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SAMUEL GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
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November, 2007 |
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Issue No. 17 |
ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN 2008 |
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Student Survey 2008: Next week I will be sending home a request for parents to let the school know if their children will not be returning to Samuel Gilbert in 2008. Last year this information was particularly useful and assisted us greatly in getting students into classes quickly in the new year. It would be appreciated if you would complete the survey as soon as possible and return it to the front office.
School Captains and Prefects: For parents information I have listed the process for the selection of our School Captains and Prefects. This process takes place during Term 4 and the 2 Captains and 6 Prefects are announced at the Presentation Assembly.
- Children meet and discuss what it means to be a Captain. What is expected – Year 5.
- Children write a CV if interested on an unannounced day – Year 5.
- CV’s are viewed by Principal, Deputy and Year 5 teachers each selecting up to 10 boys and girls.
- Year 5 children vote to select 4 girls and 4 boys.
- 8 from the 10 selected children prepare a speech for the whole school.
- Years 1 to 6 listen to speeches and vote. All staff vote.
Mobile Phones: The bringing of mobile phones to school is strongly discouraged. However, if a parent wants a student to bring a mobile phone to school for a specific reason, both parent and student must understand that:
- The phone is to be switched off at the school gate and never used at school. If it is used, the phone will be taken and returned at the end of the day. In case of further misuse, parents will be informed and the phone held for collection by a parent.
- The school accepts no responsibility for the loss or theft of a mobile phone
- we do not have the time to search for lost or stolen phones
- phones (clearly labelled) may be safely left at the school office and collected at the end of the day. This is the best option.
- At the end of the school day phones may be switched on once students have left the school gates. Students catching buses or being collected at the Kiss and Drop Zone are not to turn phones on until they have been collected or are on the bus or have sought permission from the supervising teacher.
Kindergarten Orientation Program: We completed our four session Kindergarten Orientation Program yesterday and it was wonderful to see how well our new students for 2008 had settled into the routine, how confident they were and how quickly they had acclimatised to their surroundings. Parents were extremely complimentary and praised our staff for providing them with quality information about starting school and the opportunity to chat with our current Kindergarten teachers. All the students and their parents left feeling very confident about beginning “big school” next year. At this stage we have 82 enrolments and will establish four Kindergarten classes.
Presentation Day 2007: It is timely to mention to parents that our Presentation Day at The Hills Centre this year will be held on Tuesday, 18th December and will start at 11.00am. Tickets will be on sale at the school office for $5 from Monday, 3rd December. Tickets must be presented on the day to gain admission.
Election Day Barbeque: Last year the P&C ran a most successful BBQ on Election Day and plans are in place to do it again this year. If you can help, please read the information inside this newsletter. Many hands make light work and your offer will be greatly appreciated!
Gordon Fraser
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FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Disco Times: Just a reminder that Year 6 is running a Beach Theme Disco tonight Friday, 9th November. The session times are Kinder and Year 1, 5:00–6:15pm; Years 2, 3 and 4 6:15–7:30pm; and Years 5 and 6 7:30–9:00pm. Tickets are available at the door.
Beach theme glow sticks will be on sale at the disco. These are battery operated. There will be starfish and sharks for $2:00 and a dolphin and dolphin pin for $2:50. The children will be given a drink and something to eat.
Sports photos: Sports photos will be taken on Monday, 12th November even if it is raining. All students in PSSA teams and teams that were in Area, Regional or State carnivals need to wear their sports uniform and bring any sporting equipment they normally use for sport. Photos will also be taken for Public Speaking and Spelling Bee finalists and those in the Maths Olympiad Competition. They need to wear full school summer uniform. School spectacular dancers will also be photographed. Photos will be displayed for orders later this term.
Selective School Applications: Students in Year 5 applying for attendance at a Selective High School in 2009 need to return their application form to the office by Friday, 16th November please.
Learn to Swim program: A Learn to Swim program will be held at Waves Pool, Mileham Ave Baulkham Hills during the summer school holidays. There will be two sessions. Wednesday 2nd January to Friday 11th January and Monday 14th to Friday 24th January 2008. Both programs run from 9:00am-1:00pm. Forms are available from the office if you are interested. Many of our recreational activities are centred around swimming activities and these programs are a great way to strengthen your child’s skills.
Thank You Morning Tea: We greatly appreciate the help we receive from our school community in assisting with many of the programs we run throughout the year. The pupils and staff would love to be able to thank you for that support at a Morning Tea being held on Wednesday, 21st November at 11:00am. Invitations will be sent home soon. We endeavour to send a personal invitation to everyone who has assisted us this year but if inadvertently you don’t receive one please feel free to join us.
Mary-Anne Martin
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FROM THE LIBRARY
Scholastic Book Fairs are holding an end of year Children’s Book Sale at the Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground on Thursday, 6th December from 10.00am to 6.00pm and Friday, 7th December from 8.00am to 2.00pm. There are thousands of titles to choose from at heavily reduced prices so don’t miss out!
Jenny Craft, Librarian
FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop will be open on one afternoon this term, Wednesday, 21st November from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
The shop needs a helper on Tuesday, 29th January, 2008 (pupil free day) from 8.30-10.00am. Please call into the Uniform Shop or phone me if you can help (9634 5897).
Second Hand Uniforms
There will be a change to second hand uniform sales as from December, 2007. The Uniform Shop will cease selling second hand items on consignment. The shop will accept items on consignment until November. Cheques for owners will be made out in December. Any unsold consigned items must then be collected by 27th November. From December all second hand items remaining in the shop will then be sold as a donation to the school. This means that from December all second hand clothing will be donated to the shop with the funds going directly to the P&C.
Being able to buy good quality second hand items is important to many families so please continue to send these items into the shop.
Karen Pike, Volunteer Coordinator
BAND REPORT
Congratulations to all our band musicians for playing so well at the Galston District Music
Festival. Our Performance Band was awarded a 1st place and our Training Band was awarded a 2nd place. Our Concert Band played fantastically in a very competitive division.
Thank you to all our wonderful band helpers who made our Friday night workshop and concert such a success. Sincere thanks to Christina who coordinated all the catering. Thanks also to Judy, Sheridan, Susan, Jenny and Sue. Thank you to Carl and Garth on the BBQ. Well done to the helpers. Thank you as always to our band masters, Mr S and Mr D’Arcy, and our supportive and dedicated teachers, Cathie Barclay, Lyn Elliott and Janet Davis
We had an enthusiastic crowd of potential band members for 2008 listening to our concert. Please return your application forms to Mrs Davis (1D). Hearing and blow testing will be conducted from Week 5 and will be done in school hours.
To the Concert Band musicians who are applying to the Performance Band, please return your application to the Concert Band box in the office. The auditions will be held on Thursday, 22nd November in Week 6 during school hours. Please remember to bring your instrument/music as it is a non-band day.
The Concert Band is playing at Karonga Special School on Thursday, 8th November. I’m sure the children loved listening to the music. It is a wonderful thing to give pleasure to others.
We have had some great results from some of our musicians who have recently sat AMEB exams.
Well done! Please let us know via the band box if you have recently passed an exam so we can acknowledge your achievements.
Sue Lack, Band Committee
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FROM THE CANTEEN
If you have not already received your Summer Menu please call into the Canteen for a copy. Please note that there is NO HOT FOOD on Fridays and if we receive a hot food order will be only replace it with a vegemite sandwich.
Julie & Carolyn, Canteen Supervisors
FROM THE P&C
Election Day Fund Raising Event
It’s that time again – the pollies are kissing babies, shaking hands and trying to convince us to vote for them. I am sure most of us can’t wait until it’s all over. But there is a big positive for the school out of the election – we get to hold a fund raiser!!! This means the P&C can provide better resources for our childrens’ education.
This election we will be holding a cake stall and sausage sizzle – but we need help. You can help by:
- Cooking a cake or a slice to sell on the day
- Help out cooking on the BBQ
- Help out selling on the BBQ and cake stall
If you can help or would like more information please contact me on 9569 8828 or email your details to coleman@live.com.au. Remember all of the funds raised go towards supporting the children at school.
Steve Coleman, P&C Committee
2008 HILLS RELAY FOR LIFE BALL
Friday, 29th February, 2008
The Cancer Council NSW and Hills organizing committee are delighted to announce that last year the Hills community raised nearly $170 000 through Relay For Life! This is such a fantastic achievement and the Cancer Council NSW salutes your inspiring community spirit!
This years Hills RFL committee have organized a Relay For Life Ball on Friday, 29th February, 2008 at Castle Grand and extend an invitation to you and your friends to attend our Ball to celebrate the achievements of 2007 and to push forward fundraising efforts for 2008.
For more information please contact Hayley Buckle on 9687 1399 ext. 105 or hayleyb@nswcc.org.au |
OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
. Baulkham Hills North Public School is holding a Family Fun Day on Saturday, 24th November from 3.00-8.00pm featuring lots of rides, Bunyip Bush Band, loads of stalls including Christmas gifts, baby clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery, basket gifts and delicious food stalls. Help to celebrate 40 years at Baulkham Hills North, 2a Girralong Avenue, Baulkham Hills.
. KidzXpress Club for Years 3-6 starting Friday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm at Castle Hill Baptist Church, Showground Road Castle Hill (next to McDonalds). Activities include playing games, cooking, challenges, drama, songs, craft and stories all supervised by a team of experienced leaders. Afternoon tea provided. Please contact Julie Pollock on 0404 878 204 for details.
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