Dudley Public School PO Box 2208, GATESHEAD NSW 2290

Boundary St, DUDLEY 2290

Phone: (02) 4944 7203

Fax: (02) 4942 6097

www.dudley-p.schools.nsw.edu.au Wednesday 27 April 2016

School Strategic Directions 2016

Consistent, high quality engaging learning

to provide student success as learners and

leaders.

Consistent, high quality educational

practices and student learning driven by

assessment evidence in line with the

Australian Curriculum

Cultivate consistent, high quality

collaborative processes within the

Whitebridge Community of Schools to

enhance the quality of teaching, learning

and leadership

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to Dudley Public School for

Term 2, 2016. We have another busy term

ahead with several special events that we

hope parents can support. The Term 2 calendar

of major events is attached to assist with this.

What’s Happening This Week

Week 1, Term 2

Mon 25 April - ANZAC Day

Tues 26 April - School Development Day

Wed 27 April - Students Return

- Karen Murphy— LSL

- Creative Arts Groups

- LMBR Training—Rosalie

Thurs 28 April - Staff Training

- Debating Workshop

- Executive Meeting

Fri 29 April - School Assembly

- LMBR Training—Peter

Mother’s Day Shopping!

Next Thursday 5 May, students will be able to

go shopping at the Mother’s Day Stall at

school. Our P & C have organised presents to

select, however have requested all families

send in a box of wrapped chocolates this

week . These can be sent into our school office

and will become one of the choices that

students can choose. Special thanks to Amy

Croal who has been organising this

special event.

Congratulations to Skye Lyddiard who

received her Principal’s Award for being an

exceptional class member who always strives

to do her best.

Congratulations to Tasmin Cutmore who

received her Principal’s Award for being a

mature, considerate student who completes

excellent work in class.

Long Service Leave

Karen Murphy will be on long service leave for

the next 2 weeks. Kerrie Batten will teach 3-4M

during this leave.

Weeks

1 & 2

Term 2

Principal’s Award - Week 11

Principal’s Award - Week 11

Hunter Sports High Application

Year 6 students interested in applying to Hunter

Sports High School Talented Sports Program for

2017 can now apply. Parents and students can

access information and application details on

their website: www.huntersports.com.au

Students need to complete the Talented Sports

Program Application and submit by 2 May 2016.

Applications can be found on the above

website or from our school office.

Cross Country Carnival

My apologies for incorrectly listing the house

placing for our cross country. They were:

1st - Currey 2nd - Macquarie 3rd - Jeffries

4th - Shortland

K - 2 Cross Country Results

Kinder Boys: 1st Hamish Mehan, 2nd Sam Nugus,

3rd Barney Hackney, 4th Lucas Montero-Burke

Kinder Girls: 1st Indira Ash, 2nd Maggy Wardle,

3rd Shyla Kelly, 4th Charlotte Blackmore

Year 1 Boys: 1st Tom Evans, 2nd Connor Rigney,

3rd Lachie Gonzalez, 4th - Jude Baker

Year 1 Girls: 1st - Jessica Kelly 2nd - Alice Duane

3rd - Maddison McKenzie 4th Lilly Spruce

Year 2 Boys: 1st Phoenix Pobje, 2nd Max Murray,

3rd Finn Matthews, 4th Bailey Nichols

Year 2 Girls: 1st Jessica Hitchcock, 2nd Sarah

Hobbs, 3rd Anna Gillard, 4th Sophie Donegan

Annual School Report

The Dudley Annual School Report for 2015 has

been completed and placed on our school

website for parents to access.

This report provides our community with factual

information regarding how our school operates,

outlines our philosophy, beliefs and values,

together with details of programs and

management plans used as we strive to provide

a quality learning environment.

The report outlines our school achievements in

various programs and performance in NAPLAN

tests, our key evaluations as well as our

Strategic Directions for the 2016 year.

Under the National Education Agreement the

Commonwealth requires that the main method

of distribution of the Annual School Report is to

be by the internet, via the school website.

Parents who can not access the information via

the internet can collect a paper copy from our

school office.

I would like to thank our school committee who

assisted me with this report: Parent reps - Kathy

Sloss and and staff reps - Jason Horadam and

Michele Stokes.

Pictured above are the Currey House Captains

with the trophy for winning the Cross Country

carnival last term.

Debating Workshop

This Thursday 28 April our 3 Debating teams will

have a special workshop from 11.30am -

3.00pm in the Fairleigh Hall. This will be

presented by Liz Bugbird (Georgia’s mother)

and Jo Potts. They are retired teachers who

present district debating workshops. There will

be no cost to students.

What’s Happening Next Week

Week 2

Mon 2 May - SRC Meeting

- Prac Teacher 3-4R

Tue 3 May - Learning Support Team Meeting

- Scripture and Ethics Classes

- LMBR training—Natalie

Wed 4 May - Staff Meeting

- Creative Arts Groups

- LMBR Training—Natalie

Thurs 5 May - Mother’s Day Stall

- Staff Training

- LMBR Training—Rosalie

- Cheryl Morris—LSL

Fri 6 May - Mother’s Day Assembly- KJ

- LMBR Training Peter

LMBR Training

This term we will continue with the extensive

training towards the new finance (SAP) and

student administrations (SALM) systems. Rosalie

and Natalie from our office will complete 15

days training and I will complete 5 days

principal training.

We have already sent a special letter to

parents outlining changes to school payments

during the transition to LMBR and will follow this

up with further reminders this term.

Page 2 Dudley Public School ~ NEWSLETTER 27 April 2016

Mother’s Day Stall

Our Mother’s Day stall will be held next

Thursday 5 May. Families are asked to please

send in a box of wrapped chocolates. These

can be left in the box provided in the school

foyer. For our new parents to the school,

students bring in money (approx. $5) on the

Thursday and their class will be given the

opportunity to go shopping at the P&C stall.

Mother’s Day Assembly

Our Mother’s Day assembly will be held in the

Fairleigh Hall next Friday 6 May from 10.35am.

During the assembly KJ will perform and classes

will read/show some of their Mother’s Day work.

It will be a special assembly for our students who

always enthusiastically show the special love

they have for their mums. All parents are invited

to join us for this assembly.

Our P & C will hold a special morning tea for

mothers following the assembly under the

Fairleigh Hall COLA.

Practicum Teacher

Year 3-4R will have some extra teaching support

for the next 4 weeks. Peter Davis will complete

his teaching segment on this class and our

school welcomes the extra help.

Looking Ahead

School Readiness Night

Come and meet with other parents, pre-school

staff and Primary School staff and have your

questions answered …. Legal requirements,

milestones in development, social skills, speech

and language.

Guest speakers: Dorte Bladt- Chiropractor

Joy Hirst - Speech Therapist

Lisa Wilks - Dietician

When: Monday 9 May 2016

Time: 7.00 - 8.45pm

Place: Charlestown Public School hall

RSVP: To your school by Thursday 5 May

Refreshments will be provided.

Dudley After School Care

Our Dudley After School Care is now operating

every afternoon in our old school hall. This is

being run by the community arm of the C3

Church Victory. If you require any

additional information please

contact the school office or the

organisers at the church on 4922

6800, mobile 0400 722 582 or

www.victoryoosh.org.au

Congratulations to these Bronze Award

recipients.

Congratulations to these Bronze Award

recipients also.

Long Service Leave

Our school administration officer Cheryl Morris

will commence 4 weeks long service leave from

next Thursday. She will be replaced by Natalie

Hardy during this leave.

Pensioner Hall Visits

Our school has been asked to provide support

for the Charlestown Caring Group who support

frail older people in our community. Our Yr 5-6S

and 4-5B will make two 30 minute visits to the

Dudley Pensioners Hall on Tuesdays this term.

They will do craft, sing a song and socialise with

the residents. The first visit will be by Yr 5-6S next

Tuesday from 11.45 - 12.15pm, they will be

supported by Kate Sullivan.

From the Library

PRC Update

2 1 9 s t u d e n t s h a v e

registered and 25 students have completed the

Premier’s Reading Challenge.

If your child hasn’t yet registered don’t

worry it’s not to late to do so.

Page 3 Dudley Public School ~ NEWSLETTER 27 April 2016

Page 4 Dudley Public School ~ NEWSLETTER 27 April 2016

Monday 25.4.16 Anzac Day

Tuesday 26.4.16 Pupil Free Day

Wednesday 27.4.16 Canteen Closed

Thursday 28.4.16 M Gallagher

Friday 29.4.16 Leanne Clark S Newton

Monday 2.5.26 S Comerford J McCloughney

Tuesday 3.5.16 M Downey M Rigney

Wednesday 4.5.16 N Elder K Newman

Thursday 5.5.16 F Gonzalez J Skinner

Friday 6.5.16 L Anderson K Bailey I Foggo

CANTEEN ROSTER

DRAMA

YOUTH THEATRE:

FOR YEAR 6 STUDENTS.

FREE - TRIAL CLASSES:

HELEN O’GRADY DRAMA ACADEMY

(established for over 22 years in Newcastle)

COMMUNICATION, ACTING AND PERFORMANCE

SKILLS.

STUDIOS :

CHARLESTOWN AND MEREWETHER.

WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

TO BOOK IN FOR A FREE TRIAL THIS

TERM- CONTACT:

Principal: Shane Skerly

Ph: 02 49 692338 for details.

Email: dramacorp@bigpond.com

Kindergarten Courtyard – Help Needed!

Our Kindergarten courtyard is about to be transformed with colourful ocean paintings by some of our students.

Any parents who are able to help paint walls or would like to assist small groups with art works are asked to contact Mrs Murray or Mrs Winter asap.

Mrs Murray will gladly accept any unwanted, colourful exterior paints (no matter how small the tin)!

A huge thankyou to Asha and Will’s parents

(and expert painters), Jade and Brendan Davies,

for completing the courtyard undercoat and

donating materials.

REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR CREATIVE WRITING IN TERM 2

This term our Unloaders have been flexing their imaginations and creating scintillating stories,

notable newspapers, cool characters, pop-up poetry and even simile songs. If that sounds like fun,

register now for term 2.

Who: Students from Years 3-6

When: Wednesdays 3.15—4.15pm, starting in weed 2 (4 May)

Where: 5-6H Classroom Cost: $135 (9week term) or come and try for $15

Numbers limited to 15 so get in quickly

For more information or to register go to www.unload.org.au

https://www.facebook.com/unloadcreativewriting

TERM 2 CALENDAR – 2016 - Dudley PS

WK MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY APR

1

ANZAC Day Holiday April 25

School Development Day • Karen Murphy

LSL 26

• Students Return • Creative Arts

Groups • LMBR Training

Rosalie 27

• Staff Training • Executive

Meeting • Debating

Workshop 28

• School Assembly • School Sport • LMBR Training

Peter 29

APR/ MAY 2

• Prac teacher 3/4R

• SRC Meeting

May 2

• Learning Support Team Meeting

• Scripture & Ethics • LMBR Training

Natalie 3

• Staff Meeting • Creative Arts

Groups • LMBR Training

Natalie 4

• Mother’s day Stalls

• Executive Meet • Cheryl Morris

LSL • LMBR Training

Rosalie 5

• Mother’s Day Assembly – KJ

• LMBR Training Peter 6

MAY 3

• P & C Meet 7.30 • WCoS Kinder

Readiness Night • Australia’s

Biggest Morning Tea

• Smartboards Installed 9

• Learning Support Team Meeting

• Scripture & Ethics

• NAPLAN – Language & Writing 10

• Staff Meeting • Karen Returns

LSL

• NAPLAN Tests - Reading

11

• Staff Training • Learning Support • Michele’s last day • LMBR Natalie

• NAPLAN Tests

– Numeracy 12

• Assembly 1/2S • LMBR Training

Rosalie • L3 Training 2B &

1H 13

MAY 4

• SRC Meeting • Michele Stokes

LSL begins • LMBR Training

Natalie 16

• Digital Technologies Competition

• Scripture & Ethics • LMBR Training

Peter 17

• Yr 1 & 2 Civic Theatre Production

• Staff Meeting • Zone Cross

Country 18

• Principals Conference

• LMBR Training Rosalie

• Yr 5/6 Knights Knockout 19

• Assembly 2B • Principals

Conference

• Sunday 22 “Run Dudley Day” 20

MAY 5

• SRC Meeting 23

• Learning Support Team Meeting

• Scripture & Ethics • AECG Meeting 24

• Staff Meeting • Creative Arts

Groups • LMBR Rosalie 25

• Grand Parents Day

• Staff Training • Executive Meet • LMBR Rosalie 26

• Assembly – 1H • School Sport • LMBR Natalie

27

MAY 6

• Report Writing Release 30

• WCoS Staff Meet • Scripture & Ethics • Science

Competition 31

• School Disco • Creative Arts

Groups • Girls 5/6 Soccer • LMBR Natalie

June 1

• Staff Training • LMBR Rosalie • Executive

Meeting 2

• Assembly – KS • L3 Training • Region Cross

Country • LMBR Rosalie

3

JUNE

7

• P& C Meeting 7.30pm

• SRC Meeting • 4 Prac students

begin 6

• LST Meeting • Scripture & Ethics • No Payments To

School until June 20 7

• Staff meeting • Creative Arts

Groups • Boys 5/6 Soccer 8

• Staff Training • Dudley

Pensioners Hall Centenary

• Executive Meet 9

• Assembly – 5/6H • Paul Kelly Cup

Yr 5/6 • School Sport 10

JUNE

8

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY

PUBLIC HOLIDAY 13

• LST Meeting • Scripture & Ethics • LMBR “Go Live” • Public Speaking

in class WKs 8/9

• Spelling Comp • Creative Groups • Staff Meeting

15

• Stage 3 Awabakal Day

• Staff Training • Yr 3/4 Knights

Knockout 16

• Assembly- 5/6S • Sport • Writing

Competition 17

JUNE

9

• Commence Payments To School

• SRC Meeting 20

• LST Meeting • Scripture & Ethics 21

• Staff Meeting • Creative Groups • Netball Gala Day 22

• Staff Training • Executive

Meeting

23

• School Athletics Carnival

• LMBR Peter • L3 Training

24

JUNE 10

• Public Speaking Finals Week

27

• LST Meeting • Scripture & Ethics • Student Reports

Home • LMBR Natalie 28

• Exec Meeting • Student Reports

Home 29

• Learning Support Team

• Executive Meeting 30

• Assembly – Stage 3 choir

• Final Day Term2

July 1

INSIGHTS

Building parent-school partnerships

parentingideas.com.au

Want more ideas to help you raise confi dent kids and resilient young people? Subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter, my FREE weekly email parenting guide at parentingideas.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.

WORDS Michael Grose

© 2016 Michael Grose

Easing children’s

anxietyFor those with no personal experience of anxiety it can be hard to understand how debilitating it can be. “Come on, get on with it,” seems so obvious. Of course, this response is nowhere near adequate.

Most kids experience some anxious moments or have fearful thoughts and feelings from time to time about certain events. These thoughts and feelings prompt them to proceed with caution.

But anxiety and fear can be paralysing. Some kids simply can’t stop their ‘bad thoughts and feelings’. They can’t silence the voice of fear that whispers to them continually.

Staying calm Anxiety is a normal part of life and can be managed, but it takes time. It’s also contagious so it’s the job of parents to stay calm, think clearly and role model confi dence when kids get anxious.

CALM is created through your words, voice and facial expression. When children become anxious, help them recognise what’s happening. Some kids get angry, some become upset and others withdraw. Work out the pattern for your child and help

them recognise when they are anxious.

ACCEPT your child’s anxious feelings. Your

child needs to trust that you are with them,

and then they will be more willing to let

you help them cope. It’s hard sometimes to

diff erentiate between what may be a bad

case of negative thinking and true anxiety.

Is a child being negative when she doesn’t

want to join a new club because she thinks

no one will like her, or is there something

more going on? Try to confi rm whether

there is any validity in their fears. If not,

point out diplomatically, that they may be

catastrophising. If you feel there is reason

for concern, help them to overcome their

anxiety.

CHALLENGE the validity of your child’s

fears and anxiety, using logic and rational

thinking. Don’t allow kids to wallow in self-

pity. Move their thoughts towards the future

rather than allow them to mope around.

Making a plan ENCOURAGE your child to overcome their

anxiety through action. Vanessa came

up with a creative solution to help Ruth,

her seven-year-old daughter, overcome

her reluctance to attend birthday parties

without her. Initially Vanessa attended

parties with her daughter so she wouldn’t

miss out, but Ruth was becoming too reliant

on her, so it was time to make a change.

The next time Ruth was invited to a party,

Vanessa put a plan into action. First, she

set up a little birthday party scenario at

home using dolls and teddies as friends, so

her daughter would know what to expect.

Vanessa explained that she would leave her

at the party for a short time. Vanessa let her

daughter know that she had no doubt that

she’d cope.

The little plan worked a treat. Vanessa

arrived at the party an hour after the

start to fi nd Ruth involved in a game. She

acknowledged her mum, but she didn’t

leave the game. Later, at home Vanessa

made a fuss over her daughter for being

brave. Ruth agreed that next time she was

invited to a party she would go for the

whole time without her mum.

Anxiety is normal and part of everyday

life. However, it can be debilitating unless

it’s managed. Anxiety management takes

time for kids to learn, but it’s one of those

valuable life skills that parents can teach

their kids.

Anxiety is normal and part of everyday life. There’s no better time than childhood for learning how to cope with anxiety.

Building parent-school partnershipsBuilding parent-school partnershipsBuilding parent-school partnershipsWORDS