Principal's Message

Thank you
A special thank you goes to Mrs. Angela Mayne who has offered to coordinate the Safety House Program at Ruskin Park Primary School this year. Two other parents have also volunteered to lend a hand - Julie McNamara and Marli Gervasoni. Together with Mrs. Beare and Mrs. Tozer, this team will be organising the Safety House Day Parade which has been moved to Friday, 1st May. The week of 27 April will be designated as Safety House Week.

Other interested parents are welcome to offer their assistance by calling the school on 9723 3886 and leaving their contact details which will be forwarded to Angela. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all previous years Safety House Coordinators for the work they have done in helping to keep the Ruskin Park Primary School children safe. Your efforts benefit many.

Free Dress Day
On Tuesday, 17th March - St. Patrick's Day, the school hosted a free dress day and asked studentswho were out-of-uniform to contribute a gold coin towards the eventual purchase of new playground equipment. Thank you to everyone who supported this effort and congratulations on raising $370.20!

Free for the taking
Next to the dumpster is an old BBQ. Anyone wishing to take this is welcome to do so.

Three Way Conferencing
Parents are asked to check the handout regarding three way conferencing which is scheduled to take place in Terms 2 and 4 this year. This is another way of conducting parent/teacher interviews. Details about how parents and students can prepare for their part in the conferencing will be provided at the start of term two.

Special Events for Parents
On Tuesday, 24th March the Year 1/2 Team invites parents of Year 1/2 students to learn more about how they can help their children to improve their writing and spelling skills. The session begins at 7:00 pm in the staff room and light refreshments will be available.

In Term Two a special session conducted by Dr. Jeni Wilson on Inquiry Learning will be offered to all interested parents of students from Prep to Year 6. This event will take place on Wednesday, 29th April from 6-8 pm. The School Strategic Plan (2008-2011) aims to provide every teacher at Ruskin Park Primary School with the skills and tools to prepare and teach the children to be active learners and problem solvers using an Inquiry Learning Approach. To help facilitate this process the school has taken on a coach and mentor, Dr. Jeni Wilson to work with the teaching teams over the life of the strategic plan.

In this session designed specifically for parents, Dr. Wilson will talk about the Inquiry Learning approach and explain the work that teachers are doing here at Ruskin Park. There will be a few activities for parents to participate in that will assist in developing a greater understanding of this approach and there will be time for questions.

Mark this date on your calendar and find out how your children are learning and how you can further support their curiosity and engagement in the learning process. Watch for details and a reply slip in the next issue of the Ruskin News.

Students Attitudes to School Survey
Students in Year Five and Six will be taking part in the annual Attitudes to School survey conducted by the Department of Education during the week of April 27-May 8, 2009. This survey assists schools in understanding students' perceptions and school experiences, giving the students a voice and seeking ways to use the data to make improvements in areas where students indicate that they are dissatisfied. The data also allows schools to recognize and celebrate those things that students tell us are going well.

A copy of the 2008 factors and questions has been included with the newsletter for all year 5 and 6 students and their families to consider. You are invited to read over and discuss these questions at home with your children and assist them in their understanding of the factors and what they mean in relation to the teaching and learning experiences provided at Ruskin Park Primary School.

NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Tests 2009 will be conducted for year 3 and 5 students on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 May this year. This assessment program tests the knowledge and skills in Literacy and Numeracy of students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9.

The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals about student achievement which can be used to support teaching and learning programs. All Year 3 and 5 students are strongly encouraged to participate in this assessment.

Watch for a letter to parents of all students in Year 3 and 5 with the next issue of the Ruskin News in Term Two.

Term One School Break
I'd like to wish everyone a safe and relaxing term one school break. During this break we can recognize the following special days: Palm Sunday; Jewish Passover; Maundy Thursday; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday; Orthodox Easter Sunday!

See you all for the start of Term Two - Monday, 20th April.

Thank you,

Elle May Laikve,
Principal

Assistant Principal's Report

Arriving on Time
We sometimes have a number of students arriving after the bell each morning and while we understand that at times unforeseen circumstances make this unavoidable, we do ask that families make a concerted effort to bring their children on time.

It is very important for all children to get a positive start to the day.  Late arrival at school means that your child will miss out on introductions and initial classroom discussions. Before school can be an important time for children to socialise and get organised for the day. Students who are consistently late often miss out on important information. Late arrival at school is a concern for teachers as it can be disruptive for the class which has received instructions and commenced work. Often the teacher must stop and begin instruction again to accommodate the late-comer. It can also be unsettling for the student as they miss vital learning and organisational time, disrupt the learning of others and learn poor habits.   Late arrival does not provide a good start to the day for the students who are late.

Parents are reminded that students are to be at school before the first bell each morning so that they are ready to commence work by 9:00am. I ask that all families make a huge effort to be at school on time every day! Your assistance with is greatly appreciated.

Mary Kelly
Assistant Principal

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PE News

Swimming
The 1/2 program is going well at our new venue the Croydon Aquatic Centre. Thank you to all the parents who have attended as helpers and spectators. The program concludes tomorrow.

Notices have been sent home regarding our 3/4/5/6/ program which will be held at the Kilsyth Pool in Week One of Term Two.

Somers Camp
Somers Camp is a DEECD facility on the shores of Western Port Bay. Children in Grades 5/6 children are eligible to attend. Ruskin Park has sent children to Somers Camp over many years and some current families have had children attend the camp. The camp has a website - http://www.somerscamp.vic.edu.au/  

Our camp dates are July 28 to Aug 5. Applications to attend the camp will be available early next term.

Thank you,

Brendan Murphy

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Prep Reading Night Reflection

We were delighted with the interest from parents in our recent Prep Reading Information Night. The parents who attended had an opportunity to learn more about the development of reading, and our classroom reading program. They also gained an understanding of the strategies they can use when helping their child at home. Our enthusiastic parents actively participated in a range of activities and a wonderful night was had by all.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank the parents for their support and the teachers who planned and presented this information session.

If you were unable to attend the presentation and would like copies of strategies to assist your child with reading at home please see your child's teacher.

Many thanks,

Alaine Beare and Lynn Williams
English Coordinators

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The Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge

Once again our school has registered in the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge and we invite all families to be involved. The aim of the Challenge is to promote a love of reading. It is not a competition, but a challenge to each student to read more and to read more widely.

The Challenge began at the start of the 2009 school year and officially ends on 31 August 2009 so there is lots of time to go. 

Students in Prep to Year 2 who accept the Challenge need to read or experience 30 books during this period, either with their parents or at school with their teachers. 

Students in Years 3 to 6 who accept the Challenge must read 15 books during this period, with at least 10 books selected from the booklists available on the Challenge site.

Parents, if you would like your child to participate in the Challenge you need to sign Section 1 of the consent form sent with this newsletter and Section 2 for his/her name to be published in the Premier's Reading Challenge Achievers Honour Roll of successful Challengers.

Students, if you meet the Challenge this year, the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. John Brumby, will send you a certificate of achievement.

And of course, you get to read good books and improve your reading skills.

Enjoy your reading! 

Margaret Bloom,
PRC Coordinator

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Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge 2009 Consent Form

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development wishes to collect from schools the names and schools of students participating in the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge 2009. This information is required for the purpose of conducting the Challenge and printing certificates of achievement for students who meet the Challenge. The information is to be provided to the Department via a secure website, and it will be kept confidential in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2000.

Consent is sought from students and parents for the provision and collection of this information by schools and the Department respectively.

Consent is also sought for the publishing of successful students' names in the Premier's Reading Challenge Achievers Honour Roll in The Age in September or October 2009.

If you have any concerns about providing the information requested please email readingchallenge@edumail.vic.gov.au. All queries will remain confidential.

Details of the Challenge are available at www.education.vic.gov.au/prc.

PLEASE NOTE:

SECTION 1 of the consent form below must be signed for a student to participate in the Challenge and receive a Certificate of Achievement.

SECTION 2 of the consent form below is optional.  This section should be signed to give permission for a student's name to be published in the Premier's Reading Challenge Achievers Honour Roll in The Age in September or October 2009.

Please download the form here: in PDF    in MS Word

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Out of School Hours Childcare (OSHC)

Sun Smart
The Ruskin Park Primary School Oshc program supports a "Sun Smart" policy therefore all children attending After School Care are required to wear a hat when playing outdoors, until the end of April.  Please ensure your child/children bring a hat to After School Care.

Can you help?
Do you have any old toasters, clocks, watches or radios that you no longer require and would be willing to donate to the Oshc program?  A number of children are very interested in taking things apart to see how they work.  Please bring any items to the library.

Last Day Term One - Friday 3rd April.  After School Care will commence at 2.30pm.

Programs
These programs are planned in consultation with the children and highlight "Special "activities based around the children's interests and requests.  We aim to repeat these activities during each week to ensure all interested children have an opportunity to participate. 

Other activities available every day include: Dramatic Play, Construction, Music/DVDs, Game boys and Computers, Drawing, Junk Construction, Puzzles and Board Games, Quiet Area for Reading and Homework, Sports Equipment and Outdoor Games. 

What's on at Before School Care

Monday 30th March - Friday 3rd April 2009

Cooking: - Decorated Easter Biscuits (Thursday)

Craft: - Easter colouring competition

Games:  - Hangman & Spot the Difference

Outdoor Fun: - Morning Walk

Monday 20th - Friday  24th March 2009 

Cooking: - Spring Rolls (Wednesday)

Craft: - Fun with Clay

Games: - Card games, Footy Concentration, Go Fish

Outdoor Fun: - Gardening                     

What's on After School Care

Monday 30th March - Friday 3rd April 2009

Cooking: - Easter Cookies (Tuesday)

Craft: - Masks & Chicks

Outdoor Fun: - Egg& Spoon races

Zanco barranco - a Spanish Easter game

Sports: - Soccer (Monday)

Monday 20th  - Friday 24th April 2009

Cooking: - Anzac Slice (Monday)

Craft: - Plaster Prints

Outdoor Fun: - Carpentry

Games: - Football Skills

We hope you have an enjoyable Easter and school holiday break.  We look forward to seeing you all in term 2.

Thank you,

Sharyn, Benita, and Merrilyn - Out of School Hours Child Care. (OSHC)

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Ruskin Park AFL Auskick Center

The NAB AFL Auskick program is back for 2009 and will be starting on March 28th with our Registration day, 9:30 - 11:00 am.

Auskick allows you to play footy in a fun and safe environment where you can make heaps of friends and in 2009 there are new and improved programs for you to check out!

• If you are 5 to 12 years old, you can take part in the Auskick program.
  This will help you develop your basic skills and participate in modified games getting you   ready for AFL rules football
• Registration can be done in two ways, either online @ http://www.aflauskick.com.au/, go to the center locater and enter your postcode, scroll down to Ruskin Park and register, then pay on Registration Day at Ruskin Park Primary School, Saturday the 28th march 2009 at 9.00 am and have a kick!
• If you register online before April 3rd you will receive 2 x Adult & 2x Children's tickets to an AFL match during season 2009
• This years packs again show great value @ $55.00 per child filled with lots of footy stuff.

So come on Boys, Girls, Mums and Dads, check out our calendar for Auskick 2009, it's a great way to spend family time together and a great social outlet.

Anyone interested in Coaching or helping in any way possible or any queries at all, please feel free to ring me on the number below or speak to me on the day, we will provide full training and support.

Look forward to seeing you all on Saturday 28th March 2009 @ 9:00 am.

Steve Davidson
Coordinator
Ruskin Park Auskick Clinic.

(Phone: 9723 2986 or 0412 104654 anytime)

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Family and Friends

Hi, to all,

Thank you to all the families that have submitted orders for Hot Crossed Buns. Orders will be distributed on Thursday 2nd April 2009. Please note this is the day before school breaks up for the term holidays.

Also, Please find enclosed in this weeks newsletter an entry form for the Family and Friends Logo design competition. Extra entry forms can be obtained from the office, if required. There will also be a lollipop for all students who enter the competition plus a small prize for each year level winner and the overall winner.

Just a friendly reminder that Mothers' Day is just around the corner and we have some great plans for the students for gifts for the day and permission forms to participate will be handed out toward the end of term.

Have a happy and safe Easter and see you all next term.
 
Samantha Unsworth
Family and Friends President

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Ruskin Park Trivia Night

Saturday 20th June
 
We are looking for volunteers to help with the organisation of the trivia night. Can you meet with us to help with sending letters, organising games for the night, setting up on the Saturday afternoon?
 
Do you have a business or do you know someone with a business that is willing to donate a prize/voucher for our Trivia night in June? No gift is too big or too small. Can you offer an hour or more of your time to canvas local businesses for donations?
 
Contact Emma Wigley on 9723 3667 or Sandy Jackson on 9723 7379

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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.