Heany Park Primary School
Reptile Atrium Project Summary
There has been great excitement over the last couple of weeks, as our reptiles have arrived, and the children and staff are getting to know them. The web site that is linked to this project is at http://www.heanyparkps.vic.edu.au/reptile.html
We are planning for an official launch of the reptile atrium before the end of 2005. The project will then be publicised across the local area and the state. A plaque will be created and mounted in the atrium to celebrate the official launch.
Photographs of the Reptile Atrium Project below show the developmental stages and snapshots of the lizards that are housed inside the atrium.
Compiled by Lisa Hill & Kathy James – Reptile Atrium Leaders 2005
Rowville Secondary College
Knox Pride Garden Award
Rowville Secondary College has recently become the 2005 recipient of the Knox Secondary School Pride Award. The award was awarded to Rowville Secondary College after an inspection by the judges. This is a wonderful achievement for the school that has striven to improve the appearance of the grounds and gardens of both the Eastern and Western Campuses during the course of the year.
A number of initiatives have contributed to the improved gardens, including the introduction of a community service program in which duty students conduct a litter pick-up each day. The garden beds have also been renewed with many new shrubs planted and mulch distributed. Many new trees have also been placed around the two campuses. The entire school has been able to take pride in the new gardens, especially the students, who have been actively disposing of their litter responsibly.
Breast Cancer Fundraiser
On Thursday 10 November, the Rowville Secondary College’s Eastern Campus came alive at lunch time for the year 10 VCAL class’s Breast Cancer Fundraising event. The whole college united to enjoy sizzling sausages and mouth watering milkshakes, with all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Network of Australia. Whilst munching away, students and teachers were entertained by the school rock band, and cheered on the contestants of the skateboarding competition.
The student-run event proved to be very successful with all students and teachers enjoying an entertaining lunch time and $650 being raised for the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.
Park Ridge Celebrates Rowville’s Centenary!
Carla Sunderland
Rowville Primary School
It has been an exciting couple of weeks for Rowville Primary School. We were advised that the school had been recommended to receive the Eastern Metropolitan Region 2005 School Sports Award for outstanding achievement in Physical and Sport Education. Sean Kavanagh, our Physical Education teacher, deserves much of the credit for this award as he is an enthusiastic and positive teacher who has moulded and guided the children to achieve some excellent results in the sporting area this year. Also to be congratulated is Shai Skinner, a grade 6 student at Rowville, who has been recommended to receive the Eastern Metropolitan Region 2005 Sports Award for cricket.
On the 18th November we had a very successful market night. There were so many stalls this year that we had to open up the main building to accommodate everyone. Those that attended said it was a great night.
Term 4 is a big term for our camping program. Grade 5 went to Coonawarra in early November and had a fantastic experience. The weather was kind to us and allowed the children to complete all activities. They were able to do horse riding, canoeing, flying fox, giant swing, raft making, ropes course and swimming. They were also able to complete some team building activities such as team rescue and hut building. During the evening the children had the opportunity to perform in a concert, play games and go on a night hike.
We would like to thank all the teachers and parents who went on the camp and Angela Vetsica for her great organisation. All the children had a wonderful time and were very positive about their experience.
Tracy Pidwell
Karoo Primary School
Remembrance Day
Acknowledging our history is important at Karoo Primary School. On Remembrance Day, students attended a commemorative ceremony to honour those who fought in wars and various other conflicts. The school captains explained the significance of the poppies that were sold to assist war veterans and the history of Remembrance Day. Students brought flowers that were made into wreaths and placed under the flagpole as a sign of respect. Some veterans of World War Two who were related to the students and members of the school community also attended the moving service. Lest We Forget.
Jemimah Main
Rowville Community Centre
Pre-Kinder 2006
Rowville Community Centre is the primary provider of pre-kinder programs in Knox. There has been a restructure at the centre. We now offer a three-year-old pre kinder program every day and have added a four year old deferred kinder program on Monday and Thursday. Children are in small groups of ten, supervised by qualified staff with ratios higher than DHS requirements. The children’s activities stimulate and encourage imagination, creativity and social interaction.
Hurry, places are limited and filling fast. In order to place your child for next year or to find out more about the programs please contact the Children’s Administration Officer on 9763 7400.
St Simon’s Catholic Primary School
Farewell Judith
Mrs. Judith Frood, Principal of St. Simon’s Parish Primary School for the past thirteen years, can leave proud of what she has achieved in her time as leader of this school community. These years capped a lifetime of dedication to Catholic Education in the Melbourne Archdiocese.
From a medium size school of 500 students, she built St. Simon’s into the second largest Catholic Primary school in Victoria and accomplished this amid great hardships. Like the other schools of the Rowville-Lysterfield area, ten or more years ago, it seems almost every day another child would be on the doorstep seeking enrolment. Then a place had to be found for that child. Judith always found space, but not to the detriment of other students.
Meanwhile she continued to build up a professional staff and equip them with all the necessary means to teach. St. Simon’s has become a prominent school in the Melbourne Catholic Education system for its use of technologies and is a showcase for other teachers and schools to visit.
Space was always a premium and her small office was open to all who came past, and they were always welcomed. Her availability to all demonstrated her dedication.
Personally, I have enjoyed the seven years alongside Judith. In good times with its laughter and in the bad times where we could support each other; in the planning for the building and refurbishment of the school with its hopes and its frustrations; in the selection of staff, it was a pleasure to work with her.
Judith will be remembered as the Principal who finally established St. Simon’s as one of the great schools of the Melbourne Archdiocese.
Fr. Martin Dixon
Parish Priest St. Simon’s, Rowville
Japanese Cultural Day
The students of St. Simon’s experienced a wonderful cultural day on Thursday 10th November. Placed in mixed groups, Prep – 2 and Grade 3 – 6, each group was involved in fuve activities throughout the day. These activities included Traditional Japanese dance, Japanese songs and Christmas Carols sung in Japanese. Origami, making a happi coat, listening to a traditional Japanese story then writing on orange blossom cards to place on an orange blossom tree. The teacher, Satoko Sensei, was supported by some of her friends who helped provide the singing and dancing for the day. The children and staff wish to thank Sense Satoko for the hours of planning and preparation. Her efforts made the day run so smoothly.
Tim's Day
Thursday 11th November was a very special day for St.Simon’s. The children were asked to wear something yellow and bring along a gold coin to mark Tim’s Day. The school gathered in the afternoon for a symbolic service to remember Tim (one of our former students) whose birthday occurred around this time, along with Mrs Beng Koo (our former Japanese Teacher) Kevin Bryden (a former class teacher) and other members of our community who have passed away. Numerous families also attended the special service.
Earlier in the day a number of classes attended a Paraliturgy in the Church where they also remembered these special school and family members through prayer, song and candles.
The monies raised were donated to “Challenge”, Victoria’s major organization for the support of children and their families living with cancer and other life-threatening blood disorders.
Early in November St. Simon’s welcomed Mr. Phil Hesse (new Principal for 2006). He was given a warm reception by the student and parent community. Three staff members from Nazareth College were also in attendance, Mrs. Mee-Ing Ong (Science Dept.) and Maria Spaziani (Maths Dept.) and Giuliana Faiola, the Co-ordinator of the Middle Years Project. Students in Year 5 who were sponsored by Nazareth to be involved in the Australasian Science and Maths Competition were presented with their certificates by Mrs Ong and Mrs Spaziani. Ms. Faiola presented St. Simon’s School with the perpetual trophy for the Year 5 Science Competition Top student across all schools in the Nazareth cluster, earned by Tim Ogilvie. Tim was also presented with a smaller plaque to commemorate his achievement.
Prep Transition for 2006
During November two transition days were held for Prep 2006. the children were involved in activities led by our Specialist Teachers Jeanette Wallis (Music), Maree Brabender (Library), Carmel Dalton & Clare Zino (PMP)
St. Simon's Fete
The Parish Fete was another great community event this year. Thanks to the efforts of so many volunteers, the Parish was rewarded with a very positive community feel. There was a great range of stalls for people to shop at, games and rides for the children and places to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Congratulations to the Fete Committee for a job well done.
Mrs. Judith Frood (Principal)
Rowville Children’s Centre
Places for care in 2006 have been finalised with existing families and new spots are being offered to new children. While we hold healthy waiting lists, we strongly encourage anyone hoping to access childcare at RCC, next year or in years to come, to contact Elaine or Lisa on 9763 4497 to arrange a visit, and submit an application.
The last week of October was Childrens’ Week and our youngsters revelled in a range of activities around the theme of Health and Well Being. On a bright sunny day, kids donned their sun hats, slapped on the sun cream and headed out for a buzzing picnic in the park. As a parent I marveled to see a neat and patient row of two year olds, lined up in an orderly fashion, and patiently waiting for their turn on the swing! What wonderful lessons children learn with their friends in childcare. How do the staff do it? In the same week Child Carers looked fabulous in their pyjamas for PJ day. It was the kids who were strongly resistent to wearing them! Our sports day, puppet show, treasure hunt and smorgasbord lunch were also great hits!
Being a Council run, community-focused centre, we have a very active parent committee. This committee recently applied for a Community Development Fund grant entitled “Walk for Wellbeing.” If successful the grant would enable us to increase the level of outdoor physical activity offered, which may be especially valuable to those children who are in full time care. Regular walks in nearby parks, incorporating the introduction of road safety, will be a feature of the program
Rosemary Merrigan
Rowville Playgroup and Activity Group
It’s time to enrol for 2006!! There’s so much fun for pre-schoolers at the Rowville Playgroup and Activity Group! We meet at the Aimee Seebeck Hall in Rowville and have parent run playgroups as well as teacher run activity groups (for children over 3) and deferred groups. If you have a child who has recently turned 3 and is keen for some extra stimulation, then our teacher run (and parent rostered) activity group is fantastic! Activity group sessions are run Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs 10 - 12 noon and Tues and Wed 1 - 3pm. Deferred group sessions are also available and are held Mon and Thurs 1 - 3pm. Playgroup sessions are Friday morning and afternoon. We’d love you to join us! If you’d like to join a playgroup or activity group next year then you need to get your enrolment organised asap! For information about activity/deferred group enrolments please call Cathy on 9795 7890, or for information about playgroup enrolments please call Leithta on 9752 7765.
Children of Rowville & District Centenary Concert
A Celebration of the Children of Rowville and District at their concert on Friday 18 November was enjoyed at the Rowville Community Centre.
Children from the ages of two to eighteen performed in front of five hundred people, a mixture of family and friends. There were two special demonstrations of Hip Hop Street Funk dancing from Hi Voltage and Xcape from Dandenong.
All the children were students of classes held at the Rowville and District Neighbourhood House- preschool music, Jazz and Funk ,and Street Funk (hip hop).
There are vacancies for these classes in 2006. Please call 9764 1166 to book.
Kaylene Dunley ~ Assistant Co-ordinator