Dear Colo Vale families, What a fabulous start we have had to the term. Our dance program began last week. The children (and the teachers) are enjoying themselves learning new moves and getting fit at the same time. Many thanks to our wonderful P&C for their support in reducing the cost of the program to $10 per child for the term. I was fortunate enough to attend the Festival Of Instrumental Music on Monday Night at Sydney Opera House to listen to our Recorder players perform. What a beautiful night it was showcasing the Arts in Public Education. I was so proud of our students and thank the parents and families for their support of this venture. Colo Vale children will always remember they performed at the Sydney Opera House! We aim on enriching our Creative and Performing Arts program at Colo Vale Public School with high quality instruction and opportunities for all to be involved. Research indicates that participation in musical activities leads to increased student motivation and engagement in learning, has positive impact on academic and personal wellbeing outcomes and promotes higher self esteem. We are in the process of ‘re booting’ our positive ‘Behaviour for Learning’ that operates across the school as a rewards based behaviour system. Part of this reboot is listening to our stakeholders and devising a plan that we all agree upon. As parents and members of the community who have had more time here than me, I am seeking your input on what has worked in the past, what does not work and what you would like to see implemented to reward children for their behaviour. We will be holding a Parent Forum next Monday 5 August to solicit your views and input. There will be two sessions—a daytime one at 2.00pm—3.00pm and an evening forum from 5.30pm—6.30pm. I invite all interested parents to attend. Thank you to the parents who contributed to the parent survey on reports. I appreciate your honesty and time. This feedback will be used with the Software Developer to further improve the Reporting Experience for children, families and teachers. I have created a QR code for the students which they can scan from any mobile device and be taken to the questions. For the parents I have created a link which is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XF5DZRX. This link is also on the school website and Facebook page. It is wonderful to see so many of our students in full uniform. I appreciate parent support in this endeavour. I ask that any families suffering hardship to please contact me at the school to see if I can assist you in clothing children in winter, assisting with excursions or providing access to outside services who are readily on hand. This includes access to speech therapy or counselling as well as financial assistance. I ask that parents encourage their children to wear their school uniform fleecy jacket on the cold mornings. Finally, next week is Education Week. We have our Open Classrooms on Thursday 8 August from 10.00am. Families are invited to stay for a picnic lunch with the children at 11am. We look forward to opening classrooms tor families to observe the dynamic learning and learning environments we offer at Colo Vale Public School. All welcome! Kind regards Nina Culleton Principal Banksia Bits Colo Vale Public School Excellence, innovation & success in a caring community Term 3 Week 2 31 July 2019 Our Opera House Recorder Superstars getting ready for the big performance.