Ironbark Ridge PS Withers Rd, Rouse Hill 2155 Ph: 8814 5687 Fax: 8814 5698 Email: ironbarkrg­p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Webpage: www.ironbarkrg­p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Newsletter ‘10 Term 4 Week 9 09.12.10

Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful DATES FOR THE DIARY

December 10 th 9.30 am Thank you morning tea for volunteers 11 th Talent Quest 14 th ES1 Movie Day, S3 Movie Day 15 th LAST DAY OF TERM FOR STUDENTS

CURRENT NOTES Kindy End of Year Movie Excursion – due 10 th December Canteen will only be open on Monday 13 th December. Canteen WILL NOT be open on Wednesday 15 th

December.

Dear Parents and Friends,

Oh boy! What a week!

Thank you to all who attended our Celebration Night at Rouse Hill HS last night. It was a true celebration of the year at Ironbark Ridge with each stage’s performances highlighting what a happy place Ironbark Ridge PS is. Our special guests always comment on how smoothly the night is run and what an enjoyable night it is. Mr Brent spent countless hours organising all the aspects of the evening and is to be congratulated for his outstanding co­ordination. A special mention needs to be made of Emma and Angus McDonald who “anchored” the evening and did a fine job of accommodating last minutes changes.

On Monday evening we had the great pleasure of attending the Year 6 Farewell at Castle Hill RSL. Mrs Walker and Mrs Sexton organised a fantastic evening attended by Year 6 and many members of staff. Year 6 had great fun. It was wonderful to see so many parents having the last two dances with their children. The evening was followed the next day by high school orientation for most of our Year 6. They are looking forward with great anticipation to 2011 and their first year of high school.

On Tuesday we welcomed our Year 5 OC class for 2011. Students from 16 different schools will form the OC class next year. Aash and Doris did a wonderful job of explaining how our OC class operates and how important it is to become active members of our school community in order to get the best from their two years at Ironbark Ridge PS. Thank you to Mrs Burns for organising the orientation.

On Friday staff welcome the opportunity to thank our school community for their much valued support of our school. We hope to have a good roll­up of parents for morning tea in the hall courtesy of the staff.

Student reports will be issued early next week. As indicated in last week’s newsletter, if your child will be absent next week please notify the class teacher of whether you would like the report mailed or if another family has your permission to bring the report home.

You may have noticed the arrival of two of our three new demountables. Work will continue during the holidays connecting the new buildings to services and constructing paths and covered walkways. Interactive whiteboards are being ordered for the new rooms in the hope that they will be installed early in 2011. Our water tank will be installed next week.

Next week will be a very busy time with classrooms being cleaned and furniture organised. Teachers will be very busy! We welcome parent involvement in many school activities, but next

week we ask that you leave us to get on with the many end of year tasks that need to take place. The last two days of next week are School Development Days: teachers and office staff have a very full program including anaphylaxis and asthma compliance training, stage meetings and planning and work on our 2011 Management Plan. Office staff have many end­of­year administrative tasks to perform. It is certainly not an early holiday for staff.

We sadly bid farewell for the time being to Mrs McLennan who is taking some time to be a mum at the beginning of next year. We will miss her very much and look forward to welcoming her back at some time in 2011.

As this is the last newsletter for 2010 I would like to thank all parents who read the newsletter each week. It is our main form of communication with our school community so we very much appreciate those who take the time to read it.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas season and a relaxing, safe January. Goodbye and thank you to all of those families who are leaving the Ironbark Ridge PS community and good luck in your new schools.

See you all in 2011.

Regards,

Kerry Poole Principal

Student Leaders: Matthew Rowlinson and Doris Mo Prefects: Kristina Triandifilis, Taine Leyshon, Grace Meek, Jacob Bayfield House Captains: Banishri Suppiah, Zac Cranston, Jordan Stout, Blake Meyer, Kristin Regel, Jonathon Chai, Jamie Lee Boules, Ben Hall

ADMIN NEWS Goodbye to our beautiful Yr 6 students. We will miss you all terribly. Please don’t forget to come back and visit us and let us know how you are enjoying high school.

I would also like to thank the administrative staff and school support liaison officers: Mrs Suzanne Belcher, Mrs Jillian Budzinski, Mrs Allison Batten, Mrs Shaua McGill, Mr Bill Clark, Mrs Rosanne Luton and Mrs Tracey Sayer.

These people are an absolute pleasure to work with and they do their jobs with dedication and good heartedness. They are a wonderful group of people and I am so glad to have them on the Admin team. This is the end of our 6 th year at Ironbark Ridge and it gets busier every year. So from an exhausted but happy office staff, have a very happy and safe Christmas.

Therese Fox, School Administrative Manager

FROM THE TEACHERS There have been some cases of Head Lice in some of the classes. Can you check your children’s hair and if you feel that there may be a problem, treat your child’s hair, hat, bedding etc. in the appropriate manner. Thank you

Kindy Capers Well, what a great year we’ve had! So many activities and happenings. The Kindy teachers have really enjoyed 2010. Our verse­speaking and Christmas singing was excellent. Lovely smiles, disciplined lines and the way they learnt their lines gave such a successful outcome. The children all co­operated and participated enthusiastically and achieved great success in every activity they undertook. Congratulations to every Kindergarten child. We wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holiday and all the best in 2011.

Mrs Shorten Mrs Kassis Mrs Barton Mrs Stokes

Just a reminder that a note went home last week about our end of term movie and lunch day on Tuesday 14 th December. We need to have the permission slip and payment by Friday 10 th December, as no late payments or permission notes will be taken after this date.

5 NEPEAN I can’t believe how quickly the end of our school year is approaching. It seems like only yesterday I was learning the names of all the children in the class who were ALL beginning at their new school. It has been a fantastic year all round. I have been extremely impressed with how well the children in Nepean settled in to their new school environment and how quickly they made friends with the other students. They have had so many opportunities to participate in a wide variety of school activities and have done so with enthusiasm. I have seen children in my class participate in Tournament of Minds, debating, verse speaking, PSSA, Commonwealth Games sports day, all school sports carnival, bush band, Wakakirri, Assemblies, A night with the stars, A Journey to Antarctica, Milson Island and Hill End camps, Bush dancing, Year 6 fun day and the list could go on and on. It has been wonderful to see the children’s confidence increase and some have developed excellent leadership skills which will certainly be beneficial when they are all in Year 6 next year. I would like to thank all of the students in Nepean for such a great year. I asked them all to reflect on their first year at Ironbark Ridge and share their thoughts with you. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very safe and happy Christmas!

Miss Dennis

Shelley – I think this year was exciting and it gave me lots of new opportunities. Jake – Everyone has been very welcoming and I have made a lot of friends. Harry – Ironbark Ridge P.S has allowed me to participate in many activities that I would never have been able to participate in before such as Tournament of Minds, Hawkesbury Eisteddfod and Debating. Paro – There is a lot of activities like Wakakirri and the school choir. Doris – It felt great coming second in the Regional Tournament of Minds final! GO SOCIAL SCIENCE! Cindy – I have enjoyed participating in the school band and coming second in Tournament of Minds! Aashna ­ I’ve enjoyed participating in the Hawkesbury Eisteddford and it felt great coming first AND being given “The Most Outstanding Verse Speaking Choir 2010”!

Mitchell ­ I’ve gone to zone in cross country with the encouragement the school, friends and my house gave. Jeremy­ It’s been great coming to this school and finding lots of new friends and getting lots of new opportunities. Jonathan ­ I’ve made a lot of friends really quick and it is funnnn!! Tara ­ Everybody is friendly and there are lots of fun school activities to join, like Wakakirri and Tournament of Minds! :) Claire ­This school has given me lots of opportunities to participate in different activities. Aash – This has been a great first year. I have been in cricket and learned to solve a Rubik Cube Tim – This year has been really fun and everyone was really friendly and helpful. I have started band which I did not do in my old school and the teacher is great. :) Sheena ­ 2010 has been a very welcoming and fun year and there have been a lot of activities to participate in!! Ezra ­ This year has been great and I have tried out some things that I have never done before and my teacher is awesome!!!! :) Brian ­ Everyone in the school is so welcoming and there are many activities that I have never tried before. Adrienne ­ My first year in Ironbark has been awesome and I have made new friends! Cherry ­ Ironbark Ridge is a great school with lots of new opportunities and all students are very friendly. Michelle ­ All the students and the teachers are quite friendly and welcoming ­ this school is an awesome place with a lot different activities to do! Banishri ­ This year has been great and all of the teachers and students have been really nice ­ there have also been great opportunities !! :) Fernando ­ I’ve made many good friends this year, making the homework projects were fun and the excursions were great! Aryan ­ My first year at Ironbark has been my best year so far because of all the opportunities to do many things like TOM, Verse Speaking Choir and many more! Lucas ­ The school gives me many opportunities to ‘be awesome’ as it has many things which people can choose to participate in but the best thing is that you actually get to choose to do a variety of activities. Lance ­ This year I have made many friends and enjoyed participating in the chess team, chess tournament, PSSA Newcombe ball and choir. Kirstin –This year I really enjoyed Wakakirri, sport and the Athletics Carnivals and the numerous opportunities that were available this year !! Ben – This year has been great. I met many new people and enjoyed all of the activities. Paul – A great class, a great teacher and a great school. William – This year I have enjoyed the participation in Athletics Carnival, Swimming Carnival and especially Band because it is very amusing. Anton (absent at the time of print) ­ Participated with enthusiasm in Wakakirri, band, PSSA AFL and many other whole school and class activities. He was also an SRC representative.

FAREWELL MACQUARIE What a fantastic year we have had; Milson’s Island, Hill End, 3 teams to state final TOM, most outstanding verse speaking choir, newcombe and t’ball winners, lots of distinctions and high distinctions, excellent Maths Olympiad result, individual verse speakers, debaters, Ridges representatives, regional Awards of Excellence, writing competition winner and many things I have left out. You should all be very proud of your achievements! Shouvik, Adrian and Michael you poor boys have had to put with my stories and nagging for four years. Angus, Emma, Jeremy, Mashuq, Zoe, Riannah, Ashera and Amrita made it through three years and you survived. So I am sure you will all cope with anything life throws at you. My OC group I remember when you came two years ago. Some of you were very quiet and now you are strong confident people (I even have to remind you to be quiet occasionally) others were loud and sure of themselves and had to learn that others were just as clever and deserved your respect. Your achievements are amazing and fully deserved. Macquarie you have made me and our whole school, very proud of the people you have become. You are excellent examples of what Ironbark Ridge Public School is all about; participation, taking on challenges and being the best you can. We will miss you!!

Judy Burns

CHINESE This year we have had some wonderful learning happening in Chinese. It’s always fantastic to see the enthusiasm that students show towards language learning. I have been particularly impressed with the risk taking involved in Chinese, especially when it comes to speaking in Chinese in front of peers. Speaking of risk taking, I am so impressed and proud of a group of our students who went to participate in a National Chinese language proficiency test called the YCT (Youth Chinese Test) at Rooty Hill High School on Friday November 19 th . Our students braved the difficult test amongst high school students! Some of our students who sat the test were beginners to Chinese this year, while some were native speakers. It was a privilege to be invited by head of LOTE at Rooty Hill HS, Mr John Meng, as the only primary school to participate. As a result of sitting the test, each student who participated received a kite and a keepsake for their efforts, as well as a nationally recognised certificate in Chinese studies and language proficiency! Although we have not yet received the test results, I have heard back from Mr Meng, who has praised our students for their impeccable behaviour, their concentration and their dedication to their studies of Chinese. He also said that after having a “quick look” at the tests from our students that “they had all done very well”!

I look forward to obtaining those results and delivering them to the following students as soon as possible:

Kirsten Regal Adrienne Brillante Andre Luton Doris Mo Mitchell Clayton Michael Zhao Cherry Zhai Sean Okunbor Jonathon Cai LeanneChen

Again, well done to these students!! You’ve done our school proud!

Miss Penhall

LIBRARY BOOKS If you still have any borrowed library books at home, could you please return them to the library a.s.a.p. Thank you Judy Paton SRC

Our last SRC meeting will be a pizza party lunch on Friday 10 th December to thank all the students for all the hard work that has been done during the year

LOST PROPERTY A pair of sunglasses were been handed into the office after the Celebration night on Wednesday evening. If they belong to you, please come and collect them from the office. Thank you.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT It was an absolute pleasure this week to present the Citizenship Awards and the 2010 Honours Student Award at Celebration Night. Congratulations to everyone who received an award. A big congratulations also goes to all of the students who performed on the night and the staff who spent countless hours organizing the event.

This year has been a big year for the P&C and we have accomplished a great amount of positive things for the school. To everyone who has volunteered this year – THANK YOU!

To the Year 6 kids moving on to High School, good luck with your future endeavors.

On behalf of the P&C I would like to wish you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

Nicolle Greentree

UNIFORM SHOP Next Wednesday 15 th December will be the last day that the uniform shop will be open for this year. We will open on Tuesday 25 th January 2011, from 9.00am to 12 noon.

Our school Talent Quest is on Monday 13 th December. It will begin at 9.30am. There were a remarkable number of students who auditioned and they are all to be congratulated for their enthusiasm. We certainly have a huge number of TALENTED students at our school and our Talent Quest promises to be a fun filled show! The Talent Quest is not a competition but an event for the children to enjoy as our school year comes to a close. It is only for the children in K­6 to watch.

We kindly request that no parents come on the day please.

Mrs Nahirny, Mrs Shorten and Miss Dennis

A huge THANK YOU to all of the wonderful volunteers who have helped in the canteen throughout the year…

ATTENTION…………………….Please note……. The canteen will not be open for lunch orders –

drinks and ice blocks only on

Wednesday 15 th December The last day to place lunch orders and purchase items over the counter will be:

Monday 13 th December, 2010

Lunch Orders for Monday 13 th December; Week 10 Please place a second choice on your lunch order bags for Monday 13 th December.This will help to ensure that your child will receive one of their choices for lunch. Last day of Term Stock­take and Clean­up On Wednesday 15 th December, we will be cleaning the canteen and counting

stock for the end of year. If you can spare some time on this day please let Jane Moog or Emma Ashley

know, any help would be much appreciated….. Many hands make light work…….

MONDAY 13 th December : Julie Rosten (Opening) Extra volunteer needed

Attention….Attention……Canteen Survey

Please complete surveys and return to school by the end of term.

Thank you for taking the time to fill these in.

• Cups of Freshly Popped Popcorn – 20c (WoW!)

• Cookie Max Choc Chip Cookies – 70c

• Hello Panda Biscuits – 60c

• Cheesy Macs are available for lunch orders....

• MONDAY: Garlic Rolls $ 1.00 each

Unclaimed Bidgeree Awards The following people have Bidgeree Awards to be collected from the canteen,

come at lunch time to receive your free quelch fruit stick……

KF KS KM Emma Bentley Amber Lachlan Greentree x3 Ashleigh Isabell Young x3 Mitchell Max Salau Cooper Stone x2 Jay Tara Demamid Alicia Holly x3

Matthew Brehna Kellyanne x2 Sophie Aliesha Evan Abi x3 Ryan Lili Breeana Rix Laurence Esparas Evan Du Plooyx2 Chloe Jay Ingleton x2

K 1/A 1D 1T Ryan Zahrah Tye River Kirralee Rachel Caleb Ethan Beard Olivia Sapphrine Holly Riley x3 Trsitan Olivia Owen

Lachlan x2 Riley Nick Sell

1/2S 2Y 2/3D Owen Moule Suriah Salameh x4 Emily Makkai Bailee Kingston x3 Jannah Edward Zach May x2 Joshua Pupo x2 Kevin Chang Darcy Andrews Yusuf Jai­Leigh x2 Lauren Reed Noah Westland Annalise x3 Avishma Jack Lemsing Baxter Scholtz James Hinnchsen Isabella C Claudia Thea Monique Jemma Selena

3T 3/4D 4N Josh Sell Annika Regal Brad x2 Kaitlyn Olivia Alex B Emma Jones Mason Cassar Nick A Lateisha James

Taj Leyshon 4/5L 5M 5N

Harley Porsha Pupo Adrienne Brillante Jennifer Jessica Webb Cherry Zhei Johnathan A Maddison Sara Tara Ahrya Reddy Jake k

Bailey Rowe x2 Austin Nick Sid

5/6H 6M Jack lilly Nathan Vella Josh Vella x2 Amy Ellison

Han Feng

Have a Wonderful and Safe Christmas Break, see you all next year…. From Your Canteen Committee

1 st KELLYVILLE SCOUTS COMMUNITY CAR BOOT SALE

Sat 11 th DEC 8AM-2PM

Kellyville Scout Hall, cnr Acres & Greenwood Rd $20* PER Vehicle – limited places

Bookings – ph 0403 495 083 *All proceeds go to supporting 1 st Kellyville Scouts *

*Tables & Undercover areas available – first in best dressed *All unsold goods to be taken away by vendors

*NO DEALERS

Kellyville Anglican Ministry Centre

Carols on the Lawn 45 President Road, Kellyville. Saturday 11 th December 2010

5pm Pre­program (free jumping castles, face painting, a fire engine & more!

7.30 pm Carols program Featuring your favourite carols, musical performances and kids

entertainment. BYO picnic rug. (In bad weather, the event will be moved indoors)

For more information call 9629 6255 or visit www.kellyville.anglican.asn.au

ROUSE HILL RHINOS JRLC PLAY RUGBY LEAGE IN 2011

REGISRATION DATES Rouse Hill Village Centre Saturday 15 th January 10am­2pm Saturday 5 th February 10am­2pm Kellyville Plaza Saturday 22 nd January 10am­2pm Rouse Hill Town Centre Saturday 15 th January 10am­2pm Saturday 5 February 10am­2pm

GerVina Fashion Jewellery Jewellery Work Shops Looking for something different for the kids to do in the school holidays? Lear to create their own jewellery Half day classes, snacks included. $45 per session Register your interest by calling Beth Ph: 0468 684 009 We also do birthday parties and party plans. Jewellery also made to order

www.gervinafj.com

Bookings essential. Book before Christmas. Limited numbers, Fun day for all ages (8+) Boys & Girls

DISCLAIMER:

Ironbark Ridge Public School newsletter contains paid advertisements which assist with the cost of publication. The publication of such advertisements does not imply endorsement of any product or service by the NSW Department of Education and Training or Ironbark Ridge Public School.