PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Term 1 Week 2 7 February 2019
What a wonderful start to a new year of teaching and learning! On
Monday we welcomed 67 kindergarten students, resplendent in new
uniforms accompanied by wide smiles and big back packs! They are
settling beautifully into their school environment. Our new Deputy
Principal, Fran Dupen, is also settling in and busy meeting staff, stu-
dents and parents (and she looks happy!).
A warm welcome to all, especially our new families who have moved
into our school zone during the recent holiday. You are joining a won-
derful community! Old Bar School has a long held reputation for
providing an environment of inclusivity. Our Core Values of SAFETY,
RESPECT and ENGAGEMENT underpins all that we do and our commit-
ment to students and families is echoed in our vision statement.
Old Bar School teaching staff have just committed to a three year Pro-
fessional Learning program based on the extensive research of Profes-
sor John Hattie. ‘Visible Learning’ is: When teachers see learning
through the eyes of the student and students see themselves as their
own teachers. Last Saturday, the entire teaching staff attended a full
day of training to set us on the right path! We are all in this together.
In the coming months, we will invite you to share in this exciting ven-
ture. We will be introducing you to a shared language of learning that
will impact your children and the way they learn. I couldn’t be more
proud of the inspired and passionate teachers who will drive the
change and innovation in the school. Watch this space for more infor-
mation!
We are still in the process of final-
ising our school calendar for Term
1. The Term Planner will be sent
home during Week 3. Until then,
here are all of important dates on
our school calendar so far:
Wednesday 13th February
OBPS Swimming Carnival
Kindergarten Parent Information
Evening 4pm
P&C Meeting 7:00pm
Monday 18th February
SRC, Sporting House Captains and
Leadership Team induction assem-
bly 12:00pm in the hall
Wednesday 20th February
Zone Swimming Carnival
Thursday 28th February
Welcome Party 5:30pm
Friday 1st March
Clean Up Australia Day
Wednesday 13th March
P&C AGM 6:00pm
P&C Meeting 7:00pm
Find us at: 22 David Street Old Bar NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6553 7248 Fax: 02 6553 3038 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.oldbar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
“To deliver transformational educational programs which promote
and foster the holistic development and wellbeing of students, staff
and community.”
I’m always looking
for some inspira-
tion to keep me
grounded. I love
these words of
wisdom from the
venerable Dalai
Lama.
“When you talk,
you’re only
repeating what you
already know. But
if you listen, you
may learn some-
thing new.”
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT CONTINUED
A second round of funding for schools under the ‘Cooler Classrooms’ initia-
tive has just been released. Last week I completed the application to have
Old Bar School included in this project. Keep your fingers and toes crossed
that we are successful! Results of our application will be announced later
in the term.
The building project continues to go up, up, up! Last week I donned my
hard hat and hi-viz vest and climbed the stairs to stand with Dave and Joe,
the site managers, to enjoy the vista. This week the supports are being set
in place and before long, the first floor will be ready for the roof to be add-
ed. My excitement about this project never wanes as I believe Old Bar
School will be a landmark in the area. How fortunate are we?
How good do the new uniforms look? I’ve had community members stop
me (in Coles) and comment on the vibrancy of the shirts. Students also
have reported feeling cool and comfortable in the new shirts. I was sur-
prised to see so many students wearing the new uniform and obviously,
the P&C have been overwhelmed by the demand for certain sizes. An order
has been placed for additional shirts and hats. We will let you know when
these are available. Thank you to the families that have ordered on-line.
This has made the process so much easier for the volunteers sorting and
packing orders.
Please be reassured, the process of transitioning to a new uniform is a gradual one and there is no pres-
sure for students to wear the new uniform immediately. In the coming weeks, we hope to have winter
sweatshirts available for order and purchase. A dress option is also in the pipeline.
The beginning of the school year is always a busy time and this year has been no exception. We take
communication with our families seriously, and want to reinforce the notion that you are always wel-
come to discuss concerns, problems and queries with us. Your first ‘port of call’ should always be your
class teacher. Beyond this, stage leaders are available to meet with you. Our lovely new Deputy Princi-
pal, Fran Dupen is keen to meet parents and my open door policy continues. A phone call or drop-in to
the office to make an appointment is advisable.
I’m always looking for some inspiration to keep me grounded. I love these words of wisdom from the
venerable Dalai Lama. “When you talk, you’re only repeating what you already know. But if you listen,
you may learn something new.”
Welcome back!
Deborah Scanes
Find us at: 22 David Street Old Bar NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6553 7248 Fax: 02 6553 3038 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.oldbar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
WELCOME FRAN!
This term, we welcome our new Deputy Principal to the school community.
Fran Dupen comes to us with a wealth of expertise and a passion for education and student welbeing.
We are thrilled to have her joining our team. Fran has written an introductory message for families:
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Find us at: 22 David Street Old Bar NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6553 7248 Fax: 02 6553 3038 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.oldbar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
It is an honour and privilege to be joining the Old Bar Public
School community and it is with a great deal of excitement that I
take up the position of Deputy Principal at your wonderful school.
For the past three years I have been the Deputy Principal Instruc-
tional Leader at Taree West Public School and prior to that I was
at Forster Public School for seven years as an Assistant Principal
on Stage Three and Early Stage One. Children thrive in environ-
ments where the whole school community works together and I
can already see that I am joining a very strong and caring commu-
I look forward to contributing positively to the teaching and learning that takes place here and to the
wellbeing of your children. One of the primary goals of the Department of Education’s Strategic Plan,
2018 – 2020, is that every student is known, valued and cared for in our schools. I will be working very
hard to get to know the children and their families over the course of this term and I look forward to
meeting you all. Please don’t hesitate to pop in to introduce yourselves and say hello.
Francoise Dupen - Deputy Principal
UNIFORM UPDATE
Congratulations and thankyou to the uniform committee, for their amazing effort and many
hours of hard work that have gone into the implementation of our new uniforms! While such a
big change is never easy, the design of the new shirts has been well received and is something
that students , staff and families can all feel proud of.
Find us at: 22 David Street Old Bar NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6553 7248 Fax: 02 6553 3038 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.oldbar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Now that the initial round of orders
has been completed, the uniform
shop has reverted to its regular
hours. It will open from 8:30 to
9:00am on Mondays and 3:00 to
3:30pm on Wednesdays. If you have
any enquiries regarding uniforms,
please send them through the front
office - either by phone, email or via
our Facebook page.
We expect a shipment of size 8 and
10 shirts to arrive by Week 8. We
will advise families as soon as they
are available.
ALLERGY SAFE COTTON T-SHIRTS:
Some volunteer parents have been working hard behind the scenes to source cotton school
shirts for those students who require them. We are close to having a viable option which we
hope to become available for ordering in the coming weeks. Again, we very much appreciate
your patience as we finalise these details.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
School photographs will be taking place during Week 9 (25 to 29th March).
In the coming weeks, parents will receive an order form, as well as a schedule showing which
days their children will be photographed.
WELCOME TO SCHOOL PARTY
PARENT NOTICEBOARD
Find us at: 22 David Street Old Bar NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6553 7248 Fax: 02 6553 3038 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.oldbar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
LEADERSHIP TEAM, SRC AND SPORTING HOUSE CAPTAINS INDUCTION:
On Monday 18th February, an induction assembly will be held to welcome the School Leadership Team, Student Repre-
sentative Council and the Sporting House Captains into their positions. These students will be presented with their badges
and will recite a pledge of commitment to uphold our school core values and represent their fellow students with integrity.
Parents, carers and grandparents are welcome to join us for this important occasion at 12pm in the school hall.
TEA AND TISSUES - THANK YOU
Thank you to all of the OBPS families who donated cakes and slices to the Kindergarten Parents “Tea and Tissues” morning
tea on Monday. The wonderful array of treats was appreciated by all of the new parents, and was a lovely way to welcome
families into our school community. Thank you!
SAFETY DURING STUDENT PICKUP
We love to see our OBPS families enjoying each others company before and after school!
While we encourage socialisation between families, we just ask that parents are mindful of keeping the walkways and class-
room doors clear. Particularly at the top of the COLA. Congestion in these areas presents a safety hazard, and can result in
students (especially younger ones) becoming lost or stressed. Year 1 parents are invited to congregate at the grassed area
near the kindergarten classrooms where they can meet their children for collection.
CLASS LIST:
Please find below a current list of the 2019 classes for your reference:
KB Miss Ashlie Biega 3/4B Mrs Bronwyn Sheridan
KM Mrs Frith Miller 3/4H Mr Haydn Corbett
KS Mrs Seri Sercombe 3/4J Mr James Somerville
K/1G Mrs Tanya Greenaway 3/4M Miss Margaret Gordon
1R Ms Shannon Rutledge 3/4N Mrs Nola Short
1S Mrs Kristi Silvester 5B Mr Kai Barnes
1W Mrs Tamara Weeks 5K Miss Kasey Brown
1/2S Mr Matt Silvester 5S Mrs Shayne Symonds
2C Mrs Wilma Cross 6B Mrs Megan Brown
2R Mrs Hollie Roach 6H Mrs Lisa Hinton
2G Mr Craig Green MC Mr Alex Beckton
PARENT NOTICEBOARD
Find us at: 22 David Street Old Bar NSW 2430 Ph: 02 6553 7248 Fax: 02 6553 3038 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.oldbar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
STUDENT BANKING
Student banking at OBPS has started. If you would like your children to participate in the school banking initiative, all you
need to do is open a Youthsaver Account with the Commonwealth bank. More information can be found at https://
www.commbank.com.au/banking/school-banking.html.
Your child will receive a Dollarmites deposit wallet which they can return to school each Wednesday with the money that
they wish to deposit. Children who deposit money into their Youthsaver account through School Banking earn Dollarmites
tokens, which they can save up and redeem for exciting rewards.
The rewards available during 2019 are:
Scented Stackable Highlighters
Snowy Origami Set
Icicle Slapband Ruler
Yeti Fluffly Notepad
Arctic Owl Fluffy Keyring
Scratch Art Cards
Water Skimming Bounce Ball
Polar Pencils & Pencil Toppers
P&C MEETINGS
All parents, carers and grandparents are invited to attend P&C Meetings.
The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month during school terms. Unless advised otherwise, the
meetings are held at 7:00pm in the staff room (enter through main entrance to the admin block).
The meetings for Term 1 are:
Wednesday 13th February:
7pm - General Meeting
Wednesday 13th March:
6pm - Annual General Meeting
7pm - General Meeting
Wednesday 10th April:
7pm - General Meeting
COMMUNITY NOTICES
COMMUNITY NOTICES
OLD BAR JUNIOR TENNIS
Junior tennis activities will resume
at the Old Bar Tennis Courts on
Friday 8th February from 5-7pm
each week.
Players of all levels are welcome.
Activities each week include the
Tennis Australia Hot Shots pro-
gram, modified games and round
robin play, depending on ability.
All activities are supervised and the
club conducts a canteen each week
catering to the needs of those who
attend.
So come along and enjoy playing a
great game, meeting new friends
and most of all, having some fun!
For more information, contact or-
ganisers, Wayne and Julie Deer on
0431 540 032 or 6553 7949.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
CATHOLIC PARISH TAREE
75 Albert Street, Taree
Ph: 02 6552 1084
Rite of Christian Initiation for Chil-
dren (RCIC):
The 2019 Sacraments of Initiation
will commence on Thursday 28th
February with an information
night for parents at 7pm. The pro-
gram is for children turning 8 this
year wanting to make their Sacra-
ments of Baptism (for those not
already baptised), Reconciliation,
Confirmation and Holy Commun-
ion.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
http://pcycrawchallenge.gofundraise.com.au/