www.kotarasth-p.school.nsw.edu.au [email protected](02) 4957 5319 150 Rae Crescent Kotara South 2289 Kotara South Public School Newsletter A Great Place to Be! 19 June 2018 | Week 8 | Term 2 From the Principal Welcome to Week 8 We celebrate learning in all forms at KSPS. On Assembly again this week we will be focussing on Quality Learners from KO’R, K1/P, 1G, 2C, 3/4G, 5/6E, HSUB classes. These students are often selected by students reviewing the learning intentions, reflecting on the success criteria and then students selecting the work that shows the learning. We are moving students to focus on the learning that has taken place and being able to interpret, infer, critically problem solve and collaborate. Congratulations to all students with their learning achieved. Last Friday and Saturday students and staff from our school participated in Star Struck ‘Connect’ performance. There were over 3500 students from public schools performing with the choir or on the dance floor. We couldn’t be prouder of all children being part of such an amazing production. I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank Ms Mel Gibson, Miss Naomi Martin for their leadership, rehearsal sessions and the amount of their own personal time that was given over the last weekend. A huge commitment. To Mrs Sharon Foot, thank you for the special care you show our students and looking after all the equipment for the choir students. Thank you also to the parents who have been tireless in their commitment to running students to and from the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and being present for performances. Another year is over and that is a wrap. In light of recent events in our local community, it is a timely reminder about child safety. I have spoken with classes, year levels, stages and to all students at assembly about the need for all of us to ‘be smart- be safe’. Being smart about safety can mean different things to different families. However, being aware of who is around you, only talking to trusted adults and walking with friends are some simple ways to help stay safe. I strongly support parents in the discussion about safety with their children. Please be mindful that we always want to encourage children to still take part in appropriate child related activities. Please see the attached Police information sheet for further details. Also, our school Counsellor Ms Nardia Sands, has attached a letter for parents who would like further information to talk to their children about these events. Please see your child’s teacher, our counsellor or myself if you feel your child needs further support. A big congratulations to Matt Playdon and the 40 strong volunteer crew of the Grounds and Gardens group. We weeded, pruned, mulched and tidied up our garden beds and school grounds. This work cannot be done without the commitment of the families who give their time. I strongly encourage families to take part, even if it’s an hour of your time to help out, we achieve so much more with many more hands. The key garden is looking particularly good with plants pruned back and the mulching doing a great job. We hosted the first Farmers Market on Sunday. A number of stall holders were a little put off by the winter weather and pulled out Saturday night. There is now a strong foundation established for hosting a successful local farmers market for our wider community and it can only grow from here. Looking forward to next month with other stall holders attending. The next markets on 15 July- middle Sunday of the school holidays. A big thanks to the stall holders who donated of box of vegie to the canteen to be turned into some fresh and healthy food for our students. See Mrs Bests report. A reminder that our term 2 Disco is coming up this THURSDAY 21 June. The juniors yrs. K-2 are 5-6pm and seniors yrs. 3-6 are from 6-7:30pm. It’s a $5 entry that goes towards the year 6 gift to the school. Don’t forget to pre-order hot dogs from link on P & C page. The theme is pyjamas! A good time to dress warmly for a chilly winter’s night. Sport: due to the wet weather yesterday, the boy’s knockout soccer was postponed. The game will be played next Monday same place- Stevenson Park Mayfield at the same time 10am. Girl’s knockout soccer new date/time is still to be advised. Last week, some year 6 students participated in the KHS Writing enrichment class. Students reported to the day to be very engaging and ‘just like high school’. This coming Thursday is the 2019 KHS Enrichment class placement test. KSPS is committed to making consistent links with our local high school; Kotara High.
We celebrate learning in all forms at KSPS. On Assembly again this week we will be focussing on Quality Learners from KO’R, K1/P, 1G, 2C, 3/4G, 5/6E, HSUB classes. These students are often selected by students reviewing the learning intentions, reflecting on the success criteria and then students selecting the work that shows the learning. We are moving students to focus on the learning that has taken place and being able to interpret, infer, critically problem solve and collaborate. Congratulations to all students with their learning achieved.
Last Friday and Saturday students and staff from our school participated in Star Struck ‘Connect’ performance. There were over 3500 students from public schools performing with the choir or on the dance floor. We couldn’t be prouder of all children being part of such an amazing production. I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank Ms Mel Gibson, Miss Naomi Martin for their leadership, rehearsal sessions and the amount of their own personal time that was given over the last weekend. A huge commitment. To Mrs Sharon Foot, thank you for the special care you show our students and looking after all the equipment for the choir students. Thank you also to the parents who have been
tireless in their commitment to running students to and from the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and being present for performances. Another year is over and that is a wrap.
In light of recent events in our local community, it is a timely reminder about child safety. I have spoken with classes, year levels, stages and to all students at assembly about the need for all of us to ‘be smart- be safe’. Being smart about safety can mean different things to different families. However, being aware of who is around you, only talking to trusted adults and walking with friends are some simple ways to help stay safe. I strongly support parents in the discussion about safety with their children. Please be mindful that we always want to encourage children to still take part in appropriate child related activities. Please see the attached Police information sheet for further details. Also, our school Counsellor Ms Nardia Sands, has attached a letter for parents who would like further information to talk to their children about these events. Please see your child’s teacher, our counsellor or myself if you feel your child needs further support.
A big congratulations to Matt Playdon and the 40 strong volunteer crew of the Grounds and Gardens group. We weeded, pruned, mulched and tidied up our garden beds and school grounds. This work cannot be done without the commitment of the families who give their time. I strongly encourage families to take part, even if it’s an hour of your time to help out, we achieve so much more with many more hands. The key garden is looking particularly good with plants pruned back and the mulching doing a great job.
We hosted the first Farmers Market on Sunday. A number of stall holders were a little put off by the winter weather and pulled out Saturday night. There is now a strong foundation established for hosting a successful local farmers market for our wider community and it can only grow from here. Looking forward to next month with other stall holders attending. The next markets on 15 July- middle Sunday of the school holidays. A big thanks to the stall holders who donated of box of vegie to the canteen to be turned into some fresh and healthy food for our students. See Mrs Bests report. A reminder that our term 2 Disco is coming up this THURSDAY 21 June. The juniors yrs. K-2 are 5-6pm and seniors yrs. 3-6 are from 6-7:30pm. It’s a $5 entry that goes towards the year 6 gift to the school. Don’t forget to pre-order hot dogs from link on P & C page. The theme is pyjamas! A good time to dress warmly for a chilly winter’s night.
Sport: due to the wet weather yesterday, the boy’s knockout soccer was postponed. The game will be played next Monday same place- Stevenson Park Mayfield at the same time 10am. Girl’s knockout soccer new date/time is still to be advised.
Last week, some year 6 students participated in the KHS Writing enrichment class. Students reported to the day to be very engaging and ‘just like high school’. This coming Thursday is the 2019 KHS Enrichment class placement test. KSPS is committed to making consistent links with our local high school; Kotara High.
Parent/ Teacher Interview Bookings through the Parent Portal close this Friday. Please take a moment to make your online booking through the portal. If you have misplaced your code or are unsure how to log on, please drop in and see Mrs McMahon in the front office. The Parent Portal will become one of our main information gateways for parents and carers. At interviews, the student reports given out and discussed. If for some reason you are unable to make it to school, reports will be sent home Thursday week 10, 5 July.
Stage 2, what a WOW! All students in years 3 & 4 have been working hard over the last learning and teaching cycle to make improvements in the way we produce and ultimately reduce waste in our school. They have surveyed, collected data, looked at different areas across our school and have come up with a possible solution to the waste issues. In term 3, our whole school are going to be trialling Wrapper Free Wednesday. This will mean that all students are encouraged to bring their food without unnecessary extra plastic and just in containers that can be returned home, washed and reused. Over term 3, Stage 2 students will monitor and encourage classes and give feedback at the end of the term regarding the success. This is real-life meaningful learning that Stage 2 have been involved in and is having an impact on school, changing the way we look at waste. Keep an eye out for stage 2 persuasive posters detailing what you can do to reduce rubbish and waste.
As of today, our AP’s will be at our four front gates to remind children and families about safety when leaving the school. If you are not at school before 3pm, we will be instructing all children to wait inside the gate and not to be waiting out on the street. I understand parking can sometimes be difficult but having children wait on street corners whilst you do laps of the block is not safe. All parents, community members and students will be encouraged with correct use of pedestrian gates, bikes/scooters walked out of school, no one is to be walking/riding through the rear delivery gate on Rodway Pde as access to and from the school, this includes OOSH parents picking up after hours. Last week I sent home attached to the Newsletter a safety letter to all community and delivery drivers about the use of the back gate. This is also on our Skoolbag app. Our gates will be closed after 3:10pm except for the main front gate at the stairs. OOSH has their own procedures for gate opening times.
We are in the process of updating parent/caregiver mobile numbers and emergency contacts. Having the correct phone details allows us to contact parents quickly and efficiently when needed. Please send any new contact details to the front office as soon as possible so this information can be updated.
Looking forward to a great week together as we make #KSPSagreatplacetobe
Susan Maxworthy – PRINCIPAL
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School News
HOW MUCH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DO CHILDREN NEED?
Children and youth should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous (‘huff and puff’) physical activity every day.
On at least three days per week, children should engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone.
This activity doesn’t all have to be done at once. It can be built up through the day. For example walking or riding to and from school, active play at home, and organised sport after school and on weekends.
Sedentary behaviour guidelines As well as being active, it is important to minimise the time children spend being sedentary every day. To achieve this:
Limit use of electronic media for entertainment (e.g. television, seated electronic games and computer use) to no more than two hours a day - particularly during daylight hours.
Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.
Ways you can help your child be active. Be an active role model and have a positive attitude to being active.
Encourage active play in the backyard, going for a fast walk, dancing to music, riding a bike or more vigorous activities like running and swimming.
Make time to be active as a family – walk with your children to the local park and kick a ball, play chase or tag games, or walk the dog.
Plan ahead and schedule a regular time for physical activity with your children.
Help your kids ‘play active’ by buying presents that encourage physical activity such as balls, bats, skipping ropes, trampoline or other active equipment.
Make sure your children have the opportunity to be active after school and on the weekends – either through active play or organised sport. Talk to your child about what activities they would prefer to do. Encourage your child to try a variety of activities so that they can find one or more they enjoy and want to continue with.
Park further away from your destination (such as school, sport or the shops) and walk the rest of the way.
Keep a football, Frisbee, jump rope, scooters or bat and ball in your car at all times.
Limit the amount of time your children are allowed to spend watching TV, using the internet and playing consoles.
Plan family holidays or weekends with a view to being active, e.g. somewhere near the beach or where there are good walks to do. Remember to take bikes, tennis rackets, balls and other equipment.
Paul John – IPLAY COORDINATOR
WRAPPER FREE WEDNESDAY Wrapper Free Wednesday is a day where children will try to take no rubbish or plastic to school in their lunch boxes and instead bring their food in reusable container. It will start in term three on each Wednesday. We are doing this because it will reduce the amount of rubbish in our school and promote healthy eating to all children. Here are some examples of some Wrapper free lunchboxes that you could bring to school on Wednesday.
KHS TRANSITION WRITING ENRICHMENT DAY Last Thursday Ruby, Oliver, Harry, Kyra and Grace attended a Writing Enrichment Day at Kotara High School as part of the high school transition process. The students participated in a writing project with students from our other local primary schools and worked closely with KHS staff and senior students throughout day. These students will attend follow up sessions at KHS throughout terms 3and 4.
Catherine Ward – INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER/STAGE 3 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
STAR STUCK DANCE & CHOIR Congratulations to our fantastic 32 dance and choir students who performed at Star Struck 2018.
Once again Kotara South students shined brightly. They displayed ‘confidence’ when performing in front of huge audiences. They showed great ‘getting along’ skills when confined to small spaces in holding rooms. They were ‘organised’ each day, knowing when to move to tunnels, what props to use in the choir and being where they should be. Most of all they were ‘resilient’ and ‘persistent’. Star Struck is a big commitment and our students were dedicated, well-behaved and a pleasure to spend the long hours with.
A big thank you to family and friends who were our taxi drivers, our pizza deliverers, our hair and makeup artists and so much more. Thank you to Mrs Foot for her choir assistance and Ms Godden, Mrs McClymont and Mrs Madge who assisted in the dance holding area.
Ms Gibson - STAR STRUCK DANCE COORDINATOR
STAR STRUCK CHOIR Fifteen talented students from Kotara South Public School shone last weekend at the region's 26th annual performing arts extravaganza, Star Struck. Our choir students sang alongside 300 other voices in the show titled Connect.
Students in the soprano choir learnt over 20 songs, accompanied with a 60-piece orchestra. They sang in harmony and demonstrated great enthusiasm by incorporating a variety of props and movements in the production.
I want to thank each parent for their ongoing support during this production, transporting their children to and from rehearsals. Also, a big thank you to Sharon Foot for her help with creating the props that the choir used during their performances.
Miss Martin – STAR STRUCK CHOIR COORDINATOR
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Canteen Hello from the Canteen for another awesome week. The chilly weather is upon us and the winter menu is in full swing. It is full of GREEN FOOD CHOICES. Homemade pasta bolognese $3.50, Maggi chicken noodle cups $2.20 chicken breast pasta in a lite cheese white sauce $3.50, beef and vegetable dim sims $1 each.
Our lunch procedure is when ice blocks are ordered with lunch items the lunch bags are surrendered at lunch time in return for the ice block and when it is written on paper and in the lunch wallet it is taken out and surrendered as this is our way of cross checking. If you do not want this to happen then give your child the money and child will then line up in designated cash line to purchase item.
Please note: pasta bolognese is now $3.50 and chicken chippies, 6 pack $2.50. Mineral water is SOLD OUT. Milk cups $1, ice monys $1.
A massive thank you to the Farmers Market for the donation of a box of fruit & vegies. The fruit will go to the children and the mushrooms, swede and zucchini will go into my supa extraordinary bolognese!
Fiona Best – CANTEEN SUPERVISOR
Cheesy Chicken Burger Deal $5.00
1 chicken fillet and cheese burger with lettuce & mayo
P&C Association DISCO: HOTDOG PRE-ORDERS Our Term 2 Disco is on Thursday the 21st. Please consider pre-ordering your hotdogs now. Additional hotdogs will be available on the night until sold out. The P&C will also be selling water, chips, popcorn and glow products.
DISCO: HELPERS REQUIRED Can you help serve on disco night? If so, please volunteer your time at: Signup.com. We really appreciate any help, you don’t need to be a member of the P&C.
MOTHER DAY STALL IOUS
We are still waiting on a few IOUs from the Mother’s Day stall. Could you please ensure you check your child’s bag and if there is an IOU form please send the money into the office ASAP.
GET AN ENTERTAINMENT BOOK & SUPPORT KSPS The 2017-2018 membership has now expired. The new 2018-2019 entertainment membership is in full swing. Don’t miss out on all the great deals - Get yours today! Books are available from the office for cash sales or please visit https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/346s62 to order your 2018-19 book or digital membership now.
On a cold and windy day our KSPS families ventured out to continue our work on the grounds of the school. We had 17 families represented dressed up warm but once we got going the layers came off.
We moved a lot of mulch, tidied up shrubs, weeded and pruned. Some of the children undertook a waste audit with over 200 pieces of litter, 2 hats, 8 balls and an old Telstra mobile flip phone found around the gardens, thank you to the Gascoines and to Mitchell Jago for undertaking this task with the children, it was a successful activity and one we will continue at the Gardens and Grounds days.
You will notice a big difference around the Primary students play areas which is where most of our activities occurred.
A massive thank you to all of the parents who took on management roles in each of the areas we worked, it makes coordinating the morning so much easier.
The next Gardens and Grounds day will be held on Sunday 5th of August and don't forget to join our Facebook page at KSPS P&C Gardens and Grounds Group for updates.
