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FINDON PRIMARY
Learning for life
Cuthbert Drive, MILL PARK. 3082.
Telephone: 9404 1362
Fax: 9436 8362.
Email: findon.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: www.findonps.vic.edu.au
T E R M
2
W E E K
DATES TO
REMEMBER
APRIL
29
Hands on Science
Year 5
29
Foundation Expo
Night 6.30 - 8pm
MAY
1
Year 2 Sleepover
7
Mother’s Day Stall
12
NAPLAN
Year 3 and 5
13
NAPLAN
Year 3 and 5
14
NAPLAN
Year3 and 5
15
CERES Excursion
Learning Team 3
19
Book Fair
27
BDSSA Carnival
JUNE
11
Division Cross
Country
12
Better Buddies Day
24
3 Way Conference
25
NAIDOC Day
Celebrations
26
Last Day of Term 2
T U E S D A Y
A P R I L
2 8 T H ,
2 0 1 5
2016 FOUNDATION EXPO NIGHT
WEDNESDAY 29TH APRIL, 6.30PM
3
From the Principal’s desk...
ANZAC COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE
On Friday 24th April Findon students and our parent, community along with Councillor Mary Lalios,
came together for the Centenary of ANZAC, to mark a century of service and sacrifice,
encompassing all wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations in which Australia and New Zealand
have been involved. This centenary is the most significant period of commemoration in our nation’s
history. Our students, your children, are to be congratulated for their reverent and respectful manner
throughout this very special service and for the incredible wreaths that each class made to contribute
to this solemn occasion. We also acknowledge the Hodgson Family, Bailee 5EM and Autumn 4DF
who together with their parents, represented Findon Primary School at a wreath laying ceremony at
the dawn service at the Epping cenotaph on ANZAC Day.
We will remember them LEST WE FORGET
Gallipoli Oaks Project
Findon is one of 500 Primary Schools selected to participate in the National Trust of Australia
Gallipoli Oaks Project and be allocated a Gallipoli Oak seedling to be planted within our school
ground. At the core of this project is the story of how a young Australian soldier, Captain Winter
Cooke noticed some unusual holly bushes while stationed at Gallipoli that had acorns like oak trees.
Captain Winter Cooke remembered that his Uncle Samuel in Hamilton was a bit of a tree enthusiast
and someone that would be interested in these rare acorns, and so sent a package of acorns to him
from Gallipoli almost 100 years ago.
Findon students will plant the seedling that is a direct descendant of those acorns from Gallipoli, and
in doing so, will have our own direct link to the environment that the soldiers endured during the
campaign. Some of the acorns from the original trees now have son or daughter trees around
Victoria. The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is now collecting acorns from these trees to grow
enough seedlings to plant one in every primary school in Victoria in the years 2015 to 2018. We will
mark this special event with a commemorative plaque.
YEAR TWO SLEEPOVER
We have many very excited year 2 students looking forward to their sleepover here at school, this
Friday 1st May. There is a chocker block night planned, including games, dinner, toasting marsh
mallows by the fire, star gazing and a movie. Let’s hope a bit of sleeping takes place as well? We
look forward to hearing all about the night. Big thanks to Laura, Florence, Silvana, Mary, Nicole and
Mel, for all their planning and organisation.
ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL SURVEY: WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO TELL US
WHAT THEY THINK
The Attitudes to School survey is an annual survey for Years 5 to 12 students offered by the
Department of Education and Training. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding
of students’ perceptions and experience of school. Our school will use the survey results to plan
programs and activities to improve your child’s experience at school.
Students in Year 5 and Year 6 will participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are
anonymous. The Attitudes to School survey will be conducted at our school over the period Monday
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK cont’d
27th April to Friday 1st May. The survey takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and occurs during class time. The
survey results will be reported back to the school at the end of July. Please speak to your child’s teacher if you would like
more information.
FOUNDATION EXPO INFORMATION NIGHT: Wednesday April 29th 6.30 – 8pm
FOUNDATION (PREP) ENROLMENTS FOR 2016
We are already taking enrolments for our 2016 Foundation classes. Please inform family, friends and neighbours that if they
have a child starting school next year and would like them to come to our school to enrol them soon. It is important that
children are enrolled by the end of Term 2, so that they can participate in our excellent Flying into Foundation Program in
Term 3 & 4. School tours are conducted by appointment.
JSC STUDENTS RECENT VISIT TO ROYCROFT KINDER
NATIONAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM- LITERACY AND NUMERACY (NAPLAN)
The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in
Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Findon students in year 3 and 5 will participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions
(spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy on 12 th,13th & 14th May 2015. NAPLAN tests will be conducted here at
school and Year 3 & 5 classroom teachers will ensure students are familiar with the test format and will provide appropriate
support and guidance. To give you an idea of what the tests look like sample questions and a sample writing task are
available on the NAP website: www.nap.edu.au The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure
your child that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program and to urge them to simply do the best they can on
the day.
GREENSBOROUGH PLAZA’S SCHOOL REWARDS CAMPAIGN
The Plaza will be holding an exciting school rewards campaign from 1st June to 2 nd August 2015. Findon has registered as a
school to be in the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
All we have to do is shop at GREENSBOROUGH PLAZA and then every dollar we spend is converted to points for our
school! You simply present any receipts from your shopping at the Plaza, to the Customer service desk on level 2 near
Target and select Findon PS as the one you would like to allocate your points to. Each dollar spent equals 1 point. The
school with the most points wins first prize and so on. As a participating school we will appear on the Greensborough Plaza
School Rewards tally screen located at the customer service desk, which will chart each school’s points tally. We have
already received 200 points!
SO LET’S GET THOSE POINTS CLIMBING by shopping at GREENSBOROUGH PLAZA
STUDENT SAFETY
Student safety is always paramount here at Findon PS. Therefore I ask all our families to please take
seriously the danger of making an illegal right hand turn into Findon between 8am - 9.30am and 2.30- 4pm
and to think twice before deciding to make the turn! I have asked our local Police to also keep a check on
things. They will be making random visits to check on this problematic spot. May I also ask you to please be
considerate of others when parking outside Findon PS. Thank you to all our families who continue to do the
right thing and model the value of respect.
MOTHERS’ DAY STALL
THURSDAY 7TH MAY 2015
I leave you with the following words to ponder…..from Bob Carr former Australian Senator
‘This is a day not of celebration, but of national memory. It’s a day when we learn, and learn again, of the horror and
purposeless of war. It is a day for looking after your mates, cherishing your home, your neighbourhood and family
… it’s a day for realising how rare and beautiful this wonderful country of ours is and how precious it is’.
Paula Cosgrave
Principal
Maths Problem
Congratulations to the following 15 students who entered the ‘Maths Problem of the Week’ in Week 2 of Term 2.
Cuthbert won the week with 8 student entries and 40 House Points.
Name
HG
Level
House
Name
HG
Level
House
Emelia B.
LT
Upper
Cuthbert
Neil D.
JW
Junior
Freeman
Jaydon B.
HP
Middle
Cuthbert
Harrison C.
SM
Junior
Freeman
Danyon B.
SM
Junior
Cuthbert
Vivian C.
FH
Junior
Freeman
Timmi A.
FH
Middle
Cuthbert
Annabelle M.
LS
Junior
Roycroft
Sami. A
HP
Middle
Cuthbert
Aarij K.
JW
Junior
Roycroft
Angeleen P.
SM
Middle
Cuthbert
Jake F.
FH
Junior
Roycroft
Ali I.
NJ
Junior
Cuthbert
Declan M.
SM
Junior
Strickland
Felix P.
HP
Junior
Cuthbert
House Points
Cuthbert - WIN
Freeman
Roycroft
Strickland
40
15
15
5
THIS WEEK’S PROBLEMS
Upper (4 to 6)
Middle (2 to 4)
Junior (P to 2)
Name:
Name:
Name:
House:
House:
House:
Home Group:
Home Group:
Home Group:
Complete the maths puzzle, using all
numbers from 1 to 9.
Hint: 9 goes in the middle of the puzzle, so
start with middle line going down.
On ANZAC Day, the service from
Gallipoli starts around 12 o’clock
Melbourne time. If Turkey is eight
hours behind, what time is it in
Turkey?
Complete the next two items in the
pattern below:
9
Also, the AFL game from New
Zealand starts at 1:10pm Wellington
time. If they are two hours ahead of
Melbourne time, what time will it
kick off here?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
A
C
F
J
5th
6th
Shade the shape that you think does not
belong with the other 3.
What is the time difference between
Wellington and Gallipoli?
State your reason:
Please submit your entries to the OFFICE by Thursday afternoon. Thank-you.
MATHLETICS and SPELLODROME
A reminder that the student app for Mathletics is available for the iphone, ipad, tablets and smart phones. Most of
the course work (but not all) and Live Mathletics is available via this platform.
It is pleasing to see that there has been a spread of certificate earners across the school. An encouraging 42 certificates have
been earnt over the last two weeks. The home group with the most certificates so far this year is HP (76). The highest class
from LT4 is KK with 24 certificates.
LOG ONTO MATHLETICS AT: www.mathletics.com.au
2015 Findon House Athletics Carnival
All 4/5/6 students will compete in three chosen events next Wednesday the 6th
of May at the Bundoora RMIT campus (weather permitting).
Students are encouraged to wear their house colours or their Findon uniform
and bring warm clothes and a plastic bag. Students will also need to bring
their own lunch, a water bottle and appropriate footwear.
Students will have a shuttle bus from Findon to RMIT and will need to be at school in their
classrooms by 8:45am.
Students can bring hand held electronic devices and/or reading and writing material at their own risk
and responsibility, when they are not competing.
Please ensure all permission forms are returned by this Friday.
Thank you,
Lucy O’Reilly
Physical Education
YEAR 4 CAMP TO PHILLIP ISLAND – SEPTEMBER 16 to 18, 2015
In the first week of term, students were given the official expression of interest
form for the Year 4 camp. To ensure your child secures a place on this year’s camp,
please return this note and pay a $50 deposit by the end of this week.
Once numbers are finalised, a camp envelope will be sent home containing medical
forms, payment details and what students need to pack for the three days.
You can view the facilities on offer at the CYC campsite in Cowes, Phillip Island by
visiting the following website:
http://theisland.cyc.org.au/
DANIEL FROMM
Year 4 Camp Coordinator.
Mothers Day Stall
Thursday May 7th, 9.00-11.00am
Students will have the opportunity to buy something
special for their Mum, Grandma/Nan or someone
special for Mothers Day.
Gifts $3.00 each
Card $1.00 each
Each class will be allocated a time during the morning to visit the
stall. Please send your child to school with their money in a purse/wallet/envelope to avoid
them losing it. They will also need a recycled bag/plastic bag to carry their gifts home in.
If you are able to come and help on the stall it would be greatly appreciated, even for 1/2 an
hour would be fantastic.
Please leave your name at the office.
On the day, please remember to sign in at the Office and then join us in the Science
Portables.
Many Thanks
Mothers Day Fundraising Committee
FTC
Ibrahim
For trying his best and making good choices
about his learning.
4LT
Piraben
For always doing his best in class to listen to
instructions and being ready to learn.
FSM
Melina
For always doing your best. You try really hard to
sound out your words.
5KK
Aidan
For concentrating and focussing in class this term.
FJW
Shannon
For always trying his best.
5TD
Jacoub
For always trying his hardest in all tasks and is
making great progress.
1LS
Angelina
For always trying your hardest and doing
excellent work and being a role model.
5EM
Kiara
For always doing her best and being able to work
independently.
1MZ
Reza
For always putting in great effort and being a
responsible class leader.
6AD
Tina
For always offering her help to the class and being
a strong individual.
2FH
Nicolas
For trying hard to remain focussed on his school
work and has been completing his tasks
independently.
6SM
Ricky
For being responsible in the class and always trying
his best.
2NJ
Matthew
For always doing his work with persistence and
always trying hard.
Visual Arts
Hamoudy
For always trying his best.
3HP
Sahib
For doing his best with school work and in class
discussions.
Performing
Arts
Laylah
For trying her best in ‘Surf’s Up”.
3GB
Nick
For trying his best to improve his behaviour and
quality of his work.
P.E.
Aria EM
For always having a positive attitude, doing her best
and for giving everything a fair go.
4DF
Summer
For trying her hardest with homework, photo
story and the triple jump in PE.
Kitchen
Garden
Jack DF
For trying hard and putting in lots of effort.
The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open!
Findon students are once again invited to participate in the Premiers’ Reading
Challenge for 2015.
The Challenge is a great way to get kids excited about reading and track their
reading progress. Students in F-3 are required to read 30 books, with at least 20 from the set list, while 3-6
students need to read 20, with at least 10 from the set list. The set list can be found at
www.education.vic.gov.au/prc along with other information about the challenge. Once you have read a book,
you need to log in to your account at https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/Challenger/WebLogin.aspx?
AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 and enter the title and author. Usernames and passwords to log in will be
given out by teachers.
Participants will receive a certificate at the closing of the challenge in November, as well as their name in the
paper. They will also receive bookmarks and book labels as they complete the challenge.
This is a great, achievable reading goal for all students. Please encourage your child to participate and practice
their reading!
2015 NETBOOK PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Dates
Year 4 (2015)
Year 5 (2015)
Year 6 (2015)
Start date
Feb 2015
Feb 2014
Feb 2013
End date
Dec 2017
Dec 2016
Dec 2015
Once off deposit
End of term 3, 2014
$30
1st Payment
Friday 6th Feb 2015
$60
$60
$60
2nd Payment
Friday 17th Apr 2015
$60
$60
$60
3rd Payment
Friday 17th Jul 2015
$60
$60
$60
4th Payment
Friday 9th Oct 2015
$60
$60
$60
Only $10 each!
Forms have been
sent home for you
to place your
order.
Reusable lunch
bag that can be
used for lunch
orders.
EXPO EVENING for
2016 FOUNDATION STUDENTS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29
from 6.30pm to 8.00 pm
Please RSVP to the school office on
9404 1362
Introduction to Internet and Email
Starting 29 April for 8 sessions at Merrilands Community Centre, Reservoir.
Cost: $22 plus Service & Amenities fee $10 conc./$25 non-conc.
Fee for Service: (not eligible for subsidised training) $165 plus Service & Amenities fee $10 conc./$25 non-conc.
Introduction to Microsoft Office 2013
(Low Literacy Learners)
Locations: Merrilands Community Centre
Dates: 30 April—25 June, 2015
Duration: 9 sessions
Time: 9.15 am – 12.15 pm
Cost: $29 plus Service & Amenities fee $10 conc./$25 non-conc.
Fee for Service: (not eligible for subsidised training) $223 plus Service & Amenities fee $10 conc./$25 nonconc.
For more details ring PRACE on 9462 6077 or visit our website: www.prace.vic.edu.au
On Monday April 20th, 2015 all students in Prep received a letter about the Australian Early Development
Census. Please see further information below.
Australian Early Development Census
Information for parents
Background
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide measure of the development of young children.
Every three years, schools (both government and non-government) take part in the national AEDC data collection.
This gives each community in Australia a snapshot of how children have developed by the time they start full-time school. It helps
schools, communities and governments to pinpoint the services, resources and support that young children and their families need
to help shape the future and wellbeing of Australian children.
The Australian Government and state and territory governments are working in partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital
Centre for Community Child Health, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and The Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, to deliver the
AEDC. The Social Research Centre, Melbourne, is managing the AEDC data.
Following the success of the first national implementation of the AEDC, the Australian Government has made a commitment to
collect this important data every three years. This represents a total investment of $28 million per collection cycle. The ongoing
funding will ensure that governments, communities and schools continue to have important information about children’s
development to help make a difference in the lives of young children and their families.
Fast facts: the importance of a child’s early years
The early years are crucial to the healthy development of a child. During the first few years of a child’s life, their brain develops at a rapid
rate. Investing resources and energy into these early years will bring life long benefits to children and the community.
How the AEDC works
The AEDC is a census and involves collecting information on groups of children around Australia who are in their first year of
full-time school. This helps to create a snapshot of early childhood development in communities across Australia. To do this,
teachers will complete a research tool, the Australian version of the Early Development Instrument for every child in their class. The
Instrument includes more than 100 questions that look at five domains of child development:





physical health and wellbeing
social competence
emotional maturity
language and cognitive skills (school-based)
communication skills and general knowledge.
The AEDC is designed as a population measure. This means it looks at whole groups of children in the community not individuals. It
is not a test or assessment of a child’s development or performance in class.
Between May and July 2012 schools participated in the AEDC by completing Early Development Instruments for children in their
first year of full-time school. The next AEDC data collection will occur between May and July 2015.
The AEDC and your child
An Instrument is completed by your child’s teacher.
There is no need for parents or children to provide any new or extra information to schools for the AEDC. Children will not be taken
out of class and do not need to be present while their teacher completes the Instrument.
Individual results for children are not reported.
Has the AEDC been done before?
In 2009 the AEDC was completed nationwide for the first time. 261,147 children (97.5 per cent of the estimated five-year-old
population) across Australia were included in the 2009 collection. This involved 15,522 teachers from 7,422 government, Catholic
and independent schools (95.6 per cent of schools with eligible children).
In 2012 the AEDC was completed nationwide for the second time. Instruments were completed for 289,973 children (96.5 per cent
of the estimated five- year-old population) across Australia. This involved 16,425 teachers from 7,417 government, Catholic and
independent schools (95.6 per cent of schools with eligible children).
How does the AEDC help my child and our community?
The AEDC provides communities with essential information about their children’s development.
The findings from the AEDC will benefit the whole community – helping local schools, community groups and government
understand what’s working well in the community and what needs to be improved or developed to better support children and their
families.
It also help to strengthen links between schools, kindergartens and preschools, playgroups, health centres, libraries and other local
organisations who support children and families.
How is the AEDC Instrument completed?
The Australian version of the Early Development Instrument is similar to a questionnaire.
Teachers complete an AEDC Instrument for every child in their first year of full-time school. Each Instrument takes around 20
minutes to complete.
Teachers complete the Instruments based on their knowledge and observations of the child in class.
Whenever teachers complete AEDC Instruments, they may choose to consult with specialist staff, including English as a Second
Language teachers; Teachers’ Aides
(Multicultural Education or Ethnic); Bilingual Support Officers including Bilingual School Services Officers and/or School Learning
Support Officers (Ethnic); or Community Liaison or Information Officers.
If the classroom teacher is not an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, it is recommended that they draw on the support and
knowledge of an Indigenous Cultural Consultant when completing the AEDC Instrument for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
child.
Does my child have to participate in the AEDC?
Participation in the AEDC is not compulsory, however if you do not want your child’s teacher to complete an Instrument for your
child, you need to contact the teacher or school directly to opt-out. Unless you contact the school to opt-out of the AEDC, an
Instrument will be completed for your child.
When and how will I see results from the 2012 AEDC?
AEDC results are reported at the national, state or territory and community levels based on where children live (not where they go to
school). Results for individual children are not reported.
Results from the 2009 and 2012 data collections are available through a national report, online maps and community profiles.
To see the AEDC results go to www.aedc.gov.au.
Data collection for the 2015 is due to commence in May 2015 and results will be released in early 2016.
Other resources
A useful Australian parenting resource is the Raising Children Network: www.raisingchildren.net.au.
Copyright and other information
Since 2002, the Australian Government has worked in partnership with eminent child health research institutes, Centre for
Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and the Telethon Kids Institute, Perth to deliver the Australian
Early Development Index programme to communities nationwide. On 1 July 2014, the Australian Early Development Index
(AEDI) programme became known as the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), and was launched through a new
website www.aedc.gov.au. The Australian Government continues to work with its partners, and with state and territory
governments to implement the AEDC.
This product is based on the materials developed by the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital,
Melbourne, and the Australian Government Department of Education has been granted permission to adapt for its use.
Stock code: 1501-032-5-ACC