NBPS Newsletters

 

From the Principal

                       

Swimming Carnival Results

Congratulations to all the children who swam so well at last week’s carnival.  A complete list of placegetters is available by clicking here.   We will present ribbons at our next Stage 2 and 3 Assembly.

Congratulations to our champions:

Junior – Arquette Milin-Byrne and Jonny Woodcock

11 years – Alice Bishop and Hayden Fleming

Senior – Eliza Wright and Renée Hurley and Tom Lockhart

Best wishes to all our swimmers at the Zone Carnival which will be held on Tuesday 6^th March.

  

 

 

Welcome Cocktail Party – Reminder

Tickets are still on sale for the Welcome Cocktail Party which will be held on Friday 9^th March at 6:00pm.  This is a great way to meet parents and teachers in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. $25.00 per person includes food and beverages.

 

Class Contact List Forms

There are a number of yellow parent contact class list forms outstanding.  Please send in ASAP as these lists are being finalised this weekend.  Parents find these lists most useful in organising play dates, parties and to contact other parents.

 

Junior and Senior Choirs

Congratulations to all the boys and girls who auditioned successfully for the Junior and Senior Choirs.  The teachers were overwhelmed with interest from children who auditioned.

Senior Choir [Years 5 and 6] will perform in the Opera House in October and Junior Choir [Years 3 and 4] will perform in the Primary Proms Concert in September.  We look forward to hearing both choirs at concerts, special events and assemblies here at school throughout the year.

 

Senior Choir – Emma Newman, Grace Underhill, Sharon Xu, Freya Lee, Sophie Dews, Joel Callahan, Ryan Seeto, Brittanie Hsu, Micha Gatuslao, Anastasia Scoggin, Mia Mather, Ofri Einav, Ruth Mukheibir, Kye Milne, Arith Pho, Kaiya Melbourne, Maya Parkes, Tom Lockhart, Lillian Smith, Marlena Stanhope, Lili Price, Francesca Garcia, Kashi Saunders, Kimmy Liu, Ethan Low, Eliza Fitzgerald, Ella Spencer, Gemma Chua-Tran, Tess Guo, Caitlin Johnston, Amy Fulton , Caitlyn Wyton, Isabella Piggott, Sophia Kourakis, Alice Caddick, Sam Wavish – Dixon.

 

Junior Choir – Iona Carter, Briahna Forder, Ashley Firth, Alysha Airey, Henry Aspinall, Declan Hales, Rex Markman, Jamie Caddick, Alexandra Dent, Evie Watts, Jemima Rice, Anna Delange, Lucinda Peace, Isabelle Macfarlane, Brittney Lu, Stephany Lu, Jasmine Sharp, Noa De Jager, Ross Poole, Reuben Wilder, Adrian Freiburg, Sorita Pho, Nathalie Wilder, Max Bottomley.

 

Children Regularly Leaving School Early

A number of parents have requested/advised teachers that they wish to take children out of school on a regular basis before school finishes to attend lessons or therapy sessions.

We are not able to allow this.  By law children are required to attend school every day for the duration of the school day.  The Home School Liaison Officer [HSLO] inspects our rolls each term.  Partial absences [late arrival/early departure] are recorded and will be followed up by the HSLO.

It is most important that children are at school on time at the beginning of the day and remain in class until final bell time.  Children miss valuable learning time and important instructions if they arrive late or leave early.  The message to children that ballet, music, swimming lessons, tutoring or other therapies are more important than school is not one we want the children to receive.  These lessons and sessions need to be organised out of school hours.

From time to time it may be necessary to take children out early or arrive late for specialist appointments, urgent family crisis, etc. . . .  Parents are reminded that they first need to visit the school office and fill out the form provided.  This is a Departmental requirement.

Please contact me if you have any concerns or wish to discuss this. I do appreciate your support.

 

Scripture and Ethics Classes

Yesterday we welcomed our wonderful team of Special Religious Education and Ethics teachers for the first lesson of the school year.  We are most fortunate to have such dedicated clergy and volunteer teachers who provide instruction in these classes in a very positive and nurturing way.  They are all very supportive of the school and work cooperatively with the class teachers and the organising SRE Coordinators Mrs Dudley and Mrs Rabone.

Welcome Scripture and Ethics teachers.

Please note that all classes have been formed, teachers allocated to classes and children will not be able to change classes during the year.

 

P & C Meeting

The first P & C meeting for 2012 will be held on Wednesday 7^th March in the Hall commencing at 8:00pm.  Drinks and light refreshments will be available from 7:45pm.  All parents are most welcome.  All the P & C positions have been filled so new parents need not worry about being asked to take on responsibilities.

I will present a brief report and will outline some changes to our Opportunity Class structure that will be introduced next year.

Come along and be involved in your school.

 

Mandarin Classes – After School

Mandarin classes will commence next week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Mr Creagh’s 5B classroom.  These are NOT for native speakers.  Native speakers who are interested in classes should contact Mandarin Stars. Parents who have enrolled their children will have had confirmation from Mandarin Stars.

 

Parking Illegally and Driving Carelessly

I would like to remind parents of the need to drive carefully and park legally in the streets around the school – particularly at drop off and pick up times.  I have had reports and complaints regarding parents doing “U” turns in Bydown Street, parking across neighbours’ driveways, speeding, driving through the marked pedestrian crossings on Yeo Street and Bydown Street. I am very concerned that a child will be seriously injured or killed.  Please, please be careful.  These are our precious children.  Please take special care with the raised pedestrian crossings on Yeo Street and Bydown Street.  The P & C and School Council have over the past few years requested “lolly pop” people for these crossings.  Traffic volume surveys have been undertaken and the results apparently do not justify the services of “lolly pop” assistance.

I will have no hesitation whatsoever in calling the  police, recording number plates or photographing cars of drivers who are putting the lives of our children at risk.

 

Diary Dates

March

Friday 2^nd – Clean Up School Day

Tuesday 6^th – Zone Swimming Carnival

Wednesday 7^th – P & C Meeting 8:00pm

Thursday 15^th – Selective High School Test – Year 6

Friday 16^th – School Family Picnic

Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th – Special Swimming Scheme Year 2

Thursday 29^th – Rehearsal for Grandfriends Concert

Friday 30^th – Grandfriends Concert

April

Wednesday 4^th – Combined Scripture Service

Thursday 5^th – Last day of Term 1

Tuesday 24^th – School resumes

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         Noa Matsuda 6M who won the Junior Ballet Solo event at the Showcase National Dance Championships at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast. Noa competed against dancers from Australia, NZ and the USA.  Congratulations Noa – you are a star!
• ·         Oscar Bird 6M who has been selected for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy – a training program for elite junior athletes which runs in conjunction with the AFL Talented Play Pathway program.  Well done Oscar and good luck!
• ·         Our wonderful Office and Print Room staff who have had such a busy time over the last few weeks.  The first weeks of the school year are always hectic for these ladies with parent enquiries, money collections, ordering, huge amounts of photocopying and printing, caring for sick and injured children etc.  Our staff has worked many additional unpaid hours to ensure that the children and teachers are so well supported.  Thank you ladies!
• ·         Mrs Susie Rintoul, an ex-parent and local community member who again this year is giving up her time to spend one day each week assisting in our library.  We are most grateful to Mrs Rintoul for her generous support.  What a star!
• ·         5T boys and girls who entered the Class Creative Cupcake Competition each making delicious imaginatively decorated cupcakes.  They were all wonderful! Special recognition to Ripley for his Harry Potter themed cakes and wonderful bugs and beetles, and to Lucas for his gourmet white and dark chocolate extravaganzas.  Mrs Collett is still “licking her lips”.
•           Jessica Wait and Renee Hurley who represented our school at the Northern Sydney Region Harmony Day Workshop yesterday. We look forward to the girls’ report in next week’s newsletter.

 

Nut-Free

A reminder to parents that our school is a nut-free school. We have a number of children who may have an anaphylactic reaction when exposed to nuts. Thank you for your support in this matter.

 

iPads

This week we rolled out iPads to all 145 of our Year 6 children. The boys and girls (and teachers) are so excited! Not only are these devices motivating and engaging, but their potential to improve student learning outcomes has been well documented in many studies both here and overseas. We are the only government school in New South Wales implementing iPads on such a scale. We look forward to seeing how this innovative trial progresses and we’ll keep you posted in future newsletter updates.

Owen Taylor, Deputy Principal

 

Clean Up Australia Day – Reminder

Sunday 4^th March is Clean Up Australia Day. So, on Friday 2^nd March we will be having our own school-based Clean Up Australia Day. Each class will be designated an area in and around the school to clean up. On this day, the children will need to bring gloves and/or tongs and a plastic bag to help clean up our school. Clean up Australia Day reminds us to think about how our rubbish impacts our environment. Rubbish that does not go into bins is washed down drains and can end up in our oceans. We can all make a difference by choosing food products with minimal packaging, recycling where possible and making sure our rubbish all goes in the bin.

Many thanks for your support,

Mrs Cherie Willingham and Miss Alisa Newman, Clean Up Australia Day Coordinators

 

3W’s Visit to the Field of Mars

 

 

On Friday the excursion day I had the best time!  I also remember the leader’s name.  Her name was Julie. She was very nice and kind.  She helped us learn things and told us about where the animals live and lived.  When we were done with that, we had lunch. And then we set off to my favourite stop – getting the crabs. We saw them walk sideways with their big claws.  I caught five crabs.

By Angelina

Last Friday we went on an excursion to the Field of Mars.  The things I liked most were: when we went on the bus and the driver got lost, and when we got there we were all given cameras and I took pictures of things I had never seen before.  At the end I saw a huge lizard that no one else saw.

By Jack

First we all hopped on the bus and the bus driver got confused. So we went round in circles. Then when we got there, we all had a bit to eat and started bush walking.  Once we stopped, we had lunch down by the lake.  After that we all went crab hunting.  Max caught so many crabs his hands looked like a seafood market!  That was my favourite part. Then we went back to bushwalking.  We saw and heard a lot of interesting things.  We were walking on a bridge with no bars so we had to be extremely careful so we didn’t fall off.  As we were walking, we saw tons of crabs.

By Alex

I loved looking at the leaf curing spiders. It was cool.  They are yellow and black.  They also had brown, orange and green on them.  They were in long and fine leaves.  I also loved collecting shells at the beach.  One was a creamy sort of colour. 

By Pyppi

 

6M’s Metric Olympics

A few months ahead and a few thousand kilometres away from the London Summer Olympics, 6M held the Metric Olympics last Friday. The students practised their estimating, converting and measurement skills in four events:  Styro-ball Shot-Put, Paddle –Pop Javelin, Paper Plate Discus and Standing Long Jump.  Although very close, the top estimators and unit conversions were achieved by James, Oscar, Alice, Jaela, Alex, Bailey, Freya and Hwayeon.

Meghan Brand, 6M Class Teacher

Photo Section

 

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  The canteen has been really busy this week, with many children enjoying the new offerings of BBQ Beef sushi and the weekly Beef Burrito special.  Next week we will be serving the Sticky Chicken, which is always popular. 

I would like to thank the new volunteers who have put up their hand to help.  It really is a fun way to spend a day: getting to know other parents in the school while helping to provide healthy, affordable food to the school community.  As you can see below, we still need more helpers, though.  Wednesdays and Thursdays are particularly tough, so if you have even a few hours on those days, it would be a huge help.  Please contact Kristina on 0407 297 691 or at nbpscanteen@gmail.com.

 

Canteen Roster

Monday – Jasmine Lo and Ping Xu

Tuesday – Caroline and Milton

Wednesday – HELP NEEDED PLEASE

Thursday – Renuka until 11.30  HELP NEEDED PLEASE

Friday – Kate Leveaux, Josie Evans and Sara Winchester 2 hours

 

Band News

We’re very pleased to confirm that the following parents have joined us as band coordinators for 2012.  Please look out for email communication from them regarding details for events and performances etc during 2012:

Concert Band Co-ordinators

Susie Ashton-Davies         

0419 462 365           

susie@davies2.com

Leanne O’Grady                   

0417 122 155           

weemala4@bigpond.cm

Karley Heyworth                 

0477 047 349        

 karleyheyworth@yahoo.com.au

Senior Band Co-ordinators

Claudia Stephens              

0417 150 665           

claudia@estoniabeckons.com

Jennifer Neil-Smith            

0400 246 786        

 jneilsmith@yahoo.com.au

Liesel Wightwick                 

0434 354 705          

liesel@wrightwick.org

Junior Band Co-ordinators

Elizabeth Gurr                     

0410 707 498           

elizabethgurr@hotmail.com

Jenny Dunn                        

0402 869 734           

dunn1963@bigpond.com

Thank you to all band parents who attended the band meeting last Friday – it’s no wonder we have such a great band program with such widespread parent involvement.  We promised to come back to you regarding instruments being stored at school.  Mrs Collett has spoken with class teachers and they in turn have advised band children in their classes of the designated place for their band instruments. The teachers will support the children in looking after their instruments.  However, instruments they are ultimately the children’s responsibility so please remind your child of this.  The few very large instruments belonging to band members may be left outside Mrs Collett’s office during the day.

Lastly, you will have seen important email communication this week from your band coordinator about the compulsory band workshop on Sunday 4^th March.  Please ensure this date is in your diary!

Sharon Mitchell & Simone Bird, Overall Band Coordinators

  

Cocktail Party FRIDAY 9th March 2012.

The Principal and the Neutral Bay Public School P&C Committee would love to see you at the Cocktail Party on Friday 9th.

A wonderful way to meet up with friends and new parents  in your school community.

Food and Alcohol provided ($25 per head)

Forms available at the office and the website.

Neutral Bay Afterschool Care will be open on the night. Cost $15 for first child and $5 for other siblings.

So mark in your diaries and come along.

Any queries contact Mona Martyn-Smith (Lillian Yr. 5 and Jim Yr. 2 Mum) 0414 371 061

 

Are you a Single Parent?

Single with Children is a non-profit social group that provides fun and exciting social activities every week specifically for single parents and their children.  It’s a great way to meet or make new friends in your area.  For your free copy of our social calendar contact us today at 1300 300 496 or check the website: www.singlewithchildren.com.au

 

3rd Mosman Cubs

is now looking for new members for the current year.  Scouting offers lots of fun activities and provides a great chance for kids to get outside away from the computer and TV. Cubs (up to 11 years) every Tuesday evening and scouts every Friday.  For more information go to
www.mosmanscouts.org.au or
3rdmosmanscouts@gmail.com or phone Goronwy Price on 0425 216 142

 

 

 

 

From the Principal

 

Thank you! Semester 1 Accounts

Many thanks to all the parents who have paid the Semester 1 fees [pink form sent home last week].  We do appreciate your prompt payment.  [This note is on the website.]

                                               

P and C Parent Welcome Drinks – Friday 9^th March

A blue flyer with full information  and payment details is going home today and is also available on the website.  We are looking forward to seeing all our parents on 9^th March. Our After School Care staff will be providing child minding.

 

Band Parent Information Meeting – Tomorrow 8:30am in the School Hall

All parents of children in Junior, Senior and Concert Bands are invited to the meeting tomorrow morning.  Mr Hampton, Band Master, and Mrs Sharon Mitchell, Overall Band Coordinator, will outline the year ahead and answer any questions.

 

Scripture [K-6] and Ethics [Years 5 and 6]

Scripture and Ethics classes will commence next week on Wednesday 22^nd February.  Children who do not attend these classes are supervised by class teachers.  All children will continue in last year’s classes unless parents notify class teachers in writing of any changes.

New children should have returned yellow forms to teachers – also on the website.

 

Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to all the children who participated in the Swimming Carnival on Monday.  Full results will be published in next week’s Newsletter.  Ribbons will be presented at the next Stage 2 and 3 Assembly. We were treated to some great swims with a number of “PBs” and all giving their best!  My thanks to Mr Thomson and all the teachers for their organisation and work with the Carnival.  Special thanks to the wonderful parents who assisted on the day.  We couldn’t run an event such as this without your help.

We had not intended to hold our Carnival at Cabarita but apparently Drummoyne Pool had been double-booked and a school in their local council area was given priority.  [Our deposit was accepted and banked early in 2011 and we were only notified of the problem two weeks ago.]

Mrs Celine Donnell, in our school office, has spent many tens of hours contacting pools all over Sydney to book our Carnival for next year.  We have secured Drummoyne again and are “wait listed” for several pools.  Understandably, pool bookings are prioritised for schools in a local council area.  Our local pool, North Sydney, will only take bookings for carnivals on Fridays and only for a maximum of three hours.  It is not possible for us to run our carnival in such a short time period.

We would like to be able to take all the children who would like to come to compete and to be spectators next year.  Each year I receive parent complaints about “the long day” for the non- swimmers and about sunburn.  We always provide large pump packs of sunscreen and constantly remind the children to re-apply it during the day.  I am aware that a number of parents keep their children at home rather than have them attend the Carnival.

Next year we will offer children the option to remain at school.

If any parents have any contacts, please speak to Celine in the school office.  We need a 50m pool with a large covered grandstand that is available for a whole day carnival 9am-2.30pm in the first three weeks of Term 1.  Our school entries for the Zone Carnival have to be in by this date.

 

Dogs in the Playground

A number of parents have complained about dogs in our school grounds.  Dogs are not permitted to be on school grounds at any time. Your cooperation with this is much appreciated.

 

Term 1 Dates

February

Friday 17^th – Band Parent Meeting 8:30am

Tuesday 21^st – Parent/Teacher Meeting Year 4HR at 7:00pm

Friday 24^th – Last day for return of Stewart House bags.

 

March

Friday 2^nd – Clean Up School Day

Tuesday 6^th – Zone Swimming Carnival

Wednesday 7^th – P & C Meeting

Thursday 15^th – Selective High School Test – Year 6

Friday 16^th – Family Picnic

Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th – Special Swimming Scheme Year 2

Thursday 29^th – Rehearsal for Grandfriends Concert

Friday 30^th – Grandfriends Concert

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         All our great boys and girls who participated so enthusiastically in the Swimming Carnival on Monday.  Great work by House Captains.  Well done everyone!
• ·         Juliette Davies, Anika Thakur, Ella Ryan and Kye Milne who are all members of the Northern Sydney Regional Band.  It is a great honour to be selected for the Regional Band which plays throughout the year at important functions, events, concerts and at the Schools Spectacular.  Congratulations musicians!
• ·         Our wonderful Canteen Coordinators and volunteer parents who work so hard to provide the delicious, wholesome food for the children.  New parents to the school will be amazed at the high standard of healthy, usually home-cooked food on sale at our canteen.  It really is one of the best in Sydney.
• ·         Bronte Monckton 5K who found a wallet on the bus and immediately handed it in to the driver.  Well done Bronte – I am sure that the owner was most grateful for your honesty.
• ·         Mr Milton Sams [Oliver and Sebastian] who recently returned from an Antarctic trip and who brought back a beautiful, signed book from Port Lockroy 64° 49” South, 63°30” West. This book will be in our school library for all the children to enjoy.  Thank you Milton!

 

Clean Up Australia Day – Reminder

Sunday 4^th  March is Clean Up Australia Day. So, on Friday 2^nd March we will be having our own school-based Clean Up Australia Day. Each class will be designated an area in and around the school to clean up. On this day, the children will need to bring gloves and/or tongs and a plastic bag to help clean up our school. Clean up Australia Day reminds us to think about how our rubbish impacts our environment. Rubbish that does not go into bins is washed down drains and can end up in our oceans. We can all make a difference by choosing food products with minimal packaging, recycling where possible and making sure our rubbish all goes in the bin.

Many thanks for your support,

Mrs Cherie Willingham and Miss Alisa Newman, Clean Up Australia Day Coordinators

 

Primary Schools Chess Teams Competition

Students interested in playing competitive chess are invited to join a school chess team. Students will be placed into a chess team to suit their level of ability and play against students from other schools in the Lower Northern Sydney region.

The competition takes place after school on Fridays during Term 2 and Term 3. Games are played on a ‘home and away’ basis and parents are required to help supervise these games and transport students to away games.

There are three grades in the competition – Championship, Intermediate and Rookie.

To enter, please collect a form from the school office and return it to the office by Wednesday 22^nd  February.

[This form is on the website.]

Why Chess? “There are tremendous benefits for children involved in the competition – new outlook, new friends, intellectual stimulation, improved concentration, a new reason to develop self esteem.” NSW Junior Chess League

The Case for Chess as a Tool to Develop Our Children’s Minds can be found at

www.nswjcl.org.au

Lauren Irvine and Mary Magney, Chess Coordinators

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  We have been very busy warming up the children on cool days, and cooling them down on the rare hot days.  Many of the children have tried the new special of BBQ pork with rice noodles, and have given it high marks.  Next week they will be treated to beef burritos, made freshly in the canteen for the Monday-Thursday special.  I’ve sampled the filling, and it is delicious! 

Please remember that the special is available Monday-Thursday, and that meat pies, sausage rolls, freshly made pizzas, and lasagne are available Fridays only. 

I would also like to clarify that while Friday lunch orders are only available through online ordering, you are most welcome and strongly encouraged to use flexischools every day of the week.  The less time spent counting coins is more time to make beautiful fresh food for the children.

We’ve been really happy to welcome a few new volunteers into the canteen, but with around 150 new students in the school, I’m sure there must be a few more new parents, too!  Please call Kristina on 0407 297 691 or email at nbpscanteen@gmail.com if you can fill a “help needed” space, or would like to be rostered in future weeks.  It really is good fun, and a great way to contribute to the school community, and get to know other parents.

 

Canteen Roster

Monday – Philippa Shelly Jones, Makiko Tokoshiki

Tuesday – Susan Hay, Caroline

Wednesday – Jenny Dunn,  HELP NEEDED

Thursday – Kanako, Elise Lockwood

Friday – Jane Tham, Jodie Frazer, Kate Mitchell 2 hours

 

Band News  

Thank you to the parents who have joined us as band coordinators for 2012.  We really appreciate you stepping up to help with band.  Next week we will provide you with all their names and contact details.

Apologies that Senior Band had to be cancelled last week; best wishes to Mr Browne who is ill at the moment.  We wish him a speedy recovery and we are doing our best to ensure that all Senior Band practices go ahead as per our rehearsal schedule.  Senior Band families, please watch for email alerts with updates.

In the meantime, all bands have come together well and as coordinators we are in the planning stages of the band workshop – again, stay tuned for updates.

A reminder that there is a band parent information session on Friday in the hall at 8.30am.  See you there, especially if you have any queries.

Sharon Mitchell & Simone Bird, Overall Band Coordinators

 

Year 2 & Year 4 Cockatoo Island Family Camp-out CANCELLED

Since the original announcement of Sat 17th March for the Camp-out, another group has taken almost all the available camping packages, leaving too few to accommodate our expected numbers (15 – 20 families).

If you would be interested in participating in a future family camp-out in early Term 2, please send an email to Jennifer Neil-Smith and she will let you know directly if an alternative date is selected.

jneilsmith@yahoo.com.au

 

Willoughby Girls High School Open Night

All welcome at the Open Night on Wednesday 7 March 2012 in the School Hall – 6.15 to 9.00pm.

 

Willoughby Girls High School Extension Class Placement Test

Year 6 students will have an opportunity to sit for a placement test for the Year 7 extension class for Year 7, 2013 for selected students.

Saturday 17 March 2012, 9.15-11.30am, in the School Hall.  Please ring Willoughby Girls High School for further information and to book a test place.  Principal Ms S Young, Phone 9958-4141.  Fax 9967 2174.

 

Lifeline Book Fair

Our first Lifeline Northern Beaches Book Fair for 2012 will take place on the weekend of

24-26 February

at Ted Blackwood Hall, Cnr Jacksons and Boondah Roads, Warriewood.

Opening Times

Fri     24 Feb      2pm — 9pm
Sat   25 Feb       9am — 5pm
Sun  26 Feb       9am — 2pm
We accept Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS. 

As always, your gold coin donation at entry is very much appreciated

Our book fairs are a significant fundraising activity for Lifeline Northern Beaches enabling its community programs such as suicide bereavement, anger management and problem gambling.

Secondly, they offer book lovers and those who are beginning to fall in love with reading an excellent opportunity to purchase quality books at affordable prices.

And thirdly, all our fairs this year will celebrate the National Year of Reading 2012 which offers programs, events and competitions all focusing on literacy and the wonder of books.

To quote Paul Carter, National Ambassador for the National Year of Reading, “Without the simple pleasure of reading, life would just be a broken pencil …… pointless”

 

North Sydney Junior Netball Club
It is not too late to register for the 2012 Netball season. North Sydney Junior Club welcomes girls aged between 8 and 12 – no experience necessary! Please contact Beth Powell for more information on bethiepowell@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     

From the Principal                        

Swimming Carnival Years 3-6

Next Monday, 13^th February, we will hold our annual swimming carnival at Cabarita Swim Centre at Concord.  This year, due to the weather and lack of adequate undercover seating, we will only take competitors.  Permission notes were due to class teachers yesterday.  It is a very long and uncomfortable day for spectators with forecast wet.  We wish all our swimmers the best of luck.  Parents are most welcome to come along.  My thanks to Mr Thomson for his organisation.  Children not attending the carnival should attend school.

 

Parent Information Sessions

In the next weeks we will conduct our Parent Information Sessions.  These will be held in classrooms from 7:00 to 8:00pm on the following dates.

Monday 13^th February – Kinder and Year 1

Tuesday 14^th February – Years 4 and 5 and 3/4M

Wednesday 15^th February – Years 2, 3, 6 and OC

Wednesday 22^nd February – 4HR

Parents are encouraged to attend these important sessions.

 

Parent Welcome Drinks

The P & C will host Parent Welcome Drinks on Friday 9^th March in the School Hall.  I would encourage all our parents to come along to meet members of staff, new parents, renew acquaintances and catch up with friends.  This is a great opportunity to meet the parents of your child’s class mates in a relaxed informal social setting.  My thanks to Gail Minns and her team for the organisation of this function.  I look forward to seeing you on Friday 9^th.

 

Semester 1 Fees

Pink Semester 1 [Terms 1 and 2] sheets were sent home yesterday requesting payment for class requisites and programs.  These cover the art and craft levy, Mathletics subscription, Sports Skills lessons, school magazines etc.

Prompt payment of these fees would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact me if you have any problem with payments.  These accounts are also available on the website.

 

Student References for Private Schools

NSW DEC teachers and principals are not permitted to provide written references for students applying to private schools.  This is well known and understood by most private schools which accept school reports as evidence of application, achievement and behaviour.  While I am not permitted to write a reference, I am most willing to discuss any child with any school to assist with transition to high school.

 

Stewart House Used Clothing Bags

Plastic bags were sent home with children yesterday.  Please return bags to the rear of the hall or classrooms by Friday 24^th February.  Many thanks for your support of this appeal.

 

 

Mandarin Lessons – Reminder

Parents interested in after school Mandarin lessons should contact Will Gibb on 8437-2498 by Friday 17^th February.

 

Band – Important Information Session – What’s On In 2012?

Parents of children in our band program – Junior, Senior and Concert Bands – are invited to a Parent Information Session on Friday 17^th February which 8:30am.   Mr Hampton [Band Master] and Sharon Mitchell [Band Coordinator] will address parents, explaining What’s on in 2012.  All parents welcome.

 

Term 1 Dates

February

Monday 13^th – Swimming Carnival – Years 3-6

Monday 13^th – Parent/Teacher Meetings Kindergarten and Year 1 at 7:00pm

Tuesday 14^th – Parent/Teacher Meetings Years 3/4M 4 and 5 at 7:00pm

Wednesday 15^th – Parent/Teacher Meeting Years 2, 3, 6 and OC at 7:00pm

Friday 17^th – Band Parent Meeting 8:30am

Tuesday 21^st – Parent/Teacher Meeting Year 4HR at 7:00pm

 

March

Friday 2^nd – Clean Up School Day

Tuesday 6^th – Zone Swimming Carnival

Wednesday 7^th – P & C Meeting

Thursday 15^th – Selective High School Test – Year 6

Friday 16^th – Family Picnic

Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th – Special Swimming Scheme Year 2

Thursday 29^th – Rehearsal for Grandfriends Concert

Friday 30^th – Grandfriends Concert

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         All our Kindergarten children who are settling into all class and school routines so easily.  They are a wonderful group of boys and girls who are so keen and interested in learning.  Well done Kinders! Many thanks to the great teachers who are providing such outstanding support to them in these important early days.
• ·         Congratulations to our new Year 5 OC boys and girls who are also settling in to their new school.  We know that it is not easy to change schools in Year 5 – there are many adjustments to be made and for many, more travel involved!  We are very pleased to have you with us at NBPS and know that you will have a wonderful two years in our OC program.
• ·         The Uniform Shop team led by Helen and Irene who have worked so hard filling hundreds of uniform orders and selling so many items of uniform.  We do appreciate all your work and the hours you put in to ensure that all our children are fully “decked out” and look to smart.
• ·         Tom Lockhart 6T who won the NSW 100m and 200m Butterfly events at the NSW State Swimming Carnival in early January.  He also came  2^nd in the 200m Individual Medley winning the silver medal.  Congratulations Tom and best wishes for our school’s carnival on Monday.
• ·         Lillian and Arquette 5CW who have assisted with the distribution of uniform orders to the classrooms.  You are fantastic Uniform Monitors girls!  Many thanks.
• ·         3H for their exemplary behaviour at their first visit to Barry Street park on Tuesday.  Ms Haigh was most impressed.  Well done boys and girls.
• ·         All the boys and girls who auditioned successfully for our Senior Boys and Senior Girls Dance Groups.  Congratulations!

 

 

 

Swimming Caps

We will be selling swimming caps for Monday’s Carnival before school tomorrow and on Monday morning. The House Captains will have a stall set up under the COLA. The caps come in the four house colours and cost $5 each.

 

Primary Ethics

Primary Ethics classes are offered to Year 5 and Year 6 children whose parents wish them to opt out of non-scripture.

These classes are held on Wednesdays as an alternative to Special Religious Education.

If you are interested or would like more information about Primary Ethics go to www.primaryethics.com.au

Alternatively, you can contact Sue Ashton-Davies, Primary Ethics Co-ordinator, either on susie@davies2.com or 0419 462 365.

 

Email Addresses

The parent email addresses used to send out newsletter notifications are extracted from the school’s enrolment database. If you did not receive a notification this week, please update your details at the school office.

Owen Taylor, Deputy Principal

 

Mathletics and Spellodrome

We are currently in the process of updating Mathletics and Spellodrome for 2012. Spellodrome is a program on the Mathletics website that will assist the students with their spelling. The students will be given their account details from their class teacher as soon as possible. The same account details can be used for Mathletics and Spellodrome. Could all students please check that they are able to successfully log into their accounts when their details have been issued.

 

Please note that only Gold Mathletics certificates will be presented to the students throughout the year.  When students earn a Gold Mathletics certificate they will receive this certificate during their Stage Assembly. Children no longer have to add their name to the Mathletics Gold Award box found outside the office. When students earn a Spellodrome gold certificate they can add their name to the Spellodrome Gold Award chart found in their classroom.

 Nadine Walsh and Leanne Gassmann, Mathletics Coordinators

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  The canteen is running smoothly, and most of the children are putting this year’s class on their orders already – an improvement over last year.

We will be trialing some new snacks in coming weeks – look for items like seaweed salad and edamame.  The most popular will be added to the menu.  Also, we will be adding a new type of sushi from next Monday: BBQ beef with veg.  We will also be PUTTING UP THE PRICE OF SUSHI BY $0.20 from Monday to cover increased cost.  Sushi will be $2.90 per roll, still very competitive.

Please remember that Fridays are now online orders only.  You can quickly set up an account with flexischools at www.flexischools.com.au.  Conact Kristina on 0407 297 691 or at nbpscanteen@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.  And please consider giving a day or even a few hours to the canteen.  We are able to maintain low prices on beautiful, fresh food for your children because of volunteers.  If we have to increase paid staff hour, we will have to raise prices! 

 

Canteen Roster

Monday – Help Needed, Gwen Murdoch, Swimming Carnival

Tuesday – Gil Schreiber and Liesel Wightwick

Wednesday – Renuka and Liz Skinner

Thursday – Milton and Ping Xu [2 hours]

Friday – Jane Wilder and Kate Mitchell and Kate Stephens 2 hours.

 

Band News 2012  

A big welcome to the 2012 Neutral Bay Public School band juggernaut!  We’re delighted to confirm that at today’s count we have a total of 182 children from Years 3-6 enrolled in the program across the junior, senior and concert band. 

Thank you to all band parents for bearing with us while we’ve been auditioning the children and ironing out logistics for each band over the past ten days. 

What an exciting year is planned for band members.  Please refer each week to the school newsletter to keep abreast of developments and be sure to take note of emails from your individual band coordinators regarding updates.

Rehearsal times for all bands have been finalised as follows:

Final Band Rehearsal Times

Junior Band – Mondays at 7.45am and Wednesdays at 11.20am (lunchtime)

Senior Band – Tuesdays at 7.45am and Thursdays at 12.50pm (lunchtime)

Concert Band – Fridays at 7.45am and Tuesdays at 12.50pm (lunchtime)

We also wanted to take this early opportunity to let you know some key upcoming dates for all the bands – please mark them in your diaries as follows:  

Save the Date  

Friday 17 February at 8.30am

Band parent meeting for ALL parents – what to expect in 2012.

Location: School hall 

Sunday 4 March from 1.00pm-4.00pm

Compulsory band workshop for ALL band members.

Location: At school (various locations)

Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6 (overnight)

Compulsory band camp for ALL band members.

We’ll let you know of other key dates as they are confirmed.

Simone Bird and Sharon Mitchell, Overall Band Coordinators

 

Uniform Shop

Welcome back from all of us here at the Uniform Shop! As usual at the beginning of the new school year, it’s been pretty busy at the shop and all of our wonderful volunteers have been putting in extra hours to make sure we get orders out to families as quickly as possible! 

Save time – shop online!

www.flexischools.com.au

We’re so pleased that the online ordering system is up and running and we really urge you all to make full use of it.  Using Flexischools is easy! If you haven’t tried it, just head to the website, enter our school name and register your child.  Then it’s a few simple steps to place your order and pay and we’ll do the rest – with orders placed before 3pm being delivered the next day.  Using Flexischools helps our volunteers too, as it speeds up the process of getting items out of the shop and delivered to classrooms. 

Uniform Shop Monitors

Thank you and welcome to those children who have been given the responsibility of Uniform Monitors, welcome to the team …….

You’ve all done a marvellous job so far this week, making sure that all of our deliveries are made, thank you so much from all of the uniform shop volunteers.

 

Learn Music on Keyboard at Neutral Bay Public School – Enrolment for Term 1

To enrol please call 9411 3122

45-min lesson weekly, small group

Music theory + Instrument playing

Instrument not required initially.

www.learnmusicatschool.com.au

 

Orchestra/String Group

Our String Group is looking for more musicians to join in 2012. We meet on Wednesdays during term from 7:45 am at the Multipurpose room. Copies of the enrolment form are available at the school office.  If your child would like to play the violin, viola or cello in the group, please contact Rachel Miller on 0429 772 066 or millersmusicstudio@live.com 

 

Like Alpine Skiing, XC Sking or Snowboarding?

Be part of the 2012 NBPS Snow Sports Team!

The Interschools Snow Sports Competition is on again this year.  Last year over 3500 Primary School children from across Australia competed in the competition series and more are expected this year.  It’s a great opportunity for kids to have heaps of fun! 

NBPS has entered a team into the Interschools for the past 7 years and we are looking for skiers and boarders from Kindy to Year 6 interested in joining the NBPS Snow Sports Team. 

Our Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Team will compete at Perisher from 11 to 14 July 2012. 

If you would like your child to be part of this fun event please contact: 

Tel:   0408 281828  Email:  sharmila.soorian@ihug.com.au

Sharmila Soorian (Taj Astill, 2N) NBPS Interschools Snow Sports Coordinator

 

Year 2 + Year 4 Cockatoo Island Camp Out : Sat 17th March

Please note that the date for the Camp Out is Saturday 17^th March, and not Saturday 27^th March as mentioned in last week’s newsletter.

 

Norths Pirates Junior Rugby Union Club

The Pirates are your local junior rugby union club located at Tunks Park, Cammeray.

Our players can look forward to being introduced to the skills and tactical concepts of Rugby in a safe and fun environment that lets them develop their sporting skills and confidence with an emphasis on fair play, safety, teamwork and sportsmanship.

• Walla Rugby –  Under 6 and 7

A simple, non-tackling introduction to the game which allows children to use the ball, by combining the skills of passing, catching and running. It is played on a smaller field seven players per side.

• ·         Mini and Midy Rugby – Under 8 to Under 17

Continues the theme of free-flowing, running and passing Rugby. Most importantly, it introduces the young player to the contact elements of the game such as tackle, ruck and maul.

Information and Registration days will be held at Tunks Park from 10am to 12pm, 5^th and  12th  February. www.northspirates.rugbynet.com.au

Contact : Bill Rees 0416 16 1477       E: northspirates@tpg.com.au

 

Sydney University Junior Hockey

is registering players now!  We are based on the north shore and participate in the Northern Area winter competition. 

The Club currently has vacancies in the U/9, U/11 and U/13 age groups.  We train on Monday each week and our games are on Saturday mornings and Friday nights.  Our coaches are great – they are mostly 1st grade players who are Hockey Scholarship holders from Sydney University.



If you are interested in playing field hockey, we would love you to join our Club.  Beginners are very welcome in every age group.



Registration Day is 2pm to 4pm, Sunday 17 February at the Clubhouse, Primrose Park, Young Street, Neutral Bay or email:   juniorhockey@suhc.asn.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Principal                                                                                      

Congratulations 2012 School Leaders

Last week the school leaders for 2012 were announced.  This followed the  nomination presentation of speeches by 93 children and the election by their peers.  Competition for the 32 [the number of classes] places on the Student Representative Council is very tough with so many outstanding boys and girls nominating for these leadership positions.  We are very fortunate to have such fine young people wanting to take on additional responsibilities at Neutral Bay.

The children will be presented with their badges by Mrs Jillian Skinner, the NSW Minister for Health, at tomorrow’s Year 5 and 6 Presentation Assembly.

The school captains for 2012 are Lucy Woodcock and Eliza Wright, Kye Milne and Alexander Frisina.

The SRC members are:

Jaela Barney, Oscar Bird, Alice Bishop, Darcy Bradley, Oscar Brisset, Angus Carre, Benjamin Dempsey, Sophie Dews, Ryo Enomoto, Will Franklin, Rohan Geraghty, Samuel Hansen, Brittanie Hsu, Renee Hurley, Georgie Joyce, Milly Joyce, Amelia Langley, James Leeming, Thomas Lockhart, Evie Maslen, Max Mikkelsen, Ella Ryan, Jun Sasagawa, Jessica Wait, Samuel Watkins, Sharon Xu, Koh Yamada, Josiah Zanardo.

These incoming leaders have big shoes to fill!  Charlotte, Matt, Maya and Daniel have been outstanding school captains this year.  The SRC boys and girls have provided exemplary leadership and been fine role models for all the children at NBPS.  I am very proud of all these wonderful young people.

Other children will be able to nominate for House [Sports] Captains and Vice Captains, Library Monitors, Sound and Light Monitors and Canteen Assistants.  I encourage the children who missed out on SRC positions to volunteer for these positions of responsibility.

 

Final Assemblies

Parents are invited to join us for our final assemblies.

Years 5 and 6 – Friday 9^th – concert Band and Senior Choir will perform

                             Full summer uniform – not sports uniform to be worn

Years 3 and 4 – Monday 12^th – Senior Band and Junior Choir will perform

Years 1 and 2 – Tuesday 13^th – String Ensemble will perform.  Every child in Years 1 and 2 will perform in class items.

Kinder Graduation – Wednesday 14^th – This is a very special event for all our Kinder children and their families.  Every Kindergarten child will perform.

 

Orchestra/String Group

Our String Group is looking for more musicians to join in 2012.  If your child would like to play violin, viola or cello in the group, please see attached link here.

 

End of Year Family Picnic

Reminder – Family Picnic – Friday 9^th December – 6:00pm – BYO Everything – Live Music.

Wet Weather organisation: Hall and COLA.

 

Year 6 Farewell

We are all looking forward to the Year 6 Farewell next Wednesday evening.  This is always a very special night for the children parents and teachers.  My thanks to Mr Taylor and the wonderful group of parents for their organisation.  It promises to be a most memorable occasion.

 

Student Reports

Student Semester 2 reports will be sent home with the children next Thursday.  If your child will not be at school next week, please let class teachers know and the report will be sent to the home address or retained by the office for collection next year.  If you do not receive a report, please contact the office.

Party Day and Talent Quest

The last day of term – Friday 16 December – is our Party Day.  Children may come in “mufti” and bring a small amount of party food to share with friends, in addition to their usual lunch.

The Years 3-6 Talent Quest will be held on Thursday 15 December.  Mr Thomson has already spoken to the children about the organisation for the Talent Quest.  Parents are most welcome to attend.  This is a low key event – not a competition – no prizes – not a school concert.  It is an opportunity for the children to perform and have some fun!

Miss Barnard will also organise something similar for the Year 2 children and will send home more information next week.

 

Year 2 Bus Passes for 2012

Year 2 children who are eligible for free bus passes need to reapply for passes for 2012.  Please go to the office for application forms.

 

Final Newsletter

As this will be the final Newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents who have supported and assisted us in so many ways in 2011.  Most of our parents are busy working parents or busy at home with little ones – but still find time to assist in the classrooms, canteen, uniform shop, with the P&C, bands, excursions and attend functions and fundraising events.  Your continuing support of our school is greatly appreciated.  A strong supportive parent community is one of the most important ingredients in a successful school.

I want to pay tribute to the wonderful teachers at our school and the office staff who support the teachers, parents and children.  We are most fortunate to have such a committed team of professionals who give so much to the children and are always prepared to “go the extra mile”. 

I am particularly grateful to Mr Owen Taylor and Mrs Gai Javorsky, our two Deputy Principals, for their outstanding leadership, energy and support of all the staff and students.

Special thanks to Mr Michael who works tirelessly to look after our school buildings, grounds and all our equipment.  He really is our “Mr Fixit”!

I am constantly impressed and inspired by our wonderful children who come to school each day “bright eyed” and wanting to learn.  Their obvious joy in learning makes our job so worthwhile.  Our boys and girls are generally sunny, well behaved, courteous, caring and conscientious. It really is a privilege to work with such a fantastic group of young people.

I wish our year 6 students the very best for the future and look forward to sharing their special night with them next Wednesday.  They have been wonderful leaders and will be greatly missed.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and enjoyable summer holidays.  My best wishes to every Neutral Bay Family.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school next year.

Year 1-6 – Monday 30^th January

Year 5 OCs – Tuesday 31^st January at 10:00am

Kindergarten – Thursday 2^nd February

Note:  The Uniform Shop will be open on Friday 27^th January at 9:00am

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         Our choir members- both Junior and Senior  – who sang so well on Sunday at the Nutcote Carols held here at school because of the poor weather.  Many thanks to Miss Muston for your work with the children. We received this letter from the organisers:

On behalf of Nutcote I would like to thank you most sincerely for the gift of music last night.

The choirs were excellent and a great credit to you, your teaching staff and the school.

The evening was a huge success and a wonderful start to the festive season.

With our very best wishes for the festive season.

Regards, Jenny Mathieson and the Nutcote Event Team.    

• ·         Melinda Hayes who organised the Kinder picnic last Sunday.  It was a shame the rain came on Sunday morning – however, the children tell me they had great fun!
• ·         All the Year 6 boys and girls who organised the Mini Fete stalls and activities.  It was a lot of fun!  Thank you to the teachers for all their organisation and support of the children.  The Mini Fete raised $3,381.80 which will be used to purchase the Year 6 farewell gift to the school.
• ·         Our school chess champions: Max Mikkelson, Adrian Freiburg, Sam Rogers, Ryan Seeto, Naomi Stephens and Aiden Odenthal.  Great work!  Thanks to everyone who entered the championship. Many thanks to Miss Magney for her organisation.
• ·         All the boys and girls in our three bands who performed so beautifully at the end of year Band Concert last Thursday evening.  Congratulations on excellent performances.
• ·         Laef Whittaker 5K who represented North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club at the South Maroubra Junior Carnival on Saturday, completing his first major rough water ocean swim.  Well done Laef!
• ·         Callum Fraser, a Senior Band member, who so willingly lent his clarinet to a Junior Band member whose instrument had been forgotten for the Band Concert.  There was much distress and Callum saved the day without a blink.  Thank you Callum!
• ·         Asher Simkins 6L was invited by SCECGS Redlands – her Year 7 school – to take part in the annual Swimming Carnival last Thursday.  Asher came 1^st in backstroke and breaststroke, and 2^nd in freestyle and butterly – taking the 12-Year Age Champion Medal!  Fantastic results Asher! Congratulations!
• ·         All the boys and girls involved in Drama Club and Glee Club.  We are looking forward to your performances next week.  Thanks to Miss Taylor for all her work with both these lunch time clubs.
• ·         Congratulations to Erika Blendell, Noa Matsuda and Carolyn Chen who have all been invited to a call back audition for the Sydney North Junior Dance Ensemble for 2012.  The auditions will be held in February next year.  The competition for these places is very tough with so many talented dancers.  Well done girls and best of luck with the call back!

 

Homework Survey: Parent Response Summary

Thank you to all of the parents who took time to complete our homework surveys. We now have plenty of data to help inform future planning. We received 173 responses to our online parent homework survey – 65 of those responses were for K-2 children and 108 for children in Years 3 -6. 

Here are the response percentages for each question:

How much time, on average per week, does your child spend on homework tasks, including reading?

0 – 30 minutes                      4.6%

30 minutes – 1 hour 15.4%

1 – 2 hours                 34.3%

2 – 3 hours                 18.3%

More than 3 hours   27.4%

 

How much encouragement or assistance does your child require to complete homework tasks?

None – independently and willingly does homework.                          17.6%

A little – from time to time.                                                               41.2%

A lot – would not do homework tasks without parental involvement. 41.2%

 

Do you consider the standard or level of homework tasks your child is expected to complete to be:

Appropriate   82.6%

Too difficult   4.8%

Too easy        12.6%

 

Do your child’s homework tasks assist you to be more informed or involved with your child’s learning?

Yes     78.3%

No       21.7%

 

Does completing homework tasks cause stress or anxiety for your child?

Never             31.5%

Sometimes    50.0%

Often              18.5%

 

Does completing homework tasks cause you stress or anxiety?

Never             35.4%

Sometimes    47.0%

Often              17.7%

 

How often do you do some or all of your child’s homework for them?

Never             70.1%

Occasionally 26.2%

Regularly       3.7%

Always                       0.0%

 

The general comments were mixed in support of and against homework, and regarding the amount of homework set. Some parents thought that homework was essential, others felt their children were busy enough already.

 

Homework Survey: Student Response Summary

313 children in Years 3-6 completed the online student homework survey. Here is a summary of their responses:

 

How much time do you spend on homework each week including reading?

0 – 30 minutes                      7.9%

30 mins – 1 hour       22.2%

1 – 2 hours                 21.9%

2 – 3 hours                 23.1%

More than 3 hours   24.9%

 

How much help do you need from an adult to complete homework?

None – I can do all my homework myself.           37.3%

A little – with some difficult tasks.              61.4%

A lot – I need help with all of my homework.       1.2%

 

Do you think the amount of homework you have to do is:

Too much      27.4%

Just right        65.4%

Not enough   7.2%

 

Do you think the homework you have to do is:

Too easy        16.7%

Just right        80.2%

Too hard        3.1%

 

Does doing homework make you feel anxious or worried or cause you stress?

Never             35.8%

Sometimes    55.9%

Often              8.3%

 

Given the diversity of opinions, we plan to make homework a focus in our 2012 School Management Plan, and will continue the conversation with parents in the new year. Further details of the homework survey will be provided in our 2011 Annual School Report.

 

Dangerous Pedestrian Behaviour

In the last two weeks, several parents have spoken to me about the unsafe road-crossing practices by children at our school. We do live in a busy, built-up area with a regular stream of traffic before and after school. Please discuss with your children the importance of looking both ways before they cross the road. Some children assume that because there is a pedestrian crossing or a ‘green man’ that it is ok to cross without looking, which is not the case. We need to protect our precious children by teaching them the correct road safety messages.

Owen Taylor, Deputy Principal

 

Mathletics

Congratulations to the following students who have received GOLD certificates this term. Well done and keep up the great work!

Kindergarten

Mayuri Aithala, Elliot Hudson, Pavle Hornby, Alexandra Suttor

Year 1 

Mika Floury, Gracie Bottomley, Sofia Nearhos, Toby Willington, Ruby Scott, Vetaka Viseshom,

Year 2 

Timothy Doubinski, Mallika Aithala, Alexandra Dent, Aoibh Costello, Jack Wormald

Year 3

Anna De Lange, Adrian Freiburg, Alexandra Kourakis, Billie Clow, Zahra Padmanathan, Gautam Chintala, Jonathon Woodcock

Year 4

Lily-Ann Aspley-Smith, Tess Guo, Samantha Wavish-Dixon, Shirley Chan, Dylan Odenthal, Lara Bate

Year 5

Victor Steel,

Leanne Gassman, Debbie Horsley and Nadine Walsh, Mathletics Coordinators

 

 

School Chess Championship

 On Monday 5 December, 26 students from Year 1 to Year 6 participated in the annual school chess competition. Congratulations to this year’s School Chess Champion, Max Mikkelsen. Max has had many successes in chess competitions played in and out of school throughout the year and is a worthy recipient of this coveted award. Adrain Frieberg will be a student to watch next year. This Year 3 player came in second place and Sam Rogers in third place.

Medals for outstanding play in each stage group were awarded  to:

Stage 3 – Ryan Seeto

Stage  2- Naomie Stephens

Stage 1 - Aidan Odenthal

 Congratulations to all the students who entered into the competition: Guillaume Troadec, John Marshall, Richard  Zhou, Ryo Enomoto, Kieran Connor, Ben Crimp, Ethan Low, Dylan Odenthal, Alex Au, Jonny Woodcock, Leah  Guo, Ripley  Voeten, Tess  Guo, Loukas  Triantis, Reni  Mazzagatti, Aidan Odenthal, Maxime Troadec, Tom Siede, Sonia Freiburg, Astrid Girdis and Oscar Brisset.

Mary Magney, Chess Coordinator

Christmas Bells

Oh!

Santa’s riding reindeer with the presents in the sleigh,

We’ll decorate the Christmas tree and sleep till Christmas day.

Hey!

On the door there is a wreath with lots of tinsel,

And this time I won’t rest my head on the windowsill.

We’ll wake up in the morning and the presents will be there,

Hopefully he’ll give me a little teddy bear.

Oh!

Santa’s riding reindeer with the presents in the sleigh,

We’ll decorate the Christmas tree and sleep till Christmas day.

Hey!

By Chantelle Forder 3/4M

 

Visit to 6J

On 8 December Mrs Baker’s brother-in-law, Kevin Baker, came in to teach us about his job in the animation industry. He had been in many films and games such as LA Noire and Happy Feet 2. He told us what it was like in the industry and the many different ways that games are made. He also recommended a few of his favourites programs to us. He told us that he loves his job and he is not in it for the money. He was happy to stay awhile and show me and my friends some programs and answer some questions. Overall, it was extremely interesting and he is a very good role model. I hope to be a game designer like him.

Declan Clunes 6J

Today Mrs Baker’s brother-in-law, Kevin Baker, came into 6J to tell us about his job. He worked in the animation and games industry. In his career he worked on many films such as Night at the Museum. He also worked on LA Noire, a game that has come of the best character designs to date. Kevin told us that you don’t have to do one job for your whole life and you can change what you do. He also said that you should always do a career for the love of the job and not the money. After he answered all of our questions and showed us the programs he uses for his job. So thank you Kevin for sharing that information with us.

Felix Lempriere 6J

 

Poems from 6J

Moods

Lounging on the log,

Or ‘sleeping’ in the sun.

Laziness is so much fun,

Especially when there are things to be done! 

 

My face gets hot

My voice gets loud

I can’t control my face

Or the unpredictable sound

 

My stomach is tensed

Like my mind and my mouth.

Sweaty hands are clenched

Like the lips I don’t trust.

 

I start to panic

My legs want to run

But my mind is frozen

And  can’t make a sound

 

A bounce in my skip,

A spring in my step.

Delirious glee

Is happiness for me!

 

Tears start appearing

Running down my face

There’s a lump in my throat

I’m such a miserable case

 

The food is the same,

The life is the same.

I’m incredibly bored

And I’m going insane!

Giselle Dreyer and Janae Cheung

 

The Eternal Cycle

Summer

Sunlight dances through

The silky water,

On to sculptured sand.

Autumn

Dead leaves hide my feet

Wading through autumns remnants.

Snap, cracker and pop!

Winter

Slow drops fall to earth,

Soaking the already wet,

So green shoots may bloom.

Spring

Colours excploding,

Throufh moise soil and bright green grass.

Petals blanket earth.

Giselle Dreyer

 

I am Mary

I am Mary

I am complicated and confusing.

I wonder about my future

I hear the turning of well-read pages.

I see a never-ending library; I want to read it all.

I am Mary.

 

I pretend that no-one else exists; when I’m reading.

I feel excited.

I touch the spines of books.

I worry about the real world.

I cry for my dead dogs.

I am Mary.

 

I understand my parents problems.

I say they try hard to fix them. But,

I still dream of never-ending libraries.

I try to deal with the real world.

I hope I can learn to.

I am Mary.

Mary Davidson

 

Why I Love Poetry

I love poetry for a lot of different reasons.  I love the way the words flow together, or are pulled apart.  I love the cleverness in the way they sound when read aloud.  I love their different rhythms, and how they are almost music.  I love that in a well written poem, you hardly notice the rhyming, and I love the way you can convey the deepest of feelings through a few simple words.

Mary Davidson

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Special Meeting of the P&C Thursday 15 December 08:45: Canteen Refurbishment

A special meeting of the P&C will be held next week to delegate and finalise terms of reference for a sub-committee of the P&C to research options for the refurbishment of the canteen to meet anticipated needs over the next 5-10 years. All parents are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room.

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  It has been a terrifically busy year in the canteen, and we’ve loved every minute of it (well, most of them!).  The more I learn about canteens in our area, the more grateful I am for the volunteer support, our fantastic menu of healthy foods, and the great support we get from the administration and Mr. Michael.

A few reminders as we head into the last week: the special from Monday-Thursday is the Hip Hot Doggie, which can be served plain, with just sauce, just cheese, or both sauce and cheese. 

The canteen will not be open on Friday 16^th.

Please send your children to school with lunch and recess. 

Also, from the start of next year, Friday lunches will be online only.  Recess will be cash-over-the-counter as usual.  There will be signs up to help you remember, as well as other communications.  Please be assured, however, that we will always feed the children, no matter what!  Feel free to contact Kristina on 0407 297 691 or at nbpscanteen@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Also, please let me know if you can fill the gap on Monday of next week!

 

Canteen Roster

Monday – Lesley Carre – HELP!

Tuesday – Jane Bush, Liesel Wightwick

Wednesday – Renuka Viseshom, Monika Zanardo

Thursday – Ping Xu, Elise Lockwood

Friday – CANTEEN CLOSED

 

Uniform Shop
It’s all go with Flexischools!
We are pleased to announce that from Monday 12th December all school uniform items are available to order online through
the Flexischools website.  If you haven’t already registered, it only takes a few minutes and then it’s so easy to select items,
complete payments and have your order either delivered to your child’s classroom or collected from the uniform shop on a
Tuesday morning.
Go to www.flexischools.com.au<http://www.flexischools.com.au> and have a look!
Last Orders for Christmas
The last day for orders to be completed before school closes for the holidays is Wednesday 14th December, deliveries
will be made on Thursday 15th December.
All orders placed after this time will be ready for school returning in January and can be collected from the uniform shop
on Friday 27th January or delivered to classrooms during the first week of Term 1 2012.
Holiday Opening Times
The Uniform Shop will be open on Friday 27th January from 8.30am until 10.30am, to help to get you organised before school
resumes.  If you know what you’re looking for then place your order through Flexischools, you can have your order ready
for collection on that day from the shop. Or alternatively we’ll be there to help you get kitted out for the new year! The usual system
for ordering through the school office or be emailing the uniform shop direct will also continue.
Thank you Volunteers
I wanted to say thank you again to all of the wonderful volunteers who have helped with the uniform shop this year, we really couldn’t do it without you! Thank you to Irene Bottomley, Erica Kidston, Eilidh Kennedy, Marion Braslin and Maria Gimenez for all of your efforts every week, it’s always service with a smile and it’s very much appreciated!
Special Thanks
I wanted to give a special thank you too to Claudia Solomons this week for all of her hard work and dedication in the Uniform Shop over the past few years. Claudia’s daughter Yvonne Clark Lewis 6T will be leaving Year 6 and she’ll no longer be able to help us in the shop, she’s going to
be such a miss to us, thank you Claudia.
Happy Holidays
Helen and the Uniform Shop Team

 

Year 6 Farewell, Informal Parent Dinner at Mosman RSL next Wednesday December 14

If you haven’t already bought tickets you have until midnight this Saturday to jump online and buy them at http://www.stickytickets.com.au/7129  

Tickets will not be available after this time as the organisers need to finalise numbers for catering purposes. No tickets will be sold on the night.

Please come and support the last big social event of your child’s primary school life. It’ll be a great night, kicking off at 6.45 after the kids are dropped off for their separate event and concluding at around 9.15pm.

Tickets are $29 a head and include finger food. Drinks are to be bought separately at bar prices. Siblings are not invited.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next Wednesday!

The Year 6 Farewell Dinner organising committee  

 

Year 3 – End of Year Family Picnic

Sunday December 11^th

From 10.30am

Clifton Gardens Reserve

We anticipate gathering close to the enclosed playground and under a big tree.

All of Year 3, their families & teachers are welcome        

BYO picnic, chairs & drinks. There is a small cafe but it can get very busy on nice days!

There is no wet weather plan, fingers crossed for sunshine.  There is paid parking available adjacent to the reserve.  There is no need to RSVP, just come along.

Look forward to seeing you there.

 

The Neutral Bay Community Christmas Carols will be held on Sunday 18 December from 6pm at the Neutral Bay Club, Westleigh Street (end of Barry Street), Neutral Bay. Carols will be performed by the St Augustine’s Church Choir and Band from 6pm. Residents, families and friends are invited to join in the festive celebrations by bringing a rug and picnic, and sitting in Ilbery Park; alternatively enjoy the facilities of our local Club which will serve food and beverages from 5pm. Children are welcome to dress in the Christmas spirit and sit in front of the band as the carols are played. In the event of wet or inclement weather, carols will be held at St Augustine’s, Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

 

From the Principal

 

Cyberbullying

I have had very positive feedback from a number of parents who attended last week’s parent Forum with Susan MacLean at Mosman High School.  It was disappointing that more parents were not able to attend as it was most informative and somewhat disturbing.  It was also timely as this week teachers and parents have had to deal with issues relating to the inappropriate use of social network sites including Penguin Club and Moshie Monster.  Passwords have been shared by children and a good deal of hurt caused.

Susan’s tips for parents included:

• ·         delete does not mean gone for ever
• ·         always have home computers in shared spaces – not bedrooms
• ·         Facebook should never be permitted for primary aged children – teachers were advised to report any children on Facebook in their classes
• ·         parents must always be their child’s friend on Facebook
• ·         parents must have children’s passwords
• ·         passwords must be secure – mix of upper/lower case, numerals, symbols etc [not pet’s names or other obvious  choices]
• ·         check your child’s messages or their photos
• ·         be aware of any changes in child’s behaviour
• ·         future employers will request digital profiles.

 

End of Year Picnic

Reminder – We are all looking forward to a fine evening for our Family Picnic to be held on Friday 9^th December from 6:00pm in the playground.  Bring Your Own everything or order in!

 

Year 6 Mini Fete

Tomorrow the Year 6 boys and girls will host their annual Mini Fete.  This will be lot of fun for everyone.  The Year 6 children have planned activities, games, food and drink stalls which they will set up in the Hall, Multi Purpose Room and the playground.

The Year 5 children will assist the Kindergarten children at the Mini Fete with the activities and with handling money.  They will eat their lunch first!

The money raised by the Year 6 children will be used to purchase their farewell gift to the school.

Children should bring small amounts of money, preferably in coins – no more than $10 please for Years 3-6 and $5 for K-2.

 

Art by Kids Cards

Art by Kids cards were sent home with the children this week.  Congratulations to Ryo, Sarah H, Leo and Maya P whose cards were all selected for school use.  Thanks to Nita Parkes for her organisation of this fundraiser.

  

Choir Visits to Nursing Homes

Next Wednesday our Junior and Senior choirs will be visiting two local nursing homes to sing for the elderly residents.  This is always a very special occasion for both our children and the older people.  Many of the residents of the nursing homes don’t see young people and they always love our visit.  It is heart warming to see their reactions!  It is a lovely opportunity for our children to bring joy and pleasure to the older people particularly at this time of the year.  My thanks to Miss Muston and Miss Haigh for their organisation.  Our choirs will also be singing at the Nutcote Carol Evening this Sunday.  Thank you boys and girls and parents.

 

Term 4 Dates

December

Friday 2^nd – Mini Fete – Year

Tuesday 6^th – Years 5 and 6 Cybersafety, and Parent Session 6:30pm

Friday 9^th – Years 5 and 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 and 4 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 and 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kindergarten Graduation 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th –Year 6 Farewell                      

Friday 16^th – Last day of term

January 2012

Monday January 30^th – 1^st day of Term 1 2012 for Years 1 to 6

Tuesday January 31^st – Year 5 OC commence

Thursday February 2^nd – Kindergarten commences

Friday 27^th and Saturday 28^th January are Teacher Planning Days.

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         Congratulations to Henry Quibell-Arnott 2DH who represented Mosman Little Athletics on Saturday at Olympic Park in the State Relay Championships.  The team was placed 5^th in the heats and made the finals.  Great work Henry!
• ·         Congratulations to Jacqueline Brown 6T who was awarded an A for her recent AMEB Grade 6 Piano exam.  Great result, Jacqueline!
• ·         Congratulations to MayaYaffe 6T who was awarded an A in her recent AMEB Grade 8 Violin exam.  Wonderful result, Maya! What next?
• ·         A big thank you to Leith Wavish [Elliot Year 1 and Samantha Year 4]  who took the time to come to Kindyland and talk to the children about dinosaurs. Leith is a paleontologist and she fascinated Kindy with stories of our own Australian dinosaur discoveries. The slide show and presentation were fabulous.  You are a star Leith!  Kindy loved your visit.
• ·         Ryo Enomoto 5C won two gold medals in full contact and kata (movement pattern) divisions at Shinkyokushin Karate Northern Beaches Tournament on 27th November.  Well done Ryo!
• ·         Hamish Lesley 2N who helped the Mayor of Mosman unveil a plaque to name Beauty Point Park. Well done Hamish!
• ·         5C secretly and successfully organised a surprise birthday party for Miss Carnegie’s birthday and held it at lunchtime “on the day”.  The giant iced cupcake/birthday cake was much appreciated together with the music, food and presents.  Well done 5C! Great planning!
• ·         A big “1-2-3 Wolf” to Isaac Irvine and Ollie Elmgreen who represented Balmoral Sea Scouts at last Thursday’s Australian Citizenship Ceremony held by Mosman Council. Both Cubs were great ambassadors for their Group and also Scouting in general. The Cubs acted as ushers, ceremonial escorts for the Mayoral procession and finally as waiters helping to serve food at the function which followed. Well done boys !
• ·         Max Mikkelsen, Kieren Connor and Ryan Seeto competed in the NSW Primary Schools Chess Finals last Sunday. Congratulations boys on this wonderful achievement.

 

Presentation Day Assemblies

The first of our end of year assemblies takes place next Friday. Our Year 5 & 6 Assembly is on Friday 9^th December, the Years 3 & 4 Assembly is on Monday 12^th December, the Years 1 & 2 Assembly will be on Tuesday 13^th December and our Kindergarten Graduation will be held on Wednesday 14^th December. All assemblies commence at 9:30am and parents are welcome to attend. Parents of Year 3 – 6 children receiving class, special or sports awards, including our 2012 SRC members, will receive a note from their child’s teacher today or tomorrow.

 

Cybersafety talks

On Tuesday, 6^th December representatives from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) are visiting our school to talk with our Year 5 & 6 children about Cybersafety. They will meet with the teachers after school and there will also be a presentation for parents from 6:30 – 8pm in the Hall. Cybersafety and digital citizenship are very important issues for our children. If you missed the Susan MacLean talk earlier this term, you should come along to this one next week. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided.

 

Milo Cup regional Cricket Final

On Tuesday the 28^th November the School participated in the Regional  Finals  of the Milo Cup at Morrison Bay. It was a beautiful day for cricket and the setting was perfect. The overall standard was incredibly high. Our boys team played three matches and unfortunately were defeated in the first two, but managed to win the third. They battled hard in every game and were disappointed to lose the games they did. They should be proud of their efforts and I know they had a really fun time taking part. The boys also managed to win their last game too to finish in fifth position over all not bad considering 108 schools took part in the whole competition overall!

 The girls had a fabulous time competing against the other schools but like the boys won only one of their three games. They also should all be very proud of their efforts and be content with the fact that the school is incredibly proud of their efforts too. The sportsmanship and general attitude was exemplary from all of the students.

Owen Taylor, Deputy Principal

 

School Chess Championship

I hope that all the girls and boys entered in the annual School Chess Championship have been practising for this coming Monday. Thank you to all the children who have given their permission notes and payment into the office already. There is still time to sign up and notes are available from the office and the school web site.

Players are asked to go straight to the school hall after morning lines on Monday 5th December to begin at 9.30 am sharp. Children in K-2 will be collected from their classroom. Good luck everybody!

Mary Magney, Chess Coordinator

 

Milo Cup

On Wednesday 9^th November 11 boys and 11 girls played in a cricket competition called the Milo Cup. We arrived at Nolans Reserve Manly at 9:00am and it was already 30 degrees.

The boy’s first game was against St Augustine’s and we decided that we wanted to bat. We started a bit slowly but got better as the game went on. We scored a good total of 60 runs. It was a good total but not enough to be comfortable. We bowled extremely well and they only got 24 runs.

Our next game was against Cromer Public School. This time we decided to bowl first. Turns out it was the right decision because they only scored 39 runs. We then went on to bat and we got a total of 70 runs, which meant we had demolished the other team yet again.

The girls were a bit worried on how to play cricket which showed in our first game. We started bowling not knowing what to do most of the time but had great fun. Our bowling was off target and our batting was ok. We finished the game losing by 5 runs and we knew we had to improve.

Having found our feet and figured out what to do from our first game we were now ready for our second game. Batting was great fun and we started hitting many 4s which helped us to a nice total. Our bowling improved with not giving as many runs away from wides and no-balls. This helped up win our next two games which put us into the final.

After lunch we found out that both the girls and boys had both made the final and were both playing Harbord Pubic School. This was going to be a close one for both teams.

Unfortunately we, the girls, lost by 8 runs but from the start of the competition we had improved immensely and all the girls should be proud of their performance. 

The boys decided to bowl first in our grand final. Our first over was a good one and then Zac Morris got 4 wickets in one over! They went on to only score 45 runs, which was an average total, but we knew they were good bowlers. We went on to score 46 runs in only 4 overs. We had won the grand final of Milo Cup and we were through to regional.

Thank you to Mr Thomson for organising the day and all the parents who helped drive.

Dan Ward & Eloise Doherty

 

 

Poems from 4PW

The Highway Rat

The highway rat was washing the window

And a posh rat Amber meets him in the door

They get married and have kids

And he continues to scrub the floor

 

A cat came running, running, running

And scratched his feet on the floor

He ate the parents whole

And left them in the door

 

The spirits rose from the bodies

The children started to scream

For the cat has killed the parents

The parents- the parents

They still say he killed the parents

And the cake shop was the scene

 

The spirits danced with the children

And the kids gave a soft sigh

For the children of the spirits

Looked in their parents eyes

 

Amber and the highway rat

Taught the kids how to cook

They reopened the shop

And named it: CAKES IN NOOK

Georgia Lees

 

The Highway Rat

A puppy came bounding along the road.

Then stopped in her tracks with fear,

For in front of her was the highway rat.

Who cried out, “Listen here!”

 

Give me all your ice-cream and lollies,

Give me all your hot dogs and chips!

For I am the rat of the highway the highway

Yes I am the rat of the high way,

So give me all your crackers and dips!

 

I have no chips! The dog replied for all I have is bones; my teeth are not sharp enough for those the hairy rodent had moaned. These bones are hard and tough,

These bones are as plain as can be! But I am the highway rat and whatever I want I take!

Sarah and Maya

 

Laughter smells like Dew on the grass J

It looks like the sunset sinking under the sea J

It tastes like a pastry with custard in the middle cream strawberries and that nice cake jelly yum J

It sounds like when Arkie and  I  saw each other when she came back from Singapore.

Laughter

Maris

 

Persona Poem

I am hopeful and thoughtful,

I wonder what it would be like to try and survive in the wild,

I hear the sounds of all creatures in a chorus of life

I want all people to understand one another and value what they already have.

 

I pretend to be something I am not,

I feel as if no-one understands how hard change is,

I touch my Lucky Charms when things become hard for me,

 I worry about things I can’t control,

I cry when I can’t become better then I am,

I care.

 

I understand that things won’t always turn out the way you want them to,

I say to myself that I will always try things I love again,

I dream about a better future,

I try to make the world a better place,

I hope people recognize the Earth for what it is…

BEFORE IT’S TO LATE

Arquette

                          

The Highway Rat [cat and dog]

A racoon came strolling along the road 

then stopped at a halt and a screech 

for blocking his way was the highway rat  

 who was on his way to the beach                                    

 

Give me your ice-creams and goodies                                                                                                                               

give me your pies and chips                                                                                                                                             

for I am the rat of the highway                                                                                                                                       

the highway the highway the highway                                                                                                                            

 yes I am the rat of the highway                                                                                                                                     

and I like to lick my lips

 

The goose came waddling along the road                                                                                                                           

 then stopped in alarm and shock                                                                                                                        

 for blocking his way was the highway rat                                                                                                                     

who had a key but no lock

 

Give me all your burgers and beans                                                                                                                        

give me your bones with no fees                                                                                                                      

 for I am the rat of the highway                                                                                                                         

the highway the highway the highway                                                                                                                 

yes I am the rat of the highway                                                                                                                          

and my backups are as busy as bees

 

A cat came hurrying along the road                                                                                                                   

 and stopped with a smile of glee                                                                                                                       

for the highway rat was there in shock                                                                                                                  

then he fell and hurt his knee

 

Give me all your burgers and goodies                                                                                                                    

give me all your money and rings                                                                                                                             

 for I am the new cat of the highway                                                                                                               

the highway the highway                                                                                                                                   

 yes I am the new cat of the highway                                                                                                                      

and I like to take all of your things

 

Now the dog came barking along the road                                                                                                   

and stopped with a laugh and a giggle                                                                                                                     

for the highway cat was there in alarm                                                                                                                    

and for some reason started to wiggle

 

Give me all your beans and ice-cream                                                                                                               

give me all your flesh and bones                                                                                                                                 

for I am the new dog of the highway                                                                                                              

 the highway the highway the highway                                                                                                                  

yes I am the new dog of the highway                                                                                                                     

and this place is one of my zones

 

The pound van came clanking along the road                                                                                                       

and stopped at the sight of the dog                                                                                                                          

 for the highway dog he never saw the light again                                                                                               

 now for comfort he only gets a log.

Danielle Smith

 Photo Section

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen! As we wind down what has been a very busy year in the canteen, I would like to thank our terrific staff: Nina, Linda, Angelica, and Thalia, as well as all of our terrific volunteers.  And special thanks to Mr. Michael who solves innumerable problems throughout the year!

A few important pieces of information for the last two weeks: 

the Week 9 special (from 5/12-8/12) is the Loopy Noodle Stir Fry, and

the Week 10 special (from 12/12-15/12) is the Hip Hot Doggie. 

Please don’t forget that the

Canteen is closed on the last day of this term -

we will not be providing lunch or recess on Friday 16^th December 

The canteen will be open for Day 1 of the 2012 school year, and the special will be Freaky Fried Rice.  The menu will be posted on the website before the end of the year, and updated with our online vendor www.flexischools.com.au  And please remember that

Friday lunches will be online only from the start of next year.

Please contact me (Kristina) on 0407 297 691 or at nbpscanteen@gmail.com if you can fill a gap in our roster on Wednesday. 

 

Canteen Roster

Monday – Drina Brezniak, Gwen Murdoch

Tuesday – Jenny Jones, Leanne Taratoris

Wednesday – Ameeta, HELP

Thursday – Kanako Malthouse, Makiko Melbourne

Friday – Liz Skinner, Marion Brazlin, Jane Wilder till 11am, Melinda Hayes from 10am

 

Year 6 Farewell, Informal Parent Dinner – Wednesday December 14.

upstairs at Mosman RSL. Buy your tickets now!
A reminder to all Year 6 parents who haven’t bought their tickets yet for this event. Tickets can only be bought online at
http://www.stickytickets.com.au/7129
Please come and support the last big social event of your child’s primary school life. It’ll be a great night, kicking off at 6.45 when the kids are dropped off for their separate event and concluding at around 9.15pm.
Tickets are $29 a head and include finger food. Drinks are to be bought separately at bar prices. Note too that siblings are not invited.

The Year 6 Farewell Dinner Organising Committee  

 

Year 6 Camp

Could parents please check your child’s sleeping bag brought home from camp.  A black bag with the name Mattana written on it has accidently been picked up after camp and an identical sleeping bag left at school. 

If you find you have the wrong sleeping bag, please return it and collect your sleeping bag from Mr Thomson (6T).  Thank you.

Regards

Eleanore Mattana  

 

Mosman Netball

Considering playing Netball for Winter 2012?  Please make a note – our ONLINE registrations for 2012 Winter season will OPEN 16 January and CLOSE strictly 6 February 2012.
Mosman Netball plays competition matches @ Willoughby for Nettas turning 8 & 9yrs & Juniors 10yrs on Friday nights, Juniors 11yrs+ Saturday mornings and Seniors Saturday afternoons. 

Training is weekly @ Cross St, Mosman. Junior grading for 10yrs+ (Scheduled from 13 March-see our grading section).  Player, umpire & coaching development offered by our active club….more than just games.  Fun, fitness and fair competition.
For more details & ONLINE registration please refer to www.mosmannetball.com.au

 

From the Principal

 

Congratulations Mr Taylor

Congratulations to Mr Taylor and his wife Kirsty on the birth of their new baby girl.  Amelie Sara was born last Sunday morning weighing 3.91 kg and measuring 50 cm.  All well and big sisters Isabella and Olivia are thrilled!  We look forward to meeting the youngest member of the Taylor family soon.  Congratulations and best wishes!

 

Parent Helper Morning Tea

Class teachers sent home via pupil post red invitations to our Thank You Morning Tea to be held next Wednesday 30^th November in the Hall at 11:00am.  This function is held each year to acknowledge the efforts of those parents who have assisted teachers with reading groups, excursions, sport, transport to events etc.  If for some reason you did not receive your invitation, please come along and join the teachers for morning tea.  We are very grateful to all the parents who assist the teachers in classrooms and in so many other ways.

 

End of Year Picnic

Pale blue flyers publicising the P & C End of Year Picnic were sent home earlier this week.  This will be held on Friday 9^th December from 6pm – 8pm in the main playground.  Come along and join the fun.     See flyer here          

 

Congratulations Artists               

Framed prints of our Operation Art pieces were delivered earlier this week and are now hanging near the office outside Mrs Harrison’s room.  They are wonderful!

Congratulations to:

Brittanie Hsu 5S and Penny MacGill KJ – Geometric Seascape

Chloe Minnett 1G – Fruit Bowl

Edwin Chung 5S – The Colourful Lady                                                                                     

Penny MacGill KJ – Penny’s Self Portrait

 

Class Formation 2012

I have been asked by parents to outline our class formation policy.  [The Opportunity Classes are filled by the Selective Schools Unit and have 30 students in each class.  Entry to these classes is by an external test which children in Year 4 sit in August each year.]

In line with Department of Education policy, all classes at Neutral Bay are mixed ability/parallel classes.  The only exception to this is a composite extension class that is formed when numbers dictate.  This year, this has been a 3/4 class and in other years we have formed a 4/5 class.  We do not need to form a composite class if student numbers are able to be accommodated in parallel classes.

Teachers are allocated to schools based on average class numbers eg Years 3-6 the average number is 30 students and K-2 the ratio is 20-24 students.  Unfortunately we don’t have these exact numbers of children enrolling in each grade so some grades may have larger class sizes than others.

Current class teachers meet towards the end of Term 4 each year with the Assistant Principals to form classes for the following year.  They use test results and their knowledge of the children to form mixed ability classes with a good gender balance.  Children are also given the opportunity to nominate a couple of friends they would like to be with.  Teachers do try to accommodate these requests particularly if they are mutual.

One of the great advantages for children of being in a large school is that they are able to get to know so many people and make friends with a variety of different children.  Learning to make new friends and mix comfortably with different children is a great skill for later life.  Children who attend small schools with only one class per grade have little opportunity to meet and mix with a range of different children.  Children need to learn to make and sustain friendships.

From time to time parents request that their children are placed with/not with certain other children.  We really cannot accommodate all these requests unless there are very compelling circumstances.   To do so could compromise our policy and upset the social and academic balance of the children in the classes.

Parents are not always best placed to select classmates or teachers for their children.

We really do try to ensure that every child is well placed to learn in a happy and supportive environment.

It is my intention that all classes will be formed and teachers allocated by the end of this year so that children can begin the new school year in their 2012 classes.  This ensures a very smooth start to the year.

 

Multi Faith End of Year Service

The combined End of Year Service will be held in regular scripture times next Wednesday 30^th November at St Joseph’s Church, Neutral Bay.  Parents are most welcome to attend and children who do not usually attend scripture classes are most welcome.

Ethics classes will be held as usual.

We would appreciate donations of non perishable food items, toiletries etc. which will be distributed to needy families.  Children should bring these in to school on Wednesday Scripture Service times: 

9:30 to 10:00 for K-3

10:15 to 10:45 for Years 4-6

 

End of Term 2011

A number of parents have contacted the office seeking clarification of dates for the end of Term 4 2011 and start of Term 1 2012.

Friday December 16^th – Last day of Term 4 2011

Monday January 30^th – 1^st day of Term 1 2012 for Years 1 to 6

Tuesday January 31^st – Year 5 OC commence

Thursday February 2^nd – Kindergarten commences

Friday 27^th and Saturday 28^th January are Teacher Planning Days.

 

OzTag Gala Day and Milo Cup

The OzTag Gala Day and Milo Cup were postponed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to wet weather. They will be rescheduled and parents will be notified.  Thanks to Mrs Love for her coordination of OzTag and to Mr Thomson for his coordination of the Milo Cup.  Good luck everyone!

 

Lost Property Reminder

Please claim lost property which is located in the entrance to B Block. All remaining unclaimed property will be disposed of at the end of term.

 

After School Language Lessons 2012

We are planning to offer Mandarin, German and French/Italian lessons after school next year depending on the level of interest.  I will send out Expression of Interest/Enrolment forms in the first week of the new school year to all parents.

 

End of Year Assembly Dates

I would like to provide parents with advance notice of our end-of-year special assemblies.  These are also on the Term Calendar on the website.

December

Friday 9^th – Years 5 and 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 and 4 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 and 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kindergarten Graduation 9:30am

Parents, grandparents and friends are most welcome at all these end of year events.

 

Term 4 Dates

November

Monday 28^th – K-2 Santa Show

Wednesday 30^th Combined Scripture Service and Parent Helpers Morning Tea

December

Thursday 1^st – Years 1 and 2 Pet Education session, and Band Concert

Friday 2^nd – Mini Fete – Year 6

Thursday 6^th – Years 5 and 6 Cybersafety, and Parent Session 7:00pm

Wednesday 14^th –Year 6 Farewell                      

Friday 16^th – Last day of term

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         Our String Ensemble musicians have been invited to play for the Christmas shoppers at Bunnings at Artarmon on Saturday 10^th December at 10:00am.  Good luck Strings and many thanks to Sharmila Soorian who is coordinating the group.  Enjoy the experience boys and girls.
• ·         The Year 6 boys and girls who continue to provide such positive role modelling for our younger children right up to the last few weeks of Term 4.  Well done boys and girls and thank you to Year 6 teachers for your support and guidance of our senior students.
• ·         Congratulations to Amy McLean 4K who won the Manly Junior Art Festival People’s Choice art prize last Saturday.  The work was selected by all parents and friends who visited the gallery and depicted her Mum and her Nanna outside a church.  The work showed a “maturity beyond her years for her perspective and style”.  Well done Amy!
• ·         Congratulations to Farnaz Ganji in KJ who received a Gold Mathletics award.  Well done, Farnaz!

 

NSW Junior Chess Tournament

Well done to all the children who represented the school at the junior chess tournament last week. The record twenty-one children who entered this year all played extremely well and demonstrated fine sportsmanship on the day.

Thomas Lockhart, Ryan Seeto, Kieran Connar, Jessica Findlay, Max Mikkelsen, Benjamin Crimp, Adrian Freiburg, Dylan Odenthal, Joshua Benn, Benjamin Dempsay, Oscar Brisset, Sam Worrall, Astrid Girdis, Richard Zhou, Loukas Triantis , Aidan Odenthal, Morris Chen, Naomi Stephens, Sam Rogers, Felix Lempriere and Emma Guo.

Neutral Bay Chess Championship 2011

It is that time of year again! On Monday 5th December, Sydney Academy of Chess will host the inter-school chess tournament. The tournament will be held in the school hall and is open to anyone at Neutral Bay who enjoys playing chess and knows the basic rules of competitive play. The cost to enter is $16.50. Notes are available from the school office and the web site.

Mary Magney, Chess Coordinator

 

North Sydney Regional Debating

Sam Rogers 6J was invited to join the North Sydney Regional Debate team after attending the selection day at the end of last term. He has trained with the team in preparation for the State Debating Camp which was held this week.

The North Sydney team debated superbly on such varied topics as “the legal drinking age should be raised to 21″ and “NAPLAN testing should be abolished”.  They were placed 5th overall, narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals on a count back.  This has been a wonderful experience for Sam. He learned so much about debating from his wonderful team coaches, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He was awarded a medal for all of his hard work!  Well done, Sam!

Jessica Baker, Class Teacher 6J

Photo Section: Lego Dacta by 3H

 

 

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  Our wonderful team in the canteen is keeping the kids cool on hot days, and warming them up on those which feel more like winter!  Next week’s Monday-Thursday special is Chicken Korma, always a huge hit. 

As the year winds down, we find ourselves with a few more open spots than usual on  the roster, so if you could help out, even for a few hours, it would be a great help.  Please contact Kristina on 0407 297 691 or at nbpscanteen@gmail.com.

 

Canteen Roster

Monday – Jasmine Lo and HELP!

Tuesday – Louise Beaton and HELP!

Wednesday – Elise  Lockwood, Jenny Dunn and Makiko Tokashiki

Thursday – Ping Xu and Amanda Petrides

Friday – Kate Michele, Liesel Wightwick and Marg Martin until 11am

 

Band News

End of Year Band Concert – Thursday 1^st December – 6.00pm in the School Hall.

Everyone Welcome!

 

Uniform Shop

Raincoats, Raincoats, Raincoats!

Due to wet weather, the uniform shop will open tomorrow, Friday 25^t,h from 8.30am to 9.30am as a special one-off – to sell raincoats.

Yes, the uniform shop now sells raincoats!

Navy Raincoat with fleece lining, sizes 4-6, 8-10 and 12-14, $40

Raincoat in a bag, in either navy or yellow, sizes 4,6,8,10,12,14, $25

Sock clearance

Non-branded white up and down anklet socks, $3 a pair or $8 for a pack of three, available in sizes 2-8 and 13-3, only while stocks last!

Remember all orders can now be emailed to us direct at nbpsuniformshop@gmail.com, the order form and current price list are available to download from the school website.

Thanks.

Helen and the Uniform Shop Team

 

Before and After School Care News                            

School Development days: Mon 19 December and Tue 20 December

• ·         The centre will be open both days from 7.45am to 6.00pm
• ·         Cost: $40 per day. 
• ·         Payment is by Cash on the Day Only         
• ·         Bookings:  To be made with Libbie
• ·         Tel 9953-9366 or Mob 0418-683-458 or Email: nbcag@bigpond.com

We would also like to inform all parents  who send their children to the Centre on a CASUAL basis that it is necessary to:

Ring and make a booking and to leave a contact telephone number.

We are astounded as the number of children who just turn up at the Centre with no contact number from the parent whatsoever.  This is not acceptable, and is an extremely risky practice.

Similarly, if your child has a regular booking at the centre and is not attending for any reason, please contact us so that we don’t spent precious time searching for your child.

This practice is also very important for the safety of your children.

Libbie Jamieson, Director

 

Year 6 Farewell, Informal Parent Dinner – Wednesday December 14.

Put the date in your diaries.
As many of you will have seen in last week’s newsletter, all Year 6 parents (no siblings please) are invited to celebrate the Class of 2011’s graduation at an informal dinner upstairs at Mosman RSL on December 14 – the same night the kids will be enjoying their own dinner downstairs.
Drinks and dinner will begin from 6.45pm after the kids are dropped off. Parents will be invited downstairs for speeches at around 8:15pm, and the whole night will conclude at about 9.15pm.
This promises to be a very special night for everyone, particularly those families who are saying goodbye to NBPS for the last time. Dinner will be finger food with drinks at bar prices. Total cost of the dinner is $29 a head.
Tickets can only be purchased online at 
http://www.stickytickets.com.au/7129  
We’d love to see as many parents as possible so please come along and support what is always a fantastic social event.   
 The Year 6 Farewell Dinner Organising Committee  

 

HOPE

A fundraiser for Breast Cancer on Wednesday 30 November at The Star of the Sea Theatre, 52 Eurobin Avenue, Manly, 6.30 for a 7pm start [Stella Maris, Manly].

A fundraiser for the community with tickets $15 flat rate for all.  Sydney performers of all ages and varying dance styles.  Tickets can be purchased at www.trybooking.com/ZJS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Principal                                                                                                                        

 

Children Leaving NBPS

Reminder: Please let class teachers or the office know if your child is not returning to NBPS next year.  Many thanks.  This information is most important to us in forming classes and engaging teachers for 2012.

 

Keeping Safe in Cyberspace

A pale blue coloured flyer has been sent home this week publicising the Susan McLean information session to be held at

Mosman High School – Wednesday 23^rd November – at 7:00pm

This is a MUST for all parents.  I strongly encourage all our parents to attend.  Speakers who are leaders in this field are difficult to find and expensive to engage.  Take advantage of this opportunity.  See link

 

State Public Speaking Finals

Our best wishes go with Sam Rogers 6J who is competing in the State Public Speaking finals tomorrow in the Eugene Goosens Hall at the ABC studio at Ultimo.  Sam will present a prepared speech and then be given a topic for an impromptu speech.  Sam is a talented public speaker with a very quick mind!  We wish him the best of luck and are all very proud of him!  The boys and girls in 6J and 6T will be in the audience to support Sam and will learn a great deal about public speaking from this opportunity.

 

Lost Property

There is a large amount of clothing, hats, lunchboxes etc in the Lost Property boxes in the entrance to B Block.  With only four weeks to go until the holidays, it is most important that this is claimed.  At the end of the year, the lunch boxes will be thrown away as they will attract vermin and the uniform items will be donated to the uniform shop, given to Stewart House or to children who can use the.

Please encourage your child to claim his/her belongings.

Many thanks for your assistance with this.

 

End of Year School Picnic – Friday 9^th December

Flyers will be sent home in the next few days with details of the school picnic to be held on 9^th December 6-8pm. This is always a great school community event.  Bring Your Own Everything!

 

Big Week – Senior Boys and Girls

Best of luck to our senior boys and girls who are competing in the Year 6 Robotics Competition, Regional Oz Tag Gala Day and Milo Cup Finals next week.  Enjoy these experiences!

 

Chess Championship Results

Yesterday two teams from NBPS competed in the NSW Junior Chess League Primary Schools Competition at Castle Cove.

The A Team [Ryan, Max and Kieran] came 2^nd and will go on to represent the lower North Shore in the finals at Lidcombe on Sunday 27^th November.

The B Team [Sam, Jessica and Adrian] were placed 3^rd.  They won both individual and school trophies.

Fantastic results chess players!

Many thanks to Miss Magney for her organisation and to the parents who assisted with transport.  Good Luck A Team!

 

End of Year Assembly Dates

I would like to provide parents with advance notice of our end-of-year special assemblies.  These are also on the Term Calendar on the website.

December

Friday 9^th – Years 5 and 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 and 4 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 and 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kindergarten Graduation 9:30am

Parents, grandparents and friends are most welcome at all these end of year events.

 

Term 4 Dates

November

Wednesday 23^rd – Cyberbullying – Parent Information Session

Thursday 24^th – Years 5 and 6 Harry Potter Exhibition and Kinder Orientation Session 3

Monday 28^th – K-2 Santa Show

Wednesday 30^th Combined Scripture Service and Parent Helpers Morning Tea

December

Thursday 1^st – Years 1 and 2 Pet Education session, and Band Concert

Friday 2^nd – Mini Fete – Year 6

Thursday 6^th – Years 5 and 6 Cybersafety, and Parent Session 7:00pm

Friday 9^th – Years 5 & 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 & 4 Final Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 & 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kinder Graduation 9:30am and Year 6 Farewell

Friday 16^th – Last day of term

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         Thank you to Melinda Hayes and the Kinder parents who baked, made and bought the delicious treats for the new Kinder parents’ Morning Tea.  It was a lovely way to welcome the new Kinder mums and dads.
• ·         Thank you to Helen and her uniform shop team who have been doing big business in the uniform shop with all the new Kinder and OC children purchasing uniforms for next year.  Many thanks ladies!
• ·         Our Year 5 representatives from each class who assisted with the first Kindergarten Orientation session.  The teachers were so impressed with these boys and girls who were mature, sensible and caring with the new little Kinder children.  Well done boys and girls.
• ·         All the Year 3C and 3/4M children, Mrs Willingham and Miss Magney who made a delicious tabouli salad with their own school grown vegetables and herbs.  Great work everyone! These garden beds were purchased with North Sydney Council grants last year.
• ·         Noa, Anja, Poppy, India and Billie 3DJ who have been looking after Lost Property – sorting, returning and labelling boxes.  Well done girls.  Thank you.
• ·         3H boys and girls who were so well behaved and cooperative when Miss Haigh was away on Wednesday.  The teachers loved having the 3H children join them in their classes for part of the day.  Well done!
• ·         Ella Spencer (3/4M) bravely had her beautiful long hair cut this week and donated it to the Cancer Council to be made into a wig for a girl undergoing treatment. Her new haircut looks great!
• ·         Congratulations to Naomi Stephens, David Tai, Callista Surjadi and Alexander Burfoot (3/4M) for becoming finalists in the Sydney Youth Writing Competition.  As finalists they will be published in Moon, Mirror and Beyond: Winning Entries in the Sydney Youth Writing Competition 2011.

 

Maths Olympiad

Congratulations to Geena Sharma for also scoring within the top 10% of competitors during the Maths Olympiad competition.

Jessica Baker, Organising Teacher

 

 

Oz Tag Gala Day

Last week Neutral Bay Girls went to Naremburn Park to play in an Oz-Tag gala day. We started off our first game by winning 3-0 against Willoughby. We played 3 more games and won all of them without a try scored against us, in the rain. We heard the news that we made it through to the semi-finals and we were very excited since we were undefeated in our pool. The whistle blew and the game began. Our opposition was Northbridge.

Seconds to go Northbridge scored a try. We had lost and were out of the tournament but everyone played a great game! 

Eloise, Emmie and Carolyn

 

Salad

On Monday we picked some vegetables from our garden.  The vegetables were: basil, mint, tomato, parsley, and Spanish onion.  On Tuesday after lunch, we went into the ASC area, it was as cold as an iceberg, it was so refreshing!  It was time for people to do some jobs.  The jobs were:

Cutting tomatoes

Chopping onions

Cutting basil, parsley and mint

Finely chopping bocconcini.

I got to cut the bocconcini, delicious!

Once I finished my job with Cordelia, we drew our plant [tomatoes].

3/4M had to leave so they got to have some yummy tabouli.  Then we got some.  I had 5 serves.  Then it was time to go.

Ella 3C

  

The Garden

Wow! I cannot believe how it turned out.  Green leaves.  Plump cherry tomatoes, beautiful capsicums and one big jalapeno chilli burning away in the morning – light green and perfect.

After lunch we started to pick all of the fruit and veg.   We picked basil, mint, lots of tomatoes, and some parsley but Mrs Willingham had to buy some Spanish onion and bocconcini, some

cracked wheat  and some lemons.  The day after that, at the break of dawn Mrs Willingham went down into the staff room and washed all the vegetables and fruit and got them ready for making the salads.  We made tabouli and Caprese salad.

Luke 3C

 

Plants

On Monday after our spelling test we went down to the garden.  We picked the ripest yummiest plants.  We picked mint, tomato, parsley, and basil.

On Tuesday we made the salad.  We made a Caprese.  In the Caprese there was tomato, bocconcini, onions and mint.

We also made a tabouli.  And we all got to taste the Heavenly Salads.

Cordelia 3C

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  Business in the canteen just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Last year we had a few days that topped $1000.  Last Friday the team took over $1,800!!  Many thanks to the staff and volunteers who did an amazing job.  Unless you have been in  the canteen on a Friday in the last term or so, you can’t really imagine just how physically demanding it is.

As a result of the continuous growth we have seen in the canteen this year, the P&C agreed to support the canteen in requiring all Friday lunch orders to be placed online from Term 1 2012 through 9 May 2012.  Recess and lunch extras will remain available for cash purchase.  Details will be sent via email (through your class coordinators) in coming days, and you are always welcome to contact Kristina on 0407 297 691, or at nbps canteen@gmail.com.

Next week’s special is Chicken Caesar Salad – perfect for these hot days! 

 

Canteen Roster

Monday 14   Fi Hearne and Michelle Gardiner

Tuesday 15  Gil Scheiber and Melinda Kelly

Wednesday 16  Anna Widolf and Kate Leveaux from 9.45

Thursday 17 Kindergarten Orientation, Kanako Malthouse and Gloria Xu

Friday 18 Jane Wilder, Helen Triantis and Jane Tham until 11

 

Band News

Junior Band 2012

Congratulations to the Year 2 children who are starting in Junior Band next year.  It’s going to be a fantastic year!

End of Year Concert – Rehearsal Last Sunday

It was wonderful to see so many former concert band students from NBPS come back to the school on Sunday to rehearse with the current concert band in preparation for the end of year concert on Thursday December 1.  Returning students from a variety of high schools in Years 7, 8 and 9 joined us.  Great fun!  See you all again on the 1^st.

End of Year Concert – Band Parent Volunteers Needed

The end of year concert is shaping up to be a big event.  As such, we need band parent volunteers to assist all the coordinators – especially with the catering in the lead-up to the concert as well as on the night.  Parents, if you are able to help to arrange the catering (BBQ etc) prior to the event and/or on the evening, please email your individual band coordinator and let them know you are willing and able – a variety of jobs available!  Many thanks.

Simone Bird and Sharon Mitchell, Overall Band Coordinators

 

End of Year Family Picnic

This year the end of year social event will be a family picnic.  The P&C have organised a Live Band and just like the Twilight Picnic earlier in the year we invite all families and staff along to a BYO picnic on Friday 9^th December – 6pm to 8pm.  It’s a great chance to catch up with families and friends before the school holidays begin.  See link here

Fiona Hearne, Events Coordinator

 

Year 6 Farewell, Informal Parent Dinner – Wednesday December 14

Mark the date in your diaries now.

The countdown to the end of primary school life has begun for our Year 6 children. All Year 6 parents (no siblings please) are invited to celebrate this big milestone at an informal dinner upstairs at Mosman RSL on December 14 – at the same time as the kids enjoy their own celebration downstairs.

This promises to be a very special night for everyone, particularly for those families saying goodbye to NBPS for the last time. The dinner – at an approximate cost of $28 a head – will be finger food with drinks at bar prices.

Details are still being finalised so watch this space and look out for an email from class co-ordinators with information on how to buy tickets.

The Year 6 Farewell Dinner Organising Committee  

 

Spit Swimming Club @ Balmoral Baths

New members are welcome to join us for Saturday morning races at Balmoral Beach baths during summer.

Spit Swimming Club is a family-friendly club open to all ages and levels of swimming.  The atmosphere is relaxed, with the emphasis on having fun and joining in. Grab a coffee and sit on the wharf and cheer the kids on or enter a race yourself.

Visit our website for more information and how to join:

http://www.spitswimming.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spit-Swimming-Club/202576963097714

 

Before and After School Care News

School Development days: Mon 19 December and Tue 20 December

• ·         The centre will be open both days from 7.45am to 6.00pm
• ·         Cost: $40 per day. 
• ·         Payment is by Cash on the Day Only
• ·         Bookings:  To be made with Libbie
• ·         Tel 9953-9366 or Mob 0418-683-458 or Email: nbcag@bigpond.com

We would also like to inform all parents  who send their children to the Centre on a CASUAL basis that it is necessary to:

Ring and make a booking and to leave a contact telephone number.

We are astounded as the number of children who just turn up at the Centre with no contact number from the parent whatsoever.  This is not acceptable, and is an extremely risky practice.

Similarly, if your child has a regular booking at the centre and is not attending for any reason, please contact us so that we don’t spent precious time searching for your child.

This practice is also very important for the safety of your children.

Libbie Jamieson, Director

 

Christmas Holiday Sports Camps

Alex from After-School Care will be conducting three multi-sport camps in the upcoming holidays. They will be held at the Marie Bashir Sports Complex in Mosman from 8am – 5pm on various dates. Online booking is available. For more information go to

www.musclesprouts.com.au or contact Alex on 0422 617 726.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Principal                                                                              

 

Parent Forum – Wednesday 23^rd November 2011

I would like to encourage all parents to attend the parent forum on Cybersafety to be held on Wednesday 23^rd at 7:00pm at Mosman High School. We have joined with the other Harbourside Schools to engage Susan McLean – an expert in Cybersafety.  She is regarded as a leader in this field.

Cyberbullying is a real and growing issue for parents and teachers.  At Neutral Bay we have had a number of Cyberbullying issues that have had serious negative impacts on all the children and parents involved.  This presentation is relevant to all parents – those with young children who are just beginning to use technology as well as those with older children who independently use the internet and social media.

Not to be missed!

A blue flyer will be sent home in the next few days with full details.

 

Band – Ex-Student Reunion

A number of our former band members will be joining Concert Band this Sunday for a special band get together and rehearsal for the end of year concert to be held on Thursday 1^st December.   This is a fantastic initiative of our wonderful Band Coordinator Sharon Mitchell.

I hear wonderful reports of our ex band members’ musical accomplishments and achievements in high school and look forward to hearing them play at the concert.  This is also a great opportunity for our Concert Band members to play with these older, more experienced musicians.

 

P & C AGM

Many thanks to all the parents who attended last night’s P & C AGM and volunteered for positions in 2012.  Without your wonderful support for our school, we would not be able to offer the excellent programs we do for all our children.

Congratulations to the “2012 Team”.

• ·         President – Michael O’Sullivan
• ·         Vice President – Peter Girdis
• ·         Secretary – Sevaly Sen
• ·         Treasurer – Jennifer Neil-Smith
• ·         Band – Sharon Mitchell
• ·         Canteen – Kristina Lawton
• ·         Uniform Shop – Helen Heneghan
• ·         Functions/Fundraising – Gail Minns

 

Art by Kids

Thank you to all the parents who have ordered cards through the P&C Art by Kids fundraising initiative.  Thanks also to Nita Parkes [Maya 5K and Josh 2B] who is coordinating the program.  The cards will be printed and sent home around 25^th November.

We are able to select some of the children’s cards which will be donated to the school for us to use.  I will ensure that I send the Minister and all the other VIPs Christmas cards from NBPS this year!

The last chance to hand in your child’s submission is tomorrow, Friday.   Please leave artwork, order form and money at the school office.

 

End of Year Assembly Dates

I would like to provide parents with advance notice of our end-of-year special assemblies.  These are also on the Term Calendar on the website.

December

Friday 9^th – Years 5 and 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 and 4 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 and 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kindergarten Graduation 9:30am

Parents, grandparents and friends are most welcome at all these end of year events.

 

Term 4 Dates

November

Thursday 17^th – Kinder Orientation Session 2

Wednesday 23^rd – Cyberbullying – Parent Information Session

Thursday 24^th – Years 5 and 6 Harry Potter Exhibition and Kinder Orientation Session 3

Monday 28^th – K-2 Santa Show

Wednesday 30^th Combined Scripture Service and Parent Helpers Morning Tea

December

Thursday 1^st – Years 1 and 2 Pet Education session, and Band Concert

Friday 2^nd – Mini Fete – Year 6

Thursday 6^th – Years 5 and 6 Cybersafety, and Parent Session 7:00pm

Friday 9^th – Years 5 & 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 & 4 Final Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 & 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kinder Graduation 9:30am and Year 6 Farewell

Friday 16^th – Last day of term

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·         Mr Michael, our wonderful General Assistant, who spent many hours here at school last Saturday painting the red steps, doors and poles in the COLA.  He wouldn’t paint in “work hours” as he didn’t want to inconvenience the children!  We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and considerate G.A. at our school.  Thank you so much Mr Michael.
• ·         Thanks to Ms Simone Bird [Band Coordinator] and Ms Claudia Solomon [OC parent] who both spoke so well at last week’s OC 2012 Information Session.  We are most grateful to them – the new parents were most appreciative.  Many thanks, ladies.
• ·         Katelyn Smith 6M and her mum, Mona, who stayed back after last week’s Year 6 Interrelate session assisting the teachers to pack up the chairs and tidy the Hall.  Many thanks Katelyn and Mona – you are stars!
• ·         The girls and boys in 3C and 1K who have entered the Dulux Jelly Bean Competition at Bunnings.  They were given a tub of jelly beans to use in an art/craft lesson.  Mrs Willingham and Mrs Keeling worked with the children to create a Jelly Bean Christmas Tree!  Great work everyone and good luck!
• ·         Our wonderful canteen ladies – Nina and Angelica and the volunteers who worked on Monday are all stars!  Our visitors [36 children and two teachers] from Grays Point Public School who demonstrated Dancesport came without lunch on Monday!  We didn’t realise this until 1:00pm. Our canteen did a loaves and fishes miracle and created a delicious lunch for everyone!  Many thanks ladies.
• ·         Asher Simkins 6L was awarded the most prestigious dance award of the year – “Performer of the Year”  – at the Dance 102 Annual Concert on Sunday night.  Congratulations Asher.  You are a star!

 

DanceSports

Last Monday, some Year 4 and 5 kids were treated to a ballroom dancing display by a group of children from Grays Point Public School. The dance instructor, Gordon Gilks, who has performed on Dancing With the Stars, took our children through an impromptu salsa dance routine while we waited for our guests to arrive. The GPPS dancers were fabulous, and lots of our children volunteered to join in and dance ‘The Jive’ as part of the grand finale. We may even join the program next year.

Owen Taylor, Deputy Principal

Photo Section

Oztag Gala Day

 

 

Year 6 Great Aussie Bush Camp

 

 

School Chess Championship 2011

 On Monday 5th December, Sydney Academy of Chess will host a school chess tournament exclusively for Neutral Bay School students. The tournament will be held from 9.30 - 3.00 in the school hall. All abilities are welcome to participate though an understanding of competitive play is required. The three highest scores will receive a trophy and medals will be awarded in each age group. The cost to participate is $16.50 and entrance forms are available outside the office.

Mary Magney, Chess Coordinator

 

Mathematical Olympiad

Congratulations to all who competed in the 2011 Mathematical Olympiads! The following students demonstrated exceptional mathematical problem solving skills and were ranked in the top 10% of Australasia for a score of 21 or over out of a possible 25:

Tomoki Kondo, Karin Nishimuta-Jang, Charlie Ward, Maya Yaffe, Frank Chan, Kieren Connor, Jessica Findlay, Oliver Jin, Lori Zhou, James Wang, Brandon Wong, Sharon Xu, Rearden Gao, Paul Shim, Sam Rogers, Kevin Surjadi, Joshua Holmes. 

Jessica Baker, Maths Olympiad Organiser

 

Jelly Bean Christmas Tree 3C and 1K

Last Friday 3C and 1K got together and we made a delicious, beautiful not to mention colourful, jelly bean mosaic Christmas tree.

Ella

I could smell the delicious jelly beans by the time I stepped out the door.  They smelt so yummy that I nearly happily gobbled one up.  The jelly beans smelt as sweet as a flower.

Emily

The PVA glue was so sticky just like yellow honey and it looked like white paint.  The colours of the jelly beans liked like a rainbow in the sun.

Samantha

The mosaic was as colourful as a rainbow. It was shaped like 2D Christmas tree on a green A3 piece of paper.

Rory

I wish I could eat the jelly beans if they didn’t drop on the floor.

Natasha

It looked like the most wonderful thing I ever say.  Sometimes my mouth waters so much it’s like I am walking past a huge block of chocolate.   It’s so good it looks like it is worth one million dollars.

I like it so much it has delicious smells floating in the air like scratch and sniff stickers.  Sometimes I’m full of excitement about the Christmas tree it’s like a bomb of excitement.

Alex

It felt bumpy like all jelly beans.  It felt smooth on the top. It felt like I was in heaven but when you lift it, it is quite heavy.

Evie

I thought when we finished the whole thing it would like a disaster. But at the end it looked so beautiful.  If I didn’t know it had been on the floor, I would have eaten it all up.

Stephany

The end result was fantastic with colours everywhere and the most delicious smells drifting through the air.  This jelly bean mosaic Christmas tree was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen that was for sure.

Beanie

 

Witches Concoction

To make a very soothing potion,

Or concoction, or some lotion

We need to mix and stir and brew,

The most disgusting, well made stew.

Tail of lizard,

Wand of wizard,

Then stick it in the largest blizzard.

After day 1, day 2, or more,

You’ll have much less half the score.

In maybe 3 or 4 days after,

Send it over with a rafter,

Dung or horse,

Teach it Morse,

Stick it in heat, before it goes hoarse.

3 doses of immortal’s spit,

Come on and rest, it’s time to sit.

Once you’re done,

Have some fun,

It’s time to get straight to the pun.

Drink it, sink it

Drown it, link it,

It doesn’t matter which,

The poem you just read,

Was made up by a witch.

Ofri 5K

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  These last few days have made moosies, juicies and smoothies very popular items indeed.  As the end of the year gets busy for many of us at work and with friends and family, so business picks up in the canteen.  If you can help out on any of the recently vacated days, we (and everybody who orders) would really appreciate it! 

Contact Kristina on 0407 297 691 or at nbpscanteen@gmail.com. 

Next week’s Monday-Thursday special is Freaky Fried Rice.

 

Canteen Roster

Monday 14   Paula Wyton, HELP NEEDED

Tuesday 15  Jenny Jones, Jane Bush

Wednesday 16  Ana Mulcahy,  Marion Gies

Thursday 17 HELP NEEDED, Ping Xu,  Kindergarten Orientation

Friday 18 Claudia Kennedy, Hilit Einav, Liz Skinner until 11am

 

ZooSnooze

All three of our bands have enjoyed their ZooSnooze overnight excursion during the past week.  A huge thank you to all the band parents (and coordinators) who either stayed overnight with the children at the zoo, or who helped transport them back to school afterwards – the excursion would not have been possible without the assistance of these band parents so many thanks again!

 

Concert Band – Reminder

A reminder that concert band students have an End of Year Concert REHEARSAL with former concert band students (over 25 former students want to come and join us!) this Sunday in the school hall at 3pm-5.30pm with Mr Hampton.  Pizza, drinks etc afterwards!  See you there!  Any last minute queries please email Sharon at

bishop.mitchell@bigpond.com

Sharon Mitchell & Simone Bird, Overall Band Coordinators

 

Lifeline Book Fair

The next Lifeline Northern Beaches Book Fair will take place on the weekend of 25-27 November

at Balgowlah Boys High — the full details are below.             

Venue:   Balgowlah Boys High School,  Sydney Road & Maretimo Street, Balgowlah 

Dates/Times:  

Fri   25 Nov        4pm — 9pm
Sat   26 Nov       9am — 5pm
Sun  27 Nov       9am — 2pm
Entry by gold coin donation very much appreciated. Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS accepted.

Over 20,000 quality bargains on offer at bargain prices including a beautiful selection of children’s Christmas books.

Lynne Peterson,Volunteer Book Fair Publicist – Lifeline Northern Beaches  - 0421 084 622 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Principal                                 

 

Children Leaving NBPS

If your child is not returning to Neutral Bay in 2012 please let class teachers or the office know as soon as possible.  I am aware that some families are moving interstate or overseas, and that some children may be taking up places in private schools.  It is most important that I have accurate numbers for 2012 in order to form classes and engage teachers. 

As you can imagine, this is a big job in such a large school and a couple more or fewer children can result in forming/not forming an additional class in a grade.  Your cooperation with this is much appreciated.

 

P & C Annual General Meeting

Next Wednesday 9^th November is the date for the P & C AGM at 8:00pm in the Hall.  Parents are invited to come to this meeting to review the 2011 year and plan for 2012.  The P & C has had a most successful year supporting the school in so many ways.  My thanks to the P & C Executive and the sub-committees – Uniform Shop, Canteen, Band, Functions and Fundraising and Class Coordinators.  Your work is much appreciated and your contribution to our school is high valued.

 

Kindergarten Orientation Sessions

Next Thursday 10^th November we welcome our new Kindergarten 2012 children for their first “taste” of school.  This is a very exciting time for our new children and their families.  We host three orientation visits – Thursday 10^th, 17^th and 24^th November – to prepare the children for the transition to school.  We are looking forward to meeting our new Kindergarten children and their parents.  My thanks to Melinda Hayes who is organising the morning tea for the parents.  This is always a very special welcome and introduction to our school – and it is greatly appreciated by the new parents.

 

End of Year Assembly Dates

I would like to provide parents with advance notice of our end-of-year special assemblies.  These are also on the Term Calendar on the website.

December

Friday 9^th – Years 5 and 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 and 4 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 and 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kindergarten Graduation 9:30am

Parents, grandparents and friends are most welcome at all these end of year events.

 

Coles and Woolworths Dockets

Many thanks to all the parents and children who brought in Coles and Woolworths shopping dockets.  Many thanks also to the parent coordinators. Mr Kessler has ordered sports and games equipment with the Coles promotion and Mrs Javorsky has order “hands on” maths equipment using the Woolworths redemption program.  We look forward to receiving this new equipment.

 

Term 4 Dates

November

Wednesday 9^th – P&C Annual General Meeting and Milo Cup

Thursday 10^th – Kinder Orientation Session 1

Thursday 17^th – Kinder Orientation Session 2

Wednesday 23^rd – Cyberbullying – Parent Information Session

Thursday 24^th – Years 5 and 6 Harry Potter Exhibition and Kinder Orientation Session 3

Monday 28^th – K-2 Santa Show

Wednesday 30^th Combined Scripture Service and Parent Helpers Morning Tea

December

Thursday 1^st – Years 1 and 2 Pet Education session, and Band Concert

Friday 2^nd – Mini Fete – Year 6

Thursday 6^th – Years 5 and 6 Cybersafety, and Parent Session 7:00pm

Friday 9^th – Years 5 & 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 & 4 Final Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 & 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kinder Graduation 9:30am and Year 6 Farewell

Friday 16^th – Last day of term

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• Mr Kevin Mayne, our Science Teacher, who has been nominated for a Rotary award for vocational excellence.  He was nominated by a local community member for his work with the outstanding props and costumes for Beauty and the Beast.  Mr Mayne will be presented with his award at a special function at Nutcote in the next few weeks.  Congratulations Mr Mayne!
• Ms Vic Barbeler [Sebastian KC and Charles 5S] who presented a wonderful  papier-mâché workshop for the Kindergarten teachers.  Parents teaching teachers! Many thanks Vic!
• Mrs Naty Millar [Maya 5J] who again this year coordinated the Entertainment Book sales.  This fundraiser earned $793.00 for the P & C.  Thank you Naty and all the parents who supported this initiative!
• Mr Michael who climbed up a tall ladder this week to retrieve a football in a gutter.  Three boys were very happy to have it again.  Thank you Mr Michael.

 

Homework Surveys

Thanks to everyone who completed the online surveys. We now have plenty of data to analyse. We will publish results in next week’s newsletter.

 

DanceSports

Next Monday, a group of children from Grays Point Public School in Sydney’s south, will be coming to perform their DanceSports routines for the Year 4 children. The GPPS kids have been part of a ‘Dancing With the Stars’ type competition in Sydney Region this year, and we are looking forward to seeing how they salsa, cha-cha and rumba. Who knows… maybe we have some budding young ballroom dancers in our midst?!?

 

Remembrance Day Assembly

We will be hosting a Remembrance Day Assembly next Friday at 10:30am for the Years 4-6 children. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Owen Taylor, Deputy Principal

 

Mathletics 

Congratulations to Lucinda Peace  3H and Naomi Peace KC who also received a GOLD certificate last term. Well done and keep up the great work!

Leanne Gassmann, Debbie Horsley and Nadine Walsh, Mathletics Coordinators

 

Message from the Office

A Commonwealth Bank cheque has been found on the floor in the corridor outside the school office. The drawer is S. G. O’Neill.  We are unable to link the name to a current student.  Please contact the office on 9953-1798 or send an email to the school address so the cheque can be receipted and banked.  Thank you.

E. Bell, School Administrative Manager

 

Timmy the Dog

In the olden days there was a cute baby dog called Timmy who was very naughty.  He lived with his very own owners Mum, Dad, Popy and Jim who adored him even though he was naughty.  Sometimes he was so so soooo naughty that they got sick of him.  So they tried to train him but he wouldn’t listen.  One afternoon Popy and Jim took Timmy to the park and Jim needed to go to the toilet so Popy waited and suddenly there was a bark.  It was Timmy chasing another dog.  He bit the other dog’s leash! So Popy chased and chased until she caught him.  They went home exhausted.  Popy told Mum, Dad and Jim what had happened.  So they all took Timmy to Puppy School.  And when they picked him up, Timmy was very well TRAINED! So he never did that stuff again and he had a great life.

Isla O’Sullivan 1K

 

The Locked Door

There I sat looking at an ancient door that had not been open for hundreds of years.  There was a story about one girl that had opened the door at the age of seven.  That night was Halloween the spookiest night of all.

All through the night I wondered should or shouldn’t I go through the door. If I decide yes I should but will I end up as the girl who went through the doors?  So that morning I snuck out of the house.  I arrived at the door.  I tried to open it but it did not open.  I decided to try again but it did not open.  What should I do?  I decided to search for the key.  After 12 days of searching I found the key at last.  I screamed: “I found it, I found it”.

I start to open the door.  It creaked.  I went inside.  I saw an old witch hat could it be so a witch lived in here and killed the girl.  As I reached for the hat I heard a voice come from behind me.  I looked behind me.  There was a ghost.  I screamed.  The witch had got out.  The whole city was in danger. What should I do I thought.  I came up with the plan.  I would turn the ghost nice.

So I tried and tried.  I finally made the city not in danger.  The witch’s home was changed into a church.

Mackenzie Argent 3DJ

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  In addition to our usual offerings, the children have really been enjoying the strawberry smoothies which have been available most days.  I can understand why, having sampled them – they are delicious and refreshing.

Next week’s Monday-Thursday special is Sticky Chicken, and the roster is below.  Please let Kristina (nbpscanteen@gmail.com) know if you can help out on Wednesday (or any day, for that matter!)

 

Canteen Roster

Monday 7^th Michele Celler, Gwen Murdoch

Tuesday 8^th Leanne Taratoris, Susan Hay, Senior Band Zoo Snooze

Wednesday 9^th Carole Edwards, HELP NEEDED, Concert Band Zoo Snooze

Thursday 10^th Gloria, Kanako Malthouse, Kinder Orientation

Friday 11^th Philippa SJ, Kate Michele, Marion Braslin till 11am

 

Uniform Shop

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who worked so hard on the Kindy Orientation evening to organise and sell uniforms and also to welcome all of the parents to Neutral Bay.  So well done Irene Bottomley, Erica Kidston, Claudia Solomons, Eilidh Kennedy, Maria Gimenez, Marion Braslin, Julie Nearhos and Fiona and India Hearne – thank you for giving up your time and doing such a fantastic job!

Remember you can now contact us and email your orders to nbpsuniformshop@gmail.com. 

Order forms and price lists can be downloaded from the school website.

We’re now selling waterproof jackets and Red Robin socks – check out the price list or come along to the shop on a Tuesday morning to have a look – we’re open as always from 8.30am.

We’re on the lookout for good quality pre-loved items! Particularly in demand are summer uniform items – white short sleeved polos, summer dresses and sport shorts, in reusable condition only please. So if you have anything hiding in the back of your cupboards and are having a spring clear out, now is a great time to pass them along!   Thanks.

Helen and the Uniform Shop Team

 

Northern Beaches Secondary College - 

Open Days 2012

Balgowlah Boys Campus

Tuesday 28^th February 9.30 – 11.30 am

Info Night: Wednesday 29^th February 6.30 – 7.30 pm

Enquiries: 9949 4200

Mackellar Girls Campus

Tuesday 28^th February 9.30 – 11.30 am

Info Night: Thursday 1^st March 6.30 – 7.30 pm

Enquiries: 9949 2083

Manly Selective Campus

Thursday 1^st March 9.30 – 11.00 am

Enquiries: 9905 3982

Cromer Campus

Friday 2^nd March 9.30 – 11.30 am

Info Night: Monday 5^th March 6.30 – 7.30 pm

Enquiries: 9981 1155

Freshwater Senior Campus

Tuesday 6^th March 4.00 – 7.00 pm

Tuesday 22^nd May 3.00 – 5.00pm

Enquiries: 9905 2634

Academic Placement Test

For 2013 Year 7 academic extension classes at
Balgowlah Boys Campus, Cromer Campus and Mackellar Girls Campus

To be held at all three campuses on

Tuesday, 20^th March   2012 

Closing date: Tuesday, 6^th March 2012

Enquiries: Debbie Quirk, 9939 7348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

From the Principal                                 

 

Parent Survey – Homework

 

If you have not already done so, I would like to request that all parents complete the online Homework Survey.  This closes next Monday 31^st October.  Many thanks for your cooperation with this.   Survey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F2VTTNY

 

Zoo Snooze

Our band members are sleeping over at the Zoo!  Junior Band last night, Senior Band on 8^th November and Concert Band on 9^th November.

Our boys and girls will have a great time with animal encounters,  a night safari and Behind the Scenes  guided tours with the zoo keepers at Taronga Zoo.  This is a wonderful experience for our children – to be able to go to sleep with the sounds of the animals and wake up to their morning calls.

My thanks to Sharon Mitchell, Simone Bird and all the band parent coordinators for providing the children with this very special experience.  I hope you do get some sleep!

 

Kindergarten 2012 Information Evening

Many thanks to the parents who presented information at last week’s  session: Michael O’Sullivan [P & C], Helen Henaghan [Uniform Shop], Kristina Lawton [Canteen] and Libbie Jamieson [After School Care].  Special thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who sold uniforms.

 

Selective Schools Application 2012

Year 5 parents are able to apply for Selective School entry for 2013 up until 21^st November.  The application portal is

www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement

I will conduct a short parent information session to assist parents with questions about the application procedures, school assessments, test, choosing schools, appeals process etc.  This will be held next Tuesday 1^st November at 8.30am.  Interested parents are most welcome to attend.

 

Opportunity Class Offers 2012

Congratulations to the boys and girls who have been offered places in our Year 5 Opportunity Classes for 2012.  This year 13 children have received offers with several more on the Reserve List.

 

P & C Meeting – AGM – Wednesday 9^th November

Parents are most welcome to attend the P & C AGM on Wednesday 9^th November at 8:00pm in the Hall. Come along and be involved in your school.

 

OzTag Gala Day

Good Luck to our  OzTag teams for next week’s Gala Day.  Many thanks to Mrs Love and Mr Kessler for their organisation and preparation of the teams.  Have fun everyone!

 

Congratulations Mrs Black

Mrs Kelli Black [4K class teacher] had a beautiful baby boy earlier this week.  He weighted 4kg, is 57cm long and both Mum and Dad are thrilled.  Name to be announced!  Congratulations to the Black family.  We look forward to seeing Mrs Black and meeting her new baby soon.

 

Term 4 Dates

November

Wednesday 2^nd – Year 6 Interrelate 7:00pm and Mosman High School Visit Year 5

Thursday 3^rd – OzTag Gala Day

Wednesday 9^th – P&C Annual General Meeting and Milo Cup

Thursday 10^th – Kinder Orientation Session 1

Thursday 17^th – Kinder Orientation Session 2

Wednesday 23^rd – Cyberbullying – Parent Information Session

Thursday 24^th – Years 5 and 6 Harry Potter Exhibition and Kinder Orientation Session 3

Monday 28^th – K-2 Santa Show

Wednesday 30^th Combined Scripture Service and Parent Helpers Morning Tea

December

Thursday 1^st – Years 1 and 2 Pet Education session, and Band Concert

Friday 2^nd – Mini Fete – Year 6

Thursday 6^th – Years 5 and 6 Cybersafety, and Parent Session 7:00pm

Friday 9^th – Years 5 & 6 Presentation Assembly 9:30am

Monday 12^th – Years 3 & 4 Final Assembly 9:30am

Tuesday 13^th – Years 1 & 2 Final Assembly 9:30am

Wednesday 14^th – Kinder Graduation 9:30am and Year 6 Farewell

Friday 16^th – Last day of term

 

Gai Collett, Principal

 

Stars of the Week

• ·All our boys and girls who behaved so well and cooperated so beautifully with the photographers on Monday.  It was very hot on the “grass” and you were so all sensible helping to make the organisation run so smoothly.  The photographers complimented our children – one of the best schools they have photographed!
• Our school captains who assisted with the organisation of Monday’s photographs.  They acted as “runners”, helped with equipment and assisted Mr Taylor.  Many thanks Maya, Daniel, Charlotte and Matthew.
• Our Junior Girls Relay team of Emmanuelle Mattana, Bailey Markman, Lucy Woodcock and Caitlin Du Plooy who finished 10^th at the NSW PSSA Athletics Carnival last week.
• Koh Yamada, 5S, who came first in three categories at the Foottapper Spring Dance Festival last weekend.

 

Chess

Thank you to everyone who brought in their expression of interest form to play in the upcoming tournament at Castle Cove Public School. There are no positions left so the office will no longer be accepting requests to play. More information will be coming to those students who did enter a form before today.

Mary Magney, Chess Coordinator

 

K-2 Sports Day

Yesterday at the School Carnival I did a good race. I came fourth. I got a special ribbon and it was yellow and one was white. It was an exciting day! I thought the parent race was the funniest race of all! When it was the teachers race I thought Miss Kennedy was going to win!

Amelia Soh KK

 

Yesterday was the Sports Carnival. I was crying because I was scared. Next I had morning tea. My favourite was the teacher race. Miss Kennedy was the funniest at racing. The fastest was Miss Carew. It was a good Sport Carnival day.

Kein Chang KK

 

The night before Christmas

On the night before Christmas as at 9:30 a little boy snuck up on to the carpet to play video games.  At 11:10 be began to feel drowsey and before he knew it, he was fast asleep.

He awoke to the sound of crunching.  He followed the sound to see a very big man.  No???

It was SANTA.  Santa then waved his hand and disappeared. It was magic, no, Christmas magic.  He couldn’t wait to tell his parents.  And that boy was in fact me.

Xavier Kim 3H

 

The night before Christmas

The night before Christmas is very exciting for me because I usually get an early present at my house.  In the afternoon we decorate the Christmas tree with bright shiny baubles.

At about 8.30 I go to bed.  When I try to go to sleep in my soft bed it’s nearly impossible.  I’m too excited.  After an hour I finally get to sleep.  When I wake up, the world feels different.

You can smell the pine tree in the lounge room.  But when I look at my watch, it’s 3:00am so I get up anyway.  Then I find my brother already playing  games.  So then my dad gets up a few hours later, then we open our presents and say we woke up at six!

Later on our dad cooks us a yummy roast chicken and salad.  It’s the best Christmas ever!

Marcel Qayoom-Taylor 3H

 

Dragons!

Do you have allergies and want to get a pet? Why don’t you get an awesome dragon pet! I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that dragons are very scary and hard to handle. But when you think about it they are really nice and sweet. You can get Blue, Green, yellow and etc. They also come in Rainbow. There is also fire, water, air, rock, and electricity and grass types of dragons.

Dragons are a big help in the house they can easily sweep the floor by their tail and I am certain you won’t need a hose anymore, if your dragon is a water type they can just blow water out of their mouth to clean the car for example. They are so big in the house but they can shrink. Just a drop of gum leaf juice then poof! The dragon is small!

Are you getting bullied at school? Why don’t you get a dragon, so you can be safe anytime, anywhere. I’m absolutely sure you will be safe walking to school by yourself now that you’ve got a dragon. And also have you seen the news on the television how there was just a robbery yesterday?  You don’t want your prized possessions taken do you? So get a dragon now there is no doubt that owning a dragon will keep the thieves at bay.  If your home is robbed or you are getting bullied this creature is the best pet ever.

Do you want to travel to France or anywhere? The Dragon is your pet! It can travel 1000 km per hour and that’s fast! Just hold onto its wings and off you go to the country you have been waiting to see! A cars maximum speed is 110 km per hour the dragon can travel a couple more times faster than that. You can get to your destination easily.

A dragon’s egg has a lot of vitamins in it. Such as dragons claws have healing powers, like if you trip over and graze yourself just get a claw from a dragon and voila! You are better! And if all your hair is falling out just get a tip of the dragon scales where the tail is and you will have the hair of your life. There is also other ways but that will be enough!

Do you want to go camping sometime? You can get a portable BBQ just get a dragon and make your dragon lie on its back let it breathe fire and have a roast chicken have cooked sausages and etc. You can even use your dragon as shelter. Open its wings and go under its wings and you have shelter where ever you go!

For your information go to www.dragonsareawesome.com

By Jess Riley 4PW

 

Dragon Pets!

Are you looking for the perfect pet? Then a dragon is perfect pet strong and fierce, gentle and kind then a dragon is perfect for you  it will keep your family safe at all times.

Do you want to beat the traffic? Well it’s without a doubt a good idea to get a dragon because it does beat the traffic! And it goes twice as fast as a cars usual speed. It’s much better for the environment. I am certain you would want to get to work on time and not have to wait for the traffic lights to change.

Well trained dragons will guard your house so if your neighbourhood you have a lot of robberies then the dragon will warn you.

When the dragon lays an egg you can feed it to your family because it is full of lots of vitamins and other delicious things.

As you can see a dragon is the perfect pet and will follow all your command and will love you more than anything.

 By Maya Burton-Stoeve 4PW

 

Buy A Dragon!!

I think that you should purchase a dragon because of these reasons…..I Hope that I convince you. I am absolutely sure that getting a dragon will keep you and your family safe. I have heard that your area has had a few robberies these passing few weeks so I certainly recommend that you should get a dragon for your safety.

Are you a hard working mum who finds it hard to feed your kids every morning well your dragon’s eggs are easy to cook and I am certain that your dragon’s eggs will keep you and your family very healthy. Dr William Johns says that “dragon eggs will give you vitamin A, B, C and D also lots of nutrients plus an energy boost”.

Your dragon will save you money I’m talking bills here, thousands of dollars, For example if there is a black out or you have difficulties with your electrical lights and you have to pay lots of money for repair, Welllllllllll when you have a dragon there is no doubt it will help with the lighting until you save up for repairs. So it is absolutely necessary that you get a dragon.

Usually my car goes to 220km per hour /per hr but my dragon and yours will go up to 550km/per hr wow!! That’s a good deal so you could get places 10x faster.

So come to your local dragon store and get your dragon…..a perfect dragon for you and your family, YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!

By Zizo Ayoub 4PW

    

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

 

P & C Annual General Meeting

The P&C will hold its Annual General Meeting on at 8pm on Wednesday 9th November 2011 in the school hall. All positions are declared vacant and elected or re-elected. The positions together with a brief description of activities can be found on the school website 

http://www.neutralbay-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/p_c/index.html.

Please return nomination forms to the School Office, or hand to Owen Taylor (Deputy-Principal), who has agreed to act as “Returns Officer” for these elections. Nominations will be accepted at the office until Tuesday 8th November 3pm, and at the AGM.”

Sevaly Sen, Hon Secretary

 

Canteen News

Greetings from the canteen!  It has been another busy week in the canteen, with many of the children enjoying the delicious Greek Salad which has been on offer as the special.  Next week we return to a tried and true favourite, Pasta Bolognese for the Monday-Thursday special. 

Before the term gets too busy, I would like to thank some of our wonderful suppliers, who help make the every busier canteen run smoothly: Baker’s Delight at Big Bear supplies our copious bread needs.  Dom the Grocer (also in Big Bear) delivers the impressive quantities of fresh fruit and veg we use every week.  And Sushi 2 Go (Cremorne Town Centre) delivers the always popular sushi – please give them your custom, and let them know that you are from the school!

Next week’s roster is below, and please don’t hesitate to contact Kristina on nbpscanteen@gmail.com if you would like to come help – we always need new volunteers!

 

Canteen Roster

Monday 31st Drina Brezniak, Makiko Tokashiki, Annie Xhao

Tuesday 1st Jenny Dunn, Melinda Kelly

Wednesday 2nd Leslie Wait, Marion Gies

Thursday 3rd Ping Xu, Gloria Xu

Friday 4th Laurel Hixon, Sara Winchester, Jane Tham

 

Junior Band 2012

On Tuesday this week the majority of Year 2 children tried out (via an instrument test) for Junior Band 2012.  Well done to everyone.  We discovered lots of budding musicians!

If your child did the instrument test without an already-completed Expression of Interest form filled out by a parent/carer, your child was sent home with one after the instrument test.  As no child will be placed into Junior Band without a completed Expression of Interest form, please ensure that this form is returned to the school office no later than Monday October 31. 

The bandmaster Mr Hampton and band coordinators will be selecting children and their instruments for Junior Band 2012 on Tuesday November 1 so it is essential that these forms are returned to school ASAP, signed by parents/carers.

If you do not have this form, it can be downloaded from the school website band page or collected from the school office. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS contact Sharon Mitchell bishop.mitchell@bigpond.com

A big thank you to our Year 2 teachers for allowing the interruption and to our volunteer overall band coordinator, Sharon Mitchell, who orchestrated and implemented these instrument tests.  The fact that almost every child in Year 2 had the opportunity to try out for junior band over a three hour period is a great commitment to the band.  Thank you also to Melinda Kelly who assisted Sharon on the day and to Ray Hampton who listened very carefully and noted every noise the children made!

 

 ZooSnooze

Our 2011 Junior Band attended ZooSnooze this week – next week’s newsletter will advise who snoozed at the zoo and who was kept awake by the snoring animals.  Senior band’s ZooSnooz takes place on November 8 and Concert Band’s on November 9.  Lots to look forward to!

Simone Bird, Overall Band Coordinator with Sharon Mitchell

 

I’m with Cupid

The school musical has been reborn at Northern Beaches Senior Campus – Cromer Campus. I’m with Cupid is a big budget all-star production on November 24/25/26 at 7.00pm.  Adults $10 Children $5 – tickets available at the door.

 

Learn Music on Keyboard at School
Enrolment for 2012 closes on: Fri 18 November. Music theory, instrument playing, ensemble practice, fun music games, weekly 45-min lesson, small group, music material included, instrument not required initially.

Call 9411 3122 to enrol (VIP Music est. 1984)

www.learnmusicatschool.com.au