‘Endeavour to Excel’ ‘Excellence, Opportunity, Success ... · go home with you at the end of the day. We appreciate your ongoing support in providing a school environment where

‘Endeavour to Excel’ ‘Excellence, Opportunity, Success’ 121 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, OURIMBAH 2258 PHONE: 4362 1033 FAX: 4362 2531 Email : [email protected] Website : www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

‘Communicating with our Caring Community’

muse Emu Wednesday, 11th March 2020

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRINCIPAL

Stars of the Week – 5C This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing four students from 5C with some wonderful work. Mr Castles is new to Ourimbah PS this year and I would like to thank him for the settled and caring manner that he brings to his class each and everyday. Well done to the following students who were selected to show-off

their work with me - Ned H (illusion artwork), Alacia P (Art is my secret power), Teleah K (Imaginative writing – ‘Cat’s Eye’) and Neo C (a sketch of a dragon and some Minecraft characters). Keep up the fantastic work, 5C!

DATE EVENT

11 March P&C AGM Meeting tonight 7pm in staffroom

12 March Selective High School Test 16 March CANTEEN CLOSED 19 March Harmony Day & canteen meal day

20 March Mufti day for ‘Kindness Week’ – wear orange or bright colours!

23 March CANTEEN CLOSED 24 March Grandparents Day 30 March School Photos 30 March CANTEEN CLOSED

2 April Last day to return Easter Raffle tickets to office

6 April CANTEEN CLOSED 7 April Easter Raffle Prizes Drawn 9 April Easter Hat Parade K-2 9 April Last Day Term 1

PLP Meetings – Aboriginal Education Throughout this week, PLP (Personalised Learning Plans) meetings have been held for our Aboriginal students in consultation with parents, teachers and students. These plans are an important tool in establishing pathways for Aboriginal students and their families to participate in the life and culture of the school by setting learning goals tailored to meet the academic, social and cultural needs of the individual students. I would like to acknowledge the great work of Miss Adams who once again co-ordinated the PLP process and all of the class teachers who support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on a daily basis. If you are the parent or carer of one of our proud Aboriginal students, and were unable to attend these meetings when they were scheduled, please contact the front office (4362 1033) to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet with your child’s class teacher.

Congratulations – Miss O’Harae It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge the wonderful work of Miss O’Harae who was recently accredited with the NSW Education Standards Authority at achieving ‘Proficient’ status in her teaching career. Well done, Amy!

Student Wellbeing - Kindness Week The staff at Ourimbah PS are glad to launch a new initiative this year as a way of recognising two very important events on the public-school calendar – Harmony Day and the National Day of Action Against Bullying. A team of staff led by Mrs McMurtrie, Mr Bradbury and Miss Gordge have organised a wonderful week of special activities to raise awareness of Harmony Day and anti-bullying strategies. This will include a special lunch menu provided by our amazing Canteen Manager, Victoria Keegan, and a joint artwork that will eventually be displayed proudly around the school. The students will be encouraged to wear orange on Friday 20 March to show support for cultural diversity and inclusivity as the official Harmony Day colour – this is not a fundraising event! We look forward to sharing our stories of unity, empathy and diversity with you in the coming weeks!

Bus Safety and Behaviour I have recently had contact with the Community Liaison Officer from Busways who has expressed some concerns about the behaviour of some of our students that use their service. I have also been informed from members of our own community, who share similar concerns, about the conduct of some students to and from school. Promoting the learning, wellbeing and safety of all students in NSW Public Schools is a high priority for the Department of Education and Communities and for the staff and I at Ourimbah PS. We implement teaching and learning approaches and programs to support the development of skills and values needed by students to meet our high standards for respectful, safe and responsible behaviour as outlined in the NSW Department of Education and Communities’ Behaviour Code for Students (attached). Please talk to your children about the importance of remaining safe, respectful and responsible to and from school as well as those times they are waiting to go home with you at the end of the day. We appreciate your ongoing support in providing a school environment where all students are encouraged to “Endeavour to Excel!”

Camp Quality – Incursion Earlier this week, the students and staff participated in a puppet show hosted by the Cancer Council. For over 25 years this Education Program has transformed thousands of schools by helping children and teachers learn how to create a supportive school community for children affected by cancer, whether they are living with cancer themselves or have a family member living with cancer. If you would like to know more about the wonderful work the Cancer Council do in our community, or make a donation, visit the website below – Cancer Council

P&C Update – We Want You! The P&C AGM will be held tonight commencing at 7:00pm followed by our Term 1 General Meeting. During our AGM all Executive positions and Committee positions will be declared vacant with nominations being called for to fill these very important roles. If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions, or know someone from our parent community who is eager to be part of the P&C Association, please come along to this meeting and play an active role in the decision-making processes that not only affect your child’s current learning environment, but also form part of the school’s future strategic directions and planning. A flyer with a description of the roles and responsibilities for each position has been included with this week’s newsletter.

School Events / P&C Calendar To help get organised for some of our major events and fundraisers this year, the wonderful Mrs Vila has put together a yearly calendar which highlights the most important activities across the school year – we hope this helps you to prepare for those events that may require parents re-arranging work commitments and family matters in order to attend. A copy of the planner has been attached with this week’s newsletter.

Sporting News Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Ourimbah PS at recent zone and regional trials - • Zac S – zone AFL and football trials • Hamish P – zone AFL trials • Fletcher M – regional cricket trials and zone

football trials • Quinn B – zone football trials • Maya H – NSW All-Schools AFL trials

The school swimming carnival was held during week 5 at Mingara Swim Centre. A huge thanks to Mrs McLean, Miss Fuller and Mr Edwards, our carnival conveners, for their wonderful organisation of this year's carnival. The success of such an important event is very much reliant upon the outstanding efforts and teamwork of staff, students and parents. Unfortunately, other school business prevented me from attending this year’s carnival, however, I would like to thank those families who were able to attend as spectators, and a special thanks to the parents/carers who assisted with official duties – your assistance was greatly appreciated! Congratulations to all students who competed in their age races regardless of your final placings - you should all be very proud of your individual efforts and personal triumphs on the day!

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that Ourimbah PS placed 1st at the recent BWPSSA Zone Swimming – well done to all of our swimmers! Well done to the 21 swimmers who recently competed at the BWPSSA Zone Swimming Carnival – Tameka W, Liam D, Matthew P, Harry H, Maya H, Lily H, Callum S, Dylan M, Zach T, Flynn W, Archer N, Imogen S, Will C, Jake B, Cooper M, Keira E, Melody W, Thomas M, Jensen F, Abbey M and Molly R. A great result - 13 of our students will now go on to represent the school / zone at the upcoming Sydney North Carnival. Greg Francis Principal CLASSY ARTICLE – 5C MR CASTLES It has been a busy start to the year for 5C. As I am a new recruit to the school, I have been spending some time getting to know the students and the school routines. All of the staff, students and parents have been very welcoming which makes things a lot easier. The students of 5C have been working very hard to show me what skills and knowledge they already have, which I will build on during the year. We have been hitting literacy and numeracy assessments pretty hard these first few weeks so I can get students sorted into literacy and numeracy groups. 5C, being quite a creative bunch, have been working on improving our pencil techniques in visual arts and honing our public speaking and performance skills through drama. There is a lot of work going into getting 5C ready for NAPLAN this year. Students have spent time on the NAPLAN practice site to gain a better understanding of the layout and tools they will be using in the tests. They have also been signed up to Typing Club to help with the writing component, as it is online for year 5. 5C is fortunate to have some talented sportspeople who demonstrate fair play when we go out for sport and fitness each week. I am looking forward to a fun and productive 2020 with 5C.

CLASSROOM EFFORT & BEHAVIOUR POINTSCORE Winning House – Koalas Koalas – 28 Kangaroos – 27.5 Platypus – 25.5 Emus – 18 Winning House – Koalas Koalas – 28 Kangaroos – 27.5 Platypus – 25.5 Emus – 18 CLASSROOM AWARDS K-2 Week 6 – Lucas T, Aleia K KSB; Raiden D, Mia W KA; Indy P, Eseroma K 1K; Jaykobie D, Bella C 1/2Y; Marli B, Lucas S 1/2N; Elsie M, Blake S 2ME; Billy I, Zaria C Library. CLASSROOM AWARDS 3-6 Week 6 – Mallory H, Jade R 3AG; Zachery T, Mya B 3/4R; Oliver N, Molly R 3/4B; Victoria A, Daken D 4E; Isabella W, Ashton H 4/5EA; Anh V, Aerlin T 5C; Hazel S, Marco E 6C; Liam D, Lilly M 6F. Week 7 – Mali G, Grace D 3AG; Ruby B, James F 3/4R; Ava M, Emily H 3/4B; Lachlan M, Finlay E 4E; Angus B, Toby S 4/5EA; Ned H, Lucy V 5C; Lacey M, Clay T 6F; Tehya M, Oliver J Library. GRANDPARENT’S/GRAND-FRIEND’S DAY It is fast approaching that special time of year when we take to time to celebrate our Grandparents and Grand-friends. On the 24th March Grandparents and Grand-friends are invited to visit Ourimbah PS for afternoon tea kindly provided by the P&C. If you would like you can take your grandchild to the library to donate a book at 12:30 pm, or bring a picnic lunch to share with them from 12:55-1:25 pm. A special K-2 assembly will take place in the hall at 1:45 pm. Please keep an eye out for an invitation from your grandchild with all of the details. KINDNESS WEEK – CELEBRATING HARMONY DAY AND THE NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE, INCLUDING MUFTI DAY FRIDAY, 20th MARCH During week 8 we look forward to celebrating Ourimbah Public School’s first Kindness Week, bringing together

Harmony Day and the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Students will participate in the following activities at school. Monday - Kindness challenge Tuesday - Bullying awareness lesson Wednesday - Harmony Day awareness lesson Thursday - Canteen meal deals

(see separate note) Friday - Assembly and collaborative art project. Mufti-day wear orange or bright colours. The collaborative art project will be displayed on the school grounds. We are running a competition to select quotes which will become a part of the artworks. Each student has the opportunity to suggest a quote around the topics of Kindness, Harmony Day and Bullying Awareness. Please see the separate note for more details. Nicole McMurtrie, Sarah Gordge and Matthew Bradbury Organisers BOOK CLUB – DUE NEXT WEEK THURSDAY, 19th MARCH Issue 2 of Book Club for 2020 will be due back at school by Thursday, 19th March. If you wish to place an order for Book Club, please be sure to fill in the order forms correctly, with your child’s name and class and then send with payment to class teacher or the front office. Orders can be paid by cash or cheque or by ordering online with your credit card via the LOOP option. SCHOOL PHOTO DAY School photos for this year will take place on Monday, 30th March. Full formal SUMMER uniform is to be worn for the photos. Envelopes and notes with more information will be sent home in the coming weeks. Notes and photo envelopes will be arriving home shortly. PAYMENTS DUE:

• Mathletics/Reading Eggs – Yr 1 & 2 -$25.00. Yr 1 & 2 students - $35.00. Now OVERDUE.

*NB: Classes have begun to use Mathletics and Reading Eggs and students who have not paid for this will not be able to access these programs until their payments have been received. This makes it very difficult for teachers to teach all students as a class unit. LOST PROPERTY ITEMS The lost property tub in the office is over-flowing at the moment with jumpers and other items of clothing. These items have no names on them. If you have any

items missing, please come in and have a look before they are discarded. SPORTS BWPSSA SWIMMING CARNIVAL Guess who's the number 1 school in our zone for swimming? That's right, Ourimbah Public school. Congratulations to the entire team on a brilliant effort at last week's carnival held at the Peninsula Swimming Centre. A convincing victory by 73 points over the second placed school. There were many fine performances with a team of 13 swimmers now going on to the Sydney North Carnival on Friday, 27th March. This includes the top 2 competitors in each event. A special thank you to Scott Walker for managing the team on the day and to all the parents who came along in support. The BWPSSA representatives are as follows. Tameka W, Will C, Melody W, Maya H, Keira E, Liam D, Matthew P, Jensen F, Callum S, Zachary T, Imogen S, Harry H and Jake B. Lily H came very close to making the team with an excellent 3rd place in the backstroke as well. Finally a huge congratulations to Tamika W, the 2020 BWPSSA 11years Girl Champion. Well done and good luck, Gary Edwards and Tina McLean BWPSSA SPORTS TRIALS There are many trials taking place at present for the Stage 3 gifted and talented athletes who excel in their chosen sports. These are opportunities where pathways allow for representation at NSWPSSA Championships and on occasion Australian Carnivals. Students selected to attend these trials must fit certain criteria as set by relevant conveners and selectors. Other opportunities will take place for students in age divisions 8 upwards at swimming, cross country and athletics events throughout the year. Selection for these take place from results at school, zone and regional carnivals. The School Sports Unit also holds events to cater for students with disabilities and encourages participation for all with special programs taking place throughout the school year. Congratulations to Fletcher M, Quin B, Hamish P and Zachary S who have attended trials so far this year. Gary Edwards, PSSA Sports Organiser ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STUDENT EXCURSION Last Tuesday, some of our year 3 – 6 students attended Kincumber Great Aussie Bush Camp with Ms O’Harae. This initiative provided our students with the opportunity to meet and create connections with Indigenous students from other primary and high schools in the Valley Schools Learning Community (VSLC). During the

excursion, students participated in cultural activities including making damper, weaving, painting, dance, singing and sport. The excursion was a wonderful experience with students listing their favourite part of the day below: Tay “Playing different sports with Logan” Ayla “Painting clouds and butterflies” Coco “Dot painting and weaving were the best” Alacia “Painting because they said there was no mistakes and to let your imagination flow” Oscar “Eating the damper we made” Kye “Painting. I made mine with a black background and a K for Kye, then decorated with red and yellow dots”.

P&C NEWS P&C EASTER RAFFLE The P&C Annual Easter Raffle is underway. A big thank you to the families that have generously donated chocolates, bunnies, etc. so far. Keep your donations coming please to the office ASAP, as we are having our first wrapping session very soon.

• Extra raffle tickets are available from the office. • Raffle tickets are due back to school by

Thursday 2nd April. • Easter raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 7th April.

Thank you. Venessa Wheeler P&C Fundraising Co-ordinator

UNIFORM SHOP Operating Hours – Mondays & Thursdays The opening hours for the uniform shop are as follows:

Mondays 8.30 am - 9.15 am Thursdays 2.30 pm - 3.15 pm COMMUNITY NEWS: MERINO HAIRDRESSING