Driver Primary School

30April 2011

Issue 8

www.driverprimary.nt.edu.au Email :admin.drivesch@ntschools.net

PO Box 33

Palmerston

NT 0831

Ph: 8935 9000

Fax: 8935 9035

To be a hands-on, vibrant and engaging learning centre implementing new and innovative programs in a secure, collaborative and sustainable environment for our

community.

2011 ANZAC Day assembly

Last Thursday we commemorated ANZAC Day at our special ANZAC Day Assembly. We laid wreaths and read the ode to commemorate our fallen soldiers. We also took the time to remember those currently serving in the defence forces. We would like to thank all of the parents and guests who came along to share this day with us.. We would also like to thank our previous Defence School Transition Aide, Kim for helping us. Student Leadership Council

P A G E 2

From the Principal

National Assessment Program of Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Update

Week 4 is NAPLAN week. On Tues 10th, Wed 11th and Thurs 12th the students in Years 3 and 5 will be participating in this national assessment. It is an expectation that all students across Australia in Yrs 3,5,7,9 participate.

It is extremely important that every student at Driver in Years 3 & 5 participate. We encourage you to assist your child to be prepared for the test by getting adequate rest. The teachers have prepared them well with the test procedures and strategies so they will not be unfamiliar with the testing.

It is a test that students all across Australia participate and that provides you with individual student reports about your child’s progress in the areas of Language Conventions, Writing, Numeracy and Reading.

These reports help us as educators, cater for the individual needs of your child and enable future planning of school programs, ensuring maximum outcomes are met.

The results from the NAPLAN testing will be used for system-level reporting at the state and territory level and for nationally-comparable reporting in the National Report on Schooling in Australia.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Community Meeting

Thanks to our many sponsors and ‘Friends of Farm Driver’ who attended our highly successful SAKGP community

meeting. It was a wonderful night with over 80 people, pledges of $2 300 in cash sponsorship and a huge

commitment from skilled volunteers and keen gardeners. We will acknowledge all of our sponsors in the next

newsletter as they are crucial to the success of the program. Special thanks to Ms Sherrida Edgecombe for her

extraordinary efforts driving this wonderful program forward!

P A G E 3

SPORTS NEWS

PARCS

Congratulations to Ali Tomlins and Keenan Lake on their selection as members of the PARCS Soccer team. The boys will be members of the Palmerston representative team that will play in Darwin against other representative teams from all over the Northern Territory.

Congratulations to Keenan as he also was selected as a member of the PARCS AFL team. They will play against other regional teams in Alice Springs later this term.

To make these teams requires a lot of effort not only on game days but also at many training sessions. Well done guys and all the best at the events.

It's been good to see many children sign up to out of school sporting activities and clubs such as Auskick, AFL Kangaroos, Rugby League and Union, netball and basketball. Participation in sport can help children develop their physical abilities and coordination as well as assist in broadening their social networks and enhance their social skills.

COMING EVENTS

Wednesday 25th May..........Upper Primary Field Events morning

Friday 3rd June...................Driver Primary Sports Carnival

Friday 17th June..................PARCS Interschool Sports Carnival (at Fred's Pass)

Neil Stephenson

Sports Teacher

2011 Driver Attendance Data 2011

Congratulations to our school community on improving our Term 1 attendance figures from 92.2% in 2010 to 93% in

2011. Attendance is crucial to student learning and everyone works together we can continue this improvement this

term also.

Lateness is currently an issue and it significantly impacts on literacy and numeracy explicit teaching between 8 am and 10 am. This is also the time when our classroom support tutors are working with teachers to assist student learning. Please ensure children are at school on time with a healthy recess and lunch to maximize their learning opportunities.

Life Skills Shed Construction

On Tuesday 3 May work will commence on our 18m x 8m shed adjacent to the garden. Please ensure everyone stays clear of the safety fencing. We will also be converting the last cricket net into a propagation area and possibly a pen for ducks in the longer term.

Have a safe and restful May Day weekend!

Rob Presswell

Principal

P A G E 4

Term Dates 2011Term Dates 2011Term Dates 2011Term Dates 2011

Students resume

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Semester 1 Term 1 2011

Tues 25 Jan - Fri 1 April

Mid semester break

Mon 4 Apr - Fri 8 Apr

Term 2 2011

Mon 11 Apr - Fri 24 Jun (11 weeks)

Easter break

Fri 22 Apr - Mon 25 Apr

Semester break

Mon 27 Jun - Fri 22 Jul Students resume Tues 26 Jul

Semester 2 Term 3

Tues 26 July - Fri 30 Sept

Mid semester break

Mon 3 Oct- Fri 7 Oct

Term 4 2011

Mon 10 Oct - Fri 16 Dec

Students resume

Tuesday 31 Jan 2012

Dates for your

Diary

☺ 3 May-26May - Early

childhood swimming program

☺ 20 May - Walk Safely to

School

☺ 25 May -Upper Primary

Field Events

☺ 3 June - Driver Athletics Carnival

☺ 5 June - Yr 4-6 field events

☺ 13 June - Queen’s Birthday

☺ 15 June - Council Meeting

☺ 17 June - PARCS Athletics

Parent Portal -for school notes and newsletters

https://portal.ntschools.net/sites/drivesch/default.aspx

User Name: ntschools\drivesch.parent

Password: school

Intouch Home Loans and Cmax Cinema in conjunction with Driver Primary Canteen sponsor our Caught Being Good Awards.

Merit Awards - Matilda Walker, Declan Mair, Meagan

Johnston, Scott Sutherland, Jacklin Dacey, Maria Pitt, Katina Kastellorizios, Luke Wilson, Anna Bella Cavanagh, Justine Gordon, Eliza Kastellorizios, Jessica McEwin, Suzette Nalzaro, Isabella Stringer, Jackie Huang, Karina Whitmore, Abby Ireland, Haylee Smith, Anthony Hughes, Jacob Lasker, Ezekiel Billy, Teal Hawthorne, Jason Huang, David Colebrook, Piper Milkins.

Community Notices

Guitar lessons for all levels and ages (8+) Phone: 0429309159

music@sandla.com.au

Hope City Church is having a fundraising Kids Bazaar Sat 21 May 8.30am –

11.30am – In the Shed cnr Moulden Tce and Elrundie Tce Moulden. Register a

stall for your own profit $20 registration fee or donate items to Hope City to sell for

their profit (4-7pm the night before) or volunteer to help on the day. To register or

for more information contact Jasmin Mancer 0406825911

Fiona's Family care has two full time positions open now age 6 weeks to 3 years of age please call fiona for more details 89326740.

PhonaPhysio - Gym and Sports clinic- Group training classes enrolling for term 2 2011- bootcamp Tues and Thurs 5-6pm 3 May - 16 June. Personal training and gym memberships also available. Training by experienced exercise physiologist, elite triathlete and physiotherapist. Phone 89327770.

First Holy Communion at Our Lady Help of Christians Church cnr Emery Ave off Harrison Circ. Every Sunday at 8am before 8.30am mass. Classes start 1May 2011. First Communion will be on Trinity Sunday 19 June 2011. Classes are for kids in Year 3 to Year 5. Older kids later in the year.

Cloud 9 Beauty offers a wide range of beauty treatments, which can be carried out in our home salon or in the comfort of your own home. Phone Natalie 0432354665.

Walk Safely to School Day

Friday 20 May 2011