Friday 15th December, 2017 ph: 6725 4101 fax: 6725 4336 email: ashford‐[email protected]Primary Captain Mackenzie Fomiaƫ Primary Vice Captain Sarah Harvey Secondary Captain Emika Denzel Secondary Vice Captain Tom Doney Principal Mr Ben Delanty As our school year draws to a close I want to thank the hard work of all stakeholders at Ashford Central School. Teaching and parenƟng are becoming inexorably harder and as pressures are put on families, it falls also on the staff of a school. I want to take this opportunity to unequivocally thank the staff at our school for all their support and dedicaƟon throughout 2017. Very liƩle thanks is given onto teachers and SASS for the work that they do every day to complete one of the most complex and guilt ridden professions that one can enter into. The staff at this school have juggled mulƟple leaders, team members and strategies for the past two years and sƟll have no firm confirmaƟon of leadership changes at the end of this school year. It is extremely exhausƟng to move in a direcƟon that you have always travelled to then be told to turn around and then again to go in a third direcƟon by a sequence of leaders. During the course of this year, I have calculated at least 78 changes to the way that this school operates from 2016. Whilst some of these are minor changes, most are significant and require a re‐conceptualisaƟon of staff work and pracƟce. Ashford CS staff have ridden a turbulent and unpredictable current throughout recent Ɵmes and I now thank them wholeheartedly for their Ɵme, support and devoƟon to your children and community across 2017. At the compleƟon of this week, we lose three wonderful teachers from our school community: Melinda Davis, Amanda Delanty and Kristy Phillips have all given above and beyond to this school and its students. I thank them for their hard work and wish them well in their future endeavours. Staffing changes for 2018 The school has successfully appointed a new Primary staff member. Mrs Kyra Blake will be teaching the Year 1/2 class next year and I welcome her to our school. Miss Julie Morris will be taking the Year 3/4 class in 2018. I am employing a second teacher (Mrs Melissa Wright) for this classroom to address the high level of range in abiliƟes between students. Kindergarten and Year 5/6 will remain the same with both Miss Grace WhiƩaker and Mr Kyle Hartley conƟnuing in their roles. Mr John Donaldson will be teaching Agriculture, Primary Industries and supporƟng in MathemaƟcs across Secondary.
As our school year draws to a close I want to thank the hard work of all stakeholders at Ashford Central
School. Teaching and paren ng are becoming inexorably harder and as pressures are put on families, it
falls also on the staff of a school. I want to take this opportunity to unequivocally thank the staff at our
school for all their support and dedica on throughout 2017. Very li le thanks is given onto teachers and
SASS for the work that they do every day to complete one of the most complex and guilt ridden
professions that one can enter into. The staff at this school have juggled mul ple leaders, team members
and strategies for the past two years and s ll have no firm confirma on of leadership changes at the end
of this school year. It is extremely exhaus ng to move in a direc on that you have always travelled to
then be told to turn around and then again to go in a third direc on by a sequence of leaders. During the
course of this year, I have calculated at least 78 changes to the way that this school operates from 2016.
Whilst some of these are minor changes, most are significant and require a re‐conceptualisa on of staff
work and prac ce. Ashford CS staff have ridden a turbulent and unpredictable current throughout recent
mes and I now thank them wholeheartedly for their me, support and devo on to your children and
community across 2017.
At the comple on of this week, we lose three wonderful teachers from our school community: Melinda
Davis, Amanda Delanty and Kristy Phillips have all given above and beyond to this school and its students.
I thank them for their hard work and wish them well in their future endeavours.
Staffing changes for 2018
The school has successfully appointed a new Primary staff member. Mrs Kyra Blake will be teaching
the Year 1/2 class next year and I welcome her to our school.
Miss Julie Morris will be taking the Year 3/4 class in 2018. I am employing a second teacher (Mrs
Melissa Wright) for this classroom to address the high level of range in abili es between students.
Kindergarten and Year 5/6 will remain the same with both Miss Grace Whi aker and Mr Kyle
Hartley con nuing in their roles.
Mr John Donaldson will be teaching Agriculture, Primary Industries and suppor ng in Mathema cs
across Secondary.
2
Community Engagement Survey
Thank you to all the par cipants in the Community Engagement Survey. Preliminary results demonstrate
that there is a divide between what parents and staff perceive at the school. This is par cularly evident in
the statement around posi ve rela onships between the two. I hope to facilitate further dialogue
between parents and the school in 2018 to narrow this result.
Parent Feedback:
This is a school where informa on about the school’s programs and ac vi es is regularly
communicated to parents/carers. (86% Agree and/or Strongly Agree)
This is a school where the school talks with families when there are important decisions to make
about what goes on in the school and involved in the development and monitoring of key ac vi es
in the school plan. (86% Agree and/or Strongly Agree)
This is a school where posi ve rela onships exist between the school and its community. (50%
Agree and 50% Disagree and/or Strongly Disagree)
Staff Feedback:
This is a school where informa on about the school’s programs and ac vi es is regularly
communicated to parents/carers. (100% Agree and/or Strongly Agree)
This is a school where the school talks with families when there are important decisions to make
about what goes on in the school and involved in the development and monitoring of key ac vi es
in the school plan. (100% Agree and/or Strongly Agree)
This is a school where posi ve rela onships exist between the school and its community. (96%
Agree and/or Strongly Agree)
I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year with safe travels and me with loved ones over
this long summer break. See you in February!
3
Thankyou Ashford Central and See You Soon!
I am wri ng this with apprecia on, gra tude and sadness. Change is never easy but always constant
and a er 14 years of teaching at Ashford Central School that me has come. I have accepted the
posi on of Teacher Librarian at Ross Hill Public School commencing in 2018. The move to Inverell will
allow me to be closer to family and to witness my own children’s developments and success.
Commencing my teaching career at Ashford Central School back in 2003 has been the most rewarding
experience of my professional career. During this me I have had the opportunity to serve as the; 1/2
teacher, Learning Support Teacher, 3/4 teacher, Reading Recovery teacher, Informa on and So ware
Technology teacher as well as Teacher Librarian.
I am honoured to have worked here for 14 years. Over the
years I have been a part of amazing educa onal growth,
success and also endured mes of sadness. Addi onally, I
have worked with some of the greatest colleagues in the
educa on sector. Ashford Central School is fortunate to
have so many talented, knowledgeable and compassionate
staff who give 100% to the students of this school and also
the wider community. I will definitely miss the camaraderie
between staff and the support they have given me
professionally and personally over the years.
It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye to all of those that have been part of my professional career to
date. I will miss the friendly smiles of the students each day, the support and dialogue with staff and
the rela onships built with the wider community. Don’t forget you are all part of a great school, built
on strong values! Keep making Ashford the greatest Central School in NSW!
Mrs Davis
On Wednesday 13th December, Santa came to
Ashford Central School to visit the Infants
children. He arrived on the local fire engine and
handed out bags of lollies to all the children,
before going to visit the Preschoolers.
Thank you Santa!
4
3/4 STEM CUP CHALLENGE
STEM educa on is the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathema cs in an
interdisciplinary or integrated approach. Students gain and apply knowledge, deepen their
understanding and develop crea ve and cri cal thinking skills within an authen c context. Last
Thursday Year 3/4 par cipated in a STEM lesson which was guaranteed to challenge their cri cal
thinking and collabora on skills.
Students were split into groups of four. Each group were presented with 15 plas c cups, 4 rubber bands and 4 pieces of string. Their challenge was to create a tower with the cups, using only the materials provided and NO hands. This team building exercise most certainly challenged their ability to collaborate, problem solve and persevere at a given task. All students commenced the task with high levels of enthusiasm, with some groups more successful than others. Congratula ons 3/4 on a highly engaging and entertaining lesson. Mrs Davis
5
Year 7 Book and Resource Requirements – 2018
English: 1 x A4 exercise book (128 page preferable)
Down pipe (to make into chicken feeders and waterers) & poly pipe.
Lengths of mber suitable for a chicken tractor built on skids.
Tarps or old feed bags.
Feed buckets / tabs with lids.
Wire mesh panels.
Milk crates (nes ng boxes).
Screws.
Exterior Paint.
Post hole shovels.
Gates.
Fencing pliers.
Steel posts 165cm).
Garden forks.
Please contact the school office if you require any further informa on or to confirm you are able to assist with a
dona on.
Any contribu ons would be greatly appreciated. With thanks for your support.
John Donaldson ‐ Ag Teacher
6
Dates for 2017 December 14th Year 12 receive HSC results 15th Last day of school February 2018 5th Staff back to school 6th Students back to school 7th Kindergarten start school
150th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION In 2018, Ashford Central School is celebrating 150 years!
As part of this celebration, we are developing a display to honour our history and celebrate our future. If you are a past or present student, staff member or community group that has had an association with our school, we welcome you to help contribute to the exhibition to acknowledge your connection to our school. The exhibition will be displayed in the Ashford Memorial Hall. If you would like to support our school and be part of this special celebration, please share your photographs, old school uniforms, memorabilia, badges, stories and any other source and return it to our school office or share via our Facebook page. (Ashford Central School Official) Ashford Central School students, where are you now? If you were a student at Ashford and you wish to tell us where you are today, please send both a school photo and a recent photo with dates and explanation attached. It would be great for you to include a positive comment of what you valued and remember from attending Ashford Central School. It would be beneficial for the current students and community to see how proud people are of attending our school.
Thank You
Seranna McIntyre
7
Ashford Rural fire Brigade Next meeting will be held the second Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm at the fire station unless notified otherwise. All members are asked to attend.
Bun Bun Playgroup
Ashford Bun Bun Playgroup is a supported playgroup for parents/grandparents/carers of children aged 0-5 years. It is held every Wednesday (except school holidays) between 10am and 12.30pm at the Ashford Memorial Hall. It is free to attend and brunch is provided. For further details call IFYSS on 67 208 850 or like us on Facebook. All welcome.
* All health care needs * Wound care
* Distance dispensing service *
Baby care & nutri on * Sunglasses
* Health & beauty products
Phone 02 67254013
Thought of the Week
Haikus are easy. But some mes they don’t
make sense. Refrigerator.
Ashford Police
The Ashford Police have a new mobile
phone number: 0427 386 012
Oasis Church New England
Would like to welcome Ashford and district community members to attend a monthly contemporary church service beginning on the first Sunday of January 2018 at the Ashford Memorial Hall from 3pm, and thereafter the first Sunday of every month from 3pm. For more information, please phone Pastor Graeme Bell on 0413 157 232.
“Spirit filled, vibrant and
Christ centred.”
PODIATRY CLINIC
Des Wilson, a former
Ashford Central School
student, has opened a Podiatry
Clinic at Sunhaven Hostel.
Appointments: Ring Sunhaven on
(02) 67 254 223
8
ASHFORD MEMORIAL BOWLING CLUB Lucky Members’ $220.00
Drawn at 8.30pm on Friday the 15th December, 2017.
Progressive Members’ Draw starts at 7.15pm @ $20. If not won, it
increases by $10.00 every 15 minutes till 8.00pm. Meat tray raffles start at 6.30pm.
Doctors Visiting Ashford Dr Abbas, from Texas, is at the Community Health Centre, Saturday 8.00am for blood tests and normal surgery from 9.00am to 5.00pm. There is a hospital at Texas. The phone number for the doctor on these days is:- (02) 67 262 000. Phone number for the doctor at Texas Surgery is (07) 46 531 363. To make appointments or any other days, call Campbell & Freebairn Chemists, Ashford, on (02) 67254013.
CHEMIST The chemist is open on Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 12.30pm and then 1.30pm to 5.00pm. Closed for lunch from 12.30 to 1.30. Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm. If prescriptions are needed they can be dropped at the chemist by 11.30am for the afternoon delivery which is here by 2.30pm. Any scripts after that time won’t be out until the next afternoon. There are no deliveries on Saturdays. OTHER NECESSARY PHONE NUMBERS Community Health Centre: (02) 67 262 030 H.A.C.C. Phone Number: (02) 67 254 479 Blood tests are done Thursday fortnightly. For enquiries call (02) 67 262 030
Alternate Sundays 9.00am @ the Presbyterian or Anglican Church. Services held at Sunhaven Activity Room Bi-Monthly.
“Jesus is moving, Jesus is present, Jesus is Lord”
Ashford Golf Club
Golf is played at Ashford Golf Club every
Sunday morning as well as social golf
any me. Phone Alan on 67 254 333 for more
informa on.
December
Sun 17th Hambrose
9
For Design, Survey & Construction of Earthworks.
Contact John 0427 254 116 Or Maree 0438 294 646.
Ashford Home Support Programme
(Previous known as HACC)
The service vehicle is available to all eligible clients for transport for medical appointments within a set
area. As a general rule, the boundaries are: Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, Warwick, Tamworth and Armidale. Due to current demand, if you need the vehicle, ring the office and book as early as possible. Cost for this service depends on where you need to go. Day Centre is held each Tuesday from 10am to 2pm with a bus trip outing on the 4th Tuesday of each month. If you would like to join the Day Centre, call the office for more information Office hours are; Monday 8.30 - 3.00, Tuesday 8.30 - 3.30 & Friday 8.30 - 3.00. If unattended please phone the office on 6725 4479 and leave a message.
For further information call 67254479. Shopping bus timetable for the Christmas & New Year period.
The shopping bus will run on Thursday 14th December, 4th January & 11th January 2018. Daycare will break up on the 12th December & resume next year on the 6th February 2018. The office will be closed from 3pm Friday 22nd December & reopen next year on Tuesday 2nd January 2018. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year From Julie & Fran
10
THE LIONS’
CORNER
BINGO Bingo is held on the first Wednesday of the month.
The next bingo will be
Wednesday 6th December, 2017.
There will be NO bingo in January.
Bingo for February will be on the 7th.
The cost is $5 a book (20 games) and $2 for a jackpot ticket. The pot is BACK to
$55 in 50 calls.
Eyes down at 1.00pm - see you there!
MINI LOTTO Drawn every Friday night
at the Bowling Club at 6pm. $1 a ticket. Gives you
2 games.
Jackpot of $699.00 draw date was 08.12.2017.
Numbers were:
2, 4, 7, 12, 14, 19.
St Patricks Catholic Church,
Mass Times 10.30am each Sunday, except the 5th Sunday
of the month. Liturgy is at 10.30am. All are welcome to a end.
Congratula ons to the following students. They have been
rewarded with a canteen voucher:
Infants Winners: Noah Donaldson, Ellie Foley
& Hunter Irwin
Primary Winners: Blake Drysdale, Sarah Harvey
& Cameron Garre
Secondary Winners: On Coffs Harbour Excursion
having a ball
2017 National NAIDOC Theme - Our Languages Matter Apart of the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, which was the focus of our na onal celebra ons marking NAIDOC 2017, Ashford Central School completed a momentous mural. The 2017 theme ‐ Our Languages Ma er ‐ aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essen al role that Indigenous languages play in cultural iden ty, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
Samantha Duncan , you are amazing! Thank you so much for contribu ng to the design of the mural and
execu ng an incredible image.
Congratula ons to all the students who par cipated in gluing hundreds of bo le tops to the mural, pa ently
wai ng for comple on.
Thank you to all students, parents, carers and community members who collected the bo le lids. Apprecia on to Northaven Inverell, who collected bo le lids for our project.
Thank you Mrs McIntyre and Miss Jerrard for their contribu on to the mural.
