8 December 2014

DATE Batlow Technology School Pioneer Street, BATLOW NSW 2730

Phone: (02) 6949 1208 Fax:(02) 69491666 Email:batlow-c.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 4 - Week 8 (B)

BATLOW TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL

Principal

Mrs Meagan Crelley

Assistant Principal

Mrs Vicki Dodd

Head Teachers

Mr Mark McDonell

Ms Amanda O’Loughlan

(Relieving)

WHAT’S ON AT BTS Mondays – (every week)

School Banking

Tuesday 9/12/14

P&C Meeting at 7.00 pm

Wednesday 10/12/14

Principal’s Assembly at 10.48 am

Thursday 11/12/14

Kindergarten Orientation

9.00 am – 3.15 pm

Wednesday 17/12/14

Last day of school for students

2015 Dates Tuesday 27/1/15

Professional Development Day (staff)

Wednesday 28/1/15

Students return to school

Thursday 29/1/15

Kindergarten begin school

REMINDER Principal’s Assembly

Wednesday

10 December 2014

10.48 am in the

school hall

Kindergarten Orientation

Several of the new Kindergarten

students enjoying their day on

Thursday 4 December 2014

with the current year’s

Kindergarten students

RETURN TO SCHOOL DATES FOR 2015 Staff return to school on Tuesday 27 January 2015

Year 1 to Year 12 return to school Wednesday 28 January 2015

Kindergarten students begin school on Thursday 29 January 2014

With only a week and a half to go before school holidays, it is an opportune time to reflect on this year at Batlow Technology School and what we’ve achieved. It is rewarding to see that many staff and students have taken advantage of the diverse array of educational opportunities on offer, both inside and outside of the classroom, which provide our students with more opportunities to grow and excel, reinforcing the value and richness of a public education. The size and location of our school has in no way hampered the learning experiences available to our students and the upcoming overseas excursion to Japan in 2015 is testimony to the extraordinary and challenging opportunities available within our school.

Our whole school student wellbeing focus is currently the core value of ‘respect’ which serves as a constant reminder for students that we, as a school community, value and reward respectful individuals. Showing respect encourages reciprocal behaviour which benefits both individuals and the entire community and with this understanding we aim to continue to build a more harmonious environment for all.

I have witnessed many students grow and develop into responsible, respectful and resilient future citizens over the past twelve months. Their positive impact on our learning environment is very much appreciated by staff, other students and the wider community. These students are well mannered, caring and diligent in their work habits and act as a role model for others to aspire to. They have high expectations for themselves which drives our long term shift to a more productive and pleasant learning environment for all. I am exceptionally proud of all our students who have stood up to the challenge and are making a conscious effort to expect more of themselves and their peers.

This being the last edition of “SCOOP” for 2014 also provides the opportunity to thank the teaching staff who continually strive to provide creative and engaging lessons across the school and who often go to great lengths to ensure that our students are safe, well and supported. Our School Administrative Staff also deserve an enormous amount of recognition for their tireless efforts in keeping significant operational aspects of the school running smoothly. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the many parents and wider community who continue to support our school through their continued interest and involvement and acknowledgement of our achievements.

IMPORTANT ROAD SAFETY REMINDER FOR PARENTS AND CARERS THESE HOLIDAYS

As the school holidays approach, it is important to remember when walking near roads, on footpaths, near driveways and in car parks always:

hold your child’s hand. Until they are at least 8 years old children need to hold an adult's hand. Until they at least 10, children should be closely supervised by an adult and hold hand when crossing the road.

talk to your child about road safety. Talk about how to be safe when near roads. Be a good role model.

point out road safety dangers and differences in new environments. This is especially important when on holidays in different surroundings. Roads, footpaths and pedestrian may look different in holiday areas.

The best way to keep your child safe on or near the road is to hold their hand.

Talk with your child daily about road safety.

Remind other adults and carers about this too.

You can find out more at Transport for NSW.

Have a safe holiday break!

Meagan Crelley, Principal

The capacity to learn is a gift;

The ability to learn is a skill;

The willingness to learn is a choice.

COWS CREATE CAREERS PROGRAM Cows Create Careers is designed to demonstrate the relationships between key learning areas in

school, educational and vocational pathways, and real life professional, competitively paid dairy

careers. It runs as a six week project in each participating school.

One of our teams ‘Moo Tastic’ which consisted of Kelly Flew, Cody Flew and Rachael Adams took out

the senior section for our region. The have received a winning certificate and $35.00 for each team

member. The team ‘The First Lactation’ which consisted of Tessa Cross, Angela Ovenden and Georgia

Whiley took out third place.

The program bought from a local dairy farmer two calves for the school to teach students about

looking after the calves. The school students then fed and monitored these calves as part of a series

of educational activities.

Student teams had the opportunity to complete a multi-media

presentation, a 3D model, a dairy newsletter; plus a scientific

report and thank you letter to Dairy Australia about the

involvement of the dairy farmer and industry advocate at their

school.

This is the first year Batlow Technology School has been involved in

this great program and congratulations to all teams for their

fantastic efforts.

Megan Finnimore (Agriculture teacher)

Media Release CALVES TO SHINE A LIGHT ON DAIRY CAREERS “Calves are helping to shine a light on dairy industry careers through Dairy Australia’s innovative school program, Cows Create Careers – Farm Module. Cows Create Careers - Farm Module is a six-week program that aims to increase the awareness of dairy industry careers in a very hands-on way. Secondary students are educated by rearing two three-week-old calves at school and the school is provided with dairy industry curriculum for years 7 and 8 and years 9 to 11, at no cost. Since 2006 Dairy Australia has worked with thousands of students, teachers, farmers, industry advocates and communities through its investment into Cows Create Careers – Farm Module. Dairy Australia’s Industry Capability Program Manager, Tracy Lloyd, said the program started in 2004 with dairy farmers in the Strzelecki Lions Club in Victoria and nine Gippsland schools. With support from Dairy Australia, Regional Development Programs, dairy farmers and sponsors, the program has now grown to over 180 schools across Australia with 8,357 students completing the program in 2013. “Cows Create Careers – Farm Module is a program that builds awareness of dairy industry careers – from teaching students about educational and vocational pathways, to profiling the diverse range of professional careers in the dairy industry,” said Ms. Lloyd. “By bringing calves into schools, students have fun learning about the different skills required in the dairy industry.” The program has gained strong support from dairy farmers and advocates across Australia. Last year alone volunteers gave 1,162 hours of their time across 22 Australian dairying regions. The National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA) also plays an important role by being an educational link for the schools. Locally, the project is funded by Murray Dairy and Rural Finance and receives additional support across the state from local companies such as; West Goulburn UDV & VFF, Reid Stockfeeds, Provico, Genetics Australia and Murray Goulburn who have continued to support the program in the North East VIC & Southern NSW region. “Volunteers play a vital role in encouraging and supporting students and their career decision making,” Ms. Lloyd said. “The program has dedicated volunteers who have knowledge of the industry and links to education and employment sectors.” Upon completion of the program, students and teachers will be recognised at a Presentation Finale where prizes are awarded to the winning schools and students”.

How2Learn Report: Building

responsibility in our students at home.

One of the H2L dispositions is: responsibility. At BTS we try to instil

this value in our students every day. Here are a few tips parents can

use at home.

1. ASSIGN some accountability

Age-appropriate chores are a simple way to teach your child

responsibility. Add in a little reward at the end if you believe they

deserve it.

2. Let her/him make decisions

Letting your child make some of their own choices, this will teach

accountability and help gain independence.

3. Foster independence

The only way to master any skill is through practice. By letting your

child tackle age-appropriate tasks, like getting dressed, they will also

become more self-reliant.

4. Set a good example

Taking your own responsibilities seriously sets a

good example for children’s watchful eyes.

"Whether we promote it or not, children always

learn by example", says Thomas S. Greenspon,

Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Marriage

and Family Therapist. Keeping your promises or

being on time are ways you can lead by example.

Source: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/817968/7-

tips-for-teaching-your-child-responsibility

PERMISSION TO PUBLISH FORM AND NEW

ENROLMENT FORMS Last term we sent home the new school enrolment form for all students at our school.

Parents were requested to update any old information and provide us with new addresses,

phone numbers and contacts in regards to their children.

Please return the new enrolment forms even if you have no changes, mark on the form

“NO CHANGES”.

Page 13 is a most important part of the enrolment form. This deals

with Personal Information and Declaration of accuracy. Our records indicate that most parents have not returned this form or updated information

forms. The section on Permission to Publish requires parents to tick a box which says

“I give permission or I do not give permission” to publish any information about their child

in publicly accessible communications. Once we have received this updated information this

permission to publish remains effective until parents advise otherwise.

Please read the information on page 13 (which is attached to this

“Scoop”) and return to the school office. The office staff will update your child’s record to indicate whether you give permission to

publish articles, photos and other information which may appear in our newsletters, school

magazine or local newspapers about your child/children.

New permission to publish is required now!

If we do not receive this form by the end of the school year we will

not be able to publish any photographs, articles or information

about any child who does not have parental permission. This

means our school newsletter “Scoop”, local newspapers, school

app, school website and school magazine etc.

Please return the form to the school office as

soon as possible!

If you have concerns or enquiries about this process, do not hesitate to

phone the school office on 6949 1208

Please return this form to the school office