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BULAHDELAH CENTRAL SCHOOL

A PRIDE School Strive to Achieve Term 2 Week 2 Issue 6 27th April, 2015

Strive to Achieve

BULAHDELAH CENTRAL SCHOOL

A PRIDE School

Strive to Achieve Term 1 Week 4 Issue 2 18th February, 2013

BULAHDELAH CENTRAL SCHOOL

A PRIDE School

Strive to Achieve Term 1 Week 4 Issue 2 18th February, 2013

GREAT NEWS INSIDE * ANZAC Assembly

* HPV School Vaccinations

* P&C Meeting 11th

May Bulahdelah

* Easter Hat Parade

* Maths Faculty News

* TAS Faculty News

* Maitland Floods 1955 - 2015

BCS SCHOOL PROGRAMS VALUE OF THE WEEK Participation. We promote participation & school spirit in an environment that values the participation of students, staff & the wider community. Are you actively involved in the life of the school?

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Welcome back to Term 2!

It has been somewhat of an

interrupted beginning to the term with the huge storms of early last week and the associated problems with flooding, damage to property and transport. I hope that you all have come through the event relatively unscathed. I know that there will be cleaning up and restoration happening, over the next few weeks, in many communities around the district. We were very fortunate, here at school, to be without power for only one day. We sustained very little storm damage, here at school, for which I am very grateful. I would like to thank parents for your cooperation in keeping students at home when it would have been unsafe to send them to school. I would also like to thank my teaching staff for their cooperation and flexibility in changing routines when student numbers were down and when we had no power. I would also like to thank the office staff for fielding numerous calls and handling the many enquiries and paperwork associated with the disruptions. Everyone pulled together to ensure that students were supervised and safe. Numbers grew steadily throughout the week and it is anticipated that student numbers will be back to normal by the beginning of Week 2. As expected, some student assessment tasks have had to be postponed until later in the term. Please check with your child to confirm any changes of dates for assignments and/or assessment tasks. We have tried to keep disruption, to learning, to a minimum, whilst ensuring that no student misses out on the opportunity to hand in assignments and assessments. I would like to congratulate the staff members, of the English/CAPA (Creative & Performing Arts) faculty, responsible for organising and coordinating last Friday’s formal assembly, which incorporated the ANZAC commemoration service. It was a beautiful, moving and very fitting tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign.

From the images on the screen, to the student recounts, the beautiful choral items, the special address, by Art Brown, the poppies, and to the Last Post and Reveille, the assembly was a magnificent commemoration, which you should all feel proud of. The students’ behaviour was exemplary and our special guests were most impressed by the entire event, with many positive comments being made to me at the conclusion of the assembly. One of the special guests commented, “That was the best ANZAC assembly I have been to here at the school. Congratulations to the staff and students on a wonderful assembly; it’s a credit to you.” What a glowing endorsement of our staff, our students and our school. And, this man has been to many, many of these assemblies at our school. The formation of the word ANZAC, on the hill (pictured on the front page), at the conclusion of the assembly, was a brilliant way to end. This involved students, staff, parents and guests. After such a sad start to the week, I couldn’t think of a better way to end the week; on a high note, with feelings of hope, vision, courage, resilience and a collective purpose. Thanks everyone! Over the next 5 newsletters I am going to share 10 ways for parents to help teachers help their children learn. I will share two tips per newsletter. Here we go: 1. Create a smooth take-off each day. Get

organised the night before. Give your children a hug before they leave the house and you head to work. Tell them how proud you are of them. Your children’s self-confidence and sense of security will help them to do well both in school and in life. A positive, happy start is the best foundation for the day at school.

2. Prepare for a happy reunion at the end of the day. Create predictable rituals such as 10-20 minutes listening to your children talk about their day over an after school snack; before you check phone messages, read the mail or begin dinner. This is truly quality time when your children know your attention is focused on them and they can count on you every day after school.

REL. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

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Information packs and parent consent forms have been issued to students to be taken home. Parent consent forms are required to be returned to the BCS front office by Monday 1st May. YEAR 7 DTPa vaccine includes protection against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough and is your child’s first adolescent booster. This dose is in addition to the DTPa vaccines given during childhood. HPV vaccine is only offered in Year 7 Varicella vaccine (against chickenpox) is for children who have not been previously vaccinated or had the disease. However, 2 doses of varicella vaccine can be safely administered.

Year 7 students will receive their first vaccination dose on Thursday 7th May in the student support centre. Further vaccinations will then be provided to Year 7 students in Terms 3 and 4. YEAR 11-12 students A single dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) will be offered – please check how many doses of MMR vaccine (called MMRII or Priorix) your child has received by checking their baby vaccination book (blue book) or contacting Medicare on 1800 653 809. DO NOT COMPLETE THE CONSENT FORM if they have evidence of two previous doses. Year 11 and 12 students will receive a 'catch up' vaccination if required in Term 3 on Thursday 23rd July. If you have not received an information pack and consent form please contact Mr Jones - Head Teacher Welfare at the school. What happens if a student misses a dose? – They will be caught up at the next clinic – you do not need to do anything. A RECORD OF VACCINATION CARD - will be provided to each student vaccinated at each clinic. Parents/guardians should ensure that this record is kept for future reference. A request for a duplicate record of vaccination is required in writing and will incur a fee of $33.00.

May 1 Yrs9,10&11 Tocal Field Day

6 Sec. Athletics Carnival

8 Sec. Reg. X Country

11 P&C Bulahdelah 3.30pm

12-14 NAPLAN Exams

15 Yr6 Uni Discovery Day

25-29 Taree Eisteddfod

26 Duncan Ball Author Visit

29 Yrs11&12 Singleton HSC Seminar Day

June 15 P&C Tea Gardens 3.45pm

IMPORTANT DATES:

FREE VACCINATION PROGRAM YEARS 7, 11 & 12:

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REL. DEPUTY PRI. PRINCIPAL:

It has been a difficult start to the term for many of our staff, students

and their families and community members with the tumultuous weather

events that we have been experiencing over the past week. In times of adversity, it has been enlightening to see the bonding and helpfulness of neighbours and friends and also from those who are complete strangers. Over and over again I am in awe of the dedication from our emergency workers; the endless hours of selfless contribution to our community which we often overlook or forget to applaud. So, thank you on behalf of our school community to anyone who has contributed to making this time a little easier for someone in greater need. I would also like to remember those who have lost loved ones or who have experienced damage and loss to property and stock. Classes here in the Primary Department are almost back to normal operation with numbers much stronger than they were earlier in the week. I would like to extend a warm welcome to several new staff members. Mrs Jackie O’Connell (2/3OC) is replacing Miss Hayley Adam whilst she is on maternity leave, Miss Linda Ottignon (2O) is replacing Mr Backhouse whilst he is on leave, leading into retirement, Miss Alex Wills is filling the relief from face-to-face position and Miss April Ward is replacing me with Kindergarten whilst I am filling the relieving Deputy Principal role. I am looking forward to working with our new team.

Congratulations to Mrs Sonia McDonald and Mr Warren Gibbs who will be relieving Assistant Principals, and to Mrs Sally Graham who is relieving Principal for the term.

On Friday 24th April we had a 100 year Commemorative ANZAC Ceremony with students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Classes have ensured students have an understanding of the importance of remembering our fallen men and women.

Year 6 students have been given their ‘Discover Uni Day’ notes. It is expected that all students will attend. Please return notes to the front office as soon as possible, as the University requires confirmation of numbers well before the event.

The Stage 2 Great Aussie Bush Camp was scheduled for last week. Due to the inclement conditions it has had to be postponed. The bush camp staff are working hard to ensure everything is in top condition and will reschedule the camp as soon as possible. We are confident that we will be able to secure a booking later this term.

NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5 will be during Week 4 of this term (12th – 15th May). It is important that students attend school during this period so I urge parents to please check that students are not booked for appointments during this time. Thank you for your understanding in this.

Finally, I would like to provide a little advance warning that the Primary Department will be holding a “Grandparents’ and Friends’ Day” on Friday 5th June. An information letter and invitations will be sent out well before the event. We encourage you to save the date and join your children/grandchildren/friends for some fun at school. Thank you, Carol Wills.

Dates for P&C Meeting Term 2:

Monday 11th May 3.30pm Bulahdelah

Monday 15th June 3.45pm Tea Gardens

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Term 1 ended with the traditional Easter Hat Parade. I am amazed each year at the number of parents, family members and friends who turn out in force to witness this colourful and significant event. I think it’s wonderful and would like to thank you for your support and efforts in constructing the hats for your child/ren.

The hats are always amazing and the students love having you at school. Thanks to the P&C for organising the Easter Raffle, (won by Ros Esgate) which is always well supported. Sally Graham Relieving Principal.

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Borrowing/Returns. Parents/Carers could you please make sure that your children return their library book on these days. The due date of each library book is stamped in the back of the book. Students may also return and borrow books in lunchtimes from Tuesday to Friday.

Library Bags. We would also like to encourage each primary student to have a library bag. This helps to protect the books from food and drink spills in bags and also helps to minimise the loss of books both at school and home.

If your child does not have a library bag the Library has some old “Supre” bags which make excellent library bags.

Scholastic Book Orders. Catalogues for Scholastic come out twice a term. The due date for these orders is stamped on the front of the catalogue and is also advertised in the newsletter. Student orders enable Bulahdelah Central to earn 20% of all sales in reward points which are then used to purchase new resources for the library.

MONDAY: Kinder Year 1 Mrs Wills TUESDAY: Year 1 Mr Gibbs

WEDNESDAY: Year 2/3 Ms O’Connell

Year 5 Mrs McDonald

FRIDAY: Year 2 Miss Ottignon

MONDAY: Kinder Year 1 Mrs Wills TUESDAY: Year 1 Mr Gibbs

WEDNESDAY: Year 2/3 Ms O’Connell

Year 5 Mrs McDonald

FRIDAY: Year 2 Miss Ottignon

MONDAY: Kinder Year 1 Mrs Wills TUESDAY: Year 1 Mr Gibbs

WEDNESDAY: Year 2/3 Ms O’Connell

Year 5 Mrs McDonald

FRIDAY: Year 2 Miss Ottignon

MONDAY: Kinder Year 1 Miss Ward TUESDAY: Year 1 Mr Gibbs

WEDNESDAY: Year 2/3 Mrs O’Connell

Year 5 Mrs McDonald

FRIDAY: Year 2 Miss Ottignon

LIBRARY INFORMATION:

Thursday 7th May

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DEPUTY PRINCIPAL:

Welcome back to Term 2. I trust that students, parents and staff

enjoyed their break with time to rest, socialise, plan ahead and reflect.

Unfortunately we have had a very extraordinary start to the term with the devastating weather conditions hindering all efforts to get back into our studies. Whilst the school itself faired very well it is saddening to report many of our staff and students have not been so fortunate at their homes. I would like to thank the staff, parents and students who have been very accommodating in these trying times as we have been trying to provide a sense of normality. Certainly our thoughts are with our neighbouring schools and their communities as they attempt to deal with, and move on from, several very frightening days. A new term often brings new staff to our school and this one is no different. At the end of last term, Ms Leonie Newton was successful in gaining a position at Great Lakes Campus, Ms Annie Featonby finished her block in English/History and we had to reassess our staffing based on our student numbers. This term Mr Bob McCann (PDH) has taken leave. We thank all these staff members for their diligence, professionalism and expertise and wish them well. New staff members this term include Mr Troy Hawkins (Ms Caro’s position) and Mr Laurence Kelly (Mr McCann’s position). We welcome them to BCS and look forward to including them in our very productive programs. Day one of the term saw all teaching staff involved in training for the new Performance and Development Framework and Building Better Teams. They also spent time reflecting on our new school plan for the next 3 years and considering the milestones required to achieve our very ambitious goals for improving our students’ achievements.

Staff are to be congratulated for their enthusiasm in this area, deciding to start one milestone, regarding meeting structure, from the first day to continue the ongoing success of our plan. I would also like to congratulate and thank the staff and students behind the ANZAC formal assembly last week. The program was very fitting to acknowledge the Centenary of the ANZAC landing. Of course we do have a list of significant events already building for the term, including:

The launch of the Sentral parent and student portal allowing all parents and students access to student records in this system such as reports, attendance and timetables.

Our school captains selection process. This year students will use our new rigorous policy that has been developed and endorsed by staff, students and parents to appoint our new captains for 2015/16. At BCS the serving captains are relieved from their duties at the end of Term 2 so that they can concentrate on their HSC studies for Term 3 each year.

On the 20th May our Leo Club will be chartered and our foundation members inducted. This very prestigious occasion will be held after school on 20th May, combined with our second activity as a club of a ‘Biggest BBQ’ to raise funds for children’s cancer research. This is already building to be a very significant evening with whispers that other Lions Clubs will be sending members to support us and even some Lions Club’s high profile people.

This is also the term that parents will be receiving feedback from the staff regarding their child’s progress in mid-course reports. I encourage parents and staff to have very ‘open’ partnerships to maximise students learning and we hope to see many parents at our Term 2 Parent/Teacher night on 19th May.

Our athletics carnival will be held on the town’s sporting fields on 6th May.

NAPLAN exams will be on during Week 4 starting on 11th May.

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MATHS FACULTY NEWS:

A new term is an opportunity for students to consolidate a positive

Term 1 and a chance for a positive start for students who may have

had a not so good start in Term 1. Years 7 and 9 will have NAPLAN testing in Week 4. Assessment Tasks this term are: Year 7 Weeks 4 and 8 Year 8 Weeks 2 and 8 Year 9 Weeks 3 and 6 Year 10 Weeks 4 and 6 Year 11 Week 6 (Mathematics &

General) Year 12 Mathematics Week 9 General 2 Weeks 3 and 9 General 1 (non ATAR) Week 3 and Assignment due Week 9 Ext 1 Week 8 Study Sheet for Tests We have trialled the use of a study sheet in Term 1 and have found that students like them and are positive about them. The attitude of some students is still, “I don’t care what mark I get” which is disappointing. I am appealing to all parents to take an interest in what your children are doing at school and support them to do as well as they can by having a positive attitude. Attitude starts at home; parents do make a difference.

At our faculty meeting on Day 1 we discussed this and have decided to reward those students who care by giving a mark out of 10 for each student study sheet (Years 7 to 10). It will be included in the assessment task mark. We hope to get all students and parents on board with this initiative. REMINDER: Half yearly assessment marks for Years 7 to 10 will include marks and grades for tests, book work and an effort/attitude mark. PDHPE FACULTY NEWS Assessment tasks coming up are: Year 7 Week 3 Year 8 Week 5 Year 9 Week 8 Year 10 Week 2 Year 11 PDHPE Week 8 SLR Week 4 EEC Week 7 Year 12 PDHPE Week 7 SLR Week 9 EEC Week 10 Years 7 to 10 have an ongoing Athletics Task this term. The next big event for the school is the annual Athletics Carnival which is set to run on Wednesday 6th May. Parents please encourage attendance at and participation in our carnivals. Wayne Holt, Head Teacher Mathematics/PDHPE.

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INTRODUCING ELIZABETH SMITH:

This year we welcome Mrs Elizabeth Smith to the TAS (Technological & Applied Studies) faculty. Mrs Smith is teaching Food Technology, Textiles and Hospitality and brings a wealth of experience with her.

Growing up locally, Mrs Smith lived in Smiths Lakes, attending Pacific Palms Primary School before completing her education at Forster and Taree High Schools. After completing her training at the University of Newcastle, she taught at Tenterfield High School, Broken Hill High School and most recently, 18 years at Tomaree High School. During her career, Mrs Smith’s outstanding skills and knowledge in Hospitality, Food Technology and Textiles have seen her involvement in writing HSC exam papers, HSC marking, as well as writing HSC online resources in Hospitality. Recognised for excellence in Textiles, Mrs Smith was awarded the NSW Premier’s Teachers’ Scholarship to study textiles in India. Now a leader in the field, Mrs Smith regularly returns to India with other teachers, sharing her knowledge and expertise about Indian textiles. With a passion for baking, Mrs Smith is really looking forward to helping students with their baking for this years’ Bulahdelah Show. Welcome Mrs Elizabeth Smith.

Parents, if you have changed any details e.g. your address, mobile phone, home phone or emergency contacts, would you please make sure you let the office know so we are able to keep an

accurate record? It is important for us and your children that we are able to contact you in case of an emergency.

ARE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS UP-TO-DATE?

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MAITLAND FLOODS 1955 & 2015: The Hunter Valley Floods (also known as the Maitland Flood) of February 1955 was a major flood on the Hunter River in New South Wales, Australia. They were one of the most devastating natural disasters in Australia's history. The flood overwhelmed rivers on both sides of the Great Dividing Range, creating an inland sea the size of England and Wales. Worst hit was the inland city of Maitland, sited precariously on low-lying land on the Hunter, which was completely inundated by floodwaters. A total of 25 lives were claimed during a week of flooding that washed away 58 homes and damaged 103 beyond repair. In Maitland alone, 2180 homes were invaded by water. On 23rd February 1955, an extremely intense monsoonal depression developed over southern Queensland and moved southwards.

The very strong and extremely moist northeasterly airflow meant that over the basin of the Hunter and parts of the Darling River, rainfall amounts for a 24-hour period were the highest since instrumental records began around 1885. Around Coonabarabran, as much as 327 millimetres (over 13 inches) fell in a single day, whilst falls in the upper part of the Hunter Basin the following day were generally around 200 millimetres (8 inches). In Maitland the Hunter exceeded its August 1952 record height by nearly a metre, flooding some homes with as much as five metres of muddy water. 15,000 people were evacuated, most by boat or helicopter, whilst 31 homes were never rebuilt.

Maitland Railway Station

High Street

Maitland

Low lying Maitland area

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“Falling trees and flash flooding brought Maitland to a standstill on Tuesday as torrential rain and gale-force winds battered the city. Many people skipped work to bunker down at home as more than 245mm of rain fell before 9am. Tocal weather station recorded more than 377mm of rain between midnight on Monday and 3.30pm yesterday. Maitland was cut off from various towns around the valley as floodwater cut Tocal Road near Tocal Agricultural College and inundated Wollombi Road at the Farley railway underpass.

The Hunter Expressway and parts of the New England Highway at East Maitland, Branxton and Greta, were cut. Most businesses were closed for the day. Trees were uprooted and flash-flooding had hit East Maitland, Rutherford and Oakhampton by mid-morning. The State Emergency Service warned the Hunter River would rise to the Belmore Bridge and the flood level would hit 8.9metres by 3am on Wednesday.” Newcastle Herald 24th April.

Dungog The boulevard at Hawks Nest

Maitland, New England Highway

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DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN:

Sharyn Primrose is the Dentist at the Bulahdelah Dental Clinic and it is her aim to make dentistry affordable and accessible to the community. She has a strong background in children’s dentistry choosing to work in remote rural areas, with aboriginal health services and most recently as a senior clinician at Queanbeyan Hospital. Sharyn’s role is to provide oral health care to the medically compromised, special needs and complex care cases within the Southern local health district.

The surgery will be bulk billing all children who are eligible for the Medicare Child Dental Benefit Scheme. Anyone who is not sure if they are eligible can simply go in and ask and the secretary will check with Medicare. Sharyn would like the community to feel free to drop in and discuss any oral health concerns you may have. A free consultation clinic will also be running. She is living at the old Doctor’s residence, located in Stroud Street and is available for after hour emergency appointments. Sharyn is very excited about becoming part of the community. Contact phone number is 4997 4442.

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.

Friday 22nd May 2015

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Senior students ONLY are required to order and pre-pay for checked shift/dress. Orders and payment will be accepted via the Front Office. Please note it will take up to 6 weeks for delivery. All senior sizes 10-22 $55.00

Size 14 16 18 20

Bust 85cm 90cm 95cm 100cm

Waist 75cm 80cm 85cm 90cm

Hips 90cm 95cm 100cm 105cm

Size 14 16 18 20

Bust 85cm 90cm 95cm 100cm

Waist 75cm 80cm 85cm 90cm

Hips 90cm 95cm 100cm 105cm

A strawberry is the

only fruit which the

seeds grow on the

outside.

UNIFORM UPDATE: Friday 22nd May 2015

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P&C Meetings : 11th May 3.30pm Bul. & 15th June 3.45pm T. Gardens

Next Newsletters for Term 2: 11th & 25th May; 9th & 22nd June

End of Term 2: 26th June

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bulahdelah-Central-School/1422587698030518

http://www.bulahdelah-c.schools.nsw.edu.au

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can

change the world.” Malala Yousafzai

Wednesday 6th May Sec. Athletics Carnival