20th April - Scone Grammar School

Scone Grammar School WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents,
Easter is a time to remember. It is a time to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the
cross and by rising again. We had a very special Easter service on Monday. We
were led by the Year 12 Drama class who presented moving dramatisations of
the crucifixion and resurrection. The service was led by Father Glen and
supported by the Chapel band. Can I encourage all of you to attend services this
Easter in your local Church?
Winter Uniform
All students should be in Full Winter Uniform to start next term, on Monday 27
April. On this day we will have ANZAC Chapel services. This will also be an Open
Day. Please note we start Term 2 on Week B, Day 6 in the timetable cycle.
ANZAC Day
All students are encouraged to participate in their local ANZAC Day ceremonies. We will have staff in Scone,
Muswellbrook, Merriwa and Gundy. Also, a group of Denman families will be involved in the march in Denman. Any
students wishing to participate need to be in Full Winter Uniform and meet the groups as printed on the ANZAC Day
note that went home this week.
Thank you all for a wonderful term. It has been a marvellous start to the year. The term has been full and exciting and
I look forward seeing you around School in Term 2. The Fete is very early on in the term, Saturday 9 May. It promises to
be another special day in the life of Scone Grammar School and I would encourage you to be involved where you can.
Every contribution is greatly valued and helps the P & F support the School.
Have a Happy and Holy Easter.
Paul Smart,
Principal
Some of Yr 12 Ledger enjoying PAS this term
Front row: Daniel Berry, Bianca Piper, Mrunal
Deshmukh,
Middle row: Lucy Johnsen, Emily Langdon,
Jo-Anne Ayres, Max Kaye, Madeleine Inder
Back row: Jay Farrell, Ben Pittman, Hamish
White, Billy Moore
Thursday 9th April
Brian Robb
Holly McDonald
Below: Rebecca Bailey and Angelica Adams

AICES Swimming
On Thursday, 2 April, our top secondary swimmers travelled to Homebush to compete in the AICES Swimming Competition.
One of our parents, Jonathon Moore, reported that they had a great day, with the SGS swimmers and parents all sitting
together giving each other support and encouragement. We had some outstanding results:
Amelia Walsh – 2nd in the heats of both her 15yrs 50m backstroke and breaststroke and 6th in the 200m individual medley
with a PB of 2.55.48secs
Molly Jones – 4th in 15yrs 50m freestyle, 5th in 200m freestyle and 8th in 100m freestyle
Cecilija Rubenis – 6th in 15yrs 50m butterfly with a PB of 34.79secs
Tom Heaton – 6th in 13yrs 50m breaststroke
William Moore – 1st in 16yrs 50m backstroke with a PB of 34.28secs, 6th in 50m breaststroke and 2nd in 50m freestyle
with another PB of 27.15secs
Congratulations to these students for their great results and particularly to William Moore on his selection to represent AICES
at the CIS Carnival on Thursday, 30 April.
Mrs Chris Brennan
Blood Donors
2009 is the Year of the Blood Donor, and I am very proud of those senior students, both new and returning, who offered to
donate on Tuesday.
The idea that their donation might save three or four lives helped even the most nervous students join the ranks of Australia’s
blood donors.
This week’s student donors were Emily White, Sarah Charley, Bec Bailey, Sam Green, Ishaan Ranadive, Max Kaye, Rose
Tesoriero and Mrunal Deshmukh.
M English
To Our Blood Donors
Thanks for going out of your way to give blood recently in Scone. As someone who recently had a leukaemic blood disease
and a bone marrow transplant I was once dependant on donated blood for my continued health and survival. I like to say a
personal thank you to you all for that wonderful gift that you have given to people like me, the gift of life.
Kind regards, John Kaye
Music News
Upper Hunter Shire & Kia-Ora Music Camp
Last week 45 students from across Years 3 to 12 attended the Kia-Ora Music Camp. Students had a great time participating
in 3 days of intensive workshops ranging from Singing, Dancing, Circus Skills, Concert Band, Strings, Light & Sound. On
Friday night students performed a Concert for their families and general public.
Congratulations to James Cook who received the 1st Annual ‘Barry Rose Piano Award’. Along with the award, James
received a scholarship to attend the Kawai Piano School in January 2010. Congratulations also to Katie Maxwell, Lachlan
Inder, Benjamin Paradice & Jarod Haegel who all received Merit Certificates for their consistent effort at the camp.
A massive THANK YOU to Jillie Arnott and all her helpers for providing the catering at the camp for the teachers and tutors.
Rockin’ Robin Musical DVD
Two copies of the Musical DVD have been placed in the School Library for loan. Unfortunately due to copy right laws
we are not allowed to produce multiple copies of the DVD.
Australian Youth Orchestra
During the 1st week of the holidays, Maddie Inder has been selected to attend the Australian Youth Orchestra Camp
in Orange. Congratulations to Maddie on this outstanding achievement and good luck.
Miss Collins
Muswellbrook (Upper Hunter) Show
Yr 9/10/11 students competed at the recent Muswellbrook (Upper Hunter) Show. The new format of judging on the Friday
proved to be a success with Scone Grammar Students/exhibits securing the following awards.
2nd Lightweight Steer – SGS bud
3rd Senior Paraders – Elly Hanckel
Finalist Senior Junior Judging – Ingrid Kraefft
Congratulations to all those students who participated in the event.
Mr James

Primary News (From Mr Feeney)
Upper Hunter Shire and Kia-ora Youth Music Camp Concert
It was a privilege to attend the Upper Hunter Shire and Kia-ora Youth Music Camp Concert last Friday night. It is always
encouraging also to see students from local schools working together and Music Camp certainly provides a wonderful
opportunity for this collaboration.
The contributions of our students were superb and from all reports, it sounded like they enjoyed three great days at
camp, learning many new skills in the workshops and making new friends along the way. I was delighted to see
students venturing out into new areas such as dance (especially the boys), drama and circus skills. I hope they will
continue to look for ways to pursue these interests during the year.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
I would like to thank parents for your support with Term 1 Parent/Teacher Interviews earlier this week. I trust this
opportunity provided some valuable feedback on your child’s progress and that this will be a help as you review this
first term and then assist the children to identify particular areas for focussing on in Term 2.
This has been a busy and productive term for Primary classes. It is encouraging to see the enthusiasm and effort that
the students have given to their work throughout the term and I’m sure they will all enjoy a well-deserved break over
the coming holidays
Thank You
There are many parents who have contributed in a variety of different ways throughout this term, particularly those
who week by week have assisted within the Primary classrooms, in reading groups or other class activities. Parent
volunteers are actively involved with all classes and we are very grateful for your support. Thank you very much.
Upper Hunter Show
Last week, we congratulated many students who had earned awards at the Upper Hunter Show. In the Art Section,
Jenna Dowell from Year 1 Gold was awarded 2nd place in the Under 7, ‘Any Subject Colour Framed’ Category.
Congratulations Jenna!
Congratulations
Congratulations to Millie Leggett (Year 6 Gold), Melanie Inder (Year 4 Blue), Cheyenne Wood (Year 6 Blue), Nick Brooks
(Year 1 Blue) and Hede Sharpe (Kinder Gold), who are all celebrating birthdays this week.
HRIS Cross Country
A reminder to all students selected in the School Cross Country team, to continue preparation for this event over the
holidays. The HRIS Cross Country Carnival will be held on Monday, 4 May. This is Monday of Term 2 / Week 2.
Take a Look Outside to see What’s Shakin’ in
the Real Hunter.
There’s something for everyone in the Singleton and Upper Hunter Shire Area’s these Easter holidays. Simply collect
your Shire Passports from the Visitor Information Centres in Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone or Singleton then visit the
attraction and answer the questions or collect a stamp and you could be in the running to win accommodation
packages at Starline Alpaca’s Farmstay or Hidden Valley Escapes or book prizes.
Both Councils see this as an important activity to educate local communities on what each Shire has to offer its
communities and visitors in the way of tourism attractions.
Passports are available from April 3 at the Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone or Singleton Visitor Information Centres. It’s
simple - just answer the questions or collect a stamp – when passport is completed register your passports at any of the
four (4) Visitor Information Centres for the for your chance to win a weekend accommodation package.
There is also a photographic competition where you simply take photos of the attractions you visit and deliver your
photo CD to the Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone or Singleton Visitor Information Centres to go into the draw to win an
additional prize.
So why not keep your family entertained these holidays and discover ‘what’s in your own backyard’. For further
information please phone the Scone Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6545 1526
Caring for the individual

No. 76 April 2009
Ten Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Anything
Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and one of the toughest. In large part,
that's because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us everyday with a wide
range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain. We believe this booklet
can help. It offers practical, concrete tips and techniques for talking easily and openly with young children ages 8 to 12
about some very tough issues: sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, drugs and alcohol. Some parents and caregivers may
question the appropriateness of talking about such sensitive topics with young children. Maybe you're one of them.
But consider this: our kids are already hearing about these issues from TV, movies, magazines and school friends. If
we don't talk with them early and often -- and answer their questions -- they'll get their facts from someone else. And
we'll have missed an important opportunity to offer our children information that's not only accurate, but also in sync
with our own personal values and moral principles. Make sense? We think so. So let's get started.
1. Start early.
Kids are hearing about and forced to cope with tough issues at increasingly early ages, often before they are ready to
understand all aspects of these complicated ideas. Additionally, medical research and public health data tells us that
when young children want information, advice and guidance, they turn to their parents first. Once they reach the
teenage years, they tend to depend more on friends, the media and other outsiders for their information. As a parent,
you have a wonderful opportunity to talk with your child about these issues first, before anyone else can confuse your
child with incorrect information or explanations that lack the sense of values you want to instill. We need to take
advantage of this "window of opportunity" with young children and talk with them earlier and more often.
2. Initiate conversations with your child.
While we want our children to feel comfortable enough to come to us with any questions and concerns -- and thus
give us the opportunity to begin conversations -- this doesn't always occur. That's why it's perfectly okay -- at times
even necessary -- to begin the discussions ourselves. TV and other media are great tools for this. Say, for instance,
that you and your 12-year-old are watching TV together and the program's plot includes a teenage pregnancy. After
the show is over, ask your child what she thought of the program. Did she agree with how the teenagers behaved?
Just one or two questions could help start a valuable discussion that comes from everyday circumstances and events.
Also, when speaking with your child, be sure to use words she can understand. Trying to explain AIDS to a 6-year-old
with words like "transmission" and "transfusion" may not be as helpful as using simpler language. The best technique:
use simple, short words and straightforward explanations.
3. ...Even about sex and
relationships.
If you feel uncomfortable talking about such
sensitive subjects -- particularly sex and
relationships -- with your young child, you're
not alone. Many parents feel awkward and
uneasy, especially if they are anxious about
the subject. But, for your kid's sake, try to
overcome your nervousness and bring up
the issue with your child.
4. Create an open environment.
Young children want their parents to discuss
difficult subjects with them. However, our
kids will look to us for answers only if they
feel we will be open to their questions. It's
up to us to create the kind of atmosphere in
which our children can ask any questions --
on any subject -- freely and without fear of

consequence. How do you create such an atmosphere? By being encouraging, supportive and positive. For example,
if your child asks, "How many people have AIDS?" try not to answer with, "I don't know. Please just finish your lunch."
No matter how busy you are respond with something like, "That's an interesting question, but I'm not sure. Let's go
look it up." (FYI: Don't worry that if your children learn that you don't know everything, they won't look up to you. That's
simply not true. Kids accept, "I don't know," and "let's go find out," and they are better responses than any inaccurate
or misleading answers you may be tempted to offer.) One more point: You don't need to answer all of your children's
questions immediately. If your 10-year-old asks, "Mom, what's a condom?" while you're negotiating a tricky turn in
rush-hour traffic, it's perfectly okay for you to say something like, "That's an important question. But with all this traffic,
I can't explain right now. Let's talk later, after dinner." And make sure you do.
5. Communicate your values.
As a parent, you have a wonderful opportunity to be the first person to talk with your child about tough issues like
drugs and violence before anyone else can confuse him with "just-the-facts" explanations that lack the sense of
values and moral principles you want to instil. Likewise, when talking with your child about sex, remember to talk
about more than "the birds and the bees," and communicate your values. Remember: research shows that children
want and need moral guidance from their moms and dads, so don't hesitate to make your beliefs clear.
6. Listen to your child.
How many times do we listen to our children while folding clothes, preparing for the next day's meeting, or pushing a
shopping cart through the supermarket? While that's understandable, it's important to find time to give kids our
undivided attention. Listening carefully to our children builds self-esteem by letting our youngsters know that they're
important to us and can lead to valuable discussions about a wide variety of sensitive issues. Listening carefully also
helps us better understand what our children really want to know as well as what they already understand. And it
keeps us from talking above our youngsters' heads and confusing them even further. For example, suppose your child
asks you what crack is. Before you answer, ask him what he thinks it is. If he says, "I think it's something you eat that
makes you act funny," then you have a sense of his level of understanding and can adjust your explanations to fit.
7. Try to be honest.
Whatever your children's age, they deserve honest answers and explanations. It's what strengthens our children's
ability to trust. Also, when we don't provide a straightforward answer, kids make up their own fantasy explanations,
which can be more frightening than any real, honest response we can offer. While we may not want or need to share
all the details of a particular situation or issue with our child, try not to leave any big gaps either. When we do, children
tend to fill in the blanks themselves, which can generate a good deal of confusion and concern.
8. Be patient.
Often it can feel like forever before a youngster gets his story out. As adults, we're tempted to finish the child's
sentence for him, filling in words and phrases in an effort to hear the point sooner. Try to resist this impulse. By
listening patiently, we allow our children to think at their own pace and we are letting them know that they are worthy
of our time.
9. Use everyday opportunities to talk.
It's important to try to talk with your kids about tough issues often, but there isn't always time in the day to sit down for
a long talk. Also, kids tend to resist formal discussions about today's toughest issues, often categorizing them as just
another lecture from mom and dad. But if we use "talk opportunities," moments that arise in everyday life, as
occasions for discussion, our children will be a lot less likely to tune us out. For instance, a newspaper item about a
child expelled from school for carrying a gun to class can help you start a discussion on guns and violence.
10. Talk about it again. And again.
Since most young children can only take in small bits of information at any one time, they won't learn all they need to
know about a particular topic from a single discussion. That's why it's important to let a little time pass, then ask the
child to tell you what she remembers about your conversation. This will help you correct any misconceptions and fill in
missing facts. Finally, in an effort to absorb all they want to know, children often ask questions again and again over
time -- which can test any parent's nerves. But such repetition is perfectly normal, so be prepared and tolerant. Don't
be afraid to initiate discussions repeatedly, either. Patience and persistence will serve you and your child well.
Source: Edited text from
www.healthresources.caremark.com

Community Notices & News
After School Art Lessons - Term 2
Art Lessons Term 2. For students 11 years +
Tuesday 4 - 5.30 pm
For more information, contact Sue Beiboer on 6545 9407
Upper Hunter Rugby Union Competition Children Between 7 & 10.
Friday evenings, alternating between Scone and Muswellbrook Rugby fields.
Games start 5pm and completed by 7pm. Competition starting Friday 1st May, 5pm.
Under 8’s are Walla Rugby, ½ fields, 10 players a side and 2 handed tag.
Under 10’s are similar to Walla but tackling allowed.
Cost $50.00. To cover insurance. Registration nights both at Highbrook, Muswellbrook and Scone Rugby Grounds,
with a sausage sizzle on Fridays the 3rd and 17th April from 5pm to 7pm.
For more information, contact: Rod Scholes 0428 683 367 or 6543 3085; Viv Ayoub 6545 1597
Note from the Clothing Shop coordinator – Philippa Macintyre
This is just a reminder that full winter uniform is to be worn from Day 1, Term 2
The clothing cottage is operating Monday afternoon 3pm – 4pm, Wednesday morning 8.30am – 10am, and Friday
afternoon 3pm – 4pm during school term.
We will be open during the School Holidays on Friday, 24 April, 9am until 12 noon.
Term 2 Commencement Date
Parents are reminded that Term 2 commences on Monday 27 April. There was a misprint in the wall calendar that
was mailed out earlier in the year.
P&F Fete Raffle Ticket Sellers Needed
Scone Grammar School needs Raffle ticket sellers on the following dates: Scone: 30th April 09, 5th May '09 and
7th May '09 and Muswellbrook Market Place: May 7th. Anyone with two hours to spare and who is willing to help,
please phone Lynda Posa on 0417 917 669 or email me lmposa@bigpond.com with preferred dates, times and a
return phone number/email.
For Your Diary
APRIL
Wed 8 to Thurs 9 ...... PSSA Swimming
Thurs 9 .................... TERM 1 ENDS
Friday 10.................... Good Friday
Sun 12 to Wed 6........ Year 10 Ag Sydney Royal Easter Show
Saturday 25 .............. ANZAC Day
Monday 27 .............. TERM 2 COMMENCES with Open Day
& ANZAC Chapels
Year 8 Equine Studies Excursion to
Australian Stock Horse Museum
Mon 27 to Tues 28 .... Year 11 Hospitality excursion to Sydney
Thursday 30 .............. CIS Secondary Swimming
Thurs 30 to May 1...... Year 12 Hospitality excursion to Sydney
MAY
Friday 1...................... Primary Leaders Conference – Tamworth
Monday 4 .................. HRIS Cross Country Primary & Secondary
CIS Primary Girl’s Hockey Trials
Tuesday 5 .................. AICES Secondary Open Hockey Boys & Girls
Medical Forms
Parents are advised that we are still waiting on the return
of the green Medical Forms for some students. These
forms were due back during the first week of Term 1. If
you have not yet returned your form, please do so as a
matter of urgency.
Wednesday 6 ........ Yrs 9 & 10 PASS excursion to
Newcastle Beach
Yrs11 & 12 English excursion
‘The Crucible’
Thursday 7 ............ Alternate HRIS Cross Country
Friday 8.................. CIS Touch
Scone Horse Sports
Yrs 9 & 10 Singleton Show
Yrs 11 & 12 Drama – ‘Ruby Moon’
Saturday 9 ............ Academic Scholarship Tests
Fete
Antiques Fair
Horse Festival Parade
Phone: (02) 6545 3131 Email: admin@sgs.nsw.edu.au Website: www.sgs.nsw.edu.au

Things to
Do:
Make cake and
freeze ready to be
iced
Collect jars & fill for
Tombola
Wrap gifts for Miss
Pick-a-pocket
Plant cuttings for
garden stall
Clean out the shed/
garage/house for
White Elephant
Collect unwanted
books for bookstall
Get suitable items to
fill basket for Basket
Stall (remember Mother’s
Day)
2008
Fete Newsletter
4 weeks to go! Fete Day: Saturday 9th May, 2009
Contacts
Help regarding your class
food stall:
Class Liaison Parent or
Meredith Bowman
0402 058 575
Help regarding anything
else:
Karen-Lee 6545 1799
Fran 6545 9242
Michael 6545 0364
Mal 6543 6205
Or
Email:
fete@sgs.nsw.edu.au
BIGGER & BETTER THAN EVER
Emergency … calling all Doctors and Nurses … we would dearly love to hear from
anyone who could spare a couple of hours on fete day to do plaster casts. Please call
one of the contacts below.
We are still calling all Baristas … We would love to hear from Baristas who
would be happy to spend some time on Fete Day utilizing their craft. Please contact
anyone in the Contacts box below left or send us an email.
Raffle
The holidays are a great opportunity to get your raffle tickets sold to family and
friends. Letters about the Raffle were sent home last week. If you haven’t received
your raffle tickets or have forgotten to return the tear off, you can collect tickets
from the Admin. Office during the holidays. Remember we have some great prizes
this year with a weekend on the coast, golf clubs, helicopter ride over Scone, a bar
fridge in the shape of a beer can, winter jacket and caps, lunch for 4 at Kerv, and
$100 gift vouchers for Define Style and Serendipity. Tickets are just $2 and there
are 10 tickets in a book. Attached to this newsletter is a request for ticket sellers to
the public. Please offer some time and spend an hour or two selling raffle tickets
down town.
White Elephant Stall and Books Stall
Remember to keep an eye out for items you no longer need and could donate to
these stalls. The School Admin Office will be accepting deliveries of items between
9am & 10am and 3pm & 4pm Mon May 4 to Fri May 8. They will direct you to the
storage area.
Chocolate Wheel
If you have some new goodies at home that could be used for Chocolate Wheel prizes
please send them in to school with a note that they are for the Chocolate Wheel
(maximum value $50), OR if you have services you could donate for prizes we would
love to hear from you. Many thanks in advance for any donations.
Tombola and Miss Pick-a-pocket
Please keep collecting jars, or if you already have an oversupply then please fill
them with anything - hairpins, lollies, washing powder, olives, pegs, ribbons—
anything you like. Please also collect and wrap small pocket sized gifts for Miss
Pick-a-pocket and remember to note whether each is suitable for boys or girls. A big
thank you to those parents who have already sent some in.
Basket Stall and Cake Stall
The empty baskets will be sent home early in the first week after the holidays. At
the same time we will be sending home cake boxes. If you are planning to be really
organised and bake now for freezing, ready to ice just before the Fete … please remember
to make a note of the ingredients. All the ingredients will need to be included
on the outside of the cake box.
Garden Stall
How are those plant cuttings going?
Next Fete Meeting
Our next committee meeting will be on Monday 27th April at 7.30 pm. If you are a
Class Liaison Parent and missed the dinner at the Larda where final instructions
were given, or if you are new to the school or just interested, you are more than welcome
to attend. We may even have chocolate!