Irrawang Public School 21 Geer Street
RAYMOND TERRACE NSW 2324 P: 49872403/ 49872600
F: 49874063 Principal:
Nancye Farley Webpage: http://www.irrawang-p.schools.nsw.gov.au
Email: [email protected]
Inside this issue:
Principal’s Message 1
Young Leaders , Assembly roster & Swimming Carnival
2
Library & Chess News, 2016 Starts 3 & 4
PBL & School Banking 5
Who am I 6
P&C news 7
Great Cycle Challenge, SPOTLIGHT, & Medowie Marauders
8
Santa on Fire truck, Triple P Pro-gram & Cancer snippet
9
Cyber Bullying, Mitre 10, Twilight BBQ & Festive cooking
10
Xmas Twilight Markets, Tennis Culb
11
Enrolment, Facebook, Aussie 5
Colouring Competition 10
Absentee Note 11
Caught You Using your “AUSSIE 5” 12
IRRAWANG PUBLIC SCHOOL
An Innovative, Vibrant and Diverse Learning Community
Term 4, Week 10, 11 December 2015
It’s Time to Say Goodbye! After 7 years at Irrawang Public School it’s time to say goodbye and move into retirement. Over the last few weeks I have tried to list some of my highlights at IPS. The list is endless so I’ll share just a few: Working for the Department of
Education and its commitment to equity and excellence. An education system I believe is second to none. Reforms and school frameworks such as ‘Local Schools, Local Decision’ that equips schools to play a vital role in promoting the intellectual, physical, social, emotional and moral development and wellbeing of young Australians
Our PBL messages and attendance slogans coming to “life” around the school. How proud are we of our students and their designs?
NAPLAN results confirming that more and more students are achieving success with the growth of our Aboriginal students above state average.
A resource allocation that strengthens our resolve to support all students along their learning journey irrespective of where they start.
Attendance rates comfortably sitting at 90% or higher each
term. The quality of our staff.
Expert practitioners in every classroom every day who always put the needs of their students at the heart of every decision made.
The strength and support of our parents and the wider community. What a supportive and caring community we have!
To staff and parents I simply say ‘Thank You!’ It has been a privilege working with you and sharing in your lives. Our students deserve the best as they are the best – safe, responsible learners who show respect. I will miss their smiles, hugs, optimism, honesty and resilience. As I said on Presentation Day – “You can take the principal out of Irrawang but you’ll NEVER take Irrawang out of the principal.” Goodbye Irrawang, I will miss you. Nancye Farley
Principal of this great school.
School Calendar 2015
TERM 4
Last Day of Term - Wed 16th Dec
28th Jan - First Day for students
Years 1-6 next year
1st Feb - First day for Kinder &
Preschool (sun group)
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY LEARNING RESPECT
Our School Leaders Have Their Say
Assembly Roster Term 4 2015
Term 4 Class
Week 10 YEAR 6
I would just like to start by saying a big thanks for letting me have the honour of being your captain for 2015. The thing I have enjoyed the most this year is having the honour of laying the wreath at Canberra. I would also like to remind you about carols on Monday and class party but remember not to rush your teachers I’m sure they have important things they need to get done before the end of the year. Something I will miss about this school is all the wonderful teachers that have helped me through my school life thank you all. Have a safe holiday, Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! By Paige-lea Perry
SWIMMING CARNIVAL: Thank you to all of our students who attended and a huge well done to the students who competed in the races at our carnival last
Tuesday. Congratulations to all our place getters and to our age champions for this year. I'm sure fun was had by all, in particular
the Infants students (I thought the bucket was the most fun). Our change of location this year worked really well providing excellent
shade and facilities. Thank you to Miss Vautin and Mrs Ray for your organisation.
Mr Jones
LIBRARY NEWS
End of Term 4 already! 2015 has been an amazing year for Irrawang Public School and, as I
mentioned during our Primary Presentation Day assembly, we have been so privileged to have
Mrs Farley as our guiding, inspirational principal. The Library has always had Mrs Farley's
unwavering support. This support greatly benefits all our students, as mounting research
continues to affirm what we already know... that school libraries staffed by certified school
librarians, with adequate funds to select and provide resources to meet the learning needs of
all students, make a measurable difference on student achievement. Thank you Mrs Farley for
ensuring Irrawang students have this opportunity to enhance their learning.
I am so proud of our Premier's Reading Challenge platinum award winners for this year. These
students have read the required number of books to complete the Challenge in each of their
seven primary school years, from Kindergarten to Year 6. Congratulations on this fantastic
achievement to:
Ross Bishell Tahlia Buckmaster Eden Burns
Kalan Butler Skye Cooper Tyson Henderson
Brodie Higgison Ashleigh Mitchell Caleb Parker
Izac Schofield Maddison Shephard
All PRC certificates are ready for distribution this week.
In the past weeks, most of our Stage 3 students visited Raymond Terrace Library. This
opportunity was arranged so that the students learnt of the resources held in this Library and
its sister libraries in the Newcastle area. Membership includes access to books and other
print material, cds, dvds and their growing collections of e-resources. The Library also offers
free Wifi and spaces for students to work on assignments in air-conditioned comfort … or just
chill out. If the holiday temperatures are going to be anything like those we’ve experienced
this week, then the Library’s ‘cool’ environment might be just the place to go to. I have
membership forms in my office if anyone in our school community would like to become a
member. Many thanks to all staff at Raymond Terrace Library. They gave so generously of
their time to prepare for our visits and talk with the students.
Hopefully by the time you are reading this newsletter, the Book Club orders will have arrived. If not, I am sure
they will be here before the end of term.
Many thanks to those parents and carers who have paid money to the Office for overdue Library books that
have been lost or damaged beyond repair. If the lost ones do happen to resurface during the holidays, please
bring them back and you will be fully reimbursed. This has already happened twice in the past week!
Happy holidays to all members of Irrawang's community. I already have the latest Guinness Book of Records
ready to go under the tree for my adult son ... who doesn't think it's Christmas without that book to read! My
wish is for every Irrawang student to have one book under the tree this Christmas with their name on it.
Stay safe, responsible learners and keep reading everyone!
Chris Berry
Teacher Librarian
Chess News
Congratulations to the recipients of Irrawang's
Chess medals for 2015. They are:
Lena Nobbs-Rayfield
Aaron Longworth
Caleb Parker
Izac Schofield
2016
First day back for students Years 1-6 is Thursday 28th January 2016. Kindergarten & Pre-
school (SUN group) students start on Monday 1st February 2016. School starts at 8.55am
Please “don’t be late as School won’t wait”.
SCHOOL BANKING School banking has concluded for the year.
On behalf of the student’s we would like to thank Mrs Karlene Johnson for her time and
Commitment to School banking. Over the last few years she has generously given her time so
your children can save for the future. Merry Christmas.
Irrawang Public School Community are
safe, responsible learners who show respect in all settings
Welcome PBL members
(IPS Staff, School Community, Students, Parents)
What a year it has been!!!!
Now that it is getting closer to the Holidays,
our PBL focus is going to be
Safety and Respect in the Community during the Holidays!
When we are in the Community, we need to make sure we are safe, re-
sponsible and showing respect in all settings, to everyone at all times.
So by taking our Aussie 5 to the Community helps us to live in a Happy
and Friendly Quality Community.
On behalf of the PBL team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank
you all for your continual support. Without your support Irrawang Public
School wouldn’t be the Quality School that it is today!
We wish you a safe and happy holiday, and looking forward to see you in
2016.
PBL Week 10
WHO AM I—Family
The correct answer for our guessing competition in the “Who am I” feature of the Newsletter
is the Short / Longworth Family.
Melissa Beasley Community Liaison Officer
5 Things you don’t know about me- Staff
There is no new Quiz for this newsletter.
Thank you for participating this year, we will be starting fresh next year with new quizzes and
competitions.
I hope you have enjoyed learning new things about our staff and families.
Have a very Safe and happy holiday and a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Melissa Beasley Community Liaison Officer
Guessing Competition Answer.
—————————————————————————————————————
Name: ………………………………………………………………………..
Class: …………………………………
Answer: ………………………………………………………………………
UNIFORMS:
If you have any pre-loved uniforms that your children have grown out of or are venturing onto high school.
Could you please donate them to the school for our emergency store where they will be GRATEFULLY
accepted.? You can leave them at the office. Many thanks for your help.
P&C PRESIDENTS REPORT
Thank you to all the P&C Team that has helped make this year such a success. We had fun along the way and
I hope we can continue this into 2016. All parents are welcome to come along and join our friendly P&C
Association. All we ask is that you volunteer a little time towards our fundraising and our meetings that are
held once a month (within the school term).
We also see the retirement of Mrs Nancye Farley who has been such a wonderful and supporting Principal
who will be missed by everyone, I know we are in great hands with the leadership of our school now resting
with Mrs Stacy Mathieson.
Lastly I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a very Safe Holiday.
Thankyou Phyllipa Elvidge
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
You should have received some tickets for our Christmas Raffle that will be held on Monday 14th Decem-
ber at our annual Christmas concert. If you missed out don’t worry as tickets are available for purchase
up until the start of the concert or you can ask our friendly office staff for some.
There are some fabulous prizes this year eg; Lowes $50 gift vouches, Facial gift vouches, Hot food vouch-
ers, Microwave, Scooters, Lego, Skateboards and protective gear just to a few of the 50+ prizes.
GOODLUCK TO EVERYONE
Spotlight on a volunteer
This week we shine the light on all our wonderful volunteers that have
volunteered in all areas of the School in 2015.
This picture was taken at our annual
Volunteers Morning tea on Friday
27th November. All staff provided the
morning tea.
All volunteers were recognised by staff for their dedication and
commitment to the children and staff of Irrawang Public in 2015.
The areas of Volunteering included;
Canteen, helping in the classrooms, reading groups with children,
driving students to events, Breakfast Club, Kids Hope, Scripture, Taking
photographs for special events, Thou-Walla, Library, Preschool, Speech
and Language groups, P&C, Transition to Schools Program, AEG,
Reading group in the morning and Chess.
Thank you once again to all our wonderful Volunteers, we appreciate all
your hard work!
Melissa Beasley & Megan Lysaght
Irrawang Public School Safety Responsibility Learning Respect
HAS YOUR CHILD ENROLLED FOR SCHOOL
NEXT YEAR?
WILL YOUR CHILD BE STARTING
KINDERGARTEN OR PRESCHOOL NEXT
YEAR?
ENROL NOW FOR THE BEST START TO
YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION!!!
ENQUIRE NOW!
Please ask at the office or phone 02 4987 2403
CAUTION: Please remember that if you are putting photos from school events on your personal Facebook page that other chil-dren should not be in the photos unless you have permission from their parents or carers.
IRRAWANG AUSSIE 5
Irrawang Public School: Absentee Note
Student Name: ______________________________________ Class:____________________ Date/s of absence/s ____________________________________________________________________ Reason for leave: (Please circle)
*Sick *Urgent Family Business *Other:___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:____________________
Relationship to student:____________________________________
****************Please return with your child to class teacher. Thankyou***************
Irrawang Public School: Absentee Note
Student Name: ______________________________________ Class:____________________ Date/s of absence/s ____________________________________________________________________ Reason for leave: (Please circle)
*Sick *Urgent Family Business *Other:___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:____________________
Relationship to student:____________________________________
****************Please return with your child to class teacher. Thankyou***************
Irrawang Public School: Absentee Note
Student Name: ______________________________________ Class:____________________ Date/s of absence/s ____________________________________________________________________ Reason for leave: (Please circle)
*Sick *Urgent Family Business *Other:___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:____________________
Relationship to student:____________________________________
****************Please return with your child to class teacher. Thankyou***************