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Westlawn Public School
Newsletter Term 2 Week 8
17th June 2019
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
When it comes to the topic of Homework, which side of the fence do you sit on? I guarantee I can predict the
response from your children!
My thoughts on the topic were put to the test last week by three Year 4 students. Their class was working on
the writing of persuasive texts with the topic being “Homework Should Be Banned”. They read their work to
me with a passion and zeal that was palpable. Listening to them, I was impressed by their use of powerfully
persuasive vocabulary, the way they had developed a cohesive thread in their arguments and their correct
use of grammar (can’t shake off the school teacher in me!).
I sat and pondered their cases, then quite shocked them with my partial agreement. They were prepared for
a conversational stoush!
Since 2012, evidence reviews on homework in schools have been published in New South Wales and
Victoria. The reviews concluded that there was little evidence homework significantly improves academic
performance for primary school students, but noted that homework could have other benefits, such as
promoting parental engagement. Regular reading at home and practicing times tables in Mum’s or Dad’s Taxi
will make a positive difference and developing study habits – work first then play – will most definitely help
with time management skills when children begin high school.
On the other side of the debate, many of those opposed to homework feel that it creates unnecessary
pressure on students for limited or disputed academic benefit, robs children of time to develop other life
skills, through recreational and artistic activities and social interaction, and places pressure on family life.
So which side of the fence are you on? I’m sitting right on the top. It’s a great view from up here and I can see
both sides. Relevant, engaging and quality Homework overseen by supportive families has its merits – now,
convince your children that’s true!
Kind Regards,
Sandra
THANK YOU
Thank you to three outgoing members of our P&C and Canteen Executive. Amy Freeman has stepped down
from the Canteen Coordinator’s role having done an excellent job running our very popular canteen.
Congratulations to Belinda Bowling who has taken on this important position. Michelle Oxenbridge has
Principal’s Message
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
stepped down from her role as one of our P&C Vice Presidents and Shayna Delaforce will finish up soon as
P&C Secretary. All ladies have given up much of their time and skill to benefit the children of our school and
we greatly appreciate their efforts.
SKOOLBAG APP – IT’S FREE AND IT’S FOR YOU!
We are excited to add the Skoolbag App to our communication kit at WPS. You can download the free
Skoolbag App to have school alerts, newsletters, reminders and much more at your fingertips. Please go to
the following link for details on how to install the SkoolBag app and for additional information on its use:
https://www.moqproducts.com.au/skoolbag/installation-instructions/
DOES IT PAY TO BE KIND?
Research by Sarah Tashjiian, University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, Department of Psychology.
In Sarah Tashjiian’s (2018) article, Does it pay to be kind? she identifies several kindness benefits all
supported by scientific inquiry. Here are some of those benefits:
Prosocial behaviours increase happiness and self-esteem Being kind improves how others see and accept you Kindness leads to reductions in risks for disease Neural networks in the brain related to reward fire when we’re kind, and when we see others
experience kindness People with less money show more generosity, charitability, and helpfulness, Children who are more social exhibit more prosocial behaviour, and Kindness is positively related to better self-regulation and less emotional reactivity
Researchers from KindLab at Kindness.org conducted a meta-analysis of 27 experimental studies. According
to them, research supports that kindness has a significant effect on well-being.
KindLab also reported several other findings including,
Kindness ranked above physical attractiveness in a potential mate. They received responses from 10,047 people from 33 countries,
If a doctor expressed empathy and kindness, surveyed patients’ colds shortened by 1 day, Kindness can lower the effects of stress, Being kind to others boosts psychological flourishing, and Kindness is an effective way to reduce social anxiety.
THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTRIBUTES OF A KIND PERSON
Finding a scientifically-validated list of what it takes to be a kind person doesn’t exist. What we can do is
glean this information from a variety of pieces of research. Following is a brief list of traits that surfaced
again, and again.
Empathy Good listening skills Social Generous Charitable Helpful Courteous Engage in perspective-taking
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
Caring/nurturing
How many traits do you have? Would you add other traits to the list? How well do your children fare in
showing these traits? The good news is, they are all ‘teachable’.
Primary Athletics Carnival
The WPS Athletics Carnival will be held next Monday 24 June 2019 at Terry West Athletics Field, Junction
Hill. The carnival commences at 9.10 am sharp.
A bus will leave Westlawn School at 8.50 am for children who arrive at school by bus to link up with the rest
of the school at Junction Hill. The same bus will bring children back to school at approximately 2.30pm.
Please indicate on the permission note if your child/children will need bus transport to Junction Hill. If you are
picking your child up from the carnival please be at the oval before 2pm, otherwise they will catch the bus
back to school. All permission notes must be returned to school by Wednesday 19 June. Students who do
not return their permission note by this date will attend school.
As with all sports days, the children are encouraged to take part in as many activities as possible. The 100m
age races and 800m event are open to all. Novelty relays/events will operate to enable more children to
participate on the day.
The discus events will begin at 8.00am. Students who have nominated for this event will need private
transport and will need to be punctual.
Family members are invited to have a day out and cheer on the children. There is no seating at Terry West
Athletics Field, so parents who are attending will need to bring their own. Children are to bring their own food
and water or purchase from the canteen.
All children are asked to wear their sports uniform. However, if they have a T-shirt in the colour of their
house team this can be worn. Otherwise, a coloured ribbon or the like can be worn. Parents are not required
to put themselves to any expense in providing the house colours. There is a Department directive that shoes
must be worn in all events. No spikes to be worn in the 800m.
HOUSE COLOURS JUPITER - RED
MERCURY - YELLOW
NEPTUNE - BLUE
SATURN - GREEN
Please remember to ensure that your children have a hat, sunscreen and a jumper or tracksuit in case it turns
cool. Students who suffer from asthma should follow their asthma management plan on this day
Children need a note to go home with other parents.
Students who finish in the first 3 in track events and first 2 in field events will progress to the Clarence
Athletics Carnival to be held at the same venue on Friday 3 August 2019 (T3 W2).
WESTLAWN PS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 2019 PROGRAM
(Please note the event times listed below are approximate only)
Sporting News
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
8:00am DISCUS (only for students who have nominated for the event)
8:50 to
9:15 am
OFFICIALS MEETING, STUDENTS ARRIVE VIA BUS, CLASS ROLLS, WELCOME,
CARNIVAL BEGINS.
9.20 am 800M
9:50am 200M HEATS
10.25 am FIELD EVENTS
LONG JUMP 11 YRS GIRLS 11YRS BOYS
SHOT PUT SNR GIRLS SNR BOYS
HIGH JUMP JNR GIRLS JNR BOYS
JNR BOYS NOVELTY RELAYS
11:00am 100M GIRLS & BOYS HEATS
11:40 am FIELD EVENTS
LONG JUMP SNR GIRLS SNR BOYS
SHOT PUT JNR GIRLS JNR BOYS
HIGH JUMP 11YR GIRLS 11 YR BOYS
JNR GIRLS NOVELTY RELAYS
12:15 pm 100M FINALS
12:45 pm FIELD EVENTS
LONG JUMP JNR GIRLS JNR BOYS
SHOT PUT 11YR GIRLS 11 YR BOYS
HIGH JUMP SNR GIRLS SNR BOYS
11YR & SNR BOYS/GIRLS NOVELTY RELAYS
1:20 pm 200M FINALS
1:50 pm RELAYS 4 X 100m
2:25 pm END OF CARNIVAL – AGE CHAMPION TROPHY PRESENTATION
ON FRIDAY 28 JUNE IN PRIMARY ASSEMBLY FROM 2PM.
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
NC Cross Country
Good luck to Ruby, Breanna and Shanae who will be trying their best to qualify for the NSW PSSA Cross Country
Carnival when they compete at Nana Glen this Friday.
Boys Hockey Knockout Result
Westlawn PS had a hard fought 3-2 victory over Grafton PS yesterday. Goal scorers for Westlawn were Ramie,
Zane and Reece.
Other dates to remember – plan ahead!
The North Coast Cross Country Carnival will be held at Nana Glen on Friday 21 June (T2, W8).
Westlawn Primary Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday 24 June (T2, W9) at Terry West Athletics Field.
SRC Citizenship Award
The SRC present a weekly Citizenship Award at our primary assembly. Each week we meet to discuss what
encouraging things we have seen happening in our playground and classrooms. The SRC look for behaviours that
are helpful, demonstrate our school rules or an act that shows a student as a
positive role model for others. We then nominate children we have seen displaying
these behaviours. Last week the SRC focussed on finding children who were
building and demonstrating resilience. Resilience is what helps you to cope and get
through hard times, when things have gone wrong. Sometimes it makes you even
stronger than you were before.
The students who were nominated by SRC representatives are Thai, Conner and
Branden. We all voted. The award winner has been seen and heard demonstrating
resilience in the playground and classroom when things have become difficult.
Congratulations Branden!
Over the coming weeks, the SRC are looking for students who are building and demonstrating resilience.
This week’s Citizenship Award winner is Branden.
SRC Information
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
Students of the Week
Hayden- 1M Oliver – 4E
Diary Dates
Week 8
Tues 18 June 2020 Kindergarten
Information Evening
6pm
Fri 21 June NC PSSA Cross
Country at Nana Glen
Week 9
Mon 24 June WPS Athletics Carnvial
Tues 25 June Primary disco 6.30-8pm
Wed 26 June Award Assembly 1pm
Fri 28 June Reports go home
Strive to Achieve
North Street, Grafton. 2460 6642 7466 [email protected]
Westlawn Public School P&C Newsletter
Term 2 Week 8
Canteen News
Belinda Oxenbridge has been formally elected to the position of
Canteen Manager at our P&C Meeting last week. Deb Watts has
agreed to take on the position of Deputy Canteen Manager. On
behalf of the P&C I would like to thank these ladies for taking
on these roles.
The canteen needs additional volunteers, especially on Mondays and Fridays. If anyone is
available please let Belinda or Deb know.
There are some exciting ideas coming to the canteen in the next few weeks. There will be some
new trial products and meal deals are coming back. WATCH THIS SPACE…..
Lamington Drive
Our annual lamington drive is coming soon. Order notes will be
going home this Friday. The lamingtons will be delivered on the
26th July. If you are able to help out on this day with sorting and
packing orders, please let the office know.
School Fair
Our school fair is fast approaching.
The fair will be held on the 20th September.
The P&C is looking for a Fair Coordinator. This will involve meeting with the teacher
representatives for the fair, to be involved in the planning and organising of this year’s fair. If
anyone would like to consider this role please speak to Caryn Dunston (66447916). P&C
President.
CANTEEN ROSTER
Wednesday 19 June Ann Finn, Angie Miller, Debra Watts
Thursday 20 June Debra Watts, Sharon Robertson
Friday 21 June Shelly Thompson, Jan Tucker, Rick Wiegold
Monday 24 June Campbell Timmins, Jacinda Fletcher
Tuesday 25 June Debra Watts, Katie Kershaw, Christine Cowan
