From the Acting Principal…
Taking a moment to reflect on the 2009 school year brings to mind those events that shaped the school community during the year and the impact of the additional facilities made possible by the BER funding from the Australian Government.
Our builders in their race to finish the project before Christmas are running out of time. It is still expected to be ready for the start of the new school year but the handover will now be in January. Aine is looking forward to starting up the Parent Toddler Program in the new building. Alison our Music teacher, Jane our Art teacher and Mi-Kyung our Korean teacher are also looking forward to being relocated into space in the new facility.
The school community is invited to come together on Wednesday night for the graduation of this special group of students to encourage them as they enter the next phase of their education. May I remind the 2009 graduates that your school for the past 9 years remains keenly interested in your future progress and welcomes news from you from time to time.
Let me direct you to an article later in the bulletin that deals with an exciting tree planting initiative. This is planned to coincide with the ceremony for the official opening of the new building. Families are being given an opportunity to sponsor a tree.
It has been an unexpected privilege to serve the school as Acting Principal for term 3 and 4. As a result I now know the majority of the students and a good number of the parents. This experience has enabled me to gain a far greater appreciation of the Montessori educational philosophy as I have moved around the school and observed learning in action. I am grateful to the staff who have been understanding and supportive of me during this time. I hasten to add that I am looking forward to handing over to Jack. Please set aside Friday 5th February to be a part of the welcome BBQ to meet Jack and his family.
No doubt many of us will be travelling during the summer holiday break to catch up with family and friends or simply to get to our favourite holiday destination. In this season of goodwill I trust that you will all have a refreshing time over the school break and a safe return for the start of the new school year.
Happy Christmas,
Bob
Upcoming Dates
TERM 4 2009
Dec 16 Disco & Graduation
Last day of Term 4
TERM 1 2010
Feb 1&2 Pupil Free Days
Feb 3 Children return to school
Feb 5 BBQ – Meet the New Principal
Feb 10 Meet & Greet 7pm
Feb 20 Working Bee 9am – 3pm
Feb 24 Parent Education Evening 7pm
Feb 25 New Parents’ Morning Tea 9.15am Holder
Mar 3 Canteen Day
Mar 5 Schools Clean Up Day
Mar 8 Canberra Day – Public Holiday
Mar 16 Annual General Meeting 7pm
Mar 25 Cycle 2/3 reports due
Apr 2 Public Holiday – Good Friday
Apr 5 Public Hoilday – Easter Monday
Apr 7 Canteen Day
Apr 9 Last day of Term 1
Please check the Bulletin regularly for changes to published events.
Term Dates for 2009
Term 4: 12 October – 16 December
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
Holiday School Office Hours
The office is closed from,
Monday 21 December 2009
The office re-opens on,
Monday 11 January 2010
In emergencies phone,
0423 194 238
A Message from Accounts
Thank you to all the families who have recently finalised their accounts. For those who have yet to do so please remember that you have until Friday 18th December.
There appears to be a problem with the total balance shown as owing on some of the statements, however the individual charges should all be correct. This problem would seem to stem from the period prior to our new computer system having been installed, when we were experiencing difficulties with the previous system crashing at regular intervals. We apologise for any confusion that this has caused. If you have any queries regarding your account please contact the office as soon as possible.
Security & Safety Issues
This time of year we are prone to uninvited visitors breaking into our buildings. There was in fact a break in last weekend. Those of you who pass by the school during the holidays please be vigilant and look out for anything suspicious.
There was another incident towards the end of term that prompted the school to contact the Police. A sighting of a suspicious unidentified person in the vicinity of the Karri toilets caused us to remind students of stranger danger and put in place a strategy should a repeat sighting occur. Police assured us they will respond swiftly if this is reported again in the future.
Keeping our new trees alive over the holidays!
The trees planted by the students on 'School Tree Day' are now growing well now as the students have kept them regularly watered. It has been rewarding also to see the grassed area in the Cycle 1 play area being used a lot by the kids.
To keep our new plants going over the summer holidays, though, we now need your help. If you are able to come in just once or twice, to give them a drink during the break we'd like to hear from you.
Details of what is required and a sign-up sheet, are in the office. And, as an extra bonus … no, not the steak knives… no, you can get to harvest and eat ....... the fruit or veggies that may get to ripen on your watch. How is that?!!
Wishing you all the best for a peaceful and relaxing break, and thanking you in anticipation,
Charlie Blumer
Learnscapes Coordinator.
Tree Planting – Family Sponsorship
With the official opening of the new building early in March (date to be confirmed) a tree planting opportunity is provided. Families will be able to nominate a tree they wish to sponsor.
An outline of the plan is as follows:
· Trees will be selected from Yarralumla Nursery
· A list in the office will be available for families to select their tree.
· Cost of trees and metal tag with family name engraved will be $15 - $20
· At the working bee on 20 February the ground will be prepared from 9am – 11am
· Families can plant their tree from 12 noon
· At the official opening the guest of honour will plant a tree to mark the occasion.
Thank you to Charlie Blumer for taking this project on.
2009 Graduation & End of Year Disco
Disco 5-7pm
Graduation Ceremony 6pm
On Wednesday 16th December you are all invited to join us in the Cycle 1 playground for the Disco & Graduation Ceremony. Bring a picnic and enjoy the evening (there will also be a small sausage sizzle and free ice creams and juices). Due to our current building project and other OH&S considerations please keep your children with you in the Cycle 1 area.
See you there!