On Wednesday I was delighted to spend some time with our student Eco-Warrior Team. These children: Valentina Squadrito (Yr 2), Riley Tones (Yr 2), Marnie Laurence (Yr 3), Maya Mitchell-Zancanaro (Yr 3), Stella Copland (Yr 4), Sarah Ong (Yr 4), Thomas Lord (Yr 5), Sienna Godresse (Yr 5), Eme Woodward (Yr 6), Lilly McClean (Yr 6), Sophie Anderson (Yr 6) and Kaiya Harapin (Yr 6) will be meeting every week after school to learn about environmental and sustainability issues, and to get their hands dirty. I am thankful for the team of staff Sinead Kelly, Meg Duff, Adelaide Marquet, Julian Ko, Rachel Shiels, Catherine McKersie and Antoinette Walker (ex Claremont mother) who have offered to assist with this important aspect of our co-curricular program.

The children will be leading our school with the ‘School Children Planting Project’ as part of the Claremont College school community’s response to the bush fires. This idea began when I heard a very emotional older lady interviewed on ABC radio back in January. The lady spoke about the grief of losing her beautiful garden, particularly her lemon tree which brought her so much joy and happiness. This story sparked the creative idea that we could grow native trees and shrubs, and deliver them to impacted schools and communities. 

It’s early days with this project but I am excited to share some of the key steps that we have taken so far with this initiative:

• Claremont is working in collaboration with the Randwick Council Nursery. Our Eco-Warriors are writing to the Mayor, to seek his ongoing support and generosity with seedlings and resources.
• Nursery staff will teach our Eco-Warriors about growing seeds, propagating seedlings, transplanting to tub-stock, taking cuttings, striking and planting. Last week, the children began the project, learning about how to grow pigs-face, a native succulent.
• Claremont is also partnering with a Christian NGO, ‘Convoy of Hope’ who are working with the Lake Conjola community, close to Nowra.
• We anticipate that many parts of our school will soon look like a nursery, with opportunity for all children (K-6) to plant and take care of the seedlings.
• When ready, we will deliver the plants to Lake Conjola, and should we be needed, we will assist with the planting.
• We are thankful for three of our mums Anna Chandler (Harriet - Yr 2 and Alice - Kindy), Amanda Naik (Matilda - Yr 3 and Florence - Kindy), and Jill McClean (Lilly - Yr 6 and Emily - Yr 2) who will help with this fantastic project, and we are hoping that many other parents will join in and share the load.
• Word about this project is already getting out, with other schools getting on board with the idea.

Our goal is to replant, restore and revive. Through this project our school community will connect with those in need, and ultimately we can do our small bit, to bring hope and help to those who have been devastated by so much loss and destruction. The children are particularly excited to be doing something that is very hands-on to help not just people, but also assist in restoring the habitats of native birds and animals. As you will see from the image below, we have to do something.

Please watch this space with interest, and please get involved where you can. 

With some staff leaving recently, I am pleased to introduce to you three new members of our administration and support team. We welcome Mrs Gaye Crafts (Administration and Reception), Ms Karlee Guiffre (temporary Receptionist) and Mr Paschal Flynn (Bus Driver). I am delighted that we have been able to employ staff of such high calibre. Please welcome them and encourage them as new members of our school community.

It is with sadness that we farewell Mr Charlie Blevins after almost 7 years at Claremont College, where he has had various roles including After Care, Teaching & Learning Assistant, Head of Chapel, Scripture Teacher, and photographer extraordinaire. Charlie is leaving to take up a 4 day position with Scott’s Junior School in a Chaplaincy role. We wish Mr Blevins all the best for his future.

Our first Parent Prayer Meeting for 2020 will be held this Thursday, at 8:45am. Interested parents are welcome to join me for this, and to share a coffee and some morning tea. Please sign in and meet me at Reception. Please email Mrs Wiggins k.wiggins@claremont.nsw.edu.au if you can attend.

It is important to the school that parents have an opportunity to raise concerns, complaints and speak with the leadership team before concerning issues become big problems. The document ‘All About Claremont’ click here provides information about the communication pathways that exist for parents to bring such matters to our attention. The main point I stress, is please do not hesitate to bring a concern to our attention. It is very important to us that we listen, engage, and work together, demonstrating trust and respect with the goal of achieving resolution where there might be upset.

Have a great weekend and tomorrow, enjoy your last day of Summer.

Be blessed.

Doug Thomas          
Principal

  Follow me @DougJThomas

Parents are requested to always call the main school number 9399 3217 in order to reach the school. Other numbers you may have saved or listed as a school number are no longer in use and therefore will not be answered.

Tuesday 10 March, 2pm, School Hall

Why Should You Come Along?

We hope to answer all of your questions...

• Will my child get lost in a big learning space?
• Is there any structure to the teaching and learning?
• What if my child needs to work in a quiet environment?
• Is co-teaching experimental?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of having multiple staff for my child? 
• Is there any research to back up this style of teaching?
• What is it like for the teaching working in these learning spaces?
• Are all staff suited to this style of teaching?
• How does the school support the teachers to make the most of co-teaching? 
• How do students manage a traditional school environment after they leave Claremont and go to High School?

We also hope to discuss with you any questions we may not have thought of yet. Please come along and join this important discussion. To book please click here.

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

Parents of students in Years 1 -6,  if you are interested in your child/ren having the opportunity to participate in up to 37, fast paced courses across a 2-day program - called MindQuest 2020 - then please read the attached flyer. The 2-day program includes courses in chemistry, earth sciences, drama, LEGO robotics, art and much more.

MindQuest - NSW Talent Enrichment Quest - Applications close 13 March 2020

Brenda Dalheim
Head of Learning Enrichment

Being safe and respectful is important at our school. Let’s look after one another by keeping our hands and feet to ourselves.

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

Sustainability Tip of the Week

Today (Friday 28 February) is School Clean Up Day. Did you know that each year a child will create 30.4kg of garbage from food wrappers in their lunchbox? Please make your own lunches from home using reusable containers!

The Eco Warriors Team

In Year 1 joke this week: “Do you know what a hipster is?” 
The answer:“It is half hippo and half hamster.“

Also in Year 1, a boy said: "You know I'm really good at writing verbs. But when I run 2 laps of Centennial Park I get a... wait... what's it called?... oh, yeah, a stitch, I just have to breathe and push through, because I'm in the learning pit."

In Kindergarten, Mrs Vula was teaching subtraction for the first time and asked the students “Who knows what takeaway means?” One of the students shouted out “Food!”

Meanwhile in Year 4, while completing her work, a student wrote the wrong sum in maths and while rubbing it out she commented, "It's just one of those Fridays!".

Claremont College
Greek National Independence Day March

Sunday, 29^th March 2020
1.00pm, Martin Place Cenotaph

Dear Parents,

We are approaching the upcoming Annual Greek Independence Day March, and we would like to invite you to come along to represent our school.

The day will be a great opportunity to celebrate your Greek Cultural heritage on such an important day in the Greek Calendar, so please come along to represent the school with other Claremont College students and parents in marching at this event.

All students attending the march will be required to wear their full school uniform.

Please let us know if your child/ren will be attending this event via Trybooking by Friday 20^th March 2020; https://www.trybooking.com/606168

There are three ANZAC events coming up and we hope that you and your families are able to join us:

Sunday 5 April, Combined Schools ANZAC March & Service

(assemble at 10:20am for a 10:30am start)

• The march begins at the corner of Carr and Dudley Streets, Coogee, as the students march a short distance to The Coogee Diggers Club, where there is a special schools’ service to commemorate ANZAC Day.
• Our Senior Choir have been asked to sing the New Zealand National Anthem, and
• Our School Captains have been asked to read the poem ‘The Ode’ this year.
• Please note: there may be a Choir practice with a band at the end of this service, to prepare for the Dawn Service.  

Saturday 25 April, Dawn Service

5:30am, Goldstein Reserve, Coogee Beach

• Our School Captains will lay a wreath on behalf of Claremont College.
• The School Choir will be singing the New Zealand National Anthem.
• All students to come in their school uniform, along with their families.
• All Claremont students invited gather on the steps adjacent to Coogee Bay Road for a group photo at the end of the service, and to enjoy the sunrise. 

Friday 1 May, Claremont College ANZAC Day Service

9am, on the School Playground

• This is always a very special service at school where our school leaders take an active role in all aspects of the service;
• Our Senior Choir will be leading the New Zealand National Anthem; and
• Our Junior & Senior School Choir will be leading the Australian National Anthem.

We will be asking for numbers for our School’s ANZAC service, closer to the event, to help us with preparations.

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

The children in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 are very excited about welcoming their grandparents and/or special friends to the school on Tuesday, 17 March (9:00am - 10:30am). Your child will bring home two invitations for the event and we ask that you please share the details of this invitation with a maximum of four grandparents or special friends. The RSVP sticker in your child’s diary needs to be completed and returned by Monday 9 March.

Unfortunately, with so many visitors at the school on this day, we cannot extend the invitation to parents and younger siblings on this occasion. We would ask that you assist us in this matter by explaining to your child that this is a day for their grandparents and/or special friends and that you will come and visit them in their learning space on another day. 

We ask that visitors be seated in the playground by 8:50am. Parking can be difficult around the school and visitors may have to plan to be here a bit early.

The area directly in front of the school on Coogee Bay Road will be a drop off zone between 8:30am - 8:45am and pick up zone between 10:30am - 10:45am. There are always some mums and dads who drop visitors to the school for this event. This is a great idea as it alleviates parking issues. We will have some helpers at the gates to direct our visitors and to provide assistance if necessary. 

In the case of wet weather, we will relocate from the playground to the school hall.

We will commence our morning on the school playground with some music at 8:45am, followed by entertainment provided by each Infants grade starting at 9:00am. The children will then show their visitors around their learning space (we do have a small lift for those who require assistance) and will return with them to the playground for morning tea. We will conclude by approximately 10:30am. Once again, thanks for your understanding in regard to not being able to invite parents and younger siblings. We expect that space will be very limited with over 300 visitors expected on the day.

Mrs Emily Eu
Head of Infants

Parent Seminar@ 2:00pm: Why Co-teaching? - 10 March - Bookings open

Year 6 - Canberra Excursion - 9-11 March - Parent Portal

Year 2 - School House Museum Excursion - 23 March - Parent Portal

Parent Seminar @ 2:00pm: Home Learning Policy 2020 - 24 March - Bookings open

Newspapers Needed

Dear Year 3 Parents,

Next term in Year 3, we will be using newspapers to create sculptures in Visual Arts. We ask that you collect together any old newspapers in the coming weeks, and over the next holiday break, to contribute to our school supplies.

Regards,
The Year 3 Team

Odd Socks Required

Dear Parents,

As an eco-friendly way for students to rub out their whiteboards, we ask that you please send an odd sock to school for the class to use. This will prevent students from using tissues, and it will make good use of the lonely socks of the Claremont community.

Please do not buy new socks, as this will defeat our eco friendly intentions. The socks will be placed in a box for students to share. 

Regards,
The Year 3 Team

Indonesian Dance Performance

On Monday afternoon we were fortunate to be entertained by a Balinese dance troupe of seven dancers from the KITA Art Community located in Gianyar, Bali. 

They were accompanied by the Cultural attaché from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra in co-operation with the BBBI-NSW (Indonesian Language and Culture Centre NSW).

The children were mesmerised by the beautiful movements of the Balinese dancers, intrigued by the Barong dance and highly amused by the cheeky monkey who was also in on the act.

We have certainly started the year off with a bang, so we look forward to more exciting connections with the Indonesian community!

Bu Jill
Indonesian Teacher

Premier's Reading Challenge 2020

The Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading in students for leisure and pleasure, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in Government, Independent, Catholic and Home Schools.

All students will be provided with their login details, which will be pasted into their school diary. Please note that if they have participated in previous years, their login details will remain the same.

How can you help your child with the PRC?

• Record the closing date in your calendar (Friday 28 August 2020).
• Keep your child’s login details in a safe place.
• Assist your child to borrow books from the school or local library.
• Listen to your child read and talk about the story/characters/information.
• Read to or with your child if she/he is participating in the K-2 Challenge.
• Help your child to add books to her/his Student Reading Record regularly.
• Log on and go to: Student Reading Records > enter books by ID or Title or Author.
• To enter a Personal Choice book, select the ‘Add a Choice Book’ tab > enter part of the title or author > select ‘Search’.
• If your book appears as an option, select ‘Add’.
• If it does not appear, scroll down to the ‘Still can’t find a book?’ section > enter the full title.
• In the final weeks of the Challenge, log on regularly to the website to check the status of your child’s SRR.
• Your child’s online Student Reading Record (SRR) must have the required number of books recorded to complete the Challenge by the student closing date. School PRC coordinators have an extra week to validate the SRR. Only students with a validated SRR are eligible for a certificate.

The certificates you can receive for completing the Challenge are: 

For further information, please visit the PRC website https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

New Fiction Titles to the Collection

Due to a growing passion from Year 4 students for Paul Jennings short stories, I have added the Paul Jennings’ Unbeatable Collection to the library fiction resources. This box set consists of eight best-selling short stories. Paul originally worked as a teacher and then qualified as a speech pathologist. For four years he also worked as a Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature and during this time wrote part time. His popularity grew with the publication of Unreal! in 1985. Paul’s books have been translated into 18 languages and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. In 1995 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to children’s literature. His stories are enjoyable reads for children because they are interesting, have plenty of twists and turns and are full of humour. Many children also enjoy reading them because they are short reads.

Recommended for ages 9-12 yrs.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Library Assistant

Key Dates

Important Dates for Term 1

Wednesday 4 March                         IPSHA Swimming Carnival
Saturday 4 April                               IPSHA Cross Country Carnival

AFL Gala Day

On Wednesday,  38 Year 5 & 6 students competed in the Paul Kelly Cup AFL Gala Day. The Paul Kelly Cup is designed to be a competitive event, while at the same time introducing students to the game of AFL in a safe and fun environment. We had a number of students representing Claremont with a wealth of experience and skill in AFL and others whose first experience of AFL was a google search of “what is AFL?” in the days before. The day provided a great opportunity for those experienced students to demonstrate leadership in uniting the team and helping all players to fulfil a role within the team. For other students, the day provided an opportunity for them to develop confidence through positive risk taking as they embraced the challenge of learning a new sport in a competitive environment. All players displayed excellent sportsmanship, encouragement and determination throughout the day. Both teams were able to win some of their games, however, neither team was successful in making it through to the finals. Thank you to Mrs Marquet for coaching the girls team with such enthusiasm and positivity. Well done to everyone involved!

Claremont Champions

Congratulations to Jade Johnson (Year 4,) who was selected to represent the U10s Souths Girls last weekend at the Junior Oztag State Cup competition. After months of intense training the girls were undefeated and won their Grand Final against Cronulla 8 to 0. Well done, Jade! 

(Jade is pictured bottom right)

Mr Joel Geering
port and PDHPE

Today our wonderful Year 6 students led us in, ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Thank You Song’. The songs were not easy for them in the initial stages, however this morning they played the songs exceptionally well and we were so proud of them. It’s only been 5 weeks, yet their personal leadership is already on display. Keep it up Year 6. 

After the songs we had Mrs Irwin share a word of encouragement to us all. She read Psalm 23:1-6 and reminded the students that the Lord is our good shepherd and we are like his sheep (Matthew 25:31-46). We need God to lead us daily, to protect us, to care for us and to guide us to all the great things He has planned for us. We can come to God anytime and trust He is there for us every step of the way.

Thank you to Claremont family for your encouragement, prayers and thoughtfulness. I will miss Claremont tremendously, however I know our school is filled with  passionate Christian educators who will continue to invest in our student community.

Verse of the week:

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

God Bless!

Charlie Blevins
Chapel Coordinator

It is nearly that time of the year again. Students in Years 3 to 6 (Infants students only if their ability is at Primary level) have the opportunity to sign up for the annual Inter-School Chess Competition.  

The competition runs every Friday afternoon in Term 2 for at least 8 weeks. Games are played on a rotation between home games (at school) and away games (at another school).  Parents of children on each team are asked to help out by providing transport when the team is playing an away game.

Participation in the competition is entirely dependent on the number of children to make a team in each experience level (Intermediate, Rookies and Junior Rookies). A minimum of 4 children are required to register a team in each level. 

As students have experienced in previous years, while chess is a friendly and social game, games can be highly competitive and opponents have a range of abilities. It is, therefore, important that students participating in the competition have substantial experience with playing chess and have attained a reasonable understanding of the rules in order to be competitive. With this in mind, please ensure you speak with your child before entering him or her into the competition.

The chess coaching sessions run by The Sydney Academy of Chess on a Friday mornings, have been highly successful and the children have thoroughly enjoyed learning new moves and strategies from our chess coach.

Ideas for your child:

• Encourage your child to join our chess coaching program.
• Buy a chess board and play some games (explain the rules and possibilities as you play).
• Use a chess app on your iPad, laptop or smartphone and allow them to discover the rules for themselves.
• Teach them the ‘four-move-checkmate’ and how to defend against it.
• Using these tools will give you a great understanding of your child’s level of readiness.

If your child is interested in playing in this year’s Inter-School chess competition, and you are willing to provide transport assistance if your child is selected to play, could you please click here and complete the registration form, indicating your child’s level of experience, by Friday 13 March.

Kind regards,

The Chess Team

Term 1 School Banking rewards now available!

Claremont College is excited to offer the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program to all students.

School Banking is a fun, interactive and engaging way for young Australians to learn about money and develop good savings habits. Children who deposit money into their Youthsaver account through School Banking will earn an exciting reward every time they reach 10 deposits.

Orders must be placed by 10:59pm the night before for delivery on the next school day.

If you are ordering a snack item, please specify in the notes area whether the snack is for Recess or Lunch.

Please note that orders are to be placed on the ‘Welcomeasy’ website and NOT Flexischools..

You must firstly create an account by following some simple steps. Go to

www.welcomeasy.com.au   

The Uniform Shop is open from 8:00am-9:00am on the following dates this Term:

4 March, 18 March and 1 April

The Uniform Shop is situated below the School Hall with entry via the small gate next to the units. Whether you can make it at this time or not, parents are encouraged to place online orders (especially if you are purchasing accessories) via Flexischools. Please note, the Uniform Shop does not accept any second hand clothing except for Claremont school uniforms. It is very inconvenient if you leave other items. Thank you.

All *new uniform items* can be purchased from ‘Wylies’ at 

3/17 Green St, Banksmeadow (02) 9344 5796.

Please note that all communication should be through the email address: clothingpool@claremont.nsw.edu.au

Claremont College P&F warmly invite New parents, Kindergarten and Year 6 parents to our welcome “Bubbles & Bites” party at 7pm on tonight - Friday 28 February 2020. 

This evening will be a great opportunity for new parents to be welcomed into the school community, and for Kindergarten parents to connect with the parents of their Year 6 buddy.

Canapes and drinks will be served. 

https://canva.me/7bnL6jS5W3

Hi Lovely Claremont Parents,

Our first school event for 2020 -  70's Disco Style!!!

Friday, 27th March 6:00pm-8:30pm

Book your early bird tickets NOW through Flexischools.  Discounted early bird tickets close on Wednesday the 25th March.

Can't wait for you to bring your GROOVE on!!

Kind regards,
Grade 3 Reps - Natasha, Lyndel and Sylvia

We welcome Dani Hillier to our teaching team.  She will be filling in for us if Phi or Shallal are away or unwell.

Our Mixed Media classes have begun the term with Australian Bush Themed projects and have worked with clay, wood, dried leaves, poster design, paint pens, light clay and macramé cord. All our projects are designed for kids and tested for curiosity, creative expression and sensory fun. On Monday we are full, but we have 5 spots open on Wednesday as some students have changed their timetable.

Our Drawing Skills Thursday class is enjoying exploring the use of soft pastel techniques and will explore charcoal next. Where spots are available we welcome students to join in part way through the term. We have 3 spots available on Thursday. 

To enrol, book online using this website:

https://artisanathome.com.au/collections/afterschool

If you have any questions, please contact Phi Morton on 0403377420.

Calling all Claremont super star singers! Does your child just love music and would like to grow their skills in singing? Or maybe you would like to help them find their voice and gain some confidence? Enrolments for singing lessons at Claremont College are underway and free trial lessons are also up for grabs! Learning how to sing is a great way to gain a love for music, grow in confidence, build self-esteem as well as self-discipline, and of course have a lot of fun! Not only do you learn how to sing in singing lessons, but also about performance skills and stage presence as a performer!

Enrolments are still open so please email our singing tutor, Lyndell at l.arthur@claremont.nsw.edu.au for more information and to secure a spot for your child today!