cpps 2009 THE CONNELLS POINT PUBLIC SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Riverview Ave, Connells Point 2221 TEL 9546 1730 9546 3765 FAX +612 9547 1708 welcome to the cpps 75th special edition Finally, after much planning and anticipation, the morning of our school’s 75th birthday dawned – cold and cloudy. Everything that could be organised, was: the rest was in the lap of the weather Gods. And they were not happy with us! As the appointed hour grew nearer, the temperature dropped, the sky darkened and the first wet drops fell – first slowly, but then with more menace. Undeterred, the students, staff, families, friends, special guests and well-wishers drew on all their powers of positive thinking, flexibility and resilience. Plans were changed, shelter was found where it could, we huddled together for warmth, the bands played on and we were under way! And what a great day we had! Smiles outlasted the clouds and laughter drowned out the rain. Our students of 1934 have dealt with much harder times than this, and were determined to enjoy their honoured position as our special guests. Many of these students have remained firm friends and have kept in contact with each other, and the school, over the last 75 years. Two original students, Mr Neville Elms and Mrs Laurel Bush, took part in the official events, Mr Elms as a guest speaker and Mrs Bush opening the commemorative pathway with Year 1 student, Amanda Bollingmoore. Amanda was to have shared the honour with her grandmother, Mrs Esme Bollingmore, another student of 1934. Sadly, Mrs Bollingmoore passed away just days before our celebrations. Former student and School Captain of 1978, Mr Phil Kearns, delighted the students and guests with his recollections of his days at Connells Point Public School. Mr Kearns shared many memories, including those of delicious canteen pies, playing cricket with Mr Galton, being part of the record- breaking swimming team, and of his short stay in the choir! How proud we were to hear this outstanding sportsman and citizen, whose personal and sporting achievements are legendary, speak with such fondness and humour of his time at our school. How reassuring for our students to know that even the most successful people are not good at everything, and weren’t necessarily perfect children (but that you don’t give up and that you always do your best!) One of the biggest challenges in organising the Open Day was how to unveil the fabulous new school sign, presented by the P&C to commemorate our 75th Anniversary. After much discussion, laughter and worry, a plan was devised. The plan worked (almost) perfectly, with only a slight hitch at the start! Well done to Ms Jan McClelland (former student and former Director-General of DET), Dr Phil Lambert (Director, Sydney Region, DET) and our Vice-Captains, Stephanie Savidis and Lachlan McWhirter, who did such a fine job in unveiling the sign. The oohs and aahs as the sign was slowly revealed were worth the anxious wait! After the ribbon cutting for the pathway, our longest serving current staff member, Mrs Whale, buried a time capsule, assisted by three students – Tom Aiken, Luca Russo and Emma Power - who share the same birthday (August 11) as our school. The time capsule is to be opened on the schools’ 100th Anniversary in 2034. Guests warmed up with morning tea in the hall, and the chance to view the display of school and historical memorabilia. The weather improved enough for us to have the greatest fun of the day – our parade of fashion through the decades. Bouncing along to the music of the day, each grade celebrated their decade in great style! Nobody noticed the grey skies with such colour and joy in front of us. We have some wonderful gifts to remember this anniversary: a wonderful pathway and garden; new signs; a framed photo of all the students and staff; an artwork presented by Marlene Mylecharane on behalf of her granddaughter, Grace Gibson of Year 1; and seven flowering gum trees (one for each grade) to grow straight and strong and true, well into our future. Thank you to our wonderful Y6 Leadership Team for their contribution to the success of our Open Day. Our Captains, Jade Fodera and Jordan Soussa, did an outstanding job of compering our official events in difficult and changing circumstances. Our thanks to them; to our vice-captains, Stephanie Savidis and Lachlan McWhirter, and prefects , Caitlin Semsarian, Bernice Chung, Christine Pang, Clara Chow, Felix Chow, Ben Szalay and Luke Auciello (Liam Chapple was away); and to our sound assistants, Jamie Ashton and Ryan Murray. Mrs. Anne Hewson principal – cpps One of the best things about Open Day was the wonderful spirit of fun and participation shown by staff and students in dressing for the parade! Thank you all for making the day so enjoyable and memorable. we couldn’t have done it without you!