Issue 2 - Term 1 - Week 7

Friday 15 March 2019

Minto Public School Care, Opportunity, Success

Cnr Pembroke and Redfern Roads Minto NSW 2566 T 9603 2406 F 9820 3187 E minto-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Issue 2 – Term 1 – Week 7 Friday 15 March 2019

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Important message! Caring for your child’s health and safety—Walking to and from school I ask for your support to model, as the supervising adult, and also discuss with your child/ren safe walking along the footpaths and safe crossing of the very busy Pembroke and Redfern Roads. I also request that you discuss with your child/ren safe travel to and from school. In particular, please ensure that you enter and exit the school via the pedestrian gate only, that you cross only at the lights and that you use the footpaths mindfully. I was extremely concerned to be informed by two different members of the wider community of unsafe and dangerous behaviour led by parents and carers of our school. Road safety and the safety of your child is paramount. I urge you to take those extra few minutes to be safe when travelling to and from school.

Student leadership in the sporting arena Congratulations to the following students who are the Sports House Captains for 2019. These students had their House Captain badges presented at assembly on Monday 18 February: Red Backs— Pranzal N & Rielly D Tigers—Ruth A & Vishaan K Geckos—Mohamad S & Pranish K Kangaroos—Annabel P & Shuvra R The role of Sports House Captain provides our students with an opportunity to demonstrate and lead by example in the area of sports, particularly during carnivals but also at our Gala Days.

‘Brewing’ strong families and a strong community You are invited to participate in a Parent Café. Enjoy a free coffee/tea with light refreshments and relax while engaging in great conversation with other parents and carers. Share your thoughts and questions around our school. Come and enjoy getting to know us! When: Harmony Day! Thursday 21

March 2019.

9:25am—10:25am Where: In front of the canteen, under the COLA Who: Open to all! Everyone welcome! Why: An opportunity to connect with the school and other parents. Hope to see you there! Mrs Katrina Harvey

Calendar March 18/3 (Mon) Whole School Assembly—led by school leaders 18/3 (Mon) Kindergarten Best Start feedback session 3:40—4pm in the Kindergarten classrooms 21/3 (Thur) Parent Café (Harmony Day Morning Tea) 9:25-10:25. Everyone welcome. Canteen COLA. 21/3 (Thur) Harmony Day—children are encouraged to wear the Harmony Day colour of orange or cultural dress. Lunchtime games in the hall. 22/3 (Fri) Leadership training for elected SRC reps 23/3 (Sat) State Election—Minto PS is a polling place 27/3 (Wed) Family disco 4:30—6pm. All welcome. 29/3 (Fri) Wet weather GALA Day April 1/4 (Mon) Whole School Assembly—led by 5/6F, including a class item 2/4 (Tue) Stage 3 WSU visit to MPS. 12:30—1:30pm 3/4 (Wed) 1/2B, 1/2W, 2/3L Science Space, Wollongong excursion 11/4 (Thur) ANZAC Day Ceremony 9:45am. All welcome 12/4 (Fri) Easter Hat Parade 9:45am. All welcome 12/4 (Fri) Last day of term 29/4 (Mon) Pupil free day—Staff development day 30/4 (Tue) Students return for Term 2

Issue 2 - Term 1 - Week 7

Friday 15 March 2019

Working together in partnership with our parents and families P&C meeting The next P&C meeting date is scheduled for Tuesday 2 April 2019 at 6:30pm, in the library. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all parents and caregivers to attend the P&C meeting to learn more about its role and the fantastic part it plays in supporting our school. Children are welcome.

P & C Annual General Meeting (AGM) Notice of the date for the third P&C meeting and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is Tuesday 14 May 2019 at 6:30pm. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all parents and caregivers to attend this special P&C meeting. It is at this meeting that the P&C executive are determined, including President, Vice President/s, Secretary, Treasurer and Canteen Manager.

P&C meetings are child friendly! Perhaps you were considering coming to P&C meetings but were unsure about whether you could bring your children. We wanted to clearly communicate that Minto P&C meetings are child friendly! Your child/ren is/are certainly welcome to attend. At meetings, they have a special area to play, read or draw next to where the adults meet. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there!

Canteen News This is a reminder that the canteen has opened for business. Canteen days are Thursdays and Fridays. Please ensure that your child remembers to bring both their lunch and recess to school on the other days (Monday—Wednesday).

Canteen volunteers required —URGENTLY The canteen is managed by the P&C and manned by very dedicated volunteers. The more volunteers, the more days the canteen can open. I urge you to consider volunteering for the canteen. Training is provided and you will get to work with some fabulous ladies as well as support the children and their families. Your time and assistance would be very much appreciated. Please let myself or the office know if you are able to assist in our canteen.

School Banking The School Banking Program has previously been offered at our school. For this to continue in 2019, we require a second volunteer to support an existing parent coordinate this activity. If you are to help, this commitment is a weekly task for approximately 1 hour. Training is provided. Please leave your name with the office.

Easter Raffle Donations The P&C are asking for donations of Easter eggs for our Easter raffle. All donations may be dropped off at the front office and will be used to make the prizes for the Easter raffle. Raffle books will be sent home next week, with a return date of Wednesday 10 April, and the raffle will be drawn at the Easter Hat Parade on Friday 12 April. Thank you for your anticipated support.

Whole School Assembly Congratulations to 5/6M for a wonderful assembly on Monday 4 March. Your item was very thought-provoking and an important message about caring for our environment and that by everyone doing the simple things, like putting our rubbish in the bin, that it can have a great effect. The next assembly will be hosted by the Year 6 school leaders on Monday 18 March at 2:30pm. All classes will be in attendance. The Student Representative Council (SRC) badges will be presented as will the bronze and silver awards. Everyone is warmly invited to attend. Other assembly dates for Term 1: Monday 1 April 2019—Led by 5/6F and including a class item.

Class sharing Kindergarten off to a great start!

KB has had a wonderful start to the year as they settle into a routine. They have been working hard in our Language, Learning and Literacy (L3) sessions as well as our hands-on Maths lessons. Also, they have been enjoying getting to know each other and our school environment with fun social skills activities.

Mrs Binney

KT have enjoyed settling into their classroom over the last couple of weeks. We have been engaging in a range of fun interactive activities to develop our fine motor skills and counting. Each student has developed friendship groups in the classroom and on the playground. We look forward to the year of exciting learning!

Mrs Talevski

Issue 2 - Term 1 - Week 7

Friday 15 March 2019

NAPLAN Online This year Minto Public School will be completing NAPLAN online. All tests will be completed online with the exception of Year 3 writing which will be completed on paper. NAPLAN assesses the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress. Parents of Years 3 and 5 students please see the flier sent home today for further information.

NAPLAN Online Trial On Tuesday 26 March 2019 students in Years 3 and 5 will complete a 40 minute NAPLAN online trial paper called the OMNIBUS test. The trial test is NOT marked and results are NOT sent into NAPLAN. It is completed to ensure that the school’s technology is adequate to support NAPLAN Online.

Tell Them From Me Survey I am delighted that this term, our school, like many other public schools in the state, will participate in a Department of Education initiative: the Tell Them From Me student feedback survey. The survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide us with valuable and quick feedback on what they think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Capturing the voices of our students will help improve how we do things at our school. I want to assure you that the survey is confidential. The survey is conducted online and will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during school hours between 1 April and 12 April. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary. A consent form and FAQs for parents/carers about the survey is being sent home with students. If you do not want your child or children to participate, please return the form to school by Friday 29 March 2019. Copies of the form and FAQs are available from: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents.

Are you a talented sportsperson? Zone Trials If your child excels in the following sports, then be sure to listen to announcements at our Monday assemblies and look out for notifications on our website and app. Alternatively, you can see Miss Fassolis for more information. The following trials are being held in Term 2;

Open Rugby League Trials

Boys and Girls Softball Trials

Boys and Girls Hockey Trials

Rugby Union Trials

Boys and Girls Touch Football Trials

Netball

Success on the sporting field Boys football (soccer) and U11 Rugby League

Congratulations to Peter F, Cooper T and Connor M-L for successfully being selected to represent The Fields Zone team in Boys Football. Congratulations also to Tyran M for his selection in The Fields Zone U11 Rugby League team. Good luck! We are sure you will do both Minto and The Fields Zone proud.

Community of Schools (CoS) and Zone Swimming Carnivals

On Wednesday 27 February 2019, 12 students represented Minto Public School at the CoS Swimming Carnival. Of those students, 11 students were selected to represent the school at The Fields Zone Swimming carnival (heats and finals). All three of these days were a great success, with students representing the school with great sportsmanship and pride. Congratulations to all students and a special congratulations to Cooper T, Bonnie T, Harmony B, Alexis Y, Jaide C, and Sean S who were selected to represent The Fields Zone at the Sydney South West Swimming Carnival. We are extremely proud of you all.

Miss Fassolis

Anzac Dawn Service 2019 Ingleburn RSL Minto Public School sends representatives to the Ingleburn RSL’s Anzac Day Dawn Service. This tradition started many years ago when students from families who usually attend laid a wreath on behalf of our school and its students and families. We would like to extend the opportunity for students to also know of this valuable learning experience and to possibly represent our school by laying a wreath as part of the ceremony. I request that any interested students and families come and see me for more details. This is very important to ensure your child is included as we pass these student details on to the organising committee at the Ingleburn RSL.

Issue 2 - Term 1 - Week 7

Friday 15 March 2019

We warmly invite you to the Minto Playgroup—flier below. Everyone welcome!

Need to chat with your child’s teacher? Your child’s teacher is always happy to talk to you. As our teachers are usually on class, it is best to phone ahead or send them a note or email to make time for a chat. The best times to phone teachers are before school starts (8.55 - 9.20am), at lunch (11.25 - 12.10pm) or after school. Please be respectful of student learning time, teachers are unable to talk with parents when they are with their class. If your matter is urgent, please come to the office and we can assist you. Contacting your child’s teacher via email is easy, just email the school minto-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au making sure you put the teacher’s name in the subject area.

A message regarding student toilets Just a reminder that high school students, parents and carers waiting to collect their sibling or child in the afternoon should not use the student toilets. If you require to use the amenities, you are welcome to come to the office and use the staff / adult facilities. Thank you for your support in this matter. Ms Craze