Ironbark Ridge PS Withers Rd, Rouse Hill 2155 Ph: 8814 5687 Fax: 8814 5698 Email: ironbarkrg-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Webpage: www.ironbarkrg-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Newsletter ‘11

Term 4 Week 9 08.12.11

Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful

DATES FOR THE DIARY

DECEMBER 9

th Year 6 Fun Day 12

th 6pm-9.30pm Year 6 Farewell

15th

Talent Quest 16th

Final day for students 19

th-20

th Planning days- staff only

CURRENT NOTES

Dear Parents and Friends,

On Wednesday morning I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony for Reading Recovery teachers who have completed their training this year. Our very own Mrs Black was one of these teachers. Mrs Black volunteered to take on this role in 2011, which includes intensive training sessions as well as program delivery. Reading Recovery training is a huge commitment of time and energy and Mrs Black is to be congratulated on her achievements this year. It is not only the students on the Reading Recovery program who benefit. Teachers who are trained in Reading Recovery play a pivotal role in the whole school English program, providing a high level of expertise in the teaching of reading as a resource across the whole school. We are lucky to have the program in our school and we are lucky to have teachers like Mrs Black. Last Thursday it was my great pleasure to entertain students who received their Awards of Excellence and their proud families. The growing number of students who achieve this ultimate award in our reward system are testament to the number of students in this school who “shine”. I am delighted that these students and their families recognise the significance of the event. The children are obviously products of their parents! Our special guests, Senior Constable Rob Paterson (in the morning) and Federal MP for Mitchell, Alex Hawke (in the afternoon), were astonished by the achievements of the students receiving the awards. Thank you to the class teachers for writing the citations for the students. Thank you to Jane Moog and helpers for the wonderful morning and afternoon tea. Thank you parents for having fantastic children. On Monday of this week we met our new Year 5 OC for 2012. Thirty students from 17 different schools will make up the class; four of the students are from our school. Around 200 students applied for the 30 positions and sat for the external OC placement test earlier this year. Since our first intake of OC students back in 2008, the profile score required to be offered a place in the class has risen considerably. We welcome these new students to our school and know that, as for past OC cohorts, they will contribute to the life of our school. Thank you to Mrs Cauchi, Miss Dennis, students from this year’s Year 5 and 6 OC classes and Mrs De Jager for their contributions to organising and running the orientation. On Tuesday, staff were pleased to be able to provide morning tea to thank our valued volunteers for their hard work in 2011. At this time of the year it is difficult to find a time and date that suits everyone, especially for those who work. Please accept our thanks for the million and one things that you do to help us provide a rich and varied learning program at our school. Thank you to Mrs Barton and Mrs Pryzrembel for their work in organising the event and all the teachers for providing the morning tea.

Tonight is one of the highlights of our year at Ironbark Ridge: Celebration Night. Both Mrs Stokes and I have outlined the why and what of Celebration Night in previous newsletters. It will be great to see most of our students and their parents attending this evening to celebrate the year and recognise effort and achievement. Thank you to Mrs Stokes for her behind the scenes co-ordination and all the staff for their contributions to the event with special mention of Miss Penhall for preparing the AV aspects of the evening. Fingers crossed that the technology behaves on the night. Tomorrow we are looking forward to Year 6 Fun Day. This is always a popular day on the school calendar. Thank you to Year 6 for organising the fun, Stage 3 teachers and Mrs Walker and Miss Dennis in particular for the fine tuning. Over the past few weeks, Mrs Paton has been hard at work carrying out the library stocktake. This requires scanning every book in the library as well as all readers and teaching resources. It is a mammoth task that Mrs Paton undertakes with great diligence. Semester 2 reports are being distributed today. My apologies that they are a little later than planned, however, we only received them late Monday afternoon from the printers and they had to be checked and signed. We are disappointed with the print quality and the fact that the photos were left off, but to have them reprinted would have meant an even later distribution. Included with the reports this time is an acknowledgement slip for parents to sign and return to indicate that they have received the report. This has been included following a suggestion made by a parent interviewed as part of our cyclical review held earlier this year. Thank you to the SRC, Mrs Sherrif, Mrs Nahirny and Mrs Walker for proposing and getting behind the Compassion 4 Kids Project. It is a great that our school community get behind and support members of our school community. Next Monday evening we will farewell Year 6. Many staff pay to attend the Year 6 Farewell which is a tribute to their affection for our students. We always have a great night and this year will be no exception. In past years we have held the farewell at the Hills Lodge (when we were very small), the Mean Fiddler and more recently at Castle Hill RSL. This year the decision was made to hold the function locally. Now that we have more than 80 students in Year 6 finding a venue is a challenge in itself. The Year 6 Farewell will be held in a separate function room at The Australian Brewery (which is owned by one of our school families). As always, care has been taken to ensure that the evening will be appropriate and well-supervised. I know that all of the students and teachers who attend will have a great night. Thank you to the teachers of Year 6 and especially Mrs Walker for organising a great evening to mark the end of primary school. We are looking forward with anticipation to the Talent Quest next week. Students from Kinder to Year 6 will strut their stuff next Thursday. Thanks to Mrs Burns and Mrs Sayer for auditioning and organising this much anticipated event. We also look forward to our Arts Showcase on Thursday morning and thank Mrs Paton and Mrs Cauchi for their organisation. These events are “student only” ones which will of course be supervised by teachers. As this will be the last newsletter for 2011 I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for its ongoing support of the school. I hope that everyone enjoys a safe and peaceful summer break and look forward to welcoming you back in 2012.

Regards

Kerry Poole

Principal

YEAR 2 Tye Leyshon Monique Duval Genevieve Viljoen Makkai Layt Rachel Duval Curtis Alexander Taia Havill Jai-Leigh Ormsby Joshua Ferris Emma Brahe Sapphrine Andrews

YEAR 3 Annaliese Walker Kevin Chang Anhiti Bonu

Deniel Havenga Sarah Bernardi Ashley Botfield Megan Eglinton Dylan Gray YEAR 4 Jessica Pillars Blake Alexander Ben Rowlinson Samuel Sara James Taylor Elisha Muthakuda Nicola Duval Olivia Beard Miguel Bruan YEAR 5 Jennifer Kang Sejal Madan Matthew King Hayley Jones Sophie Dumic YEAR 6 Grace Meek Todd Buddle Alessia Cauchi Aashna Khanna Michelle Kim Doris Mo Claire Sun Banishri Suppiah Tara Turner Fernando Giron Aryan Panchasara Harsimar Singh Aashray Velhal Kristina Triandifilis SPECIAL MENTION: Matthew Rowlinson: Seven Star Awards in seven years!

Congratulations to our Junior and Senior Boys Cricket teams who are the 2011 Ridges Premiers. I am extremely proud of all the boys. They displayed outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the competition and deserve this wonderful result!! Miss Dennis PSSA Cricket coach

Junior Team

Senior team

PSSA CRICKET CHAMPIONS

SRC NEWS

C4K Mufti Day

Thank you to everyone who wore mufti and donated a gold coin for our C4K fundraiser today. We raised a total of $584.55 which will go towards purchasing stationery and school items to help support some families within our community. Thanks to Nicolle Greentree, Rebecca Sheriff, the P&C and ladies in the uniform shop for their support of C4K.

Year 6 Fun Day Our Year 6 Fun Day is on tomorrow, Friday 9th December. We will keep our fingers

crossed for a sunny day but we’ll go ahead even if it rains! All students will need to wear sports uniform. The Year 6 students have been busy planning many fun activities for our students including a haunted house, water

relays and obstacle courses. Year 6 Farewell We are all looking forward to celebrating the Year 6 Farewell at the Australian Brewery on Monday 12th December. The Year 6 teachers will meet the students at the Brewery at 5.30pm for photos. A great night is anticipated and Year 6 are ready to dance the night away!!

CONGRATULATIONS

Samuel Burton-Harris of 3/4/5 Balmoral took the big gamble and auditioned for the NIDA production of the Wizard of Oz to be performed in January 2012. Out of 83 applications, 5 children were offered parts in the 9-11 yr age group. Samuel was successful landing the roles of a Flying Monkey; Tough Munchkin and Tin Man's polisher in Emerald City. For any families wanting a great day out, please support the Australian National Institute for Dramatic Arts by attending any of the Wizard of Oz performances held at NIDA, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033: 6.30pm Thursday 19 January 2012 6.30pm Friday 20 January 2012 2.00pm Saturday 21 January 2012 6.30pm Saturday 21 January 2012 Purchase tickets at Ticketek in January Online: http://premier.ticketek.com.au Thank you to Mrs Burns for her support of Samuel and his dramatic goals and achievements.

MUSIC NEWS

A big thank you to all music students for an outstanding year of music! Well done and keep up the good musical work! Great performances all year!! All music lessons will resume in Week 2 of Term 1 2012. Times and days will be confirmed at the beginning of Term 1 and all students will receive a note with lesson details by the end of Week 1. Please note that no more discontinuations are being accepted form Term 1 2012. The discontinuation process requires written notice to be given to the school office no less than 2 weeks before the end of any term. All lessons roll over from one term to the next, including Term 4 to Term 1 unless prior notice has been received within the required timeframe. If students wish to change instruments, in the first instance please speak with either Mr or Mrs Talati to check availability of instrument and lesson time. Please feel free to send an email to info@talatimusic.com.au or a text to 0422-109-397.

If you wish to join the music programme for 2012, please fill out a form from the school office and return to the school office as soon as possible. Please note that the Christmas holidays are a great time to have your instrument service and should you need any advice as to where to take your instrument, please text 0422-109-397 or email info@talatimusic.com.au If you require advice about the purchase of an instrument for your child, please feel free to contact us either via email or phone. We are always happy to help and we can access competitive prices for you as well. Finally, there are only a few spots available for private lessons which take place after school. Please be quick if you wish to secure a spot for your child in 2012. We would both like to wish you all a very happy, peaceful and relaxed Christmas and Festive Season. We look forward to making more good music in 2012. Mr & Mrs Talati

P&C REPORT

To all of the year 6 kids who are moving on to High School I would like to say congratulations on a wonderful time spent here at Ironbark Ridge. You have been role models for the younger students and I know that the skills and knowledge you have learnt in primary school will help you immensely in your transition to High School. Good luck at High School I am sure you will love it!! The P&C at Ironbark Ridge is proud to work with the wonderful staff and students at the school. We are privileged to have so many wonderful volunteers that help in various capacities including the canteen, fundraising, uniform shop, in class rooms, and on committees or sub committees. It has been a pleasure working with you all this year. I would especially like to thank Emma Ashley, Jane Moog, Jacqii Pilarski and Adam Cole for the massive amount of time and effort that went into running the canteen this year.

Special thanks also go to the family businesses within the school that assist through advertising in the parent directory:

Sydney Bathroom Co

B&D Duval Builders

Bake Me A Cake

Austek Home Improvements

Gymbaroo

Ferral Concreting

Carmalt Conveyancing

ED Specially 4U

Beaute

Active Industries

Viljoen and Comino Solicitors

S.J.B. Roofing

Shamrock Shirts

It is impossible to list everyone who has helped throughout the year so I apologise if I have missed you. 2011 was a busy and productive year for the P&C at Ironbark Ridge Public School. The P&C continued to support the school by raising funds through the operation of the canteen and uniform shop and the extensive fundraising by the families within the school.

The Ironbark Ridge spending list continues to evolve and the P&C are proud of our achievements this year. The wish list provides the P&C with clear goals of how we can assist the school and its staff and students in the most effective way possible. This year in excess of $58,000 was raised through the operation of the school canteen, uniform shop, fundraising and support from our generous “loyalty” companies and family businesses.

Funds this year have been raised through the following events:

Trivia Night

Pie Drive

Woolworths BBQ’s

Father’s day and Mother’s day stalls

Walk of Fame Paver Project

Entertainment books

Camel Calendars

Vision Portraits

Movie Days / Nights

Election Day BBQ

Bingo Night

Cookie Dough drive

Election day BBQ, canteen and cake stall

Financial contributions to the school include:

$22,000 for the purchase of three interactive white boards

$7,200 donated towards the purchase of solar panels

$5,000 for the purchase of new printers

$5,000 to establish the P&C Welfare Trust

$5,000 towards the school’s Strategic Management Plan

$2,700 contribution to teachers towards classroom costs

$4,000 donated to the library for the purchase of new computers

$2,479 for the purchase of new PSSA team uniforms

$1,500 donated towards the school’s new sound system

$1,386 for the purchase of two sun shelters

$1,000 donated towards the Frog Pond and Vegetable Garden

Easter Eggs for each and every student at the school

Year 6 student diaries

Bags for Chess Club (for chess boards and pieces)

Citizenship Medals

SRC dance suppers

Uniforms for students in need

The P&C have also agreed to work towards providing funding for:

Providing power and a sound system to the multipurpose court

Resurfacing the multipurpose court

Paths to the top gate and the proposed back gate

Please keep an eye on the website over the holidays for updated canteen menus and new loyalty programs. On behalf of the P&C I would like to wish you all a Merry Xmas and a safe and happy holidays.

Nicolle Greentree - P&C President

Community Notices

NDCC in partnership with HKHDCCA

TWO SCHOOL HOLIDAY CRICKET

COACHING CLINICS – JANUARY 2012

For 6 – 15 year olds (9.00am – 12.30pm)

Venue (1): Kenthurst Park (Park & Roughley Rds)

When: Wed. 11th, Thurs. 12th & Fri. 13th Jan.

Venue (2): Mark Taylor Oval, Waitara

When: Mon. 16th, Tues. 17th & Wed. 18th Jan.

Accreditation: Level 1, 2 & 3 qualified coaches

Cost: $145 each (discounts may apply)

Registration form: www.hkhdca.com.au/

Enquiries: Bruce Wood – 0412 688 629

Email: bruce.wood@hkhdca.com.au

Play Hockey in 2012

Try something different - play Hockey in 2012 with Baulkham Hills Hockey Club. We are a growing, family focused club, with mixed teams for Boys and Girls of all skill levels from

U9 (6yo+) to U17. We are looking for new and experienced players for all teams for the 2012 season.

We play on Friday nights and Saturday mornings from March until August. Training for all teams for

2102 commences at Ted Horwood Reserve in Baulkham Hills on Tuesday, February 14 from 6.00pm (till dark), and moves to Pennant Hills Park in March for the remainder of the season.

Registration for the 2012 season will cost $95.00 for players in the U11 – U17 squads (each new player will receive a basic stick and ball at registration). Registration will cost $70.00 for new U9’s

players, with each new U9’s player receiving a basic stick, ball, shin-guards and club socks at registration. The fees for returning U9’s players will be $40.00 (includes a pair of club socks). Registration costs for families are capped at $250.00 for 2012. All registration fees are GST

inclusive.

BAULKHAM HILLS HOCKEY CLUB

Playing Hockey in The Hills since 1970

http://www.baulkhamhillshockey.org.au/

You can register by completing the form on our website, by coming to our registration day at Ted Horwood Reserve on Saturday, February 11 from 2.00pm till 7.00pm, or at training.

If you are interested in joining our club, or need more information, please feel free to view our website at : http://www.baulkhamhillshockey.org.au/ or to send a note to our Communications

Officer at: comms@baulkhamhillshockey.org.au

The UWS Penrith Observatory will running the following activities for the School Holidays in January – Kids Fun Day – Thursday, 20 January 11 am – 1 pm Lots of fun for kids of all ages. Come along and watch a water rocket being launched. Our prominence filter will give kids a SAFE and detailed viewing of the sun. Kids Astronomy Night – Saturday, 28 January – 8pm – 10 pm Our Place in Space Become more familiar with our neighbourhood and have a closer look at our solar system, sun and moon Cost: $15 adult, $10 child/concession, $40 family To Book: Phone Roslyn 47360135 or email r.mccourt@uws.edu.au

DISCLAIMER:

Ironbark Ridge Public School newsletter contains paid advertisements which assist with the cost of publication. The publication of such advertisements does not imply endorsement of any product or service by the NSW Department of Education and Training or Ironbark Ridge Public School.