Passive play space - playground update
We have had a number of companies come out to measure and are awaiting quotes to update the final ‘concrete’ play space in our playground - the area at the back of the school near Bardwell gate.  Students have many active areas in our playground and have expressed the need for a more ‘passive’ space where they can play board games, draw, colour or just sit.  At the moment the area is not very inviting so we plan to install artificial grass, some chess board markings and chalk boards to enhance the feel of the area.  This should make a big difference for the students who do not want to play ball games or run around during lunch.  

Thank you to the P & F, as money raised will go towards funding this upgrade.

Carline pick up
Thank you to those of you who have your surname clearly visible from the windscreen visor.  This means teachers can have students ready and waiting in advance.  When cars arrive with no name it ruins the system and means delays while we have to ask drivers who they are collecting.  If you don’t have a label, please order through the office. It is helpful if you have one for each car that collects (grand parents, relatives). 

Please also be reminded of courtesy for our neighbours when in the carline.  Neighbours have advised of cars blocking the roundabout on the intersection of Bardwell Road and Prince Street while waiting to pick up after school.  It is a driving offence to enter an intersection when the intersection or road beyond is blocked.

Public Speaking
In line with the oral language and communication outcomes of the new English Syllabus, we are pleased to offer public speaking next term as an option for our Stage 3 students (Year 5 & 6).  This is the only stage where the outcome suggests students communicate to “wide audiences … by interacting and presenting.”  There will be no whole school public speaking competition as this does not match what the teachers are teaching from the Sydney Catholic School English units. 

At the beginning of Term 2, we will run a lunch time Public Speaking Club and ask for ‘expressions of interest’ from our Year 5 & 6 students.  Those interested can work with Mrs Meehan or myself to look at the topics given and then prepare their speech (at lunch and at home).  After practice, students present their speeches to each other for the opportunity to be selected to compete in the North Sydney Harbour network schools competition.  We can enter just one student in this event, held towards the end of next term.

Our Artists
Year 2 has been learning about the work of artist Henry Matisse.  He uses organic shapes and positive and negative space to compose his art.  Look at some of the innovations that our Year 2 students created.