No 19/11 – December 1, 2011

DIARY DATES 2011 1

st December Junior Future Stars State Hooptime

5th

December 2012 Prep Information Evening (7.00pm)

9th

December Book Pack Collection (8.30 - 10am and 2 - 4pm)

12th

December Book Pack Collection (8.30 - 10am and 2 - 4pm)

12th

December FREE DRESS DAY (Gold Coin Donation for WWF Penguin sponsorship)

13th

December Book Pack Collection (8.30 - 10am and 2 - 4pm)

13th

December Book Pack Collection (4 - 7pm)

13th

December School Council - End of Year Celebration

14th

December Parent Helper Morning Tea (10.30am - 11.30am in Staffroom)

15th

December Carols Night (7.00pm)

16th

December Book Pack Collection (8.30 - 10am and 2 - 4pm)

20th

December Year 6 Graduation

22nd

December LAST DAY for 2011! 12.30pm Assembly; 1.00pm Dismissal

Thu 2nd

February 2012 First Day of Term 1 for Years 1 - 6

Mon 6th

February 2012 First Day of Term 1 for Preps

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

SPECIAL PROGRAMS Over the last two weeks there have been many learning opportunities for students. The Year 1 and 2 students visited ACMI and were all involved in a film – come and see some of the films which are being shown each day on the TV in the foyer of the school. Last Friday at the RE celebration at Our Lady of the Pines school, the Year 5 and 6 students performed the Christmas Story, did some readings about Christmas and the other students sang Christmas songs. Thank you to the RE teachers who organised the performance and for the time they give to the school on a voluntary basis throughout the year. On Monday night the students who learn to play instruments through the instrumental music program, performed for their parents and friends. There are many talented students who sang and played guitar, keyboard, violin and drums.

ICAS MEDAL PRESENTATION - AMY L (5TW)

A couple of weeks ago Amy L (5TW) was presented with her

medal for achieving the highest score in Victoria in Year 5

English in the ICAS University of New South Wales test.

The ceremony took place at the Melbourne Convention Centre

and other Victorian students who achieved the top score in their

year and subject in the ICAS tests were also presented with

medals. Congratulations to Amy!! We were very proud of her as

a Milgate PS student.

Yesterday the Prep – Year 2 sports were enjoyed by all students taking part in: running, skipping, egg and spoon, ball tosses, basketball, etc. It was great to see many parents helping and also watching the students participate. In the next few weeks there are many activities and learning opportunities for students such as: Whole School Dance, Year 4 Bike Education and bike ride, Cricket Clinics, Christmas Carols evening, Year 6 Graduation and end of year celebrations. STUDENT REPORTS The teachers have been writing student reports over the last few weeks and these will be sent home to parents on Monday 19 December. Thank you to the staff for the preparation time, commitment and care that they have given to reports and the continued learning program for your children.

PARENT HELPERS MORNING TEA - Wednesday 14 December at 10:30am There will be a morning tea for parents who have assisted in the school in a variety of ways throughout the year on Wednesday 14 December at 10:30am in the staffroom. Invitations have been sent home with the students. We hope to see many parents there as we appreciate the ways that you assist the students and staff. Debbie Mierisch Principal

DATES FOR STUDENT BOOK PACK COLLECTION Thank you to the parents who have already paid the 2012 student fees. Book packs can be collected

from the Community Room on the following days and times:

Friday 9 December 8:30am - 10am and 2pm - 4pm

Monday 12 December 8:30am - 10am and 2pm - 4pm

Tuesday 13 December 8:30am - 10am and 2pm - 4pm

Tuesday 13 December 4pm - 7pm

Friday 16 December 8:30am - 10am and 2pm - 4pm

HELPERS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT BOOK PACK COLLECTIONS

We need some parents who are able to assist with book pack collections on the above stated days and

times. We require 1-2 parents per session so if you are able to help for a session (or part of a session)

please either email us your details OR complete the form below and return it to the Office.

STUDENT BOOK PACK COLLECTION HELPER

Name:

Contact No:

Session Date / Time:

Or email the above details to milgate.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au.

STUDENTS LEAVING THE SCHOOL IN 2012 Please notify the school office if your child will not be returning to

Milgate Primary School in 2012 as this assists us with our planning for classes

next year. Thank you for your assistance.

PREP ENROLMENTS FOR 2012 If you have not enrolled your child into Prep for 2012 or know of anyone who

hasn’t yet enrolled, please let them know that enrolments are still being

accepted.

2012 SCHOOL START BONUS & EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE These two allowances are provided by the Victorian Government to assist low income families with

education related costs. If you hold a valid Health Care Card you may be eligible to receive this

assistance. School Start Bonus is a one off payment of $300 to families with a child starting Prep or

year 7.

For further information or application form, please contact the school office.

Janine Caudry Business Manager

PE/OUTDOOR EDUCATION NEWS Sporting Highlights: Congratulations to Taegen who has qualified in the following Swimming events:

200 breaststroke, 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Victorian Age Long Course Championships

in mid-December. Good luck Taegen and we look forward to hearing how you perform.

Congratulations to the following Hooptime Basketball Teams who represented Milgate PS at State

Hooptime Competition, at Dandenong Basketball Stadium during last week.

Junior All Star Boys ~ made the quarter finals

Junior All Star Girls ~ made the semi finals

Senior All Star Girls ~placed 3rd overall

Junior Future Stars ~ results in next WHAM Well done to all these students and all the students can be extremely pleased with their performances

and they were a credit to Milgate PS. Many thanks once again to all our parents who coached and

trained our various Hooptime Teams throughout 2011. I must say without all your support, our

participation in tournaments such as these would not be possible.

Outdoor Education: Please return your 2012 Camp Parent Helper Expression of Interest Forms as

soon as possible and I will be in touch with people in 2012.

If you wish to know more about how you could help out with any aspect of the PE/Outdoor Learning

Program, please contact James Will at school or have a look at the Physical Education Handbook on

the Milgate PS website under the NOTICES section.

James Will PE/Outdoor Learning Coordinator

JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL

Free Dress Day on Monday 12 December.

This will be our last free dress day for 2011. Students are to bring a gold coin

donation and funds from the day will go toward sponsoring a penguin through

WWF.

PREP RECYCLABLES Thank you to all of the generous families who have been collecting recycled materials for the Preps.

The children have had lots of interesting things to choose from when making their toys. We’ve

probably got enough for this year now – we’ll let you know next year when we’re in need of more!

Thanks once again, The Level 1 Team INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM Our program has been very successful this year and we’ve had many new children begin lessons.

Congratulations to all the students that performed in our end of year recitals.

We are now looking at timetables for Term 1, 2012. If you are interested in instrumental music lessons

for your child please contact Dean on 9894 0245 and we will mail/email an enrolment form directly to

you.

Erin Hardy Musical Inspiration PARENTS AND FRIENDS (P&F) UPDATE Doncare Christmas Tree Remember to place an unwrapped gift under the tree (in Office foyer) by

Thursday 8th December for Doncare to distribute these gifts to those less fortunate in our community.

Thank you to.everyone that has already placed a gift under the tree – it is greatly appreciated!

Christmas Raffle A reminder to return your raffle tickets and money before 15th December. Prizes

include three hampers full of goodies, to be drawn at the school Christmas Carols Night.

Next meeting will be on 28th February 2012.

Parents and Friends Committee DYSLEXIA RESOURCES FOR PARENTS New online resources for teachers and parents are now available on the Department’s website to strengthen support for students with reading difficulties and dyslexia. Advice for parents has also been developed and includes strategies that parents can use to support their child’s learning and development at school. For parent resources, see: www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/learning/dyslexia.htm

CANTEEN NEWS

Carols Evening at Milgate - Thursday, December 15, 2011

„TIS the season to be jolly! Yes, it’s that time of year again.

Enjoy the evening with the family without the hassle of preparing your evening

meal. Singing and socialising is the order of the evening and on offer from the canteen,

a fantastic menu which includes sausage sizzle, ever popular nachos with cheese & salsa, homemade

popcorn, muffins, hot and cold drinks and lots more! A special carols dinner pack will also be available

to be pre-ordered for this event. Full canteen menu details and flyer for this special evening will be sent

home before Dec 8 to help you plan your family’s culinary favourites for the evening. Food will be

served from the Canteen from 5.00pm till 6.45pm. No food or drinks will be sold after 6.45pm.

Looking forward to see you all at the ever-popular Carols evening. See you there!

Mei Lee Canteen Manager

“Save The Date” Catjump Preschool has a special place in many children’s heart in our community. It is the place where our

children, and potentially even their children, have experienced their first steps to greater independence, made

lifelong friendships and best of all experienced the joy of learning through play & creative educational activities.

The person responsible for Catjump’s outstanding early childhood learning reputation and all of those wonderful

childhood memories is Mrs Marina Gavalas. Our much loved 4 year old kinder teacher and educational director is

celebrating her 30th anniversary in this role.

A lifetime of loving, caring and sharing is worth celebrating. Catjump Preschool invites both parents and students of present & past to join us on Sunday 26

th of February, 2012 between 1pm – 5pm,

88 Polaris Drive, Doncaster East.

The kinder will host an informal BBQ, with treats & activities for the children.

Please pop in to congratulate Marina on her 30 years at Catjump and to fill her

in on what you have been doing since painting, drawing, cutting, pasting & play

dough were key in your day.

Level 1 – Toys ’r’ Us

Learning together at the Lego Centre

We went to the Lego Centre in Moonee Ponds

to find out about how toys move.

We couldn’t believe how much Lego was there!

We learnt how to build

strong walls and buildings.

We learnt about levers and gears.

OSHC NEWS

This week in after care and before care we have been painting fish. The children have been getting really involved with it by decorating them with glitter and all different sorts of art materials which look great up on the Oshc wall in the hall.

As a group we have played celebrity heads as well as the children playing with their friends as a group.

If you have any old magazines that you don’t use if you could bring them in that would be greatly appreciated. We will be using them to do a healthy food pyramid poster plus do wire mobiles of what the children like doing on their weekends or holidays.

Hope you all have a wonderful and restful weekend

Shana Greschler, Coordinator

REMINDERS

How to get started before using our

programs you must register online for an

account. Registering is quick and easy.

Visit our website to begin

www.campaustralia.com.au

Once registered you can make

bookings and cancellations, view your

statements and manage your details

anytime of the day online. Keep in mind we

are able to take bookings at short notice to

help busy families.

Save on Care You can save 50% or

more on Before and After School Care fees

with the non-means tested Child Care

Rebate. Almost all families are eligible. To

find out more call our Customer Service

Team on

1300 105 343 Monday to Friday.

WHAT‟S ON THIS WEEK

MILGATE OSHC AWARDS - Star of the Week

Nathan L (sharing and others playing with him)

Taegen C (helping coordinator)

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Afternoon tea Home work Making friendship bracelets Outside play

Afternoon tea Connect 4 Tunnel ball Reading books Outside play

Afternoon tea Mr Wolf? Painting fish Dress ups Outside play

Afternoon tea Board games Celebrity heads Outside play

Afternoon tea Video Outside play

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY BEFORE SCHOOL CARE

Breakfast Puzzles

Breakfast Cubby houses

Breakfast Musical chairs

Breakfast Musical instruments

Breakfast Beading

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY MENU Saladas Nachos Sandwiches Two Minute

noodles Rice cakes

Milgate Primary School OSHC Phone: 9841 9985 Coordinator: Shana Greschler

x

Imagine visiting the World's Most Famous Tourist Attractions …Imagine going shopping overseas …

The Term 1 program for WiseOnes will let you make amazing discoveries as we whiz around the world on a fun filled, 8 week Around the World Holiday! Use puzzles, quizzes, problem solving, challenges, memorizing facts and figures and the World Quiz Game. Parents, this is a chance for your child to use his/her visual and spatial skills, mathematical knowledge; geography skills; increase general knowledge about countries around the World and improve his/her memory.

WiseOnes Application for 1st Term 2012

This program is available for all Grade 1 - Grade 6 children who have qualified for WiseOnes.

The unit for first term commences week beginning Monday, 13th February, 2012. Because of the shortness of first term, the unit will run for 8 weeks on the weeks beginning: Feb 13, 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19; April 16, 23.

I wish to enrol my child in the unit "Around The World In 8 Weeks" commencing week beginning Monday, 13th

February, 2012. I give permission for a copy of this slip to be handed to the WiseOnes teacher.

Child's Name ______________________________________ School: ___________________________________

Date of Birth ________________________ Grade (2012) ________

Parents' Names ________________________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________________

Phone: BH ______________ AH ________________ Mobile _________________ Email: ______________________

My child has already qualified for WiseOnes YES/NO

I would like a free test for my child YES/NO.

I would like my child to be tested with a fuller assessment to qualify for WiseOnes (assessment cost $200 inc GST).

Please send this slip and payment of $212.00 by Thursday, 9th February, 2012.

As we are a non-credit business, children will not be accepted into the program for the term unless the fees and enrolment form are returned by the above date.

If paying by cheque please make it payable to Milgate Primary School. For further information please contact Pat Truscott on 9326 6441 or Mobile: 0407 313 657. NB: Due to the Government increase of teachers’ wages, please note the new cost of the program. Please pay in 2012 – no payment now.

Coming up Term 1, 2012 . . .

Around The World In 8 Weeks

Milgate Primary School

COMMUNITY NEWS Please see our Community Noticeboard (located outside the Art room) for any interesting community events. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECT) does not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is accepted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECT) or Milgate Primary School Council for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.

MILGATE BASKETBALL Presentation for all Players and Coaches will be in the Community Room at Milgate on Wednesday 7th December at 3.30 pm. Registration for 2012 All players (new and existing) need to register for 2012. Registration forms are outside the Milgate school office. All registrations need to be accompanied with the $30 registration fee. New singlets are available for purchase. Price will most likely be $30 - $35 per singlet. Sizes are available to view / try on at the presentation day (Prices of singlets will be confirmed on this day). Milgate Basketballl needs 2 people to run it next year (2012). Due to work commitments I can no longer organise the Milgate basketball. For Information on what is involved please contact Deb Caldwell 9841 0984

ENGAGING COOPERATION - Parenting Workshop Who: Mums, Dads & carers of children aged 5-12 years When: Monday 5th December 2011 Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm, Morning Tea Provided Where: Arrabri Community Centre Cost: Gold Coin Donation (bookings essential) Contact: Arrabri Community Centre,

Allambanan Drive, North Bayswater, Ph: 9294 7534

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM – Our Lady of the Pines Date: Tuesday 13th December TimesL 5.00pm, 5.30pm, 6.00pm, 6.30pm, 7.00pm and 7.30pm Duration: Each show / journey runs for about half an hour Place: Meet us at the Parish Centre (Church) for the star of our journey, which ends in the ‘Stable’ at the School.

NESTORAS GREEK COLLEGE Enrol for the 2012 School Year www.nestorascollege.vic.edu.au Tel: 8300 0270 Wednesdays Doncaster Secondary College

4.45pm - 8.15pm

MILGATE ACHIEVERS Week Ending 18 November 2011

PJP Adam T. For his mature approach to all his learning.

PPK Kate M. For always putting in 100% effort in all her tasks. Well done!

PPM Christopher M. For fantastic effort towards his learning.

1EJ Zoe T. For her fabulous board game!!!

1LS Zenel Z. For his best recount ever!!!

1SB Abiha H. For her amazing writing about her ACMI experience!

2SE Edward L. For working well on his persuasive writing piece.

2SL Petra E. For setting a personal goal and striving to achieve it.

2TK Sara P. & Tim M. For being excellent Earn and Learn Bankers.

2WH Mitchell D. For the excellent effort he is making to challenge himself in all of his work.

3CH Bradley S. For his well thought out science experiment and demonstrating an excellent understanding of the chemical reaction.

3DM Briana F. & Belinda L.

For working so well during Independent Reading and for choosing challenging texts.

3LH Samir G. For demonstrating resilience when completing his work.

4AD Harrison T. & Tris K.

For being very well prepared when presenting his science experiment to the class. For working efficiently to pick, wash and distribute the vegies from the garden.

4FB Zac T. For working well independently and challenging himself within his science presentation.

4JG Jack W. For his excellent work in creating ideas and writing his story book.

5EO Mikayla L. For her consistent level of concentration during independent work time this week.

5KG Henry L. For approaching all tasks and issues with integrity.

5KW Sabine J. For approaching her learning with persistence and a hard working attitude.

5TW Dylan D. For his outstanding progress in Reading and Spelling.

6BW Lucas G. For being a great table partner in class and focussing on his work.

6GA Jacob P. For his excellent assistance to the whole class when using the Mac computers.

6MT Ashley H. Ash C.

For her 100% effort in all set activities. For his excellent research on his Antarctica Project.

6TS Ryan O. For being an excellent independent learner.

LOTE Alannah M. (1EJ) For always being an enthusiastic and co-operative learner in LOTE.

MUSIC Audrey W. (1LS) For always listening attentively and thinking about music.

ART Joshua A. (1LS) For displaying terrific problem solving skills when constructing his castle

PE Meg G. (6BW) For outstanding performance at the Rugby Gala Day.

MILGATE ACHIEVERS Week Ending 25 November 2011

PJP Edwyn C. For striving for excellence in all his work.

PPK Ethan Z. For his excellent manners and always having a go.

PPM Nathan W. For his catapult design. It went the highest and furthest.

1EJ Arya A. For his excellent mystery box ‘show and tell’. Well done Arya.

1LS Emma P. For outstanding improvement on your reading!

1SB George C. For working hard and making the most of his learning time – well done!

2SE Madison F. For her effort in literacy groups.

2SL Elie D. For developing her confidence to perform in front of the camera at the ACMI excursion this week.

2TK Liam B. and Antonio L.

For taking a risk and performing in front of the camera at the ACMI excursion.

2WH Cody J. For working hard to become a great reader.

3CH Sam H. For all the wonderful effort that he put into his VIP talk. Well done, Sam!

3DM Asher L. and Kendrick L.

For their research and developing their knowledge of the chemical change behind their experiments.

3LH Nicholas Y. for focusing on his work and getting his work finished.

4AD Jasmine G. For a fantastic first week in our classroom.

4FB Sarah Y. For working cooperatively during our group problem solving activities.

4JG Andrew C. For his excellent work in Maths and English throughout the year.

5EO Winne M. For her ongoing commitment to her learning.

5KG Jessica F. For demonstrating persistence and resilience in all that she does. Well done, Jess!

5KW Simon C. For his positivity and willingness to have a go.

6BW Liv P. For showing maturity and responsibility as School Leader throughout the year.

6GA Sarah W. For working responsibly and consistently.

6MT Ashleigh C. For approaching all set tasks responsibly and enthusiastically.

LOTE 1SB the whole grade

For their excellent work in Chinese character writing.

MUSIC Molly G. (4FB) For a focussed approach to learning a new piece on the recorder.

ART Ben (2SL) For his fantastic problem solving skills displayed when designing his castle

PE Emily E. (4JG) For showing terrific improvement with her batting in rounders.