Coonamble Excursion

A select group of Year 6 students attended the Coonamble Excursion this year with myself, Mr Fung and Ms Lush. We spent 2 night in the Warrumbungles where the weather was spectacular and the stars seen in the sky at night were endless. We were taken on a bush walk by one of the Department of Education Environmental Education Officers around the park, learning so many interesting facts about the native trees and wildlife. The mountains pictures below (The Warrumbungles) were formed by volcanic eruptions 17 millions years ago and were a spectacular sight to see as we walked through the national park. We passed numerous kangaroos and native birds on our stroll, not to mention various goats and their babies and unique plants.

Our next stop was Coonamble Public School, our Country City Alliance School. On the bus ride we saw emus and vast paddocks filled with recently harvested cotton. The land is extremely flat so the Warrumbungles can be seen in the distance for the majority of the drive. Cattle roamed across roads with vehicles coming to a crawl to pass them.

Once we arrived at Coonamble Public School we were greeted with exceptional dance routines and choir performances by Coonamble and learned about how students access the creative arts. Often Coonamble students have to drive 2 hours to have any music or dance lessons. The immediate connection between our Chatswood students with Coonamble students was such a pleasure to watch. Students bonded over a shared love of the creative arts and sports, with both schools playing mixed matches of soccer togethers for hours. We engaged in rich cultural experiences run by the Aboriginal Officer and Youth Officer where the boys made digeridoos and the girls made clapping sticks. We also engaged in an Indigenous language lesson where we learnt indigenous words in the local language. Students also enjoyed eating johnny cakes made on the open fire. We are truly grateful for the hospitality shown by Coonamble Public School.

Overall, it was an incredible experience, as it is every year and we congratulate all the students who attended for there kindness towards each other and new friends, their inquisitiveness and enthusiasm for new experiences, it was a pleasure to take them.

Rani Holstein.

Excerpts of students accounts from Coonamble

We explored the bush the next day, and it was kinda fun, partly because of the extinct volcanoes and the ancient bones. We climbed a volcano and we found a river of lava… as in, a river of igneous rock. The Aboriginal bush tucker is called the stinging nettle, and (as the name suggests) if you touch it without roasting it first, you get a red lump on your skin, and it hurts for hours. Someone touched one. It is also very nourishing if you roast it, but we didn’t eat any. We saw some kangaroos and cacti as well. Then we went back and had dinner after making some damper and playing around some more. Dinner was burritos and it was quite tasty.

-Patrick

We arrived at the school and found out they are very passionate about Aboriginal culture. They showed us dances, gardens, instruments and choir, all being very impressive. After the show we took a tour on the school grounds, along with a presentation of what the school is about and their language (Fun fact: Yama is hello). We had lunch and dinner in the school, having steak, potato, salad, sausages, bread and homemade punch. After dinner and a shower, we had a cup of Milo and cookies. After the midnight snack we watched a movie about Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance most fowl. The movie was great and the sleep was the best I had since the camp.

-Frank

When we went to the bush walk we saw a lot of small creatures. In and out of the bushes we climbed a small mountain and used a compass to find out were south and north is. The Warrumbungle guide help us to not touch the stinging nettle. Then we went back to the tents. We ate dinner at 7 and had burritos and beans. After breakfast we went on a one hour trip to Coonamble Public School. We made some new friends and it was lunch time we had wraps and burgers but then it was the schools lunch and there was so many kids playing. Then we had a language class about Coonamble. Then we had dinner steak and bbq and fruit punch. We started to go back to our school but at lunch we ate maccas and I was happy.

-Ian

InitiaLit Parent Information Session (K-2)

On Tuesday in Week 10 (1 July) from 4-4:30pm, the K-2 team will hold an InitiaLit Parent Information Session. Please save the date if you are a K-2 family.

At this session, we will provide an overview of the program, it's benefits and how you can support your children at home using homework and decodables.

Prior to the session we will distribute a QR code with any questions that you would like covered in the session as well as an RSVP so we can accommodate numbers effectively.

3pm Pick Up

As we strive to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students, we kindly remind you to adhere to the designated pick-up times at the end of the school day. Prompt pick-up helps us maintain a smooth and efficient dismissal process, ensuring that all children are safely accounted for and can transition home without delay.

If you find yourself running late, please notify the school office so we can make appropriate arrangements. Alternatively, you could consider enrolment in an after school care program.

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