PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Thought for the Week

Remember you are whole and complete, just as you are. Express love, share love, be love.

At Huntingtower we work hard to create an environment where learning is fun, where supporting one another is the norm and where negative attitudes and behaviour are not found. We have now had four weeks of this year and I think that the group of students we have this year are exceptional. They all seem to have settled in well, are responding to the New Year’s expectations with enthusiasm and an anticipation of good and are contributing to our very positive atmosphere.

Each year seems to be a big step up for everyone and responding to the new challenges as an important part of maturing.

As Mrs Eddy says “each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.” If we look to every new experience that lies before us as an unfoldment of good we will find that our lives are filled with the joy and excitement of new ideas, challenges and experiences. We will get what we expect and we will find what we expect to find. Believe it and you will see it.

We had a good turn-out at the PTA’s Annual General Meeting and I am very grateful to everyone who attended and also to the outgoing PTA Committee for all the work they did and for the money they raised for the school. Their hard work has enabled many projects to go ahead and the new life-sized Chess Board in the Junior School is just one example. Congratulations to those elected to the new PTA Committee for 2008. I look forward to working with you this year.

On Saturday night the PTA held the annual welcome to parents sausage sizzle. This event was well attended and I thank all of you who came along for braving the doubtful weather and bringing your families to enjoy the twilight. It was good to see so many children at the event. We enjoyed the playing of an “ex-parent” band led by Goki Prasad and Jack Collins. Goki has pointed that his families’ association with Huntingtower goes back over 50 years.

 The Year 11 Broken Hill/Plumbago expedition was once again a very successful event and I am grateful to all the staff, parents, ex-parents and outdoor education staff who attended. This challenging experience is invaluable for the students and many of them come back to school with a changed attitude. A special thanks to Peter Chambers who flew back from to lead the expedition as this was the 30^th anniversary of the event.

This week saw the first Hockey matches played on our new Astroturf. We are very excited about this development and know that the children are very keen to try it out. The contractors still have a few finishing touches to add and we will take occupation of the new facility. We will be having a special opening of the new ground on Sunday 20 April. Please put this date in your diaries as we are expecting a great turnout. We hope to get a very well known person to do the opening. There will be sports matches against the old students that afternoon and this is always a wonderful event.

Thank you to those of you who are having a Japanese exchange student to stay with you. I am sure that you will enjoy the experience.

I look forward to seeing the Senior School Parents at the House Music Festival. Have a wonderful mid-term long weekend next weekend with Labour Day on Monday 10 March.

Sholto Bowen
Principal

February 29 2008 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » |

PTA PAGE

 Diary Dates:

Are you ready to have a go?

Thank you

Come celebrate

Sunday Winter Market: O

Farm Pride Eggs:

Another thank you

Your Parent Teacher Association:

Committee members for 2008 are happy to be contacted: 

Sheree Amprimo   9800 4430 
J

We welcome your feedback, support, participation in PTA activities and ideas for fund raising.

February 29 2008 | All and PTA | No Comments » |

MUSIC NOTES

SENIOR HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008 – Years 7 – 12
Once again this year our exciting House Music Festival will be held on two evenings.

• Tuesday 11 March – 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre.  Solos and Instrumental Ensembles.
• Monday 17 March at 7.30pm House Orchestras, House Choirs and Chamber Choirs.  Light Entertainment.
• COMPULSORY attendance for all students in Years 7 to 12.  NB Besen Centre – Mt Scopus.

The House Orchestras and Choirs have been rehearsing regularly achieving a wonderful sound already .  Enthusiastic support will be given to our House Music leaders who will work tirelessly over the next few weeks as they guide their Houses to the final wonderful performances.
VENUE
The very exciting second evening of the House Music Festival on Monday 17 March at 7.30pm will be held at the BESEN CENTRE at Mt Scopus College.  This is a magnificent auditorium with excellent acoustics for the choirs and orchestras and a huge stage for the Light Entertainment.  It is also a very large hall so we do invite all parents, families, old students and friends to come and enjoy this spectacular event!  There will be a comfortable seat for everyone and there is no charge.  Junior School children will love the excitement of the evening and it will not be a long night.  Every student in Years 7 to 12 will perform in his/her House Choir and over 60 percent of the students perform in the House Orchestras (It is a COMPULSORY event for all Senior students).
Please invite all your friends and especially notify any old students whom you may know of the venue.  This would be much appreciated.
DRESS FOR THE HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
Please note carefully as you may need to purchase an item of clothing from the Huntingtower School Shop before the evening.

TWO FANTASTIC CONCERTS!
Two very special concerts were held last week and two very enthusiastic audiences were treated to outstanding performances from all student sinvolved.
The first concert was a Senior Solo concert in which 38 students from Years 7 to 12 performed a wonderful variety of music on many different instruments and voice.  Every item was an absolute gem.  The second concert was the first evening of the House Music Festival at which the adjudicator Professor John Hopkins OBE was excited (as were the audience) by the wonderful array of talent displayed.  18 soloists performed challenging works brilliantly and 3 House Ensembles displayed great maturity and musicianship.
Hours and hours of work had been put in by every individual student performing in each concert we attend and so hearty congratulations and sincere thanks to you all.

INSTRUMENTAL AND THEORY LESSONS
Most lessons have commenced and great progress is being made!  It will not be long before students who have just started an orchestral instrument will become part of one of the orchestras, Little Symphony or Concert Band.  It is great fun and extremely rewarding so if you would like to learn an instrument and would like to have a look at and try out of some of the available instruments please contact Mrs Bramble (AH 9803 7701).  It is not too late to try and all students from Years Prep to 12 are very welcome.
Unfortunately there are no saxophones left but you may like to try a shiny trombone or French Horn or bassoon or a double bass (these instruments would suit older students from Years 6 to 12).  If you have already put in a Music tuition form and have not had a lesson yet the lessons should start very soon.
There has been a slight delay with the service and return of some instruments and three of the instrumental teachers have been touring overseas and interstate.
Theory lessons at all AMEB levels are available on Tuesday and Wednesdays after school.  So please speak to Mrs Bramble if you are interested.

CONGRATULATIONS to Thomas Lo and Jason Huang who have been chosen to perform in the VCE Season of Excellence after their outstanding performance at the VCE Music Performance Group exam in 2007.  They will perform at the Top Class Music Group Performance concert on Saturday 15 March at 6.30pm at the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Building, Southbank.  Everyone is extremely welcome to come along to support Tom and Jason.
Congratulations also to Anne-Marie Johnson who was also chosen to play but is unable to attend the concert.
Congratulations also to Thomas Lo again as he has also been chosen to perform at the Top Class Music Solo Performance as well.  What a fantastic achievement Tom!  He will have a very busy day as his Top Class Solo concert is also on Saturday 15 March but at 1.30pm in the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Building, Southbank.

STRING ORCHESTRA TOUR
The Huntingtower String Orchestra will embark on a very exciting tour of Tasmania and Adelaide during the coming school holidays (Thursday 27 March – Sunday 6 April).
The orchestra is extremely privileged to be accompanied  on the tour by world renowned soloists and Principal players with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Prudence Davis and Jeffrey Crellin.
Prue and Jeff (who are our own Huntingtower parents of Max and Martin Crellin) will be soloists on the tour and they will be an enormous drawcard for audiences.  We are extremely grateful to them for being willing to come on the tour as it is a wonderful promotion for Huntingtower.
The following performance will be given so please tell all your friends and relatives who may live in these areas!!

Launceston:  Thursday 27 March 1.00pm.  Holy Trinity Church, Cameron Street, Launceston
Deloraine Tasmania:  Friday 28 March 7.30pm.  St Mark’s Angleican Church Westbury Street, Deloraine.
Hobart:  Tuesday 1 April 7.30pm.  St John’s Anglican Church, St John’s Avenue, New Town
Adelaide:  Friday 4 April 7.30pm. Wesley Church, 29 Grenfell Street, Kent Town
Adelaide:  Sunday 6 April 1.30pm.  Christian Science Church, 266 North Terrace, Adelaide

In between these performances we are looking forward to many fun activities including visits to the Marakoopa Glow Worm Caves, the Cadbury chocolate factory, the Ghost Tour at Port Arthur and much more.

MUSIC DATES    TERM 1 2008
1.  House Music Festival – Orchestras/Choirs
Monday 17 March 7.30pm – Besen Centre (Mt Scopus)

SPECIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
1.  Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
Thursday 19 June at 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre.  All choirs, orchestras and Concert Band (involving students from Years 3 to 12) will perform so please keep the date free and come and enjoy a fantastic evening!
2.  Waverley Eisteddfod Ensemble sections which usually involve every player from Years 3 to 12 are on Saturday 16 August – please keep this date free also.
3.  Huntingtower Camarata Gala Concert
Sunday 12 October at 2.30pm.  There will be many more details to come but once again all players (Years Prep to 12) and choristers (Years 3 to 12) are involved in this very important event.

MUSIC DATES   TERM 2  2008
1.  YEAR 5 and 6 SOLO CONCERT  Thursday 17 April 6.00pm – Orchestral Room
2.  AMEB Violin Exams  Monday 21 April  9.00am – 5.00pm
3.  YEAR 11 and 12 SOLO CONCERT    Thursday 24 April  7.00pm – Orchestral Room
4.  BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD   Wednesday 30 April   10.00am  Senior String Orchestra  6.00pm  18 years and under Ensemble
5.  DANDENONG EISTEDDFOD (Ensemble Sections)   Friday 2 May  9.00am – 3.30pm
6.  BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD  Wednesday 7 May  10.00am Junior School Chamber Choir / 12.00 noon Junior Small Ensemble
7.  JUNIOR PIANO CONCERT (Years Prep to 4)  Tuesday 27 May  6.00pm – Orchestral Room
8.  BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD  Wednesday 4 June  6.00pm – Junior String Orchestra
9.  LITTLE SYMPHONY and LITTLE CHOIR CONCERT  Thursday 5 June  6.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
10.  JUNIOR PIANO and WIND CONCERT (Years 5 and 6)  Tuesday 10 June  6.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
11.  JUNIOR and SENIOR ORCHESTRAL and CHORAL CONCERT  Thursday 19 June 7.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
12.  YEAR3 and 4 SOLO CONCERT  Tuesday 24 June  6.00pm – Orchestral Room
13.  MORDIALLOC EISTEDDFOD (Senior Choir)  Thursday 26 June

February 29 2008 | All and Music | No Comments » |

HUNTINGTOWER JUNIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

The annual Junior School Swimming Carnival is to be held on Friday 14 March, 12:00noon – 3:00pm. The Swimming Carnival is to be held at Mt Scopus Memorial College. Mt Scopus Memorial College is in Station Street Box Hill South, just north of Burwood Highway. Parking is available on the Mt Scopus site and also on Station Street until 4pm when it becomes a Clearway. Parking in the side streets is not recommended as strict parking restrictions are enforced.

February 29 2008 | All and Features | No Comments » |

BOARDING HOUSE FOR HT STUDENTS

We have places left for both boys and girls in Years 7, 8 or 9 who might like to have a term in the Boarding House. There is no cost for this experience. We have a few spaces left for Terms II, III and IV this year. Please contact the office to apply and book soon so that we can finalise arrangements for these terms.

February 29 2008 | All and Announcements | No Comments » |

HOUSE WANTED TO RENT

Would anyone know of a house in the area for rent from Friday 4 April.  Preferrably with 3 bedrooms, lock up garage and a small garden for a very abedient dog.

Please call the school office 9807 8888 if you can help in any way.  Thank you.

February 29 2008 | Advertisement and All | No Comments » |

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Thought for the week

“When you are grateful for what you have, you get more to be grateful for.”

The joyous faces of our children are enough to make every school day one of immense pleasure for everyone involved in education. How blessed we are to be able to be around hundreds of energetic, positive, loving and thoughtful young people. As I walk through the grounds, talk with children and learn from them, I am immensely grateful for the country in which we live and the school in which we work.

It is quite clear, according to the Law of Attraction, that focussing on the positive things we experience will draw more positive experiences to us. Focussing on the negative will attract more negative. Mary Baker Eddy says “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good and the true and you will bring these into your experience proportionable to their occupancy of your thoughts”

I am currently wearing a wrist band which reads “A Complaint Free World”. When we complain, we are seeing fault, finding fault and soon this can become looking for fault and will certainly draw more negative into our experience. My goal is to go 21 days without complaining. Yes! Not complaining about anything, anyone or any situation; simply focussing on good. If I catch myself complaining (or someone else catches me) I have to transfer the wrist band from the current wrist to the other; until I can go 21 days without complaining. A habit is formed after 21 days and so this attitude should then be permanent. If anyone would like to take the challenge with me, please ask me for a wrist band. I would love to share the journey.

On Tuesday 19 February the PTA are holding their AGM in the Performing Arts Centre. We would love to see as many parents there as possible. Please join us at 7.30pm. The meeting is short and should be over at 8.15pm. If you would like to join the PTA please let me or a current PTA Committee member know or just come along to the meeting.

On Saturday 23 February at 5pm the PTA is hosting a Welcome To New Parents in the School Quadrangle. This is a very relaxed evening where current and new parents and their children bring a picnic basket and have a social time listening to some popular music, chatting and getting to know one another. Miss Greiveson and I will be cooking sausages for you and we are sure the children will enjoy playing in the grounds. We should conclude at about 8.30pm. Please join us. I would love to see hundreds of current and new families on Saturday.

We wish the Year 11 group going off on their “Outback” expedition a very happy time.

Sholto Bowen

Principal 

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CAR POOL

Anyone living near Winjallock Crescent, Vermont South to assist with morning run to school.  Willing to share after school pickup.

Please ring Jean 9887 0589

February 15 2008 | Advertisement and All | No Comments » |

MUSIC NOTES

HUNTINGTOWER ORCHESTRAL PROGRAM
Many students from Years Prep – 12 learn orchestral instruments and participate in various ensembles throughout the school.

Various Year level Orchestras
Small Ensembles (Brass Ensembles, Stage Band, String Quartets etc)
The players enjoy the excitement of performing together and they develop a high level of concentration, responsiveness and alertness which is then channelled into their academic performance.  Every year many of Huntingtower’s top VCE students are also musicians (in 2004, 2005 and 2006 all students with ENTER scores over 99 were in the orchestra!) and during the presentation of academic awards for any year level the orchestral chairs always seem to be empty!  There are many wonderful extra curricular activities available including opportunities to attend State Music Camps and to participate in many fine youth orchestras and bands when sufficient proficiency is attained.  All students at Huntingtower who learn orchestral instruments can participate in an ensemble as soon as a small degree of proficiency is achieved.  Advanced piano students are involved in the percussion sections of the orchestras but unfortunately it is impossible to involve all piano students at any one time.

If you do not play an instrument, now is an ideal time to start!  Instruments are available to suit the needs of students throughout the school so please don’t hesitate to speak to Mrs Lynley Bramble (Director of Music) at school (Music Centre – Room MU8 or ring her after hours (9803 7701) to discuss the availability or suitability of various instruments.  (An instrument tuition form is attached to this newsletter – this need only be filled out by students who wish to start an instrument. Click here to download).  Perhaps you may consider a jazzy double bass, a shiny French horn or trombone, an oboe or bassoon, viola, violin or ‘cello – there are many possibilities so do come along and have a go!

SENIOR HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008 – Years 7 – 12
Once again this year our exciting House Music Festival will be held on two evenings.

• Tuesday 11 March – 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre.  Solos and Instrumental Ensembles.
• Monday 17 March at 7.30pm House Orchestras, House Choirs and Chamber Choirs.  Light Entertainment.
• COMPULSORY attendance for all students in Years 7 to 12.  NB Besen Centre – Mt Scopus.

The House Orchestras and Choirs have begun rehearsing already.  Enthusiastic support will be given to our House Music leaders who will work tirelessly over the next few weeks as they guide their Houses to the final wonderful performances.
VENUE
The very exciting second evening of the House Music Festival on Monday 17 March at 7.30pm will be held at the BESEN CENTRE at Mt Scopus College.  This is a magnificent auditorium with excellent acoustics for the choirs and orchestras and a huge stage for the Light Entertainment.  It is also a very large hall so we do invite all parents, families, old students and friends to come and enjoy this spectacular event!  There will be a comfortable seat for everyone and there is no charge.  Junior School children will love the excitement of the evening and it will not be a long night.  Every student in Years 7 to 12 will perform in his/her House Choir and over 60 percent of the students perform in the House Orchestras (It is a COMPULSORY event for all Senior students).
Please invite all your friends and especially notify any old students whom you may know of the venue.  This would be much appreciated.
DRESS FOR THE HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
Please note carefully as you may need to purchase an item of clothing from the Huntingtower School Shop before the evening.

HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AUDITIONS
The solo auditions will be held over the next 2 weeks and the audition times have been put up in many places around the school.  Please check the time carefully and contact Mrs Bramble IMMEDIATELY if you are unable to attend at your rostered time or if your name doesn’t appear and you would like to audition.

• Tuesday 19 february 3.45pm – 5.30pm Years 7, 8, 9.
• Wednesday 20 February 3.45pm – 5.30pm Years 7, 8, 9.
• Thursday 21 February 3.45pm – 5.30pm Years 10, 12
• Tuesday 26 February 3.45pm – 5.30pm Year 11

All auditionees will have the opportunity to perform either at the House Music Solo and Ensemble Concert on Tuesday 11 March at 7.00pm or at the Senior Solo Concert on Tuesday 4 March at 7.00pm.  A letter will be sent to each performer after the auditions giving the details of the concert at which he/she has been chosen to perform.

SENIOR SOLO CONCERT (Years 7 to 12)
Tuesday 4 March 7.00pm Orchestral Room
You are all warmly invited to attend and hear a wide variety of enjoyable items performed by many of our talented Senior musicians.  If you would like to perform and are not doing a House Music solo audition, Mrs Bramble would be thrilled to hear from you.  Please write down the name and composer of the work you would like to perform and give it to her as soon as possible.  This is a great opportunity to hear performers from all year levels.

HOUSE MUSIC SOLOS and INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES Thursday 11 March – Performing Arts Centre at 7.00pm
Please come and support your House and enjoy an amazing array of talent from our young performers.  The Instrumental Ensembles will be rehearsing enthusiastically for many hours during the weekends and the soloists have worked tirelessly to perfect their art.  It will be a great evening!

INSTRUMENTAL AND THEORY LESSONS
Most lessons have commenced and great progress is being made!  It will not be long before students who have just started an orchestral instrument will become part of one of the orchestras, Little Symphony or Concert Band.  It is great fun and extremely rewarding so if you would like to learn an instrument and would like to have a look at and try out of some of the available instruments please contact Mrs Bramble (AH 9803 7701).  It is not too late to try and all students from Years Prep to 12 are very welcome.
Unfortunately there are no saxophones left but you may like to try a shiny trombone or French Horn or bassoon (these instruments would suit older students from Years 6 to 12).  If you have already put in a Music tuition form and have not had a lesson yet the lessons should start very soon.
There has been a slight delay with the service and return of some instruments and three of the instrumental teachers have been touring overseas and interstate.
Theory lessons at all AMEB levels are available on Tuesday and Wednesdays after school.  So please speak to Mrs Bramble if you are interested.

CONGRATULATIONS to Thomas Lo and Jason Huang who have been chosen to perform in the VCE Season of Excellence after their outstanding performance at the VCE Music Performance Group exam in 2007.  They will perform at the Top Class Music Group Performance concert on Saturday 15 March at 6.30pm at the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Building, Southbank.  Everyone is extremely welcome to come along to support Tom and Jason.
Congratulations also to Anne-Marie Johnson who was also chosen to play but is unable to attend the concert.

STRING ORCHESTRA TOUR
The Huntingtower String Orchestra will embark on a very exciting tour of Tasmania and Adelaide during the coming school holidays (Thursday 27 March – Sunday 6 April).
The orchestra is extremely privileged to be accompanied  on the tour by world renowned soloists and Principal players with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Prudence Davis and Jeffrey Crellin.
Prue and Jeff (who are our own Huntingtower parents of Max and Martin Crellin) will be soloists on the tour and they will be an enormous drawcard for audiences.  We are extremely grateful to them for being willing to come on the tour as it is a wonderful promotion for Huntingtower.
The String Orchestra will give 4 concerts in Tasmania and 2 concerts in Adelaide and details will be given in the next Bulletin (just in case you may have friends or relatives who could possibly attend one of the concerts!)

MUSIC DATES    TERM 1 2008
1.  House Music Solo Auditions (Years 7 – 9)
Tuesday 19 February 3.45pm – Orchestral Room
2.  House Music Solo Auditions (Years 10 and 12)
Thursday 21 February 3.45pm – Orchestral Room
3.  House Music Solo Auditions (Year 11)
Tuesday 26 February 3.45pm – Orchestral Room
4.  Senior Solo Concert (Years 7 – 12)
Tuesday 4 March 7.00pm – Orchestral Room
5.  House Music Festival Solos/Ensembles
Tuesday 11 March 7.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
6.  House Music Festival – Orchestras/Choirs
Monday 17 March 7.30pm – Besen Centre (Mt Scopus)

February 15 2008 | All and Music | No Comments » |

PTA PAGE

Welcome back!

DATES FOR 2008:

The PTA Committee: If you believe your personal contribution can enhance the experience your child has at Huntingtower school, please consider being part of the PTA – as a class rep, fete rep or as a committee member. There are no particular pre-requisites – just a desire to get in and help make the school a better place – through engendering a sense of community and in helping with the odd fundraiser. You may like to start by attending the Parent Teacher Association Annual General Meeting will be held in the PAC, 7:30pm on Tuesday 19 February. Everyone welcome.

If you are interested in nominating for one of six positions on the PTA committee, please complete the nomination form below and return to Office by Friday 15 February. Any questions, queries or further information, please call a current committee member, contact details below.

The Whole

School Welcome Picnic: will be held at school late afternoon on Saturday 23 February. Students and families new to the school are particularly welcome. Please put this date in your diary now. Class reps will email times etc shortly.

Night Market: has been postponed due to a clash of dates with a school function on the same night.

Farm Pride Eggs: there is a tin in the office, just waiting for your tokens. If you can please cut out the 20c tokens from your egg cartons and leave at office, this will help our PTA coffers! Funds raised will go to help buy some much needed items for te ELC area.

Your Parent Teacher Association: Don’t be shy. As part of the school community, you are invited, encouraged and very welcome to attend all PTA meetings. You will learn much about the school, what is happening and how it functions.

Committee members are happy to be contacted: Deb Crawley 9802 1208, Cassie Goldsmith 8802 8864, Sheree Amprimo, 9800 4430, Jean Barrand 9893 6660, Merril Darling 9807 8888 and Judy Orford 9571 9740.

We welcome your feedback, support, participation in PTA activities and ideas for fund raising.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….."   
Return completed form to school office before Friday 15 Februray .

Nomination for Huntingtower School Parent Teacher Association, 2008.

I  (Please print name)______________________________________________

Wish to nominate for a position on the PTA Committee for 2008.

Signed:  ____________________________________________________ 

Date:  _____________

Phone:  _________________________________________

Email:___________________________________________

February 15 2008 | All and PTA | No Comments » |