Issue no.7, 16^th March 2007

Parents & Citizens’ Assn meets 3^rd Monday of each month at 7.30pm.

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

ICT LEADERS: Last year I attended a conference on the Gold Coast as one of the Mackay principals chosen to be part of the ICT Leaders Program designed to “fast track to a better solution” the myriad of options available for using information and communication technologies to enhance the delivery of education to our students.

On Monday night I flew down to Brisbane again as a follow-up of this program and over the next three days visited Best Practice trial schools in Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba to see first hand some of the most recent developments in the ‘ICTs in education’ fields.

Hampden already has an enviable reputation in the district for the extent of its ICT resources and the manner in which they are used by staff to promote learning. The recent acquisition of additional funding from the “Investing In Our Schools” grant will enable us to further modernise our ICT resources with new computers and additional “state of the art” technology.

Our staff are committed to on-going professional development to ensure the best use is made of this equipment to enhance learning outcomes, realising that in this digital age children are demanding to be taught at school with the types of technologies many of them are already accessing at home.

From my visits over the past three days it is clear that there will continue to be a growing emphasis on the use of ICTs in all facets of education, from planning work units to assessment and reporting to parents.

We’re certainly in for an exciting and challenging period over the next few years, and fortunately we are well positioned to make the most of this digital revolution.

WORKING BEE: I believe it has been quite wet during my absence over the past three days. Pity I couldn’t have taken some of the rain to Brisbane with me!!

Don’t let the wet dampen your enthusiasm for our working bee this Saturday (TOMORROW!) however. As outlined in last week’s newsletter there’s plenty to do, and the more helpers we get the easier it is for everyone and the sooner we can fire up the barbie!

Howard Frost

Principal.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“Sometimes the Universe doesn’t give us exactly what we want when we want it, because there’s actually something better down the road.” Sandra Anne Taylor Author of Quantum Success

P & C NEWS

The monthly P & C meeting is being held on Monday the 19^th March starting at 7.30pm.

WEEKLY CLASS AWARDS

Year 4/5: Spelling Award – Jessica Ward, Jett Jones. Organization Award – Georgia O’Keefe. Independent Worker Awards – Sean Gee, Kristen Mackenzie, Kimberley Wales, Priscilla Green, Dexter Edmonds.

Year 2/3: Douglas Pridmore – Quiet Work. Mikaela Gee – Speaking. Hapi Anaru – Research. Ben Perna, Courtney Proctor – Technology. Josephine Faltinsky, Madelaine Burley – Super Speller.

Prep/Year 1: Fine Effort Knowing Words – Max Ward, Kade Starrett, Mikeely Morrison, Cate Cahill, Shelby Mackelvie, Andrew De Paoli, Jack Jones, Ricky Jones, Kyle Insch, Nakita Daniels, Harley Proctor.

A fortnight ago we had two boys receiving Milestone Award certificates, and this week it’s two girls! Thanks for keeping the gender balance, girls! Congratulations CATE CAHILL (35 awards) AWESOME ACHIEVER, and ANDREA PERNA (135 awards) FUTURISTIC CHALLENGER.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

KUTTABUL RURAL FIRE BRIGADE

Notice of AGM

To be held at the Hampden State School

Tuesday 27 March 2007 at 7.30pm.

AGENDA: update of new brigade shed.

Appointment of new training officer

And one new fire officer.

MARIAN MARKETS

Church Grounds Marian

Sunday 18^th March 8.00am – 12 noon

Plenty of great stalls.

Sausage sizzle & refreshments available.

Issue no.7, 16th March 2007

Issue no.7, 16^th March 2007