SUNBURY HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Charter Road East PO Box 243, Sunbury 3429

Telephone: 9744 3377 Facsimile: 9744 5721

Facebook:www.facebook.com/sunburyheightsprimaryschool Website: www.sunburyheightsps.vic.edu.au

Email: sunbury.heights.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

ANZAC BREAKFAST

Thanks to our hardworking Parents and Friends group a delicious BBQ breakfast created a great start to our ANZAC commemorations. The smell of eggs, bacon and sausages wafted quickly around Sunbury drawing in the crowd and by 8.20am we had run out of eggs - an emergency dash to the supermarket was required. Breakfast was a huge success with $600 being raised for our new flag poles. A huge thank you is extended to all those who assisted. I sincerely hope we haven’t left anyone off this list… Carl Ashford Trevor Diss Tim Carey Frank Pianura Kristy Haack Krystal Twyman Annette Williamson Jo Szabo Kirra Wilkinson Simone Ross Nicky Miller Kerry Dexter Seathu Warrior Tracey DeJhu Shaun De Young Julie Marevic Samantha Williams Annette Ashford

While breakfast was being served, Bridey and Chloe made their way through the crowd selling ANZAC badges for the Sunbury RSL. With a little help from Miss Ratkowski, the girls sold well over 100 badges.

ANZAC Service For many years now Mrs Lewis has ensured that ANZAC Day is observed in a respectful manner at Sunbury Heights. With this year being the 100th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli Mrs Harding, Mrs Ross, Mrs De Young and Mrs Langmaid joined with Mrs Lewis to mark this historic occasion in a fitting way.

The school service, held in front of the new flag poles, featured contributions by students. Our flag monitors, Jarrod Douglas, Ethan Rooney and Bailey Verlaque took their role very seriously; listening carefully to instructions given to them by members of the Sunbury RSL and standing still throughout the entire service. Matthew McGann’s reading of the letter, ‘Dear Ted’ was outstanding while Hannah Watkins and Natalie McLean showed great respect laying a wreath. Blayde Campbell-Ware contributed by helping to organise the sound system and the following year six students were responsible for handing out the Gallipoli Landing Coins to all students who attended the service. Alexandra Hazelman Chelsea-Rae Taggart Natarsha Maddox Jordan Ballinger Annette Ashford Kristen Matenga Lily Drummond Alyssa Wallace Christina Cotis Nicholas Diss Daniel Penny Joel Cave

Students in Prep, year one and year two, made poppies for our commemorative gardens and carefully ‘planted’ these prior to the service. Right from Prep we combine with families to gradually build the students’ understanding of important events like ANZAC Day and for some, ‘planting’ a paper poppy will have been their first contribution to a whole school event.

We were fortunate to have Mr Ross attend the service. His speech to the students included recognition of the Aboriginal contribution to war was both informative and interesting. We were extremely proud to see the students listening intently to Mr Ross and Mr Mitchell (Federal Member for McEwan) and while the younger students may not have fully understood they knew it was a time to sit still and show respect.

Special Presentation and Planting of Gallipoli Oak During our service, Mr Ross made a very special presentation to Thomas Clarke. Children of current servicemen and women were presented with medals this year in recognition of the fact that their parents are often away from home and not able to be contacted. At present, Thomas knows his Dad is ‘somewhere under the ocean’ but he can’t phone, Skype or text him.

Thomas is Mrs Lewis’ nephew so it was fitting that they planted the Gallipoli Oak in our new garden bed at the end of the service. We have sourced some Gallipoli Heath and this will be planted around the oak in the coming weeks.

After the service Ryan Grose asked if he could be responsible for watering the Gallipoli Oak and has been given this leadership position. Well done Ryan for showing initiative and volunteering to care for our new tree. Our students continue to amaze us with the respect and responsibility they show. Tegan and Violet (Grade 5P) Write about ANZAC Day

Tegan

ANZAC Day is a day to remember the ones who fought for us, who died for us, and to celebrate those who lived to tell

the tale. It happens on the 25th April every year and this year it’s the 100 year anniversary. On ANZAC Day we have a

moment of silence for those who lost their lives for us and for those who are still fighting for us now. We play, “The Last

Post”. We sing the national anthem.

I feel I have a personal connection to everyone who fought for us. Their bravery is so, so, so special. I may not be

related to them but everyone who fought for us needs recognition. On ANZAC Day I remember everyone. During the

minute of silence I imagine myself in war, the feeling of a bullet through my shoulder and I think of everyone beside me

in my daydream, I remember those who have fallen. I pay close attention to everything said.

During “The Last Post” I think of men and women climbing into metal beds, underground. I imagine the guards outside,

ducking for cover. The minute of silence tells me, “You must imagine... put yourself in a warrior’s shoes. Pray for them.

Close your eyes. Remember them.”

Lest we forget.

Violet ANZAC Day is when we remember all the soldiers that went to war. ANZAC Day is remembered on 25

th April every

year. On ANZAC Day we have one minute of silence to remember and honour all soldiers that fought for us.

I have a personal connection to someone who fought for us in the war, but I don’t know his name. What I do know is that he was very brave. He was my great-great grandfather. When someone says, “ANZAC Day” I think of how brave the soldiers were to go and fight for our freedom.

During the one minute of silence I think of all the soldiers that go to war and risk their lives for us, for our freedom. Lest we forget

Premier’s Reading Challenge Launch On Tuesday morning we held a special assembly to launch the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Sunbury Heights has been involved in this program since its inception 10 years ago and over that time approximately 3000 students have successfully completed the challenge. Reading really is a foundation skill needed in all academic subjects and therefore we place a high priority on reading progress and success. We encourage all students to be involved this year – parents too might like to set themselves a reading goal and share in the fun of reading. Bubbles of Fun and Learning! There is no doubt that our science program is of the highest standard. Mrs Payton is always busy planning exciting learning experiences for students and this week the junior classes learnt about bubbles. All you need to create really terrific bubbles is a piece of paper and some detergent (all the better if you add some glycerine). Simply, roll the paper into a tube, dunk it into the bubble mix and away you go. The biggest bubble created so far was a massive 66cm in diameter.

What’s On?

May

June

Monday 4th

District Cross Country – School Team Monday 8th

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

Wednesday 6th Mothers’ Day Stall Tuesday 9

th School Council Meeting

Thursday 7th

School Photos Tuesday 9th

Life Education Sessions

Friday 8th 1/2 Werribee Zoo Trip Wednesday 10

th Life Education Sessions

Monday 11th

School Council Meeting Thursday 11th Life Education Sessions

Tuesday 12th NAPLAN Years 3 and 5 - Language Friday 19

th Reports Distributed

Tuesday 12th Year 6 Shrine Excursion Monday 22

nd Cooper Barnes Award Presented - Assembly

Wednesday 13th

NAPLAN Years 3 and 5 - Reading Tuesday 23rd

Smart Start Financial Sessions for Students

Thursday 14th NAPLAN Years 3 and 5 – Mathematics Wednesday 24

th Student/Parent/Teacher Meetings

Students Dismissed at 1.30pm Tuesday 19th Prep 2016 Information Sessions

Thursday 21st Prep Farm Excursion Thursday 25

th Smart Start Financial Sessions for Students

Friday 22nd

Casual Day - Colour Our World Friday 26th Casual Day – School Orchard

Monday 25th

Cultural Infusion – Whole School Activity

Tuesday 26th Open Night – Writing Festival

Thursday 28th 3/4 Docklands Excursion

Friday 29th Winter Sport – 5/6 Sport Teams

DATE CHANGES Please note the following changes to dates of school activities – Open night will now be on May 26th (not May 19th). Casual day will now be May 22nd (not May29th). Spelling Champions Each year we conduct a school spelling competition in order to select students to compete in the Rotary Spelling Bee. This year our school spelling champions are –

1st Rayden Yob 2nd Alyssa Wallace 3rd Jamie Clanchy 4th Joel Cave

Rayden will now go on to the Rotary competition in May. The words used in the spelling bee range from those quite often used to some the adults in the room struggle to spell, however the atmosphere is one of friendly and fun competition. We wish Rayden all the best for the night and suggest he learns these words – panjandrum, cabotinage, misocainea (I’ve got more if you want them Rayden! – Cathie).

PUPIL OF THE WEEK Aussie Pride Award Grade Student Reason The Aussie Pride Award is an initiative

of the Rotary Club of Canterbury. This award will be presented to students who, through significant

acts, demonstrate the ANZAC values of initiative, persistence, mateship

and courage to achieve.

Ryan Grose

PREP L Xavier Gardner For his fantastic effort with his writing.

1/2R Caroline Woods For consistently giving 100% in all her learning.

1/2P Keira Hall-Teuma For a great job reading at home every night.

1/2H Tiana Morgan For happily settling into her new school with a positive attitude.

3/4K Mitchell Crosland For showing much improved emotional resilience in class.

3/4Y Shayla Hendahewa For working very hard during Mathematics.

3/4D Nicholas Hooper For top marks in multiplication including 2x2 digits.

5P Zachary Lynch For always being respectful to others and using Library time effectively.

5A Claire Diss For being well mannered and showing initiative helping visitors at our school.

6L Daniel Penny For a great effort learning about prime & composite numbers.

P.E. Mitchell Crosland For showing a great understanding of Polo Hockey rules whilst umpiring.

ART 6O For giving 100% in Art.

SCIENCE Violet Bastos Jamie Pender Hollie Pickering

For showing extra enthusiasm while doing their research project.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hayley Rooney Xavier Gardner Brock Tadd-Lennox Jake Szabo