Newsletter

Newsletter

Issue 15, 24th October 2013 Issue 6, 16 May 2013

From the Principal

Class Structures 2014 When planning class structures the academic and social success of all of our students is our paramount goal. We aim to achieve this within the staffing and financial resourcing available to us. Having received our staffing allocation, it is our role to best manage the distribution of this teacher time to cater for our students teaching and learning needs. The staffing formula under which we operate is based directly upon the number of students in each year group (a different allocation for different ages); provides allocations for teacher planning time; provides for LOTE (languages other than English); and for students formally diagnosed with disabilities. It is a complex formula and does not necessarily provide flexibility for local area issues. Classes are structured within the boundaries of recommended class sizes (this varies across the years) and taking into account teacher expertise and the schools strategic direction (developed in consultation with the school council). On Tuesday night between 5pm and 6pm we are running an information session regarding staff structures for 2014. At this point in time we have not decided what structure we will proceed with but will be explaining the process and some options that may (or may not) be viable. We will answer questions and listen to your feedback. Dont be early and dont be late 8.30am is just great! Its great to see that the students want to be here bright and early each morning, especially to complete their 10 a day for Maths, but unfortunately we cannot provide supervision before 8.30am. If this creates difficulties for your family please discuss it with your childs teacher and we will endeavour to assist you. Any students arriving before this time (unless it is for tennis or prior arranged duties such as tending the chickens), will be required to sit on the bench on the John Street side of room 5. Parent Survey It has been a couple of years since our last school survey and its time to offer you an opportunity to have your say about our school. Each family will today receive a copy of our parent survey being conducted by the school council. Please take the time to complete this survey and place it in one of the two boxes located outside the office (on the veranda) and inside the Kindergarten room door by Friday the 8th of November. We value your opinion and look forward to receiving your responses.

UPCOMING EVENTS Fremantle Festival Parent Workshops (See page 4 for more details)

Save the Dates

Class Structure Meeting Tuesday 29th October Art room 5 - 6pm North Freos Got Talent Show Thursday 31st Oct Music Room - 12:45 Adult Social Event Date change TBA Year 4 - 7 Camp Wed 13th - 15th Nov School Swimming Monday 2nd Dec Friday 13th Dec End of Year Concert & Graduation Tuesday 17th Dec TERM DATES 2013 Term 4 Wednesday 16th Oct Thursday 19th Dec

Our Vision For all students at North Fremantle Primary School to experience learning that is purposeful, engaging and empowers them to become life long learners. Our Mission Through partnerships with parents and the local community, we will provide an inclusive environment in which our students can develop the knowledge skills, understandings and confidence to reach their potential. Email the school administration: NorthFremantlePS@education.wa.edu.au Email Teachers direct: Room? NorthFremantlePS@education.wa.edu.au (Please insert which room # your child is in)

Room 1 - Lisa Miller

Well, its been an exciting start to the last term in Kindy! We have started arriving at school earlier so we can prepare ourselves for the day and be ready for fitness when the bell goes. We are also bringing in morning tea in our own lunch box. Its tricky working out which food is for snack and which is for lunch but we are getting the hang of it. When first term of Pre-Primary comes around we will be well prepared to join in and have fun!

Room 2 - Liz Smith Pre-primary are busier than ever this term. We welcome Mrs Slattery for her 5 week prac with us and are very excited about our topic FairyTales to tie in with the Fremantle Festival Parade on 10th November. As Jack and the Beanstalk is one of the childrens favourite fairy tales, weve been growing our own magic beans and seeds and been doing a lot of investigative science work lets see how big our plants can get by the end of term!

Room 3 - Bev Lane We have had an interesting week (as usual). The children have increased their speed at the cross-country practice every day and almost everyone is remembering their hats and appropriate footwear. We are getting back into our home-reading routine and swapping books on Friday. The only person interrupting our routine is Ms Lane and her tooth-ache. Here is a picture of some our very conscientious readers, Eva, Abbey and Rylee.

Room 4 - Rochelle Reeves Room 4 had a wonderful holiday. We are happy to be back but on the two week break we visited lots of different places. Here are a few: Broome, a farm near Brookton, friends houses, Quinninup, Sydney, Margaret River, Kalbarri, Gold Coast, Karijini, Coral Bay, Warrah Station, Shark Bay, Shell Beach, Melbourne for the footy grand final and Porongorups. What a well travelled bunch we are. Those of us that stayed in Perth went to Timezone, the Royal Show, we saw movies such as Turbo, Percy Jackson, Smurfs 2, Planes, Despicable Me 2 and many more. During week 2 and 3 we are lucky to have Miss Sarah Appleyard with us. She is doing her teaching practice and comes to us from Edith Cowan University. We have started a new money reward system in our classroom to encourage childrens positive behaviours and develop our knowledge of money and responsible spending.

Room 5 - Chris John Its shaping up to be another busy term in Room 5 as we look ahead in the calendar to see Pip Sivwright coming in for some specialist science work, our festival parade on November 10th, and camp in week 5. All this means that weve had to get stuck into our theme of Planet Earth as we identify the similarities and differences we have with the other countries and continents around the world. Well also be investigating how the dirt, soil and rocks under our feet came to be and how we use it for everyday purposes. A reminder that payments and permission slips for camp are due back next Friday (November 1st) so numbers can be confirmed.

Room 7 - Brent Snook It has been a busy start to term four for room 7. In Health Education we have been focussing on the negative effects of smoking and the implications it can have on our health and well being in the future. In groups we directed and performed TV commercials to the rest of our class which we enjoyed. It was a good experience to educate each other on such an important health topic. In Science we are just finishing learning about seasons and eclipses. This term we have focused on beliefs about seasons and eclipses from different cultures and backgrounds. Our main focus has been on Australian aboriginals as well as Chinese beliefs. We are looking forward to having a really productive term as well as raising some more money for our up coming camp.

Music News: Many parents may already be aware that interested students have put their names down to be part of the North Freos got Talent show as Ive asked all those who wish to participate to practice whenever they can and especially in front of the family at home if possible to gain confidence when performing. (A bit of music homework). This year the show is mainly for the opportunity to perform and a bit of fun therefore there are no judges. It will be held next Thursday the 31stof October in the music room from 12:45pm. Also next Thursday we will be singing the song Keep On on the same day and at the same time as many other schools around the country who have also registered as part of Music Count Us In 2013.

VacSwim December/January school holiday programs Enrolments are now open. Swimming pools and beaches are part of our Western Australian lifestyle. It is important for every child to learn to swim and develop essential water safety skills. VacSwims December/January school holiday swimming programs are conducted by qualified instructors who teach children the skills to be confident swimmers and safe in the water. For information and to enrol, visit det.wa.edu.au/swimming. For further information, telephone VacSwim on 9345 4007 or email vacswim@education.wa.edu.au.

Art NewsMargie Campbell

Fremantle Festival Family Workshops

Friday 25th October 9am Art Room. Bring some lunch. Sunday 27th October 10am Art Room Sunday 3rd November 10am Art Room

TAKE HOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER Give your children the wonderful opportunity to have an international big brother or big sister by hosting one of our exceptional international students arriving in Australia in February 2014 for their 3, 5 or 10 month programs. Our international students from Germany, Italy, Finland, Colombia and Mexico will live as a local, attend a local secondary school, arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance cover all arranged by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Visit us at www.scce.com.au, email scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll free on 1800 500 501, request our international student profiles, and capture the spirit of family and friendship!

How fast can you ride your bike?

We want you to test yourself against the clock in a junior Time Trial event that will be held in North Coogee on Saturday afternoon on October 26. This new event is open to all students on all types of bikes. No doubt there may be bragging rights amongst your mates on who was fastest, but at the end of the day youre really only testing yourself. Food and drinks available in CY OConnor Park afterwards. At $5 entry, the question should be How fast can I ride my bike? Registration is through www.visionary.org.au or by contacting Mic on 0403 930 499.