BERESFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL Lawson Avenue, Beresfield. PO Box 186, Beresfield. Telephone: 4966 1146

Email: beresfield-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Fax: 4966 2492

Website: www.beresfield-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Newsletter

14th November 2013

Dates for your diary

15 Nov School assembly 2pm. Item by 5/6C

15 Nov Stage 2 & 3 Swimming sport

15 Nov Starting school playgroup 9am- 10:45am

18 Nov Mercury taking Year 6 photo

19 Nov Final Kinder Orientation 9:am- 10:30am

20 Nov Info evening & disco at FGHS 5:15pm

21 Nov Active After School AFL Gala Day

22 Nov Last day for Intensive Swimming Y2,3,4

22 Nov Stage 2 & 3 Swimming sport

22 Nov Final playgroup 9am-10:45am

25 - 27 Nov 2014 Leaders- election speeches

28 Nov 2014 Leaders: election candidates introduced at assembly

29 Nov 2014 student leader election

29 Nov Book club orders due

4 Dec P & C Christmas carols evening

4 Dec Orientation day at High School

6 Dec Reports sent home

6 Dec Stage 2 & 3 Swimming sport

11 Dec Presentation Day from 9.30am

16 Dec Year 6 farewell

17 Dec Excursion day - info to come

18 Dec Year 6 Arch for leaving students/staff

18 Dec Last day of school for students

PRINCIPAL TALK

Welfare and Discipline Policy

It is good for schools to update their policies every few years, to ensure they reflect current practices. We have updated the Beresfield Public School Welfare and Discipline Policies, and are asking the community to read and comment upon them over the next two weeks. These policies now incorporate the underlying philosophy of Restorative Practice, with its emphasis of building and maintaining relationships. They also incorporate the current procedures of the Reflection Room, and Reward Days. Please view the policies on the school’s website in coming days or obtain a hard copy from the office next week, and provide any feedback to Maria Kirby by Friday 29th November. We hope to ratify the policies for implementation on Day 1 next year.

Stage groupings will stay next year

This year we embarked on structuring our classes in stage groups. This decision has resulted in many positive elements. After much positive feedback through surveys with students, parents and staff it has been decided to retain this model next year. The students cited that the groupings allowed them to develop new friendships. A big advantage for staff has been the opportunity to collaborate and share preparation and programming amongst other teachers on the same stage, now that a team of teachers all have the same groupings.

Volunteers to assist the P&C

At the last P&C meeting on Monday night, it was announced that a number of important roles will become available at the AGM next February. It would be terrific to see more parents, grandparents or other interested community members join the ranks of what is an efficient and friendly organisation. The meetings have a terrific atmosphere, the events they organise are inclusive and community-spirited, and the assistance they provide to the school we are so grateful for.

You may consider helping in the canteen, or choose another role that suits your skills. We’d love to hear from you. We hear stories from those who give it a go and then say “I didn’t realize how much fun this would be, and how rewarding it is!”

Please contact the school if you are interested and we will put you in touch with the right people.

Assessment and Reporting

Teachers are finalising class-based assessments and writing reports. Each report takes approximately 1 hour to compile, meaning that teachers over the next fortnight will be adding 25 hours work to their already busy working week. Spare them a thought as they cram in the extra hours. Reports will be sent home on Friday 6th December. Meetings with teachers about the reports will be made on request by parents.

Kinder Orientation

The last session is next Tue 19th November from 9:00 till 10:30am. The Uniform shop will be open till 9:30am next Tuesday.

‘Starting School Playgroup’

Where?: School hall.

When?: Tomorrow and next Friday from 9:00 till 10:45.

Who?: All students starting in Kinder at Beresfield next year, as well as their siblings are invited to attend.

How?: Admission is by gold coin donation.

Carols Night

The P&C are organising a family-oriented night of singing Christmas Carols on Wednesday 4th December from 6-9pm. Gates open at 5:30pm. It will be a lovely night to bring a fold-up chair or spread the blanket on the grass area of the school grounds. You might choose to bring some dinner or buy some food once here. We will be led in our singing by Chris the DJ, as well as having guest appearances by selected classes. There will be showbags, lucky dips and glow sticks. Mark the date on the calendar and get your candles ready! Admission cost - gold coin per person.

Last Week’s Quiz

Palm is an anagram of lamp.

ROTAR is an anagram of what local place? Tarro!

Congratulations to Tia O’Brien and Heath Rogers who submitted correct entries.

This Week’s Quiz

Who had an encounter with the three bears?

What is the name of Winnie the Pooh’s donkey friend?

Who was created by Gepetto the wood carver?

Write your answer on a piece of paper with your name and class and post it in the Quiz Box next to the office counter by Wednesdays at 10am.

Mr Jonathan Ridgway

NOTES SENT HOME

Stage 2 & 3 Term 4 sport - swimming parent helpers note

BPS Leaders election procedures 2013

2013 Nomination form for school leadership position

K-6G, K-6L, K-6K Term 4 water activities

K-6G, K-6L, K-6K Term 4 water activities parent helpers note

Invitation to parents for transition disco at FGHS

YEAR 6 GROUP PHOTOGRAPH

On Monday the 18th November the Mercury Newspaper will be coming to take a group Year 6 photo for the Mercury’s coverage of Year 6 farewells in the area.

Please ensure two things:

Uniform: Your child must be in full school uniform. We want this photo to look good and for

the students to feel pride when they see it published in the Mercury and look back at it in

years to come.

Attendance: We don’t want any child to be disappointed because they aren’t in the photo.

Please ensure your child attends school on this

day.

Congratulations to the following students who

received awards at assembly recently.

KJ Luke Ryan Kyra Picton

KS Luke Budden Mackenzie Bourke

1/2C T J Reckwell Jerome Tintero

1/2G Joshua Hodgson Madison

Cruickshanks

1/2K Rhiannon Cook Anthony Coan

1/2W Haylee Leayr Dylan Pro

3/4C Jacob Folpp Shaylee Burt

3/4H Hayden White Lawson Large

3/4W Sai Grimaldi Ruby Dyson

5/6B Logan Dederer Journey Fulham

5/6C Ella Shelton James Bettley

5/6E Clayton Auld Taj

K-6K Angus Parker

PRESENTATION DAY

This year’s Presentation Day will be on Wednesday 11th December from 9.30am - 11.30am. All students from Kinder—Year 6 will be present to see the announcement of academic, cultural and sporting awards, as well as next year’s student leaders. Please mark this important date on your calendar.

Book Club

Book club was sent home this week. Money and orders are due back at school Friday 29th November.

SCHOOL LEADERS FOR 2014

NOMINATION PROCESS

This procedure outlines the expectations for students being nominated for captain, vice-captain or prefect positions.

Any student wishing to stand for election must complete the Nomination Form. It is hoped that students who do not meet the criteria will have the self-awareness to eliminate themselves from nominating. Once all nomination forms are submitted, the Electoral Panel ensures the students have demonstrated they meet the criteria, and their nomination is accepted.

Lobbying of Candidates

Students are to display one poster only

Each candidate will be limited to a 1 minute

speech with no props and no inducements

The speech must be previewed by a teacher

Candidates’ names will be ordered on the ballot

sheet by drawing positions supervised by the electoral panel.

Students will present their speeches as they

appear on the ballot paper

Students will give their speeches in Week 8.

Thank you for your cooperation

Mrs Collins

Year 6 Farewell

The next meeting of helpers for the Year 6 farewell is next Thursday 21st November 3:15pm. We will meet in the staffroom.

Thankyou

Chris Evans

Principal's Award - Ben Smith

Mr Ridgway presented another Home Reading Award to a student in 1/2W. This week Ben Smith completed reading 100 books to achieve his Principal's Award. Ben says that his favourite books are factual and he particularly enjoys reading to learn about dinosaurs. Congratulations, Ben! Keep up the fantastic reading! Helen Wiedermann

Support Classes Term 4 Water Activities

Listed below are the dates classes K-6G, K-6K and K-6L will be going to Beresfield Pool to do structured swimming activities. Children will be departing school at 11:30am and returning by 1:00pm.

Cost is $25.00

Please note that there is no swimming on Wednesdays.

Week 8 -

Monday 25th Nov, Tuesday 26th Nov, Thursday 28th Nov

Week 9 -

Monday 2nd Dec, Tuesday 3rd Dec, Thursday 5th Dec, Friday 6th Dec

Week 10-

Monday 9th Dec, Tuesday 10th Dec, Thursday 12th Dec, Friday 13th Dec

Kellie Dooner

Relieving Assistant Principal

Remembrance Day Poems by 1/2W

Remembrance Day

I can see the bombs explode

I can hear the soldiers shooting

their guns

I feel scared but I will be brave

I can smell the mud and dirt

I can taste many victories!

LEST WE FORGET

By Lilli Gover 1/2W

Remembrance Day

I can see people dying and

it’s very sad

I can hear the tanks shooting

at the soldiers

I can feel the shaking of the

bombs

I can smell the blood in the air

I can taste the victory for

Australia!

LEST WE FORGET

By David Styles 1/2W Remembrance Day

I can see soldier’s blood

I can hear the thunder of the

bombs

I can feel the ground shaking

I can smell the smoke

I can taste defeat!

LEST WE FORGET

By Haylee Leayr 1/2W

Remembrance Day

I can see soldiers on the

ground

I can hear gun shots

I can feel fear

I can smell smoke in the air

I can taste death!

LEST WE FORGET

By Max McHeyzer 1/2W

Remembrance Day

I can see the enemies tanks

rolling around

I can hear guns shooting

I feel shivery but really brave

I can smell the blood of the

dead

I can taste joy of victory!

LEST WE FORGET

By Dylan Pro 1/2W

Remembrance Day

I can see the bombs in the

air

I can hear the boats in the

water

I can feel poison in my

heart

I can smell the bad smoke

I can taste the feeling of

death!

LEST WE FORGET

By Christopher Hengl 1/2W

Canteen Roster 2013 Monday 18 Nov Tuesday 19 Nov

Tracey Twitchin CANTEEN

Kerrie Murray CLOSED

Elizabeth Woods

Wed 20 Nov Thursday 21 Nov

Colleen Large Melissa Atkins

Kylie Barker Tracey Twitchin

Cassie McDonald Kerrie Murray

Elizabeth Woods

Friday 22 Nov If you are unable to attend

on your rostered day, or if

you would like to help in the

canteen, contact Denise

Giles on 49661192

Cassie McDonald

Debbie Budden

Michelle Crossley

P & C NEWS Uniform Shop The Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.30am until 9.00am. Order forms are available at the office if you cannot make it to the Uniform Shop at the above times.

Christmas Carols The P & C are organising an evening of Christmas Carols on Wednesday 4th December. Entry gates open at 5.30pm. Gold coin donation per person for entry.

There will be:

Sausage sizzle

Cold Drinks

Show Bags

Lucky Dips

Glow Sticks

Santa

Please keep this date free as it will be a lovely family evening.

CHECK OUT OUR SCHOOL

WEBSITE- It has gone mobile!

Hint– save it as a favourite!

www.beresfield-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Newsletters

Calendar of upcoming events

Photos of activities the students have

been involved in.

Permission notes for upcoming events.

Announcements in case of

cancellation of events due to wet

weather etc.

It is now easier to view our website on your

mobile phone or tablet. A mobile version of

the site has been created with a range of

features fine tuned for when you are on the

move.

Just visit from a smart phone or tablet device

and follow the prompts.

Science at Home Experiments by Students from

Newcastle University

Last week, Stage 2 had the pleasure of seeing a fantastic science show by students from the University of Newcastle, in the hall.

We saw flames come out of a tube. This experiment showed how many calories a certain food had. The more it burnt, the more calories it had. You could feel the heat from the fire.

Another experiment was to show if things were sweet or sour. They had test tubes with lots of different liquids in them. The uni students used red cabbage juice to change the colour of the liquids. This showed if the liquids were sweet or sour.

The last experiment was about how a car starts. Once again we saw flames in a container. This experiment made some students think they should go to university when they grow up.

It was exciting to experience new things about science. It showed that science is fun. We thanked the students for coming to teach us about science.

By 3/4C and Mr Carlin

CHRISTMAS

PARTY

Sunday 15t Dec

Santa Claus will

be here from

11am - 1pm

Sausage sizzle / Colouring

Comp

face painting & lots more

(Normal entry prices apply on day)

PLAY 4 KIDS IS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS

9.30AM - 5PM

Play 4 kids - 3/321 New England Hwy Rutherford

Ph: 49 32 9862 or www.play4kids.com.au

COMMUNITY NEWS

Or you can make an appointment at Maitland Donor Centre in Maitland Hospital by ringing 13 14 95.

Raymond Terrace Shopping Centre

Mon 18th Nov – 9.00am to 2.30pm

Tue 19th Nov – 9.00am to 2.30pm

Wed 20th Nov – 1.00pm to 6.30pm

Thu 21st Nov – 1.00pm to 6.30pm

Greenhills Shopping Centre

Tues 3rd

Dec – 9.00am to 2.30pm

Wed 4th Dec – 1.00pm to 6.30pm

Thu 5th Dec – 1.00pm to 6.30pm