It s cool to be at school Doveton College 62 Tristania Street, DOVETON, 3177 T 03 8765 0111 F 03 8765 0199 E doveton.co@edumail.vic.gov.au www.dovetoncollege.vic.edu.au EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL S REPORT Visit by the Ministers of Education Last week the College hosted two Ministerial visits. On Monday The Honourable Wendy Lovell, Minister for Early Childhood Education spent time at the College. Minister Lovell is a passionate advocate for the importance of early childhood development and spent a large part of her time of her visit in the Early Learning Centre and the Prep Learning House. Minister Lovell has been a great supporter of the development of the Early Learning Centre at Doveton College providing a grant for the establishment of the Centre and ensuring that funding was available in the first years to establish and sustain quality early childhood education. The Honorable Martin Dixon, Minister for Education, visited the College on Thursday. This was Minister Dixon s first visit to the College. Minister Dixon was keen to view all of the College and see the College in operation. Minister Dixon spent time in Doveton Live, Musical Futures, the Performing Arts and Theatre complex, recreation and well-being as well as touring the 4-6, 1-3 and Prep Learning Houses. Minister Dixon completed his tour in the Early Learning Centre and then discussed with us the history of the College s development, the challenges and complexity of such a project and our plans for the future. December Monday 2 Tuesday 3 IMPORTANT DATES - 2013 Casey Safety Village 46A 46E Casey Safety Village 13B 13D 13J Wednesday 4 Tennis Hot Shots Excursion Prep - 6 Wednesday 4 Thursday 5 Thursday 5 Casey Safety Village 0A OB OC Year 7 2014 Information Evening 6:30 7:30 in the Community Room Casey Safety Village 13E 13I Thursday 5 Tennis Hot Shots Excursion Prep - 6 Monday 9 Tuesday 10 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Monday 16 Wednesday 18 Wednesday 18 Thursday 19 Friday 20 28 November 2013 Edition 18 January 2014 Tuesday 28 Prep Transition 10:00-11:00am Year 7 2014 Orientation Day Prep 2014 Information Night 6:00 7:00pm - Community Room Casey Safety Village 46D 46B 46I Grade 6 Graduation Casey Safety Village 13H 13F Casey Safety Village 0D 0E Year 9 Celebration Day Year 9 Graduation Last day for Early Learning Children Last Day of school Students dismissed at 2:30pm Staff return Student Free Day Wednesday 29 First Day Years 1-9 Thursday 30 First Day - Preps Prep Transition Our next Prep Transition Session will be Monday 09/12/13 10:00am 11:00am Prep Parent Information Night Tuesday 10/12/13 6:00 7:00pm Year 7 Transition Year 7, 2014 Parent Information Night Thursday 5/12/13 6:30 7:30pm Orientation Day Tuesday 10/12/13 28 November 2013 Edition 18
EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL S REPORT continued As he left Minister Dixon commented that he had very high expectations before he visited the College; what he and his staff saw exceeded all of these expectations and asked that I pass on his congratulations to students, staff and the community who have achieved so much in the 18 months we have been here in the new buildings. The Launch of the College Website It is with great delight that I announce the launch of the new Doveton College website! Our webpage has been in development for the past eight months. In launching the site can I offer my very sincere thanks to: Andy Hibbert, Account Director and Lauren Gysberts, Project Manager at Monkii, one of Australia s leading independent digital agencies who built the site Caroline Milburn, journalist and writer, who wrote the text that populates the web pages Vicki Bell, a leading Melbourne photographer of children and families, whose beautiful images enhance the site June McLoughlin, Director Family and Children s Services and Lauren Baxter, College Organisation Co-ordination who, together, project managed the development of the webpage from our end The quality of their hard work is evident in the quality of the site. You can access the site at http://www.dovetoncollege.vic.edu.au. Bretton New Executive Principal
Canteen Specials Available Tuesday 03/12/13 19/12/13 Baked Potato, Bacon, Cheese, Sour Cream $5.00 Garden Salad and Chicken Strips $6.00 PREMIER S READING CHALLENGE This year The Age has decided to publish the Premiers reading Challenge Honour Roll online. Doveton College had 443 students complete the challenge from Prep - Year 6. The site allows you to view and print sections of the honour roll by Year Level, as well as the commemorative front page. Visit: http://prchonourroll.com.au/ to print your child s name and commemorative page. CANTEEN CLOSED The Canteen will be closed on the last day of term, Friday 20/12/13 No snacks or lunch orders will be available on the day We will reopen on Wednesday 29 th January 2014 HOUSE COLOUR DAY House Colour and Junior Sports Day was a great success. The students participated with great enthusiasm and good sportsmanship. The final but very close results were: GREVILLEA 691 Points ACACIA 689 Points BANKSIA 674 Points WARATAH 668 Points Certificates will be distributed when they arrive at the College. Fiona Lester Premier s Reading Challenge Coordinator. TRAVEL SAFETY PROGRAM Travelling safety and road safety are really important lessons all children need to know. During October, November and December all our children Prep Year 6 will participate in the Travel Safety Program held at the Casey Safety Village. The Travel Safety Program has been funded by the Department of Human Services and the College. This program is part of the College s broader program around living a healthy and safe life.
TREASURE ISLAND Yo ho ho! And a bottle of rum! Thank you all for supporting this year's School Production. "Treasure Island" was one of the most fun shows I've ever worked on. An amazing cast and crew from grades 4-9 performed to five wonderful audiences last week in a massive effort to entertain the masses! We hope you all enjoyed watching it as much as we loved performing it. We hope to see you all again for next year's show: "The Wizard of Oz" coming in 2014!! Andrew
GRADE 5 & 6 CITY CAMP The prospect of three wet days did not dampen the enthusiasm of eighty-six excited Year 5 and 6 students as they travelled by train to stay at a luxurious hotel in the city. The students were provided with opportunities to participate in experiences outside the classroom. They visited a number of city landmarks such as the Shrine, Federation Square, Cook s Cottage and the lanes of Melbourne. Students also went to the Melbourne Museum. The student campers are to be commended on the positive and enthusiastic manner in which they participated in all of the camp activities despite the hours of walking! I would also like to thank the staff involved in the camp Ashlie, Mitzi, Nicole, Thadd, Brendan, Mark K, Gemma, Anne, Gina and Simon Sherlock whose efforts ensured that the camp was a safe, fun and enjoyable experience for all. As well as that, the time and energy required while on camp for 24 hours a day is a huge commitment! Amy Wahid Camp Coordinator DOVETON COLLEGE IS A SUNSMART SCHOOL It has been brought to my attention that PSW Uniforms sold blue brimmed sun-hats to some of our families in 2012 during a short period when the school logo hats were not available. Families then ironed on a College logo. Children who purchased the broad brimmed hat and added a logo may still wear it.
SCHOOL CHAPLAIN PROGRAM We are pleased that Doveton College has a School Chaplain. Fiona Newstead works as part of the College well-being team. Her role is to support children and families, from Prep to Year 9 in whatever way is required. Fiona s role includes running small groups on issues such as bullying or self-esteem, spending time with a child who needs time to cool down, or sitting with a child who is grieving. Our planning for 2014 includes the running of grief recovery programs for our students. Fiona has been in her role as Chaplain for the past four years, helping children through the closures of the local schools and with the transition to Doveton College. She has just finished running a Year 9 girls self-esteem group and will now take these girls down to Cornerstone in Dandenong where the girls will hear about what it is like to be homeless. The group will then stay and serve lunch for people who access Cornerstone s free lunch program. The Doveton College Chaplaincy position is federally funded through the NSCSWP and as a voluntary program can be accessed by Students or Families that require this support. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the College Principal. Kid s Clothing Swap! BRING Baby and children s clothing you no longer need. Clothes need to be in good condition (clean, no rips, no stains) Drop off clothes at the marked area at the front office between 27th Nov 3rd Dec SWAP Your old items for something new! Choose new clothes on Thursday Dec 5th 9 am 12 noon and 3 4 pm DOVETON COLLEGE PROJECT HOUSE Free Event organised by Parent Advisory Group Swap don t shop! Left over clothes will be given to charity WANTED Our Food Technology Department is asking for donations of any unwanted recipe books or magazines in good condition. Please contact Sarah Raynor