Issue 8
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
GARDEN AND CHOOK
SHED
This structure is well underway
thanks to the parents, and Mr.
Holloway who have been working
on this construction over the past
few weeks. Last Sunday there was
a major working bee that resulted
in the vegetable garden area
being weeded and cleaned up.
The garden shed is almost
finished with just the concrete
floor and final cladding to be
completed.
Thank you to the parents who
attended and provided their
labour. This support and labour
means that this construction can
be completed at very low cost,
and the effort is greatly
appreciated.
Thank you to:
Heath & Kristen McLachlan
Eve & Chris Armytage
Chris Wheelwright
Stacey Meehan & Mark Pearce
Justin De Rosa
Di Thompson, Jemimah Welsh,
Julie Costello and Wayne
Holloway.
NEW ZEALAND STUDY TOUR
Last week I attended , with 12
other Principals from the Geelong
North Network , a study tour of
New Zealand schools in
Auckland. My learning intention
was to focus upon the work of
Professor John Hattie and the
Principal: Jenny Omachen www.ashbyps.vic.edu.au
Wednesday 30th March 2011
DATES TO REMEMBER
impact his work had on 300 New Friday 8th April
Zealand school, and the Last Day Term 1.
outstanding effect this has had on
student learning. I am ever School finishes at
diligent in obtaining information 2.15pm.
about teacher practice and
behaviours that will positively
influence learning outcomes at Wednesday 27th April
every level to support student First Day Term 2.
learning.
Monday 9th to Friday 20th
I came back from the study tour May
with many practical ideas to Intensive Swimming
support student learning that I Program 1 for Years 4 to 6.
will share with staff, and in
particular the understanding and Saturday 25th June
use of clear, student focussed Trivia Night & Silent
learning with constant assessment Auction.
to inform teachers and students
about their student learning.
There were many similarities with
the teaching that is provided in
our school, but the strong
connection to the students
understanding and participating
in their learning was a message
that I have taken from visiting
these school.
Students in the North Island often
don’t wear school shoes to school,
or take them off at school and lose
them. The lost property store
room (not just a box) in some
schools was something I am really
glad we don’t have to manage.
Our focus for the end of term is
to do our personal best with our
learning.
Jenny Omachen
Principal
School email - ashby.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Ashby Primary School
SEEKING A
COORDINATOR FOR
TUTTI FRUITY
THURSDAY
Can you spare 1.5 hours a week
to coordinate the weekly Fresh
Fruit program?
The Ashby Fresh Fruit program
provides fresh fruit and veggies to
all the children every Thursday
morning. The Coordinator role
involves:
Ordering the fruit and veg.
Cutting and preparing the fruit
and veg each Thursday morning
after school drop - with the
assistance of other parent helpers.
Cleaning up.
I have really enjoyed working
with the other volunteers and
providing a healthy snack for the
children, but due to other
commitments am not able to
continue on with this role right
now.
Interested parents can contact me
on 0431 983 217.
SWIMMING FOR
GRADE 4 - 6
All deposits of $25.00 MUST be
paid by Friday 8th April (last day
of Term 1).
Please notify the school if your
child is NOT swimming as we
need this information so we do
not book extra swimming
teachers than required.
Page 2
WALKING SCHOOL
BUS
It’s lovely to see a large number of
children walking, riding or
scootering to school in the
mornings. If you want to join in
but don’t want to go on your won
you can always meet the Walking
School Bus Monday to Friday
mornings at 8.30 at Bakers Over
on Waratah Street, just off
Shannon Avenue.
The benefits of the Walking
School Bus reach the whole
community and include
⇒ A safe and convenient way for
children to travel to school;
⇒ Improvement of health and
well being of children through
walking and talking;
⇒ An opportunity for children to
learn road sense and traffic
safety;
⇒ Reduction of traffic congestion
around school;
⇒ Contributing to a sustainable
environment;
⇒ Opportunities for children and
parents to develop friendships
and a sense of place and
community in their
neighbourhood.
It’s also FREE!!!!
For more information please call
Katrina on 0403910063
Ashby Primary School Page 3

FRIENDS OF ASHBY UPDATES

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

Thank you to everyone who came this past Sunday to work on the garden/chook shed and the
grounds. The shed continues to progress and the garden is looking great! Stay tuned for more op-
portunities to help!

Next FOA Meeting

The Next monthly FOA Meeting will be held Friday, April 1st after drop
off (9am ish) in the staff room. Agenda items include parent feedback
and ideas on use of the classroom kitchen and the school garden and a
discussion about holding a family oriented fundraising event. All are wel-
come!

Reminder 2011 Family Information Forms Due Wednesday, April 6th

Just a reminder that 2011 Family Information Forms are due next Wednesday, April 6th to your
child’s teacher or the school office. This form allows you to provide information about how you might
be a resource to the school and information for class friendship lists, so please be sure to complete
and return it right away! If you didn’t get a copy in your child’s bag last Thursday or Friday, you can
also download the form from the FOA blog (http://friendsofashby.blogspot.com/ ) or can get a copy
from the office.

Save the Date for our Annual Silent Auction and Trivia Night, Saturday,
June 25th
Come join event MC Mark Hyland of BayFM 93.9 for a night of fun, fantastic
prizes, lucky envelopes, raffles and silent auction items. Bring your family,
friends, neighbours and work colleagues. This year’s event will be held on
Saturday, June 25th, so mark your calendars and look for more details soon
about the event, as well as how you can help!

Only Two More Weeks to Get You Hot Cross Bun Vouchers!
Help Ashby raise funds by supporting our Hot Cross Buns Fundraiser this Easter season. It’s easy,
simply purchase a Brumby’s Hot Cross Bun Voucher from the school for $6.50 (the same price you
pay in store), and the school gets to keep $2! The vouchers can be used until Easter at any of the
five Brumby store locations in Geelong. So submit your order today! Please note Vouchers will be
distributed as orders are received.

Ashby Primary School Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

Yes, we would like to order Brumby’s Hot Cross Bun Vouchers to help Ashby raise money!

Student Name/Grade: ____________________________________________________

Parent Name: ________________________________ Contact: ___________________

_____________________ X $6.50 = _______________

Number of Vouchers Total Due
Ashby Primary School Page 4

FRIENDS OF ASHBY UPDATES CONT’D

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 Thursday, March 31, 9-10am –This is the last opportunity to help
in Term 1. This program provides the children with fresh fruit and vegetables
once a week. Assistance is needed to prepare the fresh fruit and
vegetable trays for each classroom. If you can help, join us for
about an hour at 9am in the staff room this Thursday morning.

SCHOOL CROSS SCHOOL NURSING PROGRAM

COUNTRY QUESTIONNAIRE

We are looking for parent helpers

to man the cross country course
on Friday 8th April.
If you are able to help between
9.00 a.m. And 11.00 a.m. please
let either Mary Slade or the office
know as soon as possible.
Thank you.
There are still a number of Prep
parents who have not yet
returned the School Nursing
Program questionnaire.
All the information it to assist the
School Nurse on her visit to the
school later in the year.
Those parents who have not send
back the questionnaire please do
so by Friday morning.
If you have lost your
questionnaire there as spares at
the office.