Wangi Wangi Public School

Week 7

Mon 9^th March BER-9.30 meeting

Week 8

Tues 17^th March        P&C AGM – please come along!

Wed 18^th March        School Photos

Week 9

Wed 25^th March        Interrelate (Stage 3)

Fri 27^th March Newcastle Show Holiday Day – no school

Week 10

TBA              Parent /Teacher Interviews

Week 11

Wed 8^th April  Interrelate (Stage 3)

Thurs 9^th April Easter Hat Parade

5^th March 2009                                

PRINCIPALS REPORT:

Congratulations to our student leaders who attended the Young Leaders Day in Sydney last week. Every year I am more and more impressed with Wangi students and the way they present themselves outside our school – wonderful ambassadors for Wangi PS!

 

 

Well done to all the students who received Swimming ribbons for the School & Zone carnivals. Congratulations to our Swimming Champions for 2009…

Senior Boy: Jai J

Senior Girl: Anika D

Junior Boy:  Luke G

Junior Girl:  Abby H

How great does our school look after the clean up day last Friday! A BIG thank you to the number of parents who came to school to help – especially weeding the gardens and removing the spiky branches fallen from the palm trees.

Most of you would be aware of the serious incident reported by the media related to a child at another school in Lake Macquarie. At Wangi School we have conducted some Stranger Danger scenarios with our students and are being extra vigilant with supervision. We are encouraging all students to use the toilets at break times (lunch & recess) and students must have a ‘buddy’ if going to the toilet in class time. The gates at the bus stop (Beach Rd) and near the Kinder room (Dobell Drive) are being closed during lesson times. We urge all parents and carers to talk with their children about Stranger Danger and ask you to also reinforce with your child/children using the school toilets at break times.

To celebrate Week 5 of school each class teacher presented 5 BONUS “You Can Do It” wrist bands to students in their class displaying these skills. Bravo to those students who received one of these wonderful awards to recognise your skill… keep trying everyone else, because that is how you get to win one of these! Try to collect the whole 5!

Further in this newsletter I have added information for new families regarding our “You Can Do It” program and some “Handy Hints” (again).

A separate information letter will be coming home soon for you with information relating to the Commonwealth Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) initiative.

 

REMINDERS:

• Stage 3 Interrelate money needed please.
• Parents /Carers are asked not to drive into the school grounds – please help us keep all our kids safe.

Principal’s Awards

Well done to:   

Ella in Year 1 for “Persistence”;

Enola in Year 2 for “Confidence”;

Eaydn in Year 4 for “Getting Along”

and

Jake in Year 6 for “Confidence”.

 

Weekly Merit Awards

Congratulations to:

K/1: Carl, Sandhya, Samuel, Kiri & Georgie-Rose

1/2:  Stuart, Josie, Grace & Jaden

2/3:  Enola, Jacob, Amber, & Keigan

4/5:  Amy, Joel, Eaydn & Destiny

5/6:  Jake, Emily, Aden & Tiara

 

CLASS OF THE WEEK

Listening and Good Manners: 5/6           

 

Extra effort for hats: 2/3       

 

Tidy Bags: 1/2 (WOW! 2^nd time in a row!!)           

WOW Awards

Writer of the Week

Great work to these students for weeks 4 & 5.

K/1: Conor & Alicia

1/2:  Grace & Justin

2/3:   Gina & Nic

4/5:   Brodie & Declan

5/6:   Emily & Teagan

 

You Can Do It

BONUS 5 Awards

Skills: Organisation, Getting Along, Persistence, Confidence, Resilience.

Great efforts to:

K/1: Alicia for Persistence; Jonny for Getting Along, Kiri for Organisation, Sandhya for Confidence & Kellie for Resilience.

1/2:  Grace for Organisation, Kobe for Persistence, Josie for Resilience, Liam for Confidence & Thomas for Getting Along.

 

 2/3:   Samantha for Organisation, Bridie for Getting Along, Vivienne for Resilience, Angus for Persistence & Luke for Confidence.

 

4/5:   Amy for Getting Along, Jai for Organisation, Jacob for Confidence, Keeley for Persistence & Joel for Resilience.

 

5/6:   Bree for Confidence, Emily for Organisation, Jake for Resilience, Toby for Getting Along & Teagan for Persistence.

 

I PLAYED CRICKET AT THE SCG! 

On the 4^th day of the Australia vs South Africa cricket test match at the SCG I played Milo cricket with my friend Aidan.  We played in the lunchbreak of the cricket.  There were over 300 kids playing in games around the ground!   We played diamond cricket, with 4 sets of stumps in a diamond on the field.  We had turns in batting and fielding.  I hit 3 sixes over the fence into the crowd and the crowd cheered!   I had lots and lots of fun! 

by Joel Borrow (Class 2/3)

 

 

Kinder/ Yr 1

Kinder are now in reading groups and steaming ahead!

Year 1 are doing fantastic reading and writing.  We are proud of both groups.

Kindergarten are slowly learning that “Body Contact” is not on.

Please reinforce this at home.

 

Year 1/ 2

I am so proud of the great stories year 1/ 2 have written about Iggy.  They have enjoyed reading them to our class and some have read them at Assembly and well. 

A super effort with Homework and home Reading from most children, please keep it up.

Year 2 have started bringing home a Maths book this week.  They are to do ONE page only.

Year 1 will also start doing a page very soon.

 

 

Year 2/3

Homework reminder – spelling words need to be written out every night.

Thank you to Blake’s Grandmother for the wonderful donation of home readers. Much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Year 4/5

Please ensure all notes for Year 5interrelate are signed and returned to school  as soon as possible with correct money. This is a most important program.

Interrelate starts in (week 9) Wednesday 25^th March and Wednesday 8^th April (week 11).

 

Year 5/ 6

A quick reminder to all students that your projects are due on Monday.

This week is our last week of Cultural Identities in HSIE, next week we start our Science and Technology unit on Electricity.

 

Library

Borrowing has improved in most classes but no class had had 100% borrowing yet.  The challenge in on!!

Premier’s Reading Challenge information is available and some children have received notes and reading logs.  The orange permission note needs to be returned to Mrs Rayfield.

 

MENTORING PROGRAM is continuing this year with 6 students involved.  Each student is allocated a mentor who spends 1 hour each week with them for 1 year assisting them with school work and other activities. 
Thanks to the mentors for volunteering their time each week, this has been a very successful program for our school.

 

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.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS – For those students in years 3-6 who are entering these competitions 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.

 

Helpful Hints

Reading

Be confident your child will learn to read and show them that you enjoy reading by having lots of different types of reading material around the home. Children value watching family members read and write each day. To encourage your child to read, you can share such activities as:

• Reading signs and posters
• Checking television guides
• Using a recipe
• Reading the newspaper aloud
• Playing word games including crosswords
• Reading magazines, comics, poems
• Reading labels on groceries when you go shopping

Listening to your child read each night is a good idea, but remember, reading is for fun. You can read a book, look at the cover and talk about what the book is about, ask questions about what has happened so far in the story and take turns when reading a harder book. Remember the three “P’s” for new words: pause, prompt and praise. Allow children to work out the word (pause), use clues from the context (prompt) and praise your child for trying. If necessary it is alright just to tell your child the word.

 Next Newsletter hints will be on “Writing & Spelling”.

 

  What is “You Can Do It”?

Each year we explain to parents our social skills program called “You Can Do It” so new families can gain an understanding of it. Here is a reprint of the information we sent out last year.

There are 5 Foundations we focus on called Getting Along, Organization, Persistence, Confidence & Resilience. This year we have introduce the coloured wrist bands as exciting keep sakes – their colours match the initial letter of each skill e.g. green for Getting Along, orange for Organization, purple for Persistence, red for Resilience &  Confidence is ‘custard’ colour!

This week’s explanation is about “Getting Along”.

Getting Along means working well with teachers and classmates, resolving disagreements peacefully, following the rules of the classroom and making positive contributions to school, home and the community including protecting the rights of others and looking after the environment. Examples of Getting Along behaviour are being helpful when working in a group, listening and not interrupting when someone else is speaking, talking rather than fighting when someone acts unfairly, not breaking classroom rules, helping others in need, volunteering for  worthy causes and cleaning up the environment.

Positive habits of the mind that help develop Getting Along behaviour in a young person include:

• Being Tolerant of Others: accepting that everyone acts unfairly towards others some of the time and not making overall judgements of people’s character (“good person”, “bad person”) based on their differences or behaviour.
• Thinking First: thinking that when someone treats me badly I need to think about different ways I can react, the consequences of each, and the impact of my actions on the person’s feelings.
• Playing by the Rules: thinking that by following important school and home rules, I will live in a better world where everyone’s rights are protected.
• Social Responsibility: thinking that its important to be caring, to try hard to do my best, to be fair to others, to make sure everyone has the freedom to say what they think and  feel without fear, to be honest and tell the truth, to have integrity by making sure that I do what I say I am going to do, respect others and have nice manners, to act responsibly by making good choices, sorting out problems without fighting, caring about nature and other living things, and to be understanding and including others who are different.

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

COMMUNITY NOTICES

 

Kids Club

Meets every second Tuesday

at Wangi Uniting Church.

Children K – 6 welcome.

4pm – 6pm

Includes music, craft and dinner.

10^th March, 23^rd March and 7^th April

Bev Hincks on 4975 5158

Or Nerida Rayfield on 4975 2312

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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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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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“NUTRITION SNIPPETS”

3) GO FOR 2 & 5^®: HOW MUCH IS A “SERVE”?

Targets for fruit and vegetable consumption are referred to as “serves”. We need to know how much a serve is so we can work out how much we are already eating and if we need to eat more.

 

A “serve” of fruit or vegetables is as follows:

One serve of FRUIT is 150 grams of fresh fruit or:

 

One serve of VEGETABLES is 75 grams of vegetables or:

 

You will notice that a serve of vegetables is half the amount of a serve of fruit (75 grams instead of 150grams). In fact, 2 and a half cups of cooked vegetables every day will give an adult their recommended daily intake (5 serves of vegetables)! Knowing the correct serving size helps people to put the target of 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables into perspective.

 

FAMILY INSIGHT PROGRAMME – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.

Family InSight is currently recruiting new volunteers in the Westlakes area.  The volunteers attend a 7 week one day per week training course to prepare them for their role as home visitors, visiting families with at least one child under 5 years of age who are experiencing stress in their parenting role. Family Insight is not a crisis service, but offers low key support.   There are many families waiting to receive a service and be introduced to a home visitor in the Westlakes, however InSight does not have the volunteers to provide this at the moment.

The next Westlakes Volunteer Training Course commences on:

Thursday 19^th March 2009 10am – 2.30pm for 7 weeks (except in school holidays)Nar-un-bah Fennell Bay Schools as Community Centre Bay Road Fennell Bay.

Dates for your diary

2009

Term 1

Week 5

Mon 23^rd Feb  Young Leaders Day (School Captains  & Councillors)

Week 8

Tues 17^th March        P&C AGM – please come along!

Wed 18^th March        School Photos

Week 9

Wed 25^th March        Interrelate (Stage 3)

Fri 27^th March Newcastle Show Holiday Day – no school

Week 10

TBA              Parent /Teacher Interviews

Week 11

Wed 8^th April  Interrelate (Stage 3)

Thurs 9^th 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 25^th.  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  9^th March  and that students will have an opportunity next Tuesday 24^th Feb and Tuesday 3^rd 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 23^rd 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

E: ask@asthmansw.org.au

 

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 21^st February

10am to 12noon

At Netball Courts

 

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Westlakes Junior Soccer Club

Late registrations can be made on

Monday 23^rd 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 1^st 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 16^th March

 

          %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

 

 

 

Students Name: ………………………………………….

 

 

Class:…………………………………

0        Computer Skills                  $6.60            Wednesday 27^th May

 

0        Science                            $6.60            Wednesday 10^th June

 

0        Spelling                            $8.80            Tuesday 23^rd June

 

0        Writing                    $12.10          Tuesday 23^rd June

 

0        English                    $6.60            Tuesday 4^th August

 

0        Maths                               $6.60            Wednesday 19^th August

 

Please return to office with payment.  Thank you.

 

 

Dates for your diary

2009

Term 1

Week 2

Thurs 5^th Feb         Parent Information 3:30pm in 1/2 classroom

Sat 7^th Feb             Variety ‘Splash’ brekky 7:30am Wangi RSL

Week 3

Mon 9^th Feb          Parent Information 3:30pm in 5/6 classroom

Tues 10^th Feb        Swimming Carnival 2009 (8yrs up)

Wed 11^th Feb        Parent Information 9:00am in K/1 classroom

                                Parent Information 3:30pm in 4/5 classroom

Thurs 12^th Feb      Parent Information 3:30pm in 2/3 classroom

Week 4

Tues 17^th Feb        P&C Meeting 6:30pm in the staffroom – PLEASE come along!

Week 5

Mon 23^rd Feb        Young Leaders Day (School Captains  & Counsellors) in Sydney

Week 8

Tues 17^th March   P&C AGM

Wed 18^th March   School Photos

Week 9

Wed 25^th March   Interrelate (Year 6)

Fri 27^th March       Newcastle Show Holiday Day – no school

Week 11

Thurs 9^th April       Easter Hat Parade

PRINCIPALS REPORT:

Welcome to our first Newsletter for 2009! A very warm welcome back to all and especially to our new Kinders and new students! Kindergarten is extra spoilt this year with their Year 6 Buddies and their Year 1 class Buddies helping them settle happily into school life. Congratulations to our student leaders on a great effort.

 

Have you seen our colourful giant “Keys to Success”? They are on the wall near the flagpole, just outside the 5/6 classroom & Computer Lab. These remind us of the skills we need to ensure ‘we can do it’.

 

As you can see from the Diary Dates above Parent Information sessions have been planned and class teachers are sending home details. So look out for these please and try your best to attend. Parents wishing to see class teachers are welcomed but need to make an appointment with the teacher for a mutually suitable time. Please don’t hesitate to see us about any issue – we are here to support you and do our best for your child.

 

During the holidays our wonderful GA, Ross, painted a large section of the 5/6 classroom – it looks great and this room gives the seniors easy access to the computer lab.

 

Mrs Rayfield is continuing to revamp our library and it’s looking bigger and better than ever! Some new shelving is ordered to complete this facility, so stick your head in and have a look!

 

Classes always start the year revisiting school rules and this year is no different. Please remind your child “Be Safe” is our Number 1 Rule. Sticks & stones stay on the ground; we don’t run in classrooms or on the hard playground, especially with anything pointy in our hands or mouths etc. There will be consequences for unacceptable behaviour – this may be ‘time out’ on the seat, or it may be a referral to the ‘SAT’ room. ‘SAT’ stands for “Sort And Talk” and replaces DEN. Parents will receive a communications note if their child has had 3 referrals to the ‘SAT’ room.

 

Thank you to the families who have already paid for the “Go Maths” books we will be using in class programs this year. These cost $15.95 for Kinders and $25:90 for all other grades as they have an extra book. Please send in the correct money in a labelled envelope to the office as soon as you can.

 

This year we are introducing Sport as a K-6 session each Friday. This will give all our students opportunities to learn a variety of skills and be active & fit. It will also allow for adequate staff supervision. The K-2 students will be in a separate group from the 3-6 students.

Our weekly Assembly will continue each Friday at 12:15pm –parents & carers are welcome to attend. This year we will have a “Writer of the Week” from each class reading their piece of writing at assembly and we will publish their names in the newsletter under “WOW”.

 

The media has made a fuss about the NSW Teacher Federation Meeting this Friday, causing undue worry to many parents. This meeting will NOT affect our school in any way, as like most primary schools, we are sending one staff member to represent us. School as normal tomorrow! J

Students in Year 6 may be interested in information concerning Auditions to the Hunter School of Performing Arts for Year 7 2010. There are application forms available from the office if needed. – ask Mrs Scotchmer if in doubt.

 

Thanks to Candy Connors who is co-ordinating the brekky for the Variety Club’s ‘Splash’ this Saturday morning. Candy desperately needs some helpers, even for just a short while. Last year we helped with this fun event and our school was given 2 silver bench seats which are used every day, as well as a huge donation of toys so our P&C could raffle.

 

REMINDERS:

•  ‘Splash’ brekky fund raiser for more bench seats in the playground – to help please contact Candy Connors on 0418 419 583.
• School Captains for 2009  are Emily & James with  Counsellors Sienna, Anika, Laura & Bree!
• Parents /Carers are asked not to drive into the school grounds – please help us keep all our kids safe.

 

1. AN INTRODUCTION TO “NUTRITION SNIPPETS”

 

Our school supports healthy eating and active lifestyles for children and families in our community. Each week we will be dedicating a section of our newsletter to information on fruit and vegetables. This information is supplied by Cancer Council NSW as part of the Eat It To Beat It campaign, and Good For Kids, Good For Life. 

 

Why are Cancer Council and NSW Health providing this information?  The answer simply is to give parents/carers practical and useful ways to increase fruit and vegetables in their family’s diet. Why? Because people who eat more fruit and vegetables are less likely to be overweight and obese and they also significantly reduce their risk of developing cancer and other lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure.

 

As a parent/carer you probably want what is best for your children. You are also likely to be busy and may feel that there are not enough hours in the day to do everything the way you’d like!  Stay tuned…and we’ll provide you with easy, practical tips on recipes, lunch box ideas and strategies to deal with fussy eating over the coming weeks.

 

We want to make this as useful for you as possible so if you have any suggestions on what you’d like to see included, or interesting fruit and veg questions you’d like answered, please let us know by sending an email to eatittobeatit@nswcc.org.au

 

Watch this space for more great ideas and Eat It To Beat It!

Dates for your diary

Term 4

Week 8

Thurs 4^th        Dec    Yr6 Orientation Day to Morisset/ Toronto High Schools

Week 9

Tues 9^th         Dec     Presentation Day Wangi Workers Club 10am

                   Dobell House Christmas Concert 5:00pm

Wed 10^th  Dec Year 6 Farewell Wangi RSL 6.30pm for 7pm

Week 10

Wed 17^th  Dec Celebration Day – Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre

2009

Term 1

Student starting times : We will inform all families before the Christmas break  if the 2 day Industrial action as directed by  NSW Teachers Federation will impact on our school. Please look out for this very important information.

Advance Notice: Swimming Carnival 2009 Wk 3 – 10^th Feb

 

PRINCIPALS REPORT:

Thank you to the families who have informed us of their plans that will result in their child or children needing to transfer to another school in 2009. This has helped us greatly with our organisation of classes for next year.

 

Congratulations to Year 5 students who stood confidently in front of the whole school and their families to deliver some very impressive School Leaders speeches last Friday. Good luck to you all!

Ten special students received invitations to attend afternoon tea with me on Tuesday, so I had to bake another chocolate cake! Well done for being in the “Happy Book” 4 or more times this semester – what an achievement. The “Top Ten” were: Finn (Kinder); Sascha & Eloise (Year 1); Brodie H., Caitlyn R., Nic, Declan, Abby H., Miranda & Keeley (3/4).

 

Fantastic work Year 1!! WOW! The whole school was treated to an invitation to visit Year 1’s classroom to view their truly magnificent Zoo enclosures. The clever designs and careful thought that went into each one blew us all out of the water! Thank you to the parents who helped their child with this interesting project.

 

All classes have participated in creating Christmas card designs for Dobell House. Judges from Dobell House will present certificates to winners from each grade at this week’s assembly.

 

Our environmental groups have done a fantastic job in the vegie garden. We have fresh, just picked zucchinis for sale for 50c and chokos for 10c each. What a bargain! These are available from the school office. Thanks Mrs Wilson for giving us green thumbs!

 

Our staff has been busy working on the school’s next three year plan. We will continue to target Literacy, Numeracy & Student Wellbeing. I am suggesting that parents may like to start putting away a little bit of money each week ready for next year’s school expenses. We have ordered the new “Go Maths” resources as part of our three year plan to improve outcomes in numeracy for all our students. ALL students K-6 will have a Maths Journal which will cost $15.95 each. Students 1-6 will also have a Mental Computations book (that will double up for homework) costing $9.95 each. To ease the load we will not be ordering handwriting books, but will use DET exercise books at no cost to families. We will be sending invoices to all families in February 2009.

 

I am looking forward to our Presentation Day next Tuesday and hope to see lots of parents and family attending to support their child/children. This is always a great occasion to celebrate student achievement. We will be raffling a hair straightener that was kindly donated by Jenny Trahar – thanks Jenny. What a great Christmas prezzie that would make!

 

We warmly invite any parent/carer to attend our picnic day at Myuna Bay on 17^th Dec – bring your cozzies!

 

REMINDERS:

• Presentation Day 9^th Dec – students will be walking to Wangi Workers Club, leaving school at 9:40am for a 10:00am start. NB Band members meet at club at 8:30am with instruments for rehearsal. Some year 6 students will be there early to help with chairs.
• Raffle – Prize is Hair Straightener, tickets $1 each at Presentation Day. Funds raised go to the School Parliament Treasury for 2009.
• Myuna Bay – This is our end of year celebrations on 17^th Dec. ALL students MUST have their note signed to attend and will be issued with a red wrist band if they are weak or non-swimmers. Any student whose parent/carer has not indicated their level of swimming will automatically be given a red wrist band and will be restricted to the shallow end of the pool.

Principal’s Awards

Well done to:   

Kellie M in Kinder for “Resilience”;

Kaitlyn M in Year 1 for “Getting Along & Confidence”;

Jarrad W in Year 4 for “Improved Persistence & Confidence”;

Bree in Year 5 for “Getting Along & Persistence” and

Ebony in Year 6 for “Leadership & Confidence”.

 

Weekly Merit Awards

Congratulations to:

 

 

Kinder Destiny H, Logan B, Reece W,

Grace vdB.

Year 1 Samantha D, Eloise W, Emily B, Keigan M.

Year 2/3. Maggie G, Blake E, Kiarrah B.

Year 3/ 4. Eaydn R, Joel H, Toby G, Bailey V.

Year 4/ 5. Aden N, Sienna G, Teagan C, Nathan A.

Year 6.  Jacob C, Dana K, Jacob C,

Stephanie E.

 

Kinder

A BIG thank you to all parents.  Your support in the classroom and at home has been greatly appreciated.

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a safe holiday.

 

Year 1

What a fabulous effort with your enclosures Year 1.  The whole school visited our room and enjoyed looking at them. 

ALL children did a great job of presenting their procedure to the class, congratulations.  “Secret Santa” notes have gone home, please make sure you have seen it!
Thank you to the parents who have helped with Reading or activities in the classroom.  Your assistance has been greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Year 2/3

I would like to take this opportunity to wish every family a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

I have enjoyed working with your children throughout the year and I will miss not only the children in my class this year but all the children at Wangi School next year.

 

Year 3/ 4

With the end of the year fast approaching it is time to have a really good look for those reading books that may have been misplaced.  It would be appreciated if they could be returned by the beginning of next week.

 

Year 4/ 5

A safe and happy holiday to everyone.

 

Year 6

The final weeks of Primary school are here. Toronto and Morisset orientation days this week will have made students hopefully more familiar with their new environment in 2009.

YEP! NO MORE HOMEWORK! We are all cheering!

Presentation Day next Tuesday, so full school uniform is required. Volunteers are needed to help with the setting up of chairs at the Workers Club at 8.30am on Tuesday 9^th. Any Year 6 student who can assist, need a permission note from parents.

T-shirts should arrive soon. Reminder that they are to be worn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays ONLY- with a wash in between!!

Best wishes to all students as they move to their next phase of learning. Treasure this wonderful school and its memories. You’ve been a great class. Thankyou!

I wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas. Take care

 

 

YEAR 6 FAREWELL

A reminder for Wednesday 10^th at Wangi RSL Club. 6.30pm photo opportunity with family and friends, for 7pm dinner. Students require formal wear- no jeans, T-shirts, shorts or beach wear. Boys require a COLLARED shirt. This is an opportunity to dress-up and celebrate Year 6 students completion of their Primary years. Parents are reminded to sign students in and at the end of the evening, sign them out at 9pm. No money is required- all food and drinks and music are incorporated into the price.

No mobile phones. Cameras may be taken- please remember that the student is responsible for it.