Newsletter Term 2 Week 7 - Biddabah Public School

Thursday, June 13, 2013 17/13
Walking Safely to School
BIDDABAH PUBLIC SCHOOL phone 4954 6058 fax 4956 6780 page 1

Dear Parents,
Last Friday Biddabah Public School recognised Walk
Safely to School Day with a combined walk to school by
students, their families and teachers. Our first ‘walk’
was rained out so the event organizer, Mrs Morrison
advertised an alternate date.
Our walk began with bubble blowing and hot chocolate
at Feighans Oval in Warners Bay. We even enlisted the
services of a coffee van.
Parents, teachers and children then set off to walk to
school, There were plenty of opportunities to discuss
safe behaviour along the way.
All students who walked safely to school received a
sticker and learned skills to support their continuing
safety in their local area.
We are now looking forward to next year's walk with
plans for an even bigger group to walk safely to
Biddabah School.
When you need to see a teacher
Call or write for a meeting time.
Don’t just show up.
At the meeting there will be a time limit, so understand if
the teacher tries to hurry things along. Try to be concise,
the teacher will be listening attentively to what you have to
say
Consider what you want to be the outcome of the meeting.
Think about any information you want the teacher to know,
if necessary make a list. Be ready with any concerns that
you and the teacher can being working upon.
The goal of parent /teacher meetings is,
“we are partners in this business of education. If we
do our jobs well, the child will profit most of all”.
This Friday, we are aiming to send all Early Stage 1 Year
2 and 1D reports home.
The remaining Year 1 & Years 3-6 reports will be coming
home next week, in time for you to read them before
your scheduled meeting with the teacher.
Parent/teacher interviews have been timetabled for the
next two weeks. The reports will be linked to each
teacher’s interview day.
In weeks 9&10, parents will be invited to attend
progress interviews on the following days:
Monday 17 th June
Tuesday 18 th June
Wednesday 19 h June
Thursday 20 th June
Monday 24 th June
1D
2Mc, 2T
KS, KB, KF
1M, 1B, 1W
3M
If your child will turn five by July 31 st 2014
You can enrol in Kindergarten for the 2014
school year.
Contact office or phone (4954 6058)
Trainee Teachers at Biddabah
This week we welcomed five trainee teachers to
Biddabah. All are enrolled at Newcastle University and
will be with us until the end of the term. They will be
gaining plenty of teaching experience on the following
classes:
Tuesday 25 h June
5W, 5G
Mr Joechtl
2Mc Mrs McEwan
Wednesday 26 h June
3/4C 4M
Miss Lyons
6D Mrs Dutch
Thursday 27 th June 6D, 6H, 2/3K
Your class teacher will soon be inviting you to nominate
an interview time on the day set aside for interviews.
Please be prompt getting your request back to your
child’s teacher.
Miss Forbes
Miss Grace
Miss Daley
1W Mrs Wood
3M Mrs Metcalfe
KB Mrs Burton
BIDDABAH PUBLIC SCHOOL phone 4954 6058 fax 4956 6780 page 2

Beanie Kid Fundraiser – LAST CHANCE TO ORDER
Beanie Kids are Australia’s No 1 collectable and they can
now be purchased through Biddabah Public School via a
fundraiser. You have until tomorrow (Friday 14 June to
get your order to the office). After that, it will be too
late.
WE SAY NO
TO PEANUTS,
AND ALL NUT PRODUCTS
AT BIDDABAH SCHOOL
100 nights = BRONZE
150 nights = SILVER
200 nights = GOLD
250 nights = DIAMOND
We have chosen 3 themes for our fundraiser and these
are as follows:
BEANIE KIDS – some of the most popular designs.
NRL BEANIE KIDS – official licensed product
featuring all 16 teams.
AUSTRALIA NETBALL DIAMONDS BEANIE KIDS –
official licensed product featuring all 7 playing
positions.
Beanie Kids cost $12.00 each with $5.00 from each
Bear sold coming back to the school. If you purchase 3
Beanie Kids (you can mix and match the bears) you will
be eligible for the Beanie Kid Mystery Bag and if you
purchase 6 Beanie Kids you will be eligible for a free
Beanie Kid.
BRONZE and SILVER awards will be handed out at
stage assemblies GOLD and the DIAMOND will be
handed out by me at the whole school assembly,
probably in term 4. For students who go on to read for
250 nights plus will still be eligible for a special award
at the last whole school assembly for the year.
Congratulations 1 00 nights of reading
Bronze Certificate
Noah de Sousa
Roy Honnef
Alex Melia
Olivia Bird
Jeremy Russell
Hugo Kidd-Mathews
Amy Hain
Cora Snape
Hayden Spargo
Jaimie Spargo
Lets make this a successful fundraiser our school and
purchase up!
WARNING from the Council Rangers
The Council Rangers are about. Over the last few days I
have seen several of them cruising past the school. The
one who phoned me last Friday actually drives past the
school every afternoon on his way home from work
around the time everyone is collecting children from
school.
He phoned me to warn parents and carers about parking
on the grass in the Medcalf Street turning bay. He said
that it will cost you a $295 fine and lose 2 points.
Brendan Dulai
Anabelle Antony
Will receive a certificate at the next Friday school
assembly.
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 3

Remember Book Week is in week 6 next term. We will
have our big book sale on Wednesday 21 st August and a
visiting author, Michael Salmon, on Thursday 22 nd
August.
Bronze
Ethan Cowling
Riley McGregor
Rebecca Dumas
Bailey Creer
Olivia Bird
Taylah Cowling
Aidan Creer
Camille Mossman
Alexandra Cowling
Movindu Gannoruwa
Mathew Williams
Silver
Anabelle Antony
Fleur Davies
Melanie Hain
Mikayla Hindmarch
Callie Morton
Lexi-Le Owen
Daniel Williams
Gold
Kyle Munns
Happy reading everybody
Thelma Keogh
PLEASE NOTE:
We now have a nice new BLUE COLLECTION BIN for
the Student Banking to accommodate our growing
numbers. It is located in the foyer next to the office
counter window each WEDNESDAY MORNING until
9.15am. If you miss it please pass your banking to the
office staff to ensure your deposit gets processed.
Congratulations to the following students for achieving
a Bronze Certificate in the School Banking Program:
Alessandro Perazzolo – KB
Jesse Sammut – KS
Cooper Simpson-Long – KF
Noah De-Sousa - KF
Congratulations to the following students for achieving
a Gold Certificate in the School Banking Program:
Ella Dabelstein – 1W
Emily Milton – 2MC
Lots of new books have arrived and going on the shelves.
Students are using the “Wish List” to request books
that they would like to see purchased. Naturally they
are very excited when their requests arrive.
The Childrens’ Book Council short listed books were
announced recently. We have ordered many of these
books and they will be on display in the Library shortly.
There will be no library lessons in weeks 8 and 9 due to
re-organisation with parent-teacher interviews. Books
may still be returned to the large Returns Box just
inside the library.
Congratulations to the following students for achieving
an Outstanding Certificate in the School Banking
Program:
Archie Young – 1W
Taylah Cowling – 3M
Anabelle Antony – 1D
Mia Hyslop – 1M
Kirra Priestley - 1B
Egan Ford – 2MC
Hugo Kidd-Mathews – 2/3K
Hamish Alexander – 4/5W
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 4

WANTED: Students to take up an instrument in our
fantastic school band.
Mr Ward, is especially, looking for anyone interested in
playing the drums, but all instruments are available on
excellent terms. Research into a musical education has
shown positive outcomes for student’s learning in all
areas.
If anyone is interested please see Mr Ward on Tuesday
mornings or Mrs Broxom for details.
Thank you.
Today’s featured class is 1W
In class, 1W have been learning about sea creatures.
They have chosen to write a description about their
favourite sea creature.
Guess What It Is?
It has a fin.
It has a tail.
It has skin.
It has teeth.
Answer: A Shark.
Jakobi
Guess What It Is?
It has a head like a horse.
It has a curly tail.
It hides from its enemies in seaweed.
The mother lays eggs in the father’s pouch.
Answer: A Seahorse.
Phoebe
Guess What It Is?
It has a curly tail.
It is a type of fish.
It has gills.
It can be many different colours.
Answer: A Seahorse.
Jaimie
Guess What It Is?
It has eyes.
It has gills.
It has sharp teeth.
It has a fin the pokes above the water.
Answer: A Shark.
Bailey
Guess What It Is?
It can change its shape.
It can camouflage.
It will fight.
They can change into anything.
Answer: A Cuttlefish.
Toby
Guess What It Is?
It has gills.
It has scales.
It has fins.
It swims in schools.
Answer: A Fish.
Julie
Guess What It Is?
It is big.
It is fast.
It has gills.
We eat them.
Answer: A Tuna.
Jacob
Guess What It Is?
It has poison.
It is a venomous fish.
It is scary.
If you step on it you will scream.
Answer: A Rockfish.
Joey
Guess What It Is?
It lives in the ocean.
It is big.
It is fast.
We eat them.
Answer: A Tuna.
Riley
Guess What It Is?
It has a fin.
It has gills.
It has teeth.
It can swim.
Answer: A Shark.
Jack
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 5

Guess What It Is?
It is a reptile with cold blood.
It has four flippers.
It has a hard shell on its back.
It likes to eat fish.
Answer: A Turtle.
Archie
Guess What It Is?
It is the biggest fish in the sea.
It can grow up to 12 metres.
It is a hunter.
They eat other fish.
It has sharp teeth.
Answer: A Shark.
Clare
Guess What It Is?
It has gills.
It has fins.
It has scales.
It swims in schools.
Answer: A Fish.
Kobe
Guess What It Is?
It has eight arms which are called tentacles.
It has tentacles with suckers.
It can hold onto anything very tightly.
It can squeeze its body between rocks.
Answer: An Octopus.
Hayley
Guess What It Is?
It thinks seals are people.
It has gills.
It has fins.
It can swim very fast.
Answer: A Shark.
Cameron
It has eight legs.
It has suckers on its tentacles.
It lives in the ocean.
It can hold things very tightly.
Answer: An Octopus.
Jaime
Guess What It Is?
It has a head like a horse.
It has a curly tail.
It hides from its enemies.
It is a type of fish.
The mother lays eggs in the father’s pouch.
Answer: A Seahorse.
Ellie
Guess What It Is?
It has gills.
It has scales.
It has fins.
They live in salt water.
Answer: A Fish.
Ella
Guess What It is?
It has tentacles
It squeezes its body between rocks
It eats crabs
It holds onto anything very tightly
Answer: An Octopus
Cooper
Guess What It is?
It has gills
It lays eggs
It has scales
It has a tail
Answer: A Fish
Junior
Guess What It Is?
It has a head like a horse.
It has a curly tail.
It hides from its enemies in seaweed.
It eats fish.
Answer: A Seahorse.
Callie
Guess What It Is?
It has arms.
It sticks to rocks.
It stays still for a very long time.
It can swim.
Answer: A Starfish.
Aleisha
Please plan your Family Holidays in the School Holidays
Guess What It Is?
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 6

ABSENCES, LATE or
EARLY LEAVERS
At Biddabah we now use computer roll marking.
This means the system will generate a note to you
for any unexplained absences.
Late children should be accompanied and signed in
by a parent otherwise an explanation request will
be sent home.
Warming up for last week’s Knight’s KO
EXCURSIONS &
PAYMENTS
Y5 Canberra Trip
18,19 & 20 Nov
Y3 & 4 Lake Mac
Thur 5 & 6 Sept
DUE DATE
Deposit by Fri 6 Sept
Final Payment Fri 25 Oct
Deposit by Friday 28 June
Final Payment Fri 23 August
Parents are advised that no payment will be accepted
after the due date unless approved by the organising
teacher.
A Message from Greg Combet
Greg has asked me to forward you information about a
new funding initiative, Creative Young Stars Program.
I write to advise you about a new funding program for
creative young people in your school community.
The Creative Young Stars Program is an Australian
Government Initiative designed to provide financial
assistance for students and young people to participate
in artistic, cultural, academic or community based
activities, events or training.
Grants of $500 for eligible individuals and $3000 for
eligible groups are available.
You can find more information on the Creative Young
Stars program at http://www.youth.gov.au/sites/youth
I hope that you encourage young students in your school
to participate in this program. Please note applications
close 21 June 2013.
TOMORROW
Friday
NEXT WEEK
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
School Assembly, 10.10am
Presentation by 3/4C, Parents Welcome
Parent/Teacher Interviews 1D
NSW Writing Competition
Parent/Teacher Interviews 2Mc, 2T
NSW Spelling Competition
Parent/Teacher Interviews KS KB KF
School Council/P&C
Parent/Teacher Interviews 1M 1B 1W
School Assembly, 10.10am
Presentation by 1B, Parents Welcome
Feel free to contact my Electorate Office for further
information and assistance.
Regards,
Greg
Greg Combet
Federal Member for Charlton
Wk
9 June 24
SCHOOL DIARY
Band Concert (Tue)
Assembly 5G (Fri)
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 7

School Council 6.30pm
The next meeting of the Biddabah P&C and
School Council will be at 7.30pm on
Wednesday19 June
Paid Canteen/Uniform Shop Coordinator
P&C 7.30pm
Last night, Biddabah PS P&C met to discuss and vote on
the future of the paid Canteen and Uniform Shop
Coordinator role. This meeting was called following a
meeting with DEC (Department of Education and
Community) Auditor where it was suggested that the
P&C Executives have a look into the viability of the Paid
Canteen/Uniform Shop Coordinator position.
After extensive investigation of the figures for the 2
years that the position has been in place, the financial
members of the P&C voted unanimously that it is
unviable for the P&C to maintain this paid position and
it will not be in place as from the end of Term 2, 2013.
From Term 3 the canteen and uniform shop will be run
by volunteers, as it was previously. If you or a group of
parents would be interested in forming a committee to
run the Canteen or Uniform shop please let your
interest be known to any member of the P&C Executive
Committee or to the office. Alternatively, please come
along to the next P&C Meeting which is set for
Wednesday 19 th June at 7.30 pm in the Library. Any
questions you may have regarding the future of the
uniform shop or canteen can be asked at this general
meeting and the details of the financial viability will
also be available for perusal at this meeting.
We would like to thank Mandy Swan for all her
dedication and hard work during the past 2 years whilst
she held this position.
For the latest P&C News email
pandc@biddabah.com.au
Car Boot Sale
Is on this Sunday from 10am until 2pm. The cost is $20
per car.
Anyone that would be available to volunteer their time
for an hour or two to help sell sausage sandwiches,
drinks and coffees, it would be greatly appreciated.
For more information please contact Mandy Swan on
0432 310 741.
Warners Bay Hotel Fundraiser
Attention: All Biddabah Families
Warners Bay Hotel has long been a supporter of our
school. This year Warners Bay Hotel will be donating $1
from each main meal sold in their Brasserie on 21 st ,
22 nd & 23 rd June to our school.
Last year, we received $654 from the Hotel for the
2012 fundraiser and this year, it will hopefully, be even
more successful.
Plan a lovely relaxing meal out with the family over that
weekend and help support a local business and our
school at the same time.
Warners Bay Hotel
5 John Street
Warners Bay
www.warnersbayhotel.com.au
Ph: 4948 9055
When: 21 st , 22 nd & 23 rd June 2013
Sydney Shopping Trip - Saturday 2 nd November
Trivia Night- August - Date to be advised
Father’s Day Stall – Wednesday 28 th August
Race Day – October - Date to be advised
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 8

Canteen News
We will be reducing our stock over the coming weeks in
preparation for the school holidays. Please check the
specials board at the canteen to see what is unavailable.
The canteen roster for Term 3 is now in the canteen.
Please call in to volunteer your time, once a month or
once a term would be great, or alternatively phone or
text me a date when you are available.
Just a reminder that we have fruit available for
purchase before school for fruit break.
All lunch orders must be received at the canteen by
9.15am.
Please check our specials board for new items and daily
specials.
If you have any queries in regards to menu items or
anything canteen related I will be in the canteen
Monday to Friday from 8am until 11.30am of give me a
call on 0432310741.
Many thanks
Mandy Swan
Canteen Manager
CANTEEN ROSTER – Term 2 Week 8
Uniform Shop
We have polar fleece lined raincoats now available for
$36 each. These range in sizes from 6 to 14.
Due to the introduction of our new ordering system can
I please ask parents to have patience at this time. We
will endeavour to have your orders to you in the week
following when you placed your order however it may
take time for your order to be processed, especially if
we are waiting on stock to arrive from our suppliers.
Therefore some preplanning may be required when
working out your child/childrens uniform requirements.
Any enquiries about the uniform shop can be made with
myself on 0432 310 741.
Many thanks
Mandy Swan
Uniform Shop Manager
NEXT WEEK’S UNIFORM SHOP
MONDAY
2.30-3.00pm
Sarah Patrick
TUESDAY
2.30-3.00pm
Nicole Reid
Mon Jun 17 Maree Terry, Tracey Pettigrew
Tue Jun 18 Kylie Hindmarch, Nicole Reid
Wed Jun 19 Kay Graham, HELP NEEDED
Thu Jun 20 Rajka Alexander, Nicole Robbs
Sherie Davis
WEDNESDAY MORNING
8.30 – 9.00am
Jenny Preston
THURSDAY
2.30-3.00pm
Nicole Stone
WEDNESDAY PM
2.30-3.00pm
Michelle Hain
Fri Jun 21 Cheryl Brown, Michelle Crossley
Paula Boersma, Deb Marriott
Have we got your correct details?
This allows us to send messages, newsletters and
critical information to all parents very quickly. We may
need to inform you about a cancelled carnival; the late
arrival of a bus; there may be a whole school emergency
requiring you to collect children etc.
Have you changed your email address or Mobile Number?
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 9

BOOKCLUB
ORDERS DUE
CLOSED
SCHOOL HALL BOOKINGS
Bookings for Biddabah’s
Communal Hall can be
made with the principal.
4954 6058
Dogs in the School Grounds
The New South Wales Companion
Animals Act was introduced in
September 1998 and is about the
welfare of animals, their owners
and the broader community.
Section 14 of the Act particularly states that dogs are
PROHIBITED in SCHOOL GROUNDS (whether or not
they are leashed or otherwise controlled). Any visitor to
the school is not able to bring their dog into the school
grounds but may remain with their leashed dog on the
footpath outside the school gates. The exceptions are
Assistance dogs that are specifically trained to assist
those who are sight or hearing impaired. I thank you for
your anticipated co-operation in this matter.
OTHER NOTES SENT HOME THIS WEEK
ADVERTISING COSTS
Roadside Sign in Medcalf Street
Your business can advertise on our roadside sign.
Advertisers are offered one of the eight places for an
annual fee of $500. If you are interested in taking up this
offer, please contact the principal: Mr. Graeme Mason.
Newsletter Advertising Costs (incl. GST)
Business Card Size
¼ Page
½ Page
Full Page
Distribute Your Pamphlets
SPECIAL OFFER
¼ Page Advertisement
$14.33 (week)
$85.80 (term)
$25 30 (week)
$220 (year)
$41.80 (week)
$69.30 (week)
$25.00 (week)
1 Year
$220.00
Fri 7 June
Softball Trials Monday 17 th June
DID YOU MISS OUT?
There are still several copies of the
2012 Biddabah School Magazine in
the office. COST $20
2012 Reports & Photographs from :
School Sports, Academic Teams,
Student Activities & Excursions
2012 Class Reports & Photographs
This newsletter is produced each Thursday by the students
and staff of Biddabah Public School. For further information
phone 4954 6058
Subscriptions can be mailed each week for $12/term or
$25/year. Contact Christine or Michelle for details.
Advertisers please contact Christine or Michelle to
negotiate special rates. Parents are reminded that paid
advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by the
school, but they do assist with the costs of publication.
Graeme Mason
Principal
WEEKS 8&9 Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews Page 10

SCHOOL ZONE PARKING OFFENCES
Penalties for School Zones. Current as at 1 February 2013
Means that in the area in the direction
of the arrow, you must NOT STOP
your vehicle at any point on the road
or kerb, unless there is a medical or
other emergency.
.……………………………………………..
Means that you have no more than
2 minutes for drop-offs or pick-ups of
passengers or goods and the driver
must stay within 3 metres of your
vehicle.
……………………………………………...
Means that in the direction of the
arrow or arrows you are not allowed
to stop your vehicle unless you are
driving a bus.
……………………………………………..
DOUBLE PARKING
You are NOT PERMITTED to stop or
park your vehicle alongside another
vehicle that is already parked parallel
to the kerb.
MAXIMUM PENALTY
$298
+ 2POINTS
MAXIMUM PENALTY
$165
+ 2POINTS
MAXIMUM PENALTY
$298
+ 2POINTS
MAXIMUM PENALTY
$298
+ 2 POINTS
• STOP in a NO STOPPING zone: $298 + 2 points, or STOP on
or near a Children’s or Pedestrian Crossing: $397 + 2 points
• STOP on path/strip in built up area: $165 + 2 points
• STOP or Park in a Disabled Marked Area without a permit: $496

Biddabah School does not necessarily endorse paid advertising in this Newsletter

Biddabah is a cool school Page 2

Biddabah is a cool school Page 3