9 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

Byford Primary News

Please assist us in reducing vandalism at the school by contacting one of the telephone numbers listed below if you notice any suspicious behaviour on the school grounds.

Principal’s Report

Dear Families and Friends

Newsletter Features

Did you know, our new online newsletter format also allows you to view the School Calendar? Simply click on the ‘Calendar’ icon along the top menu. Once the calendar opens, you are able to scroll or search for an event. Each event can be opened for full details, including excursion forms / payment slips for printing. That means no more lost forms!

For your convenience, you can also report your child/ren’s absentee directly to the school by selecting the ‘Absentee’ icon along the top menu. Once opened, fill in the required information and click ‘Submit’ – it’s that easy!

All these features can also be accessed via SZapp. If you wish to install the Schoolzine App to your Apple or Android device, click on the “Schoolzine App’ icon along the top menu for installation instructions.

Our goal for the beginning of 2018 is to have all parents accessing the newsletter by email or online. We will still produce a small number of hard copies and supply these to our families who do not have online access. Parents will need a registered email address to receive the newsletter, so please keep your email details up to date through the Front Office.

Kindergarten & Pre Primary Information Session

Parents/Guardians of children who will be attending Kindergarten and Pre Primary in 2018 are invited to attend an information session at Byford Primary School.

• Kindergarten Session is Friday 24th November 2017 at 9:45 - 11:00am (Your child is welcome to attend).
• Pre Primary Session is Wednesday 29th November 2017 at 1:30 - 2:35pm

Planning for 2018

Planning for 2018 is well under way. As the area that Byford PS caters for is growing, it is very important that we are aware of students who will be leaving, and any new enrolments. This will enable us to plan the correct number of classes for 2018.

I would very much appreciate if you could please let the front office know if your child/ren will not be returning to Byford PS in 2018. If you know of any families moving into the area, please encourage them to come and enrol their child/ren as soon as possible.

If you have a class placement request for 2018, please put it in writing to myself with an educational reason to support your request. I will endeavour to fill your request but this is not always possible. The requests need to be received by Friday 10th November 2017.

End of Year Book Prizes

At the End of Year Concert a number of awards are presented to students who have made significant gains in their education. Parents, businesses and organisations are invited to donate a contribution towards the cost of these prizes. All donations are acknowledged. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact the front office. Thank you to those who have already donated a book award to the school.

Sue Heath
Principal

What’s Been Happening in Room 12 – Pre-Primary?

This term in Room 12 we have begun to investigate habitats and zoo animals as part of Geography, Math and The Arts. We learnt several new animal songs and performed “The Animal Boogie” at the last assembly. In Math, we are presently completing an investigation called “Zoo Escape”. During these lessons we have to use problem solving skills to determine which combination of animals escaped from the zoo. Finally, we will be visiting the zoo in Week 6 to further explore habitats as part of our geography lessons.

• Did you know that leopards are great climbers and swimmers and that they can leap up to 6 metres?
• Did you know that the elephant is the largest land mammal and that they can drink up to 230 litres of water in one day?

• Did you know that the ostrich is the largest bird and it can run up to 97 kilometres per hour – that’s as fast as a car?
• Did you know that there are 264 known types of monkeys in the world?

• Did you know that snakes don’t have eyelids and they can’t bite their food, so they swallow it whole?
• Did you know that Polar Bears are the largest land carnivores and that their skin is actually black?

S.T.E.M. Activities

On Tuesday 24th October, Byford Primary students enjoyed an awesome day full of fun, engaging in STEM activities. S.T.E.M is a new Australian Curriculum initiative, teaching our students elements of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Our junior students from Kindy, Pre-Primary, Year 1 and Year 2 completed some great activities led by our amazing Year 6 students. The students played with the some of the latest technologies such as Sphero, Edison bot and Dash & Dot robots, as well as creating coding algorithms for Mouse bots and BeeBots. The students also enjoyed constructing electrical circuits.

Our Year 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes were placed into different groups to complete three fantastic rotational STEM experiments. Students were cooperating with students from different classes to construct PomPom launchers, Paper chairs, Marshmallow catapults, triangular Lighthouse structures, Spaghetti Towers and Spider webs. Students also worked with slow motion video to record water bottle toss action.

Throughout the day our specialist teachers in Art, Science and Physical Education also grouped students together across multiple classes. Students worked well together to design and construct a creative pair of shoes using a range of materials. It was great to see a range of ideas and new creations.

Throughout the day it was great to see parents and friends joining in with their children engaging with these technologies and supporting the kids with their construction projects. Many parents were amazed by the student’s abilities in this new Technological age.

Big congratulations to all the Byford Primary staff and students for a successful STEM activity day.

Art Room Request – Can You Help?

Hi Everyone. I am hoping to do some artwork that links with science this term and am in need of some materials. I would really appreciate any shoe boxes (especially flip top lidded ones but any type would be appreciated) for the year 1’s or 2’s to make animal habitat dioramas and any plastic bottles for the year 3’s to cut up & make into insects.

Any donations of these items to the Art Room are much appreciated. Thank You.

Jasmine Gasper
Arts Specialist - Visual Arts & Music

Payment Options for Excursions, Incursions and Voluntary Contributions

Direct Bank Deposit

Pay directly into the Byford Primary School’s bank account. Simply access your internet banking service provider and pay to the following account:

Please enter the name of your child and the purpose of the payment in the description field i.e A Smith Zoo Exc.

Please DO NOT use this account for P&C payments.

EFTPOS

We have recently had an EFTPOS machine installed as an option for you to pay for school fees, excursions and incursions at Byford Primary School. The EFTPOS machine can ONLY be used to pay for Byford Primary School expenses.

• There is NO “cash out” option on the machine, and
• We are unable to take any payments for the P & C

Cash or Cheque

Payments by cash or cheque can be made at the Front Office for Voluntary Contributions. If you are paying for an Excursion or Incursion, please take your payment to your child’s Teacher so it can be processed through their money book.

Merit Certificates

Congratulations to all students who received Merit Awards. Well done and keep up the good work!

Don’t Forget Your Hat

Please remember to bring your hat to school each day, especially now that summer is fast approaching. It is important to protect ourselves from the sun. Your hat must be wide brim or bucket style.

Students who do not have a hat will not be able to participate in sport / fitness or any outside activity and will be restricted to the undercover area. So please remember - No Hat, No Play!

Chaplain Chatter

Hi everyone…. and what? Is it that time of the term already??? Don't blink or you will miss it. So much going with Halloween just gone, Year 6 camp underway and not to mention the Chaplain Challenge.

Remember, as mentioned in the last newsletter, I will supply the Ramp. It will be 600 millimetres wide, 1 meter tall, 2 meters long with a ski slope for a smooth take off for the rollers.

Students are to make their rollers from recycled materials or from some new materials, the important thing is to use your imagination. Parent help is good (bonding time) or students can help each other. The projects are to be worked on after school and on weekends.

Teachers may allow some time to research in the Library and reading times.

Remember 1st prize is a $20 gift voucher. 2nd, 3rd and 4th prizes are more faction points. Every entry will earn 1000 points for their faction.

You have to be in it to win it.

A saying I'd like to share today is, "Honesty is the Best Policy." Food for thought.

Take care everyone and keep safe.

Joe Grida
School Chaplain

P&C Association & Year 6 Fundraising News

School Banking

School Banking is held every Wednesday morning before school in the Library.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open every Wednesday morning from 8:30 am – 9:00 am. Payment can be made by cash or cheque only. If you are unable to visit the Uniform Shop on a Wednesday, order forms (with payment) can be left at the Front Office. Please ensure there is a name and contact number provided.

Fun Run

Wow! The final total for the Fun Run is $4940!! We do have to deduct some fees but that is an awesome effort. Thanks so much for supporting the P&C who in turn supports our school. The prize order will be completed shortly. We will let you know when they arrive in a couple of weeks. Thanks again.

Halloween Disco

Students had a fantastic time at the Halloween Disco on Tuesday 31st October. There were lots of spooky and spectacular costumes which created a great atmosphere, especially with the amazing lights and decorations. Well done to everyone involved.

Icy Pole Fundraising

Icy poles will be on sale every Wednesday at lunchtime from the Wet Area near Rooms 9 & 10. It’s a great way to cool down during the summer months and they only cost 50c.

Donations of icy poles can be made to the school to help support this fundraiser.

Community News

Community Barbeques Are Coming

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, Mundijong Police and Neighbourhood Watch are hosting their famous community barbeques. Get to know the people in your neighbourhood and enjoy a free sausage sizzle and soft drink. Starts 4pm – 6:30pm

Saver Plus

Could $500 help you with school costs? To join Saver Plus, you must have a Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card, be at least 18 years old, have some regular income from work (you or your partner), and have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself.

Byford Basketball Association

Byford Basketball Association is now taking registrations for their 2018 season. The season runs from February to June and games are played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Check out our flyer for more information.