Issue 15 - 2023

14 Jul 2023

Principal Report

Principal Report

Farewell to Bethany Johnstone Year 6J

Today is Bethany’s last day at school. We want to wish Bethany well in her travels and adventures to Dubai.

Welcome to New Staff

This term we welcome a number of new staff to the school.

Year 2P—Rachel Wilson

Year 5R—Judith Lawler

Year 6J—Steven Gray

Handy Man/Maintenance/Grounds Person—Anton Morgenthaler

Parent/Teacher/Student (PTS) Conference

PTS Conferences will take place on Monday 17th July and Wednesday 19th July from 3.45pm to 7.30pm. There are a couple of classes that are not participating in these PTS due to teacher absences, upon the teacher return, the school will arrange the PTS to be uploaded onto Compass. These classes are Year 12B, 1N, 5H, 6GM. If you haven't book a time already you will have until Monday 12.30pm to book a conference via Compass.

Enrolment for 2024

The school is in the process of finalising the Foundation Enrolments for 2024. If you have a child that needs to be enrolled for 2024, can you please provide the school with complete documentation of the enrolment process by the 28th July.

Calling All Green Thumbs

The school has been lucky enough to secure a grant of 200 trees from ResourcesSmart Schools. On Saturday 5th August we will endeavour to plant out all of these trees. However, we will need assistance from the school community. If you have a couple of hours to spare and would like to volunteer your time in planting out these trees, please send an email to Belinda stating who will be onsite, your availability and what tools you will be able to bring with you e.g. wheelbarrow, broom, spade etc. Belinda.gill@education.vic.gov.au

We will endeavour to start at 9.00am and finish around 1.00pm. We do have a parent who will coordinate the planting schedule.

Have an enjoyable week.

Belinda Gill -Admin

JSC Term 3 2023 - Pyjama Day Fundraiser

On Wednesday the 9^th August JSC has planned a Pyjama Day. The Pyjama Day supports a food and clothing donation charity called “Reaching Out In The Inner West Of Melbourne”. Students and teachers are welcome to come in their cosiest pyjamas (you can bring an Oodie, dressing gown or thick jumper for extra warmth).

This time around we aren’t looking for your gold coins, instead, if you wear pyjamas you should consider donating long life food and cosy winter clothes to support people in need this Winter. “Reaching Out In The Inner West Of Melbourne” have been operating since 2005 and meet every Monday at 5.45pm in Nicholson Street Mall in Footscray. These gatherings are vital to so many people living on the streets of Melbourne especially during cold Winters. You can find out more about them on their Facebook page or by Googling them.

This Winter you can make a difference for so many people in need. All you need to donate is warm winter clothing and/or; long life milk, Weetbix, canned goods, rice and pasta, canned and packet soup, flour and dried goods. Items can be dropped off to the large containers sitting in the foyer any time during the 28^th July to the 11^th August. So please have a hunt through your wardrobes and pantries or anywhere else at home you think you might be able to find some children’s and adults warm winter items or long-lasting food to donate. This really does make a big difference in people's lives. We can’t wait to see you in your cosy pyjamas on Wednesday the 8^th August. By Amber and Isla 6J JSC reps.

What is happening in Year 5?

What a great start to the term for all our Year 5 students. We have lot’s going on, here is what we are learning about in class:

READING: All classes are reading the novel Wolfkeepers. It is a story about a 12 year old girl who has always called the zoo her home. Her dad is the head zookeeper. The story is based at a Californian wildlife park, near Yosemite National Park. Lizzie meets a young boy, Tyler and they are on all sorts adventures, including a high stakes adventure into Yosemite National Park. We focus on reading a few chapters a week as a class, then, students reflect on what has been read in their study guide. The study guide allows students to share their thoughts and summarise what has occurred in each chapter.

WRITING: We are learning about Poetry. We are learning about the rhyming sequence, stanza’s, in the anticipation of presenting these at our annual Reading, Writing Together Is Magic evening. Each lesson will teach your child about the different forms and aspects of poetry.

NUMERACY: We are learning about Multiplication and Division and how these link to the 4 Operations. We take look at different ways to be able to solve Multiplication and Division sums, including solving worded problems. We will touch on BODMAS in preparation for a more in depth look in Year 6. Each Friday, we run a Problem Solving lesson. This is a great way for students to think outside the square to solve these particular problems.

SHARED INQUIRY: History is our topic for this term, with a particular focus on the Gold Rush. We are learning about how Australia was immigrated and what led to Australia being the way it is today.

WELLBEING: Each week, we have a focus on Wellbeing. This term, we will be learning about ways to deal with stress, both positive and negative, how to seek help as an individual and from others, our value for the term is Resilience. These lessons are a mixture of hands on, discussion and reflection about themselves as a person.

As always, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher if you need any assistance. Homework will begin in Week 2, please keep an eye out for this.

The Year 5 Team

STEM Update – Term 3, Week 1

Junior STEM – This week Ms Lindsay welcomed a new group of classes for junior STEM across Foundation, Year One and Year Two for the second semester.

Students gained a further understanding of what Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are and how STEM utilises each of these areas as well as why STEM is important in school and in society.

Senior STEM – Our senior students across Years 3-6 began their second semester of STEM this week. This term will take a large focus on Digital Technologies with all year levels engaging in coding and robotics. Our Year Three students will take part in Scratch Coding on computers.

Year Four using Lego Mindstorm robotics.

Year Five will create code for Sphero robotics and Year Six will use MicroBit pocket sized processors to design digital solutions.

This week our Year Six students were also able to complete their Term 2 group project to design and create a tower that could withstand an artificial earthquake. This project has been happening over several weeks after our science unit on extreme weather and geological events All groups across all classes worked collaboratively and used problem-solving skills to create original and creative designs.

Numeracy

Helping your child(ren) do maths at home can be a positive experience.

These top 5 tips from the Mathematics Association of Victoria can help to support and foster a positive disposition and love of maths.

ASTHMA

Winter Is Here!

How has the cold weather affected your asthma?

Many people find their asthma symptoms increase, and their asthma is harder to control when the air turns cold.

Winter triggers can also include smoke from wood heaters or scheduled burns, or exercising in cold air. Spending more time indoors in busy public places to escape the cold can mean there may be a higher chance of picking up viral infections too.

There are some steps you can take to breathe better this winter:

Visit your doctor for an asthma review.

Get a written Asthma Action Plan .

Use your preventer everyday - even when well.

Learn Asthma First Aid.

Stay up to date with your flu vaccination and COVID-19 boosters.

If you need asthma answers, connect with an Asthma Educator.