The Kangaroo

Kangaroo Valley Public School Newsletter Week 3 Term 4, 28 October 2024

What's on this Week

Monday

K-2 Library Session with Mrs Gripper

Don't forget your library book and bag!

Tuesday

3-6 Library Session with Mrs Gripper

Don't forget your library book and bag!

Wednesday

Illawarra Enviornmental Education Centre Visit 

Nikki Bodel, Principal of the Illawarra Environmental Education Centre and Mr Smee will be visiting to talk to those Year 5 and 6 students who will be attending Project Platypus at 11:45 in the 4/5/6 room. Students will receive a detailed program, what to bring list, dietary and medical needs notes during the session. 


Whole School Assembly

Our whole school assembly will be held in the hall at 2:30pm and will be hosted by our K/1 class. Parents and grandparents are welcome to come along to watch the fabulous class items!

Thursday

Kindergarten Orientation

We welcome our kindergarten students for 2025 to Kangaroo Valley Public School from 9:30am. For those who attend preschool on Thursdays, we will collect students from the preschool for their orientation session and return them. 

We welcome parents to the library once the children are settled for a parent information session from about 9:45am. 


K-2 SRE/SEE

Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) 


K-2 Sport 

Please remember a hat, drink bottle and sports shoes for Sport today. 

Friday

3-6 Sport

Please remember a hat, drink bottle and sports shoes for Sport today.

K-2 Singing with Gayle

1/2 Maths

Congratulations Merit Award Winners

Principal's Report

Sports Court Upgrade

Over the last three years, I have heard from parents, teachers and more recently from students in the SRC for the desire to have the sports court upgraded. This has been discussed at many P&C meetings, and we sought quotes that were far beyond our reach to have the court resurfaced or replaced. I have had many meetings to discuss our court over my tenure as principal with our assets team and I am pleased to say that the project will go to tender next week. 

Last week I received the scope of work document and attended a pre-tender meeting.

The Project aims to:

• Replace existing asphalt sports court with new concrete sports court

• Construct new concrete path with hi vis line marked edging from steps adjacent to canteen to new double gate entrance to court.

• Replace court fencing with new double gate to Western end of court.

• Replace existing basketball rings, with new combined Basketball and Netball height adjustable combined rings.

• Replace tennis court posts with new.

• Supply and install Acrylic Sports Court Surfacing with Line Marking

    - Paint new basketball court line marking as per FIBA Official Basketball Court Dimensions. 

    - Paint new netball court line marking as per International Federation of Netball Court Dimensions

    -Paint new Tennis court line marking as Australian Standards


There has been much discussion over the future of the large Camphor laurel tree that is next to our current court. Last week I asked that our P&C come together with our staff at very short notice to share their perspectives to help with decision making prior to the project going to tender. I would like to thank the staff and parents who attended the meeting to share their views with very little notice.

While the tree is deemed a 'weed' it provides a great deal of shade, a place for many of our students to play under and is very special feature of our playground.

With much back and forth, I have requested to the DoE School Infrastructure Team that we adjust the size of the court (five metres shorter in length), to allow the tree to stay as a very much loved feature of our playground. 

I hope to provide an update on the court (and the tree) very soon!


Jen Arnott

Relieving Principal

Congratulations to our K-2 Public Speakers

Year 1 from 1/2D using Quadrilateral shapes in Maths

Lions Club Peace Prize Competition

Students in 4/5/6 have been working on their Lion's Club Peace Poster Entries as part of their Visual Arts lessons
Students in 4/5/6 have been working on their Lion's Club Peace Poster Entries as part of their Visual Arts lessons

Gardening

Gardening today included harvesting snow peas and planted two lovely strawberry plants donated by the Cooke family. Our purple cauliflower is looking incredible! We weeded the garden beds too. A friendly Echidna 🦔 visited us and returned to Kookaburra Creek.

Happy gardening 👩‍🌾

Mrs Sim.

Upcoming Events in Term 4

Kindergarten Orientation and Parent Information Sessions

Our Kindergarten Orientation Sessions for students attending KVPS in 2025 will be held over three Thursday mornings commencing at 9.30am and concluding at 11am. If your child attends the Kangaroo Valley Community Pre-School, KVPS Staff will collect and return students from the Pre-School. 

Session 1: 31st October

Session 2: 7th November

Session 3: 14th November

Our parent information session will be held during the first orientation session, Thursday 31st October commencing once students have settled into their classroom with Mrs Page shortly after, at approximately 9:45am. 

The parent information session is particularly useful for families who are new to the school and this is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have. The P&C will have some uniform items for you to have a look at on the day. 


Class Assemblies

Our remaining two class assemblies will commence at 2:30pm on Wednesdays in Week 3 and Week 6 in the school hall. 

Week 3 - 30th October - K/1 will be hosting the Assembly

Week 6 - 20th Nov - 3/4J will be hosting the Assembly in  with leadership Speeches also being delivered.


Appreciation Morning Tea

We are having an appreciation morning tea on Thursday 28th November at 11:15am, to say thank you to all our volunteers and helpers. If you have volunteer or helped out at school in some way please come along and enjoy a morning tea with us.

K-2 at Berry Writers Festival

Build the Future of Tennis in Minecraft Education – Your Creativity, Your Court!

4/5/6 students will be participating in the Australian Open Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge as part of their Science and Technology Learning. The cost will be $25 per student. You can pay on the School Bytes Parent Portal. The challenge will be completed during our dedicated Science and Technology lessons throughout Term 4. 

The Australian Open and the Australian Esports League have teamed up to invite students from across Australia to rebuild and reimagine the iconic Australian Open precinct in the immersive world of Minecraft Education. This is more than just a challenge; it’s your chance to showcase innovation, master sustainable design, and win exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences at AO 2025. Whether you’re a tennis enthusiast, a budding architect, or just love the endless possibilities of Minecraft, this is your opportunity to shine.

This challenge isn’t just about building; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As you design, you’ll explore cutting-edge concepts in architecture, sustainability, and innovation, all while working alongside your peers in an exciting, team-driven environment. Plus, with prizes and experiences valued at more than $25,000 up for grabs, every block you place brings you closer to creating a legacy. Don’t just play the game—change it.

AO Tomorrow – Reimagining the Future of Tennis and Major Events

In this challenge, students are tasked with envisioning the Australian Open precinct as it could be in the future, focusing on environment, sustainability, technology, and community. Working in year groups, students will tackle varying levels of complexity:

  • Years 4-6 will redesign a specific element inside the AO
  • Years 7-9 will expand their vision to a broader area of the precinct
  • Years 10-11 will reimagine the entire precinct in relation to the broader community

This challenge invites students to push the boundaries of creativity, sustainability, and innovation, transforming the future of tennis and community spaces.

Open to students in teams of 2-4.

The competition is spread over four stages:

  •  Designing & planning
  •  Building
  •  Presentations
  •  Judging


    • The challenge runs for six weeks from the commencement date.

    Registration Due – 18th Oct – extended to 25th October

    Building Commences – 21st Oct

    Submissions Due – 29th Nov

    Judging Complete – 22nd Dec

    Winners Announced – 2nd Jan

    UPCOMING EVENTS

     30/10/24 Wednesday  Assembly Hosted by K/1
     31/10/24 Thursday Kindergarten Orientation Session 1
     06/11/24 Wednesday Guitar Concert 6:30pm School Hall
     07/11/24 Thursday  Kindergarten Orientation Session 2
     08/11/24 Friday Swimming for Sport Commences
     14/11/24 Thursday Kindergarten Orientation Session 3
     15/11/24 Friday P&C Meeting
     20/11/24 Wednesday Assembly Hosted by 3/4J and Year 6 Leadership Speeches
     28/11/24 Thursday Volunteer/Helper Morning Tea
     5-6/12/24  Thurs-Fri Project Platypus Camp
    12/12/24 Thursday P&C Hosting a Breakfast at KVPS
    13/12/24 Friday Year 6 Day Out at Jamberoo
    16/12/24 Monday Presentation Day Rehearsal and Talent Show
    17/12/24 Tuesday Presentation Assembly
    18/12/24 Wednesday Last day for students, Final ringing of the bell by Year 6 leaders 3:15pm
     

    Save the Date!

    Sports Report

    Swimming for Sport

    It's time to get a swimming bag together with everything your child needs for swimming for sport - sunscreen, swimmers, rash shirt, towel, goggles, a bag for wet clothes and enclosed shoes. 

    Week 4 -Friday 8th November

    Week 5 - Friday 15th November

    Week 6 - Friday 22nd November

    Week 7 - Friday 29th November. 

    Week 8 - Friday 6th December

    Week 9 - Friday 13th December

    Permssion notes are now available for you to complete in the School Bytes Parent Portal. If your child has a Pool Pass please let us know on the permission note. 


    PDHPE Syllabus Outcomes covered:

    Stage 2

    -perform a range of water survival and water rescue skills, eg perform a surface dive and propel the body underwater to recover an object, float on front and back in deep water 

    -coordinate kicking with arm movements to move the body in a streamlined position through the water on front and back to swim 25 metres 

    -recognise and rehearse water safety strategies and skills, eg entry and exit, check for underwater obstacles, never swim alone, look for safety signs

    Stage 3

    -perform a range of swimming and water rescue skills, eg freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, entry and exit in deep water, deep dive, rope rescue 

    -describe situations that may cause lifestyle diseases or injury and propose actions that promote health and safety, eg swimming with supervision, wearing sunscreen 

    -select and practise appropriate responses to promote safety in different water environments, eg survival swimming skills

    Samson at State Athletics - Well Done!

    Samson and his relay team mates from Terara PS competed at the State Athletics Carnival last Thursday. He ran very well and loved the experience of running in a big stadium. The team placed 35th out of 40. It was a very strong field! Some incredible talent up there. The boys all had a great day together! 

    P&C Report

    Next Meeting

    Our next meeting will be held in Week 5 - Friday 15th November at 8am in the school library. 


    Contacting the P&C

    If you would like to contact the P&C, please email: kvps.pandc@gmail.com

    HATS FOR SALE EVERY DAY!!!

    Due to the increase in costs from our hat supplier, hats are now $10

    Term 4 Swimming Lessons at Kangaroo Valley Pool

    Swimming lessons will be commencing in Term 4 2024 at Kangaroo Valley Village Pool. Lessons will be held on a Monday in Term 4

    An Assessment/Enrolment Day will be held on Monday 4th November between 3.30pm and 5.00pm with lessons beginning on Monday 11th November. Lessons will begin at approximately 3pm until 5:45pm. 

    Term 4 at KVVP will be 5 weeks and the fees will be $94.00 which is paid on enrolment. 

    The program will be open to children 3 years of age up to 10-13 year olds participating in a mini squad level lesson. 

    Valley Shorts Kangaroo Valley Short Film Competition

    The 2025 KV Show will see the exciting launch of a short film competition. Participants will be invited to submit a short film/video no longer than three (3) minutes in any genre from documentary to news, comedy, music, bio pic, drama, romance, horror.. the choice is yours.

    The competition is wide open to all ages and can be collaborations between a group. There is no specific theme however, inspired by Tropfest, each entry must contain a prop. With the Show being on Valentine's Day weekend, A HEART will need to be incorporated somehow.

    A total prize pool of $1,000 will be awarded in the areas of:

    • Best Film

    • Most Creative Use of the Theme

    • Junior Filmmaker Award (under 16)

    • Young Filmmaker Award (age 16-25)

    • Best Inclusion of a Valley Landmark

    More prize categories may be added as the competition takes shape.

    The competition is supported by several local film and television professionals who will hold an information session in November. Those keen to get involved, or just find out more are asked to register their interest: comms@kangaroovalleyshow.org.au

    Say Cheese - KV SHOW AT THE MARKET

    From November, the KVAHA will have a stall at the Farmers Market on the second Sunday of each month.  It will create a space for us to share information about the Show and added benefits for our valued Members.

    Every month, we will provide a cuppa and a biscuit free of charge and a few comfy chairs to sit and chat.  Some tables will be available for kids craft and our giant games like Jenga and Connect 4 will also amuse kids of all ages.  Members of our committee will be available to answer questions, help with online submissions, 

    It's also a place where we will hold some workshops, talks and demonstrations, sharing expertise and knowledge in the many and varied aspects and events within the Show. 

    For November, our theme is “Say Cheese” and will be all about Cheese Making, creative platters and there will be an information session on our Short Film Competition.

    In December it will all be about Christmas with Floral Wreath making, a kids workshop to create Christmas Decorations and more.

    Check the website and the Valley Voice for more information or email comms@kangaroovalleyshow.org.au

    BEST DRESSED UTE - KV SHOW

    It's the extra member of the family, the silent work horse behind every rural resident and next year at the Kangaroo Valley Show, it’s the Ute’s turn to shine.  Flat bed, twin cab, whatever… dress up your Ute and bring it down to the show where it can sit proudly on display ringside and take part in the Grand Parade.  Choose any theme and create your own matching family outfit for extra fun.  Prizes will be awarded to the Best Dressed Ute and the Best Dressed Duo - owner(s) and car.Check the website for more information.

    Moss Vale Public School Country Fair

    Newsletter Submissions

    If you have a newsletter submission, please send to Kerry in the Office via the school email address by Friday afternoon to be included in Monday morning publication. 

    kangaroova-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

    School Contact Information

    Office Hours: 8.30 - 3.30