Newsletter Kotara South Public School

16 August 2016

From the Principal

Week 5 · Term 3

Welcome to Week 5 Term 3

KSPS continues to be a busy place! Congratulations to all our Public Speaking Representatives

who presented their speeches at the Zone Public Speaking Competitions held throughout last

week. I know that all our presenters represented KSPS to the best of their ability. Well done al-

so to all our students who participated in their class and stage Spelling Bee competitions last

week. It is great to see our students demonstrating confidence and resilience throughout these

competitions.

Our Year 6 leaders have been very busy in recent weeks organising and planning a number of school events.

The organisation of these events is enabling our Year 6 students to develop their leadership and communica-

tion skills. They are currently preparing music, games, activities and prizes for the next school disco and or-

ganising a Bike Day. Later this term, they will be holding a Stage 3 Sleepover at the school and the Year 6

Mini Fete. Keep your eye out for further details and dates regarding these exciting upcoming events.

We are very excited to be holding a Bicycle Safety Activity Day this Friday for our Yr 3-6 students. Our

Minister for Safety, Bailey, has organised this event as part of his leadership responsibilities. A permission

note with details about the event was sent home yesterday. Please ensure this note is returned as soon as

possible. See further details in this newsletter.

This Thursday all our Year 6 students will be attending a Mathematics Transition Day at Kotara High School.

This day is designed to familiarise our students with the Mathematics department at the High School and to

start meeting teachers from the school. Our students will spend the day with kids from other local Primary

Schools and will be mentored by students from the High School. This program forms a valuable part of our

local community of schools.

Next week will be another exciting week at KSPS with Book Week celebrations. Wednesday 24 August will

be our annual Book Character Parade commencing at 10.30am. All parents and community members are

warmly invited to attend this event. At the conclusion of the parade, all visitors are welcome to enjoy lunch

with their children. Tea, coffee and slices will be available for parents to purchase at the canteen. This is al-

ways a wonderful and exciting event at KSPS and we hope to see you there on the day!

NAPLAN results were sent home to Yrs 3 & 5 student's today. NAPLAN assesses aspects of literacy including

reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar and writing, as well as numeracy. NAPLAN tests provide schools

with valuable information on the literacy and numeracy skills of children that are essential for ongoing learn-

ing. If you have any questions on your child’s results please contact their class teacher.

Last Thursday Water Safety Talks were held in the library at our school.

Newcastle City Council provide these talks each year to our local schools

in order to educate our kids about safety around swimming pools, at the

beach and around open water. This year, NCC are celebrating 50 years of

water safety education. A valuable program that we are proud to be apart

of!

Have a great week learning and making #kspsagreatplacetobe

Catherine Ward – Assistant Principal

Kotarasth-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.kotarasth-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

150 Rae Crescent

Kotara South 2289

49575319

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Kindergarten Orientation – Parent Session Term 3 Week 7

The first of our Kindergarten Orientation Sessions (Parent Orientation and Enrolment Day) will be held on

Wednesday August 31 at 9.30am in the school hall. The staff and students at KSPS would like to welcome all

families taking part in this orientation session. We are looking forward to meeting you.

Stars on Stage Concert Term 3 Week 10

Stars on Stage includes all students at KSPS in a range of performances including dance, drama and music.

While details are still being finalised, our Stars on Stage concert will be held in the last week of Term 3 in our

school hall. The tentative dates and times are Tuesday September 20 at 12.30pm and Wednesday September

21 at 12.30pm and 6pm. More information regarding our Stars on Stage concerts will be provided in upcoming

newsletters.

Mrs Violet Cox – Assistant Principal ES1 & Stage 1

Zone Athletics Carnival

Recently we sent our Zone Track and Field representatives consisting of 35 students to the Zone Athletics

Carnival at Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale. The Zone was separated into two different days, Friday 29th July

and Tuesday 2nd August. This was a wonderful opportunity to mix with other student from Newcastle City Zone

PSSA area. All of the students had loads of fun on both days. Everyone did exceptionally well in all the events

that they participated in with a few outstanding performances, seeing 5 students making it to the Regional Car-

nival to be held again at Hunter Sports Centre on 2nd September. The successful students were Cameron and

Kyran from Year 3, Campbell from Year 4 and Adelaide and Jordie from Year 6. We wish the five athletes all

the best at Regionals.

Book Week at KSPS Wednesday 24th August

You are invited to a Book Parade at 10:30am, Wednesday 24th August at Kotara South. Parents and

carers are welcome to bring their picnic lunch to school and have lunch with their child/children. There

will be coffee/tea, cakes and slices available to buy at the canteen during lunch time. Lunch will finish at

12:00 noon and classes will resume as normal.

Students need to wear their book character costume to school. Remember the book your character is

from, no weapons and shoes to be able to run around at lunch time.

In the library at lunch time there will be a book exchange for the children. To participate they need to

bring a book to exchange for another, all books will be second hand and you cannot get your book back

once it has been exchanged. Come to the library and see what book you would like

to read. It doesn't cost any money just a book you have already read.

If you would like to donate money for the ongoing replacement of the shelves in the

library there will be a container in the library, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Book Parade for a fun day, join Australia to

celebrate the benefits of books and reading. For more information

https://cbca.org.au/book-week-2016

Mrs Susan Harvey – Librarian

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Zone Public Speaking

Congratulations to our 8 students who competed in the Hunter Inter-Schools Public Speaking Zone competi-tion last week. Each student put in an outstanding effort and onlookers were impressed with both the content of their speeches and the confidence in which they presented. Special mention to Sarah Hopton who re-ceived a ‘Highly Commended’ award for her speech about spelling.

Zoe Cutro, Caleb Smith, Zali Smith, Sarah Hopton, Luke Forrester, Josie Lewer and Ava White, you have made KSPS very proud!

Ms Partridge – Public Speaking Co-ordinator

Caleb Smith and Zali Smith absent from photo.

A big congratulation to our Spelling Bee

finalists for this year!

Olivia and Cameron

(junior finalists) &

Ava and India

(senior finalists)

I would like to congratulate all of the students that

participated in the class finals.

Well done!

Year 4 Jacinda Coleman - Merit Tahlia Ottery - Merit Grace Ryan - Merit Ruby Sharkey - Credit Kyra Wolski - Credit Harry Martin - Credit Noah Ellis - Credit Christian Aebi - Credit Oliver Bourke - Distinction Maeve Collins - Distinction

Year 3 Bodie Fenwick Mulcahy - Merit Leo Mackie - Credit Thomas Phelan - Credit Chloe Henshall - Distinction Lucinda Powell - Distinction Cameron Oliver - High Distinction

Year 5 Thomas Steel - Credit Melati Siswoyo - Credit

Zone Public Speaking

Congratulations to our 8 students who competed in the Hunter Inter-Schools Public Speaking Zone competition last week. Each student put in an outstanding effort and onlookers were impressed with both the content of their speeches and the confidence in which they presented. Special mention to Sarah who received a ‘Highly Com-mended’ award for her speech about spelling.

Zoe, Caleb, Zali, Sarah, Luke, Josie and Ava you have made KSPS very proud!

Ms Partridge – Public Speaking Co-ordinator

2016 ICAS Spelling Award Winners Congratulations to the following students for their achievements in the 2016 ICAS Spelling Competition.

Stage 2 Luna Park Excursion

Our Year 3 and 4 excursion to Luna Park is fast approaching (Friday 2nd September). The final note will

be sent out this week with an itinerary and a list of things to pack. If you have not paid in full or made a

deposit, please do so as soon as possible as we need to get final numbers. The cut off date for payment

is Friday 26th August.

Lee Englefield - Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Year 6 Noah - Credit Jordie - Credit Mia - Credit India - Credit Ava - Credit Josephine - Distinction Madeline - Distinction

Year 4 Jacinda - Merit Tahlia - Merit Grace - Merit Ruby - Credit Kyra - Credit Harry - Credit Noah - Credit Christian - Credit Oliver - Distinction Maeve - Distinction

Year 3 Bodie - Merit Leo - Credit Thomas - Credit Chloe - Distinction Lucinda - Distinction Cameron - High Distinction

Year 5 Thomas - Credit Melati - Credit

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Week 4

KC

Nina

Gabriel

Caleb

KF

Orla

Cameron

Chase

K/1P

Eli

Imogen

Holly

1V

Tenzin

Rhiannan

Bella

1/2G

Genevieve

Imogen

Henry

Week 4

2GT

Sophia

Adam

Clara

Chelsea

2/3E

Cooper

Jay

Angelina

3P

Lilly

Phoebe

Elissa

4W

Jayden

Christian

Gabrielle

Week 4

4/5E

Geordie

Cade

Declan

5/6J

Anna-Rose

Ben

Joe

Bella

5/6W

Breanne

Thomas

Madeline

HSU

Joseph

MS SQUIRE

Ruby

Kaynen

What's On …….. Events for your calendar 2016

Yr 6 Math Transition Day 18 August

Bike Day Yrs 3-6 19 August

Book Week Parade 24 August

Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition (Stage 3) 25 August

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WA

RD

S

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SE

MB

LY A

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RD

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Free-Runners

Twisting, Turning, Twirling and Flipping rapidly,

the professional free-runners energetically look

phenomenal doing what they do best. Quickly

snatching my camera from my handbag, I film

the amazing scene of backflips, leaps, walk-

overs and much, much more. After that I

slugged off looking for more parkour runners to

video. There were people flipping

e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e!! They flipped and twisted

everywhere. They eagerly sprinted with fury not

fear, in fact they weren’t afraid of anything!!!!!

TALK ABOUT AWESOME!! I sure would love to

be able to do that! By Tahlia 4\5E

Free Running like a bomb

Rapidly sprinting like a cheetah catching its pray, I

run to do a backflip off the wall. While I wait for my

friends, I do a few leaps against the wall. When they

are done, we go to the next obstacle course which

was a tree.

We arrive at the tree and found it had huge branch-

es to climb. We ran up the tree and did a backflip

onto the soft, green grass. When we were done we

ran up a wall and did a jump twist. After that we

went home with our legs sore.

By Jacinda 4/5E

Free Running Like a Boss

Running, jumping and twisting, that’s what I’m

doing right now, just like a boss. Flipping off the

walls and bouncing over grassy gardens. As I

sprint through the gigantic city the air rushes

past my face, making my brown hair go wild. I

hop up onto a stone ledge and climb onto the

old, black roof of a building. I slide down a large

piece of tin laying on a window sill. My feet land

on hard, flat ground and I keep on running. I

reach back into a backward hand spring, jump

back up, and run towards my friends.

I perform a summersault and run back to where

we started. I take quick, sharp breaths and think

about how epic that was.

By Maeve 4/5E

Free - Runners

The parkour runners were energetically sprinting as

they did a powerful kick off the wall. They are amaz-

ing. They tumbled, they rolled, and they barrelled

along the tops of buildings. As they leaped, dived,

and jumped, I could see the determination in their

eyes. They are parkour!

By Declan (4/5E)

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Trudging through the humid, misty marsh, I search for shelter from the murky bog and the intimidating creature that is closing in on me. Sprinting to stay out of the bog, I spy a house, rush in, and see: mysterious carvings of people with leaf-shaped swords, an ancient bookcase filled with books and cobwebs and a door with a sign that said- Περσεύς (Perseus).

By Oliver Lurking through the dense, murky swamp, the shadow was approaching closer and closer by the second. I was now petrified by this mysterious creature heading towards me. I heard grunts and deep breaths not very far away from me. Unaware of what would happen next, I turned on my car and the lights shone straight onto the creature. Growling at me, the creature was as ferocious as a dragon.

By Noah E Trudging through the vast, green, stinky swamp, a world away from civilisation I could hear a mangled noise getting louder and louder. I see it an enormous green monster towering over my head with teeth as sharp as knives and claws as strong as stone.

By Cooper The marsh is murky, the night is falling and sounds are getting stranger. Trudging cautiously through the myste-rious, gloomy swamp, I hear footsteps, I turn as quick as lightning and spy a unicorn. The majestic beast rears and, I duck. It`s snow white body is crystal clean. It’s golden horn and hooves glimmering like diamonds. This breathtaking beast is such a wonder to behold.

By Grace Paddling through the damp, dense air, in the canoe, on the green, sticky water I was in search of the legendary Herobrine. The sound of someone cutting through the air like a saw through wood got closer and closer until I saw the evil monster.

By Jake Lurking through the gloomy, sticky mud, I could see nothing but dark misty air. Trees as damp as the rain falling from the sky lined the swampy creek. I could hear footsteps following not far behind. I was terrified thinking what monstrous thing it could be…

By Kayla

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Bike Newsletter

Hello fellow bikeriders!

We are holding an event on Friday 19th August which will involve years 3-6. This day is a ‘Ride to school

day’ which will include a bike safety check, an optional ride to Lugar park where activities will be held. Further

information and a permission note will be sent home this week. We will be looking for some help from Parents

or Carers to assist with the day.

The requirements to be able to participate are:

*helmet*functional brakes* inflated tyres*No unicycles or dinkies allowed

Looking forward to a great day * * * Yours in Safety * * *

Bailey-Minster for Transport

CANTEEN NEWS Hello from the Canteen for another fantastic week. I will be needing helpers on Wednesday as it is the Book Week Parade Day. There will be tea, coffee , cold drinks and slices available on that day. This Week’s Olympic supa Specials

I will be moving into the spring/summer menu so macaroni cheese, pasta bolognese and lasagne will be available only until sold out. Apples are .80c. Lean meat pies are $2.20. Hot dogs $2.20. FIONA BEST - Canteen Supervisor

Eat Fresh Deal $3.00 1 salad sandwich 1 berri 100% juice popper

Rio Roll $3.50 1 Pizza roll, ham, cheese pizza sauce, olives optional 1 pkt jjs 1 ice mony

Golden chippy $3.50 6 chicken chippys 1 green & gold jelly cup 1 pkt Deli Rocks

SHREK THE MUSICAL Jr – SHREKTACULAR!

Two of KSPS’s very own year 6 students – Anna-Rose Csuka and Josie Lewer – are in Shrek the Musical Jr which will be showing at the Civic Theatre Newcastle next school holidays with 6 shows over 3 days 29th Sept – 1st Oct. Tickets are available from Ticketek but get in for the best seats as they are selling fast. It’s the perfect fami-ly school holiday activity for all ages.

“I enjoy being in Shrek the Musical Jr because you get to perform on the stage along-side some awesomely talented people. We also get to see what goes into putting a show together.” Josie

“I love being in Shrek because the show experience is shrektastic and you learn lots of new things about the arts. It is great that Josie and I get the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of people, so I hope you can come!” Anna-Rose

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NEWS FROM THE P&C

Don’t forget to download the Skoolbag App.

Family Portrait

Peter and Nicole from Beautiful Beginnings Photography are one of our KSPS families and are fundraising for our school. They will be offering the KSPS Community a fantastic deal on family photos, great for Christmas presents. During the months of September and October, for $35 you will receive a professional location pho-to shoot with Peter and Nicole. The locations will be either bush or beach, Glenrock Reserve or Beach.

You will receive a matted 10x15inch wall enlargement ready to put into a 16x20inch frame.

Peter and Nicole will donate 100% of the $35.00 to KSPS P&C.

They have also put together some affordable packages that you will be able to use as Christmas presents and keep some for yourself.

Please check out Beautiful Beginnings Photography website www.beautifulbeginningsphotography.com.au to see the amazing work they do. You may even recognise some people in their photos.

To book your sitting, please complete the below form and return it to the office ASAP with the sitting fee of $35.00. Peter and Nicole will then contact you to arrange a convenient time for your family photos. ____________________________________________________________________

Beautiful Beginnings Photography Family Portrait Name: ______________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________________________________ Location: Glenrock Reserve / Merewether Beach (please circle which location) ____________________________________________________________________ Book Week Parade – Wednesday 24

th August

On Wednesday 24th August, “KSPS Book Week Parade Day”, the canteen will be operating as normal, however, Fiona

will also be offering the KSPS community tea/coffee and Thompson’s cakes. So after the book parade has finished please come on up to purchase a selection of cakes, tea, coffee or softdrinks to have with your children during lunchtime.

The canteen will also be looking for extra volunteers on the day. If you can help out please call in to let Fiona know.

Thank you for your support towards the KSPS canteen. Father’s Day Wrapping Night and Disco - Wednesday 31

st August

We will be holding the Father’s Day Stall wrapping night whilst the school disco is on - Wednesday 31st August. We will

be wrapping gifts from 6pm in the library. We are looking for helpers for wrapping gifts and also for running both the in-fants and primary disco canteen. Father’s Day Stall – Thursday 1

st September.

The Father’s Day stall will be held in the library from 9am on Thursday 1st September. If you can spare a few hours we

would love for you to come along and help run the stall. Items will be priced from $2 to $10, with something for everyone (hopefully!). Please send infants with a labelled carry bag for all their treasures and their money in an envelope indicat-ing who they are buying for and how much to spend.

FRIDAY FUNDAY 2016 – 21st

October 2pm to 6pm

Friday Funday will be held on Friday 21st October from 2pm to 6pm. The Funday will start with class stalls from 2pm,

with Megamania joining us from 3pm on the oval. We will be holding a sausage sizzle and cake stall to cater for dinner and keep the hunger at bay. The P&C will be running a number of stalls, including the Grounds & Garden plant stall, the craft stall, showbags, bowl-ing alley and a monster raffle. We are in the process of lining up some entertainment to keep the parents happy while the kids are playing at Megama-nia. We are anticipating having some external stallholders as well. Investigations are being made into holding an Art Show in the hall. Letters will be sent home in the near future by your class teachers advising what stalls each class are running and what donations they will be asking for. Most of the class stalls will finish at 3pm. We are still looking for someone who can help with face painting. We are just looking at small pictures on the cheek, not full face painting.

Please visit the ‘Kotara South Public School P&C Friday Funday – Fete’ facebook page to keep up to date with eve-rything that will be happening.

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Sponsors We are still looking for sponsors to help make our Fete a success. If you or someone you know can help with corporate sponsorship or raffle prizes then please let us know. Megamania Please find the pre-order form attached to this week’s newsletter. Please return order form and cash to the office by Fri-day 14

th October 2016.

School Banking Don’t forget school banking is every Wednesday. Please ensure your child brings their deposit book with money to hand in at class.

If any parents/caregivers/grandparents are interested in helping run this program please contact Kelly Sturgeon via email at ccsturgeon@gmail.com. Uniform Shop Keep your eye on the KSPS P&C Facebook page for uniform shop opening days and times.

Kotara South Public School P&C Facebook Page Kotara South Public School P&C Friday Funday – Fete Facebook Page

P&C Dates to remember

Kinder Orientation - 31st August 2016

Father’s Day Wrapping Night – 31st August 2016

Father’s Day Stall – 1st September 2016

Disco 3 – 31st August 2016

Fete 2016 – 21st October 2016

Bunnings BBQ at Kotara – 3rd

December 2016

GOLD SPONSORS

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