Kotara South Public School Newsletter A Great Place to Be! www.kotarasth-p.school.nsw.edu.au [email protected](02) 4957 5319 150 Rae Crescent Kotara South 2289 18 September 2019 | Week 9 | Term 3 From the Principal Welcome to Week 9. At KSPS we work hard each and every day to improve the literacy and numeracy results for each and every child. More importantly, this learning needs to be meaningful, transferable and adaptable in our ever changing world. Recently our staff been analysing our 2019 NAPLAN information and we are very pleased with the overall results. Our year 3 results are the work of the K-2 teachers in previous years and the year 5 results are a total cumulative result from K-5 teachers. Our current year 3 and year 5 students have recorded strong results. Below is a brief snapshot of the percentage of students who have achieved results in the top two bands and their comparative achievement against the state DoE students and students in similar school groups (SSG). I am very proud of our over all achievement and these strong number of students in the top two bands indicate that we are directly meeting the needs of our learners at KSPS. However, there is always room for improvement and in the future will definitely have a focus around spelling. Year 3 2019 Subject Reading Writing Spelling Grammar and Punctuation Numeracy % in top two bands of KSPS 73.9 62.2 62.2 77.8 52.2 DoE State 51.7 55.1 52 56.4 39.9 SSG 64.7 65.1 59.5 69.2 50.8 Year 5 2019 Subject Reading Writing Spelling Grammar and Punctuation Numeracy % in top two bands of KSPS 45 27.5 35 50 47.5 DoE State 36.1 17.6 37.6 37.4 29.8 SSG 49.4 24.8 48.7 50.7 40.9 The individual results of NAPLAN tests will be sent home today to students in years 3 and 5. If you wish to discuss these with your child’s class teacher, please make a mutually convenient appointment time in the coming week or so. Once again, our school has been identified as needing further capital works to be completed. This will continue to improve the condition of the school and overall aesthetic look of some our aging buildings. I am very pleased to report that it will be starting this Saturday. Some of the items marked for attention are: pavers and cement between library/office/canteen will be removed, a garden bed replaced and cement replaced to prevent trip hazards etc, new drainage to cope with water run- off in the same area, canteen area internal painting, both internal and external painting of B, D, E, F blocks in various areas, carpet replacement in D block, jacking up building and replace some of the brick foundation work and an OOSH repaint. As you can imagine this requires a lot of movement and alternative spaces for learning. We are hoping the holidays will alleviate some of this disruption. More information as it comes to hand. Last Parliament for term 3 will occur this Thursday afternoon in the hall form 2:20pm. All welcome to attend Our final Disco for the year will happen this Thursday 19 September in the hall. The Juniors are on from 5-6pm and Seniors 6-7:30pm. The cost is $5 cost. Our P & C will support the disco with food available from the canteen. A reminder for parents of students in stage 2 and 3: all outstanding notes and camp monies for camp are due at the end of this term. Please do not wait until the last day to contact the school to discuss payment. There is a great deal of organisation in taking nearly 80 children away for camp and this starts with having information and monies paid so we can move to the next step. Year 6 Mini Fete is next Thursday 2-3pm. Start saving your coins. More information further on.
At KSPS we work hard each and every day to improve the literacy and numeracy results for each and every child. More importantly, this learning needs to be meaningful, transferable and adaptable in our ever changing world. Recently our staff been analysing our 2019 NAPLAN information and we are very pleased with the overall results. Our year 3 results are the work of the K-2 teachers in previous years and the year 5 results are a total cumulative result from K-5 teachers. Our current year 3 and year 5 students have recorded strong results. Below is a brief snapshot of the percentage of students who have achieved results in the top two bands and their comparative achievement against the state DoE students and students in similar school groups (SSG). I am very proud of our over all achievement and these strong number of students in the top two bands indicate that we are directly meeting the needs of our learners at KSPS. However, there is always room for improvement and in the future will definitely have a focus around spelling.
Year 3 2019
Subject Reading Writing Spelling Grammar and Punctuation
Numeracy
% in top two bands of KSPS
73.9 62.2 62.2 77.8 52.2
DoE State 51.7 55.1 52 56.4 39.9 SSG 64.7 65.1 59.5 69.2 50.8
Year 5 2019
Subject Reading Writing Spelling Grammar and Punctuation
Numeracy
% in top two bands of KSPS
45 27.5 35 50 47.5
DoE State 36.1 17.6 37.6 37.4 29.8 SSG 49.4 24.8 48.7 50.7 40.9
The individual results of NAPLAN tests will be sent home today to students in years 3 and 5. If you wish to discuss these with your child’s class teacher, please make a mutually convenient appointment time in the coming week or so.
Once again, our school has been identified as needing further capital works to be completed. This will continue to improve the condition of the school and overall aesthetic look of some our aging buildings. I am very pleased to report that it will be starting this Saturday. Some of the items marked for attention are: pavers and cement between library/office/canteen will be removed, a garden bed replaced and cement replaced to prevent trip hazards etc, new drainage to cope with water run-off in the same area, canteen area internal painting, both internal and external painting of B, D, E, F blocks in various areas, carpet replacement in D block, jacking up building and replace some of the brick foundation work and an OOSH repaint. As you can imagine this requires a lot of movement and alternative spaces for learning. We are hoping the holidays will alleviate some of this disruption. More information as it comes to hand.
Last Parliament for term 3 will occur this Thursday afternoon in the hall form 2:20pm. All welcome to attend
Our final Disco for the year will happen this Thursday 19 September in the hall. The Juniors are on from 5-6pm and Seniors 6-7:30pm. The cost is $5 cost. Our P & C will support the disco with food available from the canteen.
A reminder for parents of students in stage 2 and 3: all outstanding notes and camp monies for camp are due at the end of this term. Please do not wait until the last day to contact the school to discuss payment. There is a great deal of organisation in taking nearly 80 children away for camp and this starts with having information and monies paid so we can move to the next step.
Year 6 Mini Fete is next Thursday 2-3pm. Start saving your coins. More information further on.
Our KSPS Kids Playgroups has strong support and we are very encouraged by the new Kinders for 2020 and their families. However, there are still approximately 15-20 families who have not engaged with the playgroup and we kindly ask these parents to make contact with the school and discuss your child’s attendance in this very worthwhile program. We understand the family dynamics and getting children to playgroup, but the benefits will outweigh the changes for each child. See our Facebook page for photos of previous sessions detailing all the fun that happens at KSPS Kids Playgroup.
This week I received correspondence from Assets NSW regarding the Cooler Classrooms program. Our school is scheduled to commence in June 2020. To ensure a successful installation, there will be intensive pre-start work done before this time. I will keep our KSPS community informed of this situation as information to hand.
Our school has once again been successful in claiming the ‘Share Our Space’ program. Our oval, basketball courts and quad will be open during the two week school holidays for KSPS families and community to use. No access to the rest of the school is given, as we have construction happening. A security guard will be on site during all opening hours.
Today, our Glenrock Director of Educational Leadership Mr Steve Harris spent the day at KSPS engaging in ‘living education’. This grass-roots program of working in schools on the ground level gives Mr Harris a real understanding of the day-to-day challenges/successes of school. Today Mr Harris worked as a GA, canteen volunteer, SLSO, in KR, HSUB, 1/2G, Stage 3 maths groups, Stage 2 teachers meeting and briefly in the front office!! See the photos below.
With the wild weather this week I encourage families to take time to safely arrive and leave the school area. Parking becomes a premium and children dart across roads and don’t always make the safest decisions. ‘Look out, kids about’!
Have a great week learning, see you in school so together we can male #KSPSagreatplacetobe
Susan Maxworthy – PRINCIPAL
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School News COUNSELLOR CORNER Resilience … it’s a familiar word, isn’t it? But what does it really mean?
When we talk about resilience, we’re talking about a child’s ability to cope with ups and downs, and bounce back from the challenges they experience during childhood – for example moving home, changing schools, studying for an exam or dealing with the death of a loved one. Building resilience helps children not only to deal with current difficulties that are a part of everyday life, but also to develop the basic skills and habits that will help them deal with challenges later in life, during adolescence and adulthood.
Resilience is important for children’s mental health. Children with greater resilience are better able to manage stress, which is a common response to difficult events. Stress is a risk factor for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, if the level of stress is severe or ongoing.
So where does resilience come from?
Resilience is shaped partly by the individual characteristics we are born with (our genes, temperament and personality) and partly by the environment we grow up in — our family, community and the broader society. While there are some things we can’t change, such as our biological makeup, there are many things we can change.
One way of explaining the concept of resilience is to imagine a plane encountering turbulence mid-flight. The turbulence, or poor weather, represents adversity. Different planes will respond to poor weather conditions in different ways, in the same way different children respond to the same adversity in different ways.
The ability of the plane to get through the poor weather and reach its destination depends on:
• the pilot (the child) • the co-pilot (the child’s family, friends, teachers and health professionals) • the type of plane (the child’s individual characteristics such as age and temperament) • the equipment available to the pilot, co-pilots and ground crew • the severity and duration of the poor weather.
We can all help children become more resilient and the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. You can ask other adults such as carers and grandparents to help. Building children’s resilience is everyone’s business, and it’s never too early or too late to get started.
How can I build resilience in my child?
As a parent, carer, or significant adult, you can help to develop essential skills, habits and attitudes for building resilience at home by helping your child to:
• build good relationships with others including adults and peers • build their independence • learn to identify, express and manage their emotions • build their confidence by taking on personal challenges
There are some simple things you can do to build your child’s resilience in these areas (click on the links above). You might be able to think of more.
[Source: Beyond Blue https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/healthy-homes/building-resilience]
MOWBRAY PARK FARM – STAGE 2 EXCURSION The final date for notes and payment is quickly approaching – please provide them no later than the end of this term. Please obtain the final notes which need to be signed on the Parent Portal if you have misplaced your paper copies. Numbers have been finalised and the students have had lots of questions at our camp meetings. There are a lot of excited nerves too and it has been wonderful to see the resilience and problem solving skills that are already being developed.
Regina Fear – CAMP COORDINATOR AND STAGE 2 AP (REL)
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION PLAY SESSION Our first Kindergarten Orientation play session for children beginning school in 2020 will be held on Wednesday 23 October. Parents and carers are asked to bring their child to the KSPS school hall for a 10am start. Children will have the opportunity to play with their peers and meet the Kindergarten teachers. They are not required to bring anything along for this session.
Mrs Maxworthy will be giving a tour of the school to those who wish to stay while their child attends the play session. Children can be picked up from outside the hall at 11am.
We hope to see you there!
Miss Brooke Partridge – KINDERGARTEN CO-ORDINATOR
REMINDER: SCHOOL DISCO A reminder that the Term 3 disco is this Thursday 19 September in the school hall. There will be lots of fun, dancing and games so get your dancing shoes on. The theme for this term is the colour ‘BLUE’. Wear your blue clothes, blue shoes and socks – we would love to see some blue hair! The cost for the disco is $5 which includes entry and a glow stick. The disco will run at the following times:
• K - 2 5 - 6pm • 3 – 6 6 – 7.30pm
The P & C are running a canteen at the disco – please see the P & C section of the newsletter for further information on this. We look forward to seeing you there.
Sam McClymont – CLASSROOM TEACHER
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STAGE 2 WRITING Throughout this term I have been working on a ‘Poetry Project’ with a group of Stage 2 students. They have been creating their own rhyming imaginative texts and experimenting with a variety of literary techniques such as alliteration, personification and simile. All students have done an amazing job with their poetry. Please read some of their completed poems!
Catherine Ward – INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER/STAGE 3 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
The Aussie Spotlight - By Nina T
Early in the morning Koda Kangaroo cried, “I’m the best Aussie animal that you have ever
eyed.” Then he jumped and he tumbled, Suddenly Kayla Koala mumbled.
“Silly old Koda didn’t you know,
I’m the best so go go go!” Just then something zoomed by,
It was Ellie Emu trying to fly.
“NO! NO! NO! Your getting it wrong, I’m better than Donkey Kong.”
Suddenly something pricked Kayla, She yelled loudly like a stranded sailor.
“Now don’t get to carried away, I’m the best especially in May.”
It was Eden Echidna a good friend, Rocking her new spiky trend.
Then came a splash from the lake,
Poppy Platypus had started to shake. “It is me who is the best, I’m better than the rest!
A laugh echoed from up high, Mr Kookaburra landed nearby. “No one is the best were equal,
This argument doesn’t deserve a sequel.”
With that Mr Kookaburra laughed, And sailed away on a wooden raft.
“Actually Mr Kookaburra’s right, No one owns the spotlight”
It was Aussie Jack a ranger,
To the animals he was no stranger. From then on they didn’t say they were the best
Nor did they call each other a pest.
The Unexpected Friendship – By Milliana B Thalia the tiger took a stroll through the woods, When she stumbled upon a basket of goods.
Though while she nibbled and devoured her lunch, She heard from the bushes a mighty big crunch.
As Thalia looked up there appeared a small bird,
Who twirped as she spoke so that she could be heard. “Oh please kind tiger, would you please not eat me!
My name is Ruby and I’ll be late for tea.”
My family is waiting, I can’t let them down, So please spare my life and I’ll move out of town”.
As the little robin pleaded, Thalia knew what was needed,
So she answered “No need. Let us be friends,”
“Yes, yes!” Ruby cried, “Let’s be friends to the end!” So it was settled and the very next day,
They met at the same spot and started to play.
Though as they were playing in the very long grass, An uninvited guest saw them as he passed.
It was Tim, Thalia’s older brother, Who raised her without father nor mother.
He was worried and came looking,
But was startled when he saw this friendship cooking. He hid in the bushes and started a plan,
Then sprang from his hiding place and Ruby ran.
Thalia was surprised and didn’t know what to say, But then ran after them and thought ‘What a day!’ They raced through the jungle and passed through
some fog, They ran in different directions but fell into a bog.
As the fog cleared they fell exhausted on the floor,
They wouldn’t chase each other anymore. So they all became friends,
They were friends to the end.
Though they never forgot that day, They were friends anyway.
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Millie the Monkey and Debra the Donkey – Sophie O
Have you ever heard of Millie the Monkey?
She has a best friend called Debra the Donkey.
One bright, sunny day they strolled through the park,
They wanted a play before it got dark.
They played hide and seek and tips for a while,
“I’m more fun!” Debra said with a cheeky smile.
Debra didn’t care that she was being rude,
But Millie got mad and wanted to intrude.
“Are you sure?” Millie said, “I’m more fun!”
They were both quite desperate to be number one.
They finally agreed how to resolve this,
“We have to compete,” they said, “It’s on sis”.
First was a dance off who has the best moves,
Millie was great with all her moves and grooves.
Debra was scared that she was going to lose,
She was so worried that she needed a snooze.
Debra woke up and realised she had missed the whole thing,
When Millie noticed a light bulb went DING!
“I won!” Millie said, “You slept through the whole competition”,
“No that is not fair!” Debra said, “You made the decision”.
“So what!” Millie said, “I won fair and square,”
“You need to learn,” Debra said, “How to share.”
The next challenge was a race with a horse,
They would gallop and jump over an obstacle course.
Debra was first because she missed her last go,
She was desperate to put on a show.
She jumped and leaped and did it all perfectly,
When Millie saw she was shaking quite nervously.
Next was Millie’s turn she was getting very scared,
She had won once and it didn’t need to be shared.
She stumbled and fumbled and completely messed up,
Debra was so excited it was like she won the world cup.
Eventually they realised they were both the winner,
They celebrated by having a really nice dinner.
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YEAR 6 MINI FETE The Year 6 Mini Fete is an annual event planned and organised by Year 6 to provide all KSPS students with an afternoon of fun while raising funds for the Year 6 farewell and the Year 6 gift to the school. This year the Mini Fete will be held on Thursday 26th September (Week 10) from 2-3pm. There will be lots of fun and plenty of stalls to enjoy so please remember to bring your money. Stalls will start from 50c and show bags will be sold at a price of $6.50 – see below for examples of the show bags on offer. There will be stalls offering food (chips, drinks and ice creams), activities and games. See the flyer further on in the newsletter for more information. Year 6 look forward to the Mini Fete every year and are very excited about presenting this event to the school.
Note that this is an event for students only and will be an out of uniform day. Sam McClymont – CLASSROOM TEACHER
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Assembly Awards
WEEK 7 & 8 K’OR Elise Borrman
Bobby McKee Lexi Clarke Alexander Postol Danielle Creamer Joshua Pinchen
1/2 G River Siswoyo Spencer Toole Blake Mitchison Essence Boeree Cooper Hill Sophia Horscroft-
1A Madeleine Smith Elka Harrison Koby Dormand Isabella Rice Zumkar Thinley Henry Thomson
3/4F Chelsea Ward Jai Donnelly Hayden Aebi Kaynen Furner Holly McAllister Genevieve Postol
5/6M Stela Vyslysel Cooper Sturgeon Tori Mason Lilly Dunn Jack Blissett Alex Watson
Gold Jackson McClymont Josh Hutchison
Silver Lia Sheldon Caleb Sturgeon
Bronze Ivy Owens Koby Dormand
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P&C Association TERM 3 DISCO This term’s disco will be held tomorrow night, Thursday 19 September. The P&C will be providing hot dogs, chips, water and temporary tattoos. If you are able to help cook or serve at the disco please email the P&C or put your name on the online roster here, as soon as possible.
If you still need to pre-order hot dogs, please fill out the online order form as soon as possible. Pre-orders help us to purchase the right amount of food and reduce waste. EFTPOS payments are available for the hot dogs, using our Square reader which will be located at the canteen. Please note that a processing fee of 1.9% is added to all card payments.
GROUNDS AND GARDENS WORKING BEE The next Grounds and Gardens working bee is this Sunday 22 September from 9am to 11am. Please come along to help maintain and beautify our school grounds. Everyone is welcome!
INTERRELATE FAMILY EVENING PROGRAM The P&C will be hosting two information sessions for Stage 2 and 3 students and their parents/carers on Wednesday 23 October. Session 1 (Years 3 and 4) starts at 6pm and Session 2 (Years 5 and 6) follows at 7.15pm. The sessions are not restricted to these age ranges: older students are encouraged to attend Session 1 if they have not previously seen this program; and younger students are welcome to attend Session 2 at the discretion of their parents/carers. The cost of each session is $32 per family for 1 session, or $37 for both sessions, payable as cash or cheque to the school office. More details are available on the information sheet and permission form attached to this newsletter. Please return your forms with payment by Wednesday 16 October (Week 1, Term 4).
UNIFORM SHOP NEWS We have a new uniform item available for sale – a hoodie! This is a fleece-lined hooded jumper with no zipper, with the school logo on the front. Please come and check it out at the uniform shop. Cost is $30 for all sizes, available from size 4 to size 14.
CANTEEN NEWS The changeover to the new Healthy School Canteens menu is coming soon! Some stock on the current menu will only be available until it is sold out. Party Meat Pies, hash browns and chicken nuggets are already sold out. If you have any queries regarding this process, please email the P&C. We will distribute the new menu soon, via the newsletter, Facebook and Sentral.
Mrs Best is always on the lookout for helpers in the canteen. Volunteers help from around 8.45am until approximately 12pm. Mrs Best will send you home with a delicious lunch as a small token of thanks for your support. Online Canteen Roster Term 4
2020 PLANNING Next term on Wednesday 16 October (stay tuned for time and venue) we will be holding a planning meeting for 2020. If you have any ideas for next year, whether it be potential new fundraising activities, or ideas to improve our existing activities, please email the P&C or come along to the meeting.
SCHOOL BANKING – CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS Our students really enjoy participating in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program and to keep this program running we need your help. Our current coordinator will be finishing up at the end of the year.
The program requires a volunteer School Banking Co-ordinator to facilitate the banking and distribution of School Banking rewards. This only takes a small amount of your time one day a week and the Commonwealth Bank will provide support in how to run the program. Your help with the program will greatly benefit students as they develop vital saving skills and also help our school with fundraising.
If you are interested in volunteering for this great program, please contact the P&C at [email protected]. If you can start during term 4 you will have the benefit of working alongside our current coordinator, which makes learning the role so much easier.
