Principal: Mr Stephen Crossley Ph. 55232218 Fax. 55217839

PO Box 317 Portland Vic 3305 portland.bay.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au www.portlandbayschool.vic.edu.au

School Council President: Deb Robinson 0428 995 987

COMING EVENTS

TERM 4 2016 Friday 25th November All Abilities Day at Portland Civic Hall

Next Week Monday 28th November Party with the Ponies in Hamilton for Group 1 and 2.

Tuesday 29th November

Wednesday 30th November

Thursday 1st December

Friday 2nd December

Important Dates to Remember

Tuesday 6th December Orientation Day

Monday 12th December Surfing at Cape Bridgewater

Thursday 15th December Surfing at Cape Bridgewater

Friday 16th December Graduation/End of Year Ceremony 10am at Portland Civic Hall

Monday 19th December Last Day Term 4 for Students 2.30pm Finish

Tuesday 20th December No Students -Last day Term 4 for staff

******************************** 2017 - Tuesday 31st January Students 1st Day of Term 1

From the Principal’s Desk

A second review day will be held next Wednesday where we will discuss

how school improvement will look into the future. The reviewer, Neil

Pryor, will make recommendations about the priorities in the next strategic

plan which will be developed over the coming months.

Group 1 has returned from a very fun filled camp, please see all the photos

in todays newsletter. From all accounts, the Queenscliff facility and area

was excellent.

YEP Camp

Students who completed the Passport to Employment course over the last 3

-years are attending a camp in Dunkeld today and tomorrow. Students and

staff were very excited about the trip and I wish them all the best.

Disability Day

Tomorrow is the Glenelg Shire’s disability day and most of our classes will

be in attendance at some point during the day. Parents, carers and families

are also welcome to attend. The school is running two activities. Thanks

to Phil and Group 4 who are setting up a solar tele scope. Thanks to Leilani

and group 1, Gillian and group 2 who are both icing biscuits. This is

always a good day that the students enjoy and I hope to see you all there.

Student Transport in 2017

The Minister of Education, the Hon James Merlino MP, has written to me

(18-11-16), confirming media reports, “… that a third bus is provided to the

Portland Bay School for 2017 and beyond.”

This comes after interviews by parents Justine Cain and Karen Rowley that

featured on WIN News last week. Students Maycie-Lee, Bart and Lucy

also featured walking to school in the news report.

School Council President, Deb Robinson, is pleased that this issue has been

resolved and that students would continue to receive transport assistance

through a school bus.

A copy of the letter is attached to todays Newsletter.

Classes for 2017

The school is currently organising classes for 2017.

Parents are Welcome to meet with me to discuss their children’s

educational needs as we plan for next year. Please call to make an

appointment.

Have a nice weekend ……Steve Crossley, Principal.

Date: Thursday 24th November 2016 Issue 38

Jordan has completed this great “Seaside” painting. Love the colours

and wave about to break. Well Done Jordan.

Happy Birthday and best wishes

to the following students who celebrate their birthdays this coming week

Jamie Pumpa - 29th November and

Lucy Jennings - 1st December We hope you both have a great day.

Words on Wellbeing - Sue Cowie Camps and Memories

I want to talk about Camp because at the Bay, it has always been important. Yes, let us be honest. It is

great to have a break from the little darlings. But how often do I hear that your children away from home

were just fantastic? Well, lots….

Camps hold memories. Stories at night, some scary, some enticingly funny, are best shared around a camp

fire. Teachers somehow become human at camp. They laugh and joke, even join in on games. Schools

should always provide this experience. It is where friends are made for life. But you also learn more about

yourself and how you get on with others.

I do hope your children have special memories from camps this year. Wellbeing is enhanced when those

endorphins flow through the veins. Nothing can beat it when you succeed at a goal like the high- ropes or

a bushwalk that usually would zap your energy. Oh, how you love to tell the story of how you kept going

and wouldn’t give up. How we love to view photos of your achievements. How proud your teachers are

that you have shown perseverance and proved yourself to be resilient!

And usually, how amazed are we as parents that a child ate food that they do not at home. That they

packed up, that they were independent. Your good work does pay off. Those social competencies that we

as parents try to model and teach all through the years come together at camp. It is where you see the best

from both children and their teachers. And we keep those memories close to our hearts.

Stars of the Week “Caught Being Good” Very well done to our caught being

good winners last week: Connor Saunders, Brodie Pumpa, Ashley Whennen,

Jamie Roosa, Maycie-Lee Reeves, Michael Klima,

and Kyle Quinton

On the Buses: Isaac Jacobson,

Harvey McQualter, Akatsha Morrison

And Maycie-Lee Reeves.

We focus each week on all our positive

Behaviours both in the school and on our buses.

At our whole school assembly,

we draw the “Caught Being Good”

raffle. Throughout the week,

staff give students a raffle ticket for

displaying positive behaviour either

in their classroom, on the buses

(including to and from school) , on

the playground or in any school events

such as excursions, outings

or community access.

Some of our

students

paintings , from

their sea side art

excursion, are on

display around

the school. They

look fantastic,

well done

everyone.

Group 1 Camp - Queenscliff - Great fun filled week

Community Announcements :