NEWSLETTER

Inside this Issue Page Article

No.2 From the Principal

No.3 Deputy Principal, Classes

No.4 Farewell, Morning Assembly, Paper Levy

No.5 Future Focus, Core Values, School Leaders

No.6 Religious Education Classes, QR Codes, Opal Card

No.7 School Uniform, Website

No.8 School Staff

No.9 Who to see, Bus Aware

No.10 Cool Kids Music

No.11 Play Football 2017, Netball Registration

No.12 Parent Online Payment option

No.13 Canteen Specials

Important Dates Date Event

02 Feb First Day of Kindergarten

06 Feb QHHS Taster Day

08 Feb School Banking Account Opening Day

15 Feb Meet the Teacher

School Banking each Wednesday Clothing Shop Uniform Shop each Monday (8:45am to 10am)

From the Principal Welcome back to Quakers Hill Public School. I trust that you and your family had a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. The 2017 school year has well and truly commenced and the children have commenced their studies, being provided exceptional programs by outstanding classroom practitioners.

I would like to warmly welcome our new families and students who join our wonderful school community this year and of course our gorgeous Kindergarten children who are currently involved in the Best Start Assessment. I know that you and your child will enjoy the school’s warm, caring learning environment, enriched with innovative programs and initiatives and with technology firmly embedded in all programs delivered by dedicated, enthusiastic and extremely talented staff. Quakers Hill provides a nurturing environment where the welfare of students and their families is paramount. The staff is committed to building self-esteem in students and, by working closely with parents and students, ensuring that both responsible behaviour and a strong sense of civic pride exist. Our staff will, at all times, provide your child(ren) with the most amazing educational opportunities.

Newsletter No. 1 03 February 2017

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2016 proved to be not just an outstanding year for our wonderful school in many curriculum and extracurricular areas, but an exceptional one. Our children continued to be afforded with a wealth of learning and extra-curricular opportunities. The school’s National Assessment, university test and school based assessment results were a testament to the quality teaching and learning embedded into each and every classroom. These outstanding achievements were also very much evident in the sporting and cultural arenas in both the PSSA and representative area and in the development of leadership skills within our senior students, as was evidenced through the school’s representative council.

Some of our many outstanding achievements included;

Minister’s Ward for excellence

Innovative school’s award

Exceptional NAPLAN results for both Year 3 and Year 5 – significantly above state and national average

Senior dance group performance at ‘VIVACITY’

ICAS competition – Manuja Dayananda Gold Medal recipient in SPELLING

Annual drama group presentation

Annual CAPA performance night

Creation of new future focussed classrooms

Involvement in the QHHS ‘Prosperitas’ program

NSW Touch Football Gala Day junior boys and girls undefeated champions

The creation of the state of the art technology/coding room – SIMULA

Coding embedded throughout the school

Partnership with Microsoft

Partnership with Intel and the coding project

Building of our very own 3D printer

1:1 ration of tablets to students in all classrooms

Development of QR codes

PSSA Champions – Junior Cricket

Senior Cricket team – Cricket NSW Milo Cup T20 Blast STATE CHAMPIONS

PSSA grand finalist – Softball and senior soccer

Western Sydney Regional Spelling Bee Champion – Dev Makwana

Premier’s state Spelling Bee finalist - Dev Makwana - 3rd overall

Math Olympiad – 21 students placed in the top 10%

Regional Debating representative – Hayley O’Connor

QHPS Premier’s Debating Team – Semi-finalist

Junior Dance Group – Rock Eisteddfod entrants

Rugby League – Royce Simmons Shield finalist

Milo Cup Cricket – tournament champions and grandfinalist

Our Netball Team crowned PSSA champions

13 Quakers Hill PS students gained entry into opportunity classes (selective)

55 students gained entry into selective high school classes

Just to name a few of our many extraordinary achievements. Our banner statement defines our school, it is our reason for being. It is what sets us apart, what makes us unique. It encapsulates the essence of our school, our kiddies, staff and parents. The banner statement is made up of three very power and thought provoking words ’INNOVATION-EXCELLENCE-SUCCESS.’ Innovation - Quakers Hill has always been at the forefront of education, implementing the very latest innovative programs and initiatives. Excellence – synonymous with our school. Our results and achievements in every facet of out student learning (academically, in the performing and creative arts, in the sporting arena, and in leadership) exemplifies this. Success- Quakers Hill has at its cornerstone, its very foundation a reputation built on years of wonderful successes. The talented Quakers Hill staff are committed in every facet to inspire our students to reach for the sky and will do everything humanly possible to provide our students with the tools to do this. Every day and in every way my

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teachers, your teachers are helping our students to imagine the possibilities available to them, that life affords them, the possibilities that this great country provides them. To believe in themselves and their ability to achieve these possibilities and in term to do everything possible to create these possibilities. I am extremely proud of our amazing slice of paradise and of the wonderful students who attend our school, the dedicated, talented and enthusiastic staff who deliver exceptional educational programs, our fabulous support and office staff and of course you, our wonderful, supportive parents who contribute towards our students successful learning experiences. You continue to shape and develop the marvellous culture and vision that exists at Quakers Hill Public School. You are the reason that Quakers Hill is the enjoys the reputation that it has in the community, you are the reason that our amazing school is the school of choice for so many families and you are the reason why Quakers Hill has a waiting list of out of area families wanting to enrol their children here. Our school is built upon four expectations. I expect it, my staff and parents expect it and our children demand it. Quakers Hill does not have school rules, but rather school expectations. These expectations are our playground, classroom and excursion expectations. Our classes have the same classroom consequences K-6, so that at this exceptional learning environment the pastoral care of all of our kiddies is consistent, no matter which teacher and which class students are in. Our school expectations are: safe, responsible, proud, learners. We begin the year on a positive note with our full complement of staff our current enrolments would suggest that our school has grown to 36 classes. This year we welcome Cindy Maruncic (Deputy Principal), Katherine Hiscock, Vanessa Stuart, Jessica Darney and Sophia Laveck (permanent classroom teachers). We also welcome Breatriz Costas, Nawal Sinclair, Charisse Belista and Jessica Scott (temporary teachers). 2017 Directions Our main targets for this year being:

Continuation and achievement of the 2015-2017 School Plan – Final Year

Self-assessment / Planning and formulation of our 2018 -2020 school plan

Achievement of our Action Plan 2016

Visible Learning – model of learning, success criteria, effect size, etc

Attainment of 2017 targets

All stages using OneNote for collaboration, planning.

Continue Australian Curriculum implementation – Science / History / Geography/English/maths

Continue setting up future focused rooms & technology

School wide coding – STEAM – Quakers Time

Deputy Principal – Cindy Maruncic At the end of 2016 we farewelled Mrs Helen Davis. Mrs Davis has been appointed as Rel. Principal for a 12-month period. The vacant Deputy Principal position was filled through the expression of interest merit selection process. As our community was informed at the end of 2016, I formally announce that the successful applicant was Mrs Cindy Maruncic. Mrs Maruncic is an exceptional educator and school leader demonstrating wonderful credentials in the area of student welfare, working with the community and leadership. Mrs Maruncic’s knowledge of curricular, assessment and reporting and welfare make her a tremendous asset to our beautiful school. We welcome Mrs Maruncic as she joins our family for the 2017 school year.

Classes At the beginning of every school year student numbers fluctuate for the first two to three weeks. Our anticipated school enrolment for 2017 is approximately 960 students. If we hold this number, we will be in a position to hold form 37 classes. For this reason, it is extremely important that parents are mindful, that even though students have been placed into their 2017 classes, there may arise a need to make changes during the first few weeks. There may also be the need to move individual students during this time. This has been the case in previous years and happens in all public schools. Please talk to your children and ensure that they are aware of and understand that these changes may occur. Please be mindful that kiddies are not always (at first) happy about the classes they have been placed in at the beginning of the year. Often because they want to be with friends, or because they have been placed with a teacher whom they have never had before. However, our teachers have carefully structured our classes so that your child(ren) educational needs will be best catered for. The school’s executive teachers and I have carefully thought about classes and placed students with the most

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appropriate teachers and peers. Classes have been formed with a great deal of thought to provide your child with the most exceptional learning opportunities.

SO LONG, FAREWELL AND THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES The end of 2016 we farewelled the Mrs Helen Davis

(Deputy Principal) who has been appointed as Rel Principal at Eastwood Heights PS and Mrs Shamim Moodley who has retired from education. Both these wonderful staff members will be missed after many, many, many years as members of our Quakers Hill family. I know you will join me in wishing Mrs Davis and Mrs Moodley the very best as they begin the next stage of their lives. Mrs Davis and Mrs Moodley will always have a strong bond with Quakers Hill and will always be part of our school family. They will be remembered as caring, innovative and extremely passionate educators who at all

times gave a 100% so that our students were provided and had the very best education and life experiences. Morning Assembly Morning assemblies are a time that teachers pass on the day’s information and any quick notices. It is also a time to quickly settle our wonderful kiddies and ready them for the mornings teaching and learning sessions. These assemblies happen every morning other than Tuesday. Our school encourages parent involvement in the school; it is an important philosophy that is embedded within our ethos. However, I ask that mums, dads and caregivers stand quietly at the back of the assemblies away from the kiddies, allowing the teacher to lead the assembly. It is also important that once the assembly is dismissed that parents do not follow their child’s class to the classroom. Please say goodbye to your child prior to the morning assembly commencing.

PAPER LEVY - $50 per child/family / $10 Book Pack The provision of quality education relies, not only on the quality of the teaching staff, but also on the quality of the resources, which we use to educate the children. We are

fortunate to have an enthusiastic, talented and committed office and teaching staff at Quakers Hill and, while they are keen to use the best resources available, they are well aware of the current economic climate and the hardships many families are experiencing. We do not ask our parents to purchase textbooks rather, we are using duplicated copyright-free material, stencils, interactive whiteboard lessons and overheads prepared by the teachers. This, of course, takes far more time and preparation, but also increases the amount of paper usage. We use approximately 70, 000 copies per months and we also provide the children with a complete set of exercise books and book covers at no cost. Whilst we are always careful with the amount of paper used, we do not limit the amount requested by each teacher, as is often the case in some schools. Added to the expense of the paper usage we must also carefully maintain the machines we use and buy the necessary inks and toners used in them. This year the school introduced a voluntary $10 school pack as part of our voluntary contribution. Please note that this will be the only voluntary fee parents will be asked to pay. However, I encourage all our parents to support this contribution. Thank you so much to those families that have already paid the voluntary contribution. My guarantee is that every last dollar of all money raised will go directly back into your child’s education. Ensuring that our students are provided with the very best learning opportunity and resources. The staff and students of Quakers Hill are always humbled by your generosity and amazing support. Shortly our families will receive a 2017 invoice with the above voluntary contributions as well as the cost for organised stage activities/excursions in order to help our families plan for payments. Payments for planned activities can be made in instalments or as an upfront payment.

Future Focussed During the Christmas break our amazing school took delivery and installation of the following;

6 Promethean ActivPanels at cost of approximately $40,000

$40,000 worth of future focused leaning environment furniture for 6 more classrooms

New sound system, hanging mics and lighting for the Hall

90 new tablet devices

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Core Values Throughout 2016, the PBL team and teachers will discuss the nine core values of public education each term. Each classroom will display the core value of the month and discuss its meaning with the children. At the start of each term, the core value for the month will also be included in the school’s newsletter. These values will become the focus point for discussion in the classroom and it is hoped that it may also become a discussion point at home. At the end of each month, each class teacher will hand out a blue award to a child in their class who epitomises that value. The awards will be given out at grade assemblies. There are nine core values that will be discussed each month. They are: INTEGRITY EXCELLENCE RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY COOPERATION PARTICIPATION CARE FAIRNESS DEMOCRACY

February’s core value is RESPECT Having regard for yourself and others, lawful and just authority and diversity within Australian society and accepting the right of others to hold different or opposing views.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS Congratulations to Iqra Razzak and Zachary Abran 2017 school captains and Ashleigh Out and Calvin Kusnadi (Vice Captains). These four wonderful, altruistic, young individuals have had the trust of the students and staff placed upon them, and I am positive that these

wonderful, caring individuals will represent the school and student body with great pride, enthusiasm and maturity. Congratulations to our captains and vice captains, I know you’ll be outstanding ambassadors for the school, demonstrating our expectations and upholding the wonderful reputation that Quakers Hill enjoys in the community. A wonderful thankyou to our 2016 captains and vice captains Hayley O'Connor and Agam Singh 2016 and Kyra Cruz and Aaron Taylor and the entire school leadership team who performed their duties as our school leaders with great maturity and dedication. These four truly altruistic students have been outstanding role models for all students. They have demonstrated our school expectations with so much pride.

SCHOOL LEADERS

Congratulations to the following students who have been elected by the students of Quakers Hill to represent them and the school in 2017;

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Tasmia Ali, Shiv Nair, Rebekah Espinosa, Xavier Nath, Teodora, Vidakovic , Ajay Gakhal, Ankita Pramod, Sury Gounder. Our 2017 leaders have had the trust of the students and staff placed upon them. The teachers and students believe in their abilities and skills and I am sure that they uphold our school expectations and banner statement.

Bert Lo Campo – Principal

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Quakers Hill Primary School offers 30min religious education classes for all students. Presently, religious education classes are offered for Catholic and Protestant students, students from Latter Day Saints, Islamic children, Hindu scripture and Buddhist. The organisation of scripture for 2017 will be communicated to parents shortly. Parents who do not wish their children to be involved in religious education classes will need to inform the school. However, religious education classes form a basis of the DECs education, so I would encourage all students to participate in these classes.

QR Codes - QR Codes are a digital tracking system that removes the need to remember URL codes, websites and other sources of digital information with a quick and simple scan. They connect the real world with the digital world.

At Quakers Hill we are continually developing the use of QR codes to allow instantaneous information at your 'e-device fingertips'. When the codes are scanned using a smartphone, tablet or camera enabled computer, a text message is displayed or an action will be performed by the device. The code instantly connects the device to a website, can initiate a phone call or SMS message. It can send an email or connect to Google Maps or Twitter and

most importantly to our school. These are a few of the many tasks that can be initiated by the QR Code.

As we continue to build upon our use of QR coding you will be able to scan and learn about the exciting things happening at Quakers Hill on a regular basis. Your children will become familiar with their use as they will become embedded in our teaching and learning programs. Another step forward into future focused learning.

Website Our School e-Learning

Pinterest Android App IPhone App

Keep an eye out around the school.

Opal Card School Student Transport Scheme Applications open 10 October 2016 From Monday 10 October 2016 parents, guardians and students over 16 years, will be able to apply for 2017 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel pass by visiting www.transportnsw.info/school-students

Information for parents and students School travel passes only need to be updated when a student:

Changes address

Changes school or campus

A new application is required when:

Applying for an SSTS pass for the first time

Enrolling in Kindergarten

Progressing from Year 2 to Year 3

Progressing from Year 6 to Year 7

Requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation

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For more information on planning your school travel, visit www.transportnsw.info or contact your local operator.

Passes for 2017 travel Opal network:

Remember to keep your current School Opal card for travel in 2017. These cards will be automatically deactivated for school holidays and then reactivated for school travel in term one.

Current School Opal card can be updated with changes of school, home address or operator. Rural and regional travel:

Student’s travelling with operator issued passes will receive a new pass in the new school year.

School Uniform

Boy’s school uniform consists of the royal blue shirt and grey pants with white socks and black shoes. Girls have the choice of wearing either the school dress (preferred option) or the royal blue shirt with skorts and white socks and black shoes. The yellow polo shirt is now the school’s Friday sports shirt and is worn with royal blue shorts for boys and royal blue skort for girls (with the school’s emblem) and sneakers with white socks. During the winter months our students also have our wonderful micro-fiber track top and pants. Our girls can choose to wear the school dress (with the school micro fiber/bomber jacket). In 2014, the school has added long grey pants for boys and blue slacks for girls for the winter months. For the winter months the school has added new bomber style jackets, these are replacing the older fleecy jackets. The bomber jackets are extremely warm and a great look. QHPS beanies are also available from the uniform shop. These have been added to the list of school uniform after many parent requests. Please note, that only QHPS crested beanies are to be worn at school. We have an amazing school array of school uniform for our amazing students. Only school branded clothing, purchased from the uniform shop is to be worn to school.

Please note that yellow polo shirts are to be worn on Friday sports day only and school hats are also to be worn at all times. Our uniform can be purchased from the P&C uniform shop located in school grounds, at the old hall.

QHPS Website/School App/Facebook/Twitter and the Blacktown Learning

Community Communication The key to a successful relationship between our school and our community is strong communication. To help this newsletter and our school website provides an abundant supply of information about our school and what is going on. For up to the minute notifications our smartphone app is a great tool. For both Apple and Android phones, you can always get a reminder of what is happening. After downloading the app type in:

Username: quakershill Password: community. Continuing in our endeavour to ensure we have the best communication between our community and our school, our already successful Facebook page and twitter accounts are now connected to the Blacktown Learning Community’s Facebook page/twitter accounts. Many activities and events our school participate in are run through the Blacktown Learning Community. If you are a Facebook/twitter user keep up-to-date with what is going on. www.facebook.com/blacktownlearningcommunity and Twitter https://twitter.com/BLC_Schools

Please visit all forms of our social media accounts as each play different, but important roles in communicating and celebrating the wonderful events and achievements of our school, our students, our staff and of course pour amazingly supportive community. Our webpage - www.quakershil-p.school.nsw.edu.au Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/QuakersHPS Our Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/Quakers-Hill-Public-School 254166201373045/ Our school app - http://quakershillps.myauschools.com/authentication/login OR download the app from the app or google play store

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SCHOOL STAFF 2017 Principal Bert Lo Campo Deputy Principal Chris Lambert R/Deputy Principal Cindy Maruncic K Orange Laura Weatherburn/Melissa Sutton Stage Coordinator 15 K Red Sheree Vidler/Marianne Semaan Assistant Principal 16 K Purple Karyn McDonald 29 K Yellow Katherine Hiscock 17 K Green Alicia Amodeo Rel Assistant Principal 18 K Blue Shameen Masud 30 K White Jeni Abel / Cassie Jovic 14 1B Lorraine Byrne Stage Coordinator 27 1KM Karen Hofmann/Jenny Mackinnon 33 1W Heather Williams 36 1S Michael Stewart 26 1H Jasmine Heyden 39 12J Courtney Johnston Assistant Principal 20 12D EN Donna Jackson 28 2C Rebecca Hunt/Beatriz Costas 24 2E Margot Najim / Nawal Sinclair 23 2B Nayeree Basmajin 19 2K Kate Pullen 22 2S Jessica Scott 21 3D Jessica Darney 13 3S Amal Sayegh 11 3R Rosannagh Ryan Rel Assistant Principal 12 34K Kristine Belista Stage Coordinator 31 34GM Kylie Gallagher / Katrina Montgomery 34 4P Laura Pearce 9 4A Lauren Abela 10 4C Charisse Belista 32 4M Jared Madden 8 5B Denise Rockic / Stephanie Bowman 2 5L Sophia Levack 3 5S Vanessa-Lea Stuart 1 5P OC Wendy Poole 6 56MD EN Katrina Montgomery / Michelle Durrington Assistant Principal 4 56H Pippa Hansell 7 6C Colleen Soper 39 6T Toby Hynes 38 6R OC Robyn Simmons Rel Assistant Principal (Thu/Fri) 5 Support Staff Michelle Kotowski, Rob Pugh, Maryanne Cole, Sharon Hodges, Andrew Cooper, David Abbey (Assistant Principal), Will Dorrell, Tamika Hoogstraten, Will Dorrell, Tamika Hoogstraten, Therese Vervets , Sarah Gummerson / Vera Stojanovic, Jenny Mackinnon / Sarah Gummerson Administrative Manager Kylie Jones Administrative Officers Judy Milosevic / Natalie Coleiro / Yok Pa Chen / Kellie Milostic / Marese Marosevic School Learning Support Officers Debbie Byrne / Heather Hulewicz / Gina Ahmad / Debbie Duncan School Counsellor Nicky Mayo General Assistant Glenn Boyce

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Who to See In 2017, Quakers Hill’s executive structure includes stage coordinators. Each of the Assistant Principals has direct responsibility for supporting and supervising our classes and student learning achievement. Mrs Amodeo will have direct supervision for Kindergarten, Mrs Johnston will have direct supervision of Stage 1, Mrs Ryan will have direct supervision of Stage 2, Mrs Durrington/Mrs Simmons will have direct supervision of Stage 3 and Mr Abbey will have direct supervision of the Support staff. If you need to discuss issues concerning your child, please speak with your child’s class teacher in the first instance and then to the Stage Assistant Principal followed by the Deputy Principals, Mr Chris Lambert and Mrs Cindy Maruncic.

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DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN PAY ONLINE?

Many families are now using the school’s online payment option linked to our school website to pay for school related expenses. This is a secure payment page hosted by Westpac. What expenses can be paid online?

Voluntary Contributions

Excursions

Sport

Creative and Practical Arts

Sales to Students

Other (any items not listed above) Unfortunately, payments to the uniform shop and P&C cannot be accepted via this system. How do I make a payment? Go to the school website. Click on make a payment, found on the front page of the school website.

1. In the student and payer details, fill in all the green asterix items. (These are compulsory) 2. Choose a payment option. 3. Enter the amount you are paying and the payment description (Eg: the name of the excursion) 4. Enter credit card details. 5. Confirm payment details. 6. Receive online payment receipt. Pay before 6pm for the school to receive your payment the next working day. How do I let the school know I paid online? Please write the receipt number on the permission note and return to the school.

Making an online payment does not constitute permission. Please return all signed permission notes as per normal.

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