24 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

We’ve completed just 4 weeks of school, but already achieved so much. The year 6 students, in particular, have hit the ground running with much to organise in this first term. Many of them have spent time preparing speeches for the councillor and faction captain elections which have taken place over the past few weeks. The preparation of a short speech sounds like such a simple task, but the reality is it involves a huge amount of care, thought and time. Of course, there is the added pressure of putting yourself forward and risking that you may not win. The fact that so many of students are prepared to nominate themselves for these roles emphasises the value placed on our student leadership program, despite the work involved. Regardless of the outcome, all candidates should be extremely proud. They presented themselves well, speaking clearly and persuasively; a skill that will be valuable in the future. Although it is disappointing for those not elected, remember that there will be another chance to gain a position later in the year. It is always worth trying again. Our successful leaders are all photographed lower down in the newsletter. Congratulations to them. We are looking forward to seeing them develop as leaders.

Over time, a considerable number of you have requested individual meetings with teachers as an opportunity to gain a clear of understanding of your child’s progress. In response to this, we have now scheduled formal meetings on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March. A letter was sent to all families earlier this week advising how to book your appointment. There are additional copies are in the office, should you need one. We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. It will be the first positive step in establishing open communication, as well as informing you of classroom expectations and ways in which you can support your child’s learning. We strongly believe that establishing effective communication between home and school is essential in achieving the best education for your child. We are certainly looking forward to seeing you all at our Parent Consultation Evenings.

Caroline Booth
Principal

Dates to remember

Councillor’s Corner

Our new councillors and faction captains have received their badges and are excitedly anticipating the challenges their new role will bring.

Our head boy and head girl, Katie and Konrad, are joined by new student councillors: Charlie, Jack, Ella & Ronan

‘I’m looking forward to working with my friends to organise a colour day for Harmony Week.’ Charlie

‘I’m excited to have this role and I will work very hard.’ Ronan

‘I love this school and am proud to be a councillor. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.’ Jack

‘Thank you for voting for me. I am very happy to be a councillor.’ Ellla

New faction captains: Madison, Jaz, Leah, Luke, Liam & Owen

‘I’m looking forward to running our first swimming carnival.’ Luke

‘I’m looking forward to helping out at the faction carnival.’ Owen

‘I’m also looking forward to the swimming carnival.’ Jaz

‘I’m going to run a dance club for students during recess and lunch. Year 1&2 will go on Mondays, y3&4 on Wednesdays and y5&6 on Fridays. It will be fun.’ Madison

‘I’m excited to be a faction captain and looking forward to all the carnivals this year.’ Leah

‘I’m looking forward to the faction carnival.’ Liam

Out and About at Mullaloo Heights

After a long rest over the summer holiday, our roving camera has been back in action, seeking to capture some of the exciting learning happening in our classrooms. It was in luck this week when it found the Year 5/ 6 students busily investigating the properties of solids, liquids and gases. It seems they have undertaken this chemical science unit with great eagerness and Mr Adlam has been very impressed with their positive attitude towards the lessons. Look at the photo gallery below to see the action caught by our roving camera during a recent lesson.

A Mystery in Year 3 and 4

Our Year 3 and 4 classes have been the source of much intrigue over the past few weeks. Their teachers found an unusual box in the car park which, as yet, nobody has claimed. Our students, being extremely honest, are desperate to return the box to its rightful owner. As a result, you may notice a number of posters alerting the Mullaloo public to this situation. We have attached a few so that you can help our students in their quest to solve this mystery. Watch this space.

West Perth Football Frenzy

Graham Mills, from West Perth Football Club, popped into our Monday morning Line Up earlier this week to tell us how we can get involved in football during the forthcoming season. Apparently, there are opportunities for all ages and a brand new team for girls. After talking to us for a while, he asked us a number of questions to check how well we’d listened. Of course, listening is one of our best qualities at Mullaloo Heights, so it’s not surprising that many of us walked away with prizes for correct answers. After Graham’s visit, we’re all inspired to get into footy. Find out how to join Ocean Reef JFC Auskick, our local junior football club, at the following link.

Aus Kick Winners

Sports Uniform Feedback

Thank you to all parents who took the time to complete the short survey regarding a Mullaloo Heights Sports Uniform. As you can see from the results below, most people would prefer not to buy a designated sports shirt for the Athletics carnival and Cross Country Competition. As a result, students should continue to wear any polo shirt or t-shirt in their faction colour for these events. This will allow spectators to easily identify students in their faction and add to the team spirit on the day.

Parent Information

Safety around Schools

In an effort to provide a safer environment for everyone City of Joondalup Officers will be conducting patrols of school parking in the mornings and afternoons throughout the school term.

Vehicles which park contrary to parking signage around schools are a major hazard and impact on the safety of children, pedestrians and other road users in these areas. It is imperative that drivers are aware of, and park in accordance with, the parking conditions which apply in near schools.

As part of this initiative Officers will be using patrol vehicles, which have been fitted with Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, to capture digital images of vehicles which are parked contrary to parking requirements near schools. Any infringement notices, issued as part of these patrols, will be sent via mail to the registered owner of the vehicle.

School Photo Day

Next Thursday, 2 March 2017, Mullaloo Heights PS will be having their annual school photos. All students have received their individual Kapture Photography order envelope, if you have not seen this; please check your child’s bag.

The recommended method of ordering your photos is online through Kapture’s website as your payment is secure and can be easily verified at any time. Alternatively you can pay by cash and return the provided envelope to the school on the photography day. If you place your order online please return your envelope to the photographer on the day.

You have the remainder of the current year to order, 5 days after photography a late fee will apply. Please check the website.

You also have the option to order a sibling photo package online, however please be aware there may be a limited number of sibling orders that can be placed due to time constraints on photo day. Kapture suggests that you place your online sibling order the moment you receive your personalised envelopes.

Kapture offer a money back guarantee for any parent who is not fully satisfied with their photo package. Should you have any queries before or after photo day, please direct them to the Kapture office on 9240 1714 or email enquiries@kapture.com.au.

Voluntary Contributions

Thank you to all who have paid their child’s contribution for 2016. Monies collected through this scheme enhance the learning program at MHPS. If you have overlooked payment, please come in and see us at the front office or alternatively, payment can be made via direct deposit into the school bank account.

Bank Account details for MHPS.

For your convenience to make direct deposits:

Mullaloo Heights PS (MHPS)
BSB: 066 040
A/C No.: 19903178

Please include your child’s name as reference.

Eftpos Facilities at MHPS.

We have Eftpos facilities available, accepting Visa and Master Card. Please see the front office to make payments.

Mobile phones

A reminder that mobile phones and ipods etc, need to be signed into the front office at the commencement of each school day. The phones are stored away for the day and students come back at the end of the day to collect their phone.

Communication to or from parents or carers, during school time, regarding any issues relating to students is the responsibility of the school and will be managed by the school. Parents who need to contact their children during the school day can contact our school on 9401 2488.

Mobile phones can be an effective means of communication between parents and their children before and after school hours. However, during school time, they are a distraction to students and have the capacity to negatively impact on the learning environment and the safety and well-being of students.

Crunch & Sip

Our school is a Crunch and Sip School. All students are encouraged to have a water bottle in their classroom, every day: not juice or cordial, only water. Students are also encouraged to bring in a small container of chopped fresh fruit and/or vegetables. Students will have a break at about 9.30am in class. Popcorn, dried fruit, oranges and fruit tubs are not approved. Your child is encouraged to participate in Crunch and Sip, but this is not compulsory and your child may choose to only eat at recess and lunch time. If you have any concerns, please speak with your child’s teacher.

Sun Smart

Our school is a Sun Smart School. We encourage all students to wear our school bucket hat. Should a student forget their hat or choose not to wear it, they will be required to play in the covered assembly area. Students are encouraged to put on 30+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before leaving for school or they can apply the sunscreen at school. Sun screen is available in every classroom.

Student Health Form 2017 (Excursions)

A hard copy of the 2017 Health Form for Excursions has been sent home with students. Could parents/ guardians please complete these forms and return them to their Class teacher by Friday, 10 March 2017.

Parent/ Guardian Contact details

If you have changed any of the following details, could you please notify the school, as soon as possible;

• Residential address
• Contact numbers – home, mobile
• Emergency contacts
• Email address

Medical updates

If there has been any change in your child’s health, that you may feel the school needs to know, for the safety of your child, for example; If your child has an anaphylactic reaction to anything, an allergic reaction or asthma, please notify our school in writing so that we can update our medical records.

Chaplain’s Corner

Dear Parents,

I hope you are having a great start to 2017 and enjoyed your Christmas Holidays! I would like to welcome all the new families to Mullaloo Heights Primary School! I hope that you are settling in well and I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all.

School has started off with lots of new and exciting things happening in the area of Chaplaincy. This year I am excited to run the BUZ (Build Up Zone) program with some of the year 3-6 classes. This program covers different social and emotional areas and helps students develop skills in resilience, self-confidence, conflict resolution, bully-proofing and feelings management. I will also be running some small group activities which will further develop these skills in students.

Along with running the BUZ Program in classrooms, I will also be assisting with the school’s health program, where I can further support the development of these social and emotional skills in students.

I have also introduced a “Cooking Club” this year which is open to all students from years 3-6 to join. Two students from each classroom are chosen every week to do cooking at lunchtime! We have had lots of fun cooking (and eating) different foods so far! This is a great way for me to get to know more students, as well as an opportunity for students to get to know one another and make new friends.

This year I will be available every Thursday and Friday from 8.15am-3.20pm if you have any questions or if I can help in any way. I can be contacted through the school or by email: jessicas@youthcare.org.au.

Kind regards,
Jess Smith

Cooking Club

This year I am very excited to introduce a “Cooking Club” that I will be running on Fridays at lunchtime! This is a fun activity that all students from years 3-6 will be able to join if they choose. Every week two students are selected from each classroom to join Cooking Club, with a new group joining every week. This is a great and fun way for me to get to know the students as well as a great opportunity for them to interact with and get to know students from other year levels. I have loved seeing how the students form friendships with those from different year levels to their own. Hopefully their cooking experience will come in handy at home too! ;)

Jess Smith
Chaplain

P&C News

On behalf of all the staff, Parents and students, we would like to offer a huge thank you to Mullaloo Bakers Delight for their incredibly generous Free 'Block a Day' giveaway that we all benefitted from last year. And, they are kindly doing it all again this year!

We all love fresh bread, and currently all the Kindy and Pre-Primary students are taking advantage of a loaf of White, Wholemeal or Grain bread free every day for the month of February.

In March, the green letters from Mullaloo Bakers Delight with the ‘Block a Day’ cards will be going out to all the year 1’s.

For those who haven’t discovered it yet, Mullaloo Baker’s Delight is just across the oval next to Mullaloo IGA!

Community News