8 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents

Welcome to the 2017 school year. We look forward to another great year at Somerly Primary School. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and supportive staff. Everyone from the cleaners, office staff, education assistants and teachers have worked incredibly hard before school commenced to ensure a smooth start for all students.

The New Year has been very encouraging with students settling very quickly and staff establishing their routines, ensuring a positive start for all.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to several new staff members:

Mrs Peta Head – Deputy Principal
Mrs Zoe Hamand – Year 1
Miss Elle Walker – Year 1
Mrs Nicola Hutchison - Year 1 - Room 3 Monday
Miss Janelle Avins - Kindy - Room 6 Wednesday

Teacher Parent Meetings

This year we have made the decision not to conduct parent / teacher information sessions in week three as we have traditionally. Instead teachers will send home a detailed note outlining their teaching programme, behaviour strategies and expectations. The note will be sent home before Friday 17th February.

We will replace our parent information session with a Numeracy Open Day that will take place on Thursday 30th March between 8.30 am and 9.30am. Additional details will follow in future newsletters.

Pre Primary, Year One and Year Two On-entry Assessment Programs

Letters are going home to parents with children in Pre Primary and Year 1 explaining the On-Entry Assessments that will be taking place shortly. Please read these letters to gain a better understanding behind the programs.

If you have any questions please call the office on 9407 7142.

Once the assessments are complete a written report will be sent home to parents.

Voluntary Contributions

We have 4 x $50 Lowes vouchers to give away. For your chance to win, simply pay your Voluntary Contribution by the end of Term 1.

Voluntary Contributions play a significant role in providing resources for students in the classroom. The continuing partnership between the school and parents is vital to ensuring that all students receive a level of education sufficient to carry them forward in today’s society. Voluntary Contributions are utilized to purchase books, resources and equipment for classroom use and to support our school in the delivery of quality educational programmes. To enable the school to continue to deliver our excellent educational programmes, we urge you to consider paying your Voluntary Contribution at your earliest convenience.

Voluntary Contributions for 2017 is set at $60. However, if you pay before the end of Term 1 you will receive a discount of $10.

You can pay by cash, cheque or credit card in the front office any day between 8:30am and 3:30pm alternatively you can also pay by direct deposit to Commonwealth Bank – BSB 066 040 - Account No. 19902052. Please type surname and room number in description field as a reference.

Tracey Renton
Principal

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 2 is as follows:-

RESPECT:

CLASSROOM

• Pay attention and listen attentively.
• Obtain permission to use others equipment
• Use inside voices.
• Respect others that are learning by staying in your seat.
• Respect other people’s opinions.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club commenced last week and will be operating every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00am – 8.30am. We have a small band of hardworking and dedicated volunteers who run the Breakfast Club each week for the benefit of all our children and they would love some support. Any assistance and/or donations of food are greatly appreciated.

Toddler Reading

Parents are invited to bring toddlers along to our Toddler Reading sessions. Mrs Hughes our wonderful library officer will run the session every Wednesday commencing 15th February, between 9.00-9.30 in the library. Toddlers will participate in storytelling and a small art activity and will be able to borrow a library book to take home.

Head Lice

This is an issue that we as a school community need everyone to be vigilant about. Please check your child’s hair regularly and treat when needed. If you require more information about what to look for or how to treat head lice, you may collect a head lice fact sheet from the office or alternatively type “Head Lice” into the search box of the Health Department web site below.

Parent Parking

Somerly Primary School is very fortunate to have ample parking space provided for parent parking around the perimeter of the school. Unfortunately a minority of parents/carers do park in the “Staff Only” parking area and the disabled bays. This car park is out of bounds to parents and students. Thank you to the families that are parking in the correct areas.

Not Feeling Well?

If your child is not feeling well before school, please keep them home and notify the office by phoning 9407 7142 or sending an SMS to 0437 480 486.

Late Collection of Students

Somerly Primary School has a student finish time of 2.45pm each day. If your child has not been picked up before 3pm, you will be required to come to the front office to sign them out.

Somerly Primary School has a new app!

SZapp is a great way to keep up to date with all of our latest news and information. Using SZapp will give you easy access to information such as:

• Newsletters on the go
• Latest News & Reminders
• Calendar
• Forms and Documents
• Event Bookings

School Banking

School banking will be available every Tuesday morning from 14th February 2017 between 8.00am and 8.15am in the school library.

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