Cowra Public School NEWS 27 February 2014
Term 1, Week 5
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Dear Parents This week we celebrate the wonderful achievements of our district swimmers with a tremendous display of talent on Monday at the Cowra District Swimming carnival. All Cowra Public School representatives performed exceptionally well with three individual students being named Age Champions. These were Bella Scammell, Anja Gower and Mac Webster. Along with these champions several students will be progressing through to the Western Region Carnival in Dubbo on Friday, 7 March. Ella, Tess and Jake Roberts all qualified along with Maddi and Eliza Mulligan, Ella and Candice Meeuwisse, Isabella and Lucy Scammell as well as Anja Gower, Mac Webster, Sean Smith, Joel Edgerton and Josh Anslow. We wish these swimmers the best of luck but we also congratulate our whole CPS team who competed on Monday. At school we have had a visit from the
FOR YOUR DIARY FEBRUARY 28
Clean Up Australia Day (schools)
MARCH 5
School photographs
6
Infants Assembly 2.00pm
6
Primary Assembly 2.30pm
7
Regional Swimming Carnival Dubbo
15
Cowra Festival of International Understanding
19
Parent Teacher Interviews - Infants
20
Parent Teacher Interviews - Stages 2/3
NSW Department of Education and Communities Lachlan District L3 coordinator who was very impressed with our Kindergarten students and staff. We have been delighted with the response the children are showing to the program. Last week we held our first P&C meeting attracting a great number of parents and we thank all who attended. One question raised was the International Festival of Understanding float. Cowra Public School along with Mulyan Public School and Cowra High School will be combining this year to present a float based on unity with the United Nations theme of International Year of Family Farming. I would be hard pressed to think of another area in Australia that has more reference to family farming than Cowra and all the school will be involved in the project. Parent helpers are welcomed and can contact the school to offer assistance. Kaye Kilby will be coordinating the project from the school whilst Elizabeth McKay will be heading the parent group. Today, girls from Years 3 to 6 were invited to participate in a Netball Gala Day held in Cowra by the Cowra Netball Association. The girls had a great time and the range of skills the girls developed was very impressive. Thank you Mrs Cobcroft for taking the girls.
Unfortunately the boys didn’t get the win but we congratulate their efforts and Mr Lewis for leading the team. Next week we will see a change to the school assemblies. We have decided that the joining of the assemblies needs to be reviewed in the early part of the year and as such we will be holding an Infant’s assembly on Thursday at 2.00pm till 2.30pm in the Infants Open Space followed by the senior assembly in the auditorium starting at 2.30pm. This will allow parents to attend both and give us enough room, whilst allowing time for the kindergarten children to become familiar with assembly practise. We will join together at different times during the year for major events. Please be aware that Council road works in Railway Lane over the ensuing months, may result in an increase in traffic and parking difficulties around the school. Enjoy the week.
Brad Tom
Our boys cricket team played in Blayney on Tuesday and had a tremendous game against some very strong competition.
CONTACTING THE SCHOOL Administration Office Hours: 8.30am - 3.30pm School commences at 9.10am School finishes at 3.15pm Students are not supervised before 8.45am
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
WEDNESDAY, 5 MARCH 2014
School photographs will be taken Wednesday, 5 March (Week 6) The packages were sent home last week. Please select the package you prefer and then refer to the envelope - please note that each student has been given their own envelope with their name and individual number on it. See page 2 for more details.
Mail: PO Box 285, Cowra Phone: 6342 2400 Fax: 6341 1357 School Counsellor 6341 3078 Email: cowra-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Web: http://www.cowra-p.schools.nsw.edu.au DEPT.HEALTH DENTAL CLINIC:
1300 552 208
Cowra Public School
Page 2
INFANTS ASSEMBLIES Infants assemblies will now be held every second Thursday commencing next week (Thursday, 6 March). The assemblies will be held in the Infants Open Space and commence at 2.00pm and finish at 2.30pm when the children will return to their classrooms.
ST 3 WALKATHON Friday, 28 March 2014 The Stage 3 Walkathon will be held on Friday, 28 March 2014. To attend children must participate by collecting sponsorship or making a donation before the Walkathon day. It will be a normal school day for students not able to participate in this way. The program for the day will be:
9.30 a.m. Leave school by bus for starting point.
9.55 a.m. Commence 10 kilometre walkathon.
12.30 p.m. Lunch and organised/ structured swimming activities Aquatic Centre 2.45 p.m. Return to school.
at
Children should bring a hat, sunscreen a drink, swimming gear and wear suitable footwear and casual clothing. (No singlet tops.) Bus fare and a B.B.Q. lunch will be provided at NO COST. Swimming organisation Guidelines for swimming, as set out by the Department of Education and Training, will be followed. The in-pool schedule will be as follows: 1. All pupils swimming ability will be tested in waist-deep water under close supervision. 2. Pupils will be grouped using coloured wrist bands. Student supervision ratio will not exceed 1 : 20. A permission note has been sent home and this needs to be filled in and returned to the school to enable your child to attend. In relation to the prepared structured aquatic activities YOU MUST TICK THE RESPONSES ON THE REPLY SLIP (two signatures required) and fill in and return the attached note. Please complete the reply slip, swimming information (please sign in two places) and return it to your child’s home class teacher by Friday 21 March 2014. Where any parents can assist with the B.B.Q. lunch preparations, this will be very much appreciated.
At these assemblies students will be receiving Merit Certificates and PBL awards. Every alternate Thursday (not assembly week) from 12.30pm until 1.00pm the Infants will be holding combined singing in the Infants Open Space. All parents are invited to come along and listen to the children singing.
PRIMARY ASSEMBLIES The Primary will also be holding their assemblies every second Thursday and the next assembly will held on Thursday, 6 March at 2.30pm until 3.10pm. The assembly will be held in the school auditorium. The assemblies will include the Year 6 Public Speaking and Merit Certificates will also be presented on the day. All parents are invited to attend both assemblies.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY ~ TOMORROW Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Friday, 28 February 2014. All students will be involved. Stage 3 will be working down at River Park, while Stage 2 and Stage 1/Early Stage 1 will be working within the school grounds.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS NEXT WEEK School photograph envelopes have been sent home. The format for these envelopes is the same as last year. Please note that each child has their own individual envelope with their name & a unique code printed on the envelope. The envelopes are to be returned by Week 6 (either Monday, 3 March, Tuesday, 4 March or Wednesday, 5 March). If you would like a family portrait done, the school has family envelopes. These envelopes must be returned to the photographer on the morning of photograph day. Please ensure your child/children are in full summer school uniform and arrive at school on time on Wednesday, 5 March 2014.
WORLD’S GREATEST SHAVE This year Cowra Public School will be hosting a “World’s Greatest Shave” event. On Thursday, 13 March the school will be holding a:
“Funky
Hair Day”.
Students are asked to wear a Funky Hair Do and make a gold coin donation. The money students raise will determine how many of the teachers colour or shave their hair. If we raise $50 Mrs Macnamara will colour, $100 Mr Lewis will colour, $200 Mrs Duncan will colour, $300 Mrs Cobcroft will colour, $400 Miss Hyde will colour, $500 Mrs Oborn will colour, $600 Mrs White will colour, $700 Mrs Kilby will colour, $800 Miss Eldrige will colour, $900 Mrs Day will colour and $1001 Miss James will shave! The school will hold a whole school gathering in the hall at 12.30pm for students to watch the teachers having their hair done. All funds raised will go to the Leukaemia Foundation.
INFANTS PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS
STAGE 2 PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS
STAGE 3 PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 classes will be holding their Parent/Teacher interviews on Wednesday, 19 March.
Stage 2 Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday, 20 March in the Stage 2 Open Space.
Stage 3 Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday, 20 March in the Stage 2 Open Space.
The interviews will be of ten minutes duration. These interviews form one aspect of student evaluation and reporting.
The interviews will be held from 3.45pm until 8.00pm and will be held in 10 minute time slots for Literacy/Home Room and 5 minute slots for Mathematics. If you feel you require more time, please indicate this on your reply slip.
The interviews will be held from 3.45pm until 8.00pm and will be held in 5 minute time slots for Literacy and Mathematics. If you feel that you may require more time please note this on the request sheet. (For example if your child has the same teacher for Mathematics and Literacy you may require a 10 minute time slot).
The interviews will be from 3.45pm until 8.30pm and will be held in individual classrooms. A written report will be sent home towards the end of Term 2. Notes will be sent home shortly with times. These notes need to be returned to the school with your preferred times for the interview.
Notes have been sent home and these need to be returned to your child’s Home Room Teacher by Monday, 17 March. Your interview times will be forwarded to you on Tuesday, 18 March.
Notes have been sent home and these need to be returned to your child’s Home Room Teacher by Monday, 17 March. Your interview times will be forwarded to you on Tuesday, 18 March.
If for any reason you cannot come to an interview on the nominated date and you wish an interview, please contact the school to organise another suitable date.
COWRA FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Cowra Public School will again be participating in the Cowra Festival of International Understanding parade on Saturday, 15 March 2014. This year there will be a combined float between Cowra Public School, Mulyan Public School and Cowra High School. We are aware that many children take part in the parade each year for their club or organisation and offer this opportunity for anyone not already involved in the parade to ride on the combined float. Any child who is interested in being part of this event needs to fill in the form below and return it to the school by Monday 3 March. Parents need to be aware that it does require some costuming. This year it is the 50th Anniversary of the Cowra Festival of International Understanding. The special guest for 2014 is “The United Nations” and we have some great ideas for how the children can be dressed. Any assistance from parents in the making of some costume parts/props or help on the day would be very much appreciated. Children will be on the back of the truck (supervised) or walking in front or behind the truck as part of the parade and will be required to sit quietly and safely or walk sensibly throughout the parade. PARADE TIMES: 11.30 am 12.00 noon
Assemble at Brougham Park Parade down Kendal Street to River Park
Please provide your child with a bottle of water, as it can get quite warm while waiting for the parade to start. Children are to be picked up from River Park immediately after the parade. Parents will need to ensure their child is at Brougham Park by noon on the day and collect their child immediately after the parade reaches River Park.
COWRA FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING - FESTIVAL FLOAT PERMISSION NOTE I give permission for my child _______________________________________ in ___________ class to participate in the Cowra Festival of International Understanding Festival float to be held on Saturday, 15 March 2014.
I understand that the children will be sitting on the back of a truck (float) or walking in front or behind the float and this will involve travel down Darling Street, Kendal Street and Macquarie Street to River Park. I understand that the students will be supervised by an adult when on the float. I understand that the children will be required to sit quietly and safely throughout the parade and will discuss this with my child. I understand that the children need to be picked up from River Park immediately after the parade.
Signed: __________________________________
Date:________________________
Cowra Public School
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SPORT DISTRICT SWIMMING CARNIVAL Congratulations to the following swimmers who will be representing Cowra District at the Regional Swimming Carnival to be held at Dubbo on Friday, 7 March.
Joshua Anslow Joel Edgerton Jake Roberts Sean Smith Mac Webster
Junior boys’ backstroke, Junior boys’ butterfly Junior boys’ relay 9 year boys’ 50m freestyle, Junior boys’ relay 12/13 year boys’ breaststroke
Candice Meeuwisse
10 year boys’ 50m freestyle, Junior boys’ 200m, Junior boys’ backstroke, Junior boys’ butterfly Junior boys’ relay 10 year girls’ 50m freestyle, Junior girls’ breaststroke, Junior girls’ 200m, Junior girls’ relay 8 year girls’ 50m freestyle
Ella Meeuwisse
Junior girls’ relay
Eliza Mulligan
9 year girls’ 50m freestyle, Junior girls’ relay
Madeleine Mulligan
Senior girls’ relay
Ella Roberts
Senior girls’ relay
Tess Roberts
Senior girls’ relay
Isabella Scammell
11 year girls’ 50m freestyle, 11 year girls’ Breaststroke, 11 year girls’ backstroke, 11 year girls’ butterfly, Senior girls’ relay Junior girls relay
Anja Gower
Junior boys’ relay
Lucy Scammell
Congratulations to: Junior Girls’ Champion
Isabella Scammell:
11 year Girls’ Champion
Mac Webster
Junior Boys’ Champion
Primary Term One sport commenced last week and will continue until Week 10. This term our school is focusing on aquatic skills and all Primary students will be involved in swimming activities at the pool. All ability levels will be catered for and each child will be tested in order to establish their competence in the water. Sport will take place at 10.10-11.10am for Stage 2 and 11.30am-12.30pm for Stage 3. The cost will be $2.00 for pool entry per week, unless children hold a season pass. Students will need usual school sports uniform, swimmers, towel and sunscreen. Classes will walk to and from the pool from school and be supervised by Cowra Public School staff at all times. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR SWIMMERS AND TOWEL. Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sport teacher
Age Champions at the District Carnival Anja Gower:
SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR TERM 1
PSSA CRICKET Last Tuesday, Cowra Public School Boys’ Cricket team played a match against Blayney Public School. Cowra batted first, scoring 97 runs in their 25 overs. Blayney passed the total of our team for the loss of only 3 wickets. Everyone in the Cowra team played enthusiastically to the end of the match and supported each other well. The players can be proud of their efforts. A special thanks to Mr Simon Ryan who umpired the match. Also special thanks to parents who provided transport and support. They were Tori Gordon, Belinda Harris, Tracey McFarland and Kathryn Blair. The team: Sonny Eastwood Cameron Fabian Luke Kinsey Hayden McKeown Joshua Pokoney Blake Williams
Anja Gower
Isabella Scammell
Mac Webster
Jack Druery Brayden Harris Lewis McFarland Lindsay Munro Mac Webster
Paul Lewis Cricket Coach
WESTERN REGION SWIMMING CARNIVAL ~ DUBBO The Western Region Swimming Carnival will be held at Dubbo Aquatic Centre on Friday, 7 March commencing at 9.30am.
The team is asked to meet at the Dubbo Aquatic Centre near the Cowra District banner at 8.30am. Marshalling call is at 9.15am and heats will commence at 9.30am.
Swimmers gaining a place in the Regional team will be given details at the carnival. Cost is $3.00 for competitors; $3.00 for spectators. All events are timed finals and place ribbons will be issued to competitors with the fastest 3 times. A canteen will be available on the day. There is NO bus organised and the responsibility is on you to make sure your child gets to the carnival. If your child will NOT be attending the carnival, please contact Mrs Duncan so a replacement can be found.
Cowra Public School
Page 5
P&C CANTEEN ASSISTANCE
CLOTHING POOL The school runs a very well equipped Clothing Pool. The Clothing Pool is run by the canteen manager, Mrs Lisa Willis. Lisa is available to show parents the stock at any time. Please be mindful that Lisa is extremely busy before school taking lunch orders etc and at recess and lunch times. The Clothing Pool has girl’s summer uniforms, boy’s shorts and shirts and both boy’s and girl’s sports clothes. The clothing pool also stocks chair bags and library bags. If any parent has school clothing in good condition they wish to sell, please label the clothing with your name and phone number along with the amount you wish to sell it for. The P & C take a small commission on the sale.
The P&C Association run our school’s canteen and offer an affordable and healthy service to students and staff. All profits made in our canteen are spent on projects within our school. Our canteen manger, Lisa Willis desperately needs volunteers to assist in running the canteen this year. Please consider spending one day a month or term volunteering. It is a great way to keep in touch with your children and their friends. Volunteer assistance is needed from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily OR perhaps 9.00am until 11.00am to make the lunches. If you could assist, please ring the school or see Lisa in the canteen. WE CAN’T RUN OUR CANTEEN WITHOUT YOUR HELP! Make some time to come along, meet other parents and have a say in your child’s education!
COMMUNITY WOODSTOCK MEMORIAL SHOW ~ Sunday, 7 September The Woodstock Show schedule needs a makeover and they are asking students to:
DESIGN A COVER! Open to all children aged between 4 and 12 years of age.
Entries are to be designed on A4 or A5 paper.
Name, address, phone number and
age are to be put on back of the page. Entries are to be submitted by 1 April 2014. Sent to Woodstock Memorial Show Inc. 608B Nargong Road WOODSTOCK NSW 2793 Entries will be put before Show Committee for judging Winning entries will be put to print on the 2014 Show Schedule cover. First place $20.00 plus a family pass to the Show. 2nd place $15.00
3rd place $10.00
SATURDAY COMPETITION Where: Col Stinson Park When: Competition runs each Saturday commencing on the 29th March 2014 5 -7 Years 11:00am-12:00noon 8- 10 Years 10:30am-12:00noon 11-12 Years 10:30am-12:00noon 12-14 Years/ Division 1 and 2 timeslots rotate weekly between 1:00pm and 2:30pm Uniform: Cowra netball shirt – free to registered players Black netball skirt Cost: 5 – 10 Years $50 (Net Set Go) 11 – 17 Years $100 (Juniors) $125 (Seniors) Player with a disability $30 5 -10 Year olds will be part of our NetSetGo Program and will also receive a participant pack consisting of Gilbert netball, ANZ NetSetGO t-shirt and participant medal. Registrations will be taken on Saturday 8 March at Col Stinson Park from 11:00am2:00pm and Saturday 15 March at River Park following the festival parade. For more information please contact Kristen Ryan on 0409813802 or email Kristen-r@hotmail.com
RELATIONSHIPS AUSTRALIA PARENTING THE ANXIOUS CHILD
~
Wednesday, 5 March at the Cowra Family Support (5 Vaux Street, Cowra). Time: 6.00pm-8.30pm.
The seminar looks at the strategies parents can learn to best help settle and manage their child’s anxiety. It also assists parents in gaining a better understanding of the causes of anxiety. Cost $5.00 or a contribution you can afford. Further information at Family Relationship Centre on 6333 8888 by Monday 3/3/14.