Marks Point Classroom

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

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.

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.

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.

Today Australians have honoured the 94th Anzac Day by gathering at memorials across the country to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by more than 100,000 Australian servicemen and women.

The Sydney Morning Herald says as Australians mark the 94th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, troops are serving in at least seven overseas operations.

The largest group is in Afghanistan, where last month the 10th Australian soldier fell, his sacrifice and those of his mates reminders of the true cost of serving our country and the true meaning of Anzac Day.

Our students joined students from a number of local schools invited by the Belmont RSL sub branch to march from the Gunyah Hotel through Belmont today. The March concluded with a service held to commemorate the Anzac spirit and pay tribute to Australia’s fallen soldiers.

Thank you to all the students and parents who attended.