Issue 614
27 October 09
Contact our school
18-20 Ruskin Avenue(P. O. Box 249)
CROYDON, Vic 3136
Ph: (03) 9723 3886
Fax: (03) 9725 5355
OSHC: 0439 345 134
Email: ruskin.park.ps
@edumail.vic.gov.au
Web: www.ruskinparkps.vic.edu.au
Our Sponsors
Please click on any advertisement to email the affiliated business or view further details such as company brochures, flyers or promotions
 OCTOBER
Thurs 22nd Oct
Ruskin News
Footsteps Dance program
Music Count Us In @ 11:30 am
Mon 26th Oct
Assembly & Principal’s Awards
Wed 28th Oct
UNICEF Day For Change
Thurs 29th Oct
6:45 – 7:45pm – Mothers and Daughters Night
Footsteps Dance program
NOVEMBER
Movember for Men’s Health
Mon 2nd Nov
Assembly & Principal’s Awards – last for 2009
Tues 3rd Nov
Melbourne Cup Day
Thurs 5th Nov
Footsteps Dance program – last session
6:45pm – 7:45pm – Blokes Night
Ruskin News
Fri 6th Nov
Disco Night – watch for details
Mon 9th Nov
9:15am-10:15am – Prep Transition
7:00pm – School Council
Mon 9th-Fri 13th Nov
Years 2-5 Swimming
Wed 11th Nov
Remembrance Day – short assembly 10:30am
Mon 16th Nov
Assembly & Principal’s Awards
Tues 17th Nov
School Photos for Yr 6 Graduates, Teams, Choir
7:30pm – Families & Friends Meeting
Thurs 19th Nov
Ruskin News
12:30-1:30pm – Prep Transition
Fri 20th Nov
Dress Rehearsal for Concert
Mon 23rd Nov
Assembly & Principal’s Awards
Wed 25th Nov
Whole School Concert - pm
Mon 30th Nov
Assembly & Principal’s Awards
DECEMBER
Wed 2nd Dec
7:00-8:00pm – Prep Orientation Night
Thurs 3rd Dec
Ruskin News
9:30-10:30am – Prep Transition
Ann’s Music Concert (changed from 26th Nov.)
School Council Dinner
Mon 7th Dec
Assembly
Tues 8th Dec
Choir and Recorder Concert
Thurs 10th Dec
Thank you Morning Tea for all Parent Helpers & Volunteers
Maroondah Festival
This is a reminder that the annual Maroondah Festival takes place on Sunday, November 8th this
year. The festivities will be held at Town Park in Croydon. Be sure to mark this exciting event on
your calendar and join the fun! www.maroondahfestival.com
2009 English Online Interviews
The Prep to Year 2 teachers, under the guidance and supervision of Mrs. Beare have been
working very hard to implement the new English Online interviews this month. This new
assessment format from the Victorian government requires teachers to test students individually for
a duration of about 40 minutes per student.
Thank you to all the staff who have supported the prep to year 2 teachers in this process.
Making Cents – a financial education initiative of YWCA and Citi Australia
Parents can use the parent guide to help support their child’s learning, find money tips and topics
and subscribe to the parent e-newsletter. Check out: www.makingcents.com.au
Anti-Poverty Week & P.O.P
Thanks to all those families who contributed to the ‘Power Over Poverty’ drive organized by parent,
Tanya Dalton. The box in the front foyer was full to the brim and the contribution from the Ruskin
Park school community is a tribute to the generosity and kindness of many in support of those less
fortunate in these difficult financial times.
Sun Protection Alert – 1st September 2009 to 30th April 2010
Ruskin Park Primary School is a SunSmart school. From September onwards it is important to use
a combination of sun-protection measures to reduce the risk of skin and eye damage, and skin
cancer. When outdoors, staff and students should wear clothing that covers as much skin as
possible; a wide-brimmed hat to protect the head, face, neck and ears; apply SPF 30+ broad
spectrum sunscreen; and use shade whenever possible. If practical, wrap-around sunglasses
(marked AS 1067) should also be worn.
Check the SunSmart UV Alert in the weather section of the daily newspaper or visit
www.sunsmart.com.au and click on ‘Today’s UV levels’ to find out when UV levels will be ‘3’ and
above. Particular care should be taken between 10 am – 2 pm (11 am to 3 pm daylight saving
time) as this is when UV levels are most intense during the day.
Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD’s)
The Australian Government has committed $190 million over 4 years to June 2012 to help address
the needs of children and families of children with ASD’s. For more information about the
intervention services that will soon be available, check out www.fahcsia.gov.au/autism
An online learning portal Positive Partnerships is also available:
World Teachers’ Day
On Friday, 30th October all students and parents are encouraged to acknowledge all the highly
committed teachers at Ruskin Park Primary School. You can show the teachers how much they
are valued and recognize the extraordinary work they do to contribute to the future of our society.
Students who wish to prepare performances, poems or letters of thanks in tribute to their teachers
will have the opportunity to present these at a special morning assembly on Friday morning at
11:30 am. Parents may wish to collaborate and contribute to a special morning tea from 11:00-
11:25. Items may be dropped off at the staff room anytime before 11:00 am on the 30th October.
Parents are warmly welcome to join the teachers in the staff room for the celebratory morning tea
followed by the assembly in the school courtyard from 11:30-12:00 noon.
Class Placements for 2010
Parents are welcome to submit letters requesting student placements for 2010 by October 30th,
2009. Please note the Class Placement Policy included with this issue of the school newsletter.
Written requests must adhere to this policy and are to be addressed to the principal. While the
school strives to accommodate all reasonable requests received in writing, there are no
guarantees and written requests received after the 30th October may not be considered.
Mobile Phones, ipods and other electronic gadgets
Please note that the school cannot take responsibility for the loss or damage to any electronic
games or equipment that students bring to school. Mobile phones, cameras, and ipods may not be
 used during the day. These items must be given to the teachers to store safely in a lockable
cupboard or drawer until the dismissal bell.
Electronic games must be of a suitable rating and for the time being, can only be played by
students during lunch recess in the courtyard area of the school. The staff and school council will
be discussing the issue of students playing electronic games at school and a draft policy guiding
the use of these games will be created.
Litter & School Pride
Students are reminded that no wrappers are to be taken onto the playgrounds, oval, basketball
courts or other areas of the school during recesses. All snacks and foods need to be eaten either
in the classroom or courtyard area before students go into the yard to play.
Students purchasing food from the canteen are required to eat their food in the paved area
immediately adjoining the canteen. All rubbish needs to be placed in the rubbish bins conveniently
located around the school.
Thank you to all those students who are already making a difference and eating before they go to
play. Thank you also to all the wonderful Rubbish Busters who go outside with their bucket and
tongs to help keep the school grounds looking beautiful and clean. Your efforts do not go
unnoticed!
Mental Health Support for Students
This past week was Mental Health Week to draw awareness to the problems that can sometimes
face young people in today’s challenging world. Some services that are available to assist anyone
with mental health concerns include:
Lifeline (Ph. 13 11 14)
Kids Helpline (Ph. 1800 55 1800)
Beyond Blue (Ph. 1300 22 4636)
2009/2010 Bushfire Season
The official bushfire season commences 28th October, 2009. Premier Brumby has called to action,
all Victorians to be ready for the upcoming bushfire season. Families are encouraged to develop
their individual fire plans, clear vegetation from around their homes and attend community
fireguard meetings as required.
Ruskin Park Primary School will continue its practice of fire and lockdown drills each term. A
Bushfire resource kit is to be provided to all schools during this term and will cover a range of
topics from preparing for bushfires to what to do during and after an event, including reopening and
recovery.
School Attire Reminder
All students are expected to wear a proper school uniform which includes any combination of:
black pants, shorts or skirt (not jeans or pants with stripes or other designs); polo shirt-long or short
sleeved; school jumper-zippered or pullover style; checker dress; hat; plain ankle or knee socks or
plain tights in colder weather. Leggings under skirts or dresses for the girls are not part of the
school uniform. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that your children are compliant in this
regard.
New Playground Equipment & the Gymnasium
Mr. David Cook and the Buildings and Grounds subcommittee of the School Council are pleased to
announce that before the end of this term, the students at Ruskin Park Primary School will be able
to enjoy some new pieces of playground equipment. The Prep Playground will be replaced and
rebuilt on its present site later in 2010.
The new school gymnasium is due to commence construction at the start of December this year.
The expected month of completion is about August, 2010. This will be an exciting and hectic time
for the school and measures will be put in place to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all students
during the construction phase of the project.
Thank you,
Elle May Laikve
Principal
 Alphabet Parade
Good Luck
We would like to wish Brittney Whitfield Good Luck as she prepares for her year 12 VCE exams!
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 26th October –
Friday 30th October 2009
Craft: - Halloween Crafts
Cooking: - Chocolate Spiders
(Wednesday)
Games: - Mummy Wrap
Outdoor Fun: - 3/4 Equipment
Monday 26th October –
Friday 30th October 2009
Craft: - Buzzers
Cooking: - Savoury Pinwheels
(Tuesday)
Games: - Chinese Checker Challenge
Outdoor Fun: - Morning Walk
WHAT’S ON AT AFTER SCHOOL CARE
 Monday 26th October –
Friday 30th October 2009
Cooking: - Worms in Mud (Friday)
Craft: - Halloween Crafts
Outdoor Fun: - Boat Races
AASC Sports: - Multi Sports (Wed)
Gymnastics (Friday)
Monday 26th October –
Friday 30th October 2009
Craft: - Masks
Science Fun: - Circuits
Cooking: - Sooji Halva (Thursday)
AASC Sports: - Multi Sports (Wed)
Gymnastics (Friday
OSHC Team
Out of School Hours Child Care
A message to all parents and students from grade one to grade six. The week after Japanese Day
will be test week in Japanese. Parents please encourage your child to study and pratise their
hiragana writing(higher students will study katakana or kanji). All students should have a hiragana
chart at home to help them to study and there are many useful sites on the internet which also
help.
I hope all students will be able to make a good improvement on their last hiragana test score.
Good luck everyone!
Once again the students had a wonderful time at our Grade 4 camp facing new and exciting
challenges. Stay tuned for next newsletter when the students will tell you about some of their
highlights.
Jenny Rainbow
Julie Campbell
A
Classes are rehearsing to create an exciting concert for families in November. We hope you have
the date marked off in your calendars and we will keep you posted on how and when to purchase
tickets.
Jenny Rainbow
Arts Convenor
Learn keyboard, guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums, trumpet, here at Ruskin Park Primary
School.
Come and join in the fun of learning to play an instrument. 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 start 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 4. Interested parents should call Swee during business hours on
9818 2333 or visit our website at www.creativemusic.com.au for more information.
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.
THE RUSKIN PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL VALUES ARE
Building Friendships
Creativity
Honesty, and Respect
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