Cowra Public School NEWS
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT It is with great pleasure that I write my first “Principal’s Report” at Cowra Public School - a wonderful school with terrific students and a wholly dedicated staff. I would like to pay tribute to Mr Tom for his dedication and commitment to this school over the past four and half years. He led with distinction and leaves the school in very good shape indeed. I wish Mr Tom every success at Orange Public School. My history as a member of the Department of Education family has largely revolved around the Principalship. I began my teaching career in the inner west of Sydney at Five Dock PS. I was appointed principal of a very small school in an isolated part of the state - Merriwagga – 3 years later where I began to learn the craft of being a school principal. Since then I have been principal of Yetman PS, Manildra PS and I have relieved as the principal of Bowen PS and Orange East PS in Orange. Last year I was a Senior Education Officer working around curriculum across a wide group of schools. I am very happy and pleased to have been appointed the relieving Principal of Cowra PS and I look forward to serving this terrific school and community over the coming months. A little about me — I have a wonderful supportive wife - Fionnuala and two great kids -Hugh (Year 9) and Eleanor (Year 7). As a family we love to travel and discover new and interesting places to visit. We live just outside the village of Spring Hill (near Orange) on a small acreage. We have lived in, and lovingly restored our very old 160 year old bluestone home over the past 13 years.
NSW Department of Education and Communities As the Principal (rlvg) of this school it is important that I share my vision, beliefs and expectations with you. I believe strongly that the culture of a school has the greatest impact on learning and the success students experience. So what makes a great school culture? In my view It is the quality of the relationships between students and teachers. It is the respect shown to one another and to all cultures. It is the way people speak to one another. The manners all people use when relating to one another. It is how parents and community members feel when they enter the school grounds. It is the quality of the education being delivered by the teaching staff and their commitment to ongoing improvement and professional learning. And it is the way students engage with their learning and the confidence and self belief they have. A great school culture is one where everyone is working hard to make a school a safe and wonderful place to be…...and it seems very obvious from my initial experiences as principal that the school culture at Cowra Public is flourishing and very healthy indeed. It is my great hope that my leadership will add to the great school culture that already exists here at Cowra PS and my influence will have a positive impact on all students as I go about the business of supporting teachers, students and families at Cowra PS. As you know, our school supports and promotes Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) as a means of ensuring students are not only respected and safe whilst here at
P & C MEETING Wednesday, 27 July 2016 6.00pm in staffroom Everyone is welcome to attend
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 8.40am
21 July 2016
Term 3, Week 1
Dear Parents
school, but that their learning is supported. This week the emphasis of the lesson is around positive behaviour in and around the playground. This includes sharing fairly, moving safely, being considerate of others and being inclusive. I encourage all students to show regard for one another and to show courtesy and good manners. I am often quoted as saying that it is so much easier to be nice and kind to another person than to be unkind and critical. I have long taken a very dim view of bullying behaviours and I have worked hard my entire career as principal to ensure students do not experience the unhappiness and misery that is associated with these kinds of behaviour. Happily I can report that Cowra PS has developed a wonderful supportive culture where bullying is a rarity and is dealt with as soon as it raises its ugly head. I will continue to support staff to ensure that the students at this school enjoy a safe, positive and very happy environment. I would like to thank all the wonderful staff, students and parents who have made my start here at Cowra a very happy and memorable one. I have thoroughly enjoyed my start and I very much look forward to the coming months as I serve this learning community.
Steve Wilkinson Principal (Rlvg)
ENROL NOW FOR 2017 - Kinder to Year 6 The school’s motto is “Knowledge is Power” and the emphasis is on giving every child, every opportunity, every day to support them in reaching their full potential as individuals.
Kinder Orientation Orientation sessions will be held for students commencing Kindergarten in 2017. Sessions will be held from 9.30-11.00am Sessions:
Thursday, 13 October Thursday, 20 October Thursday, 27 October Thursday, 3 November
Parent Information night: Tuesday, 16 August at 7.00pm
Kindergarten packages now available at the school office. For more information phone: 6342 2400 or call into the office in Vaux Street.
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
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FOR YOUR DIARY JULY
SCHOOL SPECTACULAR 2016
AUGUST continued
26
Brainstorm Production K-6
4
Infants Pedlar’s Parade
26
Responsible Pets (Kinder)
5
District Athletics Carnival,
27
P & C Meeting 6.00pm
5
Stage 3 to High School “The Twits” performance
28
GaT testing for High School (Year 6)
8
Gala Soccer Day - Orange Boys and Girls
AUGUST
8
Life Ed Van
1-
EDUCATION WEEK
12
Back up day District Athletics
2
ICAS English
16
ICAS Maths
2
Year 6 High School 2.00pm
16
Kinder Parent Information
4
Education Week Open
16
Year 6 High School 2.00pm
23-26 November We are thrilled to announce that our school was successful in securing a place in the 2016 Schools Spectacular - “Dream Big”. We are again able to select dancers for the Combined Dance. This is an excellent opportunity for all involved. It is a huge commitment with time and expenses, as we will be required to be in Sydney over a 5 day period. There will be costume, accommodation and meal costs. We will secure funding from the school and also apply for community grants and donations to subsidise the costs but most of the costs will need to be covered by the families of each dancer. It is anticipated that this will be approximately $400 per student. The cost can be paid off like a layby system. The teachers, Mrs Cobcroft and Mrs Duncan will again be with the students in Sydney from the Wednesday through to the Sunday morning for rehearsals and the concerts. We invite parents to then attend the performances but your accommodation will be separate to the students. We have secured accommodation for the students and teachers at the Woolbroker at Darling Harbour. On the first night we will stay at the Great Southern Hotel, in George St, Sydney. Travel arrangements to the Schools Spectacular will be confirmed shortly. All students will need to be brought home after the Schools Spectacular with their families. The Schools Spectacular performance this year will be at Qudos Bank Arena in Homebush (previously know as ACER arena). To be performing in the same arena as many famous singers is an amazing lifelong memory your children will cherish forever. Debbie Cobcroft and Shavaughn Duncan
AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE INFANTS ASSEMBLIES Infants assemblies are 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. 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 also hold 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.
COMBINED ASSEMBLY The school will be holding combined 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 next combined assembly will be: Term 3 Week 4 (Thursday, 11 August) at 2.00pm
** ** **
Ties Bags Sunglasses
$12.00 $30.00 $12.00
PAYMENT NOW DUE: SCHOOL FEES:
-
$40 per child (Family Max. $80)
BAND : $25 a term Term 2 and Term 3 fees are now due These funds are used to purchase musical instruments.
STAGE 3 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA $270.00 Payments:
Pay $100 deposit by Friday, 5th August Pay additional amounts at any time Payment in full must be received no later than 11th November. Don’t forget we now have a Parent Online Payment system (POP), accessed via the school’s website. (unfortunately EFTPOS is still not available.)
SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR: $400.00 - This can be paid off like a layby system at any time.
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An invitation to all parents and friends to attend our
OPEN DAY Thursday, 4 August 2016
~ PROGRAM ~
INFANTS PEDLARS’ PARADE Thursday, 4 August 2016 Your child has spent time at school decorating this tray for the Pedlars' Parade. We are hoping you will be able to place some items in the tray for sale at our Pedlars' Parade on Thursday, 4 August at 11.30 a.m. Money raised from the Pedlars’ Parade will be used to purchase resources for K-2 classes, or to supplement excursion expenses. The tray does not have to have a theme – you can put in fresh eggs, or bake your favourite cake, or perhaps you could grab some vegies from your garden. There is no limit to what you put into your tray – as long as it is new and unused.
10.30-11.00am Infants (K-2) Open Classrooms
Cooking Tray:
freshly baked cakes,slices
11.00-11.30am P & C morning tea in auditorium
Gift Tray:
gift paper, ribbon, cards etc.
Party Tray:
balloons, invitations, candles, streamers etc.
11:30-12.30pm Pedlars’ Parade
Snack Tray:
chips, lollies, cans of drink, popcorn, etc.
Sewing Tray:
needles, pins, cotton reels and a pin cushion
Boy’s Tray:
marbles, toy cars, chalk, crayons, sand toys etc.
(Infants students involved) in the Auditorium
12:30 - 1:00pm Primary (3-6) Open Classrooms
Girl’s Tray:
hairclips, headband, glitter gel, lip gloss, beads etc. Fun Tray: crayons, textas, pencil, glue, paper, colouring book Gardening Tray: a punnet of seedlings, small shovel, gloves etc.
Stage 2 in Home classrooms Stage 3 in Literacy classrooms
All Welcome LIFE EDUCATION VAN - HEALTHY HAROLD “Empowering children to make informed choices for a safe
PLEASE NOTE: What you place on the tray is your donation to the school.
Each tray should be covered with clear wrap (plastic or cellophane) and priced before it is returned to school on Thursday, 4 August..
Please price boxes (self-adhesive sticker provided) between $4 and $10, according to their contents.
and healthy life”. The Life Education Van is visiting us on Monday, 8 August until Monday, 15 August 2016
No trays can be purchased before the Pedlars’ Parade.
There is NO guarantee that you will be able to buy back your own tray.
The P & C is funding the Life Ed Van which allows each student to attend at no cost. The Life Education Van has been successfully supporting primary school drug and health education since 1979. The programs have been specifically designed to assist schools achieve the outcomes of their state and territory curriculums.
PLEASE RETURN the filled tray to school on Thursday, 4 August.
BRAINSTORM PRODUCTIONS
Merchandise for sale Tattoo Harold Sticky note pad Harold key ring Harold stationery set Harold handball Small Harold Soft Toy Large Harold Soft Toy
.50c $1.50 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $8.00 $15.00
If your child would like to order one of these items please send in an envelope with your child's name, class, item wishing to be ordered and the correct amount to the school before Friday, 5 August 2106.
“Saving Lil & Archie” This anti-bullying program is coming to school next Tuesday, 26 July. Children will learn practical strategies to achieve emotional balance and make positive connections at school and online. Students will learn about: Cyber bullying
Times:
Digital citizenship Positive connections Infants - 12.00pm (K-2) Primary - 2.00pm (Yr 3-6)
As this is part of the school’s PBL Program there will be no cost involved.
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE STREAM (GAT) Cowra High’s Academic Excellence Stream is a Gifted and Talented (GaT) program developed to acknowledge that the academic ability range of students within the upper level of each year is diverse. The program aims to challenge students to reach their full academic potential through an innovative curriculum model that encourages high achievement, originality, problem-solving, higher-order thinking skills and creativity. The Academic Excellence Stream is a selective program and entry is competitive. Students in Years 6-9 at other schools can apply in Term 3 of each year to sit an entrance exam for entry to the program the following year. This year the testing for Year 6 students will be on Thursday, 28 July at Cowra Public School. A permission note has gone home with the Year 6 students and if you wish your child to take this test please fill in the form and return it to Cowra Public School.
Tuesday, 26 July 2.00 - 2.40pm Kindergarten
STAGE 3 CANBERRA EXCURSION Wednesday, 23rd to Friday, 25th November 2016.
Thank you to the 68 students who have chosen to participate in the excursion. Accommodation booking have now been made. Parents/care providers are reminded of the following:
COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL BANKING
BANK
Banking day for students is on Wednesdays. Bank books are to be taken to the school office before 9.10am. Banking packs are available at the office and there are lots of new exciting reward programs for those who regularly bank. Looking forward to the new bankers. If you have any enquiries please contact Allison Williams at the school.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/ PHONE NUMBER If you have recently changed your address or phone number please inform the school office promptly. In the case of an emergency we need the correct contact details .
BOOK CLUB The fifth issue of Ashton Scholastic Book Club for 2016 has been sent home today. Scholastic Book Clubs operates eight times a year. The closing date for Issue 5 is Monday, 1 August 2016.
*** Please make cheques payable to Cowra Public School
Cost is $270 per student, this amount has been subsidised by school funds and will be further reduced for those who took advantage of the pie drive.
Payments can be made at any time using the Parent On-line Payment system or at the school office
All participants must have paid a deposit of at least $100 by Friday, 5th August.
Full payment must be received by 11th November.
THANK YOU FROM KAYE KILBY AND KERRY COLE We would just like to take the opportunity to thank the school community for its very kind words and gifts on our retirement. We have considered it a privilege to be part of such a vibrant and supportive environment over the past combined sixty years and to have had a part to play in the lives of so many children and families. We can honestly say that we have been very fortunate people to have had careers that we loved and have looked forward to each and every day of our working lives. Again our thanks and very best wishes to all. Regards, Kerry Cole & Kaye Kilby.
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Interview with Mr Wilkinson Mac Webster and Cailin McKay sat down with Mr Wilkinson to ask him a few questions to get to know him better. Tell us about your family: My wife’s name is Fionnuala. I have a son in Year Nine and a daughter in Year Seven. We have two big Italian Shepherds; they are like big polar bears (like in the movie Oddball). My daughter just got a Labrador puppy. What do you like to do in your spare time? My hobby is really my family. I spend a lot of my spare time with my family. My wife is from Dublin, so we use that as an excuse to fly over and visit family and then we travel elsewhere while we are there. We love to travel and we try to go every three years. Just recently we went to Europe and visited a lot of countries. I am the family cook. Every Saturday night I cook my wife and I a candle lit dinner. We have done this almost every Saturday night for the last twenty years. Do you or did you play sport? Yes, I played soccer and briefly touch footy until I snapped my Achilles tendon that effectively ended my sporting career. I have coached my son’s soccer team since the under sixes and I stopped only a few years ago when my son started playing representative soccer. I organise the Orange P.S.S.A schools soccer gala day. I follow St. George Illawarra, unfortunately for this year. How far away is your home? I live in Spring Hill near Orange. How long have you been teaching? I have been teaching for about 22 years and I have been a Principal for all of those years except the first three. My first Principal position was a small school with 12 children at Merriwagga. When I first drove into that town there were tumbleweeds blowing down the street like in the movies. I was also the Principal at Manildra Public where I taught my own children. I have been the relieving Principal at a few other schools around Orange and now I am here and I am very happy to be your Principal. Do you like being a Principal? I do, I like being a Principal a lot and this is why - I really like and enjoy a job where the leadership that I can offer a school allows kids to prosper. Sometimes someone might see the Principal in his office and the kids in their classroom and wonder why do we even have that guy here. My job is to work with the teachers to make sure that the resources we receive into the school are used to provide our students with the best experiences possible. What was it like coming to a new school? There is no doubt that I was nervous before I came, but I think that is very normal. I have been looking forward to coming to Cowra Public School every day since I was first appointed, especially after I came to the assembly last term and saw what a beautiful school it was that the children were so well behaved and the teachers are very collegial and work together so well. I knew I was coming to a place that is functioning so well, which is very nice. Do you like our school so far? Yes I love it, I really love it and I’ve enjoyed every moment so far. It’s always nice to be in a place where people get on and everyone works so well together and when I talk to the teachers I can see the passion they have for wanting their students to do well. That is a glorious thing for a Principal who wants that as well to come in and sees it is already happening. What is something you would like to do to improve the school? The first thing that I have noticed in the cold weather is that the heating in our open spaces isn’t that great. There are better gas heaters that schools can get and I would like to look at improving the heating, for example, in the Infants’ open space so that on a cold day it is a much nicer place to be.
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SPORTING SCHOOLS FUNDING
SPORT FRIDAY SPORT TERM 3 With fingers and toes firmly crossed, we are hoping that Friday sport can go ahead this week. We only managed one sport session last term due to poor weather! If your child has paid in advance for PCYC, Golf or Netball, please don’t pay any more money until I let the children know that payment is due. The sport choices will continue through until the end of this term. Netball:
Col Stinson Oval - cost $2 (bus)
Gymnastics: PCYC Binni Creek Road - cost $5 (bus & activity) Soccer: River Park - no cost Golf: Cowra Golf Club - cost—$8 (bus & activity) Mixed Indoor Games: PCYC Young Road - cost $5 (bus & activity)
Cowra Public School has been able to apply for funding from the Commonwealth Government “Sporting Schools Program” to access the assistance and expertise of a range of sport organisations and local coaches. During Term 1 we had the assistance of Mrs D. Brown working with the swim squad. During Term 2, AFL Development officers undertook a six week program with approximately ten classes during PE lessons. This term we are hosting Tennis Coach, Mrs Helen Garratt who will be working with students having PE on a Wednesday (including Infants sport groups) for six weeks. The program provides a wonderful opportunity for students in our school to be exposed to expertise development in sporting pursuits they may not normally be able to access.
P&C
Touch Football & Skills Development: River Park - no cost Walking for Fun & Fitness:
Cowra surrounds - no cost
Any cost involved must be paid to the school office before classes on Fridays. Parents are reminded that whilst every effort is made to minimise the risk of injury there remains some degree of risk inherent in participation in what can be a body contact sport, such as soccer, netball, futsal, touch football etc. The school recommends that participants wear appropriative protective equipment such as shin pads, mouth guards
P & C MEETING Wednesday, 27 July 2016 6.00pm in staffroom Everyone is welcome to attend
Shavaughn Duncan PE/SPORT/HEALTH
Meal Deal Tuesday, 26 July (order by Monday, 25 July)
PSSA DISTRICT ATHLETICS CARNIVAL We are looking forward to the District Athletics Carnival which is being held in Cowra at Twigg Oval on Friday, 5 August. All team members received their permission notes last term and those need to be returned to Mrs Duncan ASAP. The back up date for the carnival is Friday, 12 August. More information regarding the order of events and canteen prices will be distributed to team members closer to the day Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sport
$6.00 meal deal Baked Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Popper Tropical
Frozen juice
Orange Apple Blackcurrent or Apple Apple Raspberry
MEAL DEAL - Tuesday, 26 July Please order by Monday, 25 July
$6.00 meal deal
** Baked Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Name: ____________________________________
Class: ______________________
No . of Baked Chicken Macaroni Cheese : ___________________
Please circle your preferred juice.
Tropical Orange Apple
Apple/ Blackcurrent
Apple/raspberry
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Term 3, 2016
1 2
18 July
Staff Development Day
25
4
8
5
15
3
19
Education Week “Shared stories better learning stronger communities”
22 NRL visit Stage 2
28 P & C Mtg 6.00pm
Brainstorm 3-6 - 2.00-3.00pm
29 GAT testing for High School Year 6
3
4
ICAS English Year 6 High School 2.00pm
10 Life Ed Van
16
6
22
7
29
8
5
6
9
12
13
10
19
NRL visit Stage 2
5 Open day Pedlar’s Parade
11 Life Ed Van
17 ICAS Maths
18
19
24
25
26
31
1 September
2
7
8
9
Kinder Parent Information Night
District Athletics St 3 High School “The Twits”
12 Life Ed Van
Soccer Gala Day - Orange
Life Education Van
Responsible Pets K-2
9 Life Ed Van
21
27 Brainstorm K-2 - 12-1.00pm
2
20 Students return
26
1 August
Cowra Public School
Life Ed Van Back up Day District Athletics
Primary AFL talk 9.3010.00am
Year 6 High School 2.00pm
23 Book Week
30
20
Year 6 High School 2.00pm
14 Cowra Show
Year 6 High School 2.00pm
21
15 Cowra Show
22
16 Rock Wall
Rock Wall
M1/R1/H123 Excursion to Canowindra
23 LAST DAY OF TERM