Kotara South Public School

Newsletter A Great Place to Be!

www.kotarasth-p.school.nsw.edu.au

kotarasth-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

(02) 4957 5319

150 Rae Crescent Kotara South 2289

15 May 2019 | Week 3 | Term 2

From the Principal Welcome to Week 3

The days are cooler, shorter and fuller! Full of innovative learning and quality teaching. Our students are engaging daily in lessons that connect them to strategies to unlock literacy and numeracy for lifetime learning. The focus for staff this term in our professional learning is student wellbeing. At Kotara South Public School, we are committed to creating quality learning opportunities for children and young people. Our students will be: actively connected to their learning, have positive and respectful relationships and experience a sense of belonging to their school and community | be respected, valued, encouraged, supported and empowered to succeed | grow and flourish, do well and thrive.

Star Struck is not that far away now. The student excursion to the Friday matinee is now full and all tickets have sold out. To support our Start Struck students financially, we are hosting an out of uniform day with the theme NO LIMITS, go wild, be creative, costumes and no limit fun are encouraged. Out of Uniform day is Wednesday 29 May. Please bring in a gold coin donation for out of uniform.

We are coming to the end of the painting in the admin area over the next week or so. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that the lighter colour has really opened up the hallways and stairwell. The fresh coat of paint has really refreshed this area. Thank you for your patience whilst this assets work is being done.

Last week the year 6 gift from our 2018 students was installed. The water station is located in the walkway near the canteen area. The water station fills all size water bottles and we encourage our students, siblings, parents and community to fill their water bottles from this area as well.

Have you seen our new library furniture? It looks fantastic! I very big thank you to our P&C for their commitment to my vision of refurbishing and future-proofing our Library space. A financial commitment of over $13000 has been contributed from our P&C towards the furniture. WOW! See further on in the newsletter for some photos.

Last week our Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) and Inter School Sport (ISS) sport competitions kicked off and of course it rained! Kids were resilient and players got nearly a full game in before the rain became too heavy. We are currently competing in Knockout Games for league, soccer, netball, tennis, AFL and basketball this term.

Thank you to all parents who are transporting children to and from these games. Your help is very much appreciated.

This Friday, the Cross Country ribbons and certificates will be handed out at senior assembly. We start this assembly just after 9am. All parents, carers and community members are welcome to attend.

A reminder that from the start of this term we respectfully ask parents not to send cakes, lollies and ice blocks to schools for children’s birthday parties.

A reminder to parents that school is open and students are actively supervised from 8:35am each morning. We discourage students being dropped at school before this time as they are left unsupervised outside the A block classroom. This is the time when teachers are very busy preparing lessons, teaching resources and meeting with staff and parents. If you require care for your child before school due to work commitments, please contact our onsite OOSH on 0499 019 790 for a possible morning care placement. The safety of both students and staff is one of my highest priorities.

The expression of interest forms for the stage 2 and 3 camp notes are coming home today. I encourage all parents to be taking advantage of the long payment period time and paying off the camp in smaller instalments. If you need assistance in paying for camp, please make an appointment to see Mrs Maxworthy to discuss payment options.

The information for parents detailing what will be happening for M | A | A | D is included in this newsletter. We have surveyed staff, students and parents and the clear message for our creative and performing arts performance was Light the Night. Therefore, we will be continuing this end of our year performance. However, as part of Education Week (week 3 term 3), we are including a roving music art dance and drama performances for parents and community to connect and engage with. We encourage all families to set aside some time to be part of this wonderful innovative performance style A big thank you to the Miss Martin the M | A | D | D committee for their detailed pre-planning in this process.

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Please carefully check the KSPS website calendar for upcoming events. Use the link; KSPS Events for 2019

Have a great week learning and making #KSPSagreatplacetobe

Susan Maxworthy – PRINCIPAL

This term we continue to support Stewart House. Every year 1,700 public school children attend our safe haven next to Curl Curl beach at no cost to their parents or carers. During a 12-day stay they are provided with dental, optical, hearing and medical screening and treatment. Children participate in educational programs and excursions designed to develop their social and emotional skills, build self-esteem and improve their overall well-being. This experience provides children with a much needed break from their current circumstance. Our children are inspired to see beyond the present and to have real hope and positive aspirations for their future. Children in the care of Stewart House attend a specific purpose school onsite for 8 days of their 12-day stay. The NSW Department of

Education provides infrastructure and staffing support for this school. All others costs associated with the children’s’ stay are met from charitable donations. Today an envelope will be sent home to KSPS students kindly asking for a small donation. All envelopes to be returned to the office by Thursday 23 May.

Our innovative library space. WOW Thank you P&C

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School News NSW PSSA KNOCKOUT TENNIS On Thursday 2nd May our KSPS tennis team consisting of Jackson, Arabella, Seb and Stela travelled to Broadmeadow to play against New Lambton Public School in Round 3 of the PSSA Knockout tennis competition. Our students played some amazing tennis but unfortunately were defeated on the day by a very professional and talented team. While New Lambton were better than us on the court it was a fantastic experience for our students who gained valuable skills and improved their tennis immensely. The games were played with excellent sportsmanship and our students made Mrs McClymont and KSPS very proud. Well done to those students involved. We will be back bigger and better next year!

Sam McClymont – KNOCKOUT TENNIS COORDINATOR

YEAR 6 INTO 7 2019 AT KOTARA HIGH SCHOOL –ENRICHMENT CLASS APPLICATIONS Kotara High School aims to provide a challenging curriculum that maximises the learning outcomes of gifted and talented students. They will be offering an Academic Enrichment Class to exceptional Year 7 students in 2020. Nominations are open to students residing in Kotara High School’s local enrolment area only. Admission to the Year 7 Enrichment Class 2020 will be based on a nomination form with portfolio submission and placement test results. The application form can be found on the Kotara High School website. KHS staff spoke with parents at their information night last term about the process involved in applying for this class. Applications are due at the end of Week 5 this term. Please contact Mrs Ward if you would like further information about this process.

ZONE CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL - RESULTS Last Friday the Zone Cross Country Carnival was held at Stevenson Park, Mayfield West. It was a fantastic carnival and all our KSPS students did an excellent job at representing our school. Congratulations to the 7 students who have qualified through to represent Newcastle City Zone and KSPS at the Regional Carnival on the 31st May at Cessnock Racecourse: Reed (1st 8/9 boys), Flynn (2nd 8/9 boys), Tori (1st 10 girls), Nate (1st 11 boys), Elodie (3rd 11 girls), Jackson (1st 12 boys) and Luke F (3rd 12 boys).

SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL - RIBBONS Ribbons and Age Champion certificates from our school cross country carnival will be presented at the 3-6 assembly at 9am this Friday. Year 2 students who are receiving ribbons will attend this assembly.

STAGE 3 BATHURST EXCURSION All Stage 3 students will be bringing home a note this week about our Term 4 excursion to Bathurst. This note outlines the dates and cost of the excursion and should be returned to school with the deposit no later than Friday 14th June. Please see the note for further information and details. Catherine Ward – INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER/STAGE 3 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

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SCHOOL READINESS PARENT INFORMATION EVENING Our School Readiness Parent Information Evening will be held on Monday, June 3 from 5.00pm-6.00pm in the K/1P classroom. This session is for Parents/Carers who have children who might be ready to commence Kindergarten in 2020. Please RSVP to the school office by Wednesday May 29 if you will be attending the session. We look forward to meeting you there.

Miss Brooke Partridge – KINDERGARTEN CO-ORDINATOR

NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY National Walk Safely to School Day, is held across our county Friday the 17th of May. It is an annual event when Primary School children are encouraged to walk safely to school. Due to a busy start to term and other commitments, KSPS will be participating in this event on Friday the 7th of June. The Transport ministers and I are currently working as a team to organise this and there will be more information to come.

Looking forward to this event!

Miss O’Reilly – COORDINATING TEACHER

ICAS ASSESSMENTS (INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENT FOR SCHOOLS) Students in years 3-6 are invited to participate in the annual ICAS competitions. This year we will be offering assessments in Mathematics, Writing and Spelling. Participants are eligible to enter one or all of the competitions.

The aims of ICAS are to:

• provide an opportunity for students to gain a measure of their achievement in an external assessment situation

• monitor individual progress in a range of subject-related skills

• recognise and reward achievement of all levels

• provide students, parents and teachers with a detailed analysis of skills in each subject area

In 2019 the competitions will be conducted online. Each competition costs $14.50 and will be conducted in September.

Interested students will receive a note next week. For more information please visit: www.eaa.unsw.edu.au.

Mr Patrick Warren – ICAS COORDINATOR

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PSSA KNOCKOUT NETBALL On Thursday June 9th, the PSSA Knockout netball team played their first game against Wallsend South PS. Our team played some fantastic netball, showcasing some wonderful skill in both attack and defence to record a 25-11 victory. This win keeps our team in the competition, with their next match next Tuesday 21st against Elermore Vale PS at their home ground. A big thankyou to Mrs Robyn Cross for your support this term, with umpiring our games.

PSSA NETBALL Our Junior and Senior PSSA Netball teams began their weekly PSSA competition last Friday against Mereweather Heights PS. Our junior netballers got things underway and put up a good battle, however unfortunately lost to Mereweather Heights (8-6).

Due to wet weather, our senior netballers missed out on playing their game. This game will be made up later in the term. Good luck to both our teams who will be playing against New Lambton P.S. this Friday.

Miss Martin – PSSA Netball Co-ordinator

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Assembly Awards

WEEK 1 & 2 K’OR Saxon Tyrie

Joshua Pinchen Willow Langi Josephine Horvath Danielle Creamer Cian Crowe

1/2 G Alani Restall Gemma Green Noah Hamence Spencer Toole Lennox McDermott Essence Boeree

3/4M Phoebe Cannon Max Hodgson Eloise Horvath Ruby Thomas Seanna Keats Rasbani Kaur

5/6P Alexis Vickerman Oliver Ellis Thomas-West-

Sooby Nate Ward Benjamin Belcher Diamond Dillon

KR Kodah Wicks Elle Crispin Hadley Cook Natalie Henderson Annabelle Lemon Ayda Solis

2C Imogen Hall Joe Forrester Kaylee Taylor Holly Brock Maya O’Brien Lucy Holmes

3/4W Jack Thomas Haylee Kokkin Indri Siswoyo Rhys Hirneth Sophie Willis Lucas O’Connor

HSUB Kiele Lane Deacon Harty

K1/P Edward King Darcy Luks Harry Willis Austin Spencer Boston Watters Sophia Askew

2E Matthew Hopton Lia Sheldon Cohen Capriotti Rory Abel Zahli Hac Willow Toomey

5/6J

1A Cameron Menzies Sienna Hain Natalia O’Donnell Christopher Outram Patrick Steel Vivienne Bencke

3/4F Caleb Smith Joel Dagwell Kaynen Furner Dylan Googe James Seivl Elsie Wood

5/6M Cameron McCallum Laila Owens Sophia Hall Tori Mason Angie Ottery Alex Watson

MERIT AWARDS

EXECUTIVE AWARDS Gold

Silver

Bronze Noah Hamence Noah Turner

Keep track of school events by signing up for notifications on the Skoolbag app. ‘What’s On’ reminders are posted each Sunday evening. Or, please check the Events page of the KSPS Website for all upcoming dates and details.

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P&C Association Our next P&C Meeting is tonight, 15th May, at 7pm in the Library. Everyone is welcome to attend and it gives you the opportunity to see the newly painted library and all the furniture that the P&C has helped to fund.

Even if you aren’t able to attend meetings, did you know that everyone in the KSPS community is welcome to help out at any of our events? You don’t need to be a member! We have activities happening throughout the year, some on weekdays and some on the weekend so there are many opportunities to support the P&C and in turn the school and our children. Come along and see how much fun it can be!

ELECTION DAY STALL 18 MAY If you’re looking for a “democracy sausage” at this Saturday’s election, we have the next best thing! The P&C will be selling bacon and egg rolls, chips and cold drinks at KSPS in the morning of the election. Look for us under the infants COLA until about 11.30am.

We are still looking for helpers during the morning, if you are able to spare an hour in between your Saturday sport commitments, please email the P&C or put your name down on the roster here.

MOTHER’S DAY STALL THANKS Many thanks all to the fantastic volunteers who helped to purchase, prepare and sell gifts at the Mother’s Day stall last week. We hope all the mums, grandmas, nannas and other special people enjoyed receiving gifts chosen by the students.

TEA TOWELS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! Tea towels will be available for sale until the end of May, or until sold out. Please find the order form attached to this newsletter.

TERM 2 DISCO This term’s disco will be held on Thursday 23 May. The P&C will be providing hot dogs, chips, water and glow products. If you are able to help cook or serve at the disco please email the P&C or put your name on the online roster here.

If you’d like to pre-order hot dogs, please fill out the online order form. Pre-orders help us to purchase the right amount of food and reduce waste. We are very pleased to introduce the option for card payments for the hot dogs, using our Square reader which will be located at the canteen. Please note that a processing fee of 1.9% is added to all card payments.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2019/20 The P&C are fundraising with Entertainment books. Memberships are still only $65 each with 20% going back to KSPS P&C. Books are available in the school office for cash sales, or you can order and pay for a book or a digital membership online at https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/346s62.

Next Meeting: 15 May

7pm in the Library

kspspandc@gmail.com

Kotara South Public School P&C

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Creating Lasting Memories! Our limited edition tea towel design will be made up of self-portraits drawn by all our children and staff.

The pictures and names have been arranged together as one commemorative design for all Kotara South Public School classes then screen printed in Royal Blue onto premium 100% white cotton tea towels.

Don’t forget to order a few extras for family members and your keepsake box. Tea towels can be ordered by completing the form below and returning with payment to the front office in an envelope clearly marked “TEA TOWEL ORDER”.

Our very special design has been prepared (see picture). There is also a sample tea towel hanging in the front office to assess quality.

Thank you for your continued support! Contact: Nicole Maytom for any further enquiries at kspspandc@gmail.com

Only $15 each OR SAVE when ordering more for

$10 each additional towel

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TEA TOWEL ORDER FORM

Student Name: ______________________________________________ Class: ____________ Contact Name _____________________ Phone Number: ____________________________

Number of Tea Towels Ordered: 1� 2� 3� 4� 5� 6� or more →____________ CASH PAYMENTS ONLY THANK YOU TOTAL enclosed $__________

Our design

We’re fundraising with Tea Towels!

Available until end of May, or until sold out!