PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

L.O.T.E. 2008: As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, schools and clusters of schools, will be asked to nominate their preferred method of delivery of LOTE for 2008. Broadly speaking the options are: (1) keep things as they are (i.e. 2 x 45 minute lessons per week for years 6 & 7). (2) replace the teaching of a foreign language with ‘cultural studies’ (3) no LOTE at all (4) a combination of some of these.

There are all sorts of side issues associated with these 4 options as well. For instance, at what age should we begin to teach LOTE?

I’ve inserted an article in this newsletter which is designed to stimulate thought and debate on this matter, entitled “Engaging With Asia”.

Please come along to our P & C meeting this Monday evening and share your views.

C.W.A. PRESENTATIONS: Again this year the children have spent a lot of time and effort on their individual CWA projects, resulting in some excellent learning experiences focussing on Denmark.

This coming Monday morning from 9.00 a small group of the CWA Calen Branch ladies will visit to present awards and provide us with a snack.

In return, some of the older children will present some “educationals” by speaking about their posters and projects and talking to their power-point presentations.

Any parents wishing to attend the awarding of prizes, view the children’s work and/or listen to their presentations are most welcome to do so.

FREE D.V.D.: Your eldest child should have a free “Highlights of 2006” for you today which showcases the extensive range of pursuits our Hampden students had the opportunity to be a part of throughout last year.

You will be able to view these photos on your computer if it has a DVD rom drive, or on your lounge room DVD and TV.

Enjoy the memories, successes and events. Like a well blended wine, 2006 was a very good year!!

Howard Frost

Principal.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT TO P & C

MONDAY 21 MAY, 2007

Term 1 Workplace Health and Safety Committee report.
Quotes – instant shelters.
Tennis Court lights/painting.
Financial Report.
Investing In Our Schools recognition function.
Audit Report.
Student Council fundraisers.
Sports Day 2007.
L.O.T.E. 2008

M.S. READATHON: once again this year Hampden will be offering our students the opportunity to support the M.S. Readathon through the month of June.

More information will be provided next week following the visit by one of the M.S. ambassadors to Hampden.

SPORTS SHIRTS: We’ll be starting to print these this coming week. If yours isn’t in yet and you’d like it printed, you’d better hurry!!

QUESTACON: This fun science show is visiting on Monday. The $5 admission fee also provides free admission on Friday evening and Saturday to the hands-on exhibits and other shows housed at Mackay’s PCYC. See the flyer with this newsletter.

ARTS COUNCIL: A final reminder about next Friday’s Arts Council show, starting at 9.30.

Parents are welcome to join us for both the Questacon and Arts Council performances to be held at the undercover area.

THOUGTH FOR THE WEEK

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure – which is: try to please everybody.

Herbert Bayard Swope

AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF STATE SCHOOL ORGANISATIONS (ACSS0)

The national voice of parents of children in Australia’s public schools and their school communities

AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION DIGEST

EDITORIAL: ENGAGING WITH ASIA

Understanding Asian cultures and languages is essential to the education of Australian students, to equip them for future opportunities – both locally and globally.

Many Australian families have rich cultural backgrounds from many Asian nations. Australia’s own multicultural and multilingual history and society includes this rich and extensive cultural heritage. That engagement and inclusion informs our understanding of how we developed and who we are as a nation.

Young Australians will play an increasingly interactive role in Asia. Schools must provide students with an informed understanding of the variety, diversity and interconnectedness of our country and its region; and the ability to communicate effectively across cultures.

Global changes and recent events in our region, including the complex issues between different cultural, religious and ethnic groups that directly or indirectly affect us all, emphasise this need. Developing our children’s understanding of Asia and their capacity to engage with our region is a vital step towards ensuring future peace and prosperity for Australia and its neighbours.

EEC NEWS

Hello Everyone

Mines, rivers, beaches, houses, statues and swimming pools have all appeared in the sandpit this week as our Prep children work and play, and talk about natural and manmade features of their environment.

A black tree snake also made an appearance this week – just outside our classroom. We were able to observe it (behind locked doors) as it attempted to consume a green tree frog. Our Reading Buddies then helped us to record the event in our scrap books.

A Pet Day is being planned for the end of term and we are trying to decide what hind of pet would be best to have in our classroom. (No black tree snakes need apply!)

We hope you enjoy the “What Am I’s” written by our Year One students. They worked very hard to produce these using a plan for the genre, words copied from their learning environment, and familiar sounds and spelling choices. Well done Year One!

P & C NEWS

Don’t forget about our monthly meeting this Monday 21^st at 7.30pm.

Do you have an opinion about how LOTE (Japanese) should be taught at Hampden in 2008? Come along and have your say on Monday night.

WEEKLY CLASS AWARDS

Principal’s Award: Riley Cruickshanks – for honesty

Year 6/7: Student Of The Week Awards – Jade Barratt, Ally O’Keefe. Spelling Encouragement Award – Jaimee-Leigh Grov. Mathematics Award – for “McDonalds Maths” team members – Sarah Smith, Michael Volker, Kody Erixon, Jordan Proctor, Jordan Perna, Chelsea Perna, Bronson Walters, Ben Wales, Laura Thompson, Lacey Mackenzie, Tamara Patchett. From Mrs Taylor: Helping Hand Award – Chelsea Perna, Jade Barratt.

Year 4/5: Science Experiment Awards – Anthony Leeding, Tim Patchett, Jazmine Holliday, Georgia O’Keefe, Demi Cruickshanks, Kristen Mackenzie, Jett Jones, Tiffaney Wales, Darcie Cahill, Kimberley Wales. Improvement Award – Jake Balsillie.

Year 2/3: Story Writing – Madelaine Burley, Lillyann Burgess. Reading a Book to the Class – Shannon Leahy, Jack Mitchell, Douglas Pridmore, Madelaine Burley, Lillyann Burgess.

Prep/Year 1: For Reading 40 Books – Cate Cahill, Ricky Jones, Jack Jones. Kindness – Cate Cahill, Nakita Daniels. Contributing Ideas – Alicia Keast. A Fabulous Book Report – Rowan Leahy. Helping – Andrew De Poali. Consistent Effort – Corey Buckton.

It’s great to see two more Milestone Award achievers again this week, hard on the heels of last weeks pair. Congratulations to DARCIE CAHILL (150 awards) HAMPDEN HERO, JADE BARRATT (215 awards) WONDERFUL WORKER

COMMUNITY NOTICES

FOR SALE BY TENDER

The school has the following two items available for tender:

a. “Samsung” 48cm television with remote control. Purchased 1994. Good condition.

b. “Sharp” video recorder with remote control. Purchased 1999. Good condition.

Please address tenders to: The Principal

Hampden State School

Post Office

Kuttabul

4741

Tenders close Monday 21 May.

YAKAPARI – MARIAN/HAMPDEN BUS COMMITTEE AGM

WHEN: Friday 25 May, 2007

TIME: 3.30PM

WHERE: Hampden State School Covered Area

CONTACT: Carol de Waard, 49540220

BILLETS REQUIRED:

Dear Parent/Caregiver

The Mackay District Primary Schools Sports Association are desperately seeking your assistance in regard to finding families who may be able to billet players during the 2007 AFL State Carnival which is being hosted in Mackay, from Saturday June 9^th to Thursday June 14^th. (Queen’s Birthday long weekend and next few days.) If you think you may be able to help in this manner, please contact your school’s principal for all details.

Issue no.15, 18th May 2007

Issue no.15, 18^th May 2007