Newsletter Griffith Public School

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

NEWSLETTER TERM 1 WEEK 2 2016 Principal: Miss Jude Hayman Coolah Street, Griffith NSW 2680 T 6962 3199 F 6962 3451 E griffith-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 1 2016 *Please note dates from week to week as there are occasionally some changes.

WEEK

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

2 1/2 Kinder-Best Start Assessment Appointments

2/2 Kindergarten students start school

3/2 4/2 5/2 2.15pm K-6 Assembly

3 8/2 9/2 10/2 11/2 Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival

12/2

4 15/2 16/2 17/2 18/2 19/2 2.15pm K-6 Assembly

5 22/2

23/2 24/2 25/2 26/2

6 29/2 1/3 School Photos

2/3 3/3 4/3 2.15pm K-6 Assembly

7 7/3 Riverina Swimming Carnival

8/3 9/3 10/3 11/3

8 14/3 15/3 16/3 17/3 18/3 2.15pm K-6 Assembly

9 21/3 Harmony Day

22/3 12.30pm K-2 Easter Hat Parade

23/3 24/3 25/3 Good Friday-Public Holiday-No School

10 28/3 Easter Monday-Public Holiday-No School

29/3 30/3 31/3 1/4 Years 3-6 Cross Country 2.15pm K-6 Assembly

11 4/4 5/4 6/4 7/4 12.30pm K-3 Books In Homes

8/4 K-2 Cross Country Last Day of Term 1

Term 2 Commences Wednesday 27th April

Page 1

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Welcome to all our new and returning families. We have had a great start to the school year and we look forward to a busy year ahead. We had a great start to the year with a nomination at this year’s Griffith City Council Australia Day Awards. 2015 ‘Carnivale’ Celebrations was nominated in the Community Awards event. We were incredibly proud to be nominated along with many worthy recipients. Congratulations to the Lions Club who won the award for their ‘Care Alert’ program. Griffith Public School staff aim to provide a quality learning environment in a caring environment. We encourage our parents and carers to communicate regularly with the staff so we can work together to do our best for all. We wish everyone a successful and happy year ahead. Jude Hayman Principal Staff at Griffith Public School in 2016 Principal Miss Jude Hayman

Assistant Principal K-2 Mrs Jan Kitchingman

Assistant Principal Stage 2 Mrs Patricia Campbell

Assistant Principal Stage 3 (Mon, Wed, Fri) Mrs Rita McIver

Relieving Assistant Principal Stage 3 (Tues, Thurs) and 5/6L Mrs Kristy Lemon

Instructional Leader K-2 Ms Lisa Nardi

School Administration Manager Mrs Sue Schaefer

School Administration Officer Mrs Ines Taprell

Page 2

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

School Administration Officer Mrs Megan Woods

School Administration Officer Mrs Melissa Dal Broi

Classroom Teacher KCI (Wed, Thurs, Fri) Mrs Irvin

Classroom Teacher KCI (Mon, Tues) Mrs Virginia Curry

Classroom Teacher KR Mrs Elise Russo

Classroom Teacher KL Mrs Helen Lander

Classrom Teacher 1L Mrs Kylie Lethlean

Classroom Teacher 1M Miss Hannah Middleton

Classroom Teacher 1/2 S Miss Lisa Sergi

Classroom Teacher 2F Mrs Lee Flood

Classroom Teacher 2B Miss Lauren Brain

Classroom Teacher 3/4P Mrs Giulia Parisotto

Page 3

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Classroom Teacher 3/4R Miss Rachel Pisan

Classroom Teacher 3/4W Miss Jessie Wythes

Classroom Teacher 3/4CS (Mon, Tues) Mrs Chloe Catanzariti

Classroom Teacher 3/4CS (Wed, Thurs, Fri) Mrs Melyssa Sarkis

Classroom Teacher 3/4D Mr Lachlan Date

Classroom Teacher 5/6C Mrs Angela Catanzariti

Classroom Teacher 5/6H Miss Kate Halliday

Classroom Teacher 5/6D Miss Bessie Dossetor

Library Teacher Mr Lal Maharaj

Technology Teacher Mrs Leanne McWhirter

Support Teacher 3-6 Mrs Jenny Dance

Support Teacher K-2 Mrs Lyn Oliver

Page 4

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Support Teacher (EA4S Program) Mrs Denise McGann

Support Teacher EA4S- 2 and Release Teacher Miss Courtney Browne

Reading Recovery and Release Teacher Mr Amarjot (AJ) Chauhan

English as a Second Language Teacher Mrs Fiona Brown

School Learning Support Officer Nicole Myers

School Learning Support Officer Liz Hancock

School Learning Support Officer Isabel Brown

School Administration Officer Carlie Fuller

School Learning Support Officer Amanda Harris

School Learning Support Officer Tracey Yerbury

School Learning Support Officer Shawn Pattison

School Learning Support Officer Brooke Saddler

Page 5

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

School Learning Support Officer Leonie Penrith

Community Liaison Officer Ar’e Abera

Aboriginal Education Officer Ms Maxine Kirby

General Assistant Ray Schaefer

General Assistant John Scott

Assistant Principal Hearing Mrs Chris Ripper

Itinerant Teacher for the Hearing Impaired Mrs Amanda Catanzariti

Itinerant Teacher for the Hearing Impaired Mrs Trish Sansom

School Learning Support Officer Veronica Reid

School Counsellor Mrs Julia Hopp

DGO Mrs Robyn Heath

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Griffith Public School believes in a positive school environment which: • Ensures that the school is a happy, safe, respectful place for learning. • Allows students to experience happiness and success each day. • Values the diversity of our community. • Provides quality education for all. To assist us in our mission to have such an environment, GPS has implemented Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL). PBL encourages positive behaviour from students, which has been shown to improve their self-concept and motivation to learn. PBL operates as a systemic umbrella for a broad range of programs in schools, including values education and anti-bullying.

Page 6

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Our school values, as determined by our school community, are ‘Respect’, ‘Responsibility’ and ‘Do Your Best’. Signage around the school reminds students of our values and expected behaviour in the different areas of our playground (see the ‘Expected Behaviour Matrix’ attached to the newsletter). We like to reward students at GPS for positive behaviour and in 2016 we are making some changes to our system, which previously had students aiming to earn Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards. As a result of

feedback from the school community a new system ‘GPS All Stars’ has been developed. At the end of each school day students will reflect on their day, with their teacher. If students have followed school expected behaviour in the classroom and playground, they will receive a star on a chart, which will be kept in their classroom. Once a student has received 10 stars they will receive a reward from their class teacher and be asked to stand up in the next K-6 Assembly. If students receive 10 stars, 5 times a term, they will receive / participate in a special ‘Star of the Term’ Award. If a student receives a ‘Star of the Term’ Award for all 4 terms, they will receive / participate in a ‘Star of the Year’ Award. Rewards will be determined with student input, early in 2016. Other awards presented throughout the year will include PBL certificates, Academic Merit Awards, Principal’s ‘Do Your Best Learning’ Certificate, Sporting Achievement Certificate, School Community representation for special events and PBL tickets to earn whole school rewards. Consequences still remain in place with detentions, level drops and suspensions if necessary; however staff attempt to resolve issues through restorative justice measures and do follow school and DEC policies. An updated ‘Discipline Policy’ will be sent home early this term. Please do not hesitate to ask questions and provide us with feedback. No Hat, No Play ‘Sun Smart Policy’ A reminder to all students and parents that, all students must wear a broad brimmed school hat when they are playing outside during Term 1 and 4. They are also encouraged to wear them during Term 2 and 3. If they do not have a hat, students will be restricted to the verandahs. School hats are available from the school canteen and Uniform Shop for $10. House Captain and Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival Griffith Public School is proud to announce our new 2016 sporting house captains. These students have been selected by their house and are excited to start their new leadership role at the school Swimming Carnival (which is next week). Bradman (Red) - Captains— Charlotte Currie, Austin Colgan Fraser (Blue) - Captains– Alicia Maruera, Christian Mamafainoa Goolagong (Yellow)-Captains– Minata Misi, Joshua Low Norman (Green) - Captains— Siuaki Tuiaki, Chris Tupa A reminder that the Griffith Public School Swimming Carnival in on next Thursday (11th February). A note was sent home today with students outlining expectations. All permission notes are due on Friday with $4.20 to cover the cost of the pool. We expect ALL students from year 3-6 to attend and we are hoping to see more parents there this year to help out and support the students. Don’t forget about the poster and best dressed competitions!

Page 7

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Attendance Attendance at school is more important than you may think! Please read the chart below.

Please contact the school by phone or send a note in if your child is absent from school. Our attendance letters that are sent home when no absent explanation is received from the schools will now be printed on bright yellow paper. If your child brings one of these letters home, it needs to be signed, the reason for being absent filled in, and the letter returned to school immediately. Thank you. P&C News Welcome back to all our families for another awesome year at GPS! The P&C has already been busy running the uniform shop, providing low-cost uniforms to keep all our students looking great. Thanks to our volunteers who donated their time for this last week. If you missed out, the uniform shop will be open again each Thursday morning, from 9:00 to 10:00. Swimming Carnival: The GPS swimming carnival is next Thursday, 11th February. To show our gratitude to the teachers for the extra effort they put in on carnival day, the P&C likes to provide refreshments to support them throughout the day. If you are able to provide a plate of cakes or slices, please drop them off at the office next Thursday morning. P&C Meetings are held once a month during term. Our meetings are pretty relaxed and provide a good opportunity to find out what is happening at the school. We have been meeting on Wednesday nights, but we are sending a survey home to allow us to set a time that suits the majority of people wanting to attend meetings. The survey will be sent home this week and a meeting time will be set as soon as possible. Best regards, Vanessa Clark, P&C President

Page 8

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Canteen News Wednesday 3rd February Agnes Lolohea Thursday 4th February Cathy Friday 5th February Elena Monday 8th February Elena Tuesday 9th February Brenda Welcome back to a new year. We are looking forward to seeing our new little kindies today. We are looking for volunteers to help in the canteen. It is only once a month and you would only be required at the canteen from 9am to 11.30am. Thank you. Brenda, Canteen Manager.

Win a $5.00 Canteen Voucher Week 1 Give your newsletter to your parent or carer to read. Ask them to sign this slip and put it in the box in the front office. If your slip is drawn out at Friday’s assembly, you will win one $5 canteen voucher! Two slips will be drawn out at each assembly. Student / Family name: __________________ Parent / Carer Signature: _________________

Page 9

Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Term 1- Week 2

Page 10