From Bruce Johnson. 

Here we are at the end of Term One already. Did I blink and fall asleep because it seems to have arrived awfully quickly. I feel like time has scorched past laying waste to all those good intentions and promises to myself to achieve more and not get sidetracked by the unimportant things in life. I might have spent too long sorting the urgent from the less urgent, trying to analyse what is important and what is not and prioritising tasks and telling myself I should make a list and stick to it. I’m sure if I just take a quick break for a cup of coffee the process will all become so much clearer.

Not everyone has been as disorganised as me, it would seem, as the fairies that actually do stuff have been busy. The fundraising calendar has been sorted for the first half of the year, planning is underway for a couple of other events including one of our best return-for-investment events, The Bunnings Sausage Sizzle. We have been lucky enough to be given two dates this year with the first one on Sunday 6^th May. Barbs Harvey needs volunteers to staff this important fundraising event and I can vouch from past experience that the time you put in passes quickly and constitutes an entirely valid excuse to just quickly pop in for a wander around Bunnings afterwards. What man could pass up or fail to recognise the opportunity for an excuse to be let loose near such an awesome man cave unsupervised. Contact Barbs via the wife network at school or using the supplied details in the ad in this issue to book your Bunnings play date now.

Speaking of men left unsupervised, the first Dad’s Night for the year at the Scarborough Sportsman’s Club was a very successful affair with a number of new attendees welcomed and invited to partake of the fine offerings of this quality establishment. The affairs of the world were dissected with much eloquence and efficacious proposals formulated far into the night. I am advised that all participants arrived home safely and in one piece but I can’t be sure of what occurred after that.

With the return to school next term we also welcome the winter sporting calendar. For those of you with Year 4 and up girls, Netball at Matthews in Wembley makes its welcome return. I had thought that with my girls being at high school now I would miss out on this amazing seething Saturday morning mass of participants and spectators. I was however not to be disappointed as one has decided to keep playing in the Saturday comp. I would not have ever guessed that I would actually look forward to being dragged out of bed on a brisk, sometimes very rainy Saturday morning to do battle with traffic and the shift change that takes place at the end of each game. After the first year I realised that I should just surrender myself to the machine and embrace the joy of watching our youngsters develop their skills, grow in confidence and learn to be part of a team. Funnily enough I think I actually learned just as much. Especially how much of a social event there was to be enjoyed and that participating didn’t mean you had to be on the court playing. The spectators at a game add to the enjoyment for the kids and positive encouragement and a light hearted atmosphere lifts their game and makes being there a healthy experience for you. My half dozen tips for new parents to netball are:

1. Do try and get there early as everyone else seemingly gets there with five minutes to go.
2. Town of Cambridge parking bylaws and rangers are at their highest concentration wherever the best free street parking is available.
3. The parking on the lower lawn is great value at $2 and the old guy who directs you to your bay is your friend. I must find out his name this year as he knows me by sight after all these years and has always got a smile for you if you don’t try to run him down pulling into your bay.
4. Buy a good raincoat if you haven’t got one because you simply will need it at some stage.
5. Get in the coffee queue early.
6. The car park lane closest to the grass is the fastest exit lane.

Whilst we can see and enjoy our kids sporting achievements on weekends there is a whole other lot of sporting skills development going on at the school that occurs under the name of The Active After-school Communities (AASC) program. This is a physical activity program delivered nationally to children enrolled in Australian primary schools usually during the timeslot of 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm. The program is designed to engage traditionally non-active children in structured physical activities and build pathways between community organisations and sporting clubs. You may have seen the report in the school newsletter about Deanmore’s participation in surfing lessons as part of the AASC program resulting in the competition held last week at Trigg Beach. This was organised and overseen by Dan Rodgers and was held Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Not only did Dan make himself available at that early hour but a number of parents also volunteered their time to be present and help the Surfing WA instructors out in the water. Being late summer the water is beautiful at that time of the morning, so made a great start to the day for not only the kids participating but for the parent volunteers.

Even though we won the inaugural perpetual trophy for the Deanmore PS vs Scarborough PS Surfing Competition, the best thing we as a school took away was the comment from Surfing WA instructors that Deanmore and Scarborough have by far and away the highest level of parent volunteer participation out of all the schools that do surfing as a sport. This created a much more enjoyable and safer learning environment for the kids, due mainly to the fact that they were able to get out and catch many more waves with parent help. The extra help in the water also meant that if there were conditions that would have been a bit challenging with regards supervision and safety, which would normally have resulted in beach only activities or cancellation, the extra numbers of adult helpers negated those concerns. This is a perfect example of how our children have been able to gain advantage specifically from parent volunteers.

Every week Dan is running other AASC programs for other age groups on school grounds after hours. The level of parent participation in these is quite low which means he is a bit restricted in what he can offer and effectively deliver. If you have children participating in these activities it may pay to ask Dan if there is some way you can help. It may be as simple as acting as a marker for the kids to run around or helping corral them while they wait their turn. This participation helps you get to know the other kids that your lot are going to be associating with for years to come and I have also found that the kids seem to develop respect for those that they see putting themselves out just that extra bit to do stuff for them. These are the start of important relationships that will last well into the foreseeable future and should be realised as one of the building blocks of the communication structure that we need to build as parents, not only among other parents but also with the children themselves to ensure we produce a safe healthy community with like minded citizens.

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.

Albert Schweitzer

French philosopher & physician (1875 – 1965)  

From Ruth Macaulay.

My Dad was the original recycler. He would sort, reinvent, mend and make-do with all assortment of items. This clever ingenuity enabled my Parents to raise and educate six children on Dad’s modest wage. He used to say, “People used to call me thrifty, but I was just ahead of my time.”

Just before he died he asked my sister to iron his “good” trousers to go out in. They were 20 years old! He had stayed the same weight, looked after his clothes and so they lasted. Like a lot of men, he didn’t bow to fashion trends. This made me question how much money I waste on clothing and whether I too could recycle rather than just buy more! What gems were hiding in my wardrobe?

Now I am not a fashion stylist but I certainly know a thing or two about organising.  Organising your wardrobe goes a long way to sorting your day.  In the following I have considered many ideas to help you conquer this chore that we all put off.  One thing I can guarantee is that, if you do sort your clothes, you will feel refreshed and daily dressing will become much easier. Allowing you more time to read the morning news or even master that ‘101 Ways to French-braid’ book that your daughter keeps leaving lying around for you.

Firstly, if you want to clean your wardrobe properly, you need to want to do it! Be in the right frame of mind to want change, otherwise you are wasting your time. Next, set aside a whole day, more or less, depending on how extensive your fashion story runs. Put on your favourite music and don’t take any of this too seriously!

Always, the most effective way to seriously clear any area is to empty the whole space. That means everything needs to come out of the wardrobe! This does enable you to do some sorting as you empty too. As you take clothing items out of your wardrobe, make three piles.

• Firstly, one pile for must-go items! This is clothing that is too small, too big, too tatty, too ugly, anything that doesn’t make you feel fantastic. Don’t over-think this process because usually your first instinct is right. These clothes can be donated to a charity!
• The second pile is must-recycle clothing. These are clothes that could be professionally mended, remade or altered. Sometimes eg. a jacket can be reworked to make it into something fabulous. Remember, recycling is the new Black! Also, a brilliantly cut dress that really suites your shape may be able to be remade to update it. Tops dyed, jeans cut off, get the idea? But don’t get too carried away if your wardrobe is already extensive. Sometimes it’s just past its use by date and it has to be put in the must-go pile!
• Thirdly, a must-keep clothes pile. Here are items that look great on you, fit you well, and make you feel fabulous when you wear them. You may need to try some clothes on to make some decisions here, but be picky and if in doubt throw out!

This sorting stage will take some time but try not to get overwhelmed and maybe ask a trusted friend if you’re really unsure.

Prescriptive part over, now here is the optional part. There are a number of ways to arrange the clothes you put back into your wardrobe.

a) Colour sorting! Put all the items into colour codes like for eg.black, white, beige, bright colours, patterns etc.

b) Item sorting! By putting all the trousers together, all the shirts together, all the dresses together etc.

c) Outfit sorting! My Favourite! Place all your clothes that you wear together along side each other. Eg. The skirt that you always wear with the same top/s. Having your best combinations already picked out.

d) Season sorting! All your Wintery clothes, transitional season clothes and  Summer clothes in different sections of your wardrobe.

e) Combination sorting! Using a combination of the above ideas. E.g. all summer clothing sorted into colours or items like skirts also being colour coded.

Some other considerations to make is that if you are really unsure as to whether to part with an item, then pack it in the top cupboard and give it a few months. This can give you time to reflect and see if later you feel the same way. Also, use quality hangers, draw- liners, and fold neatly to ensure your clothes stay in tip-top condition.

This culling process does not mean everything must go! I have kept some ‘historic’ clothing items and a few sentimental pieces like my Wedding dress, my year 12 Ball gown and a dress my Mum hand made for me in my twenties. Precious keepsakes and preserved carefully.

Now Shoes! These can be awkward to manage, as most women generally have these in abundance! Yes, we do need different shoes for different seasons etc. but shoes definitely have a use-by-date. The best way to sort these is try them on and if they are uncomfortable, tatty, smelly, too big, too small, or just ugly, then they must-go too. To store your chosen kept shoes, there are a few options. Try…..

• Bags with pockets for over the backs/inside of doors.
• Use the shoe box and glue a photo of the shoe on the outside of the box.
• Or clear boxes to see the shoes inside.
• A shoe rack on the higher shelf of your wardrobe, instead of always at the bottom of your wardrobe.
• Store some shoes, like sneakers and thongs, on an outside rack to give you more room in your cupboard.
• Considerations need to be made for storing accessories like scaves, belts, costume jewellery and hats also. Similarly, store these neatly together so you can assess them quickly. 

Finally ….now here is the tricky part! If you have reduced your wardrobe and it is pretty much to capacity and you are truly committed to keeping it clutter free,… then when any new items come into your wardrobe, something else must-go! Tough hey! This is a different story if your wardrobe is only half full but don’t kid yourself! This hard rule can make you rethink buying that second or third clothing item just because it was on sale. Remember, it’s not a bargain if you don’t need it!

From Blake Willis.

If you have visited the School Administration Offices over the past months you may have noticed drawings illustrating the proposed Masterplan for the Deanmore School Farm. Some small changes have already taken place in the aim of preparing space for planned features.

If you have not had a chance to look at the plans in the office, please take a look at the small version (pdf). The design aims to provide a diverse range of integrated agriculture from various cultures and climates. The layout is composed to promote access for all of our children, for all ages and learning abilities.

The primary role of the proposed layout is to provide a simple stage for teachers and kids to be immersed in a farming environment physically and visually removed from the typically structured classroom environment. To this end, the plan includes structures and fruiting tree compositions that define a series of spaces that cater to various types of farming for children of various needs.

If you have visited the School Administration Offices over the past months you may have noticed drawings illustrating the proposed Masterplan for the Deanmore School Farm. Some small changes have already taken place in the aim of preparing space for planned features.

Beyond the primary objectives exists broader possibilities such as community involvement with the establishment of a Deanmore Community seed bank, collaboration with community members who care to pass on their knowledge & skills and plant material, and the development of permacultural concepts and sustainable process’s.

A huge thanks to the school community members who on Monday afternoon donated their time and skin off their finger tips to lift  and stock pile all the pavers in the farm area to make way for some raised garden beds. Thank you, Nicole Buschgens, Brian Bentley, Mike Cake, Barbs Harvey ( our one armed Wonder woman), Flavie Waters, Robyn and Shane Attwell and Brett (sorry don’t know his surname , he has 2 sons one in year 7and maybe year 2) Thanks to Robyn who pushed us through the home time siren until all pavers were moved.

 The proposed development of the Deanmore School Farm is exciting and ambitious, but most importantly, it’s creation by our very capable, multi-skilled school community is really achievable if done so in a well planned process a little bit at a time. The proposed agenda to bring all of the pieces together is:

1. Re-location of existing plants and trees – completed

2. Installation of raised planter walls – Proposed for Easter holidays

3. Construction of Entry Gate House, Pergola and Trellis Screens for Fruiting Vines – Pending availability of materials and carpenters / handypersons

4. Chook Hutch/ Roosting Enclosure and Chook Run Fence & Gates – Pending availability of materials and carpenters /handypersons

5. Relocation of pavements – Pending availability of materials and carpenters / handypersons

6. Installation of irrigation

7. Worm Farms, Compost Bins, Garden Shed (To House Chook Feeds, Garden Tools, Seed Stock etc) – Pending availability of materials and carpenters / handypersons

8. Installation of various Fruiting Trees, Perennial Fruiting Plants etc – Pending availability of materials and carpenters / handypersons

With this in mind, we are seeking assistance from the dynamically skilled school community. We are not only looking for ‘green thumbs’, but would love the help of anyone who can help out on the ground, or with the supply of farm materials either new or used.

The need for materials and skill will evolve in parallel with the proposed program for development of the farm. Please take the time to peruse the table below to see if you have the potential to contribute to our school farm. You never know, we may be able to help clear out the back yard of items you thought were not of use to others. If you feel you might have any of the above mentioned materials to contribute please contact the people listed below so we can make arrangements for where the materials can be delivered. It is important that you do so with the aim of maintaining appropriate levels of safety, assessment of it being fit for use and acknowledgement of those contributing.

 Also if you have any of the skills suggested ie the ability to hold a hammer without having to google it first, please contact Nicole or Annie so we can register your skills and contact details for future help.

 Nicole Buschgens Mob 0421 508 032

Annie Willis Mob 0424 209 100

email - email hidden; JavaScript is required 

From Raising Children Network.

Your child’s eating habits are mostly influenced by the way your family eats and then by how your child’s friends eat. Your child looks at you as the main eating role model, so be sure to provide healthy meals and snacks at home.

A healthy breakfast wakes up your child’s body by starting the metabolism. Breakfast provides the energy your child needs for the day. Research has found that children who skip breakfast tend to weigh more. This might be because these children get hungry and eat more later in the day.

Mornings can be a mad rush for many families. Luckily, breakfast can be quick, easy and still healthy – it might be as simple as yoghurt and fruit, cereal and milk, or toast.

School lunch box ideas

In most schools, children can choose to get their lunch from the school tuckshop or bring their own lunch from home. Thanks to recent efforts by parents, the food in some tuckshops is now much more nutritious. Still, it’s probably cheaper and healthier to send your child to school with a lunch box from home, stuffed full of good things.

Here are some ideas for a wholegrain-bread sandwich (or you can use pita bread, wraps, baguettes or rice cakes):

• cheese, lettuce and chutney
• swiss cheese and sliced gherkin (pickled cucumber)
• cottage cheese or ricotta and dates
• brie cheese and cranberry sauce
• lean meat or falafel and salad
• curried egg or mashed boiled egg and lettuce
• chicken, mayonnaise and celery.

A piece of fruit added to the lunch box is a good idea. You can:

• peel and cut a kiwi fruit and put it in a container
• chop up strawberries and combine with grapes or blueberries, and put them all in a container
• quarter an apple and squeeze some lemon juice over it – this will stop it browning by lunch time
• pop in a banana – they come in their own easy-to-peel packaging!

 Some other lunch box ideas include:

•  a drinking straw skewered with cubes of cheese and cherry tomatoes (or strawberries if they’re in season and not expensive)
• carrot and celery sticks with hummus dip (put hummus in a separate container so your child can dip into it)
• a silly smiley face on a note – your child can’t eat it, but it will get a laugh and show that you’re thinking of her!

Is your child’s lunch coming home uneaten? Maybe there isn’t time for your child to eat before his friends want to play. Try cutting the sandwich into quarters, rather than halves, so your child can at least finish some before play begins.

 Healthy eating tips

When your child goes to school, his taste buds might be exposed to many new foods, which can be a great thing. Sometimes, though, eating away from home can undo some of the work you’ve put into encouraging your child to eat healthy food. Sticking with healthy family meals will help your child avoid falling into the trap of childhood obesity.

Here are some ideas to help:

• Pack a goodness punch by including lots of your child’s nutritional needs in one dish. Try Everything fried rice, an omelette with the lot, shepherd’s pie, baked beans on wholegrain toast, or pasta bolognaise with a meat and vegie sauce.
• Avoid forcing your child to eat vegetables – or any other food, for that matter. Encourage your child to try a spoonful, but don’t get upset if she refuses it.
• Eating fresh foods is a better way of getting vitamins and minerals than taking supplements.
• Your school-age child gets thirsty running around the playground. The best thirst quencher is plain water.
• Generally, food additives don’t cause any harmful effects. If your child is sensitive to one or more food additives, speak to your doctor. You can read more about food additives in our article on food labels and nutrition panels.
• Limit snacks such as salty chips, lollies and sweet biscuits, especially while your child is watching TV. You can learn more about good and bad fats.

School-age activity

Your school-age child benefits from at least one hour of physical activity each day. The activity should be moderate to vigorous. ‘Moderate’ means your child should be gently huffing and puffing, and ‘vigorous’ means even more huffing and puffing!

You can encourage your child to be active by doing fun physical activities such as:

• playing at the playground, or swimming at the local pool or beach
• going for family bike rides or bushwalks
• walking to or from school – this also gives you a chance to have a chat while you spend time together.

It can be easy to think of fun, active things to do with your child when the sun is shining. It can be harder in winter. To stay active in winter, you can bring outside activities inside – or just rug up and head outdoors.

 If you drive your child to school, try parking a few blocks away so you both have to walk the rest of the way – this sneaks some activity into your day.

Playing sport

Many children are ready for organised sport by eight years of age. Try to choose a sport that will help your child develop skills without getting hurt or losing confidence. You can also get children interested in sport earlier through play.

You can help your child stay safe and prevent injury when doing sport or any kind of physical activity by making sure your child has proper equipment, a safe environment and well-fitting protective clothes.

Some children don’t seem to like organised sports. That’s OK – there are plenty of other ways to support active children. But it’s a good idea to look for underlying causes of a dislike of sport, to see whether you can find a solution and to rule out any health issues or other problems.

When children spend lots of time in front of the TV and computer, they miss out on the physical activity and play that keeps them healthy. Child development experts say that children over five should have no more than two hours of screen time each day.

Sourced from the Raising Children Network’s comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website http://raisingchildren.net.au

GLOSSARY: metabolism The chemical processes in the body by which food is consumed by cells and broken down into simpler compounds to provide energy.

From Leo Babauta of Zen Habits.

There is no such thing as stress-free parenting.

A reader requested that I share my thoughts on stress-free parenting, as the father of six kids. And while I have learned a lot about being a dad, and finding joy in parenthood, I also know that stress-free parenting is a myth.

Parents will always have stress: we not only have to deal with tantrums and scraped knees and refusing to eat anything you cook, but we worry about potential accidents, whether we are ruining our kids, whether our children will find happiness as adults and be able to provide for themselves and find love.

That said, I’ve learned that we can find peace.

Peace isn’t a place with no stress, but a place where you take the stress as it comes, in stride, and don’t let it rule you. You let it flow through you, and then smile, and breathe, and give your child a hug.

There is a Way of the Peaceful Parent, but it isn’t one that I’ve learned completely. I’ll share what I’ve learned so far, with the caveat that I don’t always follow the Way, that I still make mistakes daily, that I still have a lot to learn, that I don’t claim to have all the answers as a parent.

The Way

The Way is only learned by walking it. Here are the steps I recommend:

• Greet your child each morning with a smile, a hug, a loving Good Morning! This is how we would all like to be greeted each day.
• Teach your child to make her own breakfast. This starts for most children at around the age of 3 or 4. Teach them progressively to brush their teeth, bathe themselves, clean up their rooms, put away clothes, wash their dishes, make lunch, wash their own clothes, sweep and clean, etc.
• Teaching these skills takes patience. Kids suck at them at first, so you have to show them about a hundred times, but let them try it, correct them, and let them make mistakes. They will gradually learn independence as you will gradually have less work to do caring for them.
• Older children can help younger children — it’s good for them to learn responsibility, it helps the younger children learn from the older ones, and it takes some of the stress off you.
• Read to them often. It’s a wonderful way to bond, to educate, to explore imaginary worlds.
• Build forts with them. Play hide and seek. Shoot each other with Nerf dart guns. Have tea together. Squeeze lemons and make lemonade. Play, often, as play is the essence of childhood. Don’t try to force them to stop playing.
• When your child asks for your attention, grant it.
• Parents need alone time, though. Set certain traditions so that you’ll have time to work on your own, or have mommy and daddy time in the evening, when your child can do things on her own.
• When your child is upset, put yourself in his shoes. Don’t just judge the behavior (yes, crying and screaming isn’t ideal), but the needs behind the behavior. Does he need a hug, or attention, or maybe he’s just tired?
• Model the behavior you want your child to learn. Don’t yell at the child because he was screaming. Don’t get angry at a child for losing his temper. Don’t get mad at a kid who wants to play video games all the time if you’re always on your laptop. Be calm, smile, be kind, go outdoors and be active.
• When a stressful time arises (and it will), learn to deal with it with a smile. Make a joke, turn it into a game, laugh … you’ll teach your child not to take things so seriously, and that life is to be enjoyed. Breathe, walk away if you’ve lost your temper, and come back when you can smile.
• Remember that your child is a gift. She won’t be a child for long, and so your time with her is fleeting. Every moment you can spend with her is a miracle, and you should savor it. Enjoy it to the fullest, and be grateful for that moment.
• Let your child share your interests. Bake cookies together. Sew together. Exercise together. Read together. Work on a website together. Write a blog together.
• Know that when you screw up as a parent, everything will be fine. Forgive yourself. Apologize. Learn from that screw up. In other words, model the behavior you’d like your child to learn whenever he screws up.
• Patiently teach your child the boundaries of behavior. There should be boundaries — what’s acceptable and what’s not. It’s not OK to do things that might harm yourself or others. We should treat each other with kindness and respect. Those aren’t things the child learns immediately, so have patience, but set the boundaries. Within those boundaries, allow lots of freedom.
• Give your child some space. Parents too often overschedule their child’s life, with classes and sports and play dates and music and clubs and the like, but it’s a constant source of stress for both child and parent to keep this schedule going. Let the child go outside and play. Free time is necessary. You don’t always have to be by her side either — she needs alone time just as much as you do.
• Exercise to cope with stress. A run in solitude is a lovely thing. Get a massage now and then.
• It helps tremendously to be a parenting team — one parent can take over when the other gets stressed. When one parent starts to lose his temper, the other should be a calming force.
• Mom and dad need a date night every week or so. Get a babysitter, or better yet, teach the older kids to babysit.
• Sing and dance together.
• Take every opportunity to teach kindness and love. It’s the best lesson.
• Kiss your child goodnight. And give thanks for another amazing day with your beautiful, unique, crazy child.

‘You know the only people who are always sure about the proper way to raise children? Those who’ve never had any.’ ~Bill Cosby

Editor’s note:  A big thanks to Leo for allowing his blog posts from Zen Habits to be shared freely! 

From Karen Sawyer.

Thanks very much to everyone who has contributed to the Bulletin for this issue.  Bruce Johnson’s President’s report is well worth a read, (I particularly recommend his tips for new netball parents – great advice Bruce!).  I’m not sure how she find the time (she’s obviously very organised!) but Ruth has written another Simple Life column – this time on how to declutter your wardrobe.  I for one, am determined to find time this Easter break to reduce and recycle – it is amazing how good it feels when you do.   Blake Willis’ School Farm project information has been carried over from the last issue (in case you missed it), with some updates on progress.  An article on nutrition and kids from Raising Children Network and another inspiring piece from Leo Babauta on ‘peaceful parenting’ provide further good holiday reading if you have some time to spare. 

Deb Siney, our fundraising coordinator,  brings you up to date on our fundraising activities, and Suzie Croston has posted information on the Mother’s Day Stall with requests for help – there are lots of ways that you can contribute to this legendary event.  Kelly Backshall has put up a note about the Entertainment books, with an order form which you can print off (you can also order online).  Suzette has an update on the Scholastic Books, and the Treasurer’s Report from our new treasurer Alison Murphy, is also available.  Thanks to you all for your contributions!

If you have anything you would like to put in the next issue, please forward it to me at email hidden; JavaScript is required by Friday 4 May.  

Thanks and have a happy and safe holiday period.

Karen

From Deb Siney.

There is another exciting year planned for fundraising at Deanmore in 2012.  In order to provide much needed funds to the school and to enhance our children’s experiences, this year we are hoping to supply some major items to the school.  These will be an enormous benefit for our kids in the forms of new play equipment for the pre-primary and a substantial contribution towards new computers. 

The classroom reps are all in place and for the first time, we’ve got pod representatives nominated as well.  The pod reps will be a central point of contact for the classroom reps and their pod.  Get to know your pod rep and class rep to keep in touch with what’s happening.

Pod Representatives:

Pod 1:  Jessica Allen Rm15

Pod 2:  Sharon Leigh Rm 9

Pod 3:  Lisa King Rm 8

Pod 4:  Karen Ellis Rm 3

 Classroom Representatives 

 Checkout the fundraising events calendar for Term 2 below. Some events are yet to be finalised, so watch this space!! If you would like to help out with any of the events, see your class rep or pod rep or contact me email hidden; JavaScript is required or 0438877995. 

Upcoming Fundraising Calendar of Events

 Look out for the $50 boards at the assemblies, some of you may remember them.  Well, they’re making a comeback!!  $2 gets you in and if your number comes up you win $50!  How easy is that??

 The annual Easter Raffle is being drawn on the 5^th April and I hope your children all get their fill of chocolates and eggs!

 We’ve had the Yr 7 school disco, which was great fun for everyone, with part proceeds toward the McGrath foundation.  Thanks to Carol Pickering and volunteers for all of their hard work towards making the disco a big success. 

 Look out for the 5c Fundraiser at the start of Term 2. There will be a 2 litre soft drink bottle placed in each class and the class to fill it first will get a free dress day.  The class with the bottle that has put on the most weight each month will get a free icy pole for every child.  So start looking between the car seats and under the sofa for all of your spare 5c pieces!

 The Bunnings Sausage sizzle will be on the 6^th May and it is a great opportunity for parents to have some fun and get involved and meet other parents.  If you can spare a couple of hours to help out please let Barbs Harvey or Babs O’Grady know. 

 Suzie Croston is busy preparing for the Mother’s Day stall and there will be a craft day or two organised to get ready for the big day!  If you are handy with a needle or can make some goodies to contribute, then let Suzie know.

 All offers of help are greatly appreciated for the fantastic causes we are fundraising for this year, so get behind your kids and have some fun along the way whilst we raise some precious funds for the school.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Deb Siney

Fundraising Co-ordinator

From Suzie Croston.

Would you like to get involved and help with Mother’s Day at Deanmore?

We would love hear from you if you can……

• Pot plants or have plants to donate
• Knit scarves or beanies
• Bake or make sweet goodies, jams and preserves etc..
• Do you make or create items that you think would sell well on the Mother’s Day stall?

Please contact Suzie or Ginny for more information or come and join in our craft sessions—venues to be arranged…….

• Wed 18th April  10am—1pm
• Thur 19th April 7.30pm—10.30pm
• Friday 20th April  1pm-4pm
• Wed 25th April 9.30am -12.00 noon
• Thursday 26th April 7.30pm-10.30pm
• Wed 2nd May 9.30am—12 noon
• Thursday 6th May 7.30pm—10.30pm

Donations—have you got items like beads, wools, yarns and ribbon at home that you never use?  Do you have anything that would be suitable for the Mother’s Day raffle?  Please contact Suzie or Ginny or pop them in the box as soon as possible in your class rooms.

Suzie:  0401 638912  email hidden; JavaScript is required

Ginny:  0419 920197  email hidden; JavaScript is required 

Mother’s Day Stall will be held at lunch times in the undercover area between 12pm and 1pm Wed 9th, 10th, 11th May   Can you help on the stalls?  Please contact Suzie or Ginny

From Kelly Backshall.

We are not sending home Entertainment Books this year for people to peruse before purchase, however, we will have a sample book (when available) displayed in school reception area.  I will also be distributing order forms early next term but by ordering early, parents have the opportunity of receiving bonus vouchers as described below. 

 Here are just some of the valuable offers in the new Book!

 Pre-order your Book now and you’ll receive  extra value…
Pay for your new Perth Entertainment™ Book before 30 April 2012 and you’ll receive Bonus Offers*, valued  at over $200, which you can use immediately!

Click here to order online 

If you prefer you can download the order form by clicking here: Entertainment Book Order Form 

     *Whilst stocks last