Celebrating Learning

Celebrating Learning

Representing Australia Congratulations to Cellito who has been selected to compete at the 2014 International Children’s Games to be held in Lake Macquarie from 6-11 December. This is the first time the games are being held in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is the largest multi-sport youth game in the world. Approximately 2500 athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 will compete.

Cellito will compete in BMX against children from across the world. Good luck!

Gold Shield Awards Congratulations

to Pippa, Nate, Mae, Angus, William, Ryan and Harrison who were our Gold Shield recipients for Week 8.

Presentation Day Presentation Day was a great day where we celebrated our year at Redhead Public School. The day clearly shared with everyone the range of opportunities that our students have, the outstanding achievements that have been made and the dedication and passion of our staff. These significant outcomes would not have been possible without the care and support of our school community.

Full details are included in this newsletter and more photos are on our website www.redhead.p-schools@det.nsw.edu.au

Major Award recipients

Choir singing “A Candle’s Light”

Some members of our band playing “Do Re Mi”.

K-2 singers singing “Feliz Navidad”

Newsletter

Redhead Public School

Hutchinson Street Redhead NSW 2290

P 4944 7215 F 4942 6098 E redhead-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Week 9 Term 4 5 December 2014

Year 6 with their Graduation Certificates

Student Leadership for 2015 At Presentation Day our Student Councillors for 2015 were inducted into their positions. Congratulations to all councillors. They will lead our final assembly for 2014 on Friday 12 December at 9.30am.

School Captains for 2015

Ella and Beau

Vice Captains for 2015

Annabel and Tobias

Councillors for 2015

Mackenzie, Bella, Lucas and Mitchell

Representing Our School

Short Takes Last Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursday,

Annabel, Alexia,

Jemimah, Bella, Alex,

Georgia and Ella participated in the ‘School Shorts’ program at Newcastle University. ‘School Shorts’ is a camera workshop for Year 5 and 6 students. It went for three days and was an awesome experience for students. The students learnt different camera shots and angles while having fun. The first day the students were split into groups with other schools and worked on their story board for their short movie. The second day they filmed their movies using special camera equipment and the third and final day they edited their movies. ‘School Shorts’ was an awesome experience and lots of fun.

Creative Writing On November 24 and 25 and December 1, Mitch, Lucas, Lachlan and Reilly had the opportunity to go to the Creative Writing Workshop at Whitebridge High School. They had loads of fun with writing games, writing assignments, drama and working with high school students and teachers. They picked up writing skills from the professional teachers at Whitebridge High School and were put to the test by having to write a detective story at a minimum of 500 words.

At Our Assembly Last Week Sports Report

This was our 2014 Sports Assembly. This event was to

recognise significant sporting achievements of students at our

school as well as appreciate the efforts and commitments made by parents and teachers throughout this successful sporting year.

Canteen closed Monday and Tuesday until further notice

We thanked our house captains and vice captains for inspiring their house groups to perform to

their full potential throughout the year. Thank you to Mr Tim Maddison for sharing his memories of Redhead Public School and his sporting achievements.

The house leaders for this year were:- Paterson Senior Captains Brayden Smith

Acacia Amos Senior Vice Captains Jackson Clare

Annabel Tayler Junior Captains James Cresnar

Scarlett Mason Lawson Senior Captains Caleb Vandyke

Ella Havebond Senior Vice Captains Taj Pfister

Georgia Dewhirst Junior Captains Cameron Claridge

Lanah Vandyke Kendall Senior Captains Harrison Illingworth

Courtney Laing Senior Vice Captains Declan Fuss

Indra Maley Junior Captains Max McLennan

Sienna Giudice Gordon Senior Captains Oliver Hadden

Alliyah Murphy Senior Vice Captains Jack Barrett

Charli Carroll Junior Captains Jacob Conrick

Tianna Patch Sports Presentation Awards 2014 Junior Swimming Champions

Joshua Grant Lanah Vandyke

11 Years Swimming Champions

Kyle D’Agostino Ashleigh Watts

Senior Swimming Champions

Caleb Vandyke Asha Niddrie

Junior Athletics Champions James Cresnar Molly Holmes

11 Years Athletics Champions

Tobias Hatcher Alexia Boggiss

Senior Athletics Champions Louis Hadden Asha Niddrie

10 Years Cross Country Champions

James Cresnar Sienna Giudice

11 Years Cross Country Champions

Kyle D’Agostino Alexia Boggiss

12/13 Years Cross Country Champions

Harrison Illingworth Asha Niddrie

Final Assembly for 2015 Friday 12 December at 9.30am Please note the change of time for this assembly..

Our final assembly for 2014 will be led by our new Councillors for 2015.

At this assembly Kindergarten Graduation Certificates will be presented. We will also acknowledge our Gold Premier Reading Challenge students, Library Monitors, Newspaper Team, Debaters, Circus, “Uke Can Do It” and Peer Mediators.

If it is not too hot, our P&C will draw the winners of the Christmas baskets at our assembly, otherwise it will be drawn after assembly.

Class Formation and Teacher Allocation Policy It is the time of year to create classes and allocate teachers for our students in 2015. This year a policy has been created to share with our community on our processes. It has been placed on our school website www.redhead-p@schools.nsw.edu.au

Choir Performance at Redhead Gardens Tuesday December 9 It is with great pleasure that I can tell you that the choir will be visiting Redhead Gardens on Redhead Road on Tuesday December 9. Our students will perform a Christmas concert and then spend some time chatting with the residents.

Students will be departing school at 9.30am and returning by 11am. As I cannot walk very far with my broken foot I am asking that a few parents drive us to and from venue. Please can you indicate on your permission slip to say if you can drive your daughter and 3 others to the venue at 9.25am and back to school at 11.00am.

Students are to wear their school dresses, gold socks and black shoes. They may wear a festive hat/hair piece if they have one. Please return your permission note to the school office by Monday December 8.

MADD (Music Art Dance and Drama) Night Monday 15 December at 6.00pm MADD night is our annual celebration of the creative talents of our students. MADD night will be held in our school hall beginning at 6pm. The winners of our Talent Quest will be performing along with the Choir, Band, Circus, Ukulele group, Drumming Groups, K-2 singers and more.

Entry is a gold coin donation which will help support our creative arts programs. Hope to see you there. Doors open at 5.45pm.

Thankyou to all our Talent Quest finalists. It was a very hard decision, however, the five acts chosen from our Talent Quest to perform at MADD Night are: • Redhead Rockers

(Cooper Ashbourne, Angus Best and Ryan Woolnough)

• Flutes (Emmerson Sweeting and Lanah Vandyke)

• The Tigers (Nikita Wells, Scarlett Mason, Asha Maley and Olivia Belle-Smith)

• It’s Called Sassy (Courtney Laing, Georgia Dewhirst, Acacia Amos, Matilda Mason, Ella Havebond)

• Dancing (Seryn Amos and Alice Mitchell) School Evaluation Meeting Today saw the final School Evaluation Meeting for the year. We discussed the feedback given during our phone survey as well as sharing all responses that were given through our online survey. The online survey is now closed. Many thanks to all parents that were involved in sharing their ideas through the numerous surveys during the term.

Peer Mediator Training Next Wednesday all Year 3 students will be completing their Peer Mediator training. This will run from the start of the day through to lunch time. At the end of this training, all Year 3 students will be ready to begin their role as Peer Mediators in 2015.

Mini Fete The year 6 Mini Fete will be held on Monday, December 8. This year we have a wide range of spectacular stalls including:-

• Spectacular Spiders - $1 with 10c extras • Super Shots - 50c per shot and 3 shots for

$1. If you kick it in to the goals you will win a prize.

• Milkshakes ‘R’ Us - 50c per milkshake. The flavours will be chocolate, caramel, blue, lime and strawberry.

• Epic Sponge Throwing - 50c for one shot or $1 for 3 shots.

• Cold Rock Ice-Cream - 50c for 1 scoop and 1 type of lollies. $1 for 2 scoops and 2 types of lollies.

• Warrior Dash - $1 per run and if you win you will get your money back and a certificate

• Race Against Time - each stage wins, 50c per turn.

• Hairstyles - 50c for 2 colours, 70c for 3 colours, braiding is $1 and 10c for plaits. Beads an extra 10c each.

• Magical Mix ’n’ Pick lolly bags - 50c per 100g. 200g is the limit

• Spinning Wheel Of Fortune - 50c for 1 spin and $1 for 3 spins

• Face paint - 50c a cheek, $1 for your whole face.

• Green Machines - 50c per turn on green machine, fastest time of each stage wins

• Bakery - everything is under a $1. Come and enjoy our delicious baked goods.

Attention all parents - If you wish to support the Year 6 Mini Fete, the bakery and lolly stall require donations. If you can help out please send your baked goods or lollies to the office, Iota or Lambda. Just make sure they are nut free.

Thankyou Year 6 2014

K-2 Party Day Wednesday 17 December The students from Kindergarten to Year 2 will be having party day at school. Lots of special activities are being planned.

Students may come out of uniform, in their party clothes. Please wear appropriate clothes and closed in shoes.

Students will bring their own lunch and drink on party day. They will be eating their own food and

students can bring a special treat to enjoy in their Christmas box.

Christmas boxes will be decorated in class and taken home for filling with treats.

There will be a performance and party activities. This will be a fun day for the end of the school year. There is no charge for this party day.

3-6 Party Day Wednesday 17 December For party day our Year 3 to Year 6 students will be going to Springloaded at Gateshead Indoor Sportsworld for a morning of fun and fitness.

Travel will be by bus. Students will depart school at 9.15am at return to school at 12.30pm. Upon their return, students will be partaking in class parties. Individual teachers will notify you of these requirements at a later date.

Cost for party day is $18. Payment can be made by cash or cheque at the school office or online at the $Make A Payment link on the schools website. Payment is due by December 12.

Year 6 Farewell Tuesday December 9 at Redhead Surf Club We look forward to a fantastic evening to celebrate Year 6’s primary school journey at Redhead Public School. The program is as follows:

6.00pm - Arrival of Year 6 Students 6.10pm - Welcome 6.15pm - Dinner 6.50pm - Year 6 parents and Year 5 students arrive 7.00pm - Certificates presented 7.15pm - Photos taken 7.30-8.30pm - Dance program 8.30pm - Cake/Powerpoint presentation 9.00pm - Clapout

Are You Changing Schools in 2015? Sometimes circumstances change and students relocate to other primary schools. Quite often, this happens at the end of a school year.

We are just about to start forming classes for 2015 and it would be appreciated that you inform the administration of your plans to change schools.

Band News Congratulations to all band members who performed at the Presentation Day Ceremony yesterday. Next Tuesday and Friday we will rehearse the items that we will be playing at MADD night on Monday 15 December.

Early next year, I will be holding come and try sessions for students in Years 3-6 to come and have a go at playing some instruments. We will be looking for new enthusiastic band members to join in on the fun.

Library News The library is chaotic at the moment as stocktake is in full swing. Please have a good look for books at home or floating around in bags. As the end of year approaches many of us are beginning to organise holiday activities. Don’t forget the great activities put on by Lake Macquarie Library. Visit http://library.lakemac.com.au/kids/school-holiday-fun to have a look at the great activities on offer including magicians and reptile shows. They are also running a summer reading program where you could win an iPad mini. School Banking Next Tuesday, December 9 is the last day for school banking. It is also the last day for you to redeem your rewards as they do not carry over to next year. If you have any tokens, please confirm what you would like to order. The swimming bag and projector cup are on backorder and will be in stock Term 1 2015.

Peer Mediator Report On Wednesday we saw people playing fairies. Remember to include everyone. We saw people running away from their friends. Remember to tell everyone where you are going. We also saw people tackling. Do not do that as tears will come. People were playing in the sandpit. Do not ruin or step on peoples creations or they will be upset. Don’t be shy to say hi to the Peer Mediators who will always be there to help.

P & C Raffle Thank you to those people who have returned their raffle tickets. Our raffle will be drawn on Friday 12 December so please have your raffle tickets back to the school office by Wednesday 10 December.

Gold Shields Jack Barrett Mataya Amos Ally Piper Louis Smith Matthew O’Brien Ben Allen Jace Cox Samara Stevens Rae Disney Cameron Grant Emily Snowden Ben Weber Makenna Regan Harry Adlington Jake Portier Alice Tayler Harper Connors Locke Sawyer Lachlan Morgan Tully Elliott Cassie Corder Brooke Hill Eli Kidd

Road Safety Reminder for Parents and Carers These Holidays Remember when walking near roads, on footpaths, near driveways and in car parks always hold your child’s hand, talk to your child about road safety and point out road safety dangers and differences in new environments. The best way to keep your child safe on or near the road is to hold their hand. Talk with your child daily about road safety. For further information visit: http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/children/pedestriansafety.html

2014 Special Awards Langford Award for Scholastic Achievement

Asha Niddrie

Davies Award for Scholastic Achievement

Kyle D’Agostino

Heyworth Award for Citizenship

Courtney Laing Jack Barrett

Stanton Shield for Achievement and Effort

Mitchell O’Brien

Science Award Nikolai Faith

Mathematics Award Kyle D’Agostino

Public Speaking Award Tess Piper

Redhead Progress Association Environment Award

Cordelia Disney

Year 4 Encouragement Award

Max Barrett

Redhead View Club Literature Awards Junior

Mackenzie Williams

Redhead View Club Literature Awards Senior

Lucy Niddrie

Chad Perrin Award for Creative and Practical Arts

Ella Havebond

Ready for high school Can you recall what you were most apprehensive about when you started high school? This video of Year 7 students explains why teens shouldn’t be worried about starting high school, and how they can get off to a great start in the first few days.

Watch the videos: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/development/what-happens-in-year-7

Important Dates and Reminders DATE WHO WHAT NOTE NOTE/MONEY DUE 8 Dec All School Mini Fete 9 Dec Year 5 and 6 Year 6 Farewell

9 Dec Choir Choir performance at Redhead Gardens

12 Dec All School Student recognition assembly 9.30am

15 Dec All School MADD night 6pm in School hall

16 Dec Year 6 Surf Safe Fun Day – Nobby’s Beach 12 Dec $30

17 Dec Year 3-6 Party Day – Springloaded 25 Nov 12 Dec $18

17 Dec All School Party Day Fun Day – Last day for students Please Note: No payment will be accepted after the due date unless prior arrangements are made with the office. If you have not received a note for any activity these are available from the office or the school website. All notes and money must be returned to the office box in an envelope with your child’s name, class and activity

Presentation Day Awards 2014 Class Awards

Omega Scholarship Matilda Lee Citizenship Skyla Poole Improvement Locke Sawyer Encouragement Alice Mitchell

Academic Excellence Charlie King Academic Excellence Molly McLachlan

Sigma Scholarship Pippa Meissner

Citizenship Harper Connors

Improvement Eva Potts Consistent Consideration Towards Others

Phoenix Visscher

Outstanding Achievement in all Curriculum Areas

Max Neal

Outstanding Achievement in Creative Arts

Savarna Patsan

Kappa Scholarship Matthew O’Brien Improvement Fletcher Hardy

Citizenship Maya Blatchford

Encouragement Brianna Gooden

Consistent Effort and Application

Ally Piper

School Service Amy Scobell

Phi Scholarship Mia Hill

Improvement Harry Adlington

Citizenship Molly Daly

Academic Excellence Alice Tayler

Academic Excellence Kiara Barbour

Effort and Application Tahlea Britz

Epsilon Scholarship Lola Best

Citizenship Lily Crockett

Improvement Lars Bergmann

Academic Excellence Rylan Hepple

Commitment to Learning

Matilda Woolnough

Excellent Results Across The Curriculum

Kel Wilson

Theta Scholarship Harrison Birch

Improvement Clayton Brookfield

Citizenship Pheobe Duffy-Smith

Improvement In All Areas

Layla Coulton

Excellent Effort and Application

Louie Stephens

Excellent Effort and Application

Josef Cresnar

Delta Scholarship Ryan Woolnough

Improvement Nate Brooks-Wilson Citizenship Henry Allen Commitment to Learning Takara Thompson

Attitude and Application Lucy Niddrie

Academic Excellence Molly Holmes

Gamma Scholarship James Elliott Citizenship Olivia-Belle Smith Improvement Emily Russell

Academic Excellence Cooper Grant

Attitude and Application Lucy Hadden

Encouragement Award Nash Williams

Alpha Scholarship Hayley O’Brien

Citizenship Lachlan Nilon

Improvement Olivia Szauter

Commitment to Learning Mackenzie Davico

Consistent Effort Max McLennan

Technology Award Zoe Hill

Iota Scholarship Tess Piper

Citizenship Charlotte Proctor

Improvement Ashleigh McBeath

Academic Excellence Mitchell Dagwell

Commitment to Learning Annabel Tayler

Excellence in Mathematics

Oliver Hadden

Lambda Scholarship Matilda Mason

Citizenship Acacia Amos

Improvement Harrison Illingworth

Academic Achievement Louis Hadden

Consistent Effort Akeira Barnard

Commitment to Learning Ella Hewat

What Can You Do If A Child Has Difficulty Learning New Motor Skills Some children with learning difficulties also experience difficulties learning new and unfamiliar skills and actions. Riding a bike, getting dressed, tying shoelaces, playing a musical instrument, skipping, swimming, rhythmical or sequenced activities and activities that require judging force or power are often particularly difficult. These children often have a good idea of what they want to do, but cannot work out how to do it. They sometimes find it hard to get started on an activity as they can’t work out what movement comes first. When under pressure they are usually not as good at the activity. They often have difficulty remembering movements they’ve learnt another time or in a similar activity. Usually once they have really learnt and practiced a skill they will do it quite well, even though it has taken a while to learn. These difficulties may be related to motor planning, ie. the ability to plan all the steps that need to be done, put the steps into the right order and then carry them out. How to help children with motor planning difficulties:

• Think of all the steps in the activity and focus on one step at a time.

• Focus on the easiest bit first. For example your child first learns how to move the pedals on a bike when learning how to ride the bike.

• It may also help to learn the last step first. Eg. shoelaces. Your child watches you do the knots and make the loops, then they do the last step like pulling the bows tight. They can then practice doing the last two steps, and so on.

• Allow your child to master one step or skill before moving onto another. Praise these small efforts as each step means they are making progress towards achieving a harder skill.

• Children need to feel confident. By practising one step until they feel good at it, your child will feel like trying the next step. Children avoiding activities, or giving up easily usually means they don’t feel good about themselves.

• Give lots of praise, especially when they are trying hard, this helps them to feel more positive.

• Recognise that your child will probably need more time (than other children in the family) to learn how to do things. Try not to pressure them to learn or expect them to learn quickly.

• Children will learn more quickly by doing rather than being shown. Guide their arms or legs using the correct movements so they know how it feels, talk them through the steps as they go.

• Once your child has learned a new skill, practice the activity in a variety of places or using different materials. This will help the skill to generalise and become more automatic.

• Practice where it is non-threatening and safe. At home no one will laugh or make fun of your child if they make a mistake. This may increase your child’s confidence.

• Explore other ways of doing things. If writing is difficult try using a keyboard, or try writing down your child’s story while they tell it.

• Practise, Practise. Short practice times are best, but practise regularly. By practising your child is building experience of the movements required, which helps the movements to become automatic.