15 June 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

I would like to thank parents for supporting us on our Open Day last Saturday. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and to hear you share your positive experiences regarding our school with new families. You certainly provided the evidence for our assertion that we offer a warm, welcoming and supportive environment in which children develop and learn. In addition to the friendly greeting, our open day guests were given an enticing taste of what is in store for Kindy and Pre-primary children during a typical day at Mullaloo Heights. There were messy activities, obstacle courses, decorate and design tasks, as well as face painting and a chance to try our new nature play area. Children and parents mixed together to try everything and rounded off the range of experiences with a delicious sausage sizzle. The morning was a great success, with much positive feedback given from new families who popped in for a visit. It is certainly something we plan to repeat in the future. We see it as a perfect opportunity to show the local community exactly why Mullaloo Heights is such a great school.

Meanwhile, back in classrooms, teachers have been busily writing end of semester reports ready to be disseminated at the end of this term. The grades students have been allocated, particularly in literacy and numeracy, are the result of rigorous assessment and teacher moderation. Moderation takes place between groups of teachers from each learning phase and involves them comparing each individual student’s work to an agreed national standard. This is a lengthy process, but one that allows teachers to agree on what standard is required for each grade, thereby ensuring consistency across the school. Should you have concerns regarding reports, please contact your child’s teacher. They will be able to explain the reasons for each grade allocated. Reports will be sent home on Thursday 29th June. Appointments with teachers can be made at any point after this date.

Best Wishes,
Caroline Booth
Principal

Dates to remember

Open Day

Here are a few snapshots from our Open Day on Saturday 10th June. It was great to see students from Mullaloo Heights welcome our special guests and show them the ropes in our Early Childhood Centre.

Out and About at Mullaloo Heights

Our roving camera heard that Room 8 and Room 10 buddies were getting together to share some historical knowledge so we tagged along. Imagine our surprise when we saw the little children reading historical recounts to the bigger kids. We had assumed it would be the other way round. Apparently, our year 1 students have been learning what it was like to be at school during the olden days. They cleverly used all the information they’d researched to write recounts of a typical day in character as school children from the past. Our older students were pretty impressed and managed to learn a thing or two themselves. Despite this, it seems they all still prefer school in the 21st century.

Modcrosse

Our students have been getting to grips with a new sport this term - modcrosse (a modified version of lacrosse). Not only are they becoming skilled, they are having fun too. This is something we will be adding to our list of sport experiences for students next year.

Parent Information

A Reminder to Parents - Safety around Schools

As previously mentioned in newsletter No.2 (24th February 2017)

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.

Lost Property

We are currently receiving numerous ‘fidget spinners’ being handed in to lost property.

This is a reminder that students may bring sporting equipment and toys from home for news, but not to play with at school due to their potential for damage, loss and behavioural issues.

If parents could please encourage their child/ren to leave their fidget spinners and other items precious to them, at home, it would be much appreciated.

Music News – Choir

I am seeking parent helpers to accompany the choir for the ONE BIG VOICE festival at Perth Arena next term. If your child is in the choir and you are available and interested, please contact me for details via email, Tina.Ameduri@education.wa.edu.au

Helpers would not be required to purchase a ticket for the show.

Thank you,

T. Ameduri
Music Teacher

French News

Bonjour!

The French language and cultural centre Alliance Française de Perth will have its doors open on Saturday 17 June from 9.30am to 1.30pm for Francophone, Francophile, adults, children, anyone who is interested in taking up French or is simply curious! It is a FREE event and is open to all.

Delicious croissants, coffee, mulled wine and crêpes will be served from a pop up French café in the patio.

On the programme:

• -10% on enrolments and memberships,
• French pop-up café,
• Participate in a free trial lesson for beginners,
• Join a 30 minutes free trial class for children from 18 months old,
• Craft activities for children,
• Short movies screening for kids,
• Get a free croissant and free coffee,
• Enjoy a warm mulled wine and tasty sweet crêpe,
• 2nd hand book sale,
• Come and have your French level assessed for free, without any appointment, by one of our teachers, who will help you to choose the right course. All new students enrolling on a group course on Open Day will be in with the chance to win their second course for free!
• Get to know our friendly team,
• Explore our premises and discover our French library,
• Try your luck at the raffle...
• Bring your friend and receive a gift!

I hope to see you at the Alliance in Nedlands.

Chaplain’s News

Dear Parents,

The BUZ Friends program has officially begun this term with the year 3’s and 4’s in room 9. I think the highlight so far has been the lesson on confidence, where the students learnt about their strengths and were able to decorate their own BUZ book with stickers that represent who they are and their strengths and abilities.

To further develop these skills, I have helped facilitate some small group mentoring which has helped the students develop in their ability to resolve conflicts, improve their relationships and develop their confidence and resilience.

I have also kicked off the Girl’s Club with the year 5 and 6 girl’s on Friday’s at lunchtime. So far the girls have participated in a get to know game where the girls wrote down interesting facts about themselves and put them in a bag. I read out their facts one at a time and the rest of the girls had to guess who wrote it, which they had a lot of fun doing! The girls have also made friendship bracelets and are excited to do more craft activities in the weeks to come!

It has been a great term with the introduction of these programs and the lunchtime group and I’m excited to see the outcome of these programs.

Please see the article below about ‘How Children See Television.’

School-age children still prefer to take things at face value, rather than questioning what they see on TV. Media images and TV role models can shape the behaviour and attitudes of school-age children. This is because children at this age are thinking about their identities. They look at the environment around them for role models, who might include TV characters, celebrities and other media figures.

So how do you choose the best movies for kids and teenagers? The ‘Raising Children Network’ contains reviews that look at old and new movies with a child’s eye. Their reviews provide a more in-depth description of movie content than the standard rating system and include age recommendations and warnings.

Kind regards,
Jess
School Chaplain

Community News

Kids Wonderland Under the Big Top!

OUR SCHOOL DISCOUNT CODE

Enjoy the Fun & Excitement of a Massive Children’s Festival this July school holidays.

This offer is only valid from 7th June to 28th June 2017.

Getting the tickets is easy, by following the steps below:

1. Head to www.kidswonderland.com.au
2. Click ‘Buy Tickets’
3. Choose the date & session time, along with the number of adult & child tickets
4. Enter your UNIQUE SCHOOL DISCOUNT code being; KWCY291
5. E-Tickets will be sent to your email address

WAPPA Winter School Holiday Program

Japanese Exchange Program at Ocean Reef Senior High School

Ocean Reef SHS is hosting a group of Japanese high school students from July 30 to August 12 and we are extending the opportunity to host a student to families in the local community. The Japanese students will attend Ocean Reef SHS but you don't need to have a child at Ocean Reef SHS to host, everyone is welcome. Hosting gives your family a wonderful opportunity to make an international friendship and it is as simple as involving the student in your daily routine. You will receive a payment of $450 for hosting a student. If you can help or would like more information please contact the exchange program coordinators Gold Intercultural Learning by email homestay@goldil.com.au or phone 9444 7687 or 0438 871 451.

Lion Heart Camp for Kids

City of Joondalup Libraries – School Holiday Activities