Scotts Head Public School Newsletter

Hello, Giinagay, Hai

Thanks to Sue Brown, Director, Education Leadership, Mid Coast Valleys Principal, for the invaluable book 'Driving School Improvement'.

The Big Write is a celebration of students’ learning. The Big Write was conducted last Wednesday between 9-11am across the whole school. The biggest difference between the Big Write and the ‘everyday’ writing session is setting the atmosphere.

This was beautifully created by local Author, Illustrator and Artist Joy Le Cerf (Grandmother of Luka and Asher Le Cerf) along with Margrit and her beautiful handcrafted masks.

To inspire our students’ imagination, we all started in the LLLC with Joy giving an introduction. This was followed up by a mindfulness exercise, in listening to the sounds of birds, which set the scene for Joy to read her first book, “If I were a Bird”.

During the story were pauses where various bird characters appeared.

Students then returned to class.  Through games, activities, writing tasks, conversations and discussions in a fun and engaging way experienced the steps they need to take in order to write a story.

Joy with her masked friends ventured around all the classes to continue to inspire, give tips and ignite student’s imaginations. She was seeking answers to her questions, ”What would you see / hear / feel / taste / smell in a forest…. sea…. river?". Again, students were visited by some colourful and clever masked creatures  (see photo gallery below).

A huge thank you to Joy and Margrit for sharing your zest for the arts. Thanks Joy for your generosity in donating prizes to students showing the most progress in writing. Students received either the first or second book 'Follow the Winding Path' (see photo below).  Both books will be on exhibition from the end of this month at the Matilda Street Gallery.  https://www.nambuccaguardian.com.au/story/6903202/finding-the-joy-in-the-tiniest-of-natures-details/

Thanks to all involved for the enthusiasm and support in running a successful ‘Big Write'. Thank you to Bu Emi for the idea, Pak Adam for putting design ideas into action and Bu Lyndsey for organising the morning. Congratulations to all our winners.

Here is Joy’s feedback from the day:

Dear staff and parents of the Scotts Head Public School.

I was recently invited to attend "The big write" at your wonderful school. Margrit and myself spent a little time in every classroom during the morning sessions and were very interested in what we observed.

Each classroom had stimulating activities that propelled children into using pen and paper to catch their imaginative thoughts. Firstly there was excitement and anticipation which led to a furious writing frenzy that was quite amazing to watch. The children were so involved in their own stories, that we didn't want to interrupt the creative process. Your school is certainly a centre of excellence in education, but more than that, it is also a centre of enjoyment and a credit to the principal, staff and students. It was a pleasure to be there. Tight ship, true course.

Warm Regards, Joy.  

As we finish term 3 it is a time for evaluation of our school goals and plans in preparation for the upcoming planning cycle: 2020-2024. Developing 21st Century curriculum support and wellbeing for students and families is a significant part of our Strategic Plan.

It would be great to gain as much parent feedback throughout the Parent Tell Them From Me survey which is now open. This feedback is invaluable and assists us as a school community to inform our provision of excellent educational programs and options for our children and young adults.

Our staff will give their feedback through the Staff Tell them from Me Survey as well this week. Our collegiate development and collaboration within and outside of the school, supports a well-informed and evidence-based network of assistance for our students in a range of settings locally and globally.

Thanks to all the community for a successful term and keeping us all safe.  Hopefully you all have a chance to have an enjoyable and restful break with family and friends.

Looking forward to learning, teaching and leading with you all in Term 4.

Thanks, yaarri yaraang, terima kasih.

Bu Gillian

Gillian Stuart - Principal

Congratulations to both Heath and Harry who broke records at the Athletics Carnival.

Heath won the Minor Boys Shot Put with a shot of 6.07m breaking Santai's 2016 record of 4.76m

Harry D who won the 11 year boys Shot Put.  Harry shot 8.87m which has broken the 1990 record held by David Deller with 7.7m.

Congratulations to you both.

For the past 6 weeks Justin Gilbert from Cricket NSW has been coming to our school each Monday to teach our students cricket skills.  Each stage spends time with Justin on the oval learning the skills needed to play cricket.

Thank you Justin for all the fun and skills we have learnt.  

This has been made possible through our school obtaining funding via the Sporting Schools program, which is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools to increase children's participation in sport.

Every student will have the opportunity to go to the library each Thursday. Please make sure your child has a library bag and brings it to school each Thursday. 

Please make sure you bring any overdue books in this week. Students who do not have any overdue books will be able to borrow for the holidays.

Looking for a 2 bedroom house or unit to rent in Scotts Head, Stuarts Point or anywhere in the Nambucca Valley with my cat. Please phone Annie A on 0404 483 398.