PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSWeek 7A - 16 March 2012

Sunshine Avenue CampusTweed Heads South NSW 2486

PO Box 996

Banora Point NSW 2486

07 5523 1143

Director of the ELC LeaveJo Hetherington, the Director of our Early Learning Centre will be on leave for the last three weeks of this term. Mrs Sonja Hartley will extend her current three days of teaching Preschool Possums to five, to cover Jo in her absence. Mrs Melissa McCabe will be taking on Jo’s administrative duties each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We welcome Mrs Alison Hall who will teach Preschool Koalas on these days.

Brain WorkshopsParent workshops about the brain and learning were conducted on Monday and Wednesday this week. Thank you to those Year 1 parents who attended. Information discussed included the structure of the brain and how stress, music, smells and routine can all impact a child’s ability to learn or commit learning to memory. Parents dissected a sheep’s brain and also learnt various strategies that can be used to assist their children to be ready for optimal learning. All enjoyed the sessions and hopefully parents gained a few insights into the strategies teachers use at Lindisfarne to promote brain compatible learning.

Turning Circle Pick Up ProceduresWe have many new families who are now using the turning circle pick up system each afternoon, therefore I have included the procedures for this process below:Parents wishing to collect their children using the pick up system join the line of cars waiting on the left hand side of Sunshine Avenue. As their car approaches the entrance to the turning circle area, a teacher will ask for the names of the child/ren they are collecting. This teacher will communicate this to the teacher on duty within the School gate, who will in turn call the child’s name. The child will then wait just outside the gate for the teacher on duty there to walk them

Coming Events: Friday 16 March• Kindergarten Swimming Program• Fitzpatrick Shield Hockey Years

3-6• Stage 3 Swimming Lessons• Little Learners TourSaturday 17 March• Japanese Homestay Students

leave• TNA Club Officials Information DayThursday 22 March• NSWCIS Primary Swimming

Championships• Chapel - 3B 11:30 am, 4J 12:00

pm, 1T 1:30 pm, 2M 2:00 pm, Kindergarten 2.30 pm

Friday 23 March• Year 2 Campout• Kindergarten Swimming Program• Stage 3 Swimming LessonsSaturday 24 March• TNA Grading Day Number 1• Year 2 CampoutSunday 25 March• Chapel - Mahers Lane - 9 amTuesday 27 March• Rugby League Challenge - Years

3-6Wednesday 28 March• Kindergarten Literacy EveningThursday 29 March• FUN Swimming Carnival - Years

K-2Friday 30 March• Stage 3 Swimming Lessons

2013 Sibling EnrolmentsWe are in the process of commencing the enrolment interviews for 2013. If you have another child you would like to enrol for 2013 please complete the Enrolment Application Form (available from the Enrolments tab on the School website) and return it to the School.

Over the past few newsletters I have included information regarding building resilience in children. These articles were in response to conversations with parents. Through the fortnightly Primary newsletter, I would like to include information that addresses specific needs of our Lindisfarne parents; therefore I encourage you to communicate topic ideas to me via one of the following channels:

• Email : mchandler@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

• Suggestion Box: at Sunshine Avenue Administration Office

• Note in your child’s diary

• In person with myself or through your child’s teacherI look forward to hearing from you.

to their car. Parents are to remain in the car at all times. The teacher on duty will assist with seat belts and bags if needed. If all parents follow these procedures the line of traffic is cleared by 3:15pm. Please note any child not collected by 3:30 pm will be sent to After School Care and fees will apply.

Morning ProceduresParents who use the turning circle area for dropping their children at school in the morning are also asked to remain in their cars. Children should have their school bag ready and after saying a quick farewell to their parents, exit the car unassisted and walk directly into the School grounds via the front gate. Parents with children requiring assistance to gather their belongings, alight the car and enter the School gate, need to park elsewhere in order to do this. By adhering to these procedures constant flow of traffic is maintained.

Kindergarten - Year 2 Fun Swimming CarnivalThe K-2 Fun Swimming Carnival is an exciting event that students in the Early Years enjoy. This year the carnival will be held at Kingscliff Pool on Thursday 29 March. The P&F will be preparing a sausage sizzle for lunch on the day as a fundraiser. Order forms for this along with permission notes have been sent home this week.

Year 2 – Campout With KidsYear 2 students have been learning about “Families – Past and Present” this term. As a culmination of this unit they will be camping out with a parent on the School oval on Friday 23 March. The campout is an opportunity for parents to celebrate quality one on one time with their child as well as strengthen family relationships and teach positive parenting skills. Many thanks to the P&F Association for generously providing the food for this exciting event.

Impetigo (School Sores)There have been several cases of Impetigo reported to the Primary School. The following is provided for your information:What is Impetigo? Impetigo is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Impetigo can occur on healthy skin but it often happens when the skin has already been damaged by a scratch or bite.Time from exposure to illness: 1 to 3 days.Symptoms: Small red spots change into blisters that fill up with pus and become yellowish and crusted; usually on the face, hands or scalp. There can be small spots around the first spots, spreading outwards. Impetigo is usually itchy.Do I need to keep my child home? Yes, until treatment has commenced with antibiotic medicine or ointment prescribed by a doctor. Sores must be covered with watertight dressings when the child returns to school.How can I prevent spread? Careful hand washing. Also, try to prevent scratching of the sores as much as possible, e.g. keep sores covered and cut fingernails short.Michele Chandler, Assistant Principal - Head of Primary

Clean Up Schools’ DayOn Friday 2 March, Year 4 Eco Rangers participated in the Clean Up Schools’ Day challenge. The three classes, parent helpers and teachers spread out across Arkinstall Park and the back creek in a bid to do their bit to rid the world of rubbish. We found all sorts of stuff including McDonalds packaging, plastic bags, odd shoes, cans and fragments of glass bottles. It was a stinking hot day but that didn’t dampen our spirits… just our shirts. Please think before you litter and put it in the bin. Recycle what can be recycled, it will make a world of difference.

Erin Collins and Ben Wright, Year 4 Eco Rangers

On Friday 2 March, Eco Rangers from 4J, 4P and 4O went to Arkinstall Park near the Junior School to clean up for Clean Up Australia Day. They found not only plastic bags, but also large pieces of rubbish like bikes, vacuum cleaners and even a tent! Thank you to the parents who gave up their spare time to help make Australia clean.

Reporter in training Ethan Robins 4J

Primary Leadership CeremonyYesterday our Primary Leaders were presented with their badges of leadership at the Mahers Lane Assembly. A sincere thank you to the parents of the leaders who were able to join with us for this very important occasion. Congratulations go to our Primary Prefects:Charles Davey Grace Murphy Ria WurteleChris WellsAnd to our House Captains:Jarrah O'Connell Lilli Dowker Wil CollinsAmy McEwen Joe Engel Holly OttoSophie McPhail Fraser Crane

Stage 3 Learning Collage

Sports NewsSwimmingAn incredible 24 Primary students have qualified for and will compete in the NSWCIS Primary Swimming Championships in Sydney on Thursday 22 March. Congratulations to: Ebony Richards Mia Collins Olivia CollinsEllie Engel Jordan Wilson Eva KearneyLily Rodgers Lilli Dowker Conor McDowellIndiana Marshall Stella Rafter Phillipa RiordanEmily Davies Kipp Thrupp Elliot DowkerJack Sparke Isaac Outridge Samuel GrattonJack Bennetts Luke Hewitt Lachlan HallardZachari Lawrence-Hamden Madeleine McCloskeyBailey Copeland.Best of luck in Sydney.

Casuarina Cup and ShieldCongratulations to our Lindisfarne U12's Rugby Union team who won the Casuarina Cup on Wednesday. They played brilliantly all day and were undefeated in 6 games against local schools Pottsville 20-0, St. Anthony's A 15-0, Bogangar 25-0, St. Anthony's B 30-0, Kingscliff and Mt. St. Patrick's. A huge thank you to Mr Brian Kenny and Samuel Dick for coaching the team

and their dedication, time and expertise. Players were:Lachlan Hallard Luke Hewitt Oliver LindleyTom Armstrong Jett Bevacqua Tom HenryJedd Wilson Fred Fewtrell Bek JenkinsRiley Small Oliver Conroy Finn KennyConor McDowell Joseph Sandor Jack Sterne. The Casuarina Shield U10's division was hotly contested by Lindisfarne Blue, Lindisfarne Gold, St. Anthony's, Bogangar and Kingscliff, with Lindisfarne Blue finishing with 2 wins, a draw and just 1 loss, finishing as Runners-Up for the day to St. Anthony's. Our Lindisfarne Gold team also played extremely well, finishing the day with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses. A huge thank you to our coaches Ben Raksts and John Russell for their time, dedication and expertise. Lindisfarne Blue: Coach Ben RakstsLogan Crouch Elliot Dowker Nathan RakstsQuinn Butel Brodie Copeland Flynn CurtisNathaniel Bryant Jye Conquest Bryn RichardsMackenzie Ebbott Kodey Edgar-FarrellRyan SimpkinsLindisfarne Gold: Coach John RussellFletcher Koppel Jayden O'Rourke Billy PatersonBailey Gadd Louis Chabert Joshua MillsJacob Sands Will Edwards Harry GhusnSamuel Russell Gus Edwards Isaac OutridgeThank you to the numerous supporters we had on the day. It was an awesome day with 39 very happy but exhausted boys. Thank you to Noel Mather and the whole Casuarina Rugby Club for once again putting on a fantastic day for all players and families.

Tweed Coast Junior Touch Association.Les and Ellen Patience have decided after 10 years to stand down from the their positions from the Tweed Coast Junior Touch Association. We are looking for anyone interested in taking on the position in running this competition, all assistance given will maintain the current status of this successful competit ion. Without people to continue the administration, this competition may cease to exist which is a shame for the kids of the Tweed Coast.If interested please contact Les on 0414 180 525

Kallalu Art KidsCome down to Kingscliff and join in the fun at The Australian Longboard Surfing Open.The unique location at Kingscliff offers great space for the kids to have colourful fun doing some art to make the whole day more memorable.This year we are doing fun art with t-shirts. There will be different techniques for different ages and skills. For $10 (discount for siblings) the kids will go home with their own hand painted/tie dyed t-shirt or whatever they have transformed their t-shirt into.

Look for the KALLALU ART KIDS tent at Cudgen Surf Club on Saturday 24 March and Sunday 25 March from 10:00 am.

A thermos was picked up from the NCIS Swimming day in Lismore and returned to Lindisfarne. Please contact the School to arrange collection.

Our last Triple P Parenting topic to be presented was ‘Raising Resilient Children’.These were the take home messages:

• Coping with emotions is important for happiness, wellbeing and success in life.

• Help your child recognise, understand and accept feelings.

• Encourage your child to express feelings in appropriate ways.

• Help your child develop a positive outlook.

• Teach your child coping skills.

• Help your child learn to deal with negative feelings and cope with stressful events.

Over the past two weeks the children in the Preschool Possums Room have been very interested in making a restaurant.

The children have been busy making menus and order books, making dough for pizzas and being amazing waiters. This week we made spaghetti in our cooking time and then the whole class pretended we were at a restaurant and sat down and ate together. It was lots of fun.

On Fridays, the Kindergarten children have participated in a swimming program which has been fun and provided children with valuable skills in water safety .Swimming lessons help children become more confident in the water and this can contribute to their physical, emotional and social development.It has been exciting to see the children enjoying these lessons and wonderful to see them advance through the stages , demonstrating more confidence and ability to move in the water.For the more able swimmers, the instructors have helped children develop their stroke and technique.We are half way through our swimming program and the Kindergarten teachers would like to thank the dedicated parents who have helped with dressing children before and after swimming.