Dear Parents,

Welcome back, everyone, and I hope you had a wonderful vacation break. We are ready to go for what is shaping up to be a busy Term 2. On the calendar is our Mother’s Day breakfast and stall, school finals of the CWA Public Speaking Competition, School and District Cross Country, School Athletics Carnival, Stage 1, 2 and 3 Dance Troupes, Choir, Semester 1 reports and Stage 3 Excursion to Stanwell Tops. Our school Facebook page and newsletter will have up to date information on the principal's page and calendar each week.

This week we welcome back to Bathurst Public School, Ms Alice Nathan, after a period of leave. Ms Nathan will take over teaching 3-6N (formally 3-6R). We also welcome to our school our new temporary General Assistant, Mr Mark Davis. We know you will join us in welcoming Ms Nathan and Mr Davis to our school community.

Thank you and congratulations to the 42 children who attended the Bathurst ANZAC Service during the holidays representing our school in the March. You looked fantastic and represented our school so beautifully. You made us all so proud. Thank you also to Mrs Cafe, Mrs Goninan, Mrs Francis, Mrs Woolfe, Mr Datt and Mrs Dowler for your support of the children and our school. Thank you to the parents who came along and continue to support our wonderful school.  

In the final week of Term One, Addison Jones represented the Western Region at the NSW PSSA Swimming Championships in Homebush. Addison did extremely well, finishing with a personal best time in both events. Congratulations, Addison. We are extremely proud of you.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in the school soccer team. The team will be coached by Mrs McPhee and Ms Barber. The soccer gala day is scheduled for Friday 30th May in Week 5 Term 2. The team consists of; Hunter Weal, Sidney Shoemark, Jonty Rue, Billy Wharton-Manley, Adam Abdalla, Christian Taylor Mena, Dushant Jaganthant, Raiyan Mohammad, Ewan Long, Joseph O'Brien, Alex Sverdloff, Alex Bateman, Grace Moulds and Owen Sweeney.

On Monday 5th May, our school CWA Public Speaking finals will take place in the McMullen Hall between 12.00noon-1.20pm. Parents are welcome to come and listen to these amazing class winners make their speeches for the children in Years 3-6 and an independent adjudicator. We wish all the children participating the best of luck. The class winners who will present their speeches on Monday are;

CWA PUBLIC SPEAKING FINALS

Throughout the holidays, we were informed that the Basketball Gala Day, planned for this Friday 2nd May, was cancelled due to the court unavailability at CSU. We are now in the process of organising matches, finding available dates with schools and a venue. More information will be released soon.

Our Cricket Team will play their Round 3 match against Eglinton PS this Friday 2nd May at Eglinton. We wish our team and Mr Thackray the very best of luck.

Enrolments and payment for Dance troupes for Stage 1, 2 and 3 close this Friday 2nd May. Dance Troupes will commence in Week 2 with Mrs McClements and Mrs Weekes.

This Saturday at the federal election polling booth occurring in the McMullen Hall, the P&C will have a BBQ set up to raise funds for the school. I know the P&C are looking for volunteers to help cook and serve. If you can spare some time this Saturday 3rd May, please contact Sally Hegvold on dane.sally@bigpond.com

Our annual Mother's Day breakfast and stall will take place next Friday 9th May in the top quad area of the school from 7.30am-9.00am. All mothers and significant women in our lives and invited to attend our breakfast. If children would like to purchase a gift from the Mother's Day stall, they can do this between7.30am and 9.00am in the canteen area. A wonderful stall with an assortment of gifts has been organised. If anyone would like to donate a gift for the Mother's Day stall, please send the gift into the front office and we will pass them onto the stall organiser. All Mother's Day gifts will be $5.00.

Extra curricular information;

• Breakfast Club is open every day from 8.30am-8.55am in the breakfast club room.
• Lunch Club is open every day from 1.20pm-1.30pm in the breakfast club room.
• SRC Meetings in Term 2 will take place every Wednesday during Break 2 in Ms Lloyds room with Ms Lloyd and Ms Puebla.
• Stage 1 Dance - Break 1 every Thursday with Mrs McClements and Mrs Weekes
• Stage 2 Dance - Break 1 every Wednesday with Mrs McClements and Mrs Weekes
• Stage 3 Dance - Break 1 every Friday with Mrs McClements and Mrs Weekes
• Choir - Break 2 every Thursday with Mrs Cafe
• Library - is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Break 2 and Tuesday during Break 1.
• Weekly Sport training is on the School Sport page of the Newsletter.
• Canteen is open every Friday

Some general reminders;

• Morning Drop Off - teachers commence duty at 8.30am. Parents are asked to drop children off to school anytime after 8.30am each day.
• Afternoon Pick Up - we ask parents to ensure they park their car when arriving to pick up children after school from the Lambert Street and George Street sides of the school. All school staff have been instructed to not let children leave the grounds until the car is parked and it is safe to do so. We are trying to ensure that all children leave the school safely and this can only be done if everyone follows the safety advice given to us by Bathurst Council, the RMS, and NSW Police. 
• Gates around the school - During the school day, all gates around the school will be kept shut. This is for the safety and security for our children and staff. We have a number of children that are deemed as flight/safety risks/security risks and keeping the gates closed can ensure all of our children are safe. If parents need to access the school throughout the day, please come to the gate in George Street directly outside the school office. All parents and visitors are reminded to QR code into the school before entering.
• Food Allergies - We do have several children at our school who have peanut allergies and have severe reactions if exposed to this food. Parents are asked to be mindful of this when packing recess and lunch and are encouraged not to send products which contain nuts in them to school.

If any parent has any concerns regarding any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kate White