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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
As I am writing this newsletter I know that Chris Russell is enjoying his long service leave. Chris and I have met on several occasions. I have also had a number of discussions with members of the executive team to ensure a seamless changeover.
Thank you to those students, parents and staff members who have so warmly welcomed me to the Homebush Public School community. I know from my discussions and from early observations that Homebush Public School takes pride in its approach to learning and teaching, that positive student efforts and attitudes are strengths of the school and that everyone is focussed on achieving best possible results. I’m looking forward to ensuring that these continuing high standards are met and that the school runs smoothly in readiness for Chris’ return in the middle of Term 4.
Mark Pearce
Principal (Rel)
ARTS IN THE DARK
All the children have been working very hard to complete their artworks ready for our ART SHOW on Wednesday September 23. Individual artworks will be sold for $2. In addition to this each class has produced a piece of art which will be auctioned on the night. We also have performances from our Recorder and Drumming groups.
Food and drinks will be on sale from 5:30pm, with the official proceedings beginning at 6pm and concluding at 8pm.
The evening will be a wonderful opportunity for students to highlight their artistic skills. Hope you can all come and support the students of Homebush Public School. Arts in the Dark Committee
Zone Athletics Carnival – 2009
The zone athletics carnival was again held over two days – Tuesday 11th August and Monday 24th August. The first day was plagued by miserable weather but went ahead in any case. The second day began with beautiful sunshine, and despite becoming cloudy and cool it was perfect weather for competing in athletics events.
The following children made it into final events. Sharanya and Sindu – 12/13 girls 200m Shrirahm – 11 boys 800m Alpay and Ahmad – 12/13 boys 800m Ho Jung – 12/13 girls 800m David – 10 boys 100m Rakulan – 11 boys 100m Kamron – 12 boys 100m Sharanya and Sindu – 12 girls 100m Junior Boys, Senior Boys and Senior Girls relay teams David came 4th in his final and Olivia came 3rd in 11 girls high jump, receiving a zone ribbon. Our Captain Ball team was placed equal 5th in Pool A, while the Tunnel Ball team came 2nd in Pool A.
Thank you to Mrs Owen and Mrs Johnstone for training those teams. Congratulations to all who represented our school this year on a job well done.
Mrs Debbie Rossi
Sports Organiser
Lost Property
There are a number of items in the lost property basket near the front office. If your child has lost an item of clothing please come and look through the collection. Parents are asked to ensure that all clothing and personal property brought to school is labelled with the child’s name and class so that misplaced items can be returned promptly. Any clothing and goods not claimed by the end of the term will be forwarded to charities.
Book Week
Last week the students were involved in activities to support the Children’s Book Council Book Week celebrations. Some activities were book readings of the nominated books, the production of art and craft items to support the “Book Safari” there and the K-2 Book Character Parade. Thank you to all those parents and carers who put so much effort into creating the wonderful outfits that made the parade such a success.
The Book Fair that was held in the library was also a great success with one hundred and forty eight new books added to the collection. Thank you to the Bendigo Bank for its generous donation as well as to all those parents, grandparents and carers who donated books. A very special thanks to the band of hard working mothers who came in every morning to sell the books. Without you there would be no Book Fair. The books will be available for borrowing as soon as they are processed.
Mrs B. Creech
Teacher/Librarian
RAMADAN
Homebush PS is a highly multicultural school that values and celebrates the wonderful diversity we have in our school community. This week Muslim students begin the celebration of Ramadan. The Islamic holy month, Ramadan, will be observed until around Tuesday 30th September 2009. The exact timing of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the moon and this differs from country to country. During this time, Muslims refrain from a number of activities, mainly eating and drinking, between sunrise and sunset.
STUDENT PAYMENTS
Thank you to the parents/carers who have recently fulfilled their payments. Those students who have not paid will not be able to participate in special extra-curricular activities such as School Camp or End of Year Picnic until the outstanding payments are cleared.
REAL JUSTICE – RESTORATIVE PRACTICE
The use of the Real Justice Restorative Practice approach proved very successful. The consistent questioning when incidents occurred and as part of the Detention process led to both a reduction of incidents and especially a reduction of repeat offenders. The basic aim of Restorative Practice is to encourage the use of restorative approaches to manage conflict and tension, by focusing upon repairing harm and strengthening relationships. The questions cover the two basic issues “When things go wrong” and “When someone has been hurt”.
STUDENT WELFARE
I would like parents to take the time to sit down and have a conversation with your family about bullying. All students have participated in Peer Support programs that have taught them how to identify bullying and what to do if they experience or witness it happening.
Schools are a safe place for all students to come to learn and have fun. If your child knows about something the best advice is that they should tell a trusted adult; be it a parent or family member, teacher or trusted authority.
CONNECTED CLASSROOM
On the 9th of September the students of 2R and 2/3B will be participating in a video conference with famed children’s author Ursula Dubosarsky. The focus will be on ‘Rex’, a picture book and ‘Fairy Bread’, a book from the Aussie Nibbles Series. Students will be encouraged to ask questions of Ursula Dubosarsky, which should relate to her work as a writer and/or how she collaborates with the illustrators of her texts.
This is the first of many Video Conferences that will take place using the new technology in the school. It should be an exciting event.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
This week we have seen the start of several planned changes to the school environment. On Monday the foyer was recarpeted producing a warm and welcome entrance to our school. Some parents and community members may also have noticed a number of workmen in the grounds last Friday. This was the first of several visits by contractors before work is begun on replacing the demountable classrooms with a permanent block of classrooms. Other works under BER project P21 will follow.
Staffing
I am pleased to announce that Ms Bronwynne Nurdin has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal. We are expecting her to start at the beginning of Term 4.
Use of School Grounds
We welcome the use of the school facilities by our Community Language Schools and community groups on the weekends. Please note however that unauthorised use of the grounds is prohibited and causes safety issues. Please report anyone who is on the grounds unlawfully. Reports can be made direct to police.
Kindergarten enrolments for 2010
If you are aware of anybody planning to enrol their child in kindergarten 2010 who has not done so yet please advise them to contact the school as soon as possible. We are accepting enrolments.
Eid
The holy month of Ramadan ends this weekend. Eid will therefore either be this Sunday or Monday. We wish everyone a happy Eid (Eid Mubarak).
Korean Day Presentation
All parents are invited to our Korean Day Presentation to be held on Friday 1st October in the Hall. There will be various activities as well as two presentations:
10.00am – 11.00am Kindergarten to Year 3 11.30am – 12.30pm Year 4 – Year 6
This day is an excellent opportunity to learn Korean cultural activities, taste delicious Korean food and support our Korean community. Presentations will include Taekwondo, Korean percussion performance, puppets, a modern dance and a traditional fan dance.
Trivia Night – organised by the P&C.
There will be a Trivia night on Saturday 14th November. Keep an eye out for more details in upcoming newsletters.
P&C The fundraiser for Fathers’ Day raised $3100. Thank you to all those who made contributions. Thank you especially to Karl Irani who donated the Canberra Raiders jersey. Daniel, a Year 6 student was the lucky recipient.
Book Fair 148 books were purchased at the Book Fair. Some books were returned to the book store because we already had copies in the library collection. The unpurchased books were bought with some of the commission. A total of $2012.00 was raised and with our 15% commission for selling the books we still have $132.00 to purchase more books. This will be done before the annual financial rollover this year. The great success this year was due to the hard work of the mothers who sold books. Many of these parents were new to the process this year. Many Year Six students purchased as a gift to the school before they leave.
Mark Pearce
Principal (Relieving) – 18/9/09
ARTS IN THE DARK
This year’s Arts in the Dark evening is rapidly approaching. On Wednesday the 23rd of September all parents and their families are invited to the school to view the exciting Artworks on display in the school. All students have produced a piece of artwork which parents buy for $2. The money raised is going towards the purchasing of Interactive whiteboards for the students at Homebush Public School. When you purchase your child/ren artwork you will be given the chance to win 1 of 4 prizes. 2 tickets to Nelson Bay on a day trip involving sand surfing and dolphin/whale watching tours. There are 2 of these to give away with many thanks to: Kana Travel Pty. Ltd. kanatravel@hotmail.com kanatravel@yahoo.com.au
2 prizes of a Family Pass to the Australian Reptile Park admitting 2 adults and 2 children. Many thanks to the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast.
We are looking forward to a fantastic night and don’t forget the opportunity to buy a class artwork a magnificent addition to any home and guaranteed to be a one of a kind. There will be a sausage sizzle (Halal available), organized by the P&C and drinks for sale on the night. We hope you can all come along and help support Homebush Public School.
Bus & Train Timetables
Check your NEW Train and Bus Timetables before the end of Term 3
Check how the new timetables will affect you at 131500.com.au