COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

What do we value most? Recently at Devotions, our staff was asked to present a Bible verse that meant something to them, to share with our students about why they were teachers and what they hoped for our students. Below is a cross-section of our Primary and Secondary teachers’ favourite Bible verses and comments from which you will see that our teachers have a real heart for our students and a desire to honour and serve God in this community.

… all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all

things and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 and

….Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and

knowledge.

Colossians 2:3 These verses tell us plainly where we are to look for the source of wisdom, knowledge and all good things. They give us the motivation, direction and strength for living and carrying on of our work as teachers and learners.

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:21 As a teacher, I am constantly reminded of how we conduct ourselves every day and provide a role model to our students. It is my prayer that, with God’s help, I may model integrity and honesty and through that they may see the difference Christ makes.

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and

to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Walking with God reflects the personal relationship we have with Him. Justice and mercy – how we should interact with each other and with our world; how my students treat their peers and how I treat my students. We are saved by grace but after we accept our salvation we learn to live each day loving our God and caring for His people.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have

come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 I want my students to have an understanding of Jesus – that He offers ‘a life more abundant’. He is the light. He is life. This should be seen with an understanding of what ‘the world’ offers.

Gary Brummell, Principal

Our Vision

To 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

Regents Park Christian School 59 Regent Street, Regents Park, 2143 Ph: 9644 5144 Fax: 9743 7082 principal@rpcs.nsw.edu.au www.rpcs.nsw.edu.au

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 2 2014 9 May Primary – Mother’s Day Assembly 12 May Winter uniform changeover 13-15 May NAPLAN – Yrs 3, 5, 7, 9 19 May Yr 7 & Yr 9 boys vaccinations HSC Assessment Yr 10 Assessment 21 May 15&U Rugby League Trials 26 – 28 May Stage 3 Canberra excursion 26 - 30 May HSC Assessment 26 May – 6 June Yr 7-8 Examination Fortnight 27 May Open Girls & boys Soccer Trials Yr 9-10 Parent-Teacher Interviews 30 May Primary & Secondary State X Country Primary Athletics Carnival

PRAYER POINTS Praise and thanks to God for life-changing and meaningful Camps & Ministries Week Pray for our students sitting exams

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Term 2 Week 2 9 May 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

YEAR 11 DRAMA PRESENTS…

NAPLAN – 13-15 May NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy) testing will be held 13-15 May. Skills that will be tested include: reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. These tests are done here at school and are considered just another part of the curriculum. It is important for you and your child to know that NAPLAN is not a pass/fail test. It simply looks at what level students are achieving in literacy and numeracy against National Standards and compared with student peers throughout Australia. NAPLAN cannot be studied for and students are not expected to do so. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that it is just a routine part of their school program and to urge them to do the best they can on the day. All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in this testing. Later in the year we will send parents an individual student NAPLAN report that you can use to view and monitor how your child is progressing. More information is available on the NAP website. NAPLAN provides us with considerable information to help inform and guide our teaching and as such is quite helpful. It is, however, only one assessment and should not be a cause of anxiety for children or their parents. It does not determine our value nor does it measure all the learning and growth that happens at our school. However, we would like our students to achieve their best so that the results are an accurate reflection of their abilities. Sleep, healthy eating and minimal stress all contribute positively to students’ academic performance. We encourage you, particularly during NAPLAN, to ensure that your child is well rested, has a good breakfast and a fairly stress-free start to the day. Please ensure your students arrive promptly at school so they are not late for the testing. NAPLAN 2014 timetable

Tues 13 May Wed 14 May Thurs 15 May

Yr 3 Language

Conventions

40 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

45 minutes

Numeracy

45 minutes

Yr 5 Language

Conventions

40 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

50 minutes

Numeracy

50 minutes

Yr 7 Language

Conventions

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

65 minutes

Numeracy (Calculator)

40 minutes

Numeracy (Non-

calculator)

40 minutes

Yr 9 Language

Conventions

45 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

65 minutes

Numeracy (Calculator)

40 minutes

Numeracy (Non-

calculator)

40 minutes

UNIFORM SHOP Change of Uniform Shop Hours The opening hours of the Uniform Shop will now be open for a full day, i.e. 8am - 4pm on Fridays (not Wednesdays) during term time. If you have any questions about this change please contact the school on 9644 5144 or uniform@rpcs.nsw.edu.au.

WINTER UNIFORM Students are reminded that the uniform changeover period ends on Friday 9 May and full winter uniform must be worn from Monday 12 May.

COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

NEW RPCS APP (SKOOLBAG APP)

Now you can stay better informed about what is happening at school by downloading the new RPCS App onto your smart mobile device. It’s free and features Events, News, Community News, Documents and push notification alerts direct from the school. Download it today from either Google Play Store for Android devices or the Apps Store for Apple devices. Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skoolbag.regentsparkcs MAC https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/regents-park-christian-school/id783316158?mt=8 Please contact the school if you need any more information about downloading or using our new App.

CANTEEN STAFF WANTED

The school is looking for a paid casual worker to help in the Canteen. The person must

be a committed Christian

have good communication and customer service skills and be fluent in English

be able to handle money and give accurate change

possess good hygiene skills

be available to work as required during school terms

The successful candidate will be trained in specific duties involved. Send applications to enquiries@rpcs.nsw.edu.au or contact Mrs Day on 9644 5144.

CAR BOOT SALE – SATURDAY 24 MAY Heartbeat Community Care is having a car boot sale at school on Saturday 24 May from 8.00 am - 4.00 pm. Profits raised will go towards the valuable work Heartbeat Community Care does in our neighbourhood. If you’d like to reserve a spot to sell your goods then contact Ps David Deal to reserve your place. We will be holding a sausage sizzle and fun activities. Be quick as there are only a few positions left. Cost is $40. Contact Ps David at david@rpcc.org.au or call 0412 923 564.

MUMS & BUBS PROGRAM Activities: Play, story, craft and music Time: Fridays (10.30 am – 12.15 pm during school terms) Where: Regents Park Community Church (59-61 Regent St) Fee: $1 (donation)

COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

PRIMARY NEWS

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY To all our mums: may you have a grand day on Sunday and be encouraged in the fantastic job you are doing in preparing Australia’s next generation of godly leaders!! Never underestimate the seeds that you sow!

WEEK 3 - FLIPPED SPORTS DAYS Next week, because of Stage 1’s excursion, infants and primary will be swapping sports days. Years 3-6 will have their sports day on Tuesday and Kindergarten – Year 2 will have their sports day on Thursday. Please ensure your children wear the correct uniform on those days. Things will go back to normal (?) the following week.

2015 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS It is that time again! Early next term, we will be contacting prospective parents to set up Kindergarten enrolment interviews. Already, we have already received a considerable number of applications for Kindergarten 2015 and we know that there are a number of siblings of current children who have not been enrolled for Kindergarten. If you are expecting one of your children to start Kindergarten next year, please contact Mrs Dorizas, our Enrolments Officer, to ensure he/she is enrolled. Application forms are available from the Primary office. Make sure your child does not miss out on a place! A number of applications were also received for Kindergarten 2015 as a result of Open Day! If you have friends or family who did not attend Open Day and who are considering Christian schooling for their children – by all means encourage them to contact us so that we might promote our school to them!

YEAR 7 ENROLMENTS 2015 Applications for Year 7 2015 should be submitted now. An interview day for Year 7 applicants will also be held on Saturday 31 May 2014. Please contact Diane Dorizas our Enrolment Officer for an application package.

Year 6 going into Year 7 2015 A letter will be sent in July seeking confirmation that your child will be continuing his/her schooling at RPCS into Year 7. There is no need to reapply for Year 7.

WINTER UNIFORM CHANGEOVER PERIOD All students will need to be in the winter uniform from Week 3, Monday 12 May. This consists of: Boys: Midford green long-sleeved shirt, long grey trousers (no cargo style pants), grey socks, black Clarke-style uniform shoes and uniform woollen jumper. Girls: Tunic and winter blouse, white socks or black or green tights, black Clarke-style uniform shoes and uniform woollen jumper (Only black or bottle green hair accessories). Please ensure your child wears only white T-shirts or singlets. Note: Students may wear the tracksuit jacket for additional warmth, but when representing the school on excursions, they must have the school woollen jumper.

COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

INFANTS CARNIVAL & PRIMARY ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Thank you to all those parents who were able to help at Tuesday’s Athletics Carnival! As you can see we had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect! Thank you to all the parents who so graciously gave of their time!

Remember, our Primary Athletics Carnival will be on Friday 30 May. On this day, we would appreciate lots of help and would also like to run a canteen for the children. If you can help, please contact the primary office.

COMPASSION DAY MUFTI – 16 MAY Next Friday, 16 May is Compassion Day in primary. The students in Stage 1 have been learning about ways they can help raise money for our sponsor children and we will be having a mufti day on Friday 16 May. Students may donate a gold coin to allow them to come to school out of uniform. Reminder notes will come home next week.

STAGE 3 DEBATING COMPETITION Mrs Pocknall will be training some of our Stage 3 students to participate in a Debating Competition with other Christian schools. The Competition will commence in week 5 or 6 of this term and continue through Term 3. If you are able to assist with transportation needs, please contact the primary office.

PBS PRIMARY: BE RESPECTFUL, BE SAFE, BE KIND AND BE A LEARNER Next week, our focus will be on showing respect for our school by “Wearing the correct uniform.” We would like our students to demonstrate their pride in being a part of this lovely community by always wearing the correct uniform. Looking our best is another way to demonstrate our thanksgiving for all that God has blessed us with.

PRIMARY ASSEMBLY – Term 2 For your information, here is our Assembly roster for Term 2. We hope to welcome you to this special time in our week.

Class Date

5-6 Je 9 May

1-2B 16 May

1-2K 23 May

1-2M 30 May

5-6E 6 June

4D 13 June

3H 20 June

Kinder 27 June

COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

Regents Park Christian School - Primary Building Stage 2

The second stage of the Primary complex will: - provide capacity for a two-stage primary by adding seven extra classrooms - include a primary library within the complex - have a group work space - include extra storage - include extra toilets - relocate the primary office which will include primary sickbay - increase staff area to accommodate the growing number of primary staff

COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 2 WEEK 2

STAGE 3 CANBERRA EXCURSION Our Stage 3 students will soon be travelling to Canberra as part of their studies on government and Australian identity. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist our efforts in subsidising the cost of this excursion, the Australian Government is contributing $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program. This rebate will be paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion

SECONDARY NEWS PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS Parent-Teacher interviews will be held this term as follows: 1st session: 3.10 – 4.50pm

2nd session: 6.00 – 7.50 pm Years 9 & 10 Tuesday 27 May Years 8 & 12 Tuesday 10 June Years 7 & 11 Tuesday 24 June Parents will be sent an email with a link that will take them to their child’s booking screen in the school system (Spider). Parents without email addresses in the school system will be sent a letter and they will need to make their interview appointments by calling the school office. Bookings can be made from Wednesday 14 May until Monday 26 May inclusive. Parents may only book one session per teacher (i.e. no double bookings).