Dear Parents/Caregivers This week, I participated in both the Literacy Summit and DfE Leaders Day. It was an excellent opportunity to collaborate with others in the new learning that all schools across the state are involved in. What I have taken back with me to Cobdogla is a continued focus to implement our School Improvement Plan. This year we are aiming to continue on our journey of high achievement and growth in all areas. The plan has three specific goals with actions to achieve them. The goals are:

If we continue to embed a systematic approach to teaching reading and synthetic phonics, as part of our focus on the big 6 then student reading achievement will continue to increase.

If we foster critical and meta-cognitive awareness in reading for the construction of knowledge, we will increase the % of students that are maintained in the higher bands

If we teach number sense sequentially using the big ideas in number, we will increase the % of current year 4 students meeting SEA in Maths

NAPLAN Online Following information that went home last week we would like to advise that all year 3, 5 and 7 students will again sit one, on line practice test this term, week 9, Thursday 28th March. This is not to test students’ abilities, but the capability of our schools ICT infrastructure to facilitate running the test safely over the network. The full test schedule is planned for term 2, week 3, from 14th to 16th May. In the meantime teachers, students and families have the opportunity to practice on a ‘Public demonstration site’ which will help everyone become familiar with the format. Please see link: http://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site Please contact the school if you any further questions.

SAPSASA Swimming Congratulations to the students from Cobdogla Primary School that competed in SAPSASA Swimming at the Renmark Swimming Pool. All the students put in maximum effort on the day and their support for each other is to be commended. Thank you to all the Parents/Carers that provided transport. Mentoring Program Our school mentoring began last week, with 2 mentors meeting their students for this year. We find mentoring to be a valuable part of supporting and improving student self-confidence and assisting with their learning. Thanks to Terry and Lorraine Marter for volunteering to mentor students again this year and to Monique Gillespie for coordinating the program. SRC/YEL Ceremony Congratulations to all the students that received their badges and spoke about the improvements that they will make this year. Thank you to all the Parents/Carers that came along to the SRC ceremony and afternoon tea. It was great having everyone there to support our students. A special thank you to the Berri Barmera Council Citizen of the Year, Kym Manning. It was inspiring to hear about the importance of volunteering in the community. Riverland Youth Theatre (RYT) at CPS In term 2, Cobdogla Primary School will partnership with Chris Bond, Artistic Director at RYT, to deliver weekly Performing Arts workshops culminating in an end of term performance. The workshops will cover topics such as physical and vocal performance skills, group and solo skills and artistic expression. This exciting initiative will also include a specialist group for young performers that are interested in future pathways into performing arts. David Ness Principal

Diary Dates Newsletter: Issue: 3 week 5, term 1 Date: 28th Feb 2019

Principal’s Message

Cobdogla Primary School Providing a Caring & Challenging Environment

Principal - David Ness Governing Council Chairperson – Shane Nettle Web site home page www.cobdoglaps.sa.edu.au E-mail dl.0721.info@schools.sa.edu.au Telephone 8588 7131 Facsimile 8588 7154 Our School Values: RESPECT HONESTY RESPONSIBILITY PERSONAL BEST

Friday 1st March Clean Up Australia Day

Friday 8th March SPORTS DAY

Mon 11th March Adelaide Cup Public Holiday

Tues 12th March STUDENT FREE DAY

Mon 18th March Choir Cluster Rehearsal

Wed 20th March Riverland SAPSASA Athletics

Thurs 21st March Harmony Day

Weeks 9 & 10 Swimming Lessons

Fri 29th March Whole School Assembly

Week 10 Parent Teacher Interviews

Mon 1st April Easter Raffle due back

Mon 8th April STUDENT FREE DAY

Tuesday 9th April Easter Raffle drawn @ morning assembly

Fri 12th April Reward Day End of term 2:30pm

Congratulations to our Young Environment Leaders 2019

Congratulations to our Student Representative Council 2019

absent Lexi Hettner

School News

Clean Up Australia Day

On Friday 1st March students will participate in cleaning up around our school district. We will begin our clean up from the school at 9am. Parents/Caregivers are more than welcome to join in. Could students please bring gloves from home if possible and make sure you have your hats. Thank you

Weeks 2-5 Cyrus, Lloyd, James, Tredrea, Caitlin, Joel,

Summer, Adele, Zane, Evelyn, Aiden M, Judd I, Noah, Matilda, Georgia, Madison,

Miranda, Kaila, Makenzi, Max, Brooke, Jordan, Rory, Brayden, Zoe, Logan, Judd N, Mia, Molly,

Emily, Sophie, Jack B, Hudson, Clara, Chase, Austin, Shaquana, Izabelle M, Tom, Tredrea, Riley,

Alex, Dylan, Ella, Isabelle R, Salah, Tyrone, All reception students.

Last time I spoke about the importance of teaching children that their brain is like a muscle that can be developed with exercise. This means (for adults and children) we now know that we are all on a learning curve, and naturally we will have

failures on the way to succeeding. Instead of being devastated by setbacks, people become resilient - they use failures as learning opportunities. Instead of worrying about whether they're "smart" enough, these kids know they can get smarter, just by working at it. When they have the experience that every child has while learning something new-"This is hard; I'm not getting this, maybe I'm not that smart?" these kids are able to manage their anxiety by reassuring themselves that learning things can be hard but they can do it. They become perpetual learners who can learn what they need to in new situations and are motivated and curious to learn more. By contrast, parents who tell kids “you’re so smart!" undermine this positive mindset of learning. When the child finds herself challenged, she assumes that if she was smart, the task or lesson wouldn't be so hard. She wonders if she isn't so smart, and she may give up rather than look bad. Feeling challenged becomes too uncomfortable. Parents who want to facilitate a more positive mindset to learning might say " You are working so hard at that; slowly but surely you are getting it". The child learns that her own determination will determine her success. Feeling challenged begins to feel motivating. Cheers, Brenton

Brenton's Blog...

Easter Raffle

Raffle books for each family will be going home today. Please return them to the front office as soon as possible, sold or not. With each return of a fully sold book, students will receive a mini Easter Egg. More books may also be available. Lucky prizes – for each book sold, students names will go into the draw to win a prize. The more books sold the more chances! We would appreciate any donations towards our Easter Baskets. Ideas:- chocolate eggs, novelties, chocolate bars, small toys. Please drop any donations in the collection box in the front office by Monday 25th March.

Raffle books need to be returned by Monday 1st April with the raffle being drawn on Tuesday 9th April at our whole school assembly. Thank you, Parent Group

REMINDER COKOMO Sports Day - Friday 8th March

Healthy lunch orders If you have not yet ordered, the last opportunity to make

an order will be by 9am, this Friday, 1st March. NO late orders will be accepted after tomorrow.

$$ School fees/accounts due $$ Mid term statements are coming home today following the first round of School Card approvals. We ask that school fees and outstanding invoices be addressed as soon as possible. Outstanding School Card forms/applications are still accepted. Thank you to those who have used internet banking, either with bank transfer or through the school’s website (Bpoint). Reminder; payments (full or part) can be accepted via:

Cash or cheque directly to school Visa/Mastercard via School’s website – online Bpoint transaction, or returning school’s invoice deposit slip with card details (adding card verification code) Direct Bank transfer/deposit to – Commbank BSB: 065-000 Account: 12184311 (please ref. name) Centrepay supply Centrelink with the school’s Reference number:- 555-108-769-H (please ref. name) Direct Debit from customer’s bank account or credit card (please apply at office)

Please contact the school if you have any queries. Regards Michelle

Attachments

Easter Raffle books (please return before Monday 1st April)

Invoices

Year 5 Class hair and ‘Similes’

The year 5 students have written some similes to help describe some attributes. We hope you enjoy reading them.

I am as quick as a hawk. Beau I am as quick as a flash of lightening. Jaicob

I am as hot as the sun shining down on the desert. Kiana I am as quiet as a mouse. Isabelle

I am as gentle as a butterfly. Jaxon I am as quick as a cheetah catching its prey. Samual

I am as loud as a huge bomb exploding. Lachlan I as weak as a new born puppy. Miranda I am as quick as a lightening bolt. Emily

I am as sad as a fish caught on a line. Harvey I am as hot as burning lava. Chelsie I am as strong as a warrior. Caitlin

I am as happy as a pig rolling in mud. Molly I am as large as a skyscraper. Aiden

I am as large as a planet. Kannon I am as brave as Superman. Kiara

I am as quiet as someone who has lost their voice. Joel I am as busy as a bee. Theo

I am as loud as a monkey. Kaila

Kids’ Voice!

Pancake Day

SRC held Pancake Day at school on

Tuesday and it was a great success! We

raised $366 for Uniting Care to help

provide practical support to South

Australian people and communities in

need. Thank you to Mrs Gillespie for

making the delicious pancake mixture and

Brenton for cooking over 190 pancakes!

SRC enjoyed working as a team for our

first fundraiser for the year. Xavier

SAPSASA SWIMMING! On Monday February 18th, 8 students travelled to Renmark for SAPSASA Swimming. The students were Chelsea, Sophie, Adele, Kane, Rylan, Jazmin, Molly and Kiana. We represented the school well, showing pride and all tried our personal best. The relay team for 50m freestyle was Chelsea, Sophie, Adele and Rylan, we finished 5th by a second.

Comments- Rylan – I competed in the 50m freestyle and came 7th and in breast stroke I came 5th. Kane – It was a fun day and I was in 13 year old 50m freestyle. Molly – I had a great day and I came 4th in 10 year old 50m freestyle. Kiana – It was a cold day but it was fun cheering everyone on. I was in two events 10 year old backstroke and freestyle, I came 3rd in backstroke and 6th in freestyle. Jazzy – It was a great experience. I competed in 12 year old breast and back stroke. Adele – I competed in the 13 year old girls 50m freestyle. I had a great day and the water was very nice. Chelsea and Sophie

Welcome We would like to introduce you to the Cobdogla Primary School Kids Voice Team for 2019. Our team consists

of Nevaeh, Mia, Chelsea, Sophie, Adele and Xavier. Our role this year is to produce a page in the School

newsletter fortnightly, informing you of news and events. We are all excited to produce the Kids Voice page

and can’t wait to inform you about any important information.

~Kid’s Voice Team

6/7 Aquatics On Friday week 4, the year 6/7 class went to Lake Bonney for Aquatics. There were 4 activities: sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking and knee-boarding. When we went sailing most of us went on the trapeze. For some it was new and scary, but some of us had done it before. Wind-surfing was great fun, it was hard at the start but once we got the hang of it, we had a blast. When we went kayaking we got to paddle underneath the jetty. We also got to raft up, then swap kayaks without falling out. We also got to stand up on the kayaks and paddle. Some of us had never knee boarded before, it was a new and exciting experience. Everyone had a go although it was a bit scary for some people, they tried it, and did very well. We all had a super fun time! We would like to thank the Barmera Aquatics instructors and Joey for their time and amazing help.

“I was scared to kneeboard and I fell off the first time but I tried again and did well.” ~Summer “My favourite activity was sailing and I thought it was really fun.” ~Jack B. “Aquatics was really fun, I was sore afterwards though!” ~Tyrone Adele & Nevaeh

Community News