PBL Award

Beau Caterer, Lillian Wilson, Owen Radmore, Annika Cayzer, Menno Wallace, Meika Haak,

Darcy Harris and Arian Hope

Important Dates to Remember Term 2 2019

Kootingal Public School

STAR NEWSLETTER “Caring, Learning and Achieving Together.”

Phone: 02 6760 3332 Email: kootingal-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: https://kootingal-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

Term 2 Week 9 Wednesday 26th June 2019

Executive Team - Principal - Cara Cracknell Assistant Principal - (Kinder to Year 2) - Nicole Chegwyn Assistant Principal (Yr 3 to 6) - Casey Kelly

P & C Executive President: Rebecca Pollard Vice President - Vanessa Johnson Secretary: Tina Sipple Treasurer: Scott Cracknell

Thur 27th and Fri 28th June - Athletics Carnival Monday 1st July - Playgroup Thursday 4th July - Quest for the Ultimate Rhythm performance Thursday 4th July - Assembly by 3/4T, item 1/2B, 2:30pm Friday 5th July - Last day of Term 2 Term 3 Monday 22nd July - School Development Day Tuesday 23rd July - Students return

Silver Award Addyson Vernon, Koby-Jay Lang,

Joseph Lulham and Reef Mason Fernando

Uniform Awards Lachlan Keen, Abbie-Lee Hilton, Edward Sipple, Kaitlin Wilson, Lienke Janse Van Rensburg,

Liam Symons, Luke Sydenham and Addyson Vernon

* Parents are able to make payments online by going to our website www.kootingal-p.schools.nsw.gov.au and then clicking on make a payment (located on front page). Please email or send into the office a copy of the online receipt. If payments are made online signed permission notes must still be returned to the front office.

* Voluntary contributions fees can be paid at the front office or online. They are $45 per year per student.

* The Twits - Thursday 15th August 2019, cost $12 per student. Classes attending 3/4B, 3/4T, 5/6K and 5/6M. Permission note and money need to be returned to the front office by Thursday 4th July.

* Quest for the Ultimate Rhythm Performance - Thursday 4th July, cost $6 per student. Whole school attending. Permission note and money need to be returned to the front office by Tuesday 2nd July.

Breakfast Club is again providing toast and juice to all students in 2019. It operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Thank you to Baker’s Delight for supplying our bread and the many families who have made donations.

Mrs Jan Morrish Breakfast Club Organiser

Lachlan Keen - Improved knowledge of sounds and counting skills Noah Davis - Improved skills and confidence in reading Audrey Maher - Always being keen to ask and answer questions during whole class discussions Lara Hambly - Improving when finding and reading rhyming words Tom Chegwyn - Taking care when copying spelling words into his book Nikita Flemming - Beginning to sound out words when writing Angus Hamer - Working hard to work independently in literacy activities Briley Moss - Adding detail to her writing Piper Hammer - Making connections during reading experiences Mason Russ - Understanding and representing data Keith Sichter - Using expression in reading Clayton Ford - Enthusiasm in athletics rotations Zepplin Goman - Working hard to build resilience in learning Nicholas Holliday - Persistence and improvement in reading Sana Amiri - Great work with data collection and column graphs in Mathematics Lincoln Jobson - Great work matching 2D shapes to their nets Joseph Lulham - Increasing effort and memory of timetables Byron Hobden - Increased effort in reading Robert Merry - Sensibly and responsibly adjusting to change Mikyla Phillpott - Always being a keen participant in Yoga and Meditation Georgia Ford - Using humour in her imaginative writing Isabella Cannon - Working hard to achieve writing goals Bailey Hilton - Pleasing efforts in reading informative texts Jayden Rankin - Pleasing improvement in reading

Athletics Carnival Thursday 27th and Friday 28th June 2019

Held at Kootingal Public School Oval All students K-6 will participate.

Students are to wear school sports uniform or House colours; Wilson – Green, Gill – Red, Dwyer – Yellow.

Students are to bring their school hat, water bottle, lunch and snacks. The canteen will operate as normal on Friday for those who wish to purchase their lunch. Parents and community members are welcome to attend. School Banking

Thursday

Weekly Awards

Message from the Front Office

Weekly Bronze Awards

Breakfast Club Athletics Carnival

The Kootingal Public School Football team competed in the 2019 Football Knockout & Gala Day last Friday. In the previous two years, KPS made the Tamworth Zone final. Although it wasn't to be this year, our students were outstanding in their efforts and sportsmanship.

In the first round, KPS played Moonbi PS. While we were the better team, our students did not let the score get to their heads and encouraged their opponents to keep going.

In the second round, KPS played Tamworth PS. This was a tough game and one that went end to end all the way through. A couple of lapses in concentration allowed some goals but we were determined to bring the game home. At half time, we were down 2-1 with many more shots on goal than our opposition.

The second half proved our undoing. An early goal saw our heads down a bit but we didn't give up. Our players defended hard and ran after each ball. No one could faulter their commitment and it showed in the end with some tears of devastation. We were out of the knockout.

We had one last game and that was against Tamworth South in a friendly match. Our students' bodies were tired and our work rate slowed, but we still managed to come away with the win.

Highlights of the day included tough defence from Jessie Johnson and Brenden Thompson. Their experience shone through and held our backs together. Jordan Byrne and Damikah Barwick-Taylor ran all day and fed our team up front from the midfield. Liam Jarrett, our youngest member of the team, withstood loads of pressure, even penalty shots, in a baptism of fire. All in all, it was a great day and, as Jordan said, it's another day off school!

Thank you Mr Cracknell for your coaching and our families and friends who joined us and supported our team all day.

Congratulations team Kooty! I couldn't be more proud.

This week, Mr Foody and Mr Cracknell were busy preparing our oval for this week’s Athletics Carnival. Myself and Mrs Knight assisted Mr Cracknell with the marking of the staggers for the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m races. This meant plenty of walking with trundle wheels. Now that’s a way to get your steps up! Thank you also to Robert Merry of Year 5 for assisting Mr Cracknell on Tuesday as his ‘apprentice’ and general ‘go-getter’.

Our Athletics Carnival is this Thursday 27th and Friday 28th June. The weather looks great over these two days so the likelihood of a cancellation is minimal. As the carnival is conducted on our school grounds, it is a wonderful way for families to see their children across a variety of athletic disciplines without barriers. We welcome our families and friends to Kootingal Public School and encourage you to walk with our children around to each of the various events. Thank you in advance to our various volunteers for assisting with these two large days of competition.

As if we couldn’t get enough sport in before the end of term, it is all the best to our Girls and Boys Softball teams which compete next Monday and Tuesday in Tamworth against Wee Waa and Ben Venue Public Schools respectively. This week, our students are training hard during both our breaks in preparation for these games, and my body is definitely feeling the pain of it. The students are hitting our new coloured wiffle balls with ease and are enjoying not having to chase large amounts of balls. Our pitchers are pitching well with practice occurring in the cricket net. Again, additional practice softballs were purchased lessening the need to constantly pick up balls, even though one did manage to get in a tree! Go team Kootingal!

Congratulations to our winners of the Premier's Spelling Bee, from Stage 2 Liam Jarrett and Emily Hatton and Stage 3 Luke Sydenham and Naomi Maybury. These students will compete in the Regional Final next term.

Mrs Cracknell’s Message

Clothing Pool will only be open on: Tuesday and Wednesday mornings

9am to 9:30am Please come to the office.

The Christmas Eve Truce 1914 by Jessie Johnson Bullets flew over head, exploding in the air! It was bitterly cold and the wind blew wildly, all I could think about was home. The small package from my girlfriend meant every thing to me. A small photograph and a bar of chocolate. It was small but thoughtful and the best thing I had in ages. The guns stopped, silence all around. The thick accent of the Germans was all you could hear; Silent Night. We joined in, singing the calming Christmas carol.

The next morning, I slowly crept up and over the rocky edge of the trench. My hands held high in the air showing I didn’t want to fight. The Germans quickly and swiftly drew their guns and aimed straight at me. Fear shook my body praying they didn’t pull the trigger. The rest of the British calling me back. “Wait” somebody over in the other trench called out, stopping German fire. I was lucky that I wasn’t shot then and there. Silently he (the one who called out wait) rose up, coming to meet me. Our troops cautiously following us out.

My hands tingled as we shook hands, his hands were nice and warm, like when you hold a hot cup of tea. “My name is Otto”, he said to me in his thick German voice. “Nice to meet you Otto, I’m Jack.” Everybody stopped fighting, laughing, taking photos of each other, showing photos of their loved ones back home, some received haircuts while others played soccer. The wounded watching and laughing. Happiness was contagious. Scoring goals, smiling, simply having fun. We bumped into each other but nobody really cared about that. For a moment I forgot about war, all the guns and bombs and the mourning of our dead mates.

In the distance, the sound of bombs and gun fire interrupted my thoughts wrecking the little bit of peace we had. Everyone quickly picked up their things and left returning to the trenches. I slipped my only Christmas present into Otto’s jacket pocket attempting to prove to him that I was a good person. Therefore, I had to go back to my only hard disgusting army rations biscuit but it was worth it.

Library Borrowing days are: KL (Mrs Lawrence) - Thursday K/1M (Miss Magann) - Thursday 1/2B (Miss Booby) - Friday 2L (Mrs Lulham) - Friday 3/4B (Miss Bennett) - Wednesday 3/4T (Mrs Tobin) - Wednesday 5/6K (Mrs Kelly) - Tuesday 5/6M (Mrs Morrish) - Tuesday

Please ensure your child returns their library books each week during Library lessons to avoid overdue library books and accounts been sent home to replace books. Thank you Mrs Dunn and Mrs Chegwyn

Christmas by Abby Stokes “BANG!” The sound of the bombs filled the freezing crisp air. It was Christmas Eve. As everyone sat in the trenches we felt homesick. My girlfriend Rose had sent me chocolates for Christmas! Suddenly, the sound of Silent Night filled the air. It was the Germans! Otto was one of those Germans. As he sang he looked down at the last biscuit in his tin. The British (us) started singing along to the carol. Before we knew it, it was dawn.

I was contemplating walking out of the trench. Finally, I decided. I walked out of the trench with my hands in the air. My mates yelled and shouted at me. The Germans lifted their rifles, aiming at me. “Wait!” I heard a German man shout. It was Otto. Otto walked out of the German’s trench with his hands in the air, identical to mine. I was relieved. Seeing this, my mates followed me out ….

Otto and I greeted each other with a firm handshake. We stood in the middle of No Man’s Land. The rest of the German and British shook hands with each other. I watched happily. We all started taking photos of each other with our old half broken cameras. I saw a smile spread across Otto’s face. Which made me even happier. “How about a game of soccer?” I heard someone yell. Before we knew it goals were scored and we were all having a blast. I looked over to see someone getting a haircut. I chuckled. I forgot everything. The horror no longer consumed me. Suddenly, we heard the bombs. I saw Otto and everyone frowning. Yelling and shouting wrecked the fun we were having. I trudged reluctantly over to where Otto was standing. It was time to say our farewells. I shook his hand and ran to the trench.

Little did Otto know I had made the decision to give my precious bar of chocolate to him. I had slipped it into his coat when we were saying our farewells. I heard something rattling in my coat pocket. I reached into my pocket to find …. a small metal tin. I opened it carefully, it was Otto’s very last biscuit! I was absolutely delighted. I then realised that we had both slipped our very precious Christmas presents into each other’s coats. A smile spread across my face as I stared down at the biscuit. I was imagining how Otto was feeling at that very moment. I was extremely grateful!

This year’s theme is Voice. Treaty. Truth

We will celebrate NAIDOC Week early next term. More information

will come out soon.

Library News

Writing examples from students

NAIDOC Week 2019

Day One: Thursday 27th June 2019 **Please note times may be subject to change** 9am Nominated Students Only Jnr, 11, Snr 800m 9.30am Children go to class lines – Roll Call, Fruit Break, Age /House on Hands 10am Assemble in House Areas – March Past Track Events

Marshall & Start:

Minor Girls 5/6/7 yrs

Minor Boys 5/6/7 yrs

8 yrs – Juniors Girls/Boys

9yrs – Juniors Girls / Boys

10yrs – Juniors Girls / Boys

11yrs / Senior Girls

11yrs/Senior Boys

10.30am AGE RACE HEATS Minor Girls/Boys 5,6,7yrs

Track AGE RACE HEATS Minor Girls/Boys 5,6,7yrs

Shot Put

Long Jump

Discus

Shot Put

High Jump

11.30am LUNCH BREAK 12.20pm AGE RACE HEATS

Junior Girls /Boys 8,9,10yrs

Long Jump

Discus

TRACK AGE RACE HEATS Junior Girls /Boys 8,9,10yrs

High Jump

Shot Put

1.20pm Minor 5,6,7yrs 400m AGE RACE HEATS 11,12 yrs Girls/Boys

Minor Ball Games

Minor Ball Games

Long Jump

Shot Put

High Jump

TRACK AGE RACE HEATS 11,12 yrs Girls/Boys

2.20pm High Jump

Long Jump

Junior Ball Games

Junior Ball Games

Junior Ball Games

Senior Ball Games

Senior Ball Games

3.20pm All students must return to classrooms with class teacher

Athletics Carnival Program

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Kootingal Public School Denman Avenue, Kootingal NSW 2352 T: 02 6760 3332 F: 02 6760 3064 E: kootingal-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W: www.kootingal-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

CAPERS 2019

25th June 2019 Dear Parents/ Carers, This year the New England Region is again presenting CAPERS. This is the 10th biannual CAPERS production. CAPERS (Creative Arts in Public Education Regional Spectacular) is a huge event featuring school students in Kindergarten – Year 12 from across the region coming together to perform. It is a great opportunity for our students to experience a grand performance of professional quality. The title for this year’s production is ‘Carnivale’. Based on the expression of interest that was received last term, we have entered our school in the small schools massed dance section. This means that all our students will perform the same dance and attend the same mass rehearsals in Tamworth. At this point in time, we will be performing with 10 other small schools from around the region, totalling approximately 300 students in our dance. It is now time to confirm if students wish to participate in this event. By participating in CAPERS, students must be committed and enthusiastic. This will include attendance at all practices, including during break times, and following our whole school behaviour expectations. Once students have committed to the dance, it is imperative that they see the commitment through until the end. This is important as we must confirm our school dance numbers to assist with choreography and costumes. Who: All KPS students (K-6) who are committed and enthusiastic. Where: All performances are held at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference

Centre (TRECC), Greg Norman Drive, Tamworth. When: Evening performances will be on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2019. It is

the parent/carer’s responsibility to transport their child to and from the TRECC for these night performances. Students are required at mass dance rehearsals in Tamworth (these dates are still to be confirmed), a full dress rehearsal at TRECC (a day in the week commencing 4th November) and to perform at the Matinee (Friday 8th November). Students will be bussed to and from the TRECC from KPS on these occasions.

Cost: $40 (which includes multiple bus travel and costume accessories/props. Please note

that school has subsidised the cost for this event). Costume: Students are required to perform in costume. Part of this will need to be provided by

families. Students need their costume for the dress rehearsal and performances. All students (girls and boys) require plain black leggings or long black pants and a long sleeved PLAIN black shirt, black socks and their black closed in school shoes (not ballet flats).

Remember, to be a part of the massed dance, students just need to be committed and enthusiastic, not necessarily proficient dances. Any massed rehearsals occurring throughout the year will have our teachers accompanying the students. CAPERS consists of rehearsals both at school and in Tamworth, and day and night performances for the general public. Please confirm your child’s commitment below and return to Miss Magann by July 5th. We will begin rehearsals at the start of term 3.

Nicole Magann Cara Cracknell CAPERS Co-ordinator Principal ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAPERS 2019 Student/s Name: _____________________________________________ Class: ___________ My child is committed to performing at CAPERS in November 2019. I understand there is a cost of $40 (which is to be paid by 8th August 2019) and I am responsible to provide my child’s costume as specified by the CAPERS committee. I also understand that my child will be required to perform during Friday and Saturday nights and I am responsible to transport them to and from the TRECC. To be included as part of the KPS CAPERS dance team, my child must demonstrate the whole school behavioural expectations at all times. Failure to comply may mean my child is unable to participate as part of the KPS team. Signed: ________________________________________________________________ Date: _______________