Principal's Message

Welcome Back
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I begin my third year as Principal at Ruskin Park Primary School. While Victoria baked in the sun, I spent four weeks with my family in Toronto, Canada in temperatures ranging from -10C to -25C!

While many have endured the extreme temperatures here in Australia, sadly, some have lost their lives and many people have lost their homes. During such tragic times, we may wonder what we can do to help others.

I invite you and your families to join us on Tuesday, 24 February (Shrove Tuesday) for our annual Uniting Way Pancake Tea and Fun Night from 5-7 pm. When you purchase a pancake meal you will be helping someone who has suffered a lose as a result of the recent bushfires. I hope that you can join us and celebrate the community spirit that comes from supporting one another in need.

To make a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund call 1800 811 700. Call the Red Cross Information Line on 1800 727 077 for relief centres and help locating relatives, friends and missing persons. Thank you to everyone who has already sent in donations to support the Bushfire Relief effort.

New Faces/Familiar Faces
I am very pleased to welcome the following new teachers to Ruskin Park school community: Miss Katherine Lucas (Year 1/2); Mr. Neil Scott (Year 1/2); and Mr. Brendan Alexander (Year 5/6). We also have one new and one returning Integration Aide working with our students this year: Mrs. Vicki Rimmer and Mrs. Bev Spicer. Our new crossing guard/lollypop lady on Ruskin Avenue is Fiona Webster.

We are also a Kool Kids Positive Parents School this year, and our assigned Clinician is Mr. Cameron Hoo whom we are pleased to be working with throughout this year. Our school cleaners are: Hirushan and Tharanga, and the canteen manager is Annie Wu. We welcome back Mr. Mic Carolan as our school Handyman, and Mr. Robbie Boyle, the school Chaplain.

Our special and hard working Before and After School Hours Care team consists of: Sharyn Carroll, Benita Whitfield, Merrilyn Davidson, Ashleigh Livingstone, Brittany and Kayla Whitfield and Rebecca Williamson. This year's front office staff are: Gwen Nothrop (Business Manager), Debbie Brown (Office Manager) and Vicki Rimmer (Office Support).

The school is also supported by a number of external service providers: Mr. Rod Happell, Educational Psychologist, Mrs. Tamara Dowling, Speech Pathologist, Jennifer of Wise Ones and the school nurse, Mrs. Diane Plant.

You will notice the teaching staff list included with your newsletter-their photos have been placed on the staff bulletin board located across from the school's main office. I look forward to an exciting and enjoyable year, working closely with all staff members, parents and the students. Welcome back to everyone and let's have an extra-ordinary year of learning together!

Reminders/ Updates

• Supervision outside class time by teachers takes place between 8:45-9:00 am, 11:00-11:25 am, 1:35-2:30 pm and 3:30-3:45 pm every day. Students are discouraged from arriving at school before 8:45 am unless they are registered for before school care.
  Students are not permitted to enter classrooms, the courtyard or hallways before 9:00 am unless prior arrangements have been made with their classroom teacher and there is a teacher or parent supervising the child in one of these areas. Teachers require the morning to conduct meetings or prepare for the day ahead.
  Your cooperation in ensuring that your children are appropriately supervised at all times is greatly appreciated.
• Thank you to all those parents who have come to the office and collected their children's requisite boxes and paid the voluntary student levy of $145. Your promptness and support of the many wonderful programs and activities run by the school for the benefit of your children is appreciated. If you haven't already done so, you may pay the levy at any time this term.
• Welcome to all the new Prep parents in 2009. You are invited to consider joining the School Council, Families and Friends Club, The Garden Club, or assist as a parent helper in the classroom. Simply speak with your child's classroom teacher and they will direct you to the right person or to the information you require. Also, for some new parents, you may be unfamiliar with some of the school protocols - so here are a few important ones to remember:
  • There is no smoking anywhere on the school property
  • No dogs, cats or other animals are allowed unless for show and tell or a special presentation - all animals must be under control and under adult supervision at all times. Cleaning up after your pet is essential.
  • Parking in the Staff Parking lot during regular school hours is prohibited. There is parking available on Ruskin Avenue and surrounding streets.
  • Note the morning and afternoon drop off zones and the hours that these operate. Avoid parking your car in this zone during the drop off times since Maroondah parking officials carry out random checks and you may receive a fine in the mail if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
  • The safety of all the children is of the highest priority to us so we ask that when driving, parking and waiting to collect your children at any time, that you pay particular attention to children crossing the road.
  • The school newsletter the Ruskin News comes out bimonthly every other Thursday and is sent home to the eldest child in each family. If you would rather have access to the enews version (paperless), you can follow this link:
  • http://mailouts.austnews.com.au/subscription/R/
    ruskin-park-ps-signup.html

Special Events

• Congratulations to Ms. Lana Graham who recently had twins - a baby girl, Neave and a baby boy, Ewan. Also, to Mr. Guy Nicholls who recently moved to Canberra-he and his wife Kim, had a baby boy, Will Webster. All are doing well and send their regards to the Ruskin Park children and families.
• Celebrate Mooroolbark 2009 is coming up on Saturday, 28th March with a Parade starting at Brice Street at 10:00 am. This is the second year that Ruskin Park Primary School will proudly carry it's banner which the children will be creating over the coming weeks under the direction of Mrs. Frances Elms, Art Specialist. We hope to have as many children and families out to support the school as possible for the Parade.
• Apology Day - Friday, 13 February - one year after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generation, we acknowledge the pain and suffering of Australia's indigenous peoples. A commemorative ceremony can be seen on ABC TV at 11:35 am on this day. A brief assembly will be held in the courtyard from 2:45-3:00 pm
• Curriculum Night for all classrooms will be held on Thursday, 19 February from 6:30-8:00 pm. Details will follow soon and all families are invited to attend and visit their child's classrooms on this evening.
• Whole School Photo Day takes place on Friday, 20 February. All children need to be dressed in their proper school uniforms and a special notice from Advancedlife Photographers is included with this issue of the newsletter regarding the ordering of photo packages.
• Year 6 Transition Night for all parents of Year 6 students will take place on Monday evening, 23 February from 7:00-8:00 pm in Room 6. For details call the school and speak with Mrs. Jennie Bickford.
• School Clean Up Day as part of Clean Up Australia Day (March 1), will take place on Friday, 27 February from 2:00-3:30 pm. Lunch will be from 1-2 pm followed by an assembly at 2:00 pm. All parents and families are welcome to attend and participate. Details will follow as well as permission forms for the students.
• Early Years Information Evening for Parents of students in Prep-Year 2 - a session will be held on Tuesday, 10 March for interested parents who want to know more about how they can support their child's learning journey during the year. The session will take place 7:00-8:00 pm in a location to be announced soon.

Lost and Found
Are you missing some items of clothing? On Friday, 13 and Monday, 16 February, all the lost and found items will be on display on tables around the courtyard. Please take a look through these items and take whatever belongs to you. Unclaimed items will be recycled.

Computer Connections
Thanks to our school IT technician Charles Hong, the school has received over 40 used computers that are in better condition than many of the computers we presently have available for use. The following schools have generously donated their computers to us: Kalinda Primary School and Eastwood Primary School. Thanks also to Mic Carolan and Natalie Tisch who assisted in the collection and delivery of all these computers on a very hot day during the last week prior to the start of Term One.

Canteen Updates
The canteen will be open three days per week this term - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The canteen manager, is Annie Wu. Nutrition Australia has been working with CMS Food Services to provide even healthier food choices aligned with the Go For Your Life recommendations and 'green food items'.

The canteen is also available to parents who wish to use the canteen facilities to raise funds for the school e.g., supporting events such as Footy Day, etc. Parents who wish to join the school Fundraising Committee are asked to leave their contact details by calling 9723 3886.

Help Needed
Does your child need support with homework? The Croydon Public Library runs a Homework Club every Tuesday afternoon from 4-6 pm. For further information call Satinurino on 9285 4888 or 9294 5640.

Would you like to help keep children safe from harm? The role of Safety House Coordinator is available for 2009 to any interested parent living in the Croydon vicinity. Please contact the school and speak with Elle May Laikve.

Melbourne Declaration
On Friday 5 December, Minister Pike and Deputy Prime Minister Gillard launched the new Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, on behalf of all Australian Education Ministers. The Declaration sets out two goals:

1. Australian Schooling Promotes Equity and Excellence
2. All young Australians become:
   • Successful learners
   • Confident and creative individuals
   • Active and informed citizens

The Declaration includes a Commitment to Action, which identifies eight interrelated areas where all Australian Governments commit to action to support achievement of goals.

Check out: www.mceetya.edu.au

Student Accident Insurance
The Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and guardians are generally responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including transportation costs. Reasonably low cost accident insurance policies are available from the commercial insurance sector. Insurers that offer individual accident insurance policies for students include:

JUA Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd
Contact: Maria Raschilla or Des Purcell on 9909 7480
Email: msolomos@juaunderwriting.com.au
Or dpurcell@juaunderwriting.com.au

EBM Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
Contact: Jonnine Gould on 1300 783878
Web: www.studentcover.com.au

Thank you,

Elle May Laikve,
Principal

Assistant Principal's Report

At this time we are thinking of the many people who have been devastated by the bushfires. It is a very sad time indeed. It is difficult to respond to a situation such as this that has caused so much heartache, destruction and loss of life. I know that you will be experiencing the same sadness and disbelief. Parents please talk to your children about what is happening and reassure them, as some children are frightened of what they have seen on television and are unsettled.

Members of our community are doing whatever they can to help others. Annette Fitzgerald is doing a wonderful job organising the collection of goods from the Ruskin Park community to assist families that have lost everything. People are doing what they can. Students have shown concern for the families and are thinking of what they can do to help out. Our best wishes are with the firefighters, the police and the other emergency workers whose continued efforts in this difficult time are valued by all.

Mary Kelly
Assistant Principal

To make a donation to
the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
call 1800 811 700.

Twilight Working Bee

On Thursday March 5 we will be holding our first working bee for the year. This will commence at 4pm and conclude with a free BBQ at around 6.30. We already have several jobs lined up and each of those tasks will be supervised by members of our garden committee.

Please come along, even for an hour and bring along your gardening tools.

We are requesting that if anyone has access to free mulch or a mulching machine could they contact Mr. Murphy.

Parent Teacher Interviews

The Grade 1/2 M Parent Teacher interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 23rd February, due to the fact that I will be at an Occupational Health and Safety course the following week when the rest of the school are conducting their interviews.

Notices with interview times will be going home to the parents of 1 / 2 M next week.

Thank you,
Liz McCallum

Choir in 2009

Welcome back everyone and we hope you have enjoyed your break.

We are excited to announce Choir rehearsals will commence on Monday 16th February during the first half of lunch in the G.P room.

We have attached the official form for your child to join the choir to this edition of the newsletter. We request that ALL STUDENTS who wish to be members of the Ruskin Park PS choir in 2009 complete and return this enrolment form to the office promptly.

We are planning for our first performance in 2009 at the Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival. Details of the day and time of the performance will be confirmed in the near future.

It would be wonderful to see our experienced choir members return in 2009 to support our younger members. We already have a number of exciting events planned for 2009.

Remember to return your Choir form to the school office as soon as possible. Preps are invited to join our school choir in March.

We look forward to seeing you all on Monday at lunchtime in the GP Room.

Ann Craig, Alaine Beare, Elyce Birch - Choir Coordinators.

SOME BENEFITS OF BEING INVOLVED IN THE RUSKIN PARK SCHOOL CHOIR:

INVOLVEMENT: As a choir member you are supported by and within the group to develop confidence when performing and interacting with others. You can also develop and share your passion for singing.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: As a choir member your child will represent our school in the wider community at local festivals, nursing homes, musical events and special commemorative services and competitions.

ROLES OF RESPONSIBILITY: There are opportunities for older students to become our Choir Captains. This role is given to members who have demonstrated responsibility and loyalty to the choir, they are selected each term. We are looking forward to announcing our new Choir Captains for term 1 in the next newsletter.

COMMITMENT: The commitment of students who are involved in the choir for a year are acknowledged and choir badges are presented at our final music concert.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone and we are delighted to inform you that we are again inviting students to be part of the Ruskin Park Primary School Choir in 2009.

Choir provides students with an opportunity to develop their musical skills, make new friends and to develop confidence when performing. We have lots of fun and we are looking forward to a productive year filled with a range of performance opportunities.

The choir is open to all students from Years Prep-6 and is free to join. Choir rehearsals are held at lunchtime on Mondays in the GP ROOM for half an hour. This allows students to enjoy free time during the second half of lunchtime.

Members of the Choir are expected to be prompt and regularly attend rehearsals, so we are able to make the most of our time together.

If your child would like to join our choir please complete the form below and return it to the office. We are planning to perform in a number of venues this year, so it is imperative that students understand that they must attend rehearsals. This will enable them to learn a range of new songs and sound their best at our formal performances.

The choir is required to wear "choir uniform" at all formal performances and parents will be notified on these occasions. The Choir Uniform is as follows: Girls - Yellow School Polo, Black Pleated Skirt, Long White Socks and Black school shoes. Their hair should be neatly tied back and ribbons are supplied by the school for special performances. Boys - Yellow School Polo and Black pants, black school shoes.

If at anytime your child no longer wishes to be part of the Choir, we ask they return a note signed by their guardian, otherwise they will be expected to attend choir rehearsals. This policy develops your child's understanding that they are making a commitment to be part of the Choir. We are looking forward to working with our choir members and to many wonderful performances this year.

Alaine Beare, Ann Craig & Elyce Birch
Choir Coordinators

Please download the form for Choire here: in Pdf   in MS Word

Family Fun Night

This annual event will be held on Tuesday Feb 24 from 5 to 7pm. All children and parents are welcome and we extend a special invitation to our new Ruskin Prep parents and newcomers to the area.

The evening will commence around 5 when we will be having a pancake picnic tea which will be available from the canteen for $5 per meal.

At about 5:45 pm fun games and activities including sack races, egg and spoon races and tug of war will commence and run until 7:00 pm.

The evening will conclude with some Billy Cart and Wheelbarrow races. Please bring a crash helmet for the passengers! We look forward to seeing as many people as possible there on the night. This is an alcohol free event.

School Music Program

Learn keyboard, guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums, trumpet, here at Ruskin Park Primary School Come and join in the fun of learning to play keyboard, guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums, trumpet, here at the school. Creative Music for Schools conducts a School Music Program of private or small group classes each week here at the school aiming to give children an excellent grounding in music.

Children will learn to read music and play their chosen instrument. Lessons can be started at any time during the school year. Tuition costs from $13.40 per lesson (payable per term) and enrolments are now being accepted for term One.

Interested parents should call Swee during business hours on 9818 2333 for more information or visit our web site www.creativemusic.com.au

The Ruskin Park Primary School Vision

Every student at Ruskin Park Primary School can develop their natural curiosity and imagination through new and engaging approaches to teaching and learning.

The encouragement of a positive attitude within a friendly community of learners will promote success today, tomorrow and into the future.