8 August, 2016

The Tell Them From Me student feedback survey

I am delighted that this term, our school, like many other public schools in the state, will

participate in a Department of Education initiative: the Tell Them From Me student

feedback survey. The survey aims to help improve student learning outcomes and

measures factors that are known to affect academic achievement and other student

outcomes. The focus of the NSW-wide survey is on student wellbeing, engagement and

effective teaching practices.

You may remember that our students also participated in a Tell Them From Me student

survey in Term 1 this year. Asking students to complete the survey twice in one year

allows us to identify trends in student responses as well as track engagement and

motivation across the school year.

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/

information-for-parents

The survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide us with valuable and quick

feedback on what they think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the

different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world

have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help improve how they do things at school.

I want to assure you that the survey is confidential. The survey is conducted online and

will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during school

hours between 22 August and 21 October. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary.

A consent form and FAQs for parents/carers about the survey is being sent home with

students. If you do not want your child or children to participate, please return the form to

school by Friday 19th August, 2016 Copies of the form and FAQs are available from the

website above.

The Partners in Learning parent feedback survey

This Term, our school will be participating in the Partners in Learning parent survey,

another part of the Tell Them From Me suite of surveys (student, teacher and parent

surveys) on student engagement. The survey asks parents and carers questions about

different factors that are known to impact on student wellbeing and engagement.

Running this survey will help our school understand parents’ and carers’ perspectives on

their child’s experience at school. These include: communication between parents/carers

and staff, activities and practices at home and parent/carer views on the school's support

of learning and behaviour. This valuable feedback will help our school make practical

improvements.

The survey is conducted entirely online at home or on public computers. The survey will

typically take 15 minutes or less to complete and is completely confidential. The parent

survey will be conducted between 22 August and 21 October. Participating in the survey is

entirely voluntary, however, your responses are very much appreciated.

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/

information-for-parents

Kiss and Drop Zone - Important Information

The Edensor Park Public School Kiss and Drop zone has been extended on Swan Rd.

Please be aware of the new signage. It is all part of making the school safe, not only

the community, but for our students.

P&C Annual General Meeting

On Thursday 11th August, at 1:40pm, in the School Library, the Edensor Park Public

School P&C will be holding their AGM (Annual General Meeting). We would love to see

you there to become members of our vibrant P&C committee. I look forward to seeing

you on Thursday.

K C Zayan, Leo

K N Isabelle, Sahvahniya

1W Lilah, Sarah

1M Emerson, Thaisrattra

2T Linkyn, Jonathan

2/3W Xanthea, Cherbel

3K Jacob, Justin

3/4D Thomas, Amos

4K Luka, Johnathon

5R Leila, Shayleah

5/6C Danijela, Joshua C

5/6H Rosalinda, Matthew

K C Jena

K N Brandon

1W Abdul

1M Odisho

2T Atunaisa

2/3W Jamie

3/4D Gloria

4K Eva

5R Joseph

5/6C Sabreen

5/6H Stefan

K C Biblina

K N Taim

1W Lorelei

1M Paris

2T Carmen

2/3W Bailey

3K Julian

3/4D Amanda

4K Emily

5R Nina

5/6C Jesse

5/6H Hannah

A huge thank you to all the parents and caregivers who attended last weeks Education

Week activities at Edensor Park Public School. It is always wonderful to see you here at the

school, and taking part in the activities which happen here.

Also, thank you to Miss Moi for the overall organising and Miss Hayes for all your hardwork

in preparing the assembly. Thank you to Miss Angileri’s dance group - such talent! Thank

you to Mrs Spaller and Signora Wiecek for organising ‘Around The World At Edensor’.

Thank you to the teachers’ for all you effort in preparing the your students and your class-

rooms for the week. You always go above and beyond the call of duty, and last week was

no exception!

Lastly, thank you to all the students. Your behaviour was exceptional. The way that you

portrayed the Edensor Park spirit, was lovely to see. I would expect nothing else. Well

done to all the Award recipients. Congratulations, you deserve your awards!

The theme for Education Week 2016 was ‘Shared Stories, better learning, stronger com-

munities’. It was a week where we celebrated all the good things that take place in public

education, particularly all the wonderful things that make Edensor Park so special.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela once said: ‘Education is the most powerful

weapon which you can use to change the world’. Words, I think, that we need to abide by.

I hope that you all had a wonderful week!

Students at EPPS were treated to an Around the World tour experiencing cultural traditions, arts, craft, dancing, music, famous landmarks and unique scents. Students travelled to Jamaica, Japan, South Africa, Fiji, England, Spain, Vietnam, Italy, China, Australia, India, Brazil, Egypt and Mexico without the jetlag. Using individual passports to enter new countries, it was a condition of entry and departure that a new fact was learnt whilst touring.

Students were extremely well behaved and showed respect and responsibility when travelling the world towards other students, parents and teachers. Well done students and teachers for mak-

Congratulations to the winners

of the Education Week Colouring

-in competition. Student’s art

work represented the various

cultural stories and people that

cover the globe. Their work is

now displayed in the front office.

Recounts By 3/4D

The Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, 26th July our school went to Bosnjak Oval. We had to walk to Bosnjak Oval

for the Athletics Carnival.

First we had to be at school by 8:30am. Miss Theo marked the roll and we walked to

Bosnjak Oval. When we got there we had to get into our age groups. I went in the 9

year old girls group. First we went with Miss Hayes, which was the 100 metre race and

I came first.

After that we went to Mrs Samson, which was discus. It was hard and it was a heavy

circle. Then when I finished my turn, I ate some of my recess.

Next we went to Miss Dayman, which was shot put and that is a heavy ball. It was even

harder to do. Then when we finished we ate the rest of our recess.

Then we went next to Mr K. He played touch football and I was the attacker. Marilyn

tapped me and when we finished we went to the next activity.

After that, we went Oz Tag and I was on the yellow team. We won the first game. Then

we played another game and we won again. Later I changed teams and I was on the

red team and we won. Then we had to go and eat lunch.

Next we went to Mr Ramirez, which was the 200 metre race, and I came first. Then we

had a fun one and I came second.

Finally when we finished all the activities we walked back to Edensor Park Public School.

We went back to class and relaxed and waited for the bell to ring. Then we went home.

By Amanda

The Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, 26th July Edensor Park Public School went to Bosnjak Oval to have our

Athletics Carnival.

First my class got ready to go to Bosnjak Oval with Miss Theo. It took us 10 minutes to

get there. When we got there we went into our house colours. Blue was for Bossley, red

for Abbott, yellow for Jamison and green for Wylde.

Then we got into our ages. I went in the 10 year old boys group. Our first activity was

Oz Tag. Our second activity was long jump. Our third activity was the 200m race and I

came 3rd.

Next we had our recess. After recess we went with Mrs Bendit.

After that we went to do noughts and crosses with Miss Aboui. When we finished we

went to the 100m race, and I came 3rd again. After that we went to discus with Mrs

Sansom.

When we finished discus, we went to play shot put with Miss Dayman. Then we went to

play touch football with Mr K.

Later we had our lunch and we went back to school with Miss Theo. When I got home I

was so tired that I sat on my couch and fell asleep straight away.

By Dat

The Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, 26th July Edensor Park Public School had their Athletics Carnival. First the

teachers marked the rolls. Then we walked to Bosnjak Oval.

When we arrived at Bosnjak Oval we got into our teams. Then the teachers told us to

cheer. There were 4 groups. Jamison got the most points for cheering, I am in the

team called Abbott.

Next the teachers told each age group to go to a different activity. My first activity was

discus. We had to throw a 200 gram discus. I only threw 13 m.

After that the bell rang so we moved to the next activity. My age group went to shot

put. This was where we had to throw a 2 kg ball. It was heavy and I didn’t make it.

When everybody finished we had a break. I had a chocolate milk box and a Jack fruit.

Then my age group went to Mr K. We played touch football. I was an attacker. I didn’t

manage to score a try. When everybody finished being an attacker or defender we

switched. Julian and I went onto field. Julian tackled the opponent twice, but I only

tapped them once. I almost missed, but I made it. Next we played Oz Tag. There were

2 teams. There was the red team and the yellow team. I was in the yellow team. When

we played I was unstoppable for most of the time until Anthony tagged me. Then it

was time for lunch. I had a sandwich. After I finished my sandwich I played a quick

came of silent ball.

After that it was the 200m race. I run fast but Albert over took me in the middle.

However, I beat him in the end, because I came 4th and Albert came 5th. After that it

was long jump. Josh made it to zone but I didn’t. Next we played a game like baseball

with Mrs Bendit. My team almost made it but we didn’t win. Then it was noughts and

crosses and again the other team won. After that it was the 100m race. I versed Josh

and Anthony. Josh came 1st, Anthony came 2nd, and I came 3rd, but it was a fun race.

Finally every activity was finished so we grabbed our things and went back to school. It

was the BEST athletics carnival that I have been to. By Richard

The Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, 26th July the whole school went to the athletics carnival at Bosnjak Oval.

Miss Theo walked us down to the athletics carnival. Then we went into our house

groups. My house is ABBOTT!

Our first event was discus with Mrs Sansom. I threw the discus 1 metre. I didn`t

qualify. Next we went to shot put with Miss Dayman. I threw the shot put 1.70 metres

but I fouled. Miss Dayman said I could have another go and I threw the ball 1.90

metres.

Next I went to Mr K. We played touch football. First it was Anthony and myself vs

Darcy and Thomas. I scored the first try. After touch football we went to Oz Tag with

Miss Angileri. After Oz Tag we did Long jump. On my first attempt I qualified for long

jump at zone. On my second attempt I hurt my back. After long jump it was lunch.

After lunch we did the 200m race and I came first. After the 200m race we played

noughts and crosses and the orange team won.

After noughts and crosses we went to baseball. It was great fun. After that we did the

100 m race. I came first. Finally the whole school lined up and went back to school. We

waited for the bell. The bell rang and we all went home.

By Joshua

The Athletics Carnival

On 26th

July Edensor Park Public School had their athletics carnival. We had a little a quick cheer

contest and then we got into our age groups

First, we went with Miss Angileri. We played OZ Tag for 10 minutes and then we played Bullrush.

The rules for both games were explained. Both games were fun.

Next, we went to long jump with Mr West. He told us the rules. Then five by five we went. When eve-

ryone had a turn we went down to Mr Ramirez.

When we went to Mr Ramirez we had the 200m race. We started running fast. I came third and it

might have qualified for the zone carnival.

Then, we went with Mrs Bendit. We played a game called the Ball Race. It was fun. Basically we had

to do two laps around a team that had to throw the ball around the circle until it reached the first

person back in the circle.

After that, we played a game called noughts and crosses. It’s like tic tac toe, but it included run-

ning.

When we got back to school and we did some meditation for a few minutes. After that it was home

time. It was such a great day at the athletics carnival. I was so tired that a fell asleep for a few

minutes in the car.

By Dominic

We are excited to say we have been doing many exciting and interesting things

over the past few weeks...

Firstly, our Assembly item, which was based on the Ancient Greek Olympics. We

laughed so hard at the mistakes we made during the performance. Namely, a

chariot that disintegrated before Nathan's eyes and made the audience laugh be-

cause they thought it was part of the script.

And, who could forget when the sound went off due to Kye tripping over the

cord plugged into Mrs Curcio's iPhone! All we could hear was 'oops' followed by

'did you smash my phone?' ... followed by Mrs Curcio sighing a sigh of relief and

plugging the music back in.

At the end of day, we all practised hard and it paid off on the day. We smiled and

laughed afterwards and felt really good about our performance and effort.

Secondly, we turned our room into Jamaica for Education Week with the help of

Miss Angileri!!! We had red, green, black and yellow hanging from every corner,

Bob Marley music blaring and a running track set up outside our room to see if

anyone could run faster than Usain Bolt!!! Some kids came close on the

day....namely Luis and Daniella in 5/6H, (not us), so we will move on from that

quickly..haha

Thirdly, we have just started learning about 'Growth Mindset' and the benefits

of changing the way we think about our intelligence and learning.

We started by watching the new Nike ads that are designed around 'Unlimited

Future' themes. Our absolute favourite was the 'Future Baby' commercial,

which you can watch on Youtube by searching 'Nike An Unlimited Future

Baby Commercial 2016'. We actually watched it 3 or 4 times if truth be told.

Partly because we wanted to, partly because Mrs Curcio just couldn't help

herself and made us watch it again.

We have posters in our room now to remind ourselves to change our thinking

and mindsets.

In the past we may have thought or said...

"This is too hard" "I can't do this" "I don't feel like it" "This stinks"

'I'm too dumb" "I hate this subject" "I'll never be good at this"

But now we are going to try and encourage ourselves and others to think the

following....

"Oops, I made a mistake, I'll fix it" "I can do hard things" "I'll try

again"

"I believe I can do this" "My brain can do this" "I want to learn"

"I won't give up" "I'll try my best"

We're hoping it makes a big impact on our learning and helps us to support

each other when things/ times are tough.....

Miss Moi’s Musings Many schools around the world have started to incorporate mindfulness

practices within their daily routine. A study published by Oxford University

in 2013 looked at 273 participants and concluded that taking a 4 week,

10 session online mindfulness course reduced:

Anxiety - 58%

Depression – 57%

Stress – 40%

What are the benefits of Mindfulness?

Stimulates a significant increase in the density of grey matter in the

hippocampus which is important for learning.

Increases the density of grey matter in other neural structures

associated with self – awareness, compassion and introspection.

Relieves: stress, depression and anxiety.

Promotes Alpha brain waves, to enhance creativity.

Lowers blood pressure.

Improves chronic pain, sleep, capacity to deal with stress and ability

to form deeper connections with others.

Boosts immune functions.

Increases concentration.

The purpose of teaching mindfulness to our children is:

to give them skills to develop their awareness of their inner and outer

experiences.

to recognise their thoughts as “just thoughts.”

to understand how emotions manifest in their bodies.

to recognise when their attention has wandered.

to improve learning and memory.

to provide tools for impulse control.

Here are two quick mindfulness activities you can try with your family.

Body Scan Meditation Set aside a time and place in your day where you can sit comfortably

and you won’t be distracted or disturbed.

Find a comfortable but attentive seated position ( so you won’t fall

asleep), close your eyes and bring your attention to your toes.

Working up from your toes, bring awareness to each body part in turn,

your feet, ankles, calves, knees etc. up to your head.

Here is a way

to help your

young

children

practise

mindful

breathing

during their

day.

If you or your children have trouble concentrating on mindful breathing

or meditation, (both these activities need some practise to master), you

can use the mindful colouring books that are so popular now. I know

your first thought is as if I have time for that!!! I do

understand, however, even if you sit

down for five minutes and that is truly

all it takes a day, you will feel the ben-

efits in the long term.

Have a mindful week!

We read a lovely book about feelings today and then discussed what makes our heart happy!

Today we learnt all about the letter g and made cute

giraffes out of the letter g!

This week was all about the letter h. How cute are our h horses.

The Poppets are getting really good at their counting and one to one cor-

respondence!

Google Play Store

Synergy Web Design

Apple Store

Matthew Becker

Our School now has a new app for the iPhone and Android phones. The new App will continue to help us communicate more effectively with you, our community, and we ask all parents to install it. To install: Search for our school name "Edensor Park Public School"

in either the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. In the Apple App store the app will be under Matthew Becker. In the Google Play Store, the app will be under Synergy Web

Design. Newsletters, notes, upcoming events and updates will be placed onto the app. This is an essential app to ensure you know what is happening in the school, particularly if notes go missing from school bags!

PLEASE PHONE

1300 880 021

TO REPORT ANY SECURITY INCIDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL

Edensor Park Public School Cnr Swan & Gwandalan Roads, Edensor Park, NSW 2176

Ph: 9823 5111 * Fax: 9823 7828 Website: www.edensorpk-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Email: edensorpk-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Week 4 10th Aug - 12th Aug: Year 5/6 Camp Narrabeen 10th Aug: Poppets - 9:00am till 10:30am 10th Aug: Assembly @ 1:40pm 2/3W & Italian 11th Aug: P&C AGM @ 1:40pm in Library 12th Aug: PSSA Junior Soccer ONLY Week 5 16th Aug: ICAS Mathematics Competition 16th Aug: SRC Crunch & Sip - Orange sampling 8:30am 17th Aug: Kindergarten Farm Incursion 17th Aug: Poppets - 9am till 10:30am 18th Aug: Waste & Our Environment Excursion 1M, 1W, 2T and 2W