Important Information … MPS website: www.moree-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

• Tuesday, 24th March – Years 1/2 parent information evening meeting in hall (adjacent to office) at 5.15pm. NB Mon 23 March – 1H-4 • Wednesday, 25th March – Years 3-6 parent information evening meeting in new hall at 5.15pm

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1. PRINCIPAL

Young Leaders Conference: Moree Public School provides children with many opportunities to develop leadership skills. Our school leaders, peer mediators, sporting house leaders and the student representative council members are active participants in the life of the school, developing their ability to lead and inspire others. The opportunity to interact with young leaders from both NSW and QLD schools, has given some of our school leaders a wonderful experience at the Young Leaders Day in Brisbane. This year, MPS was represented by Rhys Devney, Lincoln McNair, Chloe Brazel, Amelya Brooks, Abby Newton, David Stewart, Holly van Vegchel, Fraser Westley, Natalia Stanojevic and Evie Smith. Miss Carlin informs me that the students had a fabulous time enjoying every minute of the conference as they learned more about what it takes to be an inspirational leader. Thank you, Miss Carlin and to parents for making the journey to Brisbane. We look forward to a full report from the students in next week’s newsletter. Easter Hat Parade - Kindergarten to Year 2: Students and teachers are looking forward to the Easter hat parade and dancing display on Thursday, 2nd April. A lot of effort has gone into preparing the children with some very new dance moves again taught by Mrs Finlay. I am sure there will be some colourful and glamorous hats designed by children with their parents support. Personally, I am already working on my hat for the 2015 parade but be assured there is still time to make your child’s - if you need some assistance, please contact your class teacher. This is a very special day for K-2 children so please come along and join us for the day. The parade starts at 10.00am but children do need to bring their hats to school to have in their classroom at 9.00am. School Starting Time: Parents are reminded that student supervision commences at 8:30 am. Children should not arrive at school before this time – parental co-operation in this safety matter is appreciated. Annual School Report: The 2014 Annual School Report (ASR) is currently being finalised. Each year schools publish an annual report outlining the achievement of students. As I prepare this document, I enjoy recalling the many successes of students and

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teachers during 2014. Major events such as hosting the Education Week Awards Ceremony, our NAIDOC Day, ANZAC Day, the school mini concert and the regional dance festival were certainly highlights. Our achievements in sport and the arts are impressive but more important than these aspects that make for a balanced school program, is the student learning as measured by NAPLAN. Many of our students showed tremendous growth in learning at well above the state average. The ASR will be uploaded to the school website next week and I encourage all parents to read the report. Should you not have access to the internet, a hard copy of the report will be available from the office after the holidays. Assembly: Our first Kindergarten assembly for the year was a great success as the children of KR-8 delighted the audience with painted lion faces dancing to Can I be King? It is always exciting to see the Kindergarten children grow in confidence throughout the year. Well done, KR-8 and Miss Ryan. Congratulations to 6E-15 and Miss Everingham on a fantastic assembly on Friday. Their performance entitled, The Evolution of Dance highlighted a range of dance styles from the Twist to the Macarena and Hip Hop. An excellent theme – entertaining and educational! Please join us for the assemblies this week. Our host classes are:

o 1M- 5 and Miss McPherson at 10:30 am in the hall near the office

o 4M-23 and Miss Meadham at 11:30 am in the new hall.

Sport: Well done to our rugby league boys who travelled to Armidale with Mr Brown for the northern trials last week. The boys played extremely well with many of them making the possible and probable sides. Congratulations to Shelby Thompson- Graham, Roydell Murray and Jade Girrard who were selected in the northern side and attended the regional trials with Mr van Velthuizen at Armidale yesterday. The MPS soccer players (boys and girls) travelled to Inverell for the northern zone trial. Mr Burgess and Mrs Twartz tell me that the students played with great spirit and represented our school with great pride. Congratulations to Dominic Kowalski who is reserve for the northern squad. In cricket our boys have had another win, defeating Burren Junction (8 for 106) to Moree’s (1 for 107). Well done!

Tuesday, 24th March 2015

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Our Year 3 and 4 boys had the opportunity to play rugby league at the Captains Cup round robin last Thursday. We had three teams participate and for some of the boys it was their first game of rugby league. The boys demonstrated some very good running, passing and tackling skills throughout the day. The Captains Cup is played in the spirit of friendly competition so there is no champion team but the Gold team did progress undefeated and the Blues and Greens both had game wins. As always, we thank the parents who assisted with travel to these sporting activities. Without your support many of these events would not be possible. Similarly, our thanks also go to teachers, Mr Brown, Mrs Twartz, Mr Burgess, Mr Cooper, Mr Cattanach, Mr van Velthuizen and Mr Sampson.

Mr Adrian King

2. P&C ASSOCIATION • MEETING: The next general monthly meeting will be held on Monday, 27th April at 6.00pm in the school library. Please come along – all welcome. • Moree on a Plate: The P&C would like to again support this community event by running a children’s activity. Therefore, helpers to assist with the jumping castle at Moree on a Plate on Saturday 9th May, for one hour time slots are being requested. Please feel free to bring a friend! Anyone interested please leave details with the school office and the co-ordinators will contact you. • UNIFORM SHOP: Trading hours for the uniform shop continue as 8.30-9.30am each Wednesday and Friday. • EASTER BASKET DONATIONS: The Easter basket raffle will be held again this year with prizes presented at the infants hat parade. Donations of eggs, chocolates or other Easter goodies will be appreciated – please leave at the school office. Tickets are available at the school office and are due back to the office by next Wednesday, 1st April. Thanks, Megan Miller and Trish Humphries (Fundraising co-ordinators) 3.

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4. SPORT REPORT TENNIS: The MPS team will play Narrabri Public School next Tuesday, 31st March. Miss Withers RUGBY LEAGUE: Last Thursday, twenty very keen young footballers attended the Captain's Cup rugby league carnival at Boughton Oval. The three MPS teams took on Moree East Public School, St. Philomena's and Mungindi Central School. Each of the three teams scored some exceptional tries and were wonderful ambassadors for our school. At the conclusion of the day, the MPS Gold team remained undefeated whilst the Blue and Green teams both recorded impressive victories throughout the day. Thanks to fellow coaches, Mr Cattanach and Mr Sampson who guided the teams throughout the day.

MPS Gold: Noah Humphries, Charlie Grant, Locky Warrener, Kye Boland, Will Brooks, Jahleil McGrady (Mr van Velthuizen). MPS Blue: Jock Riley, Clancy Adams, Kaylan Prince, Heath Caccianiga, Luke Annis-Brown, Sunny Henderson, Jack Hunt (Mr Cattanach). MPS Green: Tom Weatherall, Liam Cobcroft, Talan Moore, Ryan Hunt, Ryan Macey, Sam Carter, Jaleighelle Saunders (Mr Sampson).

In addition, three students attended the final selection trials yesterday at Tamworth, for the north west rugby league U11 and open teams. Jade Girard and Roydell Murray competed in the open age group and performed strongly amongst their peers. Jade carried the ball with determination and was committed in defence. Roydell tried hard all day and used his speed to out sprint defenders when score an inspiring try. In the Under 11 age group, Shelby Thompson-Graham had a busy day in defence. He

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was regularly seen running down the attackers and bundling them into touch. Shelby also ran the ball with great evasive skill. Whilst these three boys did not ultimately gain selection into the north west team, they can be very proud of their efforts and sportsmanship. Thank you to the parents who assisted in generously providing transport. Mr van Velthuizen SOCCER: Well done to: Rachel Makim, Emily Mills, Alexandra Marchand, Rachel Jennings, Wendy Priestly, Kirby Andrews, Emily Di Donna, Piper Phillis, Selena McGrady and Ashlyn Tape who represented MPS at the north west girls soccer trials in Inverell last week. All the girls gave it their best and had a great day. Congratulations to Wendy, Emily, Piper and Ashlyn for making it into the possible and probable game. Whilst the girls were not selected beyond this point their sportsmanship was most commendable. Thank you parents for kindly assisting. Mrs Twartz Likewise the boys: Kass O’Neile, Daniel Kirkland, Matt McLane, Brayden Macey, Jaiden Eggins, Mac Orr, Logan Thrift, Dominic Kowalski, Lochie Humphries, Ruvenesh Dutt, Colby Kilpatrick, Riley Watson and Shelby Thompson-Graham, played well at the Inverell trials. Amongst the strong and experienced northern district players the MPS certainly showed their enthusiasm and sportsmanship with Dominic being selected as a reserve for the regional trials. Mr Burgess CRICKET: Last Wednesday MPS (Thomas Watts, Jack van Vegchel, Riley Bettington, Colby Kilpatrick, Kobe Rutledge, Rhys Devney, Nathaniel Yeatman, Heath Caccianiga, Mac Orr, Shelby Thompson-Graham and Harry Hardman) travelled for an exciting match at Burren Junction – for some, their first visit to this very hospitable community. Playing in extremely windy conditions, adding to the challenge particularly for bowling and fielding, Burren Junction batted first finishing with 8 for 106. Moree batted strongly finishing with 1 for 107. Batting: Mac 18, Colby 31 not out, Rhys 7 not out. Bowling: Jack 4 for 6 off 3, Nathaniel 1 for 5 off 3, Colby 1 for 29 off 5, Riley 0 for 16 off 5, Rhys o for 27 off 5, Mac 0 for 11 off 3 and Kye 0 for 7 off 1. Well done everyone – we now look forward to the next round (yet to be confirmed) and the zone trials hosted by MPS on Thursday. Mr Cooper

Photo with thanks, Mrs Devney

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5. COMING EVENTS – Term 1 Please check each week for possible variations or listen to local radio 2VM for the daily Harvey Norman Superstore School News segment a little after 7.00am. Term 1 8 Mon 23 Tues 24 5.15-6.00pm Yrs 1/2 Parent information session Wed 25 11.20 Moree zone hockey trials 5.15-6.00pm Yrs 3-6 Parent information session Thurs 26 Fri 27 Assembly: 10.30 1M-5; 11.20 4M-23 1.30 Boys soccer MPS vs MEPS 9 Mon 30 NW boys & girls soccer trials Tues 31 Wed 1 April NW boys & girls hockey trials Thurs 2 10.00-11.00am Easter hat parade for K-2;

Last day of Term 1 Fri 3 Good Friday Term 2 1 Mon 20 April Staff resume school Tues 21 Kinder – Yr 6 students resume school Wed 22 Thurs 23 Northern cricket trials Fri 24 MPS - ANZAC Service 2 Mon 27 6.00pm P&C meeting - library Tues 28 Wed 29 Thurs 30 Assembly: 10.30 2M-33 Fri 1 May No Assemblies; Cool at School open day 3 Mon 4 NW cricket trials Tues 5 Wed 6 Thurs 7 Frid 8 Assemblies: 10.30 KR-9; 11.30 5/6B-17 Sat 9 Moree on a Plate – P&C helpers requested for jumping castle Sun 10 Mothers Day 4 Mon 11 Tues 12 NAPLAN – Yrs 3 & 5 Wed 13 NAPLAN Thurs 14 NAPLAN Fri 15 Assemblies: 10.30 1M-6; 11.30 3S-39 5 Mon 18 Nthn rugby union trials Tues 19 ICAS – digital technology Wed 20 NW boys & girls touch trials Thurs 21 Fri 22 Nthn netball trials Assemblies: 10.30 KW-10, 11.25 6K-18 & 6M-13 6 Mon 25 Tues 26 Wed 27 Moree zone cross country – North Star Thurs 28 Fri 29 Assemblies: 10.30 2C-7, 11.25 4B-21 NW rugby union trials, NW netball trials 7 Mon 1 June Tues 2 Wed 3 ICAS - science Thurs 4 Rugby union knockout carnival Fri 5 Assemblies: 10.30 KH-11, 11.25 5/6M-14 8 Mon 8 Public Holiday - Queens Birthday Tues 9 Wed 10 Thurs 11 Fri 12 Assemblies: 10.30 1H-4, 11.25 3R-38 NW cross country 9 Mon 15 ICAS - writing Tues 16 ICAS - spelling Wed 17 Thurs 18 Fri 19 Assemblies: 10.30 KR-8, 11.25 5BW-16 10 Mon 22 Semester 1 reports to parents & invitation to interview Tues 23 Wed 24 Parent/ teacher interview RSVP slip due to class teacher Thurs 25 Confirmation of interview time sent home Fri 26 Assemblies: 10.30 2R-30, 11.25 4L-22

Last day of Term 2 Term 3 1 Mon 13 July Staff resume school Tues 14 K-6 students resume school Wed 15 Thurs 16 Fri 17

Dates to remember!

• Thursday, 2nd April – K-2 Easter hat parade and dancing display • P&C Meeting - Monday, 27th April 2015 commencing 6.00pm at the MPS library

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6. COMMUNITY EVENTS

ORAL HEALTH SERVICE In 2015, the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Dental Service will be visiting Moree Public School approximately once a month. This service is currently working in partnership with Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service to address the oral health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the communities of Moree, Mungindi, Boggabilla and Toomelah. In April, the Oral Health Team will be visiting Moree from April 7-9, 2015. This falls during School Holidays. During this week, the team will be providing general dental treatment and oral health promotion from the Pius X Aboriginal Health Clinic. This service is free of charge. Should you wish! your child to access this service, please contact Pius X Reception on (02) 6752 1099 to book an appointment.

MOREE AUSKICK CLUB (AFL Juniors) Moree Auskick Club will be holding registration in March at

Ron Harbourne Oval Thursday 12th March 5pm-7pm Tuesday 17th March 5pm – 7pm

Thursday 26th March 5pm – 7pm There will also be a BBQ, and a chance to kick the footy and do

some training with the senior Moree Suns AFL team. Registration Fee $70 per person (which includes a bag & football)

Ages 5-16yrs BOYS and GIRLS For more information contact Auskick Coordinator

Tina Macey 0428626936

MOREE JUNIOR RUGBY UNION CLUB Moree Junior Rugby Union Club will be holding its registration:

• Thursday 19th March 4.00pm-6.00pm • Thursday 26th March 4.00pm-6.00pm - also first training & BBQ

after training. All new players to bring their birth certificate when registering.

Please also bring your mouth guard (compulsory) and a water bottle for training.

Registration will take place at the Moree Rugby Club House on Inverell Road. $70 per player, sibling discount applies.

We are hoping to have an under 14s side this year so please circulate to any parents that have children who may be interested.

The under 16s play on Saturdays in the senior Central North competition and they are also looking to put a side together.

If you have any questions please contact: Secretary - Justin Barnes on 0429 693524 or

President - Stuart Gall on 0428 586 677.

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MOREE ARTS COUNCIL Through Country Arts Support Program and Moree Arts Council Thespians, we have the opportunity to have the Brisbane company Homunculus Theatre come to Moree to do a performance and run a series of workshops for children. The performance proposed is "Thoughts have feelings too". It is a s a gentle and funny performance that shows students how to think positively about the feelings they experience in their day-to-day lives in a primary school environment. The students meet two clowns: Sweet ‘Clown’ and the absent-minded ‘Professor’. When the two clowns meet in the Professor’s laboratory, they discover that thoughts and emotions are connected. There would be a small charge for this performance which we are aiming to keep at $5 per person. The workshops proposed are "Clown", primarily for years 5 and 6 and "Telling Tales with Drama" primarily for grades 3 to 6. Each workshop is 2 hours with a maximum of 40 children per workshop. We can look to either have the workshops run at your school if you have numbers or a combined one at an out of school location. It would cost about $9/child. The proposed dates are Monday and Tuesday 1st and 2nd June 2015. The Homunculus Theatre Group has come highly recommended. If you are interested, please advise so we can lock in the date or if you are interested but the date does not suit, also please advise. Workshops would be between $3-4/child. Note there may be extra if they have to travel out of town. The website: http://homunculustheatre.com.au/ Kind regards, Bec Reardon - Moree Arts Council Thespians