Term 2, Week 4 20 May 2019

Blakehurst Public School, Dewrang Street, Carss Park, NSW 2221 Tel: 9546 1555 Fax: 9547 1796 E-mail: blakehurst-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: blakehurst-p.schools.nsw.edu.au A Message from our Principal, Mr Cameron Smyth-Gapps Election Day Barbecue Thank you to the Year 6 students and parents who gave up their time to run the Election Day BBQ last Saturday. A total of $939 was raised on the day, which was a wonderful effort. Our fundraisers are only successful when parents dedicate their time to support our events. Thank you again to everyone who purchased food, cooked the barbecue, ran the sausage sizzle and cake stall or contributed to the day by buying a sausage sandwich or two! Your support of the school is always greatly appreciated! NAPLAN NAPLAN testing for our students has finished today. Any students who missed tests due to being absent will complete these by the end of the week. NAPLAN results will be released later in the year and once this occurs, I will arrange workshops for any parents who require assistance with analysing the results or who wish to discuss their child’s NAPLAN report further. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Year 3 and 5 students for the way in which they have approached the tests this year. I also remind our parents that NAPLAN is one of many tools used by the school to determine a child’s progress and children should not feel overwhelmed by the experience or pressured to achieve high results. Zone Cross Country Carnival This Wednesday, we have 32 students representing our school at the Zone Cross Country Carnival at Scarborough Park. I would like to once again congratulate the students who qualified for this event and wish our runners all the best as they attempt to qualify for the regional carnival. Lost Property As the weather becomes colder, our students are starting to wear their jumpers to school more regularly. Unfortunately, jumpers are often misplaced during the day and this has resulted in the lost property container becoming very full. Please ensure that your child’s name is on all of their clothing so that it can be easily returned to the correct owner. If your child is currently missing any items of clothing, I encourage you to look in the lost property container, which is located on the school playground outside A Block.

The Bush Telegraph

Blakehurst Public School Newsletter

A caring community school - safe, respectful, resilient, engaged.

‘Do it for Dolly’ Fundraising Day Our SRC are leading a ‘True Blue’ fundraising event as part of ‘Do it for Dolly’ Day. This national day is held on 30th May and honours Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, who sadly took her own life at the age of 14 as a result of being bullied. Like many schools across the nation, our students are invited to dress in BLUE and donate a gold coin on this day to show their support for an inclusive, compassionate and understanding community, where bullying is not tolerated. Teachers will be presenting age appropriate information and resources to the students so that they understand the impact of bullying and the purpose of the day. We will address the issue with our younger students by focussing on the following:

• Building and maintaining strong friendships • Being inclusive • Who we can talk to if we are feeling upset • The ways in which we can support others when they are upset

Parents can access further information about the ‘Do it for Dolly’ campaign by accessing the following link: https://dollysdream.org.au/do-it-for-dolly-day I am always available to speak to any parents who have further questions or wish to know the strategies that are in place at school to educate students and address the issue of bullying. Genius Hour (After School Program) Prior to the holidays, an expression of interest was sent home regarding a ‘Genius Hour’ after school program. We have received a strong level of interest from the community and will now engage with the organisation to establish workshops at the school. Once confirmed, further information will be sent directly to the families who have expressed an interest in the program. Students who did not return an expression of interest will have the opportunity to express their interest again once the program is established. Before and After School Care Service A survey was also sent home to families prior to the holidays regarding the establishment of a ‘Before and After School Care’ program at the school. Once again, there was a high level of interest in the school establishing a program and we will now move forward with the tender process. I will keep the community informed as this process is undertaken. Attendance Your child's best learning time is at the beginning of the day! Please remember that all students must be at school by 9:20am every day ready to be lined up with their class when the bell rings at 9:25am. When your child arrives late they miss valuable learning time. Arriving at school on time also helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine. Similarly, students who are regularly picked up early often miss out on important end of the day routines. Please make every attempt to make appointments outside of school hours. We appreciate the support of our community in regards to school attendance.

School Calendar – 2019 Upcoming events at Blakehurst Public School Please put these dates in your diary. Dates and events are subject to change. Check the school website for recent updates and changes.

Term 2 – 2019

Term 2 Week 4 2019

Monday 20 May NAPLAN Numeracy Test - Yrs 3 & 5

Tuesday 21 May NAPLAN – Catch-up test day

Wednesday 22 May Zone Cross Country Carnival – Scarborough Park

Term 2 Week 5 2019

Thursday 30 May Do it for Dolly’ - Wear blue for fundraising against bullying Gold coin donation

Term 2 Week 6 2019

Thursday 6 June ‘Sticky Beak Tour’ – Open Day 10.00 am to 11.00 am

Term 2 Week 7 2019

Monday 10 June Queen’s birthday – Public Holiday

Tuesday 11 June Stage 2 Geography Excursion

Thursday 13 June Stage 1 Zoo Excursion

Term 2 Week 8 2019

Monday 17 June School Athletics Carnival

Tuesday 18 June Regional Dance – Seymour Centre 6.30pm – 10.30pm

Wednesday 19 June Regional Dance – Seymour Centre 8.15pm – 10.30pm

Thursday 20 June Lockdown and Lockout drill 11.00-12.00

Term 2 Week 9 2019

Monday 24 June Stage 3 Science Incursion ‘Chemical Capers’

Wednesday 26 June Stage 3 Science Workshop

Term 2 Week 10 2019

Friday 5 July Last day of Term 2

Blakehurst Bluey says…

At Blakehurst Public School we are Safe, Respectful, Engaged and Resilient learners. PBL Assembly Awards The following students received awards in assembly… Gold Award Lucy Bishop 5/6I Alyssa Karakasis 5/6I Diamond Award Banner Award Sienna Lumb 1/2P Lily McEwan 5/6B Noah Hageali 5/6T Congratulations to the students and keep up the great work. Premiers Reading Challenge Congratulations to the following students who have finished their Premier's Reading Challenge. Charli O, Kai A, Aabha S, Anabelle T, Zerrin U, Maeve W, Clare C, Anthony K, Kayla O, Aisha R, Vivian Y and Cyrena Z. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. Our Kindergarten to Year 2 teachers read 30 books to their students and Mrs Wyatt logs these books on the Premiers Reading Challenge website. Students in Years 3- 6 need to read 20 books and enter them online independently. August 30th is the closing date for student entries. Check out the new student friendly website which is much easier to use. https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/logon.html#/ Mrs Wyatt shows students how to do this in library lessons and is happy to assist anyone experiencing difficulties.

PSSA Sport PSSA Sport Results - Friday 10 May 2019 PSSA Sport Results - Friday 17 May 2019

Student Banking

New School Banking rewards for Term 2! Term 2 rewards with a Polar Saver theme are now available. Icicle Slapband Ruler Yeti Fluffy Notebook For every 10 deposits made, students are eligible for reward items in recognition of their regular savings habits. When a student is eligible for a reward, a note will be sent home with their banking book reminding them to choose a reward item. There are two new items released each term so be sure to keep an eye out for them!

Keep up the great work and remember school banking day is every Thursday.

PSSA Team

Opposition

Results

Most Valuable

Player

Girls Soccer Junior Bye Dakota Z

Girls Soccer Senior Bye Emna A

Boys Soccer Junior Bexley North PS Won Lucas G

Boys Soccer Senior Bexley North PS Won Noah H

Oztag Junior Athelstane PS Lost Ahlyrah L

Oztag Senior Athelstane PS Lost Lucas L

Netball Junior 3 Bye

Netball Junior 4 Carlton South PS Lost Grace E

Netball Senior 2 Hurstville PS Won Mariam H

Netball Senior 4 Hurstville PS

Won

Kayla O

PSSA Team

Opposition

Results

Most Valuable

Player

Girls Soccer Junior Arncliffe PS Lost Aaliyah T

Girls Soccer Senior Arncliffe PS Lost Sabella S

Boys Soccer Junior Kogarah PS Won Jovial W

Boys Soccer Senior Kogarah PS Lost Prashit B

Oztag Junior Brighton PS Won Omar D

Oztag Senior Brighton PS Lost Lily McE

Netball Junior 3 Hurstville PS Won Mia P

Netball Junior 4 Bexley Nth PS Lost Arabella B

Netball Senior 2 Bald Face PS Lost Kooriannah

Netball Senior 4 Athelstane PS Lost Jessica B

Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 4 Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 5 Monday 20 May Angela, HELP NEEDED! Monday 27 May Angela, HELP NEEDED! Tuesday 21 May Angela, Megan Tuesday 28 May Angela, Kirsten Wednesday 22 May Angela, Mary, Jessica Wednesday 29 May Angela, Mary, Jessica Thursday 23 May Mary, Maha Thursday 30 May Mary, Maha Friday 24 May Mary, Lisa Friday 31 May Mary, Lisa, Cecilia Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 6 Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 7 Monday 3 June Angela, HELP NEEDED! Monday 10 June Public Holiday Tuesday 4 June Angela, HELP NEEDED! Tuesday 11 June Angela, HELP NEEDED! Wednesday 5 June Angela, Mary, Jessica Wednesday 12 June Angela, Mary, Jessica Thursday 6 June Mary, HELP NEEDED! Thursday 13 June Mary, HELP NEEDED! Friday 7 June Mary, Lisa Friday 14 June Mary, Lisa, Cecilia Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 8 Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 9 Monday 17 June Athletic Carnival Monday 24 June Angela, HELP NEEDED! Tuesday 18 June Angela, HELP NEEDED! Tuesday 25 June Angela, HELP NEEDED! Wednesday 19 June Angela, Mary, Jessica Wednesday 26 June Angela, Mary Thursday 20 June Mary, HELP NEEDED! Thursday 27 June Mary, HELP NEEDED! Friday 21 June Mary, Lisa Friday 28 June Mary, Lisa, Cecilia Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 10 Monday 1 July Angela, HELP NEEDED! Tuesday 2 July Angela, HELP NEEDED! Wednesday 3 July Angela, Mary, Jessica Canteen Coordinator: Taj Shipway Thursday 4 July Mary, HELP NEEDED! School Lunch Orders via www.flexischools.com.au Friday 5 July Mary, Lisa, Cecilia : blakehurstpscanteen@gmail.com You may have noticed recently some call out alerts for extra hands to help out in the school canteen through the skoolbag app. This year we have made some tremendous changes to our school canteen menu based on feedback from our school community. We are so proud of the fantastic food choices that we can now offer to all of our children throughout the day, 5 days a week. See the write up below, we received from the local paper The Leader. We love our new healthy freshly made menu, but preparing all our food from scratch takes time and this is where we really, really need you. Between 9am and 11am, every day we really need some more helpers, 30 minutes of your time would really, really help us out. In 30 minutes - 1 person could label (applying stickers to) all the bags/boxes that we will need for the day. In 30 minutes - 1 person could chop all the fruit needed for the fruit cups that day. In 30 minutes - 1 person could chop all the veggies needed for the veggie cups ordered that day. In 30 minutes - 1 person could make up a batch of Anzac cookies. In 30 minutes - 1 person could put salad in all the Tucker boxes ready for the lunches. There are so many simple tasks that just need an extra pair of hands and about 30 minutes to complete. Obviously we welcome people anytime that the canteen is open between 9:00am and 2:30pm. But 9 - 11am in the mornings is when we are most in need of assistance.

You can drop into the canteen at any time to help out, you don’t need to book your time in advance, although that is nice to help us manage a roster, but you are always welcome, you don’t even need to be a member of the P&C. (Although it is only $2 to join for the year, so why wouldn’t you?) ;) Instead of having a chat with a friend on the playground in the morning, why not chat and chop? The canteen is warm; we have free tea and coffee. It’s a great place to make new friends. Maybe you could arrive at school a little early and help out for 30 minutes before you then go to watch the K-2 assembly on a Friday. Or maybe you could stay for 30 minutes after an assembly. Any day of the week is a good day to help out. We are happy to accommodate you whenever you can come in and help. We will always be able to utilise your time and energy. Perhaps you’ve thought about helping out but have hesitated because you’re a little unsure about what you will be asked to do. Please don’t be shy, we will happily tell you about all the jobs that we need help with and you are free to choose what you’d like to help with. Perhaps you haven’t come in to help because you think you’ll be overwhelmed with jobs and feel unable to leave after the 30 minutes that you had spare is up. If you tell us you have 30 minutes to spare it’s really no problem, we understand. We are so very grateful for the 30 minutes. Perhaps you think it’s too much of a commitment. We are serious when we say drop in when you are free. Maybe you can offer us one day a month, a fortnight or a week. Even one day a term would be great. It doesn’t even need to be regular, whenever it suits you. Perhaps you are worried you won’t know anyone. We are really friendly - promise and we love volunteers coming in. Angela works on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Mary works Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays. Some of our volunteers come in on a regular basis, others not so, this means there are so many opportunities to meet new friends and get to know people. Or why not bring a friend, come in force! It’s a great chance to have a catch up, simply chat while you chop! We are always happy to answer any questions you may have, so pop into the canteen or send us a message on blakehurstpandc@gmail.com . Thank you for your ongoing support.

P & C News We have our next P&C meeting on Thursday 30th May 7pm in the Staff Room, everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to become a member of the P&C it costs only $2 a year. Membership forms are available from the school office or at the meeting. Mother’s Day Stall We wanted to say a really big THANK YOU to all the wonderful people who helped make our Mother’s Day Stall a successful fundraising event this year. Thank you to all the families that donated gifts, to all the people who donated their time wrapping and organising the gift packs, to all the people who helped set up and run the stall, helping our children choose their gifts for the special people in their lives, and to all the children who came prepared to buy something. We raised over $1500 which will be put towards school projects. Family Fun Night The P&C are currently in the planning stages for the fabulous extravaganza that is the Family Fun Night. This will be held later this year in November. If you would like to be involved and informed in these planning stages please let us know: blakehurstpandc@gmail.com

Woolworths Earn & Learn 2019

This year we will be participating in the Woolworths Earn & Learn program. Through this program we will be able to get new educational resources for our school – and all we need you to do is shop for your groceries at Woolworths. From Wednesday 1st May to Tuesday 25th June, we are collecting Woolworths Earn & Learn Stickers. You will get one Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker for every $10 spent (excluding liquor, tobacco and gift cards). Place the Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker onto a Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker Sheet and when it’s complete, the sticker sheet can be dropped into the collection box here at the school or at Southgate or Kogarah Woolworths. At the end of the promotion, we’ll be able to get some great new equipment. The range is extensive and offers lots of items ideal for our students. If you’d like to know more visit woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn As of 17/5/2019 Thank you for your continued support. P&C Fundraising Social Media So many amazing things are happening at our beautiful little school. Make sure you are in the know! The schools Social Media Committee have announced the launch of their brand new Instagram page @blakehurstpublic. The school twitter account has also been tweeting again from @blakehurstps and there is now an official BPS Facebook Page and they are looking for likes - head on over to https://m.facebook.com/BlakehurstPS and give them a little love ❤

BLAKEHURST PS Sticker Tally

2150

HARMONY/MULTICULTRAL DAY

Speeches

Performances

Performances

Feast

Drummers & Henna

Parade

Too Sick for School? NSW Health Warning Influenza

Please do not send your children to school if they are not well. We have had an increased amount of children coming up to sick bay with symptoms of influenza and vomiting, which is going around at the moment. This seems to be widespread this winter and we are seeing many students with headaches, coughs and head colds at school. We know these symptoms are also keeping many of our students at home. Whilst we understand that children may become sick during the day, if they have any of these symptoms overnight or in the morning before school, please consider keeping them at home until they are well. Illnesses are transferred very easily in a large group of people. If your child is not feeling well or if you have to give your child e.g. Panadol, Nurofen or Dimetapp because of a temperature or illness in the morning, then your child should not be at school Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The symptoms of influenza range from mild to severe.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms of influenza experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• fever and chills

• cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose

• muscle aches, joint pains, headaches and fatigue (feeling very tired)

• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children than adults)

If your child is sent to sick bay with these symptoms we will call you to collect your child in order to help limit the further spread to others. What can be done to stop the spread of influenza? Influenza is spread from person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people. All parents/carers should teach their children about good hygiene practices. Any child with symptoms should remain at home until they are well.

There are several effective ways we can stop the spread of influenza.

• Anyone who is sick with influenza symptoms should be advised to stay home until their symptoms are gone.

• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the garbage bin after use.

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

If your child is unwell, please avoid taking them out unless it’s to see a doctor. They’ll recover more quickly and you won’t spread their illness to others.