4 May 2023

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Last week closed with a beautiful ANZAC Day service led by our school leaders. Every student made a red poppy to wear to the service and the students commemorated and remembered the service of our veterans in past wars. A lovely new addition to the ceremony was the playing of the New Zealand National Anthem alongside the Australian National Anthem. Thank you to Mrs Adamo, Mrs Blackband and Mrs Kennedy for their organisation and preparation of this assembly, and our wonderful year 6 leaders for leading the ceremony.

Lest We Forget

Staff Development Day - Monday 24 April

Last Monday our school staff participated in a state-wide development day on Aboriginal education. As a school, we looked at our current planning and programming of Aboriginal histories and culture in our programs and explored the teaching methods of 8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning. We also edited and our vision for Aboriginal education within our school and discussed our draft copy of our Reconciliation Plan (RAP). We will be presenting and discussing our RAP with our local Aboriginal people and our school families over this term to present it to P & C by the beginning of next term.

A highlight of the staff development day was going to Curl Curl North where 500 staff members from all our local schools listened to Stan Grant talking about his life as an Aboriginal child growing up in Australia.

Mother’s Day Stall- Friday 12 May

Thank you to all the parents who have donated gifts for the Mother’s Day stall next Friday. This is such an exciting day for our students as they love to personally select a gift for mum to give to her on her special day. Please be aware that students are only permitted to purchase one gift from the stall on the day. All donated gifts are presented on the day for purchasing, and every student who has donated a gift (or gifts) will visit the store to buy one gift. Students who do not donate to the store, will not be able to purchase a gift on the day. If there are any gifts left over in the afternoon students may be able to buy an additional gift however, going on the last few years there has been a shortage of gifts, not a surplus.

This is a fundraiser so please donate gifts that are to the value of the $10 and are new (not used). Students will need to bring $10 on the day to purchase a gift. All gifts must be brought in by next Wednesday 10 May.

Assembly – Friday 5 May

This Friday there will be a morning assembly for all students K-6 up in the K-2 COLA. Students will receive their Principal awards this week. An SRC meeting will be held in the school hall at 2.15pm and classes 1C, 3H and 5J will be presenting their suggestions. Parents are welcome to attend these assemblies.

Band Meeting

Last week we had our band meeting for the term, and it was exciting to hear from our conductors Ben and Surrey about all the upcoming performances. Next week all bands will be performing in the NSWEE concert series. The Senior and Intermediate band will combine for a performance on Tuesday 9 May at The Forest High, and our Junior Band will have their first professional performance on Thursday evening 11 May at The Forest High. Both bands will need to meet their conductors at 6.15pm on their evenings at The Forest High. Permission notes went home via email this week.

P & C Meeting

Last Tuesday evening we had our P & C meeting for the term. It was wonderful to see so many parents filling the staffroom for this meeting. Fundraising opportunities and spending priorities for the year were discussed at the meeting.

Spending Priorities 2023

Laptops and iPads replacement for 2025 (Windows 11 roll out) $50 000 (on hold)

Thank you to all the parents and fundraising team for their support of these initiative and resources that support our student’s learning. Please give generously to our P & C fundraising events this year.

Congratulations Mrs McDonald and Mrs Kennedy

Mrs Caroline Kennedy and Mrs Lexi McDonald have both announced they are pregnant and will be finishing up work this term on classes 2S and 1/2K. Mrs Jessica Legg will replace Mrs Kennedy on 1/2K and Mrs Tegan Robertson will replace Mrs McDonald on a Thursday on 2S. We wish them both the very best with their pregnancies.

Congratulations Miss Taylor

Miss Taylor had her engagement party last week and will be married in late November to her partner Josh. We wish them both all the best for a very happy wedding.

Congratulations Dr Kemp

Mrs Katrina Kemp our Learning and Support teacher has just graduated achieving her doctorate in “Creative Pedagogy in the Teaching of Writing K-2” Mrs Kemp is an amazing talent and wealth of knowledge to our staff, and we are so lucky to have her expertise and experience in leading our learning and support team. Dr Kemp values the public school philosophy that every student should have the opportunity to learn and thrive in education. She is so supportive of all staff and students at Manly Vale Public School and a great example to all educators. Thank you, Dr Kemp, for your ongoing commitment to public education and students at Manly Vale Public School.

Playground Repair

We are currently having some holes repaired in our equipment soft fall area. The repairs will be costing up to $3,000 and we would appreciate that all parents do not allow their children to play near the fenced off area before or after school next week. It is so important that this rubber surface is allowed to dry and set before students walk on it. Please supervise your children closely around the equipment area next week. Thank you.

Stewart House

Stewart House envelopes were distributed last week. A gold coin donation to support children who attend Stewart House each year. Due back 19 May.

Tina Lee - Principal

Kindergarten Science

Kindergarten have been making a splash in science, investigating absorbent and waterproof materials. Using a big bucket of water, we tested various items and classified them accordingly. We then set upon our own experiments. Kindergarten built shelters for toy animals and Lego people using various water-resistant materials such as plastic and metal. We tested them with water droppers to see if they worked and we managed to keep our mini pets and people cosy and dry. We also learnt some fun facts about how the raincoat was invented and what shape raindrops REALLY are - ask us to find out!

Years 1 and 2 Chemical kaleidoscopes

Scientists in years 1 & 2 have enjoyed learning about how chemical changes can happen to everyday materials which are all around us. To create a fun learning experience to end term 1 which we experimented with milk, food colouring, dishwashing liquid and oil.

The young scientists were captivated with the colourful kaleidoscope appearance they were able to make when food colouring, milk and a few drops of dishwashing liquid were mixed. They finished off the experiment by adding cooking oil to their mixes which formed mini-oil craters within the mixes.

Stage 2 Minecraft Club

The first session of the Stage 2 Minecraft Club was held on Thursday of Week 1. Students are working to build social and team building skills whilst developing their creativity and problem solving abilities using the Minecraft Education computer program. The first challenge is to create ‘your dream home’.

Mrs Johnston and Mrs Banham

Walk safely to school day is on Friday 19 May

This is a yearly initiative designed to encourage children to walk to school.

Please mark Friday 19 May in your diaries, so that Manly Vale Public School students and families make an effort to walk to school!

• Walking promotes good health.
• Walking to school is better for the environment.
• Walking to school with friends is fun!
• Walking to school is very good for independence.

Students who walk to school on this day will receive a walk to school safely tattoo!

Lisa Cash

Dates for your Diary

Canteen News

PSSA

Please remember that there are no lunch orders on Friday's for PSSA students. PSSA students can still order recess, we have included some yummy recess options so you can still get something great to eat before sport.

Volunteers

The canteen needs your help to get all the lunches made as well as serve at the counter. We really need Volunteers on Thursday and Friday mornings to help get all the sandwiches and toasties made. Without volunteers the canteen will not be able to offer the full range of yummy foods each day.

Please sign up below, feel free to sign up with a friend if you want, just pop both your names in the sign up sheet.

Flexischools Ordering

Please remember that without an order confirmation your order has not been placed correctly.

If you are having trouble ordering or need help with your account you can call Flexischools on 1300 361 769 or submit an question online

Birthday treats

Please only order frozen birthday treats through the birthday section to ensure we have enough stock. Years 3-6 we recommend ordering birthday treats Monday- Thursday during PSSA season so that all students are at school to celebrate with their class.

Multiple drinks in orders

Please be considerate in your ordering. Many orders are being made for 3- 4 Glee drinks at a time making it hard for us to have enough stock to cater for everybody.

Becky McGowan - Canteen Manager

School Information