Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Dear Parents and Friends of SGS,
We have had a very full, exciting and special term. It is a privilege to be a part of such a great school and to witness so many students making gains and achieving outstanding success in a variety of fields. Remember that at Scone Grammar School we are always striving to move from GOOD to GREAT. This means always looking at ways to improve what we do and achieve the best possible educational outcomes for the students of the school. Thank you to those parents who come in and share their concerns with us so that we can do that in response to things that may not have gone well. This is an important part of the process. We are also looking at
improvements that can be made proactively to achieve moving from GOOD to GREAT. As we come to an extended break, I believe it is good to make a change and use this time to refresh and be ready for another exciting semester. The break doesn’t need to be just sleep but a change of routine and activity is healthy for us all. Please consider making a financial commitment to our Capital Campaign for the new building. This is a very important project for our school and every bit of support will enable us to get closer to achieving the goal. Have a wonderful holiday period. I look forward to seeing everyone in the new term. Paul Smart Principal
SGS Primary Rugby 7’s team on the field at Allianz Stadium on Saturday
Primary News from Mr Feeney
At the end of this term, Mrs Patricia Betts will commence twelve months of Maternity Leave and on behalf of
Primary staff, students and families I do want to extend our very best wishes for this very special time. Our
thoughts and prayers will be with Trish, George and William over coming months, as they look forward to
welcoming a precious new addition to their family. Mrs Natalie Kelly will be teaching Year 4 Gold for the remainder
of 2015.
Mrs Janine Summers will also be away during Term Three on Long Service Leave, and again, our best wishes are
extended to Janine for this well-deserved time of relaxation and refreshment. I am very grateful for all the work
Mrs Summers does, both in her role as a Year 1 classroom teacher, and particularly in her role as the K-2 Co-
ordinator. I am delighted that Mrs Felicity Saunders will be stepping in to cover the K-2 Co-ordinator responsibilities
while Mrs Summers is away. Mrs Sally Archibald will be teaching Year 1 Gold in Term Three.
Semester One School Reports will be sent home shortly. I do encourage parents to take time over the holidays
to sit down and talk through these reports with your children and to make opportunity to give positive feedback
wherever you can. Help each child to celebrate their successes and see what has been achieved along their
learning journey to date. Look for constructive ways to take any areas of concern and present these as goals to
work towards for the second semester. Focus on the learning process, not on student’s ‘abilities’.
As a further note regarding reports:
In all Australian schools, students are now required to have their progress reported against five graded levels. Each
semester at Scone Grammar School, your child has their academic progress measured against the following levels of
achievement:
A – Extensive; B – Thorough; C – Sound; D – Basic; and E – Elementary.
In line with Commonwealth reporting guidelines, we also make available the opportunity to receive information on
each child’s comparative performance within their class or year group.
Parents of students in Years 1-6 can obtain a class distribution of student performance in each subject, against the
above A-E grades, by contacting Mrs Reichel in the Primary Office. This will be posted out upon request. This
information will indicate how many students achieved the various levels in each subject studied for that year group.
Please contact the Primary Office with details, if you would like to receive a copy for your child in the mail.
Recently, I heard more about Alyssa Mollema’s continued exciting journey of archery success. Alyssa has been in
Canberra, where she did very well. Alyssa now holds 4 records, 3 Pacific Region records (which are for the Hunter,
Animal and Field rounds); and an Australian record (which is for the Animal round for the IFAA). She missed out on
a perfect round by only one arrow out of the bullseye by 1mm. Alyssa has one more shot at a perfect round though
next year, because she is competing presently in the Under 13s. She has the impressive titles now of being
Australian and Pacific Champion for Cub Female Freestyle Unlimited for IFAA. Congratulations again Alyssa on your
determination to work towards these achievements.
Thank you parents, and students, for all your support and efforts over this busy second term. I trust all families
will enjoy a special time together over the holiday break and I look forward to continuing to share in exciting
learning journeys and adventures as we return.
Congratulations and best wishes to Bethannie Ardesch (Year 1 Blue), Sarah Pursche (Year 3 Blue), Siobhan Hansia
(Year 3 Blue), Claudia Frampton (Year 5 Blue), Adam Chesworth (Year 5 Blue) and Lachie Bennett (Year 2 Blue),
who are all celebrating their birthdays this week. I trust that each of these students will enjoy the day and the
opportunity to share this special occasion with their family and friends.
Good Humour for the Week (A holiday challenge!)
Try saying these quickly, or over brekkie with a mouthful of dry cornflakes!
- Betty Bliss blended bruised blue black bland blueberries in the big breakfast bar blender.
- Shy sly slim Sherriff Shultz slays seven sly shy slithering snakes sliding sadly sidewards off six slick ski slopes.
From the Chaplain
This week I read a book that I had ordered some time ago after listening to guest speaker, former Test cricketer
Justin Langer, speak at the Australian Anglican Schools Conference. The name of this book is ‘Fathering from the
fast lane’ by Dr Bruce Robinson. I want to commend this book to you as most valuable resource because fathering
matters! This great book primarily addresses the issue of how men in demanding jobs can ensure they are good
fathers to their children. Dr Robinson presents numerous ways to improve both the quality and amount of time
that fathers spend with their children. Interviewed are more than 75 men from different backgrounds and profes-
sions, from farmers and plumbers to teachers, doctors and politicians. These men speak about the ways they bal-
ance demanding jobs with being good dads and offer suggestions for making work help, rather than hinder, father-
ing. All fathers, whether in separated or intact families, can benefit from the experiences of these successful, busy
dads.
As I read this book it caused me to reflect on the fathering heart of God; the perfect parent. He always disciplines
in love. He is faithful, generous, kind, and just. He loves us and longs to spend time with us. God reveals Himself
through Jesus, in the Bible, as a gentle, forgiving Father, intimately involved with each and every detail of our
lives. It is not only a beautiful picture, but a true one. He wants us to receive His love and be able to call Him
‘Father’.
Weekly Chapel Bible passages and relevant links can be found at twitter.com/sgschapel
In Prayer this week:
Reflect on: John 14:9-11
Give thanks for: The sacrifice of Jesus made so that we can call God our Father; A successful school term; The
many opportunities to be involved in diverse school activities; Parents, teachers and supporters who truly care for
us.
Pray for: A safe and restful holiday period; For those travelling; For the school building project; For families and
students who are ill or struggling at the moment; For Year 2and Year 10 students; Children and teachers at the
Yellow Cottage Pre School; For your son or daughter’s teacher/s! (specific prayer requests can be sent to
[email protected] to be prayed for by our weekly prayer group- not published in newsletter)
Rev’d Nate
The Yellow Cottage Tales Thank you everyone for a fantastic Term 2. We have packed so much into this
term, it will be nice to have some down time during the holidays. Please
remember to fill out your form about 2016 Enrolments and return it to Tobie
this week. Early next term we will start to look at classes and placement of
days so we really need your preferences.
Kirsty, Georgi, Emma and Jane attended the Early Learning Conference in
Sydney on Monday and Tuesday and they returned with lots of fresh
motivation and ideas ready for the rest of the year. A huge thank you to all our
other staff who keep things going at The Yellow Cottage while we were away.
You ladies are awesome. This week we also have two girls doing their work
experience at The Yellow Cottage. We really hope they have enjoyed their
week with us.
Thanks again to all our wonderful families for all your contributions this term. We look forward to seeing you all on
the week starting Monday 13 July 2015. Have a great break.
Dates for your diary: Amy’s School of Ballet students will perform for us this Wednesday 17/6/2015 at 11.00am.
Please join us for this at the SGS Mulitpurpose Room.
Quote: “Most of the things we need to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest.”
― Mark Buchanan, The Holy Wild: Trusting in the Character of God
From the Clothing Shop Our fleece-lined, shower-proof Sports Jackets, for Years 7 – 12, have arrived and can be viewed at the Main
Administration Office or at the Clothing Shop between 8.30am and 11.30am Monday to Friday. Sizes 12 – XL.
Please order through the Clothing Shop.
The sleeveless wool vests have now arrived at the Clothing Shop. The Shop is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to
11.30am.
HSC History students at Sydney University lectures Students in Year 12 Modern and Ancient History attended lectures at
Sydney University over the two days of Friday 12-Saturday 13 June.
The lectures were organised by the History Teachers’ Association of
NSW and provided invaluable assistance for the students as they
prepare for their Trials and HSC examination. This year there were
around 5000 students who attended the lectures, which covered
most options studied in HSC History courses; these were delivered
by experts in the field, including their text book writers and a
working archaeologist from current projects in Pompeii. The students, Will Bowcock, Rolanda Clout-Collins,
Thomas Henderson, Angela White, Chris Simons and Hamish Norton got a taste of city life, staying at the YHA in
Glebe and enjoying the sights and tastes of Glebe Point Rd. The Nicholson Museum provided a point of extra
historical interest, and students particularly enjoyed its current Lego model of Pompeii and the challenge of trying
to build an ancient structure using the Lego blocks available to them at the Museum.
Ms Gibson
The Grammar Grind
We would like to thank all our valued customers for their support during Term
Two. Significant funds have been raised so far, in support of the Rip It Up
Reading Programme, which was implemented since the start of this term.
The Grammar Grind will continue to operate during Term Three at the same time
on Monday from 8.15am until 9.30am. Take away coffee or Hot Chocolate will be
available for $3.00 and Raisin Toast or Banana Bread will also be on offer for an
additional $2.00. We look forward to taking your order next term!
Year 12 Hospitality and Mrs Lambley.
On Monday, all students from K - 8 went to see the Adamriginal show. The show,
by Indigenous musician and artist Adam Hill, teaches children about the traditions
of the Aboriginal people across Australia. Adam demonstrated songs and
instruments from various regions and explained how they are all different. For
example, the Didgeridoo or Yidaki is only native to the the Balanda people in the
Northern Territory. His local "mob" in Kempsey did not play the Yidaki so he had to
travel up to the Balanda people just to learn how to play it. The students were
taught fun traditional children's games and some participated in puppetry where
Adam demonstrated different animal sounds he could create using the Yidaki.
Last week auditions were held for the school musical in 2016. We are planning to
do "All Shook Up", a rock n roll musical based on the music of Elvis. We had many
fantastically talented and courageous students come along on Thursday and Friday
to sing, dance and act for the audition panel. It's not going to be easy to select the
5 female and 5 male leads from such a wonderful bunch of students.
Lastly, good luck to all the pianists competing in the Eisteddfod this weekend. Unfortunately I won't be able to be
there so I'm looking forward to hearing about all the results so I can report on them next term.
3. Strengthens speech processing.
Music and speech share common characteristics - pitch, timing and timbre. The brain uses the same neural
pathways to process both helping to develop sharper language and reading skills.
(http://www.mnn.com/leaderboard/stories/10-reasons-why-making-music-is-good-for-your-brain)
Mr Buckley
Equestrian News
Entries for Merriwa Horse Sports Day are limited to 35 per school. The first 35 entries received at the school
office will be entered. There are still limited spaces available but do not delay.
The Hunter Valley Grammar School Equestrian Championships are on Saturday 15 August. This competition is
for experienced show jump and dressage riders in Year 3 or above. Entries for HVGS Equestrian must be at
the school office by 17 July at the latest.
To access entry forms go to the Scone Grammar School webpage and click Quick Links at the top right hand
corner, then click School Forms and then Equestrian.
We wish Tyler Kelly success as he competes at SIEC in Sydney over the weekend.
Tuesday Horse sports resumes Tuesday 14 July – since it will be Bastille Day we ask everyone to dress in
Blue, Blanc & Rouge. We will have a special afternoon tea with a French Flavour! New Horse sports
enthusiasts are welcome.
Anne Davies
Equestrian Co-ordinator
Primary 7s State Finals Report
Last weekend, Scone Grammar’s Primary Rugby 7s team
ventured down to Sydney to contest the State Finals.
Qualification came as a result of winning the zone and
regional carnivals.
We were greeted with beautiful weather at the Sydney
Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, where we contested our Pool
matches and first final. We were able to win all 3 pool
matches with victories against Christ the King (30-5), rugby
powerhouse Knox Grammar School (20-15) and St. Joseph’s
Taree (15-10).
This wonderful achievement meant that we would contest a
semi-final against Trinity College, with the victor to play in the
Grand Final. Unfortunately we couldn’t match Trinity’s pace
and aggression and we went down 25-10. This result meant that would play in the play-off for third/fourth
against St. Aloysius at Allianz Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Waratahs vs Reds match.
Playing under lights, and seeing footage of our match on the big screen was an experience that all of the
boys will remember and cherish for a long time. In what an extremely close and tough match, our boys came
from 15-5 down to win the match 20-15!! This result ensured we finished third in the State. It is a most
remarkable achievement for a school of our size.
The boys are to be commended not just for this wonderful achievement but for the overall way they
conducted themselves and represented their school. They can be extremely proud.
A special thank you to the parents that have provided so much support and to the coaches, James Arnott and
Alex Warner, we appreciate the time and dedication you have provided.
Team: Will Warner, Fletcher Shearman, Lachlan Park, Charlie Brooks, Sam Mount, Hamish Watts, Lochlan
McClean, Edward Arnott, Banjo Cole, Hayden Bull.
2015 Hunter Youth Leadership On Sunday the 26 April Maddy Buckley, Breanna Wise, Jaidan Smolders, Pip Steedman, Phoebe Smith, Henry Wilkinson and I
travelled down to the Outward Bound Outdoor Education Centre in Uki to participate in the 2015 Hunter Youth Leadership
Programme. The Programme was scheduled to go for seven days during which we were to participate in several challenging
outdoor activities, including mountain bike riding, hiking, raft building, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes and
many more but due to flood warnings we were sent home on the fifth day so we did not get to complete all of the activates.
We were also to learn about what it means to be a good leader, as well as learning how to navigate in the bush.
Though the Programme was cut short I loved it and would go again if I could, it was an amazing experience that truly beat
being at school for a week!
Mackenzie Barker
Year Eight Pastoral Care Term Two Term Two has seen an exciting collaboration between the Year Eight Ledger and Pulling students with Year Two
reading groups. In the spirit of fostering positive relationships between the Primary and the Secondary, Year
Eight students have been working with their younger peers on their reading and comprehension skills. It has
been a very successful endeavour with many of the students commenting on how much they enjoyed the
experience, participating as leaders and role models to these younger students, and the Year Two students
enjoying getting to know those 'big kids' from across the playground. Well done Year Eight for making such a
positive contribution to the lives of these young students, and well done Year Two for being so enthusiastic and
polite to their new friends.
A reminder to all SGS families ...the new SGS website is live! To help make your
life easier, a couple of helpful hints:
1. On the Home Page – top right hand corner, click on Quick Links
2. This will then take you to the screen below - on the left hand side such
as School Forms (incl. Equestrian Forms, Excursion Notes), Canteen
Menu and Uniform Shop.
The Contact Us on the right hand side is a quick & easy way of emailing
the school Absentee/Late notes and General Enquiries.
Any questions/problems please contact Alice Forsythe
You are invited to
A Celebration of Education
A time to give thanks and pray for
teaching and lifelong learning.
St Luke’s Church, Liverpool St, Scone
Sunday 26th July 2015 at 5pm
Ecumenical Service
Contemporary Music
Local schools participating
A hot dinner is served
after the service.
For more information
contact Margaret on
0438451891
Community Notices & News From the Clothing Shop: Helpers wanted! I am looking for helpers to assist with our Bi-Annual
Stocktake next term. I have set aside the days of Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 July from 9.00am to
3.00pm. Your help on any or all of these dates and at any time to suit you, even if just for an hour or
two, would be greatly appreciated! Please contact me at the Clothing Shop or send a note through via
Admin. Many thanks. Pip Baker
Scone Films Present: the family film, Paper Planes, rated PG. It will be shown on Sunday, 21
June at 2.00pm at Scone Film’s pop-up cinema at the Senior Citizens’ Centre, Oxford Road, Scone
The film stars Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould and David Wenham. It is an imaginative film about a
young Australian boy's passion for flight and his challenge to compete in the World Paper Plane Champi-
onships in Japan. It is an uplifting, feel-good film but most of all, it is funny.
Advance tickets $10 from Serendipity, Scone, or at the door. Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea following
the film. Everyone is welcome. For insurance purposes, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Details are on the website www.sconefilms.org.au
For Your Diary Week 9 (A) Thurs 18 June School Photo’s Fri 19 June HSC Chemistry/Experiment Festival at Newcastle Years 9-11 Elect Music excursion to SJA Term 2 ends
Week 1 (B) Term 3
Mon 13 July Open Day Indian Students commence Tues 14 July Primary Rugby League Knights Final at Hunter Stadium P & F Meeting in Library 6pm Wed 15 July Primary Athletics Carnival Thurs 16 July Years 5-8 Schools Cup Netball in Singleton Fri 17 July Starrs Prod –Stage 5 History & English
Canteen Roster
Week 9 (A)
Thursday 18 June Jenny Crackett, Karen Johnson, Debbie Sadler
Friday 19 June Jenny Crackett, Amanda Dowell, Rachel Northam
Term 2 ends
Term 3 Week 1 (B)
Monday 13 July
Jenny Crackett, Claire Arnott Tuesday 14 July
Jenny Crackett, Erryn Day Wednesday 15 July
Jenny Crackett, Elizabeth Henderson Thursday 16 July
Fiona Bailey, Jaymiee Allan, Sally Devenish
Friday 17 July Fiona Bailey, Julie Smart, Kelly Malone
Please CHECK THIS LIST to see when you are
rostered on
