Our full calendar can be found at http://www.wamberal-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents, This week we hosted four highly successful Presentation Day assemblies. Thank you to Mrs Rees for the organisation of these events. It is a great way to pause, reflect and acknowledge the efforts and achievements of our students.

Thank you to our families for the constant support of Wamberal Public School throughout the year. We greatly appreciate your many contributions that directly benefit our students.

We farewell and wish all our Year 6 students and families the very best for their future in high school and beyond and hope they will cherish fond memories of their education at WPS and the many friendships they have made. End of Term 4 & Year 6 Parade of Honour The last day this term for all students is Friday 15th December 2017 (with Monday 18th December and Tuesday 19th being Staff Development Days). We invite parents to join with us for a special Parade of Honour at 3.00pm this Friday 15th December, as we recognise, honour and farewell our Year 6 students on their final day at Wamberal Public School. School Security Thank you for helping keep our school safe. You are encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour on school grounds during the holidays to School Security on 1300 880 021 or local police. Staffing Update We farewell Mr Smith who has been permanently appointed to Wideview Public School in Berowra, and Mr Curran who will return to his substantive position at Woy Woy PS. We thank these teachers for all they have done for the students and community at Wamberal. Important Dates for 2018 School resumes for Years 1-6 on Tuesday 30th January, 2018. On this day, students will meet and continue to work in their 2017 class groupings.

Best Start interviews will be held for our incoming Kindergarten students during the first week, with Kindergarten classes formally commencing on Friday 2nd February, 2018.

We wish all our families a safe and happy Christmas vacation and look forward to working with you again in 2018. Paul Miller Principal

What’s On 14th December Year 6 Farewell 15th December Last Day Term 4 30 January 2018 Students Return – Term 1, 2018

Term 4 Week 10 13th December 2017

Deputy Principals’ Report Cybersafety Children and teenagers are online and using social media with increasing frequency. While many enjoy their online experiences, there are risks involved. Parents, schools and the broader community need to work together to help keep children’s online experiences safe. The Commonwealth Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner has developed a resource for parents – iPARENT – which helps parents deal with the connected devices in their children’s lives. iPARENT can be found at https://esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent. This service provides facts and statistics about Australian children online, managing technology in the home and strategies that can be used by parents to keep children safe online. A parent’s guide to online safety can be downloaded from this site. A range of other useful information is also available from the website. For example parents can access information about cyberbullying including:

• how to talk to their child about cyberbullying; • what to do if their child is being cyber bullied or is engaging in cyberbullying behaviour themselves; and • sources of professional support and help. •

The website also provides information about how parents and children can report unwanted online contact and/or inappropriate, offensive or illegal content online. Finally, if someone you know is adversely affected by an online experience, free and confidential advice, assistance and support is available from:

• the Kids Helpline (ages 5 to 25) on 1800 55 1800; and/or • eheadspace (ages 12 to 25) on 1800 650 890; and/or • Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Of course if you need urgent assistance ring 000. Road Safety: Important Information for Parents and Carers These Holidays As the school holidays approach, it is important to remember when walking near roads, on footpaths, near driveways and in car parks always:

• hold your child’s hand. Until they are at least 8 years old children need to hold an adult's hand. Until they at least 10, children should be closely supervised by an adult and hold hands when crossing the road;

• talk to your child about road safety. Talk about how to be safe when near roads. Be a good role model; • point out road safety dangers and differences in new environments.

This is especially important when on holidays in different surroundings. Roads, footpaths and pedestrian facilities may look different in holiday areas. The best way to keep your child safe on or near the road is to hold their hand. Talk with your child daily about road safety. Remind other adults and carers about this too. You can find out more at Transport for NSW http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/children/pedestriansafety.html Have a happy and safe holiday break. We look forward to working with all our students and families in 2018. Jane Rees and Lisa Lewis Deputy Principals

Meet our Staff… Name: Claire Lane Role: 2 Blue Classroom Teacher Background: I was born in country N.S.W and brought up in South West Sydney. I moved to the Central Coast with my family in 2006 to finish Year 11 & 12 at Terrigal. After finishing high school I went on to study Teaching at the University of Newcastle. I love spending time with my friends and family and 3 gorgeous puppies (A Staffy, Pug x Frenchie and a Maltese Terrior). Being at the beach or reading a good book is my perfect weekend! Teaching and Leadership: I completed my Bachelor of Primary Teaching degree in 2015. Last year I worked on Kindergarten at a different school and this year I was lucky enough to be offered a temporary position on Year 2 at Wamberal Public School. This year is my second year teaching on class and I have learnt so much through working with the fantastic team of staff and having new experiences every day in the classroom. I have loved being a part of the team at Wamberal Public School and working with great students, parents and teachers!

Thank you to all parents who have helped & supported the P&C this year. Best wishes to all for a happy Christmas and a safe holiday season.

Thank You Morning Tea

On Wednesday 6th December the staff provided morning tea for our lovely volunteers and scripture teachers. We are most appreciative of all the support offered by these kind people. You are all wonderful.

School Transport Student Scheme

Improvements have been made to the School Student Transport scheme which now means that students who are progressing to Year 3 and Year 7 do not need to reapply if they meet the following three conditions:

• are continuing at the same school • are residing at the same address • have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW

The system has automatically validated a student’s ongoing eligibility if they’re at the same school and progressing to Year 3 and Year 7. Where a student met the new eligibility the system has updated their entitlement and card. If they did not meet the new eligibility, students would have been sent an expiry notification. If students need to update any information or reapply, they should go online to: https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Hello from the library.

Please return all library books if you have not already done so

A large number of books have not yet been retuned. Thank you to those who have already found and returned overdue books. If books have been lost please make appropriate payments at the school office.

Premier’s Reading Challenge certificates

Premier’s Reading Challenge certificates will be sent home with school reports on Wednesday. Gold certificates were presented at a recent school assembly. Congratulations to all who participated on their wonderful achievement.

Library Monitors and student helpers

I would like to thank all my library monitors and other students who have helped to keep the library running smoothly this year. I have appreciated the efforts made by students who help out with routine activities on a day to day basis as well as during special events such as the Book Fair and organisation of certificates for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Do Keep Reading – research indicates the benefits of reading for pleasure

Research demonstrates that reading for pleasure supports literacy and other academic and lifelong outcomes and research also shows that some students return to school after the long summer break with a decline in reading skills. So please keep your children reading during the holiday break.

Do Keep Reading – Central Coast Council Libraries

Central Coast Libraries (all branches of Gosford & Wyong Libraries) offer a fantastic range of library resources and services — books, video & audio items, e-books and links to quality online data bases such as newspapers and Encyclopedia Britannica. Membership is free and branches are conveniently located in or near shopping centres and parking. A perfect, cost-free holiday activity. Watch for special school holiday sessions at the libraries.

Do Keep Reading – Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge was announced on 1st Dec. It’s a wonderful reminder for the entire family to keep up regular reading habits over the holiday break.

Do Keep Reading – Book recommendations for younger readers

The following links provide lists and reviews of quality books for younger readers:

Children's Book Council of Australia 2017 winners

Children's Book Council of Australia 2017 shortlist

The Book Chook

Megan Daley book reviews

Commonsense Media Book Lists (USA)

A Mighty Girl book lists

Do Keep Reading – magazine recommendations for younger readers

Magazines are a popular reading choice for many children. Award-winning teacher librarian Megan Daley has posted her Top Twenty Magazines for Kids. I hope to introduce subscriptions to some of these in 2018.

Final Scholastic Book Club order 2017

Issue 8 Scholastic Book Club orders have been delivered this week. Library Helpers for 2018

Would you like to help out? There are always many jobs to be done in order to keep the library running smoothly. Could you help to organise Book Club orders, shelve books for a few minutes before school or take new books home to cover? Please contact me in the library or through the school office.

Best wishes to all of our families for the holiday season and the coming new year.

Happy Reading Mrs Knight Teacher Librarian

Dear Parents

Re: Dance & Drama classes at Wamberal Public School

This is to advise that next year we will be running an after-school program here at the school. The program is a performing-arts program that encourages creativity, fitness, coordination, and confidence through narrative hip-hop and drama. Above all, our classes are a lot of fun!

Day: Every Monday (during school term)

Time: 4.45pm-5.45pm Age: Students from Year 2 to Year 6 in 2018. Suitable for boys and girls.

Cost: $215 per term (includes ALL dance costumes for the year, no registration fees) OPEN DAY FREE LESSON: Monday 5th February 2018, at 4.45pm in the school hall

Each dynamic lesson includes:

• Warm Up • Movement : Mime, Characterisation • Speech: Projection, Articulation, Resonance • World Dance Segment: Students get to experience a variety of classical & modern

dance styles eg. jazz, contemporary, latin, street dance; a different style each lesson) • The 'Storydance': The main part of the lesson is a whole class play that the children put

on together using narrative hip-hop + a script to tell a story to music • Games and Cool Down

Registration is essential to ensure we reach minimum numbers for the free lesson. Please email hello@sudd.com.au to request a registration form, or for more information phone our office on 0420 234 646 or visit us at www.sudd.com.au.

We look forward to meeting you in 2018, Wamberal P.S. students!

SYDNEY

ENROL NOW FOR TERM 1 2018 In your Fun Language Classes at

Wamberal Public School

Term 1 classes starting Monday 12th February 2018 available for students:

NEW SPANISH FOR KIDS CLUB

Thursday 3.40pm – 4.40pm for 5-12 years old

FRENCH FOR KIDS CLUB Monday 8.00am -9.00am for year 3 –year 6 Monday 9.00am -9.30am for Kindy – year 2

NEW STUDENTS RECEIVE A FREE MEMBERSHIP PACK VALUE AT $50.00

(includes Song book, CD and acces to Babelzone online resource in the Target Language)

For More info on cost and siblings discount please call Nathalie Roy 0430 286 590 Email nathalie.roy@lcfclubs.com.au

www.lcfclubs.com.au