Neutral Bay Public School 175 Ben Boyd Road,

Neutral Bay, NSW 2089. TEL: 9953 1798 FAX : 9904 1479

WEBSITE: www.neutralbay-p.schools.nsw.edu.au EMAIL: neutralbay-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 3 Week 8 Wednesday 3rd September 2014

Fantastic Carnival Congratulations to everyone involved with last Saturday’s Carnival – it was a wonderful success in every way, despite the rain and soggy conditions! Thanks to our sponsors, parents, local businesses and community members, neighbours, boys and girls and especially our Carnival organisers the amazing duo – Mona and Kristina.

Zone Athletics Carnival Congratulations to all our athletes who competed in the Zone Carnival last week. We are proud of you all. Best of luck to the following boys and girls who will be going to the Area Carnival next week: Loukas Triantis (shot put) Rafi Mamott (200 metres Lillian Hamer, Brittney Lu, Stephany Lu, Lia Sison (Senior Girls’ Relay) P & C Meeting

Reminder: P & C Meeting Wednesday 10th September

7.30pm All Welcome!

K - 2 Sports Day We are all looking forward to the K – 2 Sports Day to be held next Thursday 11th September at Forsyth Park. Parents and friends are most welcome to join us. If wet, the activities will be postponed to Thursday 18th. Raffle Draw The raffle will be drawn this Friday 5th September at Years 3-6 morning assembly. Many thanks to all the parents and friends who have supported the raffle. Thanks also to Sharmilla Soorian for the organisation. Good luck to all the ticket holders!

Summer Uniform The changeover to summer uniform is the first day of Term 2 – Tuesday 7th October. NAPLAN Reports – Years 3 and 5 Individual student reports will be sent home via pupil post today. We are very pleased with our results and proud of our children’s achievements. A full report on our school’s results will be published in the Annual Report. Parents should contact class teachers if they have any questions or concerns. Homework Recently there has been media coverage about homework. Specifically a study has shown no relationship between homework and improved NAPLAN results. At Neutral Bay our homework policy is based on the DEC policy. While we certainly don’t claim that homework completion will improve NAPLAN results, we do see important benefits for children’s learning and study habits. Teachers at our school spend considerable amounts of time planning, setting and marking class homework tasks. We know that most parents at NBPS see value in regular homework. As with everything there does need to be a balance, with children spending time playing, participating in sport, dance, music etc and just relaxing with family. Ms. Ong (10 teacher) summarised what many teachers see as the benefits of homework. Homework helps children to:

• consolidate concepts learnt in class • further develop their understanding of what they have learnt at school with the

help of a parent to guide them on a one-on-one basis • build confidence in their ability to learn as they experience success in

homework (e.g. learning to spell a word or getting answers on Mathletics correct) • build willingness to take risks in their learning, e.g. some children who may be

more reserved in the classroom may be reluctant to put their hands up and answer a question in front of their peers, while at home in a more familiar environment with just their parent/s and siblings may be more willing to risk getting something wrong

• develop routine/discipline of having to sit down and study for a certain amount of time. Starting this from when children are young is important as it helps them to cultivate good work habits.

• Keeps parents informed and involved in, their children’s learning. Ms Ong 10 Teacher

Term 4 Dates Parents may wish to note the following important Term 4 dates. These will be added to the calendar on our website:

UPCOMING DATES September Thursday 4th School Council Meeting – 8:00am Friday 5th P&C Fathers’ Day Stall Raffle Draw Sunday 7th Fathers’ Day Monday 8th Year 5 Archibald Excursion Tuesday 9th Year 6 Archibald Excursion Wednesday 10th P&C Meeting Thursday 11th K - 2 Sports Day Friday 12th Year 4 IMAX Excursion Wednesday 17th Multi Faith Scripture Service Thursday 18th Junior Choir – Town Hall – 7:00pm Friday 19th Last Day of Term October Tuesday 7th Term 4 resumes Thursday 9th Photo day Kinder 2015 Parent Information Evening Monday 13th Boys Vocal Workshop 10am - 2pm Friday 17th P & C Wine Tasting November Thursday 6th Glee and Junior Dance Performances - 2.00pm Monday 17th Drama Club Performance - 1.45pm Wednesday 19th Interrelate – Year 6 – 6.00pm Friday 21st P & C School Picnic - 6.00pm Wednesday 26th P & C AGM Friday 28th Schools Spectacular Saturday 29th Schools Spectacular December Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th Year 6 Camp Sunday 7th Band Concert Tuesday 9th Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) Final Assembly - 9.30am Wednesday 10th Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) Final Assembly - 9.30am Thursday 11th Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) Presentation Assembly - 9.30am Friday 12th Kinder Graduation - 9.30am Year 6 Mini Fete – 11.00am Monday 15th Year 6 Farewell – 6.00pm Wednesday 17th Picnic and Party Day Last Day of Term 4

Gai Collett Principal

Mr Michael, our wonderful General Assistant, who gave up his weekend to help set up and clean up before and after the Carnival. A real star! Mr Michael taking a short break – a rare sight!

Both Arkey Astill (3S) and Taj Astill (4HR) have made it through to the National Championships at Perisher. At the State titles last week, the snowboarding team came 1st with Taj coming 1st individually. He also qualified for the Nationals by coming 10th in the alpine (downhill skiing). Good luck boys.

Our wonderful Kinder Children who spoke so confidently and clearly on Tuesday at the Kinder 2015 Parent Tour. Congratulations Anton Stephens, Ruby Roberts, Makayla Ham and Ruby O’Brien. Well done everyone!

Patrick Reed - Stephenson (5C) has received an A in his AMEB French Horn Level 3 exam. Well done Patrick!

Cassandra Spillane (4B) has received a B+ for her grade 3 AMEB Sax exam. Clever girl Cassie!

Andy Danis (5C) has qualified to participate in the Tennis Junior Development Series. The 2014 Metropolitan Medibank JDS Champion of Champions – U11 will be held on 7th Sept. Congratulations and Good luck Andy!

Jack Jones 4HR, competed at Penrith Show on the weekend. He won Reserve Champion Boy rider under 12 years, on his pony Storm. Congratulations Jack!

All our ex-students who came back to the Carnival on Saturday. It was lovely to see all these fine young ladies and gentlemen enjoying their old school. Several Year 12 boys made a special effort to be here while preparing for their HSC exams. Thank you ex-students.

Spring Carnival News Thank you from the Carnival Team Thank you to all the families and friends who turned out to our Carnival on Saturday, we all had a great day despite the rain. We rode ponies, had fairy floss, sushi, pizza, spun around on the Sizzler in the rain at times but it didn't matter. Thank you to our sponsors - Belle Property ,Westpac Bank Neutral Bay and Kennards Self Storage.

If you are the winner on our silent auction you will have by now have received an email telling you how to pay and collect your prizes. Any concerns- please email us- nbpscarnival@gmail.com

Thank you to all the children who entered the Best Dressed Teddy Competition - We had 100's and 100's of teddies who partied all week-end at the school.

A small purse was handed in- if you lost one please call to office - it is there.

Thank you to our fabulous teachers who came out on Saturday to help us, you are fantastic. Finally Thank you to all our volunteers - This show cannot be done without the many, many parents who pitch in, - walk the streets asking for donations, have working bees putting wristbands in envelopes, face painting work shops, making our gifts galore parcels, manage the masses of toys and clothes that are donated. THANK YOU.

Regards Mona and Kristina Fundraising & Events Team

ZONE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 28TH AND 29TH AUGUST The Zone Athletics Carnival went ahead on Thursday and Friday of week 7 despite the dreadful wet and rainy weather. The challenging conditions made it extremely difficult for all the competitors, aswell as the spectators and the teachers organising and running the event.

Our team competed with great energy and enthusiasm throughout the two days. There were excellent performances in all the events throughout the different age groups with mix success. The standard, as always at this level, was extremely high and the competition incredibly tough. Neutral Bay students as always, put up an admirable effort and always with the right spirit and attitude.

All our competitors did their upmost to achieve the best performance possible in their event. It was great to see and not one complaint about the miserable conditions and weather.

Notable performances on the track included Raffi Mamott, who came second in the 200m final and the Girls Senior Relay Team, who also came second in the final. Both now go on the next level at Area and we wish them every success next week in their events.

Overall we can be very proud of every single member of the Neutral Bay Athletics Team who once again represented our school with pride and enthusiasm. Top job Neutral Bay!

MR KESSLER ZONE CARNIVAL TEACHER

YEAR 2 WET AND DRY ENVIRONMENT EXCURSION AT HOMEBUSH Last week on Friday Year 2 went on an excursion to the Sydney Olympic park to learn about wet and dry environments. My tour guide was Annie. First we went to a dry forest which is a dry environment. After we went to the balcony and there were four tubs of water. She put us into groups. I was with Claudia and Hugo. We found lots of creatures. It was fun. After that we went on a plank walk. We saw lots of mangroves with snorkel roots. Then we had lunch. Thirdly we went on another bush walk. We were looking for birds and different plants. Then we went to the watch tower. Finally we walked back to the bus and went home.

By Tara 2G

On Friday 29th August 2014, Year 2 went on an excursion at Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush with our teachers.

First we all caught the bus. As soon as we got there the teachers told us to have morning tea. When we finished our morning tea 2G (except for Tara, Rohan and Anita) went on with a guide to a bushwalk. On the bushwalk we first got to find crab holes. There were more than fifty I guess! Meanwhile we saw like a two billion mangrove tress! Then we all had a look at some snails. It was kind of disgusting because it nearly pooed on me! We then walked to see the saltmarsh. It was one the most endangered plants in the world. We also got to use a paintbrush and a magnifying glass in a bush to find some little creatures. We had lunch after that. Miss Keighran had a part to find birds. 2G (except for Tara, Anita and Rohan) found all of them (black swan, the superb fairy-wren, the seagull etc). We also went to the bird hut. It was stinky. At last we had a play time. Then we took the bus back to school. It was a super fun day!

By Sunny 2G

MS GASSMAN 2G TEACHER

KRV NEWS KRV have been learning all about whales. Here are some information reports they wrote:

Whales are mammals. They have baleen to help them eat their food. Whales eat krill and small fish. The baby whale drinks milk. They are as big as three buses. They move by flapping up and down and flapping with their fins. Baby whales are born in the water. They can be born black or white. When it is summer in the cold places the whales go to the South Pole. By Ava

Whales are mammals. Blue Whales are baleen whales. They eat krill. Whales do not eat pasta. By Ian

Whales are mammals. Whales look like this. They have a breathing hole. They are big. Some whales have baleen. Whales live in the ocean. They move like this. The whale’s tail moves by going up and down. They eat krill and small fish. How they breathe is they go up to the surface. By Joanna

Whales live in the water. They cannot breathe. They have to come up and take a breath and go back into the water. They are not gentle because they are big.

By Tristan

Whales are mammals. They do not breathe underwater. They breathe air like us. They eat little fish and krill too. They are 30 metres. The tail is the size of a plane’s wings. Whales live in the ocean. By Xiao Xiao

K. Reeve and R. Vaccarella KRV Teachers 2P Stories and Photos

Dinosaur rescue nine

Chapter one

It was summer. The weather was getting worse every day. It was so dry the Big Bone Lake was drying out. The cave men and women were sitting around the fire pit. They were too bothered to even think about it. Expect Arg who was sitting in the cool shade. He was wearing his new invention; it was called a sun hat. Arg had also made a fan out of cycad leaves. He liked calling it a fan.

Chapter 2

It was so hot that Arg decided to go to the glacier because it was the only cool spot. ‘How about my storage log’ thought Arg as he rummaged around in his cave. Outside it was boiling. ‘Ewww, it smelled so bad’, flies were buzzing madly around the dead dacosaurus that was lying in a heap near the fire pit.

Chapter 3

As Arg stumbled up a steep rocky cliff he quickly whipped his head around. ‘I thought I heard something Arg mumbled. ‘It must have been the wind’ for a second the wind seemed to be saying: ‘It’s not me!’ finally, Arg reached the glacier. The glacier was surrounded by trees. He plunged like a cannon ball into the flowing river. ‘Brrrrrrrrr! it was so cold’ Arg’s heart was beating faster than a spear flying through the air.

Chapter 4

All of a sudden Arg heard a splash followed by an ear piercing scream… ‘ARRGH’!

It was Shlock! ‘oh why did he follow me, I told him to stay at our cave’ Arg grunted. ‘Wait a second, Shlock couldn’t swim! Arg paddled over to Shlock his lungs heaved in and out. Immediately, he threw his storage log over to Shlock. At that moment a big brown cock roach. Surprisingly, Shlock stuffed it in his mouth and gobbled it up greedily.

Chapter 5

Suddenly a powerful currant swept them along the freezing river it was like a ride (except rides haven’t been invented yet). In the distance Arg spotted a waterfall. The currant had swept them down river and they were travelling faster and faster with only Arg’s log for safety. Arg’s heart was pounding madly in his chest he was frightened and scared, but Shlock seemed to be enjoying himself he was laughing loudly.

Chapter 6

Just in front of them was the water-fall! A herd of dinosaurs happened to wade across the top of the water-fall ‘that’s it!” Arg cried excitedly, ‘hold on Shlock’ Shlock glanced around confused. They held on to the dinosaurs just as they were about to fall down.

Chapter 7

Back at Arg’s camp the summer was ending. Showers of rain banged on the caves. Every -body was inside, only Arg…who was working on his underella!

By Declan and Mia 2P

Orientation

In ancient Greece there was a wealthy king named Midas. He lived in a faraway kingdom. They had an astonishing garden and a shining waterfall flowing through them. He loved his family more than anything else in the world…..except gold

Build of problem

Every night he went up to his golden box and look at his reflection in his golden goblet and he said to himself. “Oh I wish everything I touched turned to gold” as he spoke a god appeared and he said “I can make everything you touch turn to gold and so he did. Midas woke up the next morning and ran like a flash of lightning into the garden and started touching everything turned to gold the trees, flowers and bushes then he looked at his clothes and the floor and they were both gold.

Climax

During breakfast his chair turned to gold, the table and the plate. He tried to eat but he couldn’t! his food was gold. He realised he had made a mistake and started crying his wife saw him crying she went to hug him…… he said “no” but it was too late she was gold he fell to his knees and started crying again “oh I wished I never had the golden touch’’ he said disappointingly.

Resolution

As he spoke the god appeared “have you learnt your lesson Midas?’’ yes take it away, take it away” ” ok wash yourself at the waterfall” he sprinted to the waterfall and washed himself and sprinted back his wife ran out of the door and they hugged.

By Aiden P

Kindergarten Sydney Aquarium Excursion Yesterday we went to the aquarium. We had a snack before we went into the aquarium. We saw a platypus and some fish. Then we saw some sharks and a big manta ray. The stingrays said hello to us. I also liked the turtles, jelly fish and seahorses. We didn't see the dugongs. Isran KK Yesterday KK went to the aquarium. We saw glowing jellyfish. My favourite part was the platypus. We also saw sharks. The sharks swam on top of me. We got to touch starfish. We saw some fish but we didn't get to see the dugongs. Rose KK At the aquarium I saw a shark. There was a room called the shark room. It had a glass floor. I also saw glowing jelly fish. Tristan KK Yesterday I saw a catfish. It looked at me! There was glowing jellyfish and i saw a diver looking after all of the animals. Noah KK

Parents are able to down load the photo's themselves (free of charge) from www.sydneyaquarium.com.au using the code SYAQ408280751689 Ms Starr KK Teacher

Neutral Bay Public School P&C - 2014 Raffle The raffle will be drawn on Friday 5 September at 9 am in the front of the School hall. Please support the School by selling raffle tickets and submit your stubs in for the draw by Wednesday 3 September 2014. Tickets are $3 each or $30 for the book. There are some wonderful prizes to be won. If you have misplaced your raffle booklets, there are some available at the School office. If you decide not to participate, please also return the unsold booklets to the School. Thank you for your continuing support. Raffle Committee

Fathers’ Day Stall!

It’s almost Father’s Day, and this Friday the 5th of September all students will have the opportunity to purchase a great gift for their Dads!

Stalls will be set up in Kindyland and outside the Multi- Purpose Room. This is a P & C initiative and fundraiser.

Please send $5 to school with each child on Friday (lower year levels in a clearly marked envelope with child’s name).

@ NBPS

Save The Date!

End of Year Parent Wine Tasting Event Friday 17th October 2014

7.30pm to 10.30pm

$25 per person

***

‘Plonk’ is a TV series that sets out to make a show about Australia’s great wine regions, with a serve of Aussie humour.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of what goes on behind the camera, whilst tasting some great wines. A number of regional

NSW wineries will showcase their wines on the night, all of which will be available for tasting and ordering.

Our guest presenters for the evening will be Plonk’s Nathan Earl and Stuart McGill.

Online Invitation to come – watch out for an email from your class coordinators!

CANTEEN NEWS Fresh For Kids Special Ring

The Fresh for Kids campaign will continue until the end of Term 3. We have received the special rings that we requested from Sydney Market. Do not forget to remind everyone to return their completed entry form to the canteen for a chance to win one of the special prizes during the draw at the end of the campaign.

A warm thank you again to our wonderful volunteer team last week, Week 8! A special thanks to all of the parents who filled in the spots especially to cover last minute cancellations.

Next week’s special is Nachos. We need more volunteers for next week and beyond. Please come and join us in the canteen for a few hours of fun! The roster for next week, Week 9, is below.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 08-Sept-14 09-Sept-14 10-Sept-14 11-Sept-14 12-Sept-14 Sally Xiang Hiba Salman

RG Claire Garsin 9-1 (MF)

Jocelyn Greig

Naoko Yamada

HELP PLEASE

Doreen Chua Alice Wei John Webb Michelle Gardiner

HELP PLEASE

Stella Yin Paula Mottek MF

HELP PLEASE

Grace Wang 9-1

HELP PLEASE

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Farah Naidoo HELP PLEASE

HELP PLEASE

HELP PLEASE

HELP PLEASE

Adam Blue MF

K-2 Sports Day

HELP PLEASE

HELP PLEASE

HELP PLEASE

Junior Dance Concert

Year 4 Excursion to IMAX

Michelle Alejo – Canteen Coordinator

If you cannot make your rostered spot, it would be enormously helpful if you could find a replacement before phoning 0426 226 235 or emailing nbpscanteenroster@gmail.com

BAND NEWS From 1930s jazz to Dixieland, from the evocative Native American sounds of the Cherokee and Creek nations to Bollywood, from swing style to Beethoven, our bands are enjoying exploring a whole world of music. Come along and join in the fun at our open rehearsals in Week 10 - all welcome! Senior Band families, don't forget we have arranged a combined rehearsal for Senior Band with Concert Band next week during the Thursday morning rehearsal. This is to introduce Senior Band children to a taste of Concert Band and hopefully inspiring them to keep up their regular practice, particularly over the summer holidays, with the aim of getting in to Concert Band either in Year 5 or Year 6. Now is a good time to check the audition requirements on the website and start practising those scales, so they will be second nature at the beginning of first term next year, when we will be holding auditions. Senior Band children should bring their instruments and music to the combined rehearsal. Important Band Dates - Term 3 2014

• Thursday 11 September 2014 – Combined Concert Band and Senior Band Rehearsal 7.45am

• Monday 15 September 2014 - Junior Band Open Rehearsal 7.45am

• Tuesday 16 September 2014 - Senior Band Open Rehearsal 7.45am

• Thursday 18 September 2014 - Concert Band Open Rehearsal 7.45am

Claudia Stephens, Liesel Wightwick and Karen Au - Overall Band Co-ordinators

COMMUNITY NEWS

Come along to a fun filled family day. Enter a relay from the school, join in the obstacle course and cheer on the mascots in their shuffle. The Soft Sand Shuffle will take place at North Steyne Beach on Sunday 14th September. This community event is based on the great Aussie tradition of beach running and features a range of ‘shuffles’ for beginners through to more serious runners, everything from 250m for kids to the 'Super Warrior Challenge’ for adults. . All funds raised go directly to charities Life Education, ReachOut.com and the Foundation for Life Sciences who are doing critical work in the field of youth mental health. Every dollar brings us closer to changing the statistics for the better. Visit the website for more information www.softsandshuffle.org.au and to register online.

BROTHERS OZ TAG (Non-Contact Rugby League) Competition

Our Summer OZ TAG Competition will start on Tuesday 14th October 2014 at Tunks Park, Cammeray. All games will be played on a Tuesday after school and during daylight savings. The competition is for both Boys & Girls from ages 5 to 16.

For all enquiries please contact Annette Hema on Ph: 0404 610 048 or email: brothersoztag@hotmail.com and please visit our website: www.brothersoztag.com.au to register online.

Neutral Bay Public School, as a service to parents, will advertise community events that may be of interest. Neutral Bay Public School does not necessarily endorse or sponsor the events and accepts no responsibility for the management or organisation of these events.