Doolooboorah

Many heartfelt thanks to Heather Lawson, Louise Hall, Meg Garido and the team of amazing helpers and BBQ chefs who organised and orchestrated an amazing welcome BBQ for our new Kindergarten students and families. The students played, went on a scavenger hunt around the school and were treated to a sausage sizzle. It was great to see parents meeting and sharing numbers, especially our parents who aren’t able to be here to meet other families at drop off and pick up times. We are so lucky to have such a welcoming Harbord community and such lovely new families joining us. Thank you also to Mrs Lisa Miller, Miss Danielle Farrow, Mrs Jeanette Iacovitti, Mrs Jen York , Miss Daana Stoker, Mrs Katherine Styles and the teachers who were also able to attend the event.

At Harbord we are very focused on improving outcomes for ALL of our students. I am currently leading a project in mathematics differentiation with our instructional leader Mrs Tanya Sciculuna and Dr Natasha Wright. Our school leadership team is focused on demonstrating instructional leadership and promoting and modelling effective, evidence-based practice. We will be working with our teachers to differentiate teaching and learning activities in numeracy this year. In Mathematics, teachers will use pre and post testing as a diagnostic tool to determine students’ strengths and areas for concern, allocate fluid groupings, differentiate teaching and monitor the effectiveness of teaching and learning programs. This individualised learning will involve demonstration lessons from myself, Mrs Scicluna, Dr Wright and Miss Farrow, our new Deputy Principal. Mr Sly and 5S were the first class we have worked with and Mr Sly and the year 5 teachers have embraced this professional learning and best practice, ensuring students in their class are adequately catered for in class through adjustments, learning scaffolds and extension tasks.

Also, as part of our school Strategic Plan to encourage and facilitate creativity, collaboration and communication skills in our students, we are using our ‘innovative learning’ space. As you can see from the photos, Mr Sly and the 5S students are enjoying problem solving and collaborating in mathematics using the  whiteboard tables.

Our P&C Association is run by a very dedicated group of parents who are committed to promoting the interests of the school by bringing parents, teachers and students in close co-operation, assisting to provide equipment and resources. Please join us on Wednesday 26th February at 7.30pm in the staffroom to find out what it’s all about.

Congratulations to our 2020 school student leaders. We will be holding a formal induction ceremony on Wednesday 26th February in the hall at 10.15am.

CAPTAINS:

Elouise 6N, Annika 6N, Kingston 6Y, Henry 6H

SENIORS:

Hannah 6H, Florence 6K, Emma 6N, Lotte 6M, Connor 6H, Jack 6N, Alex 6Y, Kayvon 6M

HOUSE CAPTAINS:

DENNIS: Oscar 6K, Elyse 6N

PATTERSON: Beau 6M, George 6K

LAWSON: Max 6N, Bailey 6H

KENDALL: Sullivan 6N, Paris 6H

HOUSE VICE CAPTAINS:

DENNIS: Jack 6K, Sammy 6Y

PATTERSON: Kaya 6Y, Alice 6H

LAWSON: Patrick 6K, Layla 6N

KENDALL: Toby 6K, Adelaide 6K

Thank you to the many parents and carers who attended last week's 'Meet the Teacher' sessions. It was good to see an excellent turn-out on all three evenings and I have received a great deal of positive feedback from many of those who attended. These sessions offer teachers the opportunity to deliver general information on the learning programs, class, grade or school structures and routines as well as providing a forum to ask questions or seek further clarification. I thank our teachers for their organisation and preparation to make the evenings as informative as possible.

Strong partnerships built between parents and school staff are essential for benefiting the growth and development of our students and children. It is important for us to work together in constructive and respectful ways, as we implement new projects across the school and problem solve, as our students grow, make mistakes and learn. The Department of Education’s School Community Charter outline the expectations for communication and partnerships between home and school.   

Do you like the snow? Are you a level 3 or above skier or snowboarder? If this ticks all your boxes the new Harbord  PS Snow Sports Program is for you.  The event is held in the first week of the July school holidays for the Northern Interschools Snow Sports Championships. Children race in teams of 3 or 4 in their own age category. Disciplines include Alpine Skiing, Ski Cross, Moguls, Snowboard GS, Snowboard Boarder Cross and Cross-Country Freestyle and Relay skiing. This year our Northern Regional Championships will be held at Thredbo. Children can enjoy a family holiday whilst representing their school.  Parent involvement includes everything from skiing with your children to the racecourse to marshalling and course official work. The Harbord Snow Sports Program hope to create lifelong family snow friendships and endeavor to have fun!

If you are interested in being part of our program, the Interschools website has a wealth of valuable information at http://www.nswinterschools.com.au.

If you are interested, please contact our parent coordinator emma@cozigo.com

Let it snow,

Susan Tickle

Principal

An induction ceremony for our 2020 Captains and Seniors and our House Captains and Vice Captains will be held on Wednesday 26th February at 10.30am in the school assembly hall. The ceremony will conclude by 11.10am. This is a special day in our school year and we look forward to seeing our proud parents witness the induction ceremony.

Our Year 2 and 3 swimming qualifying trials have been held at Freshwater Pool (weather dependant).  Congratulations to those who were successful. Thank you to Mr Holmes, Mrs St Pierre and Ms Hanlon for organising the trials and accompanying the students to the pool.

Our school swimming carnival will be held next week on Monday 24th February at Manly Swim Centre. A permission note and information about the carnival has been emailed to all families. Students need to return the permission note to their classroom teachers before  Wednesday 19th February. The cost will be $10, which includes bus fare and pool entry. This will be included on the Term One Invoice.

The Manly Zone Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 13th March at Manly Swim Centre. The Sydney North Regional Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday, March 27th at Sydney Olympic Park.

PSSA trials have now been conducted and the Summer competition will commence this Friday 21st February. Harbord fields teams in junior and senior divisions. Successful trialists have or will receive notes giving details and costs associated with Summer PSSA sport. The permission note for your child needs to be returned to your child’s coach by Friday 21st February. Students playing in PSSA teams that travel by bus will see this item on their term one invoice. We thank the teachers who have volunteered to take sports teams. This is an additional workload as there have been several lunchtime try-out opportunities offered.  Our teachers and students have been flexible and critical thinkers as they have literally manoeuvred around the weather and soggy grounds.

Many of our primary students are selected to represent Harbord Public School each Friday as part of our inter school sport program. They are ambassadors not only for their sport but also for this school and your family.

The outstanding behaviour and attitude our Harbord teams display is often commented on by parents and coaches. As spectators, parents are also required to abide by a Code of Conduct. We encourage parents to attend sporting events but we do ask that you keep in mind that negative comments on sidelines is not acceptable.

Code of Conduct for Parents / Spectators

1.       Encourage participation by your child/children.

2.       Encourage honest effort and skilled performance.

3.       Remember that children play sport for THEIR enjoyment.

4.       Provide a model of good sports behaviour for your child to copy. Applaud good play by all teams.

5.       Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

6.       Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

7.       Be COURTEOUS in your communication with players, team coach, team officials, game officials and sport administrators and show appreciation for their services.

8.       Do not interfere with the conduct of any events.

9.       Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.

Students in Year Three not involved in Summer PSSA Sport in Term One will be participating in a five week program at Harbord Park commencing Friday 21st February. This innovative program is run by a specialist group of Physical Education teachers. The Sport in Schools Program aims to develop life-long positive attitudes towards physical activity. The cost for each child is $25 for the five week program in Term One. Participating students will be invoiced for the Term One program.

This process is very smooth.  In mid-March, we will distribute the expression of interest forms and key information for 2021 high school placements.  The Department of Education also has key information for parents on their website https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools. As we are informed, we will continue to publish local government high school open days and information sessions.  The Year 6 High School Orientation Day for government schools this year is Tuesday 1 December 2020. As mentioned at the parent/teacher information evenings, Year 6 teachers structure their teaching and learning to build independence in the students preparing them for the nature of high school.

Danielle Farrow

Deputy Principal

It has been a busy fortnight with students settling into their new classes. They have been getting to know their teachers and making new friendships, which has been great to see.

On Sunday afternoon, our kindergarten families attended a lovely welcome to Harbord Public School BBQ. This wonderful event was organised and supported by our amazing P&C and the parents of the Year 1 students.

Families arrived and were able to participate in some games, children played on the play equipment and had fun with a hunt around the school. At the end of the hunt everyone enjoyed a sausage sandwich and spent some time getting to know each other.

Thank you to the wonderful P&C and the parent helpers who ensured this event was successful and everyone had a great time.  

Just a friendly reminder that we all need to abide by road rules and ensure that all students are safe during drop off and pick up times. 

Is it with great sadness that the Harbord Public School community has learnt of the passing of our much-loved teaching colleague and friend, Rae Bath.

Rae was a dedicated teacher who devoted herself to the education of the students in her care over her long teaching career. She was known throughout the HPS and Freshwater community for her dry sense of humour, contagious laugh, love of lollies and her common sense approach to life.

Rae’s greatest joy was teaching Kindergarten and playing the piano for the Kindergarten singing sessions. Her devotion to the children and her love of music continued even in retirement when she volunteered to be the pianist for the twice weekly singalongs for many years.  Those that knew her can still see her fingers covered in rings flying deftly over the keys and leading the Kindergarten children in joyful renditions of old time favourite songs.

Rae was the epitome of the motto “Teach and make a difference”. She will be greatly missed by all those who were fortunate to know her.

RIP Rae

Applications are currently open for students to audition for the Arts Alive Combined Schools Choir (AACSC). The choir encourages, nurtures and inspires talented vocalists by providing high quality training and performance opportunities - including concerts at Sydney Town Hall and the Schools Spectacular. 

Students from NSW public schools from Years 4 to 6 (in 2020) are encouraged to audition for a place in the AACSC. The commitment is for the full school year and rehearsals are held every Wednesday afternoon from 5.00-6.00pm at Belrose PS. The annual fee is $495.

Over the years we have had a number of Harbord students thoroughly enjoy participation in the AACSC. I highly recommend the program for those students wishing to extend their involvement in the school choir. 

Every member of the AACSC will have the opportunity to participate in Schools Spectacular in November. I would encourage students in Years 4 and 5 who are keen to participate in ‘Spec’ to consider joining the AACSC, as Year 6 choir students will be given priority to participate on behalf of the school. We currently have two Harbord students who are members of the AACSC, and it would be fantastic to see many more give it go!

For information on how to apply please see the attached information. Any questions please see Miss Dalgleish.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 26th February at 7.30pm in the school staff room and we would love to see some new members of our school community coming along. 

Our March 25th meeting will be immediately preceded by our AGM and invitations are being sent out to all Life Members. All positions become vacant at the AGM and must be refilled. If you would like to nominate for a position or vote at our AGM or any future P&C meetings, please come along on Feb 26th to register as a financial member (just 50 cents per year!) and state your interest. 

Thanks to everyone who came along to our Kindy BBQ! It was obvious that you enjoyed the afternoon and we hope you managed to meet other parents and learn your way around the grounds. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback too!

It was an amazing effort by Louise Hall and her team of tribe of mums, including Meg Garrido, Jodie Crawford, Lyndsay Shaw, Tracey Watts, Kiri Mattes, Mary-Anne Bianchin and Tammy Harwood, who organised the day and sizzled 500 sausages in the heat and kept smiling all the way! 

Many people have been experiencing difficulties with the new Flexischools app and we have been in contact with them several times asking for a fix. We suggest you use the Flexischools website or mobile site until they have sorted out the app.

The new app also contains third party advertising that is NOT endorsed or recommended by the P&C or Harbord Public School.

Our endorsed school sponsors are Michelle Galletti at Cunninghams Real Estate, The Source at Stockland Balgowlah, I LOVE PIZZA at Dee Why, Freshwater Pharmacy and Code 5 Fitness.

Freshwater Bendigo Bank is an Educational Partner of our school and generously supports our band program each year.

Our P&C website needs some TLC! If there is a parent out there with a bit of knowledge on how to manage a Shopify site and could volunteer a couple of hours a month to keep things updated, please email me at president@harbordpandc.com.au. 

The P&C was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Rae Bath, a much loved music teacher for many years at HPS. Rae is fondly remembered by so many HPS alumni and is survived by Chris, her partner of 40 years. We thank Rae for her contribution to HPS and send our love and sympathy to Chris and Rae’s family.

We’ve decided to upgrade the walkathon to a Colour Run and we need volunteers to make this happen. If you can help out in any way, please email Meg at fundraising@harbordpandc.com.au. You don’t need to have any special skills or to be able to run but you do need a sense of humour!!

We listened to your feedback after the 2018 walkathon and will not be offering the non-sustainable prizes this year. All profits will be retained by the P&C and we plan to use them to beautify our grounds with new plants and trees.

We‘ve had a lot of requests to repeat this sellout event again this year. Planning is in the early stages and we will announce a date some time towards the end of Term 1 shortly.

Thanks to everyone who is doing so much to make our P&C the best on the beaches!

Heather Lawson

P&C President

president@harbordpandc.com.au

Thanks to our new Ethics volunteers – welcome to the team!

We still need more helpers if we are to be able to offer this program to the whole school.

If you would like to get involved and can spare a couple of hours a week during term time, please contact Jane Ravenscroft at harbordethics@gmail.com.

No experience needed. Full training is offered. This is a highly rewarding program and can currently only be offered to years 2-6 due to the volunteer shortage. 

The inaugural HPS ski team will compete in the Interschools Comp at Thredbo in July.

Your child doesn't need to be an Olympian to join in but they do need to be able to ski/board down a hill!

if you are interested, please email Emma at emma@cozigo.com for more info and watch the Skoolbag app.

And be aware that you will be responsible for your own child's transport and accommodation and care whilst in Thredbo - this is NOT a school trip.

Dates of events: https://nswinterschools.com.au/event-dates (We are Northern NSW – Thredbo)

SCHOOL DIVISIONS: Division 4 Years 5 & 6, Division 5 Kindy to Year 4 (except Alpine and Ski Across see below) Division 6 (Alpine and Ski Cross only). Kindergarten to Year 2.

Code 5 Fitness is supporting our school P&C by offering all new members who use this special link a half price 28 day fitness challenge program (usually $199) – with the entire $99 you pay for program being donated back to the P&C!

http://bit.ly/harbordschool28day

Code 5 is breaking the mould when it comes to fitness. This is a gym for anyone who wants to get fit without taking themselves too seriously. You don’t need to be fit to join – you just need to join in.

Code 5 specialises in body transformations for the everyday busy person. In the 28 days you'll get: 

·         Unlimited classes

·         Inbody scans

·         A myzone trial (hear rate monitor)

·         Goal setting session

·         Accountability coach

Click the link to support our school and make a start on a fitter version of you!

http://bit.ly/harbordschool28day

The uniform shop has lots of new items for sale including hair accessories, stickers, house t-shirts and more!

Shop online and have your items delivered straight to your child's classroom or collect during shop hours.

Tuesday 2:30 - 4pm

Thursday 8:30 - 10:30am

www.harborduniforms.com.au 

Code5 Fitness half price 28 day challenge with all proceeds going directly back to Harbord Public School. 

Code 5 Fitness are on a mission to change 30,000 lives through education and training, guiding them to lose body fat and feel amazing. 

We want to break the mould of what gyms are thought of being a place for ‘fit’ people only. We welcome anyone who is willing to get involved and doesn’t take themselves too seriously.  

We specialise in body transformations for the every day busy person. In the 28 days you'll get: 

·         Unlimited classes

·         Inbody scans

·         A myzone trial (hear rate monitor)

·         Goal setting session

·         Accountability coach

Please click the link below to save your spot in our next challenge. 

http://bit.ly/harbordschool28day