COMING EVENTS Mon 22 Feb Sports captains badges presented at 9.15am assembly Tues 23 Feb Kindy Teddy Bears’ Picnic Wed 24 Feb Scripture classes commence Fri 26 Feb PSSA competition begins Mon 7 March Pittwater PSSA District swimming carnival Thurs 10 March Selective High School Test (Yr 6) Parent Interrelate evening 6pm & 7.15pm Wed 16 March Yrs 3-6 Excursion to SSO Syd Nth swimming Fri 18 March PCS Extension Test Mon 21 March Harmony Day P&C 7pm Tues 22 March School Photos Thurs 24 March K-2 Easter Hat Parade Fri 25 March Good Friday holiday Monday 28 March Easter Monday holiday Wed & Thurs 6 & 7 April NSW Swimming Friday 8 April Last day of Term 1 TERM 2 Tues 26 April Staff Development Day Wed 27 April Term 2 begins Life Education Van visits Wed 4 May School Cross Country TBC Tues-Thus 10-12 May NAPLAN – Yrs 3 & 5 Tues 17 May Uni NSW Digital Tech. test Fri 20 May Pittwater PSSA Cross Country

Phone: 9971 8352, 9982 2475 Fax: 9982 5617 Email: wheelerhts-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: wheelerhts-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Student Leaders 2016 Congratulations to our recently elected House captains and vice captains, SRC representatives, Dance and Band captains. Badges for the Band, Dance and House Captain leaders will be distributed at the 9.15 assembly on Monday 22nd February. Please note SRC badges will be distributed on Monday 29 February. P&C Meeting There was a very pleasing attendance at the first P&C Meeting for 2015.The Principal of Cromer High School, Justin Hong was a special guest and he spoke and answered questions about the school. Most high schools are having their open days soon and we encourage all parents to visit these schools and see the quality programs which are operating in our public schools. Please see the flyer later in the newsletter. Class Parents Some classes had volunteers for this exciting position at the Parent Information sessions this week. If you would like to volunteer to be a class parent please let the office or your class teacher know. Spanish Classes…spaces still available!! Please see the details later in the newsletter for Spanish classes. Classes began recently and are held after school each Tuesday. University of NSW Competitions A note is attached for entry into the University of NSW competitions. This year, Year 2 will be able to participate in the English, Mathematics, Science and Spelling tests. Please note that all students in Years 4 and 6 will be sitting the English and Mathematics tests this year, entry fees for those two tests are included in the whole school program fees for Years 4 and 6. Welcome Afternoon BBQ for all Kindergarten and new families- Thursday 3 March Please be sure to mark this date in your calendar for the welcome BBQ afternoon for all Kindergarten families and new families to our school. More details very soon. Appropriate Video games Of late a number of teachers have spoken to me about some of the videos and games which young children are apparently watching and playing. Sometimes the children may be watching an older sibling or parent who may be on a device or watching a video. I do ask that you carefully monitor what your children are viewing at home or at a friend’s place. The school regularly receives literature and details about workshops and courses for parents and carers. Please see the notice in this newsletter about screen time for children. School Program Fees A note outlining whole school program fees and expenses has been distributed today. Prompt payment would be very much appreciated, with a special prize draw for payment made by the due date.

David Scotter Principal

FROM THE OFFICE Kindergarten Parents – Please provide a spare change of clothes and underwear in your child’s bag. The school has limited clothing available. If your child comes home in clothing provided by school, please clean and return as soon as possible. Stewart House Clothing Bags - are available from the admin office. Bags need to be returned to the school by Friday 26 February.

Term 1 Week 4

18 February 2016

SPORT NEWS Swimming Carnival – correction of time A correction from the results published last week: Jnr Girls 50m Backstroke – 1st place to Ashleigh T with a time of 1.00.09 PSSA Sport Our trials finished up this week. Teams will be posted up tomorrow. A big thank you to all the students who put themselves forward for the trials, and coaches for organising them. It is great to see so many students getting in and having a go! The PSSA season and training commences next week. Pittwater Zone Swimming Carnival Permission notes will be distributed early next week as the Zone carnival fast approaches. Apologies to Zahra M and Fynn B for the mix up with your ribbons on the presentation morning! The carnival will be held at the Warringah Aquatic Centre on Monday 7 March. Your child will represent Wheeler Heights at Zone if they placed: 1st or 2nd in Backstroke, Breaststroke or Butterfly, 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Freestyle Finals / The IM or the Open 100m Freestyle meet the qualifying times (see Mr Blanshard). Further information will be on the permission note. Upcoming Manly/Warringah and Pittwater Zone Trials There will be trials coming up for both the Manly/Warringah Zone Boys & Girls Soccer and the Pitwtater Zone Boys & Girls Cricket. If your child is very experienced and plays these sports at a high level, have them see Mr Blanshard to see if they fulfill the coaches trial requirements for nomination. Be aware that we can only nominate a very small number of students to these trials. The trials are not based on age divisions therefore these trials are open to U12's first. There are many trials throughout the year for various sports, please keep an eye on the newsletter and have your children listen out for announcements about upcoming trials. Yours in Sport, Mr Tyson Blanshard Sports Coordinator 2016 DRAMA CLUB Thank you to all the students who auditioned for drama club over the last few weeks. Unfortunately we could not take everybody but what a lot of talent at WHPS! Notes will be distributed shortly. If you were successful, please fill in your contract letter ASAP and bring it back to the office marked DRAMA CLUB. Many thanks Ginny Macpherson. Drama Teacher

WHEELER HEIGHTS DANCE PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce that we have two dates for this year’s Eisteddfods. Please put in your diaries for Saturday the 28th May 2016 IRBD at Pittwater House

and The Extreme Eisteddfod will be held on Sunday the 19th June at the UTS. If you are still not receiving our emails could you please email us again with your email address and contact phone number so we

can keep you up to date regarding upcoming dance events. Thank you everyone for great attendance this week, we have measured the senior dance group for costumes and will measure

juniors this Friday for theirs.

Regards Deneille and Jasmine whps.dance@gmail.com

Wheeler Heights Public School

Veterans Parade, Collaroy Plateau, 2097 Telephone: (02) 9971 8352 Fax: (02) 9982 5617

2016 UNSW International Competitions Years 2-6

Dear Parents The University of New South Wales is again offering students from our school the opportunity to enter one of the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) examinations. The ICAS competitions have been run for 30 years, and are the largest independent competition and assessment program for schools in Australia and are delivered to over 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific and the USA. Each year these competitions give our students the opportunity to measure their skills and knowledge against other students, as well as providing detailed feedback to you regarding your child’s standing in comparison to the other students who sit the exams. Please be advised that in 2016 once again all Year 4 and 6 students will sit the English and Mathematics competitions. The fee for these tests has been included in the whole school fee notice so there is no need to order these tests below. These examination style competitions are entirely voluntary. They are open to students from Years 2 - 6, and will be administered by staff members from Wheeler Heights Public School. In 2016 tests will be conducted during school time. Reminders will be given to children just before each exam that they are enrolled for. Subject Sitting Date Entry Fee Digital Technologies Tuesday 17 May $8.00 Science Tuesday 31 May $8.00 Writing Tuesday 14 June $17.00 Spelling Wednesday 15 June $11.00 English Tuesday 2 August $8.00 Mathematics Tuesday 16 August $8.00 Please visit the Educational Assessment Australia website for further information (www.eaa.unsw.edu.au) including sample and practice papers. If you are interested in having your child sit any of these competitions, please complete the application form below and submit with payment to the school office by 4 March 2016. Thanking You David Scotter Principal

UNSW Competitions 2016

I would like my child ________________________________ of class ________ Year _______ to sit the following competitions:

Digital Technologies ($8.00) Science (Yr 2, 3 & 5 only) ($8.00)

Writing ($17.00) Spelling (Yr 2, 3 & 5 only) ($11.00)

English (Yr 2,3 & 5 only) ($8.00) Mathematics (Yr 2, 3 & 5 only) ($8.00)

I have included $ ________ as payment for these competitions.

Signed: _______________________________ Date: _________

ORDER NOW WWW.ADVANCEDLIFE.COM.AU

WHEELER HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE TAKEN ON: TUESDAY, 22ND MARCH _________________________________________________________________________________________________ School photographs are scheduled to be taken by advancedlife Photography. Whilst an envelope and flyer will be distributed shortly, if possible it is our preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online At www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit Online Order Code. Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day. Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au Julia Smith Relieving Assistant Principal l

9 Digit Online Order Code

VV6 AZM K8X

LIBRARY BOOKS OF THE MONTH

FICTION In 20th-century tsarist Russia, aristocrats raise captured wolf pups to perform as dogs, but when the wolves go mad, they send them to a girl named Feo and her mother, Marina, who “untame” them, so they may live in the wintry wild again. General Rakov, ruler of the tsar’s Imperial Army, orders Marina to shoot the wolves; when she refuses, he burns their home and takes her prisoner. Feo plans to rescue her mother with the help of her best friends—wolves White, Gray, and Black—and Ilya, a teenage army deserter with “skinny wrists, but a muscly brain” and a passion for ballet. SUITABLITY: AGES 10+ LIBRARY LOCATION:- F-RUN

NON-FICTION The biography begins with Nancy at seven years old when her father leaves. The information about Nancy Wake is very comprehensive and it is impressive and nerve wracking to read about the extent of her operations with the French Resistance during World War II. Every page is fully illustrated, graphically using black line work with some black line hatching and fairly muted ink wash. The art work is unromanticised and does not glamorise people or events. This effect helps convey the time period and complements the text which is set on discoloured yellowed pages that appear to have been torn roughly from a spiral note book and tossed down over parts of the underlying illustrations of events being described. The Bernard font on these note book pages gives these texts authenticity A definite collectable for older children and adults interested in war history. SUITABILITY : AGES 10+ LIBRARY LOCATION: 940.53-WAK

SHORT FICTION Jackson Payne is clumsy…really, really, really clumsy! Every time Jackson is clumsy, awesome things happen and he becomes an accidental hero helping people out of all sorts of trouble. But when Jackson decides that he doesn’t want to be a hero by fluke anymore, he goes about changing himself, only to find himself in real trouble. The dynamic duo of Adam Wallace and James Hart bring a lot of humour, wit, silliness and a great message for children. Complete with food fights, bank robbers and a giant cupcake wearing sunglasses, Accidentally Awesome encourages children to ‘just be yourself’. SUITABILITY : AGES 7+ LIBRARY LOCATION: SF-WAL

Wheeler Heights Public School Parents & Citizens Association Supporting our Students & School

Helping to forge a strong school community After a very popular P&C meeting on Monday 15 February, we are delighted to advise that the WHPS P&C is starting the new school year with a full committee. Thank you Susie P who stepped up as Secretary! We would also like to introduce our entire core team for 2016:

President – Claudia S Vice Presidents – Simone S and Yvette D Secretary – Susie P Treasurer – Matt S Communications Officer – Deidre Mc General Executive Members – Leanne T, Penny S, Marina B, David M Canteen – Di R, Tracey, Penny S Uniform – Karen N, Simone S Band – Anthony McD, Susie W, Suse D, Noelene J, Mona J, Michelle H Fundraising – Sherene L Grounds – Karen N Website – Lorenzo C

Class parents for 2016 Following the Meet the Teacher evening last week, most classes have now already nominated a class parent to be the point of contact between school, P&C and the class families. However, if your class or classes don’t yet have a class parent, please consider putting up your hand! It is an opportunity to liaise with teachers and parents, and also create a welcoming social environment within your school community. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

New option for girls’ winter uniform By popular demand, the P&C has passed a motion to introduce a new option for the girls’ winter school uniform. While the current winter tartan tunic or blue pants with blouse are perfectly fine, girls will now have the additional option of a tartan skort, in combination with either the blouse or the unisex blue polo shirt. Please pop into our famous uniform shop to see our display garments. Once available (expected early May), orders can be placed via Flexischools or directly at the uniform shop. A huge thank you again to Marina B who led the survey and its analysis last year - you are invaluable!

Post P&C Meeting on Monday night This is what you missed if you weren’t able to join us for our P&C meeting on Monday evening – this photo was taken at the staff car park at 9:10 pm. Have a lucky guess who was assembling under the P&C President’s car, and what they were doing there…? ☺ Claudia Schremmer P&C President

BAND EVENTS www.whpsband.wordpress.com

BAND NEWS

AND THEY’RE OFF! We’re excited to report that all bands have now started rehearsing for 2016. This year’s band reboot appears to have been fairly smooth and without too many obvious bruises. We warmly welcome all the new band children and their families. We hope you are adjusting to the new routine without too much discomfort or tears. All our conductors are excited at seeing (and hearing) your band children who seem to be on their best behavior, arriving on time, wide eyed and ready to learn. Congratulations to all concerned! Keep up the good work. Just a reminder that it is important to be at rehearsal at least 10 minutes before the rehearsal starts this allows you to set up your instrument and help set up the hall before the first downbeat. Please remember your instrument (yes, it does happen!!), music folder and a pencil. Please also let us know if you are unable to make a rehearsal (or a performance) so we can keep track of absentees.

TRAINING BAND “BLAST OFF” – WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2016 On Wednesday 2 March, during (and going a little after their normal rehearsal) we’re planning to hold a little “Training Band musical boot-camp”. This will involve a couple of hours with the Training band children, in sections (and as a band), to give them a quick “heads-up” on how to handle and play their instruments and get their first few notes and pieces started. We plan to finish with a BBQ to feed the children. The Training band normally rehearses on a Wednesday afternoon so all we’re really planning to do is extend the rehearsal a little longer and bribe the children with sausages. There will be some intensive (but fun) musical work finishing with a quick “welcome to band BBQ” for the new band parents and children. We plan to start at 3.15pm (the usual rehearsal time and finish by 5.30pm (all fed and watered). Despite the fact that we will be providing some special tutors to help the sections (as well as some sausages!), there will be no additional costs associated with this event.

BAND CAPTAINS The process of appointing band captains for 2015 is now almost complete. This year two (2) Band Captains are to be appointed. Watch this space!

As part of the process of appointing Band Captains for 2016, a confidential ballot has been held within the Senior Band. The ballot is one of a number of determining factors in the making of the appointment(s), with the ultimate decision vesting in the conductor, band committee and the School.

SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE BANDS’ BLAST OFF! On Saturday afternoon, 19 March 2016 (between 1.45pm and 5.30pm) we’re also planning an efficient Intermediate and Senior band Boot Camp. This will comprise a few hours of sectional work (with some special expert musical tutors invited to help) interspersed with some band rehearsals (just like a mini band jam) broken up with afternoon tea. The intention is to be all finished by 5.30pm (after a mini-concert). This is intended to allow the children to get a quick saturation from band and music early in the year and will be a good opportunity to brush away the post-Christmas cobwebs. There will be no additional cost to students attending this event.

BAND FEES & MEMBERSHIP CONTRACTS … If you haven’t paid your band fees please send your cheque to the band box in the school office in an envelope marked “Band fees” and include your child’s name and band. You may also pay by direct deposit or flexi schools (which is preferred, please email us with a receipt with your child’s name and payment details). We don’t want to have to apply the late fee penalty to anyone so please pay promptly. If you haven’t returned your signed contracts (band membership & instrument hire) please also return them to the band box at the office (do not give them to the conductors!)

WHPS BAND: WORLD TOUR … There is a growing groundswell of support for the Intermediate and Senior Bands to do a road trip this year. This is an exciting development for all involved and will be the first WHPS “band tour” in the school’s living memory. A few dates have been thrown around, the most popular being Sunday 23rd October - Tuesday 25th October. Of course, to get it off the ground we’re going to need help, especially raising funds to keep the costs down. Watch this space for more news concerning this wonderful prospect.

EVENTS FOR THE DIARY…

Training Band “Blast Off “- Wed 2nd March

Intermediate & Senior Band “Kick Start” -

Sat 19th March

All Bands – BAND JAM – Sat 28th & Sun 29th May

LOUISE GREEN

whpsband@gmail.com

Peninsula Community of Schools (PCS) 2017 Extension Classes

General Achievement Test

Information and application Process Dear Parent/Caregiver and Year 5 (2015) / Year 6 (2016) student; On Friday 18 March the Peninsula Community of Schools has arranged a General Achievement Test to select students for placement in Year 7 2017 Academic Extension Classes at Barrenjoey HS, Narrabeen Sports HS and Pittwater HS. Students are eligible for placement in the academic Extension Class at their local designated high school. In addition, applications can be made to a preferred PCS High School which will be considered based on individual circumstances. General Achievement Test This is a two hour externally sourced test with a focus on English, Mathematics and Science. The test format is:

- Reading and Language (40 minutes) – 40 multiple choice questions from various stimulus material

- Mathematics (40 minutes) – 40 multiple choice questions - Writing task (30 minutes) – 1 writing task

The test is externally marked. There will be a cost recovery charge of $45 to sit the test - this will cover the cost of test materials, administration, external marking and test supervision. Location, date and time The test will be held in the assembly hall at Narrabeen Sports High (NSHS) on Friday 18 March 2016 at 9.15am sharp. Parents and caregivers are requested to have their son/daughter at Narrabeen Sports High School by the designated time. The test will conclude at 11.30am and students should be collected immediately after the test. There is also a catch up date on Monday 21 March for students unable to sit the original test date. School Selection Process After the test results have been received, the High School Principals’ from the Peninsula Community of Schools will make an offer of placement to the highest ranked students for the Extension Class at their local designated high school. A reserve list will also be established.

General Achievement Application Form Applications must be received at Narrabeen Sports High School, no later than Friday 4 March 2016. Payment via money order, credit card or cheque payable to Narrabeen Sports High School is to be enclosed with the completed application form. A confirmation email will be sent no later than Friday 11 March 2016. Admission into the test hall on the day of test Only students who have registered (paper work and payment received) by the closing date will be allowed to undertake the test. If you have any queries in regards these arrangements, please contact your local high school. Yours sincerely Principals of the Peninsula Community of Schools Key Dates for entry to Year 7 Extension Class 2017

Application packages available in schools to Year 5 parents

Parent completes and returns application by 4 March 2016 Confirmation email by 11 March 2016

Extension test date Catch up test date

18 March 2016 21 March 2016

School Open Nights 2016

Ian Bowsher Jane Ferris Lance Berry Principal Principal Principal

Barrenjoey HS Pittwater HS Narrabeen Sports HS 9918 8811 9999 4035 9913 77820

Barrenjoey HS Pittwater HS Narrabeen Sports HS Thursday February 25 Tuesday March 1 Wednesday March 2

Peninsula Community of Schools (PCS) 2017 Year 7 Extension Classes

General Achievement Test Application Form

Test Date: 9.15am Friday 18 March 2016 Catch up date: 9.15 am Monday 21 March 2016 Venue: Narrabeen Sports High School Hall,

10 Namona Street North Narrabeen NSW 2101

Student Name(s): __________________________________ Current Primary School: ________________________________________ Local Designated PCS High School: circle the relevant school

Narrabeen Sports HS Pittwater HS Barrenjoey HS In some cases you may be considered for placement in the extension class at a non-local designated PCS high school. Please circle your preferred school and support this selection with a brief outline in the space provided. Include specific details as to why you would like to be considered for this non-local placement.

Narrabeen Sports HS Pittwater HS Barrenjoey HS

Brief explanation:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Residential Address: __________________________________________ Parent Names: __________________________________________ Email Address: __________________________________________ Mobile: ___________________ Home phone: _______________

#Please forward application to Peninsula Community of Schools C/-Narrabeen Sports High School,

North Narrabeen, NSW, 2101 With Credit card details, Money Order ($45) or

Cheque for Narrabeen Sports High School NO LATER THAN Friday 4 March 2016

PCS EXTENSION TEST PAYMENT DETAILS Tick payment method: Cash [ ] Cheque [ ] Payable to NSHS crossed

‘Not Negotiable “ OR credit card Visa [ ] Mastercard [ ] Student name: _______________________________________ Cardholder name: _______________________________________ Phone Number: ______________________________________________ Amount: $_________________

- - -

Expiry Date: / Signature: _________________________ NHSH Receipt No: __________________________________________

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