From the Acting Deputy Head

Art News

Christmas costumes
Forthcoming dates
Social Service
Vision and Speech

Parking and Pickup

23 July 1999 No. 21

From the Head of Junior School

Congratulations are extended to Torquhill Anderson and Michael Sutherland who were presented with badges for the positions of Concert Band and Library Monitor respectively. These positions were vacated at the end of last term due to an interstate transfer. I wish both boys well in their new roles.

I have enclosed with this newsletter another note from the City of Booroondara's Manager of Local Laws, Mr William Ryley. Mr Ryley wrote to me last week and stated that 'Some parents who have received an infringement notice in the past have contacted the Local Laws Unit stating that they have not observed an article in their school newsletter.'

Mr Ryley's original note was sent home to parents on Friday 12 February 1999.

To ensure the safety of every boy in the school, I urge parents to read Mr Ryley's new note and then to observe the parking controls in the immediate vicinity of the school. Your support and cooperation is appreciated.

Best wishes are extended to boys who will be participating in our ski trials, to be held at Mt Buller this weekend. Thanks in anticipation are extended to Ms Pride and Miss Carney who will be accompanying the boys. I look forward to sharing this experience with the boys.

My theme for this week has been Truthfulness.

The boys were encouraged to speak only the truth; to practise justice by investigating the truth for themselves; to not let others tell them what to think; to admit to mistakes and not to exaggerate or deceive in order to impress others.

By practising Truthfulness we look into our own heart and speak of what is true for us. The bible tells us, 'No more lying then! Everyone must tell the truth to his fellow believers because we are all members together in the body of Christ.' (Ephesians 4:25)

The boys have also been reminded of our expectations and the use of inappropriate language, not only at school, but also in every aspect of their daily lives. Our handbook clearly states, 'Swearing and other forms of bad language are not acceptable at school.' (P17)

The staff will continue to make this a special focus for the whole term and I seek the support of every parent and ask that similar standards be enforced at home.

My thought for this week:

Guy B Mason

From the Acting Deputy Head

LAP Tests

All boys in Year 3 and Year 5 will be participating in the Learning Assessment Programme during the next 2 weeks. The LAP is a series of assessments for children in all Victorian primary schools. They are designed to tell us how your son is progressing and to identify where the child could benefit from greater challenges or extra help. These results will compliment the other school assessment procedures by providing additional information. Each year the LAP assesses English and Mathematics, and in 1999 Studies of Society and Environment will also be assessed. All activities are undertaken in class time, supervised by the class teacher and are similar to regular class work. Results will be forwarded to you early in Term 4.

Primary School Mathematics and English Competitions

All Year 4 and 6 boys will be participating in both the Mathematics and English competitions during the next 2 weeks. The competitions are designed to provide students with a worthwhile and challenging experience while also testing the associated skills and processes. The school will receive information about each boy's results. This will provide additional assessment data that can be used to develop your son's learning.

Brian Sampson
Acting Deputy Head

Art News

During Term 3 boys are participating in a Threads and Textiles program. All boys will be using wool and a range of textile skills and techniques during this unit.

Year 6 boys have commenced French Knitting with each boy taking home a loom and making long snakes which can be made into cushions, Christmas wreaths and other items. Later in the term, boys will be learning Indian Bead Weaving on larger bead weaving looms. Year 5 boys will be making puppets and stocking faces. Year 4 boys have commenced making hand puppets based on Star Wars characters. This involves manipulation and fabric collage. Year 1 and 2 boys are learning sewing techniques with animal sewing cards, while Preps and Year 1 are making pom poms with different coloured wool.

The Junior Primary classes have been involved in painting the windows of the Art room. The theme is the Australian bush in Spring. I am saving plastic bags, any wool, 1.25 plastic drink bottles, ice-cream containers and small boxes.

Thankyou for your support in Art activities.

Mrs Susan Ferres
Art Teacher

Christmas Service Costumes

This is another (and more desperate!) plea for the donation of fabric which can be used to make costumes for the junior primary Christmas service. we need to get moving on this now as Term 4 sees us busy with rehearsals, etc. Fabric suitable for costumes for the wisemen (eg silks, brocades, taffetas, etc), the shepherds (eg striped or checked cottons) and the angels (eg white cotton) is required. Beading, sequins and 'jewels' are required to decorate costumes and hats.

We also need assistance to make, repair and launder costumes. All costumes are very simple and do not require extensive dressmaking skills.

If you are able to help In any way, please see either Mrs Richardson or Mrs Robertson in the Junior Primary department.

we have received enough milk cartons, so thank you to all those people who assisted.

Thank you,

Chris Robertson
Director of Junior Primary

Forthcoming dates:

Social Service announcement

On Friday August 6, the Camp Quality Puppets will be coming to the Junior School. All boys will see them perform as part of our Social Service Program The puppet show teaches children to be loving and supportive of other children who have major illnesses such as cancer. Boys will have an opportunity to ask questions.

This day will be a casual clothes day and gold coin donation would be appreciated. All money raised will be donated to Camp Quality.

Thank you for your support.

Emily Taylor
Social Service Co-ordinator

A notice to parents who ordered mounted school photos

A number of the mounted school photos have arrived and can be collected from the Junior School office.

Prep & Year 1 Vision & Speech Screening

Last week Prep and Year 1 boys received letters in regard to screening for vision and speech problems. These screenings are provided at no cost to parents to seek the follow up treatment with the health professionals who conduct the original screenings. We believe that the early detection and treatment of vision and speech problems is desirable if we are to avoid the effects that such problems have on learning. We therefore ask that unless similar screenings have been conducted in the past 12 months. all Prep and Year 1 parents take advantage of this opportunity and consent to the screening of their son. If parents of boys in Years 2 and 3 have concerns about their son's vision and speech, and these boys have not been previously assesses, then they are welcome to contact either Ms Bacon or Mrs Robertson and ask for a consent form to be sent home. All signed consent forms should be sent to the class teacher by Friday, 30 July.

Thank you,

Chris Robertson
Director of Junior Primary

Parking or picking up and setting down children in the vicinity of schools and school crossings.

For the safety of our school children residents are reminded to take care and obey parking signs in the vicinity of our schools. Illegally parked cars create traffic congestion which leads to an unsafe environment due to impatient and frustrated drivers carrying out unsafe and often dangerous manoeuvres.

In order to prevent this Council Local Laws Officer carry out regular patrols and motorists detected breaking the parking regulations risk being fined (penalties up to $100.00).

Remember, as soon as you stop to let your children in or out of the car, you are deemed to be parked. You do not have to leave your car or turn your engine off to be booked.

At school crossings, you must remain stationary at the stop line while any person (including and adult or the supervisor) is on the crossing or the stop sign is displayed. Do not let your child alight at this time. Ensure they wait until you are safely and legally parked. All areas in the vicinity of schools are clearly sign posted and it is the driver's responsibility to ensure they are parked in compliance with the relevant signs.

If you do not comply with the parking regulations to the Local Laws Officer who is monitoring the crossing will usually record your registration number and details, (usually with the aid of a video camera for evidentiary purposes) and the infringement will be posted to you within the next three days.

So please let's make sure you all our school children are safe. If your child needs assistance with a heavy bag or you need to go into the school for any reason please make sure you allow extra time to park in a zone which gives you sufficient time to do this. Parking zones, which give extra time, are usually a few minutes walk further away.

William Ryley
Manager Local Laws