Principal's Report
Term 4
Enjoy Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday and I hope that you are lucky enough to have a bet on the winner.
Please note that school is operating as normal on Monday 2nd November and we will still be teaching our full range of quality learning programs. This day is alsoConcord School’s Annual Walkathon Day (Bundoora Campus) and Secondary Gala Sports afternoon. Students at the Bundoora Campus will walk around the perimeter of the school between 11:00am -12:15pm and are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and a hat and bring a drink bottle.
Students are requested to make a gold coin donation on this day. The proceeds will be going to State School Relief, who assist families who cannot afford school uniform, which was the charity nominated by our Student Representative Council.
Another upcoming date to remember is the Pupil Free Day on Monday 16th November.
Distribution of School Newsletter
As you will be aware, the school newsletter is now presented in an electronic format only and the feedback from members of the school community has been extremely positive. We will continue to distribute the newsletter through our e-mail distribution list, facebook page and website, and now also send the link to the newsletter as a text message to all mobile phones that are registered with the school.
Through School Council the decision has been made to only distribute the school newsletter through these methods as there are very few parents who do not own a smart phone to receive the newsletter. If you still require a hard copy of the newsletter to be sent home with your child, please contact Deb Whiteway in the office at the Bundoora Campus, and she will arrange this for you.
Front Landscaping
The landscaping to the front of the school is expected to be completed next Wednesday. When completed, the pathways will be reconfigured and access through the front of the school will be greatly improved. The only entrance at the front of the school will be a newly constructed entrance/pathway leading straight down from the front of the school to the office area. To increase safety and security, the gates within the new fencing outside the Upper Primary Wing and the Gym will only be opened during ‘bus times’ and the gate outside the Discovery Centre will only be used when maintenance to the oval is required.
Lower Primary Curriculum Showcase Production –Movie Magic
Last Friday evening the Lower Primary hosted an Curriculum Showcase that featured the work of the students across all subject areas. There were wall-to-wall displays of student art work in the gym and a bush band played on the school oval. The students and their families were highly engaged with audience participation in both singing and dancing. This was a wonderful evening that provided the opportunity for fun and an insight into the work that occurs at the Watsonia Campus each day. Thank you to Suzanne Bates, Kirsten Coulter, Karen Cottier, Christina Arnold, Jackie Ellis and all Lower Primary staff for their coordination and support of this event.
Annual Christmas Concert
This year the Annual Christmas Concert will be held on the evening of Monday 30th November on the Loyola Oval which is at the rear of our Bundoora Campus in Gleeson Drive Bundoora. It seems very early as it is still November however it is on Monday of the third last week as it has been in recent years.
It is important that all students from Prep-Year 10 attend on this evening as the classes have spent considerable time rehearsing their items and they require all students to be present. As well as class performances and the BBQ there will be a visit from a special man who has a beard and wears a red suit!
The evening will start at 5.00pm with live entertainment from our school band ‘Unbroken’, with the concert commencing at 6.00pm. Once again the Family and Friends and helpers are organising the barbecue which will commence serving at 5.00pm and will finish at 6.30pm. This will allow all the volunteers time to have their meal and to be ready to enjoy watching the concert.
If the concert is cancelled due to the weather, it will be held the following morning at 9.15am in the Gym at the Bundoora Campus featuring student performances and awards only.
We look forward to seeing many family and friends coming along to enjoy a great evening.
Homework
Every year the subject of homework is brought up by parents in the Parent Opinion Survey. The difficulty with this is that some parents are strongly in favour of it but most are not. If parent/carers are seeking homework for their child, they should have a conversation with their child's classroom teacher and homework will be given. It is the general view of the school however that we do not create stressful situations for the child or the parent/carer as homework should consolidate on your child's learning and be able to be supported by the parent/carer. It is important for our students that they have a healthy balance in their life between school, leisure and social activities.
Wearing of Caps and Hats
With the weather becoming warmer, please remember that only school caps and hatsmay be worn. Caps ($7) and broad brimmed hats ($10) can be purchased from the school office.
Staff and students in the Primary Sections are expected to wear hats while outside during terms 1 and 4. Staff and students in the Secondary Section are strongly encouraged to wear hats while outside during terms 1 and 4. If it is a day in which UV levels are dangerous, students without official school caps will be directed to play only in designated shade or indoor areas.
Principal's Award
The Principals Award goes to Amir.
Amir is a happy student who always tries his personal best at all times. It is a pleasure to see his smiling face each day. Amir likes to help others and co-operates with his peers at all times. Amir has made many academic achievements this year. Amir really enjoys Numeracy and the Bike Riding elective.
Congratulations Amir, you are a worthy recipient of the Principal’s Award!
"Students striving to be the best they can be"
Jason Coningsby
Principal
President’s Message
A School Council meeting was held on Monday 14th September.
The agenda items that were discussed at the meeting were:
· Front Landscaping
· Parent Payments 2016
· Christmas Concert
· Sections/Classes 2016
· Concord School Policies
· Request for Hire of Gym and Watsonia MPR
"Working together for our children"
Mark Lancaster
School Council President