We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Helensburgh Public School is situated.

We pay our respects to the Dharawal people and to elders past, present and the future.

Helensburgh Highlights
Helensburgh Public School
Ph: (02) 4294 1332 or (02) 4294 1050

11 Fletcher Street, Helensburgh, 2508.

PRINCIPAL REPORT
QUOTE OF THE DAY "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be NORTA-NORTA GROUP Thank you to Julie-Anne Francis for her nurturing of the Indigenous group. Congratulations on her new job as Tourism Manager. Many thanks to Anthropologist and Aboriginal Elder, Les Bursill, for voluntarily coming in to share his knowledge of Dharawal totems, Aboriginal symbols and traditional daily life with our captivated group of students. Thanks to Mr Lynch and Mrs Hanley for the hard work they have performed in weed removal, planting up the bush tucker garden and mulching. Most of all 'Good on the Kids!' for their terrific art on the Friendship Poles. (Still looking forward to input by the Stage 3 kids as they were on Science Day at the time of painting.)

nice."

Cassis, John RISE AND SHINE AWARDS Last Thursday 8 December teachers, parents and student representatives from our school attended the Wollongong City Council Rise and Shine Environment Awards. Schools from across the city as well as community groups and organisations were acknowledged for their contribution and commitment to building a more environmentally sustainable city. I would like to thank Mrs Barbara Hanley and Mr Neville Lynch, retired teachers, who continue to support our environmental programs. This is the eleventh year in a row that the school has received an award. This year the school took out First Place in the category of Ongoing Environment Projects. Given the disruptions related to recent building programs this is a fine result. Congratulations to all concerned. STUDENT ENROLMENTS At present the school has received enough enrolments for 2012 to create 20 classes. Planning is underway to form 20 classes. This will require two new teachers to be appointed for the start of 2012. Once we return after the Christmas holidays a reassessment of student numbers will be undertaken to confirm our total enrolments. If the numbers change some primary classes may have to be reconstituted. SCHOOL DATES TERM1 2012 Staff development day Friday 27th January Years 1-6 Monday 30th January Kindergarten Friday 3rd February Last day Term 1 Thursday 5th April SPECIAL THANKS I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, students, parents and community supporters for their wonderful contributions to our school this year. Helensburgh Public school has a strong and abiding foundation based on history and a community that values public education. It is a school with an exciting future and a teaching and administration staff ready for the challenge. At this time of the year everyone is looking forward to a break and time with family. I wish everybody a happy and holy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

2012 Classes If your child will be in years 1-6 in 2012 and will not be returning to this school can you please advise me as soon as possible.

Mr Christopher Connor (Principal)

Important Dates to Remember

Creating a firm foundation for lifelong learning email: [email protected] web http://www.helensburg-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Issue 39, Monday 12th December 2011 Week 10, Term 4

Presentation Day Tuesday 13th December at 9.30am Presentation Day is an assembly for Years 2 - 6. Class awards and special awards such as Academic Excellence, Citizenship, Performing Arts, Frank Fitzgerald Literature Award, Commitment to Learning, Environmental, Library, Sporting Champions and Sportsmanship will be presented. The final roll call for Year 6 2011, and the announcement and induction of the school captains and prefects for 2012 will also take place. The school choir, school band and the Stage 1 dance groups will perform. Our school patrons and special guests will also be in attendance.

The SRC has registered our school to support the cancer charity CanTeen by collecting old mobile phones. The phones will be recycled to raise funds for cancer research. The school benefits by gaining rewards according to the number of phones we collect. As few as 65 phones will get our school a SONY camera and 450 phones could earn us an interactive whiteboard! The phone collection bin will be located in the office foyer so lets get the collection underway!

SRC News

Band Update Last week of band, sniff. Til next year, YAY! For those of you renting your instruments over the holidays, stop by the demountable as I have a number of instrument books that you can choose songs from. I will need to check/clean/maintain all instruments before the end of the week. If I have not checked yours yet, you must leave your instrument with me after the Presentation Day performance on Tuesday. Ideally I'd like you to pack them up and drop them into the demountable before joining the assembly. If you have not yet returned your Essential Elements book to the school library, please do so IMMEDIATELY!!!! This has been a great year, and I am very proud of all of you! More of the same next year! Have a great holiday. And KEEP PLAYING! Presentation Day on Tuesday 13 December Please arrive at normal band time to set up on the grassy knoll, we begin playing at 9am, the assembly starts at 9:30. We will be playing all the songs we worked on this year, so please bring your folders. Those students not renting over the holidays will need to return their instruments to me after this concert for checking, maintenance and cleaning. Alison Garvie 040 808 9262

Live Life Well

Intranet/Blog/Website News

sport and organized games playing with the dog backyard cricket climbing trees housework dancing to music wriggling and moving is normal for children and can be regarded as activity so avoid asking them to stop!

Another year draws to an end, with all students having completed their numerous ICT tasks for the year. So many wonderful projects have been completed this year and have been published on the students iWeb sites on our school Intranet. A selection of this work also appears on the Students Work pages of our website so please take the time to look at the glogs, podcasts, recordings, posters, Vokis, iMovies, PowerPoints, speeches, word clouds, stories, artworks and much more! If you havent kept up to date with all the latest happenings at school, please visit the Latest News page on our website for heaps of photos from a variety of school events this year. If youd like to see what our students have been up to this year in terms of blogging, please visit the Current Blogs page on our website. All RFF blogs will be open over the Christmas break, so students please visit your blog every now and then as I will post some holiday activities. You can also share what you have been up to in the holidays with your friends! Our HPS News Blog on our school website will also remain active and I would like to thank all the parents, students and friends who have visited this blog this year and special thanks if youve been brave enough to post a comment! I hope everyone has a safe, happy and relaxing Christmas holiday break and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2012. Mrs Sue Dowling

Environmental News
Thank you to all the parents who helped out on our working bee. Our next working bee will be in February.

Creating a firm foundation for lifelong learning email: [email protected] web http://www.helensburg-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Issue 39, Monday 12th December 2011 Week 10, Term 4

CANTEEN N EWS
Tuesday is Presentation day and we are selling tea & coffee for $2 with limited cakes available from 50c to $2. As this is the last week of the year we will be running down our stock and may run out of some hot lunch items. We will contact your child to discuss an alternative should this happen. Thank you to everyone who supported our fun day on Friday. There are still some little Santa treats available this week for 20c until sold out. A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO MARK WHEATLEY WHO DONATED HIS TIME AND EXPERTISE TO INSTALL OUR NEW OVEN. We now have the ability to sell some freshly made treats and expand our hot lunch menu. Watch out for details early next year. Keep up the good work eating apples. We can slinky one of ours for 50c or bring your own for 20c. Great for fruit break. New rosters for Term 1 2012 have been sent home. Please look out for these and contact the canteen if you have not received yours. Reusable Lunch Bags We still have some of these very useful lunch bags available for sale. The standard bag sells for $13 while the cooler bag option sells for $15. Please call by the canteen to view these if you are unsure about them. Library bags - a new style library bag is now available from the canteen for $6. These are very versatile and should last as long as your child does at Helensburgh Public. Uniforms we are currently holding good stocks of most uniform items, so please feel free to use our services between 7.30am and 12.30pm. Busiest periods between 8.30 and 9am and 11.30 and 12.30 may encounter short delays but please be patient. Remember uniforms are now included in the education rebate so we issue tax receipts. If we are restricted by time when you visit a receipt will be issued later and sent to class. Special Assembly - we will be serving tea and coffee etc before the commencement of the assembly but we will close during the assembly. Thank you for your continued support and we hope everyone has a safe and happy festive season. See you all next year. Jan and Bronwyn

P&C NEWS
Christmas Raffle The P&C major Christmas Raffle will be drawn on Presentation Day 13th December. 1st prize is a bar fridge filled with Christmas cheer. Thank you for supporting this last fundraising event for 2011. Terese Merchant The P&C's 125 anniversary committee is meeting Tuesday afternoon in the staffroom. You are most welcome to come along with ideas to help us organise a celebration of 125 years of quality education at Helensburgh Public School. The final P&C meeting will be held Tuesday at 7pm. Please join us for the final 'official bits' for the year and then a little Christmas cheer. The P&C would like to thank all our wonderful staff teachers, SAS and canteen - for their great work and support throughout 2011. We would also like to thank all the parents who have contributed in so many ways to make our school a terrific place for our children to grow and learn. Seasons Greetings to all!

Creating a firm foundation for lifelong learning email: [email protected] web http://www.helensburg-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Issue 39, Monday 12th December 2011 Week 10, Term 4

CommunityNotices Continued For Sale. Girls Complete Uniform Package. In Excellent/As New condition. $50 Girls bike Excellent condition. Suitable for 8-10 yrs with helmet. $20 Helensburgh Little Athletics Girls 2 Piece Suit. Size 12. $15 Ph: 42948179 Playgroup Stanwell Park Fridays 9.30 til Midday. Safe, Friendly, Atmosphere. Stanwell Park Childrens Centre. Contact Monique 0425 320 597 Hazelhurst Gallery Summer School Holiday Program 9/01/12 to 20/01/12 enrolments from 21 November 2011 PH: 8536 5700. Join an Art Class Term 1 6th Feb - 5th Apr 2012 Ph 8536 5700 Christmas Mass Times All are welcome to celebrate Christmas in the Holy Cross Catholic Parish Saturday, 24 December, 6:30pm at Helensburgh (4 McMillan St Helensburgh) Sunday, 25 December, 8:00am at Stanwell Park (Stanwell Ave Stanwell Park) Sunday, 25 December 9:30am (4 McMillan St Helensburgh) Sue Clark Catholic Scripture Co-ordinator 0438 606 182 National Parks and Wildlife Discovery School Holiday Program For more information website:www.wildwildworld.com.au Copies of the school holiday programs are available from visitor centres and the NPWS Office: phone 4423 2170 Book early for your place at these memorable events. Whats On At K.I.S.S. The KISS Arts Festival is a blast of fun and entertainment for Kiama and its visitors 3rd to 15th January 2012 for more information Find show times and how to buy tickets for both shows and circus workshops at www.kissartsfestival.com.au The Helensburgh Lions Club Wishing Tree The Helensburgh Lions Club has again decorated in the Wishing Tree in the foyer of the Worker's Club with cards needing gifts. From babies and toddlers to teens and grandfolk, your generosity will make December 25 a very Happy Christmas day for someone who, perhaps, wasn't expecting it, and it's so simple! Choose a card, buy locally and place your unwrapped gift under the tree for collection on 21 December. Donations of festive, non-perishable food is also very welcome. Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season, from the Helensburgh Lions Club Seacliff Hockey 2012 Seacliff Hockey Club will be entering its fourth year of competition and is your local hockey club. So put hockey at the top of your list & come see us on our registration days which will be held outside Bi-Lo in late January & early February. Alternatively visit our website at http://www.seacliffhockey.com.au & contact us through the supplied link. Helensburgh Netball Club Summer Night Comp Registrations- Tues 31st January 2012,7:30pm- 8:30pm at the Netball courts Competition begins 7th February 2012 Minimum 9 players in a team recommended

played at the local courts (NO Travelling) *all equipment supplied * 6:45pm and 7:45pm games depending on the number of teams in the competition * individual players welcome *great exercise, play for fun or competition. COST- All players= $80 (includes insurance) Please email [email protected] for a team registration form or PHONE Kristy for any enquiries- 42943793 Spanish Lessons

I hope this poor version of summer is finding you all happy and looking forward to holidays. Just confirming that our last class for 2011 is Wednesday the 14th of December. I am intending to do Spanish classes next year so drop me an email if youre interested ([email protected]). I hope you share many moments of joy throughout the Christmas and New Year break. Lilli xx

Creating a firm foundation for lifelong learning email: [email protected] web http://www.helensburg-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Issue 39, Monday 12th December 2011 Week 10, Term 4

NICOLES ZUMBA CLASSES FOR 2011 ZUMBA IS ALL FUN AND ALL FITNESS COME AND GIVE IT A TRY ITS A GREAT WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP FIT. CLASS LOCATIONS AND TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:TUESDAYS: 7PM AT HELENSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL HALL THURSDAYS: 7PM AT MACKILLOP HALL, MACMILLAN ST HELENSBURGH (OPP HOLY CROSS SCHOOL) SATURDAYS: 9AM AT HELENSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL COST: $10 PER CLASS FOR ADULTS AND $7 PER CLASS FOR STUDENTS WHAT TO BRING: A DRINK AND A SMILE. EVERYONE WELCOME!

D AV I D W AG ST AF F P LUM BING & M INI DIG G E R

Plumber Drainer Gasfitter LP Gasfitter Sydney Water Accredited 1.5t Excavator

Ph: 0417 677 345

Formal Makeup $30

BLUEFIT HELENSBURGH
Memberships for only $14.50 per week Gymnastics classes for children aged 2 12 years, all boy classes available. Have your next birthday party here out of the weather in our party room and save Mum the mess, hassle and stress. Affordable, easy and fun! CALL IN 338 CEMETERY ROAD HELENSBURGH OR CALL US ON 42942253

Christmas Holiday Intensive Swimming Lessons Monday 16th Friday 20th January 2012 Intensives are a great way to see fast improvements in your childs swimming ability. $60 for the week, book now to ensure a spot. 4294 4228

Creating a firm foundation for lifelong learning email: [email protected] web http://www.helensburg-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Issue 39, Monday 12th December 2011 Week 10, Term 4