School Maintenance Thank you

It has been wonderful to see the positive response to our Maintenance roster which went home a couple of weeks ago. We would like to thank families for their support in helping to keep our school looking ship shape by doing jobs such as sweeping paths, clearing leaves and weeding. Your work is appreciated!

March

13th Book Club due

17th School Council 7pm

19th Camp Quality Incursion

20th Grade 3-6 Sports Day

25th Easter Raffle Drawn and Easter Hat Parade

27th End of Term One 2.30pm Finish

Student Absent Hot Line Number 5964 7783

Launching Place Primary School

Issue 6 Thursday 12th March 2015

An Important Safety Message!

It has once again been brought to our attention that patience is running thin at pick up time. At school we continually remind children to be very careful when crossing the road, however if students witness inappropriate traffic/ road protocols this is reinforcing the wrong message. Please do not park in front of driveways as this blocks entrances/ exits to the school. Also, we do not have clearly signed disabled car parks, so parents of children with a disability are finding it extremely difficult to park close to gates. We understand that traffic congestion continues to be a problem, and although it has been confirmed that we are receiving a car park extension, we are still awaiting a starting date. Some strategies that might help increase traffic flow include:

Park at the Pre-school or Log Cabin and walk through Jadodade Park. Arrive at school 5-10 minutes after the bell. Three staff members are on after school

duty until 3.45 each day (Grieve Street car park, oval and Carter Street). Carpool with a neighbour or walk/ ride.

We all need to work together to ensure we keep Launching Place PS children safe at all

times!

Please take time to read our Statement of Values

document included in this newsletter. It is

important that all members of our community

have a clear understanding of our expectations.

School Wide Positive Behaviours

Launching Place Primary School Carter Street Launching Place 3139 Telephone 5964 7783 Fax 5964 6171 Email launching.place.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au ABN 96 199 518 803

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Swimming Congratulations

Well done to Callum R who did an amazing job at the recent District/ Division swimming trials. Callum came first in his two events, breaststroke and backstroke and now goes through to the Regional Championships tomorrow. We wish you lots of luck Callum! A special congratulations to Deanne D who also did an amazing job representing our school at the District trials.

The School Council Annual General Meeting will

be held on Tuesday 19th

March at 7.00pm. This is

an open meeting and all community members are

invited to attend. At this meeting, School Council

will present their Annual Report for 2014.

Annual General Meeting

Swimming Carnival

Unfortunately our annual swimming carnival was cancelled last week due to the cold, wet weather. We have had an unusually cool summer, which looks set to continue into autumn. At this stage, the swimming carnival will be rescheduled for later in the year.

Please Note: That other advertisements and publications published in this newsletter do not imply school or Department of Education and Early Childhood Development endorsement.

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The first term of the school year is always a new and exciting time! It is the perfect opportunity for parents to engage in some great conversations with their children. Our students have many different learning experiences throughout the day, focusing on different curriculum aspects and learning concepts. Yet, often when asked about their day, the response can be very broad It was good, I played cricket, Not much happened. If you want specifics we need to think of explicit questions about key aspects of the day- What books did you read/listen to today? - Did you write a story today; what was it about?

In a broader sense, the links between school achievement and parents ability to engage in conversation with children from a young age is indisputable. The language stimulation they receive when they talk with parents is one factor. The language of first borns is generally more extensive and richer than their siblings who spend less time in one-on-one situations with a parent. In many ways it is through conversations that children get a real sense of us and who we are. It is by talking with our children that we impart some of our knowledge, ideas, wisdom and thoughts as well as how we get a window into their worlds and how they think.

Getting conversations going with some children can be a massive challenge. Busy schedules, homes designed for individual enjoyment rather than group living, and kids that just dont want to talk about school are some of the blockers to conversation that parents meet.

Here are five ideas from Michael Grose http://www.parentingideas.com.au/Home to help you get more conversation going in your family:

1. Turn off the TV (and other screens): Most homes have a range of electronic screens that you compete with to get their attention. Dont be afraid to take control of those screens and create a little conversational space. Start with a screen-free day each week or screen-free hour each day if you are a home full of screen junkies.

2. Turn on the TV (and other screens): If you cant beat them, join them. Some television programs provide great conversational fodder particularly for older children and teens. This can range from Whos going to win My Kitchen Rules?, to What happens to the winners

of X Factor?

3. Have more mealtimes (with the TV off): The family that eats together talks togetheror they should. I have a theory that families with a strong food culture (i.e. they love food and value the whole eating experience) have strong bonds. So make mealtimes special and insist that kids sit until everyone finishes rather than they eat all their peas. Avoid turning mealtimes into food fights that you cant win.

4. Move more: If sitting and chatting is not your childs thing then try getting them up and moving. Boys will often talk when they walk or play so consider getting some action happening. When their hands are busy the tongues will often loosen up.

5. Try shoulder-to-shoulder parenting: Sitting together in a car, washing dishes and playing a game can provide opportunities for talk. Take the eye contact out of the equation and you may find the talk just flows with some kids.

Every family has their own way of getting the talk happening. Figure out what works for you and make sure it happens.

Lets Talk About It

http://www.parentingideas.com.au/Home

Easter Raffle information and tickets have gone home. We have asked all families to donate products and to buy and sell raffle tickets. More tickets are available at the office. All tickets and donations are due back to school by Friday 20th March.

P & F team.

Parents and Friends

Easter Lunch orders are due back to school by Wednesday 18th March.

If youre unable to attend the day youre rostered on for duty please contact me or the school office as soon as possible, so l can find a replacement to keep the day running smoothly.

For the next few weeks we have Cheesey Rice Wheel, Spc Apple Jelly,Two Fruits Tubs at 50 each.

BBQ Lone Star are at 30 until stock runs out.

Orders are to be written on a brown paper bag with your childs name and grade at the top and items ordered with prices; correct money is appreciated. If you dont have paper bags at home there will be a cost of 10c per bag. Please dont staple or put sticky tape on lunch order bags. Roster: March

19th Kelly W, Jo R, Bec A, Barb F

26th Fiona T, Maryann E, Janine K, Maggie (Fang L)

Canteen

Esra H Prep R

Kael S Prep R

Nathan S 1/2 K

Ruby D 1/2 T

Josh S 1/2 T

Declan P 3/4 K

Hayley D 3/4 K

Zara D 3/4 M

Bailee L 3/4 S

Cheyenne R-S 3/4 S

Joaquin G 5/6 F

Aislinn C 5/6 F

Tegan H 5/6 L

Oscar D 5/6 L

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Page 5

Woori Yallock Junior

Football Club

Training for the 2015 Sea-son begins on Wednesday 18

th March at 4.30pm for

the Under 10s and Under 12s, at Woori Yallock Foot-ball Ground.

If you were unable to at-tend Registration Day, its not too late to sign up.

Registration can be paid at training. Fees for the 2015 season are $80.00, includes shorts and socks for new players.

Players for all age groups welcome (Under 9s Under 16s).

For more information con-tact Shayne Collette on 0422 520 268.

Violin Tuition

Contact Sally Banks ph 0422 266 598 or sebanks@hotmail.com

Lessons available at school

Experienced qualified teacher, Registered Music Therapist

mailto:sebanks@hotmail.com