Cowra Public School News trm1 wk6 by CCNNEWS

Cowra Public School NEWS PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Term 1, Week 6

6 March 2014

NSW Department of Education and Communities

Dear Parents Another busy week seems to have flown by with our children heavily involved in a number of activities. This week the children in Stage 2 have been working very hard at text structure and comprehension in preparation for the NAPLAN exam early in Term 2. Stage 3 also have been focusing on questioning techniques in reading activities that will enable the children to better understand what is required in answering set questions. Mrs Oborn has now completed the first cycle of music lessons within the school which is held over a four week period. Each class is given a music lesson during the four week cycle that is then developed into the children being able to perform musical pieces in percussion. As the children grow in confidence it is expected that each class will access the music room each week to participate in regular music lessons with their class. This is a very exciting program and one that should see all children experiencing music weekly. The Festival of International Understanding opens this weekend with Cowra Public School being represented with a contingent of our senior band playing at the ceremony

FOR YOUR DIARY MARCH 7

Regional Swimming Carnival Dubbo

Yr 6 Transition to Cowra High School

Rugby Union 7’s

Catch up Photograph Day

Cowra Festival of International Understanding

Parent Teacher Interviews - Infants

Parent Teacher Interviews - Stages 2/3

Hockey Gala Day

at the Peace Bell on Saturday evening. The band members will be meeting Mrs Wright at 5.30pm, then performing at 6pm. Students are required to be in full uniform for the event. As well as having strong representation at the opening the school will a window display at the Target store and we hope all parents take a moment to view the great works on display. I would like to thank Stage 3 for putting the window display in place. As the United Nations is the host organisation the school has been looking at the work completed by the UN and we have been busy creating art work based on the United Nations which will be displayed in the school and on the Float. As for the float, we are full steam ahead with preparations for our display that will combine all three public schools in Cowra. We are asking for students to be fully involved in the festival and we encourage students to join in the march on Saturday, 15 March. The United Nations theme of International Year of Family Farming will be the direction we are displaying, with children to come dressed in farm clothing being jeans, collared shirt and hat. We ask that no student wears an American style cap or t-shirt with a brand name. The children will either ride on the float or walk and will be given visual displays to hold or wave. This is a fantastic community event that the school is very proud to be involved in and we encourage as many students to take the opportunity to be part of the celebration. Details of the day are on page 2 of the newsletter. Our sporting teams have again been busy,with the school tennis team playing on Wednesday against West Wyalong. In a close group of games the West Wyalong team proved too strong on the day. We thank the

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

children and Mr Lewis for their efforts. The Cowra District Swim team will travel to Dubbo tomorrow and we wish each of the 14 representatives from Cowra Public the very best. Next week on Tuesday, 11 March, the school will be involved in a Rugby 7’s day held in Cowra at the rugby field. Teams from Cowra and Grenfell will participate in games and skills in what should be a great day of introductory Rugby. This week children were given a training session with representatives from Australian Rugby on Tuesday and Mr Murray was very impressed with the talent he saw. Today we had our assemblies starting at 2pm for Stage 1 in the Infants Open Space followed by Stage 2/3 held in the Auditorium at 2.30pm. Stage 1 were able to show great manners and listening during their assembly and it was fantastic to see the children in Stage 3 presenting their public speaking speeches. Awards were also given out and it was great to see so many parents attending the assemblies. Next week the scheduled P&C meeting will be postponed to Wednesday, 2 April which will be the AGM. Several members of the P&C were unable to attend this week. We look forward to having parents involved with the P&C and invite parents to attend the meeting on the April 2.

Brad Tom

~ P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ~ Wednesday, 2 April 2014 7:00pm in the school staffroom Everyone is welcome to attend P&C stands for Parents and Citizens, and Cowra Public School’s P&C Association meets once a month on Thursday evenings. The objective of the P&C is to provide parents, carers and concerned citizens an opportunity to discuss aspects of their child’s education with the school’s Principal and other staff.

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

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INFANTS ASSEMBLIES 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 at Aquatic Centre  2.45 p.m. Return to school. 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.

Infants assemblies will now be held every second Thursday commencing today, 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. The Infants next assembly will be held on Thursday, 20 March in the Infants Open Space. 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 commencing today, Thursday, 6 March at 2.30pm. The next assembly will be on Thursday, 20 March at 2.30pm 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.

COWRA FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING 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. Parents need to be aware that it does require some costuming. As this is the United Nations Year of the Family Farming children are to be dressed in farm related outfits. Any assistance from parents in the making of some parts/props or help on the day would be very much appreciated. PARADE TIMES:  11.30 am Assemble at Brougham Park  12.00 noon 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.

WORLD’S GREATEST SHAVE

Student supervision ratio will not exceed 1 : 20.

This year Cowra Public School will be hosting a “World’s Greatest Shave” event.

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.

On Thursday, 13 March the school will be holding a:

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.

“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 have been sent home 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.

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.

UNIVERSITY OF NSW COMPETITIONS The University of NSW’s, International Competition and Assessment for Schools is the largest independent competition and assessment program for schools in Australia. It is also delivered to over 20 countries. Students in Years 3 to 6 are invited and encouraged to enter the following ICAS subjects:

HEAD LICE FACTS:

 About 23% of primary students have head lice at any one time.

 Anyone can catch head lice regardless of how clean their hair is.

 Head lice can move from one person’s head to another via hair.

Computer Skills: (Tuesday, 20 May)

$8.00

 Head lice do not survive long when they are off a human

Science: (Wednesday, 4 June)

$8.00

Writing: (Monday, 16 June)

$17.00

 Head lice do not live on furniture, bedding or carpet.  Head lice have built up some resistance to head lice

Spelling: (Tuesday, 17 June)

$11.00

English: (Tuesday, 29 July)

$8.00

Mathematics: (Tuesday, 12 August) $8.00 (Sitting date in brackets.)

ALL ENTIRES CLOSE Thursday, 10th April 2014

BAND / MUSIC PROGRAM The school subsidised tuition fee of $10 per term is now due. Parents may pay for the whole year or each term, whichever is most convenient. The senior band is looking forward to their performance as part of the Festival Opening Ceremony this Saturday at 6:00pm in front of the Civic Centre. Parents are encouraged to attend.

head.

treatments. TREATMENT:

 Daily combing of white hair conditioner using a fine tooth comb is effective in getting rid of head lice and eggs. TIPS: Regularly check your children’s hair.

   

Teach older children to check their own hair. Tie back and braid long hair. Keep a fine tooth head lice comb in the bathroom and encourage all family members to use it when they wash their hair.

BOOK CLUB The second issue of Ashton Scholastic Book Club for 2014 was sent this week. Scholastic Book Clubs operates eight times a year. The closing date for Issue 2 is Wednesday, 12 March 2014 at 3.00pm.

*** Please make cheques payable to Cowra Public School

Cowra Public School

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SPORT WESTERN REGION SWIMMING CARNIVAL DUBBO ~ TOMORROW

The Western Region Swimming Carnival will be held at Dubbo Aquatic Centre on tomorrow, 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. We wish all the swimmers the best of luck!

STAGE 3 HOCKEY GALA DAY Friday, 21 March 2014 This year all Stage 2 & 3 students are given the opportunity to participate in an exciting Hockey Gala Day. All specialised activities will be conducted by qualified instructors trained in the various fields. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together as a group and get to know students from other schools in a friendly non-school denominated competition. We actively encourage all primary students to attend. It was a great success last year with 450 students attending from all the surrounding schools. If your child wishes to be involved they need to collect a note from Mrs Duncan outlining the organisation of the day. Mouthguards are available for sale from Mrs Duncan at a cost of $5.00. These are mandatory for the day and we recommend they be purchased prior to the day. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs Duncan at school on 6342 2400. Programme starts at 10.00am Finishes at 2.30pm 10.00am Brief welcome and introduction of NSW players 10.10am Students put into non-school based teams named after the national competition and team building games performed 10.30am Recess 10.50am Skill games and activities in stations 12.00pm Lunch 12.20pm Mini Hockey Games (10-15 minute games depending on time) 2.10pm Presentations 2.30pm End of Gala Day Equipment: Uniform: Sunsafe: Cost: Food: Transport: Prizes:

Students will need a mouth guard for the day and are asked to bring shin pads (we will have some spare ones on the day but not enough for everyone). School sports uniform (including hat). Sun cream is needed. There is no cost except for the purchase of mouths guards (these are to purchased from Mrs Duncan before the day at a cost of $5.00). Students will need to take their own recess, lunch and water bottle for the day. Students will walk to the Hockey/Soccer fields accompanied by Mrs Duncan and other staff. At the end of the day a best and fairest will be presented with a hockey start-up kit or a genuine FHE hockey shirt.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR TERM 1 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

RUGBY UNION 7’S Cowra Public School has been invited to participate in a Rugby Union 7’s competition next Tuesday, 11 March 2014. This competition is a one day event that will be held in Cowra. Children who are selected to represent the school will be instructed on the day by Mr Murray, who is a qualified smart rugby coach as well as Mark DeBrincat who is the Rugby Development Office for the Australian Rugby Union. Participants will need to wear appropriate clothing for this activity including shorts and sports shirt or football jumper. A mouthguard is required.

PSSA TENNIS Yesterday, Cowra Public School played West Wyalong Public School in Round 1 of the PSSA Tennis competition. The Cowra team played some excellent tennis and didn’t give up, however West Wyalong were too strong on the day and defeated Cowra overall. Congratulations to all the sportsmanship they showed. The team: Lindsay Munro Joshua Pokoney Jayden J Brown Paul Lewis Coach

players

Courtney Wright Madeleine Mulligan Isabella Scammell

the

Cowra Public School

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P&C ~ P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ~ Wednesday, 2 April 2014

PO Box 900, Cowra NSW 2794 Phone: 6342 1021

7:00pm in the school staffroom. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Email: info@cowrabus.com.au Web: http:www.cowrabus.com.au

MRS BROWN’S BOYS Monday, 31 DISNEY ON ICE: 12 July 2014 March 2014 - Canberra Sydney - Expression of Interest $185.00 (1 ticket only)

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.

WICKED: 11 October 2014, Capitol COWRA TRAVEL IN CONJUNCTION Theatre, Sydney - Expression of WITH GO SEE TOURING: Norfolk Interest Island: 9-17 October 2014, Includes 13 activities/tours Expression of Interest

“Cowra Travel Takes you There”

COMMUNITY A-LIVE ENTERTAINMENT DANCE WORKSHOPS The Young District Arts Council presents A-Live Entertainment Dance Workshops at the Southern Cross Cinema and Arts Centre, 96 Main Street, Young on Sunday, 6 April. This is an opportunity to learn from some of the best dancers that Australia has to offer, including “So You Think You Can Dance” Top 6 finalist, BJ Bourke.

Three dance instructors from the elite A-Live Performing Arts Centre are providing Hip -Hop, Contemporary and Jazz Dance workshops on Sunday 6 April. Registration is a cost of $70.00 which includes lunch as well as access to all three workshops throughout the day. Must be turning 8 in 2014 due to the complexity of the choreography being taught. If your child is interested in attending these workshops the school has registration forms. Registration and payment is due before Monday, 31 March 2014.

LADIES LUNCH AT THE MILL COWRA GOLF Celebrating the United Nations International Women’s Day

Sunday, 9 March at 12.30pm $30.00 a head Inspiring speaker, Ellen Hansen (Senior Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

Enjoy the delightful sounds of local talent, Simone Thornett Tickets available at the Closet and Cowra Council until 5 March Email: communityprojects@cowra.nsw.gov.au

T/A Lic 2TA5695 Fax: 6342 4597

Steve Cains, Cowra Golf Cl ub’s Resident PGA Golf Professional conducts great fun Junior Golf sessions each Sunday morning. The sessions cover learning and practice of all aspects of the great game of golf and include substantial actual play on the course. If you want to have great fun, meet new friends, enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful Cowra Golf Course while learning a skill for life then contact Cowra Golf Club on 6342 1211 for further information. Time: Sunday 9.00am - 10.30am Place: Cowra Golf Club Cost: $5.00 per session

COWRA NETBALL ASSOCIATION 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

RUGBY UNION 7’S TRIALS