Primary
Mrs Leanne Schulz
2020 Primary School Theme
Welcome!
The Primary School staff and I welcome you and your family to the 2020 school year. We look forward to working with you and your child/ren throughout the year. We are also looking forward to getting to know all the new Preps and families.
It was wonderful to see all the students on their first day back at school and hear the excitement when seeing their friends and teachers. A warm welcome is also extended to several new students and families to the College. Likewise, it was lovely to see the Preps and their families come for their allocated interview time with their Prep teacher(s) last week. This is a new initiative to help with Prep transition and seemed to be very successful. If any Prep families have feedback about the process it would be very welcome. When the Preps joined their class on Monday, they seemed excited and eager to begin. A very big thank you to families for preparing your child for school and to the Prep teachers for making the transition seamless.
I extend a warm welcome to all staff. In particular, I welcome:
- Mrs Rachel Touma who has previously worked at Aitken and now joins us as a Year 3 Homeroom Teacher.
- Mr Tom Marks, Mr Jamal Abou-Eid, and Miss Brittany James who are new to the College and join us as a Year 5, Year 3 and Year 1 Homeroom Teacher respectively.
A very big thank you to Primary School families for welcoming our new staff as they transition into the Aitken Community. It means a lot when parents introduce themselves and allow the new staff time to get to know everyone and the routines. Thank you for being so supportive, positive and open with your communications. It is very much appreciated!
If you have any concerns or things you may not be sure about, please feel free to contact the Homeroom or Specialist teachers, the Assistant Heads of School, the Deputy Head of School or myself. Our community is based on trust and respectful communications and we value parental input.
The Primary staff are dedicated and committed to the education of children and work hard to provide a challenging and supportive learning environment catering for the needs of all students. I am very honoured to be part of such a team.
2020 Primary Homerooms
Please find below the list of Primary School Homeroom Teachers and classrooms:
Prep Photos
Primary Photos
Fairview and Cumberland Chapel and Assembly
Fairview Chapel and Assembly are held every Monday from 9.00am to 10.00am and Cumberland Chapel and Assembly are held every Monday from 10.00am to 11.00am.
We always welcome parents, grandparents and friends to these services. All visitors must sign in at the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre foyer. I would like to ensure that any adults in the audience, who may choose to record any part of Chapel and Assembly are not uploading any images on their personal social media platforms. It is crucial our children’s privacy is respected and protected.
Term 1 Chapel and Assembly Schedule
Information Evenings
Thank you to all parents who attended the Cumberland School Information Evening on Thursday 6 February. Fairview School Information Evening is scheduled for Monday 10 February commencing at 7.30pm in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre.
One of the strong messages at the Information evenings involves empowering children to develop independence and resilience.
Michael Grose, parenting educator, outlines twelve goals to guide parents on the Language for Building Independence:
1. Goal: Independence
“Never regularly do for a child the things a child can do for him or herself”
2. Goal: Self-help
“Is this something you can do?”
3. Goal: Contribution
“Have you checked the help roster today?”
4. Goal: Decision-making
“Which of these two would you prefer?”
5. Goal: Problem-solving
“How can you make this happen?”
6. Goal: Reliability
“We rely on you to do this?”
7. Goal: Self-sufficiency
“What can you learn for next time?”
8. Goal: Emotional intelligence
“How do you feel about this?”
9. Goal: Accountability
“When you muck up, you make up?”
10. Goal: Restoring relationships
“How will you fix this?”
11. Goal: Integrity
“You need to do what’s right, not what’s easy.”
12.Goal: Positive risk-taking
“Let’s find a way to make this happen.”
Building Resilience involves
Open House
Families are invited to attend the Cumberland Open House on Wednesday 12 February from 3.10pm - 4.15pm in the Food Studies Centre. Fruit and cool pops will be provided. Please bring a plate to share.
The Fairview Open House focus is to provide the families, parents and grandparents an opportunity to visit their child’s classroom. We look forward to your attendance. These sessions are scheduled from 2.15pm to 3.00pm on:
- Year 1 and 2: Monday 24 February
- Prep: Tuesday 3 March
Allergies and Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is the most severe and sudden form of allergic symptoms. An anaphylactic reaction can be serious and life threatening. We have a number of children with anaphylactic reactions to certain food.
Please keep this in mind when you are preparing your child’s snack and lunch. The content of your child’s lunch box may cause a severe anaphylactic reaction to one of these children. If you plan to bring birthday treats to school, please speak to the Homeroom teacher before you prepare a treat.
Reminders:
- Each child is required to have a bottle of water at school.
- When packing a lunch box, we encourage you to attempt to eliminate the need for any plastic wrappers around food.
- Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct footwear. This includes: flat black lace up leather shoes or leather pull up boots (Prep only), no buckles or velcro.
- Your child must bring their hat to school every day. Children without a hat will only be permitted to play in an under-cover area and will not be able to participate in their Physical Education class.
- It is also advised that your child bring a small tube/bottle of sun block. Please ensure that they have sun block on before they arrive to school.
- Fairview children are not permitted to visit the canteen before school begins.
- It is also compulsory that all hair is tied back, at all times. If the hair is at a length, which it can be tied back, it must be tied in a bottle green or navy hair tie or ribbon.
- Prep and Year 1 children are required to bring a spare change of underwear, socks and trackpants/shorts (blue or green) to school.
Communication with School
Communication between home and school is very important. Your child’s teacher is the first point of contact for classroom and learning related issues. The Assistant Heads of School, the Deputy Head of Primary (Felicity Donohue) and myself are also available to discuss student needs and concerns. The best way to communicate with teachers is via email and an appointment can be made if needed.
In the past, parents in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 had a communication book listed on the booklist as it was used for relaying messages from parents to teachers and visa/versa. However, teachers have found over the years that generally parents would either email, phone or come and see teachers. Therefore, we have decided to no longer have a communication book. If parents have paid Campion, money will be reimbursed. My apologies for any inconvenience.
Students in Years 2, 3 and 4 have a hard copy diary used to help them with organisation. Years 5 and 6 will use the tools on their iPads, guided by the teachers, as an organisational tool.
Primary School Theme for 2020: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted
‘How Full is Your Bucket?’
According to this theory, each person has a bucket and a dipper, and with positivity, you fill your bucket and the buckets of others, but with negativity you deplete others’ buckets as well as your own. Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful. It is important to fill each other’s buckets throughout the day as it makes other people happy as well as ourselves. We can do this simply by just being kind!
Fairview and Cumberland Reflections
The Preps have had a wonderful start to the year. The children have met their teachers and begun their learning in the classroom. This year we will be focusing on the bucket filling concept. We have read the story ‘Have you filled a bucket today?’ We have spoken about all the ways we can fill each other’s buckets and be kind in Prep.
Here are a few quotes from the children about their first days at school:
Ashmit ‘I like playing on the playground.’
Dhiya ‘I like helping my friends in Prep R.’
Amelia ‘We learnt the word cat.’
Leo ‘We did some counting.’
Sophia ‘These days have been so much fun.’
Year 1 and 2 have begun looking at ‘bucket filling’ to embrace the Primary School’s theme for this year: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. We were introduced to bucket filling last year and enjoy creating ways to fill the buckets of others! After brainstorming together, these are some ways we can fill buckets. Smiling at others, playing with different people, using manners, helping someone with their learning, sharing, helping Mum and Dad at home with chores. We look forward to spreading kindness throughout the school and at home.
Some quotes about ‘Filling People’s Buckets’
Nate: ‘by sharing’
Deniz: ‘asking nicely’
Ryan: ‘get something for them’
Logan: ‘listening to Mum and Dad’
Harjas: ‘Caring about Mum and Dad and loving them.’
So far Year 4 has been so much fun! My favourite thing so far has been my teacher. I am really glad that I have Mrs Adams and Ms Monroy because they are sooo much fun and I love my other teachers eg. Mrs Schulz, Mrs McNamara, Miss Pocervina and Mrs Meszaros.
Ashlyn
I really loved meeting my new teachers, Mrs Adams and Ms Monroy. They are really good teachers and I am looking forward to a great year.
Zara
Year 4 is a really fun class. You get to go to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. We can cook and plant. I think I will be happy the rest of the year!
Eva
I was very excited about my first Kitchen Garden lesson. It was so much fun planting the sunflowers and we’re still taking care of them (and we’re going to for the rest of the term).
Alana
I had lots of fun the first day of the Kitchen Garden. It was interesting to see the garden and cook this year. It’s going to be a fun year of Kitchen Garden.
Nicholas
Moving into Year 5 has been a challenge, like every year, having to leave our old teachers and coming into something new. This year opportunities have opened-up, such as being given the responsibility of having our own school iPad. So far, our teachers have been great and most people have high hopes for the rest of Year 5.
Rafael
The first week has been great. We have all been given lockers and locks which are a bit tricky but most of us have got the hang of it. We got to design our name tags for our lockers. We have also jumped right into school work for the term. Overall the year has started fantastically!
Sienna
Year 6 has been fun and challenging so far. Some new things have been lockers, combination locks, and our own iPads. I have also made lots of new friends in Year 6 already. I am looking forward to the rest of the year and years to come.
Joel
So far in Year 6 it has been exciting and a little bit hectic. I have had to learn how to open my combination lock and put it back onto my locker. I’m interested in learning new things like the Holocaust and the Australian Federation. I can’t wait to experience and try new things in Year 6.
Christina
Parent Helpers Information Session
The College is offering Fairview and Cumberland School parents the opportunity to partake in the Parent Helpers’ Information Session. It will outline the program requirements and how parents can actively be involved in the College life. Parents who do not attend the session cannot assist in the classroom. The session is scheduled for Thursday 27 February, from 6.00pm to 7.00pm in the College Library. Interested participants can email admin@aitkencollege.edu.au by Monday 24 February.
Reminder…
All are welcome to attend Cumberland Open House next Wednesday from 3.10pm - 4.15pm at the Food Studies Centre. Cool pops and fruit are provided. Please bring a plate to share!
Blessing
Dear Jesus
We thank you for all your blessings as we begin the new school year.
Bless each one of us as we enter this school bringing our hopes and dreams.
Bless our friendships and families as we belong together as a community.
Bless our learning as we work hard with our teachers.
Bless our family as we share and learn together.
Bless each person who enters our school that they may share in the joy and happiness that comes from You.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen