Term 1 Week 1 Thursday 30 January 2014

Quote for the Week: Through little things, big things grow. P.Kelly/K.Carmody

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Welcome

I extend a warm welcome to all families joining us in 2014. I look forward to working with you and your children throughout this year and trust your family’s time with us at Minden is rewarding and enjoyable.

I also extend a warm welcome to our new staff members - Mr Reagan Topp (yr 1), Mr Stephen Smith (yr 3/4) and Mrs Teilia Cornwall (yr 2 with Mrs Simone Whyatt).

LOTE – German

We have been successful in gaining the services of a LOTE Teacher (German) – Mrs Jutta Marquardt - who will commence teaching the older children next Wednesday. This will replace the School of Distance Education program the students have used the previous 2 years.

Classes for 2013

We have had a smooth start to the school year with almost 100% of our students commencing this week and settling into their classes.

Please be aware that the current situation with our class structure is an interim measure until enrolments are finalised next Thursday (Day 8). Given our growth over the last 12 months, it is likely that we will maintain our 7 classes.

Student Safety

Student welfare is our number one priority! Please be aware there is no official supervision of students by school staff prior to 8:30am. Families should access the OSHC facility before school.

If it is necessary for students to arrive at school prior to 8:30am, they are to go directly to the Blue Shelter Shed and wait for the 8:30 play bell.

The school day finishes at 3:00pm at Minden. In the excitement of going home, safety can often be overlooked by students. We appreciate parents’ and carers’ cooperation in ensuring that our students safely get to where they are going. Please model good road safety practices and use the crossing. Children are not allowed leave the school grounds until given permission by the staff on duty.

We are endeavouring to have the bus zone moved to the eastern side of the bus shelter to improve safety in the car park.

KIT Book (Keeping In Touch)

Each child will be issued with one by the beginning of next week. Each class teacher will use it to send home messages relating to the whole class (excursions, term overviews) or to an individual child. There will be information in the front of the KIT Book explaining how it is to be used.

Should an issue arise, we encourage parents to see classroom teachers first before coming to the office. Quite often, what appears to be a major problem can be easily solved if teachers and parents work together.

Parent Information Night

The school will be holding this event on Tuesday 18 February. The night will start at 5:00pm with a Sausage Sizzle. At 5:30, each teacher will commence giving a 15 minute presentation over 3 different time slots. The presentations will be held in classrooms with a 5 minute interval in between sessions.

The program is at the end of the newsletter.

Assembly

Each week students participate in a Friday afternoon Assembly. During Assembly, students are informed about events and issues happening in the school. They also receive awards which acknowledge their efforts in schoolwork or for appropriate behaviour. This week, from 2:30pm onwards, I will address all students from Prep-7 in the Library. From next Friday, we will alternate between a Senior Assembly and Junior Assembly. So, next Friday, years 5-7 will attend assembly; in week 3, it will be P-4s turn.

Parents are most welcome to attend the Assembly each week to help celebrate our children’s successes.

School Parent Information Calendar

We will be publishing our School Parent Information Calendar again this year. It contains a range of important information regarding our school as well as dates for various events that will occur during the year. They will be available from the office (one copy per family) free of charge.

P&C Association

Our school community is fortunate to have a motivated and committed P&C who work tirelessly to support our students. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month, with our first meeting for 2014 taking place on Monday 10 February. Becoming a member of the P&C is a great way to be involved in your child’s education and the life of the school. Members do not have to attend every meeting, rather they are available to help out during fundraising events and working bees. We look forward to seeing many new faces at our first meeting.

Parents and Citizens Association News

Next P&C Meeting: 3.30pm 10 February 2014.

HI EVERYONE

Welcome back and I would like to say a BIGWELCOME to our new families and look forward to meeting and getting to know as many as possible.

Hope you all hada relaxing time and are all re-charged for an enjoyable and successful year.

P&C NEWS

We are havingour first P&CMeeting on Monday10th February at 3.30pm in the Library.

I would like to extend an invitation to our NEW and existing families.

Comealong and see how the P&C assist our school in achieving thethings we need to make Minden the best school we can.

New year, new ideas, please come along and join in our brain storming for 2014. We are all friendly:)

Look forward to seeing you,

Colleen

President P&C

Tuckshop

Hello and welcome to all the new families. Tuckshop will commence on Friday 31st January. Please clearly mark orders with child’s name, class, teacher’s name and order preferably on a paper sandwich bag with correct money if possible. Any change will be attached to the paper bag with the order.

We welcome any new mums or grandparents to join us in the tuckshop. If we can get more people, you may only have to come once a fortnight or even monthly. It’s a happy friendly atmosphere, so please give it a try.

Hope to see new faces at the tuckshop counter and new mums in the tuckshop too. Your children will be thrilled to see you there. You can contact me on 54268075.

Marion

Tuckshop Special

We have strawberry milk on special for a while at only $1.20.

Please Note:

Fried Rice and Lasagne will not be available until next Friday 7th February.

Uniforms

Hi everyone,we have sold all our school bags, but they have been ordered and should arrive in a couple of weeks.

If anyone needs more uniforms, tuckshop will be open on Monday morningsforthe first few weeks, or you can contact me.

We do have school jackets in stock if the weather changes.

Regards

Colleen

0429381405

General School News

School Chaplain – Minden State School

Welcome back to school, it is lovely to see all your smiling faces again. I trust that you all had fun during the break and have enjoyed catching up with some familiar faces here at school.

Just like last year, I am at Minden on Thursday and Friday each week and the games and activities will recommence in second break at the library on those days.

I am available for a chat on Thursday and Friday, for students, parents and all members of our school community, if the need arises.

Please call the school office on 5425 7222 or send me an email.

I am happy to also make time, on other days, by arrangement to meet and chat.

Keep Smiling,

Rebecca Hewett

School Chaplain

Minden, Mt Tarampa & Fernvale

Book Club

This year, for Book Club to continue, we would appreciate some parents taking over the coordinator’s role. This involves collating the orders and distributing the books to students when they arrive. In the past Minden has had one Book Club issue per term. We are able to have two issues per term. If you are able to help out, please let the office know.

Classroom News

Prep update:

Prep students are settling in well, in only a few days they have

picked up the basic functioning of the school environment. Parents can assist by encouraging students to place Munch Crunch item on the tray, this helps the student to recognise what item is theirs. Students can also place own drink bottles on the table, encourage Prep students to do as much as possible by themselves.

Next week if students are at school before the bell, encourage them to play on the oval with the rest of the school. School Leaders will escort Prep Students to their class when the bell goes.

Thanks for your help.

Mrs Williams

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)

Operating hours: Monday – Friday before school opening at 6.15am and after school closing at 6.00pm.

If you would like further details please contact Pauline on 0408-409572.

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Tuesday 18th February.

Time / Class & Teacher / Class & Teacher / Class & Teacher / Class & Teacher / Class & Teacher
5:00 – 5:30
pm / Sausage Sizzle - Courtyard
5:30 – 5:45
pm / Prep room
Nancy Williams / Yr 1 room
Reagan Topp / Yr 2 room
Simone Whyatt & Teilia Cornwall / Yr 3/4 A room
Stephen Smith & Lesley Hillhouse / Yr 5/6/7A room
Amy Nothdurft
Jenni Einam
5:50 – 6:05 pm / Prep room
Nancy Williams / Yr 1 room
Reagan Topp / Yr 2 room
Simone Whyatt & Teilia Cornwall / Yr 3/4 A room
Stephen Smith & Lesley Hillhouse / Yr 5/6/7A room
Amy Nothdurft
Jenni Einam
6:10 – 6:25 pm / Prep room
Nancy Williams / Yr 1 room
Reagan Topp / Yr 2 room
Simone Whyatt & Teilia Cornwall / Yr 3/4 A room
Stephen Smith & Lesley Hillhouse / Yr 5/6/7A room
Amy Nothdurft
Jenni Einam

If parents are unable to attend these sessions on Tuesday 18th February, please make an alternative time with your child’s teacher.

Tuckshop Menu – Effective February 2014

Orders can be placed in the timber box located outside the tuckshop.

Please have orders for Friday tuckshop in by 9.00a.m.

Orders should be written on a paper sandwich bag with the child’s name,

class and teacher’s name clearly written. Correct money would also be appreciated, however any change will be attached to the order. Thank you.

HOT ITEMS Tomato / B.B.Q Sauce – 30cents

Chicken Nuggets (3) $1.35

Chicken Nuggets (6) (optional with salad $4.60) $2.60

Pizza (Ham & Pineapple or Bacon & Cheese) $2.70

Fried Rice (new item – contains no egg) $3.00

Lasagne $3.60

Large Sausage Roll $2.20

Pie $2.20

Mini Pie or Mini Sausage Roll $0.50

Toasted Sandwiches (chicken, ham, cheese, tomato) $2.80

Cheese Burger (lean beef patty, cheese with sauce) $3.50

Chicken Burger (chicken patty, lettuce & mayo) $3.50

Hamburger (lean beef patty, lettuce, tomato, cheese) $3.50

Salad includes the following - lettuce, tomato, cheese, beetroot and carrot & optional mayonnaise.

(Please choose what salad filling you would like on your sandwiches/wrap/bread roll.)

COLD ITEMS

Meat and Salad Sandwiches/Wrap/Bread Roll - with Champagne Ham $2.50

- with Chicken $2.80

Vegemite or Cheese Sandwiches $1.00

DRINKS

Fruit Poppers (orange and mango, apple and blackcurrant, tropical, apple) $1.30

Milk Poppers (chocolate and strawberry) $1.70

Bottled Water $1.10

SNACK FOOD

Yogurt Lollies (yoghurt based) .80

JJ's Chips (chicken) $1.00

Redrock (honey/soy, rock salt) $1.40

ICE BLOCKS

Water Ice Blocks (koolstix) .60

Water Ice Blocks (quelch-fruit juice based) .50

Milk Ice Blocks (chocolate, caramel, vanilla) .65

Ice Cream Tub $1.20

Frozen Yoghurt Tub $1.20

Smooze $1.00

If you have any suggestions for the Tuckshop Menu or would like to volunteer your help once

or twice a month, please call Marion on 5426 8075.

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