From the Principal
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Dear Parents, Students & Staff
On behalf of the teaching staff, I look forward to welcoming parents to the Semester 2 Parent/Teacher Interviews to be held on TUESDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2016.
Interviews begin at 12pm and conclude at 8pm and ten minute blocks have been set aside on the Compass system for parents to make their appointments with their child's teachers. Bells will ring every ten minutes during the day to remind both staff and parents of the end of each interview session.
These meetings are designed to allow parents and guardians to judge the progress of their child in the second half of the academic year, in the light of the assessments contained in the Semester One report and information gained via Compass.
A reminder that staff will be taking a staggered dinner break which starts at 5pm.
Guests from Japan
(Part 1)
Families would have read about our KSKK visitors in our last newsletter and it's my pleasure to welcome the IWATE group who arrived at school on Monday 29th August 2016.
This group is made up of students from families affected by the tsunami that struck northern Honshu Island in 2011 and these children have been visiting our school each year since then.
Many of these families are still living in termporary accommodation, often one or two bedroom boxes as they try and return to a normal life. It is hoped that these opportunities to travel will provide these children with a break from the realities they have to face, on a daily basis.
Under the stewardship of Ms Sally Newnham and the Languages staff, our visitors will be taking language classes with Mrs Yeung, making presentations to a variety of classes, visiting local primary schools as well as seeing parts of Victoria.
On behalf of the group's leaders, DR SAITO and MR SUGAWARA and the Fairhills community, I extend my thanks to the following families: MOUNTAIN, PRASAD, DONNELLY, De KEYSER, RONCALI, JOYCE & the family of Attendance Officer, SHARON COCKS for either hosting or assisting in the care of these students.
Their time with us will remain an important part of their lives.
(Part 2)
The school is looking forward to welcoming three students from our sister school in HIROSHIMA during the early part of Term Four. These girls will spend a month with us, departing on the 11th November 2016.
We are still looking for host families and if you are able to assist or need further information about hosting, please contact Ms Winstone on 9758 5022.
Finally, five students will travel to Japan during the school holidays with Ms Winstone as part of our annual JAPAN STUDY TRIP. Our group is supported by the KSKK team in Tokyo and have numerous opportunities to experience Japanese cuture and language first hand.
My thanks to Ms Winstone for giving up part of her holidays to be with our students.
School Musical
By the time you read this, our school musical would have ended its three night schedule. I hope that many families took the opportunity to see the fine work of our students and Performing Arts staff, led by Ms Sarah Power and Mrs Anita Chipman.
Not only do my thanks go to our staff and students, but also to the many parents and family members who assisted in some way to the success of this production - a thoroughly enjoyable event.
MYKI use on School Buses
I have a request from Ventura Bus Lines asking me to remind all parents to ensure that those children that use a bus, must purchase and use a MYKI card.
Too many students are assuming that this service is free and as a result are getting into trouble with ticket inspectors who have been regularly checking Myki use. Another important aspect of this is by touching on and off, Public Transport Victoria is able to monitor which bus lines are regularly used and need to be maintained.
Students have been regularly reminded at school and this message needs to be reinforced by parents.
Anaphylaxis Training Updates
Associate Principal, Kath Middleton has had to spend a great deal of her personal time upgrading her anaphylaxis training to a higher level to allow her to run updates and epipen refresher sessions for all staff.
She has also conducted refresher courses for a local primary school, often in out-of-school hours ensuring that they too meet department expectations.
Thank you Kath, from us all!
Russell Poulier
Acting Principal