newsletter june 09 - Avondale Primary School

Avondale Primary School Philosophy
The philosophy of Avondale Primary School is based upon the premise that every student can attain high levels of academic achievement and be a responsible community
member. We aspire for students:
To have an enthusiasm for learning
To develop a broad and strong base of knowledge and skills
To think and act with competence, objectivity and creativity
Through their experience in living in a learning community, show respect and sensitivity to others
Show a capacity to lead, to share and cooperate with others
To accept responsibility and discipline
To find reward in participating and doing one’s best
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Thursday June 9th , 2016
Dear Parents
Planning week at Avondale
The usual weekly timetable has been suspended to accommodate planning week. Class teachers take their grade for four full
days and have one day to plan with other members of their team. Teachers are using Google Apps to plan – this allows
every member of the team to access the documents from their laptop and simultaneously contribute and edit their plans.
Google Apps also allows teachers to embed links to web pages and videos, that can be used during lessons, into their plans.
For example, teachers have included exerts from David Attenborough’s programs to enrich their students’ studies of
animals.
I congratulate teachers on developing their plans for an engaging curriculum and planning rigorous assessment activities.
Midyear report format
The mid-year reports will be in the ‘old’ style, that is they will be written in the same format used in last year’s mid-year
reports. Apart from the front page, they will be mainly text. The report will provide you with the class teacher’s view of
your child’s progress in English and maths. There will also be statements from teachers of specialist classes.
Grade 1/2 students practice their persuasive writing skills
Recently junior students wrote a persuasive writing piece about whether homework should be banned – a topic close to their
hearts.
Alvin wrote: I agree that homework should be banned. Playing outside gives us fresh air, sunshine and exercise. When
children play outside we can get vitamins from the sun. Children are tired from working all day at school and need a rest.
After all our lessons we need a rest not do more work. Mr Mulroyan, no homework for us!
Aidan wrote Homework is good for children and should not be banned. Homework makes you smarter. When you do tests
you can get a high score if you have been studying. Reading homework helps you learn new things. Don’t be lazy and not do
your homework so get a move on!
Entering classrooms without invitation
There are valid reasons parents quickly pop into their child’s classroom: to retrieve a forgotten windcheater, return an
overdue library book, etc. However I have received several reports recently about parents entering and staying in classrooms
without an invitation or staff member present. Classrooms are a workspaces, they may contain papers that are private e.g.
test results, attendance records or notes. I ask parents to respect teachers and their workspaces by ensuring a teacher has first
invited you into their classroom before entering.
Free Dental checks for students
A free dental check is available for every student with parent consent. The checks will be held at the school between
Wednesday 13 and Friday 22 July. The dental report can be taken to any dentist. A consent form is being distributed to
every student today.
Review of our school’s communication
School council is reviewing the school’s communication practices. We seek parents who may be interested in being part of
the project team. Please contact me if you are interested.
Sports News
Congratulations Nathan Giordmaina who competed in the regional cross country final yesterday. Although not progressing
through to the state finals, he ran very competitively.
Interschool Footy
Avondale home football matches are being played at Doyle Street Reserve not at Canning Street Reserve for home games.
Have a great week
Italian Day
2016
On Monday May 30th, Avondale Primary School celebrated their
Italian Day with ‘all things Italian’. Students participated in a
performance by cultural Infusion called ‘Commedia Dell`arte’.
Students were taught some of the famous carnevale characters and
even had a chance to try some on. The performance was very engaging
and fun.
The day progressed with a delicious Italian lunch of pizza or pasta
and even gelati. The afternoon was spent with different year levels
participating in some Italian activities which ranged from tarantella
dancing, bocce and soccer and scopa card game.
Students enjoyed the day very much. They got the opportunity to
experience and immerse themselves in the language and connect with
the Italian culture in an exciting and stimulating way.
I would like to thank all the teaching and office staff, Di
Cunningham, fundraising and parent helpers who helped make the
day a great success.
Grazie! Amanda Salomne
DATES TO REMEMBER
June
(Subject to change please check regularly)
Friday 10th
Monday 13th
Tuesday 14th
5/6 Interschool Sport (Away) Holy Rosary P.S.
Queens Birthday Public Holiday
2nd Hand Uniform Shop 8:30-9am
Music Students to visit Ron Conn Centre
Student Reports to go home
2nd Hand Uniform Shop 8:30-9am
Parent Teacher Interviews
Last Day Term 2 - Students Dismissed at 2:15pm
Friday 17th
Tuesday 21st
Wednesday 22nd
Friday 24th
July
Monday 11th
First Day Term 3
Pupils of the week last week were:
Prep A - Hayden J
Prep B - Rebecca N
Prep C - Steve N
1/2 A - Harvey S
1/2 B - Noah D
1/2 C - Norvelle L
1/2 D - Danny T
1/2 E - Liam C
3/4 A - N/A
3/4 B - Penny K
3/4 C - Imogen M
4/5 A - Nathan G
5/6 A - Ayden T
5/6 B - Teli K
5/6 C - Clarissa V
A colour version of this newsletter can also be found on our website at www.avondaleps.vic.edu.au
All about solar: Buyers checklist
When: 6pm-8pm, Thursday 9 June.
Where: Council Chambers, Civic Centre, 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds. (entry via Pascoe
Vale Rd)
How do you sift through all the solar PV options on the market and know which one is the right one
for you? Is tile okay to put panels on? Is your roof orientation okay? How many kilowatts will you
need? What sort of inverter is reliable? What about warranties? This free workshop is for those who need impartial expert advice on what
system best suits them.
Don't forget that Moonee Valley City Council is running a solar bulk buy initiative - you can find out more about it at this workshop.
This is a FREE event. Bookings essential call 9243 8888.
Book Reviews –Treasured and Tried
Dr. Dog by Babette Cole
‘Dog Dr.’ is a clever and hilarious book that is guaranteed to make
children laugh out loud. The Gumboyle Family are very lucky as their
family dog is also their doctor. Whilst away in Brazil Dr. Dog is quickly
summoned back to attend to a series of different ailments ranging from
an itchy bum to Grandads gases. It also introduces young readers to
different parts of the body through the illustrations and cautions
them on how to prevent illness.
Best suited to children over 4 years old. By Liz Oruba
Advertisements
The advertisements in this newsletter are for community interest only. The school has no connection
with, nor endorses, any particular business activity.
School Office Hours
8:45am to 9:30am
2:30pm to 3:15pm
Please limit visits to office to these times
Notice to Parents
The school yard is supervised by a teacher on duty
until 3:30pm. Students are
expected to be picked up by
this time.