From the Principal…
On our last pupil free day, 9 staff members from CMS attended the Montessori Australia Foundation’s annual whole school refresher. It was a great weekend full of sharing ideas and meeting colleagues from across Australia. There are a lot of exciting things happening within the Montessori movement in Australia and it was a pleasure to be involved in meetings regarding the new Australian National Curriculum and the new Montessori Quality Assurance program; of which our school is one of the first in the nation to participate.
At the school Term 2 is beginning to wind to a close as indicated by the Trivia night which is fast approaching next weekend. Term 3 will soon be upon us and we have lots of activities for the children ahead. Our club schedule will soon be published and we are excited with some of the offerings we have been able to put together for the children starting in July.
On behalf of the school we wish you and your family a restful school break.
Peace
Jack Rice
Principal, CMS
Upcoming Dates
TERM 2 2010
Jun 24 NEW C3 excursion to National Zoo
Jun 26 Trivia Night
Jun 29 Healthy Bones Breakfast 8-9am
Jun 30 Canteen Day
July 2 Last day of Term 2
July 4 NEW F&SE Social Event – Toy Story 3
Term Dates for 2010
Term 1: 3 February – 9 April
Term 2: 27 April – 2 July
Term 3: 20 July – 24 September
Term 4: 12 October – 15 December
Please check the Bulletin regularly for changes to published events.
Staff Changes
Jale Caner has been a stalwart at our Red Hill campus for over 16 years! Unfortunately, Jale is returning to Turkey with her family, her spirit will surely be missed at Red Gum. Dilani Richard, ourmorning assistant in Red Hill, has agreed to take on Jale’s duties in the afternoon.
Esperanza Obnamia the Director of our Cycle 3, Eucalyptus classroom, will be leaving at the end of term 2 for personal reasons. Felicity Young has been hired and will be co-teaching with Zoe Clark, as we have decided that a merged cycle 3 group is the best way to proceed for the children. Early in term 3, I will be hosting an evening for parents of transitioning Cycle 2 children to discuss the exciting plans we have in store for Cycle 3 next year.
Bob
It has been hard not to notice Bob Dent’s absence at our school, something about the office is not quite as bright when he is away. Bob has taken an extended medical leave to deal with a serious illness. For the time being I have stepped in as the school’s Business Manager until Bob returns. I am in touch with Bob and will send along best wishes and support from our entire community.
All parents are invited to help with planning Stage 2 of our
Learnscapes design. 30th June at 7.30pm
Back in 2004 Canberra Montessori School employed a company to assist parents, children and staff in planning and developing our Learnscapes plan. The Learnscapes planning and design philosophy centres around the school grounds being a valuable resource to enhance learning and value our natural and cultural heritage. The learnscape will evolve to respond to changes in educational, cultural and environmental expectations.
The outcomes of our current Learnscapes Plan are that we have an holistic and integrated approach to collaborative planning involving students, staff, parents and broader community; rehabilitation and extension of local ecosystems & habitats; increased biodiversity and environmental enhancement; commitment to earth care practises and sustainability; enhanced learning across the whole school curriculum; safe, happy, healthy learning environment; demonstrated stewardship and responsibility for the land and to build our school community spirit and give a strong sense of identity.
This planning process has the potential to be fun, interesting and hopefully inspire more parents to help us focus and gain momentum to move forward. If you would like to join the Learnscapes and Sustainable Environmental Committee we are having a planning meeting on Wednesday 30th June at 7.30pm in the staff room to look at our baseline and vision for the plan update.
If you are unable to make the meeting on the 30th June but have an idea or two please feel free to jot them down (hand them in at the office) or come and talk to Laura Stuart (Tomanovits pocket, Banksia).
Sarah Beresford-Jones
On behalf of the L&SE Committee 2010
The following organisations have generously donated
to our school for this year's fundraising effort:
Jumping J-Jays Canberra
Forty Winks - Fyshwick
Australian Institute of Sport - Bruce
Kidsafe - Pearce
Lake Burley Griffin Boat Hire - Canberra
Mogo Zoo - NSW
National Film & Sound Archives - Barton
Weston Club - Weston
National Gallery of Australia - Barton
Taronga Zoo & Taronga Western Plains Zoo - NSW
National Library of Australia - Barton
Please offer these organisations your support if you are able. We will be featuring all our sponsors/donors over the next few issues of the bulletin.
Thank you from the Fundraising and Social Committee 2010
Trivia & Auction Night
26th June at St Judes, 7pm
This is one of our biggest fundraising and social events of the year. If you would like to sign up at a table please check your notice boards or talk to
Sarah (Acacia Class Director). We have various table themes confirmed, James Bond & Austin Powers to name just two. Come along and join the fun and take part in winning or purchasing your favourite items from a massive amount of donations from all sections of the Canberra Community and beyond...
The Family Breakfast
Tuesday 29th June, 8-9am
We will be providing cereal, milk, toast, fruit, coffee and tea in every classroom. Come along at 8am and enjoy breakfast with your child in their classroom (if you are fortunate enough to have more than one child you can either choose a classroom to have breakfast in or class/breakfast-surf!
Toy Story 3
Sunday 4th July at 10.30am
The F&SE committee are pleased to bring you this social event. We can all go with our friends to watch Toy Story 3 at Hoyts Woden. This is not a fundraising event. We always plan this cinema excursion to add to the social life of the school. Please join us by signing up outside Acacia.
Excursion to Korean Embassy
On Tuesday 8th June, Cycle 3 students and some Korean Club members met with the Korean Ambassador, Mr Woo-Sang Kim at the Embassy where they sang and played the drumming pieces
(Samulnori) they have been practising in the
Club. After morning tea together they participated in various activities including traditional Korean folk craft and games. The students looked very colourful and smart in their traditional costumes.
A great time was had by all!