The newsletter for our school community

Passfield Park School

53 Guernsey Avenue Phone: 9820 1700 Minto NSW 2566

Passfield-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.passfield-s.schools.nsw.edu.au

Diary Dates………. Nov 24 Schools Spectacular Dec 1 High school formal and reunion Dec 4-6 High school camp Dec 12 Presentation Day Dec 15 Last day of school T4 Jan 30 ‘18 First day of T1 2018 for students

From the principal…… We are half way through our final term for 2017 and what a great year our school community has had. I would like to thank Sandi Sutherland, assistant principal for relieving in the principal role and doing such an amazing job whilst I was on leave . The school, staff and students were secure in her stable and calm leadership. We have a number of students participating in the Schools Spectacular at the end of November. They have been working hard on their routines and are eagerly awaiting their performance. Tickets may be purchased via Ticketek. Congratulations to our students who participated in Film by the Sea and the 2017 Boccia Cup. All our students participated with enthusiasm and sportsmanship and were great representatives for Passfield Park School. Sadly, we missed out by only one point in the Boccia Cup coming a close second to Beverley Park School. However, our film put together by Orange and White classes had a win at Film by the Sea, winning a Canon camera for our school.

November 10, 2017

Together we learn, participate and strive every day to achieve our best.

We are making progress with the 2018 – 2020 School Plan. Consultation with all stakeholders is valued and important in working towards identifying and achieving priority goals for the next three years. The two strategic directions are: Learning – staff, students and community Wellbeing - staff, students and community Remediation work has been carried out in rooms where mould, bacteria and yeast were found. Down pipes, rainwater storage and gutters have been replaced and a number of external walls have been gurneyed. Staff have been extremely accommodating during this upheaval of resources and furniture movement. Additional works have been approved to increase the safety aspect for students within our multi-complex site. An additional high fence and gate around the entrance pavement, hot water to main toilets and admin block has been approved. A wheelchair access bench in the kitchen has been completed and a small number of classrooms will have magnetic locks installed in the doors to enable quicker and smoother access. A vacant teacher position has been advertised and will hopefully be placed by merit selection in the next two weeks. Teachers are currently writing reports, staff are preparing for our Presentation Assembly high school formal and reunion and this is generally a very busy time of the year. Kind regards Wendy Low

Our charity, Passfield Park Kids Inc., was set up in 2013 to support the therapy needs of our students. The committee meet once each term. If you would like to find out more or be a part of this wonderful charity, please call Cheryl (in the office).

Check out our school website www.passfield-s.schools.nsw.edu.au

Green This year has been jam packed with activities and learning opportunities for all students in Green Class. All students have participated with enthusiasm in learning activities within classrooms, school, during community access and sport. We combine with Purple Class during sport and community access successfully. This collaboration has been a positive influence for both classes as they share and interact with a larger group of peers and staff. All Green Class students have developed their independence and ability to care for their own needs. Thank you parents and carers of Green Class for helping them do more tasks for themselves at home and further developing their independence.

Cheryl and Rami

Pink Welcome term 4! What a busy term we have in Pink Class. We have been learning about sea creatures and habi-tats through our Accelerated literacy book called An Ocean Commotion. Students are enjoying reading this book daily and some students are asking to read to the class. We are continuing one of the class’ favourite les-sons with our music teacher, Harry! The students love this time and are engaged and excited to participate!

Cassie and Michelle

Blue

Blue Class is really engaging in learning about the human body, different functions of body organs, like the heart and lungs and in particular, the power of the brain. With a focus on ‘growth mindset’ we are

learning that the brain is like a muscle and when we face challenges and make mistakes, our brains can become smarter and stronger. During Aboriginal languages we are practicing a new Torres Strait

Islander song about making banana bread. All the students enjoy singing along and participating in the actions alongside their mentors and friends from Leumeah High School. Keep up the great effort. Blue Class is continuing to develop their sportsmanship and bowling skills this term, focusing on how to improve technique. Students are taking feedback really well and have enjoyed practicing at school on the Wii where the skills can be broken down and reinforced in a slower paced environment.

Sarah C and Sharon

Red and Crimson Welcome to Term 4 in Red and Crimson Class and welcome to Prima who has joined us this term. The term began with School Swimming Scheme. Everyday Red and Crimson Class went to Macquarie Fields swimming pool. We had lots of fun being in the water, learning new skills both in the indoor pool and outdoor pool. By the end of the two weeks all students confidently entered waist deep water, happily completing all activities. We have a busy rest of the term with weekly shopping trips each Tuesday and bowling each Wednesday for Weeks 5, 6 and 8. This term we are continuing our studies on the topics of celebrations, seasonal change and the body. We have a busy term ahead full of fun and learning.

Sandi, Sarah H, Bella, Narelle and Nicole

Purple Purple Class has thoroughly enjoyed music sessions with Geena and Harry each week. There is a strong cohesion between the group and students are always highly engaged and interactive. Students particularly enjoy drumming and this is evident in their improved skills in imitating and creating their own drumming patterns. A big thank you to Geena and Harry for ensuring our music sessions are always exciting. Wet weather means students don’t always get to go out to the playground but it is great to see they still have fun and enjoy the company of their friends.

Di, Teresa, Diane B and Kris

Yellow Yellow Class students are thoroughly engaging in their study of the human body. They have been learning about the organs and systems of the body and have enjoyed building models of various organs and systems. We had a special visit this week from a SEAT that Mary Brooksbank School students constructed and decorated. White Class students joined us to listen to the story, design an artwork for the SEAT, identified the things we like about ourselves and made a book together about what we could do to make the world a better place. This book will travel with SEAT to the next school it visits.

Belinda and Mandy

White and Orange This year, White and Orange classes worked together to create a film about their focus text, ‘Big Rain Coming’. Many of you may remember the film that was played at our Celebrating Learning Assembly earlier this year. Following the film’s debut, the students reflected on their film scene by scene with some prompting from teachers and began re-filming. They submitted their finished result to the Film By the Sea film festival and were chosen to be featured! Students and staff set about getting glammed up ready for the red carpet premier not knowing the exciting news would continue to come! On the night, it was announced that Passfield Park School would receive a Canon SLR Camera! We are all so proud of the students and staff from White and Orange classes!

Boccia Cup 2017 Mikayla, Rebecca, Ben, Nick H, Shahrim and Shon represented Passfield Park School at the Boccia Cup held at Fernhill School on October 27, 2017. The students trained well during the weeks prior to the Boccia Cup tourna-ment with four schools participating - Beverley Park, Mary Brooksbank, Fernhill and Passfield Park. Students participated with lots of fun and enthusi-asm, but after winning the trophy last year, we happily handed it over to Bev-erley Park School for 2017. We came a very close second missing out by on-ly one point. Well done Boccia team. You were perfect school ambassadors and great sports!

Cheryl Armishaw