ACTING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT NEWSLETTER N0.19 21ST JUNE 2012

CYBERSAFETY

PRESENTATION

This informative presentation is

scheduled for next Monday evening,

25th June 2012, and will be held in

the BER building.

Having attended past workshops

presented by Greg Gebhart

(Australian Communications and

Media Authority) I

would strongly

recommend that

families consider

attending. If your

children are online

it is essential that you understand

the risks involved and are in a

position to ensure that they are

aware of how they can keep

themselves safe.

If you have not yet replied to the

invitation to attend the session but

would like to come please give the

school a call and register your

interest. We are keen to see this

important information shared with

our community so please feel free to

bring along family and friends.

SOVEREIGN HILL CAMP

This week our Years 5 and 6

students, staff and parent helpers

have attended the camp at Sovereign

Hill. The first group returned to

school yesterday afternoon and

reported that they had enjoyed a

range of exciting activities and

learning experiences that have

complemented the Australian

History studies they have

undertaken in class this Semester.

Staff and parent helpers reported

that our students were on their best

behaviour. The second camp group

left yesterday morning and reports

so far indicate that they are having a

good time in spite of the inclement

weather conditions. We expect

that they will have many stories to

tell when they return to school

tomorrow afternoon.

The camp group is expected to

return to school at approximately

3:00pm on Friday. Families who

would like to receive an update on

the arrival time can call the school

and follow the prompts to hear the

recorded message about the arrival

time and pick up arrangements.

This new feature of our phone

system allows

us to record

messages that

can be utilised

effectively to

pass on current information to

parents.

Continued……

FRIDAY 29th JUNE 2012 - TERM 2 FINISHES 2.30pm

MONDAY 16TH JULY 2012 - TERM 3 COMMENCES

DIARY DATES

Wednesday 20th - Friday 22nd June 5/6 Sovereign Hill Camp 5D, 5T, 6K, & 6N

Monday 25th June 5/6 internet Safety Presentation

Tuesday 26th June Fountain Gate Discovery Day

5-A-Side Cottee‟s Soccer Gala Day

Friday 29th June Last Day Term 2 - 2.30pm

Monday 16th July Start of Term 3

Tuesday 17th - Wednesday

25th July Somers Camp

Wednesday 18th - Friday 20th July Prep - Grade 2 Swimming

Friday 20th July School Reports

Monday 23rd July Prep - Grade 2 Swimming

MCG & National Sports Museum

Tuesday 24th July Student Progress Discussions

MCG & National Sports Museum

Wednesday 25th July Student Progress Discussions

Prep - Grade 2 Swimming

Friday 27th July Prep - Grade 2 Swimming

Tuesday 31st July English International Competition

Thursday 2nd August Australian Mathematics Competition

NOTICES DUE BACK

Friday 22nd June 5-A-Side Cottee‟s Soccer Gala Day

Tuesday 17th July 5/6 MCG & National Sports Museum

Gr 4 MCG Expression of Interest

Friday 20th July Gr 4 MCG & National Sports Museum

ACTING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT COMTINUED….. . FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

Q: When will the uneven areas of concrete in the school yard be repaired?

A: This was a question that was raised at School Council on Monday evening. The cost of these repairs and

other maintenance projects need to be met by the school. The annual allocation for school

maintenance provided by the DEECD through the Student Resource Package is limited and

must cover the maintenance of all buildings and grounds. In establishing our school‟s Building

Fund we had hoped that we would be able to supplement the DEECD allocation to enable us

to undertake projects such as this. At this stage the funds will not cover the expense involved

in lifting and replacing the affected areas of concrete. We have also looked into the option of

grinding the concrete edges to level the surface but have been advised that this is not feasible

for the areas of main concern.

In completing the works around the BER building we plan to address some of the uneven paths leading from the

main building to the BER building. In the meantime we have followed the advice gained through OH&S audits and

marked the uneven paving with yellow lines to make the hazards more visible. These lines will be renewed early

next term.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

The difficulty in life is the choice. George Moore.

LYNNE BRENNER

ACTING PRINCIPAL

CYBER SAFETY

PRESENTATION

Are you concerned about your

child’s use of social media and

online activities when accessing

technology such as computers

and mobile phones?

Would you like information to

support their online safety?

Next Monday, 25th June 2012, we

are offering a series of workshops to

address these and

other important

issues related to

children‟s

computer and

phone usage.

These workshops are being

conducted by Greg Gebhart, a

representative from the Australian

Communications and Media

Authority (ACMA). Families are

invited to attend the evening session

that will be conducted at 7:00pm.

This internet safety awareness

presentation offers an overview of

cybersafety issues focussing on the

interests and needs of parents. The

presentation runs for around 60

minutes, and is easy to understand,

thorough, non-technical and

informative. The presentation gives

parents a sound understanding of

cybersafety topics and provides

advice on how to help children and

young people stay safe online.

Whilst the children in grades 5 and 6

will have already seen the Student

Workshop during the day, they are

encouraged to accompany their

parents to the parent session in the

evening. For families who would like

to attend but cannot organise care

for their children, child minding

facilities will be made available in the

adjoining library for school aged

students.

We received very positive feedback

from the families who were at the

last Cyber Safety workshop which

ACMA ran at our school and we

encourage all families to attend this

very valuable session.

STUDENT HEALTH -

CHICKEN POX

We have recently had a reported

case of chicken pox in a Year 3 class.

The exclusion requirements for

chicken pox are that the child be

excluded until fully recovered or for

at least five days after

the eruption of spots

first appear. Other

contacts do not need

to be excluded unless

they suffer an immune

deficiency. We have included a flyer

with this newsletter with additional

information for families.

YEAR 5 AND 6 CAMP –

SOVEREIGN HILL

This week our Year Five and Six

students have attended their camp

at Sovereign Hill. Our staff reported

that the students have been very

well behaved and have thoroughly

enjoyed experiencing a taste of what

life was like for people living during

the Gold Rush period of our history.

The gold panning has been a great

hit, with many students being

convinced that they may „find their

fortune‟. The first group of weary

campers returned

yesterday and the

second group will

return tomorrow

at approximately

3:00PM. Parents

are reminded that

students are to be signed out when

collected. Staff members will have

lists for this purpose. If the weather

is fine students will assemble in the

courtyard for dismissal. In the case

of poor weather, the children will be

dismissed from the gymnasium.

NISSAN COMPETITION

Congratulations to Shenelle 6N who

was the runner up prize in the

People‟s Choice Award at the

recent Berwick Nissan Micra Design

Competition. Shenelle won a $50

Riot Art & Craft Voucher. Shenele‟s

design was on display at Berwick

Nissan at the weekend along with

the entries created by our other

students Ebony 6K, Natalie 6N,

Damien 4K, Sam 4K and Shehara 4K.

Congratulations to all our finalists.

LOST PROPERTY

There is currently an overabundance

of lost property. This raises two

concerns. Firstly, as most of the

clothing items are not clearly named,

they cannot be returned promptly

to their rightful owners. We

understand clothing is expensive and

it is difficult to distinguish individual

ownership of similar items and so

we are asking you to please ensure

all clothing is clearly

named. Secondly, we

are concerned with

the large number of

lost items that are not

being collected and ask for your

assistance in checking whether your

children are missing items of

clothing. Lost property will be on

display in the corridor of the main

building next week. We encourage

you to come along and check for

those items you may have noticed

have gone missing in recent weeks.

NCAB CONFERENCE

On Friday 15th June and Saturday

16th June Debbie Cusack and Jodie

Norton, our School Council

President attended the NCAB

(National Centre Against Bullying)

2012 conference. NCAB is an

initiative of the Alannah and

Madeline Foundation and the title

for this year‟s event was 'Social

Media, Bullying and Vulnerability:

Connect, Respect, Protect.' There

were several keynote speakers and a

range of workshops which provided

interesting perspectives on this

issue. Debbie and Jodie gave a brief

verbal report at this week‟s School

Council Meeting and will provide a

written report at next month‟s

meeting. Information which came

out of this conference is available at

NCAB‟s website: http://

www.ncab.org.au/

DEBBIE CUSACK & PAUL WHITEHEAD

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Welcome everyone to my School Council President‟s Report.

This week I would like to introduce myself and Lynne Brenner from our School Council Team.

Jodie Norton: I have been a parent at Berwick Lodge Primary School for the last eight years (where does the time go?!)

and this is my second year as School Council President. As School Council President I attend many of our

subcommittee meetings, particularly Management and Resources as well as being part of the Planning

Committee for the refurbishment project. I am an extremely passionate supporter of the Alannah &

Madeline Foundation and their mission to “Keep Children Safe From Violence”. Our Better Buddies and

eSmart programs which we are implementing are just two ways that Berwick Lodge Primary School is

helping to achieve this, I have two boys who keep me busy—Troy who started Secondary School this

year (that is a very different experience) and Grant who is in Grade 4 and I also run my own business with

my partner. My spare time (when I find some!) is spent supporting my beloved Magpies and planning that next overseas trip.

Lynne Brenner: My career in education has spanned almost 30 years during which time I have witnessed many changes in

education and the demands placed upon those in those responsible for student learning. I have undertaken various teaching

and leadership roles. I commenced at Berwick Lodge when the school opened in 1990 as a class teacher of Year 1. In the

subsequent years I taught at different levels from Prep to Year 4. My experience in a variety of leadership positions lead to

me undertaking further study in 2000 so that I could apply for Principal Class positions. My appointment as Assistant

Principal at Berwick Lodge commenced in 2002. Over time I have served as a member of School Council or attended School

Council as an interested party. I am currently a voting member of School Council and convene the Resources

Sub-Committee.

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

Our School Council May meeting was held on Monday night. Some of the items that were discussed and tabled at council

include:

Junior School Council Report—Congratulations to the JSC on their wonderful efforts in fundraising for Oshdi, our

World Vision sponsored child. We raised a total of $720 which more than covers our sponsorship commitment for this

year.

Website Upgrade—We are currently updating the look and feel of our website. Along with this we are also developing

an iPhone and Android App. which will be linked to the website. The updated site and app should be

operational early in Term 3.

BER Refurbishment Project. We are currently waiting for DEECD approval of our successful

builder. Once we receive approval, then a start date can be confirmed. Unfortunately this is out of

our hands and we had hoped to commence work earlier in the month.

ACMA Cybersafety Presentation—25th June, 2012. This presentation is being held at 7pm in the

BER Building and is open to all parents of Berwick Lodge Primary School. These presentations are of

a high quality and are always extremely informative. There will be child minding facilities for those with younger students. If

you wish to attend, please contact the office.

The annual playground audit indicated areas in each playground that required maintenance. This work has now been

carried out, including new slides and soft fall.

As always if you wish to discuss any issue, please feel free to contact me or any of the other members of the school council.

I can be contacted via the school office or you can email me at norton.jodie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Jodie Norton School Council President

SCHOOL COUNCIL DIRECTORY

President: Jodie Norton Principal: Henry Grossek

Vice-President: Michelle Sarjeant DEECD Members: Lynne Brenner

Minute Secretary: Lois Smethurst Sue Naismith

Correspondence Sec.: Prashad Sujenthiran

Parent Members: Craig Benedick PFA Co-Optee: Carly Baker

Carolyn Mehr

Karen Tsekouras

Heather Cross

Contact Details: Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198

Email: norton.jodie.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

LODGIE

AWARDS

Hannah 4Y

Nick 4M

Lily 4K

Mickayla 3S

Tayla 3K

Chantelle 4Y

Phys Ed News

Firstly, a huge congratulations to Indi A 5C,

Tara P 4R, Sam N 4K and Jake M 6W, who

competed in the regional cross country

trials on Monday 18th June 2012. It was a

great effort to make it to that level and run

against the best runners in our state. Well done!!

Good luck to the grade 3 and 4 students who will be

competing in the Cottee‟s

5-a-side soccer competition at

Hillcrest College on Tuesday 26th

June 2012, it will be a fun day.

A big thank you to the parents who

have volunteered to help on the day.

Nick Pryor

Phys Ed Coordinator

Leyla 4R

SCHOOL AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students who

received awards over the last week:

Jordan PS

Alex PS

James PS

Kingston PW

Daniel PK

Briani PM

Andre PK

Elizabeth PW

Brody PM

Ayana PW

Daisy PK

GRADE 3/4 SOCIAL CLUB

A big thank you for the

donations of knitting needles & wool towards our

Wednesday lunchtime social club. The

children are knitting and learning skills

whilst having a chat and a laugh.

A lovely social time, indeed.

Gloria Knight 4K

COMING

ATTRACTIONS!

“The Lodgie Awards”

Berwick Lodge

Film Festival is being held on Monday

17th September 2012

Look out for further

information in our

newsletter

Parents & Friends Association

Cadbury Chocolate Drive A massive thanks to everyone who returned chocolate money on time, your names have

been entered into the prize draw and you could be a winner!! All outstanding money and

unsold chocolate must be returned to the office by the end of term 2. Provided we

receive delivery from Cadbury in time prizes will be awarded next Monday at Assembly.

PFA End of Financial Year Sale!!!! Over the last couple of years the PFA have accumulated a vast range of gifts and other

odds and ends left over from various stalls and fundraisers. Next Wednesday 27th and

Thursday 28th June we will be holding a huge End of Financial Year Sale where

everything must go!!!! Come and see us in Room 31 (Grade 3 portables) to grab a

bargain, nothing over $2. Great ideas for birthday presents or Christmas stocking fillers.

We have everything from coffee mugs and kitchen organisers to bath salts,

pampering products, gardening gloves and everything in between!!

Also stock up on our fantastic roll on sunscreen for summer at the special discount price of $2.

This is an event not to be missed.

BUDDY BEAR’S WORLD TRIP 2012

Here are our first photos of Buddy Bear travelling around the world. These photos come from his

adventures in England with Mr Grossek.

Buddy Bear at Stonehenge

Buddy Bear at an ancient Roman

bridge in North Yorkshire. This

bridge was built over 2000

years ago

Olympic torch relay

banner in

Saltburn by Sea

Buddy

Bear

waving to

the

Olympic

Torch

bearer

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