Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School Newsletter to Parents

BRANXTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

Find us at: 12 King St, Branxton NSW 2335 Email: branxton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Phone: (02) 4938 1214 Fax: (02) 4938 1905 Website: www.branxton-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

Week 4 Term 4 Wednesday 6th November, 2019

Dates to Remember

8.11.19 Kinder Orientation

15.11.19 Kinder Orientation

18.11.19 Yr 5 Leadership Speeches

22.11.19 Kinder Orientation

28.11.19 Carols by Torchlight

29.11-5.12.19

Intensive Swimming

The P&C are also providing every child with a sausage sizzle treat! We welcome you to join us. Proceedings are expected to begin at 9.30am and finish at lunchtime, by 11.15-11.30. This week we host our very first Kindergarten Orientation Day, such an exciting, but maybe anxious day for our little ones. I look at our current Kindergarten group and can’t help but be amazed at their progress, they grow and learn so much so quickly.

Mrs Maier

SCHOOL TIMES Class Time 9:10 - 11:10 Lunch 11:10 - 11:55 Class Time 11:55 - 1:25 Recess 1:25 - 1:55 Class Time 1:55 - 3:10

Office Hours: The office is open from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm.

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS It has been such an eventful term so far, and plenty of exciting things to come. This is especially true for Year 6, they only have 6 weeks left of their primary educational journey. A whole new world opens up for them very soon. Next week we will celebrate the successful application of a new multi-purpose sports court. This facility will be utilised and loved by all of our students.

We have decided to name the court the Jerome Brecard Sports Court in memory of Mr Brecard. We are going to hold a special ceremony next Wednesday. A symbolic turning of the soil and unveiling of the score board. Mrs Brecard, his two boys and other family members will be present. We will also have an Oz Tag round robin tournament between his family staff and students.

This is not a fundraising day, it is simply an acknowledgement and also a reminder to keep our own health in check! The students are encouraged to wear a “gold item” eg; hair ribbon, t shirt, socks or a gold hat.

Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School

STAFF TRAINING

Mrs Quilty, Mrs Nimmo & Mrs Dennis - Phonologial Awareness Training

STAGE 1 NEWS TEN at Branxton PS!

During this term, several of the Stage 1 class teachers have continued their training in the TEN course (Targeting Early Numeracy). Students focus on identifying numbers, counting, skip counting forwards and backwards and addition and subtraction mental strategies. The program motivates and encourages children to engage

in mathematics by beginning all lessons with a short and explicit game that aims to develop a specific skill. The language and the strategies the students are using are amazing to hear and see!

Intensive Swimming- Year 2 students. As Australians, we spend a lot of our time in and

around the water; it’s a big part of our culture. For

this reason, it’s important

that our students learn

water safety and survival

skills, so that they can

continue to enjoy aquatic

activities. In the next few weeks, our Year 2 and 3

students will be offered places in our 2019

Intensive Swimming program. This program is

funded by the DoE with participating students

paying only for bus travel and pool entry fee.

Please keep a look out for notes to apply for this

program in the coming weeks.

Mrs Noble

Stage 1 Supervisor

EARLY STAGE 1 (KINDERGARTEN) NEWS This Friday is the first of the 2020 Kinder Orientation visits. Can you believe it has been a year since our current Kinders started the transition process? This year they get to spend some time with Mr Tattis, Ms Murray and buddies. This will continue in Weeks 5 and 6. In PBL this week we were looking at our strengths and all the things we can do. We are reading, writing, counting superstars! It was a lovely opportunity to reflect on all the learning we have done this year and to think about what is to come as we move through school and achieve the things we can’t do ….yet. Last week Mrs Noble came to visit Kindergarten in her role as TEN facilitator. She had some super fun games for us to play and I’m sure she was impressed with our mathematical thinking!

Mrs Quilty Early Stage 1 Supervisor

Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School

2020 SCHOOL TRAVEL APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN. Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019. Please note there has been a change. Students progressing to year 3 no longer need to re-apply IF they: Are continuing at the same school Are residing at the same address Have not been sent an expiry notification

from Transport for NSW. Students in Year 6 going into Year 7 will need to re-apply as they will be changing schools. Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email. Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply. Term Buss Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply. If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

PBL PBL Assemblies will be conducted next Friday starting at 9.20am for Infants and followed by the Primary Assembly around 10.10am. Those 5 weeks have gone really fast. All parents and family members are welcome to attend our assemblies to celebrate the successes of our students. Parents will receive a notification via SeeSaw (or paper if not connected) to advise them if their child is receiving an award.

STAGE 2 NEWS Term 4, Week 4, wow another year is racing to its conclusion. BUT we have still got lots of things to complete.

Stage 2 are looking at Early explorers and Indigenous culture in History and they are working in small groups to prepare a short presentation to their class. All classes are preparing their versions of 'Arcade Games' to present to the whole school over the next couple of weeks. I look forward to reliving a bit of my youth spent at the Pinball Parlour.

We've got reports in the pipeline already and teachers will have access to these in the next two weeks to start the time consuming and in depth journey to complete them.

We are faced with the reality of the drought, even with our PBL celebration. The end of year PBL fun day will not include WATER! But I'm sure the children will still enjoy a great celebration.

Next Wednesday we have the Ground Breaking ceremony for our new Sports Court. Please come along if you can. Lots of other things are happening and these will be updated in the next newsletter. Mr Johanson Stage 2 Supervisor

Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School

STAGE 3 NEWS

Stage 3 Canberra Excursion 2019 Congratulations to the 95 students who participated in the Stage 3 Canberra Excursion. We were constantly complimented on the excellent behaviour and manners of students. Their enthusiasm and participation in activities at every venue made it a fabulous four days. Thank you to all parents for their co-operation and support in preparing students for the excursion. Special thanks to the 4 parents who accompanied us on the excursion. Their assistance with students and groups every day and night was invaluable and helped make the excursion such a success and great experience for everyone who attended. We visited many attractions in Canberra including Parliament House, The War Memorial, Australian Electoral Commission and the National Gallery, National Library and National Museum. It was a wonderful, memorable excursion for all students and an enjoyable, rewarding experience for all. We appreciate the assistance of the funding provided by the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate. Parents should have received an evaluation form regarding the Canberra Excursion. Please complete and return ASAP. Your feedback assists in planning future activities. Well done to the students who were unable to attend the excursion but remained at school and kept things running. Also thank you to Mrs Quilty for organising Stage 3 last week. Kinder Orientation Kinder 2020 Orientation begins this week. Over the next 3 Fridays, Year 6 students will work with the current Kinders in the 5/6 rooms. Year 5 will begin their training to be Kinder Buddies and Peer Support Leaders in 2020. Year 5 will meet the new Kinders and complete some activities each week. RTHS Orientation Several students have been selected to participate in a Targeted Transition Program at RTHS over the next 4 weeks. Orientation Day is on the 3

rd December for all students attending

RTHS. Teachers from RTHS will also be conducting Literacy and Numeracy assessments of students attending RTHS over the next few weeks here at school. Leadership 2020 The process to elect leaders for 2020 has commenced. All Year 5 students received a

nomination form on Monday. These should be returned by Monday 11

th November. On Monday

11th Year 5 students will be informed if they have

qualified and will present their speeches to Stage 3 on Thursday 14

th November. Year 5 students

will vote to select the top 10 students to present their speeches to the whole school on Monday 18

th November. This will be followed by voting for

all students K- 5. SRC Meeting 6

th November

Our final SRC Meeting for 2019 will be on Wednesday 6

th November. Congratulations to the

Presidents and all Ministers for their great efforts throughout the year. It has been a very busy year and they have all made a valuable contribution to our school during their time as school leaders. Year 6 Dinner/Fun Day Out Details are being finalised and notes will be sent home as soon as possible with venues and costs. The Surf Day has been moved to Blacksmiths Beach this year due to environmental issues at Stockton Beach and the Super Cars in the city of Newcastle impacting access to beaches. The dinner will be at Greta Workers, Sport and Recreation Club. End of Year Activities Please keep in mind all the activities for the end of the year, especially for Year 6. There is a great deal that will be happening in a relatively short time. No need to panic … yet. November 4th Nov Year 5 Leadership Nominations 2020 6th Nov SRC Meeting – Final for 2019. 8th Nov Kinder Orientation 11th Nov 2020 Leadership forms retuned to Mrs Maier 14th Nov Year 5 Leadership Speeches to peers 15th Nov Kinder Orientation 18th Nov Year 5 Leadership speeches - voting. 19th Nov ATSI Transition Day RTHS 21

st Nov Sport House Meetings – Voting Captains

22nd Nov Kinder Orientation December 3rd Dec RTHS Orientation Day 6th Dec Whole School Performance Assembly 10th Dec Presentation Day – 2020 Leaders Announced. 11th Dec Year 6 Dinner 12th Dec Sport Assembly – House Captains Announced. 13th Dec Year 6 Water Fun Day Out 16th Dec Year 6 Services Assembly 9.20 Class Party Day 17th Dec PBL Assembly / PBL Reward Day 18th Dec Year 6 Walk Out 2.45

Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School

P&C NEWS

We’re on the countdown to Carols by Torchlight held in the school grounds on Thursday 28

th

November. Gates open at 5:30pm and the students starting their performances at 6:30pm. Bring a picnic rug or some chairs, there will be a hot food options and some extra goodies on the night but we would appreciate all hot food orders being made through Flexischools prior to the night. We will give you more information about this as the time gets closer. If anyone is able to assist with helping a P&C member run a stall on the night, please let us know. We have some wonderful volunteers already but it will get busy and this year all stalls are closing prior to the concert starting.

Notes regarding Carols Christmas hampers are going out within the next week. We would appreciate each student donating one item and requests will be made for each different class to provide a specific item. For every item donated you will receive a free canteen ice-block voucher. Please wait for weeks 5 and 6 to start bringing in donations to the office. We will also be handing out the raffle tickets to sell and then bring back prior to the carols night. All money raised on the night goes back into the school by purchasing valuable resources and equipment for all students to use.

Just a reminder that Kindergarten Orientation starts this Friday 8

th November and the following

Friday 15th November the P&C is hosting a

welcome morning tea for all new parents. This will be in the Scout Hall across the road from the school (on King Street) at 12:15pm. So drop the kids off and come on over. All other current and future parents are welcome. Leigh from the uniform shop will also be there if you have any questions about uniforms or want to look at sizes. Please note we prefer sales to be through Flexischools, unless you have the correct money on the day. We will also have a discount of 10% off all starter packs for both new Kindergarten students and other students across all years from now until the beginning of next year.

As always we are looking for more canteen volunteers. Next year we will be losing one of our most valued canteen helpers who helps out every Wednesday so all additional help is greatly

appreciated. Thank you so much for everything you have done for the P&C over your years at the school Heidi! If you would also like to go and see the new fridge the P&C purchased for the school canteen, come and say hi to Sharyn. This fridge was able to be bought from a grant we received from the Federal Government Community Volunteers Program and will make things a lot easier for Sharyn to manage with cold storage.

Just a quick note about our next and final P&C

meeting for the year. We have made a change of

date from Monday 2nd

December to Tuesday 3rd

December at 6:00pm. For our last meeting of the

year we meet at the Royal Federal Hotel for a

social dinner following a quick meeting.

Key dates coming up: Next P&C Meeting – Tuesday 3

rd December

(Week 8) 6:00pm at the Royal Federal Hotel.

Kindergarten Orientation Welcome Morning Tea – Friday 15

th November (Branxton

Scout Hall 12:15pm – 1:00pm). Carols by Torchlight – Thursday 28

th

November (Week 7) at 6:00pm on the school grounds.

To get in touch or keep up to date with the P&C like our Facebook page, read the school newsletter, talk to P&C members, email the address below, help at an event or come along to the next meeting. Thank you for your support Branxton Public School families.

Melissa, P&C Secretary

branxtonpublicschool@pandcaffiliate.org.au www.facebook.com/BranxtonPublicPandC

Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School

ABORIGINAL YARNING CIRCLE Yarning circles are a traditional part of Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander culture that have been

used for centuries to learn from a collective

group, build respectful relationships and to

preserve and pass on cultural knowledge. Our

Yarning Circle is well under construction! Mr

Onslow, our General Assistant, has been working

on it over the last few weeks. Mr Terry Caslick

delivered our sandstone blocks last week and

they were put in place. The blocks have been

sourced from Parramatta gaol and Old Sydney

Town. The blocks even have the convict pelican

pick marks, so are very old and historical. A

garden containing bush tucker food and

indigenous plants is also in the planning, and will

be situated near the yarning

circle. We look forward to the

Circle’s completion and having

the opportunity to have a yarn.

NEW/USED SEATING You might see some new/used bench seating

appearing around the school in the next weeks.

We were able to source

these bench seats from

Newcastle City Council,

free of charge. The seats

originate from No. 1

Sports Ground in

Newcastle and have

plenty of history involving

top grade cricket and football matches. The

school would like to sincerely thank Mr Dave

Kinch for providing the transport, and muscle, to

pick up the seating. Thanks Dave!

Respect, Responsibility, Personal Best Branxton Public School