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Gloucester Public School Newsletter Opportunity - Innovation - Excellence

Find us at: 45 Hume Street, Gloucester 2422 Tel: 65581303 Fax: 65581655 www.gloucester-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Term 1 Week 5 Tuesday 27th February 2018

Dates to Remember 20/3 Magic Flute – Oz Opera 21/3 – 29/3 Parent Teacher Interviews 22/3 Cyber Safety Visit 29/3 Easter Hat Parade K-2 30/3 Good Friday 2/4 Easter Monday 10/5 Mother’s Day Stall 23/5 – 30/5 Life Education 27/6 – 29/6 Yr 4 Excursion 27/8 – 30/8 Stage 3 Canberra Excursion Assemblies 2/3 Week 5 – 5/6G 9/3 Week 6 – 2S 16/3 Week 7 – 3/4T 23/3 Week 8 – 1M 30/3 Good Friday 6/4 Week 10 – 1J 13/4 Expectation Awards Canteen Roster 28/2 Leanne Kearney

Brad Sparke 2/3 Louise Thurgood Karen Johnson 5/3 Erin Campbell 7/3 Ruth Edwards Sally Maslen 9/3 Robyn Beggs Mel Seale School Photos: Monday 21 May P&C AGM: Monday 26/3

ZONE SWIMMING

New Roofing Over the next 3 months you may notice a few changes to Block B and Block D. Block B is where the computer room, 3/4L, 3/4C and 2G are and Block D is where 1M is. Block B should take approximately a week to replace the roofing and Block D a little longer. Learning will of course continue, however if your child is in one of the classes mentioned above, they will move to a different classroom for a period of time. We will notify each class before the date and keep you updated. Parent Teacher Interviews Parent Teacher Interviews for all parents and carers will take place between 21st March and 29th March. Further information will be included in next week’s newsletter.

P & C Meeting and AGM notification The next P&C Meeting is our AGM and will be held on Monday 26th March at 7.00pm in the library. All most welcome.

Seven Steps to Writing Success Our students have been continuing to learn the techniques of writing like an author. Over the last two weeks, all classes have been focusing on ‘Tightening Tension’, which builds on from ‘Sizzling Starts’. We have already seen some wonderful improvements in student writing.

Yours in Education Leanne Wakefield

This week we are focusing on:

Beginning Sounds: m and s Numbers: counting forwards from 1-30 and backwards from 20 -1, writing from 1-10 Maths Focus: addition and subtraction Things to remember Going home arrangements: please send in a note if there is a change to going home routines. Homework: Thank you for assisting your child with their homework tasks. They are doing a wonderful job. Oz Opera: is fast approaching and will be an amazing experience. Permission slips and payment details can be found in this newsletter. Well done to all our Kindergarten students for their smooth transition to the middle playground in the mornings.

Susie McLeod and Loryn Bratfield Kindergarten Teachers.

Thank you

Gloucester Public School would like to thank PURE NRG Strength and Conditioning for the generous donation of a Cardiac Science Powerheart Automated External Defibrillator, using funds from a recent rowing challenge. We are very appreciative and thankful. Many thanks.

Class Awards – Week 4 KB Daisy Jennings Georgia Ritter Max Dellsperger Jarrah Baker (E) KM Eiva Swilks Maggie Compton Noah Leitch Chay Harris (E) 1J Hamish Haschek Harper Edwards Xander Galvin Toby Kellehear (E) 1M Demetrius Booth Ryder Guttridge Sienna Sanderson Lily Sansom (E) 2G Shyanna Henrickson Matthew Woods Kylie Maslen Heidi Brenton (E) 2S Milahni Edwards Olive Kelly Charlee Dillon Liam Wamsley (E)

Welcome to a new year in our lovely Gloucester Public School Library. Library lessons are held once a week and students are encouraged to bring their library bags in each week and swap their books. In order for us to keep track of books, students who forget to return their books will not be able to borrow that week. We already have students who are starting to fall behind with returning of their books so please check with your child if they have any that were borrowed the first or second week of school as these are now well and truly due back. Overdue notices will also be sent to students periodically. Lost books may incur a replacement fee. Library Bags Your child requires a library bag to be able to borrow each week and we will shortly have new stock available for purchase in the library for $2. Please see Mrs Macdonald before school Monday to Thursday to purchase these. Kim Macdonald, Teacher Librarian

Kindy Corner

3-6 Assembly

Friday 2nd March 2.10pm in the hall

Hosts/Item = 5/6G

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Stage 3 Excursion

This year, Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) will be heading to Canberra, our nation’s capital, with our focus on civics and democracy, and exploring important national places. Final details to the itinerary and costings are currently being confirmed, however, it would be a great idea to lock Monday 27th to Thursday 30th August (Week 6 of Term 3) into the calendar. Also, it would be a wise idea to start putting a little money aside in readiness for paying a deposit for the trip and early instalments. A note will be sent home this week. Stage 3 Teaching Team Year 3 Excursion - Port Macquarie Online Payment Code: 044330

Year 3 will be heading to Port Macquarie after NAPLAN for their annual excursion. Final details to the itinerary and costings are currently being confirmed, however, please lock in Friday 25th May if you have a child in Year 3. It is also suggested that some money be put aside in readiness to pay for the trip and you can start paying by instalments shortly, using the online payment code above. Notes will be sent home soon with further details. Stage 2 Teaching Team

Year 4 Excursion – Sydney Online Payment Code: 044333

Year 4 will be heading to Sydney towards the end of second term for their annual excursion. Final details to the itinerary and costings are currently being confirmed, however, please lock in Wednesday 27th June to Friday 29th June, if you have a child in Year 4. It is also suggested that some money be put aside in readiness to pay for the trip, especially the $50 deposit to secure your child’s place, which will be due shortly. You will be able to pay by instalments, using the online payment code above within the next week or two. Notes will be sent home soon with further details. Stage 2 Teaching Team Year 6 Expression of Interest Forms for High School in 2019 A booklet titled ‘Moving into Year 7 in a NSW government school in 2019’ has been sent home this week to all Year 6 students. While this is not an application to enrol, this form is essential in indicating which secondary school you are intending to send your child to. Parents, please read all sections of this booklet carefully as it outlines the options available to you and gives you the basis for selecting the right secondary school for your child. If you have any questions about this form or need assistance in any way, please feel free to contact me after you have read through it. These forms are due back to school no later than Friday 16th March 2018. Rod Maggs – Assistant Principal (Stage 3)

Cyber Safety Expert, Susan McLean to visit Gloucester Gloucester High School has secured a visit from renowned Cyber Safety expert, Susan McLean, and will partner with Gloucester Public School to deliver a series of workshops on Thursday 22nd March. No one else in Australia has the same level of qualifications, experience and skill in this area. With over 450 presentations delivered last year Susan is the clear leader in her field. The high regard in which she is held speaks for itself. Governments, elite sportspeople, international corporations, mental health workers, and schools turn to her first and her high level relationship with key industry leaders in this space sets her apart. Miss Myree Ribbons (GHS) and myself are working with Susan to provide workshops for high school students, selected primary years and a special parent/community presentation at GHS in the evening. We are confirming some details to arrange care for your school-aged child/ren to ensure you are able to attend this important event. With the recent media coverage of some notable and tragic events regarding the use of social media, this is an evening not to be missed. We ran a similar meeting here about four years ago after attending an inspiring conference led by Susan aimed at educating students and parents about how and why our children use the internet and social media. Now we have her here in person. The use of social media certainly polarises many. There are pros and cons to its use but one thing is certain…. it is here to stay. How you guide your child through the use of social media and the internet is something that parents really need to be switched on with. Our children are having more and more access to technology through phones and other devices and it is certainly tricky ground to navigate as a parent/carer. Susan McLean has the strategies to help you with this. Do not miss this opportunity. Block the date in your calendar now to ensure you can make this event. Rod Maggs Assistant Principal – Stage 3

Zone Swimming Carnival Congratulations to our 18 students who attended the Zone Swimming Carnival at Taree last Thursday. The team looked great in their GPS representative shirts provided by the P&C. Many of the students slashed a number of seconds off their events and achieved personal bests. Our students always have the ability to mix it with their larger school counterparts and do us all proud. Their behaviour and sportsmanship was exemplary throughout the day. Thank you to all parents who were able to transport and support the team. Special mention and good luck to Olivia Kearney who will travel down to Maitland on Tuesday 6th March to represent the Manning Zone at the Regional Carnival. Paul Carpenter Swimming Coordinator

Sporting Schools Our 2018 Sporting Schools Program started last week! This term our program will run for 7 weeks and the focus sports are Orienteering and Table Tennis. If you would like to enrol your child in this program you will need to complete a Sporting Schools Registration Form. This form is available at the Front Office and will cover your child for all our 2018 programs. Your child must be registered to be able to participate.

We look forward to seeing you! GPS Sporting Schools Team Mrs Green, Mrs Seale, Mrs McLeod and Miss Dries

Sporting Schools For: Students K-6

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 3:00pm-4:00pm

Where: Meet outside the Library

What: Please bring your hat and a water bottle

Term 1 from: Tuesday 20 February to Thursday 5 April (inclusive)

Sports: Orienteering and Table Tennis

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE) HOME FUN ACTIVITY This year students are being encouraged to complete Physical Education (PE) activities at home. These activities are designed to be done with family members and will assist students to become more competent and confident performers. The first Home Fun Activity is Leap the River. The activity card explains the learning experience and organisation and highlights teaching tips for learning the nominated Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS).

LEAP HOME FUN Leap the River

Learning Experience Organisation Teaching Tips • Use markers, rope or chalk to make a

‘crocodile-infested’ river that looks like two sides of a triangle. At the tip of the river the 2 sides are very close together, but as the river flows on the two sides get further apart. Try and leap from one side to the other, starting at the narrowest and working all the way to the widest end.

Equipment: Markers, rope or chalk. Set up: Can play outside or modified inside. Time: 15 minutes

Correct LEAP technique: -Eyes focused forward. -Knee of take-off knee bends. -Legs straighten during flight. -Arm opposite to legs. -Trunk leans slightly forward. -Lands on the ball of the foot and bends knee to absorb landing.

I hope you all enjoy getting active at home! Mel Seale PE Teacher

Oz Opera presents The Magic Flute

Oz Opera is coming back to Gloucester Public School to perform Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a story of truth and light, friendship and forgiveness, told with enchanting music. There will be two session times on Tuesday 20 March - 11:30am and 1:30pm. The cost is $8 per student and can be paid at the office or sent in with your child/ren to their class teacher. This performance is a great opportunity for our students so don’t miss out! Susie McLeod, School Performance Coordinator

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OZ Opera Permission Note

I give my child/ren permission to attend Oz Opera’s performance of The Magic Flute on Tuesday 20 March 2018. Please find enclosed $8 per child. Total Amount: $_______________

I have paid online using the code 057001 Name/s: 1. __________________________________________ Class: __________ 2. __________________________________________ Class: __________

3. __________________________________________ Class: __________ 4. __________________________________________ Class: __________ 5. __________________________________________ Class: __________

Signed: ______________________________________ Date: __________ Name (please print): ________________________________ Phone Number: ______ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNIFORM SHOP

Open every Friday

8.30am – 10.00am

In our rapidly changing world, it is becoming more and more important for our children to develop strong skills as they progress through their education. While our curriculum-based assessments test a student’s ability to recall what they have learned in a variety of subject areas, we think it’s important to do more than that, particularly in the foundation years of schooling. Therefore, Gloucester Public School will be implementing ICAS, a comprehensive skills-based program that assesses higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. We believe ICAS will give us deep insight into our students’ true capabilities and help us plan more effectively for their future years at school. HOW ICAS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER ASSESSMENTS YOUR CHILD WILL TAKE:

1. ICAS can tell us whether students really understand what they are being taught.

2. ICAS can help us discover student talents and student weaknesses that don’t always get picked up by the curriculum testing framework.

3. ICAS will not add extra workload to a student’s study or homework regime because ICAS is an assessment they can’t study for. It evaluates thinking and problem-solving ability, not memory.

4. ICAS’s diagnostic reports will give all of us (teachers and parents) far more insight into your child’s strengths and weaknesses. At school, we can act on that by tailoring our teaching and learning programs; at home, you will know where to direct more encouragement.

5. ICAS will also give us an external benchmark we can rely on to ensure our school is keeping pace with national and international standardsICAS is the most comprehensive international assessment program, with schools in over 20 countries participating every year.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: If you would like your child to participate, please complete the permission slip and return it, with payment, to the school no later than Friday 16th March. PLEASE NOTE LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you would like to pay online, please use the code 056002.

Kind regards Leanne Wakefield Principal

ICAS

2018 ICAS Permission Form

Please return this form with your payment, to school no later than 16th March I give permission for my child, Child’s name Class to participate in the following 2018 ICAS assessments. Please select the subjects you would like your child to participate in:

Subject/Paper School

Year (circle)

Official Sitting Date Participation Fee Fee

Enclosed

Digital Technologies 3 4 5 6 8 May 2018 $9.00

Science 2 3 4 5 6 29 May 2018 $9.00

Writing 3 4 5 6 14 June 2018 $18.00

Spelling 2 3 4 5 6 13 June 2018 $12.00

English 2 3 4 5 6 31 July 2018 $9.00

Mathematics 2 3 4 5 6 14 August 2018 $9.00

TOTAL

Students must sit on the official sitting date for each subject to be eligible for UNSW medals. Please find enclosed for payment of the total fee. Amount

I have paid online using the code 056002. My receipt number is ____________________

Name of Parent/Carer (please print) Date

Signature of Parent/Carer

of

$