P O Box 715 Phone: 4396 4275 TOUKLEY 2263 Fax: 4397 1586 toukley-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

26th November, 2015 Communicating with our valued community Term 4: Issue No. 4

Rule of the WeekRule of the WeekRule of the Week Week 9: Use toilets appropriately Week 10: Be an Active Listener

CONTACT DETAILS Have you changed your phone number, address or email address recently? Or has your emergency contact person and their details changed? If so, please call into the office so we can update your child’s records.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Our school recognises that some families will be subject to family breakdown. In the absence of any notification to the contrary, it will be assumed that both parents retain a shared and equal parental responsibility for their children and have been involved in making any decisions regarding their children’s education. This means that the school will recognise that each parent has equal duties, obligations, responsibilities and opportunities in relation to matters involving the school. We would like to ensure that our records are current . Should you have Court Orders in place we would appreciate a visit to the school office to peruse the documents we have on file.

Dear Parents & Carers,

BUSY TIMES The end of the year is traditionally a very busy time of the year. There are lots of activities happening between now and the end of the year that are both fun and educational. I have already talked to the students about the need to maintain very good behaviour for the rest of the year to ensure they are able to take part in these activities.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Our first Carols by Candlelight for a long time is on next Tuesday starting at 5.30pm. The carols will be on the school oval and gates will be open on both Kooloora and Main Road. These will be the only two entrances. The P & C will be operating a sausage sizzle throughout the evening with drinks and ice blocks on sale as well as glow sticks. Children are to remain in the immediate presence of their parents unless they are performing. We have purchased a new stage which we will be using on the night. It promises to be a great night.

PRESENTATION DAY / AWARDS DAY Our Summer award assemblies are on Thursday 3rd December. These assemblies recognise those children who have shown consistently good behaviour throughout the term. Years 5 and 6 will receive their awards at 11.40am, Kindergarten at 12.20pm, Years 3 and 4 at 1.40pm and Years 1 and 2 at 2.20pm. Parents are invited to attend. The end of year presentation day is on Tuesday 8th December. The primary assembly (3-6) is on at 9.30am and the P-2 assembly is at 12.00pm.

YEAR 6 ASSEMBLY AND FAREWELL The Year Six Farewell Assembly is on Thursday 10th December at 9.30am. The evening farewell for these children will commence at 6.00pm.

OHSC The tender process has commenced for the Out of Hours School care with inspections of the site taking place this Friday. I have been informed that it is quite a long process but we hope to have it operating early in term four.

TEACHER EXCHANGE Teachers in New South Wales public schools have the opportunity to partake in a twelve month teacher exchange with a teacher from another country. The exchange takes place between two suitably qualified teachers who spend the year in each other’s school. We have a teacher who has indicated they would like to apply for an exchange in 2017. The exchange can be rewarding professionally for both teachers and the school also has the advantage of getting new ideas from different education systems. Please contact me if you have any concerns if a teacher exchange was to take place.

GOROKAN HIGH SCHOOL ORIENTATION Students who will be attending Gorokan High School in 2016 will be attending an Orientation Day on Wednesday 2

nd December from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Parents will have the opportunity to purchase book packs and uniforms on the day.

WHITE RIBBON MARCH Some members of staff and students will be attending

White Ribbon Walk at The Entrance on Friday 27th

November. The walk is part of the nationwide move-

ment to stop violence against women.

Who’s eligible?

To be eligible for a School Opal card, students need to be NSW residents and may need to live a minimum distance away from their school: Years K-2 (Infants) there’s no minimum

distance. Years 3-6 (Primary) 1.6km straight line distance

or 2.3km walking or further,

Who Needs to Apply: Most students or parents won’t need to apply for the School Opal card. The Card will be sent to student’s school automatically at the beginning of the new school year in 2016. However application is required if: The student is just starting school or has not

had a pass for travel before The student is progressing from Year 2 to 3 or

Year 6 to 7. The student is changing schools The student’s personal details have changed

(e.g. address) Applications must be made by a parent or guardian for children aged 15 years and under. Applications must be made by the student if aged 16 years or older.

How to Apply: Step 1. Complete the application at: transportnsw.info/school-students. Step 2. Print, sign and submit the form to the school for endorsement. Step 3. The school will then forward the Application to Transport for NSW for processing. Once approved, Transport for NSW sends the School Opal card to the home address given in the application. The application may take several weeks and the

applicant’s email address is required. If the student doesn’t qualify for free travel: They may be eligible for a Term Bus Pass which offers travel on buses between home and school at a discounted rate for the whole school term. Apply at: transportnsw.info/school-students

KINDERGARTEN 2016

Our school has completed our Kindergarten 2016 orien-tation. After 8 weeks of Kindy Start the children are more than ready to join the ranks at Toukley Public School next year. They have been familiarising them-selves with our school by visiting the library, the comput-er room, the canteen and various classrooms. Friend-ships have been formed with not only their peers but also with older students. We look forward to welcoming them to our exceptional

school in 2016.

UNIFORM SHOP HOLIDAY

HOURS

During the Christmas holidays the

School Uniform Shop will be open in

the hall on the following dates:

Wednesday 6th, 13th, 20th January

9am to 1pm.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Thursday 26th November Thursday Kindy Start 9am-12noon Uniform Shop Open 9.30am to 1pm Friday 27th November Year 6 Cake Fundraiser Tuesday 1st December Carols by Candlelight 5.30pm Wednesday 2nd December GHS Orientation Day 9.20am-1pm Thursday 3rd December Summer Award Assemblies Friday 3rd December Summer Reward Day Tuesday 8th December Presentation Day 9.30am Yrs 3-6 12noon P-2 Wednesday 9th December Scripture Assembly

IMPORTANT MESSAGE…..

It is important to have all student details correct prior to “Going Live” to LMBR next year. We would appreciate parents ensuring that :

Contact details, including email addresses are correct

Parent Occupations are accurate.

The school has a copy of any Court Orders in place

Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated and will ensure a smooth transition to

TOUKLEY NORTHLAKES ROTARY AWARDS Two of our students were recognised with a citizenship award from Toukley North Lakes Rotary Club. Each year members of the club present two of our students with a medal and certificate to recognise their outstanding citizenship. Tanique and Mav joined members of the Rotary club for a special presentation dinner last week where their family members got to witness them being presented with this prestigious award.

SCHOOL BANKING PROGRAM

Last date for students to order rewards for school banking is Thursday 3rd December, orders received from Friday 4th will be held over until the new school year.

CALLING FOR PARENT HELPERS The Library has purchased some great new books which need covering. If you have some spare time we’d love help to cover them. Please see Mrs Gurnhill in the Library.

Toukley Public School Junior Red Cross members are joining the White Ribbon Walk on Friday 27 November commencing at 10am. We would love to have as many parents and community members join us in the walk. Wrist bands are on sale at the school office for $2 each.