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SAMUEL GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
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December, 2007 |
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Issue No. 19 |
ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN 2008 |
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Thank You:
As we approach the last two weeks of this school year it is timely to thank parents, teachers and students for all their hard work, commitment and enthusiasm. We have parents who work tirelessly for the school through our
P & C Association and all its associated committees- Canteen, Uniform Shop, Band and School Banking.
Then there are those parents who work with the teachers in the classrooms with activities like Reading, Maths, Sport and Craft. There are also parents and community members who support the school in ways that often go unheralded and yet their efforts make a huge difference to the quality of learning experience that we are able to offer our students. The school is a far better place thanks to the efforts of all our supporters and I wish to thank each and every one of you for all your efforts throughout 2007.
While on this subject I would also like to recognise the wonderful efforts of all our Staff - Teaching and Support for their commitment and dedication to the education and well-being of all our students.
P&C Meeting:
Last night was the final P&C meeting for 2007 and it was exciting to hear their achievements for 2007 and the equipment and resources which they have provided to the school with the funds they have raised. I am sure that you would have read in the last newsletter the list of these items and I am equally as sure that you would be as impressed as I am. However, a number of the P&C committees are running “dangerously low” on volunteers to staff their operation and I would like to make the following plea to any parent who has the time to help.
Canteen Helpers:
HELP! HELP! The canteen is run by the P&C with the goal of providing a quality food service to all parents and students, at a moderate cost, five days per week. Many students use the canteen daily. It offers a great service.
However there are days when the Canteen Supervisor has no volunteers and we have to rely on Year 6 students to help with counter service (there are significant restrictions on what they are allowed to do in the canteen). This however, does not help with the making of lunches, hot food etc. and we are now in a situation where unless we can attract more reliable volunteers to help with the canteen in 2008 it may be forced to close on certain days or to close for recess to allow the Supervisor to fill the lunch orders. That would be a sad situation.
If you have any time available during the week to help and are interested, would you please contact the Canteen Supervisors in person or on the school phone number and let them know when you are available. They are very flexible, will try and accommodate any offer of help and will try and make sure you have an enjoyable time.
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Uniform Shop:
The Uniform Shop is another great service provided by the P&C and run by a wonderful parent Karen Pike. It is a very convenient service for parents but again needs extra volunteers to help with the workload. If you have any spare time and can help in 2008 please ring the school office and leave your name. Karen will get back to you. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated!
Invoices:
An urgent reminder to families who have not yet finalised their invoices. Would you please settle these accounts as soon as possible (there are more than 70 outstanding). If you are experiencing difficulty please contact myself or Mrs Martin so that we can make an arrangement that is suitable to you and the school. I will begin ringing families who still have outstanding accounts next week.
Carols Night:
Our Carols’ Night is on this Friday night in the main quadrangle at school from 7.30pm until 9.00pm. There will be music playing, students will be singing as well as a performance by our students who recently took part in the School Spectacular. It all makes for a wonderful family night. Pre-ordered food can be collected as advised but of course you are encouraged to bring your own Christmas hamper. The reverse Christmas tree will be there for families to donate a gift to the Salvation Army for distribution at Christmas.
Please remember that children are not to go up onto the oval area and that supervision of children is a parent responsibility. Teachers are there to organise the student performances and to assist with the organisation of the night.
Presentation Day:
A quick reminder that Presentation Day will on Tuesday, 18th December commencing at 11.00am. Admission is by ticket and these can be purchased from the school office for $5 per seat. Please remember to bring your ticket on the day as it will be required to gain admission. I look forward to seeing you there.
Unclaimed Uniform Items:
At the moment we have 5 large tubs of unclaimed uniform items. There are jackets of every type and size, hats, track pants, drink bottles and all sorts of other items. If your child has lost a uniform item during the year please ask them to come to the office and look for it or if you are in the school please come and have a look. All items with a name will be returned to students but at the end of the year any remaining items will be given to the uniform shop for resale.
Important Dates:
- The last day of school for 2007 is Friday, 21st December.
- Staff only return to school on Tuesday, 29th January, 2008.
- All students Years 1 to Year 6 return on Wednesday, 30th January, 2008
- Kindergarten students start on Thursday, 31st January, 2008.
Gordon Fraser
ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE
It has been a very busy and productive time in our school environment this term with our first vegetable crops being harvested from the new gardens. The students enjoyed watching (and eating!) the produce that they grew. We have a variety of different vegetables growing in the gardens including tomatoes and watermelons which Ms Mannile is growing with students from Year 3 through the Science program. The watermelons are expected to be harvested early next year.
The Gardaroos continued their hard work this term planting native shrubs, weeding and learning about our beautiful bush environment. The Gardaroos wish to extend their gratitude to Mrs Coe who continues to volunteer her time caring for the environment and sharing her wisdom with us.
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FROM THE CANTEEN
Please ensure all outstanding I.O.U.’s are paid before the end of the year for our accounting purposes.
Sushi orders will not be taken in Week 10 due to the Canteen closures. They will continue again in 2008.
Canteen Hours for Week 10: The Canteen will NOT be open at all on Tuesday, 18th December or Friday, 21st December.
No lunch orders will be available during the last week of term at all. On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday the Canteen will be open at recess and lunch ONLY for sale of counter items. This is to allow for cleaning and stocktake at the end of the year.
Ice Cream Day Tuesday, 11th December: Ice cream cones will be available at recess for $1.00.
A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers and the Canteen Committee for all your help and support during 2007. The Canteen cannot run without you. We wish you and your families a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you in 2008.
We would like to extend an extra special thank you to those families leaving our school this year and wish them all the best for the future.
Julie & Carolyn, Canteen Supervisors
FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform shop will be open at 8.30am on Tuesday, 29th and Wednesday, 30th January (the pupil-free day and the first day back for students). It will then continue as normal on Tuesdays from 8.30am to 9.30am.
A big thank you to Grace Perry who has helped in the shop most of the year. Also to Carlijn van Baal and all those parents who have come forward and offered help for next year.
Happy Christmas!
Karen Pike, Uniform Shop Coordinator
BAND REPORT
Our bands for 2008 have been completed and all students should have brought home a note regarding Samuel Gilbert Public School Band Organisation 2008. All students should be happy with their bands and instruments as they have been carefully decided by our band director.
We look forward to listening to the Performance Band at the Carols Night and Presentation Assembly.
All students returning instruments please have them CLEAN and ready to return to the staffroom after your last band rehearsal or performance so they can be given out to our new Training Band students for 2008.
Sue Lack, Band Committee
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OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
* Children’s Camps – NSW Sport & Recreation – Berry Centre is holding Summer holiday camps for primary students 7-12 years from Friday, 25th to Monday, 28th January at a cost of $209.35. Also available is Kids Weekend getaway from Friday 18th to Sunday, 20th January at a cost of $106.65 and Day Programs on 8th, 9th, 10th January at a cost of $40. For more information and books please ring 1800 811 387 or 131 302.
* Learning Comes Alive! At Sydney Olympic Park activities include:
- Carols by the Cauldron on 15th December – free entry with children’s craft from 6.00pm and Santa collecting letters to take back to the North Pole.
- Kids in the Park from 5th to 27th January. Some activities include netball, BMX, golf, swimming, gymnastics and much more.
- Movies in the Overflow from 5-6, 9-13, 16-20th January. Some movies include Spider Man 3, Ratatouille, Harry Potter, Shrek the Third and more.
For more information on these activities call 9714 7888 or visit www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au
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