www.kotarasth-p.school.nsw.edu.au

kotarasth-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

(02) 4957 5319

150 Rae Crescent Kotara South 2289

Kotara South Public School

Newsletter A Great Place to Be!

13 March 2019 | Week 7 | Term 1

From the Principal Welcome to week 7. Over the last fortnight I have been in all classrooms. I have had the opportunity to observe students who are very engaged in their learning. Classes often do not know that I am in their rooms as they are so engrossed and focussed on what they are learning. Our students have quality instruction that is differentiated for their level of learning. We support students with a range of measures: an in-class instructional leader, intervention teachers for K-2 and 3-6, school learning support officers and of course their classroom teachers. If you would like to discuss the learning and achievement of your child, please contact your child’s classroom teacher to make an appointment. The library is halfway through the refurbishment plan with a further four lots of 3 tier shelving units ordered and new permanent tables and chairs to be purchased. We sincerely thank our KSPS P & C for their ongoing support to the library refurbishment. As the learning hub of our school, it will certainly be a jewel in our crown. We can’t wait for the completion of this space and for our students, staff and community to share in it. Over the Easter break, the library will be repainted. This is a HUGE job to move all items from the space to allow the internal walls to be painted. There will be some disruption to service during these times and we ask for your patience whilst this work is being completed. For the remainder of this term our staff will complete their PDHPE training in the iPlay program. All teachers will undergo peer observations and online learning to update and refresh their knowledge in this curriculum area. This professional learning is researched and co-developed by the University of Newcastle (and other Universities) and is an excellent way of engaging students across the fundamental movement skills. Please take a moment to look at some of the iPlay information at iPlay information click here Does your child access an out of school hours care program attached to our school? Please find the section further on in the newsletter and complete the form and return it to school. The school must be informed of what service your child is accessing before/after school and on what days. If days or arrangements change, please inform the school of any changes immediately. Next Friday KSPS will run our annual Cross Country. A note has already been sent to parents via Skoolbag and Facebook and information will also be in this newsletter. We welcome all parents and community to come along and be part of the morning.

On 6 March Aunty Saretta joined our Aboriginal students to start discussions about a new Aboriginal mural to adorn the walls of our playground. Students were engaged through a workshop where Aunty Saretta discussed Aboriginal symbols, significance and how putting these symbols together tells a story. I can’t wait to see the final art work which will be ‘unveiled’ during NAIDOC week 2019. Mr Eldridge is once again gathering chess players for the 2019 Chess competitions. If your child is in this team, please keep an eye out for notes home regarding these comps. We thank parents for their commitment to transporting students to and from these events.

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The annual P & C AGM meeting takes place this evening from 6:30pm and then the general meeting form 7PM in the library. All parents and community are invited along to join our P & C and be part of the fun and parent community in our school. You don’t need to have a job on the executive, just a willingness to help out a little each month. As a fundraiser our P & C are putting together another commemorative tea towel. Each tea towel will have a drawing form every child and staff member in the school on it. These will be available for sale just in time for the Mother’s day stall early in term 2. Keep an eye out for the order form and get your order in early to avoid disappointment.

The National day against Bullying No Way day is this Friday 15 March. We will mark this occasion by wearing orange and teachers will explore what bullying is (and isn’t), what to do if you are bullied and they will also explore the website Bullying No Way ! The national definition of bullying is: Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Reminder that the newsletter is every fortnight (odd weeks) with “What’s On” Sunday evening on Skoolbag. Have a great week and thanks for making #KSPSagreatplacetobe

Susan Maxworthy – PRINCIPAL

OOSH SERVICE Please complete the slip below if your child uses an OOSH service. Write the name of the service in the box on the day the child goes to OOSH. The three services that service our school are: Belair OOSH (based at KSPS), St James YMCA OOSH (based at St James Catholic School Kotara), Victory OOSH (based at Kahibah) This information assists the teacher to help your child know after school arrangements. If there are any changes to this arrangement, please notify the school immediately.

Child’s name: _____________________________________________ Class: __________________ Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Before school

After School

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School News STAR STRUCK DANCE 2019 Congratulations to the fantastic Year 5 dance students who auditioned for Star Struck 2019 ‘No Limits’. We have been successful in being accepted into Star Struck!!!!

Please note Star Struck have had a very exciting and overwhelming number of schools and students apply for Star Struck in 2019.

Where to next - Star Struck teachers will attend a meeting on the 19 March and learn which song and dance we have been accepted into and receive the rehearsal schedule. Term 2 will be a busy and exciting time.

Please see Ms Gibson if you have any queries.

Ms Gibson – STAR STRUCK COORDINATOR

STAR STRUCK CHOIR 2019 After weeks of auditioning and hard work our 24 students have been successful in gaining a place in Star Struck 2019 Choir. We will be performing along with approximately 3,500 other students from across the Hunter and Central Coast areas. As Star Struck is a huge event requiring a lot of time and dedication from both students and parents, it is extremely important that your son/daughter attend all rehearsals, both internal and external. Failure to do so will result in them forfeiting their position.

Miss Martin – STAR STRUCK COORDINATOR STAR STRUCK & CHOIR DATES 2019

Thursday 30 May 2018 First Major Movement Rehearsal

Wednesday 12 June Second Major Movement Rehearsal

Thursday 13 June Technical and Dress Rehearsal

Friday 14 June Matinee and Evening Performances

Saturday 15 June Matinee and Evening Performances

HALOGEN YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE On Monday 11 March, the student executive team travelled to Sydney to attend the Halogen Leadership Conference with Mr John. Our hosts for the day were Liv Phyland from the Loop and DJ Raf. The first speaker was the amazing Tim Diamond from the Cotton On Foundation who talked about how he helps to give kids in Uganda a better education. Our next speakers were just as amazing and interesting with Cate Campbell, the Olympic swimmer, Tamsin Janu, an author of junior fiction and Holly Furling, an Australian cricketer. We learnt about how to overcome setbacks, deal with adversity and how to be humble when we achieve a goal. These are all the qualities we will bring to Kotara South to make it an even greater place to be.

STUDENT EXECUTIVE

YEAR 6 PARENTS – MOVING INTO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN 2020 All Year 6 students have brought home an Information Guide and Expression of Interest form this week about moving into Year 7 in a NSW Government School in 2019. The Expression of Interest form must be completed for your child to be enrolled at their local High School in 2020. The form needs to be returned to school on or before Tuesday 19 March, 2019. All forms have been sent home with details of your child’s designated local High School. If you are hoping to seek an ‘out of zone’ placement at Kotara High School, you will need to make contact with the High School to discuss your child’s enrolment. Please contact me if you have any problems or difficulties completing the form.

YEAR 6 INTO 7 2019 AT KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL – INTRODUCTION TO KHS TRANSITION TEAM An information evening will be held at Kotara High School on 2nd April in the KHS school library from 6.30pm for parents of Year 7 students in 2020. The aim of the evening will be to introduce parents to key members of the KHS transition team (Deputy Principal and Year 7 Year Advisor 2020) and will run for approximately 30-45 minutes. All parents of students attending Year 7 at KHS in 2020 are encouraged to attend.

Members of the 2020 KHS transition team will also be visiting our school during week 10 to meet our Year 6 students. Please see Mrs Ward if you have any questions.

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SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL Our school Cross Country Carnival will be held next Friday 22 March at Lugar Park starting at 9.30am. All students K-6 will be involved in the carnival on the day. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 (students NOT turning 8 this year) will participate in a 1 lap fun run while all other students will compete in their age appropriate Cross Country race – see details below. All parents and community members are invited to attend and Mrs Ward will be looking for parent helpers to assist throughout the events. We look forward to seeing you there. A detailed note has been sent out on Skoolbag and Facebook with further information about the carnival. Please note that a permission note is not required as all students have already returned signed permission to walk to Lugar Park.

Approximate Times of events Time Events Number of Laps 9:30 am - Welcome, War Cries and organisation 9:45 - Year 2 (Not including students turning 8 this year) 1 Lap Fun Run 10:00 - Kinder and Year 1 1 Lap Fun Run 10:15 - 8/9 Years Boys and Girls 4 10:30 - 10 Years Boys and Girls 4 10:45 - 11 Years Boys and Girls 6 11:00 - 12/13 Years Boys and Girls 6 Catherine Ward – INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER/STAGE 3 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

ZONE PSSA REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS Over the past few weeks we have had a number of students attend the Newcastle City PSSA representative trials. Students have participated in various sports - AFL, basketball, cricket, netball, football, hockey and tennis. Several students have been successful in progressing to the Hunter SSA trials in their respective sports. Congratulations to Cooper D, Emma S, Angie O and Madden W. We are awaiting the naming of the Newcastle City teams for Football and Rugby League. Well done to all students who participated.

Sam McClymont & Paul John – PSSA SPORT ORGANISERS

STAGE 2 - SLEEPOVER Resilience, organisation, persistence, confidence and getting along skills were in abundance at the Stage 2 sleepover last week - and that was just from the teachers! Seriously though, the staff were so impressed by the level of skills shown by our Stage 2 students. There was a lot of fun and laughter and it was fantastic preparation for our 2 night camp in Term 4.

Regina Fear – STAGE 2 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (REL)

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Assembly Awards

WEEK 5 & 6 K’OR Saxon Tyrie

Cian Crowe Skylor Crowe Josephine Horvath Willow Langi Lexi Clarke

2C Kaylee Taylor Caleb Sturgeon Cienna Perry Imogen Hall Joseph Forrester Eloise Postol

5/6J Zali Smith Jackson McClymont Clare Gascoine Libby Blake Aiden Haynes Eli Rawe

KR Caius Pendlebury Sofia Konjarski Annabelle Lemon Pheobe Westacott Kodah Wicks Ayda Solis

2E Matilda Page Matthew Hopton Charlotte Ryan Tobias Taylor Kylara Wech Eleanor West-

Sooby

5/6M Adam Cowie Amber Watt Laila Owens Angie Ottery Sean Pua-Bowen Max Vincent

K1/P Tahlia Abel Elke Hirneth Scarlett Morrison Austin Spencer Lachlan Egan Madie Tasker

3/4F Genevieve Postol Joel Dagwell Ashley Googe Hayden Aebi Jai Donnelly Shelly Price

5/6P Clara Hodge Lochlan Clenton Madden Willott Elodie Playdon Molly Green Nate Ward

1A Koby Dormand Pippa O’Brien Natalia O’Donnell Callan Regan Isabella Rice Gemma Ward

3/4M Eli Lewis Noah Tam Yam Nina Thomson Linkin Clenton Emma Jennison Archie Wilson

HSUB Kian Thompson

1/2G Spencer Toole Angus Playdon Maverick Wood Rio Cristaudo Gemma Green Finn O’Brien

3/4W Oliver Playdon Archer Freeman Ben Love Haylee Kokkin Emilyne Creamer Violet Main

Important Dates: Follow Skoolbag for update on ‘What’s On’ posted each Sunday evening. Also check the website for all KSPS events.

MERIT AWARDS

Gold

Silver

Bronze Chilli Rippon River Siswoyo

EXECUTIVE AWARDS

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P&C Association THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – ON TONIGHT! We’d love to encourage all members, new and old, to attend the AGM tonight and stay for the regular meeting afterwards. Please don’t stay away because you don’t want to be voted in! The majority of positions already have nominations submitted, and no-one will be asked to do something that they don’t want to do.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for a position, please fill out the attached form and bring it to tonight’s meeting. Please complete the membership form as well if you haven’t already done so.

You can return completed membership forms to the office at any time, along with your $2 membership fee.

DISCO The first KSPS school disco for the year is on Thursday 21 March. The Junior disco runs from 5pm to 6pm, and the Senior disco runs from 6pm to 7.30pm.

While the school takes care of the actual disco, the P&C offers a selection of food and drinks for purchase on the night. For Disco 1 we will be selling:

- Hot Dogs ($2.50 each), with sauce/mustard/grated cheese optional. Hot dogs will be available for sale from 5.30pm to 6.30pm from the school canteen.

- Chips/popcorn ($1 per pack), in a variety of flavours including corn chips and plain popcorn

- Water ($1 per bottle), 600mL – we will have a recycle bin near the disco for empty bottles.

- Glow products ($1 each), in a variety of designs.

Pre-ordering your hot dogs will help us to purchase the right amount of supplies and reduce waste. Please pre-order your hot dogs online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/KSPSPAndC/KSPSDiscoTerm121March2019, and pay for your hot dogs when you pick them up.

Please put in your order before Wednesday night – we need time to go and buy the supplies on Thursday. There will be limited extra stock for people who have not pre-ordered.

We will need some volunteers to help prepare and sell the hot dogs, and sell other food and drink items during both the Junior and Senior discos. Please email the P&C or sign up using the following link if you are able to help.

https://signup.zone/duwP3hfH6raaKjh98

Thank you for your support!

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2019 Entertainment Books are now available for pre-order. Please use the following link to go to our KSPS P&C Entertainment Book order page: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/346s62

CANTEEN Please keep an eye on our P&C Facebook page and the Skoolbag app for details of canteen specials. The menu is always available for download from the KSPS website.

Next Meeting: TONIGHT!

(13 March) AGM at 6.30pm, followed by regular meeting at 7pm in the school library

kspspandc@gmail.com

Kotara South Public School P&C

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MEGA EASTER RAFFLE The Mega Easter Raffle will be drawn at the Easter Hat Parade on Friday 12th April. We will be sending home tickets late next week with the eldest child. Tickets are $1 each and come in books of 10. It would be appreciated if any unsold tickets could be returned to the office. Those eager sellers can also obtain extra books from the office if needed.

The P&C would greatly appreciate donations of Easter Eggs and other objects to make the MEGA Easter Baskets. These can be handed into the school office from Wednesday 27th March. Thank you for your support.

Uniform Shop Hours

Wednesdays 2.30 - 3pm

Fridays 8.45 - 9.15am

See Facebook for additional times &

changes

Hello and welcome to another Gardens and Grounds update.

Our next Volunteer Day is Sunday March 24th All Volunteer days start at 9am and finish at around 11am.

This Volunteer Day’s key project is - The building of the Collaborative Art Space We need to do a lot of digging and shifting of soil so shovels and barrows would be most helpful.

We have a limited supply of tools and just ask that people bring a hat, gloves and water.

You don’t need to be a P&C member to join in the fun just a willingness to be involved in an important part of the school’s environment.

Your children are most welcome to come along as it is the students who will pass on the stories of the day to their friends and take ownership of the gardens and grounds just from being involved. Morning Tea is provided by the P&C.

I hope you will be able to join us on Sunday March 24th

Matt Playdon – P&C GARDENS & GROUNDS COORDINATOR

mjplaydon@gmail.com

KSPS P&C Gardens And Grounds Group

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