A new feature of our webpage is the link to a new environmental education site which can be used at school and home. Try it and find out for yourself!

How do you like our building safety fencing? You know the fencing that was supposed to arrive Wednesday or Thursday and meant that staff and families all had to park in the street for those two days. Well, as you can see it didn’t arrive. I have contacted the company on both days where I could only leave a message requesting they contact me a.s.a.p. so that I could let people know what was happening. When I saw the gates locked again this morning (Friday) I decided that as we hadn’t heard anything, we would open them in a bid to reduce congestion in the parking bays. I assume it will eventually arrive so I have included the message below just in case we get lucky this week!

Don’t let this be you! Just to remind you that when part of our grounds become a building site, staff will not be able to park in the Telopea Crescent car park, and you know what that means! Yes, unfortunately parking will become even more of a challenge. As staff need to park close to the school as they carry items and books to and from school on a daily basis, there will be less parking available in Telopea Crescent. This is definitely a ‘minus’ of the building project however the ‘plus’ of a new gym far outweighs this minus! Please be patient during this time, and remember it will go on for months. You may decide it is easier to change your routine and have the children walk to school, either with a sibling or friend or with you, they ride or you all leave home earlier and park in neighbouring streets and then walk. Realistically, something will have to change and you may find an easier way of dropping off and picking up your child/ren. Let’s hope we can all keep our sense of humor and continue to live by the values, even through these inconvenient times.

Sometimes things happen between students; one day they’re the best of friends, the next day it all changes. We understand that this can happen and with your modelling of resilience and the values, these issues are usually resolved easily and between the students themselves. If there is a more concerning issue please remember that the correct process is to speak to your child’s classroom teacher first and then if needed contact their welfare coordinator. I am sure you can appreciate that as a parent you must never approach another child in the yard or on the way to/from school. I am sure that as a parent you appreciate that this means that your child will not be approached by other parents. Thank you for your understanding and compliance with this.

Congrats to our Junior School Councillors who received their badge and certificate at assembly this week. A special thank you to Councillor Mary Lalios, Mayor of Whittlesea who took time from a busy schedule to join us as we congratulated the 2010 Junior School Councillors.
Mrs Maria Stella and I were very proud to be photographed with them.

Cost: 3 raffle tickets for $5.00

Tickets will be sent home this Thursday with the newsletter. Please write your child’s name and class on the butt and return with your money to the classroom teacher by the Friday 27th November.
If you require more tickets, they can be purchased at the school office.

Raffle will be drawn at assembly on Monday 30th November.

Goodluck!

Cost: 3 raffle tickets for $5.00 (6 enclosed) Please return unwanted tickets
Please write your child’s name and class on the butt and return with your money to the classroom teacher by the Friday 27th November.
If you require more tickets, they can be purchased at the school office.
Raffle will be drawn at assembly on Monday 30th November. Goodluck!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Cup Day holiday – hope your luck, if you had a flutter, was better than mine!
Out of interest, we had 347 (approximately 46%) of our 752 students attend school on Monday before Cup Day. In the past many schools have used this day for professional development or to ‘pay back’ staff who have attended weekend conferences. This year the Victorian government decided that this was not to be the case; however it will be interesting to see how many students across the state attended on Monday.
You may have experienced the situation where an older child didn’t have to attend while your PPPS student did have school that day. Of you may have experienced your PPPS student saying they wanted to get 100% attendance and so wanted to be at school. I would imagine that there may have been some interesting discussions as many workers would have had no choice but to take a holiday on Monday. I also imagine that some annual family holidays were cancelled this year due to the change. I also imagine that the number of holidays booked for that period would have been down on past years and so other industries will have noticed a difference.
We will wait to see whether the government continues this policy in future years.

Check the progress of the synthetic grass when you get the chance. If the weather is kind to us it could be finished in 2 weeks.

Congratulations to our students who are dealing really well with the limited playground space at the moment. Some are taking up the option of visiting the library or, for year 6 students, spending time in the computer lab.
You can all be proud of your willingness to live by the values of respect and tolerance and fair go for all.

Speaking of living by the values and being proud, another great example was when our year 2 students presented their stories about the Plenty Gorge to a judging panel comprised of our mayor, author/illustrator, Kevin Burgemeester and Joanna Reymond from PLPR Media Communications, and to their parents on Friday. They read well, listened intently, spoke showing respect and certainly experienced a moment of personal achievement. Congratulations to the year 2 students as they all wrote a story and to Mickey Donahoo who coordinated our involvement. Thank you to Sunland who offered the experience; it was a terrific opportunity for us to build a partnership with a local business. I will let the year 2’s involved tell you more on their webpage.

Thank you to everyone who has made our homepage their homepage! In August our pageviews totalled 9480 and our newsletter was looked at 829 times while in October our pageviews were 17504 and the newsletter was viewed 1223 times. That’s great, especially as this was in the first 21 days of October only!

We are drawing close to the start of the bushfire season and of a statewide campaign to encourage all Victorians, no matter where they live, to be fire-ready in anticipation of the coming bushfire season. Experts are predicting that this bushfire season may be worse than last summer where major fires claimed 173 lives. It is vital that all Victorians start planning and preparing now. It is now time for schools and residents to identify their risk, start preparing their bushfire survival plan and start clearing their properties.
So here at PPPS we have been:
• Clearing out gutters.
• Taking part in CFA and MFB fire preparedness activities; and
• Attending DEECD briefings

It is World Teachers Day Friday 30th October and it might be nice to show appreciation
towards our teachers by doing one of the following activities;
• Getting your child to write a card or a letter to their teacher acknowledging them as their teacher.
• Small gift i.e. apple or a bunch of flowers.

Have you read the road safety changes?
Here is one that applies to our students.
Wheeled recreational devices
From 9 November 2009, there will be some changes to the road safety rules for scooters, skateboards and roller blades.

Scooters, skateboards and roller blades are called Wheeled Recreational Devices in the road rules.
A scooter has two or more wheels and a footboard supported by the wheels. It is steered by handlebars, designed to be used by one person and propelled by any one or more of the following: gravity, the user pushing one foot against the ground, an electric motor or motors (with the maximum power output of 200 watts).
Wheeled Recreational Devices can travel on footpaths and on roads where the speed limit is 50km per hour or less.
The road safety rules
• Wheeled Recreational Devices can’t be towed, or slipstream and must not be used on the road at night (except crossing at the shortest route, for example at an intersection).
• Scooter riders are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet.
What you have to do
When riding your scooter, skateboard or roller blades, DO NOT hold onto other vehicles to be towed, or sit so close behind them that you are carried along in their slipstream.
Also do not use a wheeled recreational device in areas that have a sign prohibiting it.

Road safety reasons
Unless properly used, scooters, skateboards and roller blades can be dangerous. Drivers have difficulty seeing you in traffic especially if you are being towed or slipstreaming, which is why this activity is now illegal.
Remember drivers are more likely to be looking for cars and other vehicles, not scooters, skateboarders and roller bladers.

Our prep 12 students had a lovely time this afternoon when year 8 students from Mill Park Secondary College walked here to present their prep clients with a specially designed and handmade pencil case. This was part of the year 8 project and involved several sessions with our preps. It made me feel so proud when our prep 12 representatives read out their thankyou speech! They were gorgeous!

Speaking of living by the values and being proud, another great example was when our year 2 students presented their stories about the Plenty Gorge to a judging panel comprised of our mayor, author/illustrator, Kevin Burgemeester and Joanna Reymond from PLPR Media Communications, and to their parents on Friday. They read well, listened intently, spoke showing respect and certainly experienced a moment of personal achievement. Congratulations to the year 2 students as they all wrote a story and to Mickey Donahoo who coordinated our involvement. Thank you to Sunland who offered the experience; it was a terrific opportunity for us to build a partnership with a local business. I will let the year 2’s involved tell you more on their webpage.

Thank you to everyone who has made our homepage their homepage! In August our pageviews totalled 9480 and our newsletter was looked at 829 times while in October our pageviews were 17504 and the newsletter was viewed 1223 times. That’s great, especially as this was in the first 21 days of October only!

We are drawing close to the start of the bushfire season and of a statewide campaign to encourage all Victorians, no matter where they live, to be fire-ready in anticipation of the coming bushfire season. Experts are predicting that this bushfire season may be worse than last summer where major fires claimed 173 lives. It is vital that all Victorians start planning and preparing now. It is now time for schools and residents to identify their risk, start preparing their bushfire survival plan and start clearing their properties.
So here at PPPS we have been:
• Clearing out gutters.
• Taking part in CFA and MFB fire preparedness activities; and
• Attending DEECD briefings

It is World Teachers Day Friday 30th October and it might be nice to show appreciation
towards our teachers by doing one of the following activities;
• Getting your child to write a card or a letter to their teacher acknowledging them as their teacher.
• Small gift i.e. apple or a bunch of flowers.

Have you read the road safety changes?
Here is one that applies to our students.
Wheeled recreational devices
From 9 November 2009, there will be some changes to the road safety rules for scooters, skateboards and roller blades.

Scooters, skateboards and roller blades are called Wheeled Recreational Devices in the road rules.
A scooter has two or more wheels and a footboard supported by the wheels. It is steered by handlebars, designed to be used by one person and propelled by any one or more of the following: gravity, the user pushing one foot against the ground, an electric motor or motors (with the maximum power output of 200 watts).
Wheeled Recreational Devices can travel on footpaths and on roads where the speed limit is 50km per hour or less.
The road safety rules
• Wheeled Recreational Devices can’t be towed, or slipstream and must not be used on the road at night (except crossing at the shortest route, for example at an intersection).
• Scooter riders are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet.
What you have to do
When riding your scooter, skateboard or roller blades, DO NOT hold onto other vehicles to be towed, or sit so close behind them that you are carried along in their slipstream.
Also do not use a wheeled recreational device in areas that have a sign prohibiting it.
Road safety reasons
Unless properly used, scooters, skateboards and roller blades can be dangerous. Drivers have difficulty seeing you in traffic especially if you are being towed or slipstreaming, which is why this activity is now illegal.
Remember drivers are more likely to be looking for cars and other vehicles, not scooters, skateboarders and roller bladers.

Our prep 12 students had a lovely time this afternoon when year 8 students from Mill Park Secondary College walked here to present their prep clients with a specially designed and handmade pencil case. This was part of the year 8 project and involved several sessions with our preps. It made me feel so proud when our prep 12 representatives read out their thankyou speech! They were gorgeous!

Congratulations to each and every camper; student, teacher and parent volunteer! What fantastic experiences for our year 3 & 4 students; soon you will be able to see the photos for yourself on each level’s webpage. Last year I had the pleasure of staying overnight at the year 3 camp at Arrabri Lodge in Warburton and loved it all. This year I joined the year 4’s at Phillip Island and guess what? I loved it all again! Giant swings, canoeing, raft building, archery, the vertical slide, Amazin’ Things, etc, etc, provided our students with such wonderful times and lots of fun and laughter. Our kids were excellent examples of living by the values; our teachers were very proud indeed!

Speaking of living by the values and being proud, another great example was when our year 2 students presented their stories about the Plenty Gorge to a judging panel comprised of our mayor, author/illustrator, Kevin Burgemeester and Joanna Reymond from PLPR Media Communications, and to their parents on Friday. They read well, listened intently, spoke showing respect and certainly experienced a moment of personal achievement. Congratulations to the year 2 students as they all wrote a story and to Mickey Donahoo who coordinated our involvement. Thank you to Sunland who offered the experience; it was a terrific opportunity for us to build a partnership with a local business. I will let the year 2’s involved tell you more on their webpage.

Thank you to everyone who has made our homepage their homepage! In August our pageviews totalled 9480 and our newsletter was looked at 829 times while in October our pageviews were 17504 and the newsletter was viewed 1223 times. That’s great, especially as this was in the first 21 days of October only!

We are drawing close to the start of the bushfire season and of a statewide campaign to encourage all Victorians, no matter where they live, to be fire-ready in anticipation of the coming bushfire season. Experts are predicting that this bushfire season may be worse than last summer where major fires claimed 173 lives. It is vital that all Victorians start planning and preparing now. It is now time for schools and residents to identify their risk, start preparing their bushfire survival plan and start clearing their properties.
So here at PPPS we have been:
• Clearing out gutters.
• Taking part in CFA and MFB fire preparedness activities; and
• Attending DEECD briefings

It is World Teachers Day Friday 30th October and it might be nice to show appreciation
towards our teachers by doing one of the following activities;
• Getting your child to write a card or a letter to their teacher acknowledging them as their teacher.
• Small gift i.e. apple or a bunch of flowers.

Have you read the road safety changes?
Here is one that applies to our students.
Wheeled recreational devices
From 9 November 2009, there will be some changes to the road safety rules for scooters, skateboards and roller blades.

Scooters, skateboards and roller blades are called Wheeled Recreational Devices in the road rules.
A scooter has two or more wheels and a footboard supported by the wheels. It is steered by handlebars, designed to be used by one person and propelled by any one or more of the following: gravity, the user pushing one foot against the ground, an electric motor or motors (with the maximum power output of 200 watts).
Wheeled Recreational Devices can travel on footpaths and on roads where the speed limit is 50km per hour or less.
The road safety rules
• Wheeled Recreational Devices can’t be towed, or slipstream and must not be used on the road at night (except crossing at the shortest route, for example at an intersection).
• Scooter riders are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet.
What you have to do
When riding your scooter, skateboard or roller blades, DO NOT hold onto other vehicles to be towed, or sit so close behind them that you are carried along in their slipstream.
Also do not use a wheeled recreational device in areas that have a sign prohibiting it.

Road safety reasons
Unless properly used, scooters, skateboards and roller blades can be dangerous. Drivers have difficulty seeing you in traffic especially if you are being towed or slipstreaming, which is why this activity is now illegal.
Remember drivers are more likely to be looking for cars and other vehicles, not scooters, skateboarders and roller bladers.

Our prep 12 students had a lovely time this afternoon when year 8 students from Mill Park Secondary College walked here to present their prep clients with a specially designed and handmade pencil case. This was part of the year 8 project and involved several sessions with our preps. It made me feel so proud when our prep 12 representatives read out their thankyou speech! They were gorgeous!

Year 3’s gathered excitedly in the courtyard this morning before setting off to camp – great weather, excited students, and enthusiastic staff and parent volunteers; what a great combination!
Year 4’s head off to Phillip Island tomorrow, hope this warm weather keeps up.