PRINCIPAL’S REPORT€¦ · Our ‘Woodwind’ players, Tara L (5P), Jack B (5N), Nick D (5P) and...
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Greythorn Primary School No. 4694 Reading Avenue, North Balwyn. 3104 Telephone: 9857 9762 Fax: 9857 8175 Website: http://www.greythornps.vic.edu.au Email: [email protected] OSHCLUB 0411 392 707 Principal: Geoff Agnew Edition 39 - 10 th December 2014 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT THE SUSTAINABILITY CUP Last week our Year Six students took part in ‘The Sustainability Cup’ - a unique student based sustainability chal- lenge. The Cup is not simply getting students to turn off the lights as they leave the room. It is a sustainability management system that puts the students in control of classroom energy use. Due to the enthusiasm, commit- ment and competitiveness of our students, the organisers decided that it would be most appropriate to run the challenge between our four Year Six classrooms. This resulted in a keenly fought contest that saw remarkable results. On average our four classes reduced their energy consumption by a staggering 90%. Each classroom was fitted with elaborate equipment that provided data relating to the classes energy use and tracked the levels of energy being used. The competition measured consumption against previously established baseline data. ‘The Sustainability Cup’ has been designed to be a self -help, fun, discovery program, managed and driven by the stu- dents. The rapid feedback enabled students to hypothesise, test and learn in real time. Although schools will ben- efit the most with cost savings and lower utility costs, students are empowered by both the competitive nature of the task and a greater sense that they can make a real difference to the environment. Congratulations to all Year Six students and teachers for their participation in this most worthwhile venture. Sincere thanks to Grant Hall from Muller Industries who is the driving force behind ‘The Sustainability Cup’. Grant also arranged for well -known weather expert and environmentalist, Rob Gell to be at school last Friday to present the cup to the winning class – 6S. Following the success of this initiative we anticipate that next year we will involve the whole school in ‘The Sustainability Cup’. Below is a link to view some of the student comments about sustainability: http:// youtu.be/7adZMXPf9Dc Congratulations to: Students who participated in the Maths Olympiad competition during the year who were acknowledged at as- sembly for their fine performances. Our ‘Woodwind’ players, Tara L (5P), Jack B (5N), Nick D (5P) and Numa L (6D) who performed with their Woodwind teacher Julian Banks at assembly. Their interpretation of the ‘Pink Panther’ theme was much appre- ciated by all. Prep Orientation Day for our 2015 Preps was held yesterday. It was an extremely successful occasion where we welcomed more than ninety ‘2015 Preps’. Our new Preps were entertained by this year’s Prep students and then given the opportunity to spend some time with their teachers for next year, whilst their mums and dads got to know a little more about Greythorn. Many thanks to Vicky Poulton for her thorough planning and organisation, not just for Orientation Day, but for the entire Prep Transition Program. Thanks also to all staff members who provided support and to Prep Classroom Helpers and PFA representatives for their assistance with refreshments through- out the Prep Transition and Orientation program. We also had students who will commence at other year levels visit the school yesterday. We look forward to welcoming you all in 2015. Many of our Year Six students also participated in Orientation programs at their chosen secondary schools for 2015. We wish our senior students well as they transition to the next phase of their education journey. They are excitedly looking forward to their Graduation evening next Tuesday 16 th December. Due to the large number of students in Year Six the dinner and ceremony will be held in the sports stadium.
Transcript of PRINCIPAL’S REPORT€¦ · Our ‘Woodwind’ players, Tara L (5P), Jack B (5N), Nick D (5P) and...
Greythorn Primary School No. 4694 Reading Avenue, North Balwyn. 3104 Telephone: 9857 9762 Fax: 9857 8175 Website: http://www.greythornps.vic.edu.au Email: [email protected] OSHCLUB 0411 392 707
Principal: Geoff Agnew
Edition 39 - 10th
December 2014
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
THE SUSTAINABILITY CUP
Last week our Year Six students took part in ‘The Sustainability Cup’ - a unique student based sustainability chal-lenge. The Cup is not simply getting students to turn off the lights as they leave the room. It is a sustainability management system that puts the students in control of classroom energy use. Due to the enthusiasm, commit-ment and competitiveness of our students, the organisers decided that it would be most appropriate to run the challenge between our four Year Six classrooms. This resulted in a keenly fought contest that saw remarkable results. On average our four classes reduced their energy consumption by a staggering 90%. Each classroom was fitted with elaborate equipment that provided data relating to the classes energy use and tracked the levels of energy being used. The competition measured consumption against previously established baseline data. ‘The Sustainability Cup’ has been designed to be a self-help, fun, discovery program, managed and driven by the stu-dents. The rapid feedback enabled students to hypothesise, test and learn in real time. Although schools will ben-efit the most with cost savings and lower utility costs, students are empowered by both the competitive nature of the task and a greater sense that they can make a real difference to the environment. Congratulations to all Year Six students and teachers for their participation in this most worthwhile venture. Sincere thanks to Grant Hall from Muller Industries who is the driving force behind ‘The Sustainability Cup’. Grant also arranged for well-known weather expert and environmentalist, Rob Gell to be at school last Friday to present the cup to the winning class – 6S. Following the success of this initiative we anticipate that next year we will involve the whole school in ‘The Sustainability Cup’. Below is a link to view some of the student comments about sustainability: http://youtu.be/7adZMXPf9Dc Congratulations to:
Students who participated in the Maths Olympiad competition during the year who were acknowledged at as-sembly for their fine performances.
Our ‘Woodwind’ players, Tara L (5P), Jack B (5N), Nick D (5P) and Numa L (6D) who performed with their Woodwind teacher Julian Banks at assembly. Their interpretation of the ‘Pink Panther’ theme was much appre-ciated by all.
Prep Orientation Day for our 2015 Preps was held yesterday. It was an extremely successful occasion where we welcomed more than ninety ‘2015 Preps’. Our new Preps were entertained by this year’s Prep students and then given the opportunity to spend some time with their teachers for next year, whilst their mums and dads got to know a little more about Greythorn. Many thanks to Vicky Poulton for her thorough planning and organisation, not just for Orientation Day, but for the entire Prep Transition Program. Thanks also to all staff members who provided support and to Prep Classroom Helpers and PFA representatives for their assistance with refreshments through-out the Prep Transition and Orientation program. We also had students who will commence at other year levels visit the school yesterday. We look forward to welcoming you all in 2015. Many of our Year Six students also participated in Orientation programs at their chosen secondary schools for 2015. We wish our senior students well as they transition to the next phase of their education journey. They are excitedly looking forward to their Graduation evening next Tuesday 16
th December. Due to the large number of
students in Year Six the dinner and ceremony will be held in the sports stadium.
We will be announcing School Captains for 2015 at next Monday’s assembly, (December 15th) to be conducted in
the stadium. Our current School Captains Alla and Ryan will participate in this presentation and provide a little insight to our new leaders about their role. Next Monday 15
th December a special morning tea is being held to say thank you to our many parent helpers who
provide such great support to our school in so many ways. We hope to see many of you in the hall between 10.30am and 11.30am. At the end of this school year we will be saying farewell to Kirstyn Sinclair who has been teaching at Greythorn for the past two years. Kirstyn has accepted a teaching position at Camberwell South Primary School. We sincerely thank Kirstyn for her contribution to Greythorn and wish her well at her new school. We also wish Liam Santama-ria well as he takes twelve months leave during 2015. I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to Amy Vine who has been a valuable member of our Physical Education staff during 2014. We will welcome some new staff members in 2015. Juliette Browne, Matthew Baker and Melissa Darby will join the teaching staff. We look forward to Juliette (who has been with us for a good part of 2014), Matthew and Melis-sa (who has previously worked here), joining the teaching team at Greythorn. Additional vacancies have occurred due to an increase in the number of classes (27 for 2015), some staff time fraction adjustments and some chang-ing roles. We are still finalising a couple of positions for 2015. Class and specialist teachers for 2015 are listed below. Please be aware that due to some pending staff appointments this is a provisional list and changes may still occur. Class teachers:
Prep: Vicky Poulton, Rebecca Reid, Amy McDonald, Michelle Freeman, Juliette Browne
Year One: Kim Adam, Sarah Tirtilas, Anna Webb, additional staff member tbc.
Year Two: Karen Shields, Amber Shepherd, Kristina Verhagen, Matthew Baker
Year Three: Liz Miller/Melissa Darby, Elidia Rymer, Rachel Wallace, Laura Smaniotto
Year Four: Helen Karvela, Sue Rourke, Lorraine Howell/Caroline Eva
Year Five: Kathy Verbi, Alex Nitsos, Steve Pertz, Simon Judkins
Year Six: Ken Darby, Janice Miller, Narelle Sime
Specialist Teachers: Art - Elizabeth Turley; Music – Joy Odou; French – Sally Holt; Physical Education – Daniel Zito; Library – Cheryl Williams & Denise Hartigan; Learning Assistance Program & Perceptual Motor Program – Catia Durante, Integra-tion Administration – Denise Hartigan; English as an Additional Language & Program Support – Sue Boyce.
Classes for 2015 will be announced on Thursday 18
th December, when students will have the opportunity to meet
their teacher. Your ongoing support in this process is most important and appreciated. Teacher judgement, parent concerns, social and ability groupings and a range of factors influence the formation of our classes each year. You can be assured that a great deal of thought, time and consideration has been given to this process. In most cases teachers will have already taken into account concerns that have been expressed by parents and as always we ask for your support in putting a positive perspective on your child’s placement for 2015. Students will receive their copy of the 2014 ‘Readabout’ this week. This is again a quality production with reports of activities, special events and programs that have taken place over the past twelve months. Special thanks to Sarah Tirtilas and Anna Webb for their efforts in producing the ‘Readabout’ for 2014 and to the staff and students for their magnificent contributions. Please note that as school finishes on Friday 19
th December at 1.30pm, we will not be having a lunchbreak. You
may wish to pack extra ‘play lunch’ as we will have our normal recess break from 10.40am – 11.10am. A final ‘whole-school’ assembly will commence at 12.30pm. School resumes in 2015 for students on Friday 30
th January.
Wednesday 10 December Chess Club at 1.00pm
Thursday 11 December Garden Club at 1.00pm
Friday 12 December Year 5 & 6 Swimming concludes
Monday 15 December Assembly will be in the Stadium
Monday 15 December Parent Helpers Morning Tea in the Hall 10.30-11.30am
Tuesday 16 December Year 3 & 4 to Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens 9.00am-3.30pm
Tuesday 16 December Prep Christmas Party at Hays Paddock 9.30am-1.30pm
Tuesday 16 December Year 2 Christmas Party at Greythorn Park 11.15am-1.00pm
Tuesday 16 December Year 6 Graduation
Wednesday 17 December Prep - Techkids school visit 9.00am-12.50pm
Wednesday 17 December Year 1 Christmas Party at Greythorn Park 11.15am-1.00pm
Wednesday 17 December Year 6 Christmas Party at Greythorn Park 10.00am
Wednesday 17 December Year 5 Christmas Party at school
Thursday 18 December Garden Club at 1.00pm
Friday 19 December Term 4 finishes - students dismissed at 1.30pm
2015
Friday 30 January Term 1 begins at 8.55am
Canteen Bites
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no more Daily Specials until 2015. The following items are out of stock - Light Chocolate Muffins, Garlic Bread and Krazy Lemonade.
The Canteen will be closed from Wednesday 17th December and will reopen in 2015.
Please find below the Roster for Canteen duty for the remainder of the year. If you are able to assist at all, please contact Lynne on 9898 3649 (After hours) or email [email protected]. Thank you.
Thursday 11 December Megan Hoffman
Friday 12 December Kate Locke / URGENT - HELP NEEDED
Monday 15 December HELP NEEDED
Tuesday 16 December HELP NEEDED
Wednesday 17 December CANTEEN CLOSED UNTIL 2015
Coming Up! The Taiko Group
will be performing at Assembly in the Stadium next Monday 15th December
Students need to arrive by 8.30am
Year 6 Senior Choir Uniforms Senior Choir members in Year 6 are due to return their choir uniform this week. Please place it in a named plastic bag and bring to the Hall. Thanks to those who have returned their uniform already. Choir members in Year 5 can retain their uniform for next year.
Joy Odou Music Teacher
Music News
School Banking
Hello to all our student bankers!
This is the FINAL WEEK of School Banking for 2014. What a great year it has been. Banking will resume in the second week of Term One 2015.
Lost Property
Please remember to check the Lost Property cupboard (outside Prep Z) for any lost items. Named items are regu-larly returned to students. The cupboard will be cleared out on Thursday afternoon (18th December) with school uniform items donated to the Uniform Recycle Shop. Please ensure all items brought to school are CLEARLY labelled with your child’s last name.
STUDENTS EXITING AT THE END OF 2014
Parents of children in years Prep to 5, who are leaving at the end of the year, are asked to advise the office staff either by phone or email.
Phone: 9857 9762
or
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for your assistance
