Emergency Services Visit

Yesterday, some of our local emergency services personnel visited the school to spend time with our K-2 students, explaining their roles in the community and how they help us when we are in need. Senior Constable John Broadley, Hugh Dougherty and Ian Pilgrim brought their police, ambulance and fire vehicles to the school, allowing the students to inspect the vehicles, from both inside and out. The students were shown how to use fire hoses, had the various medical equipment explained to them and also had a turn in the police truck. The visit is connected to this term’s Personal Development and Health unit of Safe Living (Emergency Procedures). Many thanks to Senior Constable Broadley, Mr Dougherty and Mr Pilgrim who kindly accepted our invitation for a visit, giving the students an excellent overall experience of the emergency services available in our local community. It is hoped that a further visit will be arranged for the primary students towards the end of the term. – Eve Green, PDH Teacher.

Gloucester Public School Newsletter Opportunity - Innovation - Excellence

Find us at: 45 Hume Street, Gloucester 2422 Tel 65581303 Fax 65581655 www.gloucester-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Term 3 Week 7 Tuesday 30th August, 2011.

Grandparents & Special Older Friends Day Last Friday’s open day and assembly was a wonderful event. The student performances were superb. I could see from the looks on the faces of grandparents, older friends and parents that they enjoyed every minute of the concert. The book fair was a resounding success as well with around $7000 being taken in book sales. Approximately $2000 will now come to the school for the library to purchase more books. Thanks to Leanne Simes, the teachers and the canteen for their support of a magnificent day. Fathers Day Stall This Friday the P&C will be running a stall for Fathers Day. Gifts will range from $1.00 to $5.00. Students will go to the stall in class groups with their teachers. Parents and Citizens Association The September meeting of the P&C will be held this Thursday evening in the library commencing at 7.00pm. Hope to see you there.

Curriculum changes delayed in NSW

The implementation of national curriculum changes in English, maths, science and history for K-10 students will be delayed for NSW schools. The NSW education minister, Adrian Piccoli said more time was needed to ensure high standards were maintained. NSW schools can begin the planning phase for the new national curriculum by 2013, with the curriculum moving to the classroom teaching phase from 2014.

Free app for homework and study

Do you struggle to understand your child's homework? Does your child need to practice their spelling and times tables? Are you looking for inspiration for projects and assignments? The free School A to Z app is an essential tool for every parent of school-aged children. Containing a range of fun applications including English, Maths, a spelling bee, times tables, technology A-Z and assignment starters, it’s great for parents and students. Download it for free at: www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/about/mobile-applications.

- Jenny Stockdale, Principal.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the choir and Star Struck performers on your brilliant performance on Grandparents’ Day. You should all be very proud of your efforts. – Mirabai Stockwell.

Laura Dunlop, Dylan Green, Nathan Palmer, Brendan Palmer, Chelsea Burke. Kindergarten Our new sounds this week are ‘y’ and ‘ch’ and our new words are ‘has’, ‘from’ and ‘when’.

- Amy Bowman, Alicia Taylor, Debbie Howland.

Introducing Pocket Rocket 1M would like to introduce their visiting Juju, Pocket Rocket. Pocket Rocket has travelled all the way down from

The Pocket Public School and is spending time with 1M. So far Pocket Rocket has had a few special sleepovers with 1M students and he is experiencing lots of fantastic adventures around Gloucester.

Look out for him around the school. He may pop up in a few different places! 1M and Miss Stockwell

K-2 ASSEMBLY

2.15pm Friday 2nd September K/1D students will be hosting the assembly and

presenting the item. Everyone is welcome to attend.

School Photos Photo day is Thursday, 8th September. Each child should have brought home an envelope which must be returned on photo day whether or not he/she is purchasing photos. (Please do not return envelopes before the day.) Full winter uniform should be worn. Please include the correct money in your envelope – the school cannot provide change. All students will be photographed whether paying or not. Students will receive a username and password when they receive their photos. Students who do not purchase any products will receive a free bookmark with their photo on it and a username and password. Extra orders and a wider range of products can be purchased through the fotosales website. Photos stay online for up to 12 months. Late orders need to be made online after the photos have been delivered. The website is www.fotosales.com.au Family envelopes and spare student envelopes are available from the school office. Group photos (sporting groups, Star Struck etc.) will also be taken on the day and can be ordered later. Year 4 Wangat Excursion Just a reminder that the Wangat excursion is getting close. We need all money to be paid by this Thursday 1st September please. If you have any questions or difficulties meeting this deadline, please see Julie Groves, Mark Howland or Jenny Stockdale as soon as possible. Thank you Mark Howland / Julie Groves

K/1/2 SPORTS CARNIVAL

Friday 9th September More information

later.

READING TIME: *talk about the book *read the book *give praise eg.”I like the way you…” *what’s the story about? *what did you like in the story?

PROMPTS: *look at the first sound *look at the beginning and the ending of the word *can you see parts of the word you know? *does it make sense? *Read the sentence again *Read on

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMS

Beebots What is a Beebot? They are programmable floor robots that are designed to work as learning devices for early year’s primary students. How can they advantage your child and their learning? In many ways, the least of all being offered the opportunity to manage, manipulate and experiment with future technologies. It is quite outstanding to observe as students are being offered new technologies and how they begin to think laterally, or sideways, creating whole new thought processes for them and in many cases offering exciting new learning pathways. Beebots can do this as students begin to learn new skills in thinking…creating, experimenting and discovering knowledge in maths, literacy, science and robotics. I forgot to include some wonderful shots taken while the students were working with Beebots in their rooms with Miss Taylor and their classroom teachers…so here they are!

Parent/Carers Information session on Reading Reading Prompts – supporting your child with reading:- For families that may have missed out, for one reason or another, from receiving ‘Reading Time Prompts’ below is a copy.

Regards,

Alison Clifton Assistant Principal / Coordinator National Partnerships Programs

Gloucester High School Tri-Challenge team nominations Entries are open to Year 6 students only who are willing to form a team to compete in this year’s Gloucester High School Tri-Challenge to be held on Friday 23rd September (last day of this term). All students willing to form a team should discuss this with their parents and let Mr Maggs know by Friday 9th September. Permission notes, team nomination forms and further details on the event will then be provided. Rod Maggs – Assistant Principal

Grandparents’ Day An awesome day was had by all last Friday when we celebrated Grandparents’ and Special Older Friends’ Day! Thank you to all who took the time to come along and share the day with us. The students and teachers did an amazing job with their items and kept us all entertained – thank you and well done! Thank you to the canteen ladies, to those who supplied the yummy morning tea and to those who helped me out in the library – it is very much appreciated. As a result of your buying many of the great books from the Book Fair, our school library will have about $2,000 worth of new books. The students will love reading these new titles. Congratulations to the winners of the lucky door prizes. These students were able to spend $20 at the fair, thanks to Scholastic.

- Jemima Ludlow - Jacob Sopher - Danielle Channon - Tiarn Harvey

I hope you enjoy your books! Thank you all once again for a great day.

- Leanne Simes, Teacher Librarian.

+ + + + + +

Sausage Sizzle The SRC are holding a sausage sizzle on Thursday 8th September. Cost will be $4.00 which includes a sausage sandwich, a popper and an ice-block. Please fill in the note at the end of this newsletter and send it to your child’s class teacher by Tuesday 6th September. – SRC Committee. After School Activities Next week is the last week of our AASC Program for Term 3. We will be going down to the Squash Courts again on Tuesday as Belinda has offered us one more session. Thank you Belinda! Thanks to all our coaches and to everyone for attending this term. We will see you all again next term. - Melissa Seale & Bettianne Webeck.

FOR SALE Broccoli seedlings $1 for 6 Spinach $1/bunch Lettuce $1 each.

(Order and money to Mrs Groves)

Fathers’ Day Stall Our Fathers’ Day Stall will be held this Friday, 2nd September. Gifts will range from $1.00 up to $5.00. Students will be taken to the stall in class groups throughout the morning and will have the opportunity to purchase a gift for their dads. Don’t forget to send some money with your child on the day. – Emma Hibberd (P&C)

CANTEEN NEWS Thank you to the wonderful “Master Chefs” (staff and parents) who contributed so generously to the morning tea stall on Grandparents’ Day. Also, thanks to everyone who gave a hand making tea and coffee and serving on the day. You are CHAMPIONS!!

Fruit and Veg Competition Starting from yesterday – 29th August – everyone is encouraged to buy FRESH fruit and vegies from the canteen. Each time you make a purchase of fresh fruit and/or veg, you’ll receive a ‘Power up with Ben and Gwen’ sticker card. Collect four sticker tokens (i.e., four separate transactions) and complete your entry form. Hand it in at the canteen, and you will get a Fresh for Kids ‘Bag Tag’ (six different ones to collect). The competition runs until 23rd September 2011. All completed entry forms will be sent off to go into the major prize draw. Major prize – 32” Ben 10 branded TV with Wii console, DVD and game. Runners up – 4 x Ben 10 Nintendo DS + Ben 10 game. Plus – 50 x Ben 10 Show Bags. So .... Get munching!!

Fundraiser We are having a “Freezer Filler” fundraiser this term. An order form is attached to this newsletter and extra forms are available from the canteen.

- Sharon Osborne, Canteen Manager. Canteen Roster: Monday 5/9/11 - Heidi Yates Melissa Feeney Wednesday 7/9/11 - Anna Davies Kate Shanley Friday 9/9/11 - Linda Brown Karna Bartlett

Sausage Sizzle I give permission for my child_______________________________________ of class __________ to have the sausage sizzle for lunch on 8/9/11.

I have enclosed $4.00 for the order, which includes sausage sandwich, popper and iceblock. Signed_____________________ Parent/Carer.

STUDENT SCHOOL BANKING EVERY THURSDAY

IN THE LIBRARY BEFORE SCHOOL

Sausage Sizzle I give permission for my child_______________________________________ of class __________ to have the sausage sizzle for lunch on 8/9/11.

I have enclosed $4.00 for the order, which includes sausage sandwich, popper and iceblock. Signed_____________________ Parent/Carer.

Important Information for

PRE-SCHOOL PARENTS

IF YOUR CHILD IS ELIGIBLE for KINDERGARTEN IN 2012

We are planning our classes for 2012 and we need to know how many kindergarten students will be attending Gloucester Public School.

Please contact the school to arrange to complete an enrolment form to ensure your child is placed in a suitable class.

Don’t forget to bring your child’s FULL BIRTH CERTIFICATE with you as well as an IMMUNISATION CERTIFICATE from your doctor. Proof of address (e.g., driver’s licence) is also required if you do not

already have a child at our school. Please feel free to phone to discuss our special programs or to arrange a visit.

+ + + + + + + + + + +

New South Wales AECG The Parents and Carers of Aboriginal Students of all Schools are welcome to the A.E.C.G. meeting on Wednesday 31st August at the C.W.A. Hall, Church Street. 11am Aboriginal parents and carers are urged to attend and become members to support your Children’s Education, Health and support issues. Representatives from the schools are welcome. Guest speakers, Michelle Wilkes - Community Health. - Nutrition and programme for schools. Sue Syron – Regional Representative for the A.E.C.G. Jay Davies – on the Partnership Agreement. On behalf of the committee we apologise for the short notice. Traditional Elder President A.E.C.G. Uncle Jimmy Clarke.

+ + + + + + + +

Gloucester Junior Cricket Club On Tuesday, 13th September beginning at 3.30, the Gloucester Junior Cricket Club will be holding the official opening of the new cricket nets. A representative from NSW Cricket will be in attendance providing coaching from 4pm – 5.15pm. A BBQ and drinks will be available on the day. The club will also be taking registrations that afternoon.

Under 16’s - $70 Enquiries – Brett (65582377) or Nikki (65589566)

Under 13’s - $55 Enquiries – Craig (65589451)

Kanga - $55 Enquiries – Neil (65584401)

Milo - $55 Enquiries – Stacey (0407 582 889) All Welcome – hope to see you there!