newsletter of the leura public school community · sculpture trail, 2pm 13/11 – community café...
TRANSCRIPT
RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY RESILIENCE
Newsletter of the Leura Public School Community Volume 5, Issue 16 Term 4 , 2017 Week 4
Coming Events
Week 5
6/11 – Principal’s Assembly –
2pm
8/11 – Kindergarten Transition –
Library visit
1.45pm – 2.45pm
8/11 – Community Café
9.15am – 10.45am
9/11 – Nude Food Day
10/11 – P&C Spring Wing Fling
Sculpture Trail, 2pm
Week 6
13/11 – Community Café
9.15am – 10.45am
15/11 – Kindergarten Transition –
1.45pm – 2.30pm
17/11 – Vaucluse House Excursion
Stage 1
Week 7
20/11 – School Tour
10am
Oral Reading Competition
On 26th October Gabe and I went to Winmalee Public School to
participate in the oral reading competition. We were nervous but it
was very exciting. We didn’t come first but I got highly commended.
The winner got a trophy and their name engraved on a shield. Gabe
says “I think it was fun”. Did I mention we got free food? Yum, yum!
Overall it was great and I would love to do it again. By Eliza 3/4A
Blue Mountains Public Speaking Competition
On Thursday 26th October Stella and I went to the Blue Mountains
zone Public Speaking competition. Many schools came together from
the Blue Mountains to compete in this pubic speaking competition.
We both really enjoyed the experience of speaking in front of
Winmalee Public and the other speakers. In the end I came 2nd in the
year 5’s competition and Stella got a participation award for having
the courage to talk in front of all those people. By Quinn 5J
From the Principal …….
Attendance
An analysis of this term’s attendance data for Weeks 1-3 has been completed and the results
are shown in the graph.
Although no grade has
achieved our target yet this
term, in comparison to the
final data from Term 3, each
grade (except for Year 5)
has shown an improved
attendance percentage, with
an average increase of over
3%. In such a short period of
time, this is impressive!
Thank you parents for
ensuring your children come
to school as expected.
NAPLAN Results
We have undertaken some initial analysis of our 2017 NAPLAN results. Year 3 and Year 5
classroom teachers have analysed the overall performance of their students and have identified
focus groups and discussed strategies for supporting further learning progress this term. If
you have any concerns about your child’s performance in NAPLAN this year, please make an
appointment with their class teacher.
Some of the school’s notable results for 2017 include:
significantly more Year 3 students than state average (29%) achieving the top band for
reading (44%)
significantly more Year 3 boys than state average achieving the top two bands for
reading and numeracy
majority of students in Year 3 and Year 5 achieving expected bands or above for
reading, writing, number patterns & algebra and data measurement & geometry
Some concerning results include:
performance in writing was not as strong as for reading and numeracy (reflects a state-
wide trend)
significantly less students achieving the expected bands in Year 5 than for Year 3 in all
areas
significantly less girls achieving the top 2 bands for writing and numeracy
We acknowledge the need to analyse this year’s data in light of the NAPLAN data from previous
years to identify any ongoing trends for our school in student performance and exclude any
cohort dependent results. We also acknowledge the need to explore some potentially negative
aspects of the data in light of school based assessment information to ensure a balanced
perspective of our student’s performance. More detailed information about student progress
and our school’s performance will be provided through our 2017 Annual Report, which will be
available early next year.
Selective High School Placements
A reminder that applications for selective high school placements in Year 7 in 2019 need to
completed online by 13 November 2017. If you have any questions, please contact Ms McMahon
through the school office.
School Evaluation and Planning
Thank you to all the parents who took the time to respond to our “Tell Them From Me” parent
survey. We had a total of 46 respondents. There were 95 respondents to the student survey
and 13 respondents to the teacher survey. The feedback provided to the school as ‘reports’ will
be invaluable for informing our future decision-making.
To add to this feedback, we will be holding two “Community Cafés” this term. The first one is
next week on Wednesday morning. The purpose is to identify the educational values and beliefs
about quality education of our school community members. We hope this opportunity will be an
authentic way for parents/caregivers to contribute to the development of our school vision and
purpose. A note was sent home this week with more details. Please contact the office if you did
not get the note.
Skoolbag
The school relies on this app for sharing information with our families. We use it to
communicate about events, give reminders, and will use it to inform parents about any
emergencies. Please ensure you download the app onto your mobile device so you don’t miss out
on our messages. It is free.
“Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous.”
(Confucius)
Yours in education,
Elise Berwick
Principal
Eco-Schools at Leura Public School: Our Place, caring for our Hanging Swamp
5J have been investigating the health of our Hanging Swamp. We collected rubbish around a
storm-water drain below our school grounds in the swamp bushland. 5J analysed the waste’s
data.
5J were shocked to find the enormous amount of rubbish that is entering our beautiful Hanging
Swamp from the storm-water drain. We were concerned to find that over 95% of our rubbish
was plastic!
You can follow 5J’s “Caring for our Hanging Swamp” journey at
http://learningatleurain5j.weebly.com/our-place.html
To raise awareness at Leura PS about the issue of waste and rubbish, 5J have developed a
“Litter Legends Campaign”. Our campaign work towards reducing the amount of plastic waste, we
generate as a school community and works to educate students on how to manage waste
effectively.
To further our awareness around plastic waste management, 5J are encouraging all K-6
students to participate in a Nude Food Day on Thursday, 9th November, 2017.
What can you do to reduce plastic waste at Leura PS?
On NUDE FOOD DAY – Thursday, 9th November, 2017.
On Nude Food Day, 5J will:
1. conduct an audit of our rubbish at lunch-time. How much plastic are we throwing into landfill?
2. monitor playground litter. Are we being responsible with our rubbish?
We appreciate your support and your commitment to caring for our school and our beautiful
surrounding environment.
5J and Mrs Fendall
Try to pack: A Waste-Less Lunchbox
Snacks & drinks in reusable containers. This
includes zip lock bags which can be
washed and reused many times
Reusable utensils when needed
A reusable lunchbox or backpack
Avoid: A Disposable Lunchbox
Lunches packed in plastic bags or cling
wrap, foil or wax paper that cannot be
reused
Disposable forks and spoons
Pre-packaged single-serve snack items
NSW PSSA State Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Jett (6M) who competed at the recent NSW PSSA State Athletics
Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush on 18th & 19th October, 2017.
Jett represented Sydney West Area in 800m event. It was an exciting day, watching high level
athletes compete to represent NSW at the National Championships in Adelaide. Jett proudly
represented Leura Public School in his event, sadly noting that "I can't believe this is my last
race for Leura Public School".
"Thank you Mrs Berwick and Leura PS for the support you gave me to attend the Athletics and
Cross Country Championships over these last four years" Jett.
Ms Crowe (Sport's Organiser), Mrs Fendall (Regional Athletics Co-ordinator) and Jett.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING – Term 4 VALUE OF THE WEEK
Week 5: A responsible student walks carefully and sensibly to the stage.
Week 6: A responsible student plays carefully in wet weather.
WALKATHON It’s not too late to return walkathon money.
If any students still have money to return, it can be left at the office.
All contributions are greatly appreciated as the money raised will go
towards purchasing 15 more Chromebooks for the school.
Community Announcements:
SSTS and TBP applications for 2018 - Applications for
2018 School Transport Scheme (SSTS) and Term Bus Pass
(TBP) travel entitlements are now open. For more
information visit http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au or
http://www.transportnsw.info
11th Annual Variety Concert – supporting Blue Mountains
District Anzac Memorial Hospital – at Katoomba Public
School on Sunday, 5th November from 3pm. Entry is $15
(primary school age and under free). Inclusions: variety
concert, afternoon tea, lucky door prize, raffle to be drawn
on the day – tickets available. Enquiries: Colin Semmler
4782 5765.
Blue Mountains Artfest – Creative Workshops. Saturday,
11th November – Illustrating Workshop, Cartooning
Workshop and Paper Clay. Sunday, 12th November –
Mandalas, Paper Craft, Woven Sphere and Tipi/Christmas
Tree. All at varying times and various costs. For more info
and booking forms visit the website
www.bluemountainsartfest.net.au or email any queries to
Every Body Live Well - Community Health Forum incl 2016-
2017 Annual Public Meeting.
Monday, 20th November 3.45 for 4 pm. Nepean CAPA High
School. RSVP 13/11/17
[email protected] (02) 4734 1542.
NOTES/PAYMENT REMINDER To assist families, the following is a list of activities and associated costs, for which permission slips and/or monies are to
be returned to the school. If there are any difficult circumstances in regard to any payments by the due date, for
incursions/excursions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
EXCURSION/ACTIVITY AMOUNT DATE/PAYMENT DUE
Instrument Hire and/or Tuition Term 2 $100/$200 Overdue
Instrument Hire and/or Tuition Term 3 $100/$200 Overdue
Instrument Hire and/or Tuition Term 4 $100/$200 Now
Voluntary School Contribution $47.00
Walkathon – whole school (sponsorship money due) Various Still collecting
Stage 1 Excursion - Vaucluse House $39.00 Wednesday, 8th November
School Swimming Scheme – Yrs 2, 3 and 4 $38.50 Friday, 10th November
Stage 2 Excursion – Bicentennial Park $45.00 Monday, 13th November
The Canteen is in urgent need of volunteers to help with the “behind-the-scenes” tasks. We really need help with:
Roster Coordination & Management
Sushi pickup on Fridays
Shopping on Thursdays
Please email [email protected] for more information.
Swampcare It's beautiful weather for bush regenerating! Come along to our next Swampcare session on Thu 16 Nov. Meet at the sculpture gates at 1pm. We would love to see you there! For further information please contact Lisa Scott-Smith on 0414642512 or on email at [email protected]
Our DISCO SPOOKTACULAR was a great
success! A BIG Thank You to Kylie, Nicky, Dindy, Amanda, Kellie, Jacquline, Marion, Melissa, Rachel, Christine, Peter, Rebecca, Belinda, Paul, Ben, Kristian, David S, David H, Andrew, and Tom!! Special mention goes to our DJ, Flava Dave -
as his son Jules is finishing year six, this will be his last disco for our school. We are so grateful to Dave for volunteering his time & musical expertise. Over the last 4 years, he has been crucial in making our discos so much fun & we will miss his enthusiasm on the wheels of steel greatly. Thank You!
The job can also be shared by two or more people. Training and handover period will be provided.
Please let us know if you (or someone you know) may be interested. The markets are on this Sunday, so go along and check them out and if you would like to know more, contact P&C Presidents, Belinda and Vikki at [email protected] or on 0402 349 951.
The Leura Public School First Sunday Markets have been running for 24 years and we hope to be able to celebrate the 25th Anniversary during 2018.
The position is responsible for all aspects of our First Sunday Markets, ie. advertising, liaison with the stall holders and on-site management on the day. Reimbursement is provided for expenses and a small allowance is paid for time and effort.
The P&C needs a new Markets Coordinator! The wonderful Di Kipp has filled this position for the last 7 years, but feels it is time to hand over the reins.
Without your help the markets may not continue – this would not only be a loss of amenity for our local community, but also a loss of income for the P&C which is used to provide valuable resources for our children’s education.
Markets Coordinator
Assistant Treasurer We are looking for an Assistant Treasurer
to support the current Treasurer position.
No special skills needed as all training
will be provided. For more information,
please feel free to send an email to
NEXT P&C MEETING Friday 17 November 1:30-3:00pm
Learning Support Room (adjacent to School Office)