Jerrys Journal Newsletter of Jerrys Plains Public School

27-31 Doyle Street, Jerrys Plains NSW 2330

Phone: 6576 4018 Email: jerrysplain-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Wednesday, September 20th 2017

- Respect – Organisation – Commitment – Kindness – Safety -

It has been a pleasure over the past three terms to watch the blossoming of our school

buildings, under the caring hands of the artisans from Sydney Heritage Stoneworks. Fund-

ed under the Minister’s Stonework Program, the work has been facilitated by Public Works.

The passion and commitment of those working on our buildings has been evident, and the

curiosity of us all has been met with enthusiasm and a willingness to inform.

Extensive drainage works have been installed for the purpose of diverting groundwater

away from the foundations of the buildings, ensuring stability for many years to come. Both

chimneys have been stabilised as well.

Research has been thorough, resulting in original paint colours being used and the “spirit” of

the buildings being preserved. The next step is for the roof of each building to be re-

placed. When the work is finally completed we will be celebrating the re-birth of our beau-

tiful buildings, a tribute to the commitment of community.

Just a word...

Most of you will not know that one of my favourite relaxations is watching movies, old movies. I grew up with

western movies and country music… I learned a lot: the one with the fastest gun and the meanest mouth came

out on top, and somebody is always being hard done by. At the weekend the “new” Magnificent Seven was

screening, so I dropped in to make comparisons. It was an eye-opener… the guns were faster and bigger and

the mouths were much meaner and obscene. (The way I remember it, cowboys were gentlemen, of sorts…) But,

at the end of the movie, the good people won over the bad and honourable actions were celebrated.

I’m telling you this because in these past few weeks I have come face-to-face with insidious, ongoing bullying

in our children. It’s distressing because our School promotes the values, upholds the standard and teaches the

skills for harmonious co-existence. But, until it is made real that bullying is not acceptable, we – the grown-ups

– are teaching our children how to be sneaky, manipulative and cruel human beings. It’s not okay to threaten

somebody with harm or social isolation, and it’s definitely not okay to use swearing and obscene language to

intimidate another person. And I’m sure I don’t need to remind students and families that physical aggression

could result in a lengthy suspension from school.

Students need to do two things when they feel intimidated or uncomfortable in the company of another per-

son:

1. Walk away!

2. Tell a teacher (or grown-up).

While we encourage students to work out disagreements themselves, with support if needed, nobody has to

stand alone before a bully. You will be taken seriously…

Grown-ups need to do two things:

1. Set a worthy example. Yes, you are an adult and can make your own choices, but your children don’t need to

hear opinions and conversations that they can’t fully understand, and are not developmentally ready to cope

with.

2. Tell a grown-up. Sometimes even adults need to get things off their chest, have a vent, and that’s perfectly

okay, but children cannot help you solve your problems… They come to school with your issues and try to fit

them into their school schemata, and it can’t work for them or their friends.

Our responsibility to one another is to be caring, kind and supportive. To encourage worthy, respectful behav-

iour and consider the needs of others. Our School is flourishing and it can be a safe, nurturing environment if

all the grown-ups do what is good and honourable.

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday break; we have lots of learning and fun happening in Term 4! Regina

Snakes alive! Our students were invited to Coolmore to experience a reptile awareness

show. There were mixed reactions but we appreciate the generosity of

Coolmore in sharing expertise and knowledge. Forewarned is fore-armed!

Kids in the Community

We’re very happy that Clay and Chase were al-lowed out of Maitland Gaol!

Ethan and Lillian adore

their baby sister, Bonnie.

The Bos family celebrated

at Wellington Caves and

Old Dubbo Gaol.

No P&C Meeting on Friday, September 22nd

Meeting will be on Friday, October 13th Please come along and contribute to the progress of your School. The new summer menu for the Can-

teen will be an item for discussion at this first meeting in Term 4.

Term 4 be-gins for stu-dents and staff on Mon-day, October 9th. For those not arriving b y b u s , teacher su-pervision be-g i n s a t 8.30am.

Tasty fractions … Years 3-6 worked together to explore the practicalities of fractions.

Practising gymnastic skills with Miss Maher during Enhancement Project rotations.

Friday Cake Raffle

50cents a ticket to support

Student Leadership Team.

CANTEEN: Please have your orders in by 9.00am Wednesday.

Friday, September 22nd

FOOTY COLOURS LUNCH

Term 4 - Friday,

October 13th

Friday, October 20th Friday, October 27th

.

Local family proudly producing quality milk

Sponsored by the Gee Partnership

Friday, September

22nd

Term 4 - Friday,

October 13th

Friday, October 20th Friday, October 27th

Ready4School … little people enjoying big learning!

Level playing field

By Jess Maher

Friday is Footy Colours Day! Wear your favourite footy

colours for a gold coin donation towards the fight

against cancer.

Our day will begin at 10.00am. with some fun games of footy on our

top oval. Each week Paul has been teaching us the skills of touch

footy, as well as sportsmanship.

Our P&C will be serving a pie and sausage roll lunch, and this will be

followed by our end-of-term assembly.

I will continue with Physical Activity every Friday next term in the

Enhancement Project. We’ll also be learning some gymnastics skills

from Paul at the Cessnock PCYC, and our Intensive Swimming Pro-

gram will be in Week 8. So it’s promising to be an ACTIVE Term 4!

Little people at Ready4School have been focussing on ac-tivities that promote writing skills. Using scissors, craft equip-ment and drawing tools will strengthen thumb-to-finger op-position and encour-age correct pencil grip and control.

Fresh Fruit & Veg Boxes

Starting this week Danielle from “The Village Spices” will be coming to our school each Friday

between 9am and 10am, Danielle will be bringing out boxes of fresh fruit & vegetables for you

to buy for $10 a box.

This invitation is open to all the community, so please let all your friends and family know

about the great way of buying their fruit & vegetables each week.

Danielle will also have available fresh eggs for $6, Beef Jerky $15 and some fresh sweets.

Please come along each week and support a local business who will be donating money to our

school for each box of fruit or vegetables sold .

We are also running a “Mango Mania Fundraiser”, Order forms will need to be back at school

on Wednesday 11th October for Delivery on Friday 13th October.