The Brush Telegraph

Week 5 – Term 1 2021

Message From The Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Swimming Carnival.  It was great to see students trying their individual best, a great day was had by all. Thank you to Mr Boucher for his organisation and all the teachers and parents that assisted on the day. I was very proud to hear the great reports about the students that made it to the Zone carnival to represent our school. The teachers and staff from other schools commented on their behaviour and sportsmanship. Well done to Connor Singe (Year 6) who has successfully made it through to the Hunter Carnival. We wish him the best of luck for the upcoming event in Newcastle. 

Attendance Matters

As part of our strategic directions in improving student performance and meeting expected growth levels over the next 4 years, attendance has been targeted as a focus area. Attendance is essential for continued growth for all our students.

To get the most out of education, children need to go to school every day.

School attendance has a major influence on educational outcomes.  Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better results at school and are more likely to complete their schooling.

Parents can encourage their child to attend school by having a positive attitude to learning and education. Poor school attendance patterns can start as early as Kindergarten.  It is important that from the first day of school parents set an expectation that their children will be at school every day.  Missing an average of ten days of school per term adds up to missing two full years of schooling by the end of Year 10.

It is important to remember that all Australian states and territories have legislation in place that requires parents to ensure their children attend school.  These laws apply to all students in government and non-government schools.

Please explain any absences within 7 days. This can be verbal, written, a phone call to the office or responding to SMS that is sent out daily. Schools are required to contact parents by the second day of unexplained absences.

If you are having attendance issues with your child, please contact us so we can work together to improve their attendance at school.

Flying Fox

In recent weeks there has been an influx of flying fox in in our area and they have encroached into our playground boundary trees. I have been in contact with National Parks and they have visited our site. I have been informed that although we have had a major increase in the numbers of flying fox over the last few months this will start to settle back to normal. There has been an abundance of food and it is a peak time. The recent rain has washed a lot of the nectar they enjoy away and therefore the excess flying fox will be moving on to other areas. As a precaution, we have been limiting the areas the students play, specifically near the boundary of the reserve. This was to reduce the stress on the animals. This week we have already seen a reduction in numbers and they have moved further back into the Brush. 

'80% of success is showing up' - Woody Allen

Regards,

Kylie Seaman

Principal

DIARY DATES

FEBRUARY
Friday 26Year 6 Shirt - order form due
MARCH
Thursday 4Assembly
Wednesday 17School Photos

SPORT

Manning PSSA Sport News

Zone Swimming Carnival

Last Wednesday, 17 February, 13 students from Wingham Brush represented our school at the Zone PSSA Swimming Carnival. Our students represented our school in an outstanding way and competed against many strong swimmers. Multiple students won their heats and we even have one student, Connor Singe, who has been selected to compete at the Hunter Regional Swimming Carnival. A big congratulations to all students who attended on the day and all the best Connor at Newcastle.

 

Zone Basketball Trials

Two Students, Jayden Bourke and Myresa Poini attended Saxby’s Stadium to compete in the Zone Basketball Trials on Tuesday 23 February. They played their best during the games.

 

Zone Cricket Trials

Due to the wet weather, Zone cricket trials will be held today at Manning Indoor Sports (Inflatable World Taree), 47 Muldoon Street, Taree.

Despite the change in venue, Chase Marron, Declan Saxby and Logan Rees will compete for a spot in the Manning PSSA Cricket team. Play hard and have fun boys. Do your school proud.

Zone Swimming Carnival

4/5D HAPPENINGS

4/5D have had a great start to the term and it seems I have a class of keen mathematicians! We have been using our birthdays as data to create column graphs and making odometers to practise making large numbers to consolidate our knowledge of place value. I really hope that all carers of students in 4/5D can join class DOJO, then I can share pictures as we go through the term. The link is https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CW4H2QD. A huge thank you to all the families who have already connected. 

4/5D GALLERY

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

A great public school is made great with both the support provided by the Department of Education and the contributions made by the community. Schools also have the ability to enhance their educational and sporting programs by collecting voluntary contributions from parents. This means funding for those extra resources to support programs to enhance the teaching and learning, and ultimately the educational outcomes, of our students. We have kept the level of voluntary contributions per year to $30 per student or $35 per family, to a minimum to make this contribution affordable to all.

PUBLISHING/LOCAL WALKING/INTERNET PERMISSION NOTE

Notes requesting student information and permissions for publishing photos, walking to activities in the local area and internet use were sent home by class teachers. Please complete these forms and return to class teacher promptly.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION UPDATE NOTE

Each year the school receives funding based on the Family Occupation and Education Index (FOEI). Schools are required to seek updated information regarding parental education level and occupation. The aim of updating this information is to best reflect the profile of our school community to ensure we receive an accurate funding entitlement. While there is no obligation to complete the form, a high level of completion and accuracy is appreciated. The information you provide is held confidentially here at school, however the Department of Education (DoE) periodically harvests the data in an aggregated, anonymous form in order to compile the FOEI. If you have any questions or need assistance with the form please do not hesitate to contact the school office. Please complete this form and return to the front office as soon as possible. 

P&C CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS ROSTER

FEBRUARY
Thursday 25M Woodward          E Richardson
Friday 26A Kneebone           R Green
MARCH
Monday 1CLOSED
Tuesday 2CLOSED
Wednesday 3C Hooper                A Kneebone
Thursday 4M Woodward          E Richardson
Friday 5A Kneebone           R Green
Monday 8CLOSED
Tuesday 9CLOSED
Wednesday 10 C Hooper                A Kneebone

CANTEEN FLEXISCHOOLS

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