Principal’s Message This newsletter finds us more than halfway through the final term for the year. As usual, this is a very busy time of the school year with preparations beginning for the end of year activities and celebrations that occur during this period. Also during this time staff will be busy assessing for and writing end of year student reports. Although this is a time when many families consider holidays, please bear in mind that attendance at school continues to be crucial to your child’s education and is particularly important during this assessment period. In Week 5, I had the pleasure of attending camp with both our Stage 2 and Stage 3 students. I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of Miss Carroll, Mr Boyd and myself to congratulate all of the students who attended, and displayed excellent behaviour whilst at their respective camps. They represented Wallacia Public School with pride and respect throughout their camps. Well done, Stage 2 and Stage 3. Christmas Concert I would like to advise the community that Wallacia Public School will hold a Christmas concert on Wednesday December 7 at the Warragamba Public School hall. The concert will begin at 6.30pm and will run for approximately an hour. Our P&C will host a BBQ to provide dinner from 5.00pm – 6.00pm. Students will need to remain under the supervision of their parents until 6.00pm, when they will be collected by their class teachers to get ready for the concert. Thank you to Warragamba Public School for allowing us to use their facilities for this special evening. Christmas Concert rehearsal Tomorrow, all students will travel to Warragamba Public School for a rehearsal for our Christmas concert. I would like to thank the P&C for funding the cost of the bus that will transport all of our students to and from the rehearsal. Please note that this rehearsal is compulsory for all students. There will be no supervision for students at Wallacia Public School, as all teaching staff will attend the rehearsal. There are still several students who haven’t returned permission notes. Please note that permission is required for students to attend this event. I would also point out that the weather forecast for tomorrow indicates hot conditions. Whilst the students will remain inside for most of the day it would be a good idea for them to bring extra water to ensure they remain hydrated. Staff will ensure that extra opportunities are provided for drink breaks throughout the day.

Newsletter Week 7 Term 4

Monday November 21 2016

Presentation Assembly I would also like to remind the community that we will hold our annual school presentation assembly on Friday December 9 at the Hubertus Club at Luddenham. Our assembly will begin at 11.00am and conclude by 12.30pm. We look forward to your attendance to celebrate the achievements for students throughout the 2016 school year.

2017 I would like to advise the community that I will be leaving Wallacia Public School in 2017. I have accepted the role of Deputy Principal at Oran Park Public School. Although I look forward to this new challenge, I also know that I will very much miss every aspect of Wallacia Public School. I will miss the students, the staff and the community. I would like to thank everyone for ensuring that my time at Wallacia Public School was rewarding. I know that my decisions may not have always pleased everyone; however, I feel that together we created an atmosphere where students always came first and have been able to flourish. On Friday I was advised that an appointment has been made to the position of principal Wallacia Public School to take over in 2017. Mr Trevelian Mason will lead Wallacia Public School into the future. Mr Mason has been principal at Lord Howe Island Central School for the last 4 years and prior to that was an assistant principal and relieving principal at Katoomba North Public School. I have worked with Mr Mason in the past and know that he will work tirelessly with the students, staff and community at Wallacia Public School to ensure that students perform to the best of their ability, and that relationships between the school and community continue to be nurtured in the interest of all Wallacia Public School students. Mark Davies Key Dates

Christmas Concert: Wed 7 December 6.30 pm, Warragamba PS hall Presentation Day: Fri 9 December 11 am, Hubertus Club Year 6 Farewell: Mon 12 December Last day for students: Fri 16 December 2017: First day for students Years 1 to 6, 2017: Mon 30 January Best Start testing for Kindergarten students: Mon 30 January through Wed 1 February First full day for Kindergarten students: Thu 2 February

Stage 2 Camp On Thursday 10th and Friday 11th November, Stage 2 students travelled to The Outdoor Adventure Company in Wisemans Ferry with students from Luddenham, Mulgoa and Orchard Hills Public School. Students and staff had a fantastic time participating in a slippery mud mania challenge, canoeing, abseiling and a flying fox over a dam. Students took on each obstacle with enthusiasm and courage as they stepped outside their comfort zones. It was a memorable experience to share with the Stage 2 students. Thank you to Mr Davies for joining us on the adventure. Miss Talia Carroll

See the Wallacia Public School Facebook page for some awesome photos!

Wallacia Public School 2nd hand uniforms

All stock available at the rear of the office, a gold coin donation for any items purchased is appreciated. Donations of dresses, school shirts or school jumpers/jackets will be gladly accepted and then available for other families to buy.

Thank you for supporting this project!

P & C NEWS Last week we sent home a note requesting donations for our Christmas Raffle, it will be wonderful if all families could contribute something so we can have a lot of hampers to raffle at Presentation Day. If you would like to make a cash donation that would be appreciated too. Please leave them with your child’s class teacher. On Tuesday, the children are travelling to Warragamba Public School to rehearse their end of year concert. The P&C has paid for the transport for all our children at a cost of $620. In a few weeks, we will be sending home some raffle tickets for our Christmas Raffle. We will be selling them at the Christmas Concert and at Presentation Day.

You can help St Vincent de Paul spread Christmas cheer this year by donating items for our Christmas hampers.

Below is a list of suggested items you might like to include to help us create some delicious hampers!

Please ensure all food items are within expiry dates

Christmas decorations Rice (e.g. Bon Bons, tinsel) Jellies Tins of shoulder ham Jam/honey/vegemite Christmas cake/pudding Coffee, tea, sugar Long life custard, cream, milk Hot Chocolate/Milo Tins of fruit Gravox Lollies Tins of vegetables Chips (e.g. carrots, corn, peas) Biscuits (assorted) Pasta Salsa Drinks ( e.g. soft drink, Christmas plates/Napkins fruit juice, cordial)

Please note we are unable to accept food items containing nuts.

Thank you for your generosity in helping to make this festive season extra special for families in need this Christmas.

Items can be left in the school office; your donated items are required by Thursday December 8 2016. Thank you!

New School Banking rewards now available!

Exciting new Term 4 rewards with an Outback Savers theme are now available, while stocks last!

Bush Fly Fan Wriggly Glow Worm

Get in quick to order your reward. Remember you need 10 Tokens to redeem. Reward orders close Monday 5 December so it’s time to get Banking. Thank you for supporting the School Banking program at our School.

Frequently asked questions about the Saver Plus program What is Saver Plus? Saver Plus is a matched saving program that can help people and families to establish a long-term savings habit, build their money management skills and knowledge and save for education costs.

What does Saver Plus offer?

The Saver Plus program offers

an opportunity to build your financial skills

an opportunity to save for your own or your children’s education

personal support and guidance to save

an opportunity to have every $1 you save ‘matched’ with $1 (up to $500).

Who is eligible to participate in the program? You may be eligible to join Saver Plus if you:

are 18 years or over, and

are either

the parent or guardian of a child who is attending school this year or next year, or

attending vocational education yourself where you will receive an accredited vocational education certificate

have a current Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card

have some regular income from work (you or your partner) including casual, part-time, full-time or seasonal

are able to demonstrate capacity to save after regular expenses have been paid

commit to attending a MoneyMinded Financial Education Program.

How does Saver Plus work?

Saver Plus participants select education-related items they wish to save for. They agree to a savings routine over a period of 10 months. If participants make regular and consistent savings deposits and completes the MoneyMinded Financial Education Program, every dollar they save will be matched with an additional dollar, up to a total of $500.

Matched funds are used to buy an education-related product or service for the participant's personal vocational development or their children's educational costs. For example, education resources could include uniforms, textbooks, camps, excursions, special subject costs, musical instruments, sporting equipment or a computer.

Where are savings deposited?

Saver Plus participants open an ANZ Progress Saver account in which they deposit their savings. This account does not have any monthly account keeping fees.

What does the MoneyMinded Financial Education Program involve?

The MoneyMinded Financial Education Program covers personal finance and money management. It usually involves four workshops each 2.5 hours long. They are conducted in small groups. They include saving strategies, setting goals, budgeting, superannuation, scams, credit cards, credit checks and banking. The workshops are informal, fun and interactive. They are designed to help develop financial skills, knowledge and confidence.

What happens if participants want to leave the program or make withdrawals?

Participants are free to leave the program at any time. This would mean that they give up the opportunity to have their savings matched with additional funds, but they still receive all of their savings and any earned interest.

Participants are advised to use the account exclusively for Saver Plus program savings and whilst they are not prohibited from withdrawing their funds before the end of the program, the amount withdrawn will not receive matched funding.

How will participants receive the matched funds?

At the end of the savings period, Saver Plus National Office will arrange for an electronic funds transfer (EFT) into the participant's ANZ Progress Saver account after receiving a request with a copy of evidence that shows the price of the item/s and details of the registered business that is selling the item/s.