Principal’s Message

Thought for the week

“The more a man knows, the more he forgives.”
Catherine the Great

In the last bulletin I mentioned the exciting news regarding the funding for our new Multi-Sport and fitness centre. This centre will include a new swimming pool, an area for aerobics, weights and personal training, Physical education and even Dance. While the government funding we have been promised is $2 000  000, we will definitely need around $3 000 000 to complete the project. It is now more important than ever to get support from the entire community to raise the funds necessary to complete the project. If it cannot be completed by December 2010 we could lose the funding. All contributions to the building fund are fully tax deductible and so I do encourage you to do whatever you can to assist. Please contact the accounts office or call Rob Kitchingman on 9807 8888 if you would like more information on how to contribute. You would have received a flyer in the mail and if you can find it please send that in or you can ask us for another. We appreciate any contribution. No amount is too small or too big.

Our Year 2 teacher, Telsa Rudd has decided to take long service leave for the last two terms of 2009. We wish her a very happy and restful time.

To those of you who use the Western entrance to the school to drop off or pick up your children, can we respectfully ask you all to observe the road traffic rules to ensure the safety of our children and the good will of our neighbours? I am sure that you do, but we have had a report from a neighbour who lives in Banfield Square, that cars are parking across the intersection and making it difficult for them to access their road. Thank you for your help with this.

Senior School exams are not far away. I know that students will be hard at work, studying for exams as soon as they have finished their homework. They will need understanding from their families and some peace and quiet from siblings. This would be a good time to reduce the availability of TV and computer games as they can be real distractions from study. Please remind students to drink a lot of water when they study and to breathe deeply every now and then. The year 12 mid-year exams in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Accounting start on 9 June which is only 2 weeks away. All students of units 3 and 4 subjects will also have the GAT. We wish them well.

Sholto Bowen

Principal

May 22 2009 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » |

The PTA Page

Diary Dates:

Pie Drive – Order forms to be send out soon!  Delivery Tuesday 23 June

Year 8 Dinner on Sat, 30 May @ 7pm – contact caroljones_22@hotmail.com for details

Huntingtower Fete – Saturday 7 November.

Molly Dene’s Pie Drive

COMING SOON……

MOLLY DENE’S DELICIOUS SAVOURY AND SWEET

The Huntingtower PTA Pie Drive is on again. There is an order form attached to the bulletin that you can download and an additional hard copy order form will be sent home with your son or daughter in the next week. More forms will be available from the office.  With winter coming on nothing could be nicer than a warm savoury or sweet pie.  Don’t forget to encourage your friends, neighbours and relatives to buy some too!

Download Pie Order Form

All proceeds go to the PTA to help our school.

Forms due: Friday 12 June

Pies delivered: Tuesday 23 June

The Huntingtower Fete – Stall Allocations

The following class stalls have been allocated to Fete reps via expressions of interest.  We’re very excited with the level of enthusiasm and commitment shown by both our class and fete reps.  Please note we are still seeking reps for Year 2 and Year 11so if you can help out in any capacity; please let your class rep know.

Mother’s Day Stall

A big thanks to Debbie Jones who purchased all the items and ran the Mother’s Day stall for the Junior School!  The stall was a sea of happy faces, eager to purchase their secret surprise gift for mum.  It was amazing to see how through the ages, the children changed from shy and (some) overwhelmed ‘timids’ to chatty and choosy ‘tornadoes’.  A few very disappointed children (and mums) who forgot money were catered for the next day.  Overall, everyone was definitely very excited.  It was interesting to see which items were popular and which were ignored.  Mums – we hope you enjoyed your pressie and had a great day.

Thank you to Suzanne House and Diane Wright who helped Debbie on wrapping night.  Thank you to the mothers who on the day, particularly Maree Forte who stayed throughout the stall.  Debbie couldn’t have coped without everyone’s assistance, including her boys (Russell and Craig) who helped her lug all the boxes in the morning down that very, very long corridor!  We have some soap and potpourri left over so if you’d like to purchase some additional gifts please contact Debbie Jones on mdrc_jones@hotkey.net.au.

Hello Dolly Suppers

Thank you to Deb Davey for organising the interval suppers for the HOSA “Hello Dolly” production.  Deb Davey did a terrific job organising beautiful slices, biscuits and lollies for the hungry audience.   Thank you to all the mums who helped set up the room and serve the supper on each of the four nights.  The suppers raised approximately $1,000 for the school.

The Huntingtower Fete – “Bums” and all!

If there are any erstwhile travellers that have spare “bumbags” that they no longer require, the PTA would be grateful for them for the stall holders.  Also, we’d love about 200 tongue depressors that we can use for plant labels; they’re much bigger than paddlepop sticks.   Please contact Catherine Jenkins on catherine.jenkins@iinet.net.au.

Please also put aside any books, CDs, DVDs, second hand clothes and toys etc that you are thinking of getting rid of. 

Preserves
The Preserve Stall needs small clean jars with lids.  Please leave at the office.  Many thanks.

May 22 2009 | All and PTA | No Comments » |

Music Notes

DANDENONG EISTEDDFOD
On Friday 8 May 24 enthusiastic musicians departed to enjoy one of our favourite days of the year at the Dandenong Eisteddfod.  Unfortunately 3 of the usual 6 sections avalable for instrumental ensembles were not held this year so many of our musicians were unable to attend.
Nevertheless all the students had time to explore the popular food court and some experienced a wide variety of culinary delights!  Sincere gratitude is extended to Mrs Rachel Maguire for her wonderful support, to Mr Rob Kitchingman who gave up precious time to transport the students and to the family members who were able to come and cheer us on.
The Dandenong Eisteddfod caters for small instrumental ensembles of 3 to 12 players so every student had put in hours of work to prepare for each performance.  The dedication and concentration of every student was quite amazing – it was also very enjoyable and heartening to hear so many fine performances from other schools.
The Dandenong Eisteddfod began in 1948 and still in 2009 is a huge Festival with thousands of participants.  Unfortunately the team of volunteers who have run the Eisteddfod for so many years felt that they can no longer keep it going so despite its enormous success. 2009 will be the final year of the Eisteddfod.  Huntingtower has been attending the ensemble sections since 1992 and we are extremely grateful to the committee and volunteers who have welcomed us so warmly and given us such wonderful performance opportunities over so many years – we will really miss it.
Hearty congratulations and sincere thanks to all our students who have been involved throughout those years – Susan (Walters) and Sam Fyfield who performed at the first Huntingtower performance in 1992 now have children at Huntingtower about to start our next generation of performers!!

DANDENONG EISTEDDFOD RESULTS 2009
12 years and under Primary Instrumental Ensemble
1st prize – Huntingtower Junior Ensemble
HM – Huntingtower Junior Quartet
18 years and under Secondary Instrumental Ensemble
3rs prize – Huntingtower Quintet
HM – Huntingtower String Ensemble
25 years and under “Glen Prior” chamber Music Award
2nd prize – Huntingtower Piano Quintet
3rd prize - Huntingtower Piano Trio

BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD
The Boroondara Eisteddfod has commenced and unfortunately 2 sections have been cancelled this year so many of our musicians are unable to participate.  We have already thoroughly enjoyed one section (our Huntingtower Quintet received 1st prize in the 18 years and under Ensemble section) and we are looking forward to 3 more sections during the next few days.
NB  The Junior Orchestra is not performing on Wednesday 29 May at 6.00pm but will definitely be playing at the Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert on Thursday 18 June and also at the Waverley Eisteddfod on Saturday 15 August.  (More details to come).
Hearty Congratulations also to our students who have received great success in solo competitions recently.
Christian Smith (Year 12)
3rd prize in 15 years – 18 years solo vocal section at the Boroondara Eisteddfod.
Liam Oborne (Year
Finalist in the Geelong “Advertiser” competition
Olivia Malek-Jeffs (Year Prep)
Two 1st prizes at the Bendigo Eisteddfod and one 3rd prize

LITTLE SYMPHONY and LITTLE CHOIR CONCERT
Thursday 4 June – 6.00pm
This delightful concert includes all the children in Years 1 and 2 as they all sing beautifully in the Little Choir.  The concert also involves the children in Years Prep, 1 and 2 who play a string instrument in our Little Symphony.
This is always an extremely enjoyable and entertaining evening so please come along!  (a notice will be sent home very soon with details for the participants).

JUNIOR and SENIOR ORCHESTRAL and CHORAL CONCERT
Thursday 18 June at 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre
All choirs and 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!  This will be a wonderful concert in our extended Performing Arts Centre.
The following groups will perform:
Senior Choir
Senior Orchestra
Concert Band
Middle School Orchestra
Junior Choir
Junior Orchestra
Senior, Middle School and Junior chamber Choirs
Senior and Junior String Orchestras
Brass Ensemble
All the groups have been working extremely hard and there will be a wonderful variety of “easy to listen to” music.  DON’T MISS IT!! (Free admission).

A letter to all performers and their parents will be handed out (Junior School) or posted (Senior School) very soon and a copy of the letter will be included in the next Bulletin.    Sincere gratitude for all your support and looking forward to seeing you at the concert!

SOLO CONCERTS

• Junior Piano Concert – Tuesday 9 June at 6.00pm in Performing Arts Centre
• Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert - NB Change of date:
  Thursday 25 June – 6.00pm in Orchestral Room

These are wonderful opportunities to hear more of the talented Junior School musicians perform so don’t miss these 2 enjoyable concerts.

SPECIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

1. Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
   Thursday 18 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 enjoy a fantastic evening!
2. Waverley Eisteddfod Ensemble Sections which usuall involve every player from Years 3 to 12 on Saturday 15 August – please keep this date free also.
3. Huntingtower Camerata Gala Concert
   Sunday 11 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 II 2009

1. Boroondara Eisteddfod – Hawthorn Town Hall
   Friday 22 May at 7.00pm – Murray Sharp Award
   Wednesday 27 May at 10.00am – Junior Chamber Ensembles
   Wednesday 27 May at 11.30am – Junior Small Ensembles
2. Little Symphony and Little Choir Concert
   Thursday 4 June at 6.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
3. Junior Piano Concert (Years Prep to 6)
   Tuesday 9 June at 6.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
4. Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
   Thursday 18 June at 7.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
5. Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert
   NB Thursday 25 June at 6.00pm – Orchestral Room (change of date)

May 22 2009 | All and Music | No Comments » |

Great Victorian Bike Ride

GREAT VICTORIAN BIKE RIDE

Saturday, November 28 to Sunday, December 6

Huntingtower has put a team in each of the past four Great Vics.  We now invite present and past students, parents and friends to join our team for this year’s ride which is based on the Great Ocean Road, commencing at Portland and winding its way to Geelong.

This year, Bicycle Victoria has placed a cap of 1,200 on school entries, so we have to get moving.  We will send off our first batch of entries on June 1.  Entries received by us after that date will be sent in weekly batches but the risk of running foul of the cap increases.  So, if you are interested, please send in to the General Office your enrolment form and $200 deposit, as soon as possible.

Our information pack and enrolment form is available below.

Great Victorian Bike Ride General Information 2009

Great Victorian Bike Ride Individual Entry Form 2009

The Bicycle Victoria website is www.bv.com.au

Please address any questions to Ray Clifford on 0417 037 865.

May 22 2009 | All and Sport | No Comments » |

Generation Next Seminar

Generation Next Seminar

May 22 2009 | Advertisement and All | No Comments » |

National Capital Educational Tourism Project

Students (Years 5 and 6) from Huntingtower have recently undertaken an educational tour of the National Capital.  The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital.  To assist the school in meeting the cost of the excursion the Government is contributing $30 per student toward the travel expenses incurred.  This contribution, paid directly to Huntingtower, has assisted in keeping the excursion cost down.  We would like to thank the Department of Education, Science and Training for their support of this initiative.

May 22 2009 | All and Junior School Jottings | No Comments » |

House for Rent

If any of our school comminity are looking to rent a property on the school’s boundary, one of our neighbours has a recently refurbished 4 bedroom property with new kitchen with stainless steel appliances available for rent in 1 or 2 weeks time.  
Ring Tony Smith 0403 074 120.

May 22 2009 | Advertisement and All | No Comments » |

Principal’s Report

Thoughts for the week

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us”
Helen Keller

“There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you”.
David Burns

Whether one agrees with the Federal Government’s Economic Stimulus Package or not, I was extremely impressed and grateful to hear the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard announce that the grants to schools would be for all schools, State, Catholic and Private. The federal government have demonstrated that the “politics of envy” is dead and buried, certainly under the current administration. We are very happy to announce that Huntingtower has been successful in being awarded $200 000 in the “School Pride” section of the “Building the education revolution” funding. This will be used to build our Junior School Science laboratory, refurbish and design a Junior School meeting hall in the current Music and Art rooms and also redesign the Food Technology Centre, providing a new teacher’s demonstration desk complete with stove and sink.

I am also very happy to be able to tell you that we have just heard (this week) that we have received $2 million from the federal government towards our Multi sport facility which includes our new swimming pool. This makes huge inroads into the total amount we need (close to $3 million) and so we encourage you all to assist with our recent building appeal if you can manage it. The facility will be completed by the end of 2010 and besides the pool will include a fitness centre, aerobics, dance and physical education venue, and will provide extra parking. We hope to be able to put the plans of the building up on display in the forecourt once planning approval has been granted.

Huntingtower is one of only a few schools that have parking within their gates. This makes for a very secure environment for the children and makes dropping off and picking children up much safer than if it were done on a public street. However, it is essential that all people driving on the school property obey all the road signs and school expectations.

Please can I draw parents’ attention to the following points about parking, dropping off and picking up your children?

• Please drive very slowly on the school property. We have very small children running around and we all want to keep them safe.
• When dropping your child off in the morning please pull well into the drop-off zone you are using, kiss them goodbye, let them get their bags and then move on so that the next car can move through. This should not take more than 90 seconds. Please do not leave your car unattended in a drop-off zone.
• If you need longer than this we have 160 parking spots on campus and I do ask that you find a spot and then walk your child down to school, if that is what you need to do.
• When picking your child up it is better to have a pre-arranged parking area where you will meet them rather than waiting in the drop-off zone. These zones block up fast if parents wait for their child to arrive.
• If your child is expected in the drop-off zone but has not yet arrived, please do another circuit so that you keep the flow of traffic going.

I do appreciate your support with this. If everyone does the right thing, the parking zones work beautifully.

Congratulations to all the students involved in the EISM Division One Athletics Carnival. Due to their hard work and determination we remain in Division One have beaten Mount Scopus College into 6^th place. Huntingtower consequently came 5^th out of the 22 schools in the EISM.

The debating teams are doing extremely well this year and I am grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment. Special thanks to Mrs Christenson and her team of teachers who assist in the training of the teams. This is such an important skill.

Sholto Bowen

Principal

May 08 2009 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » |

PTA Page

Diary Dates:

Hello Dolly suppers – 8 and 9 May.

Pie Drive – Late May.

Huntingtower Fete – Saturday 7 November.

The Huntingtower Fete – Who do you know?

The Fete organisers would be very pleased to here from parents with contacts in the community that might be interested in donating goods or services (such as for the Silent Auction).  For example, do you know a friendly gardener that might donate a few hours of time or a football hero that might donate a signed footy?  Please contact catherine.jenkins@iinet.net.au with any ideas or leads.

PTA, Class Rep and Fete Rep meeting

The quarterly meeting was held as on Thursday the 30 of April.  We had 28 attendees (thank you very much!) and enjoyed an enthusiastic and above all focused meeting.  Sholto and Tansy presented great reports (to be distributed via class reps) and the Fete was discussed in much detail.  Minutes will be distributed to class and fete reps shortly.  Fete stalls are currently being allocated and will be advised next Bulletin.

New Treasurers

Our PTA Treasurer, Sabrina Samaranayake has had to resign due to family, work and study commitments.  We would like to thank Sabrina for all her hard work and wish her well.  To our surprise, not one, but two willing Treasurers volunteered their time at the quarterly meeting and were very gratefully accepted onto the Committee.  We warmly welcome Dorothy Smycz and Bernadette Day to the team and thank them sincerely for taking on the role.  We look forward to working with them both and continuing to have a lot of fun!

Hello Dolly Suppers

The PTA are currently providing the interval suppers for the HOSA “Hello Dolly” production.  Deb Davey has done a terrific job organising beautiful slices, biscuits and lollies for the hungry audience which appear to have been happily received.  If you are available to help on the remaining nights, your support would be gratefully appreciated.  Please contact Deb Davey on debbiedavey67@gmail.com.

Junior School Colouring

The Easter Basket kindly donated by Anna Burke was divided into 5 prizes and won by the lucky five students.  Thank you to Rahul and Tansy for co-ordinating.

3 Year Old Pre-Prep – Lucy Samaranayake

4 Year Old Pre-Prep – Levinia Duong

Prep and Year 1- Tamsyn Pascoe (Year 1)

Year 2/3/4  - Shally Liang (Year 3)

Year 5/6 – Georgia Thompson (Year 5)

Winter Market

The continuation of the Winter Market was discussed at the quarterly meeting.  The unanimous view around the table was we would prefer to put the additional effort into the Fete rather than running a separate event.  As a result we agreed not to hold the market this year.

PTA vs Parents’ Association

The quarterly meeting also addressed the potential re-naming of the PTA to the Parents Association.  There were a few good views put forward supporting retaining PTA and no objections to keeping the name for now.  As we cannot make any formal change until an AGM, it was agreed to just keep the idea open for now.

May 08 2009 | All and PTA | No Comments » |

Music Notes

BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD
The Boroondara Eisteddfod has commenced but unfortunately the Senior and Junior String Orchestra sections have been cancelled this year so most of our students will be unable to participate.  So far we have thoroughly enjoyed one section in the warm acoustic of the Hawthorn Town Hall and it is always very exciting to hear enjoyable performances from the very talented children from other school.  Hearty congratulations to the students involved (results are below) and sincere thanks for the wonderful co-operation and support from both the students and the parents.
Several Junior and Senior Ensembles have been working extremely hard preparing for the Dandenong Eisteddfod which takes place this coming Friday 8 May – a report will be given in the next Bulletin.

Hearty congratulations to:

1. Huntingtower Quintet (Jess Clarke, Elliot Kitchingman, Eloise Verbeek, Liam Oborne and Naomi Lee)
   1st prize in 18 years and under Chamber Ensemble section at the Boroondara Eisteddfod.
2. Christian Smith – HM in Open Music theatre section at the Boroondara Eisteddfod.
3. Ethan Yuen – High Distinction at the recent AMEB exams.

SOLO CONCERTS
At least one solo concert and sometimes 2 or more solo concerts are held for each year level throughout the year.  There are also special concerts for players in Years Prep, 1 and 2.  Short Solo Concerts are also held for players from any year level throughout the school.  These are especially useful for students who are preparing for exams, Eisteddfods or auditions or who would like more opportunities to perform.  In the final week of first term we enjoyed a marvelloouse concert by Years 5 and 6 musicians including 2 entertaining items played by the Year 5 and 6 Orchestra.  The array of talent was amazing and we hope to have a similar concert later in the year.  We are looking forward to concerts for our Junior pianists, a solo concert for our Years 3 and 4 musicians and our very entertaining Little Choir and Little Symphony Concert (Years Prep, 1 and 2) so by the end of Term 2 almost all our Junior musicians will have performed for us.
Years 11 and 12 musicians will perform next week (Wednesday 13 May at 7.00pm) and other Senior soloists wil perform throughout Terms 3 and 4.
During the Easter holiday 4 small concerts were held for students preparing for AMEB exams – hearty congratulations to all involved and we wish you all the very best in your exam performances.

HUNTINGTOWER ORCHESTRAS/CONCERT BAND
From the first week of Term 1 the three House Orchestras and the Junior Orchestra have been rehearsing enthusiastically.  The House Orchestras involved every instrumentalist in the Senior School (Years 7 to 12) and these performers will now play in the Senior Orchestra, Middle School Orchestra and/or the Concert Band (for every woodwind and brass player from Years 7 to 12).
The Senior Orchestra rehearses every Thursday morning at 7.50am in the Orchestral Room at the start of Term II.  Please check the orchestral lists posted around the school.  Full attendance is required please.
The Concert Band rehearses every Monday at 7.50am in the Orchestral Room.
NB The Middle School Orchestra will commence rehearsals on Tuesday 12 May (next Thursday) at 7.50am.  (Please check the Concert Band and Middle School Orchestra lists).
The Junior Orchestra involves every player form Years 3 to 6 and Little Symphony (Years Prep, 1 and 2) will commence in mid Term II.  All these instrumental ensembles (plus smaller groups such as string orchestras, brass ensembles, stage band and chamber groups) are a great source of enjoyment, fun, social interaction between students of all ages and intellectual stinulation creating a sense of belonging and self worth.
It is not too late to join!!  If you are interested in learning an instrument and would like to investigate the possibility please don’t hesitate to contact Lynley Bramble (BH 9807 8888 or AH 9803 7701) or email lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au

SPECIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

1. Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
   Thursday 18 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 enjoy a fantastic evening!
2. Waverley Eisteddfod Ensemble Sections which usually involve every player from Years 3 to 12 on Saturday 15 August – please keep this date free also.
3. Huntingtower Camerata Gala Concert
   Sunday 11 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 DATE – TERM II 2009

1. HOSA Musical – “Hello Dolly” Performances – 7.30pm PAC
   Friday 8 May
   Saturday 9 May
2. Dandenong Eisteddfod (Ensemble Section)
   Friday 8 May 9.00am – 3.30pm
3. Years 11 and 12 Solo Concert
   Wednesday 13 May at 7.00pm – Orchestral Room
4. Open Day
   Sunday 17 May 2.00 – 4.00pm
5. Boroondara Eisteddfod – Hawthorn Town Hall
   Friday 22 May 7.00pm – Murray Sharp Award
   Wednesday 27 May 10.00am – Junior Chamber Ensembles
   Wednesday 27 May 11.30am – Junior Small Ensembles
   Wednesday 27 May 6.00pm – Junior String Orchestra
6. Little Symphony and Little Choir Concert
   Thursday 4 June 6.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
7. Junior Piano Concert (Years Prep to 6)
   Tuesday 9 June 6.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
8. Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
   Thursday 18 June 7.00pm – Performing Arts Centre
9. Years 3 and 4 Solo Concert
   Tuesday 23 June 6.00pm – Orchestral Room
10. Mordialloc Eisteddfod (Senior Choir)
    Thursday 25 June

May 08 2009 | All and Music | No Comments » |