PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

POWERING TO THE FINISH LINE: We’re now approaching “warp speed” as we accelerate towards break-up day in just 3 weeks time!

Compounded by a week away at camp there now seems more to do than time to do it in!!

An updated calendar of events is to be found on the back page of this newsletter and as you can see there aren’t many blank spaces!

SCHOOL CAMP ’08: Thank-you to everyone who played a role in making this year’s camp at Townsville the success it was.

As well as obvious curriculum outcomes a major purpose of our camps is always to allow time for students to learn about themselves and each other in an atmosphere of adventure, fun, healthy risk taking and quiet reflection in preparation for their roles as students leaders later on.

Please take some time to read the school camp reflection ‘newsletter’ insert with this edition of the “Hampden Happenings”.

BOOKLISTS: 2009 Booklists will arrive home early next week, most with a few significant changes from previous years.

Most obvious of these changes is the removal of many of the textbooks from the list, replaced by an additional ream of photocopy paper.

This should mean an overall saving of at least $20 per student for most families, on top of the savings provided due to the purchase by the school of class sets of dictionaries, calculators, atlases, etc.

HELEN TAYLOR – GOOD-BYE, WITH THANKS

After nine years of teaching here at Hampden Helen has received “an offer she can’t refuse” and will transfer to Eimeo Road State School as full-time Teacher-Librarian for the start of the new year.

During here time here Helen has dedicated her considerable expertise as a former secondary school English key teacher to the development of our library (resource centre), the improvement of the school’s English program and the promotion of the importance of literacy to all students.

Helen would often be found at school on the weekends, organising resources, decorating the library for the next theme, or tidying up after Book Fairs.

Helen’s skills are not limited to the academic realm however, and she has proven herself quite adept at opening beer cans at the R.L. footy bars, and flipping burgers at other fundraisers!

Helen’s major legacy to Hampden will undoubtedly be the hundreds of children she “switched on” to reading and appreciating a wide range of literature.

I know Helen’s looking forward to being able to do what she loves most five days a week, and I wish her continued success in this regard at Eimeo, on behalf of our whole school community.

Howard Frost

Principal.

SCHOOL NEWS

CHRISTMAS HAMPER RAFFLE: Yes, it’s that time of year again when the P & C hits you with a double whammy!!

Firstly we ask you to donate something “festive” to contribute to our hamper of Christmas goodies, then we ask you to buy tickets to try and win it back!!

Seriously, these raffles have been extremely well supported over the years with some extraordinary prize baskets going to our lucky winners.

All proceeds from this raffle go towards providing the free morning tea, lunch and activities on Break-up Day.

We look forward to your continuing support again this year. Donations can be left at the office.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT REWARD: Thursday 04 December has been designated for our Semester 2 B-M Reward Day, as per our school’s Behaviour Management Policy. This reward day is budgeted for form P & C funds.

This semester the children attending will spend the morning at the Indoor Sports Arena where they will rotate through a variety of 30 minute sports activities. Following this they will cool down with a swim at the Mackay Regional Council’s new Blue Water Lagoon complex before returning to school.

A fun time is assured for all. Information/Permission letters will arrive home in the next few days.

FUN SWMMING CARNIVAL: This year’s carnival will be held on Monday the 8^th December. Schools participating are Bloomsbury, Hampden, Mt Charlton, Pindi Pindi, Coningsby and Farleigh.

To allow for bus travel the carnival will run from 9.30 to 2.00.

A sausage sizzle/tuckshop will operate again this year, similar to 2007. Order forms will be sent home next week.

CYCLONE SMART: With recent storm events occurring in Brisbane we should all be alerted to the potential of cyclones affecting us here ‘up north’. Please peruse the material contained in the free “Cyclone Smart” package in this newsletter.

SCHOOL PHOTOS: We have been in touch with the photographers who inform us that our photos will arrive “early” this coming week.

CONGRATULATIONS DAMIAN: Year 6 student Damian Volker has been selected in a Mackay Rep team to play cricket in Bundaberg over the Christmas vacation.

Damian’s older brother Michael ahs similarly been chosen to play, but in Cairns!

Congratulations to both boys, and commiserations to parents Gary and Maryanne for the logistical nightmare!

Hello Everyone

Did you know that most pirates couldn’t swim?

That won’t be the case on the good ship Hampden as our Prep/Year One students are already developing their water safety and confidence skills. We are all impresses with the progress the children have made in a few short lessons. Our thanks must go to our Teacher Aides and enthusiastic volunteers Miss Dittman, Mrs Nicol, Leanna McLeod, Chris Perna, Rex Munchow, Merle Edmonds, Michelle Leeding, Stephanie Cruickshanks and Marcie Richards. Keep up the good work!

It was water, water everywhere when the Fire Brigade visited us last week. We showed Blazer the mascot how to stop drop and roll, how to get down low and go, go, go, and how to shout for help (we are particularly good at this!) The fire engine was thoroughly checked over with discussions regarding generators, axes, breathing apparatus, pumps, tanks and sirens taking place. Then Fireman Bruce, Fireman John and Fireman Ron let us try out the hoses.

They also told us how important it is to have an evacuation plan at home, and gave each of the children a survey to complete.

PLAYGROUP

It doesn’t seem possible but our Playgroup is still growing! Our session on Monday was attended by a record 26 children. We will continue to run playgroup each Monday from 9.00am until 11.00am until the end of the 2008 school year.

Thanks to this organization many of our potential Prep students are already familiar with their new environment and have sailed through their initial orientation!

We hope Playgroup can continue in 2009 and would welcome offers of help to share the planning and setting up. Please contact Barb Perna or Annette Medway if you are able to assist.

Library News

Wednesday 19 November was the last day for student borrowing from the school Library. All student loans will need to be returned by next week, Wednesday 26 November.

Mackay Regional Council’s Mobile Library Service will continue to visit the school fortnightly, with the next visit due Wednesday 3 December.

Heading to the big smoke
and looking for a bright idea
for the summer holidays?

Get ready to play your way through the history of videogames at the international blockbuster exhibition Game On. This action-packed celebration of videogames culture has thrilled more than one million players of all ages around the world.

This summer it’s here at the State Library of Queensland, Brisbane from 17 November 2008 to 15 February 2009.

Game On tracks the development of videogames from the earliest computer games to arcade-era hits and the very latest from today’s billion-dollar industry. With more than 100 playable games, as well as rarely seen consoles, controllers and collectables, this is a showcase of games history like no other. (Exhibition organized by Barbican Art Gallery, London).

For more information, including ticket prices and how to book, visit the State Library of Queensland website at: http://www.slq.qld.gov.au

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

If you want to stand out, don’t be different; be outstanding.

P & C NEWS

FINAL MEETING: As there are only two school weeks in December this year, our final P & C meeting will be held on TUESDAY 09 DECEMBER. Everyone is invited along for this short meeting, followed by some Christmas cheer.

Please bring along a small plate of savouries/snacks to share. The P & C will provide refreshments.

2008 has been another very successful year for the school and the P & C’s fundraising efforts, thanks to you, our hard-working volunteers. Come along and enjoy some refreshments we’re not actually selling!!

PRICE INCREASES: From next year the prices of all items (excluding sports shirts) sold through the school will have to increase to help us cover our purchase and freight costs.

Chairbags, library bags and hats will all be $10 from 2009. For the remainder of this year these items can still be purchased for $8.00.

The price of our sports shirts will remain the same at $25.

BUS NEWS

I have upgraded my Operator Accreditation to General Services. This means I can now do charters outside school hours. So if you need a bus for any occasion my phone number is 49 543951 or 0415 319 399.

Also the newer bus should be operating by Easter 2009.

Thank you

Sue Anaru

Issue no.37, 20th November 2008

Issue no.37, 20^th November 2008