Branxton Public School Newsletter to Parents BRANXTON PUBLIC SCHOOL Find us at: 12 King St, Branxton NSW 2335 Email: [email protected]Phone: (02) 4938 1214 Fax: (02) 4938 1905 Website: www.branxton-p.schools.nsw.gov.au Week 4 Term 3 Wednesday 14th August, 2019 Dates to Remember 19.8.19 Pupil Free Day T3 (Staff Develop) This is not the first day of Term, it is Week 5 20.8.19 GABC Parent Info Session 3:30pm 21.8.19 Book Week Parade 27.8.19 Kindergarten 2020 Parent Info Session—7PM 4-6.9.19 Stage 2 Great Aussie Bush Camp 12.9.19 Infants sports carnival kind, helpful courteous and cooperative. Excellence in Teaching: Thomas Foster For his passion and commitment to the ongoing improvement of classroom practice. Tom is at the forefront of initiating change within his classroom and demonstrates willingness to have an open classroom to share his pedagogy. Outstanding contribution by a school community member to the school: Kerrie O’Brien For her dedication in leading the P&C in supporting Branxton Public School. Kerrie is always professional and friendly to all. She enthusiastically contributes to school policies and school initiatives and is a voice for parents within the school. School Achievement Award: School Facebook and promotion team – Mr Foster, Mrs Noble, Mrs Wicks and Mrs Goodyer. For actively and regularly promoting Branxton Public School through the School Facebook site to the wider community. This team continually seek innovative techniques to share whole school events and achievements to engage their ever increasing audience. Outstanding contribution by a non-teaching member of staff: Kevin Onslow For his dedication and efforts towards the beautification of Branxton Public School. Kevin is always friendly and approachable to both staff and students. He is keen to help at all times. Aboriginal Education Achievement award for an Aboriginal Student: Patrick Bush For his dedication to his Aboriginal Culture and its promotion within Branxton Public School. Patrick is well respected by all staff and students for giving his personal best, being responsible and always showing respect for others. He is currently leading Branxton Public School’s first Junior AECG. I would also like to mention our Junior Dance Group who performed on stage to “You’ve got a friend in me” superbly trained by Miss Elsley. LATE NEWS FLASH!! ELLA KINGETT HAS JUST BEEN NAMED AS ZONE ATHLETICS AGE CHAMPION. CONGRATULATIONS SUPERGIRL! Looking forward to a busy and rewarding term ahead. Mrs Maier PRINCIPAL’S NEWS It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers in our classrooms last week during our Education Week celebrations. I can assure you the children really love seeing you in our school and it shows them that you value their education, they want to make you proud. Congratulations to the following people who received awards at the Rutherford Learning Community Awards night held at Rutherford Technology High School. Excellence in Student Achievement: Jeremy Bourke Jeremy is a very responsible Environmental Minister at Branxton Public School. He is keen to enhance and create a positive and friendly learning environment whenever he can. Jeremy is well respected by all members of the school community. He is consistently STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY REMINDER: Students do not attend school Monday 19th August.
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Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School Newsletter to Parents
19.8.19 Pupil Free Day T3 (Staff Develop) This is not the first day of Term, it is Week 5
20.8.19 GABC Parent Info Session 3:30pm
21.8.19 Book Week Parade
27.8.19 Kindergarten 2020 Parent Info Session—7PM
4-6.9.19 Stage 2 Great Aussie Bush Camp
12.9.19 Infants sports carnival
kind, helpful courteous and cooperative. Excellence in Teaching: Thomas Foster For his passion and commitment to the ongoing improvement of classroom practice. Tom is at the forefront of initiating change within his classroom and demonstrates willingness to have an open classroom to share his pedagogy. Outstanding contribution by a school community member to the school: Kerrie O’Brien For her dedication in leading the P&C in supporting Branxton Public School. Kerrie is always professional and friendly to all. She enthusiastically contributes to school policies and school initiatives and is a voice for parents within the school.
School Achievement Award: School Facebook and promotion team – Mr Foster, Mrs Noble, Mrs Wicks and Mrs Goodyer. For actively and regularly promoting Branxton Public School through the School Facebook site to the wider community. This team continually seek innovative techniques to share whole school events and achievements to engage their ever increasing audience. Outstanding contribution by a non-teaching member of staff: Kevin Onslow For his dedication and efforts towards the beautification of Branxton Public School. Kevin is always friendly and approachable to both staff and students. He is keen to help at all times.
Aboriginal Education Achievement award for an Aboriginal Student: Patrick Bush For his dedication to his Aboriginal Culture and its promotion within Branxton Public School. Patrick is well respected by all staff and students for giving his personal best, being responsible and always showing respect for others. He is currently leading Branxton Public School’s first Junior AECG.
I would also like to mention our Junior Dance Group who performed on stage to “You’ve got a friend in me” superbly trained by Miss Elsley. LATE NEWS FLASH!! ELLA KINGETT HAS JUST BEEN NAMED AS ZONE ATHLETICS AGE CHAMPION. CONGRATULATIONS SUPERGIRL! Looking forward to a busy and rewarding term ahead. Mrs Maier
PRINCIPAL’S NEWS It was wonderful to see so many parents and carers in our classrooms last week during our Education Week celebrations. I can assure you the children really love seeing you in our school and it shows them that you value their education, they want to make you proud. Congratulations to the following people who received awards at the Rutherford Learning Community Awards night held at Rutherford Technology High School. Excellence in Student Achievement: Jeremy Bourke Jeremy is a very responsible Environmental Minister at Branxton Public School. He is keen to enhance and create a positive and friendly learning environment whenever he can. Jeremy is well respected by all members of the school community. He is consistently
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
REMINDER:
Students do not attend school Monday 19th August.
Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School
EARLY STAGE 1 (KINDERGARTEN) NEWS Our Hunter Valley Zoo excursion was fantastic. Our students were congratulated on their interest and engagement during the keeper’s presentation and showed great respect for the animals. Thank you to the parents who came along on the day to take care of a group. A special ‘well done’ to the parents who volunteered to hold reptiles for the students to study and touch. Today we are having our lesson observations and data meeting so that next Wednesday we’ll be free to enjoy our Book Week activities. Don’t forget there is a Book Parade after recess where students can dress as a favourite book character. Families and friends are invited to come and enjoy the parade after visiting the Book Fair in the Library at recess times. Another busy day!
Mrs Quilty Early Stage 1 Supervisor
STAGE 1 NEWS Stage 1 Excursion
We will be going on our excursion in Week 8 - not far away! Monday, 9th September is the day we will be visiting the Murrook Centre at Williamtown. Cost is $35 per student. The students will participate in activities including Boomerang throwing, traditional dance, bush resource walking and beading. It should be a wonderful learning experience! Please be aware that the last day for payment is Friday, 30th August. Mrs Noble
Stage 1 Supervisor
Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School
Wombats Wombats are marsupials, which means they have a pouch. Wombats have backward pouches so when they dig a burrow with their sharp claws, the dirt does not go in. Wombats live in rainforests, scrublands and in the bush in Eastern Australia which includes Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria. They live for 15 years in the bush and 20 years in a zoo. Wombats are herbivores so they eat plants like fungi, grass and other plants. Wombats are nocturnal so they sleep in the day and are awake at night but sometimes they come out in the early morning or just before night. Did you know wombats grow up to 130cm’s and can weigh 40kg? Wombats can also run up to 40klm per hour, wow! A baby wombat is called a joey. Joeys stay in the mother’s pouch for 6 months before coming out. The northern hairy nosed wombat is endangered! The common wombat is not endangered but its habitat is getting destroyed by humans! When a wombat digs a burrow it makes an escape entrance so if a predator comes in the wombat can escape. Peppa. 1 / 2 T
Wombats. Wombats are marsupials. They can grow up to 100 cm when they are fully grown. Wombats live in scrublands, bush, wet and dry rainforests and woods. They are herbivores and eat grass, fungi and other things. Another fun fact about wombats is that their poo is shaped like a cube. Also, wombats live in Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and NSW. There is one entrance to their burrow unless a predator, like a snake, comes in, so they dig a smaller entrance to escape. In the bush, wombats live for up to 15 years. In a National Park or zoo, they live up to 20 years. Wombats have a backwards facing pouch so that when they dig with their claws, the dirt doesn’t get in their pouch. Wombats are nocturnal. Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats are endangered. Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats are vulnerable. Common Wombats are not endangered but their habitat is being lost. Wombats come out at night when it is cooler, like in the early morning or late afternoon. They live in Eastern Australia and other places. Wombats are native to Australia. When wombats have babies they have one at a time. The baby stays in the mother’s pouch for up to six months. Wombats are sturdy and furry. Glossary Sturdy: tough and strong Nocturnal: sleep in the day and awake at night Endangered: close to none Predators: something that kills them Vulnerable: close to losing their habitat By Amelia. 1 / 2 Turtles
1/2 Turtles - Writing
Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School
STAGE 3 NEWS Last week’s Education Week assembly highlighted the important role our senior students play within our school and showcased the opportunities our students have to share their thoughts and opinions about our school. Another opportunity for our students to share their thoughts and opinions is through the upcoming Tell Them From Me survey which is conducted at the end of this term. Participation in this is voluntary, and students only need to return the note if they DO NOT want to complete the survey. Congratulations to Pat and Jeremy who both received an Education Week award in recognition of their contributions to our school. This week students will receive a note about the upcoming Gala Day which is being conducted by Rutherford Technology High. This opportunity is available to all our Stage 3 students regardless of the high school they are attending. Yesterday we received information about the Year 5 and 6 enrichment program at RTHS. Notes went home yesterday, they need to be returned by Friday 16th August.
Mrs Ballenden Stage 3 Supervisor
STAGE 2 NEWS Week 4 and the dreaded flu has struck. We have had several teachers suffering and lots of children. If your child is unwell it is best to keep them at home to stop the spread of illness amongst the other children. We have Great Aussie Bush Camp fast approaching. Money should have been sorted by now and the children should be practising packing their bags and essentials. Room allocations have not come through as yet and this will be done as soon as that information arrives. Next Monday we have a Staff Development Day so there will be no teaching staff on duty that day. Congratulations to all Stage 2 children who represented the school last week at the Zone Athletics Carnival. 3/4 Barramundi are leading the primary assembly this week and we have our Week 5 PBL assembly next Friday. Ms Magann was at Training and Development last week for our assessment strategies to help strengthen our ability to assess all children accurately. Have a great week! Mr Johanson Stage 2 Supervisor
JUNIOR AECG Junior AECG Leadership Day
Four of our students will be attending a leadership day at Mindaribba Local Land Council venue at East Maitland next Tuesday. This is a great opportunity for Junior AECG leaders to meet, connect and develop themselves as upcoming leaders of our community. By the end of the day students should have: drafted their own Acknowledgement of Country broadened their awareness of local Aboriginal
history during a workshop with local Elders participated in Aboriginal dance workshop and enriched their knowledge of leadership
Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School
PBL It’s hard to believe that our PBL Assemblies will be conducted next Friday starting at 9.20am for Infants and followed by the Primary Assembly around 10.10am. Those 5 weeks have gone really fast. All parents and family members are welcome to attend our assemblies to celebrate the successes of our students. Parents will receive a notification via SeeSaw (or paper if not connected) to advise them if their child is receiving an award
Ticket Draw Winners
ES1 - Hannah (Responsibility) & Muhammad (Personal Best)
Stage 2 - Charlotte (Personal Best) & Gracie (Personal Best)
Stage 3 - Mia (Respect) & Alana (Respect)
BOOK WEEK
Don't forget to visit the Book Fair in the Library. All funds raised will be used to purchase fabulous new resources for our school.
Every student will have the opportunity to preview the Book Fair on Tuesday 20th August. They will take a wish list home. If you are unable to attend the Book Fair, and want to purchase books, you can make a secure credit card payment online. Instructions will be on the back of the wish list.
STAFF TRAINING Developing Support Plans for Young People in Distress - Mrs Wicks, Mrs Maier, Miss Vicary, Mrs Morrow, Mrs Goodyer and Mrs Ballenden Mrs Maier and Mrs Ballenden - Community of Practice - At this meeting Mrs Ballenden was able to showcase the hard work and dedication of our staff in the development of I Can statements and Rich tasks to improve the mathematical learning of our students. Term 3 Primary Curriculum Updates Adobe Connect - Mrs Quilty and Mrs Ballenden
BOOK WEEK
We are celebrating Book Week next Wednesday 21st August. See the Book Week flyer in this issue of the newsletter for more information.
Some children may even want to hold the book that has inspired their character. Students may come to school in their costume if it is appropriate and comfortable. e.g. fully covered flat shoes and shoulders covered. Otherwise they can change at recess. You can go to as little or as much trouble as you like. It will be a relaxed fun afternoon for the children.
We hope to see you there. Mrs Melnik
Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School
P&C NEWS
As mentioned in the last P&C news, we need some helpers to assist with our upcoming Fathers’ Day stall. On Tuesday 27
th August we will be
packaging and wrapping items in the old library (after lunch at 12pm) as well as some people to assist with running the stall on Wednesday 28
th
August. Please get in contact with Claire if you are able to help with either date. Next week is Book Week (week 5) and Mrs Melnik would greatly appreciate any help with running the Scholastic Book Fair in the library from 12:30 to 1:45pm. Please let us know if you can help, let Mrs Melnik know or just turn up on the day! The Infants Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 12
th September on the back field at
school. All family and friends are welcome to attend, and we also ask for some helpers on the day to hand out lunch orders from the canteen. Our canteen also has some recent improvements with new doors on our pie ovens. Many thanks to local business Branxton Engineering for providing this service so promptly! We are also still doing some research to purchase a new fridge and freezer with the grant money we received from the Federal Volunteer Grant earlier this year. As always, please let the P&C know if you have any questions, issues or concerns. If you are aware of any grant opportunities just tag us on Facebook and we can look at our wish list to see what resources we can purchase for our wonderful school. Key dates coming up: Next P&C Meeting – Monday 5
th August
6:00pm in the school library. Father’s Day stall – Wednesday 28
th August
(Father’s Day Sunday 1st August).
To get in touch or keep up to date with the P&C like our Facebook page, read the school newsletter, talk to P&C members, email the address below, help at an event or come along to the next meeting. Thank you for your support Branxton Public School families.
Due to Ingham product supply issues Gluten Free nuggets, Gluten Free Tenders and Flame Grilled Chicken Burgers are currently unavailable for order. Chicken burgers will be temporarily replaced with a crumbed Pattie. Unfortunately we do not have a replacement for gluten free nuggets or tenders. Items will be placed back on the menu as soon as they become available.
CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS
The canteen relies on the assistance and support of volunteers to make and deliver healthy and affordable lunches, while raising funds for the school. We currently have a few vacancies on the roster, if you can help please leave your details with the office or see Sharyn in the canteen, thank you.
