Marks Point Classroom

SATURDAY MARCH 28th

VOTE EARTH
YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

Slideshow made by Peta M, Year 4

Ride2School is Bicycle NSW’s initiative to get more students choosing to walk, ride, skate or scooter to and from school safely and responsibly. As many children have developed less active lifestyles over the past 20 years, Ride2School aims to improve the health of students by increasing physical activity and changing attitudes to active travel. These healthy lifestyle choices made now will help shape good health in years to come. Choosing to walk or ride is also a healthy choice for the environment. In our society today it is important that we take every opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint.

Mr Gleeson organised an afternoon of fun and educational activities to raise the awareness of bike and pedestrian safety. All chidren who rode to school partcipated in a full bike safety check. Students also rode around a bike safety course and participated in a slow riding race. Thank you to the parents who helped out with the safety checks and repairs.

Below are some student interviews. Hosted by Kayley M and filmed by Ella H from the website team. Click on the play button to play the video.

Ride to School Day

A recount written by Hunter C from 2L

On Friday, 20th March, 2L went to Blacksmiths Beach.

First we walked to the breakwall and we collected shells, colourful rocks, normal rocks, sea urchins and sea weed to build sand castles. We used the things we collected to make our sand castles beautiful. Billy and Hunter helped me to build a sand castle. We made two bridges with a secret passage and it had a secret code to open the door.

Next we played a bucket game with an ice-cream container. You had to run with the ice-cream container to the ocean and 2L won the competition. After that 2L went quickly to get a drink then back to play “duck, Duck, Splash”. I chased James and got him and I had to run away from Amber but I didn’t get tipped.

Lastly we had lunch on the grass and I sat with Ruby, Charlie and Bronte from K/1 J. We went to the playground while waiting for the bus and there was rock climbing. 2L had a wonderful time.

The Diverse Australia Program is an Australian Government initiative and replaces the previous Living in Harmony Program.

It is about dealing with cultural, racial and religious intolerance. We do this by promoting respect, fairness and a sense of belonging for everyone.

The Diverse Australia Program provides information and funding to help ensure all Australians are treated fairly regardless of their background.

Harmony Day is celebrated on 21 March each year. It is managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and celebrates the cohesive and inclusive nature of our nation and promotes the benefits of cultural diversity.

The key message of Harmony Day is Everyone Belongs. It’s about community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Since Harmony day began ten years ago, thousands of schools, community groups and organisations across Australia have hosted Harmony Day events.

Our Year 5 and 6 students worked with K/1 J and Mrs Johns to make a huge Harmony Day collage. Senior students also wrote about what “Harmony” means to them. Below is what Kayla from 5/6 L had to say:

Harmony to me is a non fighting world. Harmony to me is a stop to wars. Harmony to me is a stop to teasing people because they’re different. It’s a stop to starvation in some countries. It’s a stop to young kids getting sick from working and drinking dirty water. Harmony to me is a world of peace.     
Kayla L

A Federal Government initiative is ensuring that 54 students at Marks Point have the opportunity to engage in fun physical activities after school. Student numbers have increased from 32 to the current enrolments due to the children seeing others having so much fun. Children range in age from 8 to 11 years. Presenters coordinate programs from surfing to sailing, athletics to boomerang throwing. This program is only one of the many opportunities offered to students to engage in Healthy Living and Active Lifestyles at our school.

Earlier this term Kindergarten had a Teddy Bear’s Picnic lunch. I have just added a slideshow of photos to our slideshow page. You are welcome to post your comments.

Check out the new Slideshow I just added to our slideshow page. Our students who participate in the Active After Schools program have been learning to surf this term at Backsmiths Beach. It looks like a lot of fun!

You can make your own slideshows at: http://www.slide.com/

This week in Science & Technology KM and K/1 J are investigating what plants need to grow. To demonstrate how plants use water the students will be observing what happens when a stalk of celery is placed in a glass of coloured water.

Plant experiment

Year 2 will be looking at packaging that can be re-cycled and where our rubbish goes.

Year 3/4 will be finishing off their “Keep In Touch” posters and contributing to this blog. See the posts by Jason and Arrazona on “communication”.

Arrazona

The Student Executive

On Monday 23rd February 2009, the student executives Chloe, Shae, Will, Mitchell, Nathan and Oskar represented our school at the Young Leader’s Day at Darling Harbour in Sydney.

Our students joined 7000 other students from across the state in a “celebration of leadership”.

The students were addressed by James Roy an author for young readers with a message about choosing to do what you are passionate about. Other speakers included Bridie Carter (Tess from Mcleod’s daughters) who spoke about following the dream and Natalie Cook,(Olympic gold medalist in Beach Volleyball) who spoke about setting goals, establishing a purpose, and planning. She emphasised the importance of being positive even when things were not going so well. She said to “Reach for the stars, because even if you fall short, you’re still on top of the world”

The final speaker was Mark Baretta from “Sunrise”. He spoke about giving your best and perseverence.

The overall message about leadership was that it is about influencing others in a responsible way, and this can be done by anyone at all levels.

On Wednesday 18th February 2009, Marks Point Public School had their annual swimming carnival at Valentine Pool.

Children from Years 3-6 participated well in a range of races including, 50m freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke, 100m freestyle, the medley and the relay. We also had two free swims and one great big noodle relay.  

The winning house on the day was Albatross followed by Gulls, Eagles and Swans.

The carnival champions were:

Junior Girl Champion: Alyssa C

Junior Boy Champion: Ben H

Senior Girl Champion: Kayley M

Senior Boy Champions: William V and Hayden C

The following children represented our school at the Zone Carnival: 

Heather M, Darcy H, Courtney M, Liam C, Levi T, Noah W, Alyssa C, Taleah S, Ben H, Matthew R, Bree C, Lauren A, Brittany S, Samuel H, Hayden C, Isaac W, Kayley M, Shae O, William V, Oskar M and Nathan C.

Darcy H came 3rd in the 8 years 50 m freestyle Final.

Ben H came 3rd in the 10 years 50 m freestyle Final.

The Junior girls relay team came 3rd. The junior boys relay team came 2nd. The Senior girls relay team came 6th and the Senior boys relay team came 5th.

Thankyou to Mrs Banks and Mr Jonno!

 By Ella, Shae, Bree and Kayley!