www.kotarasth_p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

kotarasth_p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

(02) 4957 5319

150 Rae Crescent Kotara South 2289

Kotara South Public School

Newsletter A Great Place to Be!

2 May 2017 | Week 2 | Term 2

From the Principal Welcome to week 2. Our school is gearing up for a super busy term. Just last week some of our KSPS students were involved in the Zone Cross Country. Congratulations to all participants and a special mention to Mr John and Mrs Ward who supported our students on the day. Also, a big thank you to Mrs Ward for all those extra practice sessions in the holidays. See the article further on in the newsletter for more information. A very big congratulations to Elodie Playdon, Angie Ottery and Imogen Fazzari for the outstanding sportsmanship they displayed at the Zone Cross Country. They were cheering on and encouraging all runners. Way to go girls! See centre photo on page 3.

With fingers crossed, our KSPS Athletics Carnival will go ahead this Thursday (minus the rain) down at Nesbitt Park. I am looking forward to a great day of running, jumping, throwing and making memories with our mates. I am also looking forward to seeing all our family and community come along and be part of the day cheering on your favourite little athlete. Full sports uniform and hats for the athletes please. You may wish to bring seating, as it’s limited at the park. The sausage sizzles ordered last term are still valid and will be given to students for lunch if they have pre-ordered. A canteen is available and will be selling cakes, chips, lollies, cool drinks will be available along with the BBQ. Support our P & C who always support our school.

This year, our school will be reporting to parents using an altered format, but always reporting on English, Maths, Science, History, CAPA (the arts) and PDHPE (sport). Reports will be given to parents during the Parent/Teacher interview time and discussed together. Any parent who is not able to make it to interviews will have their child’s report sent home on the final Thursday before school ends. Keep an eye out for the online Parent/Teacher interview bookings later this term.

At Kotara South we are invested in every child’s learning. We know that providing a stimulating, current and engaging curriculum is important in connecting kids to learning. Every day we provide this in our classrooms. We have also been looking to extend stimulating and engaging learning outside the classroom. Last term we trialed a different way for children to participate in completing homework. This was in the form of a matrix (grid style) group of activities that included academic, physical, reading, housework and other family items. We are very keen to hear parent’s thoughts on how this style of homework was completed in your home. Please visit

https://docs.google.com/a/education.nsw.gov.au/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxgmzA0AYHU-ycwSAKQkbFowsGltDBQINUimOqjNkWPfccig/viewform?usp=sf_link

to complete a small survey about the change in homework. We value your responses and this will assist us in our decisions in the future.

Star Struck practices are in full swing and there is a continual chain of information coming out to parents for dancers and for the choir. I understand that the cost to parents in both money and time are large. This is an experience that your child will not forget and is highly valued at schools across the Hunter. We would like each nominated student to participate, so if you have difficulties with making payments, transporting your child to and from practices at Broadmeadow, please do not hesitate to contact either Ms Gibson (dance) or Miss Martin (choir). Exciting times ahead. Don’t forget to book your tickets at: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/search/SearchResults.aspx?k=starstruck+newcastle

Our school library is getting back into shape after the new carpet was laid. Drop in for a look when you are next passing buy. It certainly has made a difference. Please don’t forget to send your child’s library bag for borrowing each week.

Please note there are changed parking arrangements on the school side of Rae Cres in front of the old hall area. This has become a ‘kiss and drop’ area. See the Newcastle City Council website for further details: http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Living/Transport/Parking/School-zone-parking

Have a great week learning and thanks for making #KSPSagreatplacetobe

Susan Maxworthy – PRINCIPAL

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School News YEAR 5 OPPORTUNITY CLASS PLACEMENT IN 2018 Opportunity classes cater for highly achieving Year 5 and Year 6 academically gifted students. Successful students in our local area will attend New Lambton South Public School. If you are interested in having your year 4 child sit the placement test, please find the application link below. Applications are available between 26 April and 12 May 2017.

Please see the link on the school website or on the skoolbag app for registration. https://education.nsw.gov.au/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5

Patrick Warren – CLASSROOM TEACHER

STAR STRUCK The Star Struck season is well and truly under way. We will be performing along with approximately 3,500 other students from across the Hunter and Central Coast areas. Below are some important details for both the dance group and choir.

Ms Gibson – DANCE COORDINATOR and Miss Martin – CHOIR COORDINATOR

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Star Struck Participation / Prop Hire Fee

Dance / Choir (circle)

Name: ________________________________ Class: ________________________________

I have enclosed $40 for the payment of Star Struck’s Participation/Prop Hire fee.

Signed ________________________________________

Dance Participation Fee/Finale Cap/Costume Hire: Please note there will be a participation fee of $40, which will cover the student’s rehearsal fees and coloured cap for the finale. Money will need to be finalised by Friday 12th May. Also payable online through the school website.

White Canvas Shoes: Students will need to purchase white canvas shoes. These need to be clearly labelled and delivered to Ms Gibson by Friday 5th May, in readiness for painting.

Choir Participation Fee/Prop Hire/Finale Items:

Please note there will be a participation fee of $40, which will cover the student’s rehearsal fees and prop and finale items. Please complete the form below and return along with the money by Friday 12th May.

Prop Hat Students will need to purchase a hat from a various profession. Example: Artist, Chef, Sportsperson, Astronaut, Pilot, Office Worker, Policeman, Doctor, Clown, Magician. Visit local Dollar Shops and toyshops for costume ideas. This needs to be clearly labelled and returned to Miss Martin by Friday 12th May.

Costume: Students will wear a designated T-shirt (already purchased) with black dress pants, black shoes and black socks.

Tickets Students will know where they are positioned on the floor/stage, at their first rehearsal. You may wish to purchase tickets after this, to ensure you get the best view.

Tickets may be purchased directly through TICKETEK. http://premier.ticketek.com.au/search/SearchResults.aspx?k=starstruck+newcastle

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ZONE CROSS COUNTRY Last Friday our school Cross Country team competed at the Zone Cross Country Carnival at Stevenson Park, Mayfield. It was a wonderful carnival with all students giving it their very best on the day and offering lots of encouragement to all their team mates throughout the events.

Well done to our whole team – Nate, Wes, Oscar, Elodie, Angie, Imogen, Kiera, Phoebe, Libby, Luke, Jackson, Cooper, Tahlia, Olivia, Mia, Harry, Liam, Daniel, Melati, Tom, Joe and Cody. Your commitment to training over the last few weeks must be commended.

Congratulations to Nate Ward (2nd 8/9yr boys), Elodie Playdon (6th 8/9yr girls) and Luke Fuller (3rd 10yr boys) who qualified for the Regional Cross Country to be held at Cessnock Racecourse on the 2nd June.

Catherine Ward – ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

K-6 PUBLIC SPEAKING Our annual whole-school Public Speaking competition is approaching and all students K-6 will be asked to prepare a short speech to share with their class in Week 5. Class teachers will provide further information, along with your child’s speech date. This is a whole school assessment item and also a wonderful opportunity for students to build skills and confidence in preparing a speech and presenting to an audience. We ask that you please support your child in selecting a suitable topic and preparing their speech. Each class teacher will select two successful speakers to compete in KSPS stage finals and stage winners will then have the opportunity to compete at the local Zone level competition.

We are amazed each year by the originality and creativity of our students’ speeches and are looking forward to their efforts this year.

Miss Partridge and Miss O’Reilly – PUBLIC SPEAKING COORDINATORS

LIBRARY BORROWING DAYS

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

2J, 2M, 1O’R and 1G 6W, KG/S and KP 3F, 4G, 3/4W and 4/5E 5P and KC HSUB

The students can also borrow at lunchtimes on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sue Harvey – TEACHER LIBRARIAN

Canteen

The Canteen will be closed Term 2 for renovations.

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Assembly Awards

WEEK 1

KC Tobias Taylor Eloise Postal Oliver Baker

2M Nicholas Harland Evelyn Hutchison Tenzin Jungney

4/5JE Kiera Capriotti Sophie Gore Jackson Matthews

KP Lucius Pendlebury Rory Abel Luca Bridges

2J Ben Love Milliana Bourke Hedda Hassellund

5P Lawson Perry Lucy Godfrey Mitchell Butler

KG/S Hannah Simpson Kaylee Taylor Oskar Hassellund

3F Olivia Sands Stela Vyslysel Linnea Zentner

6W Olivia Mackie Georgia Dunn Archie Green

1G Alex O’Donnell Liam Sharpe Sam Cross

3/4W Chelsea Drysdale Curtis Williams Jennifer Phan

HSUB Kian Thompson

1O’R

Elsie Wood Kaynen Furner Luciana Gentle

Torres

4G

Lucas Beever-Stead

Libby Blake Alexis Vickerman

Important Dates This Week This Month This Term (2)

4 May Athletics Carnival – 31 March 7 May Bunnings BBQ –9am to 4pm

For more details and events visit http://www.kotarasth-

p.schools.nsw.edu.au/calendar.

10 May P&C Meeting -7pm Library 10 May Mum’s Day Stall Wrap Session 11 May Mum’s Day Stall 24 May Disco Canteen Stall

14 Jun P&C Meeting -7pm Library 18 Jun Gardens & Grounds

Volunteer Day

MERIT AWARDS Gold Kurtis Fazzari

Silver No recipients

Bronze Emilyne Creamer Zayleigh Taaffe

EXECUTIVE AWARDS

No recipients

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P&C Association May is a big month for the P&C. We start with the Athletics Carnival BBQ/Canteen this Thursday, followed by the Bunnings BBQ on Sunday. Next week on Wednesday the 10th we will be busy wrapping Mother’s Day gifts and our next Meeting is that evening. The Mother’s Day stall is the next morning on the 11th. We finish out the month with the Term 2 Disco on Wednesday the 24th May.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL Thanks to everyone that has pre-ordered their sausage sandwiches. Don’t forget to bring your tickets on the day. (Why not just stick them to the inside of your child’s lunchbox!). Sausages can also be ordered on the day along with drinks and treats from our Canteen stall.

We will need helpers on the day for setting up, BBQ, canteen and pack up. Email kspspandc@gmail.com or see Helena Hannan on the day.

MOTHER’S DAY STALL We will be wrapping the Mother’s Day Stall gifts next week Wednesday 10th May from 5:30pm in the Hall. We need helpers so please came along if you can. The Mother’s Day stall will be the next morning (11th May) in the Hall. Gifts will be available to purchase from $2 to $10 and just a few at $15. Please remember to send a money and a labelled bag with your child so that they can purchase gift(s).

BUNNINGS BBQ Thank you to all our volunteers for the Bunnings BBQ this Sunday (7th). Please encourage your friends and family to come down and say hello and purchase a sausage sandwich.

7th May Helper 1 Helper 2 Helper 3 Helper 4 8:45am to 10am Meredith Betts Jude Dunne Andrew Luks Paul Gascoine

10am to 11am Susan Fuller Mark Sneddon Mrs Sneddon Sue Maxworthy 11am to 12pm Rob Main Kate Godfrey Karen Bealing Andrew Taylor 12pm to 1pm Angela Dwyer Kat Cowie Peter Taffe Helena Hannan

1pm to 2pm Kelly Sturgeon Angela Hopton Lani Vaughan Symons Lyndell Jennison

2pm to 3pm Kelly Sturgeon Emily Harland Ben Vaughan Symons Jehnaya Thompson

3pm to 4:00pm Helena Hannan Emily Harland Sean Hutchison Claire Person

LAST TERM’S EASTER RAFFLE Thank you to everyone that supported the Easter Raffle by donating chocolates and Easter items, plus all the basket making helpers! With your amazing support, we raised $1900!!

If you’re out of Easter chocolate already, why not pick up a Cadbury Fundraiser Box early and start eating...oops, selling now. Contact Michelle Ryan on 0439631239 to organise. The P&C makes $20 from every $50 box sold!

Next Meeting: 10 May

7pm in the Library

Kotara South Public School P&C

kspspandc@gmail.com

12th May

Issue 3

We have a supply of books available at the office for cash sales. Digital Memberships can be purchased by visiting

https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/346s62 for the KSPS page. 20% of all Book/Digital sales is returned

to the P&C. Thank you for supporting our P&C

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