5 December 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Last Friday Ms Cammi Watson was “Principal for the Day”. She spent the day visiting classrooms, handing out Principal stickers, handing out ICAS awards and banners at the morning assembly and cheering on the Junior Eagle-Tag team in their grand final.

A highlight of the day for Cammi was the morning tea with students Toby Kells, Chloe Brown, Addison Watson and Giselle Brown.

PSSA Girl’s Eagle Tag Grand Final

Congratulations to our Junior Girl’s Eagle Tag team who were the joint winners of the grand final last Friday. They all played extremely well as a team and took on the leaders of the competition Seaforth, to have a 2 all draw and share the championship. Congratulations to Mrs Murray their coach and to all the girls.

School Leaders 2020

Congratulations to all of our Year 5 students who stood for the eight school leader positions. All of the nominees made fantastic speeches and voting was very difficult for the students and teachers. Our school leadership team for 2020 will be:

The school captains and vice captains will be announced at the 3-6 Celebration of Learning on Thursday 5 December. House captains and class manager leadership positions will be elected in the next few weeks.

Mass Meeting - Thursday 5 December

This morning our teachers took part in a Mass Meeting of all NSW Teachers regarding the negotiation of our new two year salaries award. The last time teachers had a mass meeting was three years ago for the same reason. We don't like missing school but this was important. All staff are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Celebration of Learning Assemblies

Today we held our final assembly for the year. Congratulations to all students who received an award this year. Thank you to Mrs Blackband for her organisation of the assembly and thank you to our Year 6 leaders for hosting the events.

Congratulations to the new school leadership team and farewell and thank you to our current Year 6 students and the leadership team for 2019.

Captains: Mia Lougher, Joshua Slatter
Vice Captains: Diya Malhotra, Callum Matheson
Prefects: Matilda Graham, Toby Marsters, Talia Stedman, Jake Van de Water

Our final farewell assembly for Year 6 will be on Monday 16 December at 1.00pm with the clap out scheduled for 2.45pm on Wednesday 18 December.

Year 6 Graduation Dinner - Tuesday 17 December 6.30pm

Thank you to all of the year 6 parents who have been involved in the organisation of the farewell dinner this year. Teachers and students alike are all looking forward to having the graduation dinner in our new school hall on Tuesday 17 December at 6.30pm.

End of Year Picnics

During week 9 all stages will have their end of year picnics. Separate permission notes have been sent home for you to return. Please ensure that all school fees are now paid so that students are able to attend.

Monday 9 December—Kindergarten (Sydney Aquarium) and Stage 1 (Collaroy Cinema & Park) picnics
Tuesday 10 December- K-6 Talent Quest
Wednesday 11 December - Stage 2 picnic (David Thomas Water Slide & movie at school)
Friday 13 December- Stage 3 picnic (Manly Waterworks)

Minifest - 6 December

As part of the end of year celebrations Year 6 students host a Minifest to be enjoyed by all students K-6. Students have been asked to bring in small prizes or individually wrapped lollies to be used as prizes for the day. Year 6 provide a variety of games and experiences for all students to participate in including hoopla, water slide, sponge throwing, guessing competitions, haunted house etc. All proceeds go towards a Year 6 gift for the school to be presented at Celebration of Learning.

Beaches for the Bush Fundraiser

This year we are asking that in addition to the Minifest students donate a gold coin (or more) to the Bushfire Appeal “Beaches 4 The Bush.” Donations will be collected on the morning of the Minifest day as payment for the mufti day experience. Parents are also able to make cash donations at the office that morning. All proceeds from his appeal will go towards the RFS and Midcoast Lions Club. A Gofundme page is also available below for additional donations:

Reports - Tuesday 10 December

Our final school reports will go home on Tuesday 10 December with all students. These reports are a reflection of how your child is performing according to grade and stage expectations. A “sound” ranking means that they have achieved the necessary standard to meet the outcomes according to grade and stage expectations. “Sound” is an excellent achievement for students. Some students will receive a “High” or Outstanding” ranking if they are performing above the grade/stage level in that area. Work samples are assessed according to grade expectations and sometimes students are performing well above the grade norm and do receive a “high” or an “outstanding” assessment score. This is not usual. Most students will achieve “sound” on their reports and should be extremely proud of their achievements as it has meant that they have satisfactorily achieved the grade standard in that area of the curriculum.

Please take this explanation into account when reviewing reports. Sometimes students can score a “high” in one area of English and then due to the change in outcome expectations can be ranked at “sound” at the end of the year. Please read the outcome statement carefully to see what was being assessed.

School Banner - 29 November

Congratulations Alexandria Slatter, Ethan McGowan and Matilda Graham on receiving their awards last Friday.

Leaving next year?

Please notify the office and your child’s class teacher if you are leaving the school for 2020. It is important for staffing and the making of classes that we have all our enrolment details up to date by the end of the year. If you are intending to extend your holiday over Christmas and may not return by the first day of school 29 January 2020, also notify the office in writing.

Tina Lee - Principal

Dates for Your Diary

Waste Free Wednesday

Stage 3 Asian Cultural Study

Talent Quest 2019 - Tuesday 10 December

Our Annual School Talent Quest will take place on Tuesday 10 December. Students will be auditioning in their classes in order to seek a place in the final concert on that day. Only students and teachers from our school are invited to attend the Talent Quest due to limited space and time on the day. This is just an in-school fun event. Elaborate costumes and props are not required for this event.

Any student from Kindergarten to year 6 can audition for this event. Auditions will take place over the next few weeks in class time. Only 2 items from each class will go through to the final on Tuesday 10 December.

Kate Stacey and Caroline Pembroke - Organising Committee

School Banking

The last day for school banking is Wednesday 11 December 2019.

School Student Transport Scheme 2020 Applications (including Opal Cards)

School Student applications for 2020 open from Friday 11 October 2019. Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 do not need to re-apply if they:

• Are continuing at the same school;
• Are residing at the same address;
• Have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport of NSW.

Where a student meets a new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to:

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel a card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.

Transport NSW

Only 2 Café Owl Fridays left in 2019

Don’t miss out. We’d love to see you this Friday at our popular Café Owl breakfast club.

Where: Old canteen building in the top playground, carpark entrance

When: 8.00-9.00am

What’s on the menu: Bacon & egg rolls, hash browns, hot drinks, flavoured milk & juices

Who’s invited: Children, parents, grandparents, friends

Why come: Meet up with friends for a community breakfast, where all money raised goes back to the school. Check out the newly opened outdoor space and listen to school band buskers play their instruments.

PS: Cash orders only but credit card coming in 2020!

Canteen News

Canteen still needs help for the second last week and half of the last week of school. If you are able to help out for any of the below shifts please sign up via the following link or drop by the canteen and let us know:

Monday 9 December - 2 shifts available 9.00-11.30am and 9.00-10.30am
Tuesday 10 December - 2 shifts available 9.00-11.30 am and top priority 12.00-1.30pm
Wednesday 11 December - 2 shifts available 9.00-11.30am and top priority 12.00-1.30pm
Friday 13 December – 9.00-11.30 am
Tuesday 17 December – 12.00-1.30pm
Wednesday 18 December – 9.00-11.30 am

Kerry, Robyn & Becky – Canteen Coordinators

Canteen Volunteers Roster Term 4, 2019

Community Notices

Kids Christmas Club

Get excited for Kids Christmas Club, Thursday 19 & Friday 20 December 2019, 8.30am-5.00pm at Christ Church Northern Beaches, 3 King Street, Manly Vale. Two fun days for primary school kids to spend together celebrating Christmas. Christmas themed activities, craft and fun with lots of friends! To book a place is at the link below:

Harbord Scout’s Christmas Trees

Christmas trees & stands, Christmas cakes & puddings will be available through Harbord Scouts.

Northern Beaches Council Summer Vacation Care

Bookings for Summer 2020 are now open at the link below.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club Learn to Sail Summer Camps

Cricket Holiday Camps for boys & girls

Manly Hockey Academy

Manly Junior Hockey is running a 4 week academy program for new players in 2020. More information at the link below.

Bunnings Balgowlah

FREE Christmas Family Night, Thursday 5 December 2019, 6.00-8.00pm, magician, Christmas carols, jumping castle, craft and a visit from Santa.

Queenscliff Netball Club