Thursday 17 November, 2016

Dear Parents and Friends of SGS, I have continued to encourage all students to finish well and not just coast to the end of the year. It is easy to cruise into holiday mode when examinations are finished and the end-of-year activities start to become a focus, but learning and responsibility don’t stop and shouldn’t stop. There continues to be chances to learn and we need to make the most of these opportunities. I am sure that all those secondary students who will head off to camps next week will learn a great deal if they are open to this prospect and make the most of it, just as I am sure that the K – 6 students have learned and developed from the fortnight of Swim and Survive.

The Homegrown and Handmade Markets preparations are in full swing. This is shaping up to be an excellent evening with many market stall holders signing up from within our community and from afar. Don’t miss out on a relaxed evening at School on Thursday, 1 December and bring your friends and family along. Reminders of some important dates to finish the year

Year 6 Celebration - Friday 25 November

The Yellow Cottage End of Year Celebration - Tuesday 29 November

Secondary Social including Year 7 2017 - Wednesday 30 November

Homegrown + Handmade Markets - Thursday 1 December

Whole School Carols/Foundation Sausage Sizzle - Monday 5 December

K – 2 Presentation Day -Tuesday 6 December

Speech Day - Wednesday 7 December I look forward to catching up with many of you over this time. Paul Smart PRINCIPAL

Primary News from Mr Feeney Thank you parents for your positive responses during this term to the traffic management changes undertaken in Kingdon Street. Thank you for your extra care and vigilance as we have worked together to adjust to these new changes. As we approach the end of term …

Please continue to carefully observe the School Zone speed limit of 40kph, between 8:00am-9:30am and 2:30pm-4:00pm.

Please remember that all pedestrians (students, parents, staff and school visitors) should now use the School Crossing when crossing Kingdon Street to enter or leave the School.

Please be aware that traffic must stop for all pedestrians using or waiting to use the crossing, whenever the School Crossing signs are displayed.

Please remember also that the changes include new double unbroken lines on either side of the School crossing. These are specifically designed to prevent U-turns in this area and to facilitate safe traffic flow in one direction only.

Our children’s safety is so important. Every trip, every day is important! Information has been sent home this week to Year 4 families, regarding the iPad Programme for students in Stage 3 classes (Years 5 and 6). Since 2014, we have been implementing an educational policy at SGS, where all Primary students in Year 5 and Year 6 have their own iPad for use at school and with school work at home. Over these three years, results from this new initiative with the iPads have seen both students and staff reporting: 1. significantly higher levels of student engagement in class lessons; 2. more relevant, immediate and flexible use of technology in lessons; 3. greater opportunities for meaningful integration of ICT into all subjects to enhance student learning. Detailed information regarding purchase options and iPad specifications has been included. Please contact me, or any of the Year 5 / Year 6 teachers here at the School, if you have any questions. We look forward to the students benefitting from this continued learning opportunity. Congratulations to all Primary students on the completion of Swim and Survive this week. I’m sure the skills acquired and confidence gained will be invaluable for the children as we approach the coming summer months. Due to an unexpected double-booking problem at the Pool, we will conclude Swim and Survive on Thursday, rather than Friday. This change will not affect the opportunity for assessment of the students, or the students’ opportunity to complete all the requirements at their respective levels. Normal classes will be operating on Friday, 18 November. The Year 6 Celebration will be held next week, on Friday, 25 November, commencing with a special Chapel Service at 1:45pm; fun activities (e.g. students v staff/parents softball) from 3:30pm - 4:30pm over at the Scone Sports Complex; and concluding with a cocktail (soft-drink) style function at Scone Bowling Club, which begins at 5:30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Year 6 students for the contribution they have made during their Primary years and to celebrate all that they have achieved and participated in over this time. We look forward to a wonderful celebration together. The 2016 Primary Public Speaking Finals will be held in Week 8, on Wednesday, 30 November, from 1:00pm-3:00pm in St Luke’s Hall. Finalists will be announced during Week 7. Parents and friends are most welcome to attend the Public Speaking Finals, which are always a most enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. Do come along if you can. Our K-2 Presentation Morning will be held on Tuesday, 6 December, from 10:00am – 11:30am, in the Marquee on the School grounds. All K-2 students should come to School as normal on Tuesday and should wear full School Summer Uniform. Students are free to go home with parents at the conclusion of the K-2 Presentation Morning Programme, or may return to class if needed, with their teachers, where activities will be organised for the remainder of the day. Term 4 will conclude on Wednesday, 7 December, 2016, with our Scone Grammar School Speech Day and Prize Presentation, which w il l commence at 9:30am in the Marquee on the School grounds. All students should wear full School Summer Uniform. I look forward to sharing these very special occasions with you. Good Humour for the Week Why was the policeman worried about the stairs? They were always up to something! Congratulations to Cooper Day (Year 4 Gold), Adelaide Cooper (Year 5 Blue), Myles Hobden (Year 6 Blue), Annabelle Baker (Year 6 Gold), Alex Bishop (Year 4 Blue) and Rory Flanagan (Kindergarten Gold), who are all celebrating birthdays this week. I do wish each of these students all the best as they enjoy this special day and share the time with their family and friends.

From the Chaplain

On ‘Remembrance Day’ Australians are asked to stop and remember the end of the First World War and the military men and women who fought, and especially those who died, for our countries in war. The way we usually remember is by pausing for a minute in silence, or as some of our Year 5 and 11 students did last week, attend a service. But it seems to me that the effect of this remembering is often short lived. Come the next day, most people are not consciously mindful of this remembering. Is ‘remembering’ more than a once a year event? It caused me to wonder whether we often have the same attitude toward Jesus? In 2 Timothy 2:8, Christians are instructed to; “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” What does Paul mean by the word “remember”? Does Paul want Timothy and us to stop once in a while (maybe once a year) and have a minute silence? No. Does Paul want us merely to recall Jesus in our minds? No. To remember Jesus Christ involves thinking about Jesus, but it to goes beyond that. Remembering Jesus means a continuous, conscious orientation of our lives. In other words, we are not just to remember Jesus once in a while, but continuously. Our lives should reflect our remembering as we strive to live lives which reflect Jesus’ love for us. Remembering implies living the way Jesus taught us to live. It seems to me that remembering Jesus Christ is the most important key to living the Christian life. There are many opportunities in our school to hear and consider what God has to say to us and to remember Jesus Christ often. Where might God be calling you in to listen a bit closer as this Christmas season approaches? In Prayer this week: Reflect on: 2 Timothy 2:8 Give thanks for: God’s goodness in sending us Jesus, the resurrection and the life, so we can have a way to be friends with God; Parents, teachers and supporters who truly care for us. Pray for: The O’Regan family; For the school building project; For families and students who are ill or struggling at the moment: Year 3 and Year 9 students; For your son or daughter’s teacher/s! (specific prayer requests can be sent to prayers@sgsnsw.edu.au to be prayed for by our weekly prayer group- not published in newsletter) Rev’d Nate natkinson@sgs.nsw.edu.au

Tales from The Yellow Cottage The Value of a Transition Programme

At The Yellow Cottage one of our major considerations for grouping children is based around the Transition to School programme we operate. We are very proud of this three day programme we offer for children in the year before they go to school. Evidence suggests children who have a positive start to school are likely to engage well and to experience ongoing academic and social success. We play a key role during transition. Supporting children as they navigate the move from The Yellow Cottage into Primary School has potential to aid their social, emotional and cognitive development. It can also equip children with invaluable skills that help them to deal more effectively with the many additional challenges and transitions that lie ahead through their journey from childhood to adulthood. By working together with families and all of the local schools we can support children to make a smooth transition to school. We want to build that sense of belonging and connection before the children start at their new schools. We visit schools including Ellerston, St Mary’s, Scone Public School and of course Scone Grammar School. We work hard at fostering the Buddy system by helping build the bond between the pre-schooler and their new buddy. We work collaboratively with the teachers from the schools each of our Yellow Cottage children are transitioning into. We meet with the teachers and share important transition information, including Transition to School Statements for each child. We ask the children to wonder about school and include their questions in discussion time. We encourage the children to further discover the idea of going to school in play situations, like role play. We place a huge emphasis on building positive relationships with the schools. This enables our children and families to feel they are places where they will be welcome, where they will be listened to, and where they can contribute. A positive school community helps children feel that school is a safe place where their needs can be met.

Curriculum Corner

Bishop Essay Awards Evening 2016

On Wednesday, November 9, Scone Grammar School’s Elective History students attended the awards evening of the annual Bishop Essay competition. The students had worked hard to complete original research on their chosen topics and were warmly congratulated for their efforts by Mr and Mrs Bishop. Mrs Anne Bishop delivered a very interesting address to the audience, recalling the importance of the history of farming families in the Upper Hunter. She spoke of their commitment to preserving their land and the close ties that they had, and continue to have, with it. With a tinge of sadness she spoke of the impacts caused by industry on the land and the purchase of much Upper Hunter land by foreign investors. The students read their essays very well and enjoyed the supper kindly provided by the Historical Society. The results were- First Prize: Emma Saunders ‘Alister ‘Pop’ Saunders’ Second Prize: William Price ‘The Stewarts Brook Valley and its Farming Practices’ Third Prize: Lisa McPhee ‘Scone’s Civic Theatre’ Fourth Prize: Mackenzie Wood ‘A Brief Examination of Malcolm Campbell’s Impact on Muswellbrook and the Surrounding Districts’ Highly Commended: Felicity Telfer ‘The Life and Times of William (Billy) Jackson, Australia’s Youngest VC’ Salman Khan ‘Scott Memorial Hospital’ Clayton Edmonds ‘Scone’s Fallen ANZACs’

In addition to the awards, a presentation was given by the Saunders family of the special tool developed and used by Alister Saunders in WWII. His tool sped up the manufacturing of the adaptors which were welded to the Australian ordinance. These were then attached to the bomb rack of American planes, used in the Battle of the Coral Sea. His achievement was officially recognised by the Australian Government.

Emma Saunders presenting her Great

Grandfather’s tool to the Historical Society

Awards Evening with Mr & Mrs Bishop

Lisa McPhee reading her 3rd

Prize winning essay Will Price reading his 2nd Prize winning essay

Where are they now? …Class of 2006…

The Class of 2006 recently celebrated their 10 year school reunion in Glebe, Sydney. Wonderful to receive their news and find out a little as

to how some of these students have been spending their time and continuing to achieve in so many ways. To mention a few…..

Lucy Baumhammer – GP in Sydney, celebrating the recent birth of her first

child

Jeremy O’Connor – Doctor in Port Macquarie Hospital, in Intensive Care + (Mrs Broomfield’s son)

Alan Pearson – Architect in Melbourne

Duncan White – Physiotherapist in Newcastle

Dominick Ng – University of Sydney Medal, Albright Scholarship and

currently working for Google

James Kane - University of Sydney Medal in Medieval History, Scholarship for PhD to Cambridge University and awarded PhD earlier this year

Dominic Moore – BA Government & International Relations (USyd), Juris

Doctor (UTS) now working as a Senior Policy Advisor to Qld Minister for Police & Emergency Services + (Mrs Moore’s son)

David Abbott – currently studying Medicine, completed undergraduate

degree at USyd, now based at Tamworth Hospital

I hope to share on a regular basis a ‘Snapshot Feature’ on past SGS students. If you know of a past student who would like to share their interesting and varied journeys post their time at the Scone Grammar School, I would be delighted to

hear from you.

Please email aforsythe@sgs.nsw.edu.au

Homegrown + Handmade Markets

The countdown is on…….. Over 50 Stallholders booked in…….Towarri Alpaca’s, Max Loves to Grow, Charlie Loves Things, Sienna & Rosemary, Willow Craft Gifts, Ms Trix, Hetty’s Creations, Corner of the Garden, Digjes with a Difference, Made for Skye Rose, Little Love-Lees, Amanda Paradice Jewellery, Harper & Willow, Mason & Walsh, Succulents by the Brook, Honey Bee Design, Made by Nic Jewellery, Billy & Dolly, Two Little Sisters Candle Co, Ornamental Earth, Sunny Skies & Flutterbys, Phylli Design, Mannie & Me, Teapots & Tractors, Pukara Estate, Variety Children’s Charity. Stallholders Under the SGS Banner….. Kids Creative Corner - on the spot craft activities, SGS Factory, Student Art & Produce Stall, SGS Cake Stall, Doughnut Stall, SGS Super Great Shakes, Louise Broomfield’s Cards, Year 3 Plant Stall, Mick & Nick’s Ducks, The Yellow Cottage Gift Wrap, Year 4 Sponge Throwing, Year 4 ‘Guess How Many Balloons in the Bus’ Competition, Graceful Bites, Catie’s Cakes, Upper Dartbrook Christmas Eggs, Gingerbread House, Sweet + Treats, SGS Drink Stall, SGS Bar, SGS BBQ. Gourmet Delights and Dinner Menu from Grammar Grind Café—eat in school grounds or takeaway option. Live Music Entertainment from Tori Vines—6.00pm to 8.00pm A festive afternoon to relax and enjoy all that is on offer. Come along, all very welcome.

Staff Training—Mental Youth Health

Last weekend Joshua Noble, Damien Saunders, Katherine Davidson, Kat Moore, Leah Steedman and Deb Moore attended Youth Mental First Aid course which we were generously offered via our relationship with ‘Where There’s a Will Foundation.’ It was a 14 hour course that ran over 2 days. The developing mental health problems covered in this course were: depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders and substance misuse. The mental health crisis situations covered were: suicidal thoughts and behaviors, non-suicidal self-injury, (sometimes called self-harm) panic attacks, traumatic events, acute effects of drug or alcohol use and severe psychotic states.

Young Endeavour Recipients Congratulations to Elizabeth Croaker, Ethan Hansia, Conor Edwards and Felicity Telfer. Liz, Ethan and Conor are 3 of 6 students selected to go on the Young Endeavour in April 2017. Felicity is a back up if someone can not make it. The successful recipients were announced last Thursday at a dinner at the Scone Race Club.

REMINDERS:

Power FM are bringing breakfast to our School!

The Power FM Brekky Show will broadcast live from our school on Thursday, November 24. The Power FM crew will bring breakfast for the students which will be available from 7am-8.30am.

Parents are more than welcome and Café Mobilita will be selling coffees on the morning.

Uniform Shop Opening Hours Monday 3.30pm to 5.00pm

Tuesday 8.30am to 10.30am Wednesday 8.30am to 10.30am

Thursday 3.30pm to 5.00pm Friday 8.30am to 11.30am

SGS Fete 2017 Meeting at the Royal Hotel TONIGHT - Thursday 17 November @ 6pm

Great excuse to catch up and start throwing some ideas around for next year’s Fete. All very welcome. A great social occasion too.

Calling Out for Help in the Canteen 2017 Do you have a spare morning each month or a spare morning each term? The Canteen needs your help and would love to hear from you. A busy place and, at times, a little crazy but a fun morning will be guaranteed. Please help if at all possible - many hands make light work.

Community Notices & News

For Your Diary Week 6 (B) Thursday 17 November Year 7 Hunter Sports’ Gymnasium at Glendale Swim & Survive to 22 November Friday 18 November Transition Day for new 2017 students – Years 1-6; Years 8-12 Swim & Survive to 22 November Week 7 (A) Monday 21 November Swim & Survive Tuesday 22 November Swim & Survive Camps – Years 7 – 10 depart Wednesday 23 November Swim & Survive Camps – Years 7 – 10 to 25 November Thursday 24 November Camps – Years 7 – 10 to 25 November Power FM Brekkie Foundation Meeting Friday 25 November Camps – Years 7 – 10 return Year 6 Celebration Week 8 (B) Monday 28 November IT students - Yrs 9, 10 & 11 - Google HQ Sydney Tuesday 29 November The Yellow Cottage end of year celebrations Wednesday 30 November Secondary School Social – Year 7 2017 invited to attend Denman Rotary Year 6 Dinner Thursday 1 December Twilight Markets

Canteen Roster

Week 6 (B) Thursday 17 November Jenny Crackett, Tania Dart Friday 18 November Jenny Crackett, Jane Watson, Georgie Ryan Week 7 (A) Monday 21 November Jenny Crackett, Amelia Wilkinson Tuesday 22 November Jenny Crackett, Amelia Wilkinson Wednesday 23 November Jenny Crackett, Bernadette Holz Thursday 24 November Fiona Bailey, Pip Baker Friday 25 November Fiona Bailey, Tracey Stewart, Georgie Ryan Week 8 (B) Monday 28 November Jenny Crackett, Karen Johnson Tuesday 29 November Fiona Bailey, Catherine Raphael Wednesday 30 November Fiona Bailey, Belinda Sowter Thursday 1 December Jenny Crackett, Sinead Scott Friday 2 December Jenny Crackett, Erryn Day, Karen Yelverton Week 9 (A) Monday 5 December Jenny Crackett, Fiona Bailey Tuesday 6 December Jenny Crackett, Fiona Bailey