NEWSLETTER 12th May 2014

From the Principal

Welcome everyone to Week 3.

NAPLAN this Week

The NAPLAN tests will be conducted this week.

The media occasionally draw attention to these tests’ limitations.

While it is true that it is misleading to suggest that such tests provide

an accurate view of a student’s overall ability or a school’s worth,

the tests do provide a useful set of data when developing internal

programs (learning support, for example), when they are

considered in conjunction with the school’s internal assessment

data.

ACARA provide a useful pamphlet for parents. Please click here to

view.

Apple Festival

The students enjoyed

participation in the Orange

Apple Festival.

Thanks to all our students

and staff who provided

beautiful apple artwork for

the Orange Apple Art

Festival display, and

especially

to Mrs Sutton, Mrs Clancy and Mrs Harbison for their time and efforts

in setting up our school display…

In addition, the students and staff gathered for an impromptu

‘Crunch’ photo in Will’s Garden. Please see photo below.

It’s a Date

Term 2

12 May – WAS (Secondary) Cross Country

13 May – Primary School Chapel, 9.05am;

NAPLAN testing, Language Conventions -

Years 3,5,7,9

14 May - NAPLAN testing, Reading - Years

3,5,7,9

15 May - NAPLAN testing, Maths - Years

3,5,7,9

16 May – P&F Disco – Secondary students

19 May – Maths workshop

20 May – Primary School Assembly, 4/5S,

9.05am; Secondary Chapel, 10.35am

20 May – ICAS testing, Computers, Yrs 3-10

21 May – National Simultaneous Storytime

27 May – Primary School Assembly, 9.05am

28 May – Secondary Chapel, 10.35am;

CWA Public Speaking competition

3 June – Primary School Assembly, 9.05am;

Secondary Chapel, 10.35am

4 June – Author visit – Glenda Millard

5 June – Author visit – Glenda Millard

6 June – Primary Reports home

9 June – Queens Birthday holiday

10 June – Primary School Chapel, Primary

Parent/Teacher Interviews commence; P&F

Meeting, 7.00pm

11 June – Secondary Assembly, 10.35am

12 June – Kindergarten Transport excursion

16 June – ICAS Writing testing, Yr 3-Yr 11

17 June – Primary School Assembly, Kindy,

9.05am; Secondary School Chapel,

10.35am; ICAS Spelling testing, Yr 3-Yr7; AIS

K-Yr 6 Writing Course for staff.

19 June – Transition 2015 Morning Tea

20 June – Last day of Term 2

‘Embracing the Difference’

The Embracing the Difference Foundation is presenting a free one-day seminar on Developmental

Disorders. The seminar is being presented at Orange Ex-Services Club on Wednesday 28th May. The

specific focus of the seminar is on living and working with children with Autism Spectrum and related

disorders.

In addition, the Foundation will be holding a free Information Evening from 7:00 – 8:30, at which they will

discuss how to advocate for your ASD child and answer questions from participants.

The seminar will be presented by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Julie Peterson, a highly experienced expert in this

field.

This newsletter includes an Information Brochure on the seminar.

To reserve a place please call 9988 0760.

Helping Elissa Make a Difference

On November 8-9, Elissa

Gillingham (Jagger 1C), Melissa

Montagliani (Isobella, 1C) and

Karelle Taylor (our Teacher

Librarian) will be participating in

a very special event called the

Weekend to End Women’s

Cancers, benefitting the Chris

O’Brien Lifehouse.

The ladies will walk

approximately 60 kilometres in two days with thousands of other women and men. The proceeds will

support breast and gynaecologic cancers research, treatment and services.

Elissa has committed to raising at least $2,000, but has set her personal goal at $5000.00 for her team. She

needs our help. Please use the link at the bottom of this notice to visit her site and make an online

donation. Please keep in mind how far Elissa and the ladies will be walking, and how hard they’ll be

training.

From Elissa: ‘I’m walking so far to do something bold about all women’s cancers. I hope that you’ll share

this incredible adventure with me - by supporting myself and the ladies’ fundraising efforts. Thank you in

advance for your time and generosity!

Click here to visit my personal page.’

Messy Church

‘Messy Church’ is a new program of outreach commencing at St Barnabas’ Anglican Church, cnr Dora

and McLachlan Streets, Orange on Sunday, 25 May from 5.00pm-6.30pm and then every fourth Sunday

evening. Evenings will commence with games and craft activities, proceed to informal worship in the

church and conclude with a simple meal. The program is for the whole family. Please contact Rev'd Gary

and Rev'd Anne with any queries - 6362 5349.

A Messy Church flyer also appears in this newsletter.

Have a great week everyone.

Len Elliott

Disabled Car Spaces

It has come to our attention that people are using the disabled car spaces when there are no car spaces

available in the Administration car park. Please do not use the disabled car spaces unless you have a

disabled parking permit. We have numerous families that need to use the disabled parking spaces. Please

park in the top car park and walk down to Administration using designated pathways.

Primary Homework Club

If you wish for your child to join please email me your child’s name. It begins straight after school and

finishes at 4pm.

Little Cakes Roster

Week 3 – 2S

Week 5 – 1 / 2M

Week 7 – 1C

2015 classes – Kindergarten to Year 12

Enrolment Interviews are currently being conducted for new students in Kindergarten through to Year 11 in

2015. Every new enrolment, including siblings, are required to participate in an enrolment interview. If you

wish for your child to be considered in the 2015 cohort, and an interview has not yet been arranged,

please contact Carolyn urgently to make the necessary arrangements.

A Transition Morning Tea will be held on Thursday 19th June for new Transition students, commencing in

2015. If you are aware of any families who require a position in the 2015 Transition class, and have not yet

made formal application, please encourage them to submit an application form very soon to avoid

missing out.

Melanie Winters

Head of Primary

Indigenous Marathon Project

Elise Hull, a runner from the Indigenous Marathon Project will be visiting secondary students on Tuesday to

speak at assembly and present Cross Country and WAS awards.

The Indigenous Marathon Project provides an opportunity for indigenous men and women to run the New

York Marathon, inspiring the nation and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.

We would like to extend an open invitation to any parents interested in hearing Elise speak. Assembly will

commence in the Media Centre at 10:35am.

To read more about the Indigenous Marathon Project, check out : http://imp.org.au/

Erin Gibson

Volunteers Needed for Half Yearly Secondary Exams

During the Half Yearly Secondary Examinations, we will be providing support for our students with disabilities

and/or with learning support needs. Such support includes reading questions to students and writing

answers, as students dictate the answers. In the past we have used senior students, however this year this is

not possible, as we don’t want to disrupt the program of our Year 11 students. We need parents or

grandparents to volunteer as Readers and Scribes during the Half Yearly Exams, from the 2nd to 6th of June.

A short training session would precede the exams.

If you can help contact Bob Omrod by email, bob.omrod@orangegrammar.nsw.edu.au or contact Bob

phone.

Bob Omrod

Learning Support Coordinator

Congratulations to Emily Saran for her winning entries in

the Cake Decorating competition at Orange Show over

the week end.

NRL ‘Backyard Blitz’ Football Clinics

Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 enjoyed a Rugby League Clinic on Friday 9th May. The students will

be involved in the NRL ‘Backyard Blitz’ Program that is delivered to schools around our area by Rugby

League Development Offcer, Michael Armstrong. This program will run over three sessions and helps

develop many skills. All students had a fun time learning skills and scoring tries!! Many thanks to Michael

Armstrong for his time and efforts!

Catherine Sutton

OAGS Sports Club

Soccer - Under 7 “Orange”

This week saw the kids finally playing their first game of the season in Molong. Each player scored a goal,

winning the game with great excitement! Congratulations goes to Macy for being the Player of the Week.

Fire and Rescue Open NSW Open Day 2014

Fire and Rescue NSW is hosting its Annual Open Day on Saturday 17th May 2014 between

10.00am and 2.00pm.

Children and their parents are invited to watch fire safety demonstrations,

hop aboard our station’s fire truck, hold a hose, get an information bag

while enjoying a sausage and chat with firefighters about what they do.

This is a fantastic opportunity for children and their parents to meet their

local firefighters and learn about fire safety in the home.

Orange Fire Station will be holding a rescue display where firefighters will

be cutting up a car using the “jaws of life” at 10.45am and at 1.15pm during

the Open day as well as lots of other fun activities.

Orange Fire Station is at 79 Summer St, in the top block, with ample parking

behind the fire station off Little Summer St.

Orange Theatre Company would like to offer students and young people an amazing theatrical

opportunity. This October OTC are putting on a youth production of Seussical the Musical which is a full

scale musical production based around the stories of Dr Seuss. It particularly focuses on the story of Horton

Hears a Who but includes moments from other well-known Dr Seuss stories such as The Cat in the Hat, How

the Grinch Stole Christmas and Green Eggs and Ham. OTC would love for any of our students who are

interested in being involved either on stage, in the band, or working behind the scenes, to attend the

information session.

There will be a COMPULSORY information session on Sunday 1st June at 2pm – 3pm in Mercy Hall, James

Sheahan Catholic High School. Every person auditioning for a role on stage or in the band, as well as those

interested in working behind the scenes, plus a parent representative with any children under 18, must

attend this session. They should arrive no later than 1:50pm so that both child and parent can sign in and

be seated ready to start at 2pm.

The auditions for those wanting a role on stage will be held on the following two Sundays, 8 th June and 15th

June, both days starting at 10am. Students will book in for 5 minute time slots to sing a prepared song from

the show and must also attend the dance audition at 3:30pm on the same day they audition. More

information about the audition process, as well as the audition process for the band and backstage crew,

will be given at the information session.

TERM DATES – 2015 The School Day*

Starting Time: 9.05am

Finishing Times: Transition 3:05pm, Primary 3:15pm, Secondary 3:20pm

Term 1 Staff Days 21, 22, 23 January 10 weeks

Australia Day holiday Monday 26 January

Year 7, Kindergarten and Transition commence Tuesday 27 January

Years 1-6 and Years 8-12 commence Wednesday 28 January

Term ends Thursday 2 April

Good Friday Friday 3 April

Easter Monday Monday 6 April

Term 2 Transition to Year 12 resume Monday 20 April

9 weeks ANZAC Day holiday Saturday 25 April

Queen’s Birthday holiday Monday 8 June

Term ends Friday 19 June

Term 3 Staff Days 8, 9, 10 July 10 weeks

Transition to Year 12 resume Monday 13 July

Term ends Friday 18 September

Term 4 Labour Day holiday Monday 5 October

9 weeks Transition to Year 12 resume Tuesday 6 October

Term ends Friday 4 December

Staff days 7, 8 December

Community Notices

DFO Homebush and Westfields Penrith –

Saturday 9th August $50/person. Shopping tour to DFO Homebush and to Westfield

Penrith. Please phone Sally 0417 678 228 to book. Numbers needed for tour by the 20th

June.

10.30@HTO

A relaxed service of worship for the whole family Each Sunday at 10.30am

Memorial Hall, Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Cnr Byng & Anson Sts

All welcome

Further Information: 6362 1623

Beauty on Byng – To all parents, students and teachers a 20% discount at Beauty on Byng. All

you have to do is book in with Shona and mention that you are from our OAGS. Hairdresser Kim

would also like to offer the same discount. Shona works school hours, later every Thursday and

by appointment on Saturdays. 02 6361 1198

Chicks Charity Auction @ OAGS

Hi to all the gorgeous women of Orange Anglican Grammar School!

The P&F of OAGS are holding a Chicks Charity Auction to be held on

Sunday 15 June 2014 from 2-5pm.

Bring in clothing, handbags and shoes that are in great condition to be traded amongst participants while

we indulge ourselves in champagne and eat canapes.

Pull out those items in your wardrobe that you’d thought you’d wear …. And never have – some may

even have tags on them still! Each garment will be displayed to us, and priced at $5.00. If two or more

women desire the item, an auction (cat fight!?) will ensue whereby the highest bidder (or person still

standing) wins the clothing item. There will also be racks of clothes that will just be for sale and all

garments will be priced at the starting price of $5. Clothes for sale will be sold on a first in first served

basis – doors at the Media Centre open at 2pm!

All we ask is that the items be clean and pressed (Limit of five items per person if possible). This is a great

way of getting together, socialising and perhaps gaining a brand new wardrobe from the experience, as

well as enjoying an winters afternoon with some great food, bubbles and having a few laughs. The

proceeds from this afternoon will go to the P&F for Will’s Kitchen Garden Program.

I do hope that all you fabulous woman out there will join in this experience. Bring girlfriends or

grandmothers you feel may also like to participate in such a fun afternoon!

And to any fashonistsa’s who may like to help with the afternoon – please call me or email – 5-6 helpers

would be super!! If you would like to help out with donating canapes please contact me on the above

number/email.

Entry is a goldcoin donation (or better!) and includes first beverage and all the yummy nibbly bits.

Put the date in your diary NOW! We look forward to seeing lots of you there!

SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2014 2pm - 5pm. Auction to begin at 3pm.

RSVP: Wednesday 11 June to Gem Green on 0427 103 747 or

gemmanorrie@hotmail.com for catering purposes.

All donated goods to be dropped into school by Thursday 12 June .