William Street Email: Bellingen-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Rel Principal: Elizabeth Mulligan 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 8 Monday, 23 November 2015

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents/Caregivers, A pleasant surprise last week was to receive a certificate which acknowledged 30 years of teaching in Public Education in NSW. I knew when I was 5 years old that I was going to be a teacher and steadily worked towards achieving that goal throughout primary and high school. Seven schools, a variety of teaching and leadership roles, marriage, 2 children, continued study and working with absolutely fantastic staff and students have marked this time. What has changed the most? Educating and preparing students to take their place in an ever changing local and global community while remaining true to themselves as individuals despite external ‘pressures’. What hasn’t changed is the joy in celebrating learning milestones and ‘personal bests’ with students and hearing a cheery (or cheeky) “good morning Mrs Mulligan”! I am including an emailI received from Ian Dillon, who accompanied Year 6 on the Canberra Excursion. I couldn’t agree more with his comments about our fabulous teachers and students. Hi Elizabeth, I've been meaning to contact you in regard to the great excursion year 6 had last week and how

much I enjoyed the experience of parent helper. Congratulations must go to Kate and Roz for their great organization and planning, their dedication to the students clocking on at 5am and clocking off at 11 pm each night, on behalf of everyone involved thank you, the kids had a unique experience and they behaved very well, which made the long journey worthwhile, cheers Ian Dillon A reminder that students are expected to wear full school uniform every day. This includes a school hat. Caps and hooded jumpers are not permitted. Personal devices such as iPods, phones and iPads MUST be handed in to the front office on arrival at school. This is school policy and is for the protection of all students. Reminding your child to follow this rule would be greatly appreciated. There is lots on between now and the end of the year. Make sure you check dates in this newsletter or on the Skoolbag app. Have a great week. Elizabeth Mulligan, Principal

YEAR 6 CANBERRA EXCURSION Canberra Recount On Monday, 9.11.15, 6:00am, year 6 got onto the bus that was taking them to Canberra. The trip was 12 hours long including 3 breaks at Kempsey, Bulahdelah and Pheasants Nest. After 12 long, boring hours, shouts broke out on the bus as we arrived at Westwood Lodge where we would stay for the week. We had a great (ish) dinner and soon after, we went to bed. The next day, we got on the bus and went to a few places like the National Museum Of Australian History and the Canberra Deep Space Station Complex

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Term 4 – Week 8 Monday, 23 November 2015

(CDSSC). Though my favourite place was the Mint. We got to see a money-lifting robot called Titan who can lift the weight of a rhino. They also had a display of coins worth more than 1 million dollars. We also got a cool souvenir coin. We then got on the bus, went to a few other places and went back to Westwood Lodge. The next day, we went to Old Parliament House, The Australian War Memorial, etc. and I enjoyed the Australian War Memorial the most. We went to the ‘discovery zone’ where it showed us what it would be like to live in war times. Then we went on a tour and there were some AMAZING 3D dioramas. My favourite things were the huge model planes. Once again we got on the bus and went to Westwood Lodge. The next day, we went to New Parliament House and other places. My favourite place of the whole trip was the Canberra Arboretum. It has 2 huge fancy buildings and 400 hectares of tree plantation. It also has an awesome playground where we had loads of fun. When we got there, we noticed that they were growing the world’s tallest tree there. It can grow to 95m tall. We also found a spider that can camouflage itself on the tree. They had trees that had existed since before the dinosaurs and trees that looked like they were from a

fantasy world when fully grown. Finally we got on the bus and went back to Westwood Lodge. We ended our amazing journey by going 10 pin bowling. It was great fun and lots of people got strikes. The next day we woke up at 5:00am and got on the bus at 6:00. We had a boring 12 hour trip back to Bellingen. When we got off the bus, our fantastic journey had ended. Ted Hart, Year 6 Student IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT STATEMENTS To assist with end of year processes we would appreciate that all accounts be finalised by now as they are overdue. Important - Violin/Band & Instrument Hire All music tuitions fees should now be finalised. Failure to pay these fees by end of term will jeopardise your childs place in the program. 2015 Music tuition fees that are NOT finalised, will jeopardise students place in this program for 2016, places will be offered to students on the waiting list. Thanking you in advance.

CANTEEN NEWS

Apparently those esteemed people who make up the auspicious but mysterious body that decide what days to appoint as international celebration days, have decided that Tuesday is (I’m not kidding you) “International Fairy Bread Day”. Well, who are we in the canteen to argue with these great and wise leaders of humanity. So on Tuesday (at

lunchtime only) the canteen will

have fairy bread available for 20 cents a slice. Last week saw the end of swimming school for our year 2 and 3 aquanauts. Since they missed out on the delicious special last week it will be continued for this week to give them the opportunity to enjoy the Neg Kelly pie. The special will be available on Thursday and Friday only at a cost of $3.50 or $5.00 with a drink. Feeding your children to a better education, Eddy Vardabasso, Canteen Supervisor

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Term 4 – Week 8 Monday, 23 November 2015

TAG GALA DAY

Wednesday 11 November was the first Mix Tag Value Gala day. Bellingen sent 4 teams accompanied by Mr Ellem. The weather was beautiful and very hot but the students had a great day with both year 3/4 teams being undefeated and the year 5/6 teams only losing one each. At the end of the day a value shield trophy was handed to the school that displayed outstanding values throughout the whole day. Although we didn't receive the shield, Gary the development officer came up and commended the students from Bellingen on their sportsmanship. A big thanks to the parents who helped with transport and cheering on the sideline. Well done students.

Craig Ellem, Organising Teacher

RARE MUSICAL OPPORTUNITY JUNIOR PROMS – Friday, December 4, Uniting Church Hall

Please take advantage of the tremendous musical experience provided by our own town’s Youth Orchestra! Annie Phelan, conductor, invites all school children of Bellingen to an informative concert featuring all the instruments of the orchestra. Children will hear the lovely tone colour of the various instruments as many of the orchestra members have been preparing short melodies to share. The orchestra will present music, familiar to children. The repertoire includes themes from the Pirates of the Caribbean, Rocky, Harry Potter, ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ and even a narrated version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with sound effects!! The Bellingen Youth Orchestra is made up of students representing all high schools in the Coffs district, however, most players have fed through to the Orchestra from our primary music programme. There will be many familiar faces for our children to recognize. The concert will be fun and to experience this in Bellingen is extraordinary. Don’t miss out. It is through intimate musical experiences that children get a feeling and a desire to learn an instrument with a sound that resonates in their hearts. Liz Scott

LIBRARY NEWS:-

BOOK FAIR this week. Lots of lovely books and gifts for Christmas. All welcome.

ORANGUTAN STALL will also be open at the Book Fair with lots of wonderful items for sale. Again great Christmas presents - jewellery, ipad cases, suit case covers, watches, tee shirts, cards, etc. All proceeds go to the Borneo Orangutan Centre. Our Library Orangutan Appeal has already raised nearly $400.

Many thanks to those who have donated. Our latest competition is a poster or teeshirt design about saving orangutans and forests and cutting out non-sustainable palm oil production. 50c or gold coin donation to enter. Competition will close on Monday 30 November which is KIDS CUT PALM OIL DAY. Thank you Carole McFaul Teacher Librarian

BUS APPLICATIONS

Students in year 2 who are progressing to year 3 and have a bus pass would have recently been sent a new application form. Students may reapply if they fall under the following criteria. • The straight line distance from their home address to school is 1.6 km or further. • The walking distance from home to school is 2.3 km or further. Students who do not fit this criteria may contact the office for details on how they may appeal and apply for a bus application.

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Term 4 – Week 8 Monday, 23 November 2015

Bellingen Public School BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Program BPS is researching the possibility of a Bring Your Own Device program at the school. We are currently looking at the support for such a program and have devised an online survey for this purpose. If you click on the web link below it will take you to the survey, which will only take a couple of minutes to complete. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated and will allow us to fully assess the viability of such as program. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSNWSFB Thank you for your time Mel Wilton, ICT coordinator

Canteen Roster –Nov /Dec Tue 24 Leonie Jennings Wed 25 Donal O’Suilleabhain Thu 26 Laurie Rosa, Elizabeth Joyce Fri 27 Sue Travis, Leonie Jennings Mon 30 Leonie Jennings, Jo Barr Tue 1 Leonie Jennings

CURRENT NOTES

Year 6 Farwell Dinner note

Year 5 note for Year 6 farewell disco

Year 6 note for photos Kinder photo

FOEI Enrolment forms (with the orange note)

Diary Dates

November

Mon 23 – Fri 27 Book Fair Tue 24 Thank you Morning Tea Fri 27 Kinder Orientation HSIE– No Parent/Carer Session Mon 30 Closing date for Library Competition

December

Fri 4 4.15 Guitar Concert Fri 4 All Schools Orientation Day - Bellingen High School Fri Junior Proms, Uniting Church Hall Mon 7 Year 7 Parent/Carer Information Evening, 5pm-6pm Tue 8 Year 6 Farewell Wed 9 Combined Piano Concert 9-11 Thur 10 Presentation Day Fri 11 Reports out Fri 11 String concert in the hall, 1pm to 3.10 (includes solo performances and shared afternoon tea Wed 16 Last of Term for Students

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

Get ready for the big international film festival being launched over Summer across Bello and Coffs. More info can be found at – www.swiff.com.au

Bellingen Drama School presents…

The Search for the Holy Pail

6pm, Wednesday November 25,Memorial Hall Entry by gold coin donation

Bellingen Drama School presents…

The younger group performing their swashbuckling romp

– ‘The Stolen Pearl’ TWO SHOWS! At the Scout Hall on Bowra St

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December, 5pm both days Entry by gold coin donation – aaaar!

Vipassana Meditation Course A 3 day course in Vipassana as taught by SN Goenka will be held in the local area starting 18th till 21st December, 2015. This refresher course is for students who have completed a 10 day course in this tradition of Vipassana as taught by SN Goenka. Please apply via www.bhumi.dhamma.org Vipassana means to see things as they really are. It is a practical method of self-awareness which makes it possible to face the tensions and problems of daily life in a calm and balanced way. By this art of living, mental tensions dissipate and the positive qualities of love, joy, compassion and equanimity naturally develop. This path of mental purification is unique in its simplicity, lack of dogma and, above all, its results. For more information about Vipassana, or to apply for a full 10-day course to learn this technique of meditation, please visit www.bhumi.dhamma.org Please contact Tali Krieger on 6655 2627 if you would like further information. May all beings be happy!

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