Calendar of Events 2013

Some Highlights of Term 2



School of Rock




LOTE Puppet Play






Junior students at Werribee Mansion






Grades 5 and 6 at Sovereign Hill



Bush Dance

Parent Fundraising

The Parent Group are well on their way to achieving their fundraising goal. Their efforts are truly appreciated.

Coburg Primary School - The beginnings

Our story begins during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s when Coburg was a small, rural village called Pentridge. In those days, cattle and sheep grazed on land and farmers grew cereal crops in fields that later became housing.

Back then, the older children who normally attended classes at the school were kept home over the summer months to help their parents harvest the wheat, barley or oats or to pick fruit and gather crops of vegetables, particularly potatoes. Most of the produce was loaded onto horse drawn carts and driven south along Sydney Road to the Melbourne markets.

These were exciting times for a child growing up in Melbourne. There were lots of new inventions and the rural town was rapidly transforming into a thriving city.

Many of the first students of the school lived on small farms. Homes were usually a three or four roomed wooden house with no running water or proper sanitation. Candles were used for lighting, and fireplaces provided heating and a place to cook.

Children everywhere across Victoria, would have heard all about the latest discoveries of gold and many families thought about moving to the diggings at Ballarat or Bendigo.

Many of the people living in Pentridge were migrants and had come from England and Ireland. There were also some migrants from Scotland, Western Europe, America and China.

Many prisoners or convicts moved to Pentridge when the infamous Pentridge Stockade began in late 1850. A prison had been built in Pentridge! Many locals were very upset. They were terrified that the prisoners might escape and terrorise their homes. Some people tried to have the prison shut down, but it was too late! Prisoners from the over-crowded Melbourne Gaol were sent to Pentridge Stockade.

In 1853 it was decided that a National school would be opened in Pentridge. National Schools provided an education for all children regardless of their social or religious background.

 

Coburg State School c.1874
Copyright. Coburg Historical Society

A new school was founded on Monday 2^nd May 1853 on Bell Street – the Pentridge National School, which was to later be named Coburg Primary School!

Classes were originally taught in a large tent with bench seating, blackboards, maps and books. The first headmaster’s name was Mr William Bryant. He was the only teacher at the school at the time and he lived in a tent nearby.

After about three months in the tent, a wooden school house was built and opened in July 1853. It would have been very cold in the tent in winter! Back at that time there were separate schools for boys and girls. The boys section of the wooden schoolhouse was opened first. Mrs Elizabeth Morgan joined the school in August 1853 as the first headmistress of Pentridge National School and the girls’ school was opened!

School would begin at 9am with roll call, then an inspection of the children to check their cleanliness. The students would then recite prayers. As long as the weather was fine, this all happened outside.

By 9:15am all students would be seated and the teaching of subjects would begin – reading and explanation, tables, arithmetic, geometry, spelling and writing, grammar and geography. Girls would normally learn sewing, knitting, mending and needlework.

At 12noon the students may have gone home to have their lunch.

At the beginning of the afternoon session, students would again recite prayers and there would be another roll call. Students then used their slate and slate pencils or lined paper and quills for the older students. School would end at 4 o’clock.

In 1862 the school became Bell Street Common School and in 1872 it was changed again to Coburg State School. The school became Coburg Primary School in 1971 and there were over 700 students.



Students and teacher c.1902
Copyright. Coburg Historical Society

In 2013 there are over 200 students at Coburg Primary School from a variety of cultural backgrounds. It is a place with a very rich history…where learning, friendship and fun are at the centre of everything we do…where there is a strong community involvement…where individual differences are celebrated and where great friendships and memories are created.
Happy birthday Coburg Primary School!



Empire Day - 24 May 1907
Copyright. Coburg Historical Society



Coburg Primary School's 160th Birthday

Coburg Primary School celebrated a special milestone-its 160^th Birthday-on Friday 3^rd May 2013. The students, teachers and families were involved in a week of celebrations.

We started off the week with a special assembly and a visit from Mrs Sargood (from National Trust) who gave the students an experience of what a classroom was like in the 1800s.



Mrs Sargood teaching grades 3 and 4                                    Learning to write copperplate                  



On Friday the students were involved in cross age activities reflective of school activities that could have taken place in our school in 1853. They played old time games such as ‘Jacks’, ‘Ring a ring a rosie’ and ‘Blind Mans’s bluff.  

Marching into class

Then  parents and friends came to  our official ceremony which saw students marching and singing our old school song. One of our parents made an enormous birthday cake for us to share.  Then High Tea was served for all adults in attendance.  Special guests attending were Kelvin Thomson, and the Mayor of Moreland, Oscar Yildiz.  



The Birthday Cake

In the afternoon we had a visit from a past student, Barry Carozzi, who had been at our school in the 1950s.  He talked to the children and teachers about what life was like at Coburg Primary School in those days.  He mentioned that there were 60 students in his grade and that a teacher Mrs Corrie had in fact inspired him to take up teaching.  He was still teaching today.  Barry had photos which contributed to our huge display of historic photos and memorabilia.







Entertainment Book Fundraiser

We are pleased to be to be offering the Entertainment Book as a benefit to Coburg Primary School’s Families, with 20% of each Book sold going towards our fundraising. The Entertainment Book has hundreds of 2 for 1 offers and up to 50% off on Restaurants, AFL tickets, movie tickets, Luna Park, Melbourne Aquarium and many more!

You can order now at https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/1884e99

School Captains, JSC and Eco Warriors



School Captains 2013

Sports Captains 2013

 

 

Congratulations to our 2013 Junior School Council.



 

We have a new group of Eco-Warriors who will be working together and with the school community to introduce sustainable initatives to the school.

Eco Warrior Mission Statement and Expectations.

We will care for the CPS environment including our classrooms and the school grounds. We will help others care for the CPS environment. We will try and help the school save energy.

Welcome back

Welcome back to all of our students and families. We hope you enjoyed your holiday break.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the new students and families who have joined our school community this year.
Welcome also to the two new members of our teaching staff, Nelli (Grade 5/6) and Jolie (Grade 1/2).

 

 

 

Whats new in 2013?

School Website:

Coburg Primary School has updated the school website. Let us know what you think of the fresh new look. http://www.coburgps.vic.edu.au/

The staff has recently completed a professional development training day on a new program we plan to introduce to the school this year.  The Program is called “You Can Do It!”

“You Can Do It!” founder Michael Bernard, a highly acclaimed psychologist who is a professor at Melbourne University and an international consultant to education organisations, believes that  education’s main purpose is to support communities, schools, and homes in a collective effort to optimise the social, emotional, and academic outcomes of all young people.

The program he developed has a unique contribution in that it identifies the social and emotional capabilities that all young people need to acquire in order to be successful in school, experience well being, and have positive relationships including making contributions to others and the community.

YCDI’s mission is to achieve, through the following beliefs and actions:

The building of social, emotional, and motivational capacity of young people rather than on their problems and deficits.

• The encouragement of prevention, promotion, and intervention efforts (school, home and community) in order to build the social and emotional strengths of young people.
• The development of a strength-building approach, where YCDI seeks to build the capabilities of adults (community, school, home) associated with positive outcomes in young people.

Staff will begin introducing this program next week and we will be giving you updates about it frequently via the newsletter and through assemblies on Monday mornings.  We hope you will support this program and all it aims to do. Social and emotional learning is as important as academic learning. If we want out children to grow and develop into responsible, caring individuals achieving to their potential, then this program will help us to enable our children to do this.

 

 

Coming up....

 

Keep checking the blog and the school newsletter for the latest on the activities happening around the school.

And we reach the end of 2012....

Another school year is almost finished. How quickly the year flies by!
The children are enjoying the end of year celebrations and are looking forward to the summer holidays.

Final Assembly:

We had our final assembly on Monday. All of fantastic peer mediators received certificates of appreciation for the great job they did during the year.
The junior school council members were also rewarded with a certificate. All of the members have done a wonderful job of contributing to our school.

Congratulations to the 2012 Inter school Sport Premiers. Well done to the Boys Soccer team and our Boys and Girls Netball teams. A fantastic effort. 

Thank you to our wonderful School Captains Emily and Oliver and Vice Captains Sophie and Jamie. They have done a wonderful job both as school leaders and as members of the Junior School Council.

Thank you also to our Sports Captains Danny and Cameron and Vice Captains Leo and Esin.

Farewell to Nib and Helen who are leaving us at the end of term. We wish Nib all the best with the rest of her pregnancy and the new baby. We look forward to meeting your little bundle of joy. We also wish Helen all the best with her retirement. We hope you enjoy a well deserved rest.

 

Graduation:

The time has come to say farewell to our Grade 6 Students. Graduation 2012 was a fun affair with a slide show of the children as babies, preps and now, along with some musical numbers from the students. Lots of awards were handed out to our wonderful students. The school captains and vice captains did a fantastic job as M.C's.We will miss our senior students and wish them all the best in high school and their future endeavours.

 

Some of our Grade 6 Students.



School Captain Speeches.

Congratulations to our Music Award recipients Patrick and Willow.

Grade 6 Teachers Speeches.

 

Every year CPS School Council awards two of the graduating students with an encouragement award. Congratulations to this years recipients Jamie and Sophie.

 

 

End of Year Concert:

The end of year concert was fantastic. The children put on a wonderful performance and everyone really enjoyed the show.

Grade 5/6 Guitar Students performing Stand By Me.

The fabulous Marimba Band.

The award winning Ukular Attack.

Adriana and Jemima gave us some beautiful classical music.

The loud and proud Percussion Ensemble.

Toxic Rock rocked our socks off.

Our junior Rock Star Ollie joined in.

Past students Blake and Stevie joined some of the Toxic Rock members for the finale.

We would like to wish all of our students,families, staff and our supportive community a wonderful Christmas break and a very happy new year. All the best in 2013 to our Grade 6 students. We look forward to seeing everyone else after the holidays.







 

 

 

Ukular Attack at Jets Studios

Our award winning band Ukular Attack spent today enjoying their well deserved prize from the School of Rock, a recording session at Jets studios in Bunroora. They recorded five songs and were pros. A very exciting and educational day for our talented musicians.
A huge thanks to the awesome team at Jets and to Paul for the great work he does with our musicians. We look foward to hearing the final result.

Ukular Attack at Merlynston Diverse Voices Festival

 

Ukular Attack rocked out at the Merlynston Diverse Voices Festival on Saturday.

Their junior fanclub thought they were pretty cool too.

Ukular Attack at Merlynston Festival

Ukular Attack on the front page of the Moreland Leader (Monday 5th November)

 



Coburg primary's own Ukular Attack is playing at the Merlynston Diverse Voices Festival on

 Sunday 18th November.

They are performing from 12 - 12:30 pm

 on the Bain Stage (next to Merlyn Street).

 

 

 

Science Talent Search

Science Talent Search 2012

CONGRATULATIONS:

FELIX FUGGLE- MAJOR BURSARY WINNER

Congratulations Felix.

JEMIMA SMITH- MERIT AWARD

LEO JINKS- MERIT AWARD

We are very proud to announce that we have three very talented scientists at Coburg Primary School. Jemima Smith, Felix Fuggle and Leo Jinks took part in the 2012 Science Talent Search in the areas of experimental research, working models and creative writing. Primary and secondary students from all over Victoria entered the competition and attended a special judging day in August.

All students received awards as mentioned above and Felix has been invited to display his winning entry at a Special Presentation Day at La Trobe University in Bundoora on Monday 29^th October. Well done to all of these students who have demonstrated excellence in the area of science.

 

Whats Happening: Term 4

 Where has this year gone? The last Term is already upon us. Here at CPS we are looking foward to the fine weather and all of the fun activities that we have this term. Check out what we have coming up and join the fun.

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Meetings will be held this term on Wednesday 24 October and Wednesday 12 December.

SWIMMING LESSONS:
Our junior classes have started their swimming lessons for the term. Grade 3/4 classes swim on Mondays and Prep/1/2 classes have their lessons on a Friday.

WEIRD AND WACKY WALKATHON:
Our weird and wacky walkathon is on Wednesday 24 October. Dress up in your weirdest and wackiest outfits for this school fundraising event. Every child who raises $5 or more in sponsorship is in the draw to win a prize.

FUNDRAISING:
We are holding a fundraising event at the school on local council election day, Saturday 27 October.
Parents are looking to hold a BBQ, Cake stall and Craft stall. If you are able to help out on the day please contact the office. If you would like to help with creating crafts for the stall you are invited to join the CPS Craft Group. They will be meeting again at the Senior Staffroom, Wednesday 24 October at 2pm.

SCHOOL CLOSURES:
Just a reminder that the school is closed on Monday 5 November for Curriculum Day.
Melbourne Cup day is on Tuesday 6 November and is a Public Holiday.

COBURG CUP:
Our annual Coburg Cup Day is on Wednesday 7 November. This is always a fantastic day with fashions on the feild, fun activities and races, and a picnic lunch. This years theme is 'Bright Colours and Patterns'.

WORKING BEE:
We will be running a Working Bee from 10am-1pm on Sunday 18 November, with the focus being on the senior side. Children are welcome to attend with their parents. Any contributions towards morning tea are welcome. If you have any questions please contact the school office.

PREP ORIENTATION DAYS:
We will be welcoming our new preps and their parents on:
Tuesday 13 November, Tuesday 20th November and Tuesday 27 November.

NIGHT MARKET:
The Coburg Night Market runs on Friday nights from November 16 - December 14.
The night market is a fantastic promotional event for our school and the Instrumental Music Programme. The parents run a marquee each week with badge making, craft activities, and balloons. If you are able to help for an evening or more please contact the school office. All help is appreciated.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NIGHT:
Come and be dazzled by our talented music students at the Instrumental Music Night, Tuesday 4 December.
Due to the huge number of children participating in this programme the children are split into two groups for this event. Children will be sent home with a confirmation letter with the group name and concert time.

GRADE 2 SLEEPOVER:
Our Grade 2 students have their sleepover on Friday 14 December.

FAREWELL TO OUR GRADE 6 STUDENTS:
It is almost time to say farewell to our Grade 6 Students.
Transition day is on Tuesday 11 December.
Grade 6 Graduation will be held on Tuesday 18 December and the 'Big Day Out' on Thursday 20th December.

LAST DAY OF TERM:
Our last day of term is Friday 21 December. School finishes at 1:30pm.
Don't forget to come a little earlier to farewell our grade 6 students as they do their final walk down the stairs.

Bundoora Park Excursion.

Our Grade 1/2 classes had an excursion to Bundoora Park Farm last Friday. They had a wonderful day with alot of fun activities. The children made scones, feed baby goats, petted lots of animals. milked a cow, had pony rides, went on a tractor ride and played in the playground.

Making Scones

Churning Butter

Feeding the chickens

Sneaking a pat with the turkey

Time for Guinea Pig cuddles

Feeding the baby goats

Feeding the sheep

 

Milking the cow

Tractor ride to see kangaroos and emus

 

Eating our scones...yummy!
What a great day.