Issue 18 2019
Term 4 Week 6
Heathcote Public School
Bushfires
Last week saw the first catastrophic fire danger warning issued which resulted in the closing of many schools in our area. Most of the schools which closed are adjoining bushland which creates an elevated level of risk to the school. Although we are close to the bush, our school was safe to open due to the distance we have to the national park, the small number of trees on the school site and the number of roads around the school which would make an evacuation easier if necessary. This decision is made with a ‘safety first’ approach in partnership with the Rural Fire Service and the NSW Department of Education Health and Safety Directorate. The conditions were regularly monitored and thankfully last Tuesday there were no fires in our area.
Our school has a bushfire plan that we follow and information regarding any actions being taken by the school are communicated to parents via the Skoolbag app and Facebook. We will continue to monitor the weather conditions, fire danger warnings and any fires that start in the local area and make decisions in the interests of everybody’s safety. Our thoughts are with those schools and communities who have been impacted by the recent fires. Hopefully we get plenty of rain soon to reduce the risk of bushfires.
Remembrance Day
On Monday 11 November we held our Remembrance Day ceremony in the hall with special guest Mr Stuart Woodhead who served in the Australian Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were very proud of the respect all the students showed during the ceremony for the men and women who have fought and died for our country so we may enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.
2020 Class Requests
We are looking to have 14 classes again next year. We anticipate we will have: 2x Kindergarten, 2x Year 1, 3x Year 2, 2x Year 3, 2x Year 4 and 3x Year 5/6. If you have any requests regarding your child’s class for 2020, please submit your request in writing or by email to the office. Whilst we take all requests into consideration we cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled. All requests are due by 4pm on Friday 22 November.
2020 Staffing
Congratulations to Miss Van Santen who has obtained a permanent teaching position starting next year at another school. We will miss her and wish her all the best at her new school!
We have also found out that Mrs Stolk will be continuing to relieve as Deputy Principal at Gymea Bay PS next year. We are sad to not have her at Heathcote PS but are happy for her to take up this wonderful opportunity!
Kindergarten Orientation
We had our first Kindergarten Orientation session last Thursday and welcomed 37 future students to our school. On Thursday 21 November from 9:30am to 11am our 2020 Kindergarten students will again visit the classroom while their parents attend an information expo in the hall.
Kindergarten Enrolments 2020
Our enrolment processes for 2020 are well and truly underway. If you have a child starting school next year and you have not enrolled them yet, please call into the office to pick up an enrolment form.
Schools Spectacular
The final rehearsals are happening this week for Schools Spectacular before the performances on Friday and Saturday. Our choir and dance students are very excited about the upcoming show. Involvement in Schools Spectacular is a massive commitment and I thank the teachers, parents and students involved for their hard work and dedication. I can’t wait to see the show on the weekend!
Student Leaders 2020
We have now had our interviews with all the Year 5 students who would like to be a Student Leader, SRC Executive or House Captain next year. Mrs Steed and I were very impressed with the way the students communicated in the interviews and are confident we have a large number of excellent candidates. The leader speeches and election will occur next week on Wednesday 27 November. Best of luck to all candidates!
Stage 3 Heathcote High School visit
Stage 3 students will attend the Heathcote High School performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Thursday 28 November. Departing 9:15am and arriving back at school at 12:30pm. Students to wear full school uniform.
Pedlars' Day
This year our annual Pedlars' Day will be on Thursday 5 December at 9:00am. Pedlars's Day is Year 6's special day for raising money for their parting gift to the school before moving on to high school. This exciting day takes the form of a mini fete. We have many stalls which include games, guessing competitions, food and drink stalls - just to name a few. Students from K-5 are invited to take part in these activities. All children are welcome to purchase as much or as little merchandise as their parents wish them to. Thank you for your anticipated support of this great day!
Please see the Pedlars' day note for more information.
Have a fantastic fortnight!
Damien Field
Principal
Scripture Christmas Assembly
All students who attend Scripture lessons will be participating in a Christmas assembly in the hall on Wednesday 27 November. Students who are part of Ethics or non-Scripture groups have also been invited. Those children will only attend with parent permission.
Barb Askew
Scripture Coordinator
Sutherland Shire Children’s Choir Recruitment
The Sutherland Shire Children's Choir are now recruiting for 2020. Choir members record a CD and perform at concerts and community events-
There will be a lunchtime audition on Friday 29 November in the school hall for interested students. This will be an opportunity to learn a fun song!
Madi Valenti
Choir Coordinator
University of NSW International Competitions and Assessments (ICAS)
ICAS assessments in Maths and English were held in September. We are proud of the effort of all students who participated. Special congratulations to the following students on their achievements.
ENGLISH
High Distinction
Distinction
Credit
MATHEMATICS
High Distinction
Distinction
Credit
Happy Heathcote Kids Playgroup
The group will meet each Friday from 9:00am to 10:00am in KV classroom. Please meet on the verandah outside the classroom. This playgroup is aimed at children from three to five years of age who will attend Heathcote Public School in the future. Come along for some art, craft, stories, playdoh fun and more!
If you have any further queries please contact Mrs Askew via the school office.
2020 School Travel Applications Now Open
Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019. Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 no longer need to re-apply if they:· are continuing at the same school
· are residing at the same address
· have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.
Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email. Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply. Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply. If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued. Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.
As we need to get ready and organise end of year stocktake in the library, we ask that all books be returned by the end of next week (Week 7). There will be no more borrowing from Week 8. Your child will bring an overdue slip with the book titles that are borrowed out. Please return them to the library ASAP. If you have looked and can't locate the books at home, the classroom and the library will need to be checked just in case they haven't been correctly returned. On most occasions they will be found.
If you have any further questions or concerns please pop into the library.
Kind regards
Mrs Pucovski
Congratulations to these children who have received an Achievement Award. Their names will be announced at this week's assembly.
KA Indie M, Hazel B, George K, Pippa W
KV Osric F, Pippa B, Lacey M, Geordie S
1J Hayley D, Maddie N
1M Isla B, Andy B, Isabelle A, Natasha C
1/2B Kelsie B, Lia B, Kaitlyn L, Aaliyah S
2S Stella H, Jack S, Byron K, Milla E
2G Flynn L, Louisa F, Ayrleigh G, Ethan T
3/4D Addison O, Penelope B, Rafferty Zaboj, Leon C
3/4M Malia B, Layla E, Mikayla D, Chloe G
3/4S Jolie B, Luke D, Morgan C, Amber G
4/5L Lachlan L, Scarlett R, Lincoln J, Azalee B
5/6A Alexis C, Ellie M, Cruz C, Patrick D
5/6C Preston D, Blake D, Luke F, Ruby L
5/6M Caleb L, Monique F, Telina A, Bailey W
RFF Curtis F (KV), Amelie E (1M), Ashton E (5/6C)
Library
LaST
Congratulations to the following students who will be presented with a Silver Award at this week's assembly.
Congratulations to the following students who will be presented with a Gold Award at this week's assembly.
Congratulations to the following students who will be presented with a Principal’s Honour Badge at this week’s assembly.
Week 6
PSSA Results for Friday 8 November
Cricket
Opposition: Engadine
Result: Loss Engadine 5/77, Heathcote 5/60
Player of the Match: Caleb L, Gerard K, Cooper B
Softball
Opposition: Engadine
Result: Loss 6-4
Player of the Match: Jolie B
Junior Girls Tee Ball
Opposition: Engadine
Result: Win 24-22
Player of the Match: Brooke O
Junior Boys Tee Ball
Opposition: Engadine
Result: Win 34-26
Player of the Match: Lachlan S
PSSA Results for Friday 15 November
Cricket
Opposition: Engadine West
Result: Loss Engadine West 2/105, Heathcote 6/64
Player of the Match: Nathan C
Softball
Opposition: Engadine West
Result: Win 8-7
Player of the Match: Ellie M
Junior Girls Tee Ball
Opposition: Engadine West
Result: Draw 24-24
Player of the Match: Eva Harris
Junior Boys Tee Ball
Opposition: Engadine West
Result: Loss 31-24
Player of the Match: Han Z
Our next P&C meeting is 3 December (week 8) at 7pm. We will be having our next meeting at Heathcote Pub to combine our meeting and P&C dinner out. Please arrive earlier to allow time to order dinner or refreshments prior to our 7pm meeting. If you would prefer not to have a meal, please still come along as you are not required to order food or drinks to attend.
If you have any questions or agenda items for our last meeting please contact the P&C on heathcotepublicschool@p&caffiliate.org.au.
It was lovely to see next year’s Kindergarten children come to orientation last week and see the excitement in their faces (and some of the parent’s faces too!). Thank you to those who offered to help out last week and this week for orientation, I appreciate the many offers of help.
Good luck to those performing in Schools Spectacular this week. It is always such an amazing show and I look forward to seeing and hearing everyone perform!
Beth Elliot
P&C President
A reminder to purchase your Disco tickets either by Flexischools or hand in your permission note and money by Friday 22 November.
Feedback/expressions of interest for the movie night is due by 29 November.
Thanks for your supportKind regards
Rebecca Bussell
Fundraising Coordinator
Uniform shop opening hours:
Monday 8:30am - 9:30am
Wednesday 2:30pm - 3:30pm
We only accept cash or cheque in the shop.
Reminder Flexischool orders are filled on Monday mornings.
Any questions please just ask.
Emma Stokes
Uniform Shop Coordinator
0418 993 679
Good news! We have two new parent volunteers on the HPS School Banking team…welcome Silvia and Leah!!
We would still welcome more volunteers so please don’t forget to get in touch if you can help.
The last week of ordering rewards for 2019 will be Monday 2 December (week 8). There will be banking in week 9 but only to process deposits and distribute rewards. There will be NO School Banking in Week 10.
Thanks from the HPS School Banking Team
Connie, Danielle, Gem, Helen, Kerin, Leah, Lisa, Sandee, & Silvia
It was our favourite time of year and HOOSH really got into the spirit of Halloween…or should I say “Haunted HOOSH”. There were more treats than tricks with Krispy Krème mummies and Frankenstein toast.
We’re keeping our thumbs green for the planting of our discovery garden – we even tried some of the herbs on our salads for afternoon tea! This week we stayed nice and cool with our new air conditioning and the Stage 3 brought the outside program inside with their nature craft, yoga and “KidsFit” training.
In celebration of Mental Health Awareness month HOOSH supported the cause by focusing on healthy minds and bodies with cooking healthy treats and fitness challenges. We are continuing to support the cause this week with our hardest challenge yet…..a full week of no technology!
As always, if your child is away sick or you have travel plans during the school term which coincide with the days your child attends HOOSH, please let us know when you advise the school.
Lauren Doel
HOOSH Convenor
Our slushy straws are now biodegradable, and our keep cups are on order. The keep cups will be $8.00 and entitles the student to a 20c discount on slushies. Plus they are slightly bigger in size so it is very good value and helps the environment. If you would like to preorder one, please send in the $8.00 marked “Snack Shack Keep Cup” on a P&C envelope and we will deliver to your child when they arrive.
Our Meal Deal is on Wednesday 27 November, All orders need to be in this FRIDAY please.
Have a great fortnight!
Naomi Russell
Week 6
Monday 18 November Roslyn
Wednesday 20 November Sandra Mottram
Friday 22 November Jen Lavender, Deb Turnbull
Week 7
Monday 25 November Kylie Manns
Wednesday 27 November Gladys Honer
Friday 29 November Dayna Mellor, Leanne Meredith
Week 8
Monday 2 December Helen Holloway
Wednesday 4 December Vanessa Cawley, Jen Askew
Friday 6 December Jo Wood, Julie Letton
Week 9
Monday 9 December Michelle Dwyer
Wednesday 11 December Kristy Reynolds, Lisa Steggles
Friday 13 December Samara Crook, Louise Smithson, Lauren Bailey
NB: Last day for Canteen for 2019 is Friday 13 December
Week 10 - CLOSED
The P&C email address is
Monday 18 November
Tuesday 19 November
Wednesday 20 November
Thursday 21 November
Friday 22 November
Monday 25 November
Tuesday 26 November
Wednesday 27 November
Thursday 28 November
Friday 29 November
Monday 2 December
Tuesday 3 December
Wednesday 4 December
Thursday 5 December
Friday 6 December
Monday 9 December
Tuesday 10 December
Wednesday 11 December
Thursday 12 December
Friday 13 December
Monday 16 December
Tuesday 17 December
Wednesday 18 December
Heathcote Public School
Oliver Street
Heathcote, NSW, 2233
9520 8759
Email: heathcote-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Visit us on the web at http://www.heathcote-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/