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A vibrant and caring learning community
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Newsletter
Calendar
What’s On
Term 3 Week 4
Thursday 9 August
Sports Carnival
No assembly this week
Friday 10 August
RDA
Term 3 Week 5
Monday 13 August
National Science Week
Tuesday 14 August
UNSW Mathematics Comp
Friday 17 August
Stage 2 Excursion to
Blacktown Library
RDA
Principal’s Message
What a busy start to the term at Riverstone PS!
It has been a very hectic few weeks as I try and get the
opportunity to spend time in classrooms, in the playground
and meeting students and parents. Thank you again for all
the support and patience as I get myself up to speed with
policy, procedures and the task of learning the names of
350 students!
Education Week
Education Week in Public Education affords us with the
opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of
our students as well as those people who support public
education. Last week at Riverstone PS, our staff and
students put together an assembly and opened classrooms
to share our hard work with the community.
Wednesday 8 August 2012
develop Safe, Respectful Learners in our classrooms and
playgrounds. These skills enhance learning opportunities
and encourage our students to be the best they can be at
all times. With these values embedded at the school our
students will take these skills into the broader community to
become Safe, Respectful, Learners within society. We
teach students these expectations and what they look like
in many settings and the consequences that occur, both
positive and negative. This is a very important aspect of
teaching and learning at Riverstone PS and we encourage
parents to support this at home.
Information for Parents
I have added some information to the newsletter this week
in relation to school attendance and cyber bullying. These
are two issues that parents have spoken to me about
regularly over the last three weeks and contain some good
advice to support parents in managing these issues.
I am looking forward to the next few busy weeks ahead at
Riverstone PS with the upcoming Athletics Carnival on
Thursday and the celebrations for Book Week in Week 6.
Emma Thompson
Acting Principal
Preschool Report
Preschool has been learning about the Olympics and the
countries involved, reading stories, singing traditional
songs and learning languages. The Smarties have been
learning how to speak simple Japanese like hello and
goodbye and the Jellybeans have been learning German.
The children have also been learning how to do long jump
in the sandpit and tasting the food from different countries.
The Smarties have also been learning classification and
how to sort different objects.
Mrs Sue Finn
Preschool Supervisor
Kindergarten Report
Kindergarten has been learning all about the Olympics and
creating artworks. We had a wonderful Education Week
Open Day with many parents joining in the open classroom
activities. We had some beautiful Olympic Rings and
“Hands Around the World” displays made. We had the
chance to show the parents how we dance and some
parents even showed us their moves. We are learning
about helpers in the community and how things move, use
energy and change.
Safe, Respectful Learners
For any school to really flourish it is essential that support Mrs Sue Finn
structures be in place. Our major aim at Riverstone PS is to-1-Early Stage 1 Supervisor
From the talented students displaying performing arts, to
our dedicated teachers and our wonderfully supportive
parent body, these experiences epitomise what it is to be a
member of the Riverstone Public School community. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers
and support staff who assisted and coordinated activities
on the day. A great job!
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Stage 2 Report
As the Olympics are taking place at present we are also
Stage 2 students have settled into Term 3 and are enjoying encouraging the students to share their thoughts and
the variety of activities and class work that is being discuss ideas about dedication and aspirations.
prepared by the teachers.
The HSIE requirement is a project based on a chosen
Olympian past or present. All students will be receiving
Aussie Bush Camp
Stage 2 students are looking forward to attending the their project sheets with required dates for presentation.
Aussie Bush Camp Week 8.
Weekly homework sheets are sent home and these provide
We still have some vacancies. If you would like your child an opportunity for students to revise work learnt at school.
to attend please let the office know this week. A reminder Homework activities include Spelling, Maths and English.
note and Medical Information Form has been sent home Classes 5C and 6P homework is due back each Friday and
with your child. Please complete relevant medical 5/6PT is required to be returned on Monday.
information requirements and any health care related
needs about your child and send it back to the classroom We look forward to a busy and solid working term with all
Stage 3 students doing their best in all areas. Also we
teacher as soon as possible.
encourage all students to continue to be wonderful role
Please keep an eye out for a note which will be sent home models for the rest of the school. This includes behaviour
this week with a list of items your children are required to in and out of the classroom and following all PBL rules, so
the younger students will look up to them and understand
bring to camp.
the correct way to be a student at Riverstone Public
Excursion to the Blacktown Visitors and Information School.
Mrs Marilyn Pettitt
Centre
On Friday 17 August Stage 2 students have the opportunity Stage 3 Supervisor
to attend an excursion to the Blacktown Visitors and
Information Centre to participate in the Local History Tour. Support Unit News
The cost of the excursion is $7.00 for bus fare. We will be This term all Support Class students and their parents/
leaving school at 10.00am and will arrive back at school at carers will be involved in Review Meetings with their
approximately 2.30pm. Students will need to bring recess teachers. These sessions happen each year and may take
and lunch in a plastic or reusable bag with the student’s half an hour or more. This is a time for parents and
name clearly labelled.
teachers to discuss the child’s progress, consider areas
that need changing and plan ahead for 2013 and beyond.
Fitness Program
Your classroom teacher will contact you with an
Kids who are physically active are more likely to be appointment schedule so that you can arrange a suitable
academically motivated and alert in school.
time for both parties. I hope it is an enjoyable time for all as
you see how much your child has learnt and grown.
Stage 2 students are participating in a fitness program 2
days a week for 20 minutes that most students enjoy.
The students in Year 6 have already completed their
Mrs Vivian Stephens
meetings and placement applications have been sent in to
Stage 2 Supervisor
the Placement Panel. If your child needs Assisted School
Travel in High School, you will need to work with the
allocated High School to create a new application. All other
Stage 3 Report
Stage 3 students have started the term well being involved students on special transport are usually ‘rolled over’ to the
in a number activities including Open Day and Jeans for next year.
Genes Day.
This coming Thursday is our school Athletics Carnival and
we look forward to seeing as many of our Stage 3 students
being involved as much as possible. It is always important
for our older students to be enthusiastic role models for our
younger students.
Parents of students in Year 5 should now be considering a
High School for their child so that the school can submit all
requests in Term 1 2013. If these plans are made now, the
qualifying process for accessing a suitable support service
can commence. These students will possibly need another
counsellor assessment before an application is submitted.
Each week captains and prefects continue to organise and The School Counsellor, classroom teachers and myself will
support teachers and students in assemblies each be working together to gather all necessary information and
complete assessments so a clear picture of your child’s
Thursday.
needs can be presented.
During Term 3 the students will be learning about the topic
‘Australian Identity and Values’ in HSIE and in Science we
will be studying ‘Electricity’. During the term Year 6
students will be visiting the high school to have a Science
taster day. We will also be organising a group of high
school students to visit our school and work with the Stage
3 students on their Science topic. All Stage 3 students will
be required to complete projects at home for Science,
making a simple circuit.
Looking forward to working with you.
Patricia Gummerson
Support Unit Supervisor
Numeracy Report
All students have the opportunity to use a wide range of
materials to assist with the development of their
mathematical skills. The Numeracy Committee has
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
established the needs of teachers and their students and
new resources will be purchased in the near future. These
resources will assist teachers to continue to develop
consistent learning in all Mathematical Strands. .
The cost will be $5.50. Students participating will need to
return money and a permission slip to attend this event.
This event is open to students only. Information regarding
this performance will be sent home during Week 4.
SRC Report
Wednesday 22 August
Our Book Parade will take place on Wednesday 22 August
between 11.30 am – 1.00pm. Students are asked to come
dressed as their favourite book character. There will be
prizes for the best dressed. Parents and families are invited
to our Book Parade and are invited to stay after the parade
to have a picnic lunch with their child/children.
This term the SRC Committee has worked hard in raising
funds and awareness for Jeans for Genes Day. They
created posters which advertised the day and encouraged
students to wear their jeans and bring a gold coin donation.
The SRC members were rewarded with an outstanding
response and with the school’s support raised $280.00.
Our next major event will be the SRC Talent Quest.
Auditions will be held in Week 6 during lunchtimes in the
hall. The judging panel will be made up of teachers and
SRC members. Please remember to sign up with Miss
Camilleri if you are interested in entering. We are
endeavouring to include as many acts as possible, so get
rehearsing!
The SRC Committee has also made changes to the
Riverstone PS Calendar. Later this term we had planned to
hold a “Mathelon” to raise money for Stewart House.
Unfortunately we have had to postpone this event until
early Term 4.
The Students of the SRC Committee
Library News
Book Week Monday 20 - Friday 24 August 2012
“Champions Love to Read”
Book Week is being celebrated at Riverstone Public School
between Monday 20 – Friday 24 August 2012 during Week
6, Term 3. Our Book Week theme for 2012 is “We Love to
Read”. There are some exciting events occurring
during Book Week including a Book Fair, a Book Parade, a
Visiting Performance, a Jelly Bean Guessing Competition
and a Book Week Colouring Competition to raise money
for new books for the library.
What’s on during Book Week?
Jelly Bean Guessing Competition
The Jelly Bean Guessing Competition will be available
during lunchtimes during Weeks 5 and 6 and during Book
Fair. This is open to students and parents. The winner will
be announced on Friday 24 August. It will be 50c a guess.
Students may wish to make more than one guess. Money
raised will go towards purchasing new books for our library.
Please ensure that you see your child’s teacher if you wish
to sign them out of school once the event has ended.
Information regarding this event will be sent home during
Week 4.
A Message From the Office
Olympic Day is Friday 24 August. Children will be given a
country’s colours to dress in on the day. They may also be
asked to bring food from their designated country.
Stage 2 are going on an excursion to Blacktown Library
and Visitors Centre. The cost of this excursion is $7.00.
There are only 60 places available so the first 60 students
with their money and note in will be able to attend.
Our Athletics Carnival is on Thursday. All students who
have not brought in their note and money for the bus will
need to do so tomorrow as this is a normal school day all
students are required to attend. The cost of the bus is
$7.00.
All students need to be at school by 8.45am to have the
rolls marked, the bus will be leaving at 9am sharp.
Mrs Latham, Mrs Greenaway and Mrs Burke
WERE YOU BORN TO KNIT?
At Riverstone Public School we have several students and
teachers who were Born to Knit. They have been
participating in this year’s Born to Knit project for the Save
the Children Foundation. Our project has been gathering
speed and we have our first finished blanket to donate.
This beautiful blanket was knitted and finished by one of
our wonderful staff, Mrs Chapman. A great big THANK
YOU to Mrs Chapman for her efforts and support.
Monday 20 - Wednesday 22 August
The Book Fair will be open to students and families
between 9am – 5pm Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 August.
You are welcome to visit the library to view and make Our Born to Knit
purchases from the Book Fair during these times.
students have been
knitting up a storm as
P-6 will be visiting the Book Fair during class times. You you can see here by
may wish to give your children money to purchase from the their completed knitted
Book Fair. Information regarding this event will be sent squares. We
are getting close to
home during Week 4.
completing our second
Monday 20 August
blanket to donate this
An exciting performance will be visiting us for Book Week. year.
This performance is called “And the Winner is”. It will be
held in the school hall on Monday 20 August 2012.
Students from K-6 are welcome to participate in this event.
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
If you have a keen hand to sew or crochet these squares
together to complete our blanket, please let me know as
we would love to have you join us...ahem....I mean join the
squares together...
Yours knittingly, Ms Shaw
Fathers Day Stall
Our annual Fathers Day Stall will be held on Wednesday
29 August. A variety of gifts will be available to purchase
for $5 each. If your child would like to purchase a gift,
please send your money with them on the day.
If you have some spare time on the day, we are always
looking for more helpers. Leave your name and contact
details at the office and one of the P&C members will
contact you.
Art Show
This year as part of Book Week, the P&C are holding an art
show. Our children have been busily painting canvases in
class and families will be able to view and purchase the
artworks at the book parade on 22 August. The cost of the
canvases will be $5 each. A perfect gift!
5 Cent Day
Start collecting your five cent pieces now!!!! Jars have been
delivered to classrooms and “5 Cent Day” will be held in
November giving everyone lots of time to collect coins.
To explain this to families new to our school: Each year we
hold a five cent day to raise funds for our school. Students
collect five cent pieces during the year and bring them in
on “5 Cent Day”. The coins are counted at a special
assembly and the lucky class that collects the most coins
(per student) will win a lunch time Pizza Party.
Good luck
The P&C Committee
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Semester 1 has been an extremely busy but rewarding one for us all. We have
participated in whole school activities, camps and excursions with our
mainstream peers, including Sports in Schools, the Mr Soccer Clinic and gymnastics
for K-2 students. We are anticipating many fun-filled learning opportunities this
Semester commencing with the ‘Riding for the Disabled’ program. The students in
1-5R are often engaged in ‘Learning by Doing’ activities and they try really hard to
achieve their personal best in their learning outcomes. We are so happy to be able
to continue our integration program on Friday afternoons and we would like to thank
our friends and teachers for welcoming us into their classrooms each week. We
hope you enjoy looking at these snapshots of our many learning experiences thus
far this year.
Regards from 1-5R, Ms Robertson and Mrs Reddy
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Our class has been working hard on book presentation and valuing the great work we do
together.
Everyone has found favourite aspects of The Olympics that they have been enjoying and
sharing with each other.
We are an enthusiastic class who love playing drums and singing a range of songs. It was
great to have a visit from preschoolers last week and we all joined in singing some of their
favourite songs.
With continuing practice everyone is improving with the instant recall of timetables which
are helping to work out many problems in class. Some people in 6P are completing
homework regularly which helps review all that we do daily.
Everyone is working on their writing using many descriptive words; they are proud of their
efforts and enjoy sharing these with the class. Many students are bringing favourite books to
school to read when there is time between planned work.
Art has been a popular thing to do over the last two terms and everyone takes time to
produce individual pieces of which they are very proud.
6P students enjoy helping the younger students in the playground or when visiting other
classes. They are conscientious about being the role models for the school and take this
position seriously.
All of the students are looking forward to
the further events this year including the
Athletics Carnival, visiting the high school,
fundraising activities, Year 6 Fun Day,
visiting performers and the Year 6 Farewell.
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Students in Year 1 who do not attend Scripture, have been learning skills in working together. They
have participated in activities in team building, making friends, keeping friends, working together,
sharing, kind voices, assertiveness, how to say ‘no’ politely when we don’t want to play with
someone right now, accepting ‘no’ and finding someone else to play with.
Ms Shaw
Teacher on class
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
1K have been reading ‘Rose meets Mr Wintergarten’ by Bob Graham. In the story
Mr Wintergarten eats a horrible lunch. We have written our own descriptions of a
horrible lunch.
Bailey.B
His dinner was cold, brown and uninviting, with bits of boogers floating in it and birds on top.
Andrew.D
His dinner was cold, weird and uninviting, with bits of spiders floating in it and string on top.
Harley.C
His dinner was cold, dirty and uninviting, with bits of hair floating in it and spiders on top.
Garrold.H
His dinner was cold, blue and uninviting, with bits of snake floating in it and water on top.
Jacob.W
His dinner was cold, disgusting and uninviting, with bits of snails floating in it and brains on top.
Jodeci T.S
His dinner was cold, slippery and uninviting, with bits of boogers floating in it and wriggly on top.
Mia.E
His dinner was cold, brown and uninviting, with bits of cake floating in it and sauce on top.
Ivan.W
His dinner was cold, yucky and uninviting, with bits of bees floating in it and teeth on top.
Elijah.T
His dinner was cold, green and uninviting, with bits of boogers floating in it and fatty bits on top.
Nicholas.B
His dinner was cold, muscley and uninviting, with bits of hair floating in it and spiders crawling on top.
Khristian.S
His dinner was cold, black and uninviting, with bits of vomit floating in it and gristle on top.
Gemma.S
His dinner was cold, blue and uninviting, with bits of dirt floating in it and mud on top.
Connie.S
His dinner was cold, stinky and uninviting, with bits of hair floating in it and snakes on top.
Matthew.G
His dinner was cold, brown and uninviting, with bits of brains floating in it and birds on top.
Koby.C
His dinner was cold, purple and uninviting, with bits of snakes floating in it and worms on top.
Alexis.L
His dinner was cold, blue and uninviting, with bits of snakes floating in it and water on top.
Bob.T
His dinner was cold, grey and uninviting, with bits of worms floating in it and mould on top.
Joshua.M
His dinner was cold, black and uninviting, with bits of dead meat floating in it and vomit on top.
Shaliah.S.N
His dinner was cold, bone and uninviting, with bits of cockroach floating in it and rubber on top.
Zayden.H
His dinner was cold, black and uninviting, bits of spider floating in it and pointy nails on top.
Mitchell.J
His dinner was cold, silver and uninviting with bits of droppings floating in it and sausage roll on top.
Mrs Koberler
Class Teacher
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]
Issue 12 —Term 3 — Week 4
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Community Noticeboard
Riverstone Public School, as a service to parents, will
advertise community events that may be of interest.
Riverstone Public School does not necessarily endorse
or sponsor the events and accepts no responsibility for
the management or organisation of these events.
REGISTRATION TIMES
Friday the 24th and 31st August 2012
at Riverstone Park.
Cnr Creek St & Garfield Rd West
Between 6.30 pm and 8.00pm.
Bunnings Rouse Hill
Annual Spring Launch
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19
August 2012
10am – 3pm
The event will be a fun,
family day for the entire
community and will include
entertainment, children’s
activities, spring displays and lots of super demos.
Tots – Under 17’s
(Child must be 4 by the
30th September 2012 to join)
Tot numbers are limited.
Proof of age required if not
registered with the centre last season.
Season commences 7th September, 2012
For further enquiries call:
Debbie 4573 6987 or
Vicki 9837 2281 or
The Riverstone Public School Preschool are making a Vernon 9627 2658
scarecrow to enter in the scarecrow competition. If we www.riverstonelittleathletics.com
are judged “The Best Scarecrow” we will win a $1000
makeover. The public will be judging the scarecrow, so
please drop into Bunnings at Rouse Hill between
Saturday 11 and Sunday 19 August to cast your vote
for our scarecrow.
Please come along and join the festivities and admire our
beautiful scarecrow.
Kaylene Smith
Preschool Teacher
Counselling Service
Sharon Pitman is a new counsellor in the district at Riverstone
Family Centre, Casuarina school, Castlereagh St, Riverstone.
Sharon is there Monday and Tuesday , she specialises in family
and couples counselling. Ring 9627 3511 for an appointment.
Doggy Dollars Reward Program
Each time you use five Star as your preferred groomer
we will donate $5.00 back to Riverstone Public
School. Cut out your voucher to redeem this offer or
mention the school when making the booking.
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Phone: 0415 814 055
Elizabeth Street, Riverstone NSW 2765 T: 9627 1517 F: 9838 1131 E: [email protected]