It’s great to be back! Term 4 at Claremont College is going to be just fabulous with so much to look forward to and anticipate over the next ten weeks. We have... the Family Fun Night, Basketball Gala Days, Year 5 Dorothy Boyt Nursing Home visits, Christmas festivities including Pixie Post and Christmas Chapel (including the Kindy Nativity Pageant), Year 3-6 camps, the Year 2 day excursion and evening activities, the Infants Swim School (K-2), excursions, choir performances, ‘Claremont’s Got Talent’, our annual special farewells and celebrations for our Year 6 Students, and Speech Day for everyone on the very last day of the school year (Thursday 5 December). Please see the list of dates for your diary.

Please mark them in but please also be aware that there may need to be some changes as the term progresses.

We welcome back Mrs Beatrix Kirkland (Year 5 Teacher in 2018) who has returned from Maternity Leave. Mrs Kirkland will be (most conveniently) replacing Mrs Affleck (Teacher Librarian) who will soon take her own Maternity Leave.

HSC BEST WISHES

We would like to wish our 2013 Year 6 students all the very best in their HSC examinations which started yesterday (Thursday 17 October).

OUT AND ABOUT

During the holidays I headed back to India to check how our various projects are tracking. It was a very productive time for me, mixed with the opportunity to have a much needed break and some rest. For those who like to follow my work and ‘adventures’, here is a link to my most recent blog. http://www.dougjthomas.net/blog/back-from-india

Next week, I have the honour or being selected as a speaker and delegate, at the ‘2019 International Confederation of Principals’, which will be held in Shanghai. This is an incredible opportunity for me to speak about both Claremont College and educational leadership in a changing world. The conference is a highly regarded one, as it is a combined international gathering of all principal’s professional associations from around the world. I will be at the conference on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and  I look forward to learning a lot, to be able to apply to the growth and future development of our school. I am so sorry not to be available for ‘dunking’ at the Family Fun Night. I guess I shall have to wait until 2020 for this wonderful annual joyful experience that comes with being a Principal (lucky me!).

God bless!

Doug Thomas
Principal

  Follow me @DougJThomas

This term we will be introducing an optional lunchtime club program for your child. In the past, we have had many staff offer to run these types of clubs across the week, however we will be formalising clubs every day across every week of the term. For the Primary years, this will include a year group having the opportunity to play down at Grant Reserve once a week. 

By running this coordinated program, we believe the benefits will include:

• wellbeing for all students;
• creating more space to further increase the safety for all students;
• encouraging physical exercise with the extra space for freedom of movement;
• enabling students to play sport games to its proper game/rules, not needing as much modification to games on the playground;
• catering to the different strengths of students eg: drawing, dance etc.
• the more effective use of the different spaces around the school;
• providing a more stimulating lunch break, to combat any potential 'boredom';
• giving students more choice;
• assisting teachers with the management of student behaviour and student safety; and
• giving students who may not be interested in sports to have more passive play options.

We ask that you chat to your child/ren about these clubs and encourage them to attend if they are interested. Please also remind them to thank the staff member who is running the club, as this is an extra service provided for your child/ren, on top of staff's schedules.

Towards the end of this term we will be evaluating this program's effectiveness in preparation for 2020. We hope your child/ren enjoy these activities, build their friendships and have a whole lot of fun too.

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

As mentioned in last term’s newsletter, this term we will be swapping the Primary and Infants lunch times. This will mean:

• Infants children will now have their lunch break 12:20pm to 1:05pm, and
• Primary children will now have their lunch break 1:05pm to 1:50pm.

The second change will be that each day we will be taking one Primary year group off-site during the Primary lunch break, to give the students an alternative outdoor experience, and to reduce the numbers of Primary students on the playground. This arrangement will commence in Week 3 when the students will travel to Grant Reserve by the school bus.  The days on which the year groups will be offsite are as follows:

Monday - Year 4
Tuesday - Year 5
Thursday - Year 6
Friday - Year 3

If you haven’t returned your child’s permission slip, click HERE to give permission via the Parent Portal.

This month, K-6 students are participating in whole school assessments in Literacy and Numeracy.  These assessments are carried out each year in Term 4 and information gathered from these tests is used to inform the end of year student progress reports, to inform teaching practice for the end of the year and into early next year and to determine individual progress for each student across a 12-month period (October-October). 

The assessment tools selected to gather information in Literacy and Numeracy are:

• Progressive Achievement Test (PAT)- Reading, Maths, Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar & Punctuation
• e-Write - a writing assessment
• South Australian Spelling Test (SAST)
• Synthetic Phonics
• Fountas and Pinnell - Reading Benchmark System

Over the coming weeks, students (K-6) will be engaged in a selection of assessments, according to their year level, as outlined below:

Kindergarten - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, Synthetic Phonics &/or SAST
Year 1 - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, Synthetic Phonics, and SAST
Year 2 - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, PAT Spelling, PAT Vocab, PAT Grammar/Punctuation
Year 3 - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, PAT Spelling, PAT Vocab, PAT Grammar/Punctuation
Year 4 - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, PAT Spelling, PAT Vocab, PAT Grammar/Punctuation and eWrite
Year 5 - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, PAT Spelling, PAT Vocab, PAT Grammar/Punctuation and eWrite
Year 6 - PAT Reading, PAT Maths, PAT Spelling, PAT Vocab, PAT Grammar/Punctuation

This year Kindergarten will also complete the PAT assessments. This provides teachers with the opportunity to track each student’s progress and achievement from Kindergarten to Year 6 in various aspects of literacy and numeracy.

In 2017, we introduced differentiated assessment - adjustments to the testing materials, process and procedure and assessment experiences, to assist all students to demonstrate what they know and can do in relation to syllabus outcomes and content. It is a requirement under the Disability Standards for Education 2005 for schools to ensure that assessment tasks are accessible to students with a disability and as outlined in the standards, schools are responsible for any decisions made at school level to offer adjustments to course work, assessment tasks and in-school tests.

The 2019 assessment adjustments at Claremont College may include:

• a range of assessment booklets, within a year level, with test items targeted at students levels, so all students can have a sense of success, all with standardised scoring;
• adjustments to the assessment process. Some examples include additional time, rest breaks, the use of a reader and/or scribe or the audio tool; and/or
• additional supervision.

If you would like to access further information on these assessments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Brenda Dalheim
Head of Learning Support

Earlier in Term 3, we were offered a free trial of an online maths platform called ‘Matific’. After a one month trial, consultation with staff, students and representatives from both maths companies, Claremont College has made the decision to cease our membership with Mathletics and move to an arrangement with Matific.

We have created some FAQs below that will hopefully answer all of your questions.

What are the benefits of Matific?

There are a number of benefits to Matific, and the list below is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you a brief insight into why the program has merit:

• Matific is a ‘teaching’ platform rather than a ‘testing’ program. If a student cannot do a problem on Mathletics, a red cross comes on the screen and they move onto the next question. In Matific, if the student gets an answer incorrect, the screen ‘shakes’ and the student is given another chance to complete the problem. Scaffolding is provided in the form of tips to help solve a task. If after three ‘shakes’ the student still cannot solve a problem, information is available to explain to the student how to complete the task.
• The interface is engaging for the students to interact with. Many students were motivated by the different activities and saw them as ‘fun’ rather than a chore.
• The teacher is provided with greater feedback as to how each student performs on a topic. With Mathletics, feedback is different in the way that it tells us a student got 80% correct, but we don’t know how many trials or attempts the student has taken to achieve this. With Matific, the teacher receives feedback on every attempt the student takes on each question.
• Tasks are set by the teacher and they can be differentiated to the child’s level without it being obvious to the student that they are completing a different task. For example, a child in year 3 who requires more challenging tasks in addition, may have activities set at the stage above working with three digit numbers but the interface for the activity will look the same as the students who are completing the task with two digit numbers. In this way, we can adjust the tasks to each individual’s account with greater tailoring to their needs.

How is Matific different to Mathletics?

• The feedback students receives on how to solve a problem is more informative and helps them learn about a topic and understand where they made a mistake.
• Students move through an online quest/treasure map via activities set by the teacher that align with the topics being completed in class.
• There is greater scope for tasks to be differentiated and tailored to the individual student.

What parts of the website are available?

There are three different options you will see on your child’s interface. School work, homework and full course.

• School work: These activities are set by the teacher and sometimes completed during class time as part of the lesson to support other activities that are occuring at that time. This part of the course should only be completed during school time.
• Homework: This is where students will typically access online homework provided by the teacher.
• Full Course: This is for students to complete during any ‘free time’ they may have at home. It is optional, the homework part of the course takes priority at home.

How can I see my child’s progress?

Students can receive a number of ‘stars’ when they complete a task. When completing each activity, students have the opportunity to be awarded 5 stars and can re-try the same task (with different questions) to earn more stars.

How is this program used during class time?

The program provides immense support to teachers to supplement student learning in a visual and interactive way. Videos can be used to demonstrate a concept, games can be played to introduce a new concept or consolidate a skill. The program also provides links to the curriculum and has detailed teacher notes and worksheets available to access. Any online component used in the classroom compliments explicit teacher instruction, hands on activities, collaborative partner/group work and independent activities.          

My child has completed this activity before, why has it been set again?

The questions presented to students are always different, so the student may complete the same task or game more than once, however the questions given to them will be randomly assigned. In essence, they can complete the same activity many times to gain 5 stars because of the bank of questions presented at random. The benefit of this is consolidation of classwork for homework.

Where can I get more information about this?

If you have any further questions, please contact the office and they will forward your enquiry to the Mathematics Committee. You can also find out more information at https://www.matific.com

Mrs Emily Eu, Mrs Nicola Breakspear, Mrs Jesse Hitchen
Mathematics Committee

Claremont College is supporting Dyslexia Awareness Month. We are encouraging those students with dyslexia to soar. We encourage them to do more than simply fly, but to reach for the stars, and enjoy the ride as they rise higher and higher!

See the link below for more information about how you can join in.

This week the focus is on our Learning Support Team.

Our positive behaviour focus in the first week of Term 4 will be: 

'Be mindful of your manners, especially when greeting others. Remember to say please, thank you or excuse me.'

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

The Creative and Practical Arts (CAPA) Syllabus is one of the six key learning areas of the primary curriculum, and a highly valued subject here at Claremont College. CAPA involves students learning in the areas of Visual Art, Drama, Dance and Music. The K-6 Syllabus outlines that these artforms play a significant role in how meaning is made in peoples’ lives. Visual arts, music, drama and dance offer students and people of all ages opportunities for personal expression, enjoyment, creative action, imagination, emotional response, aesthetic pleasure and the creation of shared meanings. The learning of these artforms at Claremont is structured in the following way:

Visual Arts:

Making - Provides students with the opportunity to make artworks about different investigations of the world. Students make artworks in different forms. The exploration of different techniques and the use of tools provide valuable ways to understand how artworks are made. 

Appreciating - Students have the opportunity to look at, talk about, read about and write about, artists and artworks. Students can think about themselves as members of an audience and recognise that in societies many people are interested in looking at and talking about art.

Drama (Term 1 & 2):

Making - Students have the opportunity to engage in devising, shaping and symbolically representing imaginative situations, ideas, feelings, attitudes and beliefs. Creating roles and responding imaginatively are essential to drama making and performing. 

Performing - Provides students with opportunities to communicate their roles and imaginative ideas to others through voice and movement. 

Appreciating - Allows students to describe, reflect and analyse their own drama work and that of others. They do this by viewing, talking, reading and writing. In these ways, students understand the artistic and social meanings conveyed by drama from personal and cultural perspectives.

Dance (Term 3 & 4): Performing - Involves developing bodily competence and confidence using the elements of dance with expressive qualities. Interpreting dance to communicate moods, feelings and ideas is essential to dance performance.                                               

Composing - Involves students developing an understanding of the basic components of dance: dancers, movement, sound and physical settings and how these relate to why people dance, what a dance is about and what effect a dance might create.

Appreciating - Students respond to dance works by viewing, talking, writing and reading. It provides students with opportunities to analyse, value and reflect on their own work and the work of others in terms of personal, cultural and structural meanings.

There are many benefits to learning and studying Visual Art. A joint study by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Education and Social Work and the Australia Council for the Arts has found that engagement in the arts benefits students not just in the classroom, but also in life. Researchers have discovered that students who are involved in the arts have higher school motivation, engagement in class, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Participating in visual arts also improves students’ fine motor skills through the techniques of sketching, cutting, sculpting etc. and provides students with the opportunity to develop their visual spatial abilities. The ‘appreciating’ component of Visual Arts allows students to improve their reasoning and communication skills; to interpret, analyse, think critically and consider various contexts and perspectives. 

Click the link below to view an outline of the Visual Art (making) focus for each year group for Term 4.

Here at Claremont College, we are passionate about providing our students with opportunities to thrive in Creative and Practical Arts; to imagine, create, explore and challenge themselves, all while developing their dispositions of precision, focus and creativity. Below are some examples of artworks recently created by Claremont students, what a joy it is to witness their creativity and originality shine!

Mrs Alanna James
Head of Visual Arts

The importance of music in Primary Education cannot be underestimated. Music is an integral part of all that we do at Claremont College. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6, learn sequentially planned and developed key concepts as part of a comprehensive and dynamic Music Program. Research demonstrates that learning through music also assists the acquisition of a number of skills in reading and mathematics, not to mention the many benefits for a child’s co-ordination, gross motor development, memory, drama, performance, confidence building and spiritual development… to put it simply, it is good for the heart and soul. You don’t need to strain your ears much to hear all the music that is happening around Claremont College. If you listen long enough you’ll hear claves, tambourines, recorders, ukuleles, boomwhackers, xylophones, djembes, wind instruments, drums and singing… and that’s only from classroom music lessons. If you feel you have been missing out, sit back to gain a little insight into what music educational skills your children have been developing this year.

Classroom Music

Kindy have been intensively studying the musical elements of dynamics, tempo and duration. We have discussed forte, piano, long and short sounds. I hope your child shared their Carnival of the Animals booklet with you and told you a little bit about their favourite Saint Saens pieces. If not, please ask them about it! It makes my heart leap every Thursday when we sing and dance around the music room. I look forward to all that is in store for Term 4 where we look at tone colour and the materials that make up instruments.

Year 1 were immersed into the world of the instruments of the orchestra this year. We also learnt how to describe music in more detail. We have also further developed our musical language learning terms such as allegro and presto. In Term 4, students will focus on Soh, Mi, La of the solfege scale.  They will participate in singing, rhythm and performing games that consolidate their understanding of pitch.  Students will compose their own melodic patterns using Soh, La & Mi. They will explore form and structure in songs and develop their skills in using Curwen hand signals.

Year 2 can now sight read rhythms using crotchets, quavers, semiquavers, rests and minims. We explored the pitches Soh, Me and Lah and we are notating song excerpts that we hear on the music staff.  Year 2 have been busy consolidating their composing skills. Term 4 holds in store an exciting unit where our students will create a percussion class ensemble where we will use our sight reading skills of notes on the staff and rhythms to play a selection of songs as a group. 

Year 3 have been studying more complex rhythm patterns and composing using this knowledge. Term 4 holds new challenges as we study polyrhythms and further our ensemble, improvisation and composition skills.  We will use the xylophones and a variety of untuned and tuned percussion to play as a team.

Year 4 have been progressing steadily in their study of Ukulele. They have been learning to sing and accompany ourselves with a variety of songs. In Term 4, students will consolidate their understanding of ukulele and how chord progressions form the foundation for songs that they play and hear.  They will focus on the 12 bar blues and the pentatonic scale and further their solo and ensemble skills.

Year 5 and Year 6 have been exploring African music and how features of this genre can be found in a variety of music types today. This term Year 5 will further their solo performance and composition skills by creating a unique version of ‘Ah vous dirai je Maman’, also known as Twinkle twinkle! This term, Year 6 will revise what they have learnt in Music at Claremont to date and prepare for High School music. They will work towards their final performance at their Year 6 Assembly.

Lunchtime Music

Not sure what your child does at lunch every day? Ask them do they take part in the MANY musical opportunities that happen at school every day. Not to forget about our amazing school band who rehearse…

Monday: Senior Choir and Rock Band
Tuesday: Junior Choir
Thursday: String Ensemble

Please remember that there are always opportunities to perform at chapel, at assemblies and in music lessons. Please do not hesitate to approach me if your child would benefit from an opportunity to perform in the school, especially coming up to exams etc.

Here are some highlights from music lessons around the school this year:

Music is great because you can learn to sing and you have a lot of fun - Ernie Copland, Kindy 

Music is great because you sometimes get to watch fun shows about Beethoven on youtube, well all of the shows are good - Rosario Squadrito, Kindy

This term I learnt how to make lots of music, we used songs like Lucy Locket -
Alex Verges, Year 2

I like playing Kahoot in music - Indigo Edwards, Year 2 

It is really good to do music lessons because if you do instruments like guitar with tutors it can help with what we learn in music lessons - Daniel Frederick, Year 2

Music is important because it can bring out your inner feelings and make you feel groovy. You can always have a bunch of fun with it! Music is music, have fun with music!! - Ryan Enyong, Year 3

I like music because I love to dance. With different music you get to express different emotions - Georgia Breakspear, Year 4

I like music because you get to express yourself, just like dance - Sienna Leyshon, Year 4

I like music because there is collaboration one week and independent learning the next week - Dante Fearn, Year 5

Music is good because it is always different in a fun way. One week you might do group drumming and the next you might do independent singing!
Tyson Wechgelaer, Year 5

My musical goal is to learn a new instrument - Mia Webster, Year 6

Last term we learnt about African music. We learnt different songs and we played them on the xylophones - Gemma So, Year 6

TERM 4 

Once again this year, Claremont will be holding the AMAZING ME Sex Education Seminar to support our families. The evening, which will be held in Term 4 on Wednesday 30 October, aims to provide information to children and families in this important area of personal development. Feedback from past evenings has always been overwhelmingly positive with many parents commenting on how appreciative they are that the school provides the opportunity for positive family discussion in this area.

Our AMAZING ME educator will again be Rowena Thomas. Rowena is a primary school teacher (and Mr Thomas’ wife) who has had many years experience in this area. Rowena’s talks are always lively, informative and lots of fun. There will be two separate seminars that are optional for students in Years 3 to 6 to attend with their parents. The first seminar will begin at 6:00pm. This talk will focus on the difference between girls’ and boys’ bodies and how babies are made. This session is recommended and aimed for students (and their parents) in Years 3 and 4, but other years are welcome.

The second talk (7:15pm to 8:15pm) will focus on puberty and some of the emotional and physical changes children can expect at this stage in their lives. This seminar is recommended for students in Years 5 and 6. Parents have the option of attending one or both sessions, regardless of whether your child is in Year 3, 4, 5 or 6. Whilst the sessions are not aimed for Infants children, some parents have asked if they can bring their child who is in Year 2, along with his or her older siblings. This is suitable but the decision to attend, however, is entirely up to parents as you may feel that you would like your children, and your family as a whole, to have this knowledge. This is not a compulsory event, rather a resource to parents who wish to take up this opportunity, but children in Kindy or Year 1 do not attend at all. 

The cost of the sessions is: $33 per family for one session or $38.50 per family for two sessions. (This price includes GST.) 

AMAZING ME will take place in the school hall.

Please follow the LINK to register. The cost will be charged to your next term account.

Year 4 - Introduction to Debating Incursion - 24 October - Parent Portal

Year 4 - Sculptures by the Sea Excursion - 28 October - Parent Portal

Year 3 - Term 4 Camp @ Winmalee - 6-8 November - Parent Portal

Year 4 - Term 4 Camp @ Galston Gorge - 6-8 November - Parent Portal

Year 5 - Term 4 Camp @ The Tops - 6-8 November - Parent Portal

Year 6 - Term 4 Camp @ Lake Macquarie - 6-8 November - - Parent Portal 

Year 2 - La Perouse & Afternoon Activities Excursion - 8 November - Parent Portal

Year 5 - Anglicare Dorothy Boyt Nursing Home Visits - various dates - Parent Portal

It's here! It is that time of year again. Claremont's got Talent is on. 

Excitement is building for the much anticipated event of the year. Our very eager student committee designed posters over the holidays and plastered the school with them to spread the Claremont's got Talent bug. 

'Sign Ups' happened on Thursday and Friday at Recess. This was announced many times and advertised in last term’s newsletter and as we are on a very strict timeline, all audition slots are now closed. 

The Year 6 leaders will be judging informal first rounds next week. This will take place at Recess of Week 2 and 3. Students need to listen carefully for when their audition will be. As a general rule the auditions will be as follows: 

Monday Recess: Storey
Tuesday Recess: Wearne
Wednesday Recess: Austin
Thursday Recess: Hyland

There are 4 divisions Instrumental, Singing, Dancing and Other. We will choose finalists to represent each house and these students will progress to the Grand Final. Please keep an eye on the newsletter for more details about this and the dates should you wish to attend.

Mrs Tara Barr
Head of Music

Welcome back to what will be a fast but fun Term 4!

There is nothing we love more in the library than hearing about all the wonderful books students enjoyed over the break. Thank you to all the students who came and shared the stories they loved with us this week. Here is a brief overview of what each grade will be looking at this term and in the coming weeks there will be more detailed information on each year group.

Kindergarten will be looking at Fairytales and how we can tell traditional tales as well as change up the narrative structure of classic stories. Year 1 will complete an in depth study of the fabulous Mo Willems. Year 2 will be studying the author Anthony Browne who writes quirky, moralistic tales with beautiful illustrations. Year 3 will be reading some of Roald Dahl’s most famous books and Year 4 will look at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and how they are represented through texts. Year 5 will be viewing and creating their own stories without words and Year 6 will be learning about how stories are told through podcasting. We are looking forward to a fantastic term ahead full of reading.

There are some changes to Library Borrowing this term as follows:

Wednesday: Kindergarten and Year 2
Friday: Year 1, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Mrs Beatrix Kirkland
Teacher/Librarian

New Titles To the Library Collection

New Graphic Novel

‘Guts’ is the latest book from American Author Raina Telgemeier. Her earlier books ‘Smile’ and ‘Sisters’ have been hugely popular. In all three books Telgemeier writes about her own personal experiences growing up, with both honesty and humour.

In this latest book, Rania develops a bad upset tummy and is off sick from school. However, on her return to school she faced with changing friendship issues, worries about food and school. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away. This book chronicles her battles with anxiety while growing up, including bouts of nausea and fear of potentially disagreeable foods. Rania eventually goes to therapy to treat her anxiety, and these sessions are handled with sensitivity in the book. Young readers who may be facing similar fears will find some comfort and reassurance from reading this graphic novel. 

Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face and conquer her fears.

Recommended for ages 9 years and over.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Library Assistant

Upcoming Events

Thursday 24 October - Year 6 Girls Regional Cricket Final
Monday 28 October - Year 5 and 6 Basketball Gala Day

Term 4 Sport Information

Morning skills and sport programs got underway this week. All morning skills programs will be up and running in Week 2. Registered students can look forward to the following activities:

K-2 Judo - Monday lunchtimes
Year 3-6 Tennis - Monday, 7:30am @ Eastern Suburbs Tennis Centre
Year 1-2 Tennis - Tuesday, 7:40am @ Claremont
K-2 Dancing (Hip Hop) - Thursday, 7:40am @ Claremont 

Students are expected to wear sports uniform, however, at times it can be tricky changing. Students are permitted to wear their school uniform with running shoes (ensuring school shoes are packed to change after the session). 

During Wednesday Sport this term, students can look forward to the following:

Kindergarten: Learn to Swim (Weeks 1-2), Cricket (Weeks 3-7)
Year 1: Learn to Swim (Weeks 1-2), Cricket (Weeks 3-7)
Year 2: Modified ball skill sports (Got Game)
Year 3: Flag Gridiron @ Grant Reserve
Year 4: Flag Gridiron @ Grant Reserve
Year 5: Gymnastics
Year 6: Gymnastics 

Claremont Champions

Hayden McCarthy (Year 6) has been representing the NSWCIS Cricket side this week, taking on teams from NSW and Interstate in the annual PSSA Championships. We look forward to sharing more updates and results from the competition.

Joel Geering
Sport and PDHPE

We are always very sad to say 'farewell' to students who leave the school. If your child is not returning in 2020, the deadline has passed in order for you to not be billed in lieu of one term's insufficient notice. This deadline will be extended until 9:00am on Monday 21 October, and after this, the school will enact on its policy of one term's fees.

It was lovely to see the children returning to school this week in their summer uniforms. They looked fresh and ready for the new term. All children, K-6, must remember to wear a school sun hat at school. If it has been lost or damaged, a new one will need to be purchased for Term 4. We have a very strict policy of ‘No Hat, No Play’. This applies to all sport and PE activities as well. Sunhats are available from the Uniform Shop for $20 each.

We would also point out that the brim of the girls’ formal hat should turn up. Please ensure that your daughter wears her hat correctly. 

Girls must also wear white socks that turn over once. We have noticed that some girls have grown during winter and their uniform is now too short. We would ask parents to let hems down this weekend if your daughter’s uniform is above the knee.

The blazer is not compulsory with the summer uniform but can be worn for warmth if needed. Please note, however, that every child will be required to wear his/her blazer for Speech Day.

Jumpers (without the blazer) must not be worn to or from school; however, boys may wear their vests. On a Wednesday, the tracksuit top can be worn for warmth. Tracksuit pants can be worn over the shorts if it is cool but they are not compulsory.

Please ensure that your child wears sports socks that are plain white, without stripes, colours or brand. They must also wear short white socks and not ankle socks. Sports shoes must also be white. They are available in many shops and all children are required to wear them as part of their sports uniform. The sports shoes for both girls and boys are to be white or predominately white.

All children at Claremont are required to wear all parts of their uniform correctly. Boys and girls need to have their shoes polished daily and they must have a conventional hairstyle and neat at all times. Please assist the school in maintaining a high standard of uniform and fine reputation in our community.

TeamKids have requested that parents confirm their permanent bookings for the term. This is to ensure TeamKids has adequate staffing for each session to cover permanent bookings and last minute drop ins. 

Your assistance with this request is appreciated.

Joe Garque
Claremont TeamKids Supervisor

The Class of 2019 are inviting all Claremont Families to ‘The Great Big Aussie BBQ’. Bring the whole family for a magical night of family fun on Friday 25 October. There will be an array of delicious food, homemade baking, pedal powered milkshakes, an infant's hall with fun races for the little ones, the traditional ‘dunk the teacher tank’ and other exciting activities. Purchase your entry tickets, coupons and food NOW on Flexischools for earlybird specials.

If you are able to contribute to the event by baking your favourite treat this would also be appreciated, see flyer attached for more details.

Read below to find out how to get involved as a Class Rep or join the P&F Executive in 2020.

We will be electing the Executive and Committee. Our P&F meetings are open to all parents but it is necessary to elect the Executive and Committee to oversee our organisation. A list of the positions and a description of each position is below. All positions will be declared vacant at the meeting, therefore it will be helpful (and will make our meeting more efficient), If you would like to nominate yourself (or another person, with their permission)  for any of the above roles, or just want more information, please email us at pfinfo@claremont.nsw.edu.au by Friday 8 November at the very latest.

Please do consider volunteering. Mr Thomas would love to hear from you, as would our P&F President, Lisa Stamatelatos. 

Getting involved as a Class Rep or on the P&F committee is a great way to become more involved in the life of the school and a wonderful way to meet other parents. In addition to the P&F Executive we need at least two parents from every class in the school who will act as Class Reps. We also require the assistance of someone to do a financial audit of the P&F books. If you are able (or willing) to take on this task please do get in touch.

Please note that all positions will require a current Working With Children Clearance Number.

Looking forward to a great 2020!

Lisa Stamatelatos
Claremont P&F President

Please remember to check Flexischool by Tuesday afternoon for the weekly Family Special. 

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 meeting date for Term 4 are 24 October, 7 November and 21 November.

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 8:00am - 9:00am. 

Term 4 dates are:

Wednesday 30 October from 8:00am - 9:00am
Wednesday 13 November from 8:00am - 9:00am
Friday 29 November from 9:00am - 10:00am

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. 

This year BRAINways Education in conjunction with Australian Catholic University and The University of Queensland, is pleased to offer The Quest – a team challenge for gifted and talented students (High Potential Learners). The Quest will be offered in three rounds: Sydney Preliminaries (18-19 November, at Australian Catholic University), and the National Final (7 December, venue to be advised).

The 2019 QUEST challenge activities will be available in the following categories: Year levels 1-3 and 4-6, and will be offered in the following learning areas: The Humanities, The Sciences and Mathematics.

Claremont College has the opportunity to identify up to nine students in each year level category, who may be part of three teams representing our school in that year level category.  Each school is able to register no more than three teams per category. 

Please find below the schedule of the two days.

WHAT INTERESTED PARENTS NEED TO DO:

Please note that, as limited places are available in the programs, the registration is accepted on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, it is advisable that parents let Mrs Brenda Dalheim know (via office@claremont.nsw.edu.au), by Monday 21 October, if you would like the school to nominate your child to be involved. Nominations must be ratified by the parent/s, child and school.

IMPORTANT: Parents can only register, if the school has signed a Nomination Letter. If your child applies to participate, via the school (an email to Mrs Dalheim), and gains a place, you will receive an email with the Nomination Letter and Program Information. Only then can you register. 

Registration is by Parents via the online system (to register, please access the registration website at https://registration.brainways.com.au/quest-sydney/)

For more information, please contact:

BRAINways EDUCATION
0433 995 067
brainways.edu@gmail.com
www.brainways.com.au