Kallista Primary School, 72 Monbulk Road, phone 9755 2633

A word from the Principal…..

Hi Everyone and welcome to Term 4!

I would like to start this week’s Miniscope by reflecting on our teaching and

learning at Kallista Primary School.

Differentiating the Curriculum = Catering for Difference We are all different. No revelation there. For teachers, however, this is no small

thing. To be an effective teacher, one must not only acknowledge difference, but

be curious about it, study it, understand it and utilise its power to unlock the

learning potential that each child holds within.

Teaching is a wonderful job, and no wonder to me that it is seen as a calling. For

teachers who seek to unlock this learning potential never rest, but are always

thinking about their individual students; observing and monitoring their progress

and reflecting on how they will take the child’s learning to the next stage. And of

course, there is so much to learn across life and across the curriculum, that this

business of learning and teaching is both a fascinating business, and a never-

finished business! And we love it!

Catering for Difference- Intervention

It is important to us at our school that we cater for children’s learning

differences. Our teachers offer timely and effective assistance to their students

to enable them to build skills, knowledge and understanding. This happens on a

daily basis in the classroom. Where required, students engage in a range of

intervention programs designed to provide more intensive and targeted learning

support.

Wednesday 7th October 2015

Important Diary Dates

October

5th-16th Swimming Program

Fri 9th FOKP Mtg 9am Staffroom

Fri 16th Tomato Fundraiser Due

Thurs 22nd 9.30 Foundation Transition

Fri 23rd Performing Arts Day

Thurs 29th 9.30 Foundation Transition

Fri 30th 8.145am Bendigo Bank School Banking New Accounts Staffroom

November

Tues 3rd Melbourne Cup Day

Thurs 5th 9.30 Foundation Transition

Fri 6th Ball Sports, 11.30-1.30

Special Requests due for 2016 Classes

Thurs 12th 9.30 Foundation Transition

Fri 13th Athletics Day @ Knox

Thurs 19th 7pm 2016 Foundation Information Evening

Sun 22nd 2pm Kallista on the Green

December

Wed 9th 4pm Teddy Bears Picnic for 2016 Preps

Mon 14th Grade 6 Graduation

Thurs 17th Last day for Students

At Kallista Primary we all value:

Prints of Melbourne Buildings— by Morgan D., Grade 6

Programs such as Quick Smart maths, Toe by Toe and Bridges for literacy are examples of these. We are also very

lucky to have our Literacy specialist teacher, Marg Brooks, who implements Reading Recovery with selected Year

One students and teaches reading, writing and spelling to selected Year 3 and 4 students. Similarly, teachers cater

for students with talents, interests and the ability to be extended in their learning.

Catering for Difference- Extension

Planning for extension begins in team planning.

Teaching teams plan for the extension of student learning on term planning days and during weekly team level

meetings. During planning sessions, teaching teams design units of inquiry that enable students to explore concepts,

knowledge, skills and understandings across the curriculum areas. Teachers incorporate learning activities that

extend children in problem solving, and create opportunities for deepening research and critical thinking. Teachers

construct lessons and curriculum units that encourage children to further develop oral and written language,

developing in their ability to explain, elaborate and create through open-ended activities.

The individual teacher extends your child’s learning in the classroom. How?

Some of the ways that teachers extend learning in the classroom are:

Using pre-testing to establish the zone of proximal development- that specific developmental zone, at which

point students can launch into new skills and understandings. This is often used in Mathematics

Teaching a skill explicitly, and then providing further learning activities for students who have demonstrated

mastery. Often used in Maths and English lessons

In teaching sessions that involve an inquiry approach to the teaching of Mathematics, teachers design learning

activities that are open-ended and allow children to extend their learning through problem-solving - we base our

inquiry practice on the strategies of Booker, Sullivan and Ymer

To extend students, our teachers use their professional knowledge of the developmental learning continuum

whereby children learn, and the various stages of the Australian curriculum. This means that they may teach a

Level 4 class, for example, but they have general knowledge of the curriculum content at the Levels following,

enabling them to teach students in their class who are operating beyond Level 4

Investigations and Education Research Projects (ERPs) also provide excellent opportunities for extension within

the classroom

Teachers have special knowledge of their students that is gained by traditional assessment methods and by

intelligent observation. Teachers respond to individuals differently to provide feedback about their learning.

Sometimes an encouraging word, sometimes a nod or a thumbs up! Sometimes they may ask a child a pertinent

question to assess understanding or deepen thinking, and other times they may sit with a child to model a skill, or

conference through an idea for an ERP, or expand comprehension.

Finally, whether we are extending learning or providing intervention, teachers at our school recognise that we need

to develop the whole child. We respect and honour the diverse personalities, attributes and interests of each child.

In the classroom, teachers utilise their knowledge of students’ interests, learning styles and observed learning

behaviours, encouraging children to develop their passions and take risks with their learning- to ‘have a go!’

Developing self-esteem and confidence is essential to feel able to try new things. Attributes such as persistence,

concentration, getting along with others, organisation and determination are highly valued. When children

demonstrate these learning behaviours at school and in life, they are able to realise their full potential.

Next Miniscope I will suggest ways you can extend your child at home.

Thinking Outside the Box and Gateways Your child may enjoy participating in enrichment opportunities that are provided through external learning

organisations. Students who are able to be included in these programs must demonstrate independence,

organisation and cooperation in learning activities, and show a high level of academic engagement, persistence and

talent. Two such organisations offer such programs in Melbourne, those being GATEWAYS and THINKING OUTSIDE

THE BOX.

Although our school has no affiliations with these organisations, there are many parents who find their children are

interested in the learning programs and specialities they offer. Should you be interested in exploring what these

companies offer, you can visit their websites:

GATEWAYS

https://www.gateways.edu.au/

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

http://www.thinkingoutsidethebox.com.au/contact.html

Out Of School Hours Care (OSHC) Our lovely Coordinator Liz at Out of School Hours Care is taking a few weeks leave this term, so you will see a new

face at OSHC this week. Our temporary Coordinator, Anne, will be helping Jayne look after the children and comes

highly recommended to us. We wish Liz a wonderful time on leave.

New Cleaner Bruce, our cleaner, has announced his retirement and so we bid him farewell, and thank him for the years of fine

service here at our school. We have employed a new cleaner, Jenny, who began on the first day of this term. We

welcome Jenny to our school.

Fire Safety at Kallista Primary School As you know yesterday was a Total Fire Ban day and it has prompted me to once again send home the important

information about our school’s procedures for the bushfire season. Please read the notice in full and be informed

about this serious topic.

May I also remind parents that we have an emergency management plan in place to respond to bushfire events.

We continually monitor the Victorian Government Emergency website, CFA website and the Bureau of Metorology

website on days of extreme and severe fire danger. Our school will be closed on Code Red days, and the

Department of Education are putting a process in place, whereby schools such as ours will be able to close on

certain Severe days. I will advise about this as I am informed of the process.

We will be conducting fire drills/evacuation practice every week this term. Please inform your children that this is

not real, but we are just practising what we would do if we needed to evacuate to our GP Room. Please know that

teachers and myself also tell the children that this is a ‘practise run’.

If you hear of a bushfire in the vicinity of the school, we ask that you do not attempt to get here and collect your

child. The roads can be very unsafe when people in a panic are driving on them in such circumstances. We do have

our emergency procedures in place, and we will take children to the G.P.Room if we believe our school is in danger.

Our experienced staff will do everything they can to ensure that your child is as safe as they can possibly be whilst

in our care.

Remember that if your bushfire plan includes leaving the area on ‘trigger’ days, it is perfectly acceptable for your

child to be absent on those days - just provide us with a written note on their return. I will provide further

information about our fire procedures in next Miniscope.

I wish you all the best for a safe and happy Term Four at our wonderful school!

Christine

“4th Term is a Hat Term” Just a reminder that it is compulsory for students to wear a wide brim, blue

hat in fourth term. A hat is also needed for Phys. Ed. Classes.

Formation of Classes for 2016 Teachers will soon commence planning the placement of children into classes for 2016. Teachers, who see

students in the school environment on a daily basis, have an in-depth knowledge of how students inter-

act, how productively they work together and how particular children are affected by others. All angles

have to be considered.

The following criteria will be used to place students in classes.

· a mix of abilities and interests

· the minimization of personality conflicts

· number of students with special needs

· recommendations from previous years’ teachers

· social and emotional development

· student management issues

· gender balance

· development of friendship skills

Friendships are important; however, this is only one of the criteria used. Whilst we don’t want any stu-

dent to feel isolated and without friends, it is important that the children develop resilience and skills to

get along with a wide range of people rather than becoming over reliant on one or two particular children.

To help Prep children settle into school, we take special care to put them with someone from their same

preschool (group). Prep children who are the only one from their pre-school will be watched at transition

sessions to see if any friendships develop. We seek advice on friendship groups for this from the relevant

kinder teachers and the individual student transition reports.

We ask that you leave class placement to the teachers and only contact us if really needed. If there are

exceptional circumstances regarding your child’s needs, please put this in writing and come and discuss it

with me if you wish. However, if you have siblings or twins at similar year levels, we will not put them to-

gether in the same class.

Requests from parents will be listened to and carefully considered. However, the final decision on place-

ment clearly rests with the school and we ask you to trust our professional judgement on this matter.

Once decisions have been made, no changes will be possible.

Please put any special requests in writing and give/send/email it to me by no later than Friday,

6th November. The focus of your letters are to be on 'student needs’. Requests for specific teachers will

not be considered.

Regards, Christine Finighan, Principal

Setting up, 6 to 8 required (8.00-9.30)

Jumps Assistants, 4 required (9.30-12.00)

Marshall, 4 required (9.30-12.30)

Marshall, 4 required (12.30-2.30)

Events Judge, 4 required (9.30-12.30)

Events Judge, 4 required (12.30-2.30)

Hurdle set up and pack up (lunchtime) (6)

Packing up (2.30-3.00)

We also need some judges and recorders for the BALL

SPORTS from 11.30-1.30 on Friday, November 6th. Please

see me at school if you can help. The Staff are already in train-

ing for Tunnel Ball and throw out a challenge to Parents and

Grade 6’s to each make up a team!

Hilary Morris

Sports Coordinator

Name Child’s Name & Grade

Dear Parents

I need parent helpers to ensure the day

runs smoothly. (Friday 13th November)

Many helpers are needed at Knox Park to

help with setting up, judging, marshalling

and packing up.

If you can assist please write your name

and your child’s name and grade in the

space below and return it to the class-

room teacher. Your help is much

appreciated.

Knox Park

Friday 13th November

Notices Sent Home

- 2015 Foundation Transition Program

- Term 4 Lunchtime Chess due 16/10

- Kallista PS 2015 Review due asap

After School Care Activities

Mon 19th Sand Art

Tues 20th Table Tennis

Wed 21st Balloon Tap

Thurs 22nd Gymnastics

Fri 23rd Juice Factory

October

Mon 12th Mummy Wrap Competition

Tues 13th Table Tennis

Wed 14th Cooking

Thurs 15th Gymnastics

Fri 16th Bats & Balls

Parents,

Please remember to pack a hat for your child while they are at After School Care this term.

We have received funding for some Table Tennis tables and they will be delivered shortly and qualified coaches for Table Tennis will be coming to After School Care on a Tuesday afternoon to help us improve our skills, and (yet to be finalised ) Gymnastics will be on a Thursday afternoon, and a big thankyou to Mrs. Morris for leaving the big gymnastics mats for us to use this term.

Help Needed

With such a busy sporting term looming I am needing some help keeping the bottom

courts clear of leaf litter. If you have a blower, and would be able to help, please

contact Hilary Morris ASAP. Thank you.

A big thank you to Karen Koolstra, Monique Saunders

and Sonja Wittmann for spreading mulch around our gardens.

FRIENDS OF KALLISTA PRIMARY (FOKP)

Hi everyone,

It’s going to be a great Term at Kallista Primary School on SO many levels ! Plans are now well underway for our exciting school community event, KALLISTA on the GREEN, happening on Sunday 22 November, from 2-6pm . There’s still plenty of time to help plan the day - many hands make light work ! So why not come along to our FOKP meeting , this Friday 9am on-wards in the Staffroom (come after assembly if you prefer ) .. If you can’t make it on Friday, just text, call or chat with one of us - we’d love to hear from you !

Read on for more FOKP news …

Kate Hannan – 0438 038 718 and Cath Clift - 0428 862 074

Friends of Kallista Primary (FOKP)

FOKP NEWS …

KIDS’ DISCO – Oh What a Night !! Some seriously groovy dance moves went down at the Kids Disco last term, and with so many

parents helping out before and during the night, all our kids had to do was turn up and have FUN - the photos tell the story !!!! Thanks so much parents for supporting the Disco (wardrobe, makeup, taxi service etc) - and of course our fabulous KPS kids for dancing their socks off !

TOMATO SEEDLINGS Fundraiser - On Now ! Make sure you return your order form by October 16 so you don’t miss out on these little

home-grown beauties …you can then grow your own super healthy summer crop of delicious tommies ! Extra forms are available at the office.

MASTERS BBQ Fundraiser Thanks so much to the parents who helped out at the Masters Knoxfield sizzle on Sunday

13th. It seemed that the rest of Melbourne had a Sunday sleep-in, but despite the slow foot traf-

fic we still made a profit of $514. We’re hoping to secure a Bunnings Sizzle next year !

REMINDERS …

SCHOOL BANKING – THURSDAYS ! Another Bendigo Bank Sign-Up Morning at school will be held on Friday 30 October , 8.45am – 10am in the staffroom. More details in our next Miniscope ....

FOKP MEETING – This Friday 9am - 10am , Staffroom

Before the holidays the 5/6 students had a great day of competition at Monbulk Reserve. Our sporting network of schools always demonstrate a high level of enthusi-asm but more importantly, are always great sports. It’s wonderful to see our competitors’ confidence grow and for some to take on leadership responsibilities. The friendly competition often sees schools ‘donating’ their own team members to other schools who need the numbers to be able to compete. It makes for a great day of fun where our students not only catch up with friends from within the community but also make new ones. I hope you enjoy reading the reports our Captains have prepared.

Hilary Morris

Football

On Tuesday the 5/6 Grades went to Interschool Sports and played Minkey, Netball and Football. In Footy everyone demonstrated sports-manship and shared the ball around. The teams were evenly spread out for skills but the mud was really slippery. The weather was OK but is looked like it was going to rain but it didn’t. We would like to thank all the teachers for their help and support.

By Jett and Ellen. Footy Captains

Minkey

We arrived at a cold and windy oval with the Minkey stuff set up. Minkey looks exactly like hockey except you use plastic sticks and the rules are slightly modified to become less dangerous. We split the teams into two and the first games were played. Rohan was a big scorer achieving three goals. Over the day 4 matches were played and the last was Kallista VS Kallista. The score was one goal each. Then after that we tiredly hopped on the bus leav-ing the field behind us.

By Jack and Indi B. Minkey Captains.

Netball

Every single person in the netball team was wowed as they saw all of the courts and the other schools. Our team had 2 subs each game, but everybody got a fair go. Every time we went to take on another school, our excitement grew larger and larger. Every single game that we played, our skills improved even more. There was some tough competition but we were great sports on the day.

Amalija K A

“Prints of Melbourne Buildings” by Grades 5 & 6

Willow

Hamish

Billy

Morgan C.

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DRAMA FUN AND CREATIVE VISUALISATION CLASSES AT SELBY COMMUNITY HOUSE

Seta will be running the drama sessions at the Kallista Primary School Performing Arts Day. She is pas-sionate about drama and performance, and teaching children. She has 30 years experience as a drama teacher, has taken a break, and now has been inspired to return to her true passion and love.

Her drama classes at Selby Community House will focus on acting skills, self-expression, comedy con-cepts, and will always be fresh, never boring and FUN, FUN, FUN. The cost is $20

Mondays 4-5:30pm , 19th & 26th October, 9th & 16th November

BOOKINGS: 9754 2039 or selby@selbyhouse.com.au

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Please note: Advertisements are not endorsed by Kallista Primary School

MINI-MAESTROS IN UPPER FERNTREE GULLY

Kate Phillips is running sessions with the junior school at the Kallista Performing Arts Day.

Younger siblings from babies to pre-schools can be introduced to music with this dedicated, passion-ate and experienced music educator.

The Mini Maestros program has been developed over many years of trial and research. The music lit-eracy component is based on Kodály methodology and repertoire. The influences of the theories of Orff, Dalcroze and Suzuki are also evident. Much of the music is by local Australian composers featur-ing multi cultural influences.

The program is sequential. Our babies' classes are primarily aimed at building an appreciation for mu-sic, and help to give the primary care giver confidence to share music with the child. Our toddler clas-ses start to build the child's knowledge of music, and our classes for preschoolers provide a familiarity with musical terms, and help children to learn how to read basic music elements.

Mini-maestros: Spirit of the Arts Building 9-11 Rose Street (next to Blue op shop) Upper Ferntree Gully 3158 http://www.minimaestros.com.au/program_search.php?location=327 (for class times) Ph: 9753 5452

Miniscope Advertising 2015

¼ page $15, ½ page $30, full page $60, prices include GST.

Reduced rates are available for members of the school

community. P.O.A.

All advertising must receive prior approval from the Principal of

Kallista Primary School. Advertisements are not endorsed by the

School Council. Copy deadline is on Mon evening prior to

publication. We do prefer email format. kallistaps.vic.edu.au

Milo Cricket is back at Monbulk. With over 100 participants last season, this program is one of the most successful in the state, including one of the largest for female participants.

Where Monbulk Cricket Club (Monbulk Recreation Reserve 124 J1)

Why A fun and organised 12 week program that helps develop

cricket skills, fitness, social skills and sportsmanship.

Who All girls and boys aged 5 - 9

Co-ordinator Damian Howard

Phone 0429 900 183

email damianhoward1969@gmail.com

Cost $80 (includes bat, ball, t-shirt, back-pack, hat, drink bottle and more)

Day / Time Fri 5.30pm–6.30pm (BBQ each evening) Starting Fri 5th Nov

Registration Day: Friday 16th October - 5.30pm @ Monbulk Cricket Clubrooms

If possible, please register online @ in2cricket.com.au (enter Monbulk or 3793).

Please just pay on the 16th if you register online.

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MONBULK

MILO

In2CRICKET

2015/2016

monbulkcc.vic.cricket.com.a

u