Laptop Reminders

As we head into the holidays, here are a couple of important MacBook tips:

1. Backup your Mac every night. Not sure how? It’s easy. Check out this instruction sheet.
2. Download and install the CyberSafety Help Button. This is a quick shortcut that will help a child find assistance if they encounter a situation online that makes them feel unsafe.
3. Students should complete this online survey to give the school feedback about the one-to-one laptop program.

These three tips will help keep your child (and their work) safe and will assist the school to keep improving its one-to-one laptop program. All students have been shown how to carry out these steps during lessons in class. If you need help, just see Mr Fuller in class or leave a comment on the website.

End of Year: Shared Morning Tea

To celebrate the end of the school year, the students in LA31 will be holding a shared morning tea / class party on the last day of term, Thursday 19 December. It would be great if each student could bring in a plate of (preferably healthy) food to share with their classmates.

It is going to be another hot day and we have only limited cooking facilities so it would be best if you did not send food that required heating. Also, please clearly label any tupperware with your name so that it finds its way back to you at the end of the day.

Thanks again for your support this year. Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe 2014.

Photo Credit: Bunches and Bits {Karina} via Compfight cc

Secret Santa

As the school year draws to a close, we are giving the students in LA31 the opportunity to take part in a ‘Secret Santa’ present-sharing game. In this game, students draw a name out of a hat and make or purchase a small gift (maximum value of $5) for their chosen classmate. These should be wrapped and marked with the name of the person receiving the gift but not the name of the person giving it.

We ask that all students who are taking part return their presents by the final day of school, Thursday 19 December.

Thanks again to all parents for your support in making this such a wonderful year for the LA31 students.

A visit from the police!

We were fortunate today to have a visit from two police officers, Constable Dunkley and Constable Gray, who spoke to the children about what it is like to work for the Western Australian police service. They also discussed a number of issues related to cyber-safety and being a good digital citizen.

The officers showed children a really interesting video and provided an information sheet for parents to read about some of the risks that children may encounter when interacting online. I strongly recommend watching the video and discussing it with your children. A strong, consistent message from home, school and the police will have a big impact and help our children to stay safe.

Photo by Dave Conner used under creative commons licence.

Growth and Development Classes

Over the coming weeks, Year Six students at Landsdale Primary will be taking part in a series of growth and development classes.

The classes will cover topics such as respectful relationships, bodily changes, puberty and reproduction. These topics form part of the Health syllabus and are taught to all students in Western Australia under the Curriculum Framework.

By now, you should have received a book entitled ‘Talk Soon, Talk Often’ that was prepared by the Western Australian Department of Health. I strongly encourage all parents to create opportunities for the children to discuss these topics in a safe and supportive environment.

Please feel free to contact me at school if you have any queries at all about this important part of the curriculum.

Paul Fuller

Image by Brad Heird, used under Creative Commons licence.

The Great Escape

After much coaxing, convincing and dozens of persuasive letters, the students in LA 28, 29 and 31 have convinced Mr Armstrong to permit an end-of-year excursion to the Great Escape in Hillarys! This will be a fantastic opportunity to recognise and reward the students for their effort, behaviour and learning in Year Six.

The excursion will be held on Friday 29 November and, at the students’ request, will be open only to those students who have consistently followed the school and class agreements. We truly hope and expect that this will be all of the students in LA 28, 29 and 31.

At this stage, it is expected that this excursion will cost approximately $27, which includes entry to the Great Escape, lunch and transport. This cost is within the total annual amount agreed for excursions by the Landsdale School Board.

Permission slips will be sent home shortly. If you are interested in helping supervise this fun day, we would love to hear from you!

School Development Day – Friday 1 November

Just a reminder that this Friday (1 November) is a School Development Day. Students will not attend school on this day. Teachers and education support staff will use this time to engage in planning, analysis and professional learning to help us provide even richer learning experiences for your child.

Thanks for your support.

Photo Credit: Nick Papakyriazis via Compfight cc

New class novel – Skeleton Creek

I have recently begun reading the class the first story in the Skeleton Creek series by Patrick Carman. These are ghost stories that, at key points in the text, include links to some spooky videos that enhance the story. The text and videos would best be described as ‘suspenseful’; there is certainly nothing in them that is graphic or violent.

The children are fascinated by these stories and we have had vibrant discussions about the text. Many students have researched the books in their own time and are critically evaluating the information that the author is providing. Students are asking questions like: Is the story real? What evidence can we find to support our views? What are urban legends and how do they develop? Where do we find information that we can trust? These are all important outcomes under the Australian Curriculum.

I do, however, recognise that there may be some children and families who may prefer an alternative activity. For this reason, I have decided to read the books during lunchtimes as an optional, extra-curricular activity.

If you would like to discuss this with me, please do not hesitate to contact me either via email, your child’s diary or in the classroom.

‘Wear Blue’ Day

Well done to the Year Six students who organised a ‘Wear Blue‘ day today as part of their challenge-based learning project. The students raised over $500 and will be using this money to help improve our home, school and community use of water by:

• making donations to World Vision to fund the digging of wells in third world nations;
• providing micro-loans through kiva.org to fund sanitation projects overseas; and
• purchasing shower timers for Landsdale students.

Other groups will be finishing their projects in the weeks to come. Watch the website for more details.

All dressed up!

Counting the cash

At the lunchtime dance show

A Series of Unfortunate Events

This term, our class has read three novels in the ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’ written by Lemony Snicket. As part of the curriculum for English, I plan to show students the film version of these novels.

The film is rated PG on the basis that it contains scenes that might frighten young children. However, having viewed the film, I am confident that it is suitable for children in Year Six.

Earlier this week, I sent home a  permission slip with your child. Please complete this form if you give permission for child to watch this film on Friday. If you do not give permission, an alternative activity will be arranged.

Picture by Randy Stewart used under Creative Commons licence.