Important Information … MPS website: www.moree-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

• Monday, 6th March – North West swimming carnival at Armidale • Friday, 10th March – Debating workshop at MPS hall with visitors from district schools and the Sydney Arts Unit

REAPING the benefits….

Renowned educator Sir Ken Robinson believes that, teachers are the lifeblood of the success of school. I strongly agree with him. Moree Public School staff work above and beyond the call of duty to provide the best possible learning opportunities for each and every student. A dynamic staff, well supported by an experienced executive team certainly makes for a strong and inclusive public school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their diligence in sharing knowledge and time with our students. The school has received its final staffing allocation and we expect that classes will now remain the same for the rest of the year. It is with pleasure that I introduce our 2017 staff and classes: • KW-8 Miss Hancock; KK-9 Miss Kleinig; KF-10 Mrs Fitzgerald (Assistant Principal – Kindergarten); KM-11 Miss McNamara; EI-12 Miss Horwood • 1G-3 Mrs Gulliver; 1H-4 Miss Howard; 1W-5 Miss Williams (Assistant Principal – Yrs 1/2); 1J-6 Miss Jeffree; 1M-7 Miss Mackaway • 2R-1 Miss Rigby; 2B-29 Mrs Brown; 2GP-30 Mrs Gaukroger & Ms Pickerin; 2M-33 Miss Miller; IW-27 Miss Williams; I/PB-27 Mrs Brenton • 3AM-13 Mrs Albert & Mrs McDonald; 3M-38 Miss March; 3Q-39 Miss Quirk; 3/4B-24 Mr Burgess (Assistant Principal Yrs 3/4); 3/6T-34 Mrs Tesoriero • 4R-21 Miss Ryan; 4L-22 Miss Larken; 4R-23 Mrs Ross • 5B-15 Mr Brown; 5E-17 Miss Everingham; 5/6M-14 Mr McDonald (Assistant Principal – Special Programs); 5/6J-18 Miss Jones • 6W-16 Miss White 6R-19 Miss Reid Instructional Leaders - K-2 Mrs Lamey; Yrs 3-6 Mr Cooper Learning Assistance / RFF – Mrs McCudden; Mrs van Velthuizen; Mr Jones; Miss Davis; Mrs Munro; Rural Area Relief – Mr Moffitt Daily relief - Ms Sauer; Mrs Twartz; Mrs Gillingham Librarians – Mrs Beattie & Mr Cattanach; ESL/ISTV – Mrs Marchand Student Learning Support Officers – Mrs Cicchelli; Ms Hutchen; Mrs Doolan; Mrs Perkins; Mrs Nash; Mrs Smith; Mrs Warrener; Mrs Hunt; Miss Neeves; Miss Ireland, Mrs Pritchard; Mr Botfield; Miss Austin; Mrs Eggins; Mrs Raveneau School Administration – Mrs Pilon; Mrs Nelson; Mrs Penfold; Mrs Hickey; Mr Henley; General Assistant – Mr Kite Mrs Ireland - Assistant Principal Special Education Miss Janine Carlin – Deputy Principal (Curriculum) Mrs Hosegood – Deputy Principal Mr King - Principal

Special moments! Performing on stage and recognising achievement are essential elements of our school days. Last Friday, Miss Miller and 2M-33 had the pleasure of hosting our first assembly for the year. As per a long established tradition, each week classes will take turns at leading and performing at assemblies. Children and teachers work very hard to present a great show and I encourage family members, when possible, to join our audiences. Parents will be alerted to coming assemblies via the school newsletter, front noticeboard, 2VM daily school news segment and Skoolbag App. P&C Day will be celebrated across NSW schools on Wednesday 1st March. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every member of our P&C. These hard working people support our school by assisting with decision making through discussion of ideas, hands on support with sporting events, in maintaining the gardens and in raising funds for special school resources. This contribution is greatly valued by staff and students. In fact, should you wish to be involved with your fellow parents, please come along to the 2017 AGM scheduled for Monday, 20th March at 6.00pm. Perhaps you may consider standing for one of the executive positions, as some of our members move to the high school stage of schooling. During the past year, the P&C co-ordinated various fundraising events, including: Easter and Christmas raffles; Mothers and Fathers Day stalls; and of course continue to run the canteen and uniform shop – projects that benefit every student who attends MPS. Significant financial support was provided for: replacing the sprinkler system - primary oval and playing fields $45 000; presentation evening awards $2 500 and carnival trophies; Life Education program for every student $6 000; new sporting uniforms $2 000; and the Books In Homes program for all kinder students $10 000. Primary Schools Sport Association (PSSA) oversees a range of representative selection trials and knockout competitions. Our students will have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of sporting activities. However, please be mindful that teams will have to travel across the north west. This year, we will endeavour to

Tuesday, 28th February 2017

make this a little easier for families and will organise a bus for most events. As such, we will require students to travel on the team bus. This will make organisation more efficient, help teams to bond and will ensure that we are able to meet all child protection requirements. Thank you in advance for supporting this system – as trialled last year with several trips away. Zone trials in a variety of sports are now commencing and I congratulate any student who makes the effort to try out. Regardless of whether or not children are selected it is important to remember that participation and enjoyment in sport are vital elements in a child’s physical and emotional development. Best wishes to students who are selected to represent our school and thankyou to the Moree Public School staff who manage so many of the district teams. Reading with your child at home is one of the most significant gifts you can provide. When your children see you reading and writing in everyday life – whether reading for pleasure, sharing a story with them or making a shopping list – it teaches that reading and writing are useful skills. Here are some things you can do at home to help your children with reading. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/en/homework-and-study/english/english-tips/reading-with-your-child-at-home Removing head lice and nits can certainly be expensive and requires vigilance by all families. Simply mention head lice and most of us instantly develop an itch. While head lice and nits, (the eggs of head lice) are certainly annoying and persistent, they're not dangerous. Here's everything you need to know to keep the head lice and nits under control. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/health/removing-head-lice-and-nits

Mr Adrian King 2. P&C ASSOCIATION • MEETING: The P&C GM meeting will be held on Monday, 20th March commencing at 6.00pm in the school library. Everyone is most welcome. • UNIFORM SHOP: The uniform shop is kindly opened by volunteer co-ordinators, Mrs Debbie Hardman and Ms Erin Livet each Wednesday and Friday morning between 8.30 and 9.30am. • CANTEEN: Parents are advised that the ordering procedure continues as per 2017, either online or by dropping the order at the canteen upon arrival at school. The menu will be updated once our canteen manager has attended the training conference relating to the new Healthy Canteen Guidelines. Until this point, the canteen will adhere to the 2016 menu. • FUNDRAISING PROJECTS: An exciting project that is new to our school for this term is a CANDLE DRIVE – brochure for the amazing options will be sent home later this week. Orders will be due back to school by Friday 17th March. The very popular EASTER RAFFLE will also go ahead, with prizes drawn at the

Infants Easter Hat Parade on Friday 7th April. Donations of chocolate or other Easter goodies will be gratefully accepted at the school office and tickets will go home with the next newsletter. APPRECIATION TO LOCAL DONORS: The 2016 Christmas raffle was generously supported by our local business houses and if it is at all possible we encourage MPS families to show appreciation by shopping locally. A huge P&C thank you is extended to: WJ Matthews; Mitre 10; Ruby Soles; Coles; MAAC Soak and Sauna; Dippers Home Hardware; Woolworths and Grainland Thanks – we look forward to 2017 projects, Mrs Trish Humphries & Ms Megan Miller – P&C Co-ordinators

3. SPORT Tennis Zone Trials: Last Wednesday, 22nd February 2017 Moree Public School hosted the Moree Zone Tennis Trials. MPS students were joined by Gravesend and North Star Public Schools to enjoy a round robin tournament. All the participants are to be congratulated for their excellent sportsmanship. A number of the games were close and played in a competitive spirit. The boys were particularly close, with Riley Bettington just pipping the equal second - Tom Watts and Archie Matthews. Lauren Appleby played well, winning all of her games. Georgie Quinlan was second, followed closely by Khyisha Munro-Mills. Congratulations to Riley Bettington, Tom Watts, Archie Matthews, Lauren Appleby, Georgie Quinlan and Khyisha Munro-Mills who travel to Tamworth Friday, 3rd March to participate in North West trials. Miss K. Reid

4. HEALTH CARE Preventative measures greatly assist in minimising the spread of numerous childhood health concerns that may arise from time to time. Children are encouraged to wash their hands frequently at school and soap is provided in each of the bathrooms. Head lice is a common issue in all schools. Please be vigilant with regular checking, treat if required and notify the school office. Further advice with all of these matters can be obtained through your family doctor, pharmacist and/or the fact sheets on the NSW Ministry Health website. These small measures will greatly assist in keeping all children and staff happy and healthy.

5. COMING EVENTS – Term 1 Please check each week for possible variations or listen to local radio 2VM for the daily Harvey Norman Superstore School News segment a little after 7.00am. Term 1 5 Mon 27 Tues 28

Wed 1 March 11.20 Open & U 11 zone rugby league trials; 1.00 rugby union trials

Thurs 2 Fri 3 NW tennis trials

Assemblies: 10.30 KH-8; 11.30 5E-17 6 Mon 6 PSSA NW swimming carnival - Armidale Tues 7 Wed 8 Thurs 9 Selective High Schools (Yr 7 2016) test ASSEMBLY: 11.30am 4L-22

Fri 10 District debating workshop – MPS hall Assembly: 10.30 1G-3

7 Mon 13 Young Leaders/ImagiNATION conference - Brisbane Tues 14 Wed 15 Thurs 16

Fri 17 Assemblies: 10.30am KM-11; 11.30am 6W-16

8 Mon 20 Harmony Day; 6.00pm P&C AGM

Tues 21 9.30 Cricket trials Wed 22 Thurs 23 Nthn rugby league trials Fri 24 Assemblies: 10.30 2R-1; 11.30am 3M-38 9 Mon 27 Tues 28 Wed 29 Thurs 30 Fri 31 NW - final rugby league trials

Assembly: 10.30 KF-10; 11.30am 5B-15 10 Mon 3 April Tues 4 Wed 5 Thurs 6 Fri 7 9.30am K-2 Easter hat and dancing display; 11.30 4R-23

Final day of Term 1 Term 2 1 Mon 24 April Staff Resume Term 2 Tues 25 ANZAC DAY Wed 26 Kinder – Year 6 resume; 10.30 MPS ANZAC Service Thurs 27 Nthn boys cricket trials Fri 28 133rd Moree Show Sat 29 Moree Show continues

NorthernInlandHockeyAssociationMoree Hockey Club will be holding its Annual General Meeting on

Tuesday 14th March 2017 at 6:00pm at the Moree Golf Club.

All interested players - women, men, past and present - are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Parents of junior players are urged to attend the meeting. For any enquiries please contact:

Helen 0427522827

Moree Junior Soccer Club Inc. Registration Days

Saturday March 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th

10.30am -12.30pm Ron Harbourne Oval canteen

Ages 5-16yrs. Pre-Schoolers are welcome but must turn 5 in 2017.

New players require proof of ID – Birth Certificate or Passport. Fees $120.00 per player.

Please see below for information regarding the upcoming Comp and registration details: Commencement Date: Friday, 17th March 2017 Duration: 9 Weeks, finishing Friday, 2nd June 2017 (excluding holidays and Friday 7th April 2017) Format: Teams tennis for established players (Silver & Gold Divisions) Hot-Shots Leagues singles tennis for new players (previously Bronze Group but renamed Hotshots Leagues in line with the Tennis Australia program for developing players of that level) REMINDER: HotShots for beginners is no longer being run in conjunction with Comp and Hotshots Leagues, it will be on Wednesday nights and parents should contact Jamie Honour Tel: 0429835653 for further information and nomination Registration: Thursday 9th March, 2017 at the Clubhouse from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Registrations close 12th March 2017. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS OR FEES CAN BE ACCEPTED. Grading for Thursday 9th March, 2017 from 3:30pm-4:30pm at the courts. If Players: unable to attend grading on this day please call ASAP to make an alternative appointment. Cost: $25 competition nomination fee per child $35 club membership fee (for 2016 calendar year if not already paid) $145 family membership fee (2 adults plus children for 2016 calendar year) Further information Comp and Hotshots Leagues players:

Felicity - 0448648600; Melita - 0427526124; Amy - 0428 654 099. Moree Tennis Club

Happy with their first day at school!

McKechnieSwimmingCarnival2017TheMoreeZoneSwimmingCarnivalwasheldonFriday17thFebruaryattheMoreeArtesianAquaticComplex.Students had a terrific day of competition andrepresentedMoreePublicSchool ina fashionthatweshouldallbeproudof.Congratulationstoallstudents,youreffortsareapplauded.MPS had 4 students come away with trophies!Congratulationsforyourhardworkandachievements:

An amazing effort by CHLOEELBOURNE to break KaylaWicks’2007JuniorIndividualMedleyrecordof3.27.61.Chloe’snewrecordis3.23.35.Thank you to the student leaders who were able toassistuson theday, theyworkedhardandhelped tomake the day a success – Rachel Makim, MillicentBeattie, Jack Hunt, Noah Humphries, Theo Maybury,ReeseBoughton.

Weonceagainoweahugethankyou to our parent helpers whospent hours out in the hot sunmakingourdayrunsmoothly.

We have a large team of students selected toparticipate in the Regional Swimming Carnival inArmidaleonMonday6thMarch.

JnrBoys AgeChampion BenDiDonna

JnrGirls AgeChampion ChloeElbourne

11yrsGirls RunnerUp ElizaWarby

SnrGirls AgeChampionGabrielleElbourne