|
SAMUEL GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
|
August, 2007 |
|
Issue No. 13 |
ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN 2008 |
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
School Fete: May I extend a huge invitation to our School Fete which happens this Sunday, 26th from 9.00am-3.00pm. The day will start with performances by our school bands in the school hall followed by our Vocal Ensemble who will sing on the stage on the oval. The rides will then get into full swing at 10.00am. It is shaping up to be a great day and despite some recent wet weather we are confident that the fete will go ahead as planned. There will be lots of fun activities for everyone in the family and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in organising the day. I know that it will be a lot of fun for everyone who attends.
Our Technology Committee is also going to give parents the opportunity to see the new Interactive Whiteboard technology (purchased by our P&C) in action. There will be two 15 minute sessions run by teachers in the computer room. These sessions will be at 11.00-11.15am and again at 11.45-12.00pm. Please make a point of seeing this wonderful technology in action and the benefits it will provide for all our students. These sessions are for parents only - no children.
Any late information (weather issues) regarding the Fete will be posted on the school’s website.
Parking: I would like to again remind parents that the school car park is for staff vehicles only between the hours of 8.00am and 3.30pm. Parents with students who attend our OOSH program may enter the car park outside these hours but band students must be dropped outside the school in the “kiss and drop zone” unless specific permission has been granted by the school.
When in the school car park the 5kph speed limit must be strictly adhered to by all drivers and extreme caution must be exercised if there is a need to reverse your vehicle. Pedestrians must use the front path up to the school in Ridgecrop Drive and not the driveway entrance. These measures are vital to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Shop for Your School Program: Just a reminder that any purchases you happen to make at Nash Patel’s Good Guys at Castle Hill earn our school reward points. When making your purchase ask for the “reward points for our school”. For each $25 you spend you will receive a “$1 Shop for your School Reward” voucher. In fact this weekend you will receive double reward dollars for our school. This is a great scheme which does not cost parents any extra money and yet allows the school to use the reward dollars to purchase equipment for the school. If you do have any vouchers please send them along to the school office.
School Invoices: Thank you to all those parents who have settled their school invoices recently. I urge other parents who have not as yet paid their invoices to do so as soon as possible. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Gordon Fraser
Top
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Recycling Mobile Phones: The school has the opportunity to recycle old mobile phones you may have lying around in drawers at home. It is estimated that there are 16 million old mobile phones and as these contain toxins it is imperative that they must not find their way into landfill sites. They can be recycled and the school gets paid for the old phones we collect so we gain as well as the environment. There will be a collection box near the front office if you want to donate your old phone.
Tips For Parenting Course: Just a reminder that we are running the course again next Monday evening 27th August from 6:30–8:30pm in the Library. The first module ‘Feelings’ will be repeated as that module must be completed before any other module can be done. We will run the other modules on Monday, 10th September and 17th September. Friday sessions for the course are held in Burragali at 9:00am. We’d love to see as many parents as possible.
Influenza: There is a lot of influenza going around the community. Influenza symptoms include: fever, headache, body aches and pains, tiredness, runny nose, sore throat and cough. Children may also have nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Students with symptoms of influenza should -
• stay at home until they are better. Please don’t send your child to school if they are unwell.
• cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of it in the garbage bin after use
• wash their hands with soap and running water for 10 seconds, after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and before touching other people or objects that other people might touch.
For more information call Sydney West Health on 9840 3603.
Hills District Performing Arts Festival: A number of our students in Year 5, the Performance Band and the Vocal Ensemble will be performing at the Hills District Performing Arts Festival on Monday, 3rd September. The concert begins at 7:00pm and concludes at 9:00pm. Tickets are available from The Hills Centre. Cost per ticket is $12.50. We wish them well.
Mary-Anne Martin
ORANGE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Yes it is that time of the year again. Almost Spring! Where do the years go?
This year the Parade date clashes with the APEC meeting in Sydney and unfortunately I have a commitment out of town on that weekend.
Is there someone out there who would like to coordinate our school group to enter this year’s parade? If so, would you please let Miss Cater know by Friday this week. It isn’t hard and it’s fun.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Many thanks to all the wonderful helpers we had this year. It was the support of all those parents which allowed all the children to enjoy the day. Our carnivals try to cater for all ability groups within our school.
The more able athletes are now selected and will be off to represent us later this week. Please note that if your child has been selected at the next level it is important that their permission note is returned and they attend the carnival. Last minute withdrawals (except in extenuating circumstances) are not possible now Zone Carnivals are computerised.
Thank you to the following teachers who will be taking the children to these carnivals:
Throwing Carnival (yellow note) – Mrs Hart
Track Carnival (blue note) - Mrs Marcolin
Ball Games Carnival (green note) – Mrs Tudor
Thank you also to Mr Fraser, Mrs Martin, Mrs Spears and Ms Barcley who will represent the school as officials.
Due to the weather and oval closures the Throwing Carnival has been postponed until Wednesday, 5th September. We will advise you when we know the new date for the Track and Ball Games Carnivals.
We wish all our competitors well!
Elaine Cater, Sport Coordinator
Top
ASTRONOMY NIGHT
Just a reminder that the Canteen will be open on the Astronomy Night rescheduled for Tuesday, 28th August. Pumpkin soup, noodle cups, hot dogs and pies will be available. Hot chocolate and tea and coffee will be made on request.
Canteen Committee
BAND REPORT
We are all looking forward to hearing the three bands play at the Fete. Please be at school in casual clothes at 8.30am with your instrument and music. We will require help setting up please. In anticipation of your help – thank you!
The Performance Band will be playing at the Hills District Music Festival on Monday, 3rd September. Please watch out for a note with specific details. We know that you will represent Samuel Gilbert Public School with pride and excellent music.
We are currently organizing community performances from the Concert and Performance Bands during school time later this term. This is a great opportunity to enjoy playing to an appreciative audience. Further details to follow.
Sue Lack, Band Committee
OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
. Interrelate Family Centre, Dural is holding a ‘Positive Parenting’ course on Wednesday, 26th September from 10.00am to 1.00pm and Monday, 10th September from 6.00pm to 9.00pm at 685 Old Northern Road, Dural costing $15. Also ‘Being a Grandparent’ course on Tuesday, 28th August from 10.00am to 1.00pm costing $15. For further details and bookings please ring 9653 9533.
. Toolbox Parenting Groups is holding a parenting course in an informal and relaxed environment where you will be given practical skills and strategies that can be immediately put to use. The next course (for 6-12 year olds) is Saturday, 27th October from 9-3pm and Saturday, 10th November from 9-3pm at Castle Hill Community Church. The cost is $70 for a couple and $35 for a single parent. For enquiries please ring 9634 3433.
. Castle Hill Softball Club needs a few more boys or girls who turn 6 or 7 this year to play Teeball this summer. All games are played at the same time, same location every week commencing 13th October. You will get a free softball mit, ball and backpack. For more information contact Debbie Armsworth on 9894 2274 or castlehillsoftball@yahoo.com.au
. Parenting and Family Support Centre at University of Queensland is conducting research about the challenges of parenting an overweight child. The research will help to develop a version of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P) to help parents deal with such challenges. The centre is looking for parents of 5-12 year old children to complete a confidential survey to tell about their experiences of parenting an overweight child. Results of the study will be available to participants. If you would like to be involved in the research, the survey can be completed online at http://experiment.psy.uq.edu.au/parentingchallenges If you have any questions about the research or would like a paper and pencil copy of the survey, please contact Kate at parentingchallenges@psy.uq.edu.au or on 0412 196 493.
. Destiny Care is conducting a free seminar ‘Are You a Candidate for Business?’ on Saturday, 1st September from 9.30am to 1.00pm at 11a Hudson Avenue, Castle Hill (cnr Salisbury Road and Hudson Avenue). Morning tea will be provided. If you are interested in starting up your own business and would like to attend please call 9659 2751 (Tuesdays to Fridays) or email destinycare@destinycare.org.au to register before 29th August.
Top
