Principal’s Message

I’m not sure if it is because the Presentation Day Assembly is now behind us, which requires a significant amount of organisation, or the fact that there are only 5 school days left to go (yes, I did say 5!), but I’m feeling a little more relaxed and have been reflecting on the 2015 year that has literally whizzed by. It has been a busy and rewarding year. I spent some time putting together a video presentation of all of the events that have occurred this year and was staggered at how many learning opportunities and extra-curricular things we had packed in. Our students have certainly had a diverse range of opportunities this year! Congratulations to all of the students that received awards during the presentation assembly yesterday, especially to those who received one of our major awards (list further on). For those that were not able to attend the assembly yesterday, I had the privilege on behalf of the school community of farewelling what I believe is Cardiff South’s longest serving staff member – Mrs Cherylin Beever. Mrs Beever started at Cardiff South in 1980 and this has literally been her teaching home for 35 years! If her record of service does not speak for itself, can I say what a remarkably skilled, dedicated and compassionate teacher she is. She has taught all grades except Kindergarten and has made significant contributions to our school especially in relation to Mathematics, boys education and gifted and talented programs. She leaves the profession at the top of her game and her colleagues and I are constantly amazed by her commitment to adapting her teaching and not being stuck doing things the same way year after year. She will leave a massive hole in our school that cannot be filled. We wish her all the very best for her retirement, especially spending time with her husband Doug, her children and grandchildren. This week, I am sending home copies of the school’s new uniform and homework guidelines. They will also be uploaded to our school website and Skoolbag app. Both of these new guidelines are the work of the School Council and were ratified by the P&C. They take effect at the start of the 2016 school year and are worth reading between now and then. I hope that it gives families greater understanding and clarity of what our uniform and homework requirements will be. With the change of uniform occurring over the past 2 years, we have allowed a little bit more flexibility in relation to uniform, but as of next year these guidelines will be reinforced as they are stated. Please refer to them over the holiday period before you purchase new socks, shoes, accessories and other uniform related items.

Term 4, Week 10

Wednesday 9th December

2015

Congratulations Students of the Week!

Junior Student Award

Ebonie Humphries

1D

Senior Student Award

Larra Wright

5E

Finally, as the year starts to wind up, can I thank the many parent and community volunteers that have assisted in our school this year. Your support is very much needed and appreciated. If you have volunteered in our school at all during 2015, can I invite you to join us in the library tomorrow afternoon for afternoon tea. It is only a small gesture but it is our way of saying thank you. Have a great week. David Holland

2105 Presentation Day Award Recipients

Citizenship Cooper Luxton

DUX Tiarne Sinclair

Literature Appreciation Award Ella Robb

Creative and Performing Arts Grace Luck

Academic Encouragement Award Joshua Lowery

100% Attendance Keanu Hall

Junior Boy Sports Champion Liam Spamer

Junior Girl Sports Champion Chloe Walandouw

Senior Boy Sports Champion Sam Murphy

Senior Girl Sports Champion Milli Windred

Sportsmanship Award Jemma Matheson

Swimming - House winner Myall

Athletics - House winner Wallaroi

Overall House Winner Wallaroi

Congratulations to all recipients!

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Wk 10. 7.12 8.12 Presentation Day 9.30am

9.12 Combined Scripture assembly 10am

10.12 Assembly 2pm – 1/2Z

11.12

Wk 11. 14.12 Year 6 Farewell

15.12 Party Day

16.12 Students last day Year 6 Clap Out 2.45pm

17.12 Staff Development Day

18.12 Staff Development Day

Southy Stars – Week 9

Leo de la Lande - 6C Lorna G - 6C Abbie G – 2L

Ellie Poteris We learnt this week that one of our Year 2 students, Ellie Poteris (2L) has volunteered to have her beautiful long

hair cut off (ponytail) to raise awareness about Variety’s – Alopecia program. Her hair will be used to make a wig

for a child who has lost their hair due to cancer treatment. The wigs are specially made (costing about $5,000)

and are designed so that children who wear them can enjoy all ‘normal’ activities without fear. So far Ellie has

raised $944 from family and friends. We congratulate Ellie on her bravery and willingness to help others. If there

are any families that are interested in contributing to Ellie’s fundraising, you can do so by going to

https://alopecia.everydayhero.com/au/ellie-s-hair-donation-fundraising-page . Receipts are issued directly via

email for all donations made.

Updated Skoolbag App

Great News! Skoolbag continues to get better and better! We were informed this week that Skoolbag will be

releasing an important update to their app (Version 3) very soon. It will be ready for download soon in both the

Apple App and Google Play Stores. This release fixes the issues with the current Android version, and also brings

it up to date with the same features that have been on iPhone for some time. There is also now a dedicated

iPad version which makes using the app on an iPad much easier. If you have an earlier version of Skoolbag

installed on your devices, you will see this new version as an app update, and will install it as an update. Some

users may already have automatic updates switched on, in which case the app will update itself. It is important

that users install the latest update. Please note: that the Android update requires at least version 4 OS software

on Android devices to run.

Volunteers and Helpers Afternoon Tea

In 2015, as in previous years, our school has been very fortunate to have the valued assistance of many parent

helpers and volunteers. To say thank you for your assistance, the staff would like to put on a special afternoon

tea. It will be held at 1:20pm tomorrow in the school library.

Invitations were sent home last week. If you have volunteered or

helped in our school this year, in ANY capacity, we would be

delighted if you could join us for this special afternoon tea. We

are doing this in the afternoon, so that if some of you would like

to stay for the assembly and the drawing of the P&C’s Christmas

raffle you will be able to. To those of you who have helped or

volunteered this year, but are unable to make it– we sincerely

thank you for your kind and generous support. We couldn’t do

what we do without you!

Student Reports

Semester 2 reports will be sent home in a sealed envelope with the students tomorrow. The students are told

that they are not to open their report card themselves and that it must be handed to their parents first. By all

means share and discuss the report with you child as you deem fit. If you have any questions, after you have

received your child’s report, please speak with their class teacher in the first instance. Families that require

more than one copy of the report, due to shared parenting arrangements can contact the office and we will

send a 2nd copy via mail.

Charlton Christmas Card Another of our students, Jada Voigt (4G) has been cast into the spotlight this week with the announcement

yesterday by the Federal Member for Charlton, Mr Pat Conroy that her Christmas card design had won his

competition. Jada’s design (see below) will now be on the cover of Mr Conroy’s 2015 Christmas Card and she

has won herself a gift card for some extra Christmas spending. The school has also received a $100 prize from

Mr Conroy’s office. He told us yesterday that this card has already been sent to the Governor General, The

Prime Minister and other members of parliament. Mr Conroy really loved how Jada’s design represented a great

local story – the shark that was spotted in Lake Macquarie. You may have even heard Jada being interviewed on

ABC radio yesterday at 4:15pm by Paul Bevan. Keep an eye out, she might even appear on NBN tonight! What a

fabulous achievement Jada, congratulations.

Year 6 Clap Out

The whole school will be farewelling our Year 6 on Wednesday 16th December at 2.45pm in the 3-6 concrete

area.

We would like to welcome all interested relatives to help us congratulate the Year 6 of 2015 and wish them all

the best at high school.

Year 6 Farewell

Our Year 6 farewell will take place next Monday 14th December in the school hall. Parents are asked to drop

their children off in time for a 5:30pm start. Year 6 parents are invited to join us at 8:00pm in the hall for cutting

of the cake, presentation of certificates and a single dance. The evening will be concluded at 9:00pm and

parents of Year 5 students may collect your child at this time. Please keep the purpose of this event in

perspective; it is a year 6 farewell, not a Year 12 graduation. We’d ask that all students adhere to the dress code:

Boys – collared shirt and long pants (no board shorts, thongs or inappropriate logos)

Girls – dresses to be appropriate for age and modest

Year 6 Farewell – Help needed

The organising committee for the Year 6 farewell would value the assistance of any parents who have some

time to spare during the day on Monday to assist with setting up and decorating the hall for the farewell. If you

are available between 9-12 on Monday and willing to assist, could you please contact Pam Tarrant on 0403 205

288 to alert her to your availability please.

Uniform Shop Opening - 2016 To assist parents with uniform purchases at the start of the year, the uniform shop will be opening at the following times in the first week of 2016:

Thursday 28th January between 2:30 and 3:30pm

Friday 29th January between 8:30-9:30am

New kindergarten families that have pre-ordered specific items and are awaiting their delivery, may collect their orders at these times. Last Day of School Parents please be advised that the last day of school for the 2015 school year is next Wednesday the 16th December. The students in Years 1-6 return on Thursday, January 28th, 2016.

Class Party Days

Parents are reminded to return permission notes and payment for the end of year class party day activities.

These are due tomorrow. Students, who have not paid and returned permission notes, will not be eligible to

participate.

Mortgage Choice Cardiff It was a pleasure to present Mr Richard Windeyer with a

sponsorship plaque at last week’s assembly. Mr Windeyer

has been a loyal and generous supporter of Cardiff South PS

for the last two years. Amongst other things, he recently

funded the purchase of new representative sport uniforms.

You will find an ad further on in the newsletter and every

other week, for Mortgage Choice Cardiff. Thank you again,

Mr Windeyer for your ongoing support.

Fresh and Fancy Over the past several months, our library has been undergoing a make-over. As part of the make-over, Mrs Conrick ordered some new ‘fresh and fancy’ furniture to complement the new look. These new additions make great reading hubs for the students.

Lunch on Us Last week’s winner was….

Jessica Merry

Congratulations!

Canteen Roster

Wednesday 9 Friday 11 Monday 14

S.Werner K.Smith D. Reilly

J. Pilarski L.Fletcher L. Wellings

A.Kerr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Asheigh H 4G 9th December

Shannon S 3/4BG 9th December

Dakota S K/1Red 9th December

Mitchell A 2G 11th December

Dylan T 4G 14th December

Brodie S 2L 15th December

Piper-Lee H 1/2Z 15th December

Chloe W 4G 15th December

Christmas Raffle Draw The P&C Christmas raffle will be drawn tomorrow at approximatley 2.45pm, following the afternoon assembly.

Last minute ticket entries can be made up until 10am tomorrow morning. It is

appreciated if you could cut your tickets before sending them to the office.

CBA Student Banking It’s been a great year for student banking! With many new accounts opened and

consistent deposits made, our school has received $491.45 in commisions; what a

great effort Cardiff South. Thank you to the Commonwealth Bank for supporting our

school and to Ms Tarrant (McPherson) for processing the deposits each week.

Today was the final banking day for 2015. We hope you can continue saving over the

holidays and into 2016.

Getting to know…… Tahlia Musgrove

Class: 2L

Favourite TV show? Little Lunch

How many sibblings do you have? 1 younger brother, Coby

Do you play sport? Swimming

What’s your favourite food? Ham & pineapple pizza

What makes you laugh? When my brother pulls crazy

faces

Do you have any pets? 1 Golden Retriever &

1 Kelpie x Labrodor

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