Dear parents,

To begin this week’s newsletter I have a few items related to children’s health.

Firstly, the ACT Cancer Council's guidelines for wearing schools hats is reflected in the school’s policy. We ask children to wear hats from the start of August until the end of May every year. The cancer Council website states:

Over-exposure to UV during childhood and adolescence is a major contributing factor of skin cancer, including melanoma, later in life. Cancer Council recommends a combination of sun protection behaviour when UV levels reach three (3) or above. In Canberra average UV levels are 3 and above for part or most of each day from August to May. During the daylight saving/summer period it is important to take extra care between 11am – 3pm as this is when annual UV levels reach their peak.

I know it is very cold and that many children are still wearing beanies however we encourage all children to return to wearing their hats from next week. From the beginning of September hats will again be compulsory.

Included in this newsletter is information for parents of Kindergarten students who may be having difficulties with their vision or hearing.

Carpark and picking up children

We have noticed an increasing number of parents parking in the front car park who remain with their car and are asking their children to come to them. The car park is extremely busy after school with lots of movement. For the safety of the children being picked up we ask parents to leave their car and come and collect their child and walk them across the pedestrian crossing to their car.

Maths Problem

Congratulations to Willem van Galen who was last week’s winner. This week’s problem is below.

Dr Seuss inspired problem

Poor Ned’s bed is far too small for him. No matter what he does, either his feet or his head hang out the end. In fact, exactly one-quarter of Ned’s body always sticks out from the end of the bed! If Ned’s bed is 120cm long, how tall is Ned? Ned definitely needs a new bed. This time, Ned wants his body to cover exactly four-fifths of the length of the bed. How long does Ned’s bed need to be? Draw a diagram to help explain your answer.