HURSTVILLE SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL Maher Street, Hurstville 2220 9580 2695 9580 8984 [email protected] http://hurstvillesouthps.com.au/ WARATAH NEWS – 5th March, 2015 Year 6 Leaders badge presentation Principal’s Message School Swim Team iPads for Year 2 Due to our wonderful Mrs Julie Griffith’s (our school administration manager) diligent control of school finances, we have been able to purchase eighty-five new iPad Air tablets for use by our Year Two students. This purchase has cost the school $40,000.00 and completes our ambitious ‘one to one’ program that has now seen all students in Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 being given their own personal iPad to support learning within the classes. This now sees our total compliment of iPads rise to over 350 which equates to a sum of over $140,000.00 commitment by the school and P&C over the past three years. This investment in this resource is already delivering great outcomes for students and teachers and we thank our families for supporting this initiative through our term levy. Term Costs $$$$$ Thank you to the many families who have already responded to the term costs by sending in their money. We have tried to make this as smooth a process as possible in totalling the costs and experiences that we have organised for your child over the course of the term. We do try to keep the costs as small as possible. The wonderful early response that we have had will enable us to pay for the goods and services in a timely manner. Confucius Classroom Success It is with great excitement that I announce that we are able to officially proclaim that we have been selected as one of only five schools in New South Wales to become a ‘Confucius School’. Mr Peng and I will go into the Department of Education and Communities city office on Monday 9th March to meet the delegation from the Chinese government and sign the contracts that will see a Chinese teacher attached to our school for the coming twelve months. This is a prestigious award and will strengthen our language program and our links between our two countries as we will be matched with a ‘sister school’ in China which should see our combined staff being able to learn about our cultures and teaching programs via our video conferencing and hopefully site visits. I am anticipating that we may be asked to assist our visiting teacher in locating suitable accommodation for their stay, which will be paid for by the Chinese government. This may be on a term basis to give our teacher an opportunity to be with a number of families. Congratulations to our representative school swimming team that travelled to Roselands pool to compete in the district competition last Thursday with Mrs Ritchie and Mrs Michaelis. By all accounts they behaved incredibly well and distinguished themselves in the pool with many great efforts. Congratulations to Tina Liang who will now represent at the area championship in the coming weeks. Expressions of Interest for Entry to High School 2016 Yr7 On Monday 9th March Mr Fisher will distribute the Expressions of Interest to year 6 students who will be making the transition to secondary school in 2016. These forms will have the local school that is allocated to your child according to your home address. You are also able to make application for any out of area school. If you need any assistance with this form please contact Mr Rouland on 95802695. Forms have to back to the office by Friday 20th March. Centenary Committee Meeting The members of the P&C who have volunteered to be part of the steering committee for our centenary celebrations will be meeting this Sunday at school to plan the way ahead. Our celebrations will take place during the middle of October this year. Any parents who may wish to be part of this team could meet at our school on this Sunday (8th March) at 3:00pm to share the experience. Remember, many hands make light work! Primary Links Program We have agreed to be part of the exciting Primary Links Program between our senior students and GRC Penshurst Girls High School. We have been given twelve positions which will be filled by interested students who do not have to be intending to go to Penshurst Girls next year. Mr Fisher has distributed forms to the girls. The program will see them going to the high school every Tuesday for eight weeks next term. This will mean that parents who agree to their child attending this special program will have to take them to the high school and pick them up in the afternoon as Hurstville South will not be able to provide transport. Vision China Times Children’s Art Contest Parent teacher interviews Bookings can be made online now at www.schoolinterviews.com.au Bookings close on Friday 13th March 2pm. Replacing the Shade Cloth I have had some quotes for the replacement of the Shade Cloth over the fixed equipment play area on the top playground. I intend to have this repaired as soon as possible. The company that I have given the job to has already been out to measure up the cloth to have it made ready for installation. This cover has been over the playground for some 15 years and will cost the school $7,500.00 to replace. Philip Rouland The Vision China Times newspaper has invited students from local schools to participate in their Easter Art Contest. Hurstville South Public School students are encouraged to express their creativity on the topic “My Easter” and will be given opportunity at school to create their submission. Participating schools, contest results and winning artworks will be published on 4 April 2015 in the Vision China Times newspaper and website. Up to 30 prizes will be rewarded for participants in 2 categories 5-8years and 9-12 years. Entry is free and the competition is sponsored by the Sydney Royal Easter Show. DATES FOR THE DIARY Monday 09/03/15 Parent teacher interviews start Wednesday 18/03/15 Crazy Hair Day Monday 23/03/15 Young Leaders Day Monday 23/03/15 Harmony Day Tuesday 31/03/15 Interrelate Parent Night 6-9pm Wednesday 01/04/2015 Easter Hat Parade 9.30am Reminders Uniform Shop The Uniform Shop is open on Friday mornings from 9am till 9.30am Parent Teacher interviews Please go online to book interviews for your children. Textbooks Please finalise all payments for textbooks Easter Raffle tickets will be available soon. $5.00 for a book of 10 tickets. Watch this space!