NSW Department of Education and Communities

Cowra Public School

NEWS

28 August 2014 Term 3, Week 7 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

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

Book Week has been welcomed by

Cowra Public School with most of our

children dressing up yesterday as their

favourite book character and what a sight

it was. Several teachers and staff took the

opportunity to also have some fun with

many wonderful and creative costumes

being created. Mrs Oborn needs a special

mention as the coordinator of the Book

Week celebrations and as the person

coordinating the Grand Parade down the

main street. This was highly successful with

many parents and grandparents coming

to see the children on parade, but also the

wider community and shop keepers who

enjoyed the spectacle. As always Cowra

Public School shone in behaviour and

attitude and many comments have

filtered back through to the school about

our wonderful children.

Last night the school hosted the 2015

Kindergarten information night for parents

with a tremendous response. We are

delighted with the progress of the students

who have entered our school in 2014 and

look forward to ongoing success next year.

The evening involved an address by Mrs

Cole and Mr Tom introducing programs

and subjects taught at the school. This

enabled parents to have a greater

understanding and knowledge on some of

the processes and procedures involved in

making that transition from Pre school to

‘Big School’. We also had Mr Rob

Webster from the P&C and Mrs Amanda

Hindmarsh from Cowra Bus services both

give an address on their respective

connection to the school and we thank

them both for their time. Many staff

representatives were also present on the

night with several parents taking the

opportunity to talk to a class teacher on

how the school operates.

Tomorrow the school will be involved in a

Commonwealth Games Day. This will be

held at River Park and will involve the

entire school. The cost of this event is $2

per child which has been reduced from

the $4 original price thanks to the strong

contribution made by our P&C. Mrs

Duncan is very excited about this event

that will involve all Cowra public schools

and will commence at 10.00am. Hopefully

it will be a warm day and we are

expecting the day to be thoroughly

enjoyed by all students who will be selected

to represent one of the Commonwealth

countries. Lunches can be purchased at the

Cowra Public School Canteen on Friday and

will be delivered to the students at lunch

time. All children should wear their school

sports uniform and should have recess, water

and hat with them throughout the day.

Please ensure your child has a jumper with

their name clearly marked.

This week several of our students took the

initiative with the assistance of their parents

to raise funds for the RSPCA by selling

cupcakes. The girls made well over $400 and

we congratulate them on their application

to this wonderful cause.

One very exciting event this week was the

purchase of new band equipment. The

Cowra School band was established at the

beginning of 2013 when I was able to source

second hand equipment from other schools

that were no longer running music in their

schools. The equipment was in varying

degrees of condition, but not once did I

have any student complain about an

instrument that was a bit worse for wear.

Instead the children showed tremendous

drive to learn their instruments and music in

general. The band was trialled and the

ongoing success of the program has

directed the school to invest in new

equipment. Shortly several senior band

members will be taking home for the very first

time new instruments. This is seen as a

commitment to the band program by the

school and highlights the value we place on

music in the school.

The school is very happy to highlight student

performance and often we acknowledge

our academic and sporting high performers.

However, often a talent that may be

unexpected comes to the fore from a

student you may not expect. I would like to

share one such experience where Aedan

Leatherland presented at my door with a

very complex, working, self constructed, coin

-operated candy machine that he had

created from Lego. Aedan who is a very

quiet boy had seen this design once on

YouTube and decided to construct it

through trial and error. It involved a

mechanical arm that accepted the coin

and on taking the coin released it

through a number of internal movement

of shafts and cogs,

then supplying a

small candy. The

money could then

be retrieved through

the back of the

device in the

‘bank’. To say I was

impressed with this

young man would

b e a n

u n d er s ta tem en t .

Well done Aedan.

Tonight the school will be hosting the

monthly P&C meeting with preparations

for the Cowra Public School P&C Bingo

Night well underway. I would like to

encourage all parents to feel welcome

to join the P&C and become involved

further with the school. The meeting will

start at 6pm in the staffroom.

Lastly I would like to congratulate Tyahla

Munroe and Mac Webster for their

tremendous 2nd place at the regional

NAIDOC Public Speaking Challenge. The

children will now proceed to Sydney for

the state final later in the term.

Enjoy the week.

Brad Tom

P& C Meeting

TONIGHT

6.00pm

in school staffroom

Everyone welcome

Tyahla Munro Mac Webster

Page 2 Cowra Public School

FOR YOUR DIARY

AUGUST

21 P & C Meeting 6.00pm

22 Commonwealth Games Day

28 Yr 4 Bike Day

29 Regional Athletics Carnival

SEPTEMBER

2 Father’s Day Stall viewing

4 Combined K-6 Assembly

5 Father’s Day Stall

9-10 Cowra Show

10-12 Archikidz

15 Premier’s Spelling Bee

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.

The next combined assembly will be:

Term 3 Week 8 (Thursday, 4

September) at 2.00pm

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

Commonwealth Games Sports Day

$2

STAGE 3 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA:

Next instalment Thursday 18

September: $50.00

Total cost: $272.00

KINDERGARTEN JAPANESE

GARDENS : $8.00

YEAR 6 T-SHIRTS: $25.00

YEAR 4

ROAD SAFETY

PROGRAM

CYCLING

On Thursday, 28 August Year 4 children

who have returned their permission note

will be participating in activities

designed to make them safer bike riders.

These activities will take place from

11.30am-1.00pm and again from 2.00-

3.00pm.

Year 4 children involved are to bring

their bikes and helmets to school and

take them home again that afternoon.

On arriving at school children are to

take their bikes and helmets (names on

both please) to the ‘zoo’ area where

they will be stored until required.

Please check your child’s bicycle for

safety and discuss the way in which you

would like your child to transport the

bicycle to school.

Participants may wear their sports

uniforms.

With Year 4 children, parents, police and

teachers involved a great day is

assured.

For children in Year 4 not taking part, it is

a normal day at school.

Paul Lewis

Bike Safety Coordinator

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 above on

the front and all the Year 6 students’

names on the back. The front design and

students’ names will be printed in black.

A note has been sent home and if you

wish your child to take advantage of this

offer please indicate on the note the size

of the T-Shirt required and return the order

form with $25 for each T-Shirt to the school

by Friday, 5 September 2014.

Please measure your child - do not

estimate. T-Shirts cannot be exchanged.

Year 6 Teachers

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB

The closing date for Issue 6 is

Tuesday, 26 August 2014 at 3.00pm.

*** Please make cheques

payable to Cowra Public School

KINDERGARTEN EXCURSION TO JAPANESE

GARDENS

On Wednesday, 17 September students in KR, 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.

KW REQUEST

KW is looking for older type light

bulbs for a craft activity. They

don’t have to be in working

order.

Please leave at the office or deliver to KW

classroom.

Page 3 Cowra Public School

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

This year, the students of the SRC have chosen to support the Cowra

Community Chest as their local charity. To raise funds for the Cowra

Community Chest, the SRC have organised a series of activities in which

the rest of the students can participate. These events will be held over

the next five weeks of Term Three. The activities and cost are as follows.

Week 7 Skipping 50c per session Sports Centre

Week 8 Volleyball 50c per session Under COLA

Primary Tues/ Fri

Infants Wednesday

The activities will be done by Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) on Tuesdays, Stage 1

(Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2) on Wednesdays and Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year

6) on Fridays from 1.30-2.00pm.

Mrs Kathryn Macnamara

SRC Coordinator

INVENTION COMPETITION

Do you have an inventive child who is always coming up with hair brain

ideas for making life easier? Does your child create loads of things with

Lego? Does your child draw lots? Then this competition could be just for

them:

The BIG COMPETITION FOR INVENTIVE KIDS. Origin Energy company has

been helping kids get switched on about energy for the last 10 years.

Now, it's their time to shine. They want kids from Year 3 to Year 8 to tell

them their brilliant ideas for their future. Three first prizes as a trip to NASA

Space Centre in the USA. Nine runners up: $1000 each for educational

grants and twelve third prizes: $4000 energy grant for their school.

What they need to do

There are no limits on how little or big your idea is. It could be a new

invention, a smart way to save energy or a clever idea that helps people

or makes their lives easier.

Describe your idea in words plus a video or drawing.

Describe your little-BIG-idea in 200 words or less. If you want, you can

also create a 1 minute video or drawing to help get your idea across.

How to enter?

Enter using the form from the website: littleBIGidea.com.au

Type or paste your text into the form upload your video or a clear image

of your drawing, if you have one. Then enter your details and hit submit.

Make sure you enter by 5 September 2014.

Who can help them?

Ms. Beecher is running a lunch time club called the inventors club

( Monday lunch times)- just for sharing ideas and guidance and to help

those people who find it difficult to write.

This is an activity that is NOT compulsory but

students can work on at home independently.

Raelene Beecher

Learning Support Teacher

Cowra Public School

SPORT

REGIONAL ATHLETICS

CARNIVAL - DUBBO

We have 20 students who are competing in the

Regional Athletics Carnival in Dubbo Friday, 29

August.

Please note our Cowra PSSA Zone uniform is black

shorts (or netball skirt) and white top. Athletes will be

issued with a number when they arrive at the Regional

Carnival.

Congratulations again and good luck to everyone.

Shavaughn Duncan

PE/Sports coordinator

Girls Boys

Crystal Holmes Gary Cheng

Chloe Horne Joel Edgerton

Madeleine Mulligan Luke Kinsey

Natahsa Planicka Kyle Murray

Isabella Scammell Marcus O’Connor

Chloe Wolfenden Joshua Palmer

Hallie Wolfenden Joshua Pokoney

Courtney Wright Trey Pollard

Jumyah Simpson

Mac Webster

Cambell White

Students will need to make their own arrangement for

transport to and from Dubbo. If you can’t take your

child, please see Mrs Duncan for alternative

arrangements.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES DAY

~ TOMORROW

Students will walk to and from River Park accompanied

by their class teachers at 9.30am and return to school

at 2.00pm. Students need to take their recess with them

to the park. There will be NO ordered recess from the

canteen. As the weather could be quite cold, students

will need to bring plenty of warm clothing, water to

drink and a waterproof sheet or garbage bag to sit on.

Timetable:

10.00am-10.20am Recess

10.30am-11.00am Opening Ceremony

11.00am-12.30pm Events

12.30pm Lunch

1.15pm-1.45pm Closing Ceremony

Cowra Public School Canteen will take lunch orders

before school on Friday and deliver them to the oval.

If students don’t wish to order they will need to bring a

packed lunch. There will be a canteen available for

parents at the oval.

Shavaughn Duncan

PE/Sport

RSPCA CUPCAKE DAY

On Monday, 18 August a few girls at Cowra Public School

held a “Cupcake” Day for their fellow students.

The day was a huge success and we raised $430.50 for the RSPCA. The

girls had tremendous fun selling the cupcakes at both stalls (one in the

Infants playground and the other in the Primary playground). We sold over

350 cupcakes. Thank you to everyone who bought cupcakes.

The team included: Tess and Ella Roberts, Anja Gower, Heidi Osborne,

Maddy Mulligan, Bella Scammell, Jade Lanham and Nashwa Bakini.

Book Week Celebrations

On Wednesday we had a wonderful celebration of Book Week with lots of students dressing up as their

favourite characters. Amongst the many costumes (forgive me for not mentioning everyone!) we had

Princesses Galore, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Pearlie’s, Little Red Riding Hoods and a few wolves to chase them,

Ben 10’s, a very smart and funny dictionary, three Pippi Longstockings, a Very Cranky Bear, the Force was

with us, as was Lord of the Rings, a Little Dinosaur, a wife of Henry the VIII, Dorothy Scarecrow and the Tin

Man, Tin Tin, Mary Poppins, lots of magical wizards and witches, EJ12, The Doctor’s, Bella and Katniss, Mr

and Miss Happy, Thing 1 and Thing 2, a pigeon who wanted to drive a bus, enough super heroes to keep

us safe from all evil and we found Wally!

We took our book week parade out of the school and walked down the main street of Cowra to show off

our costumes. Thank you to all the parents and friends who waited in the main street for us to wave and

take photos, we appreciate your support!

After recess we continued our celebration with Stage 2 students reading to infants. We enjoyed the

sunshine out in the playground and the infants students heard many a good story from Stage 2. Stage 2

also made a bookmark to give to infants students as a gift to remember Book Week.

Thank you to all parents and carers who slaved away over Book Week costumes. It’s a big task and I appreciate your participation! Have a look at our web page to see the colour version.

Sheridan Oborn,

Teacher Librarian.

Cowra Public School Page 6

SPORT continued

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

TERM 3 SPORT

A change in sports groups will take now take place on 29 August 2014. I have listed below the sports being

offered to the students and any conditions that will apply. During the cooler months sport will played on Friday afternoons from 2:00

until 3:00 p.m.

I strongly urge you to discuss the sports listed with your child and decide together what they should play.

A note has been sent home. Please list THREE sports in order of preference and return the tear-off section to the Sport & Fitness

Centre ASAP. Students who do not indicate their preferences will be allocated to sports where vacancies exist.

SPORTS ON OFFER VENUE / REQUIREMENTS WEEKLY COST

Skating/Scootering Skate-park (limit of 25 students) own scooter/skateboard and helmet is

compulsory drink and sunscreen

$3 a week

Netball Col Stinson Park drink, hat and sunscreen $3 a week

Soccer School or Twigg Oval drink, hat and sunscreen (shin pads & mouth guard) No cost

Oz Tag/Touch Footy Holman Oval drink, hat, sunscreen No cost

Walking for Fitness Various venues close to school drink, hat and sunscreen No cost

Indoor Hockey At school drink, hat and sunscreen (limit of 24 students) No cost

COMMUNITY

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”

ORANGE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

When: Saturday 20 or Saturday 27 December

Where: Sir Jack Brabham Oval, Orange

Times: Ages 5-10 10am-11am

Modball Ages 11-13 years 11.15am-12.15pm

Softball 14-19 years 12.30-1.30pm

Adults 2.pm-3pm

Cost: Nil. A free sausage sizzle will be available for all participants

Contact Pam Kelly 0419 013 951 or Jacquie Lisle 0407 934471

P & C

P& C Meeting

TONIGHT

6.00pm

in school staffroom

Everyone is welcome to attend

P&C stands for Parents and Citizens, and Cowra Public

School’s P&C Association meets once a month on

Thursday evenings. The objective of the P&C is to

provide parents, carers and concerned citizens an

opportunity to discuss aspects of their child’s education

with the school’s Principal and other staff.