East Public School News 10 Yass Road Queanbeyan Phone: 6297 2619 Fax: 6299 4128 Email: [email protected] Website: www.queanbeyae-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Thursday 17th December 2013, Term 4, Issue 5

Principal’s Message

This is our last newsletter for the year. I am very proud of our school and the achievements of our students and staff this year. We have talented teachers, dedicated support staff who work tirelessly to ensure your children – our students can “do their best”. I am very proud of the fact that all our students, regardless of their ability, have been given every possible opportunity to be challenged, achieve success and feel valued in our school. Last week’s Presentation Day acknowledged the academic, sporting and cultural successes of our students and staff. The 6 Year farewell celebrated the end of primary education for our Year 6 students. Our students had a fabulous night, shared with their families and friends. The Big Day Out yesterday acknowledged the work of all of our students and teachers and provided students a chance to celebrate the end of their year at school with their friends. All students were extremely well behaved at all of these events. Thank you to the teachers and staff who organised these events and ensured their success. Look out for the photos which will be posted on the school website. Last day for students Our students last day of school is tomorrow Wednesday, 18th December. Students are permitted to wear mufti clothes to school tomorrow. Our Kindergarten to Year 4 classes will have a lunchtime school disco in the hall. Staff Development Days Even though the students finish on Wednesday, our staff continue to work until the end of this week. We will be joining staff from Queanbeyan, , Queanbeyan South, , and Sutton Public Schools on Thursday for a combined staff development day. On Friday we will have our own school professional learning day focused on implementation of the Australian Curriculum, 21st century learning skills, whole school planning for 2014, and the Live Life Well program. There is also a Staff Development Day at the start of next year where this professional learning will be continued. Hail and Farewell I would like to wish Miss Amanda Bell all the very best for 2014. As I mentioned at presentation day, Miss Bell will not be teaching with us next year as she has travel plans including an opportunity to teach in the UK, that we are all rather envious of. Thank you Amanda for being a huge asset to our teaching team and for the incredible impact you have on our students. We look forward to hearing about your adventures when you return to us in 2015. Mrs Leticia Boekel is also leaving our school at the end of the year. The talented Mrs Boekel is moving with her family to Victoria so her husband can take up a new posting. I thank Leticia very much for her incredible contributions to our school and wish her every success with her new adventures with her husband and boys as she moves to Melbourne. In 2014, we will welcome Mr Jacob Szczudlo and Mr Adam Cole who will be joining our teaching team full time. We look forward to these teachers further strengthening our teaching staff. Apart from those couple of changes, our staffing will remain fairly constant for the coming year. Mrs Campbell wins Education Award Mrs Campbell has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to education at our school presentation day. The Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, presented Mrs Campbell with an inaugural Member for Monaro Excellence in Education Award 2013. The award acknowledges the important contributions that teachers make through their work. Mr Barilaro, when presenting the award said “Kristen has outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills which are underpinned by principles of fairness, compassion and integrity.”

I congratulate Mrs Campbell on receiving this award, it is an outstanding achievement.

P&C 2014 – or the HAS (Helping at School) Team I would like to invite you to come and see me if you are interested in working with me to re-establish our Parents and Citizens Association in 2014. Parents, are partners in the education process, have a right and a responsibility to play an active role in the education of their children. The P&C shares a responsibility of ensuring representative decision making for the benefit of all students at East. We need your help to make our good school - GREAT! Thank you I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the parents and community members who have supported our school throughout the year, as volunteers, reading dad’s, mums, nans, and pops, excursion helpers, teacher’s aides and of course those who supported us in so many other ways. We are indeed fortunate to have such a small, yet dedicated group of parents working in the best interest of our school. Thanks also to all the parents and carers who have attended our fortnightly assemblies throughout the year. Your presence is appreciated by both students and staff and makes a big difference in ensuring close ties between the school and its families. I would like to wish students, staff and parents the compliments of the season and a relaxing and safe holiday.

Fiona Senior-Conroy Principal

QEPS Choir singing Christmas Carols at Uniting Age Care Home Reading Awards Congratulations to Robert, Lara, Gemma, Harman and Chevelle from 2K who have read over 100 home readers this year. These students have received a special Principal’s award for their efforts. Well done!

Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating a birthday in December! Simranjot, Ethan, Rhys, Sylvia, Levi, Siara, Laura, Teagan, Alissa, Tabitha, John, Jada and Leeroy!

Class Awards

Year 1—Magdalena V, Chloe H, Kye B and Caleb S Year 2 - Sophie M and Julian M Year 5 - Chenoa P, James K & Courtney S

Holiday Boredom Buster Queanbeyan Indoor Sports Centre Join our January Soccer will again be running our now famous Clinic School Holiday Soccer Clinics these Kidsoccer will be running their great value soccer school holidays due to popular demand. Holiday program again in the upcoming January The clinics, aimed at primary school children and th th Holidays. The program will be held at O’Connor will be run from the 20 to the 24 of January from Monday 27th through to Thursday 30th 2014. January. Our programs are suitable for These clinics are aimed at all primary school preschoolers to year 6 (3 to 12 year olds). We cater children no matter what skill level they are, with for the very beginner through to experienced quality coaches ensuring all children will learn new players. skills and have a bundle of fun. The focus of the On-line registrations will open shortly. Please visit clinics will be to develop skills through participation. www.kidsfc.com.au to join our email list, or email The clinic starts at 9am and finish at 4:30pm each [email protected] for more information. And day in the safe and secure brand new Queanbeyan don’t forget to have a wonderful Christmas break – Indoor Sports Centre. We provide all equipment, a keep kicking that ball around though! comprehensive lunch, fruit juice and water, and a healthy snack. For more information or to make a booking contact

the centre via phone on 6297 7435, or email

[email protected]. Booking are essential and

spots are limited so make sure you get in early to

guarantee a spot NOW!

The Queanbeyan City Library will be running its popular Summer Reading Club over the upcoming summer holidays.

If you are aged between five to twelve, come down and join in the “Investigation’! All you need to do is register at the library on or after the 2nd December to receive your reading record, collect your goodie bag and get reading.

When you have read ten books, bring your completed reading record to us to receive a gift.

Reading during the school holidays helps maintain literacy skills and the habit of reading, ready for the coming year of school. Participation in the club also encourages a visit to the library as a great holiday activity.

‘Investigation’ will run from 2nd December to 31st January 2014.

There will be a free party held in February 2014, for all Summer Reading Club members with certificate presentations, party food and fun games.

Toddler Yoga is held on Tuesday afternoons 1:45pm at SaCC, in the grounds of Queanbeyan Public Music and Movement class is now School. Cost $10 per session. For held at Queanbeyan SaCC, Queanbeyan more information contact Brooke Public School, Wednesdays 2.00pm- 6297 2167. 2:45pm. For more info phone Brooke 6297 2167 School Calendar Upcoming Events

Term 4, 2013

Wednesday 18 Dec Mufti Day - all students Wednesday 18 Dec K - 4 Lunchtime Disco Wednesday 18 Dec Last day for students Thursday 19 Dec No Students - Staff Development Day - Teachers at Queanbeyan PS Friday 20 Dec No Students - Staff Development Day

Term 1, 2014

Tuesday 28 Jan No Students - Staff Development Day Wednesday 29 Jan First Day for Years 1 - 6 Wednesday 29 Jan Kindergarten Best Start Assessments Thursday 30 Jan Kindergarten Best Start Assessments Friday 31 Jan Kindergarten Best Start Assessments Monday 3 Feb First Day for Kindergarten Monday 3 Feb Swimming Carnival - date to be confirmed Tuesday 18 Feb Meet the Teachers Wednesday 19 Feb AECG Meeting 4.00pm Wednesday 5 Mar K - 6 Footsteps Dance Lessons Wednesday 12 Mar K - 6 Questacon visits QEPS Thursday 3 Apr AECG Meeting 4.00pm Friday 4 Apr QEPS Cross Country