PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

CALEN SPORTS DAY: I’m sure the many parents and other family members in attendance at Calen last Friday would agree that the sports day as a whole event was very successful for Hampden.

The children performed to the best of their abilities both as individuals and as team members, and their good behaviour allowed everyone else to enjoy the day as well.

As mentioned last week, we were holding two shields which we hoped to retain, but we did even better by returning with three of the four on offer!

Congratulations to all our competitors for your excellent participation and sportsmanship, and a big thank-you to staff, parents and other supporters who helped organise and supervise on the day.

As a result of their efforts eleven Hampden students have been nominated to compete in 21 different events at the forthcoming Mackay District Sports.

A full list of these competitors, along with reports written by year 6/7 students and some photos of the day, can be found later in this newsletter.

SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT: As part of Commonwealth/State funding arrangements schools are obliged to publish their School Annual Report on their web sites each year.

I invite you to long on to www.hampdenss.eq.edu.au and read our 2006 Annual Report, or alternatively request a printed copy by phoning the office.

SMART CLASSROOMS: This week Hampden has been undergoing one stage of the “Smart Classrooms” initiatives announced in the last budget with the conversion to the new Managed operating Environment.

A new server has been installed and all school computers will operate through this, whether for admin or curriculum purposes.

All staff and students will now be provided with their own unique log-in and password codes which will have to be changed every 42 days for security purposes.

Hampden is a trial school for various aspects of the Smart Classrooms initiatives, and in coming months you will hear more on this topic.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS: Thank-you to those parents who availed themselves of the opportunity to discuss various aspects of their children’s schooling with their teachers this week.

As usual the two-way dialogue was frank and useful. Please don’t forget though, that you are always welcome to discuss any aspect of your child’s schooling with us, at any time!

Howard Frost

Principal.

PIE DRIVE: Orders collected for the school’s pie drive to assist with funding for this year’s school camp are due back at school by next Friday 03 August.

An order form is situated at the school’s front office desk for parents wishing to purchase pies/cakes who haven’t yet been approached by a student.

AUSKICK: Our Auskick coaches reported a great turn-out last Wednesday – even more than last year!

It’s not too late to join in, however, with the program kicking off in earnest this Wednesday.

TREE DAY: Today is the ‘official’ schools Tree Day, however we will be holding our Hampden Tree Day on Thursday afternoon, 09 August.

This year we have enlisted support from the Mackay City Council and will have trees, mulch and personnel supplied to help plant our another section of our block with several hundred more trees.

Parents are invited to come along and lend a hand.

BUS NEWSLETTER: School bus operator Sue Anaru intends to produce a newsletter on a fortnightly basis which will inform parents of any issues, provide opportunities for students to make contributions, and list those deserving mention due to their exemplary behaviour.

Issue one was distributed last week.

ARTS COUNCIL: Attached to today’s newsletters are Term 3 Arts Council performance envelopes.

“Power Trip” is sure to ‘energise’ our students as they learn more about this field of science in a very entertaining way.

REWARD OUTING: By now, those children who are eligible due to their good behaviour should have received an invitation to participate in the “reward day” this Wednesday 01 August.

The P & C and school will be sponsoring this morning of bumper bowls/10 pin bowling at the Mackay Leisure Centre.

Please ensure children return the permission slip which was attached to the green information letter sent home earlier this week.

SORRY KRISTEN! In our Hampden Sports results page published last week Kristen Mackenzie’s name was accidentally omitted as a joint winner with Tiffaney Wales of the 10 y.o. girls gold medallion. Our apologies, Kristen.

A “slip of the pen” also occurred when Taipans was recorded as the winners of the Ball Games trophy. Of course Pythons did win all 3 shields!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.

Albert Einstein

ROCK POP MIME

All students involved with Rock Pop Mime are encouraged to attend a Sunday practice this weekend at 10.00am. Parent and staff helpers will be in attendance!

We are in need of large cereal boxes and 3 cube boxes (approx computer monitor size), if you can help please bring them to the EEC.

Participants are reminded to return permission slips as soon as possible.

Three weeks have already flown by – but we have managed to pack a lot into our time! Our class in now divided into groups selected by the children according to their own strengths. Each group consists of a good leader and helper, a member who always has good ideas, someone who is well organised, and members who persist to complete difficult tasks. It is our challenge to help others to gain these strengths. The children have named their groups ‘The Flying Dolphins’, ‘The J A C K’S’, “The Rock Stars” and ‘The Conquerors’. Our 6/7 Computer Buddies have helped us to design logos for each group. Some great creations everyone!

We are using our digital cameras to take photos of ‘doubles’ in our school environment that will be made into class books. Shacarnie took a photo of Mikeely’s ‘double one’ plaits, Mikeely found ‘double two’ lessons in the staffroom, Jake made ‘double six’ leaves and Corey found ‘double four’ posters on the noticeboard – just to name a few!

Simple machines have taken our attention and we have located and investigated toothed wheels (found in our class pencil sharpener, hand beaters and clock workings), and inclined planes (ramps). Wheels and axles are currently under scrutiny, and our challenge is to design the fastest ‘car’ in Prep/Year One (to be tested on an inclined plane we have constructed ourselves).

Our Prep students are investigating kings and queens and all things royal. Mrs Medway’s office chair has been turned into a shiny (somewhat crackly), silver, jewel encrusted throne. A treasure box full of treasures in under construction as is a royal carriage and a number of crowns. We have to find a way to keep the treasure box closed so no-one can steal our treasure!

P & C NEWS

2007 CALENDAR: Some of the more creative in our midst have volunteered to produce a 2008 Calendar as a fundraising initiative for us.

Please see the survey in today’s newsletter and feed back your thoughts and suggestions to the school, or directly to Lorraine Insch or Julie Burns.

RUGBY LEAGUE BARS: In the lead-up to the end of season finals, Hampden P & C has again been provided with the opportunity to raise funds by working the Rugby League footy bars.

This is very easy work, and is actually quite enjoyable. Each bar requires 3-4 people on about 2 hours shifts, and raises $300 of much needed funds for our school.

Bars will be operating on August 12, 19 and 26, as well as September 02.

If you can help out, or would like more information, please phone P & C president Frank Perna on 49540274, or contact the school.

WEEKLY CLASS AWARDS

Our weekly awards will resume next week, however the Behaviour Management and Sports Day certificates presented over the last week have certainly given some children’s totals a boost, judging by the number of Milestone Award achievers today!

Congratulations, and keep up the great work –

Alicia Keast (10 awards) STAR STUDENT

Kyle Insch (50 awards) LEARNED LEGENT

Nicholas Lake (80 awards) PERFECT PUPIL

Mitchell Lake (80 awards) PERFECT PUPIL

Douglas Pridmore (80 awards) PERFECT PUPIL

Darcie Cahill (165 awards) SUPER STAR

Jack Cahill (200 awards) BRILLIANT BICENTURION

Issue no.23, 27th July 2007

Issue no.23, 27^th July 2007