18 December 2019

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Departing Staff

Our sincere thanks are extended to all staff whose contracts are concluding this week. Thank you all for your contribution to the College and we wish you every success for your future endeavours.

Students

Our best wishes are also extended to the College students as we break for the summer holidays. To those who will not be returning, we wish you a safe and enjoyable vacation and trust that your new school brings further growth and opportunity. To those who will be returning to the College, we also wish you a very safe and enjoyable holiday and look forward to seeing you in 2020. Students return to school on Monday, 3 February.

Secondary Assistance/Voluntary Contribution Payments

Information regarding eligibility for Secondary Assistance and 2020 Voluntary Contributions and Charges were posted to all students along with Stationery Lists, our Uniform Brochure from Uniform Concepts, College Times and P&C information. Payments of contributions and charges and Secondary Assistance applications can be made at the front office from Thursday, 30 January (8:30am-3:00pm).

We encourage all parents to ensure that the student comes to school prepared for their year at school. All of the above can be viewed under ‘Forms and Documents’ located on the left panel of the newsletter.

Angelo Kovidis
Manager Corporate Services

Semester 2 Reports

Reports were given to students on Tuesday, 17 December. Please take the time to go through the report with the student. Focus should be on effort in each Learning Area and Attitude, Behaviour and Effort in class. Take time to read the comments made by the teacher for English and Maths. The questions that parents should ask their students:

• What have you done well in? Why?
• What could you improve in? How?
• Is the attendance above 90%.
• What does your teacher say about you in the General Comment.
• Does the report show improvement?

Please make positive and constructive comments which encourage your child to engage in positive learning.

Mobile Phones 2020

Students in years K-6 – mobile phones and associated ear buds etc not to be brought to school.
Students in years 7-10 – mobile phones and associated ear buds etc not to be used at school.

Clyde Graham
PRINCIPAL

Student Mobile Phones

From the start of next year, the College must comply with the recently announced Education Department policy about student mobile phones. We are currently working to incorporate the new requirements into our existing policy, and the revised version will be considered by the College Board at its forthcoming meeting.

The new policy will need to include the following:

The use of mobile phones is banned for all students from the time they arrive to the conclusion of the school day, including break times, unless the student has been granted an exemption for the following uses of mobile phones:

• to monitor a health condition as part of a school approved documented health care plan; or
• for a particular educational purpose under the direct instruction of a teacher; or
• with the permission of a teacher for a specified purpose.

Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession during the school day.

Students from Year 7 to 10 are permitted to be in possession of their mobile phone during the school day, however mobile phones must be turned off and neither seen nor heard. Students must put their smart watches in ‘aeroplane mode’ so phone calls and messages cannot be sent or received during the school day.

For the purposes of this policy, mobile phones include smart watches, other electronic communication devices and associated listening accessories such as, but not limited to, headphones and ear buds.

All communication between parents and students during school hours should occur via the school’s administration.

The Department’s revised requirements for student mobile phone use are intended to reduce distractions during the school day, and therefore increase student engagement in the curriculum and learning. We anticipate that parents will be in agreement with this intention and will support us as we implement the new rules.

A copy of the revised policy for 2020 will be made available prior to the end of the term. It will be in effect from day one next year.

Clyde Graham
PRINCIPAL

P&C PBS Activity Day

It was great to see our primary students having fun on the bouncy castle and obstacle course at our P&C PBS Activity Day.

Year 10 Student Councillors for 2020

Congratulations to Jerry and Taea on being elected 2020 Head Boy and Girl for our College and to Elmar and Leakna for being elected Deputy Head Boy and Girl.

Year 10 Final Assembly 2019

Last Friday, 13 December we said our official farewell to the Year 10’s at our formal assembly. Our major awards were presented by special guests that included our local member, Mr Bill Johnston MLA and representatives from the Department of Education and Sevenoaks Senior College. We would also like to acknowledge the kind donation of the Year 10 Photographs by Midland Photographers. Congratulations to the following award winners:

Year 6 Transition Assembly 2019

On Thursday, 12 December we held our Year 6 Transition Assembly. We would like to acknowledge the kind donation of the Year 6 Photographs by Midland Photographers. Congratulations to the following award winners:

Citizenship Award: One boy and one girl are selected from Year 6 for being the students who have demonstrated citizenship and leadership qualities. The students receive a book award at the P&C Presentation Ceremony at the end of the year which is donated by local members of Parliament. This year’s winners are Jean and Gordon.

Community Award: One student is selected from Year 6 for being the student who has a sense of community spirit. Through this acknowledgement of their responsibility, he/she has contributed to the development of the College, Cannington and the wider community. The award winner is Jye.

Woodside Scitech Science Award: This Award is an initiative presented by Woodside and Scitech and is designed to encourage interest in Science. This year’s winners are Charlotte and Mennan.

P&C Primary Awards for 2019

The P&C Presentation Ceremony was held at the College on Monday, 16 December. The College thanks the P&C for their ongoing donations for these presentations. Congratulations to the following award winners.

Academic Excellence Award: One student is selected from each class for being the student who has achieved academic excellence in the class throughout the year. The student can receive the award more than once in their primary school life and receives a book award at the P&C Presentation Ceremony at the end of the year.

Endeavour Award: One student is selected from each class for being the student who has endeavoured to do their best throughout the year. The student cannot receive the award more than once in their primary school life. The student receives a book award at the P&C Presentation Ceremony at the end of the year.

Physical Education Award: One student is selected from Odyssey and Rising Stars for being the student who has demonstrated outstanding sporting achievement.

Odyssey: (Years 4-6) Morgan
Rising Stars: (Years 1-3) Ahmadou

Music Award: One student is selected from Odyssey and Rising Stars for being the student who has demonstrated outstanding music achievement.

Odyssey: (Years 4-6) Oun Rachana
Rising Stars: (Years 1-3) Jacqueline

LOTE (Indonesian) Award: One student is selected from Odyssey and Rising Stars for being the student who has demonstrated outstanding Indonesian achievement.

Odyssey: (Years 4-6) Alick
Rising Stars: (Years 1-3) Zaynab

Science Award: The winner of the Science award for ‘Rising Stars’ is Tristan.

Guitar Performance

Our talented guitarists performed for the primary school last week.

Kindergarten Assembly

Room 9.1 have been learning about animals this term. They have learned that sheep give us wool and meat. They performed a dance called ‘Beep Beep I'm a Sheep’.

Value Certificate Winners

The Primary assembly was held on 29 November, by Room 9.1. Congratulations to the following students who received awards.

The ‘Value Certificates’ are awarded at the Primary assembly to two students from each class who have demonstrated the 4 values of Cannington Community College being RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, PRIDE and EXCELLENCE.

Positive Behaviour Faction House Points

Students receive a faction token when staff members observe them demonstrating one or more of our school values; RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, EXCELLENCE and PRIDE.

The following were winners of the faction tokens.

Week 8

• Year 7 – Jin Ming
• Year 8 – Xander
• Year 9 – Taea
• Year 10 –Adam

Week 9

• Year 7 – Izabella
• Year 8 – Daphne
• Year 9 – Emerson
• Year 10 – Bianca

At time of publishing, the faction points for each house are shown in the graph below.

House Leaderboard

Ms V Bramwell-Keys
PBS Team Leader

Library News

Another school year has almost come to an end and no doubt at this time of year you probably won’t be thinking about your child’s library books. However, to save you getting a reminder that your child still hasn’t returned their book, could you please check their bags, under their beds, in the car, behind the sofa, etc. If after all those checks the book still hasn’t turned up, come and talk to me and we can I’m sure come to a suitable arrangement. I might add that until the lost book or arrangements are made, your child’s borrowing rights will be stopped.

On a brighter note, next year will bring more exciting things happening in the library. Visits by local authors talking about how they got ideas for their book. Parents of our many cultures at the school, talking about their favourite books they read when they were a child and passing on their memories about it.

Books will always have a place in our school as they are an important part of a child’s development. Reading takes you to places you haven’t experienced before. They make you happy, sometimes sad, make you laugh out loud and share stories with your friends.

Public libraries are open over the holidays and they provide all sorts of free events you and your child can participate in together. If you contact your local council they will give you the choice of events happening within their libraries. It is a great way to spend some of these hot summer days that are coming up and they are a safe environment for you and your child to visit.

Have fun over the holidays, stay cool, join a library, read a book or two and I will see you all next year.

Best holiday wishes to everyone.

Ms Y Cumming
Library Officer

Canteen News

Theresa, Debbie, Claire and Katrina would like to thank all parents and students for supporting the canteen over the year and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Please remember if you are doing your orders on line next year, to change your class room numbers for your child for the first order back.

Theresa Manchini
Manager

Bentley SHS Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is open to students currently in Year 10 at your school, who will continue their studies in Year 11 for 2020 at one of the following schools:

• Sevenoaks Senior College
• Kent Street Senior High School
• Como Secondary College.

The scholarship is designed to support families with the costs of senior secondary study for their child. It has a value of $1000 per year over two years, subject to satisfactory progress towards completion of the WACE.

The application process is fully online. Applications are open on the Secondary Schooling Scholarships website and the closing date this year is Thursday, 12 December at 5:30pm. Parents and students can be directed to the Secondary Schooling Scholarships website to find information, contact details and the application form.

Student Guide to Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus

Student email and calendar has been extended at the College to include FREE downloads of Microsoft Office software: Office 365 ProPlus makes it easy to download and install the full MS Office suite on up to 5 PC’s or Macs and 5 tablets or smartphones.

There is no charge for using PRoPlus – it can be reached through the student email link on the portal.

To view How to Install instructions open the link below.

North Metropolitan TAFE Courses 2020

Starting in February 2020, North Metropolitan TAFE are running a one semester course on the skills required to be a successful candidate for employment in a school. The course aids in preparation for entry into gardening, cleaning, administration, management, canteen and education assistant work.

View the link below for more information.

Cameras at School Events

Parents are advised that they may not publish images or videos made at school events. Parents individually give permission for images to be used by College staff in College publications, and we keep a current list of students for whom we don’t have permission. Parents may not assume permission to record and then publish images of other parents’ children. It is important that we respect individuals’ privacy.

Clyde Graham
PRINCIPAL

Food Allergies

At Cannington Community College we have a number of students with life threatening food allergies, particularly Peanut/Nut, Eggs.

What does this mean for these students?

Even a small trace of nut, peanut, nut/peanut or egg product may trigger a severe allergic reaction called Anaphylaxis, which attacks the immune system leading potentially to death within minutes.

This reaction can happen by taste, touch and sometimes can be airborne. All of these students have access to an adrenaline injection in the form of an Epipen, which can save lives.

Cannington CC works with parents/carers to support students in developing an awareness of their allergies and what foods to avoid. Students are encouraged not to share food and to always check with a parent/adult/teacher if unsure at any time.

How can you help to keep CCC students with allergies safe?

Please help us by not including peanut or any nut products in your child's lunchbox if possible. This includes peanut butter and Nutella. Please avoid products with any nuts/peanuts listed as an ingredient.

Look for alternatives such as the delicious and moist Scooby Doo Chocolate Mud Spread and others that are available in the Health Food Section at the supermarket.

Please consider what you are sending for birthday treats to share with the class, checking there are no nut products included.

Explain about food allergy to your child and encourage the ‘no food sharing' rule.

The school canteen does not serve products containing peanut/nuts.

Thank you for your support.

PRINCIPAL

Healthy Eating for Families

In our modern society, very few of us use up enough energy to take on the extra calories of ‘treat’ food and drinks. The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide up-to-date advice about the amount and kinds of foods and drinks that we need regularly, for health and well-being.

By providing your family with the recommended amounts from the Five Food Groups and limiting the foods that are high in saturated fat, added sugars and added salt, your family will get enough of the nutrients essential for good health, growth and development. A healthy diet reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers.

The amount of food your child will need from the Five Food Groups depends on their age, gender, height, weight and physical activity levels. For further information go to the website below

Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

Your child’s lunch box can contain food from all of the five food groups. The food groups are; breads and cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat/meat alternatives and dairy/dairy alternatives.

Try these in the lunchbox:

• lean ham and salad wrap
• banana and handful of grapes
• sliced vegetables (carrots, cucumber, tomatoes)
• handful of reduced fat cheese cubes
• bottle of water

Remember, children who help plan and prepare their own lunch are more likely to eat it. Your child might like to try out this fun, ‘Interactive Lunchbox’ website:

Shop Smart and Eat Healthy - Tips for Parents

Go shopping with your children and allow them to choose the healthy foods that they enjoy eating. For example, ask children to choose some of the fruit and vegetables.

Shop twice a week - fresher fruits, vegetables, breads and meats are more likely to appeal to the whole family.

Buy in season - seasonal fruits and vegetables taste great, are better quality and are better value for money.

Select small pieces of fruit - younger children prefer smaller pieces of fruit as they are easier to handle.

Choose quality - try to avoid bruised fruit or vegetables.

Encourage variety - so that your child does not get bored with their food.

Immunisation History Statements

Schools must record and retain a student’s vaccination status on enrolment. Parents and carers must show evidence of their child’s vaccination status on enrolment. This applies to all students.

The only acceptable evidence is the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement. The Australian Immunisation Register enquiries contact number is 1800 653 809.

The statement must be:

• sighted and copied by the principal or school officer
• recorded as ‘up to date’ or ‘not up to date’ in the School Information System (SIS).

If the AIR Immunisation History Statement is not provided, the status will be recorded as ‘not up to date’ until a current statement is provided.

Schools are expected to follow-up with parents and carers until a current statement is sighted. If you receive a follow-up letter from us, please respond to the information requested promptly.

Thank you for your efforts in maintaining the well-being of all children.

Angelo Kovidis
Manager Corporate Services

Health/Medical Forms

When students enrol at the College we record information about any medical conditions they may have. It is important that we have current details of all students’ medical conditions and the training/planning or response management (if required) recorded in our student database. Parents are reminded that they must inform the College front office if any of the medical conditions change, or there is a new one that we need to be aware of.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Angelo Kovidis
Manager Corporate Services

Visa Details

Please ensure that if your child is enrolled at Cannington Community College via a visa, under DOE policy all visa details must be current at all times. If your visa details have changed or have been renewed, please bring the original documents to the front office to be photocopied by the office ladies.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Angelo Kovidis
Manager Corporate Services

School Playground Equipment

The use of the playground equipment is not permitted outside of school hours for safety and insurance reasons. All children should arrive at school by 8:30am and be picked up promptly at the end of school at 2.50pm or at 2.30pm on Wednesday.

PRINCIPAL

Driver Reminder

Drivers are reminded of the need to be very cautious in the College car parks and Wharf Street, particularly at peak times (start and end of the school day). There are many children and adult pedestrians in the vicinity at these times and vehicle traffic is quite heavy. The posted speed limit (40 km/h) is the allowable maximum – but it may still be too high for the conditions. Drivers must always drive to the prevailing conditions. It is our job to control our vehicles safely at all times. Particular care is needed when turning from or onto Wharf Street.

PRINCIPAL

Crosswalk

Wharf Street is a busy road and we are fortunate to have a crossing warden to assist our students to cross in a safe place. We ask all parents to encourage the students to use this safe place for crossing because we care about the safety of our students and without its use by the students, the crossing warden may be removed. All parents walking their students to school should model the correct way to cross the road using the crossing warden. We do have an old crosswalk near the Early Childhood classes but this is not a monitored crossing and should not be used by the students. Its position is close to the parking exit and the view of the student’s crossing is difficult.

Be SUNSMART at School

By following 3 simple sun protection steps at school when the UV Index is above 3, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer.

• PUT on a school shirt (preferably with collar for extra neck protection)
• SLOP on some sunscreen
• SLAP on a hat

Slap on a hat that provides as much shade as possible to your face, head, neck, ears and eyes. There are 3 main styles of hats that provide adequate sun protection:

• Broad brimmed hats – with a brim of at least 7.5cm.
• Bucket or surfie style hats – with a deep crown and brim of at least 6cm.
• Legionnaire hats – with a flap that covers the back of the neck.

Baseball caps and visors are not recommended as they leave the ears and the back of the neck exposed. The difference can be easily seen in these two photos, showing two different students in the same position, out in the sun, but the protection offered by the style of hats is very obvious.

Our school faction hats provide the best sun protection. They are available from the Uniform Shop in Willetton.

Vicki Bramwell-Keys
Primary PE Teacher

Wearing a Hat – All Year

All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 who play outside are required to wear a hat. Parents are asked to ensure that students have a hat for Physical Education lessons, daily fitness and recess and lunch times. Hats should be named and offer protection for the face as well as the back of the neck. Wearing of a visor is not considered as wearing a hat as they do not offer protection for the top of the head or the back of the neck.

Lesson Times

Picking up Students

Our College finishes at 2:50pm every day except Wednesday when our finishing time is 2:30pm. Please ensure that the pick-up of students is made promptly at this time. In the event of a delay, we ask that you contact the College to inform the staff of the delay. This prevents students from becoming anxious and a lot of time being used by staff trying to make contact.

Arriving on Time

School begins at 8:40am every day during term time. The College has a school-wide standardized lesson structure that is used to introduce new learning. The beginning of lessons is a time that the purpose of the learning is explained along with how and why the students will be engaging in the learning. The first lesson of the day is of critical importance in primary classes where highly structured literacy lessons are delivered every morning. Students that arrive late to class will miss this key part of the lesson, and will then struggle to join in with what is going on. The interruption created by the late entry to the room also distracts the teacher and other students. Parents are asked to ensure that children arrive at school early enough so that lessons can begin at 8:40am.

Clyde Graham
PRINCIPAL

Absences or Lateness

The College needs to be informed if a student is absent or is late for school.

ABSENCE: A phone call to the school notifying of the absence of a student on the day or a note on return to school is required. If a student is absent for more than one day, a parent must ring the school informing the reason for the absence. A text message will be sent to parents/carers if the student has been marked absent. We request parents to respond to this message. Follow up letters will go to students, if their absence is unexplained. Parents are requested to respond to this letter as we are required by the law to ensure that all students are at school unless there is a reasonable cause for absence.

LATENESS: Primary students go straight to class where the class teacher will input attendance. Secondary students go straight to class unless arriving after 11:05am and then they need to go to Student Services to receive a late note. Lateness is tracked at the College and a parent/carer will be asked to explain the reason for a student who has frequent lateness. Classes start at 8:40am and coming late to class impacts on a student’s learning.

HOLIDAYS: If a student is going away on holiday during the term, if longer than one (1) week absence, parents/carers need to apply to the Deputy Principal prior to the holiday commencing.

Going to school every day really matters

At school, teachers plan programs in a sequence so children build on skills and activities from one day to the next.

Developing the habit of going to school regularly from Kindergarten is vitally important so children don’t miss out on important ideas and skills they need for future learning.

You can help make every day matter by:

• Talking positively about school so your child is happy to go each day.
• Showing interest in what your child is doing at school and talking with the teacher about what you can do at home.
• Setting play dates to help your child make friends.
• Teaching your child how to share and take turns.
• Arriving at school and collecting your child from school on time.
• Making sure your child gets nutritious meals each day and enough sleep each night.
• Making appointments with doctors, dentists and specialists after school or during school holidays.
• Taking family holidays during school holidays and not during term time.

If your child is unwell and unable to go to school, telephone or text the school to let the teacher know. If your child misses a day, talk with the teacher to find out how you can help your child catch up. If you are having difficulty getting your child to school, talk with the teacher.

Taking an interest in what your child does at school, helping in class and being part of the school community shows your child how much you value school.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy holiday.

See you in 2020.