From the Deputy’s desk

Kia Ora In light of all the bushfires and catastrophic warnings, we hope our community of families, friends and businesses are all safe and well. We are well into preparing for our newest members to Oxley Park Public School. Our staff have been tirelessly organising for our intake of 2020 Pre-schoolers and Kindergarten children and we are all excited at all the gorgeous curious little faces that are turning up to be part of the Oxley Park family. We can already see that 2020 is going to be a wonderful year and are beyond excited to welcome our new families to our school.

We have a range of exciting events coming up: Stage 1 students have an excursion to Penrith Lakes in week 7. Check in with our lovely office ladies if you require a note or information. Teddy Bears Picnic is almost upon us for our Preschool and Kindy students new to Oxley Park in 2020. This is a must-not-miss event for our new families! Our Rewards are also fast approaching. More details regarding our Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond days are to come. CREATING HEALTHY DIGITAL HABITS IN KIDS Research has consistently shown that children are being exposed to rising amounts of screen time in recent years. The effects of this increased amount of time tethered to a digital device, at times can be concerning. Together, we need to ensure that our students become safe consumers of digital knowledge and are made aware of the implications of inappropriate digital use. At school, our students are taught cyber safety lessons as part of their normal interactions with technology. At home, we ask that parents are aware of the interactions children are having online. We often find that inappropriate conversations made online outside of school time are then brought into the classroom. Setting your kids up with good online habits and being aware of their online interactions will help make safe practises the norm. The following website has great information for parents and carers on keeping children safe. https://www.digitalcitizenship.nsw.edu.au/

Oxley Park Public School

Learning Together for the Future

114-130 Adelaide Street, St Marys 2760 : 9623 1375 : 9623 1340 : oxleypark-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 4 Week 5 13th November, 2019

Clubs Our lunchtime clubs are still in full swing. Teachers have taken time to coordinate lunchtime activities to ensure all our students are catered for socially, emotionally and creatively. We have some exciting additions to our 2020 Clubs line-up that we can’t wait to share.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Clubs 1.20pm

Garden Mrs Alba

Debate/Public Speaking Miss Mitchell S3E

Garden Mrs Lindsay

Poly Group Ms Hepi S1K

Garden Mrs Lindsay

Ballroom S3 Mrs Luczak Hall

Hip Hop Mrs Borg

Poly Group Mrs Konarew S3M

Recorder Choir Miss Grace/ Mrs Alba S23G Class

Recorder Choir Miss Grace/ Mrs Alba S23G Class

Ballroom S2 Mrs Borg Hall

Lego Club Miss Rybeck S2T

Scooter Safety

A number of students ride scooters to school. As much as we educate students on the safety of riding, we cannot manage their safety as they ride home. Some students have been riding their scooters through the carpark of Evergreen Early Education on Sydney Street. One child has been hit and there have been numerous near-misses due to silly riding behaviour. If your child rides a scooter, or bike to school, please ensure you speak with them to ensure they are riding safely to and from school. “Great education is a combination of a supporting environment, dedicated teachers and students who take joy in learning” Mrs Narouz

Stage 3

S3W participated in Outdoor Classroom Day on Thursday November 7th. We measured the garden

beds in Area 6 as part of our current Science unit on Plant and Animal adaptations. We collaborated

to find the perimeter of the garden beds and discussed the soil testing we planned to do the following

today. After measuring the perimeter of the garden, we fine-tuned some of the basketball skills for

class fitness. We enjoyed participating in Outdoor Classroom Day and our environment got a rest

from the lights, fans and computers for the hour that we were outside.

Stage 2

Stage 1

The highlight of our week in S1G is Investigation time. This is provided to

the children 3-4 times a week and it gives them the freedom to explore

something that interests and motivates them. I watch carefully throughout

the week to see what has been fun learning for each child, as well as

exciting and stimulating, and plan our Investigations on this. It is a joyful

and often challenging time for all. Often I am asked “Are we doing

Investigations today?”, or as one child put it “When are we going to do that

detective work?” I liked the way her mind was working, after all, it’s all

about getting answers and testing theories.

This week we have been reading Wombat Stew, and one of our

investigations has been to make scenes from the story so that we can

make our very own book. The children used clay, small twigs and

branches, tissue paper and plastic replicas of Australian animals. The

task took a good deal of problem solving, creativity, imagination and

cooperation. Each scene from the story was made and text to match was

written on a white board, then a photo was taken. The photos from this

work will be printed, sorted into the correct sequence made into a book.

We have also been investigating how heavy things are in our room, using

large scales. Everything the children could think of was placed on the

scales and there was much delight when the scales tipped to show the

heaviest item. We think we have found the heaviest thing to fit on the

scales, a box of magnetic numbers. “Mrs Garlick, nothing can win against

this!”

A sprouting onion in my vegie box at home has caused much interest. Some

children have taken on the job of recording its growth every day in a book

entitled “Onion Growing”

The children’s capacity to come up with fresh and new ideas is always celebrated in S1G. Two

children made up their own game by standing Jenga blocks up in rows, and aiming a hand ball

towards them to see how many they can knock down. The children are taking turns, following rules,

negotiating scores and recording winnings. They are using maths, literacy and scientific knowledge

in very authentic and enjoyable ways.

Investigation time provides space for children to use and consolidate skills and knowledge. They trial

theories about how the world works, use their active imaginations, hone their social skills and play in

ways designed to produce the best sort of learning. As they bounce ideas off each other I bounce

right along beside them.

KA have been thoroughly enjoying their Investigations each

morning.

Enjoying our Party Fun House

Playing Pin the tail on the Donkey Enjoying the memory game

Oxley Park Public School (Learning Together for the Future)

To ensure your child has a smooth transition into Kindergarten we would like to invite you and your child to our ‘Stay and Play’ sessions.

‘Stay and Play’ Transition sessions are held on

Thursday 21st November, 2019 from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Please meet in Area 3

‘Drop and Play’ Transition sessions are held on Wednesday 20th November, 2019

Join Kindergarten for a Teddy Bear's Picnic on Wednesday 27th November, 2019 at 9:30am.

For more information please contact Oxley Park Public School on (02) 9623 1375

EAL/D PARENTS (ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE OR DIALECT)

Thursday, 31st October, the EAL/D parents enjoyed listening to Yola from Penrith Women's Health Centre and Veronica Nou from Morris care and Advice Chemist, Oxley Park.

Stage 3 students presented some of their pillowcase protectors that Veronica donated to us as part of a 'Children in Detention' art project. Some of the stage 3 students wrote messages of support to put inside the covers after watching a video from 'Roads to Refuge'. These protectors will go to children in immigration detention centres. A big thank you to Ms Dugdale for the inspiration and Veronica for her never ending support for the school and people less fortunate.

Also, a big thank you to Yola who passed on great information about the services at her centre. We hope to join with her again in 2020 to support the parents at our school.

From your Chaplain

Garden Club

Thank you to all Oxley Park Public School community who purchased our lovely produce from our Market day. We raised over $220 which will help us to buy more plants for our garden.

Sports Leadership Program

Build people up, Help people grow, Because people matter, Re re re re Respect

This is the chant that fourteen Stage 3 students repeat in every session of the Sports Leadership

Program. This program combines activities/sports and education as a means to develop young

people’s social and emotional growth and develop students’ leadership potential. Like other subjects,

the program has specific learning outcomes, application of learning and simple assessments. These

are facilitated by myself and Keith Nolan, a well-known Sports Leadership Coach in many schools

and youth organisations in Western Sydney.

We act as positive peers, mentors and role models for the fourteen students and are responsible to

implement the program focused in four key areas:

1. Self-Awareness – ‘Skills for Life’

2. Communication and Relationships – ‘Heart of a Champion’

3. Youth Leadership Development – ‘Serve, Contribute and Lead’

4. Planning for the Future – ‘Looking Ahead’

Since we rolled out this program, it has been exciting to see our students grow in communication and

cooperation and develop skills in team work. If I can be of assistance to you or your family, please

see me at school on Wednesdays, Fridays or email - enoch.nagabyrava2@det.nsw.edu.au

Enoch Nav, School Chaplain, building people up.

Office News

Office Hours – 8.30am – 3.30pm Payment & Permission Note Date Reminders Closing dates: Friday 15th November Stage 1 Penrith Lakes excursion Friday 15th November Mortar board – Year 6 only Monday 25th November Sports/Special photos orders

Dates to remember: Thursday 15th November Stage 3 Basketball Gala Day Monday 25th November Stage 1 Penrith Lakes Excursion S1K & S1G + S1S (some students) Tuesday 26th November Stage 1 Penrith Lakes Excursion S1M & S1L + S1S (some students) Thursday 28th November Stage 1 Penrith Lakes Excursion S1F & S1B + S1S (some children) Wednesday 11th December Presentation Day Thursday 12th December Annual Christmas Concert Friday 13th December Yr 6 Graduation & Farewell

Permission Notes A reminder when returning permission notes for excursions, camps, and any school activities for which a permission note is sent home, a separate permission note is required for each child. This is a departmental legal requirement. Permission notes are to accompany payment (when required) in an envelope and placed in the “money mailbox located on the wall” in the office. If you are paying by cash, cheque or eftpos please write on the envelope your child’s first name, last name, class, what the payment is for and the amount enclosed. Please enclose correct payment and permission note.

Voluntary School Contributions Thank you to the many families who have paid their voluntary school contribution fee. We have receipted $2589.00 in voluntary school contributions. We will be using the fees to support technology upgrades across the school. Please note this is voluntary and we appreciate all efforts that parents and community members make in supporting our school. Thank you for your support. Karen Curcuruto School Administration Manager

The office will be selling second hand uniforms on Monday 18th November from 8.30am outside the Admin Block.

School crossing Supervisor (Sydney Street) My name is Judith, I’ve been assigned the permanent position of School Crossing Supervisor for Oxley Park Public School. I am a country girl at heart, so I have put my hand to everything outdoors, I have worked the cotton seasons and the wheat seasons. I previously worked as an operating theatre porter for 5 years. I have one son and one granddaughter.

School crossing Supervisor (Adelaide Street) My name is Gary Mackenzie and I have been given the privilege of being the School Crossing Supervisor (Lolly Pop Man) for Oxley Park Public School full time. I married my wife Rosemary in 1971. I joined the Army in 1972 to become an Electronics Technician. In 1994 I retired from the Army and took up a position with a company that was contracted to repair the communication equipment used by the Defence Force. In 2016 I retired but found that it did not suit me and decided to go back to work as a School Crossing Supervisor which I have been doing for the last eighteen months. I love all sports especially soccer and golf. I like to cook and look after my rose bushes. I have three children and eight grandchildren. I have spent five years with Blue Mountains Wildlife Information and Rescue Services (WIRES) rescuing injured wildlife and getting them back to the point where they could be returned to the wild.

SCHOOL CROSSING SAFETY INFORMATION

The School Crossing Supervisor is responsible for the safety of everyone that uses the school crossing between 8:15 to 9:15 in the morning and 2:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon. Please ensure that you wait for the supervisor to move to the centre of the crossing as he ensures that vehicles have stopped. The supervisor will then indicate that is safe to cross. It is also important to note that other safety measures are in place to ensure that users of the crossing are safe and these are: 1. Bikes and scooters are to be walked across the crossing. 2. No running on the crossing.

Do not use the NO STOPPING areas near the crossing to drop off students as this hides the

oncoming traffic to the supervisor. This information is supplied to parents to ensure that your children and you are safe when using the crossing in the above times.

General parking rules; https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/parking.html

You must not stop your vehicle (that is, bring it to a stop and either stay with the vehicle or leave it parked) in the following circumstances:

Double parked (that is in the road alongside a car that is parked)

On or across a driveway or footpath

On a median strip or traffic island

In a clearway

On footpaths and nature strips

Between BUS STOP, BUS ZONE, TAXI STAND or TAXI ZONE signs

In a safety zone or within 10 metres before or after a safety zone

Within an intersection

Within 1 metre of another vehicle parked in front or behind

THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS IS PARAMOUNT

Library News Sydney Writers Festival-Russ the Story Bus On Monday 28th October, Year 4 and Year 5 had the pleasure of listening to an author speak about

his writing experience.

Gavin Aung Than came to the school as part of the Sydney Writer’s Festival. Students in Year 4 and

5 listen to Gavin’s instructions on illustrating his Super Side Kick Series. He guided the students

through the step to draw all four characters of the book.

After Gavin spoke, these students were invited to visit Russ the Story Bus, were each child got to

select a book from the shelves covered with over 3000 book choices.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Every year the Premier of NSW holds an annual reading event where students depending on their

age, read a number of books. Congratulations to these students in Years 3 to 6 that not only

completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge but read all the selected books within 7 days. These

students will receive their certificate for the Premier’s Reading Challenge closer to the end of the

year.

Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

Iyla S2T Nateja S2A Nikhil S23G Dimiana S3M

Javeria S2T Dhanya S2A Apram S3E Dhruva S3W

Janya S2T Jeremy S23G Jamel S3M Diamond S3W

Riya S2T Elizaane S2T Kaity S3W Laasya S3W

Suvannika S2J Sanuel S23G Cassandra S23G Laukau S3W

Kiara S2A Nitish S23G Zainab S3M Fiona S3W

Maria S2R Talya S23G Kunishka S23G Amber S3M

Jahlah S23G Rema S23G

Mahrosh S2R

Liliani S2T

Rashmi S2R

Laetita S2R

Term Four Calendar Oxley Park Public School 2019

Term 1 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Week 1 Oct

14 Students return

15 Group/Special photos

16 17 18 P-2 Athletics Carnival

2 Oct

21

22 ZOO Snooze Excursion S 2

23 ZOO Snooze Excursion S 2 K-2 Public Reading Competition

24

25 Kindergarten Excursion

3 Oct/Nov

28 Swim School P&C meeting 9.30am Sydney Writers Festival Incursion

29

30 Public Speaking finals Bunnings upgrade to Koori Garden

31 Kindy 2020 orientation Stay & Play Oz Harvest Incursion stage 2 Halloween Disco after school EAL/D Parent Meeting @ 9am

1

4 Nov

4 Swim School Kindy 2020 orientation Stay and Play

5 Ballroom Competition

6 Playgroup 9:15am – 11:00am

7

8

5 Nov

11 Remembrance Day Assembly

12 Kindy 2020 orientation Stay and Play

13 11am Grandparents Day-Open Classrooms Kindy 2020 orientation Drop and Play Playgroup 9:15am – 11:00am

14 15 Last day to earn superstars

6 Nov

18

19 20 Kindy 2020 Drop and Play Playgroup 9:15am – 11:00am

21 Kindy 2020 orientation Stay and Play

22 SRC Fundraiser/ TBC

7 Nov

25 Final Superstar assembly Stage 1 excursion Penrith Lakes

26 Stage 1 excursion Penrith Lakes

27 Teddy Bears picnic Playgroup 9:15am – 11:00am

28 Stage 1 excursion Penrith Lakes

29

8 Dec

2 P&C mtg - 7pm

3 Year 6 High School Orientation Day K-2 Silver/Bronze award day

4 Last Day Explorers - Pre School 3-6 Silver/Bronze award day Playgroup 9:15am – 11:00am

5 6 Last Day Discoverers - Pre School

9 Dec

9 Gold Award Day K-6

10 11 Presentation Day 9.15 am Pre School Graduation 11:30am Explorers 1:30pm Discoverers

12 Xmas Concert 9.15am

13 Year 6 Grad 9.15 am Year 6 Farewell 6 pm

10 Dec

16 Diamond Day Reports Home

17 18 Last Day for students

19 SDD 20 SDD