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.
We are thankful for the sun in the sky. We are thankful for the earth. We are thankful to the Dharug and Guringai people for taking care of this land where we learn and have fun. |
All families should now be signed up for the Sentral App for Parents. If you as still having difficulties with Access Keys please contact the office.
Student Absences
Many of our parents are using Sentral to notify us of student absences. In the event your child is absent from school, you have a number of options for letting us know.
If your child is unexpectedly sick
Once the attendance roll is marked by the teachers in the morning, the absence will be logged in the Parent Portal. The absence will be visible in the Absences section of the portal and you can provide a reason by pressing the "Explain Absence" button.
If you know your child will be away due to an upcoming medical appointment
You can notify us of this prior to the date of absence by using the :Future Absence" feature in the Sentral Parent Portal. We will adjust our attendance register accordingly.
We would much rather parents use the methods listed above to notify us of absences rather than emailing or using Skoolbag notifications. This is because responses received in the above ways feed directly into our attendance register, increasing accuracy and security reducing administration in forwarding emails etc. It also means that teachers immediately receive the update, instead of waiting for the school email to be cleared each morning.
New Scholastic catalogues (issue 2) are out! ORDER NOW!!
Orders are to be placed by the 20/3/23 for school delivery otherwise home delivery charges apply.
https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent.aspx
If you have any queries, please let me know.
Thanks so much!
Well done to all our swimmers who competed at the school swimming carnival on Thursday 23 February. Thank you to our house captains who did a great job leading their houses throughout the day. Another big thanks to all the parents who assisted on the day to ensure the smooth running of each of the events.
Congratulations to our Zone Swimming team who swam at the Homebush Aquatic Centre last Thursday. Our team were outstanding representatives and did our school proud on all accounts.
Zone Swimming Team:
Daniel O, Will K, Natalie R, Ashton Y, Eli B, Sam K, Michael I, Eden M, Douglas R, Adele P, Eleanor D, Jaxon K, Jack W, Fletcher B, Isaac O, and Eleanor P.
Compliments and best wishes to the following students who have qualified to area to compete at the Sydney North Carnival later in the term:
Daniel O, Will K, Jaxon K, Douglas R (Snr 50m Freestyle Relay 1st)
Fletcher B (Snr 50m Freestyle 3rd & 50m Backstroke 2nd)
Natalie R(Snr 50m Backstroke 1st )
Ashton Y (8 Yrs 50m Freestyle 1st)
Will K (11 Yrs 50m Freestyle 3rd, 11 Yrs Buttefly Res. 3rd)
Daniel O (Snr 50m Backstroke 2nd)
Harmony Day - March 20th to 24th, 2023
Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. In schools we celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional custodians of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. Harmony Week occurs in March each year and includes 21 March, the United Nations' International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The ongoing theme of Harmony Week is ‘Everyone Belongs’. Harmony Week is a time of cultural respect for all. By participating in Harmony Week activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians equally belong to this nation and enrich it.
HARMONY WEEK AT NORMANHURST PUBLIC SCHOOL
The whole school will be participating in activities across the week from Monday 20th - Friday 24th March. Some activities will involve the whole school at the same time (e.g., Assembly, Mufti Day), and other activities will be spread across the week to fit in with class timetables and excursions etc. Harmony Week activities will fit in with the teaching of the curriculum.
· On Monday 20th March students are asked to wear traditional cultural dress or orange clothing (including sun safe and enclosed shoes). Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.
· On Wednesday 22nd March the canteen will be running a Harmony Day special lunch fundraiser. You will need to order this ahead of time through School24.
· On Thursday 23rd March there will be a whole school assembly after lunch, focusing on the Multicultural aspects of our country and school. If any students would like to nominate themselves to do a cultural performance at the assembly, they can speak to Ms Layton.
Harmony Week activities in Wellbeing and the Creative Arts will happen throughout the week in class time, fitting in with the class timetable.
HARMONY WEEK POSTER COMPETITION
Students can enter a poster into the Harmony Week Poster Competition and can win up to $500.
2023 Theme: Living in Harmony
Entries close: 14th April 2023
Specifications: A3 drawing, painting or mixed media work You can find out more information and submit your entries: https://movingforwardtogether.org.au/poster-competition/
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2023
The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The challenge aims to encourage a love of reading and to experience quality literature. This year’s challenge opens on Monday 27 February 2023 and closes on Friday 18 August 2023 for all K-6 students.
To complete the challenge, students in Kindergarten – Year 2 need to experience thirty books At least twenty of these books must be from the K-2 PRC Booklist. The other ten can be free choice. Students experience the books by either reading independently, sharing the reading of a book, or having a book read to them. Students in KD, KE, KT, 1W, 1/2N, 2F & 2P will be completing the Reading Challenge with their class teacher. However, if you wish to complete the reading challenge with your child at home, please go ahead as your child will have the valuable experience of enjoying and sharing twice as many books (please note they will only receive one certificate). If your child can read simple chapter books on their own, they can attempt the 3-4 Challenge. To do this, students will need to change their student reading record to challenge level 3-4 on the https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html and complete their own online reading record.
Students in Years 3-6 are to read twenty books independently to complete the Reading Challenge. At least ten of these must be on the Year 3-4 or Year 5-6 PRC Booklist. The other ten can be free choice. Students are limited to five books from a series to encourage them to experience a wide range of books and authors. All 3-6 students participating in the Reading Challenge will need to logon to the NSW Premier’s Challenge website https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html using their school username and password and enter their own books on their online reading record.
Students who complete the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge will receive a certificate at the end of the year.
Booklists and further information about the Reading Challenge can be located on The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge website: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html
For further assistance you may contact me in the library on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Good luck with the challenge and happy reading!
Writing Club
If your child loves writing and sharing stories, we would love for them come to our new Writing Club on Mondays at lunch! Writing Club is open to all students in Years 1 – 6 who have an interest in creating stories, scripts and/or poetry. Its aim is to provide a collaborative space for students to write, share ideas, share stories and give each other feedback. In Writing Club, Mrs Dougall and I, will be encouraging and assisting students with their creative writing and we will be working towards publishing a school magazine of student works at the end of the year.
Makerspace
Every Thursday, at lunchtime in the library, Mrs Smith and I will be running ‘Makerspace’ for different stages throughout the year. This term, Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) will have the opportunity to collaborate, create, explore and make things in a hands-on fun environment.
Library Borrowing
Each class has a set time each week where they will visit the library to borrow and return books. Please ensure your child brings their library bag on their library day.
Monday: 2F, 2P, 3S, 3L
Tuesday: 6H, 6P, 5F, 5H
Wednesday: KE, 3/4T, 4M
Thursday: KD, KT, 4K, 1W, 1/2N
Students may also visit the library before school to borrow and return books.
Books may be borrowed for a period of two weeks. Please return books promptly or renew them regularly to avoid them becoming lost. Currently, many students across the school have not returned books from last year. Please look for these and return them as soon as possible please.
Students are responsible for the books they borrow and we trust that the books will be looked after whilst in the care of students. We recommend keeping your books in a safe, designated spot in your house. If books are lost or damaged beyond repair, we do ask for them to be paid for so they can be replaced. We appreciate your support and if a borrowed item has been lost or damaged, please contact Mrs Spender via the school office or send a note via your child.
New Books to Enjoy!
Look out for these new books which have recently been added to our school library collection!
Mrs Spender
Teacher Librarian
BAND WORKSHOP
Fantastic effort from all our musicians at our recent band workshop. It was great to hear the improvements the Training Band was making in just one afternoon. Keep up the good work!
WELCOME FESTIVAL - FRIDAY 10TH MARCH
The Concert Band will be performing at 5:30pm. Concert Band students and parents, please arrive at 5pm and proceed to the hall. We need your help to move chairs, music stands and percussion equipment to the COLA. (Many hands make light work!) Students are to wear casual clothing.
SEMESTER 1 BAND FEES
Please check your emails - NPS Band Semester 1 2023 invoice details have been sent out. Semester 1 fees are due on 23rd March 2023. Many thanks for your prompt payments.
2023 CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS
If you have a 2023 Creative Kids voucher (expiring 30 June 2023) and would like to use it as a part-payment toward band fees for 2023, please email us ASAP with your child’s full name, your child’s date of birth, and the voucher number.
BAND REHEARSAL DUTY
Many thanks to those parents who have already helped out. It makes a huge difference! Don’t forget to send us your Working with Children Check details including your full name, WWCC number, date of birth and WWCC expiry date.
SAVE THE DATE
Band Camp is on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May 2023 at the Collaroy Centre. More info coming soon.
BAND CAMP INFORMATION SESSION VIA ZOOM
Parents of first time Band Campers? Join the Band Camp information session on Thursday 23rd March at 7:30pm via Zoom. We will give you an overview of the Camp program and expectations, and answer any questions you may have. The Zoom link will be provided closer to the date.
Welcome to the new year! We have a really exciting year ahead as we fundraise for our school community and look to celebrate flourishing together.
1. School Grounds Working Bee – Thank you to everyone who came and helped on the weekend. So wonderful to see so many helping hands! Great work!
2. Normanhurst Public School P&C Welcome Festival
The P&C welcomes parents, community members and friends of the school to join us for a 'Welcome to 2023' evening of fun!
Friday 10 March, 5-8pm
2 Normanhurst Rd, Normanhurst Public School
Join us for:
● Food trucks & sausage sizzle
● Live Music
● Kids entertainment & activities including face painting and temporary tattoo parlour
● Inflatables
● Soccer skills & social games - Hosted by Normanhurst Eagles
● Westleigh Rural Fire Service: Sit in a real fire truck!
● Adopt-A-Cop Visit
● Uniform Shop Pre-loved Summer Sale
● Special Thanks to Anna Caville at Stone Real Estate for supporting our event.
The P&C will be hosting these items for purchase:
Kids Sausage Sizzle – $5
Drinks – $3
Professional Face Painting – $5
Inflatables – $7
Temporary Tattoo Parlour – $3
Pre-loved Summer Uniform Sale – bargain prices
We have the support of two amazing Food Trucks!
Smash Burgers and Dolce Bacio Gelato will be serving up their delicious food. All items for these suppliers will be purchased directly with them on the day.
3. Hello from the P&C Letter
Every year we send out a letter looking for volunteers to help with our many events and working bees.
Shortly you will receive a letter with a few events for Semester 1, so keep an eye out and get in touch with the team if you’d like to get involved. We love meeting new families and welcome any opportunity to partner.
4. Do you love being social? Do you love contributing to the school community?
Join the P&C Fundraising and Social team to help to coordinate our community events for all to enjoy. We have more events we’d love to host, but since we are all volunteers balancing working and parenting, we just can’t find the extra hours in the day. Get involved today email fundraising@npspandc.com
5. Year Group Events
The P&C is excited to announce year group run events. Each event will be facilitated and promoted by the P&C Social and Fundraising teams, but the events will be run by parents from each year group on the day. It’s your opportunity to volunteer atleast once a year to come into the school and share in the spirit. Pop the dates in your diary.
1. Hosted by Year 2 and 3 Parents – Mothers Day Breakfast – Week commencing 8 May (Set up from 6.30am, breakfast to start at 7.30am, pack up completed by 9.30am)
2. Hosted by Year 4 and 6 Parents – Fathers Day Breakfast – Week commencing 28 August (Set up from 6.30am, breakfast to start at 7.30am, pack up completed by 9.30am)
3. Year 6 Farewell – Hosted by Year 5 parents (Various activities)
4. Hosted by Kindergarten Parents – Orientation Morning Tea for 2024 Kindy Parents – One morning in November (Approx 8.30-10.30am, includes set-up, mingle and packdown)
Annual event calendar for your diary:
Term 1
● Commemorative Class ‘Tea Towel – Creation of portrait in class in term 1.
● P&C Engagement Letter – Fundraising and Volunteer call out – Early March, double sided English/Mandarin translation
● Friday, 10 March – P&C Welcome 2023 Festival, 5-8pm
● Wednesday, 22 March – Harmony Day fundraiser for Canteen
● Saturday, 25 March – Election Day BBQ and Bake Stall
Please note: The P&C committee is run by volunteers, we do our best to deliver to our yearly plans, however some dates/events may change closer to the time. Always stay tuned for regular updates in the newsletter.
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
The Entertainment Book is now a digital membership via the App. Give it as a gift, or use the offers within to save. Complete 12-month memberships from the moment you join. Membership covers savings on dining, activities, hotels, shopping and gift vouchers. New offers are added automatically to the App. 20% of each membership is returned to support the P&C. Visit our school page today, www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/205p842
SignUp link for Election Day volunteers
Election Day is on Saturday 25 March and we NEED YOUR HELP please, see this SignUp Link to volunteer on the day: https://signup.com/go/jTaeePV
Baking and Sweet treat donations
For those of you who cannot physically help, but are able to BAKE… please send us a batch of your home-cooked goodies, pre-wrapped in saleable condition, and with a full ingredient listing so that we can safely sell your generous yummy donations. We gratefully accept all things - but preferably no nuts - and vegan and GF options are great too.
All profits will go to the P&C Fundraising kitty. Please contact Bonita on president@npspandc.com and let us know if you can make something, and see Eve’s fundraising news for further information on our other events…!
Welcome Event
In particular, remember to invite your friends and family to our NPS Welcome Event coming THIS Friday night… There will be something for everyone including food trucks, facepainting and entertainment!
Anna Cavill from Stone Upper North Shore is a proud sponsor of this event and is an award-winning real estate agent and ex-Normanhurst local…! She is amazing at what she does and if you are considering selling your home, we urge you to consider her and you won’t be disappointed, I (myself) have personally just recently successfully sold and we were impressed with her total professionalism.
Next General P&C Meeting - Zoom
Our next general meeting is on Monday 13 March at 7:30pm and is a Zoom-only. Meet the P&C and see what we do! The link will be released closer to the day, the Agenda attached in this newsletter.
If you wish to join and be a financial member of our P&C, to vote on motions - please pay a $2 fee and join our next meeting
Name: Normanhurst Public School P&C Assn
BSB: 032-084
Account: 691 588
Reference: {Full Name} and PC Fee
Bonita Chan
NPS P&C Association President
president@npspandc.com
Harmony Day Lunch Orders Wednesday March 22nd
Orders Now open and close 8.30am Thursday 16th March. Order through the events tab on School24. (some items may close earlier due to order deadlines or supplies available)
All Meals come with an Aussie Lamington Finger, check out the event menu for details of what is available.
We have a special Frozen treat for the day Twisted Frozen yogurts: Choc/vanilla, strawberry/vanilla, caramel/vanilla or watermelon/ mango. (Gluten free)
Usual Menu is not available on this day. Canteen will be open for counter sales as usual at both recess and lunch.
Helpers needed to make this day a success, please look at the sign up link below for details
Birthday Ice Blocks If you wish to order some birthday treats for your child to share with their class, the canteen can supply these on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. We can supply any of our frozen treats but recommend the Quelch Ice blocks at 50c each. Please liaise with your class teacher and then email the canteen at least a week before hand with the Childs Name, class, number required and date required and we will get back to you. Canteen@npspandc.com
Cancelling Lunch orders
You can cancel a lunch order up to the cut off time of the day to get lunch. After that you will need to contact the canteen to have it cancelled. Please do so as early as possible. Please DO NOT contact School24 about this as they are only an ordering portal and we may not get then message in a timely way.
If you need to pick up your child during the day mention they have a lunch order to the office and if it is ready it can be collected to go home. PLEASE NOTE: once food has been prepared it cannot be cancelled and refunded.
Special dietary requirements
If your child has special dietary requirements and you would like information about the ingredients of a specific item please contact me. We have a number of items that are gluten free, halal or vegetarian. We have gluten free bread available as well. We do not use any nuts in the canteen. We are a certified “ Healthy Canteen”. I’m always happy to answer questions so please email me or pop into the canteen for a chat.
Canteen Roster Sign Up 2023
The canteen needs Volunteers to help it run smoothly in a cost effective way. Tasks are easy, we have fun and the children love seeing you in the canteen. There are different shifts on our open days of Wednesday/ Thursday/ Friday.
Please have a look at the roster link below or email the canteen for further information canteen@npspandc.com https://signup.com/go/aLYOqAD
Any questions please email me on canteen@npspandc.com
Lisa Pang
Canteen Manager
Pre-loved summer stock SALE
The Uniform Shop will have a pre-loved stall at the P&C welcome festival with all summer stock BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!!!! Pre-loved winter and sport uniforms will also be available to purchase. Everything $5.00 - $10.00!! Cash or EFTPOS only (no vouchers).
Winter stock now available!
We have received our winter stock and it is now available to purchase either online or in-store. Please book an appointment if you would like to try on items for size.
Appointments - NOW OPEN THURSDAY MORNINGS
Appointments to visit the Uniform Shop are now available on Thursday and Friday mornings.
If you would like to try on items for size, or purchase our pre-loved items, please book an appointment at - https://signup.com/go/ULfAxAF
Online Orders
All uniform items are available to purchase via our online shop. Orders are delivered to your child’s classroom on Friday each week. The online shop is available at - https://www.npspandc.com/uniform/
Volunteers needed
If you can spare an hour on a Friday morning we would love your help to organise our pre-loved items and pack online orders. Please sign up at - https://signup.com/go/JkjVueE
Any questions or can’t find what you are looking for? Please email me at uniformshop@npspandc.com
Kristie Whitehead
Uniform Shop Manager
I am writing to formally invite your school community to our upcoming Open Morning Tours.
https://www.apgs.nsw.edu.au/index.php/enrolment/open-days/open-morning
The Australian Performing Arts Grammar School is an exciting, innovative school for students with a passion for the creative and performing arts. Established in 2005, APGS is open to students of artistic ability, dedicated to nurturing talent and encouraging rigour and dedication to both the performing arts and academic learning. The school is a boutique institution, designed specifically to meet the needs of young people who, in addition to their academic studies, desire to focus on Music, Drama, Dance and/or Visual Arts.
These tours will be held on:
- Term 2 - Wednesday 3rd May, 9 00am – 10 30am
- Years 7 to 9 Term 2 - Wednesday 3rd May,10 00am – 11 30am
- Years 10 & 11 Term 3 - Wednesday 26th July, 9 00am – 10 30am
- Years 7 to 9 Term 3 - Wednesday 26th July, 10 00am – 11 30am
- Years 10 & 11 Term 4 - Wednesday 18th October, 9 00am – 10 30am
- Years 7 to 9 Term 4 - Wednesday 18th October, 10 00am – 11 30am
- Years 10 & 11
Families may register online to attend the tours and are welcome to contact us should they have any further enquiries.
