17 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents

Farewell

On Friday we will be saying a fond farewell to Mrs Gane as she commences her maternity leave. I would like take this opportunity to thank Mrs Gane for the wonderful start to Year 2 that she has provided for all of the students in room 16. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mrs Karin Robinson will be replacing Mrs Gane.

NAPLAN

Congratulations to all our year three and five students who participated in the NAPLAN assessments last week. Results of the assessments will be available later in the school year. The data will assist the school in making informed decisions in regards to future focus curriculum areas in 2018.

Travelling To and From School

Recently we had a near miss with a student nearly being hit by a car. As parents and carers, we have a responsibility to keep our children safe when travelling to and from school.

If you are thinking about letting your child walk to and from school alone, please consider:

• their age and ability. Are they at least 10 years of age?
• are they aware of the road safety rules?
• walking with them and talking about hazards.
• how busy and how many roads they need to cross.
• getting them to walk with others.
• explaining the dangers of distractions - using electronic devices, talking to friends, wearing headphones.

New students

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Alex, Lisa, Tyson, Geoffrey, Brendan, Ebony, Malcolm, Marshall and Paige who recently commenced at Somerly Primary School.

Tracey Renton
Principal

Behaviour Focus

Our behaviour focus for Week 4 is:-

Responsibility;

Whole school

• Return equipment in the condition you found it;
• Stop, look and listen when spoken to by an adult;
• Dispose of rubbish in the bin;
• Follow the school wide expectations.

Somerly Stars!

Kindy enrolment for 2018

We are now taking Kindergarten applications for 2018, if you have a child that was born between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014 please come into the front office for an application form.

As Kindy is non-compulsory, enrolments will be on a first in basis.

When applying we need a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport, visa if applicable, current Medicare immunisation details and proof of address.

Students Late to School

If your child arrives late to school they are missing critical morning routines and learning activities. The school day begins at 8:40am and students will be considered late if they do not arrive by this time. If your child arrives after 9:00am you are required to enter through the front office and provide us with a reason for the lateness. A late slip will be printed for you to give to the class teacher.

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.

A Message from Kapture

Dear Parents

Following our recent school photography by Kapture, you can now view and order any special photos taken on the day. When visiting you will need to enter our school code under the Sports & Event tab to access the gallery; Code: L9JR7P.

Life Education

Research from Intel Security has indicated that 67% of tweens (8-12 year olds) use social media including Facebook, Instagram and Skype. More than half (53%) of those children have witnessed cruel behaviour online and a worrying 68% of teens have shared personal information online. This demonstrates the need for cybersafety awareness for children, tweens and teens.

What is Life Education about?

Life Education is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation working with schools to deliver a curriculum-based program that empowers children to make safe and healthy lifestyle choices. Life Education has been operating for more than 35 years, and have delivered programs to nearly 5 million children throughout Australia in that time.

Life Education programs support children, teachers and families to explore a range of health topics including nutrition, body knowledge, resilience, decision making, social skills, physical activity, personal safety, medicines, tobacco, alcohol and cybersafety. Providing opportunities to develop knowledge, understanding and skills is important in positively influencing healthy behaviours.

The Life Education Mobile Learning Centre will be at Somerly Primary School from Friday 26th May to Thursday 1st June 2017 for Years 3-6. Specialist teachers deliver a highly motivating experience in the Mobile Learning Centre on the following topics;

BCYBERWISE - Year 3-6

bCyberwise focuses on cybersafety, cyber ethics and building positive relationships with friends online and offline. The students explore a range of issues such as password security, risk of sharing personal information, how to communicate respectfully both online and offline and strategies to handle bullying and cyberbullying.

• responsible and respectful behaviour when using communication technology;
• skills for building positive relationships with friends;
• keeping personal information safe online;
• strategies to deal with bullying and cyberbullying;
• exploring the role of bystanders.

Further information on this session can be found below;

Open Van Session - Informal Parent/Carer Session

The Life Education van will be open from 9:15am to 10:15am on Friday 26th May 2017 (at the completion of our school assembly). This is an opportunity for parents/carers to find out about the topics that your children will be covering during their visit to the Life Education Van and to meet the Educator for an informal chat. All parents/Carers are welcome to visit the van at any time during the session.

Download the APP

Life Education, in partnership with Intel Security, have created a free, fun and interactive app- ‘bCyberwise Monster Family’. Join the Nubbins’ and explore their vast monster castle as they learn how to use the internet safely, protect personal information, recognise a safer website and be positive and respectful online. This app would be a great way to have follow up conversations with your children once they have participated in the bCyberwise sessions.

If you do not want your child to participate in the bCyberwise session (Year 3-6), please contact Andrew Britton on 9407 7142.

Walk Safely to School Day

WE’RE TAKING IT IN OUR STRIDE ON FRIDAY 19 MAY 2017

Well it’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!

Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.

You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:

• Walking with them the whole way to school
• If they get the bus or train, walk past your usual stop and get on at the next stop
• If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.

Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday 19 May 2017!

For more information, visit below:

Learning Focus

Kindy

Mother's Day Pamper

To celebrate Mother's Day this week, we invited Mums in to be pampered! The children made a necklace and decorated a biscuit with their Mum, painted their Mum's nails, brushed and styled their hair and gave their Mum a massage.

Thank you to all of the Mums for making it such a lovely morning in Kindy!

Music - Community Song

THIS ASSEMBLY’S COMMUNITY SONG IS…

The Greatest by Sia.

What are you great at? What is stamina? How do we get to be the greatest?

Lyrics:
Uh-oh, running out of breath, but I
Oh, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, running now, I close my eyes
Well, oh, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
But I, I, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
Cause I, I, I got stamina

Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no

I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest
The greatest, the greatest alive
The greatest, the greatest alive

Well, uh-oh, running out of breath, but I
Oh, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, running now, I close my eyes
But, oh, I got stamina
And oh yeah, running to the waves below
But I, I got stamina
And oh yeah, I'm running and I've just enough
And uh-oh, I got stamina

Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no

I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest
The greatest, the greatest alive
The greatest, the greatest alive

Oh-oh, I got stamina x 4

Don't give up (no no), I won't give up (no no)
Don't give up, no no no (nah)
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no

I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up, no no no)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up, no no no)

The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)

The next fortnight’s Community Song will be ‘We Will Rock You by Queen’!

Many thanks
Kim Olsen

Art

Recently in Art, Pre-Primary students have completed cheerful Noni The Pony illustrations with acrylic paints and pastel.

Year Ones have created some bright Pirate ships with colourful watercolour backgrounds.

Year Two students have made fluorescent positive posters to share upbeat messages with their peers.

Year Three students have created 'I bring magic to the world' watercolour artworks, exploring paint bleeding techniques and considering what special characteristics they have to share with those around them.

Year Four students studied illustrations by David Litchfield to create 3D cityscapes and landscapes.

Year Five students researched and responded to desert landscapes in America, including sections of Aztec patterns and designs. Year Six students have explored American Indian patterns and symbol meanings and they have represented what they would like to encourage in their classroom e.g. strength, friendship, peace and guidance.

Across the school we have been improving our ability to describe personal and peer work using Arts vocabulary linked to line, shape, colour, space, texture, value and form.

Well done to all students who are becoming increasingly fluent when giving Arts Responses.

Art and our Environment.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Karakamia in Chidlow. The name is derived from the Aboriginal name 'Karak' meaning red-tailed cockatoos, and 'mia,' meaning 'home.' It is a special conservation area fully-fenced to keep all feral cats away from native wildlife. You pay a set fee (all money goes back into the conservation project) to join in a 2 hour guided walk that starts on sunset. The guide takes you through the forest areas, spotlighting native animals like Woylies, Tamar wallabies, Brush-tailed possums and Quendas. It was lovely to be able to observe these animals so relaxed around humans. Because they are treated so kindly by the volunteers, they don't dash away, so you can take the time to watch them feed and go about their business. It really does give you the chance to see animals you wouldn't normally see. I would recommend it for families who haven't had the chance to view native animals up close. It is also an interesting activity to share with international guests who would like to learn about Australian wildlife. The guide tells me he has only seen one snake during the walks in ten years! Because you are travelling in a small group, he explains that snakes are scared off well in advance. I felt safe during the walk and there were so many more stars visible without light pollution from the city. There were some lovely paintings of animals on the walls at the central building. There are also many beautiful natural textures, colours, leaf shapes, wildflowers and sounds to enjoy.

For more information, you can follow the link below or Google 'Karakamia Sanctuary.'

If you and your family have enjoyed any local animal/plant conservation activities or you have seen/created any great Art locally, feel free to let me know. I always enjoy hearing how people are involving themselves with creative and conservation projects in the wider community.

Happy creating and exploring!

Rhiannon Bartley
Art Specialist

P & C

We are delighted to announce that this year’s school disco will be held on 21st June 2017.

The junior disco (Kindy to year 3) will take place from 4pm until 5:30pm (parents must stay with their child/children).

The senior disco (year 4 to year 6) will take place from 6pm until 7:30pm.

Entry is $3.00 per child (parents & caregivers are free).

Hotdogs, chips, drinks and more will be available at the canteen for purchase.

Thank you for helping support our P&C Association.

Our next P & C meeting will take place on Monday 29th May at 9am in the Staffroom - all welcome. I look forward to seeing you there.

Your President -Trudy Orduna

We're Fundraising with The Entertainment Book

Order forms can be collected from the school office.

Alternatively, you can order your book or your Digital Membership securely online by visiting the link below

Books are available immediately and can be collected from the school office.

20% from every membership sold contributes to supporting our fundraising.

Community Notices

Kurlangas Aboriginal Playgroup

This half of the term our theme is “Animals”. Some of our activities will include cotton wool sheep, feather ducks, animal stamping and dog marble painting. There will also be playdough, water play, woodwork, cooking, stories and songs.

Playgroup is FREE, and held every Wednesday at Somerly Primary School during term times between 10.00-12.00pm for Aboriginal children up to 5yrs of age and their carers.

A morning tea of fresh fruit is provided for the children and tea, coffee and biscuits for the adults. You do not need to have a child attending this school to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Aboriginal Early Years Team