It’s Friday, the sun is shining and it has been a great week. We continue to enjoy the joy of discovering and learning at school, and I am always inspired by the energy of the children as they arrive at school in the morning and I am also always amazed by their energy as they leave at the end of the day… if only we could bottle this. I am mindful from my experience as a father of three kids, that parents certainly ‘cop’ the worst of the emotions and the fatigue at the end of the day. This is why I am a huge stickler for these after-school essentials: 

• A structured and consistent daily bedtime regime with good night sleep, especially on school days (primary aged children need approximately 10 hours sleep)
• Minimal screen time, with no screen time at least one hour prior to going to bed;
• Free play and exercise time, at the park, in the garden, ideally as close to nature as possible. After school should not be 100% home learning, sports practice, swimming lessons, tutoring and other coaching activities. Kids’ need free time to help regulate pressures and stress and to re-energise so when it comes to learning time they feel inspired and experience momentum with their learning. 

The other important aspects after school include:

• Reading time with mum and dad, and
• Healthy eating. 

If there is difficulty establishing this routine and balance for your child, we are here to help you, and Miss McKersie our School Counsellor would be more than happy to provide resources and guidance. 

Yesterday on ABC News Radio I heard an alarming statistic based on post-COVID medical research. While I can not recall the exact source, they discussed that 1 in 7 Australian primary children will be required to seek medical assistance related to mental health and/or be diagnosed with a mental health issue at any time across a 12 month period. There is a lot to this. What I believe is most important (and one of the points raised in the news item) was that early intervention is most essential. So, if you are concerned about your child, it is wise to seek a medical practitioner’s perspective, rather than see if the issue passes over time. Book an appointment with your GP - these days it can take up to 6 weeks. 

Again, we are here to help and to monitor and share our observations regarding a concern that you might have about your child. 

A few other updates…

I look forward to seeing Dads at our Fathering Project dinner at the Coogee Diggers on Monday. You are very welcome to this informal gathering. I thought it would be good to chat about a father’s role in relation to the points that I have raised above. See below for further details along with the link to register your attendance.

Claremont College continues to lead the way in our air quality initiatives. We continue to participate in a $1.9million research project: ‘The CleanAir Schools Pilot Project’. A combination of indoor and outdoor sensors have been installed at school and are maintained by CleanAir Schools UNSW research team. The data informs our practices and the air quality in our learning spaces. Check out this link for more information. 

We anticipate that this will be the last newsletter for this term due to the Public Holiday (ie no school) on Thursday and our Book Week Parade on Friday.

Dads at the Diggers

Save the date for our next Fathering Project Event which will be held at the Coogee Diggers Club, 7pm, on Monday 19 September. These gatherings for Claremont fathers provide a good opportunity to meet others, be connected to our school community, and to participate in a discussion around children, their education and parenting. Everyone is very welcome, including friends who may have their kids at other schools.

Please RSVP by clicking the link below

Dads at the Diggers RSVP   

Claremont College Dads and Kids ‘BIG Day Out’ to Jamberoo

Given that COVID robbed us of our 2021 Dads’ and Kids’ Camp, we have planned a Claremont College Dads and Kids ‘BIG Day Out’ with a trip to the Jamberoo Action Park on Saturday 12 November. While the exact details are yet to be confirmed, you will need to anticipate a full day. 

Jamberoo Registration of Interest

Virtual Chat at the Gate with Mr T

Please feel free to join me next Wednesday, 21 September, for my weekly opportunity for parents to meet with me from 2:00pm-2:30pm. Everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, suggestions or ideas. Click HERE for the Zoom link. 

If you have a specific question, it would be appreciated if you could send it my way in advance HERE, but otherwise, feel free to join without an RSVP.  

Doug Thomas
Principal

Follow us

Website: www.claremont.nsw.edu.au 
Instagram: @claremontcollege
Twitter: @claremont2031

We are pleased to share some staff news with the school community.

Miss Kelly and her partner are expecting their first child early next year.  

Mrs Bianca Herborn will be returning from her maternity leave in the 3rd week of Term 4 and will take on the 3 day/week Library Literature classes. We are excited to have Mrs Herborn back, and would like to thank Miss Alexander and Mrs Sheehy for very ably taking these classes this year. 

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

The Public Health Order was updated last Friday (9 September 2022) to reduce the isolation requirements for people who have tested positive to COVID-19 from 7 to 5 days provided the person does not have any acute symptoms on day 5 (if acute symptoms remain, the person must remain in isolation for 7 days).  For further information about this please refer to our website HERE.

We still have plenty of RAHT tests if anyone in our school community requires them. 

Mrs Alanna James & Mr Doug Thomas

We would like to remind parents that a full term’s notice in writing to the Principal is required before terminating a student's enrolment. The last day for notification is Monday 10 October.  In the event of failure to provide the required notice of withdrawal, a charge equal to 100% of the applicable term’s school fees will become payable, including all outstanding fees and charges, in addition to fees and charges payable in respect to the entire current term. 

Minnie Wearne, Amy Wearne and Mattie Wearne: 1910-1919

Click here to read more…

Vic Branson

Words make a difference. Use kind words that build one another up. Do not use rude words or words with a nasty tone. Let’s spread kindness to one another by using positive and encouraging words.

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

Congratulations to the following students who received either a Gold Certificate or Pennant at Monday’s Merit Assembly:

Gold Certificates

Year 2 - Isabella W
Year 3 - Jacob A, Lucia B, Cooper S
Year 4 - Baxter H, Jamie W
Year 5 - Yui Kei C, Jez C, Audrey F, Adam L, Christopher S, Archie T
Year 6 - Stella C, Taka M, Chloe M

Pennant

Year 2 - Archer S

Congratulations to Nicholas P (6) and Finn P (3) who are running a dog sitting business and have developed quite a presence online and are very much in demand. They manage all aspects of the business from dog walking, grooming, feeding as well as their profile on the dog sitting App.

They donate a sizable percentage of all they make to charity which is split between the RSPCA and Teamseas (https://teamseas.org/), an organisation dedicated to the removal of rubbish from the oceans. This year, to date, they have donated $750.00! Their parents are very proud of their commitment and the responsibility they have demonstrated both on the business and social fronts. Well done Nicholas and Finn!

In order to streamline payments and to avoid carrying over charges to next year, we will be processing all sundry expenses (ie camps, school bus, excursions etc) on your next account. We realise that for some families this will mean an increase in their account for the end of the year, but apologise for the inconvenience.

It is very important that you have your contact details always up to date on the Parent Portal. This includes contact telephone numbers and your current residential address. 

Please contact our IT Manager, Mr Andrew Nield immediately via [email protected] should you not be able to access your parent portal page.

2022 Term 3

Term 4

Claremont College Dads and Kids ‘BIG Day Out’ to Jamberoo  

Jamberoo Registration of Interest

Well done to all students in Years 2 to 6 who participated in the recent ICAS Mathematics competition. We hope to receive student certificates soon. Certificates will contain a TAP-ID, which will enable parents and students to view a complex breakdown of results, via the ICAS online Assessment Portal. 

We congratulate the following students who received a High Distinction, Distinction, or Credit: 

High Distinctions

Year 3 - Flynn K
Year 4 - Jamie W

Distinctions

Year 2 - Carter J, Yasmin E, Maelyn G, Amelia H, William L, Lucas S
Year 3 - Sabrina A, Jonathon A, Kobe C, Oliver H, Cedric L, Finn P, Cooper S
Year 4 - Lawrence K, Zachary S
Year 5 - Julian S, Hosea W
Year 6 - Taka M, April M

Credits

Year 2 - Micah A, Camille C, Jacob L, Amelie L, Sophie L, Aidan W, Scarlett Y
Year 3 - Isabel C, Juliette F, Harriet K, Avery L, Esther L, Jai P, Isabel R, Ava W
Year 4 - Angus K, Ava L, James L, Lauren T, Riley T
Year 5 - Yui Kei C, Evan H, Adam L, Harvey O, Billy R
Year 6 - Gia G, Sarah O, Simona P, Caleb S, Anthony T

Renee De Rossi
Head of Learning

Updated Year 1 Spider Presentation Schedule

Excursion to Royal National Park 

On Thursday, Year 5 headed off to the Royal National Park for our Bushfire Awareness Experience with Ranger Jamie.  We arrived at Audley Weir for morning tea and a talk with our Rangers about the roles of services that protect our country from fire, and how they manage backburning, hazard reduction and national disasters. Some lucky students had the opportunity to dress up in genuine Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, NSW Fire and Rescue Service and HAZMAT PPE!

We then headed to Bola Creek Rainforest and got up close with the flora and fauna of the area, learning how it had been affected by bushfires in 2004 and 2018.  We had a dip-netting activity where lots of students examined macroinvertebrate samples from the creek, and discussed factors determining whether a creek is healthy or unhealthy.

After enjoying lunch in the rainforest we headed back to the bus, stopping to examine all sorts of creepy crawlies on the track. By looking at samples from a pristine area and a bushfire affected area of the track the students were able to make direct comparisons between fire and non fire affected areas.  

‘I really enjoyed the macropod fishing because it was fun and I got to learn about a new animal.’
Archie T

‘I liked bug catching because it is something we don't usually do.’ Chloe K

‘I enjoyed learning about how vines grow up established trees so that they can get to the sunlight first.’  Audrey F

‘I enjoyed learning about different types of trees and the Banksia tree with a trunk that is fire retardant.’  Scarlett C

‘I liked comparing bugs in a fire and non fire environment.’ Angus B

‘I liked learning about how bats spread seeds and new plants grow on existing trees.’
Charlotte F

‘I liked wearing the Rural Fire suit!’ Billy R

‘I loved the dip-netting activity.’ Christopher S

The Year 5 Teaching Team

We are excited to announce that Concert Band will be starting up again in WEEK 1 of Term 4 with our new Band Master, Dale Vail. The Concert Band will be made up of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. All students are welcome and encouraged to join! 

Dale is a trombonist and composer from New Zealand who now plays for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Along with leading the band, he will be available for private and group tutoring at school for students wanting to learn a brass instrument. 

Dale will also be at our Music Showcase Afternoon on Tuesday 18 October at 4:30pm to speak more about Concert Band.  

Students will be required to bring their own instruments to every rehearsal on Thursday mornings at 7:45am in the hall. Please contact the office if you need advice on where to hire an instrument. It is important that students are punctual, as it takes time to set up these instruments and tune before beginning. 

The cost for Concert Band will be $200/semester. As we are beginning in Term 4 it will only be $100 for the one term.  

Any students wanting to join the Concert Band in week 1 of Term 4 should email the school office. 

Mrs Yasmin Davis
Music Teacher

On the back of our wonderful concert Mrs Yasmin Davis and Mr Thomas are pleased to invite you to a special Music Showcase on Tuesday 18 October from 4:30pm-6:00pm. The two years of COVID lockdowns certainly impacted music and performing arts programs in all schools, especially our band and small ensemble groups, so we are keen to bring back the array of wonderful sounds of children learning music in our school. ‘MUSIC@CLAREMONT’ will provide us with the opportunity to introduce our 8 tutors to you (Margaret Machamer - Cello & Senior String Ensemble, Dominique Guerbois - Violin & Junior String, Percy Reddy - Drums & Beginner Guitar, Carlson Luong - Piano, Sam Golding - Brass, Visnja Kosnaovic - Flute, Luke Galea - Guitar and Lyndell Pym - Singing), to showcase some of our student and tutor talent as well as presenting a panel which will discuss the many advantages of Music in a child’s learning and academic development. All parents and their children are welcome to attend. 

BOOK WEEK PARADE

We are all really looking forward to the parade which will take place on the last day of this term. Our theme for this year will link to our 140th year, ‘Remembering the Olden Days Through Books and Stories’. Students and staff have been asked to select a favourite book from the past, dress up as a character from the book, and this year identify which decade the book comes from.

Details of the parade

The parade will start at 9am in the playground however parents can arrive from 8:45am to sign in. The parade will finish at approximately 10:15am. Parents will then be invited to accompany their children to the book donation stall in the hall.

Book Donation Stall 

The Library Boost Project is an exciting fundraising concept that allows schools to fundraise for new books for their own school libraries, while also supporting the most disadvantaged schools across Australia. 

After the parade parents will be invited into the hall to look at a selection of books that they would like to donate to the school. Payment will be by card only on the day and no cash payments please. A donation certificate will be placed in each donated book with family details. Please note that the books on display are not for personal purchasing. 

This fundraising initiative will boost our own school library and classroom libraries, but for every dollar that is raised Dymocks Children’s Charities will match the donation to provide Library Regeneration Programs to the most disadvantaged schools in Australia.

New Non-Fiction Titles to the Collection

This is a stunning and detailed illustrated book that encourages the reader to take a closer look at shells.

Using a child friendly question-and-answer format, the author explores the incredible diversity of shells around the world.

What can a shell’s shape or colour tell you?
What do its patterns and textures say?
What can a shell tell about the past?

The author Helen Scales is a marine biologist, writer and documentary maker. She teaches at Cambridge University and is science advisor for the marine conservation charity Sea Changers.

This book is one to be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages.

This book is a celebration of sport and one for all sport loving children. It is a richly illustrated book that showcases the defining moment of notable athletes from around the world in more than twenty sports 

Recommended for children 7 years and older.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Librarian Assistant

Key Dates

Important Dates for Term 3 

Tuesday 20 September  NSWCIS Athletics Championships @ Homebush 

Claremont Champions

With the winter sport season coming to a close, it’s been a big few weeks for a number of Claremont students wrapping up their seasons in their various community sports. It’s great to see so many students getting involved in grassroots sport in the local community and making lifelong memories and connections. 

Congratulations to Lauren C (Year 4), who achieved Distinction from her RAD Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance) exam. She was 20 marks from achieving full marks. Lauren has been participating for 2 ½ years and is proud to see her hard work paying off as well as learning discipline, perseverance, growth mindset and more along the way. Well done. Lauren!

Congratulations to Sean L and Evan H (Year 5) who recently competed in the Eastern Suburbs Tennis Association Junior Competition, finishing in 2nd place. Well done, boys

A group of Claremont Year 5 students have been playing together in the same netball team this season. They have been playing wonderfully and have won most of their games, following  almost 2 years of interrupted seasons of netball. They will be playing in their first Grand Final this Saturday at Heffron Netball courts. We wish you the best of luck, girls!

From L to R

Chloe K, Non Claremont, Non Claremont, Charlotte F, Maya M-Z, Isla B, Alexis L, Coco P, Hannah B

These Year 3 girls have also been playing netball at Heffron every Saturday morning and they have loved the game so much that there were definitely tears when the games were called off during heavy rain.

From L to R

Avery L, Non Claremont, Sabrina A, Ava Wi, Juliette F, Rose L, Non Claremont, Aveline B, Amery W and Lily L-P.

Lastly, another group of Year 3 girls have joined forces to play in a football (soccer) team this season. A majority of the players play netball right before their football match as well! (So good to see kids being so active and developing a love for sport with their peers).They have been playing in a mixed competition and have thoroughly enjoyed playing together as a team. Their parent coach is amazed at the huge effort and camaraderie that the girls show every single Saturday at the games and at training nights. Well done, girls!

From L to R

Rose L, Charlotte L, Charlotte B, Rosie R, Charlotte C, Non Claremont, Lily L-P, Juliette F, Avaline B. Missing (Jaymie T)

Next Level Soccer

Lewis from Next Level has been working with Claremont for over a year now as the coach of our infants morning skills program and as well as coaching football as part of our Wednesday Sport at Grant Reserve.

His soccer academy has just introduced a “little legends soccer” for 5-7 year olds which may be of interest to any students who currently do the morning skills sessions and want to continue their development, or for any students in that age group who are interested in developing their football skills. Please see the flyer for more information.

Mr Joel Geering
Head of Sport and PDHPE

If your child uses the school bus, or you would like to register to use the school bus, for Term 4, 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 questions in relation to the school bus service, please email [email protected] 

Please note that fees for Term 4 bus use will be charged in advance to your Term 4 account.

Ordering

Orders can be placed for both recess and lunch through an online ordering system called Flexischools (www.flexischools.com.au). You can also download the app and order from any smartphone or tablet device. Orders are required to be placed by 8.30am on the day the order is required, however, you can place orders up to four weeks in advance.

If you have any concerns with your orders or would like to discuss anything with the canteen staff, please feel free to email us at [email protected]

TeamKids Term 3 Week 9 Newsletter
Click HERE to read the TeamKids weekly newsletter.

School Holiday Bookings now open

TeamKids have another amazing SPRING Holiday program planned! CLICK HERE to see the program.

• Learn new skills and make new friends
• Qualified and REMARKABLE Educators
• Digital detox with our no screens policy
• Delicious and nutritious morning and afternoon snacks
• CCS-approved care

Head to teamkids.com.au to secure your spot!

Term 3 and 4 Bookings

A reminder for ALL families to book and verify their bookings for Term 3 and start booking for Term 4. Also, if your child is away or will not be attending a pre-booked session, please assist by contacting Customer Service to cancel your booking on the day. Please note this has an impact on the service’s staffing for each session. 

Please visit www.teamkids.com.au to secure your spot! or call Customer Service on 1300 035 000.

We would like to make you aware that the NSW Government has given parents a $500 voucher to use at childcare centres. This is applicable to TeamKids and we encourage you to take advantage of this great scheme. Follow the instructions on the NSW Service website to apply. Then email or bring in the QR code on your voucher so we can scan and redeem it for you. This will be credited to your account to use until June 2023

Holiday Closure

The Uniform Shop will not be open over the upcoming holiday period but will be open on Monday 10 October (Pupil Free Day). CLICK HERE for more information.

The Uniform Shop is run by Ranier on the school premises during school terms on the following days:

Monday: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 11:00am

Methods of Payment: Cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard and Visa

For new students, fittings are by appointment. Simply book online at ww.shop.ranier.com.au 

The Uniform Shop is located within the main body of the School. Please access the Uniform Shop via Coogee Bay Road lower side gate.

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]  
Phone: 9213 0720

Responses will be provided during opening hours.

Note: The website can answer most of your questions at www.shop.ranier.com.au 

For more immediate assistance, head office details are:

Online: ranier.com.au/contact
Email: [email protected] 

Phone: 02 8337 7290

Code Camp

Registrations are now open for Term 4

Day: Tuesday
Dates: 18/10/2022 to 06/12/2022 (8 sessions)
Class Type: Coding - In Term 4, we will be continuing our weekly stand-alone format with a term of brand-new coding projects for students to show friends and family!
Start Time: 3:15 pm
End Time: 4:30 pm

Book now at www.codecamp.com.au/claremont  

Term 4 Art Classes

Dear Parents/Carers of our After school Art Community,

We have had such a vibrant and creative group this term as we have explored sculpture in a series of projects such as pottery clay, carving soap and building with wire and pasta! You should see the fun we’ve had on Instagram @phi_morton_workshops. 

Term 4 classes are now open for booking.  A 7-week series will be offered on a Monday starting in week 2.  We will come back to drawing, painting and dabbling in some other media.

Please visit www.phimorton.com.au  to book online and click through to ‘Classes’. 

Do reach out to me on 0403377420 if you have any questions.  

Warm regards,
Phi ‘FY’ Morton