15 Frederick Street, Charlestown 2290 Telephone 4943 4063, 4943 4137 Facsimile 4942 2583 E-mail charlestow-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au website http://www.charlestow-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Dear Parents/Carers This term the focus has been on developing persistence at school as well as being kind to each other. Some students are really doing a great job of displaying acts of kindness and taking care of each other. Keep it up everyone! Service Learning Next week the students from Year 10 at Whitebridge High School, will visit as part of their ‘service learning.’ We are fortunate to have ex-student Michaela and also Tasmin visiting the school. Both girls will be helping in classrooms with group work, organising the sports equipment and assisting with categorising reading resources. NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge This year’s reading challenge has allowed students to experience a range of exciting stories and explore issues that challenged their thinking, expand their vocabularies and widen their horizons. Congratulations to Nate H for achieving a Platinum Award and the following students for achieving Gold awards: Charlie L and Clayton W. Year 6 Public Speaking Finals Last Monday our finalists, Nate, Will O, James, Matilda, Codey and Will J delivered their speeches. The topic was free choice. The students who participated in the competition all performed to a high standard, with the finalists being judged by the staff on a number of criteria. The recipient of the School’s Public Speaking award will be announced on Presentation Day in a few weeks, when they will be presented with their award.

Congratulations to all, especially our final six, on the outstanding effort you have made once again. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 29.11.17 Magic Show – 10 am 30.11.17 Last day for student banking 1.12.17 Carols 7.12.17 Presentation Day

Canteen Closed 8.12.17 Last day of Canteen 11-15.12.17

Canteen Closed all week Clothing Pool Closed

11.12.17 Year 6 Farewell 14.12.17 K-6 Party Day 15.12.17 Last day of school 18.12.17 Clothing Pool open 1-3:00pm19.12.17 Clothing Pool open 1-3:00pm TERM 1 2018 29.1.18 Staff Development Day (no

students Clothing Pool open 8:30 am to 10:30 am

30.1.18 Students Years 1-6 return Clothing Pool open 8:30 am to 10:30 am

31.1.18- 1.2.18

Best Start Kinder interviews

1.2.18 Y3-6 Swimming Carnival(and Y2 students who turn 8 and can competently swim 50m)

2.2.18 2018 Kindergarten students start

Charlestown Public School Newsletter Term 4 Week 7 – Wednesday 22 November 2017

A proud partner of the Whitebridge Community of Schools

15 Frederick Street, Charlestown 2290 Telephone 4943 4063, 4943 4137 Facsimile 4942 2583 E-mail charlestow-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au website http://www.charlestow-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Principal’s Awards Congratulations to both Jacob and Carsten on achieving their Principal’s Award.

Reading Recovery Awards Congratulations to Taj and Lachlan who have both graduated from Reading Recovery this term. Thanks to Mrs Gill’s expert tuition, we have been able to help six students from Year 1 with their reading this year.

Yr 6 2018 Leadership Speeches After listening to a wide range of School Captains’ and Prefects’ speeches during the week, our school promises to have a wonderful, responsible leadership team in 2018. Students who delivered a speech were voted on by staff and students with the new Student Executive being announced on Presentation Day. Congratulations to Zane, Charlie, Jimmy, Clay, Jackson E-H, Cam L, Ashley, Cam G, Sophie, Mandy-Jane, Mia and Emily. Attendance Lately there have been many students who have had poor attendance at school. It is extremely important your child develops a habit of attending school regularly and that all absences are explained by a note within five days of your child returning from school. Some interesting facts regarding absences and lateness to school – Did you know...

- If your child is regularly late they miss huge amounts of learning time, regular lateness has the same impact as absenteeism.

- Missing one day a week from school from Kindergarten to Year 10 means missing two years and one term of schooling.

- There is direct correlation between attendance and achievement.

- Frequent absences make it difficult for teachers who have to continually re-teach information skills.

- Being 15 minutes late to school twice a week equals to missing 5 hours a term and 20 hours a year of missed schooling.

- Patterns of attendance/absence are set up in the early years of schooling.

- Being absent five days a term from Kindergarten to Year 10 adds up to more than one year of missing schooling.

15 Frederick Street, Charlestown 2290 Telephone 4943 4063, 4943 4137 Facsimile 4942 2583 E-mail charlestow-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au website http://www.charlestow-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Leaving the school / Enrolments As we are busy forming classes for next year, please let us know if you are not returning to Charlestown Public School. Similarly, if you know of any newcomers to your street please tell them to enrol in our wonderful, caring school. Canteen News The NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy was launched in February this year and focuses on increasing the availability of the healthy food and drink options in school canteens. The new strategy replaces the “Green, Amber, Red” food menus from previous years and is consistent with Australian Dietary Guidelines which classifies food and drink as either ‘Everyday’ or ‘Occasional.’ Next year we will have a new canteen menu to comply with the new guidelines. Fortunately our current menu is already providing healthy choices for our students and our changes are minimal. Students will come home at the start of 2018 with a new menu. Special thanks to our P&C and Canteen Supervisor for their hard work in providing a nutritious, healthy canteen. Carols by Candlelight You are all invited to participate in Carols by Candlelight on Friday 1 December from 6-8pm. It would be wonderful to see everyone there before the holidays. Please remember that, as it is a P&C run event, children must be accompanied by an adult and not dropped at the gate. More details in the P&C News. COFFEE and CHAT Miss Jodi and I would love to see you! Come along and have a chat 2:45 pm Thursday in the Chaplain’s room Have a fantastic week Jayne Thompson Principal

4/5N NEWS This will be our last newsletter item for the 2017. I spoke to the class this morning about how proud I am of their work and their respect for each other over. I am blown away by their drive to do better. Teachers and visitors who come to the school recognise these qualities in the class which makes me doubly proud. I will be very sad to see them go, but they will be a wonderful Stage 3 in 2018. I have included photos from our Raw Art activity that the school has generously paid. Everyone loved it and at check in this morning these were some comments. Raw Art was creative and enjoying. Ekaterina Raw Art was fun and a bit frustrating when I was trying to make my Australian animal. Lara They summed up with saying, “It was really nice and generous for Mrs Thompson to give us the opportunity to have Raw Art.”

15 Frederick Street, Charlestown 2290 Telephone 4943 4063, 4943 4137 Facsimile 4942 2583 E-mail charlestow-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au website http://www.charlestow-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Included are also photos of the children relaxing at the Lifeskills program which is another opportunity that was given to students.

This term we have been looking at writing descriptive language to make the reader excited and want to read more. These are fabulous and you need to read the quality of work being produced. Two children raced across the white, scorching sand before leaping into the crystal clear water to cool off their burning feet. As they built a small bank, it was quickly eaten by the tumbling waves. They watched as a yacht quickly sprinted like it was in race, while two, wooden deck chairs waited for someone to come and join them. Ekaterina As the boats sailed under the wispy cloud, little, cool, clear waves soaked the pearly sand cooling it down. Little kids started spying on the oak wooden chairs and tables as if there was ice cream melting in their mouths. The chairs sank into the little grains of sand. The sun devoured the

people who liked the cold water more than him. Slowly the soothing water silently swept upon the soft sand. The sunlight deepened into the clear aqua water. Chloe Floating up in the sky, wispy, white clouds cast shadows onto the calm, clear water. Little kids race across the scorching, hot sand to leap into the shallow, blue water to cool off their burning feet. Two deck chairs lazily chilling in the shade of a huge calico umbrella watched a yacht soaring past. It skimmed across the water fighting to come in first place as if they were racing for one million dollars. The distance, waves crashed relentlessly onto the small island, sounding like artillery fire. Cadell We also wrote poems, starting with an adverb. Swiftly, the wind blows the leaves. Swiftly, the young lady weaves. Swiftly, the ocean meets the shore. Swiftly, the eagle begins to soar. Swiftly, the water flows down the lake. Swiftly the child ran from her mother. Swiftly, the child ran to her brother. Swift is fast, but the swiftest of all is the waves that roll up onto the shore. Breanna Our colour poems Blue Blue looks like the clear sky. Blue tastes like the freezing ice. Blue smells like the summer breeze. Blue sounds like the waves tumbling onto the shore. Jacob Our Missing Person Missing 12 year old girls has disappeared while with her friend on Thursday night at the shopping centre. She was last seen wearing a grey T-Shirt and a white pair of shorts and black converse shoes. She has blue eyes and brown hair and soft skin. If you have seen her, please report to the police or ring 000. Chelsea Thank You for the wonderful students I have, Judy Nolan

15 Frederick Street, Charlestown 2290 Telephone 4943 4063, 4943 4137 Facsimile 4942 2583 E-mail charlestow-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au website http://www.charlestow-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Active Kids Vouchers

From JANUARY 2018: Families will be able to claim the Active Kids Vouchers via the Active Kids Voucher program, which is offering parents/guardians the opportunity to apply for sporting vouchers for all school-aged children. The voucher of $100 can be used for registration and participation purposes for sport and fitness activities eg: swimming lessons, sporting costs etc. Every Family with a child enrolled in school from Kindergarten - Year 12 is eligible. For more information, please go to www.sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids

CLOTHING POOL HOURS Wednesdays 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Fridays 9:00 am – 9:30 am

P&C NEWS Clothing Pool News With the warmer weather upon us we are looking for quality second hand dresses for the clothing pool. If you have any please drop them in at the office or the Clothing Pool.

Carols by Candlelight - Friday 1 December Please note this date in your diary. A note has been sent home today with details of the evening. Please come along and enjoy the festivities and it will be a nice way to end the school year!

P&C and School Council Dinner – Thursday 7 December The dinner will be on at Charlestown Bowling Club on Thursday 7 December at 6 pm. If you would like to attend the dinner please leave your details at the office by Friday 24 November.

CANTEEN ROSTER Thur 23.11.17 J Battle, A Lee Fri 24.11.17 No orders - counter

service at lunch only K Styles, T Black

Mon 27.11.17 Closed Tue 28.11.17 Closed Wed 29.11.17 N Toavanua,

B Sacmaroski, L Maddison

Thu 30.11.17 T Stevens, L Fluechter Fri 1.12.17 No orders - counter

service at lunch only L Lee, E Nelson

Mon 4.12.17 Closed Tue 5.12.17 Closed Wed 6.12.17 S Taylor, N Filo Thur 7.12.17 CLOSED Fri 8.12.17 J Hope, L Maddison

Last day for canteen for the year

COMMUNITY NEWS Charlestown Uniting Church’s Kids Fun Club Advent Workshop 24-26 Milson Street, Charlestown Wednesday 6 December 2017 (Children in Years K - 6) Time: 4pm – 7.30pm Cost $10 Child Includes dinner & craft Registrations & payment essential by 01/12/2017 No registrations will be taken on the day Forms available from school office Registration forms and payment can be posted to: Charlestown Uniting Church P O Box 449 Charlestown. 2290 For all enquires please phone: Cathy – 0409 445933 OR Laraine – 4944 7826