The Winston Whisper Winston Hills Public School

Hillcrest Ave, Winston Hills 2153 T: 96398518 F: 9686 3274 Email: winstonhil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.winstonhil-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Issue 4 - Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

CONTENTS

Page 2: Deputy’s Report, Harmony Day, ‘Crazy Hair’ Day Page 3: PSSA Results, Swim Scheme Page 4: Zone Swimming Carnival, 3R Parent Information 5pm Page 5: Article – ‘Raising Sensitive Kids’ Page 6: Parent Working Bee Page 7: P&C News Page 8: Class of the Week – 2C

CALENDAR

TERM 1

Week 8 Tuesday 17 March P&C AGM 7.30pm Wednesday 18 March HARMONY DAY

‘Bollywood’ – In School Performance Thursday 19 March Kindergarten Teddy Bear’s Picnic Friday 20 March Last PSSA Round Week 9 Tuesday 24 March Stage 3 Excursion –Reptile Park Wednesday 25 March Support Unit – Swimming Carnival Yr 2 Excursion – Bicentennial Park Thursday 26 March CRAZY HAIR DAY

– Yr 6 Fundraiser Friday 27 March Winter PSSA Trials Week 10 Monday 30 March Principal’s Morning Tea Kinder Sound Day Tuesday 31 March Cyber Safety Talk 6.30pm Wednesday 1 April School Cross Country Carnival Thursday 2 April Easter Hat parade K-2 Uniform Shop Open 6.00-7.00pm

WHAT’S DUE?

Friday 20 March Book Club Due Monday 30 March Year 6 Jersey Note & Payment Tuesday 31 March ICAS Note & Payment

ACCOMPANYING NOTES • Year 6 Commemorative Jersey • UNSW Competition Note Years 2-6 • Choir Note – choir members

Email Only

• WHPS ‘Band Social Night’ Flyer • Penrith Library Newsletter • YMCA Vacation Care – Easter Holidays • Winston Hills Tigers - Rugby League Flyer • Penrith Library – Children’s Newsletter • Creative &Performing Arts – School Overview

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

School Development Day Yesterday the staff participated in a very worthwhile day of professional development on ‘ Dyslexia and Working Memory’. Our presenter Dr Amanda Tocci spoke to the staff about what it means to have a reading disability and gave the teachers practical strategies on how to support students in their classes who have dyslexia or working memory issues. YMCA Vacation Care – Enrolment Forms Available in the School Office Foyer NOW Following many parent requests, the YMCA is offering a Vacation Care service at Winston Hills PS in the next school holidays. A program, including contact details for interested parents is being emailed with this newsletter and forms are now available in the office foyer. Parent Morning Tea – ‘Anti Bullying’ Thank you to the parents who attended the ‘Parent Morning Tea’ about ‘Anti-Bullying’ on Wednesday, two weeks ago. The session was a big success with approximately 20 parents in attendance. Thank you to Ms Michelle Rose, one of Learning and Support Teachers who spoke at the morning tea. REMINDER – Parent ‘Cyber Safety’ Talk The P&C has organised a special event for parents and caregivers on Tuesday 31st March at 6.30pm in the school hall. The presenter Leonie Smith, is an expert on cyber safety and will give a presentation on ‘Raising Responsible Digital Citizens’. The P&C has heavily subsidised the cost of this presenter so that parents can learn about this important topic. A flyer accompanied our last newsletter with details. Please RSVP as soon as possible. All welcome! Please note:The students in Years 3-6 will also attend a ‘Cyber Safety’ talk during the day at no cost. Maxelle Matthews

P & C MEETING

&

Annual General Meeting

TONIGHT !!!

Tuesday 17 March

Living and learning together Page 1

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

Stage 1 Assembly – Change of Date Stage 1 will be holding an informal awards assembly next Tuesday 24 March instead of the planned assembly on Wednesday 25 March, when Year 2 will be on their excursion to Olympic Park. The assembly will be held in the New Hall, commencing approximately 2.10pm. Children are asked to bring in their sets of 10 awards this week so that they can be tallied and the Merit awards organised beforehand.

Stage 2 & 3 Assembly – Years 3-6 • Thursday 19 March – 2.10pm to 3.00pm • Class Item - 4LK & 3J • Parents are welcome

Year 6 Fundraiser

Crazy Hair Day!!!

Thursday 26 March 2015

Come to school with crazy hair!!! Gold coin donation

Mufti clothes (non-uniform day) Don’t forget to wear sensible shoes

and bring a hat! Canteen Fun Food Day

Thank you from Year 6!

FROM THE DEPUTY Learning Support Many thanks to the team of parents supporting the school’s Multi-Lit and Reading Programs. With their generous assistance, numerous students from Years 2 to 6 are receiving extra help with their reading and literacy skills. Results from last year were very positive and we are looking forward to further improvements this year. Teachers are also planning additional stage based interventions for the students needing additional support in the classrooms with some exciting projects being finalised over the next few weeks. Parents wishing to support Multi-Lit or other learning support programs are asked to contact the school to receive more information. Harmony Day - Tomorrow Harmony Day (21 March) celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Winston Hills will be celebrating Harmony Day TOMORROW with a Bollywood Performance prepared for all student K-6. Mrs Middleton and Mrs Harvey have worked hard to organize this extravaganza and Mrs Webb and Ms Ta have been preparing the students all term for the performance that is shaping up to be a wonderful celebration of multiculturalism. Year 2 Cross Country Runners The Primary Cross Country Carnival is scheduled for Wednesday 1st April and the Year 3-6 children are busy training for this challenging event. In an attempt to extend our talented athletes, parents of students in year 2 who are turning 8 this year and who have the potential of being competitive in the 2km event at a district level are encouraged to contact me at school to organise entry into this year’s carnival. Hills Sports High Talented Sports Program Parents of Year 6 students who are interested in applying for a Talented Sports Program position at Hills Sports High School in 2016 are asked to pick up an application form from the office foyer. These positions cater for students talented in a specific sport and involve a series of trials. For more information contact me at school or Robert Hawkes, Director of Sport on 0425288481. ICAS Competitions As part of our Gifted & Talented Program, the school participates in competitions run by the University of New South Wales. These competitions provide an opportunity for students in Years 2-6 to be challenged in an examination-type format. The program also allows parents and students to gauge their level in comparison to talented students across Australia. A permission note is included in this newsletter. Footsteps Dance Program Next term the K-2 and Support Unit students will be participating in a dance program called Footsteps. During the program the students will learn some traditional and modern dance forms. Permission notes will be included in the next newsletter. Principal’s Morning Tea Students who have received honour awards this term for 50, 100 or 150 merit certificates will soon receive an invitation to the Term 1 Principal’s Morning Tea, which will be held on Monday 7th April at 10:30 am. Children who have accrued the above number of merits are encouraged to submit their awards as soon as possible to ensure they are included in this term’s celebrations.

CELEBRATE HARMONY DAY AT WINSTON HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL

ON WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH Harmony Day is a day to celebrate the cultural diversity of Australia. This gives us the opportunity to share the importance of diversity with others in our school and community and to promote the message “Everyone Belongs”. On Wednesday 18 March, we welcome the “Bollywood Infusion” dancers to our school for some colourful cultural excitement. We also would like to encourage all students to wear one ORANGE item of clothing to celebrate harmony in our school. Ideas might be orange socks, an orange head band, an orange shirt or an orange hat. The remainder of the uniform will stay the same with only one item being replaced by something orange. We will also be running a variety of activities in the classrooms to celebrate diversity, belonging and harmony in our school. Have a look at the Harmony Day website for more information: http:www.harmony.gov.au

Living and learning together Page 2

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

ENETRTAINMENT BO OK

XOXOXOX

SCHOOL NEWS SPECIAL SWIM SCHEME Two weeks ago, many students from Year 2, 3 and the Support Unit embarked on an intensive swim scheme program. With excitement they boarded the bus on the first Monday and came back with tired eyes on the final Friday. Many new techniques and safety lessons were learnt and lots of fun was had by all, including the teachers! It was another successful year of the Winston Hills Swim Scheme. We are looking forward to introducing Year 2, 2016 students to the program.

PSSA RESULTS – ROUND 3

Cricket Juniors Vs Matthew Pearce Public School Lost 40-31 Seniors Vs Matthew Pearce Public School Lost 36-56 Softball Senior Boys Vs North Rocks Public School Lost 9 -10 Senior Girls Vs North Rocks Public School Won 8 - 3 T-Ball Junior Boys Vs North Rocks Public School Won 13- 6 Junior Girls Vs North Rocks Public School Won 8 - 7 Touch Football Junior Boys Vs Crestwood Public School Won 5-2 Junior Girls Vs Crestwood Public School Won 7-4 Senior Boys Vs Crestwood Public School Lost 3-5 Senior Girls Vs Crestwood Public School Lost 2-6 PSSA RESULTS – ROUND 4 Cricket Juniors Vs Crestwood Public School Win 42-37 Seniors Vs Crestwood Public School Win 72-59 Softball Senior Boys Vs Northmead Public School Lost 3 -10 Senior Girls Vs Northmead Public School Draw 7 - 7 T-Ball Junior Boys Vs Northmead Public School Lost 35- 1 Junior Girls Vs Northmead Public School Lost 13 - 29 Touch Football Junior Boys Vs Oakhill Public School Lost 1-3 Junior Girls Vs Oakhill Public School Won 3-1 Senior Boys Vs Oakhill Public School Won 7-0 Senior Girls Vs Oakhill Public School Lost 2-3 Training Girls Touch Football & T-Ball – Thursday 8.15am Boys Touch Football, Softball and Cricket – Friday mornings at 8.15am Draws & Tables Can be located on Castle Hill PSSA website http://castlehillpssa.wix.com/chpssa

PSSA Congratulations Congratulations, Ben English 5/6F. Ben has been selected to represent the Castle Hill PSSA at the Sydney West Primary Opens Rugby League Trials/Championships, at Richie Benaud Oval, North Parramatta, Tuesday 31st March. Melissa Johnston Ilana Shelton

Swimming Scheme Coordinator Living and learning together Page 3

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Last Tuesday, 22 students represented our school at the Waves Pool, Baulkham Hills competing against 17 other schools in our PSSA zone. Outstanding results were achieved by all in their events. Our school was placed 3rd overall in the CHPSSA Zone. Special congratulations, to both Jack Maguire and Trinity Loader who won Age Champion for their age group. Jack Maguire 1st Open 100M Freestyle

1st Snr 200M IM 1st 12yrs 50M Freestyle

1st 12yrs 50M Backstroke 1st 12yrs 50M Breaststroke 1st 12yrs 50M Butterfly

Trinity Loader 1st 12yrs 50M Butterfly 2nd Open 100M Freestyle

2nd 12yrs 50M Freestyle 3rd 12yrs 50M Backstroke 3rd 12yrs 50M Breaststroke 3rd Snr 200M IM

Emma Wilson 3rd Open 100M Freestyle

3rd 11yrs 50M Freestyle 4th 11yrs 50M Backstroke 4th 11yrs 50M Butterfly

Olivia Maguire 1st 8yrs 50M Freestyle Luke Maguire 3rd 10yrs 50M Freestyle Ben Pentland 5th Jnr 200M IM Junior Boys Relay 5th Senior Girls Relay 4th Congratulations and good luck to Jack Maguire 5/6P, Trinity Loader 5/6M, Emma Wilson 5/6M, Luke Maguire 4M and Olivia Maguire 2W who qualified for the PSSA Sydney West Swimming Carnival at Homebush on the Monday 16th March 2015. Melissa Johnston MEET MISS RODRICKS – 3R PARENT INFORMATION SESSION TOMORROW! Reminder - Parents of students in 3R (formerly 3K) are invited to attend a Parent Information Meeting with Miss Rodricks. The meeting will be held:

• 3R classroom • Wednesday 18 March • 5.00 – 5.45pm.

At this meeting Miss Rodericks will discuss class routines, homework, student expectations and generally outline his plans for the rest of the year.

Living and learning together Page 4

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Living and learning together Page 5

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

ENETRTAINMENT BO OK

XOXOXOX

Living and learning together Page 6

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

ENETRTAINMENT BO OK

XOXOXOX

P & C NEWS P&C FUNDRAISING

Sausage Sizzle Election Day Fundraiser We are running fundraising event for this year’s state election on Saturday 28 March. It will be a Sausage Sizzle to be manned from 7.30am until 2.00pm.

If you can help out with cooking or serving for 1 or 2 hours only

please call Sandra on 0432 945 367.

BOOK CLUB NEWS

Issue 2 Everyone should have now received their orders from the first issue of book club. If you have not or have any questions regarding your order please contact me via email at sarah.johnstone@iinet.net.au. Orders for the second issue will be taken on Friday 20 March from 8.40-9.15am. Payment can be by cash, cheque (made payable to Winston Hills Public School) or by credit card. If you wish to pay and order online go to www.scholastic.com.au/loop. This will also need to be done by Friday 20 March 2015.

Sarah Johnstone Book Club Coordinator

UNIFORM SHOP Opening Hours Open during School term every Thursday morning’s 8.40-9.30am. 1st Thursday night of each month 6.00-7.00pm Uniforms Don’t forget to get your new hats, sports polo and everyday polo for boys. Next term is winter uniform. Have you got your child’s winter uniform yet? Rosters 19th March: Julia Maguire , Melissa Thomas, Kate Salmon. 26th March: Belinda Schuster, Melissa Zoeller, Samantha Hinchelwood. Alterations For all alterations to school uniforms, please drop your clothes off at Uniform Shop on Thursdays. Finished alterations will be available for pick up the following Thursday. Thanks to Bernice Harker for this service who is also donating 10% of sales back to the school. Uniform Shop Contact Details Please email Kellie Bramble at kellie_irish@live.com to place an order or for any enquiries. Email orders can be delivered to your child’s class on Thursdays only.

BAND NEWS - Important Message

Winston Hills Public School Social Night • All parents of WHPS and their families and friends

are welcome to attend this event.

• Come along for a night of music, fun, dancing, games and prizes.

• The talented WHPS tutors are playing, with former yellow Wiggle, Greg Page singing.

Saturday 28th March

Northmead Bowling Club

Please make a booking at the club if you are eating dinner there

See the note in the Community notices for more details!

BAND NEWS

The past 4 years of being involved with the WHPS has been nothing but a very enjoyable and positive experience. Working alongside the WHPS staff, P and C, Rob DI Marzo, tutors, committee, families and students has taught me a lot both professionally and personally.

However, the time has come for me to step down from that position in 2015. I thank the outgoing committee for all the hard work, time and effort they have given during their time with the WHPS band.

As an outcome from our AGM/general meeting, held on 9 March 2015, I congratulate and warmly welcome to the 2015 band committee the following members-

• TB Co-ordinator- VACANT • SB Co-ordinator-Siobhan Buchan • PB Co-ordinator -Kylie Baker • Assistant Co-ordinator-Sue Bryant • Secretary- Micalea Ashton Standring • Music Resource-Jasmin Jones • Treasurer- Richard and Karen Fornari

BAND FEES ARE NOW OVERDUE

Please pay asap

Sue Bryant Band Co-ordinator

REMINDER

Kindergarten & K/3G TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC

Thursday 19 March

Please bring a towel to sit on

And A Teddy Bear

Living and learning together Page 7

Issue 4 – Term 1 - Week 8 Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Living and learning together Page 8