AXEDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

“Excellence Through Endeavour”

High Street, Axedale 3551

Ph. (03) 5439 7232 Fax. (03) 5439 7575

Principal – Lex Johnstone

Email: axedale.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

NEWSLETTER No. 41 December 15th

2016

Important dates:

Dec. 19th

End of Year Evening-Axedale Hall

20th

Last Day of Term 4 1.30pm

dismissal

2017

Jan.

Feb.

25th

Bookpack pick up 9.30am-2pm

31st First day of school 2017

3rd

Prep rest day

GRADUATE CONGRATULATIONS A big congratulations to Emily, Laura, Rachael, Max, Nathan, Kodi, Jaidyn and Zayne on

graduating from Axedale Primary School. We wish them well on the next part of their

educational journey. I would like to thank their families for all of their support for the

school over the years. In particular, I would like to thank the Pearce, Taylor, Higgins &

Downing, families, as their Grade 6 child will be the last from their family attending our

school.

The Graduation Evening for our Grade 6’s and their parents is being held tonight. After a friendly game at

the bowling alley, we will share dinner, hear from our Grade 6’s and present them with some items.

COMMUNITY GIVING

Today Jaidyn, Nathan and Zayne travelled into Bendigo with Ricky and helped pack

Christmas Food Hampers for distribution across Bendigo and districts. This was a great

opportunity to support those in need. Thanks boys.

CHICKENPOX IN PREP ROOM

We have had a mild case of chicken pox reported in the Prep classroom. Please be vigilant for symptoms. As

outlined in our ‘Parent Handbook’, if your child has confirmed chickenpox, exclusion from school is for at

least 7 days after the illness begins and until the last blister/sore has dried and healed (which may take up to

14 days).

CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

Zaithan – For listening very carefully to the

C.F.A. presentation.

Daniel – For showing great skills using money

and helping others to make and write different

amounts.

Ben – For working hard to complete his

research project about Mosquitos.

Emily – For persisting with challenging

classroom tasks.

Anthony – For showing a determined effort to

complete a range of tasks on his Passion Project.

SCHOOL VALUE AWARD WINNERS

Bonnie – For using her best manners at

the Prep Dinner.

Emily – For improving her

independence in the classroom.

Liam – For helping others in the

classroom.

Skyla – For confidently socialising with

her peers in the yard.

GOLDEN BRUSH

Well done to the Grade Prep.

HOUSE TROPHY

Well done McIvor.

SPELLING AND READING

AWARD WINNERS

Well done to our spelling and

reading award winners for this week.

MATHLETICS AWARDS

Congratulations to all the students

who received Mathletics award

certificates this week at assembly.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

END OF YEAR EVENING

Our end of year Christmas Concert will be held on Monday 19th

December at the Axedale Hall

and Axedale Park. Please put this date into your calendar. To start the evening, from 6.15pm

in the Axedale Park, we will have a picnic basket tea, or for those who wish to cook, the BBQ

will be available.

The Christmas Concert will start from 7.00pm

in the Axedale Hall with presentation of awards

and acknowledgements, then class items will follow until

approximately 8.00pm.

While some hall chairs will be available, families are

encouraged to BYO deck chairs (for tea and concert). Parents please

remember to make a delivery to Katrina in the office before this evening.

School finishes on Tuesday 20th

December at 1.30pm.

AXEDALE CAROLS

Many thanks to all the families that supported the Axedale Carols evening last Sunday. It was a great turn

out and it was very pleasing to see a stage full of Axedale students proudly singing a number of Christmas

tunes.

Also well done to many of our students who were involved in the Palmer’s Gym tumbling display –

awesome to watch!

Well done and thank you to the organising committee on a great night and to Miss Blume for her role in

coordinating our students.

THANK YOU TO STAFF & SCHOOL COUNCIL

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff in our school who work so tirelessly to ensure

that your children are well taught, safe, happy and responsible young people. As a Principal, I couldn’t ask

for a more cohesive and productive group of colleagues.

I would also like to thank our School Councillors – Neil, Lara, Sharon, Julie, Kristen, Dutchy, Gaye,

Corrina, Steve and Michelle for their time, effort and support in the guidance of the school. It is great to be

working with a team that constantly has the best interests of the students and community at the heart of

every decision. We look forward to an exciting year ahead.

WELL DONE PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS AN FRIENDS

As another busy year of fundraising comes to an end, I would like to thank our great group of fundraisers.

Through a range of school and community based activities, they have been able to raise over $13,000 -

an amazing effort for our school. Congratulations and thank you.

Funds have been raised through:

Axedale Tavern Meat Raffles

Quick Shear

Easter Raffle

Hot Cross Buns

Fruit Tree Drive

Zone Family Night

Footy Tipping

Mother’s Day Stall & Raffle

Father’s Day Stall & Raffle

Trolley Token Sales

Progressive Dinner

Pie drive x 2

Christmas Raffle

Bunnings BBQ

Golf Day

Funds raised are continually put back into supporting programs, upgrading resources and purchasing new

equipment for the school and students.

THANK YOU MORNING TEA

At our Thank You Morning Tea on Tuesday, I was able to list many of the

areas in which we gain great support from our parents and wider community.

A big thank you to everyone who has helped out in any way over the last

twelve months.

Each year at our Thank You Morning Tea, Ian and Sue Ralston (who come

and hear reading each week) present a book voucher to a child who they

have seen significant improvement in. This year’s recipient was Olly

Gutsell. Olly is pictured here receiving his award from Ian. We would also like to thank John and Robyn Knight from Campaspe Rocks

Angus Stud who have been very generous in providing a yearly

award to a Grade 6 student in acknowledgement of their past

efforts and future endeavours. This year, Laura Higgins was

chosen as the recipient.

John and Robyn are pictured here with Laura on Tuesday.

Congratulations also to Katya Bathurst for winning the raffle to

win the scooter from the City of Greater Bendigo in recognition

of the school’s participation in October Walk to School month.

2017 BOOKPACK LIST

Bookpack forms are now overdue. If you have yet to return your list, please do so asap alternatively contact

the office if you are organising your own bookpack.

TUESDAY ASSEMBLY

We will have a whole school assembly from 1.00 – 1.20 next Tuesday, our last day of school for the year.

From the assembly, students will return to their rooms and be dismissed from their rooms.

AXEDALE QUICKSHEAR RAFFLE

Books of six tickets are attached to the Newsletter today.

First prize is a weekend accommodation for a family, in Echuca.

When tickets are all sold, please leave named ticket butts at the Axedale Tavern

PREP TEA

The Preps enjoyed their dinner at school last Friday night. They had a play in the park, joined in some

dancing, ate their dinner and then watched a DVD. Thank you to Ms Saunders, Mrs Williams, Mrs Tenace

and Miss Mannes for organising and helping on the night. Prep thanked Mr J – they loved playing the games

outside.

GYM – SPORTING SCHOOLS FUNDING

We have received confirmation of Sporting Schools funding for 2017 which will go towards our Gym

program in 2017. This means we will be able to credit each student account with $25 to reduce this fee. For

those families who have already paid their 2017 excursion fee the credit will be put onto your account and

can be used for uniforms through the year.

EMBROIDERY

We will again be offering families the opportunity to have uniform items embroidered

over the holidays. The last day of school will be an out of uniform day, so families

can bag up items to be embroidered and leave them at school.

Sharon Hipwell has again offered to drop the items off to be embroidered. Cost will be $2.50/item. Money is

to be left in the bag with items.

Embroidered items will be available for pick up at school on the book pack pick up day, Wednesday January

25th

.

SCHOOL BUS

A 2017 timetable will be available on Book Pick Up Day.

The bus on Tuesday 20th

December (last day of school) will run two hours ahead of normal time.

NO STUDENT BANKING

There will be no student banking next Tuesday 20th

December.

PAM GUNN MEMORIAL TRUST – RAFFLE

Please support this raffle as funds raised will assist the Pam Gunn Memorial Axedale Trust support children

at Axedale Pre School and Axedale Primary School.

We have tickets available for sale at the office. If families wish they can take a book. Tickets are $5 each.

1st prize – Samsung Tablet $300

2nd

prize – Dinner for 2 at the Axedale Tavern $50

3rd

prize – Golf vouchers for 2 rounds at Axedale $50

The raffle will be drawn at the Axedale Tavern next Thursday 15th

December.

AXEDALE QUICKSHEAR PHOTO COMP

Don't forget to be snapping pics over the Christmas period for your entries to the Photography Competition

at the Axedale Quick Shear on Saturday 28th January, there are great prizes to be won.

Entries have to be in by the 14th January, and there is a box at Katrina's desk for any entries ready by the

end of term or there is a box at the Axedale Store.

In a special offer for Axedale students, entry for the Primary Student section is a gold coin donation (for up

to 4 photos).

A copy of the entry requirements and terms and conditions were attached to a recent newsletter, but they can

also be found on the Axedale Quick Shear Facebook page or by emailing axedaleevents@gmail.com.

Categories

1. Sheep, Shearers and Sheds: capturing anything to do with sheep, shearing or shearing sheds

2. Axedale and surrounds: a photo depicting any subject or scene within a 20km radius of Axedale

Winners will be announced on the day of the Quick Shear and the photos will be displayed in the Hall

during the event.

CHOIR EXTRA PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY - 14th

DECEMBER

Axedale Primary School Choir members have been invited to join the Bendigo Youth Choir at the Kangaroo

Flat Uniting Church Carols on Wednesday 14th

December at 7.30pm (time to be confirmed). This is an

optional choir performance. If choir members want to attend, Michelle Blume will be there. Please note

parents will be responsible for their child/ren as this isn’t a school event. Please contact Michelle if you are

interested.

NO PIZZAS AVAILABLE

Due to supply issues, there are no pizzas available from the Axedale Store until further

notice.

OUTSTANDING MONEY

Family financial statements with outstanding money owing to the school have been sent home. Can these

amounts please be finalised as soon as possible to allow us to finalise our revenue and expenditure budgets

for 2016. Payment options include cash, cheque, EFTPOS or BPay. – We have been advised by Westpac

that their BPay facility is currently not operational. They are hoping to have it back up by 9am Friday 16th

December.

UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES

The Department of Education requires schools to record reasons for all student absences. If your child has

been absent from school and you have not provided a reason, we require you to return the attached letter

with reasons filled in, to school as soon as possible.

If your child is absent you can enter this via our school app. It is a very simple process. There is more

information later in the newsletter about how to download the app.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Each year students like to bring Christmas Cards to share with other students. Last year we had a large

numbers of candy canes that came with the cards. Many students were eating these candy canes before

school and during breaks.

We would appreciate parent support in just providing cards for special friends.

VEGGIE GARDEN CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE

We are selling Christmas cards with a photo from our veggie garden

for $1 each. All proceeds will help the funding of our veggie patch.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! AXEDALE QUICK SHEAR, WOOD CHOP AND FAMILY FUN DAY!

SAVE THE DATE 28TH

JAN 2017

Axedale Events’ Annual Fundraiser for your School, Preschool, CFA and Hall is coming up again! Come

and help out for a while and then enjoy the day’s activities, knowing you have contributed to making it a fun

and successful day.

Each year we are amazed at the local community’s willingness to make this the best day possible.

If you can assist us at all at our Quick Shear event, please call or text Marie on 0447727020, or just fill out

the sheet at the school or preschool. Any time you can give us will be greatly appreciated – (even just ½ hr).

We are happy to accommodate you so you can best help us.

We’ll give you lunch on the day and will Thank You in person the following Tuesday (1/02) by hosting a

BBQ for you and your family.

If you can’t volunteer, please come and enjoy the day anyway!

ALL MONEY RAISED FROM THIS COMMUNITY EVENT GOES DIRECTLY TO YOUR

PRESCHOOL, PRIMARY SCHOOL, CFA AND PUBLIC HALL!!

Looking forward to your support.

Axedale Events Committee

SHOOL APP

If you haven’t already signed up to our school app we ask that you take the time to

download it.

The majority of our families have now signed up for our school app and are finding it is a

great way of staying in touch with easy access to newsletters, receiving calendar updates

direct to your phone and entering absence notes. It is also the way we send our alerts and reminders.

To download the app just visit the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android’s.

Search for Updat-ed and from the menu select our school. We’ll receive your registration

request and will need to approve you before your app is up and running.

BREAKFAST CLUB

Today was our last Breakfast Club for the year. Many thanks to those

who have volunteered to help with Breakfast Club throughout the

year. Thanks also to our sponsors.

FRESH FRUIT FRIDAY

Tomorrow is also our last day of Fresh Fruit Friday. Many thanks to those who have volunteered to help

cutting up fruit on Fridays during the year.

Friday 16th

December – Sarah Vanis & Samantha Gilbertson

MICHAEL GROSS PARENTING RESOURCES

Our school is a member of Parenting Ideas. Visit www.parentingideas.com.au

This week’s attached article is “Thank goodness for Christmas”.

POCKET POSITIVES – Ricky Cawley

Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in life, mingle kindly with its joy and sorrows, try

what you can do to others rather than what you can make them do for you, and you will know what it is to

have friends.

TERM DATES 2017

Term 1: 30th

January (Teachers resume)

31st January (Students) to 31

st March

Term 2: 18th

April (Tuesday) to 30th

June

Term 3: 17th

July to 22nd

September

Term 4: 9th

October to 22nd

December

(Friday February 3rd

will be the first of the Prep Rest Days.)

MICHELLE BLUME’S WEDDING

For those families who have been asking for Michelle’s wedding details, you

are welcome to come along and watch:

Saturday 14th

January @ 3pm.

Sandy Creek Park Estate

421 Huntly- Fosterville Road, Huntly

PAM GUNN MEMORIAL TRUST – RAFFLE

1st prize – Samsung Tablet $300

2nd

prize – Dinner for 2 at the Axedale Tavern $50

3rd

prize – Golf vouchers for 2 rounds at Axedale $50

The raffle will be drawn at the Axedale Tavern tonight.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I would like to wish all families a safe and happy Christmas. The year has been

another busy and exciting one. My thanks go out to all those who have contributed

to school in some way this year. We are so fortunate to have a community that is so

willing to give their time and effort.

Merry Christmas.

Lex Johnstone

Principal

PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS & FUNDRAISING

CHRISTMAS HAMPER

Yes it is that time of year again. We are asking families to contribute a non-perishable item to

our Christmas Hampers. It would be good to see lots of Christmas themed and holiday items.

Tickets for the raffle will be sent home later in the term. Raffle tickets were attached to the

newsletter last week.

CLASSROOMS

PREP DINNER

On Friday we had our Prep Dinner. We had lots of fun. We played, danced and had yummy food. It was

great. By The Preps.

Below are some drawings done by the children after the evening.

FORMS TO BE RETURNED OR

ORGANISED AT SCHOOL

* Bookpack forms are now overdue. Please contact Katrina in the office if you are organising your own

bookpack and won’t be requiring the school to place

COMMUNITY

Alizé – Conga line dancing. Riley – Mrs Williams choosing a DVD to watch.

Bonnie – Playing games.

Ted – Crossing the road on town walk.

Logan – Playing at the playground.

Matilda – Mr J playing 40 – 40.

Logan – Playing at the playground.