avondaleschoolnewsletter

24 October 2014Vol. 21 • No. 31

This week Years 3-6 students have continued with their swimming program. On Monday we acknowledged LOADS of students who received merits, credits and distinctions in the ICAS Competitions. These are tough academic competitions and it is very pleasing to see so many students excel!Kindy students (with the assistance of their big buddies) had fun with Bike Day. It was fantastic to see 76 little people on wheels riding around campus. Our Years 5 and 6 buddies were fantastic helpers. Our chess teams have been busy with competitions. We have also had fun completing artwork for the Art Show on Saturday night. We look forward to seeing you there!Don’t forget to drop in next Monday to have a cuppa and chat with our Principal, Dr Faull. You can meet him at 9.15 am in the Primary Staffroom. This is a great chance to ask questions or make comments.Our value this week is Reliability. This is an important quality in great friends, valued colleagues and trusted family members. You can help to make reliability a habit in our children by encouraging them to be punctual, consistent and to fulfil responsibilities. Proverbs sums it up well: ‘Like a tooth that is rotten or a foot that is unsteady, so is relying on a person who

Thought for the week: “Do actions agree with your words? There’s your measure of reliability. Never confine yourself to the words.” Frank HerbertWeek 3 - sorted!HSC exams are rocking along nicely. Students are counting down after week two. Year 11 students came back a-glow after their weekend camp together, and went almost straight into the Parent Teacher night on Tuesday! This was well attended and placed families in a good spot to consider the HSC year ahead. Our Geography classes spent some time at Avondale College this week interviewing and understanding asylum seekers – this was a real eye-opener for a lot of students. The last couple of days this week have seen a flurry of activity down in our new Collaborative Learning Centre – the home of our Art Show for the weekend! A huge thanks to Mr Alt, Ms Kad and Ms Howells who have spent a fair bit of time turning that space into a presentation of art pieces showcasing ‘My Backyard’! Assessments and tasks

are going smoothly in various stages of planning and process! Don’t forget exams aren’t far away!And next week?HSC exams are starting to wind down, our Year 9 Geographers head out for an excursion and our Choirs are involved in Combined Schools Choir program on Friday and Sabbath. We have our Hospitality students catering for a Cancer Charity luncheon on campus and our senior boys head out to represent the School at HRIS Touch Football. And then we’ll be thinking about NOVEMBER! What the?!THAT’S ALL FOLKS … EXCEPT, I’VE OFTEN WONDERED …What was Captain Hook’s name before he got the hook? May your weekend be blessed! Don’t forget the Art Show on Saturday night!

Mr Benton CraigHead of Secondarybcraig@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au

HEADS UP!

can’t be trusted in times of trouble.’ Proverbs 25:19We look forward to another great week of action next week!

Mrs Deb CooperHead of Primarydcooper@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au

Bungonia 2014 is going down in history as Avondale School’s most memorable Year 9 camp in twenty years! Why? Well…it was not only fantastic because the Year 9 students were awesome, but it was the first time that the program had to be rearranged due to the inclement weather. Within an hour or so of reaching our destination and hurriedly pitching our tents, we were drenched. Rivers of water unashamedly flowed through our sites. Smiles turned into frowns but the Bungonia spirit won over. Everyone helped the unfortunate ones - students, teachers and friends alike. Clothes, tents, tarps, sleeping bags and ropes were shared around. We all made the most of our time - friendships were born or deepened, we shared our food, and a laugh or a hug was genuine. Learning to trust and push our comfort zone was a must. Abseiling, rock-climbing, caving, swimming, games, songs, laughter and worship, are all a part of what Bungonia is all about.

Year 9 Bungonia Camp

Class News

newsprimaryGeneral News Sport News

PSSA Athletics Carnival - HomebushLast week six Primary School athletes competed at the PSSA Athletics Carnival in Sydney. Antwon M (8 Yr 100m event) made it to the semi-final. Joshua M did his very best in the shotput and discus events. The senior boys relay team of Liam B, Jerry R, Joshua V and Riley O completed perfect baton changes but weren’t fast enough to make the final.

Kings ChessThe Hunter Region Kings Chess Final was held this week at Maitland. Congratulations to Flynn K (Board 1) Elijah S (Board 2) Kaleb G (Board 3) and Matthew B (Board 4) on their excellent result. There are over 70 teams in this competition in 2014.1st New Lambton South School2nd Singleton Heights School3rd Avondale School

Knights And Rookies Chess Wednesday, 5 November, 2014The Knights and Rookies (1) teams will be playing their final in Newcastle on November 5. Parents are encouraged to practise with their children in preparation for this event.

Kindy-Year 2 Learn to Swim ProgramNovember 10 – November 21All students in Kindy, Years 1 and 2 will participate in a Learn to Swim Program at Morisset Heated Pool from Monday, November 10 until Friday, November 21. Students are required to bring their swimmers and towel (goggles are optional) each day for the two week program.

Primary Sport – Term 4Kindy students are to wear their sports uniform on Mondays.Years 1 & 2 students are to wear their sports uniform on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Years 3 & 4 students are to wear their sports uniform on Wednesdays along with their swimmers, towel and goggles for swimming.Years 5 & 6 students are to wear their sports uniform on Fridays, along with their swimmers, towel and goggles for swimming.

ICAS Mathematics, English and Spelling Competition PresentationCongratulations to the following students who received medals at assembly on Monday:ICAS MATHEMATICS CREDITErin B, Chloe H, Bethany H, Poppy M, Amy M, Charlotte M, Aidan S, Nathan S, Bella B, Jacob C, Neve E, Koa H, Holly H, Gemma L, Grace B, Olivia M, Ethan B, Kate B, Harrison C, Heath F, Nicholas HDISTINCTIONEsther R, Matthew L, Sarah M, Elijah M, Liam B, Isabella B, Liam C, Benjamin L, Ty D

ICAS SPELLINGCREDITAaron V, Kaelan D, George L, Matthew L, Elijah M, Isabella B, Jeremy H, Zoe C, Sarah L, David M, Noah SDISTINCTIONErin B, Benjamin L, Livinia P

ICAS ENGLISHCREDITNikysha B, Erin B, Willow D, Charlotte M, Kaelan D, Neve E, Lilijana G, Koa H, Sarah M, Georgia N, Liam B, Grace B, Isabella B, Jeremy H, Benjamin L, Livinia P, Ethan B, Natasha BDISTINCTIONBethany H, Esther R, Adah C, Olivia M, Zoe C, Jed Z

Kindy Bike DayOn Wednesday, Kindy participated in Bike Day. We rode on an obstacle course, through a sprinkler, over a hill and under the balloon obstacle. We had to avoid potholes and stop for pedestrians. After recess our ‘buddies’ came for an adventure ride with us. We went through the bush to the Secondary School. Thank you to Mr Head, Mr Hill and Mr Stephen Cooper for your help.

Avondale School Student is Heading to the National Athletics Championships!Year 6 student, Riley O, ran a personal best in the final of the PSSA 11 Years 100m sprint event last week at Homebush. His time of 12.80 seconds gained him the silver medal, which was presented to him by Melinda Gainsford-Taylor. Riley’s amazing achievement means that he will be going to the National Athletic Championships to be held in Tasmania in late November. Congratulations Riley!

news

sport news

3.30 - 4.30 PMTHURSDAYS ALL THIS TERMi n t h e iCentre

A chance to:• do independent study• complete your homework• get some help with writing (just sorting

that essay out!)• get some help with maths (even that

tricky homework question!)• get some guidance on that

assessment task you need to start!

Hope to see you there!AVONDALE SCHOOLW e L e a r n . W e V a l u e . W e S e r v e .

STEP UP

newssecondary

HRIS Senior Touch FootballThis week our boy’s Touch Football team went to HRIS aiming to win back to back trophies. Whilst the boys won all of their five regular games convincingly, exhaustion got the better of them in the finals. Well done to Lachlan B, Joel C, Ryan C, Liam C, Nathaniel G, Matthew G, Griffin L, Chad M, Lewis S, Sebastian S, Callan W and Tyler H for finishing a respectable 4th overall.

Year 11 Crosslands RetreatYear 11’s enjoyed a 3 day retreat at Crosslands last weekend. Canoeing, swimming and attempting the flying fox were activities most were involved in. The ‘worm’ was a highlight for many and the struggle to become the fastest to get from one end to the other made a few push themselves beyond what they thought possible. The record before we arrived was 14 seconds. Joey C, Joshua S and Lachlan L battled it out till there was a final winner of 8.16 seconds on Monday morning. Well done Lachlan! Prefects took the worships for the weekend and emphasized the importance of getting through the HSC as a team and leaving a legacy to be proud of. An exhausted but refreshed team arrived back Monday afternoon with lots of happy, positive memories of time spent with their year level.

Primary Calendar - Term 4Art Show ‘My Backyard’ 6.30 pm ................................... October 25P&F Meeting .................................................................... October 29Combined Choir Rehearsal ............................................. October 31Combined Choir Performance at College Church ..........November 1Year 1 Sunnyside Excursion ...........................................November 4Year 2 Cultural Day .........................................................November 5Knights and Rookies Chess Competition ......................November 52015 Year 7 Orientation Parent Evening .........................November 5Table Tennis Competition ..................................... November 10 - 13Tri School’s Cricket .......................................................November 192015 Kindy Orientation Parent Evening .......................November 19

Secondary Calendar - Term 4Art Show ‘My Backyard’ 6.30 pm ................................... October 25HRIS Senior Touch Football ............................................ October 28Year 11 Hospitality Lunch Function ................................. October 28P&F Meeting .................................................................... October 29Year 9 Geography Excursion ........................................... October 30Combined Choir Rehearsal ............................................. October 31Combined Choir Performance at College Church ..........November 1Year 11 Business Studies Excursion ..............................November 3Drama Showcase 7.00 pm .............................................November 6Year 12 Formal .............................................................November 11Band at Toronto Church ...............................................November 15

119 Avondale Road [PO Box 61] COORANBONG NSW 2264

p. (02) 4977 0200 f. (02) 4977 2651 e. admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au

w. www.avondaleschool.com.au

Principal’s MessageI rely on my mobile phone. It tells me the time, it keeps a list of appointments and it will ring an alarm to wake me up or get to appointment. It is a reliable piece of equipment.Reliability is one of the foundations of teamwork or cooperation. It allows people to work together, with each person doing what he or she does best, knowing that team members, friends or co-workers are taking care of other tasks.Oprah Winfrey is quoted as saying, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down”. It’s great to have people who can be trusted at all times regardless of circumstances.In recent weeks I have watched in the media some of the images of refugee camps that have no running water, little or no electricity, no sewerage and very little food. Sometimes it is good for us to acknowledge all the great things we have, because people work hard to make those services reliable - so reliable that we take them for granted.In the final weeks of the school year we are enjoying the results of the reliable hard work of lots of people. We look forward to seeing the results of reliable quality learning in School Reports at Speech Night. It’s a simple choice!Enjoy the news for this week.

Dr David Faull Principal

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NLT)

AVONDALE SCHOOLW e L e a r n . W e V a l u e . W e S e r v e .

Avondale School Values reliability

C ppa & Chatwith the Principal

avondaleschool.com.au / 4977 0200

Have you met our Principal Dr Faull? Do you have a comment, or improvement suggestion you would like to make?

Or a question you would like to ask?

This is your chance to have a quick chat with Dr Faull

Join him in the Primary School Staff Room Monday 27 October at 9.15 – 10.00am

25 OCTOBER 6.30PM Collaborative Learning CentreSecondary Campus

2014 ARTSHOW“My Backyard”

2014 ENTRY FORM The theme this year is “My Backyard”

Winners will be announced on Saturday Night 25 October at 6.30pm / More Info www.avondaleschool.com.au

HOW TO ENTER1. Complete form and attach to artwork2. Drop to Admin Building by Thursday 23 October

Thanks to Cherry Buildingfor sponsoring

the event

Name: Parent Mobile:

Infants Primary Junior High Senior High

Painting & Drawing Sculpture & Other MediaPhotography & Digital Media

Write a short statement about your work:

CATEGORIESInfants (K-2)Primary (3-6)Jnr High (7-9)Senior High (10-12)

SECTIONSPainting & DrawingPhotography & Digital MediaSculpture & Other Media

ALL ARTWORK

DUE BY23

OCTOBER

library newsPrimary Library ActivitiesStudents who visit the library before school and at lunchtimes really enjoy searching for books using the library computer catalogue, reading and playing quiet games. What a great place to be!

Reading Rulz Time is running out for Year 7-10 students to complete reading for this year’s Reading Rulz. Please hand all completed check sheets to your English teacher by Monday, November 2 so that House points can be tallied. YOUR reading will make a difference to you and your House. Maybe you have time for just one more book!

Outstanding ResultsThe NAPLAN results have been shared with our students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 and we are really pleased with the results. The learning focus on literacy is starting to show, especlally in reading and comprehension. The literacy and grammar emphasis has lifted the standard above the school and we are performing way above the State averages. This is added value at Avondale School. Well done!

Starting Kindy in 2015?Already enrolled?New students are invited to join us for Kindy Orientation day on 26 November 9am – 12pm. We would also like you to join us for our Kindy Parent Orientation evening on 19 November 7pm. An invitation will be sent out via mail soon!

Not yet enrolled?If you are still deciding, or have friends who are still looking at schools for Kindy in 2015, invite them to come along and meet our dedicated, caring staff and see the passion they have for Christian education. Children can join in the activities provided, so you have time to chat to the teachers, ask questions, and check out our well-equipped classrooms and extensive facilities.

Tuesday 4 November 2014 Drop in between 2.30pm - 4.30pmAvondale School Primary Office / 119 Avondale Road Cooranbong

Cooranbong Campus Pre-School to Year 12 / www.avondaleschool.com.au / 4977 0200