31 Oct 2018
Open For Business
This Wednesday we throw open the doors of our classrooms again, just as we do every term, for teachers from other schools who are keen to see what Explicit Instruction Warm Ups look like. Our CSPS EI Open Day on this occasion welcomes teachers from Caves Beach, Glendore, as well as Wallace from the Department of Education Bump It Up strategy who has requested to come and see what we are doing to cause such significant growth in Reading and Numeracy. We thank our wonderful teaching staff for not only possessing the most incredible skills, but for being willing to demonstrate those skills in front of a room full of their peers.
Kinder Buddies Busting To Be Besties!
Our Year 5 students are dying to meet their Kinder buddies for 2019 this Tuesday as our new Kinders and their parents descend upon CSPS for our annual Orientation day. If you do spot new families and students nervously waiting in the COLA area on Tuesday, please don’t hesitate to say hi and welcome to the CSPS family. A friendly smile and hello can go a long way to saying ‘you are welcome here’.
We Conquered The Wild West
Our unbearded Bushrangers – Kelly, Taylor and Donovan all returned safely with our most treasured possessions after scaling the Blue Mountains, navigating the Jenolan Caves, gold panning the creeks of Sofala and taming the lions of Dubbo Zoo. Our tenacious travellers squeezed every ounce out of their 3 day journey as they enjoyed the company of their ‘besties’ on a trip they will never forget! Thank you to our tired trio of teachers for planning and delivering such an awesome experience.
♫ ♪♫ Sleepy Saxophonists Simply Superb!
What a highly commendable effort by our Concert Band who last week overcame a lack of sleep and practice to perform with poise and grace at the annual Bandfest Competition at Warners Bay Performing Arts Centre. Our band was highly commended which is the second highest award given. A high percentage of our musicians had returned from their 3 day excursion to the Central West of NSW the night before and slid slowly at 6am from the comfort of their soft sheets to head into school early last Thursday for a practice before boarding the Bandfest bus. Great job team and Mr Bone for a praiseworthy performance given the tough circumstances.
Speaking of Great Performers …
This Tuesday we gather at school at 7pm for our penultimate P&C Meeting for 2018. What a fantastic year it has been and it certainly isn’t too late to come and enjoy an hour of power with our team. Our P&C Meetings are a great place to keep up to speed with what’s happening around our school as well as what is on the drawing board for 2019.
Stage 2 Campers In-Tent On Fun In The Great Outdoors!
Mrs King, Mrs Woodward and Mrs Sutton have Year 3-4 set and pumped for an epic time at Camp Morisset. Canoeing, archery, flying fox and ropes courses are just a ‘tiny teaser’ to what we get up to in our 3 days of outdoor adventures. Pleasingly, the timetable has allowed me to join our brave bushwhackers for the 3 days and I certainly plan to show them up on the flying fox and other such apparatus if all of the titanium screws holding various bones together hold up to the stress!
Fox Sports Update
This week we wish Year 6 student, Keira, all the very best as she competes in the NSW State Athletics Championships at Homebush, Sydney. Keira is the Eastlakes Senior Girls Discus Champion and we are hoping her 30m+ throws this week propel her into a placing.
School Captain and sports all rounder, Sarah, returned to school today as a State Champion! Over the weekend Sarah competed in the NSW Koori Under 12s Netball Championships and her team was successful in taking out the tournament.
Speaking of champions, our staff now boasts a Silver Medalist from this weekend’s Australian Classic Weightlifting Championships held at Swansea!! No, it’s not me (I daresay that’s where your mind immediately went and assumed!!) but Mrs Louise Sutton is the proud owner of this title. We are extremely proud of her efforts. If you do need get a flat tyre at pick up time and require a wheel change, forget the car jack as Mrs ‘Muscles’ Sutton can easily lift that for you whilst you change your tyre!
National Teachers’ Day
Last Friday was National Teachers’ Day!! Just in case you missed it and are feeling traumatised and ridden with guilt because you were hoping to do something nice for your teachers, it’s not too late!! Why not make this week your belated treat for your teachers. Maybe a card, a personally cooked slice, a homemade gift …. the list is endless. Thank you to Mrs Hodson who organised a beautiful lunch last Friday for our extra special educators. How very fortunate we are at CSPS to have the most talented and caring group of teachers in every classroom from Kinder to Year 6 looking after our kids.
Mr J’s Free Parenting Tip
I know I have mentioned this one before, but leading up to our Kindergarten Orientation Day where I mention to parents some of great parenting books that are definitely worth a read, I have been reminded of the impact that these books can have upon us as the guiders of young minds and characters. I know that many are time poor and finding those few minutes each day to read can be a challenge but here’s the answer to the time dilemma!! Audio books! And here is a cracker to download and listen to in the car! Braving the Wilderness is a great title for what you and I as parents attempt each day! Enjoy listening!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W7qjZiLWxB9ep54YDqN65bO4NUeWafhe?usp=sharing