This term continues to fly by fast! It is hard to imagine that there are only seven more weeks of school before we farewell our 91 year 6 students and send them off to high school.

It has been exciting watching many of the 2023 Kindergarten parents and students attending our Little Groves program and having just a taste of what schooling will look like.

Interschool Sport

Good luck to all the students representing Arbor Grove Primary at the Interschool Athletics this week. I am sure you will try your hardest and always show the ARBOR values. It is pleasing that parents will be able to spectate this year given the COVID disruptions of the past two years.

Are you leaving us in 2023?

It is very important that families that are leaving us this year let the school know at the earliest opportunity. This information will be essential to ensure the accuracy of our planning and preparations for 2023.

Class Placement Requests

I would ask that any parents with specific requests for 2023 submit these to the Principal marked “Private and Confidential” by the close of business Friday October 28. Only written requests with an educational focus will be considered and whilst we endeavour to satisfy parent requests it is important to note that the school cannot guarantee this.

Hats

It is disappointing to see so many students without hats. Could parents please ensure that their child(ren) has a school hat with their name on them. This will ensure that, as the weather improves, all students can play outside in the sun and participate in all the physical education lessons.

Improvements / School Works

Over the last few weeks, you may have noticed that we have been busy making some improvements in the school. We have installed new bins for students to use in every alcove, all classrooms now have blinds, we have new outdoor seating due to be installed near rooms 15 and 16, air conditioning in the under covered area and we have painters on site sprucing up the doors. We also will have new carpet installed in several classrooms over the Christmas break.

Glen Purdy 

Cyberbullying -  Social Media Concerns

There have recently been reports of students who are using social media inappropriately, in particular TikTok and Snapchat. These social media platforms have age restrictions where users need to be 13 years old, due to the possible exposure to explicit and inappropriate content.

Unfortunately, issues that are caused on social media can affect relationships at school, as well as the mental health of children and young people.

Please talk to your child about the importance of being safe online, as it is a powerful tool and they need to be protected. Cyberbullying can cause serious problems for everyone involved, and in some cases, it can be a crime.

Please see the below resources which will provide parents with further information.

Cybersavvy - https://cybersavvy.telethonkids.org.au/family/

Think U Know - https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/index.php/resources-tab/parents-and-carers

eSafety - https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Astrid Morgan

Mathematics

Maths Game

Here’s another Maths Game for all the family to enjoy. I love the thinking involved in this game.

Flip Three Math Card Game

Skills learned: Number recognition, place value, and strategic thinking.

Equipment Required: pack of playing cards

Set out all of the cards in rows face down.

Players take turns to flip over three cards and attempt to make an equation using the three cards. The equation can be an addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, e.g. 3+3=6, 8-5=3, 2×1=2, 10÷2=5.

If the player can make an equation, they keep the cards. If they can’t make an equation the cards are flipped back over in the same place.

Continue playing until only 7 cards remain. The winner is the player who has the most cards.

Kym McCabe