GORDON WEST BULLETIN V O L U M E 1 2 0 1 9 F E B R U A R Y 7 2 0 1 9

Principal’s Report Ryde Road Pymble 2073 Telephone: 9498 4644 Fax: 9498 4436 Email: gordonwest-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.gordonwest-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Monday 11 February

Swimming Carnival

Friday 15 February

PSSA Starts

Friday 1 March

Zone Swimming

Sat/Sun 9/10 March

Dads and Kids Camp

Thurs 14 March

Selective High School Exam

Sat/Sun 23/24 March

Band Camp

Thurs 28 March

Area Swimming

Friday 12 April

Last Day Term 1

Monday 29 April

Staff Development Day

Tuesday 30 April

Students resume

Term 2

Dates to Remember

Welcome back to what we an cipate will be another great year at Gordon West. We hope that your vaca on was enjoyable and that you are looking forward to returning to school for 2019. My wife Julia and I took the opportunity to visit Canberra over the Christmas New Year break and were pleasantly surprised as to how peaceful and tranquil Canberra was at that me of year. We rode our bikes everywhere and took full advantage of many of the Na onal Capital’s tourist a rac ons without being inundated by tourists.

Once again rather than list copious amounts of informa on rela ng to school organisa on and procedure we request that you familiarise yourself with the Gordon West Informa on Booklet from the school website. Hopefully you will be able to find answers to all ques ons that may arise. If you can’t please let us know so that we can update the handbook.

School organisa on on day one was very exci ng with a number of new teachers, new students and many internal changes. We bid farewell to Ms Archer (Waitara), Mr Pickup (Kings), Mr Kirk (Lindfield Village School), Mrs Hu on (Atlanta Georgia), Ms Young (South Coast), Miss Fleming (Trusco Street,) Mrs Eyre (West Pymble) and Mrs Ryan to Mowbray Public School as Deputy Principal. We thank all of these people for their wonderful contribu on to the Gordon West School community and wish them all the best in their new endeavours. We welcome Ms Denyer 4/5C, Mrs Dickens and Mrs Ronald 1T, Ms Eather 1E, Mrs Gardiner 2G, Mrs Paul (School Psychologist) and Ms Park PE. We also welcome back from Portugal Ms Dutra 5T. In addi on Ms Harper our substan ve Deputy Principal who is on leave on the South Coast has kindly offered to teach 3A as a result of Mrs Hill gaining employment as a teacher librarian in the Merit Selec on Process the last week of the 2018 school year. Hopefully a permanent replacement will be appointed shortly. We also took the opportunity to provide different career opportuni es for a number of teachers by moving them internally to gain valuable experience in the four different stages across K‐6. It is very important for a teacher’s professional development that they gain experience across the different stages.

For those seeking permanent employment it is essen al that they gain this experience to make them more compe ve in the Merit Selec on Process. Best Start Kindergarten tes ng has been completed and the new Kindergarten children have se led in well. The new Kindergarten organisa onal model introduced last year by Ms Tasovski our Early Stage 1 Supervisor has worked very well again with the new members of our school se ling in quickly to primary school. A big thank you to Mrs Lauren Green for hos ng a lovely morning tea which is a regular feature of the Gordon West school calendar and an excellent means of welcoming new parents to our school. Deputy Principal Mr Sparke and I really enjoyed mee ng the new Gordon West parents at this lovely occasion. Congratula ons to Mrs Harvey who was the successful applicant in the Gordon West Merit Selec on process conducted at the end of 2018. A big thank you to Mrs O’Keefe and to Mrs Lawson for being members of the Merit Selec on Panel. This is a very rewarding yet demanding task with over 40 applicants for the posi on. Mrs Harvey is a very experienced educator with a wonderfully compassionate teaching style and considerable experience in both Primary and Secondary educa on. We look forward to a very produc ve associa on with Mrs Harvey over the coming years. Congratula ons to Mr Sparke on his appointment as Relieving Deputy Principal at Gordon West. Mr Sparke is a very well respected educator and we look forward to his very calm, professional management style. Mr Sparke was captain of the First Division Sydney Cricket Team and played in the Kent Cricket league in England as well as represen ng NSW in the

Second XI team, with all of these experiences providing excellent opportuni es for the development of his outstanding leadership skills. As usual a number of school projects were completed during the school vaca on with the Year 6 MDR Building repainted internally as was the 2T demountable. A big thank you to Salvatore Castelunova (Sam) and his team for comple ng this work. Unfortunately the very hot weather resulted in the replacement roof for the Computer Room being postponed. Final onsite mee ngs for the installa on of ar ficial turf for the area adjacent to the hall were also held. As Murphy’s law would have it the natural turf has never looked so good in the above area. However the new ar ficial turf will ensure maximum u lisa on of this very popular area. The Gordon West FRASC WelcomeFest to be held on Saturday 23 February is an excellent way to commence the year and to welcome new parents to the school. Please refer to the following P&C and FRASC reports in rela on to this very important event. The Gordon West FRASC will hold their first mee ng this coming Friday in the Special Purpose Room (next to the library) immediately a er drop off at 9:10am. Please feel welcome to a end the mee ng to be informed of the many wonderful things that FRASC does to support our school. For those worried about a ending and being commandeered for a posi on that they really don’t want, my sugges on is to sit on your hands and enjoy the mee ng.

Kindergarten parents enjoying their morning tea.

J Huckerby Principal

Gareaway—Cockatoo (blue)

Captains : Lucy H, Lucas S

Vice: Serena H, Brian W

Marayong—Emu (green)

Captains : Noah M, Nicola B

Vice : Nate D, Marta F

Mulgo– Swan (yellow)

Captains : Zac H, Tegan M

Vice : Declan F, Kate W

Waugan‐Raven (red)

Captains : Isabella C, Hugh T

Vice : Ava L, Rowan N

It is with sadness that we bid fond farewell to the Premier Dance School that has operated at Gordon West for approximately the last thirty years. Ms Lynne King the operator of Premier Dance started her first dance school 44 years ago and has regularly appeared on television and various other forms of entertainment. Lynne and I are not sure exactly when she commenced at Gordon West because it seems as though she has always been here with her very welcoming smile and bringing such joy to so many Gordon West children. On behalf of the Gordon West School community I would like to thank Lynne for providing such wonderful instruc on and enjoyment for the children of Gordon West over so many years and wish her all the best in the future.

It is essen al that excellent communica on exists between the school and the community that we serve. Please contact us if you have any queries no ma er how minor you feel they may be. If it is important to you, it is important to us. Mr O’Keefe President of the Gordon West Parents and Ci zens Associa on also welcomes feedback on any aspect of school organisa on. We look forward to a successful year.

HOUSE CAPTAINS 2019 Congratula ons to our new House Captains and Vice‐Captains for 2019. Best of luck for the swimming carnival next Monday.

BULLETIN HARDCOPIES This bulletin is available on the school website every fortnight for all parents to view. To reduce our impact on the environment the printed copy of the bulletin will only be provided to families who specifically request a hardcopy. Please complete this form and send to the school office if you require the bulletin in hardcopy format: Eldest Child’s Name:…………………………………………………………………. Class:………………….. Parents Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………………...

CLASS CONTACT LISTS.

Dear Gordon West Parents, Welcome to a new school year on behalf of the Gordon West PS P&C Commi ee.

All families will be receiving a note from me in the coming days regarding CLASS CONTACT LISTS. It now falls upon the GWPS P&C to compile family contact details to distribute to the students in each class. Submi ng your family’s contact details is op onal, but it is strongly encouraged that you at least provide parent names and an e‐mail address. You can choose which contact details to enter and omit. In addi on to being able to contact your child’s peers, the e‐mail addresses provided are used for all com‐munica on between your family and the GWPS P&C, including no fica ons of school and class social events. Please read the note you receive. If you need to add or correct your family’s contact informa on, submit a GoogleForm at the link below:

Link: bit.ly/GordonWestPS‐PandC‐class‐contact‐lists

If, at a future date, you would like to remove your contact informa on from our lists, we will do so promptly. The Gordon West Fundraising and Social Commi ee (FRASC) is also currently seeking two class parents for each class, preferably one boy‐parent and one girl‐parent. These parents will distribute GWPS P&C and FRASC no fica ons and help arrange social events for the class. It is an easy job, mostly requiring the for‐warding of e‐mail messages. If you are willing to be a class parent for one (or more) of your children’s clas‐ses, please contact Beck Jull at beckc@iinet.net.au. Thank you, Lizzy Wenk GWPS P&C Vice‐president & mum to Sophia Bock in 5T

CANTEEN NEWS

The school canteen is open every day for online lunch orders using flexischools. We have a wide menu including fresh daily specials which include bu er chicken, pasta bolognese, chicken fried rice, chicken burgers, beef burgers and baked potatoes. The full menu is available online. Your child can bring money to school to purchase recess over the counter from the canteen on MONDAYS and THURSDAYS. Some op ons available on these days include fruit smoothies, yoghurt with berries, mini pizzas, fresh fruit and other tasty treats. Recess can also be purchased online using the flexischool system on TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS the menu can be viewed online. Flexischools is easy to use and takes minutes to register www.flexischools.com.au. If you are already registered please make sure you have updated your child’s new class and year. For the canteen to run efficiently we need your help. If you are free and would like to volunteer please follow the instruc ons below using our NEW link to our SignUp page. Once a term is great or twice if you can! You can now do half a morning or the whole morning depending on your availability. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps: 1. Click this link to go to our invita on page on SignUp.com: h p://signup.com/login/entry/83933674049 2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp.com) 3. Sign up! Choose your spots ‐ SignUp.com will send you an automated confirma on and reminders. Easy! Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually ‐ Canteengwps@gmail.com

The canteen really needs two volunteers for Monday 11th February as it is the school swimming carnival for years 3‐6 and our staff members would like to get the opportunity to pop down to watch their child race. So if you are a Kindy, Year 1 or Year 2 parent and have spare me to help out for a couple of hours please email me ASAP ‐ Jo ‐ canteengwps@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing some of you very soon Kind Regards Satu, Jo, Ozlem and Cindy

Tennis Lessons

Enrolments are now being taken for before and after school tennis lessons catering for beginners to advanced standards and conducting the ANZ Hotshots program. Also available adult classes—including morning ladies group lessons.

Enrolments and enquiries to Scott 0414 554 612

Buddhist Council of NSW Back-to-School Open Day!

Dear Friends, It is our great pleasure to invite you to our Back-to-School Open Day on the 16th of February! Open to all current, retired, and prospective SRE teachers, the day is sure to get you geared up for the school year ahead. Our Open Day presents an opportunity to learn more about your craft from your fellow SRE teachers. Come hear about about the Buddhist Council's plans for the year, review the multitude of books and resources in our library, and help workshop ideas for activities and games! Most importantly, our Open Day welcomes any person interested in teaching Buddhist religion is schools. New or prospective teachers can get an introduction to the two-day SRE course, the first instance of which will be held on the 16-17 March this year . Please share this em ail and encourage people to register. Better yet, if you can bring them along with you, please do! Plus-1's for everyone! WHEN: Saturday 16th of February, 11AM - 2PM WHERE: Buddhist Council of NSW , 25/56-62 Chandos Street, St Leonards NSW 2065 While a wealth of information and inspiration will be shared, this is essentially an informal event. Drop by for a quick mingle and a snack or stay for the whole duration - whatever time, insight, questions and/or answers you can spare will be highly appreciated!

To keep up-to-date with happenings at the Buddhist Council, sign up for our e-news here and click here to like us on Facebook. Parking is unpredictable around the office but public transport is readily available and close. Please see your 'post-booking information' for more details. Do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions at all. With Metta, The Buddhist Council of NSW