From the Principal's Desk

READING! 

Literacy and numeracy form the foundations students need for deep learning across the curriculum and the development of skills essential to everyday life.     

Children learn from being read to, reading with others and reading to themselves.  Have fun reading together every day.  Look for opportunities such as when you are walking to school, the book shop, the library and the supermarket.  Talk about stories, the language used, words in the story, as well as the sounds of letters in words.  Read books in your home language.  Read with your child every day.  Below are ideas to support reading at home -

    • Make reading fun and enjoyable . Children learn about reading by watching, copying and interacting with others.

    • Let your child choose and re-read books they are interested in.

    • Talk about the book before you start reading.  Talk about the title and what could happen in the story. 

    • Discuss the pictures and how they add to the story. 

    • Whilst reading ask your child questions about the story such as, "What do you think might happen next?" "Why do you think that?" 

    • After reading talk about the story.  Ask questions such as, “Which part of the story did you like best?” or “What was exciting, funny or sad in the story?” 

    • Take turns at reading favourite stories with brothers, sisters or friends. 

    • Choose a variety of reading materials such as newspapers, magazines, posters, street signs, recipes and shopping lists.

BOOK WEEK

Each year since 1945 the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week.  During this time schools spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators.  At our school, classes listened to stories relating to a theme, “Dreaming with eyes open...” to highlight the importance of reading and we held our book parade. Students in our school dressed up as their favourite book or movie character on Friday 26th August for our annual book parade.  It was wonderful to see so many happy, smiling faces as they shared what they had dressed up as, and to watch as they proudly paraded/danced around.

ATHLETICS

Congratulations to all the athletes who are competing at the Northwest Athletics trials this Friday in Tamworth.  Good luck team!  We cannot wait to hear your results.

GYMNASTICS

All our classes have been participating in gymnastics lessons at the Armidale Gymnastics Centre.  This program will run for the next 4 weeks.  Below are some photos of Kindergarten and Stage One students enjoying all the activities.

STAGE 3 EXCURSION

The students from Stage 3 are all having a fabulous time at their excursion in Coffs Harbour.  A huge thank you to Miss Cullen, Mr Laurie and Mrs Deiderick for accompanying them on this trip.

NSW PREMIER'S SPELLING BEE 

Congratulations to Renee Murdock and Maddie Byrne for making the regional finals.  Unfortunately, Renee was unable to attend as she was on the Stage 3 excursion.  Maddie competed in the final via Zoom with her proud Dad watching on.  She made it through 4 rounds before being eliminated.  Well done to both girls. 

KINDERGARTEN THALGARRAH EXCURSION

Last week Kinder, Mrs Pennington and Miss See went to Thalgarrah and the farm next door, “Swallowfield”.  We had a great day feeding sheep, chickens and pigs at the farm. At Thalgarrah we were learning about shelter from the wind and food for farm animals.  We had a great day and would like to thank the Webb family from “Swallowfield” farm and Matt from Thalgarrah.

Have a lovely week,

Felicity Pennington and Peta Deiderick