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Homebush Public School Rochester St Homebush NSW 2140 Phone: 9746 9171 9764 4472 Fax 9746 3516 Email: homebushp.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Principal’s Report Dear Parents, Our teachers are committed to ensuring that your children achieve success. The teachers at Homebush Public School work extremely hard to support all children.

The NSW Department of Education & Communities (DEC) Quality Teaching model underpins all our teaching and learning programs.

As the end of term approaches I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Homebush Public School community for an outstanding term of learning and achievement.

Students, parents, staff and our community have all played a part in the success of our school.

If you are intending to enrol your child in Kindergarten at Homebush Public School in 2012, please contact our office as a matter of urgency. This information is vital for planning purposes and your anticipated support is appreciated.

This information is vital for planning purposes and your anticipated support is appreciated.

On behalf of Mr Liston I wish everyone associated with the Homebush Public School community a safe and enjoyable holiday, I look forward to sharing the learning journey with you in term 4.

Research has shown that teachers who apply the Quality Teaching model in their classrooms can improve student outcomes and narrow achievement gaps.

You can be assured that your children have access to dedicated and highly trained teachers to support their development.

Regards, Hani Zahra R/Principal

Next Fortnight’s Diary Mon

12Sept

Tues

Kindy Excursion

Term 3

Weeks 9 and 10

Mon

19Sept

13Sept

Tues

20 Sept

Wed

14Sept

Wed

21Sept

Thur

15Sept

Thur

22Sept

Picnic Day

Fri

16Sept

Fri

23Sept

PSSA / Last day of Term 3

PSSA

CAMP

School Uniform

We are getting very close to the very exciting event for year 5 & 6 students. All money should be finalised by the end of term and all medical notes should be returned to the front office. It is imperative that we get this information to ensure the safety of your children. These medical notes are private and only those teachers who attend camp will know what’s on them so include things like bed wetting or other issues that may be embarrassing so that we can put things in place to help your child.

Summer is on its way and I am seeing a lot of very hot and bothered students who are still wearing winter uniforms.

It has started getting warmer a little earlier this year, when the human body overheats it can result in tiredness, headaches, bleeding noses and stomach pain or vomiting, so it is appropriate that students begin wearing their summer uniform.

Mr Lambert Camp Co-ordinator.

Yr 6 Farewell Fundraiser On the final day of school we are doing a year 6 farewell fundraiser. All students are invited to wear their favourite “Footy Jersey”. Of course it doesn’t have to be Rugby League, it can be any kind of sporting team, Cricket, Soccer, Netball, Local Sports team. The money raised will go towards the year 6 farewell and a present for the school.

It should be a lot of fun “Go Manly” UNSW English Results We have received the results and certificates for the UNSW Test. There were 40 students who have received a Credit and 5 students who have achieved a Distinction. As we are expecting the Maths certificates and results soon we will hold onto the English certificates and hand them out together. A big thanks goes out to the teachers who were here at 7.00am in the morning to support the running of the UNSW tests.

Mr Lambert Peer Support Picnic The Peer Support picnic is on Thursday 22nd September 2011.

On this day students can wear Mufti. It is advised that all students wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sensible shoes. Thongs and other forms of loose footwear are inappropriate. I would suggest joggers for the students to run and play to their full potential. Remember it is getting hot, so a hat must be worn on the day. Your child would have come home with a note of what it is they are to bring to share as part of their group.

Mr Lambert and Miss Duff

Sports in School

Quite a few students are attending school ‘out of uniform’ on a regular basis and it is the schools’ policy that students wear the correct uniform at all times.

This includes the school hat, our uniform shop is run by the P&C and when uniform is purchased through the school it helps support the school.

The uniform shop is open every Monday morning and order forms are available from the front office if you cannot get to the uniform shop yourself.

Wearing the correct uniform helps students to recognise that they are a part of Homebush PS and allows them to take pride in their uniform and school.

Mr Lambert TERM 4 First day back Monday the 10th October 2011.

22 Chiswick St South Strathfield 2136

Creative Arts Holiday Workshop!

Including: Self-development through drama, mime games, craft, face painting, improvisation, music, dress up, face paining & lots of fun.

SPRING HOLIDAY TENNIS CAMPS 4 Day Camps (SPRING W1 & W2)

$105 for the full week (or $30 a day)

Week 1: Tues 27/09—Fri 30/09 Week 2: Tues 04/10—Fri 07/10

Monday 26 Sept in Haberfield Wednesday 28 Sept in Maroubra Time: 9 am – 3 pm Cost: $35 per day Ages: Kindy - Yr 6

Tennis Aust Qualified coaches Prizes & Round Robin Friday Sausage Sizzle Wednesday McDonalds order Op,on Ages 5-16yrs: Beginners to Advanced Phone 9742 3993 or email info@southend.net.au to book now!

Please bring your own lunch, morning tea and a drink.

Spaces limited so enroll now…

Principal: Mel Duke - 9787 2363 www.helenogrady.com.au Enrolments must be received by 19th Sept 2011.

Learn Music on Keyboard at Homebush Public School * * * * *

Enrolment for Term 3 Music theory * Instrument playing Ensemble practice * Fun music games 45-min lesson weekly, small group Music material included Instrument not required initially Smart Kids Love Music!

Call to enrol: 9411 3122 (VIP Music est. 1984) www.learnmusicatschool.com.au

Would you like to receive a full-colour newsletter?

A full-colour newsletter is available for parents willing to accept their newsletter by email. The email edition is much more vibrant and photos are a lot clearer and brighter. You’ll also help us to ease paper costs while doing that little bit extra for our environment. If you would like to receive a colour newsletter via email please send us an email at Homebush-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Please mark the subject “Newsletter”. Include in the body of the email your name, your child's name and class as well as your email address.

P A R E N T I N G P A G E I would like to take this opportunity to direct you to the NSW Public Schools website (www.schools.nsw.edu.au) which is an excellent tool for parents. More specifically, the Newsstand (www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/) section has informative articles around a variety of relevant subjects.

I encourage you to visit the site.

Below is an article from School Parents – Helping Mums and Dads with School Life.

WHAT DID YOU SCHOOL TODAY?

LEARN

AT

Have you ever asked your child what they learnt at school today? Chances are you were met with the all too familiar, "not much" or even worse, "nothing".

Before you go ringing the school to find out why your child isn't learning anything, take in the latest research on children's learning, which just might make you think about asking a different question altogether when they come home from a day at school.

Stephen Dinham, Research Director Teaching, Learning and Leadership at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) says, "Don't ask them what they did today, what they enjoyed at school or what they learnt, ask them, 'What feedback did you get about your learning today?'" In parent-tochild language, this means ask your kids, "What did your teacher say about your work today?"

Professor Dinham, who has researched the factors on student achievement, explains that children have four needs. "They want to know what they can do, what they can't do, how their work compares to others, but the one they really want to know is how they can do better," he says. He adds that a focus on feedback and obtaining quality feedback from teachers can have an almost "immediate positive effect" on students' learning.

Catherine Scott, Senior Research Fellow at ACER, says parents can sometimes feel intimidated and unsure about how to help with their child's learning.

She says parents can best support their child by encouraging them to develop life skills and taking an interest in what is happening at school.

According to Dr Scott, research shows that a parenting approach that involves setting high expectations for children while also being responsive to their individual needs can help children develop the confidence to go out into the world and make the best of the opportunities that are on offer.

Other ways parents can help include providing an orderly home with expected routines, explaining reasons why rules are set, and being sensitive to the individual needs of children.

Dr Scott offers more other tips for parents including: • Get involved in your child's school in whatever way possible.

• Establish an open line of communication with your child's teacher.

• Provide a quiet and orderly space for your child to study at home.

• Be happy to talk about homework. You don't have to know the answers yourself - it's important to encourage your child to think problems through for themselves.

• Don't give help that hasn't been asked for - this can send children a message that they are not competent to complete the required task and may harm their self-esteem.

• Model being orderly and prepared - encourage your child to think ahead to what needs to be prepared for school the following day, such as sports uniforms or particular books and other learning resources.

• Model being a good reader - you can't nag your child about the importance of reading if you are never seen with reading material in your hands yourself.

Regards Hani Zahra R/Principal