Senior School Term 1 Week 5 2019

  What's happening in the Senior School? 

Term 1 Week 5 2019

We've hit the half way mark and all the learning and fun continues at a high pace! We're sure your children were nice and exhausted after their Water Safety Week (we definitely were) as they did a fantastic job in the pool with all students receiving participation awards and majority achieving their certificate in water safety skills. 
Last week our leadership team were officially honoured at assembly after receiving their badges from our local MP, Tim Richardson. Mr. Agars also acknowledged our other grade 6 students who hold different roles and responsibilities here at Mentone Park. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and commitment they have shown so far and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve together as a team!
It was wonderful catching up with parents at the get to know you interviews this past Wednesday. It gave us greater insight into additional interests the students have and how we can incorporate them into our teaching and learning.
In other news our District Swimming Team has been announced and the team of 24 will represent MPPS at Noble Park Aquatic Center next Wednesday, the 6th of March. We wish them the best of luck!

Leadership 2019

ICT

Gates

Marine Ambassadors/Green Gang

Assembly

Sports Equipment

In Reading we are learning to...identify similarities and differences in a text that we can connect with personally

In Writing we are learning to...use VCOP strategies to edit and improve our narratives

In Maths we are learning to...explain & discuss mental strategies to solve addition and subtraction sums

In Spelling we are learning words...Gr 5 –’ou’ as in young Gr 6-’ev’  as in sleeve

In Inquiry we are learning to...identify the range of emotions one can experience and why it is important to be resilient

Friday 1st March - I/S Sport at MPPS (5/6A to provide apples and oranges)

Wednesday 6th March - District Swimming

Friday 8th March - I/S Sport at MPPS (5/6B to provide apples and oranges)

Monday 11th March - Labour Day (No School)

Friday 15th March - I/S Sport Rotations Away

Friday 15th March - National Day Against Bullying

Monday 18th March - SEA Health & Human Development - Living & Growing Session 1

Wednesday 20th March - Student Leadership Day at Westall

Thursday 21st March - Harmony Day

Friday 22nd March - I/S Sport at MPPS (5/6C to provide apples and oranges)

Thursday 28th March - SEA Health & Human Development - Living & Growing Session 2

Friday 29th March - I/S Sport Gala Day Away

Thursday 4th April - SEA Health & Human Development - Living & Growing Session 3

Friday 5th April - Last Day of Term 1

SEA Living & Growing Sessions

Soon our Senior students will be participating in 3 x 90 minute sessions over three consecutive weeks to support them in making healthy decisions as they grow older. The dates are listed above in 'Important Dates'.

Topics covered will include:

• conception, pregnancy and birth
• names and functions of reproductive parts
• physical, social and emotional changes of puberty
• managing friendships
• respect for self and others
• responsible use of technology and social media
• key messages on ‘body safety’

These topics are all in line with the Victorian Curriculum and further information regarding the provider can be found at: https://sexeducationaustralia.com.au/primary/

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. Nothing brings people together quite like food! Join us this Harmony Day (Thursday 21^st March) by bringing a plate of food from your cultural background or a country you have recently visited to share with your class. Please be mindful of allergies and include a list of ingredients with the plate.

Students may add a touch of orange to their uniform to show their support! The colour orange signifies communication, meaningful conversations, freedom of ideas and the encouragement of mutual respect.

Notice Board & Communication

Along with the newsletter, Flexibuzz and student diaries, the display board in the center of the Senior School Atrium will also be a point of regularly updated communication. Here you'll find:

- important dates throughout the term

- a weekly outline of our timetable

- learning focus (WALT)

- reminders

- spare copies of notices/handouts etc.

- spotlight on a particular student, grade or event

If you haven't done so already, please update your class box on FlexiBuzz to ensure you are receiving the latest communications.

Code of Cooperation

Together as a level the Senior students established a Code of Cooperation. It will be regularly reviewed to ensure students are upholding the expectations they have set for themselves. 

Uniform

In addition to the above Code of Cooperation, Senior all students are role models and leaders for the lower year levels. As we regularly represent Mentone Park across the school and out in the community, students are expected to have proper and neat uniform. The Senior Sports tops are only to be worn on Friday's. We appreciate all assistance in ensuring we are setting the best example.

Homework

Homework will be a variety of tasks including: maths, reading, SMART spelling, current affairs and wellbeing. All tasks need to be completed as we are encouraging good habits leading into Secondary School. It will be handed out on a Monday and is due the following Friday. The expectation is that students manage their time during the week so that they have their weekends free to relax and spend with family. 

Absences

If your child is absent from school, you must notify the school via flexibuzz of this in the morning. If not, you will now be sent this message from your child's teacher via flexibuzz:

Dear Parents/Guardians.

Your child has been marked as absent from school today. Can you please contact the office to notify us of the reason for this absence.

Kind Regards,

Mentone Park Primary School/Your Child's Teacher

Sports commentary:

Last week we had Water Safety Week. Overall it was fun and I learnt lots of new things. The teachers were kind and helped me when I had trouble. We learnt CPR and how to respond in emergencies, tread water for 5 straight minutes, how to swim together as a team and build rafts. It was fun getting a person to sit on them to test its safety across the water.

-Ava 5/6B

 The first week of cricket was a round robin, which is when a few schools come together to play sport and rotate around. It was fun because some of us didn't understand all the rules of cricket, so the round robin helped us to learn the rules better. We didn't keep scores and we gave each other tips on how to improve. I feel much more confident after that! 

The second week of cricket we played our first proper match against St. John Vianney. I really enjoyed it because everyone got a turn and we all worked together. Every week we are getting better and I'm very excited for next week.

- Jas 5/6A

 The first week of rounders was a round robin against multiple schools, but this week it was a friendly match against one school. SJV and MPPS took turns fielding and batting and because the other school didn't have enough players, 3 people from our team played for them. Everyone did really well!

- Morgan 5/6C

 On the first week of tennis we went to another school for a round robin and the school was HUGE! It was chaos! This week we played a friendly against St John Vianney at home. It was a great morning but might I just say that it was so hot today, it was like an oven! Because of the heat, everyone had faces as red as peppers!

- Carla 5/6A

For the past couple of weeks the volley stars have been doing a great job playing other teams from different schools. We have been working on our skills every Friday, either at another school, or they came to us. We look forward to playing more schools in the future.

-Bodhi 5/6B