Welcome back to a brand new school year! A huge welcome to our new Kindergarten students and to other new students and their families.

Classes 2010

We have formed 8 ‘Home classes’ this year. They are:

KJ - Mrs Johns, K/1M - Mrs Moore, 1/2R - Mrs Jones, 2/3L - Mrs Langford, 3/4A - Miss Arthurson, 3/4G - Mr Gleeson, 4/5B - Mrs Banks and 5/6L - Mrs Lowe. Conratulations to Miss McDonell on her permanent appointment as our Teacher Librarian

Student Executive 2010

Congratulations to our new 2010 Student executive:

Captain - Samuel H, Vice Captain - Bree C, and our four prefects Hayden C, Jessica M, Milly W and Brittany S

House Captains

Congratulations to our new House captains for 2010:

SWANS - Captain: Emma W and Vice Captain: Jake M

GULLS - Captain: Lauren A and Vice Captain: Sky L

EAGLES - Captain: Jye H and Vice Captain: Lucas H

ALBATROSS - Captain: Tyla F and Vice Captain: Tegan C

New Parliament 2010

Speaker - Jake M

Prime Minister - Sam H                           Opposition - Darren M

Environment - Jye H                               Opposition - Lucas H

Sport & Recreation - Brittany S           Opposition - Lauren A

Welfare - Hayden C                                   Opposition - Matt R

Treasurer - Bree C                                     Opposition - Ruby H

Education - Milly W                                  Opposition - Karen M

Employment - Emma W                          Opposition - Brad C

OH&S - Jessica M                                        Opposition - Laura C

COMING UP:

FEBRUARY…

• 10th - School Photos
• 18th - P&C Meeting
• 20th - Bunnings P&C BBQ - helpers needed
• 22nd - Zone Swimming Carnival - Charlestown Pool - half day
• 23rd - Zone Swimming Carnival - charlestown Pool
• 25th - Whole School BBQ Lunch

 As part of the Stage 3 HSIE unit “Gold”, Year 5 and 6 students travelled to the Bathurst Goldfields to experience first hand what it was like on the goldfields during the 1850’s Gold Rush and how tough life would have been for the miners.

Over the three days the students visited Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, Hartley Historic Site - a  little goldrush town that had its peak around the 1860s, but now only has 18 residents, Wellington Caves, Old Dubbo Gaol and Dubbo Zoo.

Despite the cold, stormy weather and eating their first meal by candle light due to a blackout, all students and teachers reported that they had a fantastic time!

In Term 4, Week 1, Stage 2 students travelled to The Great Aussie Bush Camp near Tea Gardens.

Students participated in a range of activities designed to specifically challenge students in different ways, from instilling confidence in heights to promoting more positive teamwork skills and building coordination.

Building the Education Revolution (BER) is a $16.2 billion investment over three financial years – 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and a critical component in the Australian Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.

On Monday 21st September, 2009, our Federal Member Jill Hall and State Member Robert Coombes joined us for an official ‘plod turning’ on the site of our proposed new assembly hall and COLA. Our School Education Director Kay Peno, along with student representatives Will V and Oskar M and P & C President Kristen Creighton met the members as well as representatives from Bovis Lend Lease. Some buildings are now on site and the contracted builder R.T. Parker will be commencing construction very soon.

This week is Fruit and Veg week and we are asking all children and parents to participate. Research shows that fruit and vegetable consumption is lower in primary aged children than any other group.

At our school we will be:

• increasing awareness of the need to eat more fruit and vegetables
• increase positive perceptions of fruit and vegetables
• incorporating fruit and vegetable themes into cross curriculum plans and school activities

Marks point PS have joined with Freshpoint Fruit Markets Swansea toward ensuring all students have the opportunity to eat FRESH FRUIT and VEGETABLES at school. Freshpoint in conjunction with the Sydney Regional Markets have been supplying 3 boxes of fruit each week for the children to eat.

This week some families have taken up the offer to purchase fruit baskets at cost price from Freshpoint.

 Click below for Nutrition Facts for Healthy Kids:

Today our students came dressed in sports theme to raise money to support our Hunter Region Representatives.

Zac F has been selected to represent the Hunter in both softball and rugby union. He will travel to Camden next week to play in the state rugby union championships to be held on 25th - 27th August. He will also represent the Hunter in the state softball championships in Lismore later in the year.

Shae O, Brittany S and Daisy W have been selected to represent the Hunter at the state softball championships to be held in Tamworth in the last week of this term. Congratulations to these students.

Sports dress Up Day photos

A little piece of trivia for you from the “Newcastle Herald”

” YES, yes, yes, I know you’re way too cool to care and, as a matter of fact, so am I. But just suppose we weren’t, it would be interesting to note that at one moment on this Friday at lunchtime - and in the earlier wee hours, for that matter - the time and date will be 1:23:45.67/8/9.

Welcome back to Term 3. We hope you had an enjoyable holiday and managed to avoid the worst of the flu season.

Unfortunately the ‘Swine Flu’ issue remains and we continue in a protection phase. We need to ensure usual good hygiene processes are in place: covering our mouth when couging or sneezing, disposing of tissues properly and very importantly washing our hands regularly. It is essential that if your child has flu-like symptoms then they should be kept at home until they are well.

Sports Representation
Congratulations to Zac F who has gained selection in two Hunter Regional Teams. Zac will represent in Rugby Union at the end of August and later in the year in the Regional Softball Team. Great Effort Zac!

Congratulations also to three of our girls who have gained selection to the Hunter Region Girls Softball Team- Daisy W, Shae O and Brittany S. They will travel to Tamworth in week 10 and they will be accompanied by Mrs Lowe, the Regional coach.
Well done students !(and parents)

Ex-students Alexander and Lachlan Wells have continued with their softball success in being selected to represent Country NSW at the State Championships to be held in Tamworth.

Public Speaking
The following students will be representing our school at the Eastlakes Zone finals next week:
Stage 3-Chole C and Bree C, Stage 2- Bianca C and Liam C, Stage 1- Chelsey C and Piper L, and Early Stage 1- Emma H and Sophie H.
Well Done and good luck for next week.

Tree Planting
Last Friday 400 Lilly Pilly plants were delivered to the school and planted by the students for Schools national Tree Day. The plants were organised by our Student Parliamentarian Mitchell D and Mrs Lowe through the Trees in Newcastle Initiative. Each student had the opportunity to plant a tree in the garden areas on Friday.

Interviews
You have had the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher during interviews last week (and last term). We are very pleased with the way our learning/teaching programs are progressing and look to continued development in our student outcomes during the year.

School Development Day
All your support was much appreciated for our pupil free day last Monday. The staff were able to gain valuable input into the practcal application of  Interactive Whiteboards in the classroom. We are anxiously awaiting the installation of the ‘Connected Classroom’ facility (Interactive Whiteboard and Video Conferencing). This should be happening shortly. We are also expecting Interactive Whiteboards to be installed in each classroom under the National School Pride Program (funded by the Federal and State Governments) in the not too distant future.

BER (Building the Education Revolution)
Tenders for the construction of the new hall (which has been allocated to our school under the BER program), have been called. Hopefully construction will be under way soon.

Have a great Term 3. Colin Nichols- Principal

Premiers Reading Challenge

With the PRC close to reaching the finish line, Miss McDonell has already begun to recieve completed challenges.

Congratulations to those students who are finihsed. If your child has completed the challenge please return the reading list to the library so that the data can be enetred and sent off.
K-2 Challenge= 30 books read.
3-6 Challenge= 20 books read. 
All reading lists must be returned by the 7th August.

DATES TO REMEMBER

July
31st     Tree Planting
August
3rd     Project Libertae Interviews
4th     Univeristy English Test/Zone Public Speaking Stage 2
5th     Zone Public Speaking Stage 3
6th     PIZZA DAY
7th     Zone Public Speaking Stage 1
11th   Swansea High enrichment test
11th   Active After School Care Starts Hip Hop for BOYS only
12th   Active After School care starts Cycling for GIRLS only
NOTES MUST BE RETURNED TO MRS LOWE ASAP!!!

Monday 3 - Friday 7 August 2009
This week is Energy Safety Week. Energy Safety Week helps New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian and Victorian primary and pre-primary students:

• understand how energy works
• keep safe while using gas and electricity in the kitchen
• learn about being safe around LPG.

Energy safety in the kitchen is the theme for 2009. Through activities and challenges, students will learn how to keep safe while using gas and electricity in the kitchen such as with stoves, ovens and kitchen appliances.

For more information visit: http://www.originenergy.com.au/1782/Energy-Safety-Week

Schools Tree Day is the dedicated tree-planting day for young people to take part in Australia’s largest community tree panting event, National Tree Day, and is expected to attract more than 200,000 junior volunteers.

“Each year, Schools Tree Day creates a new class of budding environmentalists”, says Planet Ark’s spokeswoman Rebecca Gilling. “This event is so important because it fosters in young people an appreciation for the environment, which is so important because they’re going to be protectors of our planet in the future”.  

Today’s Schools Tree Day event will culminate with National Tree Day this Sunday 2 August where Planet Ark is aiming to plant the 15 millionth native seedling since the campaign began in 1996.  Author: Michelle Cook

For more information on National Tree Day go to: http://treeday.planetark.com/

The end of Term 2 is here. The year is flying by and again we have had an extremely busy term.

This week saw the first of our interviews. Stage 2 teachers had a productive day on Wednesday and many parents attended.

The rest of the interviews are scheduled for Term 3, Week 1.

28.7.2009    -   stage 3 Interviews

29.7.2009   -   Early Stage 1 Interviews

5.8.2009   -   Mrs Vallender’s Interviews

Reports were sent home on Wednesday and parents responses have been extremely positive. Further information on Literacy and Numeracy results will be given to parents at interview time.

Chloe C and Bree C attended the finals of Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition last week. The girls spoke extremely well and Chloe received a Highly Commended Certificate for her speech on welcoming refugees. A great effort!

Zac F produced an amazing effort last Wednesday at the Hunter Region Rugby Union trials and gained selection in the team. Zac was also selected in the Hunter Region Softball Team. What a fantastic effort!

Last Thursday Mr Gleeson took a strong team of league boys to the Paul Harragon Cup. The boys played well and reached the Semi-Final. Thankyou to Mr Gleeson and parents for transportation. Well done to our boys!

This week a pamphlet on Bullying - A Parents Guide has been issued to each family at our school. We are very pro-active in regards to bullying as we build a strong partnership between our school and parents to improve learning outcomes for all students.

School Holiday Fun - Swansea Library has a circus Workshop on Tuesday 21 July 2009 from 10am - 11:30am for children 8yrs and over. Bookings are essential and cost $6.

Unfortunately the T-Ball Gala day was again interrupted by bad weather. More details to follow next term.

June Monthly Maths Award Recipients: Cassandra M, Ruby W, Jimmy G, Sharolan F, Bronte F, Liam C, Georgia R, Tegan R, William V and Matthew R.

Term 3 Active After School Care commences Tuesday 11th August (Hip Hop Dance - Boys) and Wednesday 12th August (Cycling - Girls).

Have a safe and happy holiday.

As part of our school’s new approach towards the way we communicate with you, we are excited to inform you that now we offer interactive, graphically rich, full colour electronic newsletters to all our parents.

The concept of eNews is similar to the printed newsletters which we already send out regularly, but with added benefits - eNews is personally delivered directly to your email inbox via the internet. This delivery method has many advantages.

It is cost effective, time efficient & personalised to your name. Most importantly the school receives this service completely free of charge from Australian Newsletter Services who also supply our paper newsletters with the help of advertisers.

To receive this service all you need is internet access and email. Those who currently do not have internet access at home can still receive our traditional paper newsletter.

To sign up for our eNewsletter please type in the link below into the address bar of your browser. Australian Newsletter services has made the sign up process automated and only takes a few minutes when promps are followed. Your email address will only be used to send out school eNews and nothing else.

http://mailouts.austnews.com.au/subscription/marks-point-ps.html

If you experience any difficulties please feel free to contact austNews IT department on 1800 245 077 or email help@austnews.com.au

School bullying has been in the news in recent weeks. At Marks Point School we constantly strive to improve by strengthening our culture and empowering students to succeed. Empowerment of our students is all about self development and strength. Values are taught to our students through Peer support and followed up in classrooms. Peer support has run during this term every Friday for 10 weeks.

Values specifically taught in Peer support are: Caring, Kindness, Patience, Friendliness, Truthfulness, Trustworthiness, Co-operation and Consideration. These values lead children to be resilient and sensible. Children are taught to be open and honest and to know, through genuine care and concern for each other, when to seek advice or offer assistance.

The “Flu’ season is upon us again. Many students have had bad coughs and headaches. Please keep your child at home if they are sick and make sure your contact details are up to date in case we need to call you.

Don’t forget to send in an absent note when your child returns to school, include the date absent and the reason your child was away. If your child is going to be absent for an extended period, please ring after the second day.

During the week Life skills students attended a market day at maitland Goal. This year we had 4 groups who were involved in shop selling. The children involved were: Ben H, Liam C, Elye L, Alyssa C, Peta M, Hayden C, Bradley C, Heather M, Lauren A, Bree C, Chloe C, Lucas H, Zac F, Will V, Mitchell D and Kayley M.

The rest of the students had the opportunity to spend their hard earned “Marks” which had to be exchanged for “Mutuals”. The technology component this year was to assemble a dolls house. Students had to purchase the goods they needed to build the house. Many thanks to Mr Gleeson and Mrs Parker for their organisation and to the parents for helping with transport.

Hunter celebrations for NADOC Week “Honouring Our Elders Nurturing Our Youth” begins on 6th July through to the 12th July. For more information on activities during the week please contact the front office for a brochure.

If you have a child ready to start school in 2010 or know of anyone in the area who does, enrolments are now being taken. If your child was born between 1st August 2004 and 31st July 2005 your child is eligible to start school in 2010.

The Uniform shop will be having a huge SALE on Thursday 9th July between 8:30am - 9:30am under the COLA.

Mr Nichols returns from leave after the holidays.

Last week we were fortunate enough to have a visit from Robyn McKerihan, the Regional Director and Kay Peno our School Regional director. This was an informal visit to showcase our school. Robyn met with staff and had a tour of the school, including our new community room. Mrs Langford, our relieving Principal, spoke with Robyn about our plans and actions in 2009.

The main focus of the visit was to get a better understanding of the range of specific literacy and numeracy initiatives that are being implemented in our school. They were most impressed with the friendly, warm, co-operative atmosphere that we have at Marks Point school.

NUMERACY ACTIVITIES AT HOME

Earlier this term, surveys were sent home to parents of students in K-2, Miss Arthurson and Miss McDonell’s maths groups. Parent survey comments were as follows;

• I always try to help my child when he/she asks for help or gets stuck.
• I am comfortable with maths homework.
• At home we do measuring through cooking and number games mentally when travelling in the car.
• My child loves maths and enjoys all maths work.
• Children love the bonding we have playing together.
• My child tells me about some of what he/she does, he/she make it seem like fun.
• A lot of the maths children do is taught differently now. It makes it a bit harder to help.

Post surveys will be given at the end of the year.

SOFTBALL NEWS

Congratulations to all students who trialled at Zone softball last Friday. These students were picked to go to the next round:

Boys - Hayden C, Zac F and Darren M.

Girls - Shae O, Brittany S, Emma W and Daisy W.

The boys next round is on Friday 3rd July and the girls will be on Friday 10th July. We wish these students well in their next round.

CHESS

Our chess team of Mitchell D, Nathan C, Clay S and Bradley C played Caves Beach last Thursday in chess. The boys played hard to draw one game but lost the second round.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Next week Chloe C and Bree C will compete in the local finals of the Multicultural Perspective Public Speaking Competition. We wish them all the best.

DEBATING

On Tuesday our debating team of Bree C, Laura A, Ruby H and Brittany S debated against Swansea Public school. The topic was “Should mobile phones be allowed in school?” The girls argued for the negative and were successful in their arguements. A special thanks to Mrs Chivas for coaching the girls.

CTJ DAYS

The last of our Consistent Teacher Judgement days (CTJ) was on Tuesday.  Early Stage 1 teachers had a productive day analysing and grading student work samples in readiness for reports to go home in week 11 on 7th July.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Notes for parent teacher interviews have gone home this week. Stage 2 will conduct their interviews on Wednesday 8th July and stage 3 on Thursday 29th July. Early stage 1 and Stage 1 will be on Thursday 30th July. Mrs Vallender’s interviews are on Wednesday 5th August.

Mrs Cathy Anderson was presented with her service to students medallion on Wednesday at a morning tea with staff. We wish her well with her retirement.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL CHAMPIONS:

Junior Girl Champion - Kiara M

Junior Boy Champion - Ben H

Senior Girl Champion - Brittany S

Senior Boy Champion - William V

This week the Public Speaking Finals have been held in the community room.

The following chidren were stage finalists:

Early Stage 1

Kindergarten: Paris K, Emma H, Sophie H, Meg O, Tayah H, Ruby W, Arnika S, Nayt C, Jamie M.

Stage 1

Year 1: Piper L, Drew C, Ella M, Bellah A, Ben P-E, Ethan H-G.

Year 2: Chelsey C, Hunter C, Ben W, Bronte C, Jake M, Sarah C.

Stage 2

Year 3: Bianca C, Arrizona C, Jemma K, Georgia R.

Year 4: Jason D, Ben H, Alyssa C, Peta M, Liam C.

Stage 3

Year 5: Bree C, Lauren A, Sam H, Hayden C.

Year 6: Chloe C, Mitchell D, Nathan C, Kayley M, Ella H.

The following students have been selected from each stage to represent our school at the east Lake Macquarie Public Speaking competition in Term 3.

Emma H, Sophie H, Piper L, Drew C, Chelsey C, Bronte C, Bianca C, Georgia R, Ben H, Liam C, Bree C, Hayden C, Chloe C and Ella H.

Stage 1 Finalists

Stage 2 Finalists

 Our Great Aussie Bush Camp will take place in Term 4, Week 1: Monday 19th to  Wednesday 21st October, 2009.

The Great Aussie Bush Camp is located near Tea Gardens and camp activities make the most of the local attractions such as Main Beach and Jimmy’s Beach, as well as Mount Yacaaba and local Dolphin Cruise companies. The camp is also a short drive from Mungo Brush, nearby rainforests, the Dark Point middens site and associated sand dunes.

All of the activities at camp are operated on the ‘Challenge by Choice’ principle. That means each individual chooses how much they participate in the activity and ultimately how much they are challenged. All of the activities at camp are also designed to build on four separate C’s. These are:

• Coordination
• Communication
• Cooperation
• Consideration

Some of the activities offered include:

Abseiling , Alpine Challenge, Animal Trapping, Archery, Beach Picnics, Bungee Tramp, Bush Craft, Camping, Canoeing, Commando, Dark Point Middens, Disco, Dolphin Cruise, Dual Flying Fox, Fencing, Fosseling, Giant Slide, Giant Swing, Gully Crossing, High Ropes, Kayaking, Leap Of Faith, Lost Island, Low Ropes Course, Movie Theatre, Mt Yacaaba, Brush Rainforest, Orienteering, Pioneering, Raft Building, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Sand Dunes, Sea Kayaking, Senses Trail, Snorkeling, Staple Climb, Survivor Challenge, Swimming, Vertical Challenge, Volleyball, Windsurfing

 Below is a slideshow of photos taken of our students at camp in 2007.

Today our Education Week Open Day kicked off with a visit from the NSW Cancer Council featuring guest speaker, Robbie O’Davis, who spoke to the children about the importance of eating 2 fruits and 5 vegetables each day.

Mrs Higginbottom hosted “The Biggest Morning Tea” in the staffroom for staff and parents. This was followed by a Math-a-Thon. Students enjoyed a tabloid of 20 Maths activities organised by Ms McDonnell and Mrs Lowe. The activities were ‘captained’ by team leaders from Stage 3.

The days actvities concluded with a BBQ lunch thanks to our parent helpers.

This week is Education Week. Some things happening include:

Speeches have commenced in literacy groups this week.

WEDNESDAY:

• 2L visiting Swansea Library for Education Week Show.
• NSW University Computer test.
• Fruit & Veg Sense 9:00am - 10:30am. Parents welcome.
• Girls softball team V Caves Beach P.S.

Girls softball team

THURSDAY - Open day - All Welcome

• 10:30 Recess - Robbie O’Davis (Retired NRL player) is coming to talk to children about healthy eating.
• Biggest morning Tea in the staffroom at 10:50am
• Maths - A - Thon activities for all students from 11am.
• BBQ lunch- pre-ordered

FRIDAY

• Will V is representing our Zone at the Regional Cross Country carnival. Good luck Will.

2L students learning about the Water Cycle in Science this week.

MONDAY 

•  Debating workshop for senior students.

TUESDAY

• Ride2School workshop for years 5 and 6.
• Starstruck rehearsal - Broadmeadow

Year 5/6 Students who attended Ride2School Workshop

WEDNESDAY

• T-Ball Gala Day - Primary students.

THURSDAY

• Athletics Carnival - Baxter Oval

WEEKEND

This weekend the Shell Questacon Science Circus is coming to Newcastle. The Shell Questacon Science circus is a great opportunity for parents and children to share, discover and learn together. Explore the fascination and enjoyment of science through over 50 hands-on exhibits.

You can:

• spin like an ice-skater
• discover how fast you can throw
• try on a friend’s face

Plus, exciting science shows are presented regularly during opening hours and science toys will be on sale (cash only).

WHERE: HOWZAT - Cnr Brooks and Tooke St, Cooks Hill

WHEN: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2009 between 10am - 2pm

ADMISSION: Family $18, Adult $6, Student/Concession $5 (cash only) Under 5’s free