Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 27, Thursday August 23 2018
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
Week 6 – over half way through Term 3. 2018 is certainly flying by.
I received a wonderful letter last week from The Honourable James Merlino MP’s office. As part of the Education State vision, the Andrews Labor Government set a goal to increase pride and confidence in public schools across Victoria. After representations from our local Member of Parliament, Phillip Dalidakis, Member for Southern Metropolitan Region, we have been allocated $80,000 to support the vision we have been developing for the re-establishment of our play spaces.
It is super exciting to think that with these funds and the fundraising efforts of the PFA we will be able to improve our school environment in line with our vision.
If you would like to add ideas to our vision board please do – it is located outside my office…
Send photos of things you like, draw pictures of ideas you may have and add them to the board. Thanks to all of you who have already contributed!
KIDSMATTER:
Emotional literacy (often referred to as emotional intelligence) is our ability to recognise, understand and appropriately express our emotions. It is also the ability to recognise the emotions of others and to respond to them appropriately. Emotional literacy is a key component of both self-awareness and social awareness.
Emotional literacy is a key skill which underpins:
Self-awareness – Being able to identify and recognise your emotions;
Self-management – Being able to exert self-control and manage stress and challenge;
Social awareness – Being aware of others’ needs and having empathy for others;
Relationship skills – Being able to communicate and relate well with others;
Responsible decision-making – Being able to problem-solve and accept responsibility.
How do we teach emotional literacy?
The Building Resilience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lesson materials use a range of individual and group activities to help students to:
Learn to recognise and describe their emotions;
Discuss and practise how to express their emotions appropriately;
Think about the consequences of expressing emotions inappropriately;
Reflect on their own emotional responses to a variety of situations;
Learn new ways to manage and regulate their emotions;
Practise effective communication skills and learn to moderate their emotional responses when expressing their needs, wants and opinions.
Sample Activities to complete with your children
Positive and negative emotions:
Ask your child to draw the outline of a body and to write the words for some positive and negative emotions around the outside;
Encourage them to talk about where in their bodies they might feel the different emotions and add these to the drawing: e.g. nervous-sweaty palms, excited/afraid tension in the tummy, pride-a big smile (This can help your child to recognise their stress signals and encourage them to talk with you about these).
A rollercoaster of emotions:
In the course of a day we feel a range of emotions. The metaphor of the rollercoaster can be used to help children and young people understand emotional intensity and the way experiences can lead to or trigger positive or negative emotions;
Drawing a rollercoaster diagram showing the high and low points of a day helps children recognise events and situations that lead to varying emotional responses;
Draw the rollercoaster that represents your own day and share it with your child and then encourage them to try drawing one of their own.
Useful links
SAFEMinds: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/health/Pages/mentalhealth.aspx
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): http://www.casel.org/
KidsMatter: http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/role-families
SWIMMING CARNIVAL:
Our Carnival is fast arriving! This is the highlight of the program where the children get to enjoy a fun day filled with races to showcase their swimming skills. Letters will be coming home with further information regarding the Carnival, but so you are aware the times are as follows:
Monday 3rd September
Y3 to Y6 - 9:30am - 12.00pm. Buses depart school at 9:00am and return at 12:45pm.
F to Y2 - 1:00pm - 3.00pm. Buses depart school at 12:30pm and return by 3:30pm.
If you are available to help on the day please email me – we usually can manage the Carnival with 10 parent helpers.
brady.elaine.e@edumail.vic.gov.au
CONCERT - DRESSING THE STAGE WORKING BEE:
Over the next week or so we are starting to think about dressing the stage for our production ‘The Little School on the Hill’. We need some helpers to cut, tick and design… if you are available on Thursday 30th August from 9:30 – 11am it would be great to get your help!
REMINDERS:
2018 school fees (Essential Education Items) are overdue – if you have not yet paid this fee please contact the office ASAP. A letter has been issued if you are outstanding on your account. It is important to note that the school has to subsidise any fees that are not paid by families. These subsides are paid our of our curriculum budgets.
Have a relaxing weekend,
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday August 24 - Y4 Captains and Convicts incursion
Monday August 27 - Y1 Como House excursion
Friday August 31 - Father's Day Stall
Monday September 3 - Swimming Carnival
Thursday September 6 - Foundation Hearing Screening & Bring it Breaky
Friday September 7 - Y5/6 Basketball Round Robin (selected students)
Wednesday September 12-Thursday September 13 - School Concert
Tuesday September 18 - Story time
Friday September 21 - Term 3 ends at 2:30pm & Footy Colours Day
Student of the Week
FS - Justin S
FT - Andy L
1B - Joshua M
1H - Hamzeh S
3M - Kara G
3R - Stephanie S
4G - Tom H
5D - Nyagoa K
5H - Whole Class
6L - Anik P
The Little School on the Hill
Cast Dates
Many thanks for feedback from parents about our concert dates. We are finding out new things every time!
With that information in mind, we have decided on the cast arrangements.
All students will be a part of all performances. Our two acting casts will be have different starring days.
Monday 10th September
All students performing in their year level group
Dress Rehearsal: Cast B
Wednesday 12th September
All students performing in their year level group
Dress Rehearsal: Cast A and B
Evening: Cast B
Thursday 13th September
All students performing in their year level group
Matinee: Cast A
Evening: Cast A
Costume Information
Information regarding the costume items required for students was sent home this week. Keep an eye out for the notice in school bags!
A helpful tip from one of our parents: "To save people the need to go and hunt the shops and spend money on a plain black long sleeved t-shirt, I’d suggest that if they already have a black top with a picture on it, it’s as simple as turning it inside out and cutting the tag off. Voila! Plain black top for the concert and no money spent!"
Boxes Needed
We are after some boxes to use in our Foundation Inquiry lessons! If you have any boxes you are willing to donate please bring them to the Foundation classrooms or the office.
Head Lice
We have had reports of head lice in multiple year levels throughout the school. If your child is showing signs of head lice, please treat your child's hair before bringing them to school.
Father's Day Sports Get Together
Just a reminder that the Father's Day Sports Get Together is coming up on Saturday September 1 at 3:00pm. Don't forget to RSVP!
If you require a new form, please contact the office.
Fake Fur vs Real Fur
Did you know that people are killing animals by wearing real fur? IT NEEDS TO STOP!
People are buying real fur. People are killing animals for their fur. So don’t buy real fur because… people are killing animals.
Animals that are getting hunted for fur are red pandas, big cats, brown bears, leatherback turtles and polar bears.
Don’t buy real animal products. If you like fashion fur, buy fake fur.
Abigail EW, Daniel W, Callan O, 2M
PFA News
Committee Members:
President: Vanessa Cowley
Vice President: Katrina Battle
Treasurer: Sumi Sundram
Secretary: Kylie Touloupis
Communications: Eva Conley
General Members: Fiona Crellin, Jason Van Lint, Elle Delmee, Mark Havas, Lisa Jacobson, Anny Murray, Wendy Douglas, Janneke Storteboom, Leanne Knight
Father’s Day Stall 31 August
Join us and watch your little people purchase a gift for their special someone. It’s a joy to watch and a highlight on the Parkhill Calendar. Let’s make it a success together.
There are still a few spots available so please follow the link and sign up. Thank you!
Please email Kylie at parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com with any queries.
PFA Meeting TONIGHT 23 August 8.00pm
All welcome to attend.
Vanessa will be hosting the meeting please RSVP to Kylie at parents.friends.secretry@gmail.com for the address.
Connect with the Parkhill Community
The weekly newsletter, FlexiBuzz and Facebook are the key avenues we use to disperse information your way.
If you are not already signed up to either platform, jump on board – you’ll wonder how you’ve lived without our friendly reminders!
Facebook – Search for ‘Parkhill Primary School Community’, send us a friend request, answer the relevant questions and an administrator will respond. This is a closed group for Parkhill families only and is monitored to ensure privacy.
FlexiBuzz – Smart Phone / iPad Setup:
Go to your preferred App Store (Google Play or App Store).
Search and download FlexiBuzz.
Open FlexiBuzz on your phone / iPad and register. You will need your name, an email address and a password.
In your profile information you can select the language you wish to receive your messages in. This will automatically translate all posts and notifications into the selected language.
Click the 'search' icon and look for PARKHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Click on the box beside our school name.
Click the 'Add' icon next to the communication groups that apply to you.
Click on the 'Home' icon - this is where new messages will show up.
Parkhill Primary School
Email: parkhill.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: www.parkhillps.vic.edu.au
Location: 4A Parkhill Drive, Ashwood VIC, Australia
Phone: 03 9807 2239