congratulations! You rock! Mrs Hardman and the whole school community are so proud of you.

MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES AT HIGH SCHOOL

For information about High School Music Programs click HERE

SCHOOL OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC (SIM)

During Term 3 and early Term 4 every child in Years 2, 3 and 4 completes the Musical Aptitude Test (MAT) with Mrs Hardman and Mrs Smart during one of their regular music lessons. This is an aural test which assesses the student’s ability in pitch, rhythm and tunes. During these testing sessions the specialists discuss with the students the possibility of them joining the SIM Program, and what instruments are offered at different year levels. The results of the MAT test are used to rank students. The specialists also consult with class teachers to determine whether students will be able to manage the additional responsibilities associated with learning an instrument.
The parents of students who are made a placement offer need to be aware of their critical role in managing the home practice regime. Once parental support is given, violin, viola, cello and double bass offers are made directly to the students.  Students being offered clarinet, flute, brass and percussion will be assessed by SIM teachers as to their suitability for a particular instrument.
Instruments Offered in the 2017 SIM Program are:
Year 3 –  Viola (4 Students) and Violin (4 students)
Year 4 – Cello (3 students)
Year 5 –  Brass, Clarinet and Flute (5 students)
Year 5 –  Percussion and Double Bass (2 students)
Offers to successful students will be made this week. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me through the front office. Bronwen Mears

ARCADIA AUSTRALIA GIANT SPIDER STEAM AHEAD

Mount Hawthorn Primary School is sending twenty HOTSHOT students, two from each class in Year 4 to Year 6 to attend the “Arcadia Australia Steam Ahead” event next Wednesday, 23 November at Elizabeth Quay.
Arcadia’s Spider is the embodiment of STEAM – displaying impressive uses of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to bring 50 tonnes of scrap metal to life as a Giant Spider, which is then neatly packed away to travel all over the world.
The STEAM AHEAD event for the students will feature a range of hands on activities, interactive activations and workshops that focus on the three pillars of Arcadia Australia; Sustainability, Arts & Culture and Science & Innovation.  Understandably, the students and the staff attending are very excited to have this opportunity. For more information click HERE