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Issue 14 May 120 2015
Government Rebates For Camps, Sports and Excursions:
Earlier this week I was sent information by the government regarding rebates available to eligible parents who send their children on a camp this year or engage other school based sports
activities or excursions. To be eligible for a $125 rebate per child (paid to the school but deducted from camp/sports/excursion costs) parents/guardians must complete an application form;
and have had an active Health/Concession Card on either the first day of Term 2 (April 13th) or
the first day of Term 3 (13th July).
For further information and application forms, please follow the link below;
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/csef.aspx?Redirect=1
Application forms can also be collected from our school office in person or you can find the
form elsewhere in this newsletter.
STEM:
In the course of my duties as Principal, many briefings, memos and bulletins pass my desk on a
weekly basis. These ‘updates’ cover a range of issues, however one such media release caught
my eye last week.
On 7th May a media release was forwarded to schools from The Honourable Ian Macfarlane MP
(Minister for Industry and Science). The articles main points were based around the importance
of teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Science (STEM) to children, beginning from as
young as pre-school age.
Mr Macfarlane states;
“High quality STEM education is crucial for Australia to develop the high skilled workers we need
to prosper as a knowledge economy. Whilst these youngsters (pre-schoolers) are a long way
from choosing their careers, the ‘Little Scientists’ program (currently running in approximately
350 early childhood centres across Australia and 27,000 in Germany), encourages them to explore and ask questions- a great foundation for a lifelong interest in STEM. Three quarters of our
fastest growing occupations require STEM skills. Engaging the next generation with positive experiences early in life will help them compete for careers, and ensure our prosperity into the future”.
A paper released last year by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Australia’s Future, outlined the importance of a strategic approach to STEM, focussing on education, research, international engagement and Australian
competitiveness.
Obviously, an effective and coordinated approach to addressing our approach to STEM is vitally
important with the government currently working with the science sector, industry, educators
and the community to produce a whole of government policy position on STEM. For further
information regarding this consultation process, please access the following link over the coming weeks: www.science.gov.au
Whilst reading this media release I couldn’t help but think that our Science program run at
Parkhill by our Science teacher, Ms Watson over the last number of years, has really opened the
eyes of all our children to the world around them and built upon their scientific literacy. I commend our Science program to you, including our Robotics program and Solar Car Challenge,
run by Miss Smith. I encourage you to contact Ms Watson for further information regarding our
extensive Science curriculum.
Parkhill Working Bee Term 2 Sunday 17 May 2015
An enormous thank you goes to the many parents and children giving up their time to attend
the working bee last weekend.
A beautiful day … the sun shone… morning sports were out of the way … and onto our “to do”
list. All of which helped to ensure Parkhill sparkled at this week’s Open Day.
Birthdays
May
In attendance:
Parent:
Children:
House:
Rod McK (principal)
All
Roger D
All
Matt & Lisa H
Josh & Ollie
Goulburn
Anne K
Aston
Goulburn
Anna S
Thomas
Yarra
Andrew McC
David
Latrobe
Dimi M
Theo & Seb
Murray
Joanna D
Kira S
Latrobe
Janine B
Darcy M
Murray
Owen E
Xavier & Gemma
Goulburn
Rosie P
Charlotte , Wes & Joey
Yarra
Kerry D
James & Max
Latrobe
Kurt & Joyce
Auson & Ashlan
Latrobe
Darren R
Joel, Sarah & Sean
Goulburn
Linda C
Daniel
Goulburn
Greg D
Marcus & Ruby
Goulburn
Stella McK
Chloe & Issac
Yarra
Anita F
Ryan
Goulburn
Tim E
Marvin & Luca
Latrobe
Erica W
Sascha & Eva P
Goulburn
Arpay
Vivaan & Theia
Latrobe
Tim O’M
Sophia & Nicholas
Latrobe
Jobs Achieved:
Oliver B
Joseph P
Douglas T
Alexandra S
Ruby P
Akil M
Joseph F
Mystique H
Benjamin F
Pandelis A
Amrith S
Viktoria K
Harlie C
Milan T
Anik P
Ella M
James D
Thomas H
Nicholas T
Dylan M
Mark S
Gemma E
Nathan N
Phyllis T
Pria T
Billy N
Anabel W
Some specific jobs a number of parents claimed and got stuck into whilst other parents enjoyed repairing fences, weeding and gardening and assisting anywhere as directed.
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BBQ cleaning – Joanne D
Soccer field fence repair – Anna S
Mulching as directed – Anita F & Matt H
Fence repair – Anita F, Lisa H, Andrew McC
Water troughs & toilets cleaned - Anne KR
Repainting hopscotch – Kerry D
RB Hall carpet cleaning – Emma L & Dimmi M
Science Kitchen clean – Anne K
Soft fall distributed to playgrounds – Rod McK, Matt H, Andrew McC, Greg D, Owen E,
Plants donated and planted by Joyce & family
General gardening, repair work as directed by Roger – Darren R, Andrew McC & Crew
Tim E for using his Ute to move tree stumps
New sandpit preparation – Matt H, Andrew McC, Greg D
Thank you:
A scrumptious afternoon tea of warm lemonade scones, cream & jam (best ever by David),
chocolate muffins, fresh fruit, jam rolls, lamingtons, slices and fresh coffee/tea was donated
by Rosie P & David (a member of) and the Chadstone Baptist Church.
The weather was so good that a number of parents stayed on way past finishing time at 4pm
… Thank you to Anne K, Anna S and in particular Owen E who helped Roger pack up at 5pm.
A very special thank you to Roger D for having all tools and equipment at the ready and for
directing jobs as required.
Next Working Bee: Sunday 23 August 2015 1pm-4pm.
New desks and chairs
A huge thankyou to our community, and in particular the PFA, for raising funds to replace all
our desks and chairs in the Year 2, 5 and 6 classrooms. They arrived this morning and have certainly added to the learning environment of our students.
I take this opportunity to encourage all families to get behind all fundraising events this year
as all monies raised go directly back into supporting our students’ learning.
Bye for now
Rod McKinlay
Principal
Please remember to name all of your child’s items.
Many items are coming to school un-named & therefore cannot be returned to the owner.
Thank you to our parent volunteers who are keeping lost property under control.
Grandparent and Special Person Day
The Preps enjoyed having their Grandparents
2015
Student of the
Week & Awards
or special visitor spend an afternoon in their
PT
Luke
classrooms last week. The Preps showcased
PR
Benyamin
PN
Ben
afternoon tea and were entertained by the
1M
Hafsa
Prep's singing. Thank you to the wonderful 90
1B
Ivan
noon activities.
2M
Zac
Jan Tuck, Liz Nevill & Lucy Renshaw
2S
Caleb
3D
Isaac
3H
Harmony
4K
Elizabeth
4D
Bethany
56G
Dominka
56M
Amelia
56S
Novia
Principal’s
Joey
their learning and shared their Portfolios. The
Grandparents and visitors enjoyed a beautiful
plus who came and participated in the after-
Award
Teacher’s
Dyon Hunt
Award
Heroes' Corner
Care, Honesty,
Unity, Respect,
Persistence
Thank you to
our families who
on their child’s
birthday have
donated books
to our library.
The children get
very excited
about this wonderful idea &
new books are
very much appreciated by all.
Chaplain’s
Corner
2015
Calendar of
Curriculum events
Friday 22 May
WALK SAFE TO
SCHOOL DAY
Friday 22 May
Parkhill Cross Country Grades 3—6
Friday 29 May
SDSSA Cross Country
Monday 1 June
Monash District
Cross Country
“I am a rock, I am an island and a
rock feels no pain and an Island
never cries.” Or so go the lyrics
of
the
Simon
and Garfunkel
song. I remember our Year 11
Coordinator making us listen to those painfully dated (…I mean classic) old tunes on our school camp.
The reason being of course to point out that no one
is a rock or an island, we all need other people. Perhaps never more so than when we are in the middle
of a crisis. In the years since that Year 11 camp I’ve
had those moments, those phone calls where it has
felt like the bottom has dropped out of my world.
Wednesday 3 June Prep’s Puffing Billy
Excursion
The 'if we don't operate he's only got a few years to
live, if we do, we don't know if it'll work at all', the
'we're separating' or the 'yes she does have cancer'
or simply 'she's gone'. In those life changing mo-
Tuesday 16 June
Curriculum Day
Tuesday 23 June
Soiree
Gold Coin donation
Friday 26 June
End of Term 2
SRC Free Dress Day
Gold Coin Donation
2.30pm dismissal
ments I've had times when I have certainly felt like
the island in that song and not known who to call or
what to do. On one occasion early on I pulled weeds
in the garden like some kind of crazed gardening
ninja. But thankfully as the years have progressed
I've grown and learned not to grin and bear it on my
own and I can assure you that's far better. How comforting it is to have a friend on the other end of the
Secret Men's' Business (SMB)
phone to share the burden, especially someone
that's been there and gets it. Someone to say, “How
are you going with that situation?” and to be able to
answer truthfully rather than having to pretend all
is okay. That first step of reaching out can be difficult; it can take courage. But it’s worth it! So if
you're going through a crisis at the moment don't
be afraid to reach out to the people around you,
All Parkhill dads are invited to a
casual Friday night get together
to welcome the new Prep dads
and swap a few tall stories.
There will be a few SMB nights during the
year so you will get to know a few of the
other dads at the school (and local sporting clubs).
they will help you to make it through. This is one
The next SMB night will be this Friday, May
such community where we don’t have to feel like
22 at the Ashwood Sports Club, Essex
we're rocks, it's a safe place to reach out for help
Heights Reserve, Outlook Rd from 7.30pm
and support. You are not alone. After all in the
until late.
words of another cheesy pop song from a more re-
The club is licensed (no BYO) and someone
cent era; 'we're all in this together'.
might get around to ordering pizzas but I
would eat before-hand.
The footy will be on the TV and a game of
Suzanne Carmody
Chaplain \ Welfare
darts normally breaks out if that is your
thing.
Any questions contact Tim Lee (James G5,
William G3 and Samuel and Hamish Prep)
on 0411 618 543.
Day / Time
Thursday
June 4
2.30pm
Calendar of
events
PFA Meeting
Meeting
Room
Parkhill PFA
President: Anny Murray (Miakoda & Jennon)annymation2@bigpond.com
Vice President: Vanessa Cowley (Madison )vanessa_cowley@yahoo.co.uk
Treasurer: Lisa Jacobson (Zach and Josh ) lisaj@landirections.com.au
Secretary: Joanne Dodds (Kira ) scottiedodds@aol.com
All welcome
Friday
June 12
Trivia
Night
7.30pm
Roger
Beech Hall
Thursday
Student
Disco
June 25
Roger
Beech Hall
2 sessions
Have you received your invite?
Parkhill Primary School’s 2015
Thank you
Mother’s Day Stall
Thank you to all the
ladies who helped
with the Mother's Day
Stall.
The stall raised over
$1000 and we are
Friday 12th June, 2015
Parkhill P.S. Hall
B.Y.O drinks and nibbles
$15.00 per person.
8 – 10 friends per table.
looking at the school's
'wish list' to see what
we could suggest that
these funds be used
for.
Doors open @ 7pm
Trivia begins @ 7:30pm
DJ/Dancing @ 10:30pm
Naplan
Thank you again to
those mums who volunteered their time to
prepare the snacks for
the Grade 3 and 5 students undertaking
Naplan.
Bring along some gold coins for games.
Places are limited so don't miss out!
Money for tickets should be sent to the office in a
marked envelope please.
If you have any queries please contact:
April 0414 525 905
Note: Flyer with return slip has been sent home with your eldest child.
DIARY ALERT: FOOD ALLERGY WEEK 2015
Be Aware. Show You Care.
Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 May 2015
BE AWARE.
Hospital admissions for severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) have
doubled over the last decade in Australia, USA and the UK.
In Australia, admissions for anaphylaxis due to food allergy in children aged 0 to 4 are
even higher, having increased five fold over the same period.
As a result, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) is asking parents, families, teachers,
carers and community members to join together during one week in May to help raise
awareness of the prevalence of allergy and best practice allergy management.
Originally founded by a concerned mum alarmed at the lack of information available
when her son was diagnosed as at risk of anaphylaxis, A&AA now advocates on behalf of
allergy sufferers across the country.
“Australia has one of the highest reported incidences of food allergies in the world, and
one in 10 babies born in Australia today will develop a food allergy,” explains Maria Said,
President of A&AA.
“With so many children and adults at risk, ensuring that our wider community can help
prevent allergic reactions from occurring but can also recognise the symptoms of a reaction and know what to do in an emergency, is key. Not only does this help in reducing hospitalisation rates, in some cases, it potentially prevents death.”
SHOW YOU CARE.
There are several ways that you can Show You Care during Food Allergy Week 2015.
• Paint one nail to symbolise that one in 10 babies born in Australia
today will develop a food allergy and post a pic on your social media
channels using #allergyaware
• Make a donation at www.foodallergyaware.com.au
• Adopt an allergy for one day to better understand the challenges
allergy sufferers face every single day. Set up an Everyday Hero fundraising page for
friends and family to sponsor you
• Download a badge from our website to use through your social media channels
• Hold a local community event to raise awareness and/or funds
For further information, please visit www.foodallergyaware.com.au.
Media Enquiries: Tegan Brown, Bite Communications 02 9977 8195 or
tgan@bitecom.com.au
About Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
A&AA is a charitable, not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve awareness of allergy in the community through education, advocacy and support. A&AA develops a
range of educational materials, resources, workshops and seminars. Part of an international alliance of like-minded organisations, A&AA works closely with peak medical bodies including the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) 2013. http://
www.allergy.org.au/patients/foodallergy/food-allergy
CSEF Application Form
School REF ID
Parent/legal guardian details
Surname
First name
Address
Town/suburb
State
Postcode
Contact number
Centrelink pensioner concession OR Health care card number (CRN)
–
–
Foster parent* OR
–
OR
Veterans affairs pensioner
*Foster Parents must provide a copy of the temporary care order letter from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Student details
Child’s surname
Child’s first name
Student ID
Date of birth
Year level
(dd/mm/yyyy)
I authorise the Department of Education and Training (DET) to use Centrelink Confirmation eServices to perform an enquiry of my Centrelink
customer details and concession card status in order to enable the business to determine if I qualify for a concession, rebate or service. I also
authorise the Australian Government Department of Human Services (the department) to provide the results of that enquiry to DET.
I understand that:
• the department will use information I have provided to the DET to confirm my eligibility for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund and
will disclose to the DET personal information including my name, address, payment and concession card type and status.
• this consent, once signed, remains valid unless I withdraw it by contacting the school or the department.
• I can obtain proof of my circumstances/details from the department and provide it to DET so that my eligibility for the Camps, Sports and
Excursions Fund can be determined.
• if I withdraw my consent or do not alternatively provide proof of my circumstances/details, I may not be eligible for the Camps, Sports
and Excursions Fund provided by DET.
• Some personal information may be disclosed to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, for the purpose of evaluation
and monitoring of concession card services.
You are able to request access to the personal information that we hold about you, and to request that any errors be corrected, by contacting
your child’s school.
Signature of applicant
Date
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