What an amazing week we have had at school. Opportunities for learning have been rich and varied. Congratulations to our Kindergarten students who presented such a wonderful Learning Festival this afternoon. It is such a delight and privilege to watch you all grow and flourish. Thank you to our Kindy teaching team (Mrs Fiona Vula, Miss Meg Duff, Mrs Jesse Hitchen and Mrs Michelle Parker) for a very special event, and for the hard work, passion, care and energy you put into all that you do.

Fathering Project

Tonight it will be a packed house at the Coogee Diggers for the Dads’ and Kids’ Bingo Night, with 250 dads and children attending. What an incredible opportunity for some fun, action, laughs, and some fatherly love and bonding added to the mix. Good luck to you all with the bingo!

Dads' and Kids' Camp

The time has finally arrived and bookings are now open. Once again, we anticipate that this event will be booked to capacity within the next few days, and with a waitlist. Please book now to avoid disappointment. 

Be the Principal for a Day

What an opportunity! I have never seen so many people (children actually) who are so excited to have my job. I think they think that it’s going to be a breeze, so I shall work them hard. Thank you Eco Warriors for inspiring us with your ‘World Environment Day Competition’ entries. I am delighted with your passion for saving our planet, and I am excited to ‘swap places’ with the competition winners to become both a Year 1 and a Year 5 student for the day. I have already been told that I will be doing Maths exams, the students’ homework, and joining the Year 5 water polo team… I hope that your work is not too difficult. Should I be nervous?

World Environment Day Competition Winners

Congratulations to Angus Koch, Matthew Li (Infants) and Lilly McClean (Primary), pictured above, who were the winners of the ‘World Environment Day Competition’. Matthew and Angus demonstrated ambition by collaborating together to make a powerful iMovie which detailed their understanding of the damage of plastic pollution. Lilly created a clever stop motion and it was truly one of a kind. 

We would like to commend all of our students for the curiosity, creativity, initiative and responsibility that they demonstrated through their participation in this project. We are certain that we can make a difference as we continue the journey to creating a more environmentally friendly school environment.

Here are some photos and thoughtful reflections on the competition:

"I thought it was fun and creative. I learnt not to use plastic if I can." Indigo Edwards (Year 2)

"I think that it was a great experience to research about the environment and to learn about what we can do to protect it." Chloe Melikyan (Year 3)

"I think that it was better than school work!" Katherine Tourgelis (Year 3)

"I think it was good because it gives kids and opportunity to learn more about sustainability and to research what we can do to reduce plastic." Bryce McCarthy (Year 4) 

"It was fun learning and filming." Tommy Lord (Year 4)

"I think it was good because it gives kids and opportunity to learn more about sustainability and to research what we can do to reduce plastic." Bryce McCarthy (Year 4)

"I think that it was a really fun and exciting challenge but it was also very good for the environment. I think mixing fun with serious makes it effective!" Chloe Treadgold (Year 5)

Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-Being Challenge

The donations have started to roll in and we are thrilled to have already raised $1500. We still have a way to go. This week we are delighted to announce the prizes for the children who raise the most money in their fundraising efforts. Our prizes are;

For the highest total amount raised by one child in each grade...

A healthy lunch at a local restaurant with Mr Thomas, followed by a shopping spree at Rebel where each child will receive a $50 gift card (with thanks to Rebel and the P&F).

For the highest total amount raised by one child across the school...

A healthy lunch at a local restaurant with Mr Thomas, followed by a shopping spree at Rebel where the child who raises the most money in total, across the school will receive a $250 gift card (with thanks to Currenti Constructions, Randwick).

For the highest collective total raised by a whole grade...

A special Term 3 lunchtime picnic at the beach and/or park with games and fun, for the entire grade.

Good luck with your fundraising girls and boys and all the best as you work to achieve your individual well-being goals. Thank you to all the parents and our wider school community for your generous support with this worthwhile cause.

Whale Watching Season is Here!

With this glorious Winter weather, why not take the opportunity to enjoy nature and some time with your family. I noticed this link on the Randwick City Council website, which I thought I would pass on to you. Last weekend I took the opportunity to try the new walking track at Malabar Headland. It is incredible and I highly recommend the adventure it brings.

https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/about-council/news/news-items/2019/june/have-a-whale-of-a-time!

So with this thought about enjoying the weekend… be blessed and let’s never forget to count our blessings each and every day. 

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure His greatness.
Psalm 145:1-3

Doug Thomas     
Principal

  Follow me @DougJThomas

The positive behaviour focus for next week will be:

 'Behaving respectfully at the gates at the end of each school day.’

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

Car Collection Line Reminders

We do understand that the afternoon collection lines can be frustrating and so we very much appreciate your patience, thoughtfulness and care each day as 378 children are dropped off and collected from two locations twice a day.

Here are some reminders which will help keep the process as safe and smooth as possible and our neighbours happier:

• Parents of children in Years 1-6, please do not line up before 3:10pm in Dolphin or Judge Streets because it blocks Kindy parents from queueing and collecting between 3:00pm - 3:10pm.
• Please delay your collection until 3:20pm.
• Please comply with any staff request to drive around the block if your child is not at the gate. Rangers and Police have told us this is what needs to occur to comply with traffic rules and to speed up the overall process. With this, our staff are complying with a police directive.
• Move right up to the top of the line rather than dropping your child directly in front of the gate
• Do not get out of the car in the drop off and collection lines unless your child needs assistance putting their seatbelt on.
• In the morning, do not wait for children to walk through the gate before leaving.
• PLEASE no U-turns out the front of the school. This is incredibly dangerous.
• No double parking on the other side of Coogee Bay Rd, to walk children into the school.
• No line cutting as this is just bad manners.
• If collecting your child on foot, this occurs at Coogee Bay Road gate only.

For Your Information

• Staff will not close the gates until the line of cars has gone.
• When children are sent to ‘Team Kids’ after the gates close, there is a grace period of a few minutes before families are charged.

  The Traffic Management Plan has been developed between Randwick Council and the school.

Thank you to the ladies who attended our Mums Evening on 31 May. An email will be sent to everyone who attended in the coming week with the resources referred to by Chelsea during her presentation, to remind us of her key take-aways as well as all of the research she referred to.

Year 5 - Excursion to the Rocks, 20 June

Year 5 - Excursion to Nielsen Park, 21 June

School Band - 21 June

The School Band will perform a short 'concert' next Friday 21 June from 4:00pm-4:15pm. All welcome.

Parent/Teacher Interviews - 25 June 

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 25 June.  See 'Around the School' for more information about booking online.

Anglican Schools Corporation Netball Gala Day @ Baulkham Hills - 26 June 

See Sport@Claremont for more details

Year 1 Learning Festival - 26 June

Year 5 - Learning Festival - 27 June

Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-Being Challenge - 28 June

TERM 3 

Year 5 - Excursion to Shark Island - 25 July

School Photos - 29 & 30 July

Year 4 - Three Day Camp to Collaroy - 7 August - 9 August

IPSHA Athletics Championship @ Homebush - 26 August

See Sport@Claremont for more details

Dads' and Kids' Camp -  Friday 13 September - Sunday 15 September

See item under General Information for more details

The following items require immediate action.

Year 5 - Excursion to the Rocks - 20 June -  Parent Portal

Year 5 - Excursion to Nielsen Park - 21 June -  Parent Portal

Parent Teacher Interviews - Click HERE to book 

Year 5 - Excursion to Shark Island - 25 July -  Parent Portal

Year 4 - Three Day Camp to Collaroy - 7 August-9 August -  Parent Portal

Dads' and Kids' Camp - 13 September-15 September - Click HERE to register

Learning Festival - Wednesday 26 June, 2:30pm - 3:10pm

Parents are invited to come and visit the Year 1 Learning Space.

Year 1 students will be sharing what they have learnt during Term 2.

Learning Festival

The Year 5 Learning Festival will be on Thursday 27 June (Week 9) at 9am. It will run for approximately 45 minutes. Please make a note in your diaries and we look forward to seeing you.

Significant Immigrant - History Showcase

In History, Year 6 have been focusing on researching and investigating the variety of reasons for people immigrating to different countries. We have explored topics such as the Gold Rush, and the reasons for why individuals and families migrate overseas during and after World War 1. Year 6 have been working hard to research and learn more about  ‘Significant Immigrants’, understanding their stories and their reasons for coming to Australia.

On Thursday 20 June, students will be presenting their research tasks to other year groups. We would like to invite you to come and see Year 6 ‘in character’ from 2:40pm and hear some of the fascinating stories our immigrants experienced. 

We look forward to seeing you then.

Year 6 Photography Exhibition

Throughout this term, Year 6 students have been working on experimenting with a number of different photography techniques and categories. They have produced some amazing photographs which they have collated into their individual portfolios. These have formed their Visual Art Photography assignment.

To showcase some of their work, we will be hosting a Photography Exhibition on Friday 2 August, in Week 2 of Term 3. We invite Year 6 parents and friends to view the exhibition. It will start at 5:30pm and conclude at 6:30pm. 

Year 6 are very excited to present their hard work and we look forward to seeing you there.

The Year 6 Teaching Team 

Opera Australia ‘By The Light of the Moon’ Incursion

On Tuesday 11 June, our students all gathered in the hall to watch Opera Australia’s performance of ‘By the Light of the Moon’ an opera based on the famous rhyme ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’.   With music by Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Delibes, Gounod and Puccini, the performance incorporated a wonderful selection of song and dance, displaying intriguing set-design and colourful costumes. 

The students loved the antics of the poetic owl and cynical pussycat and the various nursery-rhyme characters they encountered on their journey. They were completely captivated by the singing.  This performance was organised as part of our growing music program at Claremont and was a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop a broader understanding and appreciation of music history. 

John Sheldon
Music Teacher

New Titles to the Collection

The school library has added the following nominated titles to the collection:

The CBCA Book Of The Year Awards Shortlist 2019
Younger Readers Category (Ages 8-12 Years)

Leave Taking is a verse novel about belonging, loss and love from award-winning Australian author Lorraine Marwood. The illustrations are from author illustrator Peter Carnavas. Lorraine has published several children’s novels and collections of poetry. Her novel Star Jumps won the 2010 inaugural Prime Minister’s Literary Award for children’s fiction.

Toby and his mum and dad are leaving the farm after the death of Toby’s younger sister, Leah. As his last days on the farm approaches, Toby has a plan to say goodbye to all the things and places that mean something to him. His beloved dog Trigger is by his side as he wanders around the farm.

This book has also been shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Award 2019.

The protagonist of this story is an eleven year old girl called Cassie who goes searching for two missing peacocks. She starts looking for clues and writes down all the important details in her notebook. The clues lead her in unexpected directions and Cassie finds herself investigating a puzzling mystery about her family, searching for a missing friend, and facing her worst fear.

This is a book about self-discovery and dealing with change, but also deals with some serious issues, including family breakdown and mental health issues.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Librarian Assistant

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 26 June - Anglican Schools Corporation Netball Gala Day @ Baulkham Hills
Monday 26 August - IPSHA Athletics Championship @ Homebush

Claremont Athletics Carnival

The Age Champion medal presentation and announcement of the winning House took place at an awards assembly on Tuesday. Well done to the following students.

IPSHA Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the IPSHA Athletics Carnival on Monday 26 August. (This list doesn’t yet include additional entries for events not run at the Claremont Carnival i.e 1500m & Discus). Students who placed Top 4 in 100m and 200m age categories automatically qualified. All other events only have 1 entry that must also meet a qualifying standard. As such, it’s possible that students could have won a field event at the carnival, but not qualified for IPSHA. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

The Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-Being Challenge

Mr Thomas has been visiting PE classes this week to talk about the Claremont Health, Fitness and Well-Being Challenge and fundraiser. Students have been challenged to come up with their own health, fitness and well-being goal and have also discussed the importance of looking after this part of their health. Below is a simple infographic that outlines some of the benefits they have been discussing in PE.

Joel Geering 
Sport and PDHPE

Today in Chapel Mrs Affleck shared a message on, ‘Who is Jesus?’ from Mark 8:27-29. The people of Israel were longing for the Messiah to arrive, as promised by the prophets of the past. So when Jesus appeared on the scene, it was not uncommon for people to ask who Jesus is. It was encouraging to read that, ‘You are the Messiah’ was professed by Peter as he had a personal revelation of who God is. Jesus asked the question to the disciples, but only one professed who He truly is. Mrs Affleck concluded by encouraging the students to know Jesus personally so that revelation can be ours too.

Verse of the week:

Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way He asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8:27-29

God Bless!

Charlie Blevins
Chapel Coordinator

Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 25 June 2019. To streamline this process and lessen the time demand on staff and parents, these interviews will be held for all classes in the school hall from 1:30pm - 8:00pm. Please note students will be engaged in learning activities from 1:30pm - 3:10pm, supervised by the Specialist Staff, Learning Support Staff and Teaching and Learning Assistants. 

These interviews, which will be 10 minutes each, will give you an opportunity to discuss your child’s report with the Class Teacher. This year we are again using an online booking system (www.schoolinterviews.com.au ). You will be able to see all available interview times after logging in. You can book an interview time that suits your family best. Instructions on how to book your interview are set out below.

Kindergarten to Year 6 Parent/Teacher Interviews

When: Tuesday 25 June 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 8:00pm
Where: Claremont College School Hall

Please note: Children do not attend these interviews.

ONLINE BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Click HERE and follow these simple instructions:

1. Enter your details.
2. Choose your child’s teacher.
3. Choose your time.

When you click 'finish', your interview time will be emailed to you automatically (please check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your email immediately). If you need to change your interview time, please contact the school office.

It’s sign-up time for a weekend of awesome fun for Dads and the kids

Fishing, Sailing, archery and canoeing
Heaps of games (big and small)
Learning about each other and God
Some inspiring talks for the Dads
Chilling out together
Creative challenges to face together
A bundle of laughs
Great food
Sleep?!?!

WHEN:

Friday 13 September 5:30pm – Sunday 15 September 1:30pm

WHERE:          

At the WEC Centre, Morisset (the campsite is approximately 2 hours drive north, between Gosford and Newcastle).  We’ve booked a different site this year because the usual site at Lake Macquarie is being upgraded and expanded to fit more people… ready for 2021!

COST:

$300 for dads and $210 per child (must be current K to 6 Claremont kids). Cost includes all meals and a special camp ‘t-shirt’.

ACCOMMODATION:

A choice of shared cabin style or BYO tent and bedding. There are NO powered sites so motorhomes, caravans, campervans cannot be brought to the site. There are a few more spaces than Lake Macquarie but numbers will still be limited to 250-275 people so please sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

TRAVEL:

Travel to and from the camp by your own arrangements (no provision to re-charge electric cars).

REGISTRATION:

Your only task for the moment, is to complete the registration form by 28 June so the cost can be added to your Term 3 account. The form is quite comprehensive but all the information is required.  Please fill the form out yourself, Dad.  Ladies, resist the urge to do it, no matter how eager you may be. Some of the sections require fathers to read through and accept the risks inherent in a few of the activities.

Dads and Kids’ Camp Registration Form 2019

A camp pack with everything you need to know about the weekend including a program, map, and a checklist of what to bring will be sent to you in August.

Whilst we give priority to sibling enrolments, placement can not be guaranteed. If you have a pre-schooler who is due to begin school in 2021, please ensure that your application form is lodged by the end of the first week of Term 3. Additional references are not required for sibling application.

Should you have any questions or require confirmation that an application has been submitted, please contact Mrs Rochester.

If your child uses the school bus, or you would like to register to use the school bus, for Term3, please complete the registration form by CLICKING HERE. Please note that the buses are only able to carry 24 passengers each, and also service certain areas.  If you have any question in relation to the school bus service, please email bus@claremont.nsw.edu.au.

If you shop at Woolworths, please bring in you Earn and Learn stickers to the front office, as we will collect them to earn educational resources. Miss King and Mrs Speranza have a wonderful group of students who meet on Mondays to process the stickers received. Stickers will be collected up to and including 25 June.

The Woolworths Earn and Learn initiative this year focuses on resources for Makerspace and STEM. Because of this we are keen to acquire some of these resources, so we appreciate that you are bringing in your stickers. 

Bookings for the School Holidays are now open. Click HERE to see the exciting program on offer.

The holiday program runs from Monday 1 July to Friday 19 July.

There is also a special Staff Development Day program on offer for Monday 22 July - Wizards & Potions. Click HERE to see the program.

Enrolment Information for Term 3

High flow acrylic, making stained glass leaves, pottery that appears to move, drawing windy scenes and optical illusions.  This term, we have enjoyed exploring Movement in our Mixed Media classes on Monday and Wednesday and various Drawing Styles during our Thursday Classes.  Our Art community is growing!

Phi and Shallal are busy planning for Term 3.  For existing students please notify Phi@artisanathome.com.au as soon as possible and enrol for Term 3 online at https://artisanathome.com.au/collections/afterschool (we are mobile friendly!). We have a short list for some classes and will accept enrolments from new students from 15 June.

Great news for Creative Arts, you can use your NSW Creative Vouchers $100 with us.  Please select the correct product that states ‘Using Creative Voucher’ and provide the exact name on the voucher, date of birth and the 15 digit voucher number so we can process it at our end. Use the fields during checkout.  Please note that you can get this via the NSW Services Website and it is available for each child to use once per year.

A quick view of our Classes for Term 3:

Monday Artisan Club meets at 3:30pm – 4:30pm, takes 8 students. Begins Week 2 on 29 July for 9 weeks. Enrolment is term based and is $24 per class.

Wednesday Artisan Club meets at 3:30pm – 5:00pm, takes 10 students. Begins Week 1 on 24 July for 10 weeks. Enrolment is term based and is $28 per class.

Thursday Drawing Skills meets at 3:30pm – 5:00pm, takes 12 students. Begins Week 1 on 25 July for 10 weeks. Enrolment is term based and is $28 per class.

Parents and Carers can pick up their child/ren from Year 1 rooms.  If an alternate arrangement is necessary, please give written permission to phi@artisanathome.com.au. 

Creatively yours,

Phi Morton & Shallal Bader
Artisan at Home Workshops

Temperatures are dropping and the snow season is just around the corner.

The Interschools Snowsports event is on again this year for all levels of Alpine skiers and snowboarders.

If you are heading to the slopes this winter, why not join the Claremont team for some frosty fun?

All ages and abilities are welcome. 

Event Dates: 15 to 19 July
Location: Thredbo, NSW

www.interschoolssnowsports.com.au

Contact our team coordinator, Shaun Edwards (Ziggy, Year 4 & Indigo, Year 2) at shaunedwards@mac.com  or the school office for more info.

The Canteen is open 5 days a week. Please place your orders via Flexischools.

Please note that children who bring their own food to school need to bring their own cutlery from home, and only children who have ordered a canteen item will be provided with a spoon or fork.

Also due to WHS issues, the canteen is unable to heat food brought from home.

All members of the extended Claremont family are warmly invited to come along and pray for our school community. Toddlers are also more than welcome. 

The prayer group meets fortnightly on Thursdays at 8:45am. Please sign in at the school office.

The final date for Term 2 is 20 June.

For those parents who would like to pray for the school but are unable to attend the Prayer Group, you are now able to receive fortnightly prayer points. If you are interested in receiving the fortnightly prayer points or have any questions, please contact Vivian Yang via email vivian@yang.id.au

The Uniform Shop is open every Wednesday fortnight from 8am - 9am.  

The last date for Term 2 is 26 June.

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.

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

Please refrain from calling or texting Roxanne Fielding directly. 

School Years: K-6 co-ed
Dates: Monday 8th - Friday 12th July, 2019
Location: St Jude's Anglican Church, Randwick
Drop off and Pick up times: 8am-9am, 5pm-6pm daily
Transport: Make your own way
Regular price: $255 (online price)

Your son or daughter will have the week of their lives and get a great opportunity to make new friends and build self-confidence during their school holidays! They'll enjoy the experience of camp, with the chance to participate in exciting outdoor activities and explore a Christian worldview, whilst still going home to sleep in the comfort of their own bed.

Check out the short video for our holiday camp Cru Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjvbZyTX_vg&feature=youtu.be

For more information: https://crudaycamps.com.au/cru-edge

St John’s Maroubra’s Annual Kids Club is here again! Spots are filling up fast! 8 July - 12 July , Book for one day or the whole week from 9am - 12pm. There is drama, music, craft and more!

The link to book is https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=506874&