25 March 2015 - Moonee Ponds West Primary School

Newsletter Issue: 08
Wednesday 25th Mar’ 2015 Like us on
http://www.facebook.com/Mpwps Follow us on
@mpwpsofficial
SCHOOL PHOTOS
A reminder to all families that tomorrow—Thursday 26th is School Photo Day.
MOVIE NIGHT
The annual movie night is Friday 17th April (first week of term 2). For more details
refer to the notice included in this newsletter.
STAFF LEAVING
Amy Dinsdale (room 6) is leaving us at the end of term to prepare for the impending arrival of her first child. We wish her all the very best and await the news. Amy
will be at MPW for the first two days of next term to assist with a handover and
induction for the new teacher.
Jess Stansall (room 1) is also leaving us at the end of term. Circumstances have
required that Jess is returning to Tasmania. The process for a replacement teacher
in room 1 has commenced and will be completed by mid-term 2. In the interim,
Julie Lanyon will be the teacher in room 1. Julie has a wealth of experience and
familiarity with MPW and has most recently assisted in room 6.
COMMUNICATION
As we move into Term 2 we will begin our review of our communication processes
at MPW. One mechanism we’re looking forward to presenting is the phone app –
Updat-ed. This will be launched in the first couple of weeks of term. There will
also be a significant update to our school’s website.
DIGITAL LICENCE
This week a number of our Grade 5/6 students began their journey into earning
their Digital Licence. The Licence has come as a result of a partnership between
the Alannah Madeline Foundation and Google. Within the online environment
students learn and play, to support and celebrate digital inclusion and online
knowledge. There are eight modules, each taking approximately 15-20 minutes to
complete. At the end there is a quiz. The first module is about digital devices. Others include: Protecting Privacy, Searching and Researching, Creating and Sharing,
Social Networking and Gaming, Communicating Safely Online, Friends and
Strangers and Managing Money and Online Credits. The Licence is available to
Grade 6 students for free, but being a multiage school we’ve been able to secure
the same conditions for our Grade 5 students. We look forward to communicating
the successful completion of the Licences at MPW.
MUSIC
We remind families of the change of time for our choirs. Senior choir operates on
a Monday from 1.30-2.15 and Junior Choir on a Wednesday from 1.30-2.00. The
choirs are ably led by Kate Ridgway and are sounding great. We look forward to
you hearing an update version of the National Anthem at next term’s assembly
and news of our school’s involvement in this year’s Victorian State School’s Spectacular. https://www.facebook.com/performingartsunit
Principals’ report continued over page.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR - 2015
For the full calendar go to mooneewestps.vic.edu.au
Mar 26th
Mar 26th
Mar 27th
Mar 27th
Apr 13th
Apr 17th
School Photo Day
Grade 5/6 FAD
Assembly 9.00am
Early Dismissal 1.30pm End of term
Term 2 Begins
Movie Night 6.30pm
Letters sent home
Mar 23rd
Rm 5 Head Lice Alert
Principals’ Report Continued
END OF TERM
A reminder to all families that Friday begins with our whole school assembly in the gym at 9:00 AM. School ends at
1.30 PM this Friday. Term 2 commences on Monday April 13th.
Thank you to all staff for their endeavours in ensuring a great start to the school year. Well done to all the students
for engaging in all aspects of their learning. And thank you to the whole school community for your ongoing support in continuing to make Moonee Ponds West Primary a great learning community.
Enjoy the rest of the week.
Jeff, Fiona and Randal
MPWPS Community Partnership - End of Term Catch Up
Who:
All MPWPS families
When:
1:30 p.m. Friday 27 March
Where:
Riverside Golf & Tennis Club - Newsom St, Ascot Vale
What’s on offer:
$5 mini golf, food, fun and friends
RSVP:
Wednesday 25 March - Via the Office or the link below
We invite you all to join us in a casual end of term catch up next Friday at the Riverside Golf & Tennis Club.
There's $5 Mini Golf, food & drinks available (via the restaurant at menu prices) and fun with friends to be had.
Please ensure you RSVP so we can confirm numbers with the venue. To do this go to the link on our school’s website calendar or click here - http://mooneewestps.vic.edu.au/eventdetails/363/2015-03-27
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
A School Council meeting was held on 23rd March. The Council thanked the outgoing Councillors, Kirsty Downes,
Karen Ghosn, Jo Martin and Chris Connelly for their commitment and contribution to Council over the past two
years.
New and re-elected Councillors, Andrew Edbrooke, Louise Evans, Paul Girdler, Rohan Hawker, Helen Lockart,
Vicki McCormack and Phillip Peacock were welcomed to Council.
An election for office bearers also took place, with the following duly elected:
President: Paul Girdler
Vice-President: Carlene Wilson
Treasurer: Rohan Hawker.
Randal Symons was Co-Opted to the vacancy left by the former Deputy Principal Helen Thomas and Chris Connelly was co-opted as a community member to support work on a master plan for the school.
School Master Plan
MPWPS currently has 533 students and enrolment pressure is increasing each year. Given the ongoing demographic change and increasing housing density in the school zone it is likely that this trend will continue. In order
to appropriately plan for the future of the school and its amenity for all students a working group has been convened to develop a master plan. Demographers and architectural firms are being consulted and will contribute
to this work.
School Dress Code, Uniform, Sunsmart Policy
In 2013/14 the MPWPS school uniform policy was comprehensively reviewed and a vote of all school community
members (parents/carers, teachers, students) determined that the community did not wish to move to a compulsory school uniform policy.
During this process however, it was also noted that:

The existing school dress code and Sunsmart policy are not well understood or enforced

There is a desire for a school sports uniform (particularly for older students competing outside of MPW),

The existing school uniform is not particularly actively promoted.
In order to address these issues a working party has been formed and will present a plan to Council in the next
couple of months. If you would like to contribute to this work please contact Randal Symons.
The next meeting of the School Council will be held on May 25 th at 7:30pm.
Anna Schulze
School Councillor
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EDUCATION WEEKLY NEWS
TRANSITION
There will be a Year 7 Transition Information Evening on Tuesday 21st April 2015
In the Performance Space commencing at7pm.
This will be the week prior to the Secondary School Expo that will be held in the Gym on
Thursday 30th April 2015
Please put these two dates into your calendar:
It is very important that parents of Year 6 students attend these evenings. Parents of current
Year 5 students are also welcome to attend.
Please note that there is a table set up in the corridor of the 4/5/6 building with information
about our local secondary schools. Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the information on the table and collect any brochures’ or packs that you require.
Keep an eye on the newsletter for information about Open Days and Tours that the Secondary School offer. Take the time to read the school websites and familiarise yourself with the
zones that apply to each school.
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EDUCATION WEEKLY NEWS
2015 World Autism Awareness Day: April 2
Did you know that 2 April is World Autism Awareness Day? .
Aspect is celebrating on Thursday 2 April by going colourful for autism! Join the celebration by
wearing your brightest colours, making multi-coloured cupcakes.
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people. An estimated
one in 100 people has autism; that’s almost 230,000 Australians. For more information please
go to the Autism Victoria website – AMAZE http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/content/
colours-autism
CREATIVE ARTS
In term 1 in Creative Arts students were involved in a series of artworks inspired by Austrian artist
Hundertwasser.
In second term we will extend the unit into creating 3D architectural artworks creating a "Magical City".
Throughout term 2 each student will create their own building and/or house.
To start the process would would love if you could donate to us any small cardboard boxes. For example, tea
boxes, tissue boxes or alike.
Please not too large.
Thanks,
Sue and Rachel
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EDUCATION WEEKLY NEWS
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EDUCATION WEEKLY NEWS
Curriculum Days 2015
SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
is tomorrow
Thursday 26th March, 2015
If you require a family
photo please collect a
form from the Office.

Friday 22nd May

Monday 2nd November
Term Dates 2015

Term One
29th January—27th
March

Term Two
13th April—26th June

Term Three
13th July—18th
September

Term Four
5th October—18th
December
STUDENT BANKING
A reminder to all parents and students that there will not
be student banking this Thursday 26th of March. School
Banking will resume on Thursday the 16th April.
Thank you.
MVIMP NEWS
We have had a great term in MVIMP, welcoming many new children and starting many more experienced children in our school band.
THANK YOU to Eva Bakis, who has generously donated a drum kit to our school. Your gift will mean a
lot to all the children learning percussion!
While our program is quite full, we do still have one place on offer for a child in Grade 4, 5 or 6 who
would like to learn the bass guitar. If you are interested, please come and see Fiona or send a note as
soon as you can.
Looking ahead, some dates to keep free are…
MPW MVIMP Concert – Tuesday September 15th, 7pm start, in the gym.
MVIMP Music Camp – Tuesday August 25th to Friday 28th
MVIMP Combined Concert – Thursday November 12th, 7pm start in the Celebrity Room at Moonee Valley Racecourse
SOUNDHOUSE MUSIC PROGRAM 2015
Soundhouse lessons are well under way and will continue on to Term 2. If you are interested in enrolling your
child in Guitar, Keyboard or SAP for Term 2 please fill out a direct Debit form, these can be collected at the
office.
If you would like to discuss anything regarding Soundhouse tuition please contact Maddie Owen on 0401 844
522.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
MONSTER FETE
SATURDAY 29TH MARCH
9.30am to 2.30pm
Pascoe Vale Church of Christ
154 Derby Street
Pascoe Vale 3044
FOOTBALL STAR ACADEMY
TERM 1 HOLIDAY PROGRAM
3 DAY HOLIDAY PROGRAM @
MOONEE PONDS WEST PRIMARY
SCHOOL
MON 30TH MARCH, TUES 31ST
MARCH & WED 1ST APRIL
9AM - 3PM EACH DAY
TOTAL COST $350