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BULAHDELAH CENTRAL SCHOOL

A PRIDE School Strive to Achieve Term 3 Week 4 Issue 11 4th August 2014

Strive to Achieve

BULAHDELAH CENTRAL SCHOOL

A PRIDE School

Strive to Achieve Term 1 Week 4 Issue 2 18th February, 2013

BULAHDELAH CENTRAL SCHOOL

A PRIDE School

Strive to Achieve Term 1 Week 4 Issue 2 18th February, 2013

GREAT NEWS INSIDE * State X Country

* P&C Meeting 11th

Aug Bulahdelah

* Bev Maybury retirement

* SES Day/Robogals

* International Athlete

* Tracy Fenning 20 years of service

* Triple P Parenting

BCS SCHOOL PROGRAMS VALUE OF THE WEEK Participation. We promote

participation & school spirit in an

environment that values the

participation of students, staff &

the wider community. Are you

actively involved in the life of the

school?

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3rd

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LtoR: Bianca Mason, Tate Bruinsma, Luke Rochester, Karl Price and Ellie Gooch

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On Wednesday the 23rd of July and Thursday the 24th of July Mr McCann and Miss Brooke McKenzie had the pleasure of taking 14 of our Bulahdelah Central School students to the state of the art Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale to represent the Manning Zone in numerous track and field events. These students included:

Ben Ayliffe

Talia Baker

Bailey Battle

Lindsay Battle

Tate Bruinsma

Jake Devon

David Dodd

Tia Nganwoo

Ellie Gooch

Madison Hurtado

Bianca Mason

Tara Price

Karl Price

Luke Rochester We had an amazing couple of days with some great results, including 6 of our students making it through to the next level representing the Hunter Region at State. These students are:

Tate Bruinsma - 2nd 3000m 3rd 1500m

Luke Rochester - 3rd 3000m 6th 1500m

Talia Baker - 3rd Javelin

Bianca Mason - 1st 100m, 200m, Triple Jump, 2nd Long Jump. Bianca also qualified for State for 200m Hurdles. Ellie Gooch - 1st 3000m, 1500m and 800m

Karl Price - 1st 3000m

One thing that I need to mention is the attitude and behaviour of our students. Whilst some of our students had a break between events, instead of resting and taking it easy, they were on the side line watching and cheering on their fellow BCS students. The way that our students support and encourage each other and the respect and sportsmanship they demonstrate whilst competing never fails to make me proud to be a part of Bulahdelah Central School. The NSW CHS (Combined High Schools) All Schools’ Carnival will be held over 3 days, Thursday the 4th of September to Saturday the 6th of September. I would like to wish Bianca, Talia, Ellie, Luke, Tate and Karl all the best at State.

Brooke McKenzie, BCS Sports Organiser.

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On the 18th of July, 4 of our Bulahdelah students made the trek down to Sydney’s Eastern Creek Race Way to compete in the NSW State Cross Country. It was a cold and windy day but our students were keen and ready to run. The event consisted of the best runners from all over NSW. Representing Bulahdelah Central School were Ellie Gooch, Luke Rochester, Tate Bruinsma, and Karl Price. In order to make it to state level our students had run in the top 6 at school level, top 6 at Manning Zone level and top 8 at Hunter Region level. Therefore making it to the state level is a huge achievement in itself. Our students all ran well and placed as follows:

Ellie Gooch ran 4 Km in 18:32 and placed 29th out of 80 competitors.

Luke Rochester ran 4 Km in 16:24 and placed 47th out of 88 competitors.

Tate Bruinsma ran 4 Km in 15:04 and placed 23rd out of 96 competitors.

Karl Price ran 6 Km in 25:32 and placed 58th out of 90 competitors.

An amazing effort and results by all involved. Congratulations Ellie, Luke, Tate and Karl.

Brooke McKenzie BCS Sports Organiser

STATE X COUNTRY RESULTS:

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National Gonski Week

Last week was National Gonski Week and it was the ideal opportunity to focus

on what the benefits of additional resources are for your child and our school. Gonski, as you may know, is a way of funding schools based on the needs of students. It was recommended by the Gonski Review that found too many students were missing out due to a lack of resources. For us, the additional Gonski funding over the next six years will allow us to really expand the educational programs and learning support which we know will make a difference in what our students achieve. With this additional funding we will be able to:

put in place additional literacy and numeracy programs and provide one-on-one assistance to students at risk of falling behind.

increase the specialist support and assistance for students who really need it — such as those with disabilities or special learning needs and our Gifted and Talented students.

take a whole-school approach to building the skills and knowledge of teachers.

provide extension programs that will help teachers really push our smartest students to do even better.

The one problem we have is that the Federal Government, in the May Budget, announced it will only provide the Gonski funding we are relying on for four years, not six. That is a serious issue because only one-third of the funding comes in the first four years. It may mean the difference of about $500,000 in funding to Bulahdelah Central School. Teachers and parents are working hard to try to get the Prime Minister to change his mind on this critical investment. You can learn more at www.igiveagonski.com.au and I encourage you to get behind the Gonski campaign to secure the additional funding that will make a huge difference to the education of our children.

Bill Gates’ Speech I always like revisiting this speech by Bill Gates as it reminds me that we get out of life what we put in and high-lights the importance of motivation and attitude to our success after leaving school. Speech made at a high school, about 11 things that students did not and will not learn in school. It's fun ... and that's life! Enjoy Life!! Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2: The world won't care about your self esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with a car phone until you earn both. Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it opportunity. Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them. Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room. Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life. Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time. Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

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Everyone in the school community has a role to play

in helping with school attendance.

Having students attend school is extremely

beneficial to the future of local communities.

However, many students do not attend school

regularly or fail to attend at all.

Schools, parents and caregivers, local community

members and businesses are all an essential part of

providing and supporting education in our schools.

The NSW Department of Education and

Communities employs Home School Liaison Officers

(HSLO’s) across the state. These officers are

teachers who support schools and the school

community to ensure that all students attend school

regularly.

Parents having difficulty getting their child to school

should not hesitate to contact either the school

principal or the Home School Liaison Officer at your

nearest Department of Education and Communities

office.

Call toll free 131 536 for your nearest regional

office.

Celebrate Attendance

Hints and Tips No 6: School Community

Date for P&C Meetings Term 3:

11th August Bulahdelah 3.30pm

8th September Tea Gardens 3.45pm

ARE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS UP-TO-DATE?

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BCS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL:

Exceptional results were obtained by our Regional Athletics team at Glendale

last week. They are all to be exceptionally pleased with their achievements at this level! We wish them all the best at state level. Our Year 6-8 girls participated in a visiting program called 'Robogals' last week. The aim of the program was to encourage girls to participate in science courses in universities. The girls had a great day as attested in the photos included in this newsletter.

I would like to thank all the students and parents who attended our parent/teacher interviews and subject selection evening last Tuesday night. Many took the opportunity to speak to the staff about the first semester of the year and are now planning on how to make the next semester even more successful. I would appreciate any feedback from those involved as to how the 'no booking' system worked for the interviews. Congratulations to the staff and students for the displays in the gym which reflect what is on offer within the courses for 2015. This year we are using an online selection process for the students to choose the subjects they would like to see running in 2015 and to aid us in our line structure process. Also on Thursday last week was the retirement dinner for Mrs Bev Maybury from our SAS (School Administrative and Support) staff. Bev has been working at BCS for some 31 years and has been through many changes in the school, in the physical environment, staffing at the school and her role within it. We thank her for her professionalism and attention to detail within her role. We hope Bev takes some time now to relax and reflect positively on her time with us. Cont…..

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Monday of last week was the start of our SES (State Emergency Service) cadet program at the school. I have been very proud of our students taking part in the program as they have been exceptional. Our 15 students included Rheanna White, Emma Lyall, Jayden Lilley, Eryn Cameron, Courtney Agett, Tiffany Rinortner, Charlie Brown, Talia Baker, Bonnie Mirisch, Harley Carter, James Bowden, Mitchell Petrak-Swan, Brad Aldis, Olivia Gillette and Raygan Massard-Davis. They have learnt how to work as a team, take responsibility and be innovative with their thinking whilst being respectful and safe. I also completed the course with the students as a cadet and appreciate what an exceptional program it is. All students involved have learnt new skills, had a lot of fun and built up their teams (including the mascots). On Wednesday we travelled to Taree to the SES headquarters, RFS (Rural Fire Service) control centre and VRA (Volunteer Rescue Association) headquarters, where we took on new challenges, learnt radio communications and checked out the equipment and facilities used by the volunteers. We have come to appreciate the pride, professionalism, generosity, talent and dedication of the men and women who wear these uniforms. Next Friday we will be attending the final day of the program at Camp Elim where we will be training with the flood rescue boats and participating in land search activities. We thank the team of Garry, Les, Sam, Cheryl, Camel and Doddy for travelling to BCS this week for our training.

This week staff and students were given an evacuation drill late on Thursday afternoon. Our initial feedback was very positive but did alert us to a couple of issues. The main concern was the number of parents who were trying to gain access to the school grounds during the drill. As you can appreciate all our processes are to account for each individual’s whereabouts and safety, whilst removing everyone from potential danger. Individuals who then enter the restricted area place themselves and others in danger. When there is an evacuation or lockdown, drill or real, everyone must follow the protocol in place and respect the safety aspect, setting an example for our students. On a positive note, students' behaviour was commendable. Cont….

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CONGRATULATIONS BIANCA MASON:

I would like to alert students, past and present, to another couple of opportunities that I have become aware of recently:

Our local Tea Gardens Rotary Club is offering a heavily subsidised leadership camp, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) for 18 to 25 year olds. This camp is on from September 27th to October 3rd, 2014 at Tocal College. Please see me (Deb Gilbert), Tea Gardens Rotary Club or google the details.

Camp Gallipoli - The camp foundation is

looking for students who admire and respect the ANZAC spirit, the loyalty, integrity and mateship that epitomises that spirit to represent Australia or their state at the upcoming Centenary of ANZAC celebrations.

Any student interested should see me after googling for more information.

Recently we have reviewed our School Captains’ process and have designed a new model to trial for next year. The concept behind this system is to acknowledge and reward students who are always doing their best, are reflecting the school values of PRIDE and also the quiet achievers. I will include a summary in the next newsletter for parents and students. If you have not already, I recommend you look us up and like us on Facebook. We are using social media to keep you informed and share our successes, with regular uploads and photographs of the events involving our school.

During June and July this year one of our Year 9 students, Bianca Mason, was selected along with 49 others students from New South Wales and Victoria to compete in Canada. Bianca was overseas for a total of 21 days, with 4 of those days being competition days. She competed in both Kelowna and Vancouver. Bianca’s performance was outstanding earning herself 1st place in the 100m sprint, 1st place in the 200m sprint, 1st place in the 200m hurdles, 1st place in the triple jump and 3rd place in long jump.

Once competition was done Bianca and her sister, Michaela, had a great time being tourists in Los Angeles visiting places such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, California Adventure Park and Knottsberry Farm.

We would like to congratulate Bianca on her amazing effort and results. We are very lucky to have such a remarkable student like her at BCS. Bianca’s next venture will be representing the Hunter Region at the NSW All Schools’ Athletics Championships early in September. We look forward to hearing how she goes at State and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

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BCS DEPUTY PRI. PRINCIPAL:

I would like to begin this newsletter by thanking the parents who attended

parent/teacher interviews in Week 2. We are all time poor and the staff is really very appreciative of the time invested by parents to meet with them to discuss their child’s progress. We were very pleased with the number of parents who attended the meetings and the overall consensus was that they were, in the majority, very positive and worthwhile meetings. Thank you! If you would like to see your child’s teacher, at any time, about any aspect of their education, please do not hesitate to contact the school to make an appointment. Discover Uni Day was once again a great success. Thanks to the parents who made the road-trip south, with the students, to participate in this event. Students love having their parents involved in their learning and this was very evident, last Friday, witnessing students and parents working together and having great fun! We are very fortunate to have such strong links with the university in Newcastle which deliver fabulous programs for the students at BCS from Primary School right through to Year 12. Maybe some of our present Year 6 students will be students at the University of Newcastle in the years to come.

Congratulations to Heidi Buchanan and Tayla Hartley on their induction as school captains for Term 3. I am confident that these girls will represent our school with PRIDE and be excellent leaders for our primary students.

Congratulations are also the order of the day for Mrs Fenning on receiving a certificate from the Department of Education and Communities recognising 20 years of service to the teaching profession. What an asset Mrs Fenning is to our school! She has taught hundreds of students at BCS and should be proud of the input she has had in shaping the lives of these students. She is extremely hardworking and very passionate about teaching. I would personally like to thank Mrs Fenning on her efforts and dedication to the job. I hope we have the good fortune to have Mrs Fenning, as a teacher at BCS, for many years to come! Congratulations Mrs Fenning!

Thank you to the parents who attended our Open Day activities. We had a big roll up of parents for the Public Speaking finals, that never cease to amaze me, and it was no different this year. The quality of speaking, from all students, was outstanding and they all deserve to be congratulated on and proud of their efforts. The place getters from each stage are as follows:

ES1 – 1st Charlie Garemyn, 2nd Aiden Miles, 3rd Sophie Whitby

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S1 – 1st Drew Lawrence, Eq2nd, Ruby Plummer, Eq2nd Blake Matheson

S2 – 1st Amber Cunningham, 2nd Thomas McInerney, 3rd Annee-Rose Parry

S3 – 1st Finlay O’Connell, 2nd Anjoli Luxon, 3rd Marni Barry

Our mini Science Expo was also another great event which engaged and challenged the students. The “Design and Make” theme ranged from making a boat that could float, designing and making paper aeroplanes, parachutes and rockets, making “puff-puff” cars and designing and making a bear’s chair.

It was good to have parent assistance and input with these activities too. We always encourage and appreciate parent involvement at school.

Aug 5-8 Yr3-6 Pri. Zone Athletics

6 Pri. Rugby League Gala Day

7 Yr6 Showcase Day Tea Gardens

8 Zone Athletics (Track)

11 P&C Meeting Bulahdelah

20-21 Book Fair Garden

Sept 8 P&C Meeting Tea Gardens

18-25 Bike Challenge

IMPORTANT DATES:

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Triple P takes the guesswork out of parenting

When it comes to raising kids and teenagers, everyone has an opinion. There are so many ideas out there. So how do you know what’s best and what works? The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program takes the guesswork out of parenting.

It is one of the few parenting programs in the world with evidence to show it works for most families.

Triple P gives parents simple tips to help manage the big and small problems of family life. Problems like toddler tantrums or teenage rebellion, self-esteem issues, bedtime battles, disobedience and aggression. Triple P can help you deal with them all – and more! Triple P Positive Parenting is coming to your school. A series of FREE parenting seminars for people with children aged 3-12 years.

Presenting the Triple P Seminars in the Library.

Seminar 1: The Power of Positive Parenting

Seminar 2: Raising Confident, Competent

Children

Seminar 3: Raising Resilient

Children

Wednesday 15th October,

Andrew Harvey 0458 488824

Year 8 student Shannah Barrish has spent most of her free time during the last few months practicing for a performance in the Sydney Opera House with the NSW Public Schools State Choir. Shannah has been a member of this choir for the past 2 years and this has involved travelling to Sydney for weekend rehearsals with the group. She enjoys the music performed by the choir which includes everything from classical to pop. She has thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we wish her all the best in her performance at the Opera House on 5th August.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

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CULTURAL WORKSHOPS:

On Thursday 17th July, Secondary Indigenous students ran cultural workshops with all Primary classes. The workshops included a show and tell of traditional tools and weapons from the school’s collection, music, dance and painting activities. Each primary student was given a wooden animal cut out which they then painted using traditional colours and techniques.

The following week, Secondary Indigenous students began their Message Stick Project. They are painting message sticks for each classroom and the office, to be used when students are running teacher errands. Some beautiful designs were created on the day and will bring an important aspect of traditional Aboriginal culture into our school environment.

It’s impossible to

sneeze with your

eyes open.

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BULAHDELAH TO BEIJING 2014:

On the 26th June Sharni Russell, Tiffany Griffis and Lily Sibert, accompanied by Ms Georgina Cunich, travelled to Beijing for a ten day in-country experience. The purpose of this visit was to complement their studies of Chinese and give them a chance to practise their speaking skills in a native environment in preparation for their HSC Chinese Speaking Examination.

During the stay the students were able to visit many famous Chinese landmarks including Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Lama Temple and The Great Wall. Students were also able to participate in traditional cultural activities including the Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy and visiting a silk factory to watch the silk making process. While in Beijing the students were extremely popular with the locals and had their first taste of fame with many Chinese people wanting to take their photos. Shopping was another high point with lots of bargains being sought at the Silk Markets and the Pearl Markets. One of the major highlights during the visit was a rickshaw ride around the Hutongs, (the traditional courtyard residences), the Chinese acrobats and a self-guided visit to the Temple of Heaven. While in Beijing the students were able to sample a wide variety of authentic Chinese cuisine including curries, a traditional royal feast after visiting the Summer Palace and of course Peking Duck. The visit was a very positive educational and culturally rewarding experience with all travellers keen to go again!!

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1995: The Movie

“Babe” opens in

USA to be

nominated for a

best picture

Oscar.

BCS distributes the Tall Timbers newsletter by

FAMILY EMAIL. Please ensure that your family

email is entered correctly on our records. We also

place a copy of our newsletter on our website;

http://www.bulahdelah-c.schools.nsw.edu.au

Next Newsletters for Term 3: 18th August; 1st &

15th September.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bulahdelah-Central-School/1422587698030518

Homeless Persons' Week 4th - 10th Aug 2014 Homelessness: we can't afford to ignore it. Homelessness causes devastating personal harm, significantly impacts on the community and costs our economy. Homelessness is an issue that is not going away on its own. As a society we can’t afford to ignore it.

HOUSEKEEPING INFORMATION:

On

This

Day