MPS Newsletter: Term 2, Week 9 - 18 June 2021

Principal's Report

NAIDOC Week

Next week our students will be acknowledging NAIDOC Week in their classrooms and will be doing a variety of activities to celebrate this important time.  This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Heal Country, which recognises that country and cultural heritage shapes who Aboriginal people are - It is their identity. I couldn't agree more with the way it was put in this year's SBS Teacher Guide, "This special year provides an opportunity for us to walk and work together to share how Aboriginal people have cared for country, land and sea, for the millennia; to heal and to share our cultural strength with the broader community. NAIDOC Week is about excellence! It’s a celebration of 65,000 years of history, culture and achievements, but it’s also a time to chart a just future - and this future starts with education.

Our planned excursion to Munna Reserve which was supposed to take place next week has been postponed due to rainy weather and the grounds being too slippery. Whilst this is really  disappointing and would have made relevant learning in NAIDOC Week, this excursion will be rescheduled for sometime in Term 3. 

Mrs Judith Morton - Taking Long Service Leave transitioning to a Happy Retirement

On Wednesday, past and present colleagues held a special farewell luncheon to celebrate Judy's 45yrs of service to the Department of Education. Judy will be taking long service leave from the end of this term to enjoy some well deserved 'my' time.

Special guests at the luncheon included 4 past MPS Principals; Mr Reg Sams, Mr Peter Harvey, Mr Mark Young and Mr Alan Kerr. Along with a number of local area School Administration Managers, Principals, MPS Staff and friends. 

Judy has been at Mudgee Public School since 1997 and 45yrs of dedication to the department is a remarkable achievement. We wish her a healthy and happy transition to retirement with her beloved dog 'Bubby girl' and look forward to many more morning tea visits. All the best Jude from everyone at MPS! 

For Semester 2, we welcome Mrs Cheryl Seis to the position of relieving SAM for the remainder of the year. Cheryl joins us from Gulgong High School and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position. I will introduce Cheryl in more detail next term. 

Staffing for Term 3

All the best to Mrs Min O'Brien who is going on maternity leave at the end of this term. Mrs Claire Harries will be teaching 5/6O next term. Thanks to Mrs Tess Lewis who has been working at Mudgee Public this term, as a Learning and Support Teacher. She has been a great asset to our teaching staff but will be leaving us at the end of Term 2. 

In other staffing news, we are currently running the merit selection process for a School Administration Officer which is the position vacated by former MPS office lady Fiona Kelly. We hope to complete this process by early-mid next term. I will keep you updated on the succesful candidate. 

Finally, we have a number of staff members taking some Long Service Leave at the beginning of next term for the first two weeks:

• Mrs Donna O'Hara - will be replaced by Mrs Liesel Meers as Relieving Deputy 3-6 and Mrs Jen O'Brien Relieving AP Stage 3
• Mrs Pam Leathem  - will be replaced by Mrs Elizabeth Roberts
• Mrs Julie Tito -TBC
• Mrs Belinda Morley -TBC

Upcoming Sporting Teams

Next Tuesday our Rugby League players will be heading to Canowindra for the Rugby League Knockout. Good luck to Mr Baddock and the boys! 

Mrs Vitnell will accompany the boys and girls soccer team to Glen Willow on Wednesday where they are playing their first PSSA match against Cudgegong Valley PS. Good luck!

Important School Dates

School ends for this term on Friday 25th June. Teachers will return to school for a School Development Day on Monday 12th July, where we will be involved in some Professional Learning. Students return to school on Tuesday 13th July to begin Term 3.

You can enrol your child for school now! Local enrolments can enrol directly online.

https://mudgee-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/about.../enrolment.html  

Visit our school office or call on 6372 2036 for further information.

Kindergarten Transition dates below.

PBL Assembly - Friday 25 June - 9.45am

Our Term 2 PBL assembly will be on Friday, 25th June. There will be one combined assembly commencing at 9.45am for both Infants and Primary recipients. We will be inducting our new, Semester 2 Student Representative Councillors and parents will receive an invitation to attend and pin on their child's badge. All parents of student recipients are invited to attend and see their child receive their award. Invitations will be sent out Tuesday 22 June. 

The assembly will also be accessible online via ZOOM, a link is provided below to the meeting https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/61271247505?pwd=M1BUTzBlRkh0QnpBeGc0QXVKSURSUT09 

Webinar ID - 612 7124 7505  /   PASSCODE - 230975

Important Dates - Week 10, Term 2

• Tuesday 22 June: Rugby League Knockout Gala Day in Canowindra
• Wednesday 23 June: Soccer Knockout v CVPS; Executive Staff Planning Day; Riding for the Disabled
• Thursday 24 June: PBL Reward Day
• Friday 25 June: PBL Assembly; Fun Friday; Last day of Term 2

Important Dates - Week 1, Term 3

• Monday 12 July: School Development Day (Teachers Only)
• Tuesday 13 July: Students Return from Holidays
• Wednesday 14 July: Touch Football Gala Day
• Friday 16 July: Year 2 Zoo Excursion

Important Dates - Week 2, Term 3

• Thursday 22 July and Friday 23 July: Year 4 Blue Mountains Excursion

From Facebook 

3L found a special visitor in the playground today and took it to Mr Carters and Mrs Morton to sign in at the front office. Later this afternoon students from 3G found some of its friends clucking about. They’ve now been returned home after their visit to school

This week brings the last week of Term 2. School returns for all students on Tuesday 13 July. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday.

Mr Carters
Principal

Principal and Deputy Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Principal and/or Deputy Principal Award over the last fortnight. 

Students of the Weeks

Congratulations to these students who have been recognised as "Student of the Week" over the last fortnight. Please join us in ackowledging their efforts and contribution.

Sports Update

Western Cross Country - Following a fault start due to icy and stormy conditions that saw the Western Schools Sport Association cross country postponed by 48 hours, a total of 13 Mudgee Public School students made the trip to Geurie last Friday for this year's event. Although conditions were still damp and very cool, it did not stop our students from producing some hot results. Two of the school's competitors - Tom Murray (3G) and Nate Taylor (5/6J) - qualified for the state cross country event to be held in Sydney next term. Tom finished second in the Boys 8-9 years age group and Nate came fifth in the Boys 12-13 years race. Not to be outdone, Ziggy Gordon (4E) and Meilana Tavita (5/6O) finished 9th and 10th respectively in the Girls 10 years and Girls 11 years age groups. Other students to have top 20 results were Ashton Taylor (4B) and Thomas O'Brien (3G). Congratulations to the above students as well as the following competitors from Mudgee Public School - Seoul Smith (3L), Sam Walker (4B), Felix Smith (5/6O), Evie Vitnell (5/6J), Mal Gail (5/6O), Mason Ellery (5/6J) and Angus Dunn (5/6L). You all represented the school with honour, respect and pride. Well done.

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Netball - Congratulations to the Girls PSSA Netball Team who had a great win against Dunedoo Central School on Wednesday. As always, the girls played a fantastic game with great attitudes, sportsmanship and enthusiasm! Also, a big thank you to Simone Holleman for stepping in as an umpire. We look forward to our next game away, stay tuned for details. 

Mrs L Gregory & Miss A Clare - Netball Coaches

Highlights

Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday MPS conducted its annual athletics carnival at Walkers Oval. All students competed in the 100m sprint. After holding qualifying sessions at school, students contested the 200m, shot put, discus and long jump. This year we have used a computer program to record and store all results. A big thankyou to Mrs Marshall for the hours she spent entering all students into the data base and acting as recorder for all events at the carnival. Also a thankyou to Mrs George who conducted the novelty events for many students, with very short notice. Students will be notified next week on the results of the timed events. The top two students in each event will compete in the Cudgegong Zone Athletics in Week 4 , Term3. 

Mrs Lynda Baddock - Coordinator  

A big thanks to Mrs Baddock and staff for organising our Athletics Carnival on Tuesday. It was a fantastic day. In case you missed it, there is an album on Facebook. Congratulations to all students on their participation and results :)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=668357826536099&set=a.4097936573578190

Multi-cultural Public Speaking

On Thursday, 4 students competed in the Zone Final of this public speaking competition at Dubbo South Public School. Freddy Stevens and Charlie French competed in the Stage 2 competition. They delivered their prepared speeches on 'Children can Lead the Way' and 'Say No to Racism' The boys then had 5 minutes to prepare an impromptu speech on 'Surprises'. At the end of the session Charlie was awarded Highly Commended and Freddy was announced as the 'Stage 2 Winner'! Congratulations to both boys on an outstanding result. In the Stage 3 section, MPS was represented by Spencer Brown and Jake Wolfson. Spencer delivered his speech on 'Where to Next?' and Jake presented his speech on 'Media Matters'. The boys were then given 5 minutes to prepare a 2 minute speech on 'Funny Business'. Both boys presented excellent speeches in both areas and Jake was awarded Highly Commended. All boys were a credit to MPS and Mrs Baddock was very proud of their efforts. Congratulations!

Mrs Lynda Baddock - Coordinator  

Class Spotlight -3L

SCIENCE - Melting Moments      Term 2 2021

Students in 3L have been exploring how solids or liquids are influenced by temperature, students experience the way items from their everyday lives can change. Through hands-on investigations, they observed how the size of the pieces affects the melting time of chocolate, butter, candles etc. Students also explored the affects of freezing on various liquids such as olive oil, detergent, juice and rubbing alcohol.​​

Every day we see or use things that have been melted or frozen, heated or cooled. All around us are items that we find both useful and attractive that have been moulded into different shapes using heating and cooling. These can range from cast iron frying pans and plastic rubbish bins to chocolate bilbies. Understanding the properties of materials and how they change state under different conditions can help material scientists to develop even more extraordinary products to help improve our quality of life.

Ms Liz Liddle - Class Teacher

Class Spotlight - 4E

4E students working hard, having fun and making their own history .... 

Dressing or acting as their bushranger of choice, students introduced them to the class and explained their reasons for choosing them as the most successful. While 'in character' they participated in an impromptu debate with one of the other 'bushrangers'. The debates were not scripted, so students had to 'think on their feet' to argue their case! 

Mrs Kelly Endacott  - Class Teacher

Meet Learning Support Teacher - Mrs Belinda Morley

Hi, my name is Mrs Belinda Morley. I have been a teacher for over 30 years and am currently in the role of Learning and Support Teacher. While my role can be quite varied, working with K-2 and Primary students, I am providing support for a number of Stage 1 students this year. We are working on extending our reading and writing skills through a modified version of the Reading Recovery program which I trained for in 2012. It’s fabulous to see the kids’ knowledge and confidence grow throughout the process, to support them with their current class work and beyond.

I also administer various screening assessments to help the Learning and Support Team make decisions about students’ future learning pathways.

Lastly, I provide the annual CPR and Anaphylaxis updates for our staff via the Department of Education’s Train the Trainer Program. It’s good to know they are prepared for action in the event of a situation requiring first aid.

Collection for Equipment - LAST WEEK!

We only have until the 25th June to collect as many bread bags as we can to get some great new sports equipment. LAST WEEK!!!! 

Collection boxes are available at breakfast club and in the front office to deposit your bags & tags.  

MPS Community Liaison Officer News

Mudgee Newbees - Thursday afternoons from 2.30pm in the Kitchen Garden for songs, stories and craft - and lots of garden fun! All our families are welcome - there's no age limit - it's a great way to meet other families who will be on the school journey with you. Don't forget your hat and water bottle!

Liz Halbisch - Community Liaison Officer

Community News

Hockey NSW School Holiday Camp

Hockey NSW is holding an Under 12s  NSW Pride Camp in Mudgee on July 6, for children born in 2009-2013.  The cost is $50 and includes a gift on the day.  Players will need their own shinpads and mouthguard.  For registration and further details please visit https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/programs/u12s-nsw-pride-school-holiday-clinics/