PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

POSTPONED SPORTS: I really hadn’t expected to be writing this week’s newsletter due to our planned sports day, however the best laid plans …!!

As the decision to postpone had to be made well in advance to give fair warning to the many parents who had arranged time off work, or other friends/relatives who may have been travelling here, the postponement seemed the correct option.

W.H. & S. requirements may have forced us to cancel high jump and ball games (wet and slippery take-off and wet and slippery medicine balls are not allowed), and the running track was already very soft from previous rain. On top of this, many children are already sick from a variety of illnesses and would have risked further complications.

But the over-riding factor in the decision to postpone the sports until next Wednesday 20^th was the FUN component! Our sports days are fun days, and nobody would be having much fun (pupils or spectators) on an overcast, showery, cold sports day!

So once again my apologies for the postponement, however I do hope you can make it along on Wednesday for our rescheduled event!

ROCK-POP-MIME: I thought that eight parents and two staff members was an excellent showing for the preliminary RPM meeting, especially as there was only one day’s notice.

The next meeting to further the discussions held yesterday will be next Friday, the last day of term.

Never before have I seen so many people so keen to get behind the RPM project, which is a huge advantage for all concerned.

Thank-you for your support.

REPORTS: These are still expected to reach you next week, although the new format and computerised template has been stretching staff to the limits of their endurance!!

Some points to remember about these new reports are:

(1) Each K.L.A. (key learning area) is reported on using a 5 point scale for achievement and effort.

(2) These ratings are uniform for all schools across Queensland.

(3) These ratings are no “half positions” eg B plus or A minus. A child who has almost achieved a B rating will be graded as a C.

(4) The 5 point Behaviour ratings do not equate exactly with our 6 point school Behaviour Management scale. Teachers have exercised discretionary powers here, but generally speaking children with a 1 on their report will be receiving a good behaviour certificate from the school.

(5) Comments are provided for every KLA, as well as a general concluding comment.

Your child’s teacher will be only too happy to answer any questions you may have concerning their report marks at our parent-teacher interviews which will be conducted shortly after the vacation.

Howard Frost

Principal.

CAMP NEWS: The first information concerning this year’s camp to North Keppel Island was sent home yesterday and contained an “expression of interest” form to give us some indication of expected numbers of pupils and parents wishing to attend.

Returning this form before the holidays would be very helpful to the planning process.

PIE DRIVE: The school will be conducting a pie drive over the coming month, with most proceeds directly assisting those attending camp.

Please support our students where you can by purchasing something from their list of pies and cakes.

HAIL CREEK COMPUTER COURSES: A reminder that the orientation session for those interested in these courses will be held on Tuesday evening (19^th) from 7.00 to 8.00pm.

If you haven’t already expressed an interest in these courses you are still able to come along and find out about them at the orientation.

END OF TERM TUCKSHOP: The Student Council will be conducting their traditional end of term tuckshop day next Friday. Orders were distributed today.

DISCO THANKS: The sudden cold snap we experienced at the end of last week really had an effect on our Term 2 Disco numbers.

It also had an effect on our cleaning up, which was done in half the usual time be everyone keen to get home and out of the cold!!

Thanks everyone, especially the staff supervisors and parent helpers.

STUDENT CENT SALE: Don’t forget about the Student Council’s “students only” cent sale this Tuesday.

A separate flyer went home yesterday reminding everyone and setting the limit of $2 per student. It should be a lot of fun for everyone.

OPTI-MINDS: The 14 year 6/7 students who participated in last Friday’s workshops came back brim-full of enthusiasm following their participation.

A similar day of workshops is planned for next Friday, the last day of term.

Following the holidays one team will be formed to participate in the official Opti-minds Challenge in August.

PORTERS/YATES JUDGING: The weather hasn’t been kind to our vegetables this year, but never-the-less our entry will be there at Porters this Saturday.

Judging announcements will be made at 11.00am so if you’re in town, why not drop in for a look?

LET THERE BE LIGHT! We now have a light in the kitchen of our community/computer room, thanks to Community Development Fund grant money.

Another project being funded from this grant which is due for completion soon is the shade sail over the EEC courtyard.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT TO THE P & C MONDAY 18^TH JUNE 2007

School camp orientation
Shade structures
Sports days
Financial statement
Tree day 2007

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“Our lives improve only when we take chances…and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.”

Walter Anderson

P & C NEWS

* A reminder about Mondays meeting commencing at 7.30 in the Community Room.

* Don’t forget about the footy bars being operated by the P & C during the holidays (30^th June and 1^st July). We need extra helpers for this easy fundraiser which brings in excellent returns. Please phone Frank Perna (Ph: 49540274) if you can assist us with a couple of hours of your time.

WEEKLY CLASS AWARDS

There are no weekly awards this Friday, however Behaviour Management certificates will be presented in the near future.

Congratulations to our only Milestone Award achievers for this week – Dexter Edmonds. Dexter has reached a special milestone with 100 awards collected. Congratulations on becoming a Successful Centurion, Dexter.

JEWELLRY MAKING/BEADING WORKSHOP

Beginners to advanced. Wed 20^th Jun at Balnagowan. Ph: Melissa Mitchell 49543663

FOR SALE: Commercial Stainless steel over, gas, 10 burners, BBQ and 2 ovens. German. Good Condition. $1200 o.n.o. Suit Club or large family. Ph: Melissa Mitchell 49543663

GOLDEN CANE PALMS: To assist in the Student Council’s fundraising efforts for school camp, Maryanne and Garry Volker have generously offered to sell some of their excess stock of Golden Cane Palms and donate 50% of the proceeds to the Student Council.

Palms are 1 to 2 metres high and are priced from just $5.

Phone Maryanne on 49540765 or 0427540485 to arrange to see the stock available.

Issue no.19, 15th June 2007

Issue no.19, 15^th June 2007