William Street Email: bellingen-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Principal: Graeme Ross PO Box 42 Website: www.bellingen-p.schools.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 6655 1147 Bellingen NSW 2454 Fax: 02 6655 2615

Term 1 Week 9 Monday, 26 March 2018

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Making learning meaningful, relationships positive and individuals successful.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK Learning Last week I had the absolute pleasure of spending some time in Katharine Sutherland’s Kindergarten class, Belinda Mellalieu’s year 1 class and with Liz Scott, as she led the Stage 2 choir (all students in Stage 2). In Katharine’s class I was blown away by the degree of independence that Katharine has instilled in all the students in her classroom. What I saw was strong evidence that Katharine is equipping every student to think for themselves and take responsibility in their learning. Of note in this room as well, was the parental support, with Kim Childs listening to each student read.

Term 1 – Week 9 Monday, 26 March 2018

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Belinda’s class were engaged in literacy groups and I was able to hear individual students read. It was a pleasure to share in their achievements here in reading. Again, as groups circulated through activities that strong sense of independence in learning was well and truly evident.

Liz’s choir lesson was wonderful. It was fun, and even our teachers joined in! (I stood in a back row…)

NAPLAN online Over the past week years 3 and 5 have been having a ‘practice’ go at the new NAPLAN online system in preparation for the ‘real thing’ in May. By all accounts this has gone very well, as the testing program moves to an online mode, as opposed to a paper based test. We are one of 600 schools trialling this again this year in preparation for all schools to go online in 2019.

Canteen supervisor position After completing a rigorous selection process Matthew Knight, from Nambucca, will be the new Canteen Supervisor, beginning day 1 term 2. I have to commend Eddie Vardabasso, who has run the canteen on behalf of the school over many years, and also of course for his witty commentary in our newsletter each week. Much appreciated, Eddie. Yours in partnership Graeme Ross Principal THINKING SKILLS

Denise Head (RFF Thinking Skills)

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CAMERAS AT BELLINGEN PUBLIC SCHOOL Embedding enthusiasm and passion into students is one of the many goals that teachers aim to achieve in their daily work. The stage 3 photography CAPA group had the opportunity last Tuesday to use cameras provided by Canon as part of their partnership with Mid North Coast Health in promoting Your Health Link National Photographic Competition Healthy Life Healthy You. Students were lead through a presentation on how to use the cameras by the Canon representative, and then were able to demonstrate their understanding of knowledge by taking photographs. As the students became familiar with the working of the cameras, their enthusiasm shone through, evident in the images they had created. Students were able to take home the memory card so they could share their experiences with their families. Stage 3 would like to thank Canon and Mid North Coast Health for this cost free event.

Jackie Lee 5/6P Teacher

STEWART HOUSE Donation Drive Would you like to win a family holiday valued at $4,000! The Stewart House Donation Drive envelopes were handed out last week. Entry into the draw is only $2.00 for your chance to win a family holiday valued at $4,000 to the destination of your choice. Enclose $2, complete the details on the back of the envelope, return the envelope to the school. More information regarding Stewart House can be found at https://www.stewarthouse.org.au/

EXCITING NEW PROJECT…..!!!! Libraries are such a fabulous place for learning and being. So you guessed it…..the school library is ready for an upgrade! New P and C member, Louise Hensby, has put her hand up to coordinate the project for the refurbishment, purchasing and donations of new books for our wonderful library. Louise is happy to lead the project but needs a few elves to help her along the way. She is looking for 2 others to assist, possibly only 2 hours a week for a few months, and sometimes not even that much. No need to go to P and C meetings. She is ready with a list of things that need to be chipped away at, step by step to get it up and happening. Many hands make light work. Please call her directly on 6655 2034 or email on louisehensby@gmail.com if you are able to assist or have any questions or suggestions about the project.

I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library." — Jorge Luis Borges

"Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them.” — Neil Gaiman

Bellingen Public School P & C

CANTEEN NEWS This week we find ourselves experiencing the problems of attempting to rationalise a lunar calendar with a solar calendar. The date of Easter is determined by an ancient lunar calendar whereas the school term dates and the subsequent holidays are regulated by the solar Gregorian calendar. Usually Easter falls during the first term break as most times the term break is aligned with Easter. This makes it easier for people to travel form far away places like Tamworth to the “big smoke” for the Easter Show. But this year, due to the foibles of the lunar calendar, Easter comes too early and having the holidays coincide would make the term too short. Would this cosmological anomaly have happened if Stephen Hawking were still alive? And what is Neil DeGrass Tyson doing about it? I ask You! This situation has caused a problem with Sushi Friday. Since Good Friday (a public holiday) precedes Easter Sunday, there will be no one at school this Friday to enjoy the culinary delights of Sushi Friday. With Good Friday being a holiday the canteen will use Thursday to promote the tradition of eating fish on Good Friday so the special this week is fish and chips. The special will be available on Thursday for the miniscule cost of $5.00 Feeding your Children to a Better Education. Eddy Vardabasso Canteen Supervisor

Term 1 – Week 9 Monday, 26 March 2018

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Canteen Roster –March/April

Tue 27 Liz Thacker Wed 28 Laurie Rosa, Maree Martindale Thu 29 Jennifer Pont, Mel Gale Fri 30 Good Friday Mon 2 Easter Monday Tue 3 Liz Thacker

SPORTS FOR SCHOOLS

Bellingen Public School is participating in the Coles Sports for Schools project. Please send in your vouchers to enable us to receive sports equipment. Thank you for your support.

PAYMENTS ONLINE Easy as! All school student related payments can now be made on-line. Just go to our school’s website and look at the top menu bar for the $ sign, and click from there. I encourage all parents and carers to use this facility as it is far more secure and easier for all concerned, including our students, teaching and office staff. Thank you.

CURRENT NOTES Copies of current notes can be found on the Bellingen Public School website. http://www.bellingen-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/current-notes Stewart House envelope Easter Raffle & Raffle tickets Year 6 - 7 High School EOI Stage 1 packs

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS The Uniform shop is open 8.40 am to 9.30am, Monday & Friday only. Payment is by cash or cheque only. Order forms are available from the office or can be downloaded at: http://www.bellingen-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/documents/9200384/9206657/20170831_bps_uniform_order_form__version_20_kb.pdf Completed orders can be left at the office to be filled, sent home with your child/ren or collected when ready.

Diary Dates

March

Mon 26 Yr 5 SLIKK Camp Mon 26 Stage 2, Swimming Tue 27 Cascade Excursion – Year 4 Tue 27 Yr 5 SLIKK Camp Wed 28 Cascade Excursion – Year 4 Wed 28 Last day for Easter Raffle tickets Thur 29 Cascade Excursion – Year 4 Thur 29 Easter Hat Parade and raffle draw Fri 30 Easter Friday – Public Holiday

April

Mon 2 Easter Monday – Public Holiday Fri 6 WSA Mon 9 Stage 2, Swimming Wed 11 Cross Country Fri 13 Last day of Term 1 Mon 30 SDD

May

Tue 1 First day back for Students Term 2 Thur 3 Boys Rugby League PSSA knockout Sat 5 Bellingen Show Sun 6 Bellingen Show Fri 11 District Cross Country Tue 15 NAPLAN Wed 16 NAPLAN Thur 17 NAPLAN Fri 25 MNC Cross Country

June

Fri 8 Questacon Fri 15 NC Cross Country Wed 20 School Photos

STUDENT BANKING Thank you for supporting the School Banking program. School Banking day is on Tuesday. There are great new prizes this year so when you have 8 tokens or more you can pre-order your banking prize. Order forms are available from the office or download at https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/kids/school-banking.html Sandra Ruming, Ashlie Davis & Elektra Macdonald Student Banking Coordinators

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