Nicho News
TERM THREE WEEK EIGHT
Welcome
Our Best Dressed Winners At The Book Parade!
All The Teachers Dressed Up And Ready For The Parade!
5/6S Testing How Fast You Can Melt An Ice Cube!
Coming Up
- 4 SEPT 5/6 assembly
- 4 SEPT Father's Day Stall 8.45am
7 Sept Primarily Fun Band Workshop at SSC Balmain
12 Sept Music in the Park
- 8 SEPT Debate Nicho vs Croydon
- 10 SEPT Fresh Food Day-1/2C
- 11 SEPT Assembly 3/4G
- 14 SEPT Balmain PEP Program
- 14 SEPT Interrelate Workshops (3-6) 6 - 8.15pm
- 15 SEPT Balmain PEP Program
- 17 SEPT Science Day
- 18 SEPT Don't worry be Happy day
Principal's Report
Principal’s Report Week 8, Term 3
School-Community links are fostered through family engagement in school life. As a school we are working towards a model of planning that actively encourages parents to be involved in the formation and valuing of the school vision. This vision forms the basis for all that we do at Nicholson Street. Put simply, if ‘it’ doesn’t align with the vision of the school, we need to question whether ‘it’ should happen.
This level of consultation can only occur if we communicate not only about areas of growth but also celebrate what we do well. The recent Partners in Learning Survey, sent to all members of the school community provides a chance for all members of the community to give feedback on the teaching, learning and strategic directions of the school. I encourage every member of the community to take the time to complete the survey and ensure our school continues to grow from good to great. The log in information for the survey is:
· Username – parent18144
· Password – Nic2749
· https://www.tellthemfromme.com/login.htm
SAS Recognition Week
This week has been SAS Staff Recognition Week around the state. The school community is made up of many different people, all of whom play an important part in the running of a school ensuring all students are provided with a quality education. School Administration and Support Staff, whether in the office, the library, school grounds or in the classroom, are important to the success of our school. This week has been an opportunity for our community to acknowledge the vital role of our Administration Team: Front office staff, General Assistant and School Learning Support Officers. If you’re in the office in the next week and haven’t had a chance to thank the teams, you may like to join the students and staff in acknowledging the efforts of our Admin Team.
Community Forums and P&C Meeting
This coming Tuesday night between 6:30pm and 7:30pm I will be running the first of what will be monthly community forums discussing issues relating to the teaching and learning programs at Nicholson Street. The first forum will be examining the 2015 NAPLAN data and provide insights into how this data is used at Nicholson Street to help shape future directions. Directly after the forum will be the P&C Meeting. I look forward to seeing all members of the community who can attend the forum and P&C meeting on Tuesday night in the Library.
Mandarin Language Lessons @ Nicholson Street
After helping to grow the Mandarin Language Program at Nicholson Street and introducing a number of our younger students to a second language Mr Scott Smith has ended his tenure at the school due to personal reasons. Mandarin lessons for the remainder of the 2015 school year will be run by Mr Lidong Han. Mr Han has enthusiastically joined the Nicholson Street School team and I know you will all join me in welcoming him to the school.
Final Two Weeks of Term 3
The final two weeks of Term 3 are going to be action packed. In ten school days we are going to fit in debates, dance, assemblies, Balmain HS PEP program for selected students, Interrelate workshops, Science Day and finally, Don’t worry be happy day. With all this excitement it is important to remember that the expectations for high levels of behaviour and respect remain. I look forward to an exciting conclusion to Term 3.
I hope your week ahead is one filled with learning, laughter and life.
Mr Chris Buenen
Principal
School Info
Email: nicholson-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: nicholson.p.school.nsw.edu.au
Location: Nicholson Street Public School, Nicholson Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Phone: 9810 2863
Book Parade
By Veronica
Teacher Of The Fortnight
What have you been doing in drama?
We have been developing skills in improvisation in different character roles. We have been doing this by looking into different fairy tales with a twist which helps improve performance in theatre. We have also been learning vox pops, topping in, freezing, miming, sculpting, role plays and more exciting and fun activities that will help with their confidence in drama!
What do you love most about being a drama teacher?
I love being a drama teacher because it is very fun and varied, it is also exciting because everyday is different. I also get to explore life issues with students in a drama sense and all the students really enjoy the drama activities!
What do you like most about Nicho?
I love Nicho because it is a small school so there are more varied and broad learning arrangements which help to focus on each student's independent ways of learning! Nicho also makes sure that this school is as involved with extra curriculum activities.
Class Of The Fortnight
This fortnight in 5/6A we have been learning about many things.
In maths we have been learning about long division, long multiplication as well as how to make comparative column graphs and what a rhombicosidodecahedron is (a 62 sided 3D shape).
In English we have been learning about poetry and making poems about the Gold Rush and we also changed the words of a song to make it about the Gold Rush.
In science we have been learning about solids, liquids and gases. We have been doing experiments about these things.
I made a graph that compared the teachers’ favourite colours and the year 6’s from 5/6A’s favourite colours.
By Chloe
Interrelate
A testimonial from a parent about Interrelate.
“ I attended the Year 5&6 Session with my son Jack. It was handled thoughtfully and pitched at the right level for 10-12 year olds. I believe that it was needed - from listening to some of the kids’ questions, they were quite unaware of what was going to happen to their bodies over the next few years. It also treated the gender difference well - explaining the difference between boys and girls and letting them know that changes will not happen to everyone in the same way at the same time and that this was fine. What was emphasised was the need for mutual respect and understanding - that puberty is perfectly natural and something that everyone goes through.
The Session certainly broke the ice for further discussion at home. The discussion was serious but not overly so - allowing the nervous giggles and naive questions - the kids felt confident to share what they knew but also to admit what they didn’t know. I found it an interesting insight into the very different attitudes of the kids and the different stages they were at.
John Murphy"
Halloween
Father's Day Stall success!
Happy Fathers’ Day to all our dads, step-dads & granddads!
Music News
Piano lessons with Donna Ng – Week 1, Term 4
We are very excited to be able to offer piano lessons at Nicholson Street. Some years ago, the Loader family donated an upright piano to the school, now this wonderful instrument is ready to be put to work on a new generation of pianists. Piano lessons will commence in Week 1 of Term 4, running on Thursday and Friday afternoons in 30-minute slots from 2.15pm with the last lesson commencing at 4.45pm. Lessons will take place in the small room off the 3/4GG classroom.
Donna Ng has been teaching piano to children for the past seven years. She holds both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Masters in Teaching. Donna is a classically trained pianist who incorporates both traditional and Suzuki learning techniques as well as developing aural skills to provide a well-rounded and dynamic music session. She aims to create a fun and safe learning environment that encourages creativity in her lessons while teaching her students the fundamentals of music
Places are filling fast, please email Hermina Sudar on herminasudar@hotmail.com if you are interested in your child learning piano. Many thanks to Hermina Sudar for taking on the organisation of the lesson schedule.
Primarily Fun: Band Workshop – Monday 7th September – SSC Balmain
Our Year 5 &6 Concert Band members are looking forward to taking part in the Primarily Fun Workshops on Monday. They can then join other primary school band members from the local area in forming the Inner West Combined Concert Band for the IMP’s Music in the Park event at Pioneer Park in Leichhardt on Saturday 12th September.
Applications are now open for the Department of Education’s Arts Unit 2016 Instrumental Ensembles. The Arts Unit Ensembles give students the chance to build on their involvement with their school music program, enabling them to be part of larger ensembles with challenging repertoire and a range of amazing performance opportunities. Our Nicho musicians have successfully auditioned for the Arts Unit Singers, Symphonic Wind Orchestra (SWO), Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE), and the Millennium Marching Band.
These ensembles rehearse weekly at the Arts Unit, Lewisham Public School and are open to students from across New South Wales. Entry to all of these Ensembles is by audition. The annual membership fees are $390 per ensemble. Applications close Friday 9th October.
https://www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/2016-instrumental-music-ensembles-application-form
If you would like more information on any of our music groups, please contact Kathryn Reynolds on Kathryn@combsaw.com.au