Marks Point Classroom

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.