Cowan Public School - Newsletter

Co

wa

n S

un

20

18

Issue 20

20th December, 2018

Chandler Avenue, Cowan NSW 2081

9456 1065

Dates to Remember

Dear Parents and Carers,

At the end of every year we look back and

reflect on all the wonderful opportunities that

the children of Cowan have been a part of.

Highlights of this year have included the

Writers’ Festival, lots of excursions, the success

of our Soccer team in the Small School’s

Knockout, and the trips away, the External

validation process for the school and individual

student success.

Over the past couple of weeks I have had the

privilege to be able to attend the Year 6

Farewell, Presentation Night, the Final League

Tag of the year, the Year 6 tunnel and a very wet

Carols evening last night.

All of these events help make Cowan the

outstanding school it is and it is with much

sadness that I am saying farewell to this amazing

school and community to take up the position of

Principal at Normanhurst West Public School. I

have been relieving there this Term and was

successful through the selection process to be

permanently appointed. It reminds me a lot of

Cowan with a great staff, fantastic students and

a very supportive and committed community,

only much bigger in size.

The last 6 years have flown by and there are too

many people to thank for making my time at

Cowan the best times I have had in a long

teaching career. Every student who has been

through the school, during the past 6 years, I

have very fond memories of. The parent

community have been wonderfully supportive of

everything that we have done.

Please refer to website for all calendar dates

2019 - January

School Development Day—staff only 29th

Years 1-6 begin lessons 30th

February

Swimming Carnival—Gosford 1st

Best Start Assessment—Kindergarten 1st

Kindergarten begin lessons 4th

Cowan Band—Wednesdays at 7.30am

Music Tutor Program—Individual Days

Peer Reading—Tuesdays & Thursdays

Cowan Dance Group—Fridays 8am

PSSA Sport—Fridays 9-11am

cowan-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.cowan-

Farewell Year 6!

Have a Wonderful Christmas & a Safe & Happy Holiday

to All Our Families

Photography: PicMii by Kristiina

There have been a couple who have disagreed

with certain suggestions over the years, but there

is nothing like a good discussion!

The staff at Cowan are absolutely the best staff

you could find anywhere and the community

should never forget that. I am very pleased to

say that I have developed very good friendships

with all of them over the years and it is very sad

today to be leaving them. A particular mention

to Mrs Hope who has kept me on task, most of

the time, and I will miss her support and

friendship.

The show must go on as they say and the start of

2019 will see Mrs Darby return in her role as

Acting Principal. I thank her for stepping into

the role this term. The position of Principal will

be advertised early in the term and you will know

your new Principal before the end of Term 1.

The school year begins for all children in Years

1-6 on Wednesday, 30th January and

Kindergarten students on Monday 4th February.

Thank you very much for allowing me to be the

leader of this great school for the past 6 years and

I hope that you all have a great Christmas and

holiday break. I will still be making a nuisance

of myself at times by visiting the Bush Dance

and other events. You can never completely

leave this wonderful school.

FAREWELL

Paul McSweeney

Principal

Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Congratulations to the following students

who have received awards recently:

Bronze: Melanie Claire Sophie

Harry Eve Joshua

Sam Eliza Kira

Molly Cedar Nicholas

Sarah April Timothy

Charlotte Annie B Daniel

Daisy Jack

Silver: Joshua Eliza Kira

Nicholas April Timothy

Annie B Daniel Jack

Platinum: Claire Sophie Eve

Molly Sarah

AWARDS

P age 2 I ss ue 20 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Dear Parents and Carers,

I know that most parents could not make it to our ‘Thank You

Morning Tea’, however we all just want you to know that you

are appreciated. Thank you to the parents, carers and

volunteers for all the support you have given our School this

year. Your generosity in giving up your time to assist in

classrooms and helping out in so many ways, is much

appreciated. Special thanks go to those parents and carers

who are leaving us this year also.

Thank you to the wonderful teaching staff, administration and

general assistant, our student learning support officers and

our wonderful students for making this school such an

amazing school. I feel very honoured to work with such a

team.

Presentation Night was an opportunity to celebrate student

achievement and success and it was a very special night for

many. We also saw the band, the dance group and whole

school choir perform at this ceremony. It just shows the

wonderful programs that this school has to offer. Well done

to all.

Congratulations to the 2019 Student Leadership Team, Will,

Charlotte, Raeke and Bill. We look forward to working with

you in your new roles next year.

Strike! The Platinum Awardee outing was a lot of fun. Next

year we will review the award scheme and hopefully will

generate more successful awardees.

Whole School outing to Dangar Island was a quick ferry trip

and then a quick return. Unfortunately, there was no power

on the island. Recess was consumed, some games and fun,

then returned to Brooklyn where some more fun activities

were had. We all then had an ice block to cool us down.

Later we enjoyed catching the train and our brisk walk back

to school.

Cowan has Talent. The ‘Talent Quest’ yesterday showcased

some great acts. The students especially loved our Flash

Mob! From plays to singing to cracking some whips, we

were thoroughly entertained.

Carols Night went ahead with a drizzle of rain, well a big

drizzle. It was a great night. Looking forward to the next.

Next year Students in Years 1–6 will return to school on

Wednesday,30 January. Kindergarten students will complete

their Best Start assessment on 31 January commencing school

lessons on Monday 4 February.

To assist with transition anxiety for the new school year

please see the link below. We hope this may be helpful.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-

healthconditions-

in children/anxiety/tackling-back-to-school-anxiety

Please return all swimming carnival notes on the first day

back at school, if you have not already done so.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year. Enjoy

the holidays and the staff of Cowan will see you next year.

Please enjoy some rest, relaxation and family time and we

will see you back refreshed and revitalised for a productive

2019.

Regards

Tracey Darby

Acting Principal

Mystery Marvels Competition… What a wonderful term it has been for Mystery Marvel names

at Cowan. Well done to our lucky last winner, Makai, who

unveiled Nelson Mandela as the Mystery Marvel.

Congratulations to all those who worked with friends and

family as keen detectives to correctly identify our icons.

Sophie Roberts

Student Parliament… Thursday 13th December was the final day for Student

Parliament for 2018. The ministers discussed motions that

were passed during the year and informed the student body

about the progress of these motions. Anything that was not

finalised this year will be forwarded onto next year’s

parliament. Thank you very much to all the ministers,

shadow ministers and our Prime Ministers, Treasurer and

Secretary for all your hard work this year.

Recognition & Awards… We were pleased to recognise all our students’ achievements

this year. All have improved and grown as individuals.

Congratulations to Jack and Sam on achieving Senior and

Junior Citizens of 2018. Also, congratulations to Annie B

on receiving the Matt Kean Leadership Award.

Congratulations to Annie B on being awarded Sports

Champion, and to Jack on receiving the Premier’s Sporting

Challenge medal.

Congratulations to our Sports House winners:

Swimming Carnival: Alberta

Cross Country Carnival: Fraser

Athletics Carnival: Alberta

Sports House for 2018: Alberta

Congratulations to other award winners:

Campers of the Year:

Jack Yr6

Will Yr5

Eliza Yr3

Spelling Bee Champions of the Year:

Raeke Yrs5/6

Makai Yrs2/3/4

Sophie K/1

Public Speaking Champions:

Mitchell Yrs5/6

Makai Yrs2/3/4

Joshua K/1

Reading Improvement Award Jack Yrs5/6

James Yrs5/6

Cristiano Yrs2/3/4

Ellie Yrs2/3/4

Lastly, congratulations to our Class Award recipients:

K/1

Sophie Excellent Application in All Areas

Claire Exemplary Effort in Writing & Creative Arts

Eve Class Citizenship Award

Yrs 2/3/4

Harvey Exemplary Application in All Areas of Learning

Tasman Excellent Application in

All Areas of Learning

Archie Consistent Excellence of Achievement

April Class Citizenship Award

Page 3 I ss ue 20 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Yrs 5/6

Mitchell Commendable Achievement in Maths

Raeke Commendable Achievement in Literacy

Daisy Excellent Application in All Areas

Fira Most Improved Student in Yrs5/6

Library… If you find any of our Library books at home over the

holidays, please put them aside and return to school our first

week back in 2019. Thank you for your consideration.

The Cowan Street Library will be up and running at the

beginning of next year. Please start saving any books that

you would like to donate. That is adult and children’s

books in good quality.

Uniform Items… Over the holidays, if you find any uniform item in your

child’s bag or at home, that does not belong to them, would

you please bring to school on the first day back in 2019.

Thank you for your cooperation.

COOSH… Remember that during school terms COOSH is available

Monday to Friday, before and after school, and will continue

the same in 2019.

Band News… The CPS Band has had a very successful year in 2018. We

have performed on many occasions and improved every time.

This year all Band students have enjoyed their experience,

especially our Band Camp at Camp Kedron, Ingleside.

The Band tutoring program is looking for new students for

2019, so if your child is interested please contact us on

cowanschoolband@yahoo.com.au to enrol or for further

information.

We have a wonderful group of students learning an

instrument, and learning to sing, with CPS Tutoring Program.

Our tutors are from surrounding high schools and universities

and the children have enjoyed learning from these young

adults. They are all qualified in their instrument, and

learning to become fantastic teachers. We would like to

invite new members to our Tutoring Program. Our tutoring

program is available to all students K-6, though some

instruments may prove too large for K/1.

All students who have been learning an instrument with CPS

Tutoring Program for at least 6 months (Yrs2-6) are welcome

to join the Band. Your child can also apply for the Band if

they know how to play an instrument, maybe a flute,

keyboard, guitar or violin, and have had lessons outside

school for at least 6 months. The Band is aimed at students

in Yrs2-6. New members to the Band are welcome to join in

Term 1 2019.

Any questions, or for further information, please contact us

on cowanschoolband@yahoo.com.au. Hope you all have a

wonderful Christmas and a happy holiday season!

Band Committee

Cake Days… Thank you to all our families this year who provided treats

for cake days. We very much appreciate your support and

the students were enthusiastic to raise money for Stewart

House and Student Parliament.

End of Year / Holidays… With the end of our School year and with the long holiday

period ahead, we would like to take this opportunity to ask

our families to keep an eye out on our School over the

vacation period. As you use our School grounds or pass by

the school, if you notice any suspicious or anti-social

behaviour please contact the School Security Unit on 1300

880 021, or Hornsby Police on 9476 9799.

Leadership in 2019… As announced at Presentation Night, our leaders in 2019 are

Will and Charlotte as our School Captains, with Raeke and

Bill as our Vice Captains. All our Year 6 students will

embrace leadership roles in 2019 and we look forward to

their dedication and success in their roles.

School Year 2019…

Tuesday 29th January—School Development Day—staff

only

Wednesday 30th January—lessons begin: Yrs1-6

students

Friday 1st February—Cowan Swimming Carnival at

Gosford Pool / Kindergarten Best Start assessment at CPS

Monday 4th February—lessons begin: Kindergarten

students.

2019 Cowan Swimming Carnival… Consent notes not received to-date, please return on the first

day of the 2019 school year. A copy of the note can be found

on the Notes page of our website:

https://cowan-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/notes.html

Friday 1st February (first Friday in Term 1 2019).

Gosford Olympic Pool, 42 Masons Parade, Gosford.

Years 1-6 students.

9.30am to 2.15pm.

Cost $7—will be included in Term 1 2019 Costing.

Students to bring morning tea, lunch, drink, towel, hat and

sunblock.

Dress in casual clothing using house colours where

possible.

No crepe paper or coloured zinc. Clear zinc only.

Parents will need to transport their child/children, or

arrange with another parent to transport.

Best Start for Kindergarten 2019… On the first Friday of our 2019 school year, Friday 1st

February, our new students in Kindergarten will be

undergoing their Best Start testing.

P&C SPOT

Another year has come, and gone, and we have once again reached the Holidays.

To those families finishing with Cowan Public School this year, I take the opportunity to bid you farewell and thank you for

the contributions that you have made to our school over the year that you have been part of it. Don’t be a stranger and we

would continue to welcome you at any of the school events that we will be having in the months and years to come.

I cannot let the last newsletter of the year pass with reiterating the thanks that I gave at the Presentation Evening, along with

some additional ones. A special thanks to the P&C Executive team of Melissa as Vice President and organiser extraordinaire

of all things COOSH, to Suzanne as Secretary, and Rob as Treasurer. Thanks also to the wider team of Emma for

coordinating the Facebook and social messaging, to Nicola for uniforms, to Kristina, Anne & Georgina for the band, Jo for

coordinating the Mothers & Fathers day stalls, and Emily & Kelly who along with some already named above who organised

the Trivia night. It has been this wider team that have assisted enormously with the running, and activities of the P&C.

In regards to before and after school care programs for 2019, the P&C Executive will be a undertaking review of how this year

operated and we will be continuing discussions with the school and other groups to ensure that we will have some program in

place for next year. Further news of this will come out prior to the commencement of Term 1 2019 via the P&C Facebook

group.

As mentioned at the Presentation evening, the P&C Association AGM is to be held on Wednesday 20th February 2019 at

7.30pm, please place this date in your diary now. At this meeting there will need to be a new Executive Team voted as each of

the current team have reached the end of their fixed terms in their respective roles. Please consider if you are able to take on a

role with the P&C as this important organisation is there to support the school and more importantly the students.

Some other early dates for 2019

- Sunday 17th February - Bunnings BBQ at Thornleigh

- Saturday 23rd March - Election Day stalls at Cowan School

For some that were at the at the Carols last night and heard direct, or may be reading about it in this newsletter, the news has

come through that Paul McSweeney has been successful in gaining a permanent move to Normanhurst West Public School as

their Principal, and we congratulate him on this opportunity. Paul’s passion for our small school has been demonstrated with

his enthusiasm and efforts over the last couple of years, and I have had the pleasure of working with Paul over the last couple

of years as P&C President. On behalf of the P&C and the school community our sincere thanks to Paul for his leadership of

the school during his time at Cowan and all the very best of luck with the permanent move to Normanhurst West.

To this end, we are very pleased to hear that we will be retaining Tracey Darby as Acting Principal for at least the first term of

2019, and indeed we hope more substantively beyond that time. Again I have enjoyed working with Tracey over the last term

and I am sure that together we will only continue to move forward as a great small school under her leadership next year.

It was indeed a great way to finish off the year again with the annual Carols at the school albeit a bit wet and not much

singing, but a great social way to get to the end of the school year. My thanks to all those that came along braving the weather

in particular to those that helped out on the BBQ, in especially to Jo and Patsy for their coordination & assistance.

So in closing for 2019 my best wishes to all families in our school community for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

and I look forward to seeing all those returning in 2019.

Peter Marshall

P&C President

0468 392 081

www.facebook.com/cowanpandc

Page 4 I ss ue 20 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Page 5 I ss ue 20 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

The teachers and staff of Cowan Public School

would like to wish all our students and their families

a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and a safe and happy holiday!

We look forward to seeing you in 2019

School Security Holiday Period

If you see any suspicious or anti-social behaviour on our school grounds over the holiday period

you are encouraged to contact the

School Security Unit on 1300 880 021

or Hornsby Police on 9476 9799

Page 6 I ss ue 20 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community