Monday 16th September, 2013

A Message from Mrs Polios

We’re in the final week of term 3 and it has

been busier than ever but extremely

productive!

The students have excelled this term because

they’ve been focussed on their learning.

Many students have made improvements in

reading, writing and mathematics. When you read the Whalan

Quarterly which will be sent home this week, you’ll see just how

much our students have learnt this term and how creative they’ve

been.

Additionally, our stage 3 students put on a fabulous Mini Fete last

Friday. The theme of ‘Friday 13th’ was evident in the stalls, the

decorations, the products and the way that the students were dressed.

Even the tokens were themed! A very big thank you to staff and

parents who made donations for the Mini Fete – we appreciate your

support.

I would like to thank our staff for their commitment to supporting

student achievements and meeting the needs of all students, their

dedication to our school and the support they provide to our

community.

Some of the data we have collected, shows how focussed our students

are at school and with their learning.

Prize winners - 95 students have been to the office to receive a

prize as a result of gaining 5 Connected Certificates.

WHALAN PUBLIC SCHOOL Karangi Road, Whalan N.S.W 2770

Telephone: 02 9625 7757 02 9625 9038

Facsimile Number: 02 9832 2452

www.whalan-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Our school is built on Darug land

Happy grams – this term, over 100 students have received a

Happy Gram.

Brag book entries – this term, there are 130 entries of

outstanding student work in our Brag Book.

‘Pizza with Mrs Polios’ – this term, 45 students have been invited

to ‘Pizza with Mrs Polios’ for attending school every day during

the term.

Thank you everyone for a fantastic term. Another great term begins

for teachers AND students on Tuesday 8th

October (after the Labour

Day long weekend).

2013 YEAR 6 GRADUATION & FAREWELL will be held on

Monday 16th

December

NAPLAN results

Our Years 3 and 5 students will bring home their NAPLAN results

early next term in the week beginning Monday 14th

October. After

receiving the results, if you need to discuss your child’s performance

in these external assessments please contact either Mrs Polios or Mrs

Lock.

Lunch with Mrs Lock

This term it will be ‘Pizza with Mrs Polios’ as Mrs Lock is on leave.

Invitations have gone home today to all children who have had no

whole day absences this term and less than 5 partial absences.

‘Pizza with Mrs Polios’ will be held this Friday 20th September.

WHALAN QUARTERLY

This week, you will receive Issue 3 of our Whalan Quarterly. This

term, the magazine’s theme is -

It’s all about learning, so open the door to find out more!

We hope you enjoy reading it and marvelling at the awesome work

our students have produced this term.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Our school photos will be taken next term on Thursday 24th

October

and Tuesday 29th

October. Prepaid envelopes for photo orders will

be sent home on the first day back to school next term. The flyer

below will give you an idea of the packages that families can pre

order.

Open number line – a blank number line

An open number line can be used to work out addition and subtraction

problems

Example: 52 + 34 = 86 will look like this

+30 +4

52 82 86

Example: 98 – 35 = 63 will look like this

-5 -30

63 68 98

PRIZE WINNERS

Congratulations to the following students who have earned 5

Connected Certificates making them eligible for a prize:

KP – Leonidas Noonan, Alexis Abra

KN – James Hodgson-Baird, Kai Rule, Saia Fatai, Diamond Din,

Natasha Cauchi, Jayden Hoskin-Iddles, Amelia Gore, Tyrese Pitovao

K-4K – Kaleb Watkins

1K – Moana Appleby, Preston Nisa, Brooke Marsh, Nikola-May

Herring, Sonny Farrell

2MS – Chelsea Dale, Natalie Lee, Ashton Pollard

2P – Ellen West, Leilani Fatai

2-6N – Anthony Turner, Sheehan Hossain

3/4C – Diuna Bonawai

3/4B – Rhett Endicott

3-6D – Jake Turner, Lesieli Palu, Leon Lonsdale, Mrkus Angla

5/6K – Maoputasi Tupua, Brayden Warn, Liarn Cregan, Memphis

Hodge, Serena Evile, Ryan Baldock-Shoobridge

5/6P – Deepa Chand, Pamela Schickert

Early next term, we will be awarding the first medals of

the year – WATCH THIS SPACE!

Mrs Polios

Deputy Principal

Parents and carers want the best for their children – a good

education can be life changing!

Did you know?

If a student misses 8 days in every school term,

by the end of year 6, they will have missed

1 year of education.

If a student arrives 15 minutes late every day, by

the end of the year, they miss 10 days of school.

The more time a child is at school, the easier it is

for them to learn.

Prevalence An estimated 72,000 children (or 3% of all children who used the internet at any location between April 2008 and April 2009) had experienced one or more personal safety or security problems online at some time in their life. The most common problems were: accessing inappropriate material,

having strangers ask for or gain access to personal information, and

experiencing online bullying or threatening behaviour. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features60Jun+2011

Danger signs Your child constantly sits on the computer in chat rooms or instant messaging, from straight after school to very late at night

Your child begins showing unexplained money or items that come from "a friend you don't know"

Your child starts being secretive about what they are doing online – this could include anything from minimising screens as you walk past to not letting you see their blogs/chat/social media sites http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/cybersafety/keeping-kids-safe-online

Tips for parents: EDUCATE Find out about the internet.

Make children aware of risks.

o Don’t take everything at face value – people aren’t always honest online. Teach children cybersafety rules: o Always keep passwords secret.

o Think before posting information – once posted it’s difficult to remove.

o Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name or telephone number.

o Set profile to ‘private’.

o Use privacy settings when posting photos online.

o Avoid responding to messages from unrecognised email addresses.

o Never click on links in emails from strangers.

o Don’t accept offers that seem too good to be true.

o If a threatening message is received they should 'STOP, BLOCK, TELL'. EMPOWER Encourage and support children in their internet use.

Reassure your children that they can tell you anything without fear of losing internet access. MAKE THE COMPUTER SAFE Set up the computer with an internet filter.

Install security software such as anti-virus, anti-spam, pop-up stoppers and firewalls. SUPERVISE Supervise children’s activities on all devices – keep computers in public areas.

Set a technology curfew – all devices gathered each evening for recharging.

If you suspect your child has been contacted by a predator, try to save a copy of the chat log (or whatever form the contact takes) for evidence.

Your children will be using computers and the technology for the rest of their lives. You are in the great position of being able to get

them off to a safe, positive start.

Call Crime Stoppers 24-hour line 1800 333 000 to make a formal complaint.

Call 000 if you believe a child to be in immediate danger.

Telephone the Cybersafety Contact Centre 1800 880 176 for information or advice.

Useful Websites http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents.aspx

Cybersmart is a national cybersafety and cybersecurity education program managed by the Australian Communications and Media

Authority (ACMA) http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/cybersafety

This is the Department of Education & Communities’ website for

practical help for parents. www.thinkuknow.org.au

COMING EVENTS

Week 10 September

Monday 16th 3-6 assembly-led by 2-6N; Performance by 5/6M

Tuesday 17th Fast Forward visit for Stage 3 students

Parent session – Revision of past sessions 1.45pm

Wednesday 18th K-2 Athletics Carnival

NO K-2 assembly

Thursday 19th Stage 2 excursion - ‘Dinosaur Petting Zoo’

Friday 20th Pizza with Mrs Polios

Last day of Term 3

Week 1, Term 4 October

Monday 7th Labour Day – Public Holiday

Tuesday 8th Students and Teachers return to school

Friday 11th Summer PSSA games resume

Students and teachers return to school after the Labour Day long

weekend on TUESDAY 8th OCTOBER

LIBRARY NEWS

Please return all libray books and Twilight Tales books this

week

First K-2 and first 3-6 class to return all books will be

rewarded with ice cream treats

Term 3, Week 7 ‘Best attending’ class results

K-2 results 3-6 results

1K 97% 5/6K 97%

K-4K 94% 3-6DL 96%

1S 93% 5/6M 95%

2P 93% 3-6D 94%

2MS 91% 3/4B 92%

KN 84% 5/6P 91%

KP 82% 3/4C 88%

2-6N 86%

Congratulations to 1K and 5/6K

for being the best attending classes in week 7

Term 3, Week 8 ‘Best attending’ class results

K-2 results 3-6 results

KN 95% 5/6M 97%

K-4K 94% 5/6K 94%

2MS 91% 2-6N 94%

1S 90% 3-6D 94%

1K 89% 3/4B 92%

KP 83% 3/4C 92%

2P 82% 3-6DL 88%

5/6P 86%

Congratulations to KN and 5/6M

for being the best attending classes in week 8

Zone Athletics Carnival Report

Two weeks ago, 35 students from Whalan represented our school at the Zone

Athletics Carnival held at Blacktown Olympic Park.

These students had earned the honour of representing our school by finishing

either first or second in their events at the school carnival. I’m very happy to

report that all the students represented our school with great distinction.

On the Wednesday, the field events and the 800m races were held.

Jamain Thurston and Tahlia Cahill ran extremely well, both winning their

800m heats. Tahlia finished 3rd

overall in her age category and Jamain was just

outside the placings. Alomax Siitia also earned a top 5 finish in the senior boys

Shot Put.

On Thursday, it was the sprinters’ turn to show their speed with the 100m and

200m races. Tahlia Cahill again showed her versatility and finished 3rd

in the

200m. However, our best result was still to come, with Samuel Appleby

finishing 2nd

in the junior boys’ 200m final and earning himself a spot on the

Sydney West squad for the regional carnival last week.

We wish you all the best, Samuel!

From where I was standing and from all reports from Mr Birdee and Mrs

Kehagias, all the students behaved brilliantly over both days.

Well done Whalan representatives, you all did our school proud!

Samuel Shines at Sydney West Athletics

Last Wednesday, Samuel Appleby from 5/6M, represented the Mt Druitt Zone

at the Sydney West Athletics Carnival at Blacktown Olympic Park.

Samuel, who was competing in the Junior Boys 200m, was our sole

representative from Whalan.

Samuel represented his school and zone with great distinction.

After finishing 2nd

in his heat, he went into the final with a real podium chance.

In a very close race, Samuel finished a fantastic 4th

position, narrowly missing

out on 3rd

by only 2 hundredths of a second.

This is a sensational result and one that the whole school is proud of. Well

done Samuel!

Royce Simmons Shield Finals Day

A fortnight ago, 10 boys and girls from Stage 2 represented our school at the ‘7

a side’ Royce Simmonds Rugby League Finals Day at The Kingsway.

They earned their place in the finals day by finishing runners up at the Mt

Druitt Gala Day earlier in the term. The boys and girls played very

courageously in all games and weren’t daunted by the step up in competition.

The first game against Blaxland East PS was very close, with both teams

scoring 3 tries a piece. However, more accurate goal kicking gave Blaxland

East the win 18-14.

The second game was against a very well organised Tregear team. Some loose

defence ultimately was the

difference, with Whalan being

defeated 18-4.

The last game of the day was

against Bethany. The team were

keen to go out with a win to

finish the day on a high note.

Although playing some of our

best footy of the day, Bethany

also proved too strong winning

22-14.

The boys and girls all deserve a big ‘well done’ on getting this far in the

competition, considering we are not a PSSA rugby league playing school and

it’s fair to say they exceeded all expectations.

Well done team, and it was good reward for commitment to your training at

lunchtime on Mondays!

Mr Davies

Coach

What’s happening in the garden?

Spring has certainly sprung and

many of the vegetables have

‘bolted’ (ask your child what this

means, and they should be able to

tell you).

Although these plants are no longer

useful as food for the kitchen, they

are a fantastic source of food for the

many bees, butterflies, beetles and

other bugs which are coming out in

large numbers, as the weather

warms up.

Now it’s time to pull these ‘spent’ plants out to make room for new summer

crop seedlings.

The crops are growing well thanks to the tender loving care given to them by

the children.

Watering the plants is a very important part of their care, and the students are

doing a wonderful job.

The Art in the garden is growing, like the plants. You may recall that we were

lucky enough to have a compost bin donated to the school by Rob James, from

Direct Pallets.

The children have done a fine job of making it as colourful as our garden. We

also have a beautiful Pacific Island design on the “totem pole” which holds the

rain gauge.

Kitchen News

WOW…what a fun term we have had in the kitchen. It was all about

healthy alternatives to Fete/Carnival food.

The students worked amazingly well in the kitchen this term loving

everything that we cooked. We were able to bake a little more than

usual this term which was a treat.

To finish off the term we made meat pies with a twist. We used

kangaroo mince instead of beef and the mini frittatas were a massive

hit as we used light sour cream instead of milk.

The students described the frittatas as light and fluffy!

A really big thank you to our wonderful volunteers and all staff! Your

help is always very much appreciated.

A special note

There will be an information evening in our kitchen on Wednesday

30th October 2013 at 5.00pm. Staff from the Stephanie Alexander

team will be here to discuss how the program works, what the benefits

are and anything else you would like to know about the program.

Stephanie Alexander herself may even make an appearance so please

come along and join us.

Thank you

Lisa Stevens

Kitchen Specialist

The school leaders and the SRC would like to

thank everyone who attended our school disco.

It was a fabulous night and everyone really got

into the dancing!

This week and the first week of Term 4, the noticeboards in the

courtyard feature work from 2-6N and 3/4C.

Is your bub turning 4

next year? Call in to Whalan Public School Preschool for an enrolment

form or call 9625 9437 today!

Whalan Public School Preschool Corner of Karangi Rd and Bulolo Drive, Whalan.

Exciting preschool experiences with friendly and caring staff. Please come in to see for yourself!

School

Leaders’

Spot

Whalan Public School Quality teaching, Quality learning, Quality school Kindergarten 2014

+

Karangi Road, Whalan ENROL NOW Ph: 9625 9437

YOU CAN GET AN ENROLMENT FORM FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE

We have enthusiastic, compassionate teachers who provide quality teaching and learning programs to meet the individual needs of all students.

We offer a variety of extra curricula activities including debating, dance, choir, chess, Aboriginal student programs, PSSA, rugby gala days, camp programs, music club, after school sport and homework programs.

We are a quality, Preschool – Year 6 school, which includes a support unit, all committed to excellence, equity and humanity.

Gail Bennett

Leah Krarup

Gloria Donoghoe

Naomi Bennett

Debbie Cauchi

For giving up their time to help

operate our fabulous canteen

Kristy Baldock

Elise Bennett

Sarah Siitia

Flora Evile

For giving up their time to help

operate our fabulous canteen

Parent Brag Book

Kids Holiday Workshops October Holiday workshop program is inspired by artworks in Scissor, Paper, Rock (the boat) in Lewers Learning Centre. Workshops include Boat construction in a jam jar, origami, paper bug lab, clay boat sculpture and more. Creative fun and art making for 5 – 12 year olds, all materials supplied. 1 October – 4 October 2 hour workshop $15 Full program as follows; Tuesday 1 October Boat in a jam jar workshop 5-8 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Inspired by the Origami installation in the exhibition, children will create a dreamboat out of paper and install it in their very own uniquely designed ocean scene in a jam jar. We’ll then construct a wooden dock out of paddle pop sticks to keep our boats afloat. Origami menagerie workshop 9 – 12 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Make a series of origami animals in a variety of papers and an animal enclosure to house them. Wednesday 2 October Cardboard construction workshop 5-8 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Bring your construction skills and your imagination as you design and build a three dimensional cardboard sculpture. Is it an exploding star, is it a fire cracker, is it a sparkling gemstone? Paint it, varnish it, mount it – take home a finished sculpture ready for display. Paper Globe workshop 9 – 12 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Design a map of your world, and then turn your ideas into a 3D object by constructing a paper globe ready to hang in your bedroom. Thursday 3 October Paper Bug Lab 5 – 8 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Draw, create, name and label a series of paper insects. Design your own specimen board to pin them to and make an ‘arty’ paper catalogue of your creepy crawlies. Drawing with scissors - collage workshop 9-12 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Become an art detective as you explore the exhibition and the garden looking for interesting shapes. Learn how to make silhouettes using a

variety of coloured and patterned papers. Create a series of 2D artworks some large enough to hang on your wall, some small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Friday 4 October Clay boat sculpture workshop 5 – 8 yrs 10am – 12 noon $15 Have a look at the amazing boat models in the exhibition and then sculpt a boat of your own out of paper clay. SPECIAL Art Block for Tots program in the Holidays Pre-Schoolers together with their grown up get to have fun whilst learning and being creative. This session is inspired by the book Alex and the Watermelon Boat, tots will use paint, paper, scissors and glue to create a colourfully collaged scene from the story. 10am- 11am $12 per child 3-6 years Bookings are essential Bookings and pre-payment essential. Pay by credit card over the phone. Wear clothes suitable for a workshop environment and bring a snack. 86 River Road Emu Plains penrithregionalgallery.org Email: gallery@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au Ph: 02 4735 1100

Curried kangaroo mince and Pea Pie Serves: 25 tastes Fresh from the garden: Peas, onions, parsley Equipment: Ingredients: 3 Pie dishes 500gr Kangaroo mince Chopping board 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen) Knife ¼ cup warm water Fry pan 1 onion (diced) Wooden spoon 1 beef stock cube 1 small bunch parsley (chopped finely) ½tsp. mustard seeds 2tlbs curry powder 2tlbs plain flour ½tsp paprika ¼ cup tomato sauce 3tlbs tomato paste 1½ sheets of puff pastry

What to do: . Pre heat oven to 220⁰

. Spray fry pan with canola spray

. Set fry pan on medium to high heat and cook onions, curry powder, paprika and mustard seeds for 3

minutes.

. Add mince (break up mince with wooden spoon while cooking) cook until brown.

. Add peas and stir for 2-3 minutes then add flour. Stir.

. Add remaining ingredients except the puff pastry. Cook until slightly thickens.

. Spray each pie dish with canola spray.

. Spoon mince mixture evenly into the 3 pie dishes.

. Cut out puff pastry to cover the top of each pie. Pierce a couple of holes in the pastry and brush the pastry with milk.

. Place into pre-heated oven and cook until pastry has browned (about 15mins.).

. Take out and serve straight on fining table with a serving spoon.

Curried Rice Salad Serves: 8 or 25 tastes Fresh from the garden: lettuce, parsley radish Equipment: Ingredients: Rice Cooker 2 cups uncooked white rice (use measuring cup Chopping board that comes with rice cooker) Knife / Grater 1 radish grated Large bowl / mixing spoon ½ Spanish onion (peeled and very finely chopped) Measuring cups and spoons 1 bunch parsley chopped very fine Measuring jug 3-4 lettuce leaves cut/torn into very fine, small pieces Fork / Strainer (no longer than 1cm) 3 serving bowls 1 carrot grated 3 dessert spoons ½ apple grated OR 1 chopped capsicum if available (1cm

or smaller) ¼ cup raisons Dressing:- ¼ cup olive oil, 2tsp curry powder, ¼ cup white vinegar, 1tlbs caster sugar, 2 garlic cloves (crushed/chopped very small), Large pinch salt and pepper.

What to do: . Using small measuring cup supplied with rice cooker, place 2 cups rice into rice cooker insert. Fill to

the number 2 line inside rice cooker with water. Plug in rice cooker and push switch down to cook. Switch will flick up when ready (approx. 20mins).

. When rice is ready, the warm light will be on, turn off at power and tip rice into strainer, run under

cold water until cooled down.

. Peel and very finely chop onion and place into large bowl

. Grate carrot and also place into large bowl (along with grated apple/capsicum)

. Tear or chop lettuce into very fine pieces (no bigger than 1cm). Place into large bowl.

. Remove stems from parsley and finely chop then place into bowl.

. When rice has been cooked and rinsed until cold in strainer, add to large bowl with all other

ingredients and mix well. . To make dressing, add all dressing ingredients to a measuring jug and stir thoroughly with a fork until

all combined. . Pour over rice mixture then mix well. . Divide evenly into 3 serving bowls and place a dessert spoon in each one. . Place one bowl on each dining table. NOTE When using a rice cooker and white long grain rice, it is 1 cup of rice to one cup of water.

Mini vegetable frittata’s Serves: 36 tastes Fresh from the garden: Equipment: Ingredients: 2 X mini cake tins 10 eggs Large mixing bowl 1¼ cups light sour cream Fork or whisk 1 bunch mixed herbs (parsley, chives, thyme) Measuring cups 1 zucchini (grated skin on) Copping board 2 silverbeet leaves very finely chopped (½cm.) Knife 1 carrot grated Wooden spoon 5tlbs grated parmesan cheese Graters and 3 serving plates

What to do: . Pre heat oven to 200⁰

. Lightly psray holes of mini cake tins with canola spray

. Grate carrot and 2 zucchini, chop silverbeet and herbs very finely

. Crack eggs in large mixing bowl and whisk lightly with fork or whisk.

. Add sour cream to eggs and mix through until smooth.

. Add grated carrots, silverbeet, zucchini, chopped herbs and parmesan cheese.

. Divide into 36 mini muffin holes

. Bake for 15mins.

. When cooked, divide frittatas evenly onto 3 serving plated and place on dining tables.