Thursday 1 February, 2018

Dear Parents and Friends of SGS, It is a delight to be back into another school year and to have had such a positive start. Our Motto for 2018 is ‘Watch the Donut Not the Hole’ and is an important reminder to focus on our strengths, the positives, and not what we don’t have. Our Appreciative Inquiry Summit last week was a wonderful way to engage with a number of key stakeholders in our school – parents, students both past and present, staff, School Council, P & F, Foundation and Diocesan representatives. The collaborative discussions of what we hope for the future of Scone Grammar School and the opportunity to consider our considerable strengths and successes was significant to all who attended and will be for our school moving forward. It was particularly uplifting to hear our hopes and dreams that our community has for SGS. I would like to extend my thanks to all those who contributed and made the day such a positive one. The School Council and the Executive will use the material to shape our new Strategic Plan – the vision, mission and strategic direction for our school over the next 5 years.

A very special, warm welcome to all the new members of our School community. I look forward to your involvement in SGS and seeing you around the School from time to time. New Parents’ Function combined with the Foundation Family Bowls Night We have planned an evening for New Parents on Friday 15 February to welcome those new to the School. I hope you are all able to make this occasion. We are extending the Foundation’s Family Bowling night to include our welcome to new families as it promises to be a relaxed and fun evening for all. May I encourage as many members of the school family as possible to join in this fun occasion. Higher School Certificate Results for 2017 The students in the 2017 class achieved excellent HSC results. This is a great credit to the students and to the work of our teachers. Some highlights of the HSC results were the12 Band 6 results and the 34% of Band 5 and 6 results. The Dux of the School for 2017 was Shannon Nichols who achieved Band 6 results in all but one of her courses and gained an ATAR of 96.35. Mardi Norton achieved an ATAR of 91.65. The Band 6 results were spread across subjects . Many students have received offers of University places, either through Early Entry or First Round offers. We certainly wish all the students well and pray for them as they commence life out of School. Changes over the holidays The landscaping of the area outside the Kindergarten classrooms has been completed and is fantastic. The students are loving the area and it has certainly ‘dressed up’ our playground. A huge THANKYOU to the P & F for all the fundraising and hard work to make this happen and our ongoing thanks to the Foundation for their financial assistance to complete this project. We also aerated, top dressed and fertilised the main playground area. It looks the best it has looked for years thanks to the consistent watering by Mrs Michelle Edwards and Mr Darren Crowther.

In the area of Technology, we replaced our servers and updated the switches. These changes will improve our technology experience. Further work on the WiFi is planned for later in the year. We have moved into the upstairs section of the Secondary Teaching and Learning Centre (STLC) which has enabled a number of other room changes. Small School Counsellor load It is exciting that we have been able to appoint Mrs Kat Moore as our School Counsellor on a part-time capacity. Mrs Moore will continue to teach English but will have one day a week available to offer Counselling support across the School. We will continue to refer students to external specialists but this support at school will be greatly appreciated by all I am sure. I am looking forward to the year ahead and caring for each and every member of the special community. ‘Watch the Donut Not the Hole!’ Paul Smart Principal

Student Leaders’ Induction The Primary and Secondary Leaders will be commissioned in a service outside the Bullock Library at 9.30 a.m. on Monday 5 February. All parents and friends are welcome to attend and join in supporting the new student leaders as they start their journey.

After School Academic Programme Students will be able to remain behind after school to utilise the Library resources and to gain ac-cess to academic support from teachers from Monday of Week 2. A detailed list will be published and passed to students. A copy will also be posted on the website. Primary clubs and activities are also available.

Uniform It has been very good to see the students showing pride in themselves and our School by wearing the uniform correctly. Any issues that are outside the School policy need to be addressed. We need to keep a high standard at all times.

From the Burrow: Primary News with Mr Saunders

A big welcome back to what is shaping up to be a busy and exciting year in Primary at SGS. The Primary classrooms are already buzzing with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn which is encouraging. Our school is a special place where students are presented with many opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. I encourage all students to embrace all that our school offers, keeping in mind you only get out what you put in. I would like to extend a special welcome to our new SGS students. It is great to have you with us. Our Kindergarten students have not stopped smiling and seem to be absolutely loving ‘Big School’. We really do have a wonderful team in Primary. Primary Staff Allocations for 2018 are as follows: Kindergarten Blue Mrs Sally O’Regan Gold Mrs Julie Jones Year 1 Blue Mrs Jody Shearman Gold Ms Felicity Dowdell Year 2 Blue Mrs Janine Summers Gold Mrs Natalie Kelly Year 3 Blue Mrs Cynthia Brice Gold Ms Anne Davies Year 4 Blue Mrs Janet Walsh Gold Mrs Kate Robertson (K-6 Curriculum Co-ordinator) Mrs Rebecca Waddington Year 5 Blue Mrs Aili Clifton Gold Mr Tim Holden Year 6 Blue Mrs Felicity Saunders Gold Mrs Wendy Hunt Music Mrs Tori Saunders A reminder that our Primary (Years 2-6) Swimming Carnival will be held next week on Tuesday, 6 February, at the Scone Memorial Pool for all students in Years 2-6. Information has been sent home in an email to all families and we look forward to sharing with them in this special activity. We will be holding a separate Kinder/Year 1 Swim Fun Day later this term.

K-3 Info Night Thursday, 8 February 7:00pm 4-6 Info Night Tuesday, 13 February 7:00pm

Afternoon Transport / Pick-up Arrangements for Primary students. If you are picking your child up, please come through the breezeway into the Primary playground area to meet them. Please ensure that one of the Duty teachers is aware that you are taking your child. In the morning, please use the Drop Off Zone whenever you can. Please remember to enter the Drop-Off Zone from Aberdeen Street only, and stop in a parallel park position while your children get out. If you need to stop and park, this can be done in the rear-to-kerb angled parking bays outside of the Morning Drop-Off Zone. Please remember the parking area at The Yellow Cottage, is only for parents who have children attending TYC. Thank you very much for your understanding and diligence with these important areas. Word of the Week – PROLIFIC e.g. The Crepe Myrtle tree outside kindergarten is prolific in flowers this season. ETYMOLOGY: medieval latin MEANING: producing much output, abundantly productive How we can use it this week: be prolific in the effort you put into school work and play, and your results will be copiously productive! Congratulations to Sienna Baber (4 Blue), Ethan Lighezzolo (1 Gold), Isabella Henderson (4 Blue), Sarah Zhao (6 Blue) and Hunter Figallo (5 Blue) who are all celebrating birthdays this week. I do wish these students all the best as they enjoy this special milestone and share the time with family and friends.

News from the Dean of Students (P-12) 2018 is shaping to be an exciting year of growth and development for Scone Grammar School students. We have a renewed P-12 focus in our Wellbeing Programme, which is informed by evidence-based research in the field of Positive Psychology, and is expressed as Positive Education (we, and our students are coming to affectionately know this as ‘Pos Ed’!).

We are proud to inform parents that this year each student, from P-12, will participate in a weekly well-being lesson! Accordingly, our Yellow Cottage team have invested time in training in ‘Kids Matter’ and have continued to deepen their knowledge of best social emotional learning practices, while our Primary team have undertaken training in the ‘Bounce Back!’ well-being programme which has a focus on building resilience and incorporates a positive educational approach to wellbeing and learning. Year 7-12 will be utilising the weekly well-being lesson to learn about a strengths-based approach to wellbeing and learning. Each class in our school has been paired with another ‘sister class’ of a different age group to help foster peers supporting peers and building positive relationships across our P-12 environment. We thoroughly believe in the significant body of research that makes a strong link between student well-being and learning. By taking a strategic, focused and consistent approach we are aiming to prepare students for flourishing in life in, out and well beyond the classroom. This will be an exciting year! The Primary focused ‘BOUNCE BACK!’ Programme addresses the environmental building blocks and the personal skills for fostering resilience in children and young people. The programme focuses mainly on the proactive teaching of coping and life skills to help children and young people respond positively to the complexity of their everyday lives. In other words, we are teaching our young people how to ‘bounce back’ from challenges as well as lean forward into life. Please click on this link for a snapshot of what students will be learning.

Secondary students have this week undertaken the VIA Character Strengths Survey which helps them discover what God-given strengths and abilities they possess, so they can better apply and develop them to life and to learning. A great way to connect and partner with us in this approach could be to undertake the survey yourself. You can take the survey at: http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Survey. This would be a fantastic point of conversation as you compare strengths with your young person. The focus for this week’s well-being is about ‘Prioritising’. I was encouraged to listen to Miss Day’s Secondary tutor group spend time with Miss Dowdell’s Year 1 class this week, getting to know each other and discuss what they were looking forward to this year (a key component of well-being- hopefulness). A small group of Miss Dowdell’s girls invited one of Miss Day’s girls to share lunch with them! Rev’d Nate Atkinson natkinson@sgs.nsw.edu.au

https://youtu.be/HU3DsJ5aNZwhttp://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Surveyhttp://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Surveyhttp://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Survey

Head of Secondary Welcome to 2018. I hope this newsletter finds everyone well-rested after the holidays and that all families have had time to spend together. I had an amazing holiday and will share travel stories as the year goes on. I would like to take a little time this week reflecting on the 2017 HSC results and some other achievements on Australia Day. The HSC class, on the whole, did very well. The majority of students were offered the university courses they sought and many were offered early entry places. Every student has a path to follow although some were overwhelmed by the number of options available. Of particular note were the ATAR results of Shannon Nichols 96.35 and Mardi Norton 91.65. Shannon also came 6th in the state in Community and Family Studies and 5th in the state for English Ext 1. I am very proud of all of the 2017 class, because even those not at the top still achieved goals. Some of the students achieved in a particular subject they wanted to do well in and some merely completed Year 12, but this made them the first person in their family to do so and they have every right to smile about that. On Australia Day many of the secondary students were recognised for their achievements in our local communities. Hayden Edmonds in Murrurrundi, Caitlin Porter in Merriwa, Shannon Nichols in Muswellbrook, Tyler Kelly, Madeleine Buckley and Elizabeth Croaker in Scone. All of these students are an inspiration. My challenge to the students on Monday morning was not to just ‘watch the donut not the hole’ but to work hard to get the extra special donut in the back of the display case. Our focus this year is on a positive way forward while still stretching ourselves to be the best we can. Once again this year I encourage all families to contact us with any concerns or questions. Quotes of the week "Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open." - Thomas Dewar "The day is what you make! So why not make it a good one?." - Steve Schulte Mrs Deanna Hollis dhollis@sgs.nsw.edu.au

Tales from The Yellow Cottage

This week at The Yellow Cottage we have been working hard at building connections with the children and their families. We know that positive relationships are built on points of connection. Building a sense of belonging for each child is a powerful way to ensure they will flourish in our preschool setting.

Happy days at The Yellow Cottage

Communication at SGS Welcome to many of our new families. Listed below are the many ways you can engage and stay connected with us. Website: The SGS website www.sgs.nsw.edu.au is the first place to go for information about what is happening at SGS. Here you will find important information such as - Calendar of Events, Online Uniform Shop and Contact Details, Staff Email Addresses, Bell Times, Term Dates and so on. The Student Café and Parent Lounge portals are also very important information tools where students can access their timetables and assessments and parents can book parent/teacher interviews, access academic reports, view curriculum activities and update contact details. Please familiarise yourself with the information available and bookmark for your convenience. Newsletter: Every Thursday the School ’s weekly newsletter is collated and emailed out to all families. This provides a snapshot of what has been happening at school over the past week and also provides information as to what is happening in the near future.

Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/sconegrammarschool/ as more than 860 members of our community have already done so! Our Facebook page provides us with an opportunity to share all the wonderful events and achievements happening within our school.

SkoolBag App: The SGS Skoolbag app is available for both iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Families are encouraged to download this very useful app as it provides a great platform for reminders, alerts, online absentee notes, online excursion notes and permission slips, cancellation of events and access to SGS Quick Links - Canteen Menu, Uniform Shop, Staff email addresses etc. To download - iPhone/iPad Users - simply search Scone Grammar School in the App store and install. Android Users - Search Scone Grammar School in the Google Play Store and install. Once you have installed the app, you can choose to receive relevant notifications according to your child’s year group. Select the ‘More’ button on the bottom right corner of the screen and push ‘My Subscription Groups’ and turn on the relevant school years. If you have any queries or need assistance on any of the above communication platforms, please contact Alice Forsythe - aforsythe@sgs.nsw.edu.au

Resource Activity Levy for 2018 We have included a Resource Activity Levy for 2018. This will include all consistent grade activities rather than every item being charged separately on your Monthly Statement. These vary per year group due to the different excursions and programmes offered in the year group. An example of this is the String Programme in Year 3, and the cost of a particular camp. Optional extras offered in support of the compulsory programme would continue to be charged to the Monthly Statement, for example band, ICAS Tests, TAS Rugby Carnival, Tuesday Horse Sports, Duke of Edinburgh Registration and expeditions, Easter Show excursion, calculator replacements, photocopy charges, elective music/drama/CS excursions (such as the HICES Music Festival, KYCK, Onstage, Meet the Music, Encore), Distance Education subjects, Elective Subject Levy in Years 9 to 12. The Resource Activity Levy will be charged by term: Kindergarten Levy: $200 pa; Year 1 Levy: $400 pa; Year 2 Levy: $450 pa; Year 3 Levy: $650 pa; Year 4 Levy: $700 pa; Year 5 Levy: $750 pa; Years 6 – 8: $800 pa; Years 9 – 10 Levy: $900 pa; Year 11 Levy: $1,200 pa; Year 12 Levy: $400 pa.

Scholarship Applications for 2019 The School has reviewed and is changing the current Scholarship testing dates and format. In the past, ACER Academic Scholarship Tests have been carried out in early February and Music Scholarship Tests conducted in August for the following year application. Both Academic and Music Tests will now be aligned and scheduled in mid-May for the following year commitment. The 2019 Scholarship Applications will open Monday 5th February 2018 and close Wednesday 9th May 2018 with the test sitting date scheduled on Saturday 19th May 2018, onsite at SGS. (The Academic Test will be sat in the morning and the Music Test performances conducted in the afternoon.) In addition to sitting the Academic and/or Music Scholarship Test, each candidate must provide a portfolio to support their application and undertake an interview with the Principal. The portfolio should include items such as references, school reports, NAPLAN and/or ICAS results, academic/music achievements and recognition, which will all need to be available for interview with the Principal. There are a number of other Scholarships that Scone Grammar School currently offers. These are:

The All Rounder Scholarship - awarded to new (non-current SGS) students entering Years 7-11. This can be applied for at any time of the year.

The Sir David Martin Scholarship - awarded to a current or non-current SGS student of exceptional academic ability entering Year 7. Candidates must sit the ACER examination, where applications close on Wednesday 9th May 2018.

The Bishop Roger Herft Scholarship is awarded to a new (non-current SGS) Year 9 student who demonstrates leadership in their local community and a capacity to positively influence our School Community. Applicants must demonstrate, in writing, how they satisfactorily meet the stated criteria.

If you would like any further information, please contact the Registrar Mrs Amanda Darling - adarling@sgs.nsw.edu.au

Primary Kiss and Drop Zone The zone operates as follows: Drive in from the Aberdeen Street (western) end Stop parallel to the kerb Kiss your child/ren goodbye Your child/ren alight your vehicle onto the footpath You drive off Please make sure your child/ren have their backpacks with them and are ready to leave your vehicle. If you need to get your child/ren’s gear out of the car please make sure you park out of the Kiss and Drop Zone This zone will only operate during the morning and needs to remain clear from 8am to 9.30am.

Secondary Pickup/ Drop off Location Point For the School’s Secondary students the drop off / pickup area is located in front of the Secondary Staff Cottage (brick house adjacent to the Administration Office in Hill Street). This area has been allocated by the Shire for the safe arrival / departure of our students. This zone is a “No Parking” area between the times specified on the signs. This means you can drive in for the time it takes for your child to get in / out of the car but you cannot park in this zone waiting for your child/ren to arrive. Your child should be already waiting in this area for you to collect them. If they are not waiting for you, please park elsewhere. The Police will book you as has occurred on previous occasions. If you arrive early please park further up the street and meet your child/ren there. Please use the pickup/drop off zone for its designated purpose and please do not use the bus zone or driveway for pickup and drop off.

Scone Grammar Netball is looking for sponsorship. Can you help?

It is with great excitement that we announce our proposal to upgrade our Netball uniforms this year. The plan is to purchase five sets of netball dresses, with a more updated design than our current ones. In order to do this, we are looking for people or companies who are prepared to offer sponsorship. If you are able to contribute to our growing netball programme, we would be most grateful. Please contact either Miss Jessica Day or Mr Paul Smart if you would like to discuss further details about any support you can offer.

From the Canteen Co-Ordinators Here’s to a great year! As you know, our Canteen can only operate efficiently with the support of our volunteers and this term we are trying something new with our Roster! We need volunteers on only three days a week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which are our busiest days. Jenny and I will cover Mondays and Tuesdays. We have been struggling to fill our Roster over the past 12 months and we hope this new system will prove a better option for you. We only ask you to commit your time to one day per term (two days per term would be wonderful if this suited you!). Your rostered day would begin at 9.15am and finish at 2.00pm. We promise you pleasant surroundings, great company, delicious food, coffee and the opportunity to create! Please complete the form below and return it to the School to our attention, or send either Jenny or Fiona an email - jcrackett@sgs.nsw.edu.au or fbailey@sgs.nsw.edu.au Thank you for your support. Jenny Crackett & Fiona Bailey Attention: Canteen Co-Ordinators I, __________________________________ would be happy to join the Canteen Volunteers’ Team. My Contact no/s. ________________________ ________________________ Days available: Wed Thurs Fri (please circle)

Once a Term Twice a Term (please circle)

I give permission for my Contact no/s to go on to the Volunteers’ Contact List:

Yes / No (please circle)

News from the P&F Welcome back Parents and Friends of SGS! It’s been wonderful to come back to our new playground space! There are many people who’ve worked tirelessly throughout the holidays to ensure our new playground plants have stayed alive in the heat. Firstly, to Mrs Yvonne Clerke and Mrs Erryn Day for providing and installing a dripper system in our new gardens. Thank you to Mr Darren Crowther, Mr Pete Easthope, Mr Garth Hutchison and Mrs Michelle Edwards for keeping our plants watered over the holiday period. This playground renovation has been a massive project, one that as you know, has been years in the making. Thank you to the P&F members past and present, who have supported and driven this project; to the SGS Foundation for their incredible monetary support and to you our parents and friends, for supporting our SGS Fetes, Homegrown Handmade Markets and Colour Fun Run as every dollar raised from these events for the past few years has paid for our new playground space. We are hoping to celebrate the completion of this project with our entire community in the very near future. Please watch this space! In the meantime, we are currently looking at purchasing new sandpit and other outdoor toys that can be used in our new space. We would welcome donations of the following items in good, used condition:

Tractors, diggers Picnic blankets and/or outdoor cushions Tea sets Animal figurines Match box cars

These items can be dropped off at Student Services. This is only Phase One of our playground renovation. We are aware that much more needs to be done and welcome your support, suggestions and involvement in this process. On Monday many of our P&F members had morning tea with some of our ‘old friends’ as well as our new parents. It was lovely to meet you all. Please remember we are here to support you, the parents and friends of SGS. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us at p&f or I can be contacted at 0431 093 735. No question is too big or too small.

Upcoming Events……. SGS FETE Many people offered feedback last year that they would like to see some fresh and new ideas at this year’s Fete. In order for that to happen, we need your help. There is a meeting tonight at 6pm at The Royal Hotel to start planning. There w ill be many more meetings leading to our Fete in May. We would be thrilled to have your input in any capacity. Please remember that all money raised from our Fete will go back into our school. P&F MEETING Please join us: 5.30pm Tuesday February 13, 2018 @ the School Library We are always looking for new members. Meetings are once a month, on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings run for no longer than one hour. We discuss what is happening in our school, organise fundraising events and how to spend those funds in a way that enhances the school lives of our children. Looking forward to seeing you there and to a positive 2018 at SGS. Yours faithfully, Di Gillett SGS P&F President

Looking for something different for your daughter? Physie maybe the answer. Physie (also known as Physical Culture) is the perfect combination of movements designed to increase strength, fitness and flexibility. The benefits for your daughter are increased co-ordination, brain development and confidence. Routines are fun, upbeat, to a great soundtrack. Physie is a sport that fuses dance styles such as jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, aerobic dance and even yoga! The innovative choreography changes annually and is designed for maximum variety and fun. Physie is very affordable from $8.00- $12.00 per lesson depending on your child’s age. Physie is also a synchronised, team-based sport that’s social and fun and an excellent low impact dance and aerobic activity. Lessons Start: 13 February 2018 Email to secure your spot. Registrations welcome on the first day. Contact Miss Channy - upperhunterphysie@hotmail.com or call Anne 0448 275 771

Community Notices & News For Your Diary

Term 1 – Monday 29 January to

Friday 13 April Week 2 (B) Monday 5 February Primary & Secondary Leaders’ Induction Service ACER 2019 Scholarships Open Tuesday 6 February OnStage - Years 8,9,10 & 12 Drama Primary Swimming Carnival Years 2-6 Wednesday, 7 February Student ID photos Thursday 8 February Information Evening - Kinder to Year 3 Friday 9 February Meet the Music Seminar Years 7 & 11 – Peer Support Week 3 (A) Monday 12 February HRIS Open Basketball Trials Year 7 Information Evening Tuesday 13 February Secondary Swimming Carnival Information Evening - Years 4, 5 & 6 Thursday 15 February Defence Force Careers Presentation Years 10, 11 & 12 Friday 16 February New Parents’ Function & Foundation’s ‘Bare Foot Bowls’ Evening CIS Awards Presentation Evening

Canteen Roster

Term 1 - Monday 29 January to Friday 13 April

Week 2 (B) Monday 5 February Jenny Crackett Tuesday 6 February Jenny Crackett (Primary Swimming Carnival) Wednesday 7 February Jenny Crackett, Debbie Sadler Thursday 8 February Fiona Bailey, Tania Dart Friday 9 February Fiona Bailey, Erryn Day Week 3 (A) Monday 12 February Fiona Bailey Tuesday 13 February Fiona Bailey Secondary Swimming Carnival Wednesday 14 February Fiona Bailey XXXX Helper Needed Please Thursday 15 February Jenny Crackett, Katie Carrington Friday 16 February Jenny Crackett XXXX Helper Needed Please

Scone Films presents “Wonder” starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson & Jacob Tremblay. A boy with facial birth defects, ventures beyond his cocoon of home schooling when he enters fifth grade in a mainstream school. Rated PG, it will screen at 7.30pm Friday, 2nd February, at their pop-up cinema at the Senior Citizens’ Centre, Oxford Road, Scone. Tickets are $12. To be sure of a ticket, purchase in advance at Hunt a Book, Scone. Running time is 1hr 53. Everyone is welcome. Details www.sconefilms.org.au www.facebook.com/sconefilms

http://www.sconefilms.org.auhttp://www.facebook.com/sconefilms