Monday 31st August 2015

Dear parents and carers,

You may have noticed a team of workers in the school recently. They

are installing a number of energy saving devices, including solar

panels, glazing on some windows, new lighting in many parts of the

school and timers on classroom fans and air conditioners. All of these

initiatives should help to significantly reduce our power usage

throughout the school.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone for the sensitive way you

dealt with the car accident at the front of the school last Thursday.

With your help we were able to shepherd all students into the school

grounds and away from all the cars and the emergency service

workers, keeping everyone safe and allowing the police to do their

job. We are so fortunate that no-one was hurt in the accident.

Thank you to all the families who have already completed the Tell

Them From Me parent survey. So far we have 2 winners of a $50

Foodworks grocery voucher: Lynette Stephenson and Linda Boxce.

There will be more draws in the next couple of weeks, so if you

haven’t completed the survey yet the link is on Mrs Polios’ section of

this newsletter. She has also offered a few times when school

computers are available for parents to complete the survey.

Mrs Lock

Principal

WHALAN PUBLIC SCHOOL Karangi Road, Whalan N.S.W 2770

Telephone: 02 9625 7757 02 9625 9038

Facsimile Number: 02 9832 2452

www.whalan-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Our school is built on Darug land

A Message from Mrs Polios

While students in stage 3 have been busy learning about how to

research, plan for, advertise, run and evaluate their mini fete stalls,

students in the rest of the school have been learning about the past.

Students have used a range of sources to learn how to conduct

historical inquiry. The skills of historical inquiry can be seen in the

diagram below.

Ask your child about the inquiry

question they have been investigating

this term and how they have worked

like historians to observe, question,

research, interpret and analyse

sources, communicate their findings

and discuss and review what they

found out.

Students in 2/3K interpreting and analysing

sources from books and the internet as well as

artefacts to investigate what life was like for

Aboriginal people before and after the arrival of

Europeans.

The ‘Tell Them From Me’ parent

survey is open for another 2 weeks.

The survey can be completed online

and it will give our school valuable

information about what parents

think about different aspects of our

school. The information will help us

plan for 2016 and beyond.

Use the link below to access the survey -

https://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/j_acegi_security_check?j_username=

parent17322&j_password=Wha4378

To be in the draw for one of our weekly prizes, you’ll need to come to

the office and get a form, or complete the form on the back page of

our newsletter.

Survey will close on Friday 11 September

The school has access to computers for parents and carers who may

not have access at home. See days and times below:

During Mini Fete – this Wednesday 2 September

Thursday 3 September from 2 – 3pm in Computer room

Thursday 10 September from 2 – 3pm in Computer room

Monday to Thursday morning before school in the library

Last week the SRC held a Coin Snake fundraiser

to raise money for the VCFS Foundation. With

the support of our community, we raised $450.

Congratulations to 2/3K, 2/3B and 4-6P who had

the longest Coin Snakes!

Mrs Polios

Deputy Principal

The focus for this fortnight is:

Listen carefully to all instructions

We listen to instructions so we can learn new things.

We listen to instructions so we know what to do

next.

This week, teachers will reward students who are listening carefully to

all instructions, with CCs.

At our next assembly, each

class teacher will reward a

student who has consistently

adhered to the ‘listen carefully

to all instructions’ expectation

with a special award.

Our Mini Fete is this

Wednesday the 2nd of

September. Don’t forget to

purchase your tokens any time

from now and up until the day

of the Mini Fete (including

during the Mini Fete). The

tokens are only 50c each!

That’s really CHEAP!!! You can buy your tokens at the office.

This week we also have the Father’s Day stall. Monday for Years 2-6,

Tuesday for preschool and K-1 and catch up days are Thursday and

Friday. Father’s Day gifts are priced between 50c-$6.00.

Thanks for bringing in coins for our snake line and congrats to the

classes who won. We raised $450 with our snake line.

Your School Leaders

Wednesday 21st October

Next COMMUNITY DAY

Wednesday 18 November

MADD concert matinee and

evening performances

Tuesday 15 December

Year 6 Farewell & Graduation

Parents and carers want the best for their

children – a good education can be life changing!

Term 2 Week 6

best attending classes

Term 3 Week 7

best attending classes

KH 88% KH 89%

KN 84% KN 91%

K/1K 88% K/1K 75%

1K 89% 1K 85%

1T 83% 1T 95% K-6K 92% K-6K 91%

2/3K 93% 2/3K 88%

2/3B 90% 2/3B 88%

2/3C 92% 2/3C 89%

3/4W 91% 3/4W 82%

4-6A 89% 4-6A 75%

4-6N 87% 4-6N 76%

4-6P 96% 4-6P 87%

K-6M 91% K-6M 82%

3-6B 88% 3-6B 77%

3-6F 90% 3-6F 93% Congratulations

4-6P & 2/3K!

Congratulations

1T & 3-6F!

The most important thing

parents and carers can do to

help their child get a good

education, is get them to

school every day!

What does our school attendance look like now?

The bar represents 100%. The shading represents what our school

percentage for attendance is now, after 138 days of school (90.1%)

Fantastic, we are back over 90% - keep up the good work

and remember to come to school every day

so that we keep improving!

Our school’s attendance rate for 2014 was 90.9%

This year we set ourselves a new goal to increase it

again by another 1% to 91.9%.

We can do it!

Whalan Public School

Book Fair in our school Library

Tuesday 8th September Wednesday 9th September

Thursday 10th September

Before school: 8:30am to 9:00am

At Recess and Lunch

After school: 3:00pm to 3:15pm

Come along and buy a

book.

Lots of titles to choose

from!

Prices start at $2.00.

COMING EVENTS August/September

Week 8, Term 3

Monday 31st Aug 2 - 6 assembly

3/4W presenting; K-6M performing

Tuesday 1st Sept K & 1 assembly

1K presenting; 1T performing

After School Sport (year 2 & 3) Please note – AASS finishes as 4.15pm

Wednesday 2nd Sept Mini Fete (see times later in newsletter)

Thursday 3rd Sept Fast Foot Forward

Friday 4th Sept After School Sport (years 4-6) Please note – AASS finishes at 4.15pm

Week 9, Term 3 Book Fair this week

Tuesday 8th Sept P&C Meeting

After School Sport Ends (year 2 & 3) Please note – AASS finishes as 4.15pm

Wednesday 9th Sept Sydney West Athletics Carnival

Friday 11th Sept After School Sport Ends (years 4-6) Please note – AASS finishes at 4.15pm

Week 10, Term 4

Monday 14th Sept NO 2 - 6 assembly

Tuesday 15th Sept NO K & 1 assembly

Wednesday 16th Sept Whole School assembly 9.15am

Thursday 17th Sept Stage 2 Camp

Friday 18th Sept Stage 2 Camp

Lunch with Mrs Lock

Last day of Term 3

Students return to start Term 4 on Tuesday 6th

October

Library News

Last week our school began using a new library computer system

called OLIVER. Over the next year all schools in NSW will change over

to this new system, replacing the old one that has been in use for 26

years. The new one will make it easier to keep track of the books

students have borrowed and returned and is simple to use when

students are looking for resources in our library or other linked sites.

Over the coming months students will be introduced to the many

features of this new system and information for parents will be

provided in future newsletters.

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Book Club Order Forms and Money to the Office by 3pm tomorrow

Tuesday, 1st September

Remember When borrowing Twilight Tales and Library books,

you need a library bag! Library bags keep books clean and dry!

Our school is committed to excellence,

equity and humanity. We have talented

and innovative teachers and support staff

who care about educating and engaging

students in quality learning programs.

For further information, go to

www.whalan-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Karangi Road, Whalan

Phone: 9625 9437

Whalan Public School

Enrol now for

Kindergarten 2016

Congratulations to the following students, who have earned 5

Connected Certificates and are halfway to a Whalan Medal. They are

also eligible for a prize:

KH – Callin Mitchell; Aiden Elliott-

Scholten; Lilly Buttriss; Abby Jones-

Jeffress; Leo Rapana-Aldworth; Mariam

Sillah

K-6M – Michael Evans-Grinham

1T – Tahliyah Crummer; Ayden Mahara;

Jocelyn Nisa; Hayley Purkiss; Jordan Buist

2/3C – Annabelle Buttriss; Dylan Anderson;

Saia Fatai; Tarneka Gough; Reece Lee;

Stratocaster Zamora; Solomon Farrell

2/3K – Cheree Turner

3/4W – Zephorah Stewart-Pelasio; Jhy

Crummer; Arii Taraare-Puru; Ava Edwards; Kiara Rogers; Baileigh

Barnes; Sam Perez-Mato

3-6B – Murray Schickert; Kaleb Watkins; Troy Ebsworth; Kiana

Hillebrand; Courtney Lee; Reginald Meti

4-6A – Jake Crichton; Krszariah Morel-Crichton; Violet Noonan

4-6N – Josephine Tautala; Pharrell Crichton

When students receive 10 Connected Certificates, they are eligible

for a medal. At that time, they will complete their Whalan Medal

goals form (with signatures from all of the teachers that work with the

student).

The completed form and the 10 Connected Certificates are given to

the Principal for approval. Upon approval, the student is awarded the

Whalan Medal at one of our fortnightly assemblies.

You’ve earned a Whalan Medal!

Students who earn a Whalan Medal this term,

will receive their medal at one of our fortnightly

assemblies.

Micah Katon K/1K

Binary Vaifaile K/1K

Halo Fatai K/1K

Is your bub turning 4 next year?

Call in to Whalan Public School Preschool for an enrolment form or call 9625 9437 today!

Whalan Public School Preschool Corner of Karangi Rd and Bulolo Drive, Whalan

Exciting preschool experiences with friendly

and caring staff.

Please come in to see for yourself!

Dental assessments

Last week, children in Kindergarten, Year

2, 4 and 6 who’d brought in permission

notes, took advantage of the free dental

assessments.

Parents of children who need to have

follow-up dental work may like to take

advantage of the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Scheme.

The link below has further information:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/childdental

The Mt Druitt Hospital clinic also runs clinics on Saturday’s to cater

for families that may have a voucher.

Mini Fete times

11.00 – 11.45am Preschool

Kindergarten

Year 1

12.00 – 1.00pm Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Salad of the Imagination

Serves: 30 tastes or 6 serves

Fresh from the garden: Lettuce leaves, herbs and what ever

Vegetables are available

Equipment: Ingredients:

Chopping board 10 large lettuce leaves (15 if small) torn into small pieces

Knife, fork, large tongs, grater Handful of mixed herbs, stems removed and torn small

Salad spinner any vegetables available from the garden, grated

Large bowl (carrot, fennel, kohl rabi, radish etc)

3 serving bowls and serving spoons

Dressing - Measuring cup with juicer on top Dressing – ½ lemon zested & juiced

Fork, measuring spoons & cups ¼ cup olive oil

1 clove garlic (chopped finely)

Pinch of salt and pepper

What to do: Wash and spin all leaves – tear into small pieces – no bigger than 2cm, place in large salad bowl

Chop or tear herbs and place into the salad bowl

Grate or chop whatever vegetables are going into the salad and add to the salad bowl

Combine all dressing ingredients together & whisk with a fork. Pour over salad & toss gently

Clean all dishes, benches and floors

Place even amounts of salad into the three serving bowls and place on dining tables with small serving

tongs

Note – you can add anything you have available to this salad

(eg – croutons, seeds, cheeses and any other vegetables or fruit)

Orange and Poppyseed cupcakes

Serves: 18 full size / 36 mini

Fresh from the garden: Oranges

Equipment: Ingredients:

Cupcake Mini tins 1 ½ cups of self-raising flour

Large mixing bowl 2 eggs

Wooden spoon 1 ½ tsp butter/margarine

Grater 1 ½ orange (juiced and zested)

Measuring cups/spoons 1 orange flesh chopped very finely

3 serving plates ¼ cup sugar or artificial sweetener

Canola spray 120mls milk (skim or full cream)

Small saucepan Canola spray

3 small bowls 1 tblsp poppy seeds

Syrup:

1 orange (zest first then juice)

¼ cup of sugar (caster)

What to do:

Preheat oven to 190°C

Zest 1½ Oranges. Take the flesh of (1) orange after zesting & juicing and chop very finely

Spray cupcake tins with the canola spray or line with paper cake holders

Combine butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until creamy using a wooden spoon, then

add the eggs and mix well

Add ⅓ of flour and ⅓ milk to the mixture, mix well. Repeat this until all flour and milk is used up

Add orange zest, orange juice and finely chopped flesh of (1) orange to the mixture

Add the poppyseeds to the mixture and mix through well

Portion mixture into the mini cupcake tins to make 36 mini cupcakes

Place in the oven and cook for 15-20mins (to check if they are ready put a skewer or a small knife in

the middle of a cupcake, if it comes out clean then they are ready to take out of the oven)

Take out of oven and sit to cool slightly (just a couple of minutes)

Carefully remove each cupcake out of the tins and place 12 cup cakes on each serving plate

Place one serving plate on each dining table

To make the syrup – add the zest and juice of orange to the sugar in a saucepan, simmer on low-med heat

until sugar dissolves and the liquid slightly thickens, keep stirring. Pour into 3 small bowls

***Helpful Hint***

An alternative to hand mixing – you can place all ingredients in a mixer and mix together

An alternative to lemons – you can use lime, orange, grapefruit or any other citrus fruit you like

Cabbage, Potato and Tomato curry

Serves: 30 tastes

Fresh from the garden: Potatoes, Cabbage and parsley

Equipment: Ingredients:

Chopping boards ½ to 1 whole cabbage chopped finely

Knife / wooden spoon 8 potatoes (peeled and chopped into 2cm cubes)

Large frypan or saucepan water / 2 onions (finely chopped)

Medium saucepan with lid 1tlbs crushed ginger or 10cm piece fresh ginger

Mortar and Pestle 3 cloves garlic (chopped finely and peeled)

Colander ½ cup plain flour or corn flour (as a thickener)

Measuring spoons and cups 1tsp cumin seeds and 1tsp mustard seeds

1 large serving spoon ½tsp chilli flakes and ½tsp ground turmeric

3 serving bowls and serving spoons 2tlbs curry powder and pinch salt and pepper

2 cans tinned tomatoes

1 bunch of parsley - stems removed and chopped finely

What to do:

Heat large fry pan or saucepan to medium heat.

Place peeled and chopped potatoes into medium saucepan, cut the cabbage leaves finely, place these in

the saucepan, add water and cook until just tender. Take off heat and drain in colander.

Combine cumin, mustard seeds and chilli flakes, cook in fry pan for a few minutes until just fragrant

then take out and crush in mortar and pestle.

Add chopped onions, garlic, ginger and all the spices to the fry pan, stir around until onions are soft.

Add drained potatoes, finely sliced cooked cabbage, salt and pepper. Stir around until combined.

Add flour / corn flour and stir through for a few minutes then add tomatoes and enough water to cover

vegetables.

Bring to boil stirring then turn down heat to simmer for about 10-15mins until thickens.

Divide curry into three serving bowls and place on dining tables with serving spoons.

Parent Survey

Computer room open

during

mini fete –

Wed 2nd Sept

11.00 – 1.00pm

WHALAN PUBLIC SCHOOL Karangi Road, Whalan N.S.W 2770

Telephone: 02 9625 7757

02 9625 9038

02 9625 9437

Facsimile Number: 02 9832 2452

Our school is built on Darug land

‘TELL THEM FROM ME’ PARENT SURVEY

Dear parents/carers

You are invited to complete a survey aimed at strengthening the

important relationship between families and schools. The survey results

will give our school valuable information about what parents think

about different aspects of our school. This information will help us

make further improvements. We would really appreciate your support in

completing this survey.

This survey typically takes 15 minutes, and all responses are

confidential.

Survey opens: Monday 17 August 2015 (Term 3 Week 6)

Survey closes: Friday 11 September 2015 (Term 3 Week 9)

PRIZES: We will give away one prize each week that the survey is

open. To be in the draw for the prizes, fill in the form below when

you’ve completed the survey and hand it in to the office.

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‘Tell Them From Me’ parent survey Prize Draw

Parent/carer name………………………………………………………...

Contact phone number……………………………………………………

Date survey completed…………………………………………………..