GORDON WEST BULLETIN V O L U M E 1 7 2 0 1 7 N O V E M B E R 2 2 0 1 7

What’s On

Address: 146 Ryde Road Pymble NSW 2073 Phone:: 9498 4644 Fax: 9498 4436 Email: gordonwest-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.gordonwest-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Principal’s Report Band Program

Our band program continues to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Ms Bella Harvey. Bella’s wonderful enthusiasm has certainly created a great deal of interest in the band program. A very successful Band Intensive was held on the morning of Sunday 22 October where all bands came together for over three hours of intensive instruction. The Band Information Evening held last Thursday evening, 26 October, was very informative with approximately fifty new band members joining the program next year. Ms Harvey is currently conducting instrument tryouts to determine the most suitable instrument for the new band members. Congratulations to all band members and their families. Although being a member of a successful band program has many advantages there is a considerable amount of effort and commitment required. Ryde Spectacular Choir Performance Also on Thursday evening last week our Ryde Spectacular Choir performed at the Opera House. It is certainly a wonderful opportunity for

Gordon West children to perform at one of the world’s most prestigious venues. A big thank you to Mrs Tambakis, conductor of the Gordon West Ryde Spectacular Choir, who has had a very hectic time coordinating the preparation for this performance. Choir members who attended the very successful Narrabeen Sport and Recreation camp had to leave early to attend the final practice at the Opera House all of which create challenges for the organising teachers. Mrs Tambakis in her very efficient manner admirably overcame all of the challenges. Thank you to Mrs Hutton for helping with supervision on the evening and to Mr Sparke who represented me on the evening while I was in attendance at the Band Information Evening. Congratulations to members of the Ryde Spectacular Choir on their great performance. Year 4 Camp

In relation to the Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Centre camping experience mentioned briefly in the last bulletin. It was a privilege to attend such a well organised, thoroughly supervised event where over the course of three days and two nights the Year 4 students had a wonderful experience. Ms Fleming and her team ensured that everything ran like clockwork. Most importantly the children had a great time

Wed 8 November Year 12 Reunion  Mon 20 November 8am Combined Band Rehearsal 730pm P&C AGM  Tues 21 November Parent Helpers A ernoon Tea  Wed 22 November  745am Band Breakfast and Concert  Tues 29 November Year 6 Farewell  Wed 29 November Stage 2 Disco Ecumenical Service 

experiencing adventures that some children had never experienced before which makes school camps so valuable. Also the behaviour of the Gordon West children was impeccable and I was very proud to be associated with such lovely children.

Ryde Road Crossing Plans are nearing finalisation for an upgrade of the Ryde Road school crossing. School representatives met with Ku-ring-gai Council and RTA personnel last week to finalise the proposal. Hopefully work will commence in the not too distant future. Parents are requested to continually emphasise to their children who use the crossing to look both ways before crossing even if the green walk sign is visible because on a daily basis many cars illegally “run the red light”. We continually emphasise to our Gordon West children that we can’t determine what the cars will do but we can determine our own behaviour. Hence we must look both ways before crossing.

Mural Renovation The renovation of our Byram Mansell mural located on the library end of the Administration Building is nearing completion. Parents are invited to view this beautiful mural created in 1961 when Mr Mc Kinnon was Principal of Gordon West Public School. Unfortunately for the past number of years trees in the garden have partially obscured this beautiful creation. The exquisite sandstone carvings of native animals and the arid garden featuring a number of grass plants (xanthorrhoea) complement the mosaic mural.

Student Leaders 2018 Congratulations to the student leadership team who were recently elected by their peers to be their leaders for 2018. The process included a vigorous pre selection where the

Year 5 students nominated 12 students who prepared and presented election speeches to the whole school before the voting process occurred. The speeches were of an incredibly high standard with each nominee having to present their speech to Mrs Ryan & Mrs Whiteman prior to speaking in front of the whole school election assembly. Congratulations to Hamish R and Beccy A on being elected boy and girl captain for 2018 respectively. Congratulations to Alyssa R, Amelia W, Tim I & Tom P for being elected prefects for 2018. It is the ultimate honour to be elected by your peers and teachers to the student leadership team. Jim Huckerby Principal

    Dear ParentsDear ParentsDear Parents      

    If you child is in year 2,3, 4 or 5 they are eligible to join Training Band in 2018. I will be If you child is in year 2,3, 4 or 5 they are eligible to join Training Band in 2018. I will be If you child is in year 2,3, 4 or 5 they are eligible to join Training Band in 2018. I will be     holding tryouts next Wednesday November 8th. holding tryouts next Wednesday November 8th. holding tryouts next Wednesday November 8th.       

    Instrument choice sheets can be obtained from the office. Please return these Instrument choice sheets can be obtained from the office. Please return these Instrument choice sheets can be obtained from the office. Please return these        completed forms to the office or email it to: completed forms to the office or email it to: completed forms to the office or email it to: Isabella.harvey11@det.nsw.edu.auIsabella.harvey11@det.nsw.edu.auIsabella.harvey11@det.nsw.edu.au   by by by        this Friday November 3.this Friday November 3.this Friday November 3.      

    Many ThanksMany ThanksMany Thanks       Isabella HarveyIsabella HarveyIsabella Harvey       Band DirectorBand DirectorBand Director   

Beccy Hamish Amelia

Tom Alyssa Tim

STUDENT NEWS

On October 23rd Saba K  from Year 6 took part in the Public Speaking Compe on at Parliament House. Our local member Alister Henskens SC MP advised us that Saba performed magnificently. Well Done Saba ! 

Congratula ons to Cameron D  3S who achieved a silver medal at the State MAG (Men's Ar s c Gymnas cs) compe on on Sunday 22 October. Great results Cameron ! 

18/10/2017

KH Mitchell M, Jasper C, Abi B KP Isabella S, Victor K, Alabama V KT Max C, Millie Z, Curtis W KZ Jace P, Sophie F, Joan H 1A Fletcher G, Charlie R, Lachie P 1F Sam C, Lucas S, Poppy B 1S Sheema L, Zara F, Jackson H 1W Cian C, Aarna M, Oscar D 2B Billy H, Scarlett G, Hongze L 2E Dominic H, Geena H, Alex B 2G Sophia B, Hercules C, Macayla W 2K Lambert L, Chen R, Victor L 3G Matthew Z, Charles H, Nina S 3H Hamish F, Sophie F, Elizabeth C 3S Sabina M, Ben R, Lachlan D 4F Camp 4G Camp 4M Camp 5D Annabel B, Alex C, Lily P 5T Lillian K, Cameron F, Lucas V 5W Jacob Z, Lizzie P, Hamish R 6J Saba K, Ella M, Artin S 6S Angelina G, Chris G, Alex M

KH Jane L, Eva C, Kai H KP Daniel S, Jamie L, Emily V KT Ethan H, George S, Bianca R KZ Yoon H, Claire F, Patrick L 1A Liam S, Lavena S, Lucinda H 1F Yolanda D, Summer D, Hamish O 1S Connrel N, Vivian Z, Beatrix I 1W Andrew Z, Aarna M, Sorcha K 2B Jaren S, Naveen A, Serena C 2E Yisen P, Isabella H, Cheryl Y 2G Ethan Y, Angie H, Tiffany W 2K Stephanie S, Isabella M, Eleanor K 3G Tyson N, Jai A, Oliver D 3H Vivienne E, James L, Sayaka C 3S Amy D, Angus N, Paige C 4F Imogen R, Elena R, Doug M 4G Junho J, Tue Leon C, Siyeon S 4M Isabella C, Noah M, Nicola B 5D Eleanor B, David Z, Chloe F 5T Amy M, Jerrie Y, Chase T 5W Zachary J, Melissa D, Sasha T 6J Jaein K, Amy P, Jude M 6S Yun Ya W, Jaye D, Olivia A