Week Eight, Term One, Tuesday 14th March 2017 Edition Two Hundred and Five.

What is self-talk?

Even though you might not know it, you’re already practicing self-talk.

Self-talk is basically your inner voice, the voice in your mind which says things that you don’t necessarily say out loud. Often self-talk happens without you even realising it and can be a subtle running commentary going on in the background of your mind. But what you say in your mind can determine a lot of how you feel about who you are. So what is positive and negative self-talk? Positive self-talk is the stuff that makes you feel good about yourself and the things that are going on in your life. It is like having an optimistic voice in your head that always looks on the bright side. Example – “These clothes look pretty awesome on me”, “I can totally make it through this exam”, “I don’t feel great right now but things could be worse!” Negative self-talk is the stuff that makes you feel pretty crappy about yourself and things that are going on. It can put a downer on anything, whether it is good or bad. Example- “I look stupid in these clothes”, “everyone thinks I’m an idiot”, “everything is crap and nothing is going to get better” Negative self-talk is particularly bad as it brings you down all the time. It can impact on recovery

from mental health difficulties and tends to make people pretty miserable. But being positive all the time isn’t achievable either, and isn’t helpful all the time. So how can you make your self-talk work for you? Better self-talk

There are three things you can do that can help with changing the direction of your self-talk. Listen to what you’re saying to yourself- we don’t always consciously take note of that we’re saying in our minds. The first step in improving your self-talk is to actually notice what your inner voice is saying. Take some time each day to listen, and even write down, what you’re thinking.

Mick McCann michael.mccann@det.nsw.edu.au New WHS Guidelines

In line with new WHS guidelines parents are now requested to inform the school if their child is injured in a sporting or social activity out of school hours and receives a head knock that results in some form of concussion injury. These types of injuries can have a delayed reaction and the consequences can be quite serious. To facilitate the child’s rehabilitation it is recommended that no sporting activities are participated in for a minimum of 10 days after the initial collision or accident. If concussion is the diagnosed ailment, parents will be required to provide the school with a doctor’s certificate of clearance before the child is permitted to participate in any further sporting activities.

Hilltop News

With media attention now focused on an increased awareness of the long term effects of collision sports and the need to prohibit and protect those participants in these activities, it is timely that schools are proactive in ensuring our students are in no way furthering their chances of future damage. Parents are asked to be very vigilant in informing the school if their child is concussed in an out of school activity so that we can comply with best practice in ensuring that your child’s health is not impaired further. Missing Pot Plants OOSH has reported that they had some hanging pots plants stolen last Thursday night. If you saw anything or know about this, please contact the school.

Parent Teacher Interviews

This year we are utilising an online booking process for our parent–teacher interviews. Interviews will run during weeks 10 & 11 this year (Monday 27th – Friday 7th). There are instructions in the newsletter on how you will need to book your spot with your child’s teacher. It is a first come- first served process.

Tell Them From Me Survey

Tell Them From Me is an online student survey. Students from Years 4, 5 and 6 participate. Students in over 1200 public schools in NSW have participated in this survey. It is not a test. It is confidential. No-one at the school will know which answers came from which student. It is a chance for students to give their opinion on things that matter to them at school. It also helps teachers and the principal identify changes that can improve our school.

All the survey questions are multiple choice and it is completed in class computer lab time with class teachers.

If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, please contact the school office.

Monday Morning Community Assembly Week 9 – Harmony Day Assembly Tuesday Afternoon, Week 10- 1/2P Harmony Day

Harmony Day is Tuesday 21st March. A special assembly will be held after lunch on Harmony Day as each class

presents an item relating to the customs of the people from their selected country. Each student is asked to bring a gold coin donation for our charity school in Pentecost Island, Vanuatu. Students are encouraged to dress in traditional costume or clothing reflecting the colours of their selected country’s flag. Students may also wear orange, the official Harmony Day colour.

Maths Camp

Last weekend, Hamish, Darcy and I attended the Newcastle Permanent Maths Camp at Myuna Bay Sport & Recreation Centre. We had to be there by 9am on Saturday morning! (It took an hour to get to Myuna Bay.) The camp directors kept us busy the whole time with maths activities, sport and games.

We played minigolf and soccer, went swimming and hiked through the bush. Most importantly, though, we learnt some really interesting things from the teachers there. We solved problems, played games, built domes, made hexaflexagons and used a program called GeoGebra which used geometry and algebra. Overall we had a really good time there and were sad to leave on Sunday afternoon (though I won’t miss the food).

Ruby Parsons

Have you heard of Parkrun? Parkrun is a free, weekly, 5km timed run that happens every Saturday morning all across Australia, and indeed in many parts of the world. Parkrun is open to everyone, and people of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to participate. Newcastle plays host to the best attended parkrun in Australia - with an average of 399 runners. This Saturday (18th March) I will be running my 50th parkrun and I would love lots of N.E.P.S students (and teachers) to come along and help me celebrate this milestone by having a massive group run. If you’re not already registered, you can follow the easy steps at http://www.parkrun.com.au and nominate Newy as your home parkrun. Print out your barcode and meet the NEPS crew at 1 Albert St, Carrington by about 7:45 on Saturday morning. Children under 11 years must be accompanied on the run by a parent. Don’t worry if you can’t run the whole 5km. This event is about having fun as a family and community, and improving week by week. I look forward to seeing you there!

End of Term 1 School Disco The first School Disco for 2017 is on Friday 31 March 2017 from 5.30-7.30pm. Come and dance the night away with the one and only PEP C and DJ Perry. The theme is "Sleepwear and Active wear" so get you’re thinking hats on, raid the wardrobe and come dressed to impress!

3/4D and 3/4H are on the BBQ that night and volunteers are needed. Please sign up at the genius sign up app. Link attached: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4daeab29aaf94-bbqroster2 Please remember that children must be accompanied by parents/caregivers for the duration of the Disco. P&C Meeting / School Council The next P&C meeting takes place on Monday 20 March from 5.30-7.00pm in the Staff Room with the School Council meeting taking place from 7-8pm. All welcome.

Notes home this week. • Term 2 Sport EOI

• Parent – Teacher Interview booking note

All notes will also be sent via the SkoolBag App

NEPS Canteen Update

There will be no sushi orders this week.

We are thrilled with the response to for help with canteen. A big thank you to all who have volunteered. If you can help on one of these dates please contact Kelly Wyman on 0421 299611. Start thinking about your availability next term.

CANTEEN ROSTER Term 1 2017

Monday Friday 13 March Pip Strachan

17 March Chris Gooch Michelle Crawford

20 March Michelle Lott Training Aamnah Imran

24 March Ingrid Beavis Cecilla Cortina

27 March Joanna White Kelly Wyman

31 March Cherry Connew Shaun Olson

3 April Aamnah Imran

7 April Amy Hooper Liz Saunders-Walker

NEPS OOSH News

Dear Parents Vacation care is upon us and with it comes a fun filled program from sandboarding to a tour of Maitland Gaol. Cost is $60 a day and includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and the cost of the excursion. If you would like to join us for the Easter holidays please visit the centre for an enrolment form and program or the school office. Cheers Tracey and the team

1/2R has been…

Power Writing

Term Planner 2017 – this will be updated on a regular basis.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 23 Holidays

24 Holidays

25 Holidays

26 Australia Day

27 Staff Return

30 – Wk2 Students return – Best Start – Kinder 2017

31 Best Start- 2017

1 February Kinder Photos School Swimming Carnival

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6 – Wk3 Sailing

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13 – Wk4 Assembly – 4/5T P&C Meeting - AGM School Council Meeting Sailing Band Band Meeting

14 Meet the Teacher Night Years 1 and 2 5.15 – 6.00pm Years 3 – 6 6.15 – 7.00pm

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20 – Wk5 Assembly – 3/4H Sailing Band

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22 Zone Swimming Carnival

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27 – Wk6 Assembly – 3/4D Sailing Band

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1 March

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6 – Wk7 Assembly – 1/2V Sailing Band

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9 Selective High School Test

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13 – Wk8 Assembly – 1/2R Sailing Band

14 The Bully is back Performance

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20 – Wk9 Assembly – Captains (Short) Sailing P&C Meeting School Council Meeting Band

21 Harmony Day Assembly-1.45pm – No morning assembly

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23 Inter-relate Evening - Library

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27 – Wk10 Assembly-1/2P Sailing Band

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29 School Cross Country

30 Zone Soccer Trials HAM Olympics Writer’s festival yrs3-6

31 School Disco – 5.30-7.30

3 April – Wk11 Assembly – Captains (short) Easter Hat Parade 1.45pm Band

4 Newcastle City ANZAC Event – Civic Theatre

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