Week 7 Term 1
Principal's Message
NAPLAN Online
Next week our school will be trialling our computer capabilities to manage Year 3 and 5 Naplan online testing. All of year 3 and 5 will log on to our computers, test audio and answer some questions to assess our technological readiness.
This is not a literacy or numeracy assessment. It is also training for our teachers to become familiar with the platform.
Mufti and Crazy Hair Day
Colourful outfits, crazy hair and very excited children- what a recipe! A recipe for fun!
Congratulations to our parliamentarians on managing the day and to Annabelle for being brave enough to cut her beautiful hair in support for “Shave for a Cure”.
The school has raised almost $500, with proceeds being split between Shave for a Cure and Parliament, who will be using this for school projects this year.
Congratulations to our Craziest Hair winners!
- Early Stage 1 - Leilani, K Iceland & Charlie, K Sweden
- Stage 1 - Nahla, 1 Papua New Guinea
- Stage 2 - Alaura, 3 China
- Stage 3 - Evie, 5 Mexico
Parent Volunteers Wanted
Alstonville has a strong history of parents supporting school programs. One of the learning and support programs that has been quite successful here is the “MultiLit and MiniLit” programs that support students who may be experiencing difficulties with reading. We are calling for more volunteers to assist with delivering this program.
CAN YOU HELP?
Mums, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles… if you have any time you could offer us we would be most grateful. Mrs Mackie and Mrs Jude will support you and provide some initial training to help you out. You will love working with our students and feeling that buzz when students show progress and learn new skills. Please call the office and leave your details, if you are interested.
Safety Messages
- Attendance at school is of course a high priority for us all, however, if your child is unwell, please keep them at home to minimise the spread of germs in their classroom. Cold and flu season is approaching, so let’s be considerate of each others’ health and wellbeing, as well as our own.
- Pedestrian access to our school: A reminder that the car park driveway entry is NOT to be used for pedestrian access in the mornings or afternoon. All children, and any carers with them, are asked to use the front stairwell or entry gates at the front of the school. Let’s keep everyone safe!
Diana Foley
R/ Principal
P&C NOTICE OF AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Alstonville Public School’s P&C will be held on Monday 26 March 2018 commencing at 6:30 pm in the school library.
All current office bearer positions will be declared vacant and nominations called for the following positions;
- President
- 2 x Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Nominations will also be sought for a
- Fundraising Coordinator
The AGM is open to all parents and carers who wish to attend, however only financial members are eligible to vote and/or nominate for vacant positions.
If any current members are unable to attend the AGM but are happy to accept nomination to a position or wish to nominate a position they must indicate this in writing.
At completion of the AGM the March general meeting will be held.
Please come along to support your school. It is only together that we can build a strong community and a supportive environment for our kids and staff.
Volunteers Needed for MultiLit
We are seeking a group of volunteers who can commit to helping meet the needs of our students in years 3-6 in the first session (9:15 - 11:15 am) through a program known as MultiLit (Making up lost time in Literacy).
Perhaps you volunteered in 2017 and would like to continue this rewarding initiative, or have a passion for assisting children and have been wondering how you can make a difference? We currently have 2 parent names but are hoping for more in order to create a consistent timetable.
Training will be provided!
Call the office today on 02 6628 0775 and leave a message for Rachelle Mackie or Angela Jude.
Arriving late
Students that arrive late to school (after 9:15am) are required to go via the school office to receive a late pass.
If they do not go to the school office they will be marked as away for the day, and a letter will be sent home to parents asking for an explanation.
Spotlight on Students
Debating
Debating has started and is held on Friday in Morocco!
Interested students from Year 5 and Year 6 can attend from 8am to learn all the dynamic roles of debating.
I’d like to thank past students Ally, Coen, Lucy and Rachel for giving us their time to improve our skills. Alstonville Public School appreciates the commitment you give to our Debating program.
6 Egypt
We have been learning about microorganisms in Science and have conducted a number of experiments. We loved observing and recording the effects of yeast when making bread.
Dorroughby Education Centre visit
On Tuesday 7 March and Wednesday 8 March, Year 1 and 2 students participated in an amazing incursion with Cindy and Tamlyn from Dorroughby Education Centre. Their topic was ‘Water’.
Firstly, students used microscopes and invertebrate charts to identify water organisms so they could learn about the health of our local creek water. Then, making a scientific drawing of an insect was another important skill they practised.
Next, they experimented with full cream milk, food colouring and detergent to find out about surface tension. They were also able to make some enormous bubbles after rearranging and discussing a huge jigsaw puzzle of the water cycle and the catchment area for our area.
Finally, they participated in a fascinating experiment on pollution in our waterways to learn how the Richmond River was being polluted by a broad range of pollutants. They were able to discuss what they could do in their own home and town to prevent this pollution from occurring.
World's Greatest Shave
Hi my name is Annabelle, about a year ago me and my sister Olivia thought about participating in the World's greatest shave in memory of our wonderful Pa who died from Lymphoma in 2007.
When we saw what the Leukemia Foundation can do with fundraising money and the hair we donate can go to wigs or soaking up oil spills from the oceans, we realised it was a really important thing to do.
With lots of awesome support from friends, family, our school and the community, even kind strangers, we have raised over $3500.
This will provide research funds, and help support families of people with blood cancer - wow!!
Thank you so much for your support APS!
Cyber Safety hints with ThinkUKnow
Family Online Safety Contract
One way to encourage a discussion on cyber safety with young people is by creating a family contract together.
This way everyone knows what is expected of them when they’re using the internet - including mobile phones, tablets and other devices.
ThinkUKnow have teamed up with the Carly Ryan Foundation to develop a Family Online Safety Contract for you to print and sign with your family. We’ve also designed a blank template if you want to specify your own online family rules.
- Family Online Safety Contact (PDF, 168KB)
- Blank Family Internet Safety Contract Template (PDF, 519KB)
Scripture
Special Religious Education (SRE) aka Scripture, will be holding a combined (Kindy to Year 6) SRE Easter Assembly in the school hall on Tuesday 27th March during normal SRE time.
Stewart House Donation Drive
Envelopes for the Stewart House Donation Drive will be coming home today, Friday 16 March - please consider donating as little as $2 to help the great work of Stewart House and to go in the draw to win a $4000 family holiday!
- Take home the envelope and fill in your name, address, telephone number and school.
- Insert a donation of at least $2 into the envelope and seal it.
- Return the envelope to your school / office.
Terms and Conditions of the competition can be found online at stewarthouse.org.au
Each year 1,800 public school children in need come to Stewart House from many parts of NSW and the ACT. During their stay, children are provided with optometric, dental and medical treatment as well as emotional support. This is balanced with health and educational programs and out of school activities to boost their self-esteem and to promote a healthier lifestyle.
Children in the care of Stewart House attend a specific purpose school onsite for 8 days of their 12-day stay. The NSW Department of Education provides infrastructure and staffing support for this school. All others costs associated with the childrens’ stay are met from charitable donations.
Band News
The Senior Band have had a great start to the year and we have had some lovely music coming from the band hall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Don't forget that rehearsals are on Tuesday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm and Wednesday from 8:00am to 8:45am. Our first public performance will be coming up in the last week of Term 1. All Senior Band students must ensure that they have a band shirt by Friday 6 April 2018. These are available from The School Locker in Ballina. It is important that new Senior Band members are remembering to attend their sectional rehearsal every week.
This year we have had a lot of students join the Junior Band. They have been busy learning about their instruments so far and are looking forward to full Junior Band rehearsals commencing. These rehearsals will be beginning soon on Tuesdays from 12pm and more information will be sent home in the coming weeks. Don't forget to attend your weekly sectional rehearsal on Monday or Wednesday with Mrs Lewis-Hughes.
Coles Sports for Schools
Coles Sports for Schools is back to help Aussie kids stay fit and healthy. When you shop at Coles, you'll receive Sports for Schools vouchers that your local school can exchange for sports gear. The more vouchers you collect, the more sports gear they'll receive.
- Step 1 -For every $10 spent at Coles, you will receive one Sports for Schools voucher.
- Step 2 - You then bring vouchers to your school, placing them in the collection bins located in the office foyer, and just inside the back door of the office building.
- Step 3 - Every voucher you donate to your school can be redeemed for leading brand sports equipment.
School Banking needs your help!
Our students really enjoy participating in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program and to keep this program running we need your help.
The program requires a volunteer School Banking Co-ordinator to facilitate the banking and distribution of School Banking rewards. This only takes a small amount of your time one day a week and the Commonwealth Bank will provide support in how to run the program. Your help with the program will greatly benefit students as they develop vital saving skills and also help our school with fundraising.
Currently, School Banking day is WEDNESDAY.
If you are interested in volunteering for this great program, please contact the school office.
Oral Health check
The Northern NSW Local Health District would like to remind parents and carers that the Child Oral Health Service offers FREE dental care to ALL children under 18 .
- Oral health is essential for health and wellbeing.
- It is recommended that children have regular dental check ups starting at 1 year.
- Regular dental check ups can prevent minor problems becoming major ones and prevent unnecessary pain and distress.
- Dental visits can be fun for kids, treat these visits as normal, routine events so as not to develop fear.
Call 1300 651 625 today.
Looking for some lunch inspiration?
Check out these Instagram accounts for healthy snacks and lunch ideas:
School Calendar
- Monday 26 March - P&C Annual General Meeting (6:30pm in the library)
- Tuesday 27 March - Scripture Easter Assembly
- Friday 30 March - Good Friday Public Holiday
- Monday 2 April - Easter Monday Public Holiday
- Friday 13 April - Last day of Term 1
- Tuesday 1 May - First day of Term 2