Camps

(Levels 3 & 4) The school camps foster aspects of team building through a variety of outdoor activities. The Level 3 (Years 3 & 4) camp will be at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza.  This camp will be from Monday 27^th July to Wednesday 29^th July 2009.  The Level 4 (Years 5 & 6) camp will be a 5 day Canberra Tour from Monday 16^th February to Friday 20^th February 2009. 

GATEWAYS Program

Gifted & Talented Education Extension & Enrichment Program: GATEWAYS is an independent, self-funded organisation that aims to provide opportunities for children of “Like minds” to participate in programs that will challenge them intellectually and help develop their individual talents beyond the classroom. Short term and extended programs are offered to schools each year. 

Information is sent to the school regarding upcoming program topics. Staff members identify students who may be interested in the particular theme or topic. A note is then sent home to parents to ask if they wish their child to attend. Parents will then be notified if their child was successful in getting into the program. Once the child is enrolled, GATEWAYS deals directly with the parent.  A fee is charged for the child to attend. It is your choice whether you would like your child to attend. Glenferrie Primary School endeavours to share the opportunity to attend this program to a small number of students in Years 2 to 6 who, in the teacher’s opinion, may best benefit the individual theme or topic.  We understand that this program may raise concerns for students and parents and ask parents to support their children to communicate sensitively about the program.  Johanna Allerton is the contact person for this program.

University of NSW English and Maths Assessment

The University of N.S.W conducts an assessment program across many areas of the curriculum. Students from Years 3 to 12 from all around Australia, South – East Asia and the Pacific are able to participate. GPS students from Years 3 to 6 are able to undertake the assessment in English and Maths. It is not compulsory and is student funded.

Premiers Reading Challenge

The Premier of Victoria invites students to take up a challenge to improve their reading skills and to discover the joy and wonder that can be found in books.  Students in Prep to Year 2 are challenged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books and students in Years 3 to 6 are challenged to read 15 books.  In Term 4 the students are awarded certificates to celebrate the achievements of those who successfully complete the Reading Challenge.  Your child’s class teacher will send home further information regarding this program.

Perceptual Motor Program (PMP)

(Prep and Year 1) This is a movement program which is specifically designed to develop skills relating to – balance, eye-hand & eye-foot co-ordination, locomotion and fitness. Parental assistance is a necessity in order to run this program. P.M.P. will commence in Term 2, therefore further information will be given to parents during Term 1.

Interschool Sport

In Years 5 & 6 children begin to play competitive sport against the local schools within the Kooyong District. These run in Terms 1 and 2.  The students experience team work, social skills, training, winning and losing in preparation for secondary school. There is a range of sports to choose from and there is the opportunity to put all the skills learnt and practiced in PE, into action.

Swimming, Cross-Country and Athletics follow a journey from school sport through to Nationals: GPS - Kooyong District - Eastern Zone - Timms Region - Victoria State - Australian Nationals

Swimming Program

The school swimming program runs every second year. It will operate again in 2010.  It is a two week intensive program. The aim of the program is to give all children at Glenferrie Primary School the opportunity to learn or refine their swimming skills and water awareness. ‘Aquatics’ is a part of the VELS Health and Physical Education learning focus for all Levels in VELS.

Bike Education

In Year 6 the children partake in the Bike Education Program in Term 4. The aim of the program is to enable children to achieve: 

• Knowledge and understanding of road traffic environment and the law.
• Develop physical & cognitive skills to manage such an environment safely as a cyclist.
• Develop responsible behaviours, attitudes & decision-making skills for the safe use of bicycles on and off the road through participation in enjoyable learning experiences relevant o their age and abilities.

Toastmasters

The Toastmasters course is an 8 to 10 week program in public speaking. The program teaches students to have confidence when addressing an audience and how to project authority and presence with words, voice tone and body language that is clear and concise. Throughout the course the Year 6 students prepare speeches on both free choice and given topics. They engage in impromptu speaking in front of their peers and prepared presentations. They take on different roles such as Toastmaster, timer and Grammarian. The course, which is run by volunteers from Toastmasters Victoria in conjunction with the classroom teacher, has a curriculum that develops communication and leadership skills one step at a time, with many opportunities for awards and recognition along the way. “Good communicators tend to be good leaders.”

Solar Car Challenge

The aim of the program is to promote and develop interest and expertise in using solar and renewable energies by our students, therefore hopefully inspiring them to be responsible citizens, scientists and engineers of the future who would be more likely to participate in developing an environmentally aware approach to energy usage and design.

Over the past few years the Year 6 students have built Solar Cars with the help of Mr. Don Sheridan and the Level 4 teachers. These Solar Cars have then been raced at Scienceworks as part of the Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge.

GPS has won this event twice over the past 3 years.

Student Clubs and Organisations

Choir

The Glenferrie School Choir meets weekly at lunchtime. Students from Years 3 to 6 are invited to attend. There are several opportunities throughout the year to perform to the school and general community. In 2008, the choir entered the Boroondara Eisteddfod and did very well receiving an Honourable mention for their efforts.

School Band

(Levels 3 & 4) Students in Years 3 to 6 are offered the opportunity to play a musical instrument in order to be a member of our school band. It is a user-pay program run by a private company, Music Corp. All administrative matters are handled by Music Corp. Students attend an individual or small group weekly session within school hours to learn to play their chosen instrument. Band sessions are held out of school hours.

Chess and Games Club

(Levels 3 & 4) Students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are offered the opportunity to learn and play chess and other board games. This program is generally offered at lunch times and is a user-pay program.  The program generally runs in Terms 2, 3 and 4.

Student Representative Council

The Student Representative Council (S.R.C.) provides an opportunity for leadership for students across the school. Generally the focus for this is fundraising for community needs. A class representative from every class will be elected during Term 1.

Green Club

The Glenferrie Green Club is a group of children from Years 3 to 6 who meet regularly to participate in environmental activities. The students may listen to guest speakers, do small projects such as a making scarecrows, do general gardening, reduce the schools water and rubbish use and plant vegetables. The aim is for these students to take what they learnt from this club into their own classrooms and into their own homes.

Special Events

Book Week

Book Week is the longest running children’s festival in Australia. Each year students and teachers spend a week celebrating books, Australian authors and illustrators. In 2009 the Book Week theme is Book Safari and will be on 22nd - 28th August 2009. A fun filled day of multi age activities and dressing up as their favourite character is planned. During Book Week students, parents and teachers will be invited to attend the Book Fair which will commence on the 22nd August in the library where students will be able to browse an exciting range of recently published children’s books and products and purchase what they have chosen. Students will also attend a musical adventure created to celebrate Children's Book Week.

Education Week

Education Week is designated by the Victorian State Government and is usually held in May.  During this week Glenferrie Primary School invites parents and friends to an Open Day to visit their children at work.  Information regarding this will be notified in the Gazette.  Education Week will be from Monday 18^th May to Friday 22^nd May 2009.

Grandparents Day

Grandparents’ Day has traditionally been held for Grandparents or Special Friends of those students from Prep to Year 2. Parent volunteers are required for this event which is held early during Term 2 in the Junior School Hall. Information on how you can assist will be provided during Term 1.

Italian Day and Competitions

Italian Day is celebrated annually usually in Term 4. It is an activity day where the students are immersed within the Italian language and culture through various hands on activities. The whole school community as well as community organisations participate in this event. Parents are encouraged to assist throughout the day. The children receive a pizza lunch and an Italian gelato.

Each year the students are encouraged to participate in language state wide competitions.  For the last four years, students at Glenferrie have participated in The Dante Alighieri Society poster competition. In each of these years our students have experienced great success achieving prize winning places, Honourable Mentions and Merit Certificates.

School Photos

Individual, class and whole school photos are taken annually around March.  Envelopes with information regarding ordering and payment are sent home two weeks prior to the photo day.

Annual Concert

At the end of each year Glenferrie Primary School holds its annual concert at the Hawthorn Town Hall.  All students are involved in this event which culminates with the Year 6 presentation of graduation certificates and awards.  All parents and friends are welcome at this event.

The Production

The Production is a performance involving all students from Prep to Year 6.  It is a biannual event occurring in Term 3.  2009 is our next major production and Mr Scott Ponsford will once again be involved in assisting us with this event.  The Production links with the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) through The Arts and English.  Parent volunteers are welcome to assist with costumes, props and with many other facets of the Production. The Production will be held on Thursday 17th September 2009.