PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

DIARY DATES

Thursday 24th February School Photos

Friday 25th February School Photos

BLPS Beach Disco

Tuseday 1st March Religious Education Prep-Gr4

Friday 4th March National Young Leaders Day

Tuesday 8th March Amy’s Amazing Adventure

Tuesday 15th March You Be The Star Visit

NEWSLETTER N0.04 24TH FEBRUARY 2011

NOTICES DUE BACK BY

Friday 18th February BLPS Beach Disco

Friday 18th February Singapore Deposit

Monday 28th February National Young

Leaders Day

Friday 4th March Amy’s Amazing

Adventure

Friday 11th March You Be The Star Visit

BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Phone: 9707 1766 Fax: 9796 2198

E-mail: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Visit our Websites : http:// www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au,

Camp Australia/Out of School Hours Care: 9769 8251

TRAFFIC ISSUES

Earlier this week I received an email

from an exasperated and obviously

angry parent complaining that some

parents were still parking their cars

in the main car park without

permission and thus creating the

impression of a double standard and

a lack of effective management of the

situation by me. I wrote back

explaining that we do not have the

resources to patrol the main car park

for three quarters of an hour every

day to ensure that no parents used it

without permission. Closing the gates

does not solve the problem unless

we have someone operating it at the

same time. Nonetheless, the

aggrieved parent has a point. By now

all parents must be well aware that

the main car park is a no-go zone

unless you have an approval card

signed by me. Please do not get upset

in the future if a frazzled principal or

assistant principal approaches you in

the car park if you shouldn’t be

there!

STUDENT DISCO FRIDAY Our PFA is again sponsoring a disco

night for our students this Friday in

our gymnasium. The previous one

held in term 4 last year was highly

successful and so we decided to

provide our children with another

disco before the colder weather set

in. We will

again be

employing

security staff

from U-Nome

Security

Services to

ensure the

overall safety

of all children. It is a great function

and we hope to see as many happy,

dancing children there as possible!

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTION (FAQ’s)

Q. Why have you stayed at

Berwick Lodge for so long?

A. Because I have! Being the

founding principal of this

fabulous school has been a

highlight of my life. I did not

set out to stay so long, but as

with is the case for so much in

our lives, things turn out

differently to how we plan or

contemplate them to be.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

‘If personal wealth could be measured

by the number of people you could

entrust with your life, how healthy would

your credit card look?’

HENRY GROSSEK

ASS I STANT PR INCIPALS ’ REPORT

PREP COMMENCEMENT OF

FULL DAYS

Our Prep Team reports that our prep

children have settled in well to the

routine of the school day and are now

ready to attend school for full days. As

of Monday February 28th, the Prep

dismissal time will be 3:30PM in line

with the rest of the school. Dismissal

procedures will remain the same with

parents/guardians/OSHC staff

collecting students from the classrooms.

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHTS

A reminder to parents to look out for

the appointment times being sent home

with the youngest child tomorrow

(Friday 25th February 2011) If you

are unable to make your appointed time

please let the relevant teachers know so

that they can reschedule a suitable

alternate time with you.

All of our staff are looking forward to

meeting the parents of their students.

HEAD LICE

Recently we have had several reports

from families of head lice and eggs

found in children’s hair. While we

realise that families are busy, we would

appreciate the support of every family

in checking and, if necessary, treating

their children for head lice.

To be successful in controlling the head

lice problem, every family would need

to commit some time to:

Check their children’s hair weekly

If any live lice are found, treat

immediately (complete follow

up checks and treatment)

If any eggs are found, apply lots of

conditioner, and patiently

remove all eggs

If every family is diligent in this

exercise we would be able to break the

head lice cycle at school. We thank

you in advance for your cooperation.

At school we will continue to conduct

head lice checks and contact families of

children with live lice to advise them of

the need to collect their children and

commence immediate treatment.

Parents of students found to have eggs

will be notified of the need to continue

treatment. We also appreciate

notification of lice infestations as this

assists us in targeting head lice checks

at particular classes or year levels.

SUPERVISION BEFORE AND

AFTER SCHOOL

Recently with the fine weather we have

noticed that many of our students are

arriving at school very early and

remaining in the school grounds until

late in the afternoon. Parents are

reminded that the yard is supervised

by staff between 8:45 and 9:00am in

the morning and 3:30 and 3:45pm

after school. Students in the

playground outside of these times are at

risk. If it is necessary for children to be

at school either early or late, then

parents should consider enrolment in

the OSHC Program or make other

arrangements.

Children are welcome to play on their

allocated playground when they arrive

at school in the morning, or if they are

waiting to be picked up after school.

They should not be playing on the

playgrounds of other levels unless their

parents are supervising them.

In the coming weeks we will be taking

note of students who regularly arrive at

school early in the morning and parents

will be contacted to discuss and resolve

this issue. If for any reason your child

has not been picked up by 3:45pm they

will be directed to the front office area

where they must wait until they are

collected. These measures are not

meant to cause any inconvenience.

They are for the safety and security of

all of our students.

NATIONAL RIDE 2 SCHOOL DAY

– WEDNESDAY 16TH MARCH

Let’s get wheelie excited! Berwick

Lodge will be celebrating National Ride

2 School Day on Wednesday 16th

march, along with thousands of schools

around the country. We encourage

students and their families to leave the

car home on this day and get a taste of

the benefits, ease and fun involves in

choosing to walk and wheel to school.

We have arranged to have the police

attend our school on this day to engrave

the children’s bikes with identification

numbers to assist in the case of bikes

being lost or stolen. Further information

regarding this service will be coming

home shortly.

CITY OF CASEY CHILDREN’S

PLAN

The City of Casey is seeking

community feedback to assist Council

develop the Children’s Plan which will

help shape the future for families with

children up to nine years of age in the

community. The City of Casey is

committed to supporting the needs of

growing communities by planning

quality services and programs that are

important to families with children.

If you would like to provide your views

to help develop the Children’s Plan,

you are invited to complete an online

survey at www.casey.vic.gov.au/

currentconsultations. Alternatively, you

may obtain a copy of the survey by

contacting the City of Casey Children’s

Services Department on 9705 5200.

LYNNE BRENNER &

DEBBIE CUSACK

CANTEEN NEWS

Just a reminder that the

Canteen is not open on

Tuesday’s for the

remainder of the year.

SCHOOL AWARDS Congratulations to the following students who received awards over the

last week:

Dylan PL Amber PL

Chole PW Andrew PW

Riley PC Sharn PC

Ajay PM Tanis PM

Introducing Our Specialist Teams Over the next few weeks each of our Specialist team will be introducing themselves through a brief description in

the newsletter. We are very excited to have a new team this year with Miss Tahnee Planner, Miss Sarah Vine, Mr

Nick Pryor and Mrs Olivia Cook joining us.

Hi everyone, this is Tahnee Planner and after three years teaching in the classroom here at B.L.P.S. I am very excited to be

the new Performing Arts teacher for 2011.

I am extremely passionate for the arts having had twenty years dance experience in classical ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary

& hip-hop. I studied VCE drama & dance, majored in drama at university and had wonderful experiences participating in

many school, university & amateur theatre productions.

This year students will participate in one term of each of the disciplines: drama, dance & music. I hope to instill an

enjoyment for performing and look forward to sharing their experiences, discovering their talents and enjoying the rewards

of performing arts.

There will be lots of exciting opportunities for the students throughout the year, one of which is J Rock (Junior Rock

Eisteddfod) open to grades 4, 5 & 6.

Please feel free to come and see me anytime. The Performing Arts Department appreciates and welcomes your support

with open arms.

Unlock your creativity in Performing Arts!

PERFORMING ARTS NEWS

Wakakirri and J Rock are performing arts events incorporating dance, drama and design. They

are wonderful opportunities for primary school students, Australia wide, to gain many skills,

develop self-confidence, express creativity, and have fun enjoying the experience of performing.

Last year B.L.P.S. thoroughly enjoyed participating in the story/dance section of Wakakirri.

Wakakirri’s focus is to challenge schools to make an impact on the world around them, to create a story with a

community message, make their work sustainable and share it with as many people as possible.

J Rock, the primary school version of Rock Eisteddfod, was rested last year and is back for 2011. Their focus is

on students making healthy lifestyle choices and learning the importance of being active and eating healthy foods.

It gives students an opportunity to express their creativity through music and dance in an eight-minute

performance.

Supporting J Rock’s focus and our students’ enthusiasm to be involved in a more dance-based performance, we

are excited to be participating in J Rock this year. Grades 4, 5 & 6 will have the opportunity to audition.

Melbourne performance dates are 8th August 2011 -19th August 2011 at Hisense

Arena Melbourne.

We aim for a team approach where the whole school community can be involved, for

students to be involved not only on stage but backstage, with set design and props

and parents to assist in sets, costumes, assisting on performance day and fund raising.

A reminder that students who wish to audition need to sign up by Friday 25th

February 2011.

Our auditions will be held the following week. GOOD LUCK!

Tahnee Planner

BLPS Parents and Friends News

Current Events BEACH THEMED DISCO – This Friday night from 4:30pm:

The time has finally arrived for our fantastic beach-themed disco! We are glad to say

that there are lots of you coming and it promises to be an amazing and fun night with

great music by Traceye Rapinett and dancing games as well as prizes awarded for great

dancing and best costumes. And remember, no bikinis please!

SUNSCREEN:

We have roll-on sunscreen available for purchase at the front office for $6.00 per stick. They are a great

compact size and are very useful for all children to have in their bags now with our lovely sunny weather!

Upcoming Events

DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT - Friday 25th March 2011 from 5:00pm:

There is only one more month left before our wonderful night at the movies! “TANGLED” will be

screened at Akoonah Park on Friday 25th March 2011. Bring your car or stretch out on a picnic rug with

some pillows, perch on some chairs, get comfortable in or outside your car and enjoy the great

entertainment! There will be loads of food available for purchase including a sausage sizzle with sausages

in bread, with or without onion, available at a cost of $2.00 each, drinks will be $2.00 each. There will be

popcorn as well as a coffee van, an ice-cream van and a slurpee stall! Coffee

and gelati will also be available at the van’s prices. And of course you are also

welcome to bring your own food. There will also be stacks of entertainment

for the kids with a jumping castle for $2.00 per session as well as free face

painting. And should you be feeling the heat we will also have sunscreen

available for purchase for $6.00 per roll. Loads of fun for everyone! Tickets

are available at a cost of $20.00 per family, $5.00 per child and $10.00 per

adult. There will be some tickets also available on the night if you decide to

come at the last minute, everyone is welcome!

The PFA would like to thank you for your continued support.

Next Meeting: Thursday 3rd March 2011 at 1.30pm in Room 16. Everyone is welcome,

including toddlers. The PFA welcomes anyone wanting to join the fun and

help make a difference.

2nd Hand Uniform

Shop:

As advertised in the 2011 calendar (distributed to students last year), our

next 2nd hand uniform shop will be open in the school canteen on Tuesday

29th March 2011 from 2.30pm until 3.15pm.

COMMUNITY NEWS

BUSINESS ADVERTISING

Extending Literacy & Maths

Tutoring Program

Prep to Grade 6

Specialised Numeracy,

Literacy & Reading Programs

Private Lesson

Group Lessons

ASD, ESL & Koori students catered for

0432 127 119

BERWICK SHOW

Be sure to go and have a look at our

School Art Display this weekend at the

Berwick Show. The Berwick Show is on

Saturday 26th February and Sunday

27th February 2011. It is located at

Akoonah Park, Pricess Highway,

Berwick.

TAKE HOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER Give your children the wonderful opportunity to have an international big brother or big sister by hosting one of our exceptional international students arriving in Australia in July for their 5 or 10 month programs. Our international students from France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Spain, Japan and the Scandinavian countries will live as a local, attend a local secondary school, arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance cover – all arranged by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Visit us at www.scce.com.au, email scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll free on 1800 500 501, request our little booklets of international student profiles, and capture the spirit of family and friendship!

St Andrew’s Uniting Church

105 High Street, Berwick, 3806 (Enter off the Service road)

Pre-Loved books

BOOK SALE Saturday 19th March 2011

8:30am—1:00 pm

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS Lots of categories of pre-loved

books

Andy’s CAFÉ open

Casey Hockey Club

Hook in2 Hockey is Australia's national recruitment program and is designed as a fun and safe introduction to the sport of hockey.

Four week program commencing :

Monday 14thth Feb until

Monday 14th March

5.30pm to 6.30 pm Berwick Secondary College, Manuka Road,

Berwick Cost: $50.00 For Further Information & Bookings:

Jeff Reidy: jefreidy@bigpond.net.au

5941 5492 or 0407 511 206

BECOME A WEP HOST FAMILY Open your door to an international exchange student and expand your knowledge of other countries, cultures, lan-

guages and cuisines!

A place to call home World Education Program (WEP) is inviting you to experience another culture in your own home by becoming a

volunteer host family to one of our international students arriving in July 2011. Our students from Italy, France, Belgium,

The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Japan, Brazil and Chile are looking forward to experiencing life in Australia,

making new friends and becoming a member of an Australian family soon.

Messages from Overseas "I’ve always wanted to visit this country and I want to improve my English and I want to know a new way of living in

another country." ~ Georgio, Italy

"Australia is a beautiful country and I have always wanted to go there." ~ Jana, Switzerland

"Because of everything that’s told me, the people are so nice and open." ~ Roxan, Netherlands

Find out more! Getting to know your student before he or she arrives brings fun and joy to everyone involved.

Take the next step and contact WEP today to receive a full information pack for your family.

Nikki Medwell

Inbound Exchange Administrator

Phone: 1300 884 733

Email: wep@wep.org.au

Online: www.wep.org.au

It’s easier than you think and a fantastic experience for all!