IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP
Thurs 26th - 2016 Prep Parent Information Session – 6.00pm
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Avenelprimary
“Creating learners, Growing Good People, Giving Something Back”
Fri 27th – P-2 Sleepover
1st – 3rd – Swimming Program
2nd – RE Pageant & Thank you morning tea
Congratulations to our Energy Breakthrough team on their debut in last week's Energy Breakthrough
challenge. Gathering together schools from all over Australia, the scene at Maryborough last weekend
was certainly an eye-opener for our students as they pitched their tents amongst the throngs and
steered their vehicle through 290 laps of intense action, competing against 90 other vehicles on a tight
and tricky course. The efforts on the track were preceded by a detailed academic presentation during
which students had to explain the design of their vehicle, detail its safety features and answer
impromptu questions from the scrutineers.
In a remarkable effort, Avenel Primary School took out the Judy Parker - Best First Year School Award and also covered 300
kilometres during the 16 hours of racing. As I have said to the team many times, getting to the start line is a major achievement in itself
for a school of our size. However in true Avenel style, we have aimed high and succeeded once again. This has been a remarkable
team effort and I would like to pay credit to Leigh Eeles, Bree Thomas, James Athorn, our 10 students and the many parents who
helped out along the way.
Swimming Program and Avenel Swimming Pool
On Tuesday of next week, we will be commencing our 2015 swimming program. Over the course of two weeks, students will receive
six water safety and swimming lessons in preparation for their exposure to water over the summer season. Through a combination of
making use of our local facilities and availing of Federal funding, the program runs at no cost to parents. As a school, we are proud of
the fact that we can offer a quality swimming program without placing a significant financial burden upon parents. Part of this equation,
of course, is the fact that the school makes use of our local swimming pool. As you may have seen from recent community consultation
literature, the future of all community swimming pools within the Shire is under review. As the highest cost per patron pool within the
Shire, the future of the Avenel pool will certainly come under close scrutiny. If the school did not have access to this local facility, a
comparable swimming program at another venue would cost between $150 and $200. As you can see, our local pool plays an
important role in the water safety education of students within our community.
The Avenel Action Group is calling upon all residents to voice their support for our local pool by signing a petition which can be found
at the post office or at our office. If you feel strongly about this issue, I encourage you to sign the petition and express your views
through the community consultation process.
Religious Instruction - Changes to the mode of provision
As you may have gathered from recent media releases, the protocols regarding the provision of religious education in state schools will
be changing in 2016. The most significant change is that religious education cannot be provided during instructional time. All religious
education programs may only be delivered during lunchtime, or in the hour before or after school for a maximum of 30 minutes. As has
been the case in the past, participation in a religious education program is on a voluntary basis and requires a signed permission form
from students’ parents. At this point in time, the school has not been advised whether a religious education program will be run in 2016.
I will advise the school community as soon as I have received confirmation from our religious education teachers
Prep students 2016 - Information Evening
On Thursday, November 26, we will be holding a parent information evening for all parents of children starting with us next year. The
session commences at 6pm and will run for approximately 45 minutes. Even if you are familiar with the school, we encourage you to
come along if you have a child starting next year as you will know doubt be able to provide valuable insights for those parents who
have children starting next year.
Grades 3 to 6 Triathlon
In keeping with the spirit of running ambitious events, the 24th Avenel Primary School triathlon will be held on Monday, December
14th. Our triathlon is a fabulous opportunity for students to get a taste of team spirit as they compete in teams of three to complete the
various legs of the triathlon. If you are interested in helping out with this event, please leave your name at the office. Once again, this is
a unique Avenel Primary School event which we can't run without parent support.
Grade 6 Valedictory
Our Grade 6 students are currently working on their Valedictory speeches in preparation for their departure from our school. The
Valedictory dinner, held on December 9th at the Avenel Golf Club, provides a lovely opportunity for us to reflect on the personal
journey of these students during their time at Avenel Primary School. One of my favourite components of the night is our traditional
slideshow in which we post every student's Prep photo next to their Grade 6 photo; as you can imagine, the students gets quite a few
giggles during the comparisons!
You Can Do It
As I mentioned at last Monday’s Assembly, our You Can Do It program is not something that is confined to the walls of the classroom.
What we aim to do at school is to provide guidance and structure about how to deal with common real-world social and personal
problems. This week’s You Can Do It snippet focuses on self-talk that we can all use to keep things in perspective.
Keeping Things in Perspective
Next time something happens to you and you feel very
upset, ask yourself: How bad is it really?”
Things that are a “bit bad”
You break a cup
You lose a little bit of money
You stub your toe
Things that are “bad”
You are involved in a minor car accident
Someone calls you bad names
You fail a test
Things that are “very bad”
Your house burns down
You break a leg
Your parent loses his/her job
Things that are “awful and terrible”
Your community experiences a natural disaster
(earthquake)
Someone in your family is killed
A bomb explodes killing many people
All the best,
Neil
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ….
GR 5- 6 PERFORMANCE – ALADDIN – Our Gr 5-6 students are in full swing with rehearsals for
their forthcoming production “Aladdin” and are eagerly awaiting to take you on a magical journey
when they take the stage at the Avenel Memorial Hall on Friday 11th December at 8.00pm. Tickets
for this performance are on sale for $5.00 and can be purchased from the school office. There will
also be a matinee performance for school and kindergarten students in the afternoon.
OUTSTANDING CAMP PAYMENTS & SUBJECT CONTRIBUTIONS – A reminder to those who are paying
their subject contributions by instalment payments for term 3 are now due. These can be paid by direct
deposit to the school account BSB 063 545 Account No 10076513. Please insert ‘sub cont’ or ‘camp’ and
family name in the reference field.
RE CONCERT & THANK YOU MORNING TEA – Our RE students will be holding their RE Pageant at the Avenel Recreation Reserve
Hall on Wednesday 2nd commencing at 10.00am. This will be followed by a ‘Thank You’ morning tea in the staffroom for all those who
have assisted at Avenel Primary School over the year. All welcome to attend.
AROUND THE ROOMS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Ashley Wheeler and Will Nash
STUDENTS OF THE WEEK ….. Congratulations to
Daniel Friedrich - For taking on feedback and showing persistence to improve his writing. Great work
Daniel! 
Brendan Hurlock - For showing great focus and persistence during our writing sessions. 
Ben Davies - For the great effort he consistently puts into all his work. Well done Ben. 
Annie Goodman - For showing great mateship and getting along skills. Well done Annie. 
Lily Skinner - For showing great effort and application during all tasks. Well done Lily. 
Ashley Wheeler - For showing great support for younger students in the playground. Well done Ashley.

Sincere apologies to Ebony Harper who became an honorary member of the Walker family in last week’s awards.
Indianna Lavryssen - For her contribution to group tasks and co-operation when working with a partner. 
Angus Nash - For taking on difficult challenges, using the language of YCDI and 'self-talk' to achieve success. 
Grace Ferguson - For showing persistence and determination during the Energy Breakthrough event. 
COMMUNITY CORNER
EUROA CINEMA – What’s showing over the next week or
two:
28th/29th – The dressmaker
4th - Macbeth
5th/6th – Learning to Drive
12th/13th – Bridge of Spies
19th/20th – The Martian
Tickets $10 – Preschool children free. Ice-creams, popcorn
etc available from the Kiosk. Screening times: 8.00pm Friday;
8.00pm Saturday and 4.00pm Sunday.
PILATES AND TAI CHI CLASSES – Mat Pilates- All levels7.00pm-8.00pm – Thursdays during school term. Held at the
Avenel Memorial Hall
Tai Chi- All Levels- Is at St Mary’s College, McIntyre Street,
Seymour on a Wednesday from 5.45pm – 6.45pm. Classes
cost $10 and run by Physio Brent Davies.
Please ring 0488488172 if you have any questions.
The dates for Vic Swim at Avenel Pool are 4th – 8th
January and January 18th – 22nd. Sessions held
between 9am – 12m. Please call the VicSwim office on
9271 3800 to make a booking or go line www.vicswim.comau.
NAGAMBIE ON WATER FESTIVAL - The NOW Festival will
be held on Saturday, March 5th and Sunday March 6th 2016.
They are giving students plenty of notice about the ways they
can be involved in this festival. So get your thinking caps on
and start being ‘creative’ …..
EUROA MINIATURE RAILWAY (Cnr Turnbull & Hunter Sts,
Euroa) – Dates for 2015 - November 22 and December 6
(Christmas Run). Times 11am – 4pm. Rides $2 each or 10
for $15. Sausage sizzle and drinks available. We also cater
for parties and fundraising events. Enclosed footwear must be
worn. Contact Jim Lawton 5795 1317 for further information.
AVENEL CHRISTMAS CAROLS –
The Combined Churches of Avenel
present Avenel Christmas Carols on
Sunday 6th December at the Avenel
Memorial Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
All welcome to attend. Please bring a
plate of supper to share.
They are again having The Empty
Christmas Tree and would appreciate
donations of non-perishable items for
distribution to families struggling this
Christmas.
AVENEL ‘CHRISTMAS’ MARKET
Sunday 13th December in Jubilee Park from 9.00am – 1.00pm.
Come along and purchase your Christmas gifts from our wide
range of home-made products including wines, preserves,
soaps, plants, handmade toys and lots more. You can also
stock up on fresh fruit and vegies, Avenel mushrooms,
delicious fresh bread and of course fill the tummy with a
yummy sausage or burger from the BBQ.
- Poster making Competition and Artwork display
- There will be a vegie/fruit carving competition. Entries to be
delivered to Buckley Park at 9am on the morning of the
festival.
- There will be a model boat competition – make a boat out of
anything, and it can be any size.
- There will be a Poet’s Breakfast on Sunday 6th at 9.30am in
Blaney Park. Students encouraged to come along, read or
recite an original poem they have written, or their favourite
from another poet. A bacon and egg breakfast and cuppa will
be available for purchase, with proceeds going to Nagambie
All-skate.
AVENEL PRIMARY SCHOOL – CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MONTH
November
December
DATE
Thursday 26th
Friday 27th
1st – 3rd
Wednesday 2nd
7th – 10th
Tuesday 8th
Wednesday 9th
Friday 11th
Monday 14th
Wednesday 16th
Friday 18th
EVENT
2016 Prep Parent Information Session – 6.00pm
P-2 Sleepover
Swimming Program
RE Pageant
Swimming Program
State Wide Transition Day
School Library Bus – Returns only
Valedictory Dinner
Gr 5-6 Production - Aladdin
Triathlon
P-2 Excursion to Melbourne
Concert evening
Last Day Term 4