Woah! What a busy month August has been!! We have had Education Week and the opening of our brand new hall and next week is Book Week!

In Week 3 of this term our students and teachers celebrated Education Week. This year’s education Week theme was “sustainability” and this is also the year of Learning for Sustainability. As part of our Galgabba group of schools initiative our school students worked very hard to produce a sculpture which represents the theme of sustainability. Students used old bike wheels along with recycled aluminium cans to produce a recycled garden that was displayed at the Findon street entrance during Education week. Some of our student’s art work was also on display at Swansea Library.

MPPS Recycled Garden Sustainability Sculpture

Also as part of Education Week celebrations at our school, a special assembly was held in our new hall. K-2, 3/4 A and 4/5B performed songs and 3/4 G performed a play. Parents and visitors were then invited to help plant some trees around our school and stay for a BBQ lunch.

This post is incomplete…more to come

Our new playing field

July was a short school month as students and teachers enjoyed the two week break at the beginning of the month. Parents received Students’ Semester 1 reports and parent teacher interviews were held in the first two weeks of Term 3.

We were fortunate to receive a sports grant from the state government for the amount of $25,000 to improve our playing fields. We applied this funding to the section of our playing area which was most affected by wearing and erosion, as well as rising coal fill. The new turf was laid in the July school holidays and we are now in the process of watering so that we can achieve the best possible results. We are using bore water and water from our own rainwater tanks.

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PUBLIC SPEAKING:

This month our whole school public speaking finals were held and we were entertained by wonderful speeches from all finalists. The grade winners were:

Kindergarten: Olivia W and Harry M, Year 1: Meg O, Year 2: Lachlan M, Year 3: Chelsea C, Yeaar 4: Jemma K and Stage 3: Bree C and Milly W.

To view photos go to our school website gallery at: http://www.markspoint-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/sws/view/1444467.node

DEBATING

Our debating team has participated in and won their first two debates. The first debate was against Eleebana P.S. the second debate was against Fassifern P.S.

The team is an all girl side of Lauren A, Milly W, Bree C and Emma W. The team is coached by Mrs Stacey Gibson.

Marks Point P.S. Debating team

RUGBY LEAGUE:

Our boys rugby league team played and won 7 games to make it to the final and win the Paul Harrigan Cup on the 2nd June 2010. This is a competition for small schools. On the day we were undefeated, beating Islington, Cardiff, Gateshead, Mayfield East, St Peters Stockton, Hamilton North and St Pats Swansea. Mr Gleeson was rightly proud of the boys efforts with every player in the team scoring at least one try on the day. Gutsy effort from our boys! The team will now head off to Sydney to represent the region in the State Finals on the 25th August 2010.

The team was captained by Sam H and included Ben H, Jye H, Matt R, Hayden C, Brad C, Darren M, Liam C, Charlie M, Brendan B and Darcy H.

For a full report on the event please go to: http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26379

Winners of the Paul Harrigan Cup

SOFTBALL

Our boys softball team had a big win over caves beach recently to the tune of 18 - 2. Mrs Lowe and Mr Johnston reported that the batting was so powerful that they actually shut the opposition out by carrying an innings for over half an hour! There will be a softball double header on Wednesday 28th July at Belmont Sporties. Girls will play at 11:00 am and boys at 1:15 pm.

STARSTRUCK

Starstruck is the Hunter/Central Coast performing arts spectacular held annually in June. Once again our school was fortunate enough to participate in the extravaganza that has been running for 17 years.

Mrs Banks and the girls spent many hours auditioning then practising their dance moves for “You’re the Voice”. Bree C was also selected to perform in a special dance for 12 and 13 year old girls called “Thirteen”.

Four shows were held at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and our girls did Marks Point School proud. I supervised students at the Saturday night show and was amazed at how it all comes together. Mrs Lowe did a fantastic job coordinating schools and entertaining us all out the back while we waited for our turn to dance. It was also great to see Mrs Langford working hard in the tunnels. Another fantastic show was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Well done girls!

Starstruck 2010

REGIONAL SUCCESS:

Congratulations to Brittany S, Emma W, Jai H, Ben H, Liam C and Hayden C who have been selected to represent the Hunter Region at the state softball titles in Sydney next term. Sam H was also successful in selection for the Hunter Region Rugby League team. Last week he played in the state rugby league trials as a representative of the Hunter Region team.

HOCKEY:

Congratulations to Mrs Lowe (co-manager and coach) of the Hunter Region girls hockey team. The Hunter Region team were joint state champions with Western Region. Mrs Lowe said this was the first win for the Hunter in over 20 years.

HALL:

The new hall is very near completion. We are hoping that it will be open in time for our Education Week celebrations in Term 3.

MATHS:

Mrs Langford and the K-2 teachers are very excited about being successful in gaining inclusion in the Targeting Early Numeracy (TEN) program. This program focuses on developing mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding in the early years.

REPORTS:

Student reports to parents went out last Friday. Interviews will take place in the first week of Term 3 for K-2 and the second week for 3-6.

Have a safe holiday everyone and see you all in Term 3

Sorry for not posting for a while, Term 2 is shaping up to be another busy term.

Some of the highlights from the past 5 weeks include:

OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE

• Our new school website was launched at the end of last term. The site is a DET designed template and has lots of useful information about the school, curriculum and activities; and student welfare. There are also photo albums and a calender of events. Click on the link below to view the site.
• http://www.markspoint-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/sws/view/2560.node

ANZAC DAY

• This year our students were  invited to participate in the ANZAC Day March at Swansea as part of the Galgabba Community of Schools. Our school captains placed a tribute at the Centopaph at the swansea Community War Memorial.

NAPLAN

• Last week our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in NAPLAN which is the National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy. For more information on NAPLAN visit http://www.naplan.edu.au/

NEW HALL

• Our new hall is nearing completion. It will be a great space for our school and community to use and we are getting very excited about its opening.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

• All classes K-6 are currently participating in our Annual Public Speaking competition. All children were given 3 weeks preparation time. Students from each class are currently being selected to progress through to our school’s “Speak-Off Week” to be held in Week 8 (7th June). The winner of each year group will be invited to attend the Zone Finals in Week 4 Term 3.
• The topics for 2010 are: K - A Burst of Colour, Year 1 - My Special Day, Year 2 - My Magical Mystery Tour, Year 3 - When I woke up I was a Giant, Year 4 - What you can do to make the World a Better Place, Year 5 - It’s a Technological World, Year 6 - What is Excellence?

CROSS COUNTRY

Some of our Cross Country winners

• Following our school Cross Country the following students represented our school at the Zone Cross Country carnival held on the 29th April.
• Abbey O, Bronte C, Billy H, Darcey H, Drew C, Alex T, Josie O, Arrazona C, Jemma K, Charlie M, Nelson W, Noah S, Liam C, Lara O, Kiara M, Amy T, Ben H, Darren M, Brenden, Jay S, Britt S, Milly W, Bree C, Sam H, Jye H and Hayden C. All children ran well with Britt S placing 8th in her age division and Charlie M 11th in his.

SOFTBALL

• Jai H, Liam C, Ben H, Hayden C, Brittany S and Emma W were successful at Zone Softball trials and have been invited to trail for Regional Softball selections in July.
• Our boys softball team won their first game against Belmont P.S. by one run in extra time. The final score was 18 - 17. The boys were due to play their second game today against Caves Beach P.S. but it has been postponed due to the weather. Team members are: Jye H, Sam H, Hayden C, Ben H, Liam C, Matt R, Ben R, Elye L, Brad C, Levi T and Noah S.
• Our girls softball team played their first game against Biddabah P.S. last Friday. They won 13 - 11 due to great team work from the girls. A special mention goes to Emma W for great pitching and Bree C for great catching. Team members are: Emma W, Bree C, Milly W, Arrazona C, Josie O, Britt S, Lauren A, Alyssa C, Tyler F, and reserves Jemma, Rosie and Jazmine.
• Mrs Lowe coaches both teams.

PIZZA DAY

• Last week Year 6 organised a Fundraiser Pizza Day. Both children and teachers enjoyed their pizza lunch.

WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

• Once again Mrs Langford co-ordinated our annual “Walk Safely to School Day”. Children were encouraged to walk safely to school on Friday 7th May. Upon arrival, children who walked to school received a piece of fruit and a drink.
• For more information on Walk Safely to school Day visit: http://www.walk.com.au

CHESS

• This year we have 3 teams entered in the chess competition.In the first round our Knights chess team defeated Jewells P.S. winning 5 games to 3 while our two Rookies teams played against each other.

ACTIVE AFTER SCHOOL

• This term our students who participate in the Active After School program have had the opportunity to learn circus skills and Taekwondo. For more information on this program visit: http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/aasc/about

Last week our Zone swimming team had two days of competition on Monday (form strokes) and Tuesday (Finals in form strokes, heats and finals of freestyle and relays). All swimmers performed well in their races with some outstanding efforts from Hayden C and Kyah C who were finalists. Thank you to our P & C who donated swimming caps to all zone representatives.

Congratulations also to the students who represented their clubs at the recent State Surf Life Saving Championships. Hayden C received a bronze medal in the board relay and the ironman for Swansea Belmont SLSC. Bronte C, also of Swansea Belmont SLSC achieved a silver in the wade relay and a bronze in the run relay. Other students from our school who represented strongly were Liam C, Bree C, Lauren A and Mitch E.

Our students have also been enjoying the water activities and sailing that has been offered to us as part of the Active After School Program.

Students enjoyed a BBQ lunch yesterday thanks to a number of parents who volunteered their time to help. A big thank you to Troy Anderson, Karen Wright, Tony Roddom, Marie Cullen, Darren Wells, Kylie Wells and Lachlan Wells for helping to prepare such a delicious lunch for us!

It has also been great to see so many children taking up Mr Nichol’s challenge to wear a school hat!

Our Kindergarten students commenced their first week of ‘whole school days’ on Monday. Well done students, parents, carers and teachers.

COMING UP:

9th March - P & C School Disco - Theme is Summer!

15th March - Young Leaders Day - Executive only

17th March - Out of the Bag performance - notes go home 9th March. Cost is $4.40 per child.

19th March - P & C Gold Party

26th March - SHOW HOLIDAY - No school

We are now into our third week of term and teachers and students are really applying themselves to the task of quality teaching and learning. It was great to see so many parents attending our parent information sessions last week and this week. Our P & C meet next Thursday 18th February at 5:30pm in the computer room. Join us if you can.

Swimming Carnival Champions 2010

We kicked off this week with our school swimming carnival and our students participated enthusiastically in a great day of competition and fun. Thanks to Mrs Banks and Mrs Jones for their organisation and to all the staff and parents who assisted on the day. The results of the carnival are as follows:

1st place: GULLS, 2nd place: EAGLES, 3rd place: SWANS and 4th place: ALBATROSS.

CARNIVAL CHAMPIONS:

Junior Boy: Liam C, Junior Girl: Courtney M, Senior Boy: Hayden C and Senior Girl: Lauren A

While Years 1 to 6 were at the swimming carnival on Monday our Kindergaten students, Mrs Johns and Miss McDonell celebrated Spot’s birthday with a party back at school.

The Active After School Community sessions also commenced this week with water activities at school and sailing at the 16 Footers at Belmont. Once again these activities have been very popular with our students. A huge thank you to parents and staff who transported students to and from the 16 Footers at short notice when the bus didn’t arrive.

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