PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

IN YOUR DREAMS! Following Saturday night’s “Sleepover at School” we now know what your children dream about – 62 of them at least!

In the early hours we listened to them snore, sleep-talk, moan and groan, and make all kinds of bodily noises as they wriggled around in their sleeping bags!!

They’re all to be congratulated on their excellent behaviour for the entire duration of their stay however, making it a pleasurable experience for themselves and the staff as well.

Thank-you for entrusting your most valuable “possessions” to us for the night – it can be as big a trauma for parents as for children, not having them with you.

A special thank-you must go to the supervising staff for “wiping themselves out” through sleep deprivation to enable the event to take place.

I believe it is events such as this that help to define and enhance the “character” of a school.

For those students unable to attend on the night we have compensated to a large degree by hosting a special luncheon for them yesterday.

I trust they enjoyed their pizza, ice-cream, drink and chocolate, eagerly consumed whilst watching a DVD on the big screen!

Of course none of this would have been possible without the P & C’s funding commitment for our Behaviour management policy.

SCHOOL OPINION SURVEYS: Yes, it’s that time of year again when Ed. Qld collects opinions form parents, staff and students concerning satisfaction levels across a range of aspects of school and schooling. These include curriculum, technology, student outcomes and school climate.

Today the 1008 survey has been distributed to 40 families according to an E.Q. randomly generated list.

In a small school such as this I realise that many of those selected would have been on “the list” last year as the family base from which to draw names in only 60. Never-the-less, if you have been selected as part of this sample, please take the time to complete the survey and return it to the office or classroom teacher. Your response will help to shape the future direction of education both in the state and at the school level.

In today’s busy world it is difficult to remember what went on yesterday, let alone up to twelve months ago! So before completing the survey don’t forget to review the Highlights CD/DVD we send home at the end of each year, or consult with your children, or view the School Annual Report on our website.

Howard Frost

Principal.

STEPS TO BEIJING: In the lead-up to the Olympics the year 4 to 7 students have been participating in the Australian Sports Commission’s “Journey to Beijing” by wearing pedometers to count their steps daily.

Will they reach their target of over 30000 steps in a fortnight??

AUSKICK: Over 2 dozen students are literally “having a ball” at Auskick lessons each Wednesday lunchtime. Thank-you for encouraging them to participate.

ARTS COUNCIL: A reminder that our term 3 performance “Be the Beat” is on this Monday 11^th, at 9.30am.

BOOKCLUB REMINDER: Bookclub orders also close this Monday 11^th for those intending to order.

FIRST AID COURSE: We will be running a first-aid course here at Hampden for staff and interested community members.

If you have a preferred Saturday in October please let me know by next weekend.

PIRNCIPAL’S VISIT: Mirani High principal Mrs Lewis will visit Hampden on Tuesday morning to speak with our year 7’s about the high school, and about the scholarships they offer.

INTERSCHOOL SPORT KICKS OFF: Soccer and Netball will be main sports contested when Eungella visits tomorrow. It has been quite some time since we’ve played netball at Hampden, so I’m looking forward to it, as are the children.

ACTIVE AFTER SCHOOL: Both sessions (Multi-Skills and Rugby League) got off to an energetic start this week.

Thank-you to our parent helpers who are both qualified and willing to run these sessions for our children.

Keep up the great work Karen, Steph, Kerri and Andrew!!

MARBLE SEASON ENDS: We’ve had an excellent, trouble-free marbles season this year, but it’s time to bag up our marbles and rest them for the 2009 season in a few months time.

FOOTY RESULTS: By the time you receive this newsletter the results of today’s big footy challenge, Staff Vs Students, will be known.

How many did we win by??!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Nothing ever really sets human nature free, but self-control. Anon

Hello Everyone,

The Queen of Storylands is organizing a special event this month so we had to look closely at our August calendar to make sure we had some spare time (in case we received an invitation). There’s not a lot!

We looked at ways to organize lots of words, and discovered that the phone book and the dictionary organize words alphabetically. We have begun to learn a new alphabet song from THRASS called “The Letter Name Rap”.

In the phone book we also found some maps that had grids similar to our Storylands map, so we used the grid to locate some familiar streets. Jake had heard of Goldsmith Street and Jordan used to live at Fatnowna Street. We used the alphabet to fine ‘G’ and ‘F’, found the co-ordinates and located the streets. We then used our new knowledge to locate special Storylands features on the Storylands map.

Now we can use the grid system to map the special features of our very own realms.

ROCK POP MIME

Many thanks to Miss Dittman and Mrs Witham who organized our sound mixing with Hot FM on Wednesday and to Mrs Burns, Mrs Insch and Mrs Burgess for their sewing session on Sunday.

If you are able to help at Sunday’s Sewing Session from 9 – 11am please join us in the EEC Withdrawal room.

Our performers rallied on Sunday morning after the sleepover on Saturday night and worked hard at their parts. Where do they get the energy?

P & C NEWS

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

A Special Meeting of the P & C will be held at 7.00pm on Monday 18 August, 2008 (prior to the usual monthly P & C meeting) for the purposes of: (1) adopting a new constitution required as a result of the new Education Act (2006), and (2) adopting the Hampden State School P & C Association Student Protection Risk Management Strategy.

WEEKLY CALSS AWARDS

Principal’s Award: “Welcome to Our School” award – Latarni Thompson (Yr 1)

Years 6/7: Sports Award for all members selected for the Mackay District Track & Field carnival – Billy Brown, Jordan Perna, Michael Ormonde, Tiffaney Wales, Chelsea Perna, Cody Morrison, Kimberley Wales, Damian Volker, James Medway, Laura Thompson. “Helping Hand” Award: (1) FOR CLEANING UP: Anthony Leeding, Chelsea Perna, Jordan Perna. (2) for bringing China resources to share: Damian Volker.

Year 4/5: Science Awards – Demi Cruickshanks, Jake Balsillie. Oral Language Award – Lachlan Thompson, Courtney Perna, Mitchell Lake.

Year 2/3: Class Award – Great behaviour for visiting teacher. Zayne Lisle – Excellent work with paint.

Prep/Year 1: Class awards for great work at reading on Wednesday morning’s Storylands sessions.

Milestone Award achievers this week include two new CHAMPION STUDENTS, each with 20 awards collected. Congratulations DYLAN EDMONDS and ADAM PERNA. MADELAINE BURLEY has achieved a very special milestone this week by gaining her 100^th award, thus becoming a SUCCESSFUL CENTURION. And last, but certainly not least, congratulations also go to DOUGLAS PRIDMORE who becomes a MILLENNIUM MASTER with 120 awards collected.

Well done everyone!

LOST: Hi-5 soft cooler bag/lunch box. If found please return to Grade 1 classroom.

Community input sought on all-abilities playground

Mackay Regional Council is seeking community feedback on the concept of an all-abilities playground to be constructed at Iluka Park, Binnington Esplanade.

Take part in a community workshop on Thursday, August 28, at 11am in the Sir Albert Administration Building’s reception room.

View the plans at Gordon White and Mackay City libraries or visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au.

To RVSP call 4961 9451 or fill out the online feedback form by August 29.

Issue no 25, 7th August 2008

Issue no 25, 7^th August 2008