Dear Parents

COMMUNITY NEWS – OCTOBER, 2009

Noreen Hay has given Mount St Thomas Public School a mention in her October edition of “Community News”.

Here is the excerpt –

GRANDPARENTS DAY / BOOKFAIR

Many thanks must go to the huge number of grandparents, parents, family and friends who attended the Book Fair Grandparents afternoon tea and special assembly.

The sale of over $6000 worth of books is amazing, and this results in over $2000 profit for the Library to buy more books.

What a fantastic fundraiser!!  Special thanks must go to Mrs Bush for organising this successful event.

Many thanks must also go to the children who performed at the special Grandparents’ Assembly:- *Callum Harper – who told an amazing Grandfather joke with the comedic timing of an expert.

*Aubrey Duncan – who presented a beautifully spoken poem “I like to walk with grandfather”.

*Isabella Heritage – who recited a Grandmother poem with touching heartfelt feeling.

*Lastly, thanks to the choir who sang “Pictures of You” so beautifully and thank you to Mrs Diane Johnson for leading and guiding them so ably.

HOME READERS & HOME MATHS CARDS

RETURNED

Our home reading and home maths scheme will conclude for the year on 27^th November, 2009.  We would appreciate all books and maths cards being returned by this date so we can record your child’s “finishing” level and their progress through the award levels, so they are ready to start at the beginning of the 2010 school year.

We also need to conduct a stock take on these items so if you could please do a search of your bookshelves for any misplaced readers and maths cards, we would appreciate their return.

SPECTACULAR SCHOOL FETE

Congratulations to everyone who had a role to play in the organisation and attendance of our amazing SCHOOL FETE.  It was a mammoth effort to prepare a fete of this size.

Many thanks to the whole school community for coming along last Saturday to enjoy the festivities with a warm community spirit.

A huge thank you must go to Megan Abba our Fete coordinator for her many hours of working tirelessly to organise this huge event.

Special thanks must also go to her amazing team of parents that spent months collecting, begging, cooking, creating, liaising and host of other activities to make this Fete the best ever!!  We are so proud and thankful to all involved.

Many thanks also to Neata and Gregg Knowles, Melinda Arrighi, Tracey Kirk-Downey, Alison Smith, Janelle Mowbray, Rosemary Bowden, Sue Dowling, Louise Turk, Michelle Jolly, Kyle Mill, Caroline Panozzo, Carol Heijo, Laura Furney-Goodwin, Karen Holmes, Dalal Sarkis, Sharen LeCerf and Kevin Tucker to name a few for their amazing contributions as well.  Also, I would like to thank Deanne Richardson and her partner Joe for the additional outstanding effort they put in to building and decorating the Side Show Ally.

Thank you to all the parents that worked on the stalls throughout the day and for those parents who organised the stalls.  Your efforts are appreciated by the staff and students of Mount St Thomas Public School.  Our school is blessed to have so many dedicated parents that are willing to put in the many hours of preparation and work to support and organise these fundraising events.

Lastly, I would like to thank the teachers, Denise Blackman, Jenni Rimmer, Leigh Wakeford and Colin Blackman for their support leading up to and during the fete.  I had a fantastic time and it is the BEST school fete I have every been to.

Well done Mount St Thomas!

KINDERGARTEN 2010

A reminder that our school will continue to take enrolments for 2010 Kindergarten classes from families that are “in area”.

Please remind your neighbours or friends if they are intending to enrol their child in Kindergarten 2010, to fill in an application form as soon as possible.

LIQUID PAPER

Just a reminder that liquid paper is banned due to chemical nature of this product.  Please reinforce this rule with your children.  The roller version of this product is allowed.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE ON HOLIDAYS IN THE FIRST 3 WEEKS OF TERM 1, 2010?

Principals are required to submit enrolment numbers in Week 3 of Term 1.  If you anticipate being away during the first three weeks of Term 1, please write the school a letter stating that your child / children will be returning before the conclusion of Term 1 2010.  This advice will help us in the allocation of teachers to our school.

MOBILE PHONES

A reminder that students are not to bring mobile phones to school as the safety and security of such items cannot be guaranteed.

Mobile phones fall into the same category as CD players and mobile computer games etc which are not to be brought to school as they are too expensive to replace if damaged or misplaced.

In general there should be no circumstances where a child needs access to a mobile phone during school time.

If, however, a child does require a mobile phone for use after school, the phone along with a note from the parent is to be taken to the office on arrival. The mobile phone will be kept at the office for safekeeping and can be collected by the student when leaving at 3.00pm.

Your assistance in ensuring your child does not bring such items to school is appreciated.

WAVE FM BREAKY

What a fantastic time we had last Friday with the WAVE FM Breaky Crew!

Thank you to all the parents, staff and children that came along at 7:00am to join in the fun.

Well done to Isabella Heritage who won an iPod in the “Are you smarter than a 5^th Grader” segment.  Amera Sarkis was a star in the Karaoke segment and won a $25 prize.  Well done to Isabella Heritage, Bridee Arrighi, Rebecca McLean, Comfort Georgia, Isabella Milsom, Ashleigh Mill, Asha Lee Lawrence, MacKenzie Simpson for their great signing as well.

Thanks also to the teachers who bravely got up and sang “Dancing Queen”.  The school received a $200 voucher to spend at Stockland as a thank you for hosting the event, this will gratefully be used by the P&C for 2010 fundraising activities.

Special thanks to Mrs Barton for organising this exciting event.

BUILDING EDUCATION REVOLUTION (BER) UPDATE

The building site fences are now in place and we are just waiting for the building of our new school hall to begin.  Luckily, this did not impact too much on the space required for our Fete.

The Kindergarten to Year 2 children are still able to use the junior toilets during class time, however, I have asked them to use the senior toilets at lunch and recess to ensure teachers on playground duty have sight of these areas.

Regards,

Christine Arthur

PRINCIPAL

THE LIBRARY NEWS

Grandparents’ afternoon

What a lovely afternoon!  It was wonderful to see so many grandparents and other family members at our school.

The children were thrilled to welcome their grandparents into their classrooms and to share afternoon tea with them.

Thank you to Mrs Johnson and the Senior Choir for their beautiful rendition of “Pictures of You”, a perfect song to remind us of how important family is to all of us.

Thank you also to Mrs Webster and her wonderful public speakers – Isabella Heritage and Aubrey Duncan for their touching poems, and to Callum Harper for his hilarious joke!

Book Fair

Thank you to everyone for supporting this fundraiser; it was a great success, raising almost $2000 for purchases for the library.  A fantastic effort!

The children will soon be reading these fantastic new books and developing their love of reading, thanks to the huge support of the families of Mount St Thomas Public School.

Many thanks to Mrs Risi (a tireless helper), Mrs Gills, Mrs Webster and Mrs Breslin for their help during the fair, and a special thank you to Mr Goodwin, for his help on the door.

Library Borrowing

As of next week (Week 6) there will no more Library borrowing for students.  This will enable a complete stock take of books to be done.  Parents, do a BIG HUNT under beds, on book shelves, inside other books or the car and through the house to find and return any outstanding library books.

Mrs Bush   - TEACHER / LIBRARIAN

KNITTING THANK YOU

To all those wonderful, mothers, children and grandmothers who helped with the knitting for Viva La Gong a very big thank you.

The trees looked very festive and it has even inspired some children in Year 1 to start a knitting club!

What a great community spirit.

 Mrs Webster

SCRIPTURE NEWS

It’s coming close to that time of the year again – Christmas!  Please put aside Wednesday, 25 November (Week 6) from 1:50pm – 3:00pm to participate in the combined Protestant / Catholic Celebration of Christmas Service for both Infants and Primary.

In the past, the services have been enjoyable, uplifting and a reminder of the messae of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ.  Please come along and celebrate with your children.

Eileen Bodey

on behalf of the Scripture Teachers

FETE TAKES JUST UNDER $20,000

“The sum of the parts makes a whole”

Wow what a great day – the sun shinning, a light breeze and hundreds of happy, smiling faces. This was another successful fete as a result of many, many people doing their bit. Some people worked hundreds of hours to pull it all together, others worked many hours organising their stall and roster and making sure their stall looked inviting, others cooked cakes, toffees, jelly cups etc. Others chased up prizes for the chocolate wheel, some donated gifts for the chocolate wheel, others gave their time to help setup and/or pack away. Some cooked amazing food for the tea room, some made all our side show alley props, some gave money and soft drinks on our mufti day, some spent hours getting people to buy chocolate wheel tickets, some spent days setting up and sorting trash and treasure, others worked on stalls, braided hair braids, had sponges chucked at their heads, sat in a building all day counting money. People offered to pick up krispy kremes and sound systems and set them up– all the contributions both big and small all  fit together to make a great day.

I am not going to go through and thank everyone individually as Christine and Megan have already done that. What I would like to do is talk about what made this an extra special fete for me. There were many highlights on the day – some of which I would like to share with you.

The first was when I was asked to announce that one of our Mountso children had lost their $40.00, 10 minutes after they had arrived – people came up and donated money to give to her – someone’s granddad, the owner of Fosters amusements, and 2 parents at the school. People’s generosity never ceases to amaze me – Thank you for your kindness.

The second was watching the entertainment at the bottom oval and being privileged to watch the children at our school and their families’ cheer on their school mates who were performing, it made for a great atmosphere and made those performing feel special and appreciated.

Thirdly, was finally finding 5 minutes to stand still and take it all in. I was at the bottom oval waiting for the belly dances to finish their performance and I looked up and saw hundreds of people having a great time with friends and family. Then I went up the top and saw more of the same – children running to show daddy the butterfly painted on their face, or the 6 bottles of soft drink they had just won on side show alley, or the basket full of fluffy toys they just got from trash and treasure for JUST $1.00!!! The best part of the day was overhearing some of the kids telling their mums that “this is the best fete ever!!!”

Everyone who contributed in any way can be proud of their efforts to bring this fete to life.

HOWEVER, even with such joy can often come sadness – this fete was the last fete for Melinda Arrighi, Janelle Mowbray and Kylie Mill, all of which have their last child leaving the school this year. They are 3 people who have been involved in our school fetes for over 10 years. Janelle has been coordinating the sweet stall for longer than I have been at the school and that has been 7 years and Kylie has been her number one cook and seller for the last 2 fetes. Melinda has worked closely with Megan on our last 2 fetes ensuring their success and keeping us laughing, we are loosing many years of expertise and I will miss working with them (we need to get what is in their heads on paper !!!!) THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR FUNDRAISING EVENTS SO MUCH FUN AND SUCCESFULL.

The fete for many of us is an opportunity to spend time and get to know people we would not normally have the opportunity to do so. I loved the laughs we had leading up to the day as well on the day. Our fete helpers were so generous of spirit and were willing to share their love on the day with all who came in contact with them. A wise person once wrote you only get out of something – what you put in to it and I think we all go something special out of Saturday.

Every single staff member was out in force on the day – including the Principal and this is unheard of in most schools. I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation for helping make the day great – it is wonderful for the children to see you all in a different role and also have the chance to seek revenge with a sponge!!

A BIG thank you everyone who came along and spent their hard earned money and brought family and friends to spend their hard earned money and contribute to the great atmosphere that we had on Saturday. No amount of planning and baking makes a scrap of difference if people don’t come.

I am going to finish off with a SPECIAL thank you to Megan Abba – words really are inadequate to express my gratitude for bringing this all together and having many brilliant ideas especially the one about running an afternoon fete. This also is Megan’s last fete as coordinator – she is retiring to put her efforts into running the most successful BBQ in the history of the world at the next fete. Megan will be leaving VERY BIG shoes to fill and your hard work is very much appreciated.

I would also like to thank her very patient and supportive husband and children who were there for her and us in many wonderful ways.

Yours very sincerely

Tracey Kirk-Downey - PRESIDENT OF THE P&C

MINUTES - GENERAL MEETING OF

MOUNT ST THOMAS P&C ASSOCIATION

WEDNESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER,2009

Present: Tracey Kirk-Downey, Sue Dowling, Alison Smith, Arthur Rorris, Kathryn Duncan, Christine Arthur, Carol Heijo, Nichole Cabor, Gregg Knowles, Janelle Mowbray, Michelle Jolly, Jeff Hall

Apologies: Deanne Richardson, Megan Abba, Neata Knowles

Meeting Opened: 7:40pm

Previous minutes read:  Moved: Carol Heijo, Seconded: Janelle Mowbray

Business arising from previous minutes: Tracey Kirk-Downey contacted Wollongong City Council – we can change the signage in the “drop off zone” but then nobody can park there on the weekends as it will make it a permanent “drop off zone” and just a “drop off zone” during school hours.  The rangers will do regular blitzing of the area around our school.  Council stated that our school is over 50 years old and the streets are not set up for traffic flow we have now.  Gregg Knowles will organise a letter to the Police Department asking for policing around our school area also.  Tracey Kirk-Downey would like to say a big thank you to Megan and Melinda and the fabulous people working tirelessly and in particular to Deanne and Joe and Alison for donating hours and timber for side show alley.  The P&C are giving them a $100 gift voucher to Deanne and Joe at Murphy’s as a thank you for all their hard work. Carol Heijo has been working very hard also.  A big thank you to everyone involved from Tracey Kirk-Downey.

insulation in, the school receives $25.00 per house – P&C voted not to go ahead with this.

Principal Report:

1. School Planning Cycle/School Evaluation – surveys sent out, collected and analyzed ready for ASR.  Curriculum – Technology, School Management – learning, Communication – recommended from Quality of School Life survey, parent, teacher, student satisfaction.
2. Building Education Revolution – Funding Upgrade – School pride funding – Drummond upgrade to be started soon.  21 Century funding $2.5 million New Hall/COLA/Canteen.  Compound fences in place.  Work to begin ASAP.  Completion – 30 weeks.  12 interactive whiteboards will be installed soon.  The dedicated computers have arrived. Mounting boards are in place.
3. Successful transition to Kindergarten 2009 program.  Many thanks to Tracey Kirk-Downey and Nadine Risi for their support to plan and implement an outstanding transition program.  Two thirds of the way through. 48 Kindergarten students.  Possibly two and a half classes for 2010.  Best start program for 2010.  20 on waiting list.
4. PBS – Positive Behaviour for Success.  New reward system drafted TBA.  New behaviour referral system drafted TBA, new anti-bullying policy drafted TBA.  New student welfare and discipline policy in the process of being drafted. Bully steps program being drafted. School values lessons – being drafted.
5. Two School Development Days in Term 4 – reminder.  The last day of term for children is Wednesday, 16 December. Teachers are required to attend 2 school development days on Thursday 17^th and Friday 18^th December.  Agenda – Interactive white board training, PBS changes to school structures, new policy changes, using data to inform practice, school planning, stage planning.
6. Staffroom – new carpet installed. Our GA, Colin and his wife Denise, Garry and Nancy Wise painted the staffroom.  Thank you to them for their hard work.
7. Playground changes – due to building compound, K-2 children can use the junior toilets during school time (with a partner), but must use senior toilets at lunch and recess.  During Weeks 5&6 while school swimming is on the play equipment will not be used due to a reduction in children and teachers available for duty.
8. WAVE FM Breaky – this Friday 7-9am. Lots of fun activities planned.  They will advertise Fete as well.
9. Fete – whole school is very excited about this event. Participation in mufti days to raise funds. Bottles have been collected – best bottle competition decided on Friday. Many thanks to the long hours that members of the P&C have and are putting into making this fete the best every!!

Treasurer’s report: Gregg Knowles – Two months ago on 1.9.09 balance was $9218.00, paid butcher for meat for movie night, bought oven warmers, $20 bank interest, items for uniform shop, paid insurance – balance $7266.  Balance of volunteers grant is $1550.00 so we will keep this for the fridge and stove for new canteen.  Gregg has organised a $2,000 float for the fete and ready to go.  3 terms owing to the school – this will be paid after the fete.

Uniform Report: End of October $306.17 left.  Nichole required 6 weeks notice to order larger sizes for the girls as they take this amount of time to receive.  The older children need privacy in the uniform shop whilst trying on clothes. Nicole to source a divider for this. For large orders $100 and over the uniforms hop will give painting smocks away for free.

Fundraising Report: Balance $8616.57 as of today. The 1^st mufti day raised $330 and second mufti $365 which ahs been used for the fete. Applies have raised $440 to date.

Agenda Item-Update on School Hall – Arthur Rorris: Thank you to Mr Rorris for coming and thank you for all your hard work – Mr Rorris stated that the BER funding is a one off which makes this so important that that money gets used in the best way possible for the school.  We have been allocated $2.5 million for a hall that at the very least should set every child at the school.  Currently we are getting a 1 core, which would only seat every student on the ground and not in chairs. This is a 200 square metre hall. The next size up is a 21 core hall at 250 square metres. Mr Rorris would like to change the proposed 14 core hall to a 21 core hall that would at the very least house all the children at the school. Mr Rorris spoke to the Federal government who said that it is up to the P&C of each school to decide what sort of hall we have.  The P&C do not have to accept what the builders say we should have for a school with 300 children.  Mr

Rorris feels that it is unacceptable that $2.5 million cannot build a hall to house all children sitting on seats in the hall.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so we should challenge that we should have a 21 core hall to seat all children and the P&C agree with his.

Motion – The P&C of Mount St Thomas P.S. reject the current proposed construction of 14 core hall and ask that a 21 core hall be built as $2.5 million is more than adequate to build a 21 core hall.  Issue further that the P&C notes that the school community was lead to believe through departmental advice that the proposed allocation and building would in fact seat and house the entire student body more adequately that has become evident. Moved: Jeff Hall, Seconded: Nichole Cabor. Vote was carried was carried unanimously.  Mr Rorris has our full support.  Arthur will go ahead with the above motion and feels we will get this resolved shortly.  Tracey thanked Mr Rorris for all his efforts.

1. Discussion regarding the area boundaries for Mount St Thomas P.S. – P&C may be able to write a letter that people who live in our community on this side of the highway can’t come to this school.  To be discussed further early next year.

1. Uniforms Senior Sizes Option 1 – sizes, Option 2 – skirts, Option 3 5&6 years change uniform Karen Suljic.  Not a meeting – not discussed.  Items on the agenda are only discussed if the person is at the P&C meeting.

Meeting closed: 9:15pm

UNIVERSITY & SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

THE WOLLONGONG SPORT PROGRAM

Are you a parent of a child who will be in Year 4 or Year 5 in 2010?

Next year we will be running two fun and exciting after-school physical activity and healthy lifestyle programs for children in Years 4 and 5.  The programs will run by researchers from the University of Wollongong at Figtree Public School (Gibsons Road, Figtree).  There will be separate programs for boys and girls.  Each program will run one or two afternoons a week during Terms 1, 2 and 3 from 3pm – 5pm (immediately after school).  All activities will be free-of-charge.

There are only 30 places available for boys and 30 for girls.  So if your child could be more active, does not enjoy physical activity, does not feel confident about being active, or could use some support maintaining a healthy weight, we would love to hear from you. 

Please call Jacqueline Kelly on 0422575581 or 42215551 or email: jkelly@uow.edu.au

MERIT AWARD: 

KEIRA 1: Corey

KEIRA 2: Lucy

KEIRA 3: Hannah

KEIRA 4: Sang

OUSLEY 1: Callum

OUSLEY 2: Macy Carroll

NEBO 1: Emily

NEBO 2: Ashleigh

NEBO 3: Jacob

NEBO 4: Melody

KEMBLA 1: Michael

KEMBLA 2: Claire

BRONZE AWARD:

NEBO 3: Benjamin

SILVER AWARD:

NEBO 1: Shayden

NEBO 2: Ada, Mia,

Colin

NEBO 3: Jacob

NEBO 4: Ceara, Hugh, Georgia

KEMBLA 1: Sophie

GOLD AWARD:

KEIRA 1: Ally,

KEIRA 2: Lachlan, Oscar,

KEIRA 4: Lexus

OUSLEY 1: Harrison,

Damian

NEBO 1: Nerida, Joseph, Tiarna,

NEBO 2: Amy, Rory

NEBO 3: Kate, Jessica

BRONZE  AWARD 2:

KEIRA 3: Alex, Abbey, Imogen, Caitlyn

OUSLEY 1: Wil

OUSLEY 2: Brody, Macy

NEBO 1: Kennedy

NEBO 3: Mia

SILVER AWARD 2:

KEIRA 4: Imogen, Zoe

OUSLEY 2: Callum

GOLD AWARD 2:

NEBO 3: Jemma

READING MEDALLION

BRONZE

Braxton, Keira 4

BOOKCLUB    

ORDERS DUE IN BY:

WEDNESDAY,

25^th NOVEMBER, 2009