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SAMUEL GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
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August, 2007 |
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Issue No. 12 |
ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN 2008 |
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
School Crossing Supervision:
I am writing to inform parents of changes to teacher supervision for children leaving the school and crossing Ridgecrop Drive at the marked crossing in the afternoon.
All students who cross at this crossing are to meet the duty teacher at the seats outside Mrs Hart’s room immediately after the bell has rung. No unsupervised student is to go down to the crossing alone. These students will then move down as a group with the teacher and will be crossed together. The “children crossing” flags will be displayed as usual for parents who cross with their children and will be brought in by the teacher supervising the buses. This means that the flags will remain in place until about 3.25pm each afternoon.
All students who previously regularly crossed alone have been given a note to take home and it is very important that you discuss this with your child.
Should a student arrive at the seats after the group has left, the student can then go down to the teacher on “Kiss and Drop” and ask to be crossed.
This change has been made in the interests of student safety. It will ensure supervision at the “kiss and drop” zone where a large number of students wait to be picked up and will provide a safe passage for those students who cross at the marked crossing.
School Fete:
A great deal of work is underway to ensure our fete on Sunday, 26th August is a great success. Please keep the date free as it will be a great family fun day. The P&C are still looking for helpers for the day and if you can spare some time to help on the day please ring the school office so we can put you in touch with the P&C. Many hands make light work!
P&C Meeting:
At the P&C meeting on Tuesday night, funds were approved to landscape the area between the two rows of portables facing onto Gilbert Road. The improvements will include two vegetable gardens, retaining walls surrounding the area, paths from top to bottom and surrounding the gardens and also a rainwater tank to ensure that the gardens are sustainable. I am hoping that this work will start immediately.
I would also like to thank members of the Uniform Committee for all the hard work they have done on collecting and collating the community’s views on changing some items of our uniform. Under the marvellous leadership of Jackie Coleman the first phase of the project is nearing completion. However there are still a number of uniform items which will require further consideration before a final decision can be made. Many thanks to all those involved!
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FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
University of New South Wales Competition:
Congratulations to those students who participated in the Writing Competition last term. Results from this competition are, 2 High Distinctions, 11 Distinctions, 14 Credits and 47 Participations.
SRC Tree Planting:
Last Thursday SRC students in Years 2-6 planted trees as part of the Trees for Planet Ark program. Thirteen seedlings were planted in the bush area just on the border of the school oval. Our students are very proud of their efforts to help reduce pollution and erosion and beautify the school environment. A big thank you goes to Mrs Coe and Ms Mannile for organising the seedlings.
Public Speaking Competition:
This week I have had the privilege of listening to a number of students presenting speeches as part of an Inter-District Public Speaking competition. The variety and calibre of the speeches were a credit to those students who participated. They demonstrated a high level of skill. Congratulations!
‘TIPS’ Parenting Program:
Samuel Gilbert announces its intention to run a parenting program called ‘TIPS’, meaning ‘Tips and Ideas on Parenting Skills’. We have previously run PPP at the school and recognize that it’s a big commitment to come to 4 x 2 hour sessions 4 weeks in a row. The TIPS parenting program allows parents to dip into sessions as required with 1 exception, ALL PARENTS NEED TO COMPLETE THE INITIAL SESSION, ‘FEELINGS’. This module focuses on:
- Using listening techniques to encourage improved communication with their children.
- Recognise and identify their feelings and their children’s feelings.
- Acknowledge their children’s feelings in order to build improved relationships with their children and to assist their children to feel understood and valued.
After completing the compulsory first session on feelings, we will publicise the times of the other sessions allowing you to attend as it suits your individual needs.
TIPS Program Overview:
- Let’s work together
- Instead of hitting what can I do?
- Dealing with tantrums
- Responsible children
- Keeping kids honest
- How to make children feel good about themselves
- Good labels bad labels
- Teenagers
- Family Fun
Each session funs for about 2 hours and we anticipate running both a day and an evening session.
The dates and times for the ‘Feelings’ module is:
Evening – Mondays, 20th and 27th August from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the library
Daytime – Friday Week 7, 31st August
Friday Week 9, 14th September
Friday Week 10, 21st September
Friday Week 11, 28th September from 9.00am to 10.30am in Burragali.
Glenda Walter & Mary-Anne Martin
Facilitators for the Program
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MATHS OLYMPIAD COMPETITION 2007
As part of our commitment to provide students with extension/enrichment opportunities, a 30 member team of our brightest Stage 3 mathematicians annually compete in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads. The annual Olympiads have been operating since 1987. Every year, schools from all over Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and other neighbouring countries take part. Approximately 28 000 students competed in the 2006 contests.
The Olympiads consist of five separate contests held approximately one month apart between May and September. The overall aim is to encourage students to develop important mathematical problem solving skills in an enjoyable environment. Each problem requires higher order thinking skills just to select the appropriate strategy before you can even begin to solve the problem. All questions are extremely challenging.
To facilitate this at Samuel Gilbert, we have Stage 3, graded maths problem solving groups who meet each Thursday. Approximately 70 Stage 3 students participate in the Olympiads from which the top 30 form our team. We have now completed three of the five Olympiads with a number of students achieving perfect scores in one or more!
Further information can be found at www.apsmo.info or via direct link on the school website.
Helen Eldridge
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2007 HILLS PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
The Monday Night Concert for the Hills Performing Arts Festival for this year is on
MONDAY, 3RD SEPTEMBER at The Hills Centre, Showground Road, Castle Hill. The concert commences at 7.00pm.
Tickets for the Concert will be on sale at The Hills Centre Box Office from Saturday, 18th August. All tickets cost $12.50 – there are no concessions or children’s prices. You can order from the box office directly. It is open from Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm or Saturdays from 9.00am until 12.00pm. Tickets can also be ordered by telephoning 9899 3433. There is a small charge for phone bookings.
ASTRONOMY NIGHT – Thursday, 16th August
Further details for families interested in attending the Astronomy Night. This should clarify some of the concerns raised recently.
The gates open at 5.30pm and will be closed for entry from 5.50pm. Gates will open on the hour to allow families to exit only. Other exit times may also be arranged with Ms Mannile.
Entry by Pre-issued family pass only.
Ms Mannile is organising this Science night especially targeting Years 5 and 6 students and their families. If there is further demonstrated interest another night may be organised later in the year.
On this occasion entry is restricted to:
- Years 5 and 6 students and their families including other siblings
- Year 4 students from 4/5D class, their families and their siblings
- Students (their families and siblings) who attended after school Science Club activities this year
- Families of P&C helpers
Students may only come in the company of a parents and parents are responsible for their supervision on the night.
Passes will be issued shortly to those students who return their completed form and must be produced to gain entry.
The night will conclude at 9.00pm and gates will be locked at 9.30pm. Please be aware of this time as once the games are closed it is very difficult to exit.
Ms Mannile
Science Teacher
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BAND REPORT
The Band Workshop on Friday, 27th July was a very successful afternoon. It is wonderful hearing groups of students working together with their tutors and then hearing the whole band playing together. Thank you to our always reliable parents who help prepare afternoon tea, this time under the capable guidance of Christina. Thanks to Susan B, Paula, Susan H, Barbara, Simone, Sue L, Judy and Jenny . Thanks also to our supportive teaching staff who stay back to help after a full day of teaching – Cathie Barclay, Janet Davis, Lyn Elliott and Mark Yendle. Final thanks to our band masters, Mr S and Mr D’Arcy.
The Performance Band played at the McDonald’s Performing Arts Festival, but unfortunately we could not send the Concert Band due to prior commitments with PSSA. Both bands will soon be entered into the Galston Eisteddfod, as will be the Training Band.
The School Fete is fast approaching and as in past years the 3 bands will play between 9.00am and 10.00am starting with the Training Band, then Concert and finally the Performance Band. The school community always love the carnival atmosphere of the band music to start the fete day. We hope all our bands will be at full strength on that day, so put the date in your diary – Sunday, 26th August.
The next band committee meeting is on Thursday, 16th August at 8.00pm in the Staffroom.
Sue Lack
Band Committee
FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP
Dr Shoe will be at school every fortnight, Weeks 5, 7 and 9. He provides a good quality school shoe at a reasonable price and gives a portion of his profit back to the school.
Karen Pike, Uniform Shop Coordinator
FETE UPDATE
Sweet & Savoury Stall
Thank you for all those who have volunteered on the stall. I will get a timetable out to you next week. We still need helpers for the coffee cart. Don’t worry you don’t need to be a barista!
If you require cake boxes and cellophane bags complete the attached form and return it to the school office.
Please bring your donation to the stall on the day or you can deliver it to my home the night before.
A magnificent decorated cake has been kindly donated by Mrs Judy Cash. The cake will be on display at the Sweet & Savoury Stall and will be raffled at the fete. Tickets will be on sale for $1 each or 3 for $2.00.
Karen Pike
(9634 5897 – karenpike@bigpond.com)
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SWEET & SAVOURY STALL
Yes, I will be sending in items for the stall.
Name: ________________________________
Child’s Class: ___________________________
I need cake box/boxes:
YES/NO How many _____
I need cellophane bags:
YES/NO How many _____
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OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
. The Cancer Council is holding a ‘Field of Dreams’ day at Telstra Stadium on Saturday, 11th August to bring awareness to breast cancer. Tickets are $50 which includes entry to the Sydney Swans AFL game. For more information please go to www.fieldofwoman.org.au
. Castle Hill Softball Club Inc. is registering for Teeball and Softball now. Come and play with a friendly, locally-based club this summer. We have vacancies for boys and girls under 10 to play Teeball and girls under 12 and boys aged 10 to 15 for Softball. All games are played at the same time, same location every week commencing 13th October. For more information contact Debbie Armsworth on 9894 2272 castlehillsoftball@yahoo.com.au
. Sydney Bears Ice Hockey Inc. – Learn to play Ice Hockey with professional coaches on a one on one basis or learn to play with a group at Macquarie Ice Rink from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday, 17th July to 25th September. For more information go to www.sydneybears.com.au
. Hills District Little Athletics is holding Registration days for 2007/8 season at AH Whaling Reserve, Roxborough Park Road, Baulkham Hills on Saturday, 18th August and Sunday, 26th August from 10.00am to 2.00pm. For further enquiries please contact Michael or Cathy on 9620 8826 or Trish on 9634 3213.
. Parents Without Partners is an organization where you can meet people and make friends. A friendly singles group for sole parents and their children. Adult activities include weekly house parties, club nights, dances, talk nights, harbour cruises, b-b-ques, tennis, bush walks etc.
Family activities include cinema, tenpin bowling, craft days, outings and excursions, picnics etc.
For more information go to www.PWP-NSW.org
. Interrelate Family Centre at Dural is holding a seminar on ‘Being a Grandparent’ on Tuesday, 28th August from 10.00am to 1.00pm at a cost of $15. For more information please ring Interrelate on 9680 4386.
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