Cowan Public School - Newsletter

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28th September, 2018

Chandler Avenue, Cowan NSW 2081 9456 1065

Dates to Remember

Dear Parents,

At the end of every term we seem to think how busy it was and look at how much was achieved. Term 3 was no different. It has just flown by. Starting with our Athletics Carnival, we have also had a Writers’ Festival, a whole school excursion to Brooklyn, PSSA Sport, Book Week Parade and activities, Soccer trips to Bathurst and Queanbeyan, Public Speaking competitions and much more. Amongst all of these extra activities there has been a lot of learning occurring in all classes. The students and teachers are definitely deserving of a well earned break.

Over the past month all our students have been developing a speech on a specific topic for their class competition in Public Speaking. Everyone has now completed their speeches and between three and four students will be representing each class in the finals early next term. The names of our finalists are included later in the newsletter.

The Summer PSSA League Tag competition is now back in full swing with our teams playing against Brooklyn two weeks ago and Hornsby South last week at Foxglove Oval. Both matches against Brooklyn were very exciting with the Juniors just losing and the Seniors getting a win, 3–2. Last week, both teams lost in close matches. Today our teams played against Asquith. Results in the next newsletter. Just a reminder that for Term 4 all PSSA games will be played in the morning. The children will leave school at 9.00am and return in time for Recess at 11.00am. A big thank you again to the wonderful parents who give up their time to transport the children to Foxglove Oval. Without your help, we couldn’t participate in PSSA Sport.

Please refer to website for all calendar dates

Term 4

K-6 Begin Term 4 Oct 15th

Swimming Scheme 15-26

Kindy Orientation Day & Parent Info 17th

Sportspro Gymnastics 22nd

Kindy Orientation #2 24th

P&C Meeting—7.30pm 25th

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-p.schools.det.nsw.edu.au

Enjoy A Relaxing Holiday...

Recharge The Batteries for Term 4

Photography: PicMii by Kristiina

Congratulations to our Athletics Relay Team who ran magnificently at the Area Carnival, on Monday of last week, and won their division. They will now participate at the State Championships on 1st November . Well done team!

A very big thank you to everyone for donating and participating in the Beanie Day for Georgia. Over $300 was raised which will go towards supporting Georgia in her recovery.

Our student leaders yesterday experienced a very special day by visiting State Parliament House in the city where Matt Kean hosted them, and other student leaders in his electorate, to Morning Tea and an insight into how parliament works. Three special guests, who are all leaders in their chosen sports, spoke about their journey to take them to where they are today. The three guests were Api Koroisau from the Manly Sea Eagles, Emily Van Egmond who is a member of the Matildas, Australia’s Women’s Football team, and Paige Hadley who is the captain of the Sydney Swifts Netball team. I was just as thrilled to see them. Obviously Api being a Manly player but also Emily, as the last time I saw her she was captain when I coached her for NSW, being in Year 6, at the National Girls Football Championships. She has turned out to be an excellent role model for children, even withstanding having to put up with me!

On our first day back next term, Monday 15th October, we will be commencing with another exciting program for the children. …..continued Page 2

Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Congratulations to the following students

who have received awards recently:

Bronze: Tasman Benji Archie

AWARDS

P age 2 I ss ue 15 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Starting that day and continuing for the next two weeks, all students K–6 will be participating in the Department of Education Special Swimming Scheme. We believe it is extremely important that all children are competent swimmers by the time they reach High School. The Swim program is this year being held again at Abbotsleigh School. The children will travel by bus each day. Permission notes have already been sent home and should already be back at school.

Also, starting on Monday 22nd October all our students will have their first Sportspro Gymnastics lesson of the year. This is a five week program which teaches many skills to the children. Sports uniform is to be worn on those Mondays.

For those of you with children starting here next year, or if you know of anyone intending to send their children to CPS, our Kindergarten Orientation Days will be held on Wednesdays 17th, 24th and 31st October. More information is available later in the newsletter and from the school office.

From the beginning of Term 4 we are going to be holding the Cowan Spelling Competition. This will again involve all children in the school where they will take home a list of words to learn over a 4 week period and then a Spelling Bee will be held to find out the best class of spellers, and the best individual spellers in the school. This will be an extra fun way to help with spelling. A note and the words will be sent home during the first two weeks back next term.

The NAPLAN results have arrived at school and all children in Years 3 and 5 who sat the tests were given their result letters last Friday to take home. Our overall results were very good. There was much growth across many areas for our Year 5 students from when they last sat the test in Year 3. As I mentioned earlier in the year, at Cowan Public School we don’t “teach to the test”. As educators we have a far more wholistic approach to the schooling of your children. Parents should be aware that a quality report by a professional teacher encompassing a range of measures over time, accompanied by a face-to-face discussion, is a far better indicator of student capabilities than a NAPLAN report.

This term has been an exceptionally busy one for the staff as they have had the added responsibility of putting together a submission to the Department of Education as part of the External Validation process that all schools undergo every five years. They have done a marvelous job of being able to show what a wonderful school we have here and the panel that will visit the school on Tuesday 16th October will also agree. There is no staff in this State who works harder and more professionally than the people we have here at Cowan guiding your child’s education.

As many of you have recently found out, Mrs Scanes and Mrs Ruzek will be spending extra days at Cowan at the start of Term 4, as I will be down at Normanhurst West Public School for the term as a relieving Principal whilst they wait for a new Principal to start there at the beginning of next year. I will still be helping Mrs Scanes with the running of the school and making sure that everything continues to run smoothly as I know it will. There will still be a male presence around the classes as Braden Cheng will be returning as a Prac Student for the first two weeks of term. The children are very excited about Braden returning. Then in the middle of the term we have another Prac Student, Gavin Dingley, spending 4 weeks at our School. Gavin will also be a welcome addition.

P&C SPOT School holidays upon us and we all look forward to a break for a couple of weeks. Thanks to those that came along to the P&C meeting on Wednesday. These are a great opportunity to catch up with all the developments in and around our school and I encourage everyone to come along along to the next meeting and participate in the discussions. One of the key items discussed at the meeting on Wednesday was to work with the school staff on a electronic communication platform for notes, calendar events etc. , such as an app. There have been some limitations and frustration with the school website, of which the school has no input into the platform selected by the Dept of Education and implemented across all Public Schools. This will be further explored early in Term 4 as to which platform may suit our needs and budget (as there will be some outlay required) and further news at the next meeting. In Term 4 we are looking towards a couple of events. The first in a Bunnings BBQ which is an important fundraiser for the P&C and we would be looking for support from as many families as possible. We are looking to finalise a date in November for this and will send out to all as soon as we know. The second is another Working Bee to be held on Sunday 2nd December star ting at 10.00am. Please mark this in the diary now and look to come along to help do some tidy up around the school prior to the end of school year and the Carols. Further details about this coming out in Term 4. Our Breakfast/Homework Club continues on and my thanks to the parents of those utilising the service for your support in getting the invoices to date paid up. These funds are essential to continuing the provision of the service and paying the staff that provide the quality care. Can I pass my sincere thanks on to Melissa Maher for her continued efforts in the coordination of the rosters and food supplies for the Breakfast/Homework Club, a massive job expertly done. Our next P&C meeting will be Thursday 25th October at 7.30pm, in the School Library. Have a terrific, but safe school holiday period and here's looking forward to Term 4.

Peter Marshall P&C President 0468 392 081 www.facebook.com/cowanpandc

As this very busy term here at Cowan comes to a close, I would like to wish you all a very happy and safe holiday and a reminder that all our students start back here on Monday 15th October. Term 4 is going to be huge, yet again, as it always is here at Cowan.

Until next time.

Paul McSweeney Principal

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Science Day… Woohoo, what a day! Thursday 20th September was our much-anticipated Science Day. The children were divided up into 6 multi-age groups and the morning was spent exploring several different activities designed to spark the children’s interest in science.

From finding the centre of gravity when balancing acrobats to exploring sound with string telephones to investigating chemicals in kitchen detectives and chromatography. We made electrical circuits and investigated the properties of magnets and discovered how the size of rotors and weight of a helicopter effects the speed that the rotors spin.

In the afternoon we were treated to a wonderful show from Kaleidoscope Science. Mitch presented an amazing and informative show which the children and teachers enjoyed very much. I am sure that the cheers of the children could have been heard back in Berowra. Thanks must go to all the Cowan staff who ran the activities and contributed to making the day fun and informative for all our students. Kaleidoscope Science is running events at Hornsby Shire Council Libraries in the holidays; have a look at the advert on Page 5. Trish Kershaw

Cowan School Band… Our Cowan Band will perform on the following dates:

14th November—Band performance tour of Berowra schools

16th November—Berowra Music Festival performance at Berowra Community Hall at 6.30pm

Rehearsal Dates: - Wednesday 24th October - Wednesday 7th November

7th-9th December—Band Camp at Camp Kedron, Ingleside

11th December—Presentation Night

20th December—Berowra Community Carols.

First Day of Term 4… Remember we, students and staff, return to school on Monday 15th October. There is no School Development Day on the first day of Term 4.

Swimming Scheme starts on the first day back in Term 4 and will run every day for the first two weeks of term. Swimming Scheme… Monday 15th October to Friday 26th October (Term 4,

Weeks 1&2)

Bus to and from Abbotsleigh School, Wahroonga

Leaving CPS at 12.15pm, returning by 2.30pm

$95 per student, included in Term 4 Costing.

Wear swimming costume under school uniform

Underwear, along with towel and swimming cap in a plastic bag with their name on

All clothing, including towel, should have their name clearly visible.

Kindergarten Orientation Days… Wednesday 17th, 24th and 31st October

Sessions are from 9.00-10.30am (for the first two sessions due to our Swimming Scheme) with our future students encouraged to join in recess with their peers and new found friends at Cowan, at 10.30-11.00am

Parent information session on Wednesday 17th October is from 9.00-10.30am

Invitations will be forwarded to all our known 2019 starters. If you know of any child/children who have recently moved/are moving to Cowan, please inform them of these Orientation dates.

We are looking forward to seeing our 2019 Kinders, and their families, next term.

Sportspro Gymnastic Education Program… K-6 to take part in Sportspro skills-based gymnastic

program for 5 weeks.

Commencing Monday 22nd October (Term 4, Week 2)

Every Monday, finishing on 19th November

Run in two groups, K-2 and Yrs3-6

Students are to wear their sports uniform on these Mondays.

Cost to each student is $30 and is included in our Term 4 Costs which will go home with students next term.

For further information regarding Sportspro go to: www.sportspro.com.au.

Public Speaking Finals… Date TBA

K/1 finalists: Sophie, Ajay, Joshua

2/3/4 finalists: Harvey, Tasman, Makai

4/5/6 finalists: Charlie A, Mitchell, Raeke, Will

Again, we will have two experienced judges.

Congratulations to our finalists and we wish you all the best in the Finals next term.

Uniforms… The holidays are a perfect opportunity to search through school bags and around home for any stray uniform items, especially those which don’t belong to your child. Any uniform items belonging to other children should be returned to school on the first day back next term. We thank you for your cooperation, as we have some students who have several uniform items missing.

Term Fees As we are approaching Term 4, there are a number of outstanding fees for Term 1, 2 and 3. It would be appreciated if these can be paid as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty in paying any of these fees, please contact Mr McSweeney in confidence. Thank you

Zone Athletics Payment… For those students who attended the Zone Athletics Carnival, please check that you have paid the $2 entry. We only have approximately half who have paid. Thank you.

Tissues… If you have not done so already this year, we would

appreciate your sending a box to school for your child’s classroom. Thank you for your cooperation.

Entertainment Book… Fundraiser for our COOSH

Sample book is on display in our School office

E-copy is also available

Cost is $70 but can save you thousands.

What’s Coming In Term 4… Mon 15th Oct—K-6 Return to school

Mon 15th-Fri 26th Oct—Swimming Scheme

Wed 17th, 24th & 31st—Kindy Orientation Days

Mondays 22nd Oct to 19th Nov—SportsPro Gymnastics

Wed 24th Oct—Band rehearsal for Music Festival

Thurs 25th Oct—P&C meeting at 7.30pm

Wed 31st Oct—Cake Day

Thurs 1st Nov—State Athletics Carnival for Relay Team

Mon 5th-Tues 6th Nov—Yr3 Gibberagong Excursion

Wed 7th Nov—Band rehearsal for Music Festival

Fri 9th Nov—Red Day Lunch Ordering

Tues 13th Nov—NBHS Circus Show

Wed 14th Nov—Band tour of Berowra schools

Fri 16th Nov—Band perform at Berowra Music Festival

Tues 20th Nov—League Tag Gala Day

Wed 21st Nov—Cake Day

Tues 27th Nov—Yr6 Mini Fete

Sun 2nd Dec—Working Bee

Wed 5th Dec—Cake Day

Thurs 6th Dec—Presentation Night Rehearsal

Thurs 6th Dec—Yr6 Farewell

Fri 7th Dec—Red Day Lunch Ordering

Tues 11th Dec—Presentation Night Mon 17th Dec—Reports sent home and Platinum

Awardee Outing Tues 18th Dec—Whole School Fun Day Excursion Wed 19th Dec—Talent Quest and last day of school for

2018, plus Carols on the Oval in the evening

Page 4 I ss ue 15 Cowan Public School … a vibrant and caring learning community

Lunch Orders on Fridays… Lunches can now be ordered on Fridays. In Term 4 PSSA sport will take place in the morning with

all students back at school by recess. Cake Days… Our Cake Days in Term 4 are as follows:

Wednesday 31st October with the Birkneh, Dillon and Duguid families providing

Wednesday 21st November with the Brown, Har r ison and Zhafirah families providing

Wednesday 5th December with the Maher , Maksoud and Hodder families providing

Thank you to all these families in advance.

If your child forgets their cake money on cake day, we do allow IOUs, however, these must be paid by the following cake day. If not paid, that student will not be able to purchase a cake.

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

We wish all our students and families a safe and happy holiday.

We look forward to your bright smiling faces back at school on

Monday 15th October!