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Newsletter of the Leura Public School Community Volume 7, Issue 5 Term 1, 2019 Week 10

and Grandparents Day!!

** put it on your calendars **

When: Week 4, Term 2 Highlight: Book Parade

Tuesday (21st May) Start planning your costumes!

May is “National Family Reading Month”

BOOK FAIR IS COMING!

Coming Events

Week 11 8/4 Principal’s Assembly

9/4 Stage 3 Excursion Circular Quay Years 5-6

10/4 Easter Hat Parade Years K-2 10/4 Easter Bake Sale 11.15 – 11.45am

12/4 Last day of Term 1

During the Holidays: 19/4 Good Friday 25/4 Anzac Day

Term 2 Week 1 30/4 First day of Term 2

2/5 Cross Country Trials

3/5 ‘The Protectors’ Rescheduled Performance Years K-6

Week 2 10/5 Futsal Gala Day – 11 & 12 yrs Selected students

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From the Principal… Junior Landcare Grant

Our school has been awarded a Junior

Landcare Grant, sponsored by Woolworths,

of $1,000 for the work our Garden Club is

doing with sustainable food production. The

students along with Mrs Delaney (community

volunteer) and Mrs Hutchinson are

successfully composting organic waste. They

are now planning to improve the kitchen

garden site by installing some irrigation, and

turning a disused slope into a herb garden and plantation site for fruit trees. Thank you kindly to Mrs

Delaney for her ongoing support of our Garden Club, particularly her stellar skills in successfully applying

for grants.

School Projects Update

There are a number of projects the school has underway regarding the assets and grounds of our site.

The Sculpture Trail is coming together, with the P&C successfully applying for a funding grant to support

the installation of a concrete pathway which will connect the area from the hall down to the sandstone

amphitheatre near the K-2 playground. This pathway should be installed next term.

The school has applied for Council DA approval to install an electronic sign at the top corner of the school.

Once this approval is given and the signs’ graphic design completed, we will be ready to install it, which

should happen next term. We are looking forward to being able to communicate through this medium with

the wider community about our fabulous school.

We are in the final stages of obtaining replacement interactive

panels for all of our classrooms, including the library, music room

and art room. These panels will provide more innovative and

engaging options for our teachers to utilise in their lessons. We

are hoping this work will be done over the school holidays, but if

not, early next term.

The school is required to have all trees on site inspected every year. As a result of the most recent

inspection, three large trees in our grounds need to be removed. These include a tree

outside the staffroom on the grass embankment, one tree outside the hall next to the K-2 garden, and the

final tree behind the demountable. We are trying to organise for this work to be done in the school

holidays to avoid any risk to people in our grounds, however, it may be early next term, in which case we will

need to put some movement restrictions in place. We will keep you informed if this happens.

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Attendance

Despite some significant illness

this term, our attendance rates

are good. Every grade remains at

or above an average of 93%, with

Year 2, Year 3 and Year 5 all

meeting our high expectation

attendance rate of 95%! What a

great way to start the year. In

case you’re wondering why we

continue to track and comment

about attendance, it’s because we know that every day counts in making sure our students make the most

of the learning opportunities we provide.

“Teachers open the door but you must enter yourself.”

(Chinese proverb)

Yours in education,

Elise Berwick

Principal

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Voluntary School Contribution 2019

to families who have already paid the voluntary school

contribution for 2019. Our total so far: $637! You are helping to contribute to your child’s learning

at Leura Public School.

This year the Voluntary School Contribution charged to school families is $49.

These funds will be used to contribute to the cost of new furniture

for guided teaching group work for K-2 classrooms (check out the photos below) and to the cost of purchasing literacy resources for Year 3-6 classes.

COMMUNITY REMINDERS

Earn and Learn

Woolworths is running the Earn and Learn program again this year. Our

school has registered so we hope you will support us again to raise

points so we can get some free equipment for our students. Last time,

we purchased some WeDo robotics kits.

Earn and Learn stickers will be available from 1 May to 25 June. You can either

drop them in our school’s box at your local Woolworths, or drop them into the collection box in

our school office.

K-2 classes enjoying class time activities at

the new jelly-bean shaped learning spaces!

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING – Term 1 VALUE OF THE WEEK

Week 11: A Resilient student seeks assistance when necessary.

Want to learn an instrument? There are still limited places and instruments available in our tutorial program for band. Please see the office for more information if you are interested in your child enriching

their learning with lessons in flute, trumpet, clarinet, or trombone. Thank you for supporting music education in our school community!

MUSIC NEWS – Term 1 Term one has been full of fabulous music activities!

Senior Choir performed last Friday 29th March at

the opening of an education conference at Leura

Fairmont Resort. Our students wowed an audience of

school principals with a fabulous performance of songs by

Joni Mitchell and Boy George.

Year 2 and 3 students from the Junior Choir took part in a successful combined school

choir rehearsal for the Narragunnawali Music Festival at Katoomba Public School this

week. There will be more rehearsals in Terms 2 and 3 for final performances in Week 5, Term

3. Junior Choir kids from Years 1 to 3 will also be presenting performances in our school and

community throughout the year.

Congratulations to the Senior Recorder kids who will be part of the 2019 Festival of

Instrumental Music in June, performing at the Sydney Opera House. Junior Recorder has

also welcomed a group of new students who have already shown their skills at an infants

assembly.

In Week 7 we had an energetic performance from touring

band “Baltic Barmitzvah” who came to Leura PS as part of a

tour that included the Blue Mountains Music Festival. Our kids

had the opportunity to experience some fantastic Yiddish and

Eastern European folk music, including accordion, French horn,

clarinet, tuba, drums, singing and dancing.

School Band has welcomed two tutors with great experience

and skills: Justine Bristow and Martyn Cook. Mr Connor has

become the conductor for senior band, and a group of new

instrumental students are now working towards joining in with

band rehearsals with flutes, clarinets, trumpets and French horns.

Mr Connor

Music Teacher

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STEWART HOUSE

DONATION DRIVE 2019 The Stewart House Donation Drive envelopes

are being sent home this week.

If you would like to be in the running to win a

$4,000 holiday just enclose a $2 coin in the

envelope, seal it and send it back to the

office by Friday, 3rd May, at the latest.

Your donation supports many children

who attend Stewart House each year.

Sydney West Basketball Championships Congratulations to Lauren and Luca who were successful in making the

Blue Mountains PSSA Girls and Boys Basketball Teams. Both teams competed

in the Sydney West Basketball Championships, with the girls team making it to

the semi-final, going down to Castle Hill by one point! Every person in the

stadium was on the edge of their seat up until the last seconds and

I commend all the girls on their sportsmanship and resilience.

A special mention to Lauren who has been chosen to represent

Sydney West at the state carnival in Albury next term.

Well done!

Miss Crowe

Soccer Gala Day On Monday I represented Blue Mountains at the Boys Sydney West Soccer Championships. We played

Castle Hill, Parramatta, Mount Druitt and St Marys. We had a great game against St Marys, winning 4 - 0!

After that, we made it to the semi-finals to play against Penrith. At the end of the game the score was

still 0-0 and we had to go into extra time. In the end the score remained 0-0. Unfortunately we had to go

by the points from our pool, giving Penrith the advantage. Penrith advanced

to the finals against Castle Hill. Penrith won the finals and therefore won

the day. We played better as a team throughout the day. I really enjoyed

the day it was a great experience.

By Rylan On Wednesday the 3rd of April we had to wake up extremely early and set

out on a long road trip to Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood! We started our

day with training and moved onto our first game against Penrith and after a

long game we drew 0-0. We had our second game against Mt Druitt and we

won 6-0! We then played against Castle Hill, it was a close game and when it

was over we drew 0-0. Then we played Auburn, I scored a goal and

it helped us win 5-0! We played so well to make it to the semi-final

and versed the Ridges and we played our best and WE WON 1-0!!!

We were so pumped, I couldn’t believe it when we won the semi-

final and made the grand final. We didn’t know who we were going to play until we were on the field. I was

so nervous! After a long game against Seven Hills we lost 2-0, but I was still happy that we made it to the

grand final and my team beat the boys! I had an amazing experience!

By Ellie

CORE VALUES – Term 1, Week 10

Class Respectful Responsible Resilient

KF Lachlan Georgia Joe

KJ Clem Charlotte Rhyleigh

1/2A Luigi Mayala Rafael

1/2B Lori Arwen Oliver

1/2D Raphael Ella Patrick

2F - Lara -

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NOTES/PAYMENT REMINDER To assist families, the following is a list of activities and associated costs, for which permission slips and/or monies are to be

returned to the school. If there are any difficult circumstances in regard to any payments by the due date, for

incursions/excursions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

EXCURSION/ACTIVITY AMOUNT DATE/PAYMENT DUE

Stage 3 Aussie Bush Camp – Deposit $55.00 Friday 5th April

‘The Protectors’ Anti-bullying incursion $5.00 Thursday 11th April

Revised Date Selected students who had not already paid

Futsal Gala Days (selected students) $16.00 Friday 12th April

Year 6 Polo Shirts $45.00 Friday 12th April

Narragunnawali Festival (junior choir) $15.00 Due Now

Senior Recorder FOIM $37.00 Friday 10th May

Band: Tuition Term 1 $135.00 Due Now

Band: Instrument Hire Term 1 $50.00 Due Now

A MINI MAKEOVER FOR

THE FOYER!

You may have noticed a

change in the décor in the

seating area outside the

school office. Some

comfortable new furniture to

brighten up the space.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital Fete Friday 26th April 9.00am – 2.00pm

Woodlands Rd Katoomba (follow the signs)

Entertainment for young & old; raffles, cake stall, craft, face painting, sausage sizzle, white elephant stall,

pre-loved clothing, plants, books, records & more!

What’s On at Penrith Observatory Saturday April 13th Public Astronomy Night – Getting Your Head Around the Universe; Thursday April 18th

Hands on Workshop – Rockets, for children ages 4-12; Saturday 27th April Public Astronomy Night – The

Riches of the Universe. For more information:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/observatorypenrith/penrith_observatory/whatson

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Important information from the Ministry of Health: Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Keep coughing kids home and see your GP.

Whooping cough (also called pertussis) began increasing across NSW towards the end of 2018,

especially in children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. NSW Health anticipates that this increase will

continue into 2019.

School-aged children who are infected with whooping cough usually experience a troubling cough

that can persist for months, but they rarely get severe illness. However they can spread the infection to

younger siblings and other more vulnerable people, who are at higher risk of severe disease. Whooping

cough can be a life threatening infection in babies.

What can you do to prevent whooping cough?

1. Make sure vaccinations are up to date for all family members

2. Be alert for symptoms of whooping cough

3. Keep coughing kids home, to prevent them spreading the infection to others, and see your GP

to get them tested for whooping cough

For more information on Whooping Cough and vaccination visit the NSW Health Website

(https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/whoopingcough/Pages/default.aspx)

Leura Harvest Festival Sunday 5 May 2019 Groom your chook, grease the cake tin, juggle the jam jars, and gather your recycled materials to create a

scarecrow for this year’s Leura Harvest Festival on Sunday 5 May 2019.

In true regional harvest theme the festival’s program has traditional fair events, including the Great Blue

Mountains Jam Making Competition uncovering our best local jams and chutneys, Birches of Leura

Scarecrow Competition with dozens of creations using sustainable material, the Pet Chook Show bringing

proud owners and their friendly fowls to Leura for the honour of Best Chook in Show, and Josophan’s

Great Australian Chocolate Cake Competition. We need your entries in all competitions!

For further details visit www.leuravillage.com.au/Fairs or email bookings@leuravillage.com.au

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A huge Thank You to all the volunteers who helped Vikki with the Election Day

BBQ – Caroline, Keris, Conor, Belinda, Melinda, Haljnalka, Tina-Marie & Wally,

Ben, Phil, Winnie & Gus and Georgia. Thanks to the assistance of these wonderful

volunteers, we managed to raise just over $1000 for the school. Remember that

there will be a Federal Election later this year and we’ll host another sausage

sizzle. Keep an eye out for the chance to help next time!

Thank you to 4C who joined the Swampcare group last month for a guided walk and privet weed assault. We speculated about some burrows and observed some signs of Dusky Antechinus activity (photo on right).

Swampcare swings in to action again next term starting on the 16 May, meeting at 1pm on the back playground. 5/6A will join us that day, weather permitting, from 2pm. We would like to encourage 5/6A families and all LPS parents and grandparents to consider a visit to the swamp with us. Extra hands are most welcome. The weeds exploded over the summer break and with all this rain! The work we do is gentle (unless you want a work out which can be arranged!) and new skills are developed in a beautiful, social and fun environment. Please contact Lisa Scott-Smith for further information at lisa.scottsmith@gmail.com.

You can drop off a paper Canteen order to the office if you are ordering one or two snack items only. We don’t want you to have to pay the 19c Quickcliq order fee for a small snacks only order. Please ensure your child’s name and class is clearly written on a brown paper lunch bag and hand it in to the office any time up until 9.15 on Friday morning. The Canteen volunteers will then ensure your child gets their snack.

Look out for the new Canteen Winter Menu coming in Term 2. There will be a few changes as well as delicious new items!

WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL Easter Hat Parade &

P&C Easter Cake Stall 10:00AM – midday

Come and help our stall!

FRIDAY, 17 MAY

P&C MEETING 1:30 – 3:00PM

Learning Support Room

Get ready for the P&C’s most popular stall – The Easter Cake Stall! We are asking K-2 parents/caregivers to donate some Easter goodies (no nuts) for our stall. Goodies for special dietary requirements are also welcome. Let us know and we will keep some aside for your child. Drop everything off to the Canteen from 9am on Wednesday, 10 April. We will be operating from 10am through to lunchtime (11.15-11.45am). If you’re not a great baker, but can volunteer your time, we’d love to have you help on the stall. Please send an email Conor Hogan at

lpspc.fundraising@gmail.com.