Murrurundi Public School
Newsletter Term 1 Weeks 3 & 4
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
Mayne Street. Murrurundi. 2338 Ph: 65466057 Fax: 65466596
www.murrurundi-p.schools.nsw.edu.au email: murrurundi-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Principal: Mrs Jayne Schmarr
14th February 2014
Principal’s Message
Walk with me for a while, my friend –
you in my shoes, I in yours –
and then let us talk.
Richelle E. Goodrich
Well this week we welcomed some much sought
after rain, it has been magical listening to it fall. The
rain has played havoc with some of our plans but
thankfully we were able to hold the Upper Hunter
Small Schools Swimming Carnival (UHSSS) on
Monday. Due to a very busy school term we will not
re-sechedule the MPS Carnival. As the UHSSS is a
recognized PSSA event we will take our MPS
Swimming Champions for 2014 from the results,
which, with added competition brought out the best
in our students.
Thank you to the parents who attended the recent
P&C meeting, it was a very productive meeting with
a number of new members and some exciting plans
for 2014.
Over the next two weeks we are focusing on the
school rules:
 We are honest and trustworthy.
 We play co-operatively and fairly.
Don’t Forget – Crunch & Sip
Crunch&Sip® involves a time each
day when children can eat a piece of
vegetable or fruit in the classroom,
while class continues. They can also
have a clear water bottle on their desk
to sip from throughout the day.
Remember to bring a water bottle to school each
day.
Safety At School
With the warmer weather and a very dry Summer
we have seen an increase in the sightings of snakes
in our community and at school. Recently we had to
take action to keep your children and the staff safe
at school by following DEC policy and keeping
students in their classroom or library during a
playtime and seeking assistance from emergency
services. Last week I delivered a talk about playing
and moving around safely in our community and
school. This would be a good opportunity for
parents to follow-up our talk with your children
around keeping themselves safe at home when
playing outside and what to do if they do see a
snake.
Healthy Harold
Last Tuesday the students
visited Healthy Harold and the
Hunter Life Education Team.
Thank you to BHP Billiton, Mt
Arthur Coal and Anglo
American
Coal
(Drayton
Management) for sponsoring access to the
program for our students. Life Education supports
us in teaching our students what they need to know
to make smart choices and develop healthy habits.
The students learnt about personal safety and
staying healthy.
 3/4 learnt how to stay safe while on the
internet through a cybersafety program,
BCyberWise,
 5/6 learnt how to say NO to smoking,
through a program called On the Case and
 K/1/2 learnt about having a healthy lifestyle
through a program called Clued Up.
These programs and more information can all be
found at the website :
http://www.lifeeducation.org.au/for-parents
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future
Murrurundi Public School
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
Professional Learning
Early next week I will complete the last component
of the ‘Art of Leadership’ course in Sydney, which I
began under National Partnerships. This
professional learning is part of a Local Management
Group initiative and I will be working with Mrs Gray
(Scone Public School), Mrs Floyd (Aberdeen Public
School)and Ms Hunt (Scone High School).
On Thursday and Friday the teachers and I will be
involved in an amazing professional learning
opportunity for our Local Management Group –
Scone & Upper Hunter Public Schools Network.
Through a combined effort of Principals we have
been able to secure a two-day conference to be
held in Muswellbrook and Scone for teachers and
school leaders. ‘Visible Learning’ is an in-depth
school change model of professional learning and
development and is based on the principles
developed by educational leader John Hattie.
Students Support the Community
In Term 4 Mrs Faulkner and senior students took on
a special task and supported a special local event.
A big thank you to Mr Carlin and Ms Sullivan for
inviting our students to contribute to the festive
season.
Last year I travelled to Brisbane with Mrs Gray
(Scone Public School) and Mrs Floyd (Aberdeen
Public School) to attend the ‘Visible Learning Plus’
Conference hosted by Prof John Hattie and a team
from the UK and NZ. Since our return the staff and I
have been working on the principles of ‘Visible
Learning’, such as goal setting (or learning
intentions) with students and teacher to student and
student to student feedback.
Our ‘Visible Learning’ conference will involve around
100 teachers and leaders from the Upper Hunter
Learning Community.
P&C News
Our next meeting will be on:
MONDAY, 3rd MARCH at 9.30am in the art room.
Old and new members most welcome. This will be
the AGM and followed by a March meeting.
Term 1 Fundraising activities:
Hot Cross Bun Drive and
Easter Raffle.
Please send in your donations
for an EASTER HAMPER. The
raffle will be drawn on the 11th
April during a special assembly.
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future
Murrurundi Public School
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
Art Room News
Year 3/4/5/6 students have been studying the
human figure and movement and body positioning.
Using moveable people stencils, and an idea about
what their figures would be doing, they traced
around their figures, then created backgrounds
to create their "story". Many used coloured pencils,
while others used food dye, paint, pastels and oil
pastels.
The art room needs:
 clean meat and veggie trays
 clean yoghurt containers
 embroidery threads
 interesting threads – ribbon, lace etc
Would someone be able to put some elastic in a
couple of art shirts please ?
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future
Murrurundi Public School
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
Art Gallery. Kate Armstrong will be bringing original
artworks from The Gallery’s Collection to conduct
art appreciation workshops with students. The
students will have access to high quality artworks,
which will encourage art appreciation and study
without leaving our school. Mrs Faulkner will also be
supporting these lessons. Our school Creative Arts
budget will be covering the cost of such a wonderful
opportunity for all our students.
On the 10th March, students in Years 3 -6 will be
visiting the Tamworth Art Gallery as a follow up
activity and to view the amazing Archibald Prize
Exhibition.
2014 Upper Hunter Youth Council
Last week Jake and Keeley represented our school
and community at the first meeting for the year of
the Upper Hunter Youth Council. The students
discussed how to plan and organise a successful
event and created one of their own. Jake gave a
wrap-up of our movie night held last year. Both Jake
and Keeley did a wonderful job and spoke
confidently about their ideas.
Art in a Suitcase
On Thursday our students K-6 will be working with
an Educational Officer from the Tamworth Regional
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future
Murrurundi Public School
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
Community News
Wed: Home School Liaison Officer visit
Limited spaces are still available across four of the
six Scone Gymnastics Classes run at Scone High
School by the Hunter office of Sport and Recreation.
Details of each session are listed below.
Friday 6pm
11 years plus
0066741
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/active/whatson_det.asp?
Program=3612
Saturday 9am 5-7yrs
0066742
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/active/whatson_det.asp?
Program=3613
Saturday 10am 5-7 years
0066743
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/active/whatson_det.asp?
Program=3614
Saturday 11am 8-11 years
0066744
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/active/whatson_det.asp?
Program=3615
Bookings can be made by calling 13 13 02 and
enrolments forms can be found on each link.
Hamish Neal Development Officer, Hunter Sport
and Recreation Division
Thur: Art in a Suitcase
Fri:
Zone Swimming Carnival
Scripture
Coming Up – Week 5
Mon: Mrs Schmarr at Art of Leadership in Sydney
Tue:
Mrs Schmarr at Art of Leadership in Sydney
Wed: Mrs Schmarr at Art of Leadership in Sydney
Thur: Visible Learning Conference Day 1 in
Muswellbrook : Mrs Schmarr, Mrs Druitt,
Miss Newing & Miss Smith
Fri:
Scripture
Visible Learning Conference Day 2 in
Scone : Mrs Schmarr, & Mrs Druitt
In friendship,
Jayne Schmarr
Principal
Having Fun while Learning to Swim.
Scone Netball Registration
Netball Courts - Saturday 22nd Feb and Saturday
1st March from 10am to 1pm.
NetSetGo - 5-7 yrs $50 NetSetGo 8-10 yrs $70
Intermediate 11-17 Yrs $90 Senior 18 & over $135
Competition/ Grading Begins Saturday March 22nd
Enquires: Vanessa Muddiman 0498300569 or
Jenny Purcell 0417229897
Please Return
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Bookclub – due Monday 17th Feb
Update Information Sheet K-6
Media Note Yrs 1-6
Excursion note and money Yrs 3-6
Coming Up – Week 4
Mon: UH Small Schools Swimming Carnival
Tue:
Guest Speaker to Yr 5/6
Yrs 3-6 Parent Information afternoon
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future
Murrurundi Public School
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
K/1/2 work with Mrs Randell
Last week K/1/2 students potted up new seedlings
in the class ready for their new veggie plot.
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future
Murrurundi Public School
Maximising Outcomes Positive Relationships Success for All
Pride in Our Heritage and Confidence in Our Future