From the Principal - Treetops Montessori School

Newsletter for Treetops School
Volume 29 Term 1 February 2014
From the Principal
Communication, Enthusiasm, Experience
It is with great pleasure that we present our first Clippings for the 2014
academic year. I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful year for all our
students, with an increased array of engaging and exciting opportunities.
This year we are joined by some new academic staff that bring
enthusiasm, experience and a determination to make education for your
child both an enjoyable and successful experience. Many of you will have
already had the opportunity to meet our new staff last Friday when we
conducted our Back to School morning that also featured the long
standing transition ceremony.
Throughout the course of the year, I encourage all parents to
communicate directly with teaching staff in matters relating to individual
students, as this is clearly the best way to build effective communication
and a key feature in the partnership of education. I would also like to
remind you that our curriculum coordinators, Jane Clair Coates (primary)
and Sue Flewellen (secondary) are available should you wish to discuss
broader school matters. From a personal perspective, I am always happy
to hear from you, either by email ([email protected]), phone
call or meeting as my door is always open to you.
Warm regards,
Scott Taprell
Calendar Snapshot
For updated events on the
School’s Calendar please visit:
http://www.treetops.wa.edu.au
/events/month/
st
Friday 21 February
P&F Play and Stay and Welcome
to Treetops. Everyone welcome.
th
Monday 24 February
No guitar or ukulele lessons
today only
th
Wednesday 26 February
Wattle Water Sport Session –
Swan Park Recreation Centre
rd
Monday 3 March
Public Holiday
th
Tuesday 4 March
Interm Swimming Begins
HEALTH AND PERMISSIONS
FORMS DUE INTO THE OFFICE
ASAP
Focus Forward
from the Junior School Curriculum Coordinator (Children’s House – Karri)
What a fantastic start to the year it has been here at Treetops. I am really enjoying the opportunity to continue to
work with Wattle children once a week and also to launch and establish the new position of Junior School
Curriculum Coordinator.
Having had responsibility for creating timetables and duty rosters, my focus early in this academic year has been to
make sure that we all create and use time for teams to meet, communicate and share. The professionalism and
energy that I am seeing in my team is so positive and quite inspiring. Existing routines and traditions are being
strengthened and new and exciting ideas and initiatives are being shared and implemented where agreed
appropriate.
During the school holiday, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity for some Montessori training in
Mathematics. I attended the Mathematics Workshop at the Montessori Institute at Ellenbrook for five days. The
course was presented by Sheryl Ridout – a truly experienced, passionate and effective educator.
Here is one of hundreds of photos I
took to remind me of the course
content at a later date. Sheryl
spent some time showing us how
to teach the students what ‘square
numbers ‘are using the specialised
Montessori equipment.
The chance to attend this course
was a valuable experience for me
and an opportunity to network
with teachers, managers, parents
and Montessori education students
from across Western Australia. The
common element between us all
was a passion for education and
the week gave us all an opportunity
to learn from the excellent leader of the course and also to learn from each other to boost our teaching skills.
I came back to Treetops inspired and wanting to share the experience with my colleagues. So we have come up
with a plan: a way to focus forward! When talking to the Junior School team, it seems that between us we have a
breadth of experience and training in mathematics that we are determined to consolidate and develop during
2014.
The plan is as follows:

I am currently undergoing an audit of all mathematics equipment in the school so that all staff are aware
of what is available to them and we can develop a wish list of equipment that might need replacing,
upgrading or adding to. As an expert in Montessori equipment and its use, Sheryl Ridout has offered to
assist in this process where necessary.

Teachers will be sharing ideas on planning, assessment, record keeping, reporting, presentation and
reflection on mathematics teaching throughout the year. (This is a standard practice in any regular
meeting in relation to all teaching experiences but is mentioned here as I would like mathematics to be a
more formal focus forward for the year).

I am currently in consultation with Sheryl Ridout and The Montessori Institute regarding the possibility of
a customised condensed Professional Development opportunity for the teachers in my team regarding
The Use of Montessori Equipment in our classrooms. I cannot stress enough how confident I am in the
ability and experience that my team currently offers to teach mathematics effectively. The purpose of this
specific focus is to ensure that we are developing our existing skills and using the equipment available to
us most effectively.

As a continuation of this focus forward, I am also keen for the team to offer parent workshops/ open
classroom days later in the year to share with you ‘ the kinds of mathematical experiences that your
children are being offered’. We are after all in partnership with regards to the education of your children.
Please be assured that we are not just focussed on mathematics in the school for the year. We continue to nurture
the ‘whole child’.
Which brings me back to my role as Curriculum Coordinator. The education and welfare of your children depends
on effective communication and sharing of ideas between teaching staff but also between school and home.
Ideally, we are in partnership with you. You will have noticed in Wattle and Karri that we have introduced the use
of Communication books. These should be brought to and from school each day and serve to boost effective
communication. We urge you to give ownership of these books to the children as much as possible. We also ask
you to model appropriate and positive language in them.
Please continue to talk to us as teachers about your children and share ideas, ask questions so we can develop our
partnership with you. This is my vision for a way to focus forward.
It has been a fabulous start to what promises to be an exciting year at Treetops Montessori and International
Baccalaureate School.
Jane-Clair Coates
Junior School Curriculum Coordinator:
Tuesday morning and Thursday all day.
Class Teacher :
Golden Wattle: Wednesday.
Early Years at Treetops
Sugar Gums
A very big welcome to all our new
families in Playgroup and we are
so glad to see some familiar faces
back again this year too.
We are discovering all kinds of
interesting things about the Ocean
and its creatures this term and
another trip to AQWA has been
discussed!
" The real preparation for
education is the study of
one's self. The training of the
teacher is something far
more than the learning of
ideas. It includes the training
of character; it is a
preparation of the spirit. "
We currently have a few spaces
left at Playgroup for Friday and
one place each on a Wednesday
and Thursday.
Playgroup is open to all children
from 18 months old. To enroll
please contact the school office.
Parents Group
Catering for mothers, fathers and
children under 18 months
(including pregnant mothers)
parents group is free. During the
fine weather, we will meet at the
Playground across from the Pines
Cafe at 9.30am every Wednesday
morning during term time.
Parents Group is run by the
delightful Rachel, a parent at our
school and long time
Montessorian.
Attendance is casual, so just pop
along when you can. Feel free to
share the invitation with your
friends.
Children’s House
We extend a warm welcome to all our returning children and families to Children’s House and also to the children
and families who are joining us for the first time. We hope your association with us will be a long and happy one and
that your time at Treetops is rewarding in every way. In Children’s House we have been focusing on Identity and
Belonging. We have been discussing about ‘All about Me’ to promote self-awareness as well as belonging to our
class community. Some concepts that the children will be developing are:
• Every person is unique and special.
• We all grow and change.
• We all experience different emotions.
• It is important to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to keep our bodies healthy as well as following healthy
practices such as good hygiene.
As well as all these concepts we have also been discussing ‘Our Peaceful Classroom’, how to handle conflict in a
peaceful way using the peace rose and how to get along with each other. Children who reach out and empathize
with others, to accept and celebrate differences between themselves, to communicate their feelings and resolve
conflicts in constructive ways, and to love become contributing members of the community. The children are
learning all these skills through role-play, stories, songs, games and group discussions. We encourage you to please
discuss this with your children at home. To show how the children ‘belong’ to their respective class community, the
children are also making a special display with a picture of themselves to be displayed in our respective classrooms.
Please remember to put your names down on the rosters outside your child’s respective class. Parent help is much
needed and appreciated in Children’s House.
Please also remember our ‘No hat, no play’ policy and please be punctual when picking your child up after school.
Thank you for your support.
Have a great term everyone!
Geraldine, Christina, Liz and Sandy
Treetops provides a dynamic inquiry based education that empowers the individual
to reach their unique potential within a natural and respectful setting.
We believe that…
-students should be presented with a challenging and broad academic environment
that encourages intellectual inquiry and critical thinking.
-education is the shared responsibility of students, family and school.
-nurturing curiosity and creativity is the key to stimulating exploration and discovery
throughout life.
-students learn best when they are actively engaged in authentic learning
experiences.
Silver Wattle
What a positive start to Silver Wattle experience at Treetops.
There is no better way to start your day then to see smiley
children walk into the classroom ready for a day of new learning
experiences and opportunities. We started our term with lots of
team building skills including a Collaboration activity under the
covered area. We had to introduce ourselves and say something
we liked. It was so tricky to keep a tight hold of the string until the
end.
We did it! Do you like our Spider web?
Golden Wattle
On ‘Fantastic Friday’ (named by Finlay) we had some Mums and
Dads (Thank you for your help and creativity) in to help us make
special friend cards on Valentine’s day. The children were so creative
and focussed and produced some fine work. We are looking forward
to more ‘Fantastic Fridays’ this term. Don’t forget to sign up or just
volunteer if you can? This week we have started our Identity topic.
We have used a catch phrase that Hazel came up with a... “We look
different, but we are the same”. How lovely! Looking forward to a
fantastic year together and a huge Thank you to all the supportive
parents so far, you’ve been great!
Looking forward to a great year together,
Kate Graham Silver Wattle teacher
Golden Wattle has spent the first
two weeks of term building a new
classroom community. We have
been playing team games, finding
out about each other and
strengthening the bonds of
friendship that will underpin our
collaborative learning this year.
From this we have formulated our
Golden Wattle beliefs, which are
displayed inside our classroom to
remind us all that we have
pledged to be Kind, Careful,
Respectful and Considerate.
We are inviting parents to join us
more often in the classroom this
year, with chances to help out on
Monday, Thursday and Friday
afternoons from 1.30pm. The
good news is there's no
preparation needed - just book a
spot and turn up to enjoy time
with the Golden Wattle students.
Sherene Strahan
Lower Primary
Karri
I like everything about the work at
Treetops and I like the style of the
school.
Jovan
New student
I’ve enjoyed doing
Science and Maths this
year and I have met lots
of new friends.
Denny
Transitioning student
This school is the best school in the world and
learning here is very fun.
Chris
New student
In fitting with our first theme for the year “Identity”, we have completed a number of activities exploring
identity of self. This has provided us with the opportunity to get to know one another in Karri Class,
especially those who are new to our school. Linked to this theme, we have started the year with Science
topic “Us as Humans” giving us the opportunity to explore cheek cells under the microscope and human
organ systems through research. It has been a pleasure working with the Karri Class thus far and I
anticipate a fruitful and exciting year.
Paula Rodrigues Santos
Karri Class Teacher
I have enjoyed making new friends this
year. I have also enjoyed Science, spelling ,
Japanese, Library time and Music.
Eiranne
Year 6 Karri Students
I like Karri because the
work is more challenging
and we get to be more
independent.
Holly
Transitioning student.
I like school this year because I’ve made new
friends and there are lots of new work tasks
to do.
Francesca
Year 5 Karri student
Jarrah
Senior School
Jarrah students were welcomed back to new teachers in Maths
(Sue Flewellen – also the Jarrah go to person), Science (Ray Ives)
and Art (Zoe Neill). A new timetable gives the students four 50
minute lessons in the mornings and two 60 minute lesson in the
afternoons. We start the day with a 20 minute homeroom time
and finish each afternoon with 10 minutes together to tidy up and
make sure the day’s homework goes home.
The first afternoon we started Design and Technology classes with
a project to make and decorate a backgammon board and then
learn to play the game. Working in pairs, the students were shown
an example of a board (Ray’s). They then set to work designing
and constructing their boards. Some chose to use the internet to
get further ideas and also to see how the game is played. All were
soon busy measuring, sawing and sanding both boards and
counters. By Tuesday afternoon the boards were taking shape. In
playing the game students will need to think through probabilities
and work out strategies. Projects this term will continue to
incorporate knowledge and skills from several subject areas.
During the first week there have also been Japanese and Music
lessons as well as Art, English, Humanities, Science and Maths.
Friday morning has Work Cycle and the afternoon is Sport.
As a framework for learning we are planning to introduce the
International Baccalaureate’s MYP (Middle Years Program) later in
the year. This program encourages students to make connections
between their “traditional “subjects and to the real world. They
become critical and creative thinkers and tasks are assessed
against established criteria, not against the work of other
students. MYP matches well with Montessori learning and still
enables us to choose the best curriculum for the students.
Why Montessori and IB?
School tours with our Principal run at Treetops once a
week, on a Wednesday morning. We have a wonderfully
diverse range of families come to visit our school, from
families attending Playgroup to young adults preparing for
their IB Diploma. The most asked question this year has
been regarding the International Baccalaureate and how it
suits the Montessori philosophy.
Schools using the Montessori philosophy have been
successfully educating students for more than 100 years,
thriving in almost every country in the world. Education
trends have come and gone, but the Montessori tenets
have endured – because it works. Developments in
neuroscience and education research have shown what
Montessori parents have long known; a Montessori based
education provides the ideal setting for students to learn.
At Treetops, we apply the Montessori philosophy and
integrate both the Australian and Montessori National
Curriculum. We also embrace the IB Learner Profile
throughout the school and in our secondary, utilise the IB
framework. By doing this, we have created an environment
that places the child at the heart of education. Treetops
students are encouraged to feel positive about themselves,
are involved with the community and have no ceiling on
achievement. By combining Montessori and the IB we have
an education that fosters curiosity, confidence and
character... Read more:
http://www.treetops.wa.edu.au/education/are-you-atreetopian/happenings-at-treetops-november-2013/
Treetops has been offering co-educational Montessori
education for over 20 years. We will be continuing with the
Tuart/IBDP
Three students have started the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) this year. We
are excited to have some new teachers – Ray Ives will be teaching Chemistry; Sue Flewellen will be
teaching Maths (and Sue is the High School Curriculum Co-ordinator); Zoe Neill will be teaching Visual
Arts. Macarena Rubio Pastor returns as out Spanish teacher. Jodi Kerslake is continuing in her role as
Language and Literature, and History teacher. She is also the IBDP co-ordinator.
Two of the students will be doing their Individual and Societies subject on-line. On-line courses consist
of “flipped classes”. The classes are held during students’ out of school time; students do their
homework during their in-school time. Students are connected via the internet to their on-line
classmates and on-line teacher, who may be living in countries as diverse as Japan, South Africa and
Chile. We are all getting use to describing time zones in terms of GMT + or GMT – (Perth is currently
GMT +8; New York is GMT – 5).
The year 10s will be joining the IBDP students for Theory of Knowledge (ToK) classes. Theory of
Knowledge is part of the Diploma Programme core – ToK; Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) and the
Extended Essay (EE) – which sets the programme apart from other matriculation systems. (See diagram
which shows how ToK fits into the overall Diploma Programme)
Theory of Knowledge is a course in critical thinking. It examines how we know what we claim to know.
ToK students use a particular vocabulary and inquiry framework to analyse specific knowledge claims
and to ask open, general questions about how knowledge is constructed and evaluated.
Last Friday, students
focused on their own
knowledge claims about
the flavours of
jellybeans and sense
perception as a way of
knowing. Students were
asked to taste some
jellybeans, and then
were then taken
through the inquiry
process regarding how
they know what flavour
they were tasting. The
Kieran and James
lesson included
demonstrating ToK lesson
discussions about prior
knowledge (have had
the flavour before), language (read the flavour on the packet), authority (believing what that they are
told the flavour is) and imagination (speculating on flavour possibilities). Consider what the whiteboard
looked like at the end of the lesson!
By the end of the lesson, students were sure they knew what flavours they were tasting, and had
examined the basis for that knowledge. The final activity was another tasting of the same jellybeans
they have tasted before. This time, however, each student asked to hold their nose during the tasting.
This eliminated their sense of smell, so the “taste” of the jellybeans was very different. The point was
that some knowledge claims are hidden to the extent that the claims appear to be simple common
sense, normal and natural. These
knowledge claims require particular
attention, since “common sense” is
regularly offered as a means of
shutting down discussion or validating
one point of view as being the only
possible point of view. The world is a
complex and complicated place.
Through Theory of Knowledge, we
hope to give students a framework
for understanding that there can be
points of view and that knowing is not
always a simple matter.
Jodi Kerslake
ToK lesson notes on the
whiteboard
Second language education is
important not only in terms
of language proficiency, but
also the cultural
understandings that are
simultaneously embedded.
Studying a second language
enhances an individual by
creating a more tolerant and
compassionate person who is
considerate of other cultures.
Australia is a multi-cultural
society and by encouraging
more widespread study of
languages we can promote
harmony not only with our
neighbours and trade
partners, but also within our
own society.
Specialist Subjects
Japanese in Jarrah
Did you know that Chickasaw is an American Indian language?
Have you ever translated sentences from Kiswahili?
Or tried to understand the logic behind Japanese Braille?
In Japanese class, Jarrah students have started the new school year with the theme of exploring
linguistics.
Linguistics is the study of language. Students have been solving linguistics puzzles in class and this week
ventured to UWA for an information session presented by a doctor of linguistics!
We learnt that you don't need to know a second language to be able to study linguistics (although it
helps) as well as uses for computational linguistics (imagine being able to have a conversation with your
computer!).
Leading on from this, some students have nominated to participate in the Australian Computational and
Linguistics Olympiad, to be held on line throughout Australia next Thursday. If you would like to find out
more about what our students are involved in, see www.ozclo.org.au
Sharon Crossman
Languages Teacher
Library
A fantastic start to the year in the library! I have to admit that I
am excited to be able to revisit some of my favourite books
from my own childhood, and share them now with children
from Treetops.
With Karri, we are reading the classic Roald Dahl tale “Danny
the Champion of the World”, and Wattle are already
immersed in the fabulous “Wishing Chair” by Enid Blyton.
Children House have enjoyed reading about the Weather
Monster so much that they have been creating their own
monsters, which are now on display in the library…come and
have a look!
If there are any parents who think that taking home a handful
of our books to cover them, whilst watching television in the
evening sounds like a blast, please visit me in the library after
school on a Thursday and I will make sure you have all you
need to help us. Once the books are protected, we can put
them out to be borrowed – so all hands on deck would be
fabulous.
Sam Mccubbin
Library Teacher
Music and
Movement
With the temperature at 40
degrees today Brad and I
decided to hold a
special combined Sport/
Music and Movement
session in the shade of the
Darlington hall, with all the
ceiling fans buzzing wildly.
The atmosphere was party
like and much fun was had
by all.
The highlight for me was a
much asked for rendition of
'that' Fox Dance,
with Brad trying to keep up
at the back!
Sam Mccubbin
Music and Movement
TREETOPS SCHOOL BOARD
Calls for Nominations
The date has been set for the next AGM of the
Beenong School Association; 26th March 2014.
Vacancies exist for the Treetops Board and are filled as part of the Board’s regular
process of annual review and renewal. Any Association member (any adult who
currently has a child enrolled at the school or who is employed by the school) is
welcome to nominate themselves for Board membership. The Board functions
best when it is comprised of individuals with a mix of skills and experience. The
aim is to have a balance of members with diverse skills and backgrounds to best
fulfil the aims of the school Board. Therefore, parents who have skills and
experience in areas such as; building, law, education, business and similar are
encouraged to self nominate.
Board membership will involve a regular monthly meeting and, on occasion
throughout the year, one off meetings.
Please forward your expression of interest along with a short biography outlining
your experience relevant to the role to Scott; [email protected]
Nominations will close Friday 7th March at 3.30pm.
30x30x30 Call for Submissions
Proposals from the school community are sought for the spending of the 30x30x30 project funds. The
money raised has been held in the school account until a suitable project was found. The funds are to
be spent specifically on our art department, and furthering the artistic opportunities for our students.
We are very lucky to have secured Zoe Neill as our 2014 art teacher and she has a lot of great ideas
but we would also like to hear from the parent community.
Submissions are to be in writing and addressed to the Administrator. Please have any ideas in by
Friday 28th February.
PLAY & STAY FEBRUARY
WELCOME TO TREETOPS
Treetops invites you to stay and play at school: Friday 21stFebruary
Provided:
 After school snacks
 Sausage sizzle at 5pm
For sale:
 ice creams
 drinks
Bring:
 picnic rug
RSVP:
 at the office
 by Thursday 20th February – Just
come along this afternoon and you can pay
the P&F next week
Welcome to the summer term
Thanks to all those who attended the February P&F meeting. Thanks also to the School for continuing to
fund child care and to Giselle for caring for our children.
Treasury
A number of 2013 fundraising projects will have their funds dispersed this term so our back account will
need replenishing. If you have any fundraising ideas and want to be part of our team come and talk to
the P&F.Next meeting: Monday, 17 March.
Music
The P&F happily provided Mary Pollard a cheque from Music Night 2013 funds to allow her to purchase
new keyboards and funds to purchase ukuleles and glockenspiels.
Laptops and sporting equipment
Amanda O’Connor’s Tour de France fundraiser last year will be given to the school shortly for laptops
and sporting equipment.
Primary Years Playground
The playground is looking amazing already – imagine it with a slide and landscaping! If you are new to
Treetops you may not know that the playground is the work of very many of our superhero dads and
mums including the fabulous tools and expertise of Baigent Taylor and superb project management of
Dave Kelso. Everyone will be looking forward to finishing it off in the next few months so look out for the
Playground Busy Bee notices.
School lunches
Thank you for supporting our Real Food School Lunches – you were amazing! We needed a minimum of
25 orders and we took 69.
Remember 2 things: lunch day is TUESDAY; orders and payment need to be in on Friday mornings. You
can find the LAST RESORT LUNCH ORDERING POST outside Coral Gums on Friday mornings from 8.15 –
9.00. If you can’t make it – an envelope with your child’s name, class, portion size and correct money
can be left at the Office for collection by the P&F.
Ask your child if their lunch was the right size – $5 or $7 portions are available.
If you borrowed lunch money from the P&F – we would love to have it back for our Friday floats.
Lapathon
Last year’s lapathon was a lot of fun and a good little earner so we are running another one, this time in
the cooler months of Term 2. Look out for sponsorship forms at the end of this Term. See Helen Nandlal
(mum of Lara in Silver Wattle and Thomas in Scarlet Gums) if you want to help out.
Year Book
Sharon Storey (mum of Cameron and Jasmine in Coral Gums) and Rachel McColgan (mum of Freda in
Scarlet Gums and Alice in Sugar Gums) will be organising the year book this year. The P&F is interested
in student contributions to the Year Book this year and also looking for feedback from the school
community. Let us know what you think.
Fundraising Stalls in the Community
The P&F will be holding a stall at the Kalamunda Harvest Festival Market on Sunday 4 May. We would
love all manner of contributions: food related wares; help on the day for set up, running the stall, and
packing away. Most of all, we’d just like to see you on Market Day.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 17th March 2014