Warialda P U B L I C SCHOOL

Fostering a Community oF Learners

NEWSLETTERTerm 4 Week 10 12Th December 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS

2 7 - 3 5 H o p e S t r e e t , W a r i a l d a 2 4 0 2

DECEMBER 13th Copeton Dam Excursion 14th Water Fun Day League Tag Grand Final Class Parties 16th Last day for students20th Last day for staff

Jack Digby

Merry Christmasand safe and happy

holidays....

From all of the staff at WPS

DuxCongratulations to Jack Digby on receiving the prestigious award of Dux at our Annual Awards Presentation morning This is an outstanding achievement which is well deserved.

Please NoteThis Wednesday is Water Fun Day @ WPS.

Please remember to bring your• Swimmers• Towel• Sunscreen• Hat• Rashie

2017

Thank you A very big thank you to the many people who assisted in some way throughout 2016.Your contribution to our school is greatly appreciated and we look forward to your continued support in 2017.

School LeadersElijah Lane, Liliana Reardon, Toby Bell and Sophie Hall along with Georgia Curtis and Angus Digby will lead the way for the approaching year. We wish them every success in their roles and know they will do a fabulous job.

Music....Congratulations to our band students who played beautifully at Naroo and the hospital today,lead by Mrs Conway and Mr Brown. The residents were captivated with their performance and welcomed the band back to perform in 2017.

Principal’s ReportWe’ve reached the last week of the 2016 school year and I’m incredibly proud of the countless successes that we as a school community have enjoyed. Whilst students conclude their term on Friday, staff will continue to be on site participating in professional learning on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Last Friday, our intensive swimming program wrapped up for another year and it has most certainly been a very worthwhile program. Providing students with essential survival skills is the core focus of the program, establishing a base level of water competence. Once again, thank you to Mrs Haug for coordinating and to all the staff who have assisted over the last two weeks.

Friday’s annual Presentation Ceremony was a resounding success and a most enjoyable occasion. I’ve been inundated with positive feedback from those in attendance, congratulating all staff and students for their achievements in 2016. I’m exceedingly pleased with how the event ran and most importantly, the acknowledgement of our fantastic students who are an absolute credit to their families, school and of course community.

During this event, the 2017 student leadership team was announced. I wanted to again congratulate all the boys and girls who nominated for these positions and truly believe that each and every student would have done an incredible job. A special congratulations must go to our 2017 Captain’s – Liliana Reardon and Elijah Lane; Vice Captain’s – Sophie Hall and Toby Bell; and PBL Prefect’s – Georgia Curtis and Angus Digby. There is no doubt these six students will do an exceptional job and are very worthy recipients of these positions.

As if Friday wasn’t big enough, we also hosted the Year 6 farewell and primary disco that evening. It was lovely to bring our graduating class together with their families to recognise the contributions they have made to WPS. I spoke in glowing terms of our Year 6 class in my short address but I was most sincere when I said that we will certainly miss this group of students very much. They have been exceptional leaders, role models, ambassadors, students – but most importantly, individuals with a strong moral compass. We wish them every success for the years ahead and know that they will all be successful!

This Tuesday, our infant’s students will travel to Copeton Waters for an exciting excursion. We wish the students and of course adults a safe journey and most importantly, an incredibly fun-filled day! A special thank you to Mr David Nieddu who is taking time away from his bus schedule to assist as a parent helper!

I thought it might be prudent to include another reminder that teaching staff resume the 2017 school year on Friday the 3rd of February with students (Years 1 to 6) commencing on Monday the 6th of February. Kindergarten will have their first day of school on Tuesday the 7th of February. Our annual Meet the Teacher evening will be held from 6pm on Wednesday the 22nd of February and will be a great opportunity for you to meet with your child’s 2017 classroom teacher.

On behalf of the entire Warialda Public School staff, I would like to wish and school and wider community a safe, prosperous and enjoyable festive season. Please enjoy the opportunity to spend time with loved one’s, recharge your batteries and reboot for what will be an exciting new year. It will be an honour to lead this wonderful school again in 2017.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Kind regards,Dan van VelthuizenPrincipal (Relieving)

Annual Awards CeremonyAcademic Achievement - Year 6 Jack DigbyMost Consistent Daemon FohmsbeeMost Improved Lacey SmithClass Citizenship Jack Williams

School Certificate of MeritCooper Rose Excellent application in all strands of mathematicsWilliam Jones Persistence shown in all key learning areasCharlie Horn Co-operative and caring approach towards his peers

Academic Achievement - Year 5 Angus DigbyMost Consistent Isabella McIntoshMost Improved Holly DuffClass Citizenship Elijah Lane

School Certificate of MeritSarah Clarke Consistent achievement and effort across all key learning areasToby Bell Academic achievement in mathematicsElla Moodie Application and dedication to learning

Academic Achievement - Year 4 Wesley La FontaineAcademic Achievement - Year 3 Lisa DigbyMost Consistent Taeya RoseMost Improved Thomas BellClass Citizenship Ella-Louise Turner

School Certificates of MeritMia Montgomery Excellent achievement in spellingScarlett Nieddu Outstanding commitment to public speakingClancy Bowman Outstanding commitment to education

Academic Achievement - Year 4Jorja DurkinAcademic Achievement - Year 3Harry BarwickMost ConsistentChristian MillerMost Improved Ellen ReesClass Citizenship Jay Farrawell

School Certificate of MeritAlly Horn Outstanding commitment to school initiativesJadyn Sullivan Outstanding achievement in mathematicsEllie-May Turner Outstanding commitment to learning

Academic Achievement - Year 2 Samuel HallAcademic Achievement - Year 1 Lachlan McIntoshMost Consistent Trinity TurnerMost Improved William WhalanClass Citizenship Lilly Brice

School Certificate of MeritMax Barwick Outstanding application in mathematicsKayla Digby Outstanding application in EnglishMia Ireland Outstanding commitment to learning

Academic Achievement - Year 1 Ashley ReesAcademic Achievement - Year KKingston HallMost Consistent Whitney ShermanMost Improved Ryli IrelandClass Citizenship Millie Taylor

School Certificate of MeritMax Montgomery Outstanding achievement in mathematicsAlec Michel Excellent application & progress in literacyJakob Guyer Academic achievement in literacy

Academic Achievement KindergartenHarrison BrooksMost Consistent Imogen BiddleMost Improved Darius RowanClass CitizenshipLilli Lane

School Certificate of MeritMason Nieddu Outstanding effort in all classroom activitiesHolly Whalan Excellence in creative and performing artsBanjo Mitchell Excellence in numeracy

Swimming ChampionsJunior Boy William Reardon Junior Girl Ally Horn11 Year Boy Toby Bell 11 Year Girl Georgia CurtisSenior Boy William Mayne Senior Girl Abbie Kent

Athletic ChampionsJunior Boy William Reardon Junior Girl Ally Horn11 Year Boy Lochlan Lane 11 Year Girl Georgie Curtis/Liliana ReardonSenior Boy William Mayne Senior Girl Kayley Mintoff/Abbie Kent

Best Overall Performance in Junior SportAngus Digby and Ally Horn

Best Overall Performance in Senior SportCharlie Horn and Georgia Curtis

Winning House for 2016 - Rose

Gwydir Shire Mayoral Achiever Award Cooper Rose

Award for Public Service to the School Jack Williams

Award for Public Speaking Harry Barwick

Infants Citizenship Award Ellie Michel

The Eric Tomkyns Sarah Clarke Warialda Sports Council Junior Sportsmanship Award Taeya Rose

Sandra Loosemore Memorial Trophy Senior Sportsmanship Isaac Armstrong

2016 Dux - Warialda Public School Jack Digby

Induction of 2017 PBL Leaders Angus Digby and Georgia Curtis 2017 School Captains Elijah Lane and Liliana Reardon

2017 Vice Captains Toby Bell and Sophie Hall

Graduating Class of 2016

Isaac Armstrong Travis Clarke Brendan Cook Jack DigbyDaemon Fohmsbee Paige Collings-Hall Charlie Horn William JonesAbbie Kent Peter King Lucy Lockyer William MayneBrayden Miller Kayley Mintoff Jarrod Nolan Siobhan PotterBilly Riley-Connell Cooper Rose Hope Sankey Grace SleimanLacey Smith Phebe Stevenson Tanaya Temple Nathan TooleyJai Turner James Walker Jack Williams Darcy Wood

Gallery

6Farewell Year

We wish you every success as you take on your next adventure!

Notices

When Monday - Friday

9th January - 13th January 2017

Monday - Friday

16th January - 20th January 2017

Bookings for School Holiday Fun are essential as there are limited spaces available. Call

Alyse Steiger on 0408454813 bookings and enquiries

There will be a bus leaving Warialda Visitor Information Centre at 8:30am and returning to Warialda at approx. 4:00pm daily. A Gwydir Shire Council

Employee will accompany the children to and from Bingara Preschool daily.

Children will need to bring a hat, morning tea, lunch and drink bottle.

$10 per child

per day or

$20 per family

per day

!

Have you read this article... Tourette Syndrome camp an eye opener for young sufferers:  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-19/tourettes-camp-an-eye-opener-for-young-sufferers/8035924

Have you seen this book...204 Fold & Say Social Skills, by D Mahler. Available from  www.silvereye.com.au $49.95. This is a collection of little books presenting everyday social situations from school, home and the community. Have you googled this website... www.sourcekidsdirectory.com.auThis directory site is jam-packed full of great businesses with products and services

perfect for children and youths with special needs across Australia.

Dyspraxia• Dyspraxia is a “motor learning difficulty that can affect planning of movements

and coordination” (www.news.com.au).• It has also been referred to as DCD - Developmental Coordination Disorder.• Fine motor issues include difficulty with handwriting, using everyday items

(eg. toothbrush).• Gross motor issues include poor coordination and children are often clumsy.• Perception issues include spatial difficulty, eg. problems recognising left and

right, distance, height, estimating, etc.• Concentration problems due to poor short term memory.• They can’t multitask and often have trouble completing tasks.• Organisation issues as they forget things and lose belongings.• Young children will have demonstrated delayed milestones, eg. crawling,

walking, jumping.

Dysgraphia• Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder affecting fine motor skills which in turn

affects written expression.• It can be a language based disorder (that is, difficulty putting thoughts onto

paper in written words) or a non-language based disorder (that is, a problem with the fine motor skills impacting holding the pencil and writing).

• Writing is generally illegible, with inconsistent letters of different sizes, shapes, slanted, printed, cursive, etc.

• Writing can be described as “all over the place”.• Writing is hard work and slow for the child. As a result they often tire easily.

Words are left out or sometimes letters are left off the end of words.• Spacing between the words is irregular.• Children find it hard writing down their thoughts.• Dysgraphia generally emerges when the child is first introduced to writing.

The information herein is provided on the understanding that the Learning Difficulties Coalition Helpline is NOT providing professional advice and services. The information herein provided is NOT to be used as a substitute for professional, medical, or clinical advice.

02 9806 9960PO Box 140 Westmead 2145

F: 02 9689 2871

E: info@ldc.org.auW: www.ldc.org.au

Please contact the LDC office if you would like

Helpline brochures/posters for your school.

MEMBERSHIP COSTS1 year School M’ship $55

3 year School M’ship $150

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• A Quarterly Newsletter• Fortnightly Member Updates

relating to LD.• Discount on LDC resources• Discount on entry to LDC

seminars

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT

See www.ldc.org.au for details

DECEMBER ARTICLEWhat “DYS” is that? (Part One)

LDC Regional, Rural & Remote

Schools E-Update

Dec 2016

References: LDC Factsheets, “Dyslexia and LD” www.speldvic.org.au, “Do I have Dyspraxia?” www.nagcbritain.org.uk, “Dyspraxia” by D Cardeiro, www.healthonline.com, “Common Warning Signs of Dysgraphia in Children Pre-K to Grade 2” by NCLD Editors www.ncld.org, “What is Dysgraphia?” http://dsf.net.au, “What is dyscalculia?” by A Wilson, www.aboutdyscalculia.org, “Advice for Parents of Children with LD” by D Sharry www.news.com.au, “Dyslexia Basics” by International Dyslexia Association www.ldonline.org

ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

A Guide for Secondary Teachers, By V Hastings

An overview of ADD - what it is, how it affects the student, how to assist the student (re behaviour, organisation, social, etc), the parent’s role and the school’s role.

$10 for LDC members$15 for non members+ P/H (see website)

The Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) has great pleasure in inviting you to the 2017 inaugural National Football Camp (NFC). The NFC is an inclusive football camp catering for athletes (boys & girls) of all standards for Primary and Secondary School students aged U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16’s in 2017. The NFC will be held over the week 22nd – 25th of January and will be hosted in the beautiful city of Armidale. The NFC has the support of Sydney’s Newington College Head of Football Brian McCarthy and is fully endorsed by Northern NSW Football who will be providing high profile coaches. Please contact the NIAS team on 6766 2526 for further details or email james.cooper@nias.org.au. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop and expand your football skills.

Class Parties...Class parties will be held this Wednesday. Notes have been sent home with this newsletter.