Westlawn Public School

Newsletter Term 3 Week 7

3 September 2019

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

What a busy couple of weeks since our last

newsletter! We had a fantastic Book Week with

our very first WPS Book Character Parade. The

enthusiasm for this special event was evident in

both the amazing costumes paraded and the broad

smiles on the faces of children and family

members. Great to see so many children and staff

members dressed up and celebrating Book Week.

Thank you to all the parents who spent many

hours sorting out costumes and who also bought

items from the Book Fair. Thank you to Mrs

Palmer for coordinating this exciting week.

This Wednesday we will welcome students and

their teachers from Westlawn Preschool. It is

wonderful that we are able to offer our school as

an excursion venue for our local preschools. It is a

real win-win situation as, not only do our

preschools have a chance to include an extra

outing in their annual schedule, but the children

are able to squeeze in another fun day at ‘big

school’. Our Kinder teachers, the Year 5 Buddies

and our current Kindergarten children absolutely

love having the pre-schoolers visit. A big thank

you to Mrs Barnier for organising this new

program. We are busy, at the moment, taking

Kindergarten enrolments for 2020. If you or

others you know have children ready to begin

school next year and you would like to learn more

about Westlawn Public, please call the office to

book a school tour.

The Fathers’ Day BBQ saw 500 sausages on the

grill (thank you Mr Hughes) and many dads and

grandads sharing stories and a sausage sandwich

or two with their children. Thank you to all our

dads for sharing this special time at school. We

hope you had a wonderful day last Sunday and

that you received something special – perhaps a

gift bought at our Fathers’ Day stall (thank you

P&C people for organising this).

Still on the food theme, the Taste of Asia event

coordinated by Mrs Gough to celebrate the Year 6

unit of work Asian Countries, was held last

Wednesday. I was privileged to not only watch the

excellent PowerPoint presentations created by

year 6 students, but to taste delicious foods from

Japan, China and India. Much work went into this

event – from students, teachers and parents – and

it was an impressive example of team work. Thank

you Mrs Gough for getting this ball rolling. We all

loved it!

During Book Week, eight of our Aboriginal

students attended the Bundjalung Language and

Culture Camp at Lake Ainsworth. Mrs Adams and

Mrs Trevillian reported that students were a

pleasure to be with and that the cultural activities

were brilliant.

Congratulations to our North Coast Champion

Boys and Girls Hockey Teams, who were

successful in their games against Gloucester

yesterday, the Girls winning 8 nil and the Boys, 4

nil. Well done! We are very proud of our players’

Principal’s Message

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

skills, determination and positive attitudes. Both

teams will now go on to compete in Sydney for the

state title. A big thank you to Mrs Hadley and Mr

Alford who have coached and managed the teams

and to all the parents who have supported in

many ways. An amazing team effort!

Kind Regards,

Sandra

PARENTING INFORMATION FROM MICHAEL

GROSE

Ever opened up your mouth and heard your

own parents speak?

I’d frequently speak to my kids when they’d been

less than perfect and I could hear my father

speaking. I’d use the same words, same tone of

voice and same body language as my father. The

similarity was a little spooky.

This happens because the ghosts from the past are

very strong impacting not just our communication

but our parenting as well. Kids copy their parents.

Temperament, gender, genetic and birth order

factors all play a part in shaping kids. They signify

the differences between children’s behaviour,

attitudes and interests.

It’s in children’s similarities that the impact of

parenting is seen.

Are all your kids tolerant, generous, kind and

forgiving, perhaps some less than others? If so,

there’s a good chance that you possess those

qualities or, at least, one parent displays those

qualities.

Children learn what they live

When kids live with gratitude, encouragement and

affection on a daily basis they are more likely to

adopt those behaviours themselves. In fact, those

types of behaviours become part of their values

system.

They may shy away from these behaviours in

adolescence yet most kids will return to their core

values in their twenties and beyond. Most kids

find their identity only after they’ve rejected it.

Similarly, when kids live with criticism, mean-

spiritedness and intolerance they are more likely

to display those attitudes. Teachers and schools

can impact children’s attitudes and behaviours but

it can be hard to override the values that kids

develop at home. Kids are more likely to reflect

their parents’ attitudes and behaviours than those

of their teachers.

Do you like what you see?

Take a good look at your kids’ attitudes,

behaviours and values, particularly how they treat

others. If you like what you see then give yourself

a pat on the back because you’ve done a good job

through both overt teaching and modelling of

raising a person in your likeness.

If you’re not happy with what you see – I’m not

referring to the out-of-character, poor behaviour

that kids at times display due to fatigue, a stage or

some other unknown reason (kids will be kids) –

but if you cringe when you see some of the

attitudes and behaviours that your kids routinely

show then some self-reflection may be the order

of the day.

That’s nothing necessarily to be ashamed of. Kids

get front row seats to the very best and very worst

of their parents’ behaviours. We just need to make

sure that our best is amplified and our worst is

minimised or, at least, not witnessed by our kids.

It helps to sit down with your partner or a trusted

friend and review the type of person that’s on

display for your kids every now and then. It will

be a worthwhile exercise both personally and as a

parent. As your kids are a reflection of you, start

the reflection process by looking at the

behaviours, attitudes and states of mind they have

in common. If you’re happy with what you see

then you’re okay. If not, then maybe it’s time for

some changes.

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Girls PSSA Hockey Report

On Monday the WPS girl’s hockey team travelled down to Port

Macquarie to play Gloucester Public School. We started very strong

in attack with Lila scoring two quick goals not long after that Eliza

and Alice scored 1 each in the first half. Mrs Hadley gave us a good

pep talk at half time and we went out even stronger. We started the

second half even better than the first half with Alice scoring another

one, Shani, Gracie and Poppy all scoring their first goal of the match.

We ended up winning 8-0 and now we are off to the State Titles in

Sydney on the 17 September. Thank you to all the parents who

helped on the day and thank you Mrs Hadley and Mr Alford for

coaching us.

By Shanae Crispin

Boys PSSA Hockey Report

On Monday the WPS Boys hockey team went to Port Macquarie to

play against Gloucester Public School. At the start of the game we

defended well but at half time it was 0-0 in the second half we

managed to score early and at the end of the match it was 4-0. Ramie

scored 2, Riley scored 1 and Zane scored 1. Next, the boy’s team will

go to Sydney on the 17 September to play in the State Finals. I would

like to thank Mr Alford and Mrs Hadley for coaching us and managing

us and all the parents for their support.

By Hayden Biele

What a fabulous Book Fair we enjoyed last week at school! Thank you to everyone who supported the book fair

and to my wonderful team of helpers that assisted over the week. Our visit from Geronimo Stilton was a popular

attraction at break times for students to visit while browsing the books.

The NSW Premiers Reading Challenge has finished for students to enter their books in for this year. If there is any

student who has had trouble with this, please come and see Mrs Palmer this week as final cut off is Friday.

Wednesday 4th September is Indigenous Literacy Day. This is a national celebration of Indigenous culture, stories,

language and literacy. The library has a wonderful collection of Indigenous stories. We will have our yarning circle

mat available for students to come along and share a story in the library on Wednesday while also sharing Nina

Lawrence and Bronwyn Bancroft’s new story; ‘Clever Crow.’

Happy Reading!

Mrs Palmer

Library News

Sporting News

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Clarence Valley Conservatorium

The Clarence Valley Conservatorium has forwarded us this information about music

scholarships for more experienced students in the field of music. It is not a

prerequisite that you are learning music at school but rather a student learning

music.

Below is a little information that will explain further.

Scholarships

The Gift of Music Student Scholarship Program is an initiative created by Rural Aid’s Gift of Music. It is aimed at disadvantaged children in rural and remote Australia in areas affected by drought or natural disaster to assist them in their quest to make music. It aims to provide funding and support to enable children to further their musical education despite their current financial and/or geographical limitations.

Scholarships are available to eligible Australian children in regional areas who display an advanced skill or talent in music.

Scholarship amounts will be decided on a case by case basis individually determined for each student depending on their needs, as decided by the Selection Committee.

To view our full scholarship guidelines and further information, please go to the following site

https://www.giftofmusic.org.au/scholarships/

Students of the

Week

Isabella - 6P

Ethan - 4/5O

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

South Grafton High School invites the students in Years 4 and 5 from Westlawn PS to apply for entry into the

2020 Clarence Science Initiative.

There is a flyer attached to the newsletter which invites interested parents and students along to an information evening. This

evening will be held at South Grafton High School (SGHS) Library from 5.30pm to 6.00pm on Thursday September 5, 2019.

To reduce the impact on your school community, students will complete the tests online at your school (see date and time

below). There will be a second opportunity early next term for those unable to sit the first day.

Please note the following:

Application and self-nomination forms need to be completed online at home

by Friday 13th September using the following links:

Student self-nomination form here (hold CTRL and left click to open)

Application form here

Important dates are:

5/9/2018 Information evening held at SGHS Library from 5.30pm to 6.00pm.

13/9/2018 Applications for CSI 2019 close at 3.00pm.

27/9/2018 Entry testing day at your school, instructions to follow.

27/9/2018 Teacher nomination forms required back at SGHS (week 10).

28/10/2018 Students advised this week of outcome of application

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

DIARY DATES

Week 6

Wednesday 4 Sept Westlawn Pre School visit

International Competitions Closing date

Week 7

Monday 9 Sept Fire Brigade Visit Year 1

Tuesday 10 Sept Nuture One Pre School visit

Wednesday 11 Sept Canteen & P&C Meeting 6pm

Friday 13 Sept North Coast Athletics Lismore

Grafton High Year 6 Half day Taster Day

Bundjalung Language and Culture Camp

Book Character Parade

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Strive to Achieve

North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 westlawn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Westlawn Public School P&C Newsletter

Term 3 Week 7

School Fair

Our school fair is fast approaching

Preparations are well underway.

This Wednesday from 6:00pm there will be a Fair specific P&C

Meeting. All welcome to attend.

If there is anyone who may be able to volunteer on a stall on the day

please let the office know.

We are also looking for anyone who may be able to come in early on fair

day to help with set up. We also need some people who may be able to

cook on the barbeque during the day. If anyone is able to help out please

let the office know.

The fair will be held on the 20th September from 11:00 till 2:00pm

Fathers Day Stall

This year’s Father’s Day stall was held last Thursday 29th August and

Friday 30th August.

There was a wonderful range of gifts available. Thank you to

everyone who made items to sell on the stall. Thanks to Jazz, Shona,

Dianne, Gayle and Caryn for working on the stall.

Special thanks to the fantastic group of year six students who also helped out on both days.

Canteen Roster

Wednesday 4 September Chrystal Norris, Debra Watts, Rhi Cochrane

Thursday 5 September Debra Watts, Campbell Kenneally

Friday 6 September Shelly Thompson, Anita McLennan, Belinda Bowling, Kristie

Ward

Monday 9 September Dianne Johnson, Michelle Howard

Tuesday 10 September Debra Watts, Liz Hamlin