Sports News

Billy Cart Grand Prix and Soap Box Derby

The Billy Cart Grand Prix and Soap Box Derby are on again this year on the last day of the school year, Friday 18th December.

Billy Cart Grand Prix is only for the Year 5/6 students. Students are to have a cart which they push and must wear a helmet on the day. Students have been given a permission note so that parents are aware that there is a billy cart involved with their child on the day. There are 3 categories, winner of the Boys' / Mixed Race, winner of the Girls' Race and the Best Dressed Trophy. Hopefully we get some fantastic billy carts and have lots of fun in the race.

Soap Box Derby

This event is for Prep to Year 4s only. No permission is needed, this is just information for you. The Soap Box Derby involves a cardboard box which 2 students share for the race. They both get into the box and race around the obstacle course, swapping in the Pit Stop. The box must be sturdy so that when they finish the line, it is still intact, otherwise they are not eligible for the winning medal or 2nd or 3rd place. There have been some variations over the years, such as 2 boxes attached together with a rope or a spring. This is not acceptable, as both students need to be in the same box. There have been some fantastic and creative designs over the past many years, so please get your imagination happening, try to find a big enough box ( The Good Guys, Harvey Norman etc), get your paint brushes out and start creating!! Hope to see many happy faces ready for some exciting races. The Categories will be Prep Girls, Prep Boys / Mixed, Junior Girls, Junior Boys/Mixed, Middle Girls, Middle Boys / Mixed.

Interschool Sport 2021 for Senor School

The organisation for 2021 Interschool Sports teams has already began as we need to field 18 teams across two pools next year, which is the same as what was done this year. In 2021 all the Year 5/6 students will have the opportunity to play a sport, as the numbers are exactly what we need, rather than having large numbers left over like in the past few years.

Trials have begun in all the sports and hopefully by the end of next week I will have the information that I need to start creating the teams over the holidays. During this time, the Interschool Sports Compass Event will be posted so that parents can start paying for the buses for Term 1 and give consent so that when we come back to the new year, payment and consent will already have been done. We will also be looking for volunteers, like we had this year, to be coaches / scorers of particular school teams, as we only have 9 staff across the 18 sports.

Thank You

Thank you to all the parents who have assisted in all the different sports over the course of 2021 in Term 1. Due to the crazy year that we have had with the Lockdown and Remote Learning, unfortunately Sport was unable to go ahead after that. However, the events that we did do in Term 1 could not be run without the tremendous generosity of parents with their time to come along and help out. I wish all the children and their families a wonderful and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you all in 2021!

Noreen McMenaman - Sport /PE

Library News

I have now completed stock take in all areas from where the students borrow. Books are taken from the shelves. I then check under and behind the shelves and then enter the books individually into the computer. As at Wednesday there are still 41 books out in students’ names, with a value of approximately $510.00. This is a concern as some of these books are out to students who will not be returning next year. It is important that these books are returned now. I will be sending emails to all these students’ parents or guardians today or tomorrow. These books are books that have been borrowed this term. Please ask students to have a good look at home and at school for these books. It is surprising the number of books that remain in school bags until the last minute. A book is not considered returned until it comes back to the library.

Remember – these books will still be in your child’s name next year if they are not returned. They do not magically disappear over the holidays.

If you find a book at home that has a school stamp or library barcode on it please return it as some teachers borrow books in their names and these are mistakenly taken home by students. There are other times when the students simply forget to check the book out before they leave the library. These books show up as ‘missing’ after stocktake and there is no way of tracing them.

Please encourage your child to continue reading over the holidays and also take some time out to read to them. I advise all adults to head to the library and borrow an audio book, sit back, close your eyes and listen or listen to it while driving (please keep your eyes open if you do it while driving!). You will rediscover the joys of having someone read to you. Have fun when reading to your children – really get into it with voices and facial expressions – it provides memories for a lifetime. Reading is not just a quality pastime it has also been shown to improve children’s speech, spelling and grammar. Remember that the Ringwood and Croydon libraries are just around the corner and often have activities on over the holidays.

Another place to consider for a visit is the State Library of Victoria in the city. They often have free exhibitions (and not just about books). Their Web address is www.slv.vic.gov.au and click on the ‘What’s On’ tab.

Have a safe and happy break. Keep on reading!

Sue Offer - Library Technician

Food for Families

This year, as in previous years, we are supporting Uniting's Food for Families Appeal, with collection boxes set up on the table in the foyer. All non-perishable food and personal care items will be gratefully accepted for distribution to needy families over the Christmas period. Some suggested donation items are below.

Collection will be during the last week of term, so offerings will need to be in boxes by

Monday December 14th. As always, CHPS and Uniting are grateful for the generosity of our community in helping those in need.

Urgent Shout-Out! Chicken-sitters needed for Christmas!

Our chickens are in need of a suitable holiday resort for Christmas. Needs to be fox and other toothy animal-proof and loud conversations involving ovens, basting and "all the trimmings" are to be avoided.

In return, they offer a plentiful supply of eggs and a soothing presence in the back yard.

If you can provide a holiday haven, please email marc.purcell@education.vic.gov.au

Community News