Week Four, Term Four, Tuesday, 6th November 2018 Edition Two Hundred and Seventy Three

What a great night! Over 80 parents and friends enjoy a lot of laughs, tricky questions, fun games and won some great prizes for their efforts. The winning team – The Becca’s – just got over the line by one point to take home the grand prize. The night could not have gone ahead without the support of all the business and families who donated prizes and vouchers, the silent auctions and lucky door prizes. A special thank you to Dipesh Lakhani, who single handily got over 80% of the vouchers and other prizes. Without your help, it would not have been the success it was. Thank you again! Thank you to all the families and community people who made the event a huge success. Already looking forward to next year’s event. In the lead up to the Christmas season, could you please support these great companies and stores in recognition for their support of our major community fundraiser for 2019? Newcastle Knights, Scarborough Wines, Tulloch Wines, The Anchorage Port Stephens, Entertainment Book, Family Lifestyle Photo, Coast XP, Queens Wharf, Strike Bowling, Inner City Winer Merchant, Body Worx, Bacco’s Bakery, Sky Dive Australia, Revolution, Baggs, Alex Ander Epson salts, Family Lifestyle Photo voucher, Natural Tucker, Popolo, East End Movement Mobile Beauty, Vitality Junction

Natural Health Yoghurt land voucher, 12RNG Fitness voucher, Zaffan Hunter Water, Quill & Compass, Hebasha Ethiopian, Superstrike, Honeysuckle Hotel, Customs House, Bhaki Tree, Local Crop, Nova Cruise Mick McCann michael.mccann@det.nsw.edu.au Thought for the Week

Uniform and Hats Over the coming weeks, we will be focusing on student’s wearing their uniforms with pride. Please ensure your child is clothed in their full uniform each day. Items such as patterned tights, coloured undershirts and hats with brand logos are not part of the school uniform and should not be worn to school. If you require support or assistance in the purchasing of uniforms please don’t hesitate to contact me directly via the school office. Lost Property All items in lost property, that do not have names or are not school uniform, will be disposed of this Friday. If your child/ren is missing any item of clothing, please check lost property.

Hilltop News

Invictus Games On the 28th October a group of students went to Sydney to experience the Invictus Games in The Olympic Park, Homebush. After bleary eyes arrived at school for a 5am departure we set off for Sydney. We received our backpacks and caps then listened to two ex-service people introduce the concept of the Invictus Games while discussing the positive impact it has had on their lives. Some of the schools headed over to an auditorium to watch Lorin Nicholson perform Classical Gas on his acoustic before he unfolded his white cane to help him walk toward the audience. Due to a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa and with only 10% sight, he is declared legally blind. He regaled us with stories of his own personal battles and triumphs throughout his life including riding a bike from his hometown Tamworth to the beach in Port Macquarie, at the age of 16. Much to the amazement of his friends and family he got there! Lorin finished with Nothing Else Matters, and a vamped up version of Stairway to Heaven to send us off to our next experience.

We had an early lunch before heading over to the athletics arena to watch some track and field events. Newcastle East students had a fantastic vantage point right on the start line and many athletes were happy to talk to us after their race as well as sign hats and posters. Our day had come to an end so we headed back for the bus and a long trip home. The day allowed us all to reflect on how lucky we all are in life and how inspirational the competitors in the Invictus Games can be for us to respect and admire in terms of personal triumph over the greatest of odds. The greatest mountain we climb in life, is the mountain inside ourselves. Lorin Nicholson.

Kinder Orientation

Our first 2019 kinder orientation will be starting this Thursday 10.00-10.45 in the current kinder room. Please drop off your child by 10.00 and head to the current library. Mrs Hadfield and Mrs Monroe will meet you there. This week parents will hear from our Learning Support Teacher and School Counsellor. Term 4 is a Sun Smart Term

Parents and children are reminded that this term children must wear school sun smart hats every day during recess and lunch breaks and on school excursions. There are still a few students that are having to stay undercover as they don’t have their hats. If they don’t have a school hat, can you please arrange purchasing one through our uniform shop in the administration building? Building Information Booths Outside the office, you will notice new information boards about our upcoming building project. It should be starting very soon. If you have any questions, please see Mr McCann or the people at the information booth. The next round of building information booths will be running on this date. The booths will be located at the front of the school. If you haven’t already seen the wonderful plans, please pop in to see what is planned. The next information booth – 3 Dec 2018, 8:30am to 9:30am

Not coming back in 2019 As we progress through Term 4, staff will be looking at the placement of students in their classes for 2019. Accurate student numbers are important to ensure we made adequate plans for staffing and classes. To assist in this regard, we ask that if you are aware that your family will no longer be attending NEPS for any reason—please advise the Office at your earliest convenience. If this information needs to remain confidential, please send in a sealed envelope, marked to the attention of Mr McCann. Attendance A reminder to all parents that education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and to increase their career and life options. Following an absence from school parents and caregivers must ensure they provide the school with verbal or written explanation for the absence within 7 days.

Jess Black visit Last week we had our much awaited visit from local author Jess Black. These sessions were thoroughly enjoyed by all students from Kindergarten to year six. Jess shared her experiences as an author and the processes involved in writing a book. She read some extracts from her books and children were able to ask her questions as well as have their books signed. If anyone missed out on ordering her books, Macleans booksellers on Beaumont Street stock them and are great supporters of her work. Thank you for supporting these valuable experiences in our school. Mrs Mason.

Canteen Update Helpers needed Term 4 A big thank you to the few volunteers on the canteen roster! Unfortunately, we have gaping holes in the roster now. Basically, from next Friday we only have 2 days covered for canteen. If we don’t get volunteers, we will have to close the canteen Team so please help us out and volunteer. New volunteers are always welcome, and you will be trained (but it’s not hard!) If you can volunteer on any of the dates below, text Kelly Wyman on 0421 299611 or use the sign up link below. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044CABAC23A1FC1-canteen Also if have any questions please contact Kelly Wyman on 0421 299611

CANTEEN ROSTER Term 4 2018 Monday Friday

5 Nov Volunteers needed

9 Nov Volunteers needed

12 Nov Michelle Crawford

16 Nov Volunteers needed

19 Nov Volunteers needed

23 Nov Amy King First half 8.45-11.15am Volunteers needed

26 Nov Volunteers needed

30 Nov Volunteers needed

3 Dec Volunteers needed

7 Dec Volunteers needed

10 Dec Volunteers needed

12 Dec Kelly Wyman Tracey Hutchins

17 Dec Volunteers needed

Term Four Planner – This will be updated regularly here and on our school website.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Week 4 Kinder

Orientation – Students and

Parents – 10am

Week 5 Kinder

Orientation – Students and

Parents – 10am

Week 6 Yr2 Swim School Yr2 Swim School Yr2 Swim School

Yr2 Swim School Kinder

Orientation – Students and

Parents – 10am

Yr2 Swim School Supercar Friday

Week 7 Yr2 Swim School Yr2 Swim School Yr2 Swim School

Yr2 Swim School Kinder

Orientation – Students and

Parents – 10am

Yr2 Swim School

Week 8 P&C + School Council Meetings

NHS Yr7 Orientation

Week 9 Presentation Day (TBC) Year Six

Farewell (TBC) Reports home

Week10 Last Day of school year

Staff Development

Day

Staff Development

Day