We are Safe We are Respectful We are Focused ELERMORE ENDEAVOUR Term 4 Week 9 14 th December 2018 Dear Parents and Carers, What a magnificent day Blue and Gold day has been. Our Year 6 students and their families are to be commended for the innovative, creative and fun stalls that they put together for our students today. From obstacle courses to photo booths, face painting, hair spraying, cake and lolly sales, arcade style ‘knock ‘em down’ games, dunk the teacher and so much more. Thank you Year 6 students and teachers for all of your efforts, not only today, but every day at our school. You are all shining examples and role models to the rest of our students. As this is the last newsletter for the year, I thought it was timely to reflect on all of our achievements over the course of 2018. We began the year by welcoming a new permanent teacher to our school. Miss Tindall, now Mrs Tapp, worked exceptionally well with a range of students as part of our Learning and Support Team. Next year, Mrs Tapp will be teaching her own class and I know that she is excited for this opportunity. Term 1 also included our swimming carnival, Harmony Day, Clean Up Australia Day, Cross Country Carnival, Easter Hat Parade, Visiting Author, Drama lessons commenced and we concluded the Term with a Commonwealth Games sporting event. Term 2 began with the appointment of another permanent staff member. Mr Wlodarczyk was successful in gaining a permanent position through a merit selection process. Our school activities included the Athletics Carnival, Public Speaking Competitions, Starstruck, Teen Talk, MAGS Day, and Jump Rope for Heart, National Simultaneous Storytime, School Disco, GRIP Leadership, NAPLAN Online, and Reconciliation Week. Year 5 had their Big Day out at Glendale Technology High School and we raised funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation with our Beanies for Brain Cancer day. Our PSSA soccer and netball winter competitions commenced, the gymnastics program began and Stage 2 had their Touch Football Gala Day. If Term 2 wasn’t jammed packed full of activities, Term 3 certainly was. Some of the activities included; Debating competitions, Tournament of Minds rehearsals and competition, NAIDOC celebrations, Hunter Dance Festival, IILA Excellence Assembly, Education Week, Chess Gala Day, Stage 3 excursion to Canberra, Scope IT lessons began, DUGS Day, Dress Like a Farmer Day, Cupcake Challenge, Book Week Parade, VALID Science Testing, Yr 6 High School Transition began, Stage 2 visited Glenrock Lagoon, Canteen refurbishment (finally!), PSSA finals and another P&C Disco. The final Term of the year, always seems to be the busiest and this Term was no exception. Can you believe it?! Another permanent staff member was appointed to our school. This Term 4 Week 10 Presentation Day at School ~ 9.30 am Mon 17/12 Drama Lessons Tue 18/12 Volunteer Morning Tea Tue 18/12 Yr 6 Farewell Tue 18/12 Movie Day Wed 19/12 Yr 6 Clap-out ~ 2.30 pm Wed 19/12 Last Day of Year for Students Wed 19/12 Term 1 Week 1 Staff Return to School Tue 29/1 Students Yr 1 – Y6 Return to School Wed 30/1 Best Start Testing for Kindergarten Commences Wed 30/1 to Fri 1/2 Term 1 Week 2 Kindergarten Students Commence Mon 4/2 Swimming Carnival Tue 5/2 time it was our General Assistant, Tony Mandl. Tony was successful in an open merit selection process. Sadly we had to say farewell to Miss Sciacca as she moved on to be an Assistant Principal at Merewether Heights Public School and we were delighted to welcome Mrs Hamilton back to EVPS to take over teaching 5/6S. Some of the school activities included; the 60 th Anniversary Fete, Bandfest, more Yr 7 transition, Stage 1 had their geography excursion, Dance 2B Fit started for Stage 3, Year 2 had Swim Scheme, CAPA evening, Kindergarten Orientation, Author Visit, Colour Run, Stage 3 Touch Football Gala Day, Yr 6 Gala Day at GTHS and Blue and Gold day. What a year it has been! I would like to take this opportunity to wish our staff, students and community a very Merry Christmas and restful and enjoyable holiday break. We can all be very proud of our students and all of their achievements this year. I hope that you can join us on Monday, 17 th December for our Day of Celebration. The Presentation Day Assembly commences at 9:30, followed by a picnic lunch at 11:30 and a Christmas Concert at 12:30. Students in Yr 1 – Y6 commence school on Wednesday, 30 th January 2019. We will all meet under the primary COLA at 9am. Kindergarten have their first day on Monday, 4 th February 2019. Best wishes Cassie Bate-Barnier Principal (Rel)