28 Mar 2019
HARMONY DAY
Carlingford Public School was awash with orange and stunning traditional clothes as students and staff celebrated Harmony Day last Thursday.
Harmony Day provides us with an opportunity to promote respect, goodwill and understanding between Australians of all backgrounds. At Carlingford Public School 75% of our students are from a non – English speaking background with over 50 different languages being spoken by our students. The theme for Harmony Day, ‘Everyone Belongs’ was certainly highlighted with over 40 different countries being represented by our student body.
Our students discussed diversity and culture in their classrooms and designed beautiful doves portraying world peace. We also enjoyed scrumptious buddy picnics at lunch. Thank you to all our teachers, our EAL/D team, canteen staff and parents for making our celebrations an amazing success.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC) 2019
In our school we have a Student Representative Council (SRC) which is made up of Year 2 to Year 6 students and the Prefects. The SRC are elected by their class mates every year to represent them at fortnightly meetings. The members are committed students who are leaders amongst the school. They give the students a voice within the school. The SRC members stand up in front of their peers in the classroom and in school assemblies updating the direction and events of the SRC.
Congratulation to the following students, who have been elected to represent their class this year.
Year 2 students will receive their badges at the Stage 1 assembly tomorrow (Thursday). Students in Years 3 to 6 will receive their badges at our assembly in week 10.
1/2G Finn Holland
2J Henry Byrne
2E Samanthi Mendis
2K Chiara Sultana
2P Haowen Mei
2T Anousheh Almas
3J David Xu
3L Clovis Chan
3N Sarra Clowes
3/4E Neo Parlevliet (Yr 3), Jennifer Ott (Yr 4)
4B Sophie Yi
4M Myra Goyal
4O Klara Rose
5/6K Jessica Scmitt (Yr 5), Arabhi Amit (Yr 6)
5/6M Stephanie Lui (Yr 5), Josi Saputro (Yr 6)
5/6N Sherine Pow (Yr5), Rishi Vempati (Yr 6)
5/6P Bianca Wang (Yr 5), Cynthia Pan (Yr 6)
5/6R Dane Milhuisen (Yr 5), Suvin Nath (Yr 6)
5/6W Zoe Sua (Yr 5), Ujwal Ajjaguttu (Yr 6)
5/6Y Ksenia Malahoff (Yr 5), Avni Kumar (Yr 6)
PARENT / TEACHER INTERVIEWS - April 8 - 12
This year we are introducing a new format for our Parent / Teacher interviews. Previously our PTI’s have been held at the conclusion of Semester 1, coinciding with the issuing of Semester 1 reports.
After parental and staff feedback we have decided to move our PTI’s forward to take place at the end of Term 1.
Term 1 Parent / Teacher discussions about your child’s progress, strengths and areas for development, opens lines of communication and establishes opportunities to make a common plan about how you can best support your child’s learning for the remaining three terms of 2019.
This year we will be conducting three – way interviews across Years K – 6 (student, parent & teacher attending) with discussion focusing on student goals and their progress towards them. All three participants will have the opportunity to discuss student strengths, areas for further development and formulate strategies to maximise learning potential and strengthen areas of need.
Interviews will take place in the last week of Term, commencing Monday 8 April and concluding Friday 12 April.
Please note that interviews for KR parents will take place on Thursday, 11 April and NOT Friday with the other Kindergarten classes.
Mrs Rowlison’s interviews have also been moved from Monday and will now take place on Friday, 12 April.
Booking an interview will again be done online through the Sentral Parent Portal, so please ensure you are able to access and navigate Sentral. On the Sentral Parent Portal, look for ‘interview booking available – book here’. Clicking on this tab will allow you to book an interview time slot. The facility to book interviews is now open and will close on Friday 5 April.
FACILITY UPGRADE
Construction of the structure of the new learning building at Carlingford PS is almost complete. This week saw the structural steel for the roof be delivered and commencement of erection. Internally, the Contractor’s site team have completed the set-out of wall frames to the Hall, Multipurpose Room and associated amenities across Level 1. Commencement of the rough in of services across Level 1 is also occurring in parallel.
Our Project Reference Group are continuing to meet monthly regarding scheduled construction activities and finalisation of detailed design for the upgrade to staff administration facilities, with associated furniture and joinery.
Please visit the School Infrastructure NSW’s website, if you wish to see further information concerning the School upgrade: https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/projects/c/carlingford-public-school.html
COMBINED EASTER SCRIPTURE ASSEMBLY
On Thursday 4 April, we will be holding Easter scripture services in the school hall. The combined 3-6 service (Catholic and Protestant) will begin at 12.10pm.
The K – 2 Catholic service will begin at 1.00pm. Parents are most welcome to join us.
EASTER HAT PARADE
Many families in our school community celebrate Easter, and sharing traditions and celebrations is a valuable learning experience for all of us. The Easter Hat Parade is a long running tradition at CPS, and is a fun way for us to share what is an important time for many of our friends.
Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students will be having an Easter Hat parade under the COLA at 9:30am on Tuesday 9th of April. This year students will be making their hats at home as a part of their homework. We would appreciate it if all hats could be brought in by Friday the 5th April to allow us to ensure that every child has a hat for the day. Family and friends are invited to come and watch the parade. If you have any questions please see your child’s teacher.
STAGE 2 FIELD OF MARS EXCURSION
Last week Year 3 visited the Field of Mars Education Centre to gain a deeper understanding about the environment. Students learnt how to classify a spiders web to determine the species of spider that created the web. Students enjoyed digging through the dirt to search for invertebrates before putting them under a microscope to investigate their features. Year 3 also had the opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with Spiney Leaf Insects as we drew detailed sketches of their features. Students also went for a bush walk (a first time experience for many of the students) to investigate the flora and how it was utilised by the Aboriginals. Weather permitting Year 4 will attend this week.
ANZAC DAY CEREMONY
As Anzac Day falls in the school holidays this year, we will be holding our Anzac Day ceremony on Thursday 11 April.
This year due to increasing student numbers and limited space, we will hold separate K – 2 and 3 – 6 Anzac services. The K – 2 service will commence at 10:00, with the 3- 6 service beginning at 10:45am.
Any members of our community who are currently serving members in the Australian Defence Force
are most welcome to join us wearing their military uniform. Similarly, students who are members of Cubs, Scouts or Girl Guides are permitted to wear their outfits to school.
Two flower bearers has been chosen from each class and they will need to remember to bring a posy of flowers for our school wreath. The flowers will be delivered to the K13 memorial on Thursday afternoon, following the service. Students are asked to be in full school uniform for this solemn occasion.
Parents and visitors are most welcome to join us.
PARENT INFORMATION SESSION – STAGE 3 CAMP Mon 1 April
This Year Stage 3 camp will be held at Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Centre in Term 4 (Dec 9 – 13). Next Monday afternoon, 1 April from 5:00 – 5:30pm, Mrs Edgley will be holding an information session about the Stage 3 camp in the Library.
Mrs Edgley will provide some general information about Narrabeen Sport and Recreation centre. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.
The first deposit of $100 for camp has been included on your child’s Term 1 Account. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable.
The balance of $315 will be invoiced in Term 2 and must be paid in full by 5 July 2019. However, payments for camp can be made at any time through the Westpac Payment System. Visit https://carlingfor-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ then click on the MAKE A PAYMENT tab at the top of the home page to reach the payment system.
A permission note for camp will be sent home at the beginning of Term 2. All medical information will be collected in Term 3.
NAPLAN ONLINE
Carlingford Public School has received confirmation that all Year 3 and 5 students will conduct NAPLAN tests online from 2019. All schools are transitioning to NAPLAN Online throughout 2018-2020.
NAPLAN Online features ‘tailored testing’ which gives students questions that are more suited to their ability – resulting in better assessment and more precise results. For more information on ‘tailored testing’ visit
https://nap.edu.au/online-assessment/research-and-development/tailored-tests.
On Tuesday 2nd April students will sit a practice test. This is an opportunity for the students to become familiar with the types of questions and instruments they will experience in NAPLAN.
As we are a using iPads to complete NAPLAN online, students may use their own iPad. A minimum of iOS 10.3.3 is required as anything lower will not support the NAPLAN testing browser. iPads must also be bigger than 24.6cm diagonal (iPad mini and iPad 2 will not be supported).
Parents are asked to download ‘NAP locked down browser’ from the App store. If you already have the NAP browser on your iPad, please check it is the current version. Please have this downloaded by Monday 25th March in preparation for the practice test.
Carlingford Public School NAPLAN Tests will be held over Wednesday 15th May - Friday 24th May 2019.
Writing - Wednesday 15th May (Year 3 and Year 5)
Year 3 will conduct their writing task on paper and Year 5 will conduct theirs online.
Reading – Thursday 16th May (Year 3 and 5)
Language Conventions – Tuesday 21st May (Year 3 and 5)
Numeracy – Wednesday 22nd May (Year 3 and 5)
Make up test day – Thursday 23rd May (Year 3 and 5)
If you would like to help prepare your child for the online test, please visit the following ACARA website.
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
This site will allow your child to run through some practice questions and teach them how to use the tools required for the test. This will also be conducted in the classroom with teacher support prior to the testing dates.
For more information please visit
TERM ACCOUNTS
Last week Term one accounts were sent home. The P & C donation has been included within the account. The P & C donation ($100 per student or $150 per family) is collected by the school on behalf of the P & C. They then use these funds to provide resources for our students.
In previous years these funds have been used to provide
- Literacy and numeracy classroom resources
- Interactive whiteboards and flat screen monitors for all classrooms
- Air conditioning and a computer research centre for the Library
- Installing Wi Fi throughout the school
- Ipads for the students
- ‘Akshaaye’s K – 2 playground
- $40,000 towards our oval restoration
- Electronic notice board for our school
- Shade shelters for the students
I’m sure you would agree that these improvements have definitely improved learning opportunities for our students.
A ‘technology levy’ is also included in the term one account. This fee will be used to give students access to sites including MangaHigh, Showbie, MakersEmpire, Pearson English, Reading Eggs, World Book Encyclopedia, Skwirk, and Glogster Edu. Part of this levy will also go towards the maintenance of our computer lab, computers in the library space, Infinity One devices used in K to 2, the management of our iPads and apps. The $50 fee is a ‘one off’ payment and lasts the whole year.
Parents will receive an email through our new ‘Schoolbytes’ system outlining their child's fees for Term 1. To make a payment please click on the link in the email. We would appreciate if term accounts could be settled before Wednesday 10 April.
LIFE EDUCATION & ‘HEALTHY HAROLD’ VISIT CARLINGFORD
Life Education Australia is a registered charity, and not-for-profit organisation.
They provide positive programs that develop the social skills and knowledge necessary for effective decision-making, communication, negotiation, peer resistance and refusal in various situations.
Life Education's programs are based on the latest research, and provide high quality drug education featuring role-play; social skills training; correction of common myths; and varied, fast-moving and interactive activities facilitated by excellent educators assisted by the latest multi-media technology.
The Life Education van, driven by ‘Harold the Giraffe’ will be arriving at our school on Wednesday 13 March and will deliver lessons through until Friday 29 March. Be sure to say hi to Harold when he arrives as it’s his birthday and he’s turning the big 40 this year (that’s old in Giraffe years!)
During their Life Ed session, each grade will cover the following concepts.
ES1: My Body Matters - Designed for foundation students, focusing on hygiene, nutrition, physical activity, and safety at home, school, and in the community.
S1: Safety Rules - Year 1 and 2 students find out how to seek out safe spaces and how friends can care for and support each other.
S2: bCyberwise - Helping year 3 and 4 students to be wise when it comes to relationships - both off and online.
S3: Relate, Respect, Connect - Year 5, 6 and 7 students learn the skills and strategies required to build healthy relationships
Families can purchase merchandise to support Life Education through their online store at https://www.lifeeducation.org.au/shop/
There is also a wealth of information for parents, children and teachers on their website so check it out.