RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY RESILIENCE

Newsletter of the Leura Public School Community Volume 4, Issue 18 Term 4 , 2016 Week 4

Coming Events Week 4 4/11 – KHS Parent Birriban Morning Tea, 9.30am-11am

Week 5 7/11 – Principal’s Assembly, 2pm 8/11 – Extra Transition Day for Year 6 at KHS 9/11 - Walkathon 9/11 – Kindergarten Orientation Library visit 2pm-2.45pm Week 6 14/11 – Kindergarten Orientation Playgroup 9.30am - 10.30am 15/11 – Drumming Workshop KHS 10am to 2pm 17/11 – Kindergarten Orientation Class visit 9.30am-10.30am 18/11 – Year 6 Fun Day

Week 7 22/11 – Kindergarten Orientation Playgroup 9.30am – 10.30am 23/11 – UBM Dance Festival Performance KHS 24/11 – Soccer Gala Day Stage 3 (selected students) 25/11 – Kindergarten Orientation Assembly, 12noon- 12.30pm

Only 7 more sleeps to our school Walkathon

(See article in this newsletter)

Dear Parents, Welcome to your Term 4, Week 4 Newsletter. It’s been a busy few weeks so far this term at Leura Public School with camps, reading competitions, music festivals and our Kindergarten Orientation program kicking off. The term promises to be an extremely busy one and will no doubt move at a cracking pace. A few things worth mentioning this week… KINDERGARTEN – 2017 Starting school is one of the major challenges facing young children. Children must adjust to new routines and procedures, different buildings and classrooms, new school and teacher expectations and new academic challenges. When children have a smooth transition to school they are more likely to experience success in their future schooling. We are fortunate to have a wonderful transition program in place to make the move from the Pre-school to Leura PS as smooth as possible. During the next few months there are a number of things families can also be doing to prepare their child for school. Starting school should be as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. Try to answer your child’s questions accurately and be positive about school. Don’t make a big issue out of starting school. Most children do not learn to read, write and add-up in the first week. However, they do meet new people, they learn to put their hands up, they learn about school bells and standing in line and they discover interesting things to do. They learn to feel comfortable and secure. The following are some pointers that may help parents and children prepare for this transition:

• Preparing a child for school also includes preparing the whole family. • Helping children to practise independent and self-help skills provides them with the

skills and confidence they will need to manage at school. • Talking about school in a relaxed and calm manner and not over-dramatizing or over-

exciting children about the prospect of starting school, helps them approach the new experiences calmly, without too much anxiety.

• An important part of preparation for the whole family is to participate in the transition programs, social events and information evenings that the school provides.

• On the first day of school, trust and be guided by the expertise of the teacher as when and how to say goodbye to your child.

• Establishing and maintaining predictable routines (particularly at bedtime) helps a child to feel secure and be well rested.

Please be assured that our Kindergarten teachers are continually encouraging each child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development, which in turn prepares them for positive experiences at school. If you have any queries about school transition, please feel free to speak with Mrs. Forrester (Assistant Principal) at any time.

APPLICATIONS FOR SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT IN 2018 Selective high schools cater for highly achieving academically gifted students who may otherwise be without classmates at their own academic and social level. These schools help gifted and talented students to learn by grouping them with other gifted and talented students, teaching them in specialised ways and providing educational materials at the appropriate level. Applications for selective high school placement are considered mainly on the basis of the Selective High School Placement Test results and school assessment scores. The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on Thursday, 9 March 2017. If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2018, you need to do so soon. You will need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student’s email address). Detailed instructions on how to apply online will be available from 11 October 2016 in a printed application information booklet and at

www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement. The application website opens on the 11th October, 2016 and closes on 14th November, 2016. No late applications will be accepted. There are no paper application forms. If you do not have internet access, you could apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Unit for assistance. PLANNING FOR 2017 We are currently planning the school organisation for 2017. This is a fairly intricate process and each year it is very difficult to predict school numbers and the nature of staffing which surrounds enrolments. It is therefore extremely important for us to ascertain, as closely as we possibly can, student numbers for next year. It would make this process easier for us if parents wherever possible, could indicate to us if students will not be returning to Leura PS from Day 1 in 2017. Please return the slip below to your classroom teacher at your earliest convenience K-5 STUDENTS NOT RETURNING TO LEURA PUBLIC SCHOOL IN 2017

My child / children will not be attending Leura Public School in 2017. Please print student names below: Name:______________________________________ Class:_________ Name:______________________________________ Class:_________ Name:______________________________________ Class:_________ Last day of attendance at Leura PS:_________________________________________________ Name of new school:_____________________________________________________________

NSW LITERACY AND NUMERACY STRATEGY 2017-2020 Recently the NSW Premier Mike Baird and the Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli announced the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy for the next four years. The plan aims to ensure NSW students have the essential literacy and numeracy skills they need for success in learning and in life. Literacy and numeracy skills will be described clearly, taught explicitly, assessed meaningfully and reported regularly in all schools across NSW.

There are five elements to the Strategy.

For more information on the Strategy, visit:

www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about-the-department/our-reforms/literacy-and-numeracy-strategy

CHANGES TO AFTERNOON BUSES Please be aware that there have been some minor changes to buses in the afternoon departing Leura Public School. The new timetable will run from Monday next week (7/11/16). Route 697

will depart for North Katoomba from the school bus bay at 3:05pm and Route 685 will depart for South Leura from Railway Parade (opposite the church) at 3:18pm. Please note that Route 8716 has been changed to service North Leura via Leura Mall and Katoomba via GWH to Woodlands Road. This service also departs at 3.05pm from Leura PS. The 8710 is a new service. If you have any questions regarding changes to bus times, please direct all enquiries to Blue Mountains Transit – Leura Depot on phone number 02 4784 2800. Please see the attached school bus services timetable.

EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS It is essential that emergency contact details are up to date to ensure parents can be contacted promptly if their child is sick or injured. Updated medical information, changes to family living arrangements, courts orders etc. are also important for the care of your child. If this applies to you, please let the administration staff know either by sending in a brief note or dropping into the office. Have a great weekend ahead. Please don’t forget to download our Skoolbag App to stay updated with what’s happening and what’s coming up at LPS and as always remember to look after yourselves, each other and our wonderful school. Finally a quick reminder that there are only 50 shopping days left until Christmas… so chop, chop! Take care Nathan Smith Relieving Principal LEVEL 2 AWARDS The following children have recently received their Level 2 Awards:-

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING – Term 4 VALUE OF THE WEEK

Week 5: A responsible student plays carefully in wet weather Week 6: A responsible student walks on the left of the designated walkways

Term 3, Week 9 1/2W: Ruby, Bethany, Coren, Iggy and Zmii 2A: Caitlin, Huw, Coco and Luca 2/3F: Lauren 5/6A: Skye 5/6F: Dash, Oliver and Dominic LEVEL 3 AWARDS – to be presented at Principal’s Assembly on 7th November K/1C: Serena 1/2W: Hayden and Zoe 2/3F: Finn and Calissa 4/5M: Bridget 5/6F: Zoe and Oliver SCHOOL SWIMMING SCHEME The school swimming scheme is being offered to children in years 2, 3 and 4. This is a great opportunity for ten days of lessons at the end of the year, provided free, with the only cost being pool entry and transport. If interested and your permission letter has been misplaced please contact the school office.

CORE VALUES – Term 4, Week 3

Class Respectful Responsible Resilient

KB Daniel Patcharee Eligh

K/1C Charlie Clare Dylan

1AJ Max Jasper Jai

1/2W

2A Levi Charli Elke

2F Jai Jack

NEPEAN DANCE FESTIVAL PHOTOS

Just a reminder ……. Ordered photos from the recent Nepean Dance Festival are available to be picked up from the school office.

NOTES/PAYMENT REMINDER To assist families, the following is a list of activities and associated costs, for which permission slips and/or monies are to be returned to the school. If there are any difficult circumstances in regard to any payments by the due date, for incursions/excursions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. EXCURSION/INCURSION AMOUNT DATE/PAYMENT DUE Band Tuition Term 3 $80.00 Overdue Band Instrument Hire Term 3 $120.00 Overdue Band Tuition Term 4 $80.00 Monday, 7th November Band Instrument Hire Term 4 $120.00 Monday, 7th November

Step forward for our school! The walk-a-thon is coming! We are seeking volunteers to help with our upcoming Walk-a-thon on Wednesday November 9th. We need your help supervising tricky parts of the walk-a-thon route. We also need help with the P&C BBQ. The Walkathon is an important fundraising event and your support is vital for the success of the occasion. We look forward to seeing you on the Day. If you are able to assist, please complete the form below and I contact you shortly. (If you have already submitted this form via the Skoolbag app, please disregard the form below) E. Colton Walkathon Co-ordinator ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volunteer Slip Yes I can help. Name:______________________________________________________________________ Contact number: _______________________________________ With the walk-a-thon route ☐

With the BBQ ☐

With the BBQ ☐

I can help with both ☐ AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR NATIONAL CAPITAL EXCURSION Stage 3 students from our school have recently undertaken an educational tour of the National Capital. While on this tour they participated in a variety of educational programmes focused on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital as part of their civics and citizenship education. To assist you (the parent) in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding of $20 per eligible student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) programme toward travel expenses incurred. This contribution is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion and helps to offset transportation costs which were not included in the fee charged to parents. We would like to thank the Australian Government for their support with this program and acknowledge that the excursion was a richly rewarding experience for all students.

STAGE 3 CAMP - CANBERRA “My name is Mali and I am a student from Leura Public School. I was one of 72 students who recently went to Canberra for a school camp and we had a fantastic time. One of the first places we went to was the Australian War Memorial. We really enjoyed it and it was one of my favourite places we visited. One of the things we enjoyed about it was how most of the objects in the Museum were real and each one had a story behind them. We also think that it’s really important to remember the soldiers who have fought for our country and I think that the War Memorial does a good job of helping us do that.

The night of the first day we went to the Australian Institute of Sport. One of the things we enjoyed about it was how we got to see where the Olympic swimmers and gymnasts get to train and that felt pretty special. We also got to use some sport simulations. The next day one of the first places we went to was Questacon. In Questacon we found it really cool how you got to interact with some interesting experiments like in the earthquake room you got to build your own building out of blocks and see if they would stay up in an earthquake, and unfortunately mine didn’t. Another thing we enjoyed was the games room. In the games room there was a massive slide. Some people didn’t go on it because they were scared of heights but I went on it and it was really fun. Soon after Questacon we went up Telstra Tower. The view was incredible and we loved it. Most people enjoyed Telstra Tower but a few didn’t because they didn’t like how high it was. I think Telstra Tower was a really good place to go because we all got to see what the whole of Canberra looks like all at one time. The night of the second day we went to Skyzone. This was a trampoline adventure centre. Everyone had a fantastic time, particularly with jumping, dodgeball and the foam pit. Overall we had a fantastic time in Canberra as everywhere we went we had fun. We thank you so much for helping organise our camp.”

BLUE MOUNTAINS GAZETTE’S Design an Ad Congratulations to Lily in 5/6F, her advertisement has been selected as a finalist for Blue Mountains Gazette’s Design an Ad competition (Wednesday, November 02, 2016 – Wrap page 7). 5/6F students recently participated in the local competition to design an advertisement for a nominated local business, Little Wing Clothing. Each student in the class submitted a creative advertisement design by responding to a specific ‘business design brief’ provided by Little Wing Clothing. All entries were required to be hand drawn. The students undertook this authentic learning task with great enthusiasm and many wonderful designs were considered for the competition. Our class entries were sent by the Gazette to the sponsor business, who selected Lily’s design. Congratulations Lily.

Community Announcements: Free child restraint checking morning, 19th November, 2016 – 9am to 1pm at Blue Mountains City Council car park, (Station Street side), Katoomba. Bookings are essential – call Council’s road safety officer on 4780 5000. Thrive Services will be running brunch and kids activities during the morning. Thrive Services provide support services for children, families and individuals living in the Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas.

KHS Parent/Carer Birriban morning tea, Friday, 4th November from 9.30am to 11am. – you are invited to KHS for a morning tea in the Birriban outdoor learning space. You will have the opportunity to hear about the history of the Birriban project and the vision for the future. You will get a sense of what a class might be like when it is held at Birriban.

Workshops at Blue Mountains Artfest. 11th November, opening night – ‘Permission to Play’, 6.30-7.30pm. 12th November – ‘Cartooning’ for Years K-2, 2.30-3.30pm; 13th November, ‘Weaving-Wreath’, 11am -12noon; ‘Weaving-Christmas decoration', 12.30pm-2pm. Wentworth Falls Public School. Visit www.bluemountainsartfest.net.au.

Calling for volunteers – we need your help! Our students really enjoy participating in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program and to keep this program running we need your help. The program requires a volunteer School Banking Co-ordinator to facilitate the banking and distribution of School Banking rewards. This only takes a small amount of your time one day a week and the Commonwealth Bank will provide support in how to run the program. This involvement will continue on into 2017. Your help with the program will greatly benefit students as they develop vital saving skills and also help our school with fundraising. Currently, School Banking day is THURSDAY If you are interested in volunteering for this great program, please fill in the tear off section below and return it to the Office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yes, I would like to help with School Banking! Name: _____________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________