WE WISH YOU A SAFE HOLIDAY…

I hope all members of the Mount Hawthorn family enjoy a safe and prosperous holiday period. Staff will certainly enjoy their well-earned break and must be congratulated for managing to maintain the expected MHPS standards despite the challenge of breaking in two principals in one year. From my perspective it was a seamless start thanks to staff, the warm student welcome, the smiling and dedicated parents and the wonderful school board and P&C. Each combine to make MHPS a proud WA Independent Public School.
Now is the time to pause and say thank you.
Thank you to parents for being a partner in your child’s learning. Students and schools thrive when parents and school work together as a team.
I look forward to the challenge of 2017, but until then I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe, restful holiday.

Matt Jarman

CLASS PLACEMENTS 2017

Our draft lists have been online for almost a week, they will not be altered now until Tuesday, 24 January 2017 when they are reviewed before being finalised. The school community will be informed electronically when this has occurred.
There are different reasons to releasing lists prior to the Christmas break. These include:

• Identify and treat any issues the school is not aware of, and;
• To importantly provide an opportunity for students and their families to discuss the year ahead.

At the time of distribution I have received 24 review requests from a potential total of 867. Whilst some of the review requests were late or based on information MHPS did not previously have access to, there is clearly some room for improvement in our process. Overall I am very satisfied with this result and thank staff and the quality of the relationships between home and school at MHPS for this success. I will report to the school board in 2017 further details of this process with some ideas for consideration.

NEW PRE-PRIMARY BUILD 2017

On Thursday, 8 December the Hon Peter Collier MLC, Minister for Education announced a $3.5 million investment into the construction of seven new permanent classrooms at Mount Hawthorn Primary School. Planning will begin in early 2017 for three early childhood learning areas and four general classrooms.
Congratulations to the Mount Hawthorn Primary School community for their tireless work and commitment to excellence in education at Mount Hawthorn Primary School. Chairman of the Board, Micheal Jenkin and P&C Vice-President Tracy Denham were in attendance for this exciting announcement.
Please watch this 30 second video of the announcement.

CAPITAL WORKS AT MHPS

During the January school break there will be much happening around MHPS.

Roof restoration on the junior building:

• The junior building will enjoy a new roof after January.
• Shade Sails – thanks to the P&C shade sails will be erected near the stairwell of room 14 and across the playground that is opposite to the undercover area.

Canteen:

• This long awaited refurbishment is commencing immediately and is also the result of the P&C memberships hard work.

Oval:

• This ambitious program is being co-funded by the P&C, DOE and MHPS. A flyer for volunteer support was sent home with the oldest child in each family, more details are available here: https://mounthawthornps.wa.edu.au/oval-rejuvenation-project/

GRADUATION 2016

A beautiful early-summer evening last Thursday was shining a bit brighter as 80 graduating stars from MHPS glittered in front of a proud school community. Congratulations to the award recipients, to all of the students for their humble and mature demeanour, to Mrs. Gilles, Miss French, Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Mears, Mrs. Hardman and Mrs. Denham and the rest of the entourage for making the night a truly memorable experience for our graduates. Well done to all the Student Councillors for their excellent MC performance.

FINALE CONCERT

On Wednesday, 7 December 210 students from Mount Hawthorn and Kyilla, Jolimont, West Leederville and Maylands Peninsula Primary Schools performed in the annual Finale Concert at the Churchlands SHS Concert Hall. The concert was a celebration of the wonderful music programs offered to the students from these schools. As well as performances by the Mount Hawthorn Choir and Orchestra and the Mount Hawthorn Area band, every Mount Hawthorn student from Year 3 to Year 6 who learns an instrument from the School of Instrumental Music teachers showcased their talents. All music students and their teachers are to be congratulated on the success of this wonderful evening.

EDUDANCE CONCERTS

The year has concluded with the very popular Edu-Dance concerts. All students from Pre primary to Year 6 have performed in one of the three concerts. The concerts are the culmination of an eight week dance program provided by the Edu-Dance company. The program fulfills the dance element of the Health and Physical Education learning area. Students participate in aspects such as coordination, musical appreciation and self confidence. This has been an opportunity for our students to experience the excitement of performing in front of an audience. It has also been a program for fitness and fun.

BAND TOUR

Every year the Mount Hawthorn Area Band travels by bus to perform at the schools who have students in the band. This year was no exception. On Thursday, 1 December with the bus and several cars loaded up with students, instruments and parent helpers the band visited Jolimont, Kyilla and Maylands Peninsula Primary Schools. Many thanks to Mr Pointon, Mrs McNiff, Mrs Allen, Mrs Phipps and Mr Benger for their help in making the day such a success.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The Christmas Concert this morning was a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas and the end of 2016. The Pre-primary and Year 1, 2 and 3 students all dressed in festive clothes for the occasion. The repertoire of Christmas Carols and story of Christmas were enjoyed by students as well as family members in the audience. Congratulations must go to Mrs Hardman and Mrs Smart our music specialists, for the standard of singing and instrument playing that was presented.

RSPCA FUNDRAISING

Congratulations to all the Year 6 students in Room 22. Over the year students have donated any change from home, lunch orders and pocket money towards a fund raising campaign to support the RSPCA. The amount raised is $156.00.

CONGRATULATIONS

Tobias S was selected to represent UWALAC at the State Athletics Championships at Challenge Stadium last Sunday in the 4×100 and  4 x 200 under 9 boys relay teams.

YEAR 6 CRICKET

After an excellent term of Super 8 Cricket the final was played this afternoon at Braithwaite Park and resulted in a very close game, 155 -151, with the The Boomers taking the medals.

NET SET GO

Suncorp NetSetGO will be running during Term 1, at MHPS for students aged 5 to10. The program will run for one hour, every Tuesday for 8 weeks commencing on Tuesday, 14 February at 3.15pm . Suncorp NetSetGO is Netball Australia’s only junior entry netball program. It has been developed to provide children with the best possible learning and playing experience to develop a positive introduction to netball, ensuring enjoyment and continued participation. The cost of the program will be $110 per participant, inclusive of a size 4 gilbert netball and Suncorp NetSetGO t-shirt. To register for the program, please visit www.netballwa.com.au/netsetgo, For any additional information, please contact Amy Murphy on 9380 3733 or email amy.murphy@netballwa.com.au.