COMMUNITY NEWSFebruary 2020 : Term 1 Week 3

Principal’s Message

Our VisionTo foster a Christ centred learning community where all students receive an education which enables them to know

the Lord Jesus Christ, grow in Him and serve Him to their full potential.

Term 1

21 FebY8 & Y10 Forensic Science Incursion

K Teddy Bears’ Picnic

24 FebP: Zone Swimming

Carnival

2 MarchS: Zone Swimming

Carnival

26 MarchOpen Evening

Regents Park Christian School

59 Regent Street, Regents Park, 2143

Ph: 9644 5144 Fax: 9743 7082

principal@rpcs.nsw.edu.au

THEME FOR 2020 - LIGHT

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

LIGHT is a very powerful theme throughout the bible. In fact, the very first words from God that are recorded in Genesis are “Let there be LIGHT”. LIGHT was the first recorded element of creation.

At the beginning of John’s gospel, we see Jesus as the Word. John says the life that is in Jesus is the LIGHT of all mankind. It shines in the darkness and wins!

Jesus himself backs that up later in John’s gospel. He told the people that He is the LIGHT of the world, and that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness.

At the very end of our Bible, in Revelation Chapter 21, John describes his vision of the Holy City, the New Jeru-salem when God creates a new heaven and a new earth. Sun and Moon are no longer needed, because the Lamb (the Lord Jesus Christ) is the LIGHT.

So, from God’s Word, in the very beginning, God created LIGHT. Jesus is that LIGHT to all mankind. His LIGHT wins over darkness. If we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness. He is the LIGHT that lasts for ever, lighting the new heaven and new earth.

Jesus calls those who follow Him to be His LIGHT to the whole world. If we are growing up into Christ, we need to shine His LIGHT.

How do we do that? Be obvious about our faith – Not ashamed.

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.”

LIGHT is a great thing, a positive thing and we should not be ashamed of shining.

During 2020, we will be actively seeking opportunities to shine the LIGHT of Jesus within our school commu-nity and beyond, with one purpose – that others would see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Les Barnard Principal

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

Government rules on student absence from school The Minister for Education approved changes to the use of the Attendance Register codes in 2015. In short, the standard states:

Holidays - Holidays taken by students outside of school vacation periods will now be included as absences. A Certificate of Exemption will no longer be granted for this purpose. Families are encouraged to holiday or travel during school vacations.

If travel during a school term IS NECESSARY, a request for absence should be addressed to the Principal clearly explaining the reason for the travel, the dates of absence, and, if travelling overseas, a copy of the itinerary should be attached.

If the Principal does not believe the absence is in the best interests of the student or does not accept the reason, the student will be marked as absent on the register.

If the absence is in excess of 50 days, the student may be eligible to enrol in Distance Education. (NB: A student cannot be enrolled in more than one school concurrently – including Distance Education).

Diverse Learning K to 12

Student diversity is valued within our wider community and is most certainly celebrated here at Regents Park Christian School. Each individual student, made in the image of God, is unique! They are unique in personality, appearance, interests, goals, and educational needs. Best practice in education fosters that uniqueness and strives to nurture students at an individual level.

When we talk about Diverse Learning here at RPCS, we are re-ferring to 3 areas of learning needs: Gifted and Talented, English as a Second Language/Dialect (EAL/D) and Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities may include:

• Processing disorders such as Dyslexia or Dysgraphia (now referred to as a Specific Learning Disability of ...)

• Neurodevelopmental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disor-der (ASD)

• Emotional or behavioral disorders such as Anxiety or Op-positional Defiance Disorder (ODD)

• Physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy or Deafness

• Intellectual disabilities, or, • Other types of learning challenges such as Auditory

Processing Disorder (APD) In fostering belonging here at RPCS, the diverse learning team will be working closely with teachers, families and students to develop individual, strength-based programs designed to empower our students whilst remediating and adjusting for their learning challenges. The diverse learning team is also responsible for disability provisions relating to HSC and NAPLAN, in addition to our requirements under the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Stu-dents with Disability (NCCD). Keep an eye out in future editions of Community News for further information around the area of diverse learning.

Mrs Melinda Gindy Leader of Diverse Learning

PRIMARY

Return and Earn

Our blue Return and Earn Bins are still here! Please don’t throwaway your eligible containers because we are now able to redeem them!

We will receive 10c for Compassion for every con-tainer returned. If you would like to bring in any eligi-ble containers from home, these would be gratefully received. Visit http://www.returnandearn.org.au/ for more information.

Primary Assembly

Each Friday (9:00-9:30am) we will be holding our Primary assembly in the school hall. This is a time when our Primary classes come together to cele-brate God’s goodness. Parents and friends are very welcome to attend, particularly when your child’s class is rostered to share in assembly. Stage assem-bly dates are listed below for your convenience:

Term 1

Class Date

Stage 2 14 Feb

Kindergarten 21 Feb

Stage 1 28 Feb

Stage 3 6 March

Stage 2 13 March

Assembly 20 March

Stage 1 27 March

Crunch n Sip

Good nutrition and healthy eating habits are an important part of learning. Each morning our students enjoy Crunch n Sip, when they will have a drink of water and eat a serving of fresh fruit or vegetables. We ask parents to support this, by providing your child with a serving of fresh fruit or vegetables for their Crunch n Sip break. Students should also bring a drink bottle filled with water.

Rather than sweets or a packet of chips, why not pack a second Crunch n Sip for your child to enjoy at recess time?

Each week, the Cancer Council of NSW pro-vide us with nutrition snippets to encourage healthy habits. Here are some tips for packing a healthy lunch box.

Nutrition Snippet

healthylunchbox.com.au

… to cook with kids. Providing lots of opportunities for kids to be involved in the kitchen is a great way to raise healthy eaters, teach them life skills and boost their development. Young kids can: • Wash fruit and vegies • Tear foods like lettuce or bread • Use scissors to trim vegies • Add premeasured ingredients • Stir and sprinkle Older kids can: • Use measuring cups, spoons and scales • Use equipment like salad spinners, and

blenders under supervision • Prep easy to chop foods with kid’s knives • Be in charge of preparing simple recipes

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Gifted and Talented Program (GATEway) Scholarships – Year 7 2021

At Regents Park Christian School, gifted and talented education is embedded across our curriculum and co-cur-ricular offerings. In addition, we nurture and extend our gifted and high potential students through our GATEway (Gifted and Talented Education) program. The image of GATEway reflects the uniqueness of opportunities pre-sented in this program which is designed to engage gifted learners. The program reflects the truth that, within the context of Christian education, learning is a journey focused on transformation. Romans 12:1-2 expresses that God’s desire for us is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is reinforced in our school’s motto Grow Up Into Christ.

Regents Park Christian School is pleased to now open applications for our Year 7 2021 GATEway Scholarships.

Scholarship winners will be entitled to the following:

• Reduced school fees for Years 7 and 8 tuition. • Reduced cost of summer and winter school supplied uniform. • A school supplied Microsoft Surface Tablet (breakages and repairs are the responsibility of the parent). • A position in the Year 7 2021 GATEway class.

Along with our broader community, current RPCS Year 5 students have been invited to submit an application for a GATEway Scholarship. Applications close on Friday March 27, 2020. The scholarship testing day will be held at school on Monday April 6, commencing at 10.00 am. Additional application forms are available at the front office.

For further information, contact our Leader of Diverse Learning Melinda Gindy at mgindy@rpcs.nsw.edu.au

Diverse Learning Primary

UOW Learning Labs during April School Holidays

The University of Wollongong has just announced their Learning Labs program which will be delivered at Loftus (South Sydney) and Wollongong during the upcoming April School Holidays.

Learning Labs is an academic and creative arts enrich-ment holiday program. During April, Learning Labs is for students from Year 1 to 6 who are passionate, self-mo-tivated and curious learners. Please see the schedule below and follow links to each region’s webpage:

Dates: Wollongong campus: 14 – 17 April, 2020 Loftus Southern Sydney campus: 15 – 17 April, 2020

Venues: Wollongong campus: Little & Early Learning Labs Loftus Southern Sydney campus: Early Learning Labs only Applications close: 27 February, 2020

A link to the April Learning Labs brochure is below:

• Learning Labs Brochure: https://documents.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@pathways/documents/doc/uow263200.pdf

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Parents/Guardians visit the UOW website (https://www.uow.edu.au/engage/outreach-pathways/learning-labs/wollongong-learning-labs/) and se-lect the campus you are interested in to get more information about workshops for that campus, dates and times.

• Parents/Guardians fill out the online application form.

• This is an academic enrichment program designed for students who are motivated and passionate learners and performing excellently in their area of interest. First-time applicants are required to demonstrate their suitability for the program. One piece of supporting documentation is required (see ‘Supporting Documentation’ section on website). Please note that the School Nomination Letter can be used as a supporting document. Please contact our Leader of Diverse Learning, Mrs Gindy, if you require a nomination letter.

Please know that workshops fill very quickly. There are also several sponsorship places available for students who identify as Australian Aboriginal/Torres Strait or students experiencing financial difficulty.

SECONDARY

Secondary Reader and Writer Community Volunteer Request

Diverse Learning is thrilled to run our MACQlit program again this year, a reading program for older low progress readers. Reading is a key component in learning, and a skill all students must have to access content and enjoy many educational learning experiences. Factors including learning difficulties, missed reading instruction during early schooling, and different language background, can contribute to an inability to read fluently. This can lead to low self- confidence and challenges with accessing information later in life.

Evidenced-based and written for an Australian context, MACQLit is designed to identify students with reading dif-ficulties and provide a systematic process for them to improve their reading skills. The program will be delivered at school by qualified RPCS staff at no additional cost to families. A key component for the success of the reading program is the implementation of regular additional reading time for the student (15-20 minutes daily).

We are looking for parents/carers who are willing to volunteer to support students’ additional reading time by dedicating a time of your day/week to listen to the students as they read. Additionally, we are also looking for community volunteers to periodically support our students as readers and writers for assessment provisions throughout the year. As you prayerfully consider this opportunity, please kindly complete the form below to assist in putting together a team of reading helpers. Training and support will be provided. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

With thanks,

Mrs Melinda Gindy, Leader of Diverse Learning

Complete and email back to: mgindy@rpcs.nsw.edu.au or return to the school office.

Sign: Date:

Name: Phone:

Email:

I have a current Working With Children Check YES/NO

If yes, please provide: WWCC Number:Expiry Date:Date of Birth:

If no, please apply for the free Working With Children Check (WWCC) for volunteers at this link. https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check/volun-teers

Day/s of the weekPlease tick all that apply

Time availablePlease tick all that apply How often can you volunteer?

o Mondayo Tuesdayo Wednesdayo Thursdayo Friday

o Before school (prior to 8:30am)o 8:30am to 10:30amo 10:30am to 1pmo 1pm to 3pmo After school (after 3pm)o Anytime

o Dailyo 2-3 times per weeko Weeklyo Fortnightlyo Monthly

Diverse Learning Secondary

If you’re new to Australia or just

interested in improving your English, you

are welcome to come and join our free

English classes each week.

Make new friends and learn some

phrases that will help you feel more

natural and comfortable in Australia.

Time: Tuesday 10.00 am - 12.00 pm (School Term)

Heartbeat Church61 Regent Street, Regents Park

9786 9799

Mums and Bubs(and Dads too!)

Pre-school aged children can come andparticipate in indoor and outdoor playactivities, stories, craft, and music andmovement time. It is an opportunity for both parents andchildren to socialise with others, developnew friendships and have fun. All nationalities, cultures and religions arewelcome.

Time: Friday 10.00 am—12.00 pm (School Term)

$2 per family each week

Heartbeat Church61 Regent Street, Regents Park

9786 9799

Term 1 Friday 7-9pm Heartbeat Church Regents Park

I F YOU COULD ASK GOD ?

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ANSWERS TO THE BIG QUESTIONS

WhY?

61 Regent Street, Regents Park NSW 2143

For more information about any of the below activities please contact the Church Office on 9738 9799