531 Sackville Road Ebenezer NSW 2756 Tel: 4579 9282 Fax: 4579 9586

ebenezer-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 4 - Week 10

Thursday 12 December, 2013

Congratulations to the students, staff and community on a fantastic 2013.

MERIT AWARDS

Congratulations to all the students who received a merit award!

K/1P Panthers: Rhiannon Sievers-Davis – beautiful presentation of

bookwork. Sam Mahboub – excellent application to school work. 1/2 Woodpeckers: Ziggy Benzko-Greig – working hard in Maths. Alivia Turner – being a responsible class member. 3/4 Jackals: Michael Lansdowne – enthusiastic application to Excel

project. Melinda Anley – working diligently in Computers. 5/6 Kudus: Nathan Schneilinger – working hard to improve in Maths.

Great work in 3D shapes. Isabella Rogan – working well in Literacy activities.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE This year has absolutely flown. It seems only yesterday that I walked into Ebenezer as the Acting Principal and now it is almost Christmas!! Congratulations to everyone at Ebenezer for a wonderful year. Thank you to the community for their support and especially to our wonderful P&C. Congratulations to Louis Hanna who was the recipient of the most outstanding student and Jazmin Zarb who received the School Citizenship Award. Thank you to Jake, Charley, Jessica and Kristen, our school leaders, who did a very good job. Farewell to our Year 6 students who are embarking on the next step in their lives. We wish them every success in High School and in their future endeavours. We also farewell Mrs McKinnon who is retiring and Mrs Miller who is off to a new school in 2014. Ebenezer PS will miss them greatly. We thank them for their wonderful contributions to our school. I will also be leaving Ebenezer PS this year. This past year has been exceptional. Ebenezer PS is a wonderful school. I will always fondly remember the students, staff and community. You have made my time here very rewarding and completely enjoyable. I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday. Trudy Naylor Acting Principal 2014 CAPTAINS Our Captains for 2014 were selected by the whole school and are looking forward to helping the school and the students throughout 2014. I am very proud to announce our School Captains for 2014 are: Teale Simmons and Abby Gordon. Our Vice Captains are: Joshua Shephard, and Chloe Lansdowne. I would like to thank each and every student who stood for school leader this year. I was very impressed with your commitment and very proud of you all. I know you will each continue to be leaders within the school as sporting captains or library monitors.

2014 INFORMATION We look forward to seeing you all in 2014. For new students to the school, we will be taking new enrolments from Tuesday 28 January which is the first day back for our staff. Students will be returning to school from Wednesday 29th January when Years 1 to 6 will commence lessons, followed by Kindergarten students on Monday 3rd February. Our school hours are: 9am – 3pm If you require school uniforms contact Mrs Lawson in the office or Brynorms at Richmond. You will a find a wealth of information about attending a NSW public school on the Department of Education and Communities website, School A to Z FAQs along with a checklist of what you need to prepare your child for Back to School. We look forward to seeing you and your family at Ebenezer Public School for a great year of learning in 2014. OUT OF UNIFORM DAY The Out of Uniform Day held on Friday, 29th November raised $102.00 for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. This will help a number of needy families supported by the Salvation Army. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. SRC

ALIVE The Green Group had a wonderful time planting a native bee garden at the University of Western Sydney’s River Farm. They enjoyed the opportunity that was once again provided to them and did a fantastic job.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY CHICKEN AND GARDEN HELP NEEDED There is a roster on the notice board outside the staff room. If you are able to help with the chickens or gardens between the 23rd December and 27th January, please write your name on the roster. Even one morning or afternoon session will be greatly appreciated as we currently do not have enough help. Mr Johnson 3/4 J BIRD FEEDERS As part of our Science unit, 3/4 J has built bird feeders. The class designed, painted and helped to install them. Two are situated at the front of the school, with the remaining two to be placed in the bottom playground. A big thank you to Con Cockinos, Lucia and Isabella Rogan’s grandfather, and Mr Gilroy for their wonderful assistance. They will be painted in the Ebenezer school colours to match the surrounding buildings. SOCCER POSTS The soccer posts, recently purchased with funds from the Active After Schools Program and Year 6, have started to be installed. A big thank you must go to Mr Portors, who spent a lot of time and effort digging post holes and installing them. Mr Johnson SCHOOL CHOIR I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the children who have taken part in choir this year. The effort and enthusiasm they have displayed throughout the year has been extremely pleasing. We have come together each week and learnt a repertoire of songs, which we performed at the Riverview Shopping Centre as part of this year’s Education Week activities. The choir also performed at our annual Ebenezer Art and Craft Show, at school assemblies and at our Presentation Assembly. The children are to be commended for their commitment and wonderful behaviour. I would also like to extend an invitation to all of our families to see our wonderful choir perform at the Ebenezer Church’s “Carols by Candlelight” this Sunday, 15th December. This will be held in the grounds of Ebenezer Church, commencing at 7:00pm and ending at around 9:00pm.There will also be a free supper following the service. We hope to see you there! Kim Keys

SCHOOL CAMP REPORTS STAGE 3 The most amazing thing about camp was when we went down to the Giant Swing. When we got there we couldn’t see it because it was behind a telegraph pole. To go on the Giant Swing you had to get up on a ladder to hook on to the swing then everyone had to pull you up into the air. When you were at the top you pulled the rope and then went swinging through the air! Everyone looked like little ants on the ground. Nadine Durose The best activity at camp was when we went into the Cave Maze because it was pitch black and we couldn’t see anything. There were lots of obstacles inside. We had to find our way through a maze and under a net. I went under the net but the rest of my team went over the net. Nadine almost crawled over my face!. We eventually found our way out of the maze but I got 8 bruises. Victoria Price The most amazing thing about camp was when we went on the Giant Swing. I was so excited. I was waiting for about five minutes for my turn. When it was my turn I had to stand on a ladder, which scared me so much. After about a minute people were lifting me up into the air. Ashley counted down from three then I pulled the cord and went flying through the air. I felt like I was going to go straight into the ground. My friends said my face was white and I was shivering! I had so much fun at camp. Bronte McCombe OLD DRINK BOTTLES NEEDED We are obviously heading for an extremely hot summer. The Green Group needs a large number of plastic bottles (preferably 1.25 L soft drink bottles) so that we can use them to assist with the watering of plants – especially those on the contour bank. We are looking to hopefully receive about 150 bottles. Mr Johnson MEDICATION COLLECTION If your child has medication at school please remember to collect it on your child’s last day of school. BUS PASSES Replacement bus passes are now only available from Busways at a cost of $10. If you lose your bus pass you must contact Busways Windsor, 91 Mulgrave Rd, Mulgrave, NSW 2756. PH: 45749200 www.busways.com.au

ENROLMENTS FOR 2014 If you are planning on leaving the school or have someone you know who wishes to enrol their child, please let us know as soon as possible. Enrolment forms are available from the front office. UPDATE YOUR DETAILS From time to time we need to contact you regarding your child. Please ensure your contact and family details remain up to date at all times. PHONES AND ELECTRONIC ITEMS A reminder that all phones, iPods and electronic games must be dropped at the office before school and collected after school. Please ensure items are placed in a small plastic bag and are clearly marked with your child’s name. LATE ARRIVALS If your child arrives after the start bell, it is a requirement that they come to the office for a late note. We are accountable for students at all times and need to maintain comprehensive records on any variation to school arrival and departure times. CLASSES 2014 The teachers and I have been formulating classes for 2014. Thank you to those parents who have enrolled early or let us know they are moving to another area. It really does make our organisation for 2014 much easier. Our classes and teachers for next year will be: K/1- Mrs Proglio 1/2 - Mrs Willoughby- Green 3/4 - Mrs Lansdowne 4/5 – Mr Johnson 5/6 – Mrs Keys TEXT BOOKS 2014 The only textbook to be purchased in 2014 is Targeting Handwriting. It will be available for purchase from the office for $10 from Monday 2nd February. A paper levy will continue next year to help cover the rising costs incurred by the school for photocopying. The paper levy will be capped at $10 per child for the entire year and can be paid for on the same day you purchase the textbook. The Voluntary Contribution, which is used to purchase resources, remains capped at $40 per family in 2014.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS 2014 The year is fast coming to a close and the holidays will go quickly. Before we know it the new school year will be upon us! To assist you in having your child ready and prepared, a list of basic requirements is outlined below. Years 3-6 • 1 packet of coloured pencils e.g. Crayola, Fabre Castel etc. • 1 packet of twist top crayons • 1 packet of textas • 2 HB pencils • 1 small pencil case (NOT EXTRA LARGE) • 1 A4 exercise book for homework (approx. 150 pgs) covered please • 2 large quality glue sticks • 1 good quality eraser • 1 plastic or wooden ruler • 1 barrel-style pencil sharpener • 2 blue pens, 2 red pens (Yrs 5-6) • 2 highlighters (for editing) • 1 black felt tip pen (0.4 size) for art • 1 soap on tap • 1 large box of tissues and 1 roll paper towel • 1 USB stick (up to 4GB) Years K-2 • 1 paint shirt • 1 soap on tap • 1 large box of tissues • 1 roll paper towel • 2 large glue sticks – Brand name last longer and are easier to use • 1 good quality eraser • 1 barrel-style pencil sharpener • Textas, coloured pencils and twist top crayons -Crayola, Fabre Castel etc. • 1 A4 exercise book for homework (approx.150pgs) covered please • 1 small pencil case (NOT EXTRA LARGE) Thank you for your support.

OOSH NEWS

All staff and children have had a great term at OOSH. We welcomed Jess as a new assistant and welcomed Tessa into her new role as the new coordinator; Jenny and Ashlee continued educating throughout the term. The children explored many different themes through creative arts and indoor and outdoor games/activities which included themes on 'the animal kingdom', 'under the sea' and 'Christmas'. Term 4 has been very busy with the children continuing their Christmas craft, and staff working towards completing the children’s portfolios ready to hand out next week. Our pancake morning was very popular with the children. We raised $100.00. Our Christmas Raffle will be drawn on Presentation Day. Please make sure you return your raffle tickets for your chance to win. Enrolment forms for 2014 have been handed out to the children currently enrolled at OOSH. Please return these forms asap, so we can confirm numbers for 2014. Forms are available from the office or OOSH. Please make sure you have your fees up to date. It would be greatly appreciated if all outstanding fees can be finalised by 31st December. On a sad note, we say goodbye to two of our staff members. Jenny and Tessa will be leaving us at the end of 2013. We will miss them both greatly, and wish them all the best in the future. We would like to say thank you to Jenny and Tessa for all the work they have put in to make our OOSH such a success. We would like to wish all staff and families a safe and Merry Christmas. Thank you all for your continuing support, and we look forward to seeing you in 2014. If you are considering enrolling your child at the Centre please remember we require a completed enrolment form before attending. We will be taking enrolments for 2014 in the next few weeks. Please see OOSH staff if you require any information.

Morning 7am – 9am - $15 Permanent / $16.50 Casual Afternoon 3pm – 6pm - $20 permanent / $21.50 casual

Registration fee - $25 per family per year

The OOSH Centre is available to all families and is CCB approved.

ebenezeroosh@hotmail.com Phone : 0459 784 285

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Reminders Student Banking – Last Day Friday 6th

December Lunch Orders - Monday and Friday

Upcoming Events

December Thursday 12th: Presentation Day Friday 13th: Yr 6 Farewell Wednesday 18th: Last Day of Term January Wednesday 29th: School resumes 2014 February Wednesday 5th: School Swimming Carnival Tuesday 11th: Small Schools Swimming Carnival Tuesday 11th: P&C Meeting 7pm Friday 28th: District Swimming Carnival March Tuesday 11th: P&C AGM 7pm Friday 21st: Anti Bullying Day