Issue 38
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The teachers and myself have
been working on the grade
structures for next year. Many
considerations are discussed such
as boy girl ratio, relationships and
learning environments. The
current classroom teacher is
involved in the discussion, as are
the children by selecting a range
of students they work with. The
main aim being the best
educational environment for the
students that we can provide.
I am happy to meet with parents
regarding grade placements, and
if that is put in writing I will
consider requests. This year we
are providing an extended
transition that will be part of the
buddies program on Thursday
afternoon so that the children can
meet their teacher and the other
students in their grade. Parents
who have requests are invited to
discuss with me the grade
placements this week so that we
can complete the placements.
Congratulations to our group of
grade 5/6 students who
performed a Flash Mob dance at
the Woolworths Supermarket
foyer this morning. The
choreography was completed
mainly by Indigo with all the
students contributing to the
moves. Their dance entertained
and amazed many of the shoppers
who commented on their
performance.
Principal: Jenny Omachen www.ashbyps.vic.edu.au
Tuesday 30th November 2010
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday 30th November
The school vegetable garden is 2011 Prep Parent
maintained by the grade 3/4 Information Evening
classes with a lot of assistance 6.30p.m. in the Staff Room
from Trish McKenzie and a small
group of helpers. The produce of 10th December Prep/One
this garden is used weekly for the German library visit.
cooking sessions that Mary Slade
and Julie Costello organise for the Friday 17th December
grade 3/4 children. This Last Day of School.
morning the children were trying
a potato salad that was made with School Finish at
our own potatoes, shallots and 1.30pm.
parsley grown here at school.
Many children tried and loved the
taste of the Ashby/potato salad.
2011 School Swimming and sporting events
are not part of the levy.
requisites.
The school requisites for 2011
will be maintained at $150. The JENNY OMACHEN
$150 covers costs for the book Principal, Ashby Primary School
boxes, and for Art Supplies ,
Library Books, and Information
Technology. The School
requisites may be paid for and
picked up next year on either
Wednesday 2nd, or Thursday 3rd
February. Children return to
school on Friday 4th February. EDUCATION
To assist with planning for
MAINTENANCE
excursions and school
performances we are charging an
ALLOWANCE
excursion levy of $60.00. CHEQUES
This will be charged at the
beginning of the year. This one The second instalment Education
off payment will mean that Maintenance Allowance cheques
during the year excursions will are now available to be collected
not need to be paid for. from the school office.
School email - ashby.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Ashby Primary School Page 2

FRIENDS OF ASHBY UPDATES

Visit the FOA Blog http://friendsofashby.blogspot.com/ for more updates!

Yesterday was the last day of the Getting Started program for next year’s incoming prep parents. A morning tea was
held for their parents to help orient them to the school and the life of a prep student. Thank you to all the parents who
assisted with the New Parent Morning Tea including: Di Gillick Thompson, Heather Vine, Cynthia Scherer, Christine
Morrissy, Tracy Raby, Kate Sanders and Robyn Richmond.

Next FOA Meeting

The next and last FOA meeting for the year is Monday, December 6th after morning assembly
(9:15amish) in the staff room. The focus of the meeting will be reflecting on the past year’s
activities and events and planning for the 2011 school year. ALL are welcome!

Leaf Your Mark

We hope many of you have been watching the progress of the new mural in the Junior
playground this year spearheaded by artist in residence Mark Eadie (if you’ve missed it,
you can visit the FOA blog at http://friendsofashby.blogspot.com/ to see posts about its
progress). At the Art Show student’s had a chance to put their personal mark on the
mural by purchasing for $3 a leaf that they could decorate that will be affixed permanently
to the mural.

If you were unable to attend the Art Show, you can still purchase a leaf! Simply complete
the form below and return it with your payment to school. Your child will then be given a leaf to decorate for the mural
during their art class.

Remember all proceeds will support the school’s art program!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I would like to purchase a leaf to decorate which will be affixed to the Junior Playground mural. Individual leafs can
be purchased for $3 and two leafs (for families that have more than one student) for $5.

Student(s) Name/Grade: _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Number of Leafs Purchased ______________________ Amount Paid: _____________________________

Summer Watering Roster

This year a number of new plants have been added to the school grounds, e.g. fairy garden, Waratah street. To date
these plants have benefited from a wet winter and spring, but with summer coming we know this cannot last.

As a result, we are creating a summer watering roster. If you and your family live nearby and would be interested in
signing up for a week to help water these and other plants during the Christmas/Summer Holiday it would be greatly
appreciated:

Week 1: Monday, December 20 to Sunday December 26

Week 2: Monday, December 27 to Sunday January 2
Week 3: Monday, January 3 to Sunday January 9
Week 4: Monday, January 10 to Sunday, January 16
Week 5: Monday, January 17 to Sunday, January 23
Week 6 January 24 to Sunday, January 3

The roster can be found on the FOA Board outside of the staff room. Or send a note a note to your child’s teacher. Once
you have signed up on the roster you will be provided information on how to access the school grounds for your week
and given information on plants/beds to water.

Can You Help?

There are many ways you can get involved at Ashby. Below are some current activities we are seeking assistance with:

Tutti Fruitti Thursdays, Every Thursday, 9-10am – Tutti Fruitti Thursday back up and running and will run until the 2nd
to last week of Term. Assistance is needed this Thursday and every Thursday to prepare fresh fruit and vegetable trays
for the children. If you can help join us this Thursday or any Thursday in the staff room.
Ashby Primary School
LIBRARY BOOKS
Library books are all due back
now.
No more borrowing after Friday
3rd December.
Thank you for a great year.
J Hoggart
CRE CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATION
SERVICE
The Christian Religious Education
teachers are excited to invite you
to a whole school Christmas
Celebration Service on Thursday
16th December at 9am at Scots
Church next door.
Each class will be performing a
special Christmas item.
All welcome!
Enquiries: Sarah Weber
ph. 0401 887 747
Page 3
BEFORE SCHOOL
CARE
The Before School Care program
is held every day commencing at
7.45 am till 8.45 am. The cost at
present is $5.00 per session. This
program is used by a small
number of children, this number
has decreased over the past few
years. At present the number of
children attending the program is
an average of 4 children. This
number of children attending the
program does not cover the costs
of the person organising the
program.
School Council feels that this is a
program that is worthwhile and
supports families in need of
before school care but there will
need to be changes in the
program costs to maintain the use
of the program, and to attach the
program to Centre link
reimbursement, as at present the
Program is a stand alone
program. No increase amount
has been set as yet but may
increase to as much as $10.00 per
morning.
We would like an indication as to
whether families would use the
Before School Care Program in
2011.
----
---------------
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN
TO SCHOOL AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
Could the following questions be
filled out so that we can gauge
how many families would use the
program next year.
I would use Before School Care on
a regular permanent basis
Yes No
I would use Before School Care on
a Casual Basis.
Yes No
Family Name: ________________
Number of children: __________
Ashby Primary School
BEFORE & AFTER
SCHOOL CARE
ACCOUNTS
Can everyone finalise their
Before & After School Care
accounts by the end of Term
please.
Nikki Van Der Pol
Before & After School Care Co-
ordinator.
RE-USE A SHOE
PROJECT
Hurry up, hurry up!!
You only have till the end of
November to hand in your old
rubber soled shoes and runners.
Please bring your shoes to Sarah
or Liam in Grade 5/6B.
Don’t forget to ask grandparents,
family and friends for their old
shoes too.
And remember the more walking
you do the more runners we
might have for our recycling
project!
Thank you,
Sarah and Liam
Page 4
ART ROOM
It's now time to organise the
Christmas tree outside Michael's
cafe, Caffe Volare, in Pakington
Street. Each year we decorate a
lamppost with the children's
Christmas decorations creating a
Christmas "tree" on Pakington
Street for December. We will be
decorating this tree on
Wednesday December 1st at
8.30 am. The more people we
have, the quicker it will be done,
maybe some of the school
children could come with parents
and help before school. Hope to
see you then.
Kathy Hyland.