William Street Email: Bellingen-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Principal: Graeme Ross PO Box 42 Website: www.bellingen-p.school.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 6655 1147 Bellingen NSW 2454 Fax: 02 6655 2615

Term 4 Week 4 Monday, October 27 2014

Four Note Feud also has a matinee session at 12 on Friday...From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Grandparents Day today has been a huge success with over 100 grandparents enjoying a concert, classroom visits and morning tea. I did not get to meet my own grandparents until I was in Year 6 as they lived overseas. This did not stop a special bond from forming or special memories being created especially around family stories and history. The memory of Nan and Pop making a special

visit to school today will stay with our students for ever. It was lovely to meet each and every grandparent here today.“Grandparents are a delightful blend of laughter, caring deeds, wonderful stories, and love.” ~Author Unknown

Two meetings will be held on Monday November 10th as a part of the consultation process with community and parents in readiness to write our school plan for 2015 – 17. Please refer to the notice in this newsletter for times of these meetings. This is an opportunity for the school and

Page 1

Term 3 - Week 2 Monday, 27 October 2014 Term 4 - Week 4

wider community to have a shared conversation about what might be the school’s educational vision in the next 3 years. I look forward to seeing many parents there. Stage 3 are in the final stages of rehearsal for ‘Four Note Feud’, this year’s musical. Students from K-4 will be able to see it on Friday at the matinee performance and parents and community are invited to attend the evening performance at 7pm in the Memorial Hall. Stage 3 students and teachers have worked very hard with this production – it promises to be an entertaining show. Don’t miss it!!Please note that there is change to this week’s Whole School Assembly due to musical rehearsals. Assembly is on Wednesday this week at 9:30, NOT Thursday. I often drop in to classrooms and last week I was in 4L’s room during maths groups. It was terrific to see the students applying their knowledge to an authentic task requiring them to demonstrate their learning. They had designed their own house and were calculating its area in square metres after learning how to do this. Great work Mrs Lawrence’s maths group! Don’t forget to check for notes and updates on what’s on – there is LOTS on!! Have a great week Elizabeth Mulligan

PARENT/COMMUNITYMEETING You can have input into the direction our wonderful school will take over the next three years. HOW??

Attend one of 2 meetings on November 10th. 2:00-3:00pm or 5:30-6:30pm (at school)

Bellingen PS is in the process of developing its School Plan for the next three years – 2015 to 2017. This plan is designed to combine a number of reforms to give our school, along with all other public schools, greater authority to meet the needs of student learning at a local level. Our current and previous school plans have always been about improving student learning and student outcomes and this new planning format will provide added flexibility. It is centred around three key learning elements and these are to be determined through consultation with community members, parents, staff and students. Our school already has a great relationship with the community and parents. The intention of this meeting is to have a shared conversation about what might be the school’s educational vision in the next 3 years. Your interest, ideas and perspectives are valuable insights upon which the school plan can be developed. We all have a say in our children’s future. Your input is important, so I encourage you to attend one of these meetings. If you are able to attend please contact the school office on 66551147 by Friday, 7th November. (Pre-schoolers welcome)

Year 6 Farewell

We are currently seeking Year 6 parents to assist us with the organisation and running of the Year 6 Farwell to be held on Tuesday 9th December. Currently we only have a small parent committee and need more volunteers to assist us to ensure the night is a success. Jobs include; decoration set up, catering, serving and clean up on the

night. Even if you can only assist with small parts ‘many hands make for light work’ and we would appreciate any contribution you can make. Please contact the school to if you are able to assist in any way. Thank you Kate Sommerville, Stage 3 Assistant Principal

Kindergarten 2015

Do you have a child at home or do you know of a child who will be coming to our school in 2015? Please call in into the office or call us on 6655 1147 so we can put them on our 2015 Kindergarten list. Our Kindergarten Transition Program is now available and has been emailed to all families on our list. Copies can also be collected from our office.

Head Lice

Head Lice have been detected in a number of classes. Would you please check your child’s hair and treat with the appropriate treatment if you detect lice or eggs. Students should not return to school unless this treatment has been administered. We recommend that students with long hair keep it tied back.

Value for this week is Democracy

Garden News

What hot and dry conditions we have for gardening this term. We thank Mrs Leona Scott (my Mum!) for her kind donation of 10 brightly coloured watering cans. With these, we can water everywhere and also fertilize with our worm juice.

Page 2

Term 3 - Week 2 Monday, 27 October 2014 Term 4 - Week 4

Jim, from Hunt's Hardware also threw in an extra watering can and thanked us for supporting local business. As our garden tumbled further in its true permaculture habit, we were having difficulty watering all areas, even with the new watering cans. A super garden fairy mummy, Kimberly came to the rescue with a long hose to join our existing one. Activities in the garden have been varied and last week the children took turns spraying non-toxic white oil on the citrus trees to stop those sap-sucking scale insects! Anthony, our new groundsman, was the back pack carrier until it was light enough for our eager boys to pump and spray! We have also been having fun moving piles of wood chips to garden walk ways to retard weeds, just in case it does rain some time. If you are a keen gardener please feel free to pop by and hose something looking thirsty. We are always attempting to source animal manure to improve soil structure and provide nutrients for our vegies. We would be glad of any mulch you may have access to. Thank you in anticipation, Liz, Ben Vivvy and the team.

Student Banking

Is your child a Smart Saver? Your child could win $1,000 to supersize their savings. Enter at https://secure.commbank.com.au/cqforms/web/search-for-australias-smart-school-savers.aspx simply have your child tell us in 50 words or less what they are saving for, and how they plan to save their money to achieve it. We are looking for the smartest tips for saving money, so have your kids put their thinking caps on! Banking Reward Items The Whale Shark Pencil case is no longer available. In Term 4 you can now order the following • PROJECTOR CUP MONEY BOX • SEA STREAMERS SWIMMING BAG • SHARK KEY RING SCENTED PENCILS • HAND BALL

Thank you for supporting the School Banking program and don’t forget that Tuesday is School Banking day!

Canteen News

After spruiking the end of some supply difficulties last week, it is with a heavy heart and some embarrassment that this epistle brings the sad news that Fruit Stacks have been discontinued. Yes those corporate big wigs at Streets have not only left vanilla paddle pops out of the “Lick A Prize” promotion but now they have chosen to deprive our discerning little learners of some healthy and delicious icy treats just as the weather is warming up. There are still some supplies of Fruit Stacks left in the canteen but these will not last. Thank you Streets for this Halloween trick that takes away a treat.

With the stage 3 musical being held later this week, some of our performers shall be deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the weekly special this week. It would, therefore, be unfair to introduce a new special for this week, so the special will again be chicken empanadas. These are savoury chicken and vegetable filled tortillas baked with cheese. The special will not be available until Thursday and Friday and will sell for $3.50 or $5.00 with a drink. Feeding your children to a better education, Eddy Vardabasso, Canteen Supervisor

Canteen Roster – October/November

Tue 28 Emma Osland, Kahlia Fletcher Wed 29 Raelene McMahon Thu 30 Sharon Benelle, Natalie Cresswell Fri 31 Penny Stark Mon 3 Raelene McMahon, Jackie Vassallo Tue 4 Raelene McMahon

Road Safety

Our priority is to keep our students, your children safe but we need you help. Please rememember to obey simple road rules when dropping off and picking up your children to and from school. Here are some simple tips to help keep our students safe:- • Make sure your children are in an appropriate child

restraint that is fitted and used correctly. • Stick to the 40km/h speed limit in a school zone as

children are about and can be unpredictable. • Look out for buses pulling out – watch for wig-wag

lights. • Always park and turn legally around schools and

avoid dangerous manoeuvres like U-turns and three-point turns.

• Always give way to pedestrians particularly when entering and leaving driveways.

• Drop the kids off and pick them up on the school side of the road in your school's designated drop-off and pick-up area. Calling out to them from across the road can be dangerous because they may run to you without checking traffic.

• It's safest for the kids to get out of the car on the kerb side of the road to be away from passing traffic.

For more information please visit the following website. http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/schools/backtoschoolsafety.html

Diary Dates

October

Mon 27 Grandparents Day Wed 29 Whole School Assembly – Note new date Thur 30 Stage 3 Musical – Dress Rehearsal

Page 3

Term 3 - Week 2 Monday, 27 October 2014 Term 4 - Week 4

Fri 31 Stage 3 Musical

November

Fri 7 Kindergarten Orientation Mon 10-Fri 21 Swim School Fri 14 Kindergarten Orientation Fri 21 Kindergarten Orientation Mon 24 -27 Book Fair Wed 26 County Fair Fri 28 Kindergarten Orientation

December

Mon 1-5 Canberra Excursion Mon 8 Year 6 BHS Orientation Mon 8 Year 6 BHS Orientation – Parent/Carer session, 5 – 6pm Tue 9 Year 6 Farewell Wed 10 Band Performance 5.30pm Thur 11 Presentation Day Fri 12 Piano Concert Tue 16 String Concert, 9.10 to 11am for violins, cellos, viola and double bass.

Year 7 Selective High Schools for 2016

Information is now available for parents wishing to apply for selective high school entry to Year 7 in 2016. Parents mus t apply online at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement Applications for entry in 2016 can be made online between 14 October 2014 and 17 November 2014. All applicants are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test to be held on Thursday, 12 March 2015.

Excursion Budgeting

Excursions can be paid off weekly, fortnightly or monthly or as it suits your family budget. Below are the major excursion costs and the number of weeks till final payment must be received. Canberra Excursion, December 1-5 @ $465 - 3 school weeks approx $155/week.

School Statement of Accounts

Accounts for students have been sent home last week and payment would be appreciated as soon as possible. If you have any queries regarding your account please do not hesistate to contact the school on 6655 1147. Please note you can now pay your accounts via EFTPOS.

Current Notes

Stage 3 Musical note

Class newsletters

Canberra Permission and Medical note

Student Statement of Account

Transition to Bellingen High School

Community Notices Bellingen Public School does not endorse these products or services.

BELLINGEN YOUTH ART PRIZE 2014 December 13-19 Presented by the Bellingen Community Arts Council at Nexus Community Gallery This event is organised to encourage the young artists of our region to create and exhibit outstanding artworks. Further details and entry forms are available from the school office

Australia Day Awards Nominate now: Awards are an integral part of Australia Day, they aim to recognise outstanding achievement during the past year and/or contribution to the local community over a number of years. These unique individuals have given their time freely for numerous organisations throughout the LGA and are always the first to offer support and assistance to the members of the community. Nomination forms are available from the school office or on the Bellingen Shire Council website http://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/ Click on the Community drop down button, Select Australia Day Awards

Page 4