Marks Point Classroom

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

Today is Walk Safely to School Day

Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual, national event when all Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.

The objectives of WSTSD are:

• To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
• To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
• To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road.
• To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
• To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
• To promote the use of Public Transport.
• To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
• To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

Thank you to Mrs Langford for organising fresh fruit and water for all the children who walked to school today.

MPPS Debating Team 2009

NAPLAN -  The National Assessment Programn Literacy and Numeracy commenced on Tuesday and will finish today. There is an opportunity to ‘catch up’ anyone who may have missed parts of the assessment tomorrow.

Softball and T-Ball - Our senior boys softball team ran into a very good Belmont side last Thursday. despite displaying some excellent skills the boys went down in a very intense game. Thank you to Mrs Lowe for her coaching and to parents who provided transport and support for the team.

The senior girls softball team are still hard at practice for their game. We have entered seven teams in the T-Ball Gala Day to be held on Thursday 20th May.

Cross Country - Congratulations to all participants who took part in the Eastlakes Zone Cross Country event last Friday in the rainy conditions. Will V finished 6th, Charlie M 8th and Sam H 10th in their age division. Good luck to Will who will represent our zone at the Regional event. Thank you to Mrs Wells for the use of her tent and to all parents for the great team spirit. Thank you also to Mr Gleeson for managing the team.

Star Struck - Our dance group with Mrs Banks is in full swing as they practice their moves for their role in Star Struck 2009. The dancers this year are: Lara O, Emma W, Jessica M, Kiara M, Ruby H, Ella H, Shayna J, Chloe C, Alyssa C, Shae O, Kayley M, Lauren A and Carolyn H.

This is a very intense time as they build up to the performances to be held from Tuesday 9th June. Thank you to students, parents and staff for their commitment to this wonderful production.

Athletics Carnival - Our school athletics carnival will be held on Thursday 21st May at Baxter Field. This is also Public Education Day. Please join us if you can.

Kinder News - Mrs Moore will be returning from leave next Monday. We wish to thank Ms Dana Denz for the great work she has carried out with KM during Mrs. Moore’s absence.

Education Week - Education Week this year is in Week 5, from Monday 25th May. Our school will be holding a ‘Mathletics Day’ on Thursday 28th May. students have been asked to gain sponsorship for the activities they will complete during the day. Parents are most welcome to join us during the day. We will also hold the Biggest Morning Tea in the staffroom at recess, and there will be a PRE-ORDERED BBQ lunch available.

A display of our students’ art work will be incorporated into a Galgabba Display at the swansea Library during the week. Please take the opportunity to visit the library and see what wonderful creative students we have.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)- The NSW University Computer assessment will take place on Wednesday 27th May for those students who have entered.

Opportunity Class - Parents with children seeking placement in an opportunity class in Year 5 in 2010 are required to submit an application form to their current primary school by 22 May 2009. Generally students are in Year 4 in 2009 when applying for Year 5 entry in 2010. Forms are available from the school.

Chess - Good luck to our chess team (Mitchell D, Nathan C, Bradley C, Reserves Lucas H and Lyndon B) who will play two matches against St Pauls today.

Debating - Our debating team will have their first debate against Windale on Friday. The team is Mitchell D, Kayley M, Ella H and Chloe C. Thank you to Mrs Chivas for managing the team this year.

Congratulations to the following children for receiving the Monthly Mathematics award for April:

Tyla F, Mitchell D, Hayden C, William G, Ben H and Heather M.

Following our School Cross-Country the following students represented Marks Point Public School at the Zone Cross Country last Friday:

8/9 Girls - Bronte C, Alex T, Jemma K and Bianca C.
8/9 Boys - Charlie M, Nelson W, Liam C and Elye L.
10 yrs Girls - Lara Grace O, Amy T, Kiara M.
10 yrs Boys - Ben H, Darren M, Matthew R, Jay S.
11 yrs Girls - Brittany S, Emma W, Bree C.
11 yrs Boys - Sam H, Jye H, Cameron B, Hayden C.
12 yrs Girls - Kayley M, Ella H, Chloe C, Daisy W.
12 yrs Boys - William V, Oskar M, Nathan C, Alex M.

Congratulations to William V who placed 6th at the Zone Carnival and will now represent at Regional Cross Country on the 29th May.

Congratulations also to Charlie M (8th) and Samuel H (10th) who received certificates on the day.

This THURSDAY the Jollybops Science Show will be visiting our school.

About the Jollybops Science Shows

The Jollybops Science Show was established in 2002 and is a winner of the NSW Department of Education Performing Arts Unit’s Frater Award “Best Feedback from Schools” category. They have also been awarded the 2007 ‘Most Interactive Show ‘at the NSW Education Expo.

The Jollybop Science Shows is a character based science show, bringing science alive for primary school students through exciting, stimulating and interactive demonstrations. Presented through the guise of the comic duo, The JollyWizard (also known as Dr Pop Off) and Rustie the Robot, the shows combine colourful and explosive scientific demonstration, witty comic one liners , scientific dialogue and songs for Kindergarten- Year 7.

Both professional science communicators are passionate about science education and have been an inspiration to the 400,000 students and staff who have seen their shows throughout NSW, The ACT, Victoria and Queensland. They aim to inspire students and encourage a positive interest in science. The shows, and supporting educational material, are designed in line with the NSW Board of Studies Science and Technology Syllabuses.

Bank Officers: Chloe C and Daisy W

Buyers: Lucas H

Auctioneers: Jason D

Pencil Sharpeners: Tyla F, Liam C

Environment Manager: Mitchell D

Can Crushers: Shayna J, Arrazona C, Alex T, Kiara M, Alyssa C

Gardeners: Lauren A, Tyla F, Alyssa C, Elye L

TODAY:

• NAPLAN - Language, Spelling and Writing.

WEDNESDAY:

• NAPLAN - Reading

THURSDAY

• NAPLAN - Mathematics
• Jollybops Science Show
• Chess 12:15pm

FRIDAY

• Walk To School Day
• Debate V Windale P.S. 9:30 am

Boys Softball - The Boys softball team were defeated by Belmont Public School yesterday. Congratulations to Darren M who was awarded man of the match. Thank you to Mrs Lowe for organising and coaching the team, who even trained in the school holidays. The team is Darren M, Caleb O, William V, Cameron B, Zac F, Mitchell D, Oskar M, Hayden C, Samuel H, Jye H, Isaac W, Bradley C and Matthew R. Great effort boys!

Peer Support - After training last week, the Peer Support Program commenced this week. This program enables students to learn skills in a peer led approach in small groups. The program this term is focusing on the ‘Key Values’ of our school. These keys are displayed on the front of the school building and in each classroom. They are: TRUSTWORTHINESS, KINDNESS, LOYALTY, SELF CONFIDENCE, RESPECTING RULES, GOOD EXAMPLE, PATIENCE, FRIENDLINESS, CO-OPERATION, CONSIDERATION, FORGIVENESS and CARING.

NAPLAN - A reminder that the National Assessment Plan in Literacy and Numeracy testing will take place next week. The program is: Tuesday 12th May - Language, Spelling and Writing; Wednesday 13th May - Reading; Thursday 14th May - Mathematics. Please ensure that your child is here for these important assessments.

Stewie the Dolphin Day for Stewart House - Yesterday our student parliament distributed the pre-ordered Stewie the Dolphin key rings and ‘tattoo’ stickers so they could be worn today for Stewart House Day. Stewart House provides holidays, medical and dental checkups for students and respite for families. Stewart House was set up with the support of teachers (through donations and salary deductions) over 70 years ago. Stewart House is our school’s main charity. Thank you for supporting the excellent work they do.

Numeracy Activities at Home - These games will begin to go home at the beginning of Week 2 and Week 3. The games will go home on a Monday and need to be returned on Thursday. The games will be checked on Friday and if the game is not returned or there are pieces missing a note will be sent home. These games took a long time to put together and purchasing of resources was costly so please be careful with all the pieces. Don’t forget to return the parent survey as soon as possible. Thanks.

April Maths Award Winners- Courtney L, Charlie H, Ella M, Tegan J, Jake M, Ben H, Heather M, William G, Mitchell D, Hayden C and Tyla F. Congratulations!

Dates to Remember:

• 12 - 14th May - NAPLAN
• 14th May - Jollybops Science Show
• 15th May - Walk Safely to School Day
• 18th May - Maths A Thon forms return to school
• 19th May - Ride2School - Yr 5/6
• 19th May - Starstruck Rehearsal - Broadmeadow
• 20th May - T-Ball Gala Day
• 21st May - Athletics Carnival
• 25th May - EDUCATION WEEK
• 25th May - Starstruck MAJOR rehersal
• 26th May - Knights Knockout
• 28th May - Maths Activity day, BBQ, Biggest Morning Tea

Friday 8 May 2009 has been designated STEWART HOUSE DAY.  This has the backing of both the NSW Department of Education and Training, the Teachers Federation and the Federation of Parents and Citizens’ Associations of NSW.

Stewart House has a proud 78 year record of providing short term respite care for over 1,800 public school children in need of a break from their current circumstance each year.

Stewart House helps children develop healthy lifestyles and build self esteem.

Each fortnight, 90 children from across NSW and the ACT arrive at Stewart House. Children participate in a 12-day program and attend the Department of Education and Training school that is within the grounds of Stewart House.

More than ever, Stewart House needs your support. Staff costs, food costs, maintenance costs children’s transport and entertainment costs (some $2.5million in 2009) are continually on the rise. Some ninety primary and lower secondary children attend Stewart House every fortnight during the four school terms at a cost of $90 per child per day.

This Friday 8th May is Stewart House Day. To make a donation click here. To buy Stewart House merchandise click here.

The Shell Questacon Science Circus is the flagship outreach program of Questacon, The National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra. It is educational, entertaining, hands-on, fun and coming to Newcastle from Friday 15th May to Monday 25th May.

With sponsorship from Shell in Australia the Science Circus is able to maintain a travelling exhibition consisting of 50 hands-on science exhibits, all designed to show some aspect of science. The Science Circus Presenters also perform interesting and entertaining science shows to both school and public audiences.

The Public Exhibition will be at:

HOWZAT Health and Fitness Centre  - Cnr Tooke and Darby St, Cooks Hill. Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, 10 am - 2 pm

At the Public Exhibition, children, their families and other community members can have a great time experimenting with over 50 interactive exhibits and watching science shows. There is also a shop with science books and toys - cash sales only.

Children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Admission: Adults $6, Students/Concession $5, Family $18, Children under 5 - free.

Bank Officers: Isaac W and Daisy W

Buyers: Emma W

Auctioneers: Hayden C

Pencil Sharpeners: Shayna J and Lauren A

Environment Managers: Mitchell D

Can Crushers: Elye L, Lara O, Heather M and Lucy M

Gardeners: Britney H, Tegan C, Peta M and Amy T