InTouch Newsletter Page 1

Principal’s Report Amanda Williams

2018 at FPS After a big and busy year containing a comprehensive self evaluation and Peer Review we are excited to start implementing the recommendations made by the review panel made up of challenge Principals, Senior Education Improvement Leaders, FPS teachers and our School Council Vice President Amelia Moore. Recommendations made incorporate the feedback from students, parents, teachers in combination of a rigorous analysis of data such as NAPLAN, teacher judgement, parent opinion survey, staff opinion survey and student attitude to schools. In 2018 we will be focusing on the following key improvement strategies…

Goal 1: To improve student learning growth and achievement with a particular focus on Numeracy

KIS:

1. Build instructional leadership

2. Establish a guaranteed and viable curriculum P-6 ( with proficiency scales)

3. Establish an agreed instructional model and consistent approaches to the

teaching and learning in each of the domains of literacy and numeracy

4. Strengthen team practice – data literacy, shared planning, non-

negotiables, monitoring and accountability

5. Build practice excellence through the use of high-impact, evidence-based

teaching strategies

Goal 2: To develop the school as a positive and supportive learning community

KIS:

1. Develop a distributed leadership team

2. Strengthen professional learning through coaching, peer observation and

feedback

3. Set expectations and promote inclusion by fully implementing SWPBS

4. Empower students by strengthening their voice in the school

Goal 3: To strengthen students’ intellectual engagement and self-awareness KIS:

1. Develop consistent classroom environments which support students’

learning independence

2. Develop students’ understanding of good learner behaviours

3. Strengthen student agency through goal-setting, their capacity to monitor

their own learning, feedback loops and their accountability for that

learning (Including 3-way conferences) >>>Cont.

Flemington Primary School, Corner Mt Alexander Road & Flemington St , Flemington 3031

P.O. Box 7 , Flemington. 3031 Te l: 9376 7137

ht tp: / /www.f lemingtonps.v ic .edu.au Email: Flemington.ps@edumai l .vic .gov.au Fax: 9376 2230

email: f lemington.ps@edumail .v ic .gov.au

In Touch Newsletter Thursday, 30 November 2017, Issue 38

Mission: We will provide learning opportunities in supportive and collaborative learning environments.

Vision: Students will realise their full potential, contributing to our school, our community and our world.

CALENDAR

THUR, 30 NOVEMBER TO FRI, 1

DECEMBER Year 2 Camp to Stringy Bark Lodge MON, 4 DECEMBER Thank you Morning Tea volunteers & helpers Leonie’s Wind Soiree – 5pm in music room TUE, 5 DECEMBER Gavin’s Violin and Michael’s Cello Soirees – 5pm in music room WED, 6 DECEMBER Suzy’s Voice Soiree – 6pm in music room FRI, 8 DECEMBER Vern’s Piano Soiree – 5.30pm in hall TUE, 12 DECEMBER Yr 6-7 Step up day – Vic State Secondary

Schools WED, 13 DECEMBER End of year Instrumental Music Concert 5pm BBQ, concert starts 6.30pm THUR, 14 DECEMBER Year 6 Graduation 5-9pm MON, 18 DECEMBER Meet your 2018 teachers/class Carols 4.00pm - 5.00pm School Council 7pm TUE, 19 DECEMBER Year 6 Big Day Out WED, 20 DECEMBER Secret Spies & AOK Celebration 2.30pm THUR, 21 DECEMBER End of year class parties School Reports go home FRI, 22 DECEMBER End of Term 4 – School finishes at 1.30pm 2018 START DATES

WED, 31 JANUARY Years 1 to 6 start THUR, 1 FEB Preps start

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Leadership Team 2018 So as to support the key improvement initiatives recommended from the Peer Review, a reformation of the FPS Executive Leadership Team has been developed. In 2018 we will have …

Executive Leadership

Principal: Amanda Williams Assistant Principal- Curriculum/Instruction: Kevin Chigwidden Leading Teacher- Wellbeing & School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB): Sandra McOrist Learning Specialist (Instructional leader): Chris Mizis Numeracy Lead: Kimberley Phair Literacy Lead: Emily Fintelman Business Manager: Natalie Maclaren

2018 Assistant Principal-Kevin Chigwidden as Assistant Principal- Curriculum/Instruction. Kevin comes from Wembley Primary School and is currently on the Executive Leadership Team, a Maths Leader, implements a teacher coaching program, Middle Years Team Leader and also works in intervention. Kevin has extensive experience in leadership, data analysis, curriculum development, coaching and has been an acting Assistant Principal at Wembley PS.

Leading Teacher- Wellbeing & School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB)-Sandra McOrist will continue her work in wellbeing and school wide positive behaviour. As a part of the Executive Leadership Team, Sandra will continue to drive the recommendations by the Peer Review around student wellbeing, positive behaviours and building pride at FPS. Sandra will take long service leave in Term 1 2018 and Kevin and Amanda will support Wellbeing needs in Sandra’s absence.

Learning Specialist- Chris Mizis. This role will support the learning of other teachers through:

providing opportunities for colleagues to observe high-quality teaching and to reflect on these observations

leading purposeful, data-informed collaborative inquiry focused on improving student learning outcomes

modelling High Impact Teaching Strategies and supporting other teachers to embed these strategies in their own practice.

Numeracy Lead- Kimberley Phair Literacy Lead- Emily Fintelman

The Numeracy and literacy Leads will drive high quality teaching and learning in literacy and numeracy supporting teachers in assessment, pedagogy and the implementation of High-Impact Teaching Strategies resource to broaden and deepen teachers’ pedagogical repertoire.

This year we say goodbye to some staff and hello to some new staff.

We say farewell to the following teachers and wish them well on their next learning journey in other schools, regions and countries!

Mairin Whelan- Returns to Ireland Zoe Lewis- Arnolds Creek PS and relocating to Torquay! Eliza Kieran- Footscray City PS Michelle Rangott- Sunshine Heights PS James Thomas- Toorak PS Viv Gannon- St Kilda PS Josh Velez-Canterbury PS

And we welcome…

Tristam Jones. Teaching Fellow from the University of Melbourne (UOM). Trist comes to us in 2018 as a transfer from North Melbourne Primary School and will join the FPS team in a teaching capacity whilst also building links between FPS and UOM.

Shaun Andrews. From Preston North East PS. As well as a Master of Teaching-UOM, Shaun has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in writing.

Sucharita Nadiger. From Moomba Park PS. With a Master of Teaching -UOM and a Bachelor of Arts- Monash University, Sucharita also had a Maths research paper published in 2017.

Emily Kidd. Bachelor of Education- RMIT. Emily is passionate about Science and completed “Discovering Science” as part of the STEM in Education initiative at RMIT.

Brianna Domanski. Brianna is an academic supervisor and early years specialist at Sherwood Hills Christian School-Sydney. In 2018 Brianna will also be undertaking her Masters of Intervention-Numeracy & Literacy with UOM.

Adele Sylvester. Bachelor of Education –Deakin. Adele was also a professional cyclist and was in the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Danielle Frost. Bachelor of Early Childhood -UOM. Danielle has been teaching with us all year as a CRT. Danielle also taught Prep with FPS in 2016.

Erica Pearson. Master of Teaching-UOM and Bachelor of Science- Monash University.

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2018 Specialist Curriculum

Health and Physical Education. In 2018 we welcome the return of the Health and Physical Education program to be delivered by a qualified teacher on our existing staff- Alex Taylor. Alex brings not only her experience as a team leader but also suitable qualifications and enthusiasm in bringing this program back to FPS. Other specialist subjects such as Visual Arts, Chinese and Music will continue as in the past. The Specialist timetable will not alter and classes will continue to be rotated on the specialist timetable on a termly basis.

Library. FPS will continue to celebrate our love of reading with our Library containing and increasing an extensive collection of books. In 2017, an investigation into the refurbishment of the Library has been undertaken by Rose Benincasa and our grandparent volunteer Susan Thwaites. Thank you to both for their dedication and firm ideals in the importance of books, reading and Libraries being at the core of a good school and excellent readers. They have worked collaboratively to drive the refurbishment of the Library and passion for books all year. The refurbishment will commence in January 2018. Library sessions will be taken by all classroom teachers and will continue to develop our students’ capacity to utilise a Library plus developing and extending their love of reading.

Science will continue to have a priority in our curriculum with EVERY teacher delivering a comprehensive curriculum throughout the year with the guidance of a Science Coordinator. This is the model that has been used in 2017 and it has been a successful model for Science, teachers and students. FPS will continue to engage Primary Connections learning for teachers and led by Nicola Dziadkiewicz who works for Primary Connections- the educational group who deliver Science based professional learning.

2018 Whole School Planner

Term Focus

1 Harmony Fair- Community event Meet the Teacher Interviews and Welcome BBQ Student Representative Council- Year 1-6 Athletics Carnival- whole school

2 NAPLAN (Year 3 & 5) Year 5/6 camp- Camp Granville Semester 1 reports Semester 1 parent/teacher interviews Preps join Student Representative Council

3 School Concert Book Week Science evening Solar Boat

4 Semester 2 reports Solar Boat cont. Camp program for years P-4 Swimming Program Years P-6 Transition for 2019 Recumbent Bike (Year 6) Christmas carols

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Class Structure 2018

Year level Number of classes

Prep 3

One 2

Two 2

Three 3

Four 3

Five 3

Six 2

Recumbent Bike

Thank you to year 6 teachers Josh, Agata and the team of parents who supported our students to attend the Recumbent Bike last weekend. Everyone had a great time and our “Bourne to ride” bikes sped around the track at great sped and the judges were impressed by our student presentations.

Christmas Carols at FPS

Come join us in our annual Christmas carols where there will be traditional and modern festive songs. This year the carols are after school commencing at 4pm. The adjusted time is to allow for more families to be involved. We welcome anyone who can assist Vern with the set up for a 4pm start. There will also be watermelon and water available and provided by the Instrumental Music program. Please note that all children MUST be accompanied by a parent.

Prep Transition

Can you believe that our 2018 Preps have already started attending FPS! This week they had their first transition session and our new Preps looked very settled and ready to commence school. Well done to our Prep team for offering such an extensive and comprehensive orientation inclusive of Story Time sessions.

Happy Learning!

Report from School Council Meeting 27/11/17

We began our meeting this week with a presentation from Lily Sabo- landscape architect for the school's Grounds' Master Plan. It was really exciting hearing her describe her ideas and discussing the drawings in detail. There are obvious constraints such as emergency vehicle access, rubbish bin collection etc but these did not impede the overall design of the grounds and it was great to see how the current space can be used more creatively. We hope you all had a chance to view the plans over the last weeks-thankyou to those who left comments. These were addressed at the meeting. As the plans are finalised, Amanda will present them to the Department for ratification with work beginning as soon as possible after that.

The policy committee have been busy finalising policies to be presented to the community for feedback. Please look at the provisional policies on the website and give any feedback to Peter Hormann (Peter.Hormann@bigpond.com) by 15th Dec. The policies for perusal are; - Anaphylaxis Management - Attendance - Curriculum Framework

- Enrolment - ICT Acceptable Use - Instrumental Music

- Instrumental Music-Finances - Parent Payment - Privacy

- Uniform

Again a big thankyou to those who have given feedback on policies over the past year.

We also looked at how the school is planning for 2018 and the calendar of events for the coming year. It looks to be another busy and exciting year for the school community!

Please feel free to contact any of us regarding any questions, comments or suggestions you may have. You can catch us in the playground or by email at Wallwork.Trevor.T@edumail.vic.gov.au

Kathy Bocquet – Secretary

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Pupil of the Week Week beginning 27 November 2017

Grade Student Reason

Prep L Emily B

Helping others complete the Superhero training safely by using her Bat Girl superpowers. Keep it up!

Prep MC Elodie M Displaying all of the school values during Twilight Day. Well Done Super Girl!

Prep W Hriday K

Working to build his confidence throughout the year. He contributes to discussion, asks and answers questions with ease.

1I Katia B Collaborating with her team to produce a sandcastle design.

1K Ibrahim H Applying feedback from the teacher to improve his handwriting!

2M Angelique H To friends and the partners she works with during group projects.

3G Yusra A Yusra has been a role-model of all the school values to the Grade 3 consistently for 2017.

3M Will B

Using his growth mindset to write an entertaining narrative, which included drafting and editing. Well Done.

3N Sadia H Always starting quickly on your work and staying focused!

4J Samuel C Supporting others in the class to publish their narratives.

4R Shona L

Working collaboratively by sharing her ideas and listening to others. Shona always works respectfully with her peers.

4T Emelie A Supporting her classmates in team situations.

5F Miles N

Actively listening and contributing to discussions by sharing opinions and questions and showing 4-star effort in tasks.

5P Akram Y

Focusing in specialist classes, trying his best when doing a reading assessment and teaching the class basketball!

6V Andrew V

Working hard and participating in basketball, also, for his great effort as pit crew for recumbent bike!

6V Ellie S

Trying her best to stick around and support her teammates during recumbent bike after her injury.

Office News Office Hours, 8.30am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday

2018 Essential Student Learning Items & Voluntary Financial Contributions

These forms were sent home a few weeks ago. Parents, we would appreciate it if the payment and all forms could be returned to the office by Friday 1st December 2017.

Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 8 order forms that were sent home recently are due

back to the office by Monday 4th December by 9.00am

No late orders will be accepted Please note, that orders sent before this date will now be

processed to Scholastic as received so the earlier the order, the earlier you will receive the book/s. Please note, all credit card payments are now processed via Loop and orders will be

sent direct to the school for distribution.

New School uniform We have introduced new F.P.S. T-shirts, which are now available to order. They come in Teal with navy blue logo and Navy Blue with teal logo, and are available in sizes; children 4 to 14 and adult SM to XL. The cost is $18 each.

OSHC Program

Camp Australia manages the Before & After School Care program. All bookings, absences and payments need to be made through the Camp Australia website.

Do not leave messages on the school answering machine.

Customer Service

8.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday

1300 105 343

Website www.campaustralia.com.au

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Music News Vern O’Hara M: 0403 777 050 E: ohara.vern.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

2018 Expression of Interest Forms

The 2018 Expression of Interest Forms were handed out last Thursday/Friday. The forms are due back by Friday 1st December. Please return the forms to your child’s class teacher, the office or put them in Mr O’Hara pigeon hole.

If your child didn’t receive a form or has misplaced it, spare copies are available from the office or the music corridor. They are in the leaflet holders in both places. Please try to return them by the above date as we need time to process and get the offers of a place out to parents, before the end of this year. Instrumental Music Concert

The End of Year Instrumental Music Concert will be held on Wednesday 13th December. The BBQ will commence at 5 pm and the concert will start at 6.30 pm. All the school ensembles including: Senior and Junior – Bands, Strings, Choir and Rock Bands will be performing at the concert. Requesting Delectable Delights

The Music Committee would like to request donations of baked cakes, biscuits and slices for the much anticipated (not to be missed) FPS Instrumental Music Concert to be held on Wednesday 13 December 2017. Funds made from the donations will be used to further enhance our outstanding music program at FPS.

Please ensure that the goods are nut-free and include a list of ingredients for the item. The plates can be dropped off in the canteen on the day of the concert from 8:30am to 9am, straight after school or from 5pm on the day of the concert.

If possible, please let Mary Koulbanis know if you intend to donate anything asap on 0414 247 244. Thank you and see you at the concert!

PS. We are also looking for a few additional people to help with cooking (the BBQ) and serving the food on the night, from 5pm to 6:30pm. Please let Vern know if you can assist asap onohara.vern.a@edumail.vic.gov.au A big thank you to those who have already offered to help, we couldn’t do it without you!

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SRC News Marcelle Prentice

The Giving Tree

It’s that time of year again! The giving tree will be erected in the first week of December. We would like to give gifts to families that are less fortunate than us. We will be passing the gifts on to Anglicare Victoria at our annual Christmas Carols on Monday 18th December at 4.00pm in the Amphitheatre. Presents may be purchased for any age (please do not bring in any perishable food items). Gifts need to be wrapped, with a label attached stating the appropriate age and gender of the gift (e.g. Female, 3-8 years old). Every classroom will have a box available in which to place the gifts. Gifts need to be handed to your classroom teacher by Monday 18th of December.

Thank you for your support,

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FPS Parent & Carer’s Committee (HUB) Garth Hardiman, Danielle Cobb, Ellen Connor, Janine Donohue, Lucy Shaw E: flemingtonps.hub@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS MARKET STALL AT FLEMINGTON FARMERS MARKET – 17TH DECEMBER

(Market held at Mount Alexander College, 67-175 Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington)

We are now seeking contributions and volunteers for the inaugural FPS Xmas cake stall!

We will be selling our specially made Christmas cakes (irresistibly wrapped) and many other donated items (which can include treats, biscuits, Christmas themed goodies, jams, chutneys etc). If you can contribute to the stall please get in touch. Donated items for sale will be accepted at the market on the day or earlier if practical (ie, jams, chutneys, biscuits)

If anyone would like their child to come along to play carols or sing a song, we would love them to attend. The inclusion of students adds a very special touch to the day (and great motivation to practice their instruments!)

FPS Xmas cake stall roster - Sunday 17th December Shift 1 - 7.30-9am (includes set-up) Shift 2 - 9.00-11.00 Shift 3 - 11.00-12.30

(includes pack-up)

Danielle Cobb Danielle Cobb Danielle Cobb

Michael Naylor Volunteer required Volunteer required

Volunteer required Volunteer required Volunteer required

Volunteer required Volunteer required Volunteer required

Back-up required Back-up required Back-up required

Contact Danielle at flemingtonps.hub@gmail.com for volunteering and any queries CHRISTMAS CAKES – thank you to all the bakers

Remember you can choose to purchase the cake you make – just fill out the form please, you can also request to have it wrapped and returned to you.

If you would like to order a cake – see complete the attached form

Cakes to be returned to office or to Bernie at or before 8th December for wrapping, labelling and filling orders. If you would like to know more, please contact Bernie at bernkreso@yahoo.com.au

CANTEEN – expression of interest for canteen coordinator 2018 Please contact us if you would like to know more – flemingtonps.hub@gmail.com Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Term 4. If you think you can help out for 30 mins (3.15-3.45) on these days please contact Lucy Shaw at shawsathome@gmail.com Thank you to everyone who has and is volunteering so far.

2018 Prep Morning Tea – Wednesday 1/2/2018 The morning tea for new prep parents will be held after their first drop off on Wednesday February 1stnd 2018, from 8.30am until 10.30am. The event is being co-ordinated by Bridgid Ryan.

If you are a current prep parent/carer and are happy to help serve on the morning, or bring a plate of morning tea to share (or both), please let our Bridgid know, or email the HUB at flemingtonps.hub@gmail.com

SECOND-HAND CLOTHES You may recall that earlier in the year we called for donations of second-hand clothes. We were inundated with many generous donations – big thanks to all who donated! After sorting, we ran a series of stalls starting with Coburg market in May and concluding this past weekend at ta babies market in Newport. The total raised was close to $1000.00 which will put towards the school grounds master plan implementation in 2018. Clothes that were not sold were either recycled or donated to one of:

- Rotary op-shop (racecourse rd) - Wear for Success; or - Flemington Street Children’s Centre

Huge thanks to those who helped sort and sell – Michelle Mills, Sarah McCormick, Sally Pryde and Erin Immel.

FETE – March 24th 2018

If you would like to know more or have an idea to share, please contact us via flemingtonps.hub@gmail.com

END OF YEAR PLAYDATE – fri 22nd Dec.

To celebrate the end of the school year and the start of holidays, in past years we have gathered at Arthur Caldwell Reserve in Cashmere St after school on the last day. While this is not a supervised school event, it is becoming a tradition for both students and parents. So if you would like to end the school year with a relax in the park, please bring a picnic and join the fun! All welcome.

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