Cowra Public School NEWS PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Dear Parents What a fantastic week we have had at Cowra Public School! It started with the overwhelming success of the Festival of International Understanding and the combined involvement of the schools in the presentation of the float. Adding to this was the enormous support of students and families in the march down the main street representing the Year of Family Farming. Our school was highly commended for their efforts with our float by the organising committee and I am very proud to announce our window display was awarded first place. During the last few weeks several parents, students and staff members have put in countless hours to make the Festival presentation come together and I would like to recognise Liz McKay and her band of mums and Mrs Kilby for their organisation of the project.
Term 1, Week 8
20 March 2014
NSW Department of Education and Communities Tomorrow the school will be involved in a Hockey Gala Day with several students involved. The children will gain skills in what is always a very enjoyable day. Children not attending this event will continue school as normal which will include regular sport. Next week the school will be very busy with several events occurring. Tuesday will see the children in Stage 1 and Stage 2 involved in bus talks which will outline how we travel on a bus to ensure safety to all passengers and how we hop on and off the bus correctly. On Wednesday the school will be hosting the first of our preschool visits with Nurture One coming to participate in a PE lesson with Mrs Duncan. One very exciting event will be the Legs on the Wall Project being held on Thursday in the school Auditorium. Students will be involved in a one hour workshop developing design concepts for silos. There will be four sessions held over the day which should be very exciting.
The school has also held its parent information evenings this week with large numbers of parents taking the opportunity to come and talk with their child’s teacher. If you were unable to attend these evenings and you would like to meet with the teacher of your child, please ring the school to organise a time.
Also on Thursday, the Stage 2 children will be involved in a morning activity with the Australian Rugby League development squad. All children will be attending this activity with the focus based on team development and skills. Mr Murray is coordinating the activity and it is one that is greatly anticipated by the Stage.
Last week saw the school involved in the World’s Greatest Shave, raising money for Cancer research. Miss Prue James coordinated this initiative and also lost her hair having set the challenge that if the school could raise $1000 for the cause she would have her head shaved. As it was the school community raised $1881.35. Several other staff members also coloured their hair for the cause.
On Friday next week the school will be conducting the Stage 3 Walkathon. This is a wonderful event that is enjoyed by staff and students alike. The children have been gaining sponsorship over the last few weeks and all money raised goes towards the purchase of resources that directly benefit Stage 3 children. The children will walk a
On Wednesday students from our school were involved in an Aboriginal dance workshop that will continue over the next two weeks. These girls are involved in a joint program between Mulyan Public School and Cowra High School. Today we held our combined assembly to recognise our Aussies of the Month as well as announcing the SRC Representatives and the Library monitors. The regular fortnightly assemblies for both Stage 1 and Stage 2/3 will recommence in Week 10.
CONTACTING THE SCHOOL
distance of 10 kilometres on the day, which may be a challenge to many involved, and the level of achievement will be very evident. Good luck to all involved. Next week will see Mrs Cobcroft, and Mrs Macnamara having some time away from the school with Mrs Parker and Mrs Pulling replacing these ladies. It is wonderful to think we are able to source such capable staff that will continue the high educational practises at the school. A very busy part of the term. Brad Tom
INFORMATION UPDATE Attached to this newsletter is a coloured sheet to enable the school to up-date your contact and any additional information. Please complete and return promptly to the school office. In an emergency situation, it is essential the school has access to numerous current contact details for all students.
P&C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ~ Wednesday, 2 April 2014 ~ 7:00pm in the school staffroom Everyone is welcome to attend.
NOW ACCEPTING PAYMENT FOR:SCHOOL CONTRIBUTION: $30 per student, with a family maximum of $60. Payment would be appreciated this term.
AUSTRALIAN REPTILE DISPLAY: all students welcome to participate - cost $6 (due 31st March)
UNIVERSITY OF NSW COMPETITIONS: (details page 2) All Primary students are invited to participate. Entries close Thursday, 10th April.
School finishes at 3.15pm
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
Students are not supervised before 8.45am
DEPT.HEALTH DENTAL CLINIC:
Administration Office Hours:
8.30am - 3.30pm
School commences at 9.10am
1300 552 208
Cowra Public School
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INFANTS ASSEMBLIES
REPTILE DISPLAY
Infants assemblies will now be held every second Thursday, i.e. even weeks. 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
At these assemblies students will be receiving Merit Certificates and PBL awards.
The Stage 3 Walkathon will be held on Friday, 28 March 2014. To attend chi l d re n mu s t p a r ti ci pate b y 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 day. 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.) Where any parents can assist with the B.B.Q. lunch preparations, this will be very much appreciated.
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
Wednesday, 2 April 2014 On Wednesday, 2 April, all students have the opportunity to attend and participate in an Australian Reptile Display “Snake Tails”. The display is interesting, professional, fun and educational, offering an opportunity for students to observe and interact with native reptiles in a totally safe and secure environment. Discover facts about Australian reptiles that will amaze you .. it could even save a life one day! Cost is $6 per student. Payment at the school office up until Monday, 31 March.
The Primary will also be holding their assemblies every second Thursday, i.e. even weeks 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 assemblies.
are
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COMBINED ASSEMBLIES The
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assemblies twice a term. At these assemblies the Infants and Primary Aussies of the Month will be announced and the children will be presented with their awards. The first of these assemblies was held today.
SCHOOL FEES Each year the school asks families to pay a small contribution towards the cost of their child’s education. This contribution helps to cover the cost of books, paper and other items used by every child. The school has set the fee at $30 per child with a family maximum of $60. This equates to approximately 15c per day. The receipt of your contribution would be very much appreciated and payment can be made at the school office.
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: Computer Skills: (Tuesday, 20 May)
$8.00
Science: (Wednesday, 4 June)
$8.00
Writing: (Monday, 16 June)
$17.00
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
WORLD’S GREATEST SHAVE What a fabulous day! All the students who took part looked fabulous in their “Funky Hair Styles”. The school raised over $1,881.35. This meant that all the teachers who volunteered to have their hair coloured went through with the deal. Mr Lewis looked great with pink hair, Mrs Day’s hair was very green while Mrs Macnamara, Mrs Duncan, Mrs Cobcroft, Mrs White, Miss Hyde, Mrs Oborn, Mrs Kilby and Miss Eldridge looked fabulous with their new hair styles. Miss Prue James was very brave and had her head shaved. Prue looks great with no hair. Well done, Prue. A big thank you to Hair on Vaux for coming and colouring the teacher’s hair and shaving Prue James’ head. All the students and teachers had an exciting time watching their favourite teacher being transformed. What a great effort from our school, raising all that money for the World’s Greatest Shave. Well done everyone. Great pictures on page 4.
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Congratulations to the eleven Student Representative Council members who received their badges at today’s assembly McKay Sullivan - M1
Ruixi Zhang - C1
Kimball Sullivan - A2
Cailin McKay - M2
Tobi Casey - L2
Archie Osborne - C2
Diana Stojanovic - K3
Ashleigh Saunders - H3
Bailey Chalker - G3
Ronan Gailey - E2-3
Aedan Leatherland - H3
Congratulations to the eighteen Library Monitors who received their badges at today’s assembly
Nashwa Bakini
Montana Buckley
Brock Dalton
Charmaine Doolan
Ronan Gailey
Anja Gower
Jessica Henderson
Aaliyah Ingram
Anna James
Jade Lanham
Jade Milgate
Madeleine Mulligan
Tahlia Murray
Tess Roberts
Jordan Ryan
Ashleigh Saunders
Isabella Scammell
Luke Wilson
Cowra Public School
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LEGS ON THE WALL AND THE SILOS PROJECT
NAIDOC SPEECH
As part of the Sydney based international Theatre Company Legs on the Wall, the Corridor project (Cowra Based), is offering nominated students the opportunity to participate in a design project with designer Joey Ruigrok. Mr Dylan Gower and Mrs Trisha Long will also be assisting throughout the day.
Congratulations to Lindsay Munro, who had been asked to deliver his NAIDOC Public Speaking Speech from last year at the Teacher’s Federation Conference to be held in Sydney on Friday, 4 April.
Students will take part in a one hour workshop developing design concepts for the silos. Students will be asked to consider such questions as:
Lindsay will deliver his speech to over 100 Aboriginal teachers attending the conference.
The silos look like tubes, What could they be? What aside from grain could be inside? Are the silos a landed space ship from another planet? Perhaps they are the smoke pipe of an ocean liner?
From these types of questions students will be asked to design and create their interpretation of the silo using the provided materials. There will be four sessions held on the day, Thursday, 27 March, and each session will contain 16 students. There is no cost associated with the program and all materials are provided.
GIRLS’ ABORIGINAL DANCE WORKSHOPS Jo Clancy will once again be running dance workshops for Aboriginal students. This year Jo has invited all Year 5 & 6 girls to participate. The workshops will be held on three consecutive Wednesdays, starting on Wednesday, 19 of March 2014. The workshops will run from 11.00 - 2.00pm in our school hall. Students from Mulyan and Cowra High School will also be attending. Jo will then select a group of students to perform at the Opening Ceremony of Catapult in Bathurst on Tuesday, 8 April. More information will be provided to those students who are selected. Students need to wear sports uniform on the day and bring a drink bottle.
SPORT SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR TERM 1
CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS
Primary Term One sport has commenced and will continue until Week 11 with the exception of Friday 4 April (Week 10) being the CPS Cross Country. Stage 2 will be having swimming as normal on Friday, 28 March (Stage 3 Walkathon Day).
Cowra Public School will be holding their annual Cross Country trials on Friday, 4 April 2014.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR SWIMMERS AND TOWEL. Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sport teacher
STAGE 3 HOCKEY GALA DAY TOMORROW Tomorrow, all Stage 2 & 3 students will be 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. 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
Details: Early recess - 9.30am-11.10am Proceed to River Park, assemble Sit in age/sex groups
8/9 and 10 year girls and boys will complete one lap 11/12 and 13 year girls and boys will complete 2 laps
Order: 11 year boys 11 year girls 2 laps 12/13 year boys 12/13 girls 2 laps 8/9 year boys 8/9 year girls 1 lap 10 year boys 10 year girls 1 lap District Cross Country will be held at Koorawatha on Monday, 2 June. The first six placegetters will be selected for the school team. Regional Cross Country is in Wellington on Wednesday, 11 June. Please remind children about hats, drinks and sunscreen and they are to remain inside fence lines and are not to go onto roads etc.
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SPORT continued COWRA RUGBY LEAGUE STAGE 2 COACHING/SKILLS MORNING Next Thursday, 27 March, Mr Wade Judd and Mr Mick Armstrong (Development Officers with the NSW Country Rugby League) along with Cowra High School students will be holding coaching/skills sessions with Stage 2 students from Cowra Public School, St Raphael’s School and Mulyan Public School. The main focus will be developing the finer points of rugby league whilst also providing Cowra High School students with experience in coaching at a junior level. It is anticipated that the morning will start at 9.30am and finish at around 11.00am.
COWRA RUGBY UNION WESTERN REGION TRIALS Cowra Public School students have been invited to participate in a Western Region Rugby Union trial day on Tuesday, 25 March. This trial is a one day event that will be held in Cowra. Children will be instructed on the day by Mrs Tom as well as Mark DeBrincat, who is the Rugby Union Development Officer for the Australian Rugby Union. This trial is to gain selection into the Western Region team that will play in Kiama later in the year at the State Carnival.
Children are to wear full sports uniform. Rugby League attire is not necessary, although if students have boots and mouthguards they can bring them along.
Rugby Union is a contact activity and risk is involved. The children will be instructed on basic drills including tackling and ball handling as well as playing a series of games.
A drink bottle and a Cowra Public School bucket hat will also need to be taken. At the end of the clinic every student will be provided with their very own rugby league football.
Players will need to wear appropriate clothing for this activity including shorts and sports shirt or football jumper. A mouthguard is required and no child will participate without one. Your child should have water and their lunch.
If you do not wish you child to attend this coaching clinic, please contact your child’s class teacher prior to Thursday, 27 March.
RUGBY LEAGUE: DAVID PEACHEY SHIELD (Years 5 & 6) & RUSSELL RICHARDSON CUP (Years 3 & 4) Cowra Public School will be participating in the David Peachey Shield and Russell Richardson Cup against other schools in the district on Tuesday, 8 April 2014 at River Park All students not involved in the Netball Gala Day are expected to take part in this day. The students will walk to and from River Park at approximately 9.15am and will return in time for buses. They will be accompanied by Mr Albert Murray, Mr Blake Duncombe and Mr Greg Garlick. Players will need to pay $1.00 (PSSA levy) to the office by Tuesday, 8 April. While the school makes an effort to minimise the possibility of injury, and recommends the wearing of a correctly fitted mouthguard and head gear, there will remain some degree of risk inherent in participation in what is essentially a body contact sport. Albert Murray Coach
WESTERN SSA AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Cowra Public School will be sending players to the Western SSA Australian Football trial to be held on Thursday, 3 April at Parkes. Congratulations to Luke Kinsey who is one of Cowra Public School’s representatives at these trials.
Bradley Tom Rugby Union Convenor
NETBALL GALA DAY Cowra Public School students have been invited to participate in a Netball Gala Day on Tuesday, 8 April. The Gala Day which is held at the netball courts at Col Stinson Oval is a fun non-competitive day attended by all the Primary Schools in Cowra and has proven to be very enjoyable in previous years. It is expected that all girls who are not involved with the David Peachey/Russell Richardson Shield will attend the Netball Gala Day as this is a whole school event and will be the allocated sport session for Week 11. Students will come to school as per usual on Tuesday morning and after roll call will walk to the sporting venues, where they will stay until the conclusion of the Gala Days at approximately 2.00pm-2.30pm. Netballers will be allocated teams which will be of mixed ability. There will not be winners announced, just acknowledgement of those students who display excellent sportsmanship and effort. Students attending both venues need to bring the following: Hat and sunscreen
Plenty of water to drink All food required for the day - NO LUNCH ORDERS THAT
DAY As this day is part of the structured Sports Program a permission note is not required. Please contact Mrs Duncan by letter or phone if you DO NOT wish your child to participate. Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sport
Cowra Public School
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P&C ~ P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ~ Wednesday, 2 April 2014 7:00pm in the school staffroom. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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.
COMMUNITY
Wombat Books is seeking original illustrations from Australian students to publish in a unique picture book by well-known children’s author Aleesah Darlison. The Challenge has been established to provide aspiring young illustrators with the opportunity to be published in a professionally produced children’s book and gain an introduction into the world of illustrating. The book, titled Zoo Ball, is scheduled for release in early 2015. Up to twenty winning illustrators will be published in the book and will also receive two free copies of the book and a $50 voucher. They will be acknowledged on the Wombat Books website as a rising illustrator and there may be opportunities for them to illustrate work in the future. One outstanding illustrator will be given the exclusive opportunity to design the cover for the book and will win a cash prize of $200. For full guidelines and entry forms visit: www.wombatbooks.com.au/competitions
PCYC COWRA Junior Disco
The next Junior Disco for Kinder to Year 6 children will be held on Friday 28 March from 6pm to 8pm. Entry is $5 and there will be a canteen and sausage sizzle in operation. A sausage sandwich will cost $2. Music and lights provided by Laurie’s Disco. Supervision provided by PCYC Police, staff and volunteers. Mixed Basketball and Mixed Netball Basketball will be played on Monday nights and Netball on Tuesday nights, with both sports being played at the PCYC’s Young Road complex. The first games will commence at 6pm in each competition and finishing times will depend on the number of teams nominated. Cost for each competition will be $60 per player aged 18 and older, $45 per player aged under 18. Nomination forms are available from PCYC. PCYC Membership You must be a PCYC member to participate in any of the PCYC activities, yearly membership is $5.00 for under 18’s and $10 for ages 18 and older.
PO Box 900, Cowra NSW 2794
THE INAUGURAL WOMBAT BOOKS ILLUSTRATION CHALLENGE - NOW OPEN!
T/A Lic 2TA5695
SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINICS Are you looking for some great fun activities for your children to be involved in these April School holidays? AFL NSW/ACT will be running a school holiday clinic for boys and girls aged 4-12. Bathurst: Orange: Young:
Mon Apr 14 - George Park, Browning Street – 10:00am-12:00pm Mon Apr 14 – Jack Brabham Park – 2:00-4:00pm Tue Apr 15 – Burrangong Oval, Burrangong Hall Road – 10:00am12:00pm Cowra: Tue Apr 15 – River Park, Vaux Street – 2:00-4:00pm Forbes: Wed Apr 16 – South Circle Oval, King Street – 10:00am-12:00pm Parkes: Wed Apr 16 - Cheney Park, Station Street – 2:00-4:00pm Dubbo: Wed Apr 23 – South Dubbo Oval, Boundary Road – 10:00am12:00pm Mudgee: Wed Apr 23 – Victoria Park, Perry Street – 2:00-4:00pm * Venues subject to availability
COST: $30 includes a NAB AFL Auskick School Auskick bag with synthetic Sherrin football PLUS a drink/snack Register by April 7, but pay on the day. To register, go to: www.aflcentralwest.com.au and complete the short online registration. It’s that easy!
Phone: 6342 1021
Fax: 6342 4597
Email: info@cowrabus.com.au Web: http:www.cowrabus.com.au
DISNEY ON ICE: 11 July 2014 - Sydney - Expression of Interest
WICKED: 11 October 2014, Capitol Theatre, Sydney - Expression of Interest
COWRA TRAVEL IN CONJUNCTION WITH GO SEE TOURING: Norfolk Island: 9-17 October 2014, Includes 13 activities/tours - Expression of Interest
“Cowra Travel Takes You There”