NSW Department of Education and Communities

Cowra Public School

NEWS

14 August 2014 Term 3, Week 5 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

CONTACTING THE SCHOOL Administration Office Hours: 8.30am - 3.30pm

School commences at 9.10am

School finishes at 3.15pm

Students are not supervised before 8.45am

Mail: PO Box 285, Cowra

Phone: 6342 2400

Fax: 6341 1357

School Counsellor 6341 3078

Email: cowra-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Web: http://www.cowra-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

DEPT.HEALTH DENTAL CLINIC: 1300 552 208

Dear Parents

Last Friday our school was strongly

represented at the District Athletics

carnival with several students placing in

the finals of their age races and field

events. Madeleine Mulligan and Chloe

Wolfenden were both awarded age

champions for their respective age

groups with several others being very

close to winning their age groups overall.

Mrs Duncan reported that the manner in

which our students conducted

themselves during the day was also

outstanding with several comments given

towards the wonderful support our

students displayed for each other. Many

of our athletic representatives will now

travel to Dubbo on 29 August for the

regional carnival.

During this week we have had several

classes being involved again in the

cough and blow program to promote

good health in hearing from correct nose

blowing.

Last night the school hosted a general

public meeting conducted by the Cowra

Shire Council. The proposal put forward

was directed towards the change in

street scape in Kendal Street causing the

need to divert traffic for a period of three

months. Vaux Street has been put forward

as a possible alternative and at the

meeting the school strongly voiced its

concern on this suggestion. The school is

worried that the increase in traffic flow

past the school poses noise and safety

concerns to the children of Cowra Public

School. The school will keep parents

informed on this matter over the coming

months but would encourage parents to

contact the council to seek further

information and voice concerns if they

wish to do so.

This week several students sat the

University of NSW Maths test. These exams

are open to all students who pre-register

at the start of each year. The school

encourages parents and children who

have not been involved in these exams

to consider them for next year as they

prove to be very valuable to students

learning exam practice.

Next week the school is celebrating Book

Week with Mrs Oborn being very excited

about the Book Week Dress Up, where

the students come dressed as their

favourite book character. We encourage

all children to be involved in this wonderful

event and to make it an even more special

day the children will be walking on parade

down the main street of Cowra highlighting

the emphasis placed on reading at Cowra

Public School.

Also next week we invite all parents who

will be enrolling a child in Kindergarten next

year to come along to an Information Night

next Wednesday starting at 7.00pm in the

Infants Open Space. This evening is an

opportunity to meet the teachers and staff

of the school and to hear about the

programs run in our classes in the first year

of ‘big school’. Also it is an opportunity to

look around the school and classes and ask

any questions. Light refreshments will be on

offer and we encourage all parents to

come along even if they are undecided

about their schooling choice at this point in

time.

Mrs Kilby will be taking leave for a short

period of time and we are delighted to

have Ms Parker taking K3. Ms Parker who is

considered a permanent teacher at our

school has been looking forward to working

with our Stage 3 children. We know that

the children thoroughly enjoy Ms Parker’s

ENROL NOW FOR 2015 - Kinder to Year 6 A school with unique learning opportunities.

Moving beyond the present by educating for the future.

Strong traditions reflecting community values.

For further information contact the school.

Phone: 6342 2400 or call into the office in Vaux Street.

PROVIDING EVERY CHILD WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITY, EVERY DAY.

Kinder Orientation

Orientation sessions will be held during

October for students commencing

Kindergarten in 2015.

Sessions will be held from

9.30-11.00am

Sessions: Thursday, 9 October

Thursday, 16 October

Thursday, 23 October

Thursday, 30 October

lessons and strong focus on literacy

and maths.

Several of our staff have been involved

with on- going professional learning this

week with both Mrs Garling and Miss

Hyde completing training in L3

(literacy). This program has been

tremendously successful which is only

made possible by the dedication of a

wonderful staff.

Lastly I would like to mention Joshua

Pokoney who will be travelling to State

Rugby Union Carnival as part of the

Western Region Team. Josh has

already represented Western League

and is truly a great ambassador to

Cowra Public School. Good luck Josh.

Have a great week.

Brad Tom

P& C Meeting

Thursday, 21 August

6.00pm

in school staffroom

Everyone welcome

Page 2 Cowra Public School

FOR YOUR DIARY

AUGUST

14 Infants Singing

18-22 Book Week

20 Kindergarten Parent Information

Night

21 Infants & Primary Assembly

21 P & C Meeting 6.00pm

22 Commonwealth Games Day

28 Yr 4 Bike Day

29 Regional Athletics Carnival

INFANTS ASSEMBLIES

Infants assemblies will now be held

every second Thursday, i.e. even

weeks. The assemblies will be held in

the Infants Open Space and

commence at 2.00pm and finish at

2.30pm when the children will return to

their classrooms.

At these assemblies students will be

receiving Merit Certificates and PBL

awards.

Every alternate Thursday (not assembly

week) from 12.30pm until 1.00pm the

Infants will be holding combined

singing in the Infants Open Space. All

parents are invited to come along and

listen to the children singing.

PRIMARY ASSEMBLIES

The Primary will also be holding their

assemblies every second Thursday, i.e.

even weeks at 2.30pm in the school

auditorium.

The assemblies will include the Year 6

Public Speaking and Merit Certificates

will also be presented on the day.

COMBINED ASSEMBLY

The school will be holding combined

assemblies twice a term. At these

assemblies the Infants and Primary

Aussies of the Month will be announced

and the children will be presented with

their awards.

The next combined assembly will be:

Term 3 Week 8 (Thursday, 4

September) at 2.00pm

NOW ACCEPTING

PAYMENT FOR:-

SCHOOL CONTRIBUTION: $30 per student, with a family

maximum of $60. Payment

would be appreciated this term.

BAND: $10 per term

Commonwealth Games Sports

Day $2

STAGE 3 EXCURSION TO

CANBERRA:

Next instalment 21 August $50.00

Total cost: $272.00

$25 pie drive rebate has been

taken off and outstanding

balance details sent home.

KINDERGARTEN PARENT

INFORMATION NIGHT

Wednesday, 20 August

7.00pm

in the Infants Open Space (entry via Brisbane Street).

If you have a child commencing Kindergarten next year, please

join us for this valuable information night.

Kindergarten is an important year of schooling as children formally begin to develop

their literacy and numeracy skills. Our school community will assist your child to

adjust and help them feel comfortable.

PRIMARY ASSEMBLY

AWARDS

The following students received their

awards at last week’s Major Assembly.

PRIMARY MERIT AWARDS:

Jacinda Doolan, Chloe Horne, Jack

Croker, Shakiyah Howarth, Mitchell Blair,

Daniel Hatch, Lavinus Howarth, Erin

Moy, Tyreece Simpson, Lachlan Devlin,

Cailin McKay, Abbey Smith, Le-Shane

Williams, Chantelle Gee, Rebecca

McIntosh, Murrieguel Coe, Telisha Beale,

Aaliyah Ingram, Aedan Leatherland,

Caitlyn Brown, Luke Wilson, Heidi

Osborne, Jackie Kacarovski.

INFANTS MERIT AWARDS:

Zophia Eggleton, Kye Link, Taron

McKeown, Braith Gain, Tia Hodgson,

Zoe McKay, Jackson Smith, Sabion

McKeown, Madison Cox, Mitchell

Murphy, Ryan Kennewell, Montana

Drage, Alex McFarland, Aaron Hall,

Chloe Muddle, Mia Brown, Alysha

Sheehan, Emmett Langton.

PBL AWARDS

The following students have gained

sufficient gotchas on the school’s PBL

Program to receive an achievement

certificate. The students received their

certificate for being respectful, on task

and safe.

PRIMARY

75 Gotcha Award:

Jacqueline Long, Nakeya Ryan, Erin Moy,

Jessica Graham, Jack Croker, Hunter Reid.

25 Gotcha Award:

Greg Brien, Ashleigh Saunders,

INFANTS

160 Gotcha Award: Bar

Niamh Webster

120 Gotcha Award:

Ryan Matijak, Jim Hazell, Chloe Muddle,

Bridie Smith, Sasha Paki

100 Gotcha Award:

Olivia Kacarovski, McKay Sullivan

60 Gotcha Award:

Alex McFarland, Lucas Dalton

YEAR 6 SOUVENIR T-

SHIRT

Year 6 students have shown

interest in ordering a Souvenir T-

Shirt.

The t-shirts will cost $25 each. They will be gold,

with the design pictured above on the front and

all the Year 6 students’ names on the back. The

front design and students’ names will be printed in

black.

A note has been sent home and if you wish your

child to take advantage of this offer please

indicate on the note the size of the T-Shirt required

and return the order form with $25 for each T-Shirt

to the school by Friday, 5 September 2014.

Please measure your child - do not estimate.

T-Shirts cannot be exchanged.

Year 6 Teachers

Page 3 Cowra Public School

YEAR 4 ROAD SAFETY

PROGRAM CYCLING

Many children ride bicycles, yet have little

idea of basic cycling skills and safety, either

off or on the roads. Each year children’s lives

are lost in cycling accidents. Many of the

accidents do not involve another moving

vehicle and could be prevented through

improved knowledge, skills and attitude.

As part of our road safety program, we are

conducting a half-day session of cycling

activities at school for Year 4. To gain full

benefit from the program, children with

bicycles and Standards Association of

Australia approved cycling safety helmets

should bring them to school on Thursday, 28

August 2014. The helmet must be worn in the

interests of safety and it is now the law.

Children should try to arrange to borrow a

helmet for the day if they do not own one. All

helmets brought to school should have the

child’s name on them.

These basic cycling skills and safety lessons

DO NOT INCLUDE CYCLING ON THE ROAD.

All lessons will be conducted in the school

playground. Their aim is to improve cycling

safety.

Please check your child’s bicycle for safety

and discuss the way in which you would like

your child to transport the bicycle to school.

Parental help in the supervision and instruction

of children would be most gratefully

appreciated. The course will run from 11:30

a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 2:00 p.m.

until 3:00 p.m., on Thursday, 28 August 2014.

Children who are not

able to get a bike to

school for this day are

encouraged to make

arrangements to share

a friend’s bike in order

to participate in the

bike safety activities.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The Student Representative Council is a body of students elected by their

classmates from Year 2 to Year 6 and includes the School Captains, Vice Captains

and Prefects.

Each year the SRC carries out fundraising to benefit various charities, including

national and local organisations.

This year, the students of the SRC have chosen to support the Cowra Community

Chest as their local charity. To raise funds for the Cowra Community Chest, the

SRC have organised a series of activities in which the rest of the students can

participate. These events will be held over the next five weeks of Term Three. The

activities and cost are as follows.

Week 6 Bowling $1.00 per game Sports Centre

Week 7 Skipping 50c per session Sports Centre

Week 8 Volleyball 50c per session Under COLA

Primary Tues/ Fri

Infants Wednesday

The activities will be done by Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) on Tuesdays, Stage 1 (Kinder,

Year 1 and Year 2) on Wednesdays and Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) on Fridays from

1.30-2.00pm.

Mrs Kathryn Macnamara

SRC Coordinator

LIBRARY NEWS

Book Week ~ “Connect to Reading”

Week 6 18-22 August

Book Week is held in Term 3 where we celebrate everything we love about

reading. The theme this year is “Connect to Reading”. We will hold a Book Week

parade where students are invited to dress up as their favourite character from a

book. Many students (and parents) already have their thinking caps on.

The Book Week Dress Up-Day and Parade will be held on Wednesday, 20 August.

Children are invited to come dressed as a favourite character from a book.

Participation is voluntary. This is not a mufti-day, students who do not wish to dress

in costume are still expected to be in full school uniform.

This year we are taking our Book Parade out of the school. We are going to

parade down Kendal St, starting at the Post Office.

Only those students who are dressed in costume will

participate in the parade.

Students are encouraged to carry a sign or a book to

explain their costume. If you do not have the facilities

to make a sign at home, students can make a sign in

the library. Please see Mrs Oborn if you would like some

help to make a sign before Wednesday.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB

Issue 6 of Scholastic Book Club was sent home this

week.

The closing date for the book club is Tuesday, 26

August.

*** Please make

cheques payable

to

Cowra Public

School

CUPCAKE DAY ~ RSPCA

When: Monday, 18 August. Infants at recess and Primary at lunchtime.

Where: Infants and Primary playgrounds

Feel peckish? Head to the cupcake stall on Monday to buy some

delicious cupcakes.

All funds go to the RSPCA to help

abandoned and injured animals.

Small: $1.50 Medium: $2.00

Large $3.00

INVENTION COMPETITION

Do you have an inventive child who is always coming up with hair brain ideas for making life easier? Does your child create loads of

things with Lego? Does your child draw lots? Then this competition could be just for them:

The BIG COMPETITION FOR INVENTIVE KIDS. Origin Energy company has been helping kids get switched on about energy for the last

10 years. Now, it's their time to shine. They want kids from Year 3 to Year 8 to tell them their brilliant ideas for their future. Three first

prizes as a trip to NASA Space Centre in the USA. Nine runners up: $1000 each for educational grants and twelve third prizes: $4000

energy grant for their school.

What they need to do

There are no limits on how little or big your idea is. It could be a new invention, a smart way to save energy or a clever idea that helps

people or makes their lives easier.

Describe your idea in words plus a video or drawing.

Describe your little-BIG-idea in 200 words or less. If you want, you can also create a 1 minute video or drawing to help get your idea

across.

How to enter?

Enter using the form from the website: littleBIGidea.com.au

Type or paste your text into the form upload your video or a clear image of your drawing, if you have one. Then enter your details and

hit submit. Make sure you enter by 5 September 2014.

Who can help them?

Ms. Beecher is running a lunch time club called the inventors club ( Monday lunch times)- just

for sharing ideas and guidance and to help those people who find it difficult to write.

This is an activity that is NOT compulsory but students can work on at home independently.

Raelene Beecher

Learning Support Teacher

Cowra Public School

SPORT REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL -

DUBBO

We have 20 students who are competing in the Regional

Athletics Carnival in Dubbo Friday, 29 August.

Please note our Cowra PSSA Zone uniform is black shorts (or

netball skirt) and white top. Athletes will be issued with a

number when they arrive at the Regional Carnival.

Congratulations again and good luck to everyone.

Shavaughn Duncan

PE/Sports coordinator

Girls Boys

Crystal Holmes Gary Cheng

Chloe Horne Jayelem Cutmore

Madeleine Mulligan Joel Edgerton

Natahsa Planicka Luke Kinsey

Isabella Scammell Kyle Murray

Chloe Wolfenden Marcus O’Connor

Hallie Wolfenden Joshua Palmer

Courtney Wright Joshua Pokoney

Trey Pollard

Jumyah Simpson

Mac Webster

Cambell White

Students will need to make their own arrangement for transport

to and from Dubbo. If you can’t take your child, please see Mrs

Duncan for alternative arrangements.

DISTRICT ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Last Friday Cowra Public School sent forty two students to the

District Carnival at Twigg Oval. The weather was absolutely

gorgeous and all the athletes showed great sportsmanship

while competing.

Congratulations to:

Madeleine Mulligan Cowra District 11 Year Girl champion

Chloe Wolfenden Cowra District Senior Girl Champion

Madeleine Mulligan

11 Year Girl Champion

Chloe Wolfenden

Senior Girl Champion

Cowra Public School Page 5

SPORT continued

COMMONWEALTH GAMES DAY

Cowra Public School has been invited to join other local schools in a special Commonwealth Games Day to be held on Friday, 22

August at Twigg Oval.

We participated in an Olympic Games Day a few years ago which was a great day of sporting fun and was coordinated by the

same company.

Children will be allocated a country to represent and will then get the opportunity to make a flag to carry during the “Opening

Ceremony”.

Schools from the district are participating and it is a wonderful opportunity for all of our students to learn more about the

Commonwealth Games and the ideals they represent.

The cost for the day is $2.00 (The P & C is subsiding the day by $2.00). Students need to pay the $2.00 to the office before Friday, 22

August.

Students will walk to and from River Park accompanied by their class teachers at 9.30am and return to school at 2.00pm. Students

need to take their recess with them to the park. There will be NO ordered recess from the canteen. As the weather could be quite

cold, students will need to bring plenty of warm clothing, water to drink and a waterproof sheet or garbage bag to sit on.

Timetable:

10.00am-10.20am Recess

10.30am-11.00am Opening Ceremony

11.00am-12.30pm Events

12.30pm Lunch

1.15pm-1.45pm Closing Ceremony

Cowra Public School Canteen will take lunch orders before school on Friday and deliver them to the oval. If students don’t wish to

order they will need to bring a packed lunch. There will be a canteen available for parents at the oval.

Shavaughn Duncan

PE/Sport

Details of carnival:

Combined whole school ceremonies

Primary and Infants combined events

Location - River Park

TERM 3 SPORT

A change in sports groups will take now take place on 29 August 2014. I have listed below the sports being

offered to the students and any conditions that will apply. During the cooler months sport will played on Friday afternoons from 2:00

until 3:00 p.m.

I strongly urge you to discuss the sports listed with your child and decide together what they should play.

A note has been sent home. Please list THREE sports in order of preference and return the tear-off section to the Sport & Fitness

Centre ASAP. Students who do not indicate their preferences will be allocated to sports where vacancies exist.

SPORTS ON OFFER VENUE / REQUIREMENTS WEEKLY COST

Skating/Scootering Skate-park (limit of 25 students) own scooter/skateboard and helmet is

compulsory drink and sunscreen

$3 a week

Netball Col Stinson Park drink, hat and sunscreen $3 a week

Soccer School or Twigg Oval drink, hat and sunscreen (shin pads & mouth guard) No cost

Oz Tag/Touch Footy Holman Oval drink, hat, sunscreen No cost

Walking for Fitness Various venues close to school drink, hat and sunscreen No cost

Indoor Hockey At school drink, hat and sunscreen (limit of 24 students) No cost

PO Box 900, Cowra NSW 2794 T/A Lic 2TA5695

Phone: 6342 1021 Fax: 6342 4597

Email: info@cowrabus.com.au Web: http:www.cowrabus.com.au

COWRA COMMUNITY CHEST

The Cowra Community Cinema is showing a special screening of Mary

Poppins on Sunday 17 August.

Time: 2.00pm

Date: Sunday 17 August

Venue: Civic Centre Theatrette

Tickets: Adults at children’s prices – Single $6, Family $18

Available from Browse A While Books or at the Door

Candy Bar available

Dress up competition for the kids – prizes awarded for the best

character!

The screening is being hosted by the Cowra Musical & Dramatic Society.

COMMUNITY

AUSTRALIAN GARDEN SHOW: Saturday, 6th September, Centennial Park, Sydney - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

WICKED: 11th October 2014, Capitol Theatre, Sydney - $210.00

BJORN AGAIN: 25th October, 2014: Canberra Theatre - $130.00

DIRTY DANCING: Saturday, 6th Decembmer, 2014: Lyric Theatre, Sydney - $190.00

2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS OPEN: Friday, 23rd January-Monday 26th January, 2015: Book early. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

NEW ZEALND NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND: 18 days - Numerous activities included. Departing from Cowra 6th March, 2015. Returning to Cowra 23rd March, 2015. From $5,750.00 twin share

“Cowra Travel Takes you There”

ORANGE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

Come and try: If you have never played softball before

or haven’t played for a long time this is your opportunity

to come and see if you enjoy it with no cost or

commitment to register.

When: Saturday 20 or Saturday 27 December

Where: Sir Jack Brabham Oval, Orange

Times: Ages 5-10 10am-11am

Modball Ages 11-13 years 11.15am-12.15pm

Softball 14-19 years 12.30-1.30pm

Adults 2.pm-3pm

Cost: Nil. A free sausage sizzle will be

available for all participants

Contact Pam Kelly 0419 013 951 or

Jacquie Lisle 0407 934471

FREE GUINEA PIGS

TO A GOOD HOME

Phone 0427 953 443