Normanhurst Public School

Normanhurst Public School is an inclusive and collaborative community dedicated to meeting student needs. We seek to prepare our students to adapt and thrive in a dynamic society by providing diverse and innovative experiences.

Week 4: 
10 August - GOT IT, Parent Forum, 7 - 8:30pm, Library 
Week 5: 
16 August - School Tours @ 9:30am 
17 August - GOT IT, Parent Forum, 7 - 8:30pm, Library 
Week 6: 
23 August - Musica Viva Incursion 
24 August - GOT IT, Parent Forum, 7 - 8:30pm, Library 
25 August - Bookweek Parade @ 9:15am at Cola 
                    -  Peer Support 
                    -  Stage 3 PSSA Soccer Training 8:10am @ upper oval 
Week 7: 
30 August - School Tour @ 2:30pm 
31 August  - Muogamarra Excursion - Kindy 
                    - Zone Athletics 
1 September - Peer Support 
2 September - Fathers Day Breakfast 

Week 8: 
5 September - Muogamarra Excursion - Year 5 & 6 
6 September - Muogamarra Excursion - Year 3 & 4 
7 September - Muogamarra Excursion - Year 1 
8 September - Muogamarra Excursion - Year 2
                        - FOCM Rehearsal 
Week 9: 
12 September - Book Fair 
14 - 21  September - Life Ed 
22 September - Peer Support 
23 September - LAST DAY OF TERM 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Normanhurst Public School Education Week and Open Morning

Save the date - We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday 25 August. We have a wonderful morning planned. Parents are invited to join the students for an extended recess. More information to come. Here is a brief outline of the planned morning events.

Open Day NPS Education Week

 9:15am - 10:15am (Book Parade) Under COLA outside Library

10:15am - 11am Open Classrooms (RAP Team Activity)

11am Morning Tea Picnic (Bands to play under COLA during recess- Scones and tea available from the canteen for a gold coin donation)

For the Love of Reading

We are delighted with the enthusiasm that our students have taken up the challenge of reading 9000 hours by the end of this term.  Our goal is to motivate even the most reluctant readers and instil a lifelong relationship with books.  Encouraging children to read for pleasure benefits their social and cognitive development, their wellbeing and mental health.

There are multiple other benefits that reading can have on a child’s development, including:

Assisted cognitive development. Cognitive development refers to how we perceive and think about our world in reference to our intelligence, reasoning, language development, and information processing. By reading to children, you provide them with a deep understanding about their world and fill their brains with background knowledge. They then use this acquired background knowledge to make sense of what they see, hear, and read, which aids their cognitive development.

Developing empathy. When we read a book, we put ourselves in the story in front of us. This allows us to develop empathy as we experience the lives of other characters and can identify with how they are feeling. Children can then use this understanding to empathise in the real world with other people. Additionally, children will gain a greater understanding of emotions, which can help them understand their own emotions and those of others. This helps dramatically with their social development.

Gaining deeper understanding. A book can take us anywhere: to another city, to a different country, or even to an alternative world. By reading a book, a child learns about people, places, and events that they couldn’t learn otherwise. This gives children a deeper understanding of the world around them and cultures that are different from their own.

Building stronger relationships. If a parent reads with a child on a regular basis, then they will undoubtedly develop a stronger relationship with them. Reading provides parents with an opportunity to have a regular and shared event that both parent and child can look forward to. Furthermore, it provides children with feelings of attention, love, and reassurance which is key for nurturing and wellbeing. (Why Reading is so Important for Children? Ellie Collier – High Speed Training)

NEW EXECUTIVE POSITION - ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

All public schools across NSW have been allocated an additional executive non-class-based position. This position may be part-time or full-time. The purpose of the position of an Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction is to:

• implement evidence-informed literacy and numeracy practices to improve teaching, learning and assessment across the curriculum;
• to provide differentiated, high-impact professional learning that ensures the continual development and growth of teacher expertise in the teaching of literacy and numeracy across the curriculum;
• to work with colleagues to plan, teach and evaluate the impact of evidence-informed teaching strategies for improved student outcomes in literacy and numeracy across the curriculum;
• to strengthen the capabilities of teachers and leaders to progress school-wide literacy and numeracy priorities through effective collaboration.

Normanhurst Public School has been allocated a 0.6 full-time equivalent Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction position. This equates to 3 days a week. This position was advertised last week. Thank you Eve Quigley for volunteering to be our parent representative on the selection panel.

Attendance matters

Our aim is to have every child attending school at least 90% of the time if not above that target. To achieve the target, students would need to be absent for less than 20 days each year.

Current attendance rate for Semester 1 = 89 %

Students attending (at or above) 90% = 59.4%

Around the grounds

Our electronic sign will be operational in the next few days.  

Newsletter dates for the rest of the term are:

Week 6 – 23 August

Week 8 – 6 September

Week 10 – 20 September

Warm regards,

Jacqui Gordon

Principal 

NSW Health are unwavering in their message that masks are an effective way of minimising the transmission of respiratory viruses and infections, and protecting our community, especially those who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and flu.  

As case numbers within the community continue to rise, this is a reminder that mask wearing is strongly encouraged for students, staff and visitors, particularly indoors, and that now is not the time to become complacent.

Masks continue to be required for workers who support our students who are at greater risk of serious illness should they contract COVID-19, whether they be in schools for specific purpose (SSPs), support units or mainstream classrooms. 

On Wednesday 27 July, Kindergarten celebrated 100 days of being at school! We had a fun and fabulous day participating in a range of literacy and numeracy activities, reading with our buddies, and even dressing up like we were 100 years old! All students should be extremely proud of what they have achieved over these last 100 days.

Celebrating with our buddies 

To help our Kindergarten buddies celebrate 100 days of school, Year 6 students made them some adorable cards and stylish ‘100’ glasses to make their day even more special. We presented them to our buddies at Buddy Reading and then we enjoyed lunch together in the sun.  

Normanhurst students have been doing a great job with our whole school focus on reading. Students are busy borrowing from the library, logging their hours and discussing the books they are reading. So far NPS have read 1644 hours collectively.  

 To monitor our progress towards our goal, students can check the reading thermometer and weekly leaderboard that are displayed outside the office. If all students read for 20 minutes per day, we will achieve our goal together.  

 Our current leaders are: 

1st – 6M 

2nd – 5F 

3rd – 5W

In a very close 4th place is 4D.  

Well done to all classes and students. Keep up the great work NPS! 

Theme: Dreaming with Eyes Open

Please join the fun to help us celebrate Children’s Book Week on Thursday 25th August 2022

What’s happening?

1. Book Parade (Thursday 25th August)

All students from K-6 are asked to dress up as their favourite book character for the parade. All children who dress up and participate in the parade will have an entry in the lucky draw prize. Lucky draw prizes will be announced at the conclusion of the Book Parade.

Parents are invited to come up to school and watch the parade, which will begin approximately at 9:15am in the COLA.

2. Book Week Colouring Competition (Entries due Thursday 18th August)

Entries for the K-6 Colouring Competition are available from the library.

The colouring competition is open to all students K-6 and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the Book Parade. A prize will be given to the overall winner in each grade.

All entries must be submitted to Mrs Spender by Thursday 18th August 2022. No late entries will be accepted. Please remember to include your name, class and grade on each entry.

Thank you and we look forward to celebrating Children’s Book Week with you. If you have any further queries, please contact Mrs Spender (Mon - Thurs).

Carolyn Spender
Teacher Librarian

Congratulations to our Semester 2 SRC members who were elected by their peers.

2D- Charlie K and Edward L

2F- Jason Z and Luke R

3C - Matilda Z and Griffin W

3K- Nathan S and Evelyn G

3/2H - Lily C and Patrick M

4D- Sophie G and Oscar K

4T- Alessandra H and Cameron M

5F- Leo M and Zac Z

5W- April A and Emmanuel P

6P- Thomas C and Matthew H

6M- Minh L and Thomas V

On July 26th we had our round 4 debate against John Purchase PS on zoom. The topic was 'That primary schools should set aside 30 minutes every day for sport and exercise.' We were the negative team. Our first speaker was Willow, our second speaker was Zoe, our third speaker was Sarina and our team advisor was Kara. Our team came up with some interesting arguments about why we shouldn't have to add more sport in to our timetable and argued convincingly against the other team's main points. We were awarded the win by the adjudicator, and we were so proud with what we had achieved! We are looking forward to our final debate in week 5. 

We have been lucky enough to purchase a number of new decodable readers for K-2. We are looking for some help in contacting them so they can be used in classrooms. All contact will be provided. If you are interested, please email jocelyn.williams4@det.nsw.edu.au  

Thank you
Jocelyn Williams 
Assistant Principal 

This catalogue Scholastic are running a special offer whereby they are helping to celebrate and spread the love of reading!  They are giving away FREE books. Parents can get up to 3 free books with this issue only (issue 5). When they spend over: 

• $30 - they receive 1 free book
• $50 - they receive 2 free books
• $70 they receive 3 free books
  To view offer - click on the link below.

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/free-book-resources/

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2022 – Closing Soon!

The 2022 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is finishing this month. The last day students can enter their online reading records is 19 August 2022.

Congratulations to the following students who have finished the 2022 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge (please note that some names have been omitted as they are not to be published). It is wonderful to see so many students participating in this year’s challenge.

Kindergarten – Max L., Alvin R.

Year 2 – Rosha A., Clementine B., Samuel C., Gabriel E., Luke F., Ethan G., Monika G., Matt G., Oona G., Annalise H., Rosie I., Reija J., Charlie K., Sam K., Edward L., Sean L., Antoni M., Estelle M., Jake M., Lam N., Reuben O., Hayden P., Lenox Q., George S., Sam S., Hugo T., Jason T., Sebastian V.

Year 3 – Declan F., Rennah D., Declan F., Ruhaan G., Jiahe G., Sri G., Oli H., Elliot N., Stirling P., Matthew R., Mahiya S., Zanna S., Nathan S., Hudson V., Vihaan V., Luella W., Finn W., Oliver Z., Matilda Z.

Year 4 – Leo E., Audrey F., Gordon G., Sophie G., Malachy G., Jaydon H., Jasmine H., Aiden H., Sandy H., Lael H., Michael I., Talia J., Luciano J., Safwan K., Scott L., Kingsley L., Nathan L., Alison L., Cameron M., William M., Hazel N., Annabella P., Jenny P., Harley R., Will S., Alexander S., Natalie T., Lachlan W., Claire Y., Yolanda Y., Audrey Z., Elisa Z.

Year 5 – Fletcher B., Nathan C., Zoey F., Leo M., Patrick O., Amelia O., Douglas R., Natalie R., Sophia R., Jack W., Oliver W.

Year 6 – Samika A., Tom C., Nico I., Max J., Lewis K., Hoon K., Minh L., Robbie L., Cameron N., Aaron P., Ieuan S., Christopher Z., Dominic Z.

Students have until Friday 19 August 2022 to complete the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. For further information about the challenge please visit the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge website https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

Thank you,

Carolyn Spender & Norma Insuasti
(NSW PRC Coordinators)

Meeting last night

The P&C held our term 3 General meeting last Monday night where we voted on expenditure on projects that were recently completed in the school, these included the RAP Mural in the COLA - completed by our local Indigenous artists and contribution by the children; the upcoming refresh of the grounds by Edumarker, and the purchase of the digital piano for our new music department - all of these co-funded by the P&C and School. We will soon be hosting a Father’s Day event and our very first student art auction (never done before!) Remember to order your Father’s Day tickets through School24 under “events”.

If you have a Wishlist item or would like to suggest something that needs some TLC in the school, please come forward and make a suggestion, we always welcome new ideas from the parents and children for what we want to spend the money on, in order to improve the resources and the environment for our kids and staff.

Building Fund Receipts

There are still a few payments that generously came in but with no identifying name to issue the Tax Receipts to… if this is YOU, please email us below… contact Edd on: treasurer@npspandc.com and CC: buildingfund@npspandc.com

We THANK YOU for your support!

Next General P&C Meeting is the AGM on Monday 31 October 2022 (week 4, term 4)

At the AGM all positions will vacate and be open for new nominations (or re-election)… if you are interested in being elected for a position on the 2023 Committee, please make contact with me and express your interest… a brief description of the roles can be sent to you if you wish to find out a bit more on what is required, I’d be happy to answer any questions. In particular the Canteen and Uniform shop Convenor role will definitely be vacant, this role is integral to the functioning of the school canteen and uniform shop. Please contact me if you would like some information about it.

We will be seeking nominations to elect for these Committee positions:

OFFICEBEARERS (4 positions):

~ P&C President

~ Vice President x2

~ Treasurer

~ Secretary

COMMITTEE (4*-6 positions):

~ Band President

~ Fundraising / Social Co-ordinator

~ Building Fund Co-ordinator*

~ Grounds Co-ordinator*

~ Canteen Convenor**

~ Uniform Shop Convenor** */** due to lack of people these roles were combined, but are meant to be separate positions

Joining or renewing P&C Membership fees - please pay $2 fee

Name: Normanhurst Public School P&C Assn
BSB: 032-084
Account: 691 588
Reference: Surname and PC Fee

Bonita Chan
NPS P&C Association President
president@npspandc.com

Spring is just around the corner…!

1. School Grounds Working Bee – Saturday 20 August, 9am-4pm

Spread the word! Bring a friend or the kids, or come solo to donate your time to tidy the grounds. We’d love to see a big group join us. Many hands make light work. Lets make a day of it. Bring gloves, wheelbarrows, personal gardening tools, pressure cleaners…etc. and let’s make the school shine!

Lunch will be provided and will be a sausage sizzle to keep the crew well fueled!

2. Father’s Day Breakfast – Friday 2 September, 7-8.45am

The NPS P&C Committee is excited to welcome our Dad's, Grandpa's and special people to the 2022 Normanhurst Public School Father’s Day Breakfast!

The morning will include breakfast rolls (bacon/egg/sausage of your choice) and a great opportunity to connect with other members of the Normanhurst community. Classrooms will be open so your children can show you around, and a Coffee Cart to take your orders.

When is it? Friday 2 September, 7.00-8.45am

Where is it? Normanhurst Public School

Who can come? Kids, dads, grandpas and special people

How do I get a ticket?  Tickets are $10 per adult / $5 per child attending and can be purchased via School24. Select ‘Events’ and ‘Father’s Day Breakfast’. Tickets are available until Monday 29 August, 6pm.

We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions about these initiatives, or would like to suggest something new, we’d love to hear from you. You can email Eve at fundraising@npspandc.com

Eve Quigley
NPS P&C Fundraising Coordinator

fundraising@npspandc.com

Appointments to visit the Uniform Shop on a Friday morning can be booked at - https://signup.com/go/cmDYUyW.

For all other uniform items, you can place an order online via our online shop at - https://www.npspandc.com/uniform/. Orders are delivered to your child’s classroom on Friday each week.

Please email me at uniformshop@npspandc.com if you have any questions or can’t find what you are looking for at our online shop.

Kristie Whitehead
NPS Uniform Shop 

Email: uniformshop@npspandc.com

This year we will be having a professional group visit us from Musica Viva in Term 3, week 6. Musica Viva brings some of Australia's best musicians into schools, providing interactive and engaging live music performances. This year our performance is The Rhythm Works, which is a percussion group who uses found and built percussion instruments to teach the musical concepts of beat and rhythm. Teaching materials that are connected to this incursion will be used in music lessons, reinforcing these concepts. Our performances will be on: Tuesday 23 August at 9:15a.m. and 11:40a.m. 

Students should have received a note about this performance. We appreciate the prompt return of these permission notes to your classroom teacher.  

Our choir is working towards performing as part of the combined choir at the Festival of Children's Music, which will be held at the Concourse in Chatswood in October. Students should be accessing the tracks on the choir google classroom and practicing their pieces at home, as well as attending our Tuesday morning rehearsals. 

Eat Fresh and Win Canteen Campaign

We are again participating in the Fresh for Kids Eat Fresh and Win campaign run by Sydney Markets .

When your child orders or buys an item containing n fresh fruit or vegetables at the canteen they will be given an entry form. When they have it signed twice (2 purchases) they fill in their details and bring it to the canteen to exchange for a sticker and cute re useable straw. At the end of the campaign I send these forms away for the chance to win prizes. Rubik’s cubes, book vouchers, Tupperware, bowling passes and a Nintendo switch are among the prizes.

Items that count include: Fruit salad, carrot sticks, corn cobs, wedges box, salad sandwich or adding lettuce/ tomato to a sandwich, Burgers with lettuce and tomato or frozen fruit. Running now till Friday 16 September.

If your child has questions ask them to come and see me in the canteen.

Cancelling Lunch Orders

If you have placed an order in advance and then realise your child will be absent, you have till 8.30am on the day to go online and cancel. If you remember after this please contact the canteen by email or phoning the school ASAP. After 10.30am orders may not be able to be cancelled as once food is prepared we cannot cancel or refund your order.

If you need to pick your child up from school early on a day they have a lunch order please pop by the canteen on your way out and we can discuss the order, if it is ready you may be able to take it or we will discuss changing the day or cancelling depending on the time.

It is Parents responsibility to cancel or arrange an alternative with Lisa and no refunds can be given once food is prepared.

To Volunteer in the canteen don’t forget to look at the roster on School24 and give an hour or two of your time on Wednesday, Thursday or Fridays. Tasks are easy and fun and the children love seeing you at school. Any questions please email me on Canteen@npspandc.com

Lisa Pang
Canteen Manager
NORMANHURST PUBLIC SCHOOL

Lost Property - Please come and check the Lost & Found Box! 

Our lost property basket each week is overflowing with jackets and hats!  Also we have numerous 'other items' handed in that are kept in the office draw, so if you child has lost any item - please remind your child or children to check lost property and ask in the office.   

Please ensure that all your items are labelled with both their first and last name clearly - otherwise it won't find it's way back home!   

Thank you! 

Office Staff