Dear Parents and Friends of SGS, ANZAC Day Thank You to All Those Who Supported the ANZAC Commemorations Across the Centres on Saturday
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Dear Parents and Friends of SGS, ANZAC Day Thank you to all those who supported the ANZAC Commemorations across the centres on Saturday. We had very good representation and students showed clear understanding of the significance of the day for our nation. The photos throughout the newsletter depict this representation and respect positively. On Thursday last week we held our own whole school ANZAC Service in St Luke’s Hall, due to the wet weather. Our special guest speaker, Mr Tim Egan, shared a very appropriate message of commitment with the students. We were unable to plant the special Lone Pine tree which was a gift from Steve, Abby and Noah McDonald as the service was in the hall but we are very grateful for this special and generous donation. Abby has shared some reflection of her experience in this week’s newsletter. There have been many conversations around the school recently about the huge intake of sugar of many students and how we can support students’ healthy eating and health in general. Please consider ways to support your own children in making informed, healthy choices about what they eat and drink. We will be seeking input from the students about this issue over the coming weeks. I am conscious that this doesn’t become a situation where things are banned, but that we can work together to educate students about healthy choices for life. I am looking forward to our Fabulous Full Weekend next weekend, with the Antiques Fair, the Parade and the Fete. Please become involved where you can and contribute where you are able, as this is a very special time for our school and wider community. Thank you for your involvement already. It is very special to welcome back Paul West of River Cottage Australia fame, an ex student, to be our special guest at the Antique Fair opening night and the Fete. Paul is also doing a book launch on the Sunday at Jerry’s Plains. Have a wonderful week Paul Smart Principal Primary News (From Mr Feeney) All students in Years 3 and 5 will participate in NAPLAN during Week 4. A Letter to Parents regarding NAPLAN was sent home last term, dated 20 March. The NAPLAN tests will be conducted from 12-14 May 2015. Tuesday 12 May - Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) and Writing Wednesday 13 May - Reading Thursday 14 May - Numeracy (Number, Algebra, function and pattern; Chance and data; Measure- ment, and Space) Please note there will be no Catch-Up Day provisions this year on Friday, 15 May, due to the Scone Cup Holiday. If there are any parents who have yet to finalise requests for Special Provisions or Withdrawal/Exemption, please contact me at the School ASAP. Last week I distributed to Years 3 and 5 Class Teachers, some NAPLAN Guidelines, put together by APPA (Australian Primary Principals Association). At SGS, we do work with students to ensure they feel familiar with the format of NAPLAN tests, however, we don’t do extensive ‘NAPLAN practice’, or teach to the test. The APPA Guidelines suggest that “The best preparation for NAPLAN testing parents can provide is ensuring their child has a good night’s sleep of between 10-11 hours and a healthy breakfast on the morning of testing.” If you have any questions at all about NAPLAN, please speak with your child’s Class Teacher, learning Support staff or myself. This Friday, a number of students from our SGS Cross Country Team, will be participating in the modified HRIS Cross Country Selection Trials, at the Morisset Showground. I’m sure the students have been training hard and will cope with the late change of plans and venue. I do wish them well and look forward to hearing news of their results. On Friday, 1 May, we will also have our Fortnightly Primary Assembly, which this week will be hosted by Year 3 Blue. The Assembly will be held in St Luke’s Hall and will commence at 1:00pm. Parents and friends are most welcome and I hope we might see you there. Next Monday, 4 May, our Year 6 Student Leaders will be attending the GRIP Primary Leadership Seminar in Tamworth. This is always a valuable leadership development opportunity, as the students work with leaders from other local schools, to build and strengthen their practical leadership skills. Mr Saunders and I will be sharing this special day with the students. Congratulations and best wishes to Hamish Davidson (Year 1 Blue) and Audrey Gill (Year 3 Blue), who are both celebrating their birthdays this week. I trust that both these students will enjoy the day and the opportunity to share this special occasion with family and friends. Good Humour for the Week What did the beaver say to the tree? It’s been nice gnawing you. What do you get if you cross a germ with a comedian? A lot of sick jokes. From the Chaplain On Thursday 23rd April we gathered as one school community to remember the 100 year anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and our ANZAC’s. On Saturday many across our nation and New Zealand gathered to stop and remember military men and women who fought, and especially those who died, for our countries in war. Is ‘remembering’ more than a once a year event? It caused me to wonder whether we often have the same attitude toward Jesus? In 2 Timothy 2:8, Christians are instructed to; “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” What does Paul mean by the word “remember”? Does Paul want Timothy and us to stop once in a while (maybe once a year) and have a minute silence? No. Does Paul want us merely to recall Jesus in our minds? No. To remember Jesus Christ involves thinking about Jesus, but it to goes beyond that. Remembering Jesus means a continuous, conscious orientation of our lives. In other words, we are not just to remember Jesus once in a while, but continuously. Our lives should reflect our remembering as we strive to live lives which reflect Jesus’ love for us. Remembering implies living the way Jesus taught us to live. It seems to me that remembering Jesus Christ is the most important key to living the Christian life. There are many opportunities in our school to hear and consider what God has to say to us and to remember Jesus Christ often. Weekly Chapel Bible passages and relevant links can be found at twitter.com/sgschapel In Prayer this week: Reflect on: 2 Timothy 2:8 Give thanks for: The sacrifice of Jesus made so that we can be friends with God and have new life; The gift of faith in Jesus; the many opportunities to be involved in diverse school activities; Parents, teachers and supporters who truly care for us Pray for: Our boys in India at the Wellham School; Abby McDonald and her family in Gallipoli; Fete preparations; For the school building project; For parent and teacher interviews this week; For families and students who are ill or struggling at the moment; Preparations for Grandparents Day; Year 3 and Year 10 students; For your son or daugh- ter’s teacher/s! (specific prayer requests can be sent to [email protected] to be prayed for by our weekly prayer group- not published in newsletter) Rev’d Nate [email protected] Monday Lunchtime The Yellow Cottage Tales Welcome back to term two, we have a very busy term ahead. You will have noticed that we start our day inside now as part of our winter program and we play outside later in the day now. Could families in the Orange Room please take lunch boxes out to the fridge via the bathroom door or the front door and the side path so that the Turquoise Room doesn’t have a constant flow of traffic through it while children are playing inside. Likewise could families in Turquoise Room access that room from the back door not the front door please. The weather has all of sudden gotten cold. Could all our wonderful families please check the spare clothes in their child’s bag and make sure they are winter clothes. We have already been caught out a few times this week. It is very important that all children have at least one spare set of clothes in their bag. The Orange Room have been enjoying learning all about letters and the post office. The children all arrived back at preschool with a personalised mailbox and they have been enjoying posting each other letters. This week we are walking down to visit Scone Post Office, that will be every exciting. The Turquoise Room loved reading “Wombat Stew” they also have been making wombat stew and playing with lots of Australian animals. They have also started making a fantastic farm inside their room. This Thursday 30th April at 7.00pm we will be having a working meeting to get our float ready for horse parade. Could you please let Kirsty know if you are available to help with this project. Many thanks. Quote: There are a hundreds of languages around the world , but a smile speaks them all. Medieval Model Competition The annual Year 8 Medieval Model building competition once again produced models of outstanding quality. As part of the assessment program for Year 8 History, the students were asked to build a model of a medieval residence- a castle, a peasant house, a manor house or an abbey. The students used a variety of materials in the construction of their model.