Earlier this week I had the experience of visiting our Year 4 students who were attending a three day environmental camp at Collaroy Conference Centre learning all about marine and coastal ecology as well as the local indigenous people.  It was lovely to spend time with them and be part of the enthusiasm, energy and fun. They certainly are a very impressive group of children who were working well together, encouraging and caring for each other. These amazing learning experiences for the children are only possible because of the dedication and sacrifices made by the teachers who give up their personal time. So with this, thank you Mrs Ward, Miss Rees, Mrs Speranza and Mr Ko. I do hope that the children go out of their way to thank their teachers on Monday, if they haven’t already.

Here is what some of the students have loved about camp:

“I really like all the nature and beautiful spots they have at this camp.” Tom L

“I love how we all sit down together at the chapel and play games.” Isabelle W

“I loved all the wildlife I've seen.” Marco D

On Monday I announced the winners of the Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Challenge fundraising. Congratulations to everyone who helped to raise the staggering amount of approximately $28,000.  As mentioned last term, Rebel Randwick and Currenti Constructions kindly donated prizes and I am pleased to announce the winners in each category.

For the highest total amount raised by one child in each grade...
A healthy lunch at a local cafe with me, followed by a visit to Rebel Randwick where each child will receive a $50 gift card (with thanks to the P&F).

Kindy - Amery Wong
Year 1 - Rocco Riley
Year 2 - Christopher Skamvougeras
Year 3 - Chrisanthy Tourgelis and Katherine Tourgelis
Year 4 - Lola Upfold
Year 5 - Caitlin Chee
Year 6 - William Le Poer Trench

For the highest total amount raised by one child across the school… Lola Upfold (Year 4), who also receives a healthy lunch at a local cafe with me, followed by a visit to Rebel Randwick where she receives a $250 gift card (with thanks to Currenti Constructions, Randwick).

For the highest collective total raised by a whole grade the winner is... Kindergarten

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

Permission notes with all the details for the winners will be sent home to these children early next week.

Be blessed this weekend and I hope you rug up well in this crazy weather.

Doug Thomas       
Principal

  Follow me @DougJThomas

Our second biannual ‘International Day’ will be held on Friday 20 September. This was a highlight in 2017 so we are once again looking forward to this important event that celebrates multiculturalism, especially the many cultures within our own school community. To do this we need your ideas, your skills and your help. Please consider what ideas you can suggest for the rotating activities throughout the day.

These days work best when we have authentic cultural learning experiences. That means we need you to personally share your culture with the students. This is a lot more effective than teaching about a culture that is not our own. We hope to run a series of workshops based on different nationalities (with the teachers there to help of course). You might like to, for example:

• Cook a national dish,
• Teach the children a traditional dance,
• Create some cultural art,
• Share a story and some photos from your country of origin, or
• Play a culturally relevant game. 

 At this stage the plan for the day is:

• Morning and Middle Sessions - Infants and Primary rotations of activities.
• Morning Tea & Lunch - International choices from the school canteen, or brought from home
• Afternoon Session - Assembly with presentations including the international dances the children have been working on throughout the term.

It is important for all of us that we represent as many of the countries from the Claremont families as possible, and to do this we need you to email us through office@claremont.nsw.edu.au by Friday 16 August with your ideas for culturally relevant activities that we could implement and if you are able to assist on the day. This will help us to organise some great authentic learning experiences for the students.

Thank you to the parents who have already sent in ideas and offers of help.

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

Next week we will continue to focus on the following positive behaviours

‘Make sure you eat the food your parents would like you to eat before you start playing at recess and lunch. It’s a good idea to eat the healthiest food first.’

AND

‘Be respectful to school property and grounds.’

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

TERM 3 

The following items require immediate action.

Year 2 - Ceramics Incursion - 20 August - Parent Portal

Year 4 & Year 6 ICAS Competitions

ICAS English - Tuesday 17 September           
ICAS Mathematics - Thursday 19 September

Each year we invite the Year 4 and Year 6 students to participate in the ICAS English and Mathematics Competitions. The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools, or ICAS for short, is an independent, skills-based assessment program. Students who sit for an assessment will receive a certificate and a detailed summary of the questions they know and the questions they have not mastered yet.

For over 10 years now we have chosen to participate in these two assessments or competitions for two reasons:

• To give students a challenging external assessment in their Primary year that is not a NAPLAN year, and
• To challenge the students through a competition that is set beyond grade expectations, against schools from around the world, to recognise academic excellence.

This year parents are asked to go online to register your child. You will be able to access practice papers online as well. To do this you will need to visit https://pay.unswglobal.com.au/ and enter the school unique code 68efff86f7 to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. 

Online payment has been extended to 14 August 2019 - next week is the final week to apply.

We strongly encourage you to register your child to give them this experience and to help both the parents and the school can understand where a child sits against an international cohort. to quote James Nottingham: "Easy is boring, challenge is interesting"...let's give our students this opportunity to be challenged.

PLEASE NOTE: It is possible to purchase and complete English and Mathematics practice tests online. As students will be completing the assessments on the school iPads, it is suggested that students who are interested in sitting the ICAS Assessments trial at least one online test at home on an iPad. To purchase any online tests, please visit: https://www.unswglobal.unsw.edu.au/educational-assessments/products/practice-online/

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

Year 4 & Year 6 ICAS Competitions

ICAS English - Tuesday 17 September           
ICAS Mathematics - Thursday 19 September

Each year we invite the Year 4 and Year 6 students to participate in the ICAS English and Mathematics Competitions. The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools, or ICAS for short, is an independent, skills-based assessment program. Students who sit for an assessment will receive a certificate and a detailed summary of the questions they know and the questions they have not mastered yet.

For over 10 years now we have chosen to participate in these two assessments or competitions for two reasons:

• To give students a challenging external assessment in their Primary year that is not a NAPLAN year, and
• To challenge the students through a competition that is set beyond grade expectations, against schools from around the world, to recognise academic excellence.

This year parents are asked to go online to register your child. You will be able to access practice papers online as well. To do this you will need to visit https://pay.unswglobal.com.au/ and enter the school unique code 68efff86f7 to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. 

Online payment has been extended to 14 August 2019 - next week is the final week to apply.

We strongly encourage you to register your child to give them this experience and to help both the parents and the school can understand where a child sits against an international cohort. to quote James Nottingham: "Easy is boring, challenge is interesting"...let's give our students this opportunity to be challenged.

PLEASE NOTE: It is possible to purchase and complete English and Mathematics practice tests online. As students will be completing the assessments on the school iPads, it is suggested that students who are interested in sitting the ICAS Assessments trial at least one online test at home on an iPad. To purchase any online tests, please visit: https://www.unswglobal.unsw.edu.au/educational-assessments/products/practice-online/

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

BOOK WEEK PARADE 2019

Claremont’s famous Book Week Celebration Day is only a few weeks away! On Friday 23 August, students will be involved in a range of exciting activities, all based on the theme “Reading is my Secret Power”. We would love to invite parents to attend our parade in the MORNING. This year we are trialing having our parade in the morning. One reason for this is that a number of the students wear costumes that include props and equipment. By having the parade in the morning, parents are able to take these “extras” home after the parade. Students can wear their costumes for the rest of the day, or they can change into something else weather appropriate. On the day students can dress up as either a literature character of their choice OR as something connected to the theme, “Reading is my Secret Power”. Please note that these costumes do NOT need to be purchased. In Library lessons, we have been encouraging students to think outside the box and challenge their creativity with their costumes. The morning’s agenda is as follows:

• 8:15 - 8:45 - Student drop off
• 8:45 - 9:00 Parents to arrive. Please do not arrive earlier to allow us time to set up the playground
• 9:00 - 10:20 - Parade
• 10:20 - 11:00 - Morning Tea. We would love to invite you to stay to enjoy Morning Tea with your child. You might also like to take up this opportunity to purchase a book from our book stalls.

After Morning Tea, students will be participating in a variety of different activities all surrounding literature and the Book Week theme. If you would like to be involved in one of these rotations, please email your interest through to me via the front office by COB Monday 12th August. I will contact the first interested parents to confirm over the next few weeks. (NB. If you are able to help, and we hope you can, you will be stationed at an activity, not rotating around the activities with your own child/ren.)

We are all looking forward to this fun-filled day of learning and hope to see you there.

Book Stalls

This year, Claremont College is excited to partner with “Read On” books, from Eastgardens, which has arranged for the books on this year’s Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlist to be available for students to order on the day. “Read On” have very generously offered a 20% discount for all books purchased on the day. You can see the amended prices of the books that will be available in the attached information sheet.

Mrs Vivian Yang (Elsie Y6) is also organising a Bible Book Stand, with children’s Bibles, stories and devotions. These can be purchased on the day, and are beautiful gifts for your children, and the children in your extended family.

Mrs Stephanie Affleck
Teacher/Librarian

Upcoming Events

Monday 26 August - IPSHA Athletics Championship @ Homebush
Tuesday 24 September - Years 3-6 Cricket Blast Gala Day - More details to follow next week
Friday 27 September - Claremont Cross Country Carnival

IPSHA Athletics Championship

Information about the upcoming IPSHA Athletics Championships has been sent out to the IPSHA Athletics team. Permission will need to be granted via the Parent Portal. In preparation for the Carnival, two training sessions have been organised on Thursday 15th & 22nd August, 7:30am at Grant Reserve. Please contact the office if you have any queries regarding the Carnival or the training sessions.

Claremont Champions

Congratulations to Noah Law (Kindergarten) who was featured in last week’s newsletter. Noah and his Coogee Wombats teammates won their Grand Final match on the weekend against the Matraville Tigers 52 - 40. Well done, Noah!

Wallabies Ticket Offer

The Qantas Wallabies take on Samoa at Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta on Saturday 7 September. A special presale offer has been made available to Claremont families before the tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday. Purchase one Adult Ticket at a Junior price with every Junior Ticket you buy. Use the password ‘GOWALLABIES’ to take advantage of this special offer. Tickets can be purchased here.

Joel Geering 
Sport and PDHPE

We Are Claremont’s Eco Warriors!

This week, the new ‘Eco Warrior’ representatives met for the very first time and the excitement was palpable! ‘Eco Warriors’ are volunteers from grades 2-6 throughout the school who have an interest in healthy lifestyles, ecology and our environment.

The new Eco Warriors from each grade are:

Clara Khoury- Year 2
Anya Keshavarz- Year 2
Cristina Soumilas- Year 3
Chloe Melikyan- Year 3
Bryce McCarthy- Year 4
Jasmine Stanton- Year 4
Eme Woodward- Year 5
Ruby Rose - Year 5
Zoe Laurence- Year 6
Savanna Wechgelaer-Eyssens- Year 6

The key aim of this group is to share information about caring for our school, community and global environment. The students were keen to voice their ideas and they even created a list of priorities for the semester ahead. The following are a few of their hopes:

1. ‘Nude Food Day’ will continue every Tuesday

Last term, we established our very own ‘Nude Food Day.’ Nude Food is simply food that is not wrapped in foil, plastic or commercial packaging. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the effects of rubbish/waste on the health of our environment as well as empowering our students to make conscious choices about what they eat. The new Eco Warriors are eager to continue this environmental initiative and they already have many ideas about how we can encourage everyone to take part.

2. Teaching our students how to use the bins correctly

The new Eco Warrior students have observed that many of our students are using the recycling, non-recycling and composting bins incorrectly at recess and lunch times. The Eco Warriors have volunteered some of their lunch time on Tuesdays in order to guide students to the appropriate bins in the hopes of establishing better waste management at Claremont.

3. Designing a new garden space

Last year, Claremont was awarded a grant by the ‘NSW Environmentals Trust’s Eco Schools Grants Program’. Over the next year, we will be designing a ‘Global Garden’ where the edible plants traditionally used by different cultures will represent the multicultural makeup of our school community. Students in the Eco-Warrior club will have the opportunity to research edible plants native to certain cultures and the conditions necessary to grow such plants within our ‘Global Garden’ space. Students will also gain hands-on experience in planning, planting and maintaining the garden long-term, including propagating seeds and using self-watering systems. It is hoped that the garden will be used in an ongoing way as a teaching space and focal point for the Eco Warrior group. 

4. Reducing plastic in the canteen

Last term, we held a competition for World Environment Day in order to raise awareness about the problem of plastic pollution. The competition was a massive success and sparked curiosity and activism amongst our students. Many students expressed their concern for the amount of plastic that was being sold in the canteen. This term, we will be working hard to reduce plastic and the canteen has already switched from single use plastic forks and knives to bamboo cutlery which is 100% biodegradable and compostable.

There are many more changes that we hope to implement over the coming semester and the Eco Warriors will be helping to plan these necessary changes.

Here are some reflections from the students on their first day:

"I had so much fun. I liked how I got to care for the bunny and I’m looking forward to helping out around the school." Clara Khoury Year 2

"I'm excited to teach my friends about how to put their rubbish in the right bin. I want the school to become more eco friendly." Cristina Soumilas Year 3

Miss Sinead Kelly
Eco Warriors Coordinator

Today we introduced a new (yet familiar) song called, ‘Pray a Little Prayer’ by Ben Pakula. The students were encouraged by this song and by Mr Thomas’ talk on prayer. 

Mr Thomas taught us an abbreviation we all can remember. It is:

P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Y - Yield

Often when we pray, we tend to ask for God to hear us. Yet how often do we praise God for who He is? This is something we can do every day that will please Him tremendously. In addition to this, we can repent our wrongdoing to Him. Mr Thomas taught us that when we repent, it truly means we are sorry to God for the mistakes we’ve made in the past, present and in the future. Then Mr Thomas taught us that we can ask God for anything and he often responds with either, ‘ Yes, No, or Not Yet’. In conclusion, Mr Thomas reminded us that when we do pray, we need to yield our will to God’s will. He knows what is best for us and we can trust Him. 

Verse of the Week

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”  Matthew 7:7-12 (ICB)

God Bless!

Charlie Blevins
Chapel Coordinator

Congratulations to Savanna Kirkwood who was presented with her Pennant for receiving three gold certificates of achievement, on Monday morning. Savanna is the first student in Year 4 to receive a pennant.

Thank you to our Term 2 Grade Captains for a job well done and congratulations to the following children who have been elected for Term 3 and who received their badges at assembly on Monday. We are sure that these children will do their best as they assist their teacher and classmates.

Kindy - Finn Peters, Esther Lord, Lucia Breakspear, Aleksander Peric

Year 1 - Matthew Li, Mateo Horne, Grace Webster, Alana Peric

Year 2 - Michael Vissaritis, Sienna Kirkwood, Matilda Naik, Charlotte Francis,

Year 3 - April Morton, Ben Vitalone, Jasper Smith, Simona Preshaw

Year 4 - Sienna Leyshon, Caitlyn Lee, Oliver Webster, Valentino Silva

Year 5 - Jai Cavenagh, Akanksha Mohan, Scarlett Osler, Tyson Wechgelaer 

Year 6 - All of Yr 6 are grade captains!

Whilst we give priority for enrolments to siblings, 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 or your child might miss out on a place. 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.

Go to Flexischools and order your tickets for the Claremont College Trivia Night by Wednesday 14th August.

Email claremonttrivia2019@yahoo.com with your table of 10, or let us know if you would like us to put you on a table.  The event is Saturday 17th August, 6.30pm arrival, 7.00pm Trivia starts. 

Thank you to all the parents who have reached out with their suggestions and feedback.

We have listened and made some slight changes this week. 

You will now find more sushi options on the menu this Monday. If you know you want to be provided with an option that isn’t there, please email us at the canteen and let us know, and we will endeavour to provide. 

You can also now select to have your sandwiches and toasties on gluten free bread. Just select that option as you place your order via Flexischools.

We have also introduced gluten free vegie snacks to the menu and we will be adding a few more gluten free options for you to choose from.

Keep and eye out on Flexischools for this week’s dinner option and don’t forget to place your order on Tuesday.

Misha

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

A reminder that children who bring their own food to school need to bring their own cutlery from home,  only children who have ordered from the canteen 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 dates for Term 3 are 15 August, 29 September, 12 September and 26 September.

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 remaining dates for Term 3 are 21 August, 4 September and 18 September.

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.