Belair Public School Newsletter Take Just Pride 34 Carolyn Street, Adamstown Heights NSW 2289 Phone: 4952 1735

Email: belair-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 4 Week 8 4 December 2018

Principal’s Message

Greetings everyone,

This year we are making some changes to the way awards are presented. The Early Stage 1 team have created a totally new approach to awards and it is hoped that all students will have a family member present. Across the rest of the grades, whilst there will still be recognition of our highest performing students, there will be a much greater focus on recognising those students who have made the most progress across the year, with consideration of their starting point and where they are now. Our school seeks feedback from our community on a number of issues each year. The following link will take you to a relatively short set of questions about our school. Depending on how much extra you choose to write, the survey can be completed in under five minutes.

https://goo.gl/forms/bf2eeg6w6wt85Lk63 We look forward to hearing from you to help make our school a better place for everyone. Regards Warwick Beard Principal

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December

4th Year 1 and Year 2

(Stage 1) Presentation Day at 9.30am

6th Scripture Christmas Assembly

6th – 7th Prefect Speeches and Voting

7th Year 6 Mini Fete

11th

Kindergarten (ES1) Presentation Day

at 9.30am

12th Year 6 Farewell

13th Swimming Carnival Yrs 3–6 ~ 9.30am

14th

Whole School Assembly 12.15pm

Prefects Announced

17th Presentation Day

Years 3–6 at 9.30am

18th

Early Stage 1 Party Day

Stage 1 Party Day

Stage 3 Party Day

19th

Stage 2 Party Day

Year 6 Clap Out 2.30pm

P&C Meeting

January 2019

28th Australia Day Holiday

29th Pupil Free Day

30th Years 1–6 Students Return

30/1–1/2 Kindergarten Best Start Testing

February

4th Kindergarten Students begin at staggered times

Presentation assemblies:

This week: Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) 4/12/18

Next Week: Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) 11/12/18

Week 10: Stage 2 & Stage 3 (Years 3–6) 17/12/18

This week we had the first of our Presentation assemblies. Next week is Early 1 then Stage 2 and Stage 3 (Years 3–6) presentation is in the final week of term on 17 December.

P&C Response to Community Feedback (enhanced repeat message) The Belair P&C group would like to thank our community for feedback and suggestions provided in the recent survey. So many great ideas were provided about how to further engage with our school and community. The following is a summary of key items from the survey that the P&C will action: Meeting Times: the time of the regular P&C meeting time was identified as an impediment to participation by some. In response, the P&C plans to alternate meeting nights in 2019 between Tuesday and Wednesday evenings on the third week of each month. In addition to the regular meeting and to accommodate those people who may be interested in contributing to P&C activities without necessarily being a part of the overall management group, an associate group will meet on a morning prior to the monthly P&C meeting. We hope the role of this group will evolve based on membership and interests. Communication: Communication was a strong theme through the feedback. The P&C plans to establish a Public Facebook page which will be an additional means of communication with our school and community. The P&C will also be providing a stand-alone monthly summary of all activities of the P&C during that month. Volunteer Engagement: The P&C will also communicate various roles and jobs needing to be done with a hope that a greater number of community members will step up to take on these roles. The P&C will be setting up a web based / APP that makes it much easier for parents and community members to pick a time for each of the events and activities that the P&C manage. Keep your eyes on the Newsletter for more information on this. Community Engagement: There was a strong sentiment in the survey responses that the P&C should also focus on community building activities as well as the ongoing fundraising. The P&C loved this idea and the first activity planned for the 2019 year is a Welcome BBQ Breakfast on the Friday of Week 3 Term 1. We hope this will be a great way for any new and existing school families and community members to meet. Friday Dance Group Moving to Thursday in 2019 To open up greater opportunity to be involved in this dance group, Kate Collier, the dance teacher, is planning to move the group to a Thursday morning in 2019. In 2019 the group will be open to students from Years 3–6 with a new intake of Year 2 students in Term 4. To learn more about this opportunity or to register your child, please contact Kate on 0416 073 035. Please note that, whilst associated with our school, this dance group is a part of Kate’s business as a professional dance teacher and tuition fees apply. The Friday dance group will perform at the next whole school assembly on Friday 14 December which commences at 12.20pm.

Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Yesterday the NSW Department of Education launched its new diversity and inclusion strategy. Respect for diversity is a core value of the department and the strategy’s goal is to create a workplace that encourages and supports opportunities for employees of all backgrounds and life experience to achieve, succeed and be their best. Creativity and innovation will thrive if we all have opportunities to succeed, so we can do the best job we can for the students and community we serve. This strategy targets staff, students and community. Over the next five years the department commits to action in three priority areas:

• building a more inclusive workforce by raising awareness, understanding and engagement with diversity

• attracting, recruiting, developing and retaining a workforce which is more reflective of the community we serve, and

• strengthening the data and evidence we collect about our workforce so we can make more informed decisions and deliver sustainable initiatives.

The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy sets specific targets for a more diverse workforce in five focus areas:

• Aboriginal people • people with disability • culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people • women in leadership and • male teachers

The department recognise that diversity extends beyond these areas, so the aim is to foster a more inclusive culture with respect to age, marital status, sexual orientation, educational level and socio-economic background. Student Reports Student reports will be going home on Friday 14th December. If families require 2 copies please ensure your teacher is aware. Gifts for Teachers Whilst there is never any expectations for parents to provide gifts to teachers, many choose to do so. Under Departmental guidelines, individual gifts for teachers, cannot exceed $50 in value. In recent years some classes have chosen to collect small contributions from each student to buy a combined gift. Please remember there can be no expectations of any student’s participation in a combined gift.

Year 6 Mini Fete The annual Year 6 Fete is on Friday 7th December. The aim of the Mini Fete is for Year 6 students to raise money for a present to the school. It also engages the students in real world problem solving, critical and creative thinking. Students in Kindergarten to Year 5 are invited to participate in the Mini Fete by purchasing items from stalls including ice-cream, cupcakes, colour hair spray, Trash and Treasure and side show alley games. Students will be able to purchase tokens on Friday morning to spend at the fete rather than carry money around with them. Tokens will be in $5, $2 or $1 sheets. Extra tokens will be available during the fete.

Donations Required: Students running the Trash and Treasure stall at the Mini Fete require donations of books, toys and bric a brac. Please send donations to 6P classroom. Afternoon Pick up Time We would like to remind parents that the end of day school bell rings at 2.55pm. If you are unable to collect your child at that time, would you please organise suitable alternatives for your child’s after school care. Outstanding Invoice Reminder Just a friendly reminder that we still have outstanding money that needs to be paid. Some examples of money still owing:

Book Packs, excursions, Year 6 T-shirts, Canberra Excursion, Great Aussie Bush Camp

We would really appreciate payment for these activities finalised this week. Thank you for your support and co-operation with this matter.

Upcoming Excursions ESI Christmas Party KA, KM, KZ Notes / Money due by 10/12/18

Stage 1 Christmas Party 1B, 1S, 1T, 1/2M, 2B, 2C, 2L Notes / Money due by 7/12/18

Stage 2 Christmas Party 3H, 3M, 3/4J, 4B, 4R Notes / Money due by 7/12/18

Stage 3 Christmas Party 5G, 5K, 5/6F, 6P, 6W Notes / Money due by 14/12/18

Swimming Carnival Years 3–6 Notes / Money due by 13/12/18

Please note: excursion notes and money need to be returned by the due date

as no late payments will be accepted.

Deputy Principal’s Message 5K has done it again! What a streak! They really have set themselves as the class to beat this term in regards to behaviour at daily assemblies. Well done 5K! I had a lovely morning attending the Stage 1 Presentation and Celebration Assembly. I was particularly impressed with the items presented by each class. They were certainly entertaining! Congratulations to all award winners. Belair Language of Resilience The focus for this week is the element of Contribution.

Holiday Activities

Have a lovely week!

Kind regards

Sarah Jardine

Kindergarten Term 4 Key Dates

Outdoor Classroom Day and Mini Fete: Friday 7th December at school ES1 Presentation Assembly: Tuesday 11th December at 9.30am school hall Volunteers Appreciation Morning Tea: Monday 17th December (following the Year 3–6 presentation assembly) ES1 Class Party: Tuesday 18th December at school Early Stage 1 Presentation Assembly Families of all Kindergarten students 2018 are invited to attend our Early Stage One Presentation Day Assembly. All students will be recognised for their achievements in their first year of school. This celebration will be held on Tuesday 11th December 9.30am–10.30am in the school hall with families encouraged to stay to enjoy morning tea. The canteen will be selling cakes, tea and coffee. End of year awards will be announced as well as unique and original performances that are not to be missed. Students should wear their school uniform. We look forward to welcoming all our families to this special event.

Volunteers Appreciation Morning Tea Thank you to all our wonderful helpers this year, your support has been invaluable in ensuring such a successful year for all our Early Stage One students. Whether you helped in the classroom or towards any of the events held throughout the year, your time was much appreciated. A morning tea will be held for all our volunteers on Monday 17th December at 11.10am. Light refreshments will be served in the library during recess time. We hope to see you there.

Home Readers This Friday 7th December will be last day for home readers. Please return all home readers to your child’s teacher by this Friday. Students who reach their next award level this week will receive their award in class from their teacher.

Outdoor Classroom Day The Early Stage One outdoor classroom day will be held this Friday 7th December. Five exciting activities have been organised as part of the day including electric cars, butter making and shark maths. Thank you to parents who have offered to assist on the day. Please meet under the kinder COLA for activities from 10am–12pm. Outdoor Classroom day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire outdoor learning and play. Outdoor learning improves children’s health, engages them with learning and leads to a greater connection with nature. Play not only teaches critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork and creativity, but it is central to children’s enjoyment of childhood.

Early Stage 1 Presentation Assembly and

Celebration Concert Tuesday 11th December 2018

9.30am-10.30am Belair Public School Hall

All ES1 Families Welcome

Environment News

Belair Waste Warriors A huge thank you to the Waste Warriors in Year 4! Their dedication and persistence in monitoring the recycling buckets every day at recess and lunch has resulted in correct recycling and information for all students. We are still seeing a big reduction in the amount of waste coming to school, in particular, with less soft plastic packets. Keep finding ways to pack your lunch waste free by using containers, reusable wraps and bags. Keep up the great work families!

Plastic Police During the Christmas holidays please take your soft plastics to any Coles or Woolworths for recycling though the Recycle Program. This will ensure that there is not a huge backlog of soft plastics coming into the beginning of 2019.

Canteen Roster and News ~ Canteen Supervisor Sonja

Phone or text Sonja on: 0438 684 401

The Green Tree Kitchen

Cooking up a storm in the Green Tree Kitchen below is a fresh batch of fried rice which is vegetarian and gluten free. Try one for $3 or a chicken tender or two.

December 5

Wednesday

Robyn S

December 6

Thursday

Help needed!

December 7

Friday

Megan M, Sally H, Rebecca R, Mel W

December 10

Monday

Help Needed!

December 11

Tuesday

Help Needed!

Student Awards

KA

Jacob G, Annaka R 2B

Dekoda S, Eadie Q

4R

Tayn C, Alexander J

KM

Anneka S, Thomas N 2C Next Week

5G

Chris E, Coco D

KZ

Lexi M, Bronte S

2L

Clarissa E, Harriet S

5K

Kendra B, Bronson B

1B Max B, Evie H 3H

Emer S, Owen H

5/6F

Jamie L, Blake C

1S

Sasha F, Sarah L

3M

Pim T, Liza C, Samia B, Archie E

6P Elliott R, Felix P

1T James W, Samuel R

3/4J

Harry W, Chloe L

6W

Evelyn S, Ayden H

1/2M

Stella A, April W, Clancy H

4B

Next Week

Additional Awards

Dance

Zala J, Aaliyah H

Kids Care Awards

Oliver O 5K

Uniform Shop Notification

Shop hours Monday morning 8.45am–9.45am

Due to rising manufacturing costs, we will be increasing the prices of cotton jackets to $40 and cotton jumpers to $35 as of 1st January 2019.

Thank you for a great year of School Banking

We would like to thank all of our students who have participated in the Commomweath Bank School Banking program this year. Our final School Banking day for 2018 will be Wednesday 12th December. If your child is eligible to order a reward item please ensure that the reward coupon is completed and returned this week (Wednesday 28 November) to ensure delivery. (If your child has 9 tokens as of banking as of the 28th Novmeber, they will be able to order a reward). Please note that children cannot share tokens with their siblings. If you are don’t have or are unable to print the rewards sheet, please note that you are able write the rewards your child wishes to redeem on a piece of paper and include it in this week’s banking. Please include your child’s name, class & school banking number. Please note that that the Secert notepad from term 1 is no longer avaiable. Any tokens that have not been redeemed this year can be used in 2019. Please note that we are still looking for volunteers to help with school banking, you don’t need any expereince (we will training you) and it take about an hour out of your week. Best Wishes, The Belair School Banking team

Belair Book Club Co-ordinator – Catherine Whittaker, 0414 945 817

PLEASE NOTE: from 2019, Book Club orders will ONLY BE AVAILABLE USING LOOP

What is LOOP?

LOOP is Scholastic Book Club’s “Linked Online Ordering & Payment” platform. This system allows parents to place and pay for their order without the need to return the paper form to school. You

can still choose to complete and form (and return it to school), and pay using credit card or cash for the rest of this year. However, the more people that utilise LOOP the more efficient it is for

everyone! With LOOP you can pay using credit card and you can use any Scholastic vouchers. LOOP

includes a gift option so you can still request that your order is left at the office to be collected. You can access LOOP either at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP or via the app (download from the

App Store or Google play). If you have any problems using LOOP, Scholastic are more than happy to help out parents directly

– call them on 1800 021 233.

Community News 321 (City of Newcastle) Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets, located at Bullecourt Barracks Military Road, off Brunker Rd Adamstown will undertaking its second information night for 2018.

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is a youth organisation that is administered and actively supported by the Royal Australian Air Force.

The AAFC will teach your students valuable life skills and will help them develop qualities including leadership, self-reliance, confidence, teamwork and communication.

Some activities undertaken by the AAFC include powered flying, field craft, adventure training, firearms safety training, drill and ceremonial, service knowledge, aeromodelling, navigation and gliding. Our fundamental aim is to foster qualities that will enable cadets to become responsible young adults, who will make a valuable contribution to the community. No matter what career they choose, the AAFC provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that will assist them towards a better future. http://www.aafc.org.au/ 321 Squadron parades on Wednesday evenings during the school term from 6:00pm–9:30pm.

Our website address is: http://321sqn.aafc.org.au// Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/321sqn/

https://www.facebook.com/321sqn/videos/vb.146931845324413/1720240117993570/?type=2&theater The date and time of the information nights are:

Wednesday 19th December 2018 at 6:00pm & Wednesday 20th February 2019 at 6:00pm All questions are to be directed to:

Jordan Worley LACW(AAFC)

Administration Officer admino.321sqn@aafc.org.au