Congratulations to our new Artist of the Fortnight. Hannah has worked hard to create an original castle collage. Well done!

We have high expectations of behaviour for all our students.  In recent weeks several incidences have occurred where children have deliberately tried to physically hurt or make other children feel uncomfortable in the playground as a result of careless actions.  We have many counselling strategies that we will try in addition to direct contact with the parents of the children involved. Another strategy may involve a series of consequences at school where certain privileges will be withdrawn.  On the next level the student can be suspended according to DEECD guidelines.  As an additional consequence any student that is suspended from school will be automatically removed from the list of attending children at future excursions out of the school, including major camps, for the remainder of 2013.

No hats are required in Term 2 and Term 3 under the Sunsmart Accreditation for Schools Guidelines. This allows for sun exposure and maintenance of healthy Vitamin D levels over winter.

Over the past few years as Mildura has grown the school zones or boundaries have changed to accommodate this growth.   This has left some parents wondering which school is their neighbourhood school.  It is possible that some prospective parents are unsure as to what to do – or who to ask about it.  If you come across an undecided parent ask them to ring the school and we can assist them with their inquiries.  All schools have up to date zoning maps and are more than happy to assist. Some private schools have commenced Prep enrolments for 2014, but State School enrolments also commence now, during May, so inquiries are always welcome from this time.  Whilst every school needs firm numbers for Prep enrolments as early as possible after this date, all schools expect to have some new students and students from parents who change their minds over the Christmas holidays.  If you know of any prospective Prep students please refer them to me and I am more than happy to speak with them personally.

National Literacy and Numeracy testing took place this week across Australia. Thanks to the sound preparation and general classroom teaching the students were given every chance to do their best.  It is just a snapshot in time and gives some valuable information to work on in our planning teams.  Results are not delivered to the school or parents until September 2013.  The writing task is completed by all students from grade 3 to 6 at Irymple Primary School for senior school moderation purposes.  This year’s question asked the students to present their point of view (either ‘for’ or ‘against’) about the following Statement - ‘Hero Award’. 

In recent weeks a small number of senior girls have come to school with eye, face and lip make-up on.  Girls will be given one warning and on the next occasion asked to remove the make – up at school. We ask for the strong support of parents in this matter.

Thank you to all the parents present on the day and behind the scenes parents and grandparents who may have contributed to the success of the day.  The children had a wide selection of items to choose from and took great care in their selections.  It is run by the Parents’ Club as a service to the children and never intends to make money from the venture other than to redeem costs and leave sufficient to place orders for other major events of the same nature such as the  Father’s Day stall.

Next week we welcome two new ‘International students’ from South Korea into Irymple Primary School. The brothers, one in Prep and one in Year 2 will travel to Australia over the weekend to join relatives in Mildura. We wish them well for their settlement into their new country and school.

Thank you to the new people that are joining the canteen roster to enable it to be run over three days instead of two.  We will be reviewing the trial at the end of the term.  Thank you to all the parents who support our healthy canteen each week.

Congratulations to the students who participated in the Irymple Primary School Cross Country on Thursday.  All students ran very well and we have a number of participants who will now progress to the next level of competition which is the Interschool Cross Country event to be held on Tuesday 21st May. Thank you to Mr Pettit for organising the event.  Thank you also to all the parents who attended to watch their children run.  We appreciate the time and assistance of the parents that worked in the canteen on the day and offered the hot drinks and biscuits to the visitors to our school. Congratulations to Bass who were the winners.

The following students have qualified to compete in the Interschool Cross Country;  Tristan Parker, Tyler Garraway, Regan Kerslake, Coby Kirby, Beau Smith, Hayden Brown, Novalli Hudson, Brooke Hards, Kayla Bettess and Kendall McLean.