Thursday 2 February, 2017

Dear Parents and Friends of SGS, We have had a very settled and positive start to 2017. I welcome everyone to the beginning of the new school year. I am sure it will prove to be a very positive one with wonderful growth and learning right across the School, from The Yellow Cottage to Year 12. A very special, warm welcome to all the new members of our School community. I look forward to your involvement in SGS and seeing you around the School from time to time.

New Parents Dinner We have planned an evening for New Parents on Friday 17 February to welcome those new to the School. I hope that you are all able to make this occasion. Higher School Certificate Results for 2016 The students in the 2016 class achieved very positive HSC results. This is a great credit to the students and to the work of our teachers. Some highlights of the HSC results were the 20% of Band 5 and 6 results. The Dux of the School for 2016 was Kirinya Harvey with an ATAR of 90.3. Many students have received offers of University places, either through Early Entry or First Round offers. We certainly wish all the students well and pray for them as they commence life out of School. Old Demountable Buildings Relocated During the holidays all of the old demountable classrooms from the northern boundary were removed, creating an increase to our playground space. Two classrooms were relocated to Manning Valley Anglican College, while the other two were moved to the old Ag plot. One will be used as a senior study area to assist Year 12 use their study periods wisely. As grass grows on the extra space it will open up opportunities for more play in our grounds. This was a particularly important message from our whole school community when we consulted about the master plan for the site and so it is a significant positive for us all. Hill Street Crossing Works Over the holiday break the Secondary School crossing and line marking works were completed. This is a fabulous improvement for the safe movement of students, staff and parents around our school. Please ensure you use the crossing and instruct your children to use the crossing at all times. The drop-off and pick-up zone on Hill Street is also working well to assist the safe movement to and from school. Please continue to use this area and the Primary zone when it is available. A reminder that the area on the eastern side of Hill Street opposite the Main Admin and the Secondary Staff Cottage is a no stopping zone.

Message from The Principal (cont’d) I was encouraged by the responses of many students to the challenge of stretching their snake treat before eating it and look forward to the challenge of stretching themselves in their learning even more. I look forward to sharing in a year where all our minds can be expanded through the wonder of learning. Paul Smart PRINCIPAL

Reminders

Student Leaders Induction The Primary and Secondary Leaders will be commissioned in a service outside the Bullock Library at 10 am on Monday 13, February. All parents and friends are welcome to attend.

After School Study Programme Students will be able to remain behind after school to utilise the Library resources and to gain access to academic support from teachers from Monday of Week 2. A detailed list will be published and passed to students. A copy will also be posted on the website.

Uniform It has been very good to see the students showing pride in themselves and our School by wearing the uniform correctly. Any issues that are outside the School policy need to be addressed. We need to keep a high standard at all times.

Primary News from Mr Feeney

Welcome! It’s exciting to be back at school this week as we look forward to a wonderful year ahead, sharing new learning and life adventures together. I would like to especially welcome all our special new Kindergarten students, together with those students in Years 1-6 who are also new at SGS this year. We are thrilled that you have joined our school community and we look forward to working with you and your families over the time ahead. We have an amazing and dedicated staff team! Primary Staff Allocations for 2017 are as follows: Kindergarten Blue Mrs Sally O’Regan Gold Mrs Julie Jones Year 1 Blue Mrs Felicity Saunders Gold Mrs Janine Summers Year 2 Blue Mrs Cynthia Brice Gold Mrs Libby Tesoriero Year 3 Blue Mrs Janet Walsh (K-6 Curriculum Co-ord) Gold Mrs Kate Robertson Year 4 Blue Miss Felicity Dowdell Gold Mrs Natalie Kelly (Mon-Wed) Mrs Patricia Betts (Thurs-Fri) Year 5 Blue Miss Aili Ireland Gold Mr Tim Holden Year 6 Blue Mr Damien Saunders (Primary Deputy) Gold Mrs Wendy Hunt I’m sure you will join me in congratulating Mrs Wendy Hunt, on her marriage to Tom, which took place over the holidays. We do wish them both every blessing for their future together. As a result of other changes taking place, Mrs Janine Summers will not be continuing her role as the K-2 Co-ordinator this year. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Janine for the outstanding job she has done while she has carried this important and valuable responsibility over the last eight years. Her leadership, motivation and encouragement of the K-2 staff, together with her initiative, wisdom and insight, has been such a blessing, and her experienced eye, her wise counsel, her care and nurture of the children, and her passion for early childhood, has always made such a significant difference. Thank you again Janine for the wonderful work you have done. A reminder that our Primary (Years 2-6) Swimming Carnival will be held next week on Tuesday, 7 February, at the Scone Memorial Pool for all students in Years 2-6. Information has been sent home in an email to all families, and we look forward to sharing with them in this special activity. We will be holding a separate Kinder/Year 1 Swim Fun Day later this term.

K-2 Info Night Thursday, 16 February 7:00pm 3-6 Info Night Tuesday, 21 February 7:00pm

Afternoon Transport / Pick-up Arrangements for Primary students.

If you are picking your child up, please come through the breezeway into the Primary playground area to meet them. Please ensure that one of the Duty teachers is aware that you are taking your child.

In the morning, please use the Drop Off Zone whenever you can. Please remember to enter the Drop-Off Zone from Aberdeen Street only, and stop in a parallel park position while your children get out. If you need to stop and park, this can be done in the rear-to-kerb angled parking bays outside of the Morning Drop-Off Zone. Please remember the parking area at The Yellow Cottage, is only for parents who have children attending TYC.

Thank you very much for your understanding and diligence with these important areas. Good Humour for the Week How do they serve smart hamburgers? On honour rolls! Congratulations to Isabella Henderson (Year 3 Blue), Lachlan Miller (Year 6 Gold), Sarah Zhao (Year 5 Gold), Hunter Figallo (Year 4 Blue), Huw Witts (Year 6 Blue) and Sarah Gatwood (Year 6 Gold), who are all celebrating birthdays this week. I do wish these students all the best as they enjoy this special milestone and share the time with family and friends.

From the Dean of Students - P to 12 2017 is shaping to be an exciting year of growth and development for Scone Grammar School. We have a renewed P-12 focus in our Wellbeing Programme, which is informed by evidence-based research in the field of Positive Psychology and is expressed as Positive Education. Accordingly, our Yellow Cottage team have invested time in training and have reformed practice to make a way for this exciting new approach. Our Primary team are collaborating and exploring new programmes and initiatives that have a primary focus on building resilience and incorporating a positive educational approach to wellbeing and learning. Year 7-12 will be utilising the weekly PAS lesson to learn about a strengths-based approach to wellbeing and learning.

This year we are aiming to help students develop healthy relationships with God, with others and with themselves so that they might achieve their full potential emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and physically. We want them to have the ability to set goals, as well as the discipline, perseverance, resolve and skills needed to achieve their goals and aspirations. We will continue to develop in students, attitudes and perspectives in life which reflect compassion and love for others, such as those Jesus taught and demonstrated. So much of the potential to grow and develop exists in students having a growth mindset, which says ‘I will apply effort to my development because I can learn anything’ as opposed to a fixed mindset, which says ‘I’m either good or bad at something and that’s that!’ The encouragement of this mindset is foundational to our approach to student growth this year. I thank God that He has created us to be capable of growth. If God had given us fixed abilities then it would actually take away opportunities to praise Him for his transforming wisdom and power, demonstrated in the way in which we can grow and develop as we stay connected to Him, through Jesus. Christians thank God for the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to promote growth in us. Give thanks! In Prayer this week: Reflect on: Romans 12:2 Give thanks for: A refreshing school break; God’s goodness in sending us Jesus, the resurrection and the life, so we can have a way to be friends with God; Parents, teachers and supporters who truly care for us; Pray for: the school building project; families and students who are ill or struggling at the moment: your son or daughter’s teacher/s! Rev’d Nate natkinson@sgs.nsw.edu.au

From the Head of Secondary It was lovely to see so many faces on Monday morning that genuinely looked happy to be back at school. The Secondary School has had a few changes over the holidays. It has been wonderful to see the old P rooms move and the playground opened up. It will take us some time to grow grass here before we will be able to use all the new space but the playground looks open and spacious. We have welcomed two new secondary staff, Mr Ron Bulley and Mrs Melanie Doherty to the school and their students tell me they have already made quite a positive impression. We have also had changes to our group of House Patrons. Mrs Leah Steedman remains the Jones Patron, Mrs Kat Moore is the new Ledger Patron and Mr Dan Garland is the new Pulling Patron. I would also like to thank Mrs Maria English and Mr Tim Edwards for their years of service as Patrons. Out the front of school is a new crossing; please be aware that this crossing is not manned and younger students should be accompanied across. Drivers also need to be aware of all the new road markings that have come with the crossing. The school database is in the process of a change too. The old Parent / Student portal no longer works. The new Student Cafe is up and running and all students should have access by the end of the week. The new Parent Lounge will be completed soon and I will let you know about access when that happens. Finally I would like to encourage all parents to communicate any concerns they have regarding their children’s education. As I close my newsletter piece each week I will include a quote that has touched or inspired me during the week. This week there are two that fit perfectly with our motto for the year. "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." Anthony J D'Angelo "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela Mrs Deanna Hollis dhollis@sgs.nsw.edu.au

Year 7 full of smiles as they head to the Scone Pool to participate in a Life Saving Programme

Tales from The Yellow Cottage Welcome to 2017. It has been a hot but fantastic week at The Yellow Cottage. This year we have a major focus on positive education. We are working with the rest of school on growing lifelong learners. Grammar Minds is the framework the School is introducing in 2017 and this term the focus is RESILIENCE. One of the most important starts to being resilient is creating connections. Knowing that there is someone who believes in you and will be with you in difficult times is essential to building resilience.

Curriculum Corner

HICES 2017 Debating Competition This year SGS will be entering three teams into the HICES Debating Competition. The aims of the competition are to provide students with experience in debating not currently available to them through the existing Independent Schools’ competitions. ‘The ability to speak confidently and to debate in public are skills to be encouraged in our students. Not only are they useful talents that will be used throughout life in many different situations, but they are also useful skills for oral assessments and for practice in thinking rapidly and arranging arguments in a coherent fashion, tools which are helpful for essay writing.’ (HICES DEBATING COMPETITION, 2017 Handbook) Any student who is interested in taking part in this competition needs to let me know by TOMORROW Friday 3 February as this is the last day to finalise teams. (I need 4 students for each team.)The three teams are: Junior-Years 5 & 6, Middle-Years 7 & 8 and Senior-Years 9 & 10. Once the teams are in place we are obliged to send the same team to the four debates in the Preliminary Rounds. Dates to mark on your calendar are: Round 1: Tuesday 28 February Round 2: Tuesday 21 March at HVGS Round 3: Wednesday 17 May at CCGS Round 4: Tuesday 13 June at HVGS I will be taking Debating skills sessions each Thursday afternoon between 3:20pm and 5.00 pm to help prepare our students for the competition. Deb Moore

Year 7 Information Evening - 6 February @ 6.30pm A reminder to parents of students in Year 7, the Information Evening will be held next Monday, 6 February commencing at 6.30pm in the Secondary Teaching & Learning Centre, Hill Street entrance. The evening aims to let you to gain an insight into the programme our Year 7 students will be following in 2017. We look forward to welcoming you!

Textbooks 2017 We have spoken to Hunt-a-Book (Scone 6545 9330) and Collins Books (Tamworth 6766 4454, speak with Glen) who can order any text books for you if they do not have them in stock.

Congratulations to Year 8 Student—Holly McDonald Holly entered Muswellbrook's Got Talent Junior Idol Competition and has won a place in the Grand Final being judged on Saturday evening, 4 February at the Muswellbrook Workers ’ Club commencing at 7pm. All Welcome & good luck Holly!

Equestrian News Tuesday Horse Sports will commence on 7 March. Everyone is welcome to attend w ith their horse. The venue is White Park from 3:15 – 5.00pm. There will be our three instructors – Allan Young, Susan Bettington and Marcia Williamson. The groups will rotate between show jumping and flat work. Our first interschool Horse Competition will be Blandford Horse Sports Day on Friday 3 March. Once I receive more details, I will put the information on the SGS website. Equestrian Uniform – white shirt, school tie, SGS jumper, fawn jodhpurs, pony club standard boots. School sports shirt may be worn for sporting events. There has been a change to the standard of approval for helmets. If your helmet is approved to EN 1384 (the old standard no longer approved by EA) but is also approved under another standard – (PAS015, ASTMF1163 or VGI) then they are good to go. The other approved helmets are – Current Australian Standard AS/NZ 3838 (2006 onwards, provided they are SAI global marked and the New Australian Standard ARB HS 2012 provided they are SAI marked. School saddle cloths are available at the SGS Clothing Shop. The Equestrian Australia Equi-skills course will continue this year for students in Year 7 and above. The after school lessons will commence on Mondays in March. Please contact me - adavies@sgs.nsw.edu.au to confirm that you wish to continue and or if you wish to commence this course. More details will be sent to all participants shortly. Anne Davies Equestrian Co-ordinator

Sports News CrossFit is coming to SGS! CrossFit

Train major lifts – Deadlift, press, squat etc The basics of gymnastics: Pull-ups, push-ups, sit ups, presses to handstands and holds. Cardio – Run, Bike, Row, Swim etc Hard and Fast

What will you do:

Elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Workouts short and intense. Increase skill and fitness. Increase capacity to work hard in any sport!!!

After School CrossFit classes will be run by Miss Day for Secondary students only (Year 9 to Year 12) as a free after school extra curricular activity. More information coming soon.

Watch this Space!

Have you downloaded the SGS Skoolbag App? Receive instant alerts, messages & reminders Online absentee notes Online permission notes Access to SGS Quick links—Uniform Shop, Canteen Menu, Staff Email Addresses

Don’t Forget………

To visit our SGS Grammar Grind Café — open every Monday morning @ the Trade

Training Centre, near the Primary School entrance 8.15am to 9.30am

Barista made coffee

Ham & Cheese Croissants

Banana Bread + other weekly gourmet delights

…………...and keep up with all the great things happening at SGS.

The official SGS Facebook home page should look like this.

News from the P&F

Hello all Parents and Friends of SGS! I wish to extend a very warm welcome to everyone especially to our new families. It was lovely to meet many of you on Monday. SGS Parents & Friends Association is open to all parents and friends of our school. We meet once a month, second Tuesday of each month in term time, for one hour to find out what is happening at the School, address concerns of parents, children and/or staff, review fundraising events and how these funds will be spent to best suit the needs and enrich the lives of our children at SGS. For example, we are currently working on developing our playground area for the students. We are always looking for new members to join our team. I invite each of you to please think about becoming a member of SGS P&F. Our team is small but very enthusiastic. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be involved in school life and meet some new, friendly faces. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email our committee at: parentsandfriends@sgs.nsw.edu.au Our next meeting is at the School library Tuesday 14 March at 6pm. Kindest regards, Diana Gillett P&F President

For your Diaries

Wednesday 8 February - 2017 Fete Meeting @ The Royal Hotel, at 6.00pm. All welcome to attend

Saturday 6 May - SGS Fete

Letter of Thanks

Dear Yvonne and SGS P&F Committee 2016, We have recently returned from fulfilling the vouchers that Eliza was so lucky to have won at the Fete Raffle last year. What an amazing experience climbing the Harbour Bridge was. The rain gods held off for us. After a drizzly rainy morning in Sydney, our afternoon climb was clear and the views were incredible. To have the 2 nights’ accommodation at Darling Harbour topped it off. We had a room overlooking the harbour and the kids were in awe of the city lights. We can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful family experience and we loved every minute of it. Thank you all. The Darling Family x

Student Transport—Bus Pass Information Transport NSW is implementing a school portal which will allow the school to log on and endorse bus pass applications instead of having printed copies to sign and post to Transport for NSW. Transport for NSW believes that this will greatly reduce the turnaround time for people applying for bus passes and when they then receive them. Who needs to apply Those applying for a school travel pass for the first time Those enrolling in Kindergarten Those who require an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody). If your home to school free travel period has expired All Year 3 and Year 7 students in 2017 will need to apply as a new student if you have not already completed their renewal form in 2016. How to apply You will need an email address to complete the form. Step 1. Parents (or students aged 16 or over) first fill in the online application form. (https://ssts-apply.transport.nsw.gov.au/ApplySSTS/ApplySSTS.html) The application process may take several weeks. You will be informed of the outcome of your application by email. The previous (blue or green) paper application form is no longer used. However, you can use a new paper application for free travel if you don't have an email address or a computer, or your address isn't being recognised by our system. Please contact the School if you require one of these forms. Rural/regional students, please contact the operator(s) directly to find out when and where the student's pass(es) will be sent. If you have any questions about timetables or pick up points, please contact the operator. If you don't have ready access to the internet you can phone 131 500 for assistance with your application.

Canteen Menu 2017 (as at 2 February, 2017)

Please Note: Friday - no Sandwiches, Salad Wraps or Salad Tubs available Still available are: Chicken Chilli Wraps and Cheese Burgers (Beef) Due to WHS restrictions, we are not permitted to heat food or toast sandwiches brought in by students

Sandwiches

Wholemeal, white or grain bread (made on brown bread unless other requested) 1 x filling 2 x fillings 3 or more fillings Fillings available: Chicken, ham, cheese, lettuce, capsi-cum, cucumber, beetroot, avocado, tomato, onion Wraps Chicken/Ham Salad Wrap Salad Wrap Chicken Chilli Wrap Hot Food Cheese Burger (Beef) Chicken Nuggets (6 per serve) S/V Chicken Nuggets (2 per serve) Low Fat Lasagne Low Fat Cheese & Macaroni Low Fat Pasta Blasta Low Fat Pie Low Fat Mini Pie Low Fat Sausage Roll Pizzas – Hawaiian / Cheese & Bacon Garlic Bread Quiche Potato Wedges Pizza Rounders – Cheese & Bacon Sauce Sachets Gluten Free: Chicken Nuggets

$

3.50 4.00 5.00

5.50 5.00 5.00

6.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.50 2.50 3.00 3.50 2.00 4.00 2.50 3.00 0.50

4.00

Salad Tubs

Chicken Ham Plain Drinks Water Classic 600ml (large) Classic 375ml (small) Juice 500ml (large) Juice 250ml (small) Play Water – Lemonade & Fruit Tingle Treats Eucalyptus Drops Chips (packet) Lamingtons Finger Buns Tiny Teddies Jelly Cups (200ml) Frozen Yogurt TNT Stick (Fruitzy Pop – apple base) TNT Sour Ice Monty Choc Paddle Pops Lemonade Icy Poles Bulla Ice Cream Tubs Fruit Fresh Fruit – when available Recess Only Ham & Cheese Melts

$

6.00 6.00 5.00

1.50

3.50 2.50 3.00 2.00

3.00

0.50 1.50 2.50 2.50 0.50 1.00 2.50 1.00 0.50 2.00 1.00 2.00

Free

1.50

Community Notices & News

For Your Diary

Term 1 Monday, 30 January to Friday, 7 April Week 1 (A) Monday, 30 January School Commenced Week 2 (B) Monday, 6 February HRIS Secondary Basketball Trials Year 7 Information Evening Tuesday, 7 February Primary Swimming Carnival, Scone Pool “On Stage”, Years 10, 11 & 12 Drama Wednesday, 8 February ID Photos – New Secondary Students Friday, 10 February Year 7 & 11 Leadership Day Week 3 (A) Monday, 13 February Leaders’ Induction Ceremony Tuesday, 14 February HRIS Secondary Senior Tennis Thursday, 16 February Kinder – Year 2 Information Night Friday, 17 February New Parents’ 2017 Welcome Function

Canteen Roster

Term 1 – Monday, 6 February to Friday, 7 April Week 2 (B) Monday 6 February Jenny Crackett, Catherine Russell Tuesday 7 February Jenny Crackett XXXX Wednesday 8 February Jenny Crackett, Acey Firth Thursday 9 February Fiona Bailey, Pip Baker Friday 10 February Fiona Bailey, Jaymiee Allen Week 3 (A) Monday 13 February Jenny Crackett, Tracey Stewart Tuesday 14 Feburary Fiona Bailey, Sinead Scott Wednesday 15 February Fiona Bailey, Amelia Wilkinson Thursday 16 February Jenny Crackett, Katie King Friday 17 February Jenny Crackett, Julianne Christopher, Karen Yelverton

XXXXX Help wanted please

Community Notices

Aaron Rothemund, Flute and Verna Lee, Harp present an instrumental combination that demonstrates the height of romanticism. A sumptuous array of virtuosic music for the flute and harp with a focus on French music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Friday 24 February 2017, 7:30pm Atherstone Room – Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music, Campbell ’s Corner 80 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook 2333 Adults $30 - Concession $25 Bookings via website www.uhcm.com.au/events or UHCM office (02) 6541 4888

Scone Films Scone Films Presents the Sci-Fi/mystery, Arrival, which has been nominated for 8 Oscars. Rated M. It will screen at 7.30pm, Friday 3rd February, at their pop-up cinema at the Senior Citizens’ Centre, Oxford Road, Scone. When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world, linguistics professor, Louise Banks, is tasked with interpreting the language of the apparent alien visitors. Tickets are $12. This event is expected to be popular, so to be sure of a ticket, purchase in advance at Hunt a Book, Scone. Doors open 7.15pm. Running time is 1hr56m. Refreshments available. Everyone is welcome. Details www.sconefilms.org.au www.facebook.com/sconefilms

Scone Rugby Club—Registration 2017 Welcome to the 2017 season of Scone Junior Rugby Union!! What an exciting year we have in front of us. Do hope you have the evening of February 10th marked on your calendar for the season launch. Further details will be provided soon. It's time to register players so we, the committee, can organise teams, coaches and uniforms. Please spread the word to encourage registrations to our sport. We have a strong community spirit within the club and are backed by fantastic sponsors that enables each and every player to receive a free training tshirt, free rugby shorts and free rugby socks. In addition, on every Friday training session, each player receives a free sausage sizzle while parents and friends can enjoy a beverage and social gathering while watching some great rugby skills develop at the bar licensed by the Senior Rugby Club...what a great way to end a busy week and roll into the weekend. This year you will need to register in the specific age group the player is in, however, the competition remains to be played in the 2 year combined structure. Eg if you are born in 2008, you will register in the U9 age group, though you will remain in the U10 competition. Playing divisions are U6's, U 8’s (7’s and 8’s), U10's (9's and 10's), U12's (11's and 12's), U14's (13's and 14's), and U17's (colts 16's and 17's). New to 2017, the 15 year olds will be competing in Tamworth every Friday night in a school based comp with more details to follow. Registration is not necessary although an expression of interest is advisable. Please email me (Registrar, email address below) if you are interested in playing in this division. When you click on the below link to register please note the following points: 1. Remember to click on all 3 uniform types (ie tshirt,socks and shirts) so you can enter uniform sizes for us to order accordingly. 2. The uniforms will need to be ordered in advance ready for kick off at first training session so PLEASE ENSURE YOU REGISTER BEFORE 7TH FEBRUARY to ensure you get the uniform size you need. Registrations post this date will have to choose sizes from the stock that we order. 3. This year we need all non-playing members (coaches and team managers) to also register online (nil cost). 4. If you played last year, login details are the same, if you don't know them, simply click on "forgot login details" and follow the prompts. If still no luck please contact me. 5. No offline registrations will be accepted https://rugbylink.resultsvault.com/common/pages/reg/welcome.aspx?

type=1&entityid=53518&fl=1&id=30205 Kind Regards, Amanda Darling SJRU Registrar adarling@sgs.nsw.edu.au ph 0403293277