PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Cowra Public School NEWS
Book Week has been welcomed by Cowra Public School with most of our children dressing up yesterday as their favourite book character and what a sight it was. Several teachers and staff took the opportunity to also have some fun with many wonderful and creative costumes being created. Mrs Oborn needs a special mention as the coordinator of the Book Week celebrations and as the person coordinating the Grand Parade down the main street. This was highly successful with many parents and grandparents coming to see the children on parade, but also the wider community and shop keepers who enjoyed the spectacle. As always Cowra Public School shone in behaviour and attitude and many comments have filtered back through to the school about our wonderful children. Last night the school hosted the 2015 Kindergarten information night for parents with a tremendous response. We are delighted with the progress of the students who have entered our school in 2014 and look forward to ongoing success next year. The evening involved an address by Mrs Cole and Mr Tom introducing programs and subjects taught at the school. This enabled parents to have a greater understanding and knowledge on some of the processes and procedures involved in making that transition from Pre school to ‘Big School’. We also had Mr Rob Webster from the P&C and Mrs Amanda Hindmarsh from Cowra Bus services both give an address on their respective connection to the school and we thank them both for their time. Many staff representatives were also present on the night with several parents taking the opportunity to talk to a class teacher on how the school operates. Tomorrow the school will be involved in a Commonwealth Games Day. This will be held at River Park and will involve the entire school. The cost of this event is $2 per child which has been reduced from the $4 original price thanks to the strong contribution made by our P&C. Mrs Duncan is very excited about this event that will involve all Cowra public schools and will commence at 10.00am. Hopefully it will be a warm day and we are expecting the day to be thoroughly
NSW Department of Education and Communities enjoyed by all students who will be selected to represent one of the Commonwealth countries. Lunches can be purchased at the Cowra Public School Canteen on Friday and will be delivered to the students at lunch time. All children should wear their school sports uniform and should have recess, water and hat with them throughout the day. Please ensure your child has a jumper with their name clearly marked. This week several of our students took the initiative with the assistance of their parents to raise funds for the RSPCA by selling cupcakes. The girls made well over $400 and we congratulate them on their application to this wonderful cause. One very exciting event this week was the purchase of new band equipment. The Cowra School band was established at the beginning of 2013 when I was able to source second hand equipment from other schools that were no longer running music in their schools. The equipment was in varying degrees of condition, but not once did I have any student complain about an instrument that was a bit worse for wear. Instead the children showed tremendous drive to learn their instruments and music in general. The band was trialled and the ongoing success of the program has directed the school to invest in new equipment. Shortly several senior band members will be taking home for the very first time new instruments. This is seen as a commitment to the band program by the school and highlights the value we place on music in the school. The school is very happy to highlight student performance and often we acknowledge our academic and sporting high performers. However, often a talent that may be unexpected comes to the fore from a student you may not expect. I would like to share one such experience where Aedan Leatherland presented at my door with a very complex, working, self constructed, coin -operated candy machine that he had created from Lego. Aedan who is a very quiet boy had seen this design once on YouTube and decided to construct it through trial and error. It involved a mechanical arm that accepted the coin
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
28 August 2014
Term 3, Week 7
Dear Parents
and on taking the coin released it through a number of internal movement of shafts and cogs, then supplying a small candy. The money could then be retrieved through the back of the device in the ‘bank’. To say I was impressed with this young man would b e a n understatement. Well done Aedan. Tonight the school will be hosting the monthly P&C meeting with preparations for the Cowra Public School P&C Bingo Night well underway. I would like to encourage all parents to feel welcome to join the P&C and become involved further with the school. The meeting will start at 6pm in the staffroom. Lastly I would like to congratulate Tyahla Munroe and Mac Webster for their tremendous 2nd place at the regional NAIDOC Public Speaking Challenge. The children will now proceed to Sydney for the state final later in the term.
Tyahla Munro
Mac Webster
Enjoy the week. Brad Tom
P& C Meeting TONIGHT 6.00pm in school staffroom Everyone welcome
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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Cowra Public School
YEAR 6 SOUVENIR T-SHIRT 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 8 (Thursday, 4 September) at 2.00pm
FOR YOUR DIARY AUGUST 21
P & C Meeting 6.00pm
22
Commonwealth Games Day
28
Yr 4 Bike Day
29
Regional Athletics Carnival
SEPTEMBER 2
Father’s Day Stall viewing
4
Combined K-6 Assembly
5
Father’s Day Stall
9-10
Cowra Show
10-12 Archikidz 15
Premier’s Spelling Bee
NOW ACCEPTING PAYMENT FOR:
SCHOOL CONTRIBUTION: $30 per student, with a family maximum of $60. Payment would be appreciated this term.
BAND: $10 per term
Commonwealth Games Sports Day $2
STAGE 3 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA: Next instalment Thursday 18 September: $50.00 Total cost: $272.00
KINDERGARTEN JAPANESE GARDENS : $8.00 YEAR 6 T-SHIRTS: $25.00
Year 6 students have shown interest in ordering a Souvenir T-Shirt. The t-shirts will cost $25 each. They will be gold, with the design pictured above on the front and all the Year 6 students’ names on the back. The front design and students’ names will be printed in black. A note has been sent home and if you wish your child to take advantage of this offer please indicate on the note the size of the T-Shirt required and return the order form with $25 for each T-Shirt to the school by Friday, 5 September 2014. Please measure your child - do not estimate. T-Shirts cannot be exchanged. Year 6 Teachers
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB The closing date for Issue 6 is Tuesday, 26 August 2014 at 3.00pm.
*** Please make cheques payable to Cowra Public School
KW REQUEST KW is looking for older type light bulbs for a craft activity. They don’t have to be in working order. Please leave at the office or deliver to KW classroom.
YEAR 4 ROAD SAFETY PROGRAM CYCLING On Thursday, 28 August Year 4 children who have returned their permission note will be participating in activities designed to make them safer bike riders. These activities will take place from 11.30am-1.00pm and again from 2.003.00pm. Year 4 children involved are to bring their bikes and helmets to school and take them home again that afternoon. On arriving at school children are to take their bikes and helmets (names on both please) to the ‘zoo’ area where they will be stored until required. Please check your child’s bicycle for safety and discuss the way in which you would like your child to transport the bicycle to school. Participants uniforms.
may
wear
their
sports
With Year 4 children, parents, police and teachers involved a great day is assured. For children in Year 4 not taking part, it is a normal day at school. Paul Lewis Bike Safety Coordinator
KINDERGARTEN EXCURSION TO JAPANESE GARDENS On Wednesday, 17 September students in KR, KW have the opportunity to visit the Japanese Garden for Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival). The cost of $8.00 per student and should be paid to the school office by Friday, 12 September. This will cover admission to the Garden, activities and bus travel. The children will walk back to school. We will be leaving the school grounds at 9.45 a.m. In small groups we will walk through the Garden, take part in various activities and then enjoy a picnic lunch at Billy Goat Hill Park. Recess, lunch and a drink in a disposable container (poppa type), will need to be packed in a small back pack. Due to the large number of children expected to attend on the day, parents are unable to accompany us on this occasion. The students will be divided into small groups and supervised by school staff. Parents are however, very welcome to join us at Billy Goat Hill Park at approximately 1:00 p.m. and bring along their picnic lunch. Children may wear casual clothes and joggers, no sandals or thongs please, as we will be walking back to school in the afternoon. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat.
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Cowra Public School
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
SPORT
This year, the students of the SRC have chosen to support the Cowra Community Chest as their local charity. To raise funds for the Cowra Community Chest, the SRC have organised a series of activities in which the rest of the students can participate. These events will be held over the next five weeks of Term Three. The activities and cost are as follows.
REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - DUBBO
Week 7 Week 8
Skipping Volleyball
50c per session 50c per session
Sports Centre Under COLA Primary Tues/ Fri Infants Wednesday
The activities will be done by Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) on Tuesdays, Stage 1 (Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2) on Wednesdays and Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) on Fridays from 1.30-2.00pm. Mrs Kathryn Macnamara SRC Coordinator
RSPCA CUPCAKE DAY On Monday, 18 August a few girls at Cowra Public School held a “Cupcake” Day for their fellow students. The day was a huge success and we raised $430.50 for the RSPCA. The girls had tremendous fun selling the cupcakes at both stalls (one in the Infants playground and the other in the Primary playground). We sold over 350 cupcakes. Thank you to everyone who bought cupcakes. The team included: Tess and Ella Roberts, Anja Gower, Heidi Osborne, Maddy Mulligan, Bella Scammell, Jade Lanham and Nashwa Bakini.
We have 20 students who are competing in the Regional Athletics Carnival in Dubbo Friday, 29 August. Please note our Cowra PSSA Zone uniform is black shorts (or netball skirt) and white top. Athletes will be issued with a number when they arrive at the Regional Carnival. Congratulations again and good luck to everyone. Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sports coordinator Girls
Boys
Crystal Holmes Chloe Horne Madeleine Mulligan Natahsa Planicka Isabella Scammell Chloe Wolfenden Hallie Wolfenden Courtney Wright
Gary Cheng Joel Edgerton Luke Kinsey Kyle Murray Marcus O’Connor Joshua Palmer Joshua Pokoney Trey Pollard Jumyah Simpson Mac Webster Cambell White
INVENTION COMPETITION Do you have an inventive child who is always coming up with hair brain ideas for making life easier? Does your child create loads of things with Lego? Does your child draw lots? Then this competition could be just for them: The BIG COMPETITION FOR INVENTIVE KIDS. Origin Energy company has been helping kids get switched on about energy for the last 10 years. Now, it's their time to shine. They want kids from Year 3 to Year 8 to tell them their brilliant ideas for their future. Three first prizes as a trip to NASA Space Centre in the USA. Nine runners up: $1000 each for educational grants and twelve third prizes: $4000 energy grant for their school. What they need to do There are no limits on how little or big your idea is. It could be a new invention, a smart way to save energy or a clever idea that helps people or makes their lives easier.
Describe your idea in words plus a video or drawing. Describe your little-BIG-idea in 200 words or less. If you want, you can also create a 1 minute video or drawing to help get your idea across.
How to enter? Enter using the form from the website: littleBIGidea.com.au Type or paste your text into the form upload your video or a clear image of your drawing, if you have one. Then enter your details and hit submit. Make sure you enter by 5 September 2014.
Students will need to make their own arrangement for transport to and from Dubbo. If you can’t take your child, please see Mrs Duncan for alternative arrangements.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES DAY ~ TOMORROW Students will walk to and from River Park accompanied by their class teachers at 9.30am and return to school at 2.00pm. Students need to take their recess with them to the park. There will be NO ordered recess from the canteen. As the weather could be quite cold, students will need to bring plenty of warm clothing, water to drink and a waterproof sheet or garbage bag to sit on. Timetable: 10.00am-10.20am Recess
10.30am-11.00am Opening Ceremony
11.00am-12.30pm Events
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm-1.45pm Closing Ceremony
Who can help them? Ms. Beecher is running a lunch time club called the inventors club ( Monday lunch times)- just for sharing ideas and guidance and to help those people who find it difficult to write.
Cowra Public School Canteen will take lunch orders
This is an activity that is NOT compulsory but students can work on at home independently.
parents at the oval.
Raelene Beecher Learning Support Teacher Cowra Public School
before school on Friday and deliver them to the oval. If students don’t wish to order they will need to bring a packed lunch. There will be a canteen available for
Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sport
Book Week Celebrations On Wednesday we had a wonderful celebration of Book Week with lots of students dressing up as their favourite characters. Amongst the many costumes (forgive me for not mentioning everyone!) we had Princesses Galore, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Pearlie’s, Little Red Riding Hoods and a few wolves to chase them, Ben 10’s, a very smart and funny dictionary, three Pippi Longstockings, a Very Cranky Bear, the Force was with us, as was Lord of the Rings, a Little Dinosaur, a wife of Henry the VIII, Dorothy Scarecrow and the Tin Man, Tin Tin, Mary Poppins, lots of magical wizards and witches, EJ12, The Doctor’s, Bella and Katniss, Mr and Miss Happy, Thing 1 and Thing 2, a pigeon who wanted to drive a bus, enough super heroes to keep us safe from all evil and we found Wally! We took our book week parade out of the school and walked down the main street of Cowra to show off our costumes. Thank you to all the parents and friends who waited in the main street for us to wave and take photos, we appreciate your support! After recess we continued our celebration with Stage 2 students reading to infants. We enjoyed the sunshine out in the playground and the infants students heard many a good story from Stage 2. Stage 2 also made a bookmark to give to infants students as a gift to remember Book Week. Thank you to all parents and carers who slaved away over Book Week costumes. It’s a big task and I appreciate your participation! Have a look at our web page to see the colour version. Sheridan Oborn, Teacher Librarian.
Cowra Public School
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SPORT continued TERM 3 SPORT A change in sports groups will take now take place on 29 August 2014 . I have listed below the sports being offered to the students and any conditions that will apply. During the cooler months sport will played on Friday afternoons from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. I strongly urge you to discuss the sports listed with your child and decide together what they should play. A note has been sent home. Please list THREE sports in order of preference and return the tear-off section to the Sport & Fitness Centre ASAP. Students who do not indicate their preferences will be allocated to sports where vacancies exist.
SPORTS ON OFFER Skating/Scootering
VENUE / REQUIREMENTS
$3 a week
Skate-park (limit of 25 students) own scooter/skateboard and helmet is compulsory
drink and sunscreen
Netball
Col Stinson Park
Soccer
School or Twigg Oval
Oz Tag/Touch Footy
WEEKLY COST
$3 a week
drink, hat and sunscreen
drink, hat and sunscreen (shin pads & mouth guard)
No cost
Holman Oval drink, hat, sunscreen
No cost
Walking for Fitness
Various venues close to school drink, hat and sunscreen
No cost
Indoor Hockey
At school drink, hat and sunscreen (limit of 24 students)
No cost
P&C
COMMUNITY P& C Meeting TONIGHT 6.00pm in 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.
PO Box 900, Cowra NSW 2794 Phone: 6342 1021
T/A Lic 2TA5695 Fax: 6342 4597
Email: info@cowrabus.com.au Web: http:www.cowrabus.com.au AUSTRALIAN GARDEN SHOW: Saturday, 6th September, Centennial Park, Sydney EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
WICKED: 11th October 2014, Capitol Theatre, Sydney - $210.00
BJORN AGAIN: 25th October, 2014: Canberra Theatre - $130.00
DIRTY DANCING: Saturday, 6th Decembmer, 2014: Lyric Theatre, Sydney - $190.00
2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS OPEN: Friday, 23rd January-Monday 26th January, 2015: Book early. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
NEW ZEALND NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND: 18 days - Numerous activities included. Departing from Cowra 6th March, 2015. Returning to Cowra 23rd March, 2015. From $5,750.00 twin share
“Cowra Travel Takes you There”
ORANGE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION When: Saturday 20 or Saturday 27 December Where: Sir Jack Brabham Oval, Orange Times:
Ages 5-10
10am-11am
Modball
Ages 11-13 years
11.15am-12.15pm
Softball
14-19 years
12.30-1.30pm
Adults
2.pm-3pm
Cost: Nil. A free sausage sizzle will be available for all participants Contact Pam Kelly 0419 013 951 or
Jacquie Lisle 0407 934471