TOOTGAROOK TELEGRAPH

TOOTGAROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL

Website: www.tootps.vic.edu.au Telephone: 5985 2864

Weekly newsletter of

Email Address: tootgarook.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Issue 3

13th February, 2014

CALENDAR
Monday 17th February Tuesday 18th February Saturday 22nd February Friday 7th March School Council Parent/Teacher Discussions Tootgarook Market - 5Q rostered on Curriculum Day

All the Captains will be presented with their badges at assembly on Monday 24th February.

Leadership Pledge
In my leadership role I will endeavour to be a good role model for all students at Tootgarook Primary School. I will demonstrate this by my attitude to learning and consistent working habits, my punctuality and commitment to regular attendance, good manners and by proudly wearing my school uniform. I will aim to develop a high level of social and communication skills and am prepared to speak and make presentations at assemblies or in front of groups. I will use my leadership qualities to assist my peers in making good choices and will build upon establishing a rapport with all children in our school. I will accept the responsibility to represent, to the best of my ability, myself, my fellow students and our school to the whole community.

Flinders
Jema Hikatangata Matthew Peterson

Cook
Alexandra McIlfatrick and Camdyn Gaskin

Tasman
Ella Flynn and Jack Campbell

Bass
Charlotte Weston + Jacob Kelly

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Another way that parents can become involved in the school is to become a School Councillor. Each member of council is elected for a two year period and the prime role of council is to help shape the policy direction of the school. As well as attending monthly school council meetings, members also work on one of our sub committees. I would like to now formally notify parents & teachers that our school council election process opens today and we are seeking two parent nominations and one staff nomination. Parents can be nominated or self-nominate for a council position. All nominations will need to be received by 4:00pm next Thursday 20th February. If we receive more nominations than positions available then an election process will ensue. Any parents requesting a nomination form can contact Wayne Whitworth at the office on 59852864.

STAFF TRAINING DAYS

Each year, all Victorian government schools are allowed to plan four pupil free days in order to facilitate staff planning and professional learning programs. Our first staff training day for this year was held on Tuesday 28th February to enable staff to plan together and prepare for the start of the school year. Please note that our next staff training day has been scheduled adjacent to the Labour Day weekend and will be held on Friday 7th March. Please note that no students are to attend school on this day. We hope this communication provides sufficient notice for families to make alternative arrangements for this day.

Parent/Teacher Discussions will be conducted on Tuesday 18th

February. This will enable parents to meet with their childs teacher to discuss their start to the school year and to jointly discuss individual circumstances for 2014 . These sessions will be conducted between 2:00pm 6:00pm. Details regarding the booking of these discussions have been sent home to all students this week please return asap.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE Many parents are surprised to learn that the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD) does not provide any insurance/compensation if a child is involved in an accident at school and sustains an injury that requires medical attention. When this happens, parents unfortunately cover all costs associated with the injury. In response to this, there are a number of companies that provide insurance for students whilst at school in the event of an injury. If you would like to find out further information about the types of policies available, one such provider can be found at www.studentcover.com.au
STUDENT ABSENCES When a student is absent from school, we request that you notify your childs teacher (via a written note, email, in person or possibly via a call to the office) with a brief explanation for your childs absence. This information is then formally recorded on the class roll. If you are planning an extended absence (greater than a week), we would appreciate it if you could either email the school or send a note to your childs teacher outlining the nature of this absence. Under these circumstances we aim to liaise with parents and the class teacher to ensure an interim learning program is put in place during the course of this absence. Many of our students are very fortunate to enjoy family holidays each year and whilst these holidays are invariably rich learning experiences, we wi ll aim to maintain some continuity in the schools learning program during these longer absences.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Any parents who are eligible and hold a current (as of 28/01/2014) Health Care or Pension Card please call at the office and fill in an EMA form. Please bring your health care card with you to enable us to photocopy it. No applications will be accepted after Friday 21/02/2014.

BREAKFAST CLUB Breakfast Club will be starting next Tuesday, the 18th of February. Last year we had 75-100 children attend, on a regular basis. This valuable community service can only run with the assistance of parent and grandparent helpers and volunteers. If you could assist on a Tuesday and/or Thursday morning from 8-9am could you please let the office or Paul King know. Thankyou

RUNNING CLUB
Running Club will be starting Tuesday the 18th of February. Last year we had lots of children, younger siblings and parents attend. This valuable community service can only run with the assistance of parent helpers and volunteers. I am looking for a running Club Coordinator. The role involves marking how many laps each participant completes, and recording this information. If you could assist on a Tuesday and/or Thursday morning from 8-9am could you please let Paul King know. Thankyou

Student of the Week

Students will be presented with certificates at Monday morning assembly. Prep B Mrs Bos Poppy Dunnion for always being an interested learner. Prep P Mrs Prossor Mia Anthony for being a great listener and always helping to keep our learning spaces clean and tidy. 1H Mrs Hughes Ike Taylor for being an independent, self-motivated learner. He always demonstrates the RICH school values to all. 1P Miss Perkins Mikayla Bailey What a fantastic start to the year you have had inside the classroom. You are working so hard and showing that you are very ready for Grade 1! 2B Mrs Baird Vanessa Pettiford for creating a wonderful book at home and sharing it so well with Year 3. 2J - Mrs Johnstone Makayla Oliver for the efforts she puts into being such a focussed and interested learner. She follows the RICH values and is a good role model. 3/4T Miss Withers Keely Nevinson- What a huge effort you put in at the swimming sports and the iron-man.

You're a great sport and your enthusiasm and positive attitude paid off. You are an excellent role model and it's good to see that you're growing in confidence each day.
3/W Ms Walton Brock Tocknell for his amazing attitude during the Ironman event. Excellent effort. 4/5S Miss Staley Joel Pearce for your incredible can do attitude in the ironman event. Your positivity was inspirational, you make a great ironman Joel! 5Q Miss Quintin What a great achievement Ellie Papadopoulos. You paddled your little heart out at the beach on

Wednesday and finished smiling and cheering on your classmates. Well Done, you set a great example of true sportsmanship to others in our grade.
6B Mrs Bruin Zack Lizio for your fantastic effort in the ironman event. You exceeded your own expectations and proved that you can do anything. Well done! Art / Craft Music (Mrs Young) Max Gorton 1P you have had a flying start to your violin lessons and you always come to Music ready to listen and learn. Well done! P.E. (Mr King) Brock Tocknell 3/4W - for persevering in the Ironman event well done Brock!