School update

It has certainly been a whirlwind couple of weeks at Loch Primary School. We have enjoyed a successful Family Fun Night, elected new School Councillors, school photos were taken, special events for students were organised such as Bushy Day, Mini Beast Investigations and Planks, we heard that we were successful in entering students into the State Schools Spectacular and late Friday morning we were advised that we had been accepted into the Mathematics Specialist program.

We have a very talented and dedicated teaching team which has enabled the many events to take place and for our students to enjoy their learning programs.

Family Fun Night

Many thanks to everyone involved in our Family Fun Night. Our students spent considerable time designing, planning and organising their activities and the evening provided an authentic opportunity to implement their ideas and plans. Teachers provide the guidelines and support students in their planning however it is wonderful to observe students succeed and fail and then try again when they are working on their Family Fun Night initiatives. This annual event certainly provides a rich learning experience for our students.

Teachers also provided valuable information regarding the processes and programs operating in their classrooms. If you missed your childs teacher's session you will find details about what they spoke about on their class page in this newsletter.

Our Parents & Friends Association had ripper of night also. The BBQ dinner was a hit and all food sold out before 8pm. (Lots of comments about how yummy the burgers were - thanks to Em Morris again for her extraordinary cooking talents) The Loch Lucky Keys competition was also successful selling over 150 keys. Congratulations to Jo Jones who had the lucky key and took home the very valuable and sought after prize. Hopefully she will share with her friends and family! Huge thanks and appreciation to all of the parents involved who cooked the BBQ or sold tickets. Great effort by everyone.

Maths Specialist Program

Last year we applied for a position in the DET Primary Mathematics Specialist Initiative. Our successful application provides us with funding for another full time teacher and requires us to nominate two teachers to take on the role of Mathematics Specialist in our school. These teachers will continue to work in their classrooms however will take responsibility for the development of our maths curriculum and resources. These teachers will undergo professional development and then team teach, coach and work closely with all of our teachers to build skills, knowledge, confidence and expertise within the mathematics curriculum. This initiative is for two years and we are really excited to be able to able to share our success with our parent community. This is wonderful news for our small school and will bring much excitement and enthusiasm to our team. The teachers who have been nominated to be our Mathematics Specialists are Benita Spence and Rachael Geerts. Their first three days of Professional Development will start next Tuesday when they head into town to the Convention Centre along with other teachers from across the state.

School Council 2018

I would like to thank the parents who have nominated for school council. We do not need to run a ballot this year. Our School Council Members for 2018 will be:

Tracey King DET Employee category

Natalie Francis DET Employee category

Wil Jelbart Parent category member

Louise Sherar Parent category member

Julie Nettle Parent category member

Anna Sala Parent category member

Megan Kirk Parent category member

Megan Le Serve Parent category member

Emmeline Morris Parent category member

Carly Cameron Parent category member

Geoff Lightowler Co-opted Community category

Diane Jones Co-opted Community Category

Many thanks to these parents, staff and community who have taken on the responsibility of forming our school council.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on

Monday 19th March starting at

7.00pm at Loch Primary School.

The AGM will be followed by a

general council meeting.

I wish to thank and acknowledge our outgoing council members many of whom have been on council for many years; Helen Lindton who has been our School Council President for the past two years, Sean Monson, Stan Barrett and Tim Richards. The time, commitment and dedication these councillors have shown our school is exemplary and on behalf of the community, I extend my greatest thanks and appreciation.

Staffing

The last few weeks have been full of challenges for our staff with personal health issues and family concerns. We made arrangements for alternate programs during this time which have included a Planks Workshops, a Minibeast investigation and a Bushy Day. All of these activities are worthwhile learning experiences, incredibly engaging and lots of fun.

I would like to thank the many parents who have realised that we have had a number of staff absent, have offered to help out and have shown genuine concern for our teachers. We have been assisted this week by extra teachers Mr Geoff Birnie and Mr Aldfredo Perez. Our teaching team has been very flexible and we are lucky that they are so talented and able to manage change and work with all students ensuring a continuous learning program for students.

Teachers do experience the full range of health issues and family concerns just like normal everyday people and I ask that you afford our staff the care and privacy which we regularly give to our families. By all means welcome back staff however please be aware that it is not appropriate at this time to question their absence.

School Car Park

I wish to advise that until further notice the school car park is closed for parent parking. The car park is being closed to eliminate the risk of injury to students due to traffic congestion, poor parking and speeding cars. Discussion of this issue will occur with school council and parents will be provided with further information shortly.

All students are to enter and exit the school grounds via the front gate on Victoria Road. No student will be able to access the school car park during drop off or pick up times.

Parents are able to park safely on Victoria Road or Roy Street. There is car parking outside the Masonic Lodge and also outside the church on Roy Street. School is only a 3 minute walk on the footpath from Sunnyside Park which also has parking space available. Parents who choose to park on the road opposite the school entry gates are to exit their car and walk across the road to collect their children from the school grounds. At no time should a child be crossing the road without adult supervision. Please do not beckon your children across the road whilst you remain in your car. This is a responsibility I expect parents to take seriously as it will impact on your child's safety.

Anyone with a disabled parking permit is able to continue parking in the school car park. The first car park adjacent to the school pathway is allocated to disabled parking. Elderly grandparents bringing students to school may also park in the school car park within the line marked parking bays.

Under no circumstances is any parent to park on the grassed round about in the centre of the car park at any time.

Any parents with large items to drop off or pick up can park in the school car park before 8.45am or after 9.15am and before 3.15pm or after 3.45pm.

Please note that the bus parking zone at the front of the school must be kept clear at all times and is not available for parent parking.

I do understand that many parents will feel inconvenienced at this decision to close the car park and I would like to emphasise that no child's life is worth risking for parent convenience. I ask that everyone cooperates and complies with this decision. Student safety is our priority. Our students are your children and they are all precious.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Our Term One Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 20th March. Parents are invited to log on to COMPASS and book their interview sessions with teachers.

Please select 'March 2018

Parent Teacher Interviews'.

These interviews are an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss how children have settled in to the new school year and to share information about individual learning needs. Interviews are scheduled to begin at 2.00pm and conclude at 8.00pm and will last for 10 - 15 minutes only. If you require a longer time for discussion please contact your child's teacher to make alternate arrangements. Telephone interviews are available for parents who are unable to attend in person. We are looking forward to seeing all parents next Tuesday.

Ms Tracey King

Principal

Sports News

Congratulations Zac & Thomas