PRINCIPAL’S COMMENT

Monday 5th August, 2013

Dear Parents, Education week 2013 - Public Schools NSW – Creating the future A message from the Director-General “For almost 60 years NSW public schools have been connecting with their local communities during Education Week. Parents, grandparents, carers, friends and community members contribute to the joy of Education Week as we showcase the talents of almost 750,000 students and their dedicated teachers. Education Week gives us an opportunity to reinforce the values that have made public education the dynamic and robust system we have today; values like integrity, excellence, respect, responsibility, fairness and compassion. The inclusive nature of public education has been part of our history since Henry Parkes envisioned a system of free, compulsory and secular schools. We are proud of our tradition of quality education for all students, regardless of their life circumstances. Our 2,200 schools are a microcosm of society and diversity is our strength. Public schools in NSW today educate 235,000 students from a language background other than English, 47,000 Indigenous students and 90,000 students with a disability or additional learning need. Our students are always at the heart of every decision we make in education and every dollar we allocate. It is the dedication and professionalism of our teachers, principals and school support staff that transforms this investment into realising the potential of each student. As we celebrate Education Week I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the students, schools and families who contribute to the rich traditions, values and achievements of public education in NSW.” DR MICHELE BRUNIGES AM

I would like to acknowledge during Education Week, the work of our entire school staff of Westport Public School. We know that good teaching is the most important aspect of success at school and our students deserve the best possible teachers. I am proud to work in a school where every staff member acknowledges that continually improving the skills of teaching are crucial to ensuring our students have the very best, every day, in every classroom. Communicating with your child’s teacher is the best way of understanding how they are progressing all aspects of their education. Don’t forget parent/teacher interviews are being organised at the moment. You should have received a note detailing times and dates that teachers are available for interviews. Should you be unable to attend on these times you are always welcome to arrange a mutually convenient time. Just give the school a ring or pop a short note in with your child and their teacher will give you a ring. Ten tips for tweens who find maths hard Kids who find maths easy in the early years of school can be turned off quickly if they get confused and can't work it out. Here are 10 ways to get your tween through the more challenging times. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/mathematics/mathematics-tips/tips-for-tweens-who-find-maths-hard When to start school Starting school is a big step. How do you know if your child is ready? This video Kindergarten features teachers discussing this sometimes tricky issue. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/development/is-my-child-ready-to-start-school

Dean Sneddon Principal

****** COMING EVENTS TERM 3 WK 3******** Mon 5th August – LNC Athletics - Wauchope Tues 13th August – ICAS Mathematics Competition Thurs 15th August – Yr1 & Yr2 Fire Station & Police Visit 9.45am – 2.10pm.

Congratulations to all the students who received Silver Awards and 100% Attendance Awards at our Assembly of Excellence.

CANTEEN NEWS

Roster: Tues 6th - Tara, Help needed Wed 7th - Help needed Thurs 8th - Help needed Frid 9th - Tara, Help needed Mon 12th - Help needed A great start to our Fresh For Kids Sydney Markets promotion of fruit. This will be running until Friday 20th September. Remember it must be a whole piece of fruit! Only 50c and we have apples, pears, mandarins and bananas at the moment and on Fridays we will slinky your apple or pear for free! Volunteers are needed so if you can spare 2 hours in the morning, between 9am - 11am once a week, fortnight or month we would really appreciate it. Come and see us at the canteen. Imogen and Kelly. ICAS SCIENCE & COMPUTER SKILLS Congratulations to the students who participated in the ICAS Science and Computer Skills. They achieved outstanding results with 1 High Distinction, 1 Distinction, 5 Credits and 14 Participations.

WPPS MOBILE PHONE WEBSITE

Earlier this year Westport Public School launched a new Mobile Phone Website. This site provides easily accessible, up-to-date information about school happenings on your

mobile phone. Scan the QR Code pictured to access the site. The site can then be bookmarked and saved to your home screen for easy reference. Information leaflets available in school foyer. STUDENT MEDICAL FORMS During Terms 3 & 4 we will be updating our medical records systems to ensure we have the most up-to-date information on your child’s health. If you have a child with a medical condition you will receive a copy of the new forms in the mail and will need to fill them out and return them as soon as you can. The new forms will help us collect your child’s important medical information and the introduction of new systems will mean we will be able to better manage the daily and emergency health needs of your child. We appreciate your support as we start collecting the information and if you have any questions please call the office. STEVE DONOVAN VISIT Last Monday, we had an exciting visit from Steve Donovan who is the Aboriginal Dance Guide from Sea Acres. All students learnt about how Aboriginal stories are often told through dance, music and art. We also learnt about where didgeridoos came from, how the sound is made and some boys even had a chance to have a go, while the girls kept the beat with the clapping sticks. Everyone had an opportunity to dance and mimic different Australian native animals. Thank you Steve for a fantastic afternoon of Aboriginal music and dance!

“I liked doing the Snake and the Kangaroo dance. My favourite was the Snake Dance because I got to be the leader”. Jackara 2/3FT

“I liked listening to Steve play the didgeridoo because it was loud and it made the floor vibrate”. Skie 2/3FT

“I was happy when I played the didgeridoo. It sounded really good”. Hamish 1/2MB

REGIS NURSING HOME VISIT

It was the 20th Birthday of the Regis Nursing Home last Friday and 26 Senior Choir students were invited to entertain the residents and join in the festivities. We sang our whole Opera House

repertoire and they were very, very impressed. As an added surprise, after we performed, we sang Happy Birthday to the residents as they cut the huge Bus shaped cake! It was very tasty. We were very lucky as

we also ate fairy floss, had our faces painted and each received balloons made into shapes. What a treat!! Thank you to Regis Nursing home for inviting us. Mrs Bradtke and I were extremely impressed with the way our students

mingled and conversed with the residents. They made many of them smile and even Mrs Benson’s dad had a visit! Mrs Jenkins CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK

On Thursday 22nd August students are asked to come dressed as a book character. Each student who dresses up will receive a ticket in a lucky draw. There will also be a Book Fair in the library and a special canteen menu on that day.

HEALTHY HAROLD VISIT The students who attended the Life Education Van all enjoyed the positive message he has to teach them. Thank you to Leanne and Healthy Harold.

BAND GLASSHOUSE VISIT Last Tuesday the Westport Public Concert Band (The mighty Six) went to the glasshouse and we played with Hastings and Tacking Point Public Schools.

There were 100 people in the combined band conducted by Mr Rugers. We played nine songs and our concert was very entertaining. Our last song was Tequila and it was so

good that the huge audience wanted another song, so we played Rock around the Clock. It was a great day, we had lots of fun and it was a great opportunity to play with so many other talented players.

Thank you to Mr Sneddon and Mr Rugers for letting us have this experience. Sharna, Adam, Naomi, Geoffrey, Jorja and Nic

DISTRICT ATHLETICS CARNIVAL Congratulations to the students who represented our school at the District Athletics carnival (pictured below) at Laurieton last Monday.

The results were: Emily Sheather – 8yrs 100m – 1st Rachael McCloud – Senior 800m – 2nd Jackson Schofield – 13yrs 100m – 1st Bill Butlin – 8yrs 100m – 4th Josh Schofield –Junior 800m – 4th Travis Pascoe – 11yrs 800m – 4th Brock Larance – Senior 800m – 3rd These students will now represent the school at the Lower North Coast Athletics today at Wauchope. Good Luck to you all.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Oral Health Contact Centre on 1300 651 625.

All children aged between 0-18 are eligible to receive free general dental treatment through the Mid North Coast Local Health Network. Parents do not need to hold a pension card or health care

card for their child to be eligible. Please call the Oral Health Contact Centre on 1300 651 625 if you would like your child to have a check-up. Although they may be placed on a list, the waiting times are minimal at present.

The Mid North Coast Local Health Network has dental clinics situated in: Port Macquarie: - Morton Street (Old Hospital) Port Macquarie Wauchope: - Wauchope Community Health Campus High Street (adjacent to hospital) Wauchope Laurieton: - Camden Haven Community Health Campus Laurie Street Laurieton Kempsey: - Kempsey Community Health Campus (in hospital grounds) Polwood Street Kempsey

.