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SAMUEL GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
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November, 2007 |
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Issue No. 18 |
ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN 2008 |
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Parent Helper Morning Tea:
Yesterday the school held our morning tea to recognise the commitment and hard work of all our parent volunteers who contribute so much to the school throughout the year. It was pleasing to see many of our parents able to attend but we also recognise that other parents had commitments which may have prevented them from attending. I would like to personally reiterate my sincere thanks to all our volunteer parents who contribute to our school in so many, many ways and who often go unrecognised. I would like to assure you that the staff and students do truly appreciate your efforts and I hope that you will continue your commitment to our school in 2008. We truly enjoy working with you to make sure that the learning experiences we offer our students are the best available. A great team effort! Thank you again.
Election Day B-B-Q and Cake Stall:
Help Wanted! Steve Coleman a member of our P&C is running this fundraiser on election day to raise funds for the school but is desperately short of helpers at 11.30am and 12.30pm next Saturday. Last year this fundraiser made over $1400 and we are hoping to do the same again this year but help is needed. If you can give some time to help – even an hour please contact Steve Coleman on 9659-8828 or email Steve at coleman@live.com.au for more information.
Invoices:
The school would like to thank all those families who have paid their current invoices promptly but I also need to urge those families who still have their invoices outstanding to settle the accounts immediately. The school financial year ends on November 30 and it is vital that all accounts are settled. At the moment there are over 200 invoices still outstanding and these amount to more than $10 000. This is money which the school pays out in advance, with parent approval, to cover student activities. Invoicing is intended to make the payment of ongoing student costs easier for parents but relies on the invoices being settled promptly. Your immediate attention to this matter will be appreciated.
School Uniform:
As you would all be aware a P&C committee (consisting of parents and teachers) has been undertaking a review of our school uniform. The committee finalised the last of its recommendations at the last P&C meeting and these were all adopted. I will be putting together an outline of the uniform changes and will be sending it home to all families with in the next two weeks.
However I want to stress to all families that the new uniform will be phased in over the next 2 years (Department of Education and Training policy) and stocks of current uniform items will be exhausted before new items are ordered. This means that the current items of uniform will remain “uniform” for the next 2 years as the changeover works its way through the school. Some new items, e.g. hats, will start to appear reasonably quickly while others will be sometime before they become available. Newly added items, e.g. sports shirt will be available shortly as they are a new item. This will also mean that during the transition period decisions will need to be made over uniform items to be worn when students are representing the school e.g. Band Performances, Vocal Ensemble Performances etc. These will be clarified in due course and as the events occur.
Uniform Shop:
HELP! As we all know the uniform shop is run by a wonderful parent, Karen Pike and this is a big job at the best of times but at the moment with these uniform changes it is enormous. Karen desperately needs parent volunteers to assist her. If you can spare some time and are prepared to help please phone the school and we will put you in touch with Karen. It really is a vital service for parents and the school and its future operation depends upon parents being prepared to help. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Gordon Fraser
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FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Using Technology
Advances in technology bring many benefits but as parents we also need to be proactive and monitor our child’s usage of the internet. Here are some thoughts that might help you discuss safe usage with your child.
Keep your children safe online:
- Spend time online with your kids. Check out good sites together. The internet can be a fun family activity!
- Help your kids use the internet as an effective research tool - learn about handy homework tips for kids and also good searching techniques
- Learn about the world out there. Kids are communicating in a diverse range of ways, from chat to IM, and from message boards to blogs. Learn how these work and what tools they offer to protect your child's privacy
- Be aware of online stranger danger, particularly in chat rooms. Set house rules about what information your children can give out and where they can go online.
Online Safety Tips
Worried about your child’s safety online? Here are some guidelines that can help:
- Put the computer in a central area of the home, not in a bedroom
- Be reasonable and try to set reasonable expectations
- Be open with your child and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a problem online – cultivate trust and communications because no rules, laws or filtering software can replace you as their first line of defence
- Talk with your child about how they use the Internet. Make sure they understand basic safety guidelines. These include protecting privacy (including passwords), never posting personal information, never meeting people they only know online and not posting inappropriate or potentially embarrassing photos
- Try to get your kids to share their blogs or online profiles with you, but be aware that they can have multiple accounts on multiple services.
Mufti Day: The SRC will be running a Mufti Day on Tuesday 11th December. There will not be a theme for Mufti however students must wear covered shoes (no thongs) and in the interests of sun protection no singlet tops or strapless dresses. A hat must be worn during recess and lunch. A gold coin donation please. All money raised will support Stewart House. The canteen will be selling ice-cream cones on that day for 50 cents.
Mary-Anne Martin
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BAND REPORT
As anticipated, the Concert Band performance at Karonga Special School was indeed a very special occasion. It was wonderful to see the joy on the children’s faces as our band started to play. It was a very joyous and memorable performance. Well done Concert Band!
Last Thursday, 15th November a very keen group of students tried out different instruments in preparation for our Training Band 2008. You will receive your band placement over the next couple of weeks.
This Thursday, 22nd November Mr S is auditioning the members of the Concert Band who wish to be considered for the Performance Band. Good luck to all applicants.
The Performance Band will be playing at the Presentation Assembly. Please keep attending rehearsals as there are many pieces of music to be practised for this final performance.
Rehearsals for all bands continue until the end of the term. Final dates for each band are as follows:
Band Tuesday, 11th December
Concert Band Monday, 17th December
Performance Band Monday, 17th December
As always, to all our musicians, parents, teachers and band masters, thank you for helping to make our band program so successful.
Sue Lack, Band Committee
FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP
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
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FROM THE CANTEEN
Thank you to everyone who has returned their volunteer roster forms for next year. We will contact you soon to confirm your day.
There are still empty spots so if you can help for an hour or two a month please let us know.
Please ensure all outstanding I.O.U.’s are paid as soon as possible before the end of term.
We will be having an ice cream day at recess in December. More details will be sent home soon.
Sushi on Wednesdays – orders need to be written on a separate lunch bag with name and class and given to the Canteen on Monday so the Sushi can be ordered for Wednesday lunch.
Carolyn & Julie, Canteen Supervisors
SAMUEL GILBERT OOSHCC
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 OOSH Centre on phone/fax 9899 2729 or email your resume to sgoosh@bigpond.net.au
Lesley Soper
OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
. Gazelles Netball Club has limited vacancies for girls wanting to play netball in 2008. We are looking in particular for girls turning 7 and 8 in 2008 (and also 14 if you have an older sister). If you fit any of these age groups and would like to play netball please contact Leanne Marcer on 9659 0967 or registrar@gazellesnetballclub.org.au. Please see our website www.gazellesnetballclub.org.au for complete details including training, cost, uniforms etc.
. Baulkham Hills Sports Club Netball Division has vacancies for 2008. Junior vacancies are limited. We need girls turning 5,6,10,12,13,14 and 15 years only. Please contact Jeanette 9636 8842 for details. Senior ladies 16 years and over registrations are still being taken as these teams will not be finalized until the new year.
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