Term 3 - Important Dates

A note from the Principal Once again Clairgate has shown how we shine with all our extra activities - our students, teachers and community truly are outstanding…read on…

STEPS Music Festival How wonderful were our magnificent students at the STEPS Music Festival on August 1st! I always feel so proud of our beautiful students and so thankful that we have the most amazing teachers going out of their way to help our students shine! The Senior Choir sang with the combined STEPS choir – their new shirts look amazing! It was definitely noted that we weren’t in the same formation as in previous years and so we weren’t as visible…I have given feedback to the appropriate people regarding this. Our Junior and Senior Dance Groups performed beautifully – and how amazing were their costumes! Congratulations to all the students. Thank you to Mrs Thurling, Ms Paulic, Mrs Veide, Mrs Rogers and Ms Timbs for all their hard work.

Mt Druitt Shopping Centre Performances During Education Week last week our students performed at Westfield Mt Druitt Shopping Centre. The Junior Dance group looked wonderful and danced beautifully. The Junior Choir also performed wonderfully – this was their first performance this year and I was very proud of them. Many thanks to all parents who came to the shopping centre to support our students – I know you were also very proud! Congratulations to Ms Paulic, Mrs Thurling, Mrs Veide and Miss Barnett on all your hard work – the children’s faces shone!

Public Education Concert As part of the Education Week celebrations, the Minchinbury/Mt Druitt group of schools puts on a “Concert Spectacular” every year which this year was held at Rooty Hill HS. This year we were again thrilled to have our senior dance group chosen to perform. This is a most prestigious concert and to be chosen from over 54 schools is a great honour. Our students as always were exemplary – with wonderful manners and a wonderful performance – well done everyone.

Open Day, Book Parade and Book Week Next Wednesday, 21st August, we will be celebrating Public Education at Clairgate! There are great things happening at our school and on Wednesday you are

Thurs 15th Aug

K-2 Assembly 2pm 2K Presenting

Book Forum

Wed 21st Aug Open Day Book Parade/Book Fair Dance Festival Payment Due

Thurs 22nd Aug

3-6 Assembly 2pm 3W Presenting

Debate @ Banks

Thurs 29th Aug

Blue Mountains Nepean Dance Rehearsal

Fathers Day Stall

Tues 3rd Sept Dance Twilight Performance

Fathers Day Raffle

Wed 4th Sept District Athletics Carnival

Thurs 5th Sept Blue Mountains Nepean Matanee Performance

Tues 10th Sept Debating

Tues 17th Sep to 19th Sept

Clairgate on Parade

Thurs 19th Sept Chaldercot Payment Due

Fri 20th Sept Swim Scheme Payment Due

Thurs 26th Sept Yarramundi Payment Due

Fri 27th Sept Grandparents Day

Last day of Term 3

CLAIRGATE CHRONICLE

Colorado Drive, St Clair NSW 2759 P: 9670 1408 F: 9834 3869 E: clairgate-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Care, Excellence, Innovation, Opportunity

in a positive, dynamic environment

Term 3, Week 4 Wednesday, 14th August, 2019

invited to come in and see your child’s work in their classroom, and then enjoy a fun filled Book Parade on the front grass. We kick off the celebrations in the main quad at 10.00am where the senior choir will perform. The classrooms will then be open until 11.00am. This is morning tea time – we will have a cake stall for parents. The children then go back to class at 11.20am to prepare for the fun on the front grass at around 11.45am. Sit back and cheer the children on as they parade around the grass in their Book Parade outfits. Don’t forget to cheer the wonderful teachers who dress up as well! When the parade is finished the library will be open for the Book Fair. Should be a great day!

Changes to the NSW Department of Education Enrolment Policy There have been some changes to the Enrolment Policy which may affect any parents considering an out of area placement at Clairgate PS. From Term 4 2019, all students enrolling will have to have a 100 point check to prove they live in the local drawing area for the school. This will be the case for every public school in NSW. Information on what the 100 point check includes is available from the school office. All student applications for out of area enrolment will be considered at an enrolment panel and will take into account the buffer needed for local enrolments. These applications will be considered in conjunction with our Clairgate non-local enrolment criteria. This is available on our school website and at the school office. There is more information in a flyer later in the newsletter.

If you have a child ready for Kindergarten next year – please come to the office for an enrolment form to enrol them now. From Term 4 you will need the 100 point check residency check.

Thanks everyone, hope you have a great fortnight! Kind regards,

Mrs Michelle Lawrow

Principal

Clairgate – Caring, Kind, Creative Kids!

Sport Report

Girls PSSA State Touch Football Knockout Competition

On Thursday, 8th August, our Girl’s Touch Football team went to Peppertree Oval and played James Erskine Public School. It was a great game and our team played really well but unfortunately was unable to secure a win. Terrific effort, girls

Winter Sport Update Our current Winter PSSA Sport program (as well as Gymnastics) will end on Friday 23rd August (Week 5).

Superstar Congratulations to Lorelai Sarina on her wonderful achievement in setting a new School Athletics Record at our annual Athletics Carnival. Lorelai set a new record time of 30.09 seconds for the 11 Years 200m. Well done champion.

Athletics Assembly Our Athletics Carnival Assembly will be held in the School Hall on Tuesday, 27th August at 2pm. All place ribbons and major trophies will be presented on this day.

District Athletics Carnival This year’s St Marys District Athletics Carnival will be held at Blacktown Olympic Park, Eastern Creek on Wednesday, 4th September.

From the office

2020 Enrolments We are now taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2020. If you have a sibling or you know of any other child in our area that is starting Kindergarten next year, please collect an enrolment pack from the office over the

coming weeks.

Clairgate on Parade COPS 2019 is fast approaching. There will be 3 performances: Show 1 - 7pm on Tuesday, 17th September, 2019 Show 2 - 7pm on Wednesday, 18th September, 2019 Show 3 - Matinee – commences at 9:30am on Thursday, 19th September when all classes will be performing. A note regarding your child’s performance night and information regarding ticket sales will be sent home soon.

4J News

4J’s Bees Project

In 4J we have been participating in a Gifted and Talented program called the ‘No Bees, No Future’ 2019 Pilot Project with Hawkesbury Western Sydney University and other schools. This is an inquiry-based project where students learn about bees and the impact of bees on human survival. Our end goal was to implement a solution of how we can support bees in our community. 4J came up with some great ideas including educating others about their importance and making our own bee garden. Other than the posters and talks with students we have had around the school, a big part of the project we have introduced to Clairgate is our very own Bee Garden! This is to support the decline of bees in our environment.

Did you know bees are our world’s biggest pollinators? Without them we would lose most of our fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beef, dairy, rice, cotton and many more things. There are many ways you can help too. Some of these ways are to stop using pesticides in your garden, support the farmers by buying local honey, and plant more flowers or put a bee home in your garden.

P & C News

P & C Book Fair Cake Stall. We will be having a cake stall next Wednesday, 21st August between recess and lunch to help celebrate the book parade and open day.

P & C Father’s Day Raffle. Raffle tickets will be available over the coming days. Tickets are to be returned to the office by Thursday, 29th August. The draw will take place on Friday, 30th August 2019.

P & C Father’s Day Stall. When: Thursday, 29th August 2019 How Much: Gifts are priced from $1. All students will have the opportunity to select a gift when their class visits the stall throughout the morning session. If you require your child to bring home change from the money you have given them, please send a note in with them so that we are aware.

The P & C would greatly appreciate any donations you are able to contribute to the stall.

All funds raised go directly back into the school. Thanks everyone for your support.

Awards

Caitlyn M Violet T Leah J Matthew B Mia S Riordan P Abbey B Kingston CS Maddison G Joshua BM Karim S Emily A Elazaya YN Georgia H Amerie R Czar Lee M Ryder B Ashraf M William O Ky S Lucas B Jazlene R Mia H Morgan A Noah S Jye B StephenJ Louise D Japleen S Ellie May GW Ryac P Alexis D Jack B Bailey D Navreet S Abbie Rose GW Blake W Krystal T Ines H Hannah K Charlotte M Bailey S Krisha D Meika P Russell H Mansaroop K Thomas H Darius P Aaren T Valencia O Chance N Jacinta M Lachlan S Melita D Samarth N Daniel B Adam A Isabell H

education.nsw.gov.au

Within the enrolment cap, a number of enrolment places (the buffer) must be kept aside for the likely number of local students who will need to enrol during the year. For this reason, a school will not take non-local students once they reach their buffer, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

100-point residential address checkParents planning to enrol their child at a school that is near or at their buffer or cap will be asked to complete the 100-point residential address check to confirm they live within the school’s designated intake area. This means you will need to provide documents to verify your child’s current address. So that schools only seek information relevant to your child’s enrolment, a list of approved documents for the residential address check is available from the school or the department’s website at https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/enrolment-of-students-in-nsw-government-schools.

Selection criteria for non-local enrolmentSibling enrolments are now clearly prioritised (where possible) and selection criteria for non-local enrolment will not include student ability, performance or achievement.

The Enrolment of Students in NSW Government Schools policy is in place to assist schools to meet their obligations under the Education Act 1990 - to ensure that every student has a place at their local school. The policy also communicates to staff and the community a transparent enrolment process.

Why was the enrolment policy revised?Across the state, many communities are changing. Some are growing at rates never seen before. Some schools that used to be able to accept out-of-area enrolments, no longer have the room to do so.The revised policy is designed to support schools to manage all enrolment applications, encourage greater consistency in decision-making and make sure the enrolment choices are clear for parents.

What are the changes?The enrolment capThe enrolment cap is the number of students that can be enrolled at a school based on the school’s permanent accommodation. The enrolment cap tells us whether the school may or may not have the capacity to accept non-local enrolments. It is not a target or limit on the number of local enrolments a school can take.Each school with a local intake area will have a cap set by the department from Term 4 2019.

Enrolment policy

NSW Department of Education

Information for parents

120

819_

493

76

education.nsw.gov.au

ContactFor general enquiries contact: 1300 679 332 or email: DoEinfo@det.nsw.edu.auFor enrolment enquiries, speak to your local school. Find school contact details at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/finding-a-public-school

I already have a child enrolled as an out-of-area student in a NSW Government school. Can I enrol my other children at that school too?This will depend on the capacity of the school:· If the school is not near its buffer, then siblings should

be able to be enrolled at the school. In fact, siblings of students currently enrolled will be prioritised, where possible, over other non-local enrolment applications.

· If the school is nearing its buffer, then the school will form a non-local enrolment panel. The panel considers non-local enrolment applications when the number of non-local applications received exceeds the number of places available below the buffer. Again, in this instance, siblings of students currently enrolled will be prioritised, where possible, over other non-local enrolment applications.

· If the school is at capacity they will not accept non-local enrolment applications unless there are exceptional circumstances.

I have already accepted an offer for my child to attend a school in 2020 that is not my local school. What happens now? The enrolment will proceed. Non-local enrolments accepted before Term 4 2019 for students starting in 2020 should not be affected.

What is the criteria for enrolment in a school that is not my local school? Schools that are able to accept non-local enrolment applications establish a non-local enrolment selection panel, if demand exceeds the number of places below the school’s buffer. Schools are required to make the selection criteria available to the school community.

My circumstances are challenging and I think this school is best for my child. We live outside the school’s intake area. What should I do?We understand that not everyone’s circumstances are the same, and that there are instances where exceptional circumstances will need to be considered. Your circumstances should be discussed with the principal of your local school who can assist you to negotiate an out-of-area enrolment if there are exceptional and compelling circumstances.

What has not changed?Schools will continue to enrol students who live in their local intake area, regardless of the school’s cap status. There are no changes to enrolment rights of siblings of non-local students. In schools with available places, each enrolment application is considered on its merits, including if siblings currently attend the school. If the school is below capacity, out-of-area applications for siblings of current students will be given enrolment priority.Schools will continue to provide families with support and advice during the enrolment process, including assessment of exceptional and compelling circumstances particularly for vulnerable students and their families.Schools will also continue to apply the policy fairly and consistently using transparent and accountable processes when making decisions around enrolment applications. Parents have a right to appeal to determine whether the stated processes have been applied in a procedurally fair manner.

But what do the changes mean for me?What if my child is already enrolled but we do not live in that school’s intake area?Your child will remain enrolled at the school as the revised policy does not affect students already enrolled in NSW Government schools.

We were in area when my child was enrolled in the school. The department has since changed the school’s boundary and our residence is now out of area. I have other children and I want them all to go to the same school. What are my options?At times it is necessary for the department to make adjustments to a school’s local enrolment intake area. This could mean a family with a child/children already enrolled is then outside the local intake area. When this happens, the family will still be able to enrol siblings together at the school, regardless of whether the school is over the buffer or cap.

NSW Department of Education 100 point Residential Address Check

Document showing the full name of the child’s parent Points 1. Only one of (i.e. no additional points for additional documents)

1.1 Council rates notice 1.2 Lease agreement through a registered real estate agent for a period

of at least 6 months or rental bond receipt 1.3 Exchanged contract of sale with settlement to occur within the

applicable school year

40

2. Any of the following 2.1 Private rental agreement for a period of at least 6 months 2.2 Centrelink payment statement showing home address 2.3 Electoral roll statement

20 each

3. Any of the following documents 3.1 Electricity or gas bill showing the service address* 3.2 Water bill showing the service address* 3.3 Telephone or internet bill showing the service address* 3.4 Driver’s licence or government issued ID showing home address* 3.5 Home building or home contents insurance showing the service

address 3.6 Motor vehicle registration or compulsory third party insurance policy

showing home address 3.7 Statutory declaration stating the child’s residential address, how long

they have lived there, and any supporting information or documentation of this

* Up to 3 months old

15 each

CLAIRGATE SUPER SPELLERS Well done to these Super Spellers for being clever enough to make their Stage

final in the Clairgate Spelling Bee.

Stage 2

Jackson Golino – 3T

William Button, Melita Demanuele and Jacob Ledger – 3W

Morgan Alce, Lily Hamrol-McCann and Joshua Montebello – 3C

Brielle Cavanagh, Mansaroop Kaur and Darius Pratt – 4J

Jessica Ghananim, Jordan Ghananim and Amalia Nikua – 4B

Stage 3

Ricky Morris, Mia Salter and Joshua Richardson – 5/6G

Paige Leonard, Lucas Lombardo and Ebony Wilson – 5/6M

Marcus San Juan, Abbey Bektas and Piper Hamrol – 5/6T

Georgia Hanson, Daniela Popovic and Amerie Resonable – 5/6A

A special mention goes to David Falaju 3W and Ava Alce 56T for filling in as

reserves in the final competition.

The winners of the Stage 2 final were BRIELLE CAVANAGH and JACOB LEDGER

The winners of the Stage 3 final were AMERIE RESONABLE and RICKY MORRIS

Congratulations to these four students! They will now go on to compete in the

regional final in September. Keep practising those tricky words and good luck.

Miss Grace Spelling Bee Co-ordinator

Meet the Book Forum Team

Ava, Leah, Layla-Rose, Arthur, Jye and Lachlan

from year six have been working hard to

explore a wide variety of books that have

made the short list for the prestigious Book of

the Year award. They have studied authors, illustrators, genres a

well as discussing themes and plots in books.

Last week Jackie from the Children’s Book Council of NSW came

to Clairgate to hold a workshop with our Book Forum Focus

group. She was very impressed with the manners, knowledge

and attitude and our children.

Clairgate has adopted the book Chalk Boy by Margaret Wild for

the Book Forum that is held with the other primary and high

schools in our STEPS community. Look in the next issue of our

school newsletter to hear about how the team went presenting

our book at the Book Forum.

Our annual Book Character Parade is coming up!

Get those costume ideas ready to dress up as your

favourite book character.

Wednesday 21st August

Book parade from 11.40am on the front grass.

BYO fold up chair and blankets.

Mon 19th– Wed 21st Aug Clairgate Library

8.30-8.55am and 3.00-3.20pm each day OPEN DAY—Open ALL DAY!

What’s On at Penrith Observatory in August 2019

Date: Saturday 3 August 2019

Event name: Public Astronomy Night: Tour of the Solar System

Event details:

Speaker – Dr Ain DeHorta

A quick look into the Solar System. Includes presentation, short 3D movie, tour of the dome and viewing of

the night sky through a range of telescopes (weather permitting).

$18.00 Adult

$12.00 Child/Concession

$50.00 Family (2 adults + 2 children)

Children under 3 years of age free.

IMPORTANT: Parents/Carers are responsible for and must remain with their children at all times.

BOOKINGS VIA OUR WEBSITE ESSENTIAL

Time: 7pm – 9pm

Venue Address: Penrith Observatory (Building AO), Western Sydney University, Werrington North campus, Great

Western Highway, Werrington 2747

Contact phone or website for public enquiries and bookings:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/observatorypenrith/penrith_observatory/whats_on

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2445298222365365/

***************************************************************************************

Date: Saturday 17 August 2019

Event name: Public Astronomy Night: Astronomy at the Bottom of the World

Event details:

Speaker – Dr Nick Tothil

The Antarctic Plateau is the most extreme, most isolated environment on Earth and perfect for Astronomy.

From star birth to black holes, from hard-to-spot neutrinos to the cosmic microwave background, Antarctic

telescopes have given us new insights into our universe. Includes presentation, short 3D movie, tour of the

dome and viewing of the night sky through a range of telescopes (weather permitting).

$18.00 Adult

$12.00 Child/Concession

$50.00 Family (2 adults + 2 children)

Children under 3 years of age free.

IMPORTANT: Parents/Carers are responsible for and must remain with their children at all times.

BOOKINGS VIA OUR WEBSITE ESSENTIAL

Time: 7pm – 9pm

Venue Address: Penrith Observatory (Building AO), Western Sydney University, Werrington North campus, Great

Western Highway, Werrington 2747

Contact phone or website for public enquiries and bookings:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/observatorypenrith/penrith_observatory/whats_on

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2833679230040094/

T: 02 4736 0135 | E: r.sommer@westernsydney.edu.au

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm

westernsydney.edu.au/observatory www.facebook/WesternSydObs www.twitter/ WesternSydObs

RELIABILITY QUALITY WORK FAIR PRICES

Call Russ for a free quote

0404 098 707

Book with St Clair's best

plumber

Why locals choose us:

Blocked toilets

Leakingtaps

blockeddrains

gasworks

hotwater

f i n d u s o n o r

service specialties:

Lic. no. 273160C *$50 MAX

***fully licensed & insured. Credit cards accepted***

10% OFF*for

Clairgate

families