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LoSEMS

DIMBOOLA PRIMARY SCHOOL PO Box 241 Dimboola VIC 3414 Ph: 03 5389 1270 Fax: 03 5389 1399 e-mail: dimboola.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au www.dimboolaps.vic.edu.au

“We strive to build a strong school community of enthusiastic learners”

NEWSLETTER No. 13 – May 10th, 2018

.: HONESTY in all of our actions. .: RESPECT for each other and our environment.

.: TOLERANCE to accept those things that are different .: RESILIENCE to bounce back when something bad h

Dimboola Primary School

is a Child-Safe School

COMING DATES

MAY Friday 11th– DPS Curriculum Day – CAFÉ Reading and Seven Steps for Writing Success -No students to attend school on this day Monday 14th– Little Desert Cross Country Tuesday 15th to Thursday 17th– NAPLAN Testing Year 3 and 5 students involved Wednesday 16th – School Council Meeting Wednesday 30th – Seven Steps Family Night

JUNE Wednesday 6th – Seven Steps Family Night Friday 8th – Report Writing Day - Student Free Monday 11th – Queens Birthday Holiday Wednesday 13th – Seven Steps Family Night Tuesday 19th – WWSSA Winter Lightning

Premiership Friday 29th – Last Day of Term 2

School Council Members School Principal: Greg Sampson School Council President: Russell Hunter

Sandra Gove, Erin Lewis, Nathan Schorback, Kate Clark, Angela Taylor, Kelly Henderson, Amy Ward, Trevor Clarke, Jeff Cameron

STUDENT FREE DAY TOMORROW, FRIDAY 11TH MAY:

A reminder to families that tomorrow, Friday 11th May is a student free day. On this day the teaching and support staff will be attending Horsham Primary School to watch their CAFÉ Reading sessions in progress. We anticipate that this will be a great opportunity to gain new ideas, reflect on teacher practice and do some planning for improving the teaching of reading.

SEVEN STEPS FAMILY NIGHTS: Families should have received an invitation to a series of Seven Steps for Writing Success. These will be held on Wednesday 30th May, Wednesday 6th June and Wednesday 13th June. The sessions will run from 6:00 – 7:00 and should be a chance for parents to see what is happening with the implementation of this highly successful program. We encourage all families to attend.

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NAPLAN: Students in Year 3 and 5 will be involved in NAPLAN Testing next week. They will be assessed in the areas of Language Conventions (spelling and grammar), Writing, Reading and Numeracy. NAPLAN Testing provides the school with a snap shot of where your child is at. It also allows for staff to analyse areas of strength and areas needing further development.

SCHOOL REVIEW SURVEY: Thanks to the families who took the time to complete the survey about how our school is going. There were 16 respondents. Their answers to the two questions are listed below:

Question 1: What do you like about Dimboola Primary School and not want to lose?

• The close knit relationships between teachers and students • Teacher/Student/Parent Interviews are also great – good to see child/ren’s progress

and great way of communicating. • Their playgrounds because they provide great entertainment for kids (written by a

student). • Excellent focus on literacy. • Caring community. • The interaction between teachers, students and parents. • Location – no P-12 School. • The art program is great. • Class sizes as I feel every student gets the attention they need. • I also appreciate the extensive range of books my child can choose from for their

reader. • Small class sizes. • Extra help provided to kids who need it with Maths and English. • The small school community spirit. • I find the staff very approachable and if there are any issues they are quickly resolved. • To continue with the implementation of literacy and numeracy throughout the

school, as it seems to be something that is lacking in older kids. • The size of the school ie pupil numbers/class sizes. • Big kids playground, Art, PE, Maths, Soundwaves and Writing (written by a student). • Art program with dedicated teacher. • Support staff/teacher aides. • The close relationship between student and teacher and the students ideas

considered in decision making for the curriculum. • The teachers. • I believe the staff are doing an amazing job. Feedback from kids – they love four and

eight square and they don’t want to lose it.

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Question 2: If you could change one thing about DPS that you believe would improve it, what would it be?

• More male teachers • All the gravel. We need more grass as the risk of bleeding from scrapes is too high

(written by a student). • There is nothing that stands out that needs to change.. • Update buildings. • Nothing. • To add in a second language. • Maybe structural works of the buildings. • Better communication for volunteers. • Music Program. • More canteen days available otherwise very happy. Thank you! • Add some music/drama lessons. • An art gallery to look at during recess and lunch. (Written by a student). • More students to allow for better class splits (eg, a sole prep class)/ More teachers. • No, nothing at all and keep up the anti-bullying effort. • Nothing. • Parent-teacher communication. Anything parents can do at home to support their

child’s learning rather than waiting for the TSP (if a student needs extra help). • More resources (fundraising).

The school review is fast approaching. This has been set aside for the week of the 23rd July. The review will ask for us to analyse where we are on the FISO (Framework for Improving Student Outcomes) Continuum. Teaching staff have been working on the continuum over a number of staff meetings. Staff analyse our progress against 16 criteria – these include; building practice excellence, curriculum planning and assessment, building leadership teams, empowering students and building school pride, setting expectations and promoting inclusion and building communities.

The review day will include Joanna Day (Senior Education Improvement Leader), Howard Looney (Reviewer), Michael Moloney (Warracknabeal Primary School Principal), Chris Walter (Horsham Primary School Principal), Sandra Gove, Russell Hunter (School Council President) and myself. Other participants will be consulted during the day. These include members of the community and students.

The review day/s are about seeing how we have gone against the goals set and developing a new strategic plan which will guide our work for the next four years. The reviewer and SEIL also analyse if the school has met the requirements for VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority) registration. A large component of VRQA is satisfying requirements for child safety.

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2/3 EXELL ASSEMBLY ITEM: Staff and students were informed about the planets by 2/3 Exell on Monday. 2/3E students presented their researched posters about the planets. Thanks to Miss Exell and the class for this informative presentation.

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE:

What spends all of it’s time on the floor but

never gets dirty?

Answer: a shadow.

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Grades 4, 5 and 6 students are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Melbourne artists and performers Sam and Briony, for four weeks, as part of the Art is…festival Encounter program. Sam and Briony are taking the students through a series of drama activities- challenging the students to express ideas and emotions through movement and role playing.

Sam and Briony have been impressed with the students enthusiasm, team work, focus, and willingness to experiment with new ideas.

Some of the activities the students have explored will be presented at the Encounter Day at Horsham Performing Arts Centre in early June.

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Dimboola Library invites you to attend

Simultaneous Storytime

to enjoy this book and activity at 11am on

Wednesday 23rd May

Dimboola Football Netball Club Invites all Primary School age kids

Friday 18TH May DFNC Clubrooms

6.30 till 8.00pm

$5.00 per child includes drinks and chips

Parents/Guardians to sign child/ren in and out