PRINCIPAL’S COMMENT

Monday 16th December 2013 This is the last newsletter for 2013. The year has flown by too quickly with all the amazing activities that students and staff have been involved with here at Westport. Once again it’s time to farewell the Year 6 students. Many of them have been with us since they were in Kindergarten and it has been lovely to see them grow and mature over the years. They will be missed by the staff and the younger students. We all wish them the best of luck and success for the future as they begin High School. I hope to see many of the Stage 2 and 3 students at the Year 6 Farewell tomorrow night. I was lucky enough to attend Westport High’s Presentation Day last Friday morning. I sat upon the stage and felt full of pride to see so many past students awarded for their academic, sporting, citizenship and performing arts achievements. Congratulations to all the students who received awards at our Presentation Day last Thursday. It is always wonderful to recognise the students’ achievements. Thank you to the parents and family members who attended. Carols Beside the Vines Westport’s first carol evening was a fabulous event. The barbecue prepared by the P & C was delicious, followed by the beautiful singing from the students and their audience. We have very attractive school grounds and it is lovely for the school community to enjoy them together. Thank you to all the students and their families who attended. Thanks to the staff and the P & C for organising the event. I hope this becomes an annual Westport Public School tradition.

Reward Days Last Friday Kindergarten to Year 2 enjoyed an excursion to Billabong Zoo as their end of term reward. Today Year 3 to Year 6 travelled to the Wauchope Pool for their end of term reward. At the end of each school term throughout the year, students are invited to attend a Reward Day for consistently following the School Values – Be Safe, Be Fair, Be Cooperative and Be Polite. A big congratulations to all students who qualified to attend their Reward Day. You are a credit to yourselves, your family and to your school! Merry Christmas On behalf of all the Westport Staff, Merry Christmas to all the students and their families. We hope you enjoy a Happy New Year and a safe and active holiday. Goodbye to the families that are leaving us, we wish you well. Nicki Osborne Assistant Principal

****** COMING EVENTS TERM 4 ******

Mon 16th Dec – Stg 2 & 3 Reward Day – 10am-2pm Wauchope Public Pool

Mon 16th Dec – P&C Meeting – 6pm Staff Room

Tues 17th Dec – Helpers Morning Tea – 11.15am

Tues 17th Dec – Y6 Farewell – 6pm – 8.30pm

Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Times 2014: Tues 28

th Jan – 8.30am to 10am

Wed 29th

Jan – 8.30am to 10am Thurs 30

th Jan – 8.45am to 9.30am

Wed 18th Dec – Last Day of Term for Students

Wed 29th Jan – Students return to school

Term 4 – Week 10 Merit Awards Cooper Dibley-Coneybeare, Connor Law KR; Maddy Pettit, Michael Donohoe KL; Taj Whalan, Chelsea Reams 1/2MB; Brenton Harry, Laura Court 1/2S; Hope Gallagher, Harrison Schofield 1/2KB Silver Awards Lennox Pickworth KL; William Ormsby, Mikeyah Welsh-Tighe 1/2S; Gold Awards William Corrigan KL; Jack Shoobert 2/3TF; Noah Griffin 1/2KB; Montanna Simpson, Ashley Donohoe 1/2MB; Brenton Harry, Cameron Waters, Montana Brady 1/2S Diamond Awards Timothy Visvikis, Max Lockery, John Butler, Cody Griffin, Charli Spokes KL; Alarna Wright 1/2KB; Kaitlyn Lawer, James Lee, Savannah Medcalf 1/2MB; Summer Cambourne, Jack Gallaher, Kyuss Gow, Tamarra Holten, Kelsie Rayment, Jorja Schofield 1/2S; Jake Dunn, Justin Cooper 3/4B CANTEEN NEWS I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped over the year. It has been great getting to know you all and your help has been wonderful. I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and hope to see you next year. Please note that we are now out of our normal pizzas, chicken burgers and sausage rolls. If you are interested in volunteering in the canteen next year please come over and visit or ring Imogen on 65838506 in the canteen. Imogen SPLENDOUR IN HALL DVD

Copies of the Splendour in the Hall DVD are now available at the Office for $5.

AFTERNOON TEA Thank you to the parents that came to our last afternoon tea for 2013. We had great conversations and talked about exciting things to look forward to in 2014. Aunty Marilyn UNIFORM SHOP OPENING DATES The Uniform Shop will be opening in January on the following dates for anyone who needs to purchase uniforms: Tuesday 28th January – 8.30am to 10am Wednesday 29th January – 8.30am to 10am Thursday 30th January – 8.45am to 9.30am

CAROLS BESIDE THE VINES Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Carols, it was a great evening enjoyed by all. Wendy Friend

YEAR 6 FAREWELL Our Yr6 Farewell will be held on Tuesday 17th December at 6pm to 8.30pm. There will be a sausage sizzle and drinks available during the evening at no cost. The canteen will be open to sell treats. Yr6 presentation and cutting of the cake is at 8pm and parents are welcome to attend at this time. The Yr6 students have decided that they would like a “Starry Night Theme”. Dress Code – Smart casual, appropriate footwear (no thongs).

P&C MEETING The P&C are having their last meeting for the year tonight Monday 16th at 6pm in the Staffroom. All are welcome. Secretary Position is still open, this roll includes taking minutes at every meeting, incoming and outgoing mail and emailing. If you are interested in taking on this position in the P&C or would like more information just contact Kelly on 0405 029 124 after 3pm or come to our meeting this month. P&C Committee

LIBRARY BOOKS The library will be closing for stocktake this week and we require all library books to be returned. Could you please make sure your child returns any library books that are at home. Miss Cassidy GUITARS Guitar lessons have now finished and any students who still have guitars need to bring them back to school to be marked off. Guitar lessons will recommence in Week 2/Term 1, 2014. MENTORS CHRISTMAS PARTY Our lovely mentors finished the year with their students by having a little party. Thank you very much for being a part of our school, the students really benefit from the 1 on 1 activities they get to do.

INFANTS GRASSED AREA What a great job Richelle and Shane did laying the Sir Walter Buffalo turf, it will certainly make a difference, being more durable and tougher. The P&C were greatful to be able to get the turf from Earl’s Turf in Taree, where it is grown, for half the price, thank you for your generosity. If you are looking at redoing your lawns with Sir Walter you can get it through Growlush Landscape Supplies, Lindfield Park Road, Port Macquarie, 6581 0003, they are open 7 days.

VOLUNTEERS FOR 2014 In 2014 the Stage 3 Science and Technology outcomes will be chiefly addressed through gardening and cooking activities. These sessions will be held from 12.45pm to 3pm over 4 days. For these sessions to have a major practical component we need volunteers to work with us during gardening and cooking activities. Throughout 2013 many of the students at our school really enjoyed participating in gardening activities. We welcome parents, grandparents, family friends or neighbours, so feel free to ask in the wider community. You don’t need to know a lot about gardening or cooking. We can all learn together. If you would like to work with our Stage 3 students on a volunteer basis with gardening or cooking activities please come to the Office and ask for a slip to fill out. Many thanks Debbie Bradtke

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Port Macquarie Physi and Dance 2014 Information Days

Port Central - 9am to 4pm Saturday 18th January 2014 Settlement City - 9am to 4pm Saturday 25th January 2014 Classes resume week commencing 3rd February 2014 Cnr Acacia Ave & Karungi Cres Contact Donna on 0408 304 151 or Coralie on 65 84 0350

Computer Capers Holiday Workshops Discover, explore and build with Minecraft in a safe fun environment or try your hand at directing using iMovie, learn how to manipulate photos using Gimp, and much more. All computers supplied. Suitable for children from year 2 to year 8. Classes running from Jan 6th to Jan 24th 2014. For more information vist www.computercapers.com.au or contact Rob via email: computercapers@gmail.com Phone or Text: 0421998466

Hastings River Milo T20 Blast School Holiday Program

7 or 8 – 12 Year Olds

Registration – Monday, 20th

of January, 2014 from 9:00am

Dates – Monday, 20th to Thursday 23

rd of January

Time – 9:30am to 1:00pm

Venue – Wayne Richards Oval, Koala Street, Port Macquarie

Contact: Ashley Bryant on 0408 806 552

ashley.bryant@cricketnsw.com.au

PANTHERS NETBALL CLUB

2014 REGISTRATION DAY

15TH FEBRUARY 2014

9AM TILL 3PM

‘THE PIER’ – PORT PANTHERS

See website for more details