Cowra Public School NEWS PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Dear Parents Welcome back to Term 4 2016. There are officially ten weeks and two days in this term. The final two days of Week 11 are set aside as school development days, so the final day for students will be Friday, 16th December. We are now in the final 10 weeks of primary school for our Year 6 students. It is indeed an exciting time for our senior students as they make the transition from primary school – where they are our “big fish” to the secondary school where they take on the mantle of being the “small fish” once more. I hope that our Year 6 thoroughly enjoy their last few weeks of Primary and that they leave here with some very fond memories of Cowra Public School. This term we have the big Stage 3 excursion to Canberra and the Schools Spectacular in Sydney in Week 7 – a very big week indeed. I know our Schools Spectacular students and their tireless leader, Mrs Cobcroft have been working overtime to reach the level of quality expected at this prestigious event. I wish them all the very best for the coming weeks as they prepare. The Kinder Orientation program has been progressing well. The first visit today was a great success with the Kindergarten kids starting their transition from home to school. There were lots of excited faces and some fun activities. Many thanks to Mrs Oborn and the Kindergarten teachers for their hard work and dedication to our incoming new group of kindergarten students. We are shortly commencing an “Intensive Writing” program for a targeted group of outgoing Year 6 students and Year 4 students. Mrs Kilby will be returning for two days per week until the end of the term. The aim of the program is to ensure our outgoing Year 6 students have the opportunity of improving their writing skills in preparation for high school. It has long been my belief that the ability to write, and write well, is key to experiencing a successful high school education. I want to ensure that all of our outgoing students arrive at the gates of their future high school with plenty of writing confidence. We have also targeted a selection of Year 4 students who we feel would benefit from additional assistance with writing. We are looking at this writing program as a potential model
FOR YOUR DIARY
P&C MEETING
OCTOBER 13
First Kindergarten Orientation Day
13
P & C Meeting 6.00pm
14
United Fusion Matinee Concert
20
2nd Kindergarten Orientation Day
20
P & C BINGO
21
PSSA Tennis - Cowra
27
3rd Kindergarten Orientation Day
tonight 6.00pm in staffroom
CONTACTING THE SCHOOL Administration Office Hours:
13 October 2016
Term 4, Week 1
8.30am - 3.30pm
School commences at 9.10am School finishes at 3.15pm Students are not supervised before 8.40am
for 2017, and this term we have the opportunity to trial this “intensive” writing program and determine if indeed it will work in the long term. This week we had a visit from an expert ACER consultant (Australian Council for Educational Research) who trained teachers in the use of a highly regarded “PAT – R” (Progressive Reading Test – Reading) reading assessment program. This program enables teachers to capture accurate data around the reading skills of the students at this school and to plan educational programs that will see continual improvement. If “knowledge is power”, this program empowers teachers significantly. The PAT Reading is a thoroughly researched and normed test for measuring and tracking student achievement in reading comprehension, word knowledge and spelling. It provides teachers with objective information for setting realistic learning goals and planning effective programs (ACER Website). We are looking at adding the PAT- M (Mathematics) assessment as well to assist teachers in their planning and programing of mathematics. This week we celebrated “International Teachers’ Day”. Officially, the day took place on the 5 th October during the holidays, so we decided to celebrate yesterday. Our teachers care a great deal about your children and work hard to offer them a rich and interesting educational experience. I know personally, from speaking with the teachers at this school just how much your children’s wellbeing occupies their busy minds. I’d personally like to thank them for their dedication and commitment, and I’d like to personally thank the parents who were kind enough to bake cakes for this important celebration. Finally, one of my passions is the teaching of public speaking and debating. I am looking to include our Cowra PS in the district debating contest for 2017. There are in fact two contests – the district/regional competition and the Premiers Debating Challenge. In my experience, students who love public speaking make excellent debaters. I am looking at personally training two teams in preparation for the 2017 school year, so that our students will be ready and raring in the new year. Steve Wilkinson Principal (Rlvg)
PAYMENT REMINDER *SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Full payment must be received by 7th November.
*STAGE 3 CANBERRA EXCURSION Full payment must be received by 11th November. ****EFTPOS AVAILABLE**** 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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SRC NEWS!! Each year the Student Representative Council organises a series of fundraisers to support various children’s charities such as the Bandaged Bear appeal for Westmead Children’s Hospital.
KINDERGARTEN 2017
Over the next four weeks, the SRC will be running a series of fundraisers to support the Cowra Community Chest, which is the local charity they have chosen to support.
If you have a child that you wish to enrol for Kindergarten in 2017, or you are still unsure, but would like your child to participate in our Kindergarten Orientation sessions, could you please make contact with the school before Wednesday, 21 September.
Activities will cost $1-2 per session and all money raised will go to Cowra Community Chest. This local charity supports people in our community.
This will allow the school to organise groups in preparation for the sessions listed below:
Below is a timetable showing when each event will be happening and its cost. Students are welcome to participate in any activity in which they are interested.
Thursday, 20 October Thursday, 27 October Thursday, 3 November
Week 2 Monday: Stage 1 Obstacle Course Tuesday: Infants Skipping Wednesday: Primary Skipping Thursday: Kinder Obstacle Course Friday: Primary Obstacle Course Week 3 Tuesday: Kinder Mini Golf Wednesday: Stage 2 Mini Golf Thursday: Stage 1 Mini Golf Friday: Stage 3 Mini Golf Week 4 Tuesday: Infants Footy Toss Wednesday: Primary Footy Toss Week 5 Tuesday: Stage 2 Parkour Wednesday: Stage 3 Parkour Friday: Infants Parkour
ASD PARENTS GROUP Meeting this Friday, 14 October 2:00pm - 3:00pm in the staffroom
Afternoon tea is kindly provided by Our Guest Speakers from CINC Services
If you have a child who has been diagnosed with Autism & attends Cowra Public School, how about popping in and saying “Hi”. Email raelene.beecher1@det.nsw.edu.au for more information
All sessions commence at 9:30am and conclude at 11:00am. A name tag will be provided on your first orientation day. We would like you to wear this to each session. The Cancer Council NSW will be visiting the Kindergarten Orientation session on Thursday, 27 October. Below is some information Council NSW’s Eat It To Beat It.
about
the
Cancer
The information session will be held in the Cowra Public School Library. All parents are welcome to attend.
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YEAR 4 ROAD SAFETY PRGRAM
REMINDERS
Many children ride bicycles, yet have little idea of basic cycling skills and safety, either off or on the roads. Each year children’s lives are lost in cycling accidents. Many of the accidents do not involve another moving vehicle and could be prevented through improved knowledge, skills and attitude.
INFANTS ASSEMBLIES
As part of our road safety program, we are conducting a half -day session of cycling activities at school for Year 4. To gain full benefit from the program, children with bicycles and Standards Association of Australia approved cycling safety helmets should bring them to school on Friday, 4 November 2016. The helmet must be worn in the interests of safety and it is now the law. Children should try to arrange to borrow a helmet for the day if they do not own one. All helmets brought to school should have the child’s name on them. These basic cycling skills and safety lessons DO NOT INCLUDE CYCLING ON THE ROAD. All lessons will be conducted in the school playground. Their aim is to improve cycling safety. 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. Parental help in the supervision and instruction of children would be most gratefully appreciated. The course will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., on Friday, 4 November 2016. Children who are not able to get a bike to school for this day are encouraged to make arrangements to share a friend’s bike in order to participate in the bike safety activities.
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 4 Term 4 Week 4 Thursday, 3 November at 2.00pm
YEAR 6 TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL
Albert Murray Bike Safety Co0rdinator
UNITED FUSION “MYSTIQUE” PRODUCTION Sixty students have been given an opportunity to attend the “Mystique” production at the PCYC on Friday, 14 October. A local group, United Fusion, has been participating in creative workshops for the past two years and “Mystique” is the culmination of their dedication and hard work.
Students will leave Cowra Public School at 2.00pm and will leave for home from the High School using their usual means of transport. Travel to the High School will be by bus. There is no cost to parents for the bus travel. Students are required to wear full school uniform including fully enclosed black leather shoes. This is a WHS requirement. Dates:
Term 4 Thursday, 27 October Thursday, 10 November Thursday, 24 November Thursday, 8 December
Travel to and from the PCYC will be via the bus. There is no cost involved. There are two sessions so students will depart Cowra Public School at either 10:45am or 12:30pm and return to school by 1.:0pm or 3:00pm.
PAYMENTS NOW DUE:
Full school uniform must be worn.
ART CLUB Stage 2 students have been given the opportunity to take part in the lunch time Art Club on Fridays. The Club will operate every Friday commencing in Week 5 and will have two adults to assist with activities. A maximum of twenty students will take part. The idea of the club is to encourage and inspire young learners to enjoy and appreciate art. The group will visit the Cowra Art Gallery each time there is a new exhibition. During the weeks following, the children will be involved in creating art works inspired by the visit.
SCHOOL FEES:
-
$40 per child (Family Max. $80)
BAND : $25 a term - Term 4 fees are now due These funds are used to purchase musical instruments.
STAGE 3 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA $270.00 Payments:
Payment in full must be received no later than 11th November.
SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR: $400.00 - Full payment is now due. Online payments and EFTPOS are also now available
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TEA TOWEL FUNDRAISER As part of our fundraising efforts for our school’s participation in the Schools’ Spectacular, our school will be creating and selling limited edition tea towels. The tea towel design will be made up of self-portraits drawn by all our children and staff. The pictures and names will be arranged all together to create two commemorative designs, one for the infants section and one for the primary section. The tea towels will be screen printed in Royal Blue onto premium quality white cotton tea towels (50x70cm). We chose the tea towels because everyone loves them - the children are thrilled to see their own artwork in print; they make a lasting memento to remember classmates, are amazing as gifts for parents, relatives and special friends or just use them to dry the dishes! The tea towels will be available early in Term 4, so they will make SPECTACULAR Christmas gifts, especially for those friends and family that can be hard to buy for. Make sure you don’t miss out. There is a sample tea towel at our school office to view. It is only $15 for one limited edition tea towel, or save by ordering 3 for $40. Don’t forget to order a few extras for family members and your keepsake box. Tea towels can be ordered by completing the form below and returning with payment in an envelope clearly marked “TEA TOWEL ORDER”. Payments can also be made by electronic transfer by going onto the Cowra Public School website and clicking on the “make a payment” option. (Please note – this option still requires the order form to be returned to the office). Thank you for your continued support. Final orders are due before
Friday 28 October
Thank you for supporting our school! Mrs Trisha Long / Mrs Deborah Cobcroft
&-----------------------------------------------------------------------———-------TEA TOWEL ORDER FORM Student Name:
______________________________________________ Class: ____________
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Number of Tea Towels Ordered:
____________________________________________________
Primary
Please enclose payment with your order:
Infants
TOTAL TOTAL enclosed $________
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GIRLS’ LEAGUE TAG GALA DAY Where: Henry Lawson Oval Grenfell When: Thursday, 20 October departing Cowra Public School at 8.15am. The NRL are running a Girls League Tag Gala day on Thursday, 20 October at Henry Lawson Oval in Grenfell. League Tag is a non-contact variation of Rugby League in which players wear a belt with Velcro tags attached to it. To stop an attacking player defenders have to remove one of the tags. In order to attend this event, we require assistance from parents for transportation. If you are able to assist, please contact the school.
SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2018 Key dates:
Application website opens Application website closes
Tuesday, 11 October 2016 Monday, 14 November 2016
Late applications will not be accepted.
Test authority letter sent by mail and email - Thursday, 23 February 2017 Selective High School Placement Test - Thursday, 9 March 2017 Placement outcome information - Early July 2017.
More information is at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement or contact the school for a brochure.
SPORT FRIDAY SPORT TERM 4 Summer sport will commence on Friday, 14 October, Week 1 Term 4. I have listed below the sports being offered to the students and any conditions that will apply. During the cooler months sport will be played on Friday mornings from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Any cost involved must be paid to the school office before classes on Fridays. I strongly urge you to discuss the sports listed with your child and decide together what they should play. The note needs to be returned to school by Monday 10 October. Or your child will be put into a nominated sport group. Skateparkl:
Skatepark: - cost $2 (bus)
Gymnastics:
PCYC Binni Creek Road - cost $5 (bus &
Cricket:
River Park - no cost
Tennis:
tennis courts or school
We will need to depart Cowra Public School at 8.15am. The gala day begins with a briefing at 9am and the first games to kick off at 9.30am. The day will finish at approximately 2.30pm. There will be a canteen in operation throughout the day. Every attempt will be made to return students to school by 3.15pm, however if we are late, you will need to arrange to pick your child up from the school. Mrs Amy Ryan League Tag Coordinator
TENNIS Cowra Public School Stage 2 tennis team will play against St Raphael’s and Mulyan Public School at the Cowra Tennis Courts on Friday, 21 October 2016. A permission note has been sent home and this needs to be returned to Mrs Duncan. Additional information: Play will be from 10:00am - 1:30pm (players will then return to school) School sports uniform is to be worn. (hat and sunscreen is essential) All equipment will be supplied
Players will assemble at school at 9:30am, then walk to the Courts accompanied by Mrs Duncan. Children will need to bring recess, lunch and plenty of water Mrs Duncan PE/Sport
activity)
Squad swimming: Cowra Aquatic Club - $2.00 or season ticket Touch Football & Skills Development: River Park - no cost Walking for Fun & Fitness:
Cowra surrounds - no cost
Sport money needs to be paid to the office on or before Friday mornings.
Shavaughn Duncan PE/Sport
Keep fit, stay active and be healthy
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
P&C NEWS
HARDEN KITE FESTIVAL – 15 OCTOBER 2016, 11AM – 5PM
BINGO Thursday, 20 October Term 4 Week 2
P & C Meeting Tonight Thursday, 13 October
Featuring FREE live entertainment and FREE activities such as the Sibelco Stunt Jump, a rock climbing wall, face painting, balloon twisting and of course kite flying! Bring your own kite or buy one on the day – there’s $800 in prizes up for grabs! The Roccy FM roadshow will be live with lots of giveaways, interviews & requests. Browse the great range of interesting market stalls, join in on the amusements for the kids or simply sit in the shade and watch the fun. There will be a variety of tasty food and good coffee available, or feel free to bring your own picnic. Entry is by gold coin donation & it is an alcohol free event. Visit www.hardenkitefestival.org or Facebook for more details.
6.00pm in staffroom
All welcome CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 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. The school is seeking volunteers to work in the school canteen. There are going to be exciting new menus and more hands make light work. Please see Lisa Willis in the canteen if you can assist in any way. Volunteer assistance is needed from 9.00am until 2.00pm daily OR perhaps 9.00am until 11.00am to make the lunches. With the new “Meal Deals” going to be offered, volunteers with fresh ideas and creativity would be most appreciated.
Learning to swim is great fun with Sport and Recreation’s Swim and Survive Program.
Lessons are a great opportunity to reinforce skills already learnt.
Classes are multiple grades across preschool and school age categories.
Classes are delivered by nationally qualified instructors and normally run for eight or nine consecutive weekdays.
COWRA LITTLE ATHLETICS
AFL AUSKICK PROGRAM
Commences today, Thursday, 13 October Time:
5.15pm
Place:
Twigg Oval
Not too late for registrations. Register between 4.30pm 5.00pm Cost:
$65.00 Tiny tots $70.00 Under 6 - Under 17 Bring cash
Due to the rain last term there are still two weeks remaining in our after school AFL program for Cowra Community. Sessions: Wednesday, 26 October (Week 3)
Wednesday, 2 November (Week 4).
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm
Where: Twigg Oval
For more information contact Casey White on 0407 060 705
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Thursday 20 October Where: School auditorium Time:
6.30pm (doors open at 6.00pm)
Cost:
$3.00 per book (20 games)
$15.00 for a sheet (6 books - 120 games) ** purchased at the door ** ALL WELCOME BBQ available from 6.00pm FUN! FUN! FUN!
Tea, coffee, popcorn and canteen available Children must be accompanied by an adult Lots of prizes plus cash to be won!!!!
Loads of prizes
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COMMUNITY Continued ENHANCED AIR New Company Local Cowra Tradesman!!!!! Over 20yrs experience in servicing, repairs and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration units. We can service: Domestic and commercial refrigeration Freezers Coolrooms Air-conditioners, ducted and split systems Evap-Coolers Call Enhanced Air for fast, reliable service on 0407631231
www.djmccabestocktransport.com email enquiry@djmccabestocktransport.com Phone 0438 863829 0419 472529 For all your stock and hay and transport needs. For each and every Cowra Public associated job we will make a donation to the P&C, the bigger the job the greater the donation! (repeat work included)
PO Box 900, Cowra NSW 2794 T/A Lic 2TA5695 Phone: 6342 1021 Fax: 6342 4597 Email: info@cowrabus.com.au Web: http:www.cowrabus.com.au
MY FAIR LADY: Saturday, 8 October 2016, Sydney Opera House, Sydney: $250.00
WINDOWRIE LONG LUNCH: Saturday, 29 October 2016. Expressions of Interest: Book lunch and seat today
NORFOLK ISLAND: Sunday, 13 November - Monday, 21 November 2016; Expression of Interest
“Cowra Travel Takes you There”
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Term 4, 2016
1 2
October 10
Students return
17
3
24
4
31
5
7
6
14
7
21
8
28
9
5
10
12
11
11
12
18 SRC Obstacle course St 1
Corridor Project — Coding SRC Footy Toss Infants
7 Captains & Vice Captains Pre Selection
13
20
21 Staff Development Day
P & C BINGO NIGHT
SRC Obstacle Course Pimray Stage 2 PSSA tennis— Cowra
28 Kinder Orientation
SRC Mini golf St 3
SRC Mini golf St 1
4 Kinder Orientation
10
Year 4 Bike Day
11
SRC Parkour St 3
17
SRC Parkour Infants
18
Prize winners UNSW Maths
24 School Spectacular St 3 Excursion Canberra
25 School Spectacular St 3 Excursion Canberra
December 1 Book Fair
Book Fair
8
School Spectacular St 3 Excursion Canberra
2
Book Fair
9
Yr 5 Farewell to Year 6
14 Minor Primary Assembly 9.30am
SRC Obstacle course Kinder
SRC Footy Toss Primary
7
United Fusion Matinee Concert
21 Kinder Orientation
3 Corridor Project — Coding
30
P & C Mtg 6.00pm
27 SRC Mini golf St 2
23
6
Bird Week count by Cowra Council
2
29
Staff Development Day
14 Kinder Orientation
20 SRC Skipping Primary
16
22
19
9 SRC Parkour St 2
15
26 SRC Mini golf Kinder
November 1
13
19 SRC Skipping Infants
25
Cowra Public School
15 Major Assemblies
Infants 9.30am
16 Class parties
Primary 11.30am
22
23
Last day for students Year 6 Graduation