Valkstone Primary School Newsletter

D a t e : 1 6 t h M a y, 2 0 1 8 Principal: Mrs Marilyn Koolstra

Term 2 Issue 14 Assistant Principal: Ms Heather Bishop

Valkstone Primary School

Valkstone Street
P.O. Box 101
East Bentleigh
Victoria 3165
Phone: (03) 9570 3986 We’re on the Web!
Fax: (03) 9579 4423 www.valkstoneps.vic.edu.au
Email: valkstone. ps@edumail. vic. gov. au O.S.H.C. 0418 386 420

Coming Events Dear Parents,

Term 2 Student Absences
May Parents and carers have an obligation to notify the school of their child’s
Friday 18th absence as soon as possible on the day of absence using COMPASS or leaving a
Year 6 Interschool Sport vs Moorabbin, message on the absence line of the school phone. From the end of Term 2,
Worthing Road at our home grounds. 2018, all Victorian government schools must contact parents/carers as soon as
practicable on the same-day of an unexplained student absence.
This same-day notification requirement supports the safety and well-being of
all students. Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and parents/
carers need to know if their child is not at school. Prompt communication also
promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most
important part of a child’s education. Children and young people who regularly
attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification, have better
Tuesday 22nd health and employment outcomes and higher incomes across their lives.
Open Night for school families At Valkstone we have implemented this same-day notification system. Teachers
5:30pm—7pm mark the attendance rolls at 9am. If a child is marked absent without a parent
explanation, the COMPASS system generates a text message to the parent. It is
School Tours ESSENTIAL that parents/carers put their most up-to-date contact details on
for Prospective Enrolments COMPASS and advise the Office of any change for CASES Administration.
Week days 9:45am Keeping healthy
Tuesday 22nd May Encourage children to regularly wash their hands.
Friday 8th June Encourage children to cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands.
Monday 18th June Students with cold or flu-like symptoms should be encouraged to seek
Weekend medical attention.
Saturday 2nd June 10am Students exhibiting such symptoms should limit contact with others and
stay at home until the symptoms have passed.
If a child becomes ill at school with these symptoms, we will contact the family
to arrange for the child’s collection.
Peer Mediators
35 Year 6 students have been trained as Peer Mediators over the last month
and are now active in the playground during lunchtime. Their role is to assist
children resolving minor disputes and play conflicts. This is a voluntary role and
a Valkstone community commitment for our students.
Peer Mediators have learned the steps of mediation: setting the ground rules,
telling your story, brainstorming, choosing a solution and reaching agreement.
Gratitude This process is carried out with the understanding that each child listens with
respect, tells the truth and does so without interrupting the other person. Peer
Empathy mediators are developing good listening skills and reframing of information to
ensure each person understands the other and their emotions.
Mindfulness They are supported, if needed, by the teachers on duty and peer mediator
trainers—Mrs Koolstra, Ms Bishop and Mrs Kilpatrick.
Skills learned by our students in the peer mediation process are valuable life
skills: listening, reframing, empathy, solution seeking and conflict resolution.
 Valkstone Primary School Newsletter
D a t e : 1 6 t h M a y, 2 0 1 8 Principal: Mrs Marilyn Koolstra
Term 2 Issue 14 Assistant Principal: Ms Heather Bishop

UNIFORMS Uniform orders are now filled on HOMESTAY REQUEST

Mondays. Completed orders need to be at the
school by Friday in order to be returned to your A family from China is seeking a homestay for mother
and son during Term 3. They are willing to pay
child on Monday.
400 Aus dollars a week, including 3 meals a day for
LUNCH ORDERS Lunch orders are on both that includes two beds, one room with a table
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please try to for reading and covering the cost of utilities, water
and electricity.
have the correct money. Order forms are available
from the office.
They would like to find a homestay near or within
SCHOOL BANKING School Banking day is
walking distance of Valkstone, with an English speak-
Tuesday. Bank books will be collected and ing family, preferably without pets.
returned the next day. New application forms are
If anyone is interested , or if they want to talk about
available from the Office. the payment, they may contact the parent by email .
She is a teacher in a Vocational & Technical College in
HOUSE POINTS China. I can speak English and I'm honest. My son
George is also honest. He can speak some English.
The scores were extremely close last week, Skelly@126.com.
they were in fourth place with an amazing
score of 47 points was Waratah. In third
place with an astonishing score of 48 points
points was Acacia. In second place with a
WEAR BLUE DAY
score of 55 points was Banksia and in first
place with an outstanding score of 59 points
MONDAY 21ST MAY.
was Grevillea.
Just a reminder to
(By Sienna & Liam )
encourage your child/
SOCIAL SERVICE
children to wear blue next
The total amount raised last week was $34.50. Thank
Monday 21st May, in
you to everyone who contributed to the total amount. support of Valkstone’s zero
(By Sienna & Matt)
tolerance to bullying.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
ON SALE NOW
 SCHOOL BADGES
Junior School Council will be selling house
The Japanese Word of the Fortnight badges Tuesday lunch time outside the
Music room . Badges are $3 each. There
すみません(pronounced ‘sumimasen’)
are four badges, each representing one of
which means ‘Excuse me’ and ‘sorry’ is
the Japanese Word for Week 4 & 5. You the Valkstone houses— Acacia, Banksia,
can use ‘すみません’ (‘sumimasen’) Grevillea and Waratah.
instead of ‘Excuse me’ when you would
like to have someone’s attention OR
when you would like to apologize
someone.
Thank you / ありがとうございます(arigato
gozaimasu) for your continuing support
for our Japanese program.

Muldeary Sensei & Steph Sensei

The Mothers’ Day stall last Friday was a huge success! The excitement on the children’s
faces as they selected their special gifts was a sheer joy. Thank you to the entire school
community for getting involved and supporting this fundraising initiative. Particular
thanks to our wonderful Prep Class Convenors that drove the initiative – Parita Parekh
and Clare Bailey and of course their many helpers: Toni Bowman, Lori Chait, Cassie
Haynes, Jenny Hill, Zhufang Liu, Megan Chalmers, Neha Rijhwani, Naama Zohar,
Gail Brami, Lisa Sellyn, Rosanna Rink, Donna Lu, Katie Chibert, Fred Foo,
Danielle Retemeyer, Yasemin Savrin, Sarah Rood, Alla Peress, Jacqui Goldenberg,
Hadas Boon, Maria Ramirez and Lyndall Bull.

If you are interested in supporting school fundraising, please register your interest by
contacting Marina Jury on msmarinajury@gmail.com. The Fundraising Committee
welcome helpers of all shapes, sizes and skill sets!
To get you started we have a special offer from the compost
revolution website.
A discount on the cost of your new compost bin, worm farm or bucket and a $5 donation to our schools
gardening program. They are also offering a discount on delivery!
Advertising disclaimer: Whilst the Editor checks for appropriate content, Valkstone does not endorse the conduct or service and
encourages parents to investigate the product or service as they would for any purchase they are contemplating.