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SAMUEL GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
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PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Annual School Report
The Annual School Report for 2006 is approaching completion and it is hoped that it will ready to go to the printers following our committee meeting this Friday. The parent representative on the committee is Miranda Ransome, the P&C Secretary. The report outlines the performance of Samuel Gilbert during 2006 and in particular highlights the excellent achievements of our students in the Basic Skills Tests in Literacy, Numeracy and Writing. Excellent results were also achieved by our students in the University of NSW competitions.
School Sign Board
One unforeseen consequence of our new security fence is that our notice board is now hidden from view. The easiest solution to the problem would be to replace the board with a new one which has the capacity to be raised and lowered but these are really quite expensive ($4000-$7000). I thought that it might be a good idea to ask our parents for any ideas (lateral thinking) to see if there are any practical solutions to this problem that we have not considered. The notice board plays an important part in promoting our school activities and there have been many comments from both students and parents about the problem. If you have any suggestions please give the school a ring and discuss them with us. We would really like your thoughts, but remember that they have to allow for the board lettering to be changed and can’t involve students or staff standing on ladders.
Election Day Barbecue
Many thanks to all those parents who have volunteered to staff the barbecue that the P&C is running at the school on election day this Saturday, 24 th March. If you are coming up to vote here don’t forget to buy a sausage sandwich and a ticket in the raffle - the prize is a small cappuccino machine. The money raised is going towards the relocation of our shade house from below the staff car park to behind the Science room. This will give our students a great hands-on learning experience and allow them to “get down and dirty with plant propagation.”
Reminder
May I remind parents and students that there is no pedestrian access to the school in Ridgecrop Drive via the roadway leading to the staff car park. Students should enter the school via the front gates and only use the car entrance when the front pedestrian gates are not open. This is a student safety issue and it is essential for students’ safety that they do not walk on the road used by cars. Your assistance to ensure that students enter via the pedestrian gate will be greatly appreciated.
Gordon Fraser
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DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Harmony Day:
A big thank you to the students, parents and staff for supporting our Harmony Mufti Day. We raised $612:00 for Stewart House. 217 students joined in a cricket game at lunchtime so we’ll eagerly wait to see if the record for participation in the largest cricket game was broken by students in NSW schools. Thank you Miss Cater for organising our lunchtime game.
Swimming Carnival:
Congratulations to our students on their exemplary behaviour at the school swimming carnival. It is always a joy to have such positive feedback from members of our community complimenting our students. Best wishes for the students who will be representing Samuel Gilbert at the regional carnival.
Earth Hour:
On Friday, 30 th March our students and teachers will be supporting Earth Hour by switching off all lights and power switches for one hour between 12:40 and 1:40p.m. to show that it’s possible to take action on global warming. If all Australian households simply turned off unused lights and appliances at the power point Australia’s emissions would be reduced by at least 5 million tonnes per annum. The greenhouse gas savings from this simple action are equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off the road. On Saturday, 31 st March at 7:30 p.m. families in Sydney are being encouraged to turn off household lights for just one hour. Earth Hour shows that together, our small actions can make a difference to global warming.
Electronic Toys:
It has come to our attention that a number of students are bringing expensive electronic items such as iPods to school. These items are best left at home as the school accepts no responsibility for their loss or theft. Loss of these items causes great distress for students. Please do not allow them to come to school.
A reminder that mobile phones should be brought to the office at the start of the day and collected before going home.
Easter Hat Parade:
On Wednesday, 4 th April at 9:30a.m. students in K-2 will be participating in the Easter Hat Parade. Year 6 students will be supporting their buddies. Parents are most welcome to attend.
Australian Schools Computer Competition:
On Tuesday, 27 th March students in Years 3-6 will participate in the Australian Schools Computer Competition. Students will need to bring afternoon tea, a book to read, 2 x 2B lead pencils and a rubber. The competition commences at 3:15p.m. Parents are asked to collect students at 4:00 p.m. We would be grateful if you could keep conversational noise to a minimum when picking up students as test completion time may vary from classroom to classroom.
Year 6 Canberra Excursion:
Students in Year 6 will be visiting Canberra On Wednesday, 28 th – Friday, 30 th March. I’m sure this experience will be most enjoyable and will become one of the highlights of your final primary year.
Anzac Day Service:
The school Anzac Day service will be held on Tuesday, 24 th April at 9:00a.m. It is traditional that students bring a flower to school to contribute to a floral tribute from each class. As this is the first day back for the students we would be very grateful if you could assist them to remember this on Tuesday 24 th April. Please come to school in full school uniform unless your child is having a dance lesson.
Year 6 Expression of Interest Forms:
Just a reminder for Year 6 parents could you please return your child’s Expression of Interest form by Tuesday, 27 th March. All students in Year 6 need to return this form to their class teacher even if you are considering a private school as their secondary choice.
Mary-Anne Martin
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SPORT REPORT
District Representatives
Congratulations to C who represented us in the Castle Hill Softball team and J and L who have been selected in the Castle Hill Soccer team. The two boys will play against the other zones in Sydney West on Wednesday, 28 th April. We wish them well.
Swimming Carnival
My apologies for not mentioning ‘Swim Mart’ at Rouse Hill in the last report. Swim Mart sponsored our school carnival and their generosity helped greatly. For families with pools and need supplies I hope you will return their support.
We had a very successful school team this year and were Runners Up in the Zone. This is a tremendous result with eighteen schools in our Zone. A special congratulations to C and K who both won Senior Champion of the Carnival.
A big thank you to all parents who assisted our wonderful canteen ladies making morning teas and lunches for the officials at the Zone Carnival. It was greatly appreciated. They have really set a precedent for other schools at carnivals.
Eleven children are still swimming and are off to the Sydney West Carnival next Monday. We wish them well.
PSSA
This Friday sees the last round of the summer competition for Term 1. The summer competition will resume in Week 1, Term 4.
Next Friday we will be trialling for winter sports. At this stage we may not be able to field senior and junior teams in Soccer or AFL. If there is a parent who would be willing to help out in umpiring and coaching on a regular basis in either of these sports please contact me early next week. I will need to let convenors know our decision by the end of next week. I am hoping we can resolve this dilemma facing us as I write this article.
Mini Golf
My ‘plea’ from the last newsletter still stands. To date I have had no phone calls!
Cross Country
Remember our carnival is on 1 st May. The coming Easter break would be a good time to start getting into condition. Remember 2kms for juniors and 3kms for seniors is a long way without any prior practice other than once a week in a PE lesson.
Have a great holiday and we look forward to more action on the sporting field in Term 2.
Elaine Cater
Sports Coordinator
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FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP
The size 12 polo shirts are now in stock. Our order for waterproof jackets has now been sent to the manufacturer and we will advise you when they are available.
A blue umbrella has been left in the Uniform Shop. If you know it belongs to you please call in to the shop next Monday.
Reminder! In Term 1 the Uniform Shop is open on Mondays from 8.30 to 9.30 but for Term 2 we will be open Tuesdays instead.
If you are interested in volunteering to help in the Uniform Shop I would be very greatful.
Karen Pike, Uniform Shop Coordinator
FROM THE CANTEEN
Thank you to all those parents who helped prepare and serve staff at the Zone Swimming Carnival for morning tea and lunch last Wednesday (14 th). We could not have done it without you. Thanks to Judy , Christine, Roz, Michelle, Janelle, Wendy and Carole.
The Canteen Easter Raffle is on again this year. We had over 40 prizes last year split amongst the grades and hope to have the same again this year. If you can send an Easter egg or two to the Canteen over the next week, we will be very grateful. It will help us make lots of prizes. Raffle tickets will be issued next week and prizes will be drawn on Wednesday, 4 th April at the morning assembly.
As the Canteen will be closed for cleaning on the last day of term, Thursday, 5 th April, there will be no lunch orders.
The Canteen Annual General Meeting will be held in the staffroom on Friday, 30 th March at 1.45pm. We would love to see anyone interested in joining our committee.
Canteen Supervisors
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BAND REPORT
It is hard to believe that Term 1, 2007 is already coming to an end! All of our bands are now settled and rehearsing well.
This Friday, 23 rd March we have our workshop for the Training and Concert bands. These students will enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and then tutorials and a band session. Many thanks to our parent helpers who served afternoon tea.
Camp forms have been distributed to all band members this week. Please complete your form and return it to the “camp form” box in the school’s front office.
Invoices for this semester have also been sent home. Many thanks to our newly elected treasurer who has spent many hours organizing these personalised accounts. Please pay fees via the locked band box (wooden) near the school office internal window.
Enjoy the holidays and the mornings sleeping in, to be refreshed for band Term 2, 2007!
Sue Lack, Band Committee
P&C REPORT
This Saturday sees our first fund raiser for the year with our Election BBQ. A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers. Mr Fraser has very kindly donated some Good Guys vouchers to run a raffle on the day – the prize being a Sunbeam Barista Italia – so this should also generate some interest. For those who are working on day they will automatically go into the draw as a token of appreciation. Thanks again to everyone involved and to the Year Leaders who have worked hard to round up the helpers.
As mentioned in our previous note, we are hoping to use the money raised to relocate the old shade house (located near the car park) up to near the Science Room, rejuvenate the structure – new wire, shade cloth, and fit-out with shelving. Plant propagation and environmental study is part of the current curriculum so this project will provide hands-on learning for all the years.
It is with great joy (and relief – there’s no P&C without a Treasurer) that Stuart Johnson has agreed to come back and fill the role of Treasurer for 2007. Thanks for your time and commitment Stuart – greatly appreciated.
We have also had success in finding a Year 3 Leader – Karen Roudenko. Thank’s Karen for coming forward.
Unfortunately Jo Fudger has had to decline the position of Year 6 Leader due to other commitments. If there is 1 parent or maybe 2 or 3 could share the role for Year 6 I’d love to hear from you. There’s not a lot of “work” involved – you just need great social skills and able to be persuasive if needed.
Good luck for Saturday!
Lynnea McGowan
P&C President
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SAMUEL GILBERT OOSHCC
Vacation care is running at OOSH this April school holidays for the full 2 weeks from Tuesday, 10 th April to Friday, 20 th April and includes excursions and in house activities.
We are looking for staff/uni students . We have a couple of openings for casual positions.
Criteria:
- You enjoy working with children
- first aid desirable or willing to obtain
- previous experience working with 5-12 year olds, youth group/church leaders, sports coaches
- studying teaching, early childhood, psychology.
Please contact the Centre on phone/fax 9899 2729 or email sgoosh@bigpond.net.au
Lesley Soper
OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
- Kids in the Park is holding school holiday fun at Sydney Olympic Park from 6 th to 22 nd April. There will be a Circus Arts workshop, trampoline clinics, Cycling adventure, meet the Rangers for exploration of spiders and their nocturnal habits. For more information please ring 9714 7888 for a free program booklet or visit www.kidsinthepark.com.au
- Castle Hill RSL Soccer Club ’s 2007 season kicks off on Saturday, 31 st March and there are still vacancies for Under 10 girls, Under 10 & 11 boys, All Age ladies and Funskills for 4-6 year old boys & girls. For more information regarding the ROCKETS please contact Mike Molyneux on 0412 778 815 or Sal Maresca on 0421 135 498.
- Essere (To Be) is holding youth workshops on Growing Years (Improving self esteem and building resilience) and A Pro-active workshop (Giving Parents & Carers Skills & Building Resilience) on Friday 27 th April from 9-3pm at Castle Hill RSL. For more information and bookings contact 8814 5193 or 0408 221 926. Bookings essential.
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