PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

READING STARS are JET STARS! Congratulations to our Year 3 class of avid readers for winning their section of the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2007.

Their enthusiasm for the school’s Home Reading program has seen them top the state in the “schools less than 100” category, a great feather in their cap as a whole class.

As well, their win entitles the top two readers to attend the presentation of their award in Brisbane, and as you can imagine we have two very excited year 3 students at the moment!

Congratulations to Courtney Perna and Jayde Mellross who will be accompanying Bronwyn Wiseman on the plane to Brisbane to collect this award at the new State Library. Perhaps there will be time for a little sight-seeing as well??

The significance of this win goes much further than the award itself, however.

I have often expressed the view that reading is the most important skill a child can learn at school, and that developing a love of reading at an early age will provide endless pleasure and opportunity for a lifetime.

It’s wonderful to see this happening with all our lower year levels, and to know these values are also being instilled in our homes by parents’ support of the Home Reading program.

IT’S A GIRL! Congratulations to former E.E.C. teacher Julie Arnold who brought a 7lb 9oz baby girl into the world this week.

Mother and (the as yet un-named) child are both well.

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY: Today is World Teachers’ Day, a time to reflect on the importance of the work that teachers do.

Celebrated in over 100 countries World Teachers’ Day acknowledges the efforts of teachers in an increasingly complex, multicultural and technological society.

As the principal, I have the opportunity to see first hand the professionalism and dedication of the teaching staff here at Hampden on a regular basis, and I am often in awe of their skill and commitment.

As parents, I’m sure you appreciate the contributions Hampden staff make to your community as a whole, and to your children in particular, and will join with me in thanking them for everything they do to make our children be all that they might be.

Howard Frost

Principal

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

(WITH WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY IN MIND!)

In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day’s work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years. – Jacques Barzun

A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others – Author Unknown

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called “truth.” – Dan Rather

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. – William Arthur Ward

REMEMBRANCE DAY: A reminder about the two significant events we have planned this year for Remembrance (Armistice) Day.

The flyer provided with this newsletter reviews the information sent home last week.

TJAPUKAI GIRL: Our final Arts Council performance for 2007 will be held on Tuesday 06 November at 9.30am (after R.E.).

Have you heard the stories of the Tjapukai Girl? Come on a delightful journey of Indigenous discovery in dance song and tradition.

Payment/permission envelopes are attached to this newsletter.

CHOIR NEWS: By the time you receive this newsletter the choir will have “done their stuff” at the Eisteddfod and made us all proud of their efforts, I’m sure.

We have some more assignments lines up for our choir before year’s end, including a singing assignment at the Remembrance Dinner. More on this next week.

MIRANI ORIENTATION FOLLOW-UP: The Year 7 Elective orientation Day that was held at Mirani State High School on Wednesday went very well and students appeared to be confident about the subject selection process.

The Year 7s were given their subject handbooks and subject sheets then, the students have been asked to return the subject selection sheets to their CLASSROOM TEACHER or directly to the high school by TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER. (This Tuesday!)

SWIMMING: Our school swimming program begins in earnest this Monday. Thank-you to those parents who have offered their assistance with these lessons.

JUMBLE SALE: In aid of this year’s school camp the Student Council members are holding a Jumble Sale on Election Day, Saturday 24^th November.

On sale will be surplus school items, plants supplied by the Volker family, and donated items you would like to contribute. So far we have some kitchen electrical items and a Harley-Davidson toilet seat!

CHOCOLATE DRIVE: Yesterday children were given permission letters outlining the purpose of our chocolate drive and requesting support to sell these items. Please ask your child for this note.

Although each child received a notice, only one box of chocolates at a time will be given per assisting family, unless multiple boxes are specifically requested.

SPIDER/FREE DRESS DAY: To coincide with the American Halloween celebrations we are holding a Free Dress and Ice-cream Spider Day this Wednesday 31^st.

All profits will directly benefit Jade Barratt’s trip to Canberra for the Australian Softball Championships.

Hello Everyone

Our sunflowers are all up except for a few sleepy seeds! We are recording their growth on our calendars and watching them change. Andrew found a book with information about sunflower oil in it and shared it with the class. We have also found reading books and magazines with stories and information about sunflowers.

Our Prep group has been busy setting up shop in the classroom. We have a dress shop, a butcher’s and a zoo shop at present. Mrs Medway didn’t have any money so Jake made a credit card for each child. Mrs Medway wasn’t given one so she is now working at the bank to earn some money. Each shop has its own cash register and counter and the proprietors must give a ‘docket’ for each purchase!

Year Ones have begun preparation for Year Two and are attempting weekly spelling and Number facts challenges.

MEETING CHANGE OF DATE: As our monthly meeting for November falls during school camp week, the date has been changed to the 4^th Monday of the month, namely the 26^th of November.

NEW SPORTS SHIRTS: Following several months of discussions, a new sports shirt has been decided upon for 2008.

As the P & C has only limited supplies of the current shirts remaining it has been decided to sell these at half-price. ($12.50)

HAIL CREEK COMPUTER COURSES

The popularity of these courses amongst community members from the three venues involved (Hampden, Calen and Farleigh) has enabled us to obtain an additional grant for 2008.

The 2008 structure is yet to be confirmed but would be based along the lines of a BEGINNERS PROGRAM followed by more ADVANCED COURSES.

If you have an interest in attending any such courses next year, please register this interest by phoning Hampden State School on 49540189. We would also welcome any suggestions regarding types of courses relevant to you.

Issue no. 34, 26th October 2007

Issue no. 34, 26^th October 2007