NSW Department of Education and Communities

Cowra Public School

NEWS

4 September 2014 Term 3, Week 8 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

FOR YOUR DIARY

SEPTEMBER

5 Father’s Day Stall

9-10 Cowra Show

10-12 Archikidz

11 P & C Meeting 6.00pm

15 Premier’s Spelling Bee

16 Canteen Red Day

17 KR & KW Japanese Gardens

18 P & C Bingo Night

19 Stage 3 Social Skills Day

19 LAST DAY OF TERM

SEPTEMBER

7 Students return

CONTACTING THE SCHOOL Administration Office Hours: 8.30am - 3.30pm

School commences at 9.10am

School finishes at 3.15pm

Students are not supervised before 8.45am

Mail: PO Box 285, Cowra

Phone: 6342 2400

Fax: 6341 1357

School Counsellor 6341 3078

Email: cowra-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Web: http://www.cowra-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

DEPT.HEALTH DENTAL CLINIC: 1300 552 208

Dear Parents

What a fantastic day! Today we have

enjoyed a school wide PBL reward in the

form of a giant slide and jumping castle.

The children and staff had a great time

bouncing, sliding and most of all laughing.

This reward has been provided as

recognition of the wonderful response the

students have displayed during the year in

our PBL expectations that highlight our

three goals of being Respectful, On Task

and Safe. Our school has an outstanding

reputation for our consistent, nurturing

approach to life skill lessons based on

values.

This week the school has received the

NAPLAN results for Years 3 and 5 and

parents will receive their child’s results

today. The school has made strong growth

with many students showing large

increases in the grading levels from Year 3

to Year 5. At Cowra Public School all

children participate in this national test. If

you would like to discuss your child’s results

please do not hesitate to come to the

school for a meeting. Often the results can

be confusing, so please feel free to come

in.

Archikidz will be in full swing next week

and to say we are excited is an

understatement. As mentioned in previous

newsletters Archikidz is a hands on program

based around architecture and design. Fifty

students from Cowra Public School and 300

students, in total, from right across the

Cowra district will be involved in this unique

program over three days.

On Wednesday, Archikidz kicks off with

Stage 2 students travelling out to the

Corridor Project venue at Riverslea

Woolshed. The day will involve up to 30

volunteers who are all involved in the field of

engineering, architecture and design and

teaching. Many of the volunteers are giving

their time from their regular positions and a

large number are travelling from Sydney to

be involved. I would like to thank Emma

Rees-Raaijmakers, founder of Archikidz in

Australia and Phoebe and Dylan Gower,

from the Corridor Project, for their tireless

work in organising this truly wonderful event.

I would encourage all parents and children

who will be going to the Cowra Show next

week to take the time to visit the Cowra

Public School stall. Our stall will be displaying

artwork and students' work in a visual

extravaganza. A huge thank you to our

wonderful staff members who will be

manning the stall.

In the last week of the term the Cowra P&C

will be holding their major event for 2014,

being a BINGO night. This event is going to

be a lot of fun with over $1500 in prizes on

offer. The night will be held on Thursday, 18

September starting with a BBQ at 6.00pm

then proceeding into the Bingo at

7.00pm. More information is detailed in

the newsletter and we encourage

everyone (children and parents) to come

along.

As Sunday represents one of, if not the

most important day of the year, I would

like to wish all the Fathers a very happy

Fathers Day. A big thank you goes to

Miriam Kelly for organising the Fathers

Day stall during the week.

Lastly but most importantly I would like to

acknowledge the significant milestone

reached by one of the most valued

members of the Cowra Public School

team. Mrs Marilyn Crossley has been

formally recognised for her tremendous

service to the education of children of

Cowra for 30 years. Mrs Crossley has

been the first person that people meet at

CPS for a number of years and has been

in charge of school finances and general

organisation of all administration. Mrs

Crossley goes above and beyond for the

students and staff of Cowra Public School

and is often one of the first arriving and

last to leave each day. I congratulate

Marilyn and sincerely thank her for her

commitment to her position and the

students of Cowra Public School.

Brad Tom

P & C Meeting ~ Thursday 11 September at 6.00pm

Mrs Marilyn Crossley is

pictured with her

husband, Doug and

her mother, Win

receiving her thirty

year certificate for

service to the NSW

Education

Page 2 Cowra Public School

INFANTS ASSEMBLIES

Infants assemblies will now be held

every second Thursday, i.e. even

weeks. The assemblies will be held in

the Infants Open Space and

commence at 2.00pm and finish at

2.30pm when the children will return to

their classrooms.

At these assemblies students will be

receiving Merit Certificates and PBL

awards.

Every alternate Thursday (not assembly

week) from 12.30pm until 1.00pm the

Infants will be holding combined

singing in the Infants Open Space. All

parents are invited to come along and

listen to the children singing.

PRIMARY ASSEMBLIES

The Primary will also be holding their

assemblies every second Thursday, i.e.

even weeks at 2.30pm in the school

auditorium.

The assemblies will include the Year 6

Public Speaking and Merit Certificates

will also be presented on the day.

COMBINED ASSEMBLY

The school will be holding combined

assemblies twice a term. At these

assemblies the Infants and Primary

Aussies of the Month will be announced

and the children will be presented with

their awards.

NOW ACCEPTING

PAYMENT FOR:-

SCHOOL CONTRIBUTION: $30 per

student, with a family maximum of

$60. Payment would be

appreciated this term.

BAND: $10 per term

STAGE 3 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA:

Next instalment Thursday 18

September: $50.00

Total cost: $272.00

KINDERGARTEN JAPANESE

GARDENS : $8.00

Closes Friday 12 September

YEAR 6 T-SHIRTS: $25.00

Closes tomorrow.

KINDERGARTEN EXCURSION TO JAPANESE

GARDENS ~ PAYMENT OF $8.00 BY FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

On Wednesday, 17 September students in KR and KW have the

opportunity to visit the Japanese Garden for Sakura Matsuri (Cherry

Blossom Festival).

The cost of $8.00 per student and should be paid to the school office by Friday, 12

September. This will cover admission to the Garden, activities and bus travel. The

children will walk back to school.

We will be leaving the school grounds at 9.45 a.m. In small groups we will walk through

the Garden, take part in various activities and then enjoy a picnic lunch at Billy Goat

Hill Park.

Recess, lunch and a drink in a disposable container (poppa type), will need to be

packed in a small back pack.

Due to the large number of children expected to attend on the day, parents are

unable to accompany us on this occasion. The students will be divided into small

groups and supervised by school staff. Parents are however, very welcome to join us

at Billy Goat Hill Park at approximately 1:00 p.m. and bring along their picnic lunch.

Children may wear casual clothes and joggers, no sandals or thongs please, as we will

be walking back to school in the afternoon. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat.

STAGE 3 SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT DAY Friday, 19 September 2014

Stage 3 will be holding a Social Skills Day on Friday, 19 September 2014

We will be departing the school at 11.00am to walk to River Park. Students wishing to

purchase lunch from McDonalds will walk across the Low Level Bridge from the

school. The students will be accompanied to and from River Park and McDonalds by

the Stage 3 teachers. The students will return to school at approximately 3.00pm.

Children should:

Wear comfortable shoes

Bring their own recess

Bring their own lunch OR purchase McDonald’s

Should wear casual clothes and bring sunscreen and

a drink.

Activities: Sporting equipment will be provided, however, children may bring their

own.

Compulsory: * Hat

* Sunscreen

* Covered walking shoes (joggers)

* Casual clothes - no bare shoulders

* Drinks

A permission note has been sent home and this needs to be filled in and returned to

school before Wednesday, 17 September.

NSW PREMIER’S SPELLING BEE

Our school has once again entered the NSW Premier’s Spelling Bee. The spelling bee

will be held on Monday 15 September at Raglan Public School, Bathurst.

The competition will be held in two stage divisions:

Junior Division (Year 3 and 4). Congratulations to Mac Webster and Archie Osborne

who represent Cowra Public School in this section.

Senior Division (Year 4 and 5). Congratulations to Jessica Henderson and Tess Roberts

who will represent Cowra Public School in this section.

Page 3 Cowra Public School

YEAR 6 SOUVENIR T-SHIRT

Year 6 students have shown interest in ordering a

Souvenir T-Shirt.

The t-shirts will cost $25 each. They will be gold, with

the design pictured here on the front and all the Year

6 students’ names on the back. The front design and

students’ names will be printed in black.

Year 6 Teachers

SPORT

REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Fifteen of our students travelled to Dubbo last Friday to

represent the school and the Cowra District in the

Western Region PSSA Athletics Carnival.

It was a very early start to the day for our athletes and

their families followed by a busy and tiring day of

competition and then travel home.

Congratulations to everyone who competed and

especially to Cambell White, Marcus O’Connor and

Chloe Wolfenden who qualified to go to the State

Athletics at Homebush on 15, 16 October.

A special mention and a big thank you to Hallie

Wolfenden who replaced a member of the junior Boys’

Relay team who was too ill to compete. Hallie put on a

huge effort to run in two relays and was glad to do so.

Well done Hallie!

Thank you to all the family and friends who

accompanied the team, particularly those who gave

a lift to other students.

As always our students competed with enthusiasm and

good sportsmanship and according to the District

team manager, Mrs Johnson were a pleasure to deal

with.

Well done CPS!

Regional team:

Gary Cheng Natasha Planicka

Joel Edgerton Joshua Pokoney

Chloe Horne Isabella Scammell

Luke Kinsey Mac Webster

Madeleine Mulligan Cambell White

Kyle Murray Chloe Wolfenden

Marcus O’Connor Hallie Wolfenden

Joshua Palmer

Shavaughn Duncan

PE/Sport

SPORT ~ TOMORROW

If your child is going to the skate park or the netball

oval for sport tomorrow they need to pay $3.00 to

the school office before school commences.

If your child does not pay they will be given

another sport for the week.

LAST DAY FOR PAYMENT TOMORROW

STAGE 2 BIKE DAY

Last Thursday Year 4 students participated in various

activities designed to improve their bike riding skills. All

students who participated thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Congratulations to all Year 4 students involved for

participating responsibly in this program.

Special thanks to the staff from the PCYC, Vicki Edwards, Chantelle

Tompkins, Liz McKay, Kelly Collins and the school prefects.

OUR STATE ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES

Chloe Wolfenden Marcus O’Connor Cambell White

CPS DANCE GROUP

Unfortunately the Cowra Public School Dance Group

will not be performing at the Cowra Show Spectacular

this year. The Cowra Show Society is not holding a

school spectacular at this time.

The girls are a little disappointed as they have been

practising really hard over the last few weeks.

The girls will be performing at Bilyara Nursing Home some

time next term.

The students who were going to the Archikidz still go on

the day they were allocated.

SUPERVISION BEFORE SCHOOL

There is NO playground supervision of students at school

before 8,45am every morning.

Teaching staff do not come on duty before this time and

it is not safe to send your child to school without proper

supervision.

If for any reason you need to have your child dropped

off early in an emergency, please contact the front

office and your child will be looked after in the office

until a teacher comes on duty.

CAMP QUALITY VISIT

Next Monday, 8 September Camp Quality will be visiting

the school on their way through from Mittagong to

Newcastle raising funds for Camp Quality.

The riders will be giving a talk about Camp Quality ( who

they are, what they do and why they are doing the ride) and showing

their bikes. There will be question time available for students.

ALL STUDENTS ARE ASKED FOR A GOLD COIN DONATION TO GO

TOWARDS CAMP QUALITY.

COMMUNITY

P & C

FATHER’S DAY STALL

The Infants children will have the

opportunity to purchase a present for their

fathers/grandfathers tomorrow.

Any Primary student who forgot their money today can also have

the opportunity to purchase a gift tomorrow.

This will be a great opportunity for Infants students to participate in

some independent shopping. All gifts are priced between $2.00 and

$5.00 and there is a great variety of gifts to choose from. Some gifts

are labelled for Dad and Grandfather and the rest are unlabelled.

There has been approximately 700 items ordered, so there is stock

for students to purchase more than one gift.

Gifts all come gift boxed, cello wrapped, in a pouch or on a card

and will be placed in plastic shopping bags once purchased.

SCRAPBOOKING

CLASSES

The Cowra Information and

Neighbourhood Centre will be

running scrapbooking classes on

either Monday or Friday.

If you interested please leave your name and

number with reception and which day you prefer

for the classes. All you will need to bring are

photo’s and some scrapbooking supplies you

wish to use.

Cutting mat, scissors, glue etc. will be provided.

If you have any questions please call Rhee on

6340 1100.

P & C MEETING Thursday, 11 September

at 6.00pm in staffroom

All welcome

TENNIS COMPETITION

Cowra Public School tennis team

is to play in a combined tennis

competition against St Raphael’s

and Mulyan Public School at the

Cowra Tennis Courts on Thursday,

18 September 2014

A permission note has been sent home to the children

involved.

Information:

Play will be from 9.30am - 1.00pm (players will

then return to school.

School sports uniform is to be worn. (hat and

sunscreen is essential)

Cost is $5.00 per player. (pay to Mr Lewis with the

permission note)

Players will assemble at school at 9.15am, then

travel by private car to Cowra Tennis Courts.

Mr Paul Lewis will accompany the team and parental

assistance would be much appreciated.

SPORT continued

SCOUTS AT THE COWRA SHOW

Come and see the Scouts when you’re

at the Show next Wednesday.

There’s some wild and crazy stuff to try out (if you dare!)

Page 4

Thursday, 18 September 2014

Over $1,500 in prizes to be won!!!

Where: School Auditorium

Time: 7.00 p.m. (Doors open at 6.30pm)

Cost: $3.00 per book (20 games)

$15.00 for a sheet (6 books — 120 games)

** purchased at the door

All Welcome

BBQ available from 6.00pm ** Sausage sandwiches

** Steak sandwiches ** Chicken kebabs

Tea, Coffee, popcorn & canteen available

Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult

All funds raised on the evening will be used by the P & C towards your child’s education

Page 5

PBL Reward Day Jumping Castle and Giant Slide

Cowra Public School Page 7

PO Box 900, Cowra NSW 2794 T/A Lic 2TA5695

Phone: 6342 1021 Fax: 6342 4597

Email: info@cowrabus.com.au Web: http:www.cowrabus.com.au

AUSTRALIAN GARDEN SHOW: Saturday, 6th September, Centennial Park, Sydney - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

WICKED: 11th October 2014, Capitol Theatre, Sydney - $210.00

BJORN AGAIN: 25th October, 2014: Canberra Theatre - $130.00

DIRTY DANCING: Saturday, 6th Decembmer, 2014: Lyric Theatre, Sydney - $190.00

2015 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS OPEN: Friday, 23rd January-Monday 26th January, 2015: Book early. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

NEW ZEALND NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND: 18 days - Numerous activities included. Departing from Cowra 6th March, 2015. Returning to Cowra 23rd March, 2015. From $5,750.00 twin share

“Cowra Travel Takes you There”

KIDSFLIX (ARTHRITIS & OSTEOPOROSIS NSW)

Arthritis & Osteoporosis NSW is hosting a Kidsflix event at Bathurst

on Saturday, 18 October. Kidsflix is a free event for children and

young people living with a chronic illness, disability or in a

disadvantaged situation and their family.

The morning consists of children’s face painting from 9.00am-

10.00am followed by the movies Planes: Fire and Rescue, with

each person attending provided with a drink and popcorn to

complete their movie experience. The best part is that it is all

free. The invited child’s immediate family (i.e. siblings, parents,

carers) are also part of the experience at no cost.

The school has application forms and more information about

this day if you are interested in attending. Applications need to

be returned by Friday, 3 October via mail, fax or email.

GRENFELL GOLDFEST

Saturday, 27 September 2014

10.00am—2.00pm Main St, Grenfell NSW

Bring your friends and family and step back in time to the

1860’s when gold was first discovered at the Grenfell

Gold Fest.

Bushranger re-enactments

Hand spinning

Vintage car and truck display

Live music historical artefact displays

Lace making

Local art galleries & museums open

Blacksmith demonstrations

Gold planning & rock display