4 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents, carers and friends

Wow! There is a lot happening at school this term and I have to admit to struggling to keep up with it all.

This fortnight there is much to share and celebrate and a few really important reminders. Do you mind if I start with some important reminders?

Being SAFE :

Is one of our Hi 5 Values, and I believe it is our most important. It is the most important because unless every child feels emotionally and physically safe, it is not possible for them to learn. This isn't just an idea, it is neuroscience.

Safety part 3: This is why bullying is unacceptable at school, because it stops everyone from doing what they are here to do. We need to do far more as a school community to stop bullying. We will start by identifying what bullying is and then we'll work on solutions together. Emotional and physical safety needs be the foundation to every aspect of our school life. We all have a part to play.

Safety part 2: We are really, really, really worried about students being dropped off in the car park near the school office. Every week our office staff see near misses as children run across the drive way while cars speed through the car park. We have applied for re-development to create a safer drop off but until that happens...Please drop off students by parking along Heather Rd, so that children can walk straight along the footpaths into school.

Safety part 3: This week we acknowledged 'Day for Daniel'. The story of Daniel is truly horrifying and not one that is suitable to share with our younger children, so we called Monday 'Staying Safe Day'. This is about children being safe from strangers and making sure they understand the importance of self-protective behaviours. Luckily, our community looks after children together, which is different from a bigger city, but all children should understand how to stay safe from strangers.

P/1 Porte/Varveris, and 1/2 Rigney had a wonderful day out on an excursion this week, visiting the Bellerive Vet. Another group of our Grade 6 students visited Rose Bay High School as part of our on-going transition program. We also have our 45 choir members going to Count Us In, a huge inter-school music event. These excursions require a lot of paper work and extra organisational time for teachers so I really appreciate that teachers create these extra learning opportunities for our students. Thank you so much teachers and helpers!!

The Halloween Disco was fantastic! The children looked great, although 'ghoulish' would probably be a better word. The costumes were clever, the children behaved perfectly and everyone had a great time. Thank you to our school Association for organising the disco and for cleaning the open area afterwards.

Well, there's a lot to do over the next few weeks, especially planning and organising for next year. We are working on class structures and class lists, staffing, curriculum, teaching resources and our school budget. There's a lot of work to do and I'm so glad that there is a great team here to make sure we get it right.

Kind regards, Libby Robinson

Taylor Doyle – Literacy and Numeracy Award

Green Cards Behaviour Award

Assembly 24/10/2016

Green Cards Behaviour Award

Assembly 07/11/2016

High 5 Awards

Presented at assembly 24/10./2016

HIGH 5 Awards

Presented at assembly 31/10/16

Best Halloween Face

Clarence After School Care at Risdon Vale Primary

Please note, you do not have to be employed to use this facility at school.

If you are interested in your child/children attending, please give Clarence council a call to find out what it may cost. You might be pleasantly surprised.

School Association

A message from the school association.

What a Spooktacular event the Halloween disco was with the highest attendance in many years. Thank you to all staff, parents, students and all the helpers on the night to make it such a successful event. The children looked amazing all dressed up in their scariest or prettiest costumes.

We raised over $780 on the night which is going towards buying the school three new 3x3 marquees with our school name and logo on them, we should have them by the end of the year.

Our next big event is the Christmas raffle with books going home in the next week

News from Risdon Vale Neighbourhood Centre

Trail Bikes Working Group

Trail Bikes Working Group is continuing its work toward safe and legal usage of trail bikes across the community.

As we head toward Christmas the temptation may be there to buy your loved one that new trail bike they’ve always wanted. But beware… riding them isn’t as easy as it may seem. There are lots of restrictions on where you can ride recreational vehicles such as trail bikes.

For many people in our community, the illegal riding of trail bikes is their number one concern and Council is working in partnership on a range of strategies to encourage people to do the right thing, through education, diversion and enforcement.

One thing you can do is to report when you see someone doing the wrong thing. Call the Police radio room on 13 1444 and help us tackle the issue.

Council has produced a DO/DON’T flyer that provides information on what is and isn’t allowed. Have a look at the flyer on Council’s website or the ‘Riding in Clarence’ Facebook page

State Finalist Australia’s Local Hero 2017

Anthony Edler

Youth worker

A community leader and positive role model, Anthony Edler is driving a program that helps disadvantaged and at-risk young people in his community, while also expanding the possibilities for people in Namibia. The program coordinator of the Risdon Vale Bike Collective, Ant combines his knowledge and skills of mountain biking and youth work to help young people fix broken-down bikes while developing life and employment skills and making a positive contribution to society. Over the years the bikes have either been given away or sold to fund community projects – an upgrade to the local BMX track and the development of bush trails among them. Since Ant kick-started the program, more than 440 bikes were repaired and donated to people in Namibia, creating jobs, helping children get to school and supporting nurses to care for the sick. With patience and passion, Ant has built links with funding bodies and businesses, school and charities. He’s helped young kids gain support and confidence, as well as the satisfaction of giving to others in need.

Recipes

Beetroot dip

Equipment

chopping boards
medium size pot
colander
peelers
knives
bowls
measuring spoons
food processor or blender
mixing spoons
serving container

250 g beets, cooked and peeled
½ cup plain greek yoghurt
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon coriander
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
sprinkle of cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Cook the beetroot in a pot of water until they are soft ( approx 15 minutes). Then peel the beetroot when cold.
2. Cut beetroot into medium size pieces.
3. Place all ingredients in a blender (or food processor) and puree until smooth.
4. Serve with dry toast or cracker biscuits.

Chocolate beetroot muffins

Equipment

grater
large mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring cups
measuring spoons
muffin trays x 1
spray oil

1 ½ cups self raising flour
2 eggs
1 ½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
50gm dark chocolate (optional), melted
½ cup sunflower oil
1 cup of milk or plain yoghurt
1 cup raw beetroot, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
½ cup water

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C and spray oil in 1 x 12 pan muffin tins.
2. In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar and cocoa powder.
3. In another bowl mix the eggs, oil, water, vanilla essence, beetroot and milk.
4. Break up dark chocolate into pieces and melt in a small bowl in the microwave.
5. Add melted chocolate and egg mixture to flour mixture and mix gently until just combined.
6. Spoon the mixture into prepared muffin tins and cook for 20-25 minutes.
7. Leave in the tins for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Free form berry tart

Equipment

measuring scales
chopping boards
rolling pin
grater
large bowl
wooden spoon
baking tray
wire rack

1 quantity of sweet pastry
500 gm frozen mixed berries
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup plain flour
1 orange, rind finely grated
1 tablespoon milk

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Roll pastry out in baking paper to a 35cm circle and 5mm thick.
3. In a large bowl, gently combine berries with sugar, flour and orange rind.
4. Place pastry on baking paper onto a baking tray. Pile berry mixture into the centre of the pastry circle. Fold the edges of the pastry over the berries leaving the centre open.
5. Bake for 25 minutes until pastry is golden brown.
6. Place in the hot oven and bake for about 25 minutes until cooked.
7. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes before eating.

Recipe source: Fresh magazine May 2016

School Calendar of Events