Top of the mountain, top results. Issue 132 1st May 2012 What s On TERM TWO Thursday 26th April Canteen re-opens Chess Club begins today Knitting Club begins today Friday 27th April MDPS ANZAC Day Service Monday 30th April School Photos Monday 1st May RACV Street Scene program Sunday 6th May Chestnut Festival Tues 15th to Wed 17th May NAPLAN testing Years 3 to 5 Thursday 17th & 18th May Grade 2 Camp Wednesday 6th June BER and BST Grand Opening Police Band Performance What s in this issue? News and Views 1 School Committee Meetings Free Fruit Friday 2 Canteen 2 ANZAC Day Poems 3 Chestnut Festival Roster 3 Malaysia Unplugged 4 2 News and Views... Anzac Ceremony Congratulations and well done to our Senior Learning Unit (SLU) for organising and running a wonderful and emotional Anzac Commemoration Ceremony. Our students produced moving poetry, which they shared, that recognised the terrible conditions and empathised with the diggers who fought in horrific battles such as the battle at Gallipoli in 1915. I was extremely proud of our SLU students and I thank them for their efforts. Chestnut Festival The annual Chestnut Festival on this Sunday at the Kalorama Oval. Once again we are collecting Lucky Jars and Cakes. We have had some very thoughtful and generous donations of Lucky Jars however we are well short of our target of 400 jars. We are requesting that each student donates two jars filled with goodies such as small toys, children s stationary, wrapped lollies, beads, Lego and the like. Today we sent home a plate and a plastic bag for our cake stall. If you could cook or bake a cake, muffins, biscuits or slice and bring it to school on Friday or, even better, deliver it to our stall at 10am on Sunday it would be appreciated. Saturday is a good opportunity to have a family baking day. All proceeds from our stalls will be used to purchase books for our classroom reading programs. Grand Opening of our new Facilities On Wednesday, June the 6 th we will be holding an open day to celebrate the opening of our new BER building and the upgraded Multipurpose room facility. We will have an open morning, guest speakers, tours, student performances and the Police Band Code One playing. It should be a fantastic family day. More information will be available soon. Keep this date free in your diary. Head Lice Head lice are an ongoing frustration for school communities including ours. Please remember that is the parent or guardians responsibility for checking and treating their children for lice or nits. Below are some suggestions that may be helpful in the treatment of head lice: Checking for head lice and nits Check everyone in the household every week. During head lice outbreaks check each day. The wet combing technique has been shown to be more reliable than just checking dry hair. Symptoms may include excessive itching of the scalp especially at the front, nape of the neck, behind the ears, under the fringe, and at the base of plaits and ponytails. Treatment The two most common head lice treatment methods are wet combing and chemical treatment: wet combing involves wetting the hair and scalp liberally with hair conditioner to stun the head lice, then combing the head lice and nits out.( See 8 Step Technique outlined in this newsletter) chemical treatment uses pediculicides which kill the head lice. Other treatments such as electric combs, herbal/essential oils and enzyme treatments may also remove head lice, but follow the manufacturer s instructions for best results. People who suffer from epilepsy, heart disease or have heart pacemakers or other neurostimulator devices should avoid using or handling electric combs. If there is an adverse reaction to a treatment, seek medical advice. Working Bee May 20 th Now that our buildings are complete and in preparation for our Open Day, we are going to be holding a working bee on Sunday May the 20 th. We will be planting new plants, painting, spreading mulch and getting rid of old furniture. Please mark this date in your diary. Many hands make light work. A notice will follow soon. See you there! Thumbs up: To the SLU for their magnificent ANZAC commemoration ceremony. To Jillian Sime, Lenny Coulson and Colleen Forward for teaching our Grade 1/2 s how to make pasta. To Sue Gibson for creating and organising all the past production photo s that are on display in the multipurpose corridor. To Liz Kennedy and our wonderful artists for the excellent oil pastel Field of Flowers drawings that are on display now. Thank you, Michael Leonard and Sue Gibson. Purpose Statement Mount Dandenong Primary School values our unique environment and close community. It is a place for creative opportunities and academic excellence, nurturing respect, happiness and independence.
Page 2 Head Lice Treatment Eight step technique 1. Generously apply conditioner to dry hair to completely cover the scalp and the full length of the hair. 2. Untangle the hair with a wide-toothed comb. 3. Put the head lice comb flat against the scalp and draw the comb through each section of hair from the root of the hair to the ends. 4. Wipe the comb after each stroke onto white tissue or kitchen paper, checking each time for head lice and nits. 5. Repeat for every part of the head at least five times. 6. Dispose of tissues in a bin. 7. Wash the hair with warm water and shampoo; rinse thoroughly. 8. Scrub the comb with an old toothbrush in hot soapy water. If you find live head lice, repeat steps 1-8, two to three times a week for three weeks. When no more head lice or nits can be found, follow steps 1-8 once a week to keep everyone head lice-free. Chemical treatment Treatment preparations contain chemicals which can kill head lice and nits (eggs), although not all are effective against nits. Always follow the manufacturer s instructions. It is possible to catch head lice very soon after treatment. Only treat those people who have active head lice but continue to check everyone each day for 7-10 days. Head lice treatment preparations are available from pharmacies without a prescription. Always re-treat 7-10 days after the first treatment to kill any head lice that may have hatched from nits that survived the first treatment. School Sub Committee Meeting Times School Council Meeting Monday night Monday 21st May 7:15pm Educational Sub Committee Thursday prior to Council 17th May 3:45 pm Facilities Sub Committee TBA TBA 3:45 pm Finance Sub Committee Thursday prior to Council 17th May 8:15 am Fundraising Committee See Kylie Gilson FREE FRUIT FRIDAY Years Prep 2 Volunteers for the week of Friday, 4th May: Maxine McPeake, Di Mullins, Annie Angle and Gav & Lara Brammer Thank you to all our volunteers. CANTEEN Thank you to the following volunteers who will be preparing this week s delicious canteen lunch Victoria Clarke Karin Harris Julie Sanders MOTHERS DAY STALL Get ready for our next fundraising event the Mothers Day Stall which is to take place on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th May. Gifts of all shapes, sizes and cost will be available for purchase. Helpers on the days of the stall would be most welcome; please see Tricia Spratt
Page 3 ANZAC DAY POEMS WRITTEN BY MDPS STUDENTS Fresh Blood I was in a deadly war And so were many other people They did many brave things And fought for the ones they loved Some saw their best friends get violently shot or stabbed Others, witnessed the horrible pain of death Some by bullet Others by shrapnel I ran for dense shelter I was the only left in my battalion I thought of my wife and children What had I left behind? An image, picture or a feeling My final hope was a poppy, Something to be remembered by By Finley Foster, S.L.U. War Poem Why do people start war? Do they want power? Do they want more Or are they just filled up with so much greed They want all the things they really don t need Why do they want blue eyes or brown eyes? And blonde or brown hair Why does it matter? Why do they care? Does it matter if we are black skinned or white? We are all human we each have a right So while they re off fighting against one another That person they re shooting could be their brother Claire Hyett S.L.U. War The door opens, they re taken away Should I follow? Should I stay? Two days later I get a letter This day s not getting better! The sadness and anger strikes at my heart I tear and rip the letter apart My brother missing, my farther dead The anger goes straight to my head I go to my room and cry all night My mother comes in, she gives me a fright I yell Why war? Why does it have it have to be this way? My mother comes in and starts to say Do not cry we are winning the war We are about to be free once more Emma Waddingham S.L.U. CHESTNUT FESTIVAL Thanks to everyone for your assistance with the roster, cakes and lucky jars!!! CHESTNUT FESTIVAL ROSTER Time Fairy Floss Lucky Jars Cakes Showbags 8-10 am Jane Barnes Michael Smedley Kylie Gilson Sacha Sullivan Kirsten Vernon Michelle Lawrence 10-12pm Colleen Forward Jenny Lutz Maxine McPeake Lena Stewart Belinda Tomolo 12-2pm Annie Angle Jenny Lutz Veronica Smoothy 2-4pm Carol McMeeken Lauren Dixon Kylie Gilson Nicole Hyett Hedda Dooley Donna Grundy Sarah Manson 4pm - close Jane Barnes Kylie Gilson Sacha Sullivan Ursula DeCorrado Michelle Lawrence Many thanks to those who have volunteered. If you would like to add your name or change your roster slot then please email me at kylieandsimongilson@bigpond.com or text on 0439 553 371. Thanks, Kylie
Page 4 Malaysia Unplugged 2012. An amazing experience by Susan Smith During 2013 the Australian Government is starting the rolling out of a new Australian Curriculum. While this curriculum will mean that most areas of education will remain unchanged, there are three general priorities to be embedded across the curriculum. These are Sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Histories and Asia and Australia s Engagement with Asia. To support this last area the Federal and State Government are offering subsidised professional development opportunities for teachers to become engaged with Asia on a practical level. I was lucky enough to gain a place on one of these tours and I have just come back from a twelve day tour of Malaysia and Malaysian Schools. This tour was organised by the Asian Education Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting the cross curriculum priority of Studies of Asia and helping intercultural understandings. The purpose of this tour was three fold. Firstly it was to allow Australian teachers, first hand a chance to experience in depth, the differences and similarities between our two countries. Along with this it generated discussions between educators in both countries about the common problems that we share. Australian teachers were encouraged to demonstrate our teaching skills by becoming involved in the classroom and teaching in the school system. The delegation of Australian teachers that I was part of consisted of eighteen teachers and principals from five states, although twelve of these were from Victoria. We visited schools in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Kuching as well as attended briefings from the Australian High Commission, Malaysian Education Department, The Malaysian Teacher Training Authority, Orangutan Support Network and The Palm Oil producers. There were many highlights of this amazing experience, but the visits to three schools and the opportunities to see students and teachers was a unique experience. In Melaka I visited a primary school with 477 students, catering for 196 Malay students, 135 Chinese students and 122 Indian students. I was invited to teach a Grade 5 Maths class for an hour and spent several hours discussing issues with the principal and staff. In Kuching, the main city in Sarawak on the island of Borneo we were stunned by the reception that we received from one of the High schools that we visited. We were overwhelmed by the hospitality from our hosts. It was a rock star reception. In Kuching we also spent time looking at the issues involved in saving orang-utans and the threat from palm oil plantations. We visited a National Park and saw orang-utans in the semiwild and spent time at the Matag rehabilitation centre. We attended a briefing from one of the palm oil companies to hear the other side of the story. As well as briefings from outside agencies we also had many discussions and workshops about how we could take this knowledge back to our schools and how it would work in the classroom. I am now looking forward to the next stage of my holidays, four weeks in Italy and long term looking forward to returning to Mount Dandenong to share in detail my amazing and life changing experiences. Susan Smith
Page 5 OLINDA ACTIVITY CENTRE at the Olinda Golf Course. Join our daily classes *BOXING* *YOGA* *PILATES* *FREESTYLE FITNESS* *PERSONAL TRAINING* For bookings please call Helen for Yoga 0408 109 034 Rayanne for Freestyle Fitness 0402 636 706 Les for Boxing, Pilates, Personal Training 0408 447 753 Vicki for Meditation & Pastel Painting 0408 447 753 All instructors are qualified, All classes are one hour and $10. Classes with breakfast $20 www.olindagolfcourse.com.au EXERCISE CLASSES OLINDA COMMUNITY HOUSE LET'S GET PHYSCAL Thursdays 9am - 10am $12.00 per session ZUMBA Fridays 9.30am - 10.30am $10.00 BOOT ED Mondays and Fridays 7.30am - 8.30am or 9am - 10am, Wednesdays 8am - 9am, $12.50 per session DANCE FOR FITNESS AND FUN Tuesdays 9.30am - 10.30am $10.00 per session BELLY DANCING Thursdays 6.30pm - 8pm. $12.50 per session For all enquiries and enrolments please call Christine Riddiford Olinda Community House www.och.net.au 9751 1264 or 0409 960 048 CAFE WITH A VUE At the Olinda Golf Course. Relax with a glass of wine and view the views! *Farmhouse style cooking *Big Breakfast s *Morning Tea s *Lunch with a View *Afternoon Tea s *Homemade Soups *The best Scones *Pancakes *Fully Licensed See full menu on our website www.olindagolfcourse.com.au 9751 1399 75 Olinda-Monbulk Road Olinda All advertisements placed in this newsletter are placed in good faith. The school however is not responsible for the quality of goods and services offered. The placement of advertising is provided as a community service and the school does not endorse any products listed.
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