14 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yesterday we held our 2019 school swimming carnival at Manly Boy Charlton pool. Around 280 children aged 8 years and up attended the carnival and we were treated to some wonderful performances. Thank you very much to the parents who volunteered as timekeepers or life guards for the day. The carnival would not be possible without your support. Congratulations to all the children who participated in the day by earning a participation point, finishing a race or cheering loudly for your house and friends. Thank you to Mrs Ward and Mrs Birrell for their organisation of the carnival and to all the teaching staff for their hard work on such a hot day. Next week’s newsletter will include a results list and a date for ribbon presentation.

Farewell Mrs Poole

Last Thursday we had a lovely farewell assembly and clap out for our wonderful librarian Mrs Glynis Poole. The children all made cards and sent beautiful messages to her. Mrs Poole responded to the students with a story “Once Upon a Time” which we have included in this newsletter. It was a very emotional clap out at the end of the day but we know Mrs Poole is excited to move into retirement and pursue other opportunities. We wish her all the best in her future pursuits. Farewell Mrs Poole!

Information evenings

Next week we begin our parent Information Evenings. Tours of the school will take place prior to the information evenings (5.00pm Years 5 & 6 and 5.15pm K-4) for interested parents and community members.

Prior to the Stage 3 Information night there will be a short talk in the hall for any interested parents from our local high school principals. Ms Christine Del Galo (Principal - Mackellar Girls) and Mr Ian James (Relieving Principal - Balgowlah Boys). Their talk will be from 5.30pm to 6pm in the hall. The school tour will start at 5pm that day so parents can attend this session if they wish.

Please try and attend your child’s information evening as it is a great way to meet the teacher and find out the expectations of homework and the organisation of the classroom. The information evenings are also the time complete class contact lists that are helpful for communication from the P & C and to assist with communication from the teacher to the parents of the class. A Class Coordinator is required for every class to compile the email list and distribute communications using the list.

Class Coordinators will be organised by Mrs Kristen Te Pania (Reuben and Pipi’s mum) who will work directly with the school, P & C and classes to streamline communication. If you would like to be considered for a Class Coordinator position please email the school on manlyvale-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or nominate yourself on the information evening. You will need to state your name, email address and contact details and state clearly who your child is and what class you would like to nominate for.

Class email lists will be done on the night in classrooms using a laptop. If you are unable to attend a slip will be sent home to collect your details and receive permission to include you in the email list.

Ethics and Scripture starts Next week- Wednesday 20 February

Next week we begin our scripture and ethics classes from 9.00am – 9.35am on Wednesdays. All our volunteer teachers have Working with Children and Identity checks completed and are ready for classes. Thank you to all the parents and community members who have volunteered to be an Ethics or Scripture teacher. Please feel free to ready the new SRE and SEE policy situated on our website for more information at the link below.

There are no waitlists at this stage this year and students will be placed in Ethics classes which are running for every grade. Thank you to the parents who have trained to be Ethics teachers and to Mrs Lorna Galt for coordinating the Ethics program. Mrs Clair O’Connor our new librarian will be taking care of the organisation of the SEE and SRE program.

PSSA Try Outs

Tomorrow will be the last opportunity for students to try out for PSSA summer teams. There have been 3 separate try out sessions and coaches have had to make some hard decisions in choosing their teams. It is always difficult to try out and then miss out on selection and coaches do their best to support students through this resilience building process. PSSA teams are our gifted and talented programs for sport. Like all of our extension programs children need to have the skills and knowledge to competently play the game. There is no time on Fridays for PSSA coaches to teach children the games the expectation is that they can play and easily compete against other school teams.

If your child isn’t selected in a team they will learn the skills of various games back at school in a non-competitive environment.

Summer PSSA teams are:

Cricket - Mrs Blackband
Eagle Tag (boys) – Mrs Ward, Ms Cash
Eagle tag (girls) - Ms Murray
Softball and T-Ball - Ms Panetta
Volleyball - Mr Dylan
Newcombe ball - Ms Kemp, Mr Dylan

Congratulations Pipi

Over the summer holidays Pipi Te Pania completed a Junior Iron-person series. Her extensive training and commitment contributed to her becoming the overall winner of this event which included children from up and down the north coast of NSW. She will go on to compete in the state titles in March. Congratulations Pipi on this outstanding achievement. We are all proud of you!

Farewell Jigme!

Our cleaner Jigme had his last day yesterday at our school. Jigme is moving to Wagga Wagga and we will all miss him. We wish him all the best for his move! I hope Wagga appreciate him as much as we have. He has been an outstanding cleaner, very dedicated and conscientious. He will be greatly missed by the staff and students of Manly Vale Public School.

Tina Lee - Principal

Dates for Your Diary

Learning Support

Each week in the Bush Telegraph the Learning Support team will provide information that is relevant to learning support and of interest to the community. This week we will discuss starting a new school year.

Settling in

“Big school” is a big change! It is very normal for children to experience a variety of emotions in the lead-up to and during the first few weeks of school. Allow your child time to settle and try to remain positive – this demonstrates to your child that school is a safe place and that you believe they will cope and have fun.

Some children (and parents!) find it difficult to separate at drop-off in the morning which can be upsetting for both parties. Below are some tips for saying goodbye in the morning:

• Tell your child when you’re leaving and when you’ll see them next. Leaving without saying goodbye can make things worse. Your child might feel confused or upset when they realise you’re not around and they might be harder to settle next time.
• Help your child settle by encouraging them to engage in play.
• Say goodbye to your child briefly – don’t drag it out.
• Keep a relaxed and happy look on your face when leaving. If you seem worried or sad, your child might think school isn’t safe and could get upset.
• Have a designated pick-up spot or home-time routine to alleviate anxiety in the afternoon.
• Please contact the school if you are going to be late picking up your child. This will also alleviate any anxiety.
• Spend time together after school, sharing a healthy snack and talking about the day. Children are not always forthcoming with information so it may be helpful to ask quite specific questions such as: What made you smile today? What was your favourite thing that happened today? What did you play at morning tea? Who did you sit next to? What was something you found challenging? etc.

Of course if it is nearing the end of term and your child is still struggling to settle in, please make an appointment to see their class teacher.

More information can be found at:

Suggested books:

The Invisible String – Karst, P. (suitable for K-3)

Owl Babies – Waddell, M. & Benson, P. (suitable for Kindergarten)

Learning Support Committee

Stewart House Clothing Appeal 2019

Stewart House collection bags were distributed to K-2 students today. Please return the bags to school by Monday 25 February 2019. For years 3-6 bags are available at the office or you can use your own plastic bags.

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club issue a catalogue twice a term and offer a wide range of products appropriate to the age of your children.

Our school receives 20% from all orders and this is used to purchase class resources and books for the children. The money raised from last year’s book club orders allowed each class teacher to receive a mini library for their new classroom.

Ordering can be done online (preferred method) at the link below or by downloading the LOOP App.

Ordering dates will appear in the newsletter after each issue has been handed out to the children.

Issue 1 orders are due by Friday 15 February 2019.

If you wish to purchase items as a gift and do not want them to be distributed directly to your child, please select GIFT ORDER when ordering online.

If you have any queries concerning book club, please contact Jodi Twidale 0421 082 927 or email joditwidale@gmail.com

Canteen News

The canteen is in need of volunteers for the following dates, if you are able to help please let Robyn know via email manlyvalepscanteen@gmail.com or phone/text 0402 911 655.

Thursday 28 February – long shift 9.00-1.30pm and short shift 11.30am – 1.30pm
Thursday 7 March - long shift 9.00-1.30pm and short shift 11.30am – 1.30pm
Thursday 14 March – short shift 11.30am-1.30pm.

Robyn – Canteen Coordinator

Canteen Volunteers Roster Term 1, 2019

Community Notices

Narrabeen Sports High School Open Night 2019

The Conservatorium High School

The Conservatorium High School would like to inform your talented music students that AUDITIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2020. Application to AUDITION for Conservatorium High entering 2020 are now open. Go to link below to APPLY tab then 2020 Entry Application. Closing date for registration is 7th June 2019.

Cromer Dee Why Scouts

Interested in joining a Scout group please call Jim Baldwin 0404 931 743 or email jimboonline93@gmail.com