Queen of Peace Newsletter Issue No. 7 20 th March 2015 Telephone: 9369 2581 Fax: 9369 4552 Email: office@qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au Website: www.qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au Queen of Peace – Guiding the Way Dear Parents / Carers, Welcome to our second last newsletter for the term. It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end already. Even though it has been a short term there has still been a great deal happening in the classrooms and amongst the community. Lenten Prayer Week 5 Thank you to all of you who have passed on congratulations to me for the birth of my son Leonardo (Leo). I can report that he is doing very well and doing all of the right things. I hope this continues. I feel the pace quicken, the time draw near. 3-Way Learning Conferences During Week five we ran a series of 3 Way Conversations to replace the “Getting to Know You” meetings we ran last year. The aim of these was to have the children take some more responsibility for their own learning and share it with the family members and to include all stakeholders, teachers, parents and children in the conversation around what the children are learning and how they are working in the classroom. Families were surveyed after the event, as were staff and some children, and the general feeling was a positive one. There were 57 families that replied to the survey, which was a very pleasing number. Nearly all were in favour of them continuing and talked about how we could make them even better. The other comments were about how it was empowering for the children to share their learning. Loving Creator of mine, I am filled with joy as I move toward Easter and the promised reconciliation with you. Teach me to follow the example of your Son, to be worthy of being called one his people: a Christian. Help me to live each day as he did turning hatred to love and conflict to peace. I await the new life with eagerness, faith and a deep gratitude. The next 3 Way Conversation will be in week two of term three where the report, portfolios and goals for the remainder of the year will be the topics discussed. As always, the written report will come home at the end of term two along with the portfolios. This will give you a few weeks to digest the report and portfolio before the 3 Way Conversation. Skoolbag App at Year Levels – Communicating Better The Level Leaders across the school will soon be using the Skoolbag App to inform families of what is happening across their level. The Preps will be the first to move in this way and they will be updating families on a very regular basis as to what is happening in Prep. We will also be exploring some of the new features of the App which allows parents to communicate with us, update details easily and sign certain forms. We have already implemented the approach that notes that go home in hard copy are also sent home via the App so no one misses out. If you have not downloaded the Skoolbag App as yet, please look for the instructions on how to do so on our website under the “Forms & Notices” heading. Issue 7 20th March 2015 Queen of Peace Primary School Uniform Update I am aware that there are still some issues with our uniform due to problems with our supplier. Leanne and I met with the supplier today to discuss the issues. He was very apologetic about the problems we are having. Current stock is being returned to the manufacturer. From the beginning of term two new stock will be sourced from PSW. . I am also aware that some parents are taking out their frustrations on Leanne. I am not at all happy with this as Leanne is a volunteer who looks after the uniform shop and is in no way responsible for the issues we are having. Please do not attack her. She has my authority to replace any shirts that you are not happy with if the colour has run or the size is incorrect. Exchanges of polos will take place for faulty logos only. On a separate issue, as mentioned we are phasing out the windcheaters and staying with the jumpers as was organised previous to my arrival. There are still some windcheaters left in some sizes but once these are gone you will need to purchase a jumper. If you have windcheaters you can still wear them until the children grow out of them. Speaking to Staff Can I please remind you that if you need to speak to a teacher or myself about any issues, can you please make an appointment to do so. Trying to chat to a teacher about something after 8.45am, when they are trying to organise their class for the day, is not appropriate and not fair to the teacher or the issue. In the same way I am on duty in the car park and find it difficult to make sure everyone is safely crossing if I am trying to have a conversation about something important. If you wish to see me, please make an appointment with Cathy. Parent Calendar Improvements I am at present organising the Parent calendar for term two and have been asked to add times to the entries. Where possible I will do this so people can plan better. I would be interested to hear of any other improvements I can make so that it serves families better. If you have any suggestions please email me. Wakakirri There have been a lot of questions from the children and parents about Wakakirri this year. After a great deal of discussion and thought the decision has been made that we will be taking a rest year from the competition. There is a huge commitment of time and effort that goes into creating the wonderful performance we saw last year. The teachers who were the main organisers of the team felt that they did not have the time to commit to the event this year. On behalf of the organisers and the school, I would like to thank all of the parents, teachers and children who assisted with performances over the last three years. Hopefully we will see a return to the competition in future years. School Fees Thank you to those families who have either paid the school fees in total or have begun a payment plan for them. Unfortunately there seem to be a number of families who have yet to make any payments or have any discussions with me about difficulties they may be having. Can I please ask that all families make payments, part payments of their school fees, or see me before the end of next week. Prep Enrolments Prep enrolments for 2016 close today. If you have yet to get your enrolment in please do so ASAP next week. Can you also let friends and neighbours know this information as well. Term Two Term two is a longer term with eleven weeks. This will allow us to develop our units of work more fully and to hopefully involve families more in what we do. The Faith Life Inquiry Unit for next term is about the “Wellbeing of the Person”. It will look at how we keep ourselves happy and healthy, including work with the Life Education Van and harm minimisation learning. There is a parent session planned for the Life Ed Van on Monday 20 th April at 2.30pm. I would encourage all families to be part of this as it is well worthwhile. There will be no assembly on this day so you will be free to attend the Life Ed session. Anthony Drill Principal 2 Issue 7 20th March 2015 Queen of Peace Primary School Years 3 – 6 Cross Country On Friday the 27th March all students in years 3-6 will be participating in the QoP Cross Country Carnival. EASTER RECONCILIATION Tues. 24th. March 7:00pm St. Martin de Porres Wed. 25th. March 7:00pm @ Queen of Peace (English and Maltese) The carnival commences at 9am and concludes by 11am. The course begins on the Queen of Peace running track, exits at the back gate which leads students around the Skate Park and back in through the school side gate on Kowhai Close. EASTER MASS TIMES Holy Thursday: April 2nd. 7:30pm at Queen of Peace Good Friday: April 3rd. 10:00am Stations of the Cross at St. Martin de Porres 3:00pm Veneration of the Cross at Queen of Peace Holy Saturday: April 4th. 7:30pm Vigil Queen of Peace Easter Sunday: April 5th. 8:00am Mass at Queen of Peace 9:00am Mass at R.A.A.F. Chapel 10:00am Mass at St. Martin de Porres 11:00am Mass at Queen of Peace An email was sent to parents last week asking for volunteer helpers for this event. Please respond to that email or contact the school office if you are able to assist. Please note that helpers will be required to be at school from 8:30am for instructions and to be assigned their station. School policy requires all parent helpers to hold a current Working With Children Check. Running Club – Attention Students in Year 3 to Year 6 Are you in year three to year six? Do you like to have fun and keep fit at the same time? Do you like to RUN? In preparation for the upcoming Cross-Country season there will be weekly 'Running Club' sessions held every Friday morning before school at 8.00am on the oval. If you have any questions you can email Cameron Menadue cmenadue@qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au Hand foot and mouth disease – coxsackie virus http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Hand_foot_and_mouth_di sease_coxsackie_virus/ There have been a number of reported cases of Hand foot and mouth disease in the school community. Symptoms include a high temperature, sore throat and small blisters on the inside of the mouth, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. More information can be found on the RCH fact sheet or from your doctor. Library Books Hammerheads Please return all library books to school before the end of term. Last training session for the term is on Monday 23rd March. Mrs Favata QoP Library Next Week at Queen of Peace Monday 23rd March Tuesday 24th Wednesday 25th Thursday 26th Friday 27th March March March March Hammerheads Swim Training / Lent Morning Prayer Yr3 / 2.30pm Assembly Yr 4 / 7:30pm Sacrament Meeting 9am Parent Helper Workshop / 9:15am-10:15am Kinda Kinder Walk to 100 Steps / Hot Cross Buns Years 3-6 Cross Country / End of Term 1 – Students finish at 1:30pm School Closure – Tuesday 9th June PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING AND SUNGLASSES ARE CLEARLY LABELLED WITH CHILD’S SURNAME. The Lost Property box is located in the prep foyer. 3 Issue 7 20th March 2015 Queen of Peace Primary School Guess how many chocolates are in this jar! Jessica (5B)is raising money for the Cancer Council. Each guess costs $1. The last day for guessing is Wednesday 25th March. Student of the Week Awards Prep A Bianca For always working hard in class Julian P For always trying his best and using his manners Oliver A For writing great sentences Prep C Neave H For her fantastic attitude and always trying her best Year 1A Will O For persisting with challenging tasks Classroom Helpers Wanted!!! Our students and teachers greatly appreciate having helpers in our classrooms during Literacy time. Your assistance enables teachers to work more effectively with small groups so that they can target their teaching to the students’ needs. All parents, grandparents and carers are invited to attend our ‘Classroom Helpers’ Information Session to learn more about how you can help. When: Tuesday 24th March Where: Library Foyer Time: 9am If you have previously been a helper, you are most welcome to attend again. If you are unable to attend but are interested in becoming a Helper, please see me or phone me for more details. Please be advised that you need a current Working with Children check. Forms are available at the Post Office. Prep B Year 1B Ava A For presenting her Show & Tell with confidence Year 1C Ava T For her excellent writing on celebrations Year 2A Tony C For being a Maths ‘Star’ Year 2B Jesse J For her conscientious participation during our maths money unit Year 2C Annaliese S For trying her best in Mathematics Year 3A Rossi T For an excellent oral presentation of ‘My Community’ project Year 3B Zoe For her excellent presentation of her Family Identity poster Year 3C Grace L For her excellent written response on the life of a convict Year 4A Ava L For staying on task when completing activities Year 4B Hayden N For his excellent efforts in creating an excellent anti-bullying poster Year 4C Maria J For her wonderful ant bullying posters Year 5A Amalija Year 5B Mahi K Year 5C Nina U Year 6A Beatriz For excellent proof reading of her report about The Stolen Generations Year 6B Nathan For working really hard on his written report Year 6C Lauren G For always taking pride in the presentation of her work Please RSVP rarrigo@qopaltonameadows.catholic.edu.au Rita Arrigo Literacy Leader Life Ed Van Parent Session Monday 20th April 2.30pm–2.50pm Please RSVP for the parent session by Monday 16th March. Thank you For her consistent hard work over this term For composing an interesting and entertaining historical narrative in the gold rush For her tremendous work in ICT lessons “Kinda Kinder” Free Playgroup! What’s the time Mr Wolf? Its playgroup time! That’s right. For the first time ever, Queen of Peace are hosting a playgroup in the hall foyer every Tuesday morning from 9:15am to 10:15am. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to stay with their children, play and interact with the friendly Victoria University students. Sessions are free, no booking needed. Tell your friends, family even your neighbours! 4 Issue 7 20th March 2015 Queen of Peace Primary School Emmanuel College News Parents & Friends News As the College continues to embrace the hi-tech classroom of the future, we welcomed, this week, Kris Williams, manager of coaching for New Tech Network – a network of innovative schools in the US. Kris developed with teachers their mastery in working in the hi-tech classroom and building student skills for the 21st century and the information era which characterises it. School Fee Raffle Drawn at Assembly on Monday 23rd March Tickets are $10 Prize - $950 General School Fee Hot Cross Buns Day – 26th March Commonwealth Bank School Banking School banking is every Tuesday. Students depositing their books do so via the classroom tub. QUEEN OF PEACE UNIFORM SHOP Open each Wednesday 9am–9.30am during the school term. To help reward individual savings efforts, every time a student deposits into their Youthsaver account through School Banking, regardless of the amount, they’ll receive a Dollarmites token. Once a student has collected 10 tokens, the reward coupon can be sent in with your 10 tokens to redeem them for a variety of exciting reward items. Certificates are also distributed when certain savings milestones are reached. Please note : Returns and Exchanges with receipt only CANTEEN ROSTER Jenny B Monday Tuesday Rewards available in Term 1 once 10 tokens are collected are: - ET DVD - Planet Handball Wednesday Kylie P & Michelle R Thursday Orphen M & Rachel S Friday Early Finish – No Canteen All canteen orders must be written on a paper bag and placed in the lunch crate each morning. Remember our school earns 5% commission on every deposit made (to a maximum of $10 per individual deposit). The Queen of Peace canteen does not operate a counter service. Children should not bring food for lunch that requires heating. The school is unable to heat lunches for children. If your children are not currently involved in the School Banking program and you would like to know more, please ask for a 2015 School Banking program Information Pack from the School office. Thank you for supporting the school banking program and don't forget that Tuesday is school banking day! Before School / After School Care Program http://www.oshclub.com.au Head Office 8564 9000 Program 0421 287 254 Coordinator: Geeta Ankhi Assistants: Antoinette Kelly, Jenny Evans Monday Before Care Activities Easter egg prints After Care Activities Dodgeball, Hama Beads, Basket Weaving Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Easter Cards Snakes And Ladders Paper Chain decoration Easter Egg Hunt Line Tiggy, Sand paintings, Iced Easter Eggs (Biscuits Sandpit land, Spray Painting, Easter word search easy Balloon Relays, Easter cupcakes, Twister Free Play, Honey Joys, Face Painting 5 Issue 7 20th March 2015 Queen of Peace Primary School “NAB AFL Auskick is once again kicking off in the local area. If your child is interested in giving AFL a go, then head towww.aflauskick.com.au to find your nearest centre. Register and Pay online before 19 th April to receive 4 FREE tickets to an AFL game in the 2015 season!” Netball – Seaholme Netball Club We are now taking Registrations for the new netball season that begins on 18th April 2015…… Teams available for players age 6 years through to 17 years. Wednesday Training Sessions at the Altona Netball Stadium. All Welcome to come along to Training for a tryout! Soccer – Melbourne City FC Miniroos Player registration Fee for this 2015 season will cost $300. Miniroos Training will be held every Wednesday with Kids aged 4-9 years starting at 5:30pm & Kids aged 10-11years starting 6pm at Edwards Reserve, Sth Kingsville, Corner of Truman & Brunel Street. Please contact SEBA on 0419 046 242 for more information. 6