Term 1 Week 9 - Oak Flats Public School

OAK FLATS PUBLIC SCHOOLPrincipal’s Message 28th MARCH 2013 - Term 1 - Week 9I am pleased to advise that Ms Karen Hodge has been appointed as Principal of Oak Flats Public School from thecommencement of Term 2, 2013. Ms Hodge has extensive leadership experience as Principal of Warrawong PublicSchool, Student Welfare Consultant Illawarra and South East Region and Regional/State Coordinator StudentDiscipline. We are pleased to welcome Ms Hodge to our school and community and look forward to working togetherfor our students in the coming years.School Attendance: School attendance remains the number one priority for the Student Services team in our region.We are all aware of the importance of regular school attendance for every student’s learning outcomes, safety andwellbeing. In NSW all children between the ages of six and below the minimum school leaving age of seventeen arelegally required to attend school or an educational facility. Regular attendance at school is essential if students are tomaximise their potential. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendanceof students. Parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children and school staff areresponsible for the monitoring of part or whole day absences.The Home School Liaison Program provides a supportive service to students, parents and schools to encourage fullparticipation of all students in education. The Home School Liaison Program works with students of compulsoryschool age and families experiencing difficulties related to school attendance. Home School Liaison Officers also assistschools in the development and implementation of Attendance Action Plans, Attendance Policy development andliaise with schools to implement proactive programs.We would appreciate the support of families in ensuring all students attend school regularly and punctually.Exemptions from school can be given by the Principal for extended periods of leave such as holidays, however, ameeting must be organised prior to the absences and exemption documentation signed.Stanwell Tops Year 5 Camp: There is excitement in the classrooms of our Year 5 students as they anticipate nextweek’s camp. Year 5 students will need to be at the school by 8am to mark the roll as they will be leaving the schoolpromptly at 8.30am on Wednesday 3rd April and returning Friday 5th April. They will be accompanied by MrsCharters, Mr McGee and Mrs Gutierrez with several staff members, including myself, visiting over the days of thecamp. There are a number of activities planned for our students which will help them to develop individually and as acooperative team whilst solving problems and challenges. They will be required to challenge themselves whilstworking together with their peers and teachers. We are sure they will have a magnificent time. If the talent frompast years is any indication, we can surely be confident that the talent quest will be a night to remember.Commitment to Learning Reports: Commitment to Learning Reports will be issued on Tuesday next week. Thesereports indicate the level of commitment each child has made to their work at school and all aspects of school life. Itis also an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher if necessary in order to ensure strategies and structures areput in place to maximise student achievement throughout the remainder of the year.Easter Hat Parade: Yesterday the students in K-2 classes participated in a rehearsal for the Easter Hat Parade today.It was wonderful to see our new kindergarten students enthusiastically singing and parading in what will be their veryfirst public performance at ‘big school’. All the children have been busily making hats to showcase and theatmosphere this morning was full of egg-citement. I am looking forward to a wonderful parade.The staff hope that you have an enjoyable and safe 4 days break,the long weekend giving us all a boost of energy to finish the term in style.Ronda Moon - Acting Principal

Congratulations to: Josh Coric and Jesse Prinsse for being selected in the Southern IllawarraZone U11’s School Rugby League Team.BENDIGO COMMUNITY BANK: It is never too early to start saving, and a Bendigo Bank’s Piggy Passbook accountis perfect for primary school aged savers. The Piggy Saving Account has no account keeping fees, notransaction or government fees, no deposit restrictions and a Piggy account holder receives a gift for theirbirthday. Enclosed in today’s newsletter is a Piggy Bank Brochure to get you started saving today!!!Illawarra Sports High School: Dear Parents/Carers, if you would like your child to try out for “Illawarra Sports High School” please seeAlice Wigny for an information pack, outlining when they will be holding trials for 2014 Enrolment into the “Talented Sports &Development Program”. The date for the trials are Thursday 4th April 2013.Southern Stars: Last week the 1st note for Southern Stars for 30 students from Stage 3 was issued. We are asking that this noteand payment of $70 be given to Mrs Alice Wigny by the end of Term 1. Thank you Alice WignyIllawarra South East Region Junior Band Program 2013: This year the Illawarra South East Region is running a Junior BandCamp for students in Years 5-10, who have been learning a musical instrument for a minimum of two years. The programbegins with a 3 day/2 night residential camp at Stanwell Tops Conference Centre from Sunday 19 May to Tuesday 21 May. Costof the camp is $190.00. Applications close 4th May so if you would like your child to attend please see Alice Wigny for an applicationform.Year 2 Recorder: While there has been a great response to Year 2 children having their own recorders this term, this is atimely reminder to some of our Year 2 families that all Year 2 students need their own recorder to use each week in theirclass Music lesson. Students are able to have a copy of the backing tracks if they bring in a blank CD disk, which will enablethem to practice at home. Recorders can be purchased from Haworth’s Music Centre (2/22 Durgadin Drive); Piper’s MusicCentre (390 Crown Street West); or In The Zone Music Centre (4/258 Princes Highway Corrimal).60th Anniversary Paving Project - SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! We will be closing down orders for the 60th Anniversary Pavingproject at the end of this term, so please make your decision about having a paver (or pavers!) as soom as possible. Orderforms are available from the Main Office and/or Mrs Kirchmajer. Money is payable to the Main Office by Friday, 12th April.CANTEEN ROSTER - WEEK 10Mon 1.4EASTER MONDAYTues 2.4 Jude Goodair Jo Anne Powlay Lynette BurgessWeds 3.4VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASEThurs 4.4 Anne StraussFri 5.4VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE

5CF students have been talking about the chore of making beds and what they feel about it.The students then planned and wrote an Exposition Text to express their point of view.Making beds is stupid. I can’t believe people like doing it. I think it should be banned!Making beds is a waste of time. There’s a lot of better things to do instead. I’d rather clean thehouse than make my bed.I don’t think that an unmade bed is messy. I think it’s got my style. Plus my mum hates makingbeds too.When people come over our house, I just shut the door so they don’t notice my bed.I think beds are very uncomfortable when they’re made. I like to kick my legs out the side of thebed and I can’t if the sheets are tucked in.Why would you make your bed every day when it only needs doing when you change the covers?I’m sure everybody hates bed making so it should be banned!!!!!! MAKING BEDS BY LILY THOMPSONMaking beds is brilliant because a freshly made bed is so comfortable and it looks so tidy too!When I make my bed I feel good because it makes my mum happy and if she’s happy, I’mhappy.Making beds is good training for when you’re older. I will make my own kid’s beds someday.My sister’s cat will not sleep on my bed if it’s not made. So it’s good that I make it.Kids should make their beds more often because they will sleep better at night if the bed is tidy.Making beds is brilliant. Do it every day kids!!!!!!MAKING BEDS BY STELLA CASEYMaking beds is pointless and a waste of time. It should be illegal to do it. I don’t know how people can doit every day.Making beds is a waste of time. Kids should be outside getting fit or playing the Wii instead.When I make my bed my mum always says to do it again because it’s lumpy. It takes me ten times to get itright. What a lot of trouble.You only sleep in your bed for five hours or so, so there’s is no point in making itall pretty because it will look a mess in the morning anyway.Most people don’t even use their sheets. They just kick them off and they getscrunched up. Just ask my brothers.The only time you should make your bed is when you get new sheets and if someonespecial like the Queen is coming over.NO ONE SHOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT MAKING BEDS!!!!!!