Dear Parents,

Prep Transition Program:
After a successful transition session on Tuesday we are looking forward to another two sessions over the next few weeks.

The program is as follows:

            Tuesday 24^th November 2:30pm - 3.30pm

            Tuesday 1^st  December 2:30pm - 3.30pm

 Final session: Prep Orientation Day Tuesday 8^th December, program begins at 11:30am and concludes at 1pm.

We encourage all 2010 Prep students and parents to attend these sessions as they help the transition process into school run smoothly for you and your child and also answer those questions that cause some doubt with parents.

 Parent Opinion Survey Results: Thank you to the parents who returned their opinion surveys. The results of the survey indicate significant overall improvement in 2009. However, they also point out areas for improvement and challenges for our school to work towards developing in 2010. If you would like a detailed look at the survey results please make a time with me to go over the report.
I am more than happy to discuss and share the results with any interested persons.

Emergency Management: The school is at present reviewing and updating our Emergency Management plans to enable us to ensure the highest level of safety for all students, staff and community members present in the work place should an emergency occur. In particular we have two parent School Councillors, who are current fire brigade members, assisting us in reviewing and updating our emergency fire plans.

 Fire Community Briefing: Please note the Community Briefing advertised in this newsletter in regards to  Bushfire Recovery Processes.  The session will be held at Healesville Primary School from 4.00pm to 6.00pm on Thursday December 3^rd. With the fire season upon us and many people beginning to feel anxious, I highly recommend this briefing session by Dr Rob Gordon. His insight and knowledge can be of assistance in helping families and individuals understand and manage concerns effectively and positively. There is also a briefing at Yarra Glen Primary School on Thursday 26^th November from 4.00pm to 6.00pm should the Healesville time be unsuitable.

New Teachers for 2010: In 2010 we will see some minor changes in our staffing profile.
Ms Belinda Pringle, our Art teacher is taking 12 months leave and her replacement will be Rhonda Nadasdy - Buckingham. Rhonda comes to us with a wealth of teaching experience in Art and is a part time professional Artist herself. We would also like to welcome Lynette Sutherland as a new classroom teacher for 2010 and Leanne Campbell has also been re-appointed. We are pleased that our new staff will bring a range of skills and experience to share with us at Badger Creek Primary School in 2010.

 Attendance: Please help us keep student absence under the 10 per cent average figure.

 Last Week November 9th to 13th

            Unexplained Absence:   81 absences

            Explained Absence:   17.5 absences     
            (includes half day absences)

 8.7% of students absent for the week. This figure equates to just over 17 days absent per student over the year. Our goal is to lower the figure to less than 16 days per student which is a percentage figure of 7.5% or less.

 Correct Contact Details: With the fire season now upon us I would like to remind parents of the need to have correct contact details at school. Many phone numbers, particularly mobile phone numbers, change throughout the year. If you are not sure if you have left accurate information please re-submit your contact details on the reply slip supplied in this newsletter.

 Kanga Cricket Participation: Twenty eight grade 5/6 students participated in the Milo Kanga Cricket day in Croydon last week. Well done to all the students who participated on the day. Thank you to Miss Murphy and to the parents who helped make the day a success.

 Cheers,
Mark Brisbane
Principal

Full exterior of the school repainted.

Replacement of the schools picket fence.

New retaining walls on the lower asphalt court.

New retaining wall, exit steps and fence outside rooms 8 and 9.

New seats on the top basketball court.

New concrete play area adjoining the oak tree.

Replacement of a rotting window on the gym.

Repainting of all court and car park markings in the school.

Sun protection and glass replacement to north facing window in the gym.

Nov. 24th                   Prep Transition 2.30 to 3.30

Dec. 1st                     Prep Transition 2.30 to 3.30

Dec. 3rd.                   School Concert Evening

Dec. 8th                    Prep Orientation 11.30 to 1.00 & Grade 6 Transition

Dec. 10th                   Book Pack Day

Dec. 14th                   Grade 6 Day Out

Dec. 16th                   Grade 6 Graduation

Dec. 18th                   Final Day of Term 4

 

 

Go to Badger Creek design.pdf to view the design template we will be gaining for our students.