19th February 2009
Dates for your diary
2009
Term 1
Week 5
Mon 23rd Feb Young Leaders Day (School Captains & Councillors)
Week 8
Tues 17th March P&C AGM – please come along!
Wed 18th March School Photos
Week 9
Wed 25th March Interrelate (Stage 3)
Fri 27th March Newcastle Show Holiday Day – no school
Week 10
TBA Parent /Teacher Interviews
Week 11
Wed 8th April Interrelate (Stage 3)
Thurs 9th April Easter Hat Parade
PRINCIPALS REPORT:
Our annual swimming carnival was a great success last week! Although we only took a small group of ‘competitors’ to the Carnival this year, I must congratulate every single one of them for outstanding behaviour, fantastic participation and all round true sportsmanship!
Wangi parents help even in the rain!
A number of these students went on to represent our school at the Zone carnival held at Speers Point pool on Tuesday and again did us all proud. Well done! Thank you to the parents & grandparents were helped with transport or went along to cheer them on.
Congratulations to Bethany in Year 6 who is the new Sports House Captain for Red Waugh House.
Our student leaders conducted an emergency fund raiser after the dreadful bushfires that have affected so many in Victoria by holding a Green and Gold out of Uniform Day last Friday. We had a brilliant response from our students and they raised $344.15 for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Thank you to all.
I will have the great pleasure of taking our School Captains and Counsellors to Sydney on Monday for Young Leaders Day 2009. This is an exciting opportunity to join with around 8,000 other student leaders from NSW to develop leadership skills.
Our AGM for the P&C will be held next month. We will be farewelling our outgoing President Liz O’Brien, and need new people to put up their hands to take over – you can even share jobs with a friend, so why not get together….you can do it! All efforts go to improving the education and well being of our students.
At the end of next week each class teacher will be presenting 5 BONUS class awards to those students displaying “You Can Do It” skills!! These will be presented at Assembly in the hall at 12:15pm. Parents always welcome!
REMINDERS:
- Asthma – February is the time of year hospitals notice a ‘spike’ in admissions due to asthma-related illnesses. Please let us know if your child needs an asthma health plan.
- Parents /Carers are asked not to drive into the school grounds – please help us keep all our kids safe.
- Absence notes – these are required to the class teacher if your child is away. If you have phoned, a written note is still needed as a follow up – this is a legal requirement. Please find our handy form to pop on your fridge on the back of this newsletter.
Principal’s Awards
Well done to:
Reece W. in Year 1 for “Confidence & Resilience”;
Zachery H. in Year 2 for “Persistence & Developing Confidence”;
Jasmin M in Year 4 for “Getting Along”
and
Anika D in Year 6 for “Confident Leadership & Initiative”.
Weekly Merit Awards
Congratulations to:
K/1: Sam M, Logan B, Conor P & Sandhya K.
1/2 : Justin T, Zandra G, Grace V & Liam K.
2/3: Zachary W, Luke G, Samantha D & Bridie G.
4/5: Jacob M, Liam C, Georgia A & Brody G.
5/6: Tahi N, Michael H, Georgia T &
Adam M.
CLASS OF THE WEEK
Listening and Good Manners Year 4/5
Extra effort for hats Kinder/Year 1
Tidy Bags Year 2/3
WOW Awards
Writer of the Week
Great work to these students for weeks 2 & 3.
K/1: Kiri G. & Cory N.
1/2: Kaitlyn M. & Sascha M.
2/3: Maggie G. & Blake E.
4/5: Chrissy N. & Jai J.
5/6: Bethany E. & Darcy W.
Kinder/ Yr 1
Thank you to those parents who attended the information session last week. If you were unable to come, an information pack was sent home with your child. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with either teacher if you have any problems.
Kindergarten is settling in beautifully to new routines and learning to work in small groups.
Year 1 have adapted wonderfully to new learning experiences and are learning patience and demonstrating “Getting Along” every day.
Home Reading has begun for Year 1. Kindergarten can bring home readers as soon as they bring a plastic folder in which to carry their books.
Library day is Monday; your child needs a fabric bag for their books which is to be placed in the yellow box in the classroom on Monday mornings.
Year 1/ 2
Year 1/ 2 are certainly spoiling Iggy (Beanie Kid) when he visits them. He is having some wonderful adventures.
We will be walking to Wangi Library next Thursday 26/2. Please ensure children bring their Library card and bag so they can borrow.
What a wonderful start with Home reading and Homework. Nearly all children are completing it, but let’s try for 100%.
Year 2/3
Our smart-board has had its first trial run. The children are all very excited about using it and finding out the wonderful things it is capable of doing.
Home reading started this week.
Year 2/3 will be walking to Wangi Public Library after recess on Wednesday 25th. Children are encouraged to bring their library cards (if they have one) and a bag for borrowed books.
Year 4/5
Thank you to those parents who were able to make it and to those parents whom have seen me outside of the meeting. An information sheet for our classroom will be sent home today covering some of the issues raised at the information meeting. If you still need to see me about anything please call the school to arrange a meeting or drop a note to me. Home work is already going home so keep an eye open for that.
Thank you Mr O’Bie.
Year 5/ 6
Year 5/ 6 have been learning all about other cultures as part of their cultural identities unit. This has been a lot of fun. A quick reminder though that the project for this unit is due Monday 9th March and that students will have an opportunity next Tuesday 24th Feb and Tuesday 3rd March to go to the local library to support student research at home.
Library
Welcome to the New Library 2009. It’s almost ready, just waiting on some new shelving. Library days – Mon – 5/6, 2/3, K/1.
Tues – 3/4, 1/2.
Library Bronze, Silver & Gold awards will be awarded again this year for consistent borrowing.
Premiers Reading Challenge will be happening again. More information following. Mrs R.
BAND
Band has started up again this year. If you would like your child to learn a musical instrument and become part of the School Band please see the Office ladies. Instruments available: Flutes, Clarinets, Trumpets and Tuba.
REMINDER:
Band starts each Friday at 8:45am sharp –please be there at 8:40am to set up.
DANCE GROUPS
Dance fees are due on Monday 23rd February. Thank you to those people who have made early payments.
There are still vacancies in all dance groups.
Contact the office if you would like your child to join.
The dance routines look good this year – keep up the excellent work dancers!
ZONE SWIMMING
Well done to all zone swimmers. Your exemplary behaviour and sportsmanship was a credit to Wangi School. Jai J, Declan G, Adam M, Bridie G and Abby H were all successful in getting a place in their events.
Thank you to Des and Julie for helping with organisation at the carnival and to all the other parents for transporting and supporting our competitors with encouragement and LOUD cheering.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS – For those students in years 3-6 who are interested in entering these competitions please find entry form attached.
There is a website that offers you a range of practice questions.
Go to www.eaa.unsw.edu.au and follow the link to prepare.
CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you would like to volunteer for 1 day per month please contact Jodie Milligan on
0408866370 or if you are unable to attend on your rostered day please ring.
THANK YOU! WANGI HEROES!
These wonderful groups & individuals worked hard or donated generously, or BOTH, for Variety “Splash” & for our school!
Thanks go to:
Wangi IGA
Wangi Bakery
Milko (Michael & Kerrie)
Rathmines Butchery (Steve)
Westlakes Medical Centre
Wangi Sailing Club
Wangi RSL
Variety, the children’s charity
PLUS Candy & her terrific team of hard helpers which won’t be named in case someone is accidently left out!! THANK YOU ALL!
Sun Safety
“Be Safe” is our number 1 school rule so…
REMEMBER, NO HAT – NO PLAY, NO SPORT, NO P.E!!!
NO THONGS AT ANY TIME – this includes DISCOS
Back to School- Don’t forget about your child’s asthma!
Early February, just after school goes back, is the time of year when children are most likely to have a flare-up of their asthma, so it is important that parents keep an eye on their children’s asthma,
ensure they take their prescribed preventer medication regularly, and that they always carry their reliever medication with them. It is vital that
asthma in children is properly managed in order to avoid asthma emergencies.
Symptoms in young children may include wheezing, persistent coughing or shortness of breath. If these symptoms do not respond to the child’s reliever
medication, or if reliever medication is needed every day, we are encouraging parents to take their children immediately to a doctor.
Parents also need to ensure that the school their child attends is fully aware he or she has asthma so the school can support the child’s health needs.
Although asthma is mild in most children, it can be serious and even life-threatening if it is not properly managed, so it is important that anyone with asthma sees their doctor regularly and develops an asthma action plan so they know what to do when their symptoms worsen.
There is so much to think about when returning to school. It’s often difficult to remember everything. Make sure it’s not managing your child’s asthma
appropriately that you forget! Ensure that you see your GP for an update on your child’s asthma and be sure to supply your school with an updated
Asthma Action Plan.
If parents have any questions, they should call the Asthma Information Line on 1800 645 130 or speak -with their doctor.
T: 1800 645 130
COMMUNITY NOTICES
YMCA 49594444
Before School Care is 7am to 9am. Breakfast included then children taken to school.
After School Care 3pm to 6pm – Collect from school, afternoon tea provided
Gymnastics most afternoons.
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PULSE HAIR & BEAUTY
49 75 31 00
236 Watkins Road Wangi Wangi
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DRAMA CLASSES
Have fun! Build confidence, improve speech and communication skills. Use your imagination and explore acting, improvisation, mine, creative movement and public speaking. All ages
Contact Susan McBurney A.S.D;L.T.C.L
On 4975 1822
0412 092205
HSC Drama help for Individual projects also available
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Guides Australia
Toronto Girl guides are currently accepting enrolments for this year.
6yrs to 10 yrs Juniors meet on Tuesdays
10Yrs to 15yrs meet on Mondays
Both from 6pm to 7:30pm
More information please phone 49593151
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Wangi Junior Rugby League Football Club
Registrations for boys and girls from under 7’s to 17’s.
Call 0408977232
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Westlakes Wildcats
2009 Basketball competition
Call Michelle on 0420528838
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Wangi Arcadia Netball Club
Registration Days
Saturday 21st February
10am to 12noon
At Netball Courts
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Westlakes Junior Soccer Club
Late registrations can be made on
Monday 23rd February
at Rathmines Oval
from 4:30 onwards.
Players from Under 6 to Under 18 are welcome to register.
New players need to provide proof of age.
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South Lakes Junior Rugby League Football Club and Dora Creek Workers Club
BUSHFIRE RAFFLE
Helping Bushfire Victims
Sunday 1st March 2009 Buy tickets in foyer from 1:30pm
Claim prizes, on display, when numbers are called
Prizes donated by the community
“NUTRITION SNIPPETS”
2. FRUIT AND VEG: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
Before we launch into practical ways to increase fruit and vegetables it is important for us to know what the target is.
Go for 2 fruit and 5 vegetables is a good rule of thumb for the family in general. Take a moment to look at the table below to find out how many serves each member of your family needs to eat. We will look at how much a “serve” is next week.
|
AGE (years) |
VEGETABLES (serves) |
FRUIT (serves) |
|
4 – 7 |
2 – 4 |
1 – 2 |
|
8 – 11 |
3 – 5 |
1 – 2 |
|
Adults |
5 |
2 |
You will notice that the amount that children need to eat changes based on their age, appetite and levels of activity. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and adolescents need to eat more again – if this applies to your family, log onto www.gofor2and5.com.au for more information.
Unfortunately most families in NSW do not eat enough fruit and veg. In the Hunter, 81% of adults do not eat enough veg and 47% do not eat enough fruit. For children in NSW, 85% do not eat enough vegetables and 30% do not eat enough fruit.
So there is a lot of room for improvement in the Hunter. Get more vegetables in your day and Eat It To Beat It!
Watch this space for more great ideas and Eat It To Beat It!
Pertussis affects people of all ages, but can be very serious in babies. It can be prevented by immunisation at two, four
and six months of age. Booster shots are needed for four-year-olds and teenagers, and adults living or working
with small children.
Pertussis (Whooping
Cough)
Last updated: 30 January 2008
What is pertussis?
Pertussis (or whooping cough) is a disease caused by infection of the throat with the bacteria Bordetella
pertussis.
What are the symptoms?
_ Pertussis usually begins just like a cold, with a runny nose, tiredness and sometimes a mild fever.
_ Coughing then develops, usually in bouts, followed by a deep gasp (or “whoop”). Sometimes people
vomit after coughing.
_ Pertussis can be very serious in small children. They might go blue or stop breathing during coughing
attacks and may need to go to the hospital.
_ Older children and adults may have a less serious illness, with bouts of coughing that continue for
many weeks regardless of treatment.
How is it spread?
Pertussis is spread to other people by droplets from coughing or sneezing. Untreated, a person with
pertussis can spread it to other people for up to three weeks after onset of cough.
The time between exposure and getting sick is usually seven to ten days, but can be up to three weeks.
Who is at risk?
_ Anyone can get pertussis.
_ People living in the same household as someone with pertussis are more likely to catch it.
_ Immunisation greatly reduces your risk of infection, but reinfection can occur.
How is it prevented?
Immunise your child on time
_ The vaccine does not give lifelong protection against pertussis, and protection is sometimes
incomplete.
_ Children need to be immunised at two, four and six months.
_ Boosters are needed at four years of age and again at 15 years of age.
_ Immunisation is available through general practitioners and some local councils.
Keep your baby away from people who cough
_ Babies need two or three vaccinations before they are protected. For this reason, it is very important
to keep people with coughing illnesses away from your baby so they don’t pass on pertussis or other
germs.
Get immunised if you are an adult in close contact with small children
A vaccine for adults is available. It is recommended:
_ For both parents when planning a pregnancy, or as soon as the baby is born
_ For adults working with young children, especially health care and child care workers.
If you are a close contact of someone with pertussis:
_ Watch out for the symptoms. If symptoms develop, see your doctor, take this factsheet with you and
mention your contact with pertussis.
_ Some close contacts at high risk (e.g., children under one year, children not fully vaccinated, and
women at the end of their pregnancy) and others who live or work with high-risk people may need to
take antibiotics to prevent infection.
If you have pertussis:
_ Get treated early while infectious, avoid other people and stay away from young children, e.g., at child
care centres, pre-school and school.
How is it diagnosed?
If a doctor thinks someone has pertussis, a swab from the back of the nose, or a blood test may be done
to help confirm the diagnosis.
How is it treated?
A special antibiotic – usually either azithromycin, erythromycin or clarithromycin is used to treat pertussis.
These antibiotics can prevent the spread of the germ to other people.
Coughing often continues for many weeks despite treatment.
What is the public health response?
Doctors and laboratories must confidentially notify cases of pertussis to the local Public Health Unit. Public
Health Unit staff can advise on the best way to stop further spread.
Infectious children are restricted from going to pre-school and school. Unimmunised contacts may be
excluded from child care unless they take the special antibiotics.
Further information – Public Health Units in NSW
For more information please contact your doctor, local public health unit or community health centre -
look under NSW Government at the front of the White Pages
Metropolitan Areas Location Number Rural Areas Location Number
Northern Sydney/Central Coast Hornsby 02 9477 9400 Greater Southern Goulburn 02 4824 1837
Gosford 02 4349 4845 Albury 02 6080 8900
South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra Randwick 02 9382 8333 Greater Western Broken Hill 08 8080 1499
Wollongong 02 4221 6700 Dubbo 02 6841 5569
Sydney South West Camperdown 02 9515 9420 Bathurst 02 6339 5601
Sydney West Penrith 02 4734 2022 Hunter/New England Newcastle 02 4924 6477
Parramatta 02 9840 3603 Tamworth 02 6767 8630
Justice Health Service Matraville 02 9311 2707 North Coast Port Macquarie 02 6588 2750
Lismore 02 6620 7500
2009 International Competitions and Assessments
Students in Year 3 – 6 are invited to enter external competitions in the following areas: Computer Skills, Science, Spelling, Writing, English and Mathematics.
These competitions are run by the University of NSW and have been running in schools for over 20 years.
For a nominal entry fee every student entering these competitions receives a certificate acknowledging participation. If you are interested in your child participating in any of the above competitions please complete the attached form and return it and the money to the office before Monday 16th March
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Students Name: ………………………………………….
Class:…………………………………
0 Computer Skills $6.60 Wednesday 27th May
0 Science $6.60 Wednesday 10th June
0 Spelling $8.80 Tuesday 23rd June
0 Writing $12.10 Tuesday 23rd June
0 English $6.60 Tuesday 4th August
0 Maths $6.60 Wednesday 19th August
Please return to office with payment. Thank you.