NEWSLETTER
Term 3
Week 5
12th August , 2013
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of Bates Drive School,
It has been a sunny start to the term, much better than the horrendous few weeks of rain
at the end of last term. I hope you all stayed dry and warm.
Bates Drive School would like to welcome Hayden Milwain and his family to our school.
Hayden has joined the Bob the Builder’s class with Leah, Karen and the boys.
There have been some staff changes this term, Margaret De Souza is back full time on
the Mixer’s class and Jenny Kennedy is taking Mel Phelan’s class (the Sparkies) as Mel
has left us and moved interstate.
The new building is really starting to take shape. The builders have managed to work
through all types of weather to construct our new classrooms and admin area. The
students have coped very well with the reduced space, noise and change of
playgrounds. Even though there is not as much machinery here now some students still
find the building works fascinating and like to watch through the spaces provided.
It was great to see so many parents, carers and families on our Education Open Day. I
hope you enjoyed joining in the class groups and then sharing a cuppa with everyone. I
am sure that like me you are very proud of the school and the achievements of your
child (children). Thank you for joining us on this very special day.
On Thursday 15th August, 2013 Bates Drive School will be having a visit from the NSW
State Minister for Education: Mr Adrian Piccoli. He is coming to have a look at the new
building works and find out a little bit about our school. We look forward to his visit.
Warmest Regards
Robyn Compton
Principal.
On the 21st March, 2014 the P&C are holding a fundraising evening at Kareela Golf Club.
Bogan Bingo, yes you read right, Bogan Bingo. The Kareela Golf Club has very generously
donated by way of waiving the venue hire of $440.00 as part of its CDSE commitment. This
will enable us to raise more funds for specialised equipment for our students.
Hi everyone,
Just wanting to let everyone know what the P&C have been up to! Hold onto your uggs everyone
because we are having a Bogan Bingo Night on March 21st, 2014 which promises to be lots of
fun. Make sure you put that date in your diary. We will be holding our annual Father’s Day stall on
August.28th so the kids can choose a Father’s Day present themselves to contribute to the
occasion. Just before the holidays we will be sending home an order form for a Wine Fundraiser,
great gift idea, it would be great if the orders could be sent back in the first week back. The wine
will proudly sport a lovely label with the Bates Drive School Logo. All this fundraising goes directly
to benefit our kids and with the new building works there are many items the staff will need, so
please contribute wherever you can.
On a sadder note Voula Kapsimallis’ mother passed away recently. Voula is our P&C secretary
who dedicates so much of her time to the school, our prayers and thoughts are with her and her
family.
If anyone wants more information on the P&C or any of our activities please come to the meetings
or just give me a call on 0418 495 039
Marisa Severino
P&C President
Postal address:
PO BOX 120
BANKSTOWN NSW 1885
Office & Clubrooms:
Phone (02) 9790 5001
Fax: (02) 9790 5001
Email: RSAClub@bigpond.net.au
Web: www.disabledsprtsac.org.au
Please be advised that the latest RSAC Sportslink August-November 2013 is now available.
Find it on our website just log onto “downloads” and locate under “newsletters” or ask for an email
copy.
Due to spiralling charges we need to reduce our costs and have identified that most of our
contacts have access to email or internet.
All financial members will continue to have copies distributed if they do not have access to email.
Non-members who require hard copies will need to contact our office to request a posted copy or
ask your manager for one.
If you are not receiving an email copy and would like to, just email RSAC and ask to go on the mail
list. Send the email from the address that you wish it sent to.
Are you a parent of a person with an intellectual disability?
Your views about sexuality and sterilisation are needed to assist with research
and support in this area. The study is important as there is little current research
into parents' attitudes on this topic.
Complete a quick online survey, which is completely voluntary and anonymous.
The research is being conducted by Duncan Rose, a disability service professional
based in Sydney.
If you are a parent of a person with an intellectual disability, please follow this
link to have your say:
https://uwsssap.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8faYzswTo1AOijz
Duncan Rose
School of Social Sciences and Psychology
University of Western Sydney
Below is the link to Shire Parents Newsletter
www.shireparents.com.au/site/newsletter
shireparents.com.au
Our Shire, Our Future, Our Opportunity
Bob The Builder
Welcome back to a new term. This term we have had a new addition to the Bob
the Builder classroom – I would like to say a big welcome to new student
Hayden and his family to Bates Drive School! Hayden has come to us from
Aspect and is settling in well to his new class and routines. Well done
Hayden!
This term, students from the Bob the Builder class and the Machines class
have been participating in Community Access programs. One group uses the
bus for excursions in the community whilst the other group visits Grays Point
School for integration activities. We are able to practise our road safety skills
including walking safely to the bus and always wearing our seat belt. We are
having lots of fun getting to know our new Grays Point friends, and they have
been helping us with group activities including ball games, using the parachute,
singing songs and playing games such as musical statues. We look forward to these new
adventures each week.
Until next time,
Leah, Karen and Bob the Builder boys.
Sparkies
This is my first term with The
Sparkies and I am pleased to say
that we are all working hard, now
that we have all got used each
other! Education Week was great,
and many thanks to the parents
who took the time to come and visit
our classroom in Week 3. The
students loved having parents
there, showing off their writing skills
on the whiteboard and reading to them. All students coped
very well when it was time to say goodbye, which is great for all
concerned!
We have continued Mel’s cooking program and are
making toast this term, concentrating on scraping their
knife across the toast. Just to extend our skills, the
students are all washing up their plates, and doing a
great job!
Jenny, Narelle and Deb
Generators
The Generators have had a busy term with our unit of work ‘Being Australian’.
We have looked at the different types of animals we have in our country, as
well as the special landmarks around Australia. We have looked at Aboriginal
artworks and played our instruments to Aboriginal music. We have created
our own books of Australian animals with a different sensory material for each
animal. We also celebrated a few birthdays in our class, as well as having a
joint party with the Sparkies.
Shinead, Nicole and Natalie
HS V
On Tuesday HSV hosted a visit from a group of students from Kirrawee High School. These
students participate in our weekly integration program “Kirrawee Friends”. It was very exciting for
us to show the Kirrawee High students our classroom, our school work and the notebook
programs that we use on our Interactive Whiteboard. We then held a Karaoke session with our
friends, which was a lot of fun.
Egypt, Harrison, Blake, Cameron, Julian, Alki and James
Machines
This term the Machines will be learning all about Being Australian. We painted the
map of Australia and decorated it in different ways, including using sand. We
located and coloured in where Australia is in the world.
We will be exploring the animals found in Australia such as koalas and kangaroos
as well as Australian icons like the Opera house, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Ayers
Rock.
On Mondays we have continued drumming lessons. We would like more drums to
support this program. If any parents have a contact where we could obtain suitable
drums please let us know.
On Thursdays the Machines, with some friends from Bob the Builders, have been
travelling in the school bus to explore places of interest in the Sutherland Shire,
such as whale watching at Kurnell. We have been very pleased with the behaviour
of our calm, safe passengers.
This week in our letter of the week program, the Machines focused on the letter ‘J’.
We made bright, colourful bubble wrap jelly fish. Next we will be comparing jellyfish
with the Blue Ringed octopus.
Last week parents were invited to visit our classroom for open day. The Machines
enjoyed sharing their favourite songs and showing their work booklets to our
visitors.
Annemarie and Kirstie
HS C
Term 3 has seen the gang from HSC finally getting out of the bus on our Monday excursions. This
was a huge day for the students (as well myself
I confess) as we travelled to Engadine Park to
explore the equipment. All of the students
behaved beautifully
as they followed
the rules we had
been working on in
class.
The
students
shared
the equipment with
the other visitors,
listened carefully to
our
instructions
and followed them
perfectly. So apart
from the truckload of sand we bought back in our sandshoes, the
morning was a complete success.We have a few more destinations
on our list and look forward to the same outcomes. The class has also
been working hard on practising our writing both on the computer and in our workbooks. We
usually concentrate on retelling the events of the day or about something they enjoy. This is
proving to be very successful.
Hope you like our photos! From all the staff on HSC
HS M
Well, we are past the half way mark now! It’s been a hectic couple of weeks in HSM. All our Term
3 programs are in full swing.
We are learning lots about different countries around the world in literacy and geography and
have begun to explore shapes and position in maths. We are
learning about plants in science and have been spending time in the
garden, bushwalking, ‘plant-spotting’ and following clues to find
hidden treasures. During PE we have been getting in touch with our
intrepid side, completing a gruelling obstacle course!
We were lucky enough to have Karl’s mum join us for a trip to Paris
on Education Day where we climbed the Eiffel Tower, walked in Les
Tuilleries and ate croissants! Bonjour!
This term we are looking forward to the weather warming up and will
test out our green thumbs with some gardening.
Catch ya later!
Mel & Linda
ARCHITECTS
This year has just flown! The Architects have been hard at work with our
communication skills, maths and our unit of work ‘Being Australian’. We
are all very much enjoying this unit and the class has been on a few bus
trips out and about to see some of Australia’s historical sites such as
Botany Bay and Cooks Landing point.
Besides in class activities, our new school continues to grow. The new
building has gone up very quickly with the frames for the second level
going up this week. We are all looking forward to seeing the building
finished and enjoying our new school.
Till next time
Lee and Kerry
Mixers
Is it my imagination, or has the weather been glorious of late! It certainly has put us in the mood to
venture outside to begin our unit of work on “Australia: An Old Country, New People.”
We will be looking at the mega flora and fauna of prehistoric Australia, and comparing that with our
modern day counterparts- complementing our findings with a visit to Symbio (weather permitting!).
You never know, an ”archaeological dig” may even be in order!
I would like to thank all the families that visited last week for Education Week Open Day.
Unfortunately I was unable to be there, but Jenny (the backbone of Mixers class) told me what a
lovely day it was. The children and staff really appreciate the support you have given the class by
your presence.
Lastly, but not least, we would like to send birthday wishes to Jessie N. and Eamon H. A birthday
surprise in the form of a Pyjama Party is planned for next week.
That’s all for now,
Margaret De Souza
HS T
Hello again folks! Everyone is healthy and happy in our class at the moment.
We finally got the opportunity to begin Sailability at Kogarah Bay on Wednesday
last. We are looking into other outdoor activities for later in the year. Suggestions
from parents are most welcome. Our Community access continues each Tuesday
and it’s been great to get out and about.
All our usual class activities and routines have remained largely unchanged.
Although I must say that we are painting quite a bit more these days. Students each
have daily chores and physical exercises that they are expected to do. Most
deskwork is done during morning sessions when students are most industrious. Our
mid –session is more physically active and creative. Students are allowed choose
their own activity in the afternoons-we put on some music for ambience and
everyone unwinds!
We would like to say a big happy birthday to William who turned the ripe old age of
seventeen on July 16th. We had a party in class to celebrate. We all think that
William is a great character and a gentleman to boot. Happy Birthday William, from
all your mates at Bates Drive.
Take care,
HST staff.
HS CJ
We have celebrated Sheldon’s birthday this week with balloons, music and lots of fun. All the
students had a turn of a Mexican wave while we sang Happy Birthday. Sheldon was particularly
taken with the chocolate mousse and Trent quite liked it as well, coming back for seconds. Kent
was happy to assist with the setting of the table and placed the party hats carefully in the middle.
Sabrina and Sarah looked pleased with themselves in their party hats and Sabrina liked hitting the
balloons for us to catch.
It was great to see the parents on Education Day and the students were able to create a shape
picture using florescent colours to brighten up our room. We are looking at shapes in our
environment as well as typical classic shapes. Our matching games on the ipad are a hit as well
as the shape matching cards.
Many of the photos of the students have been made into a movie which Sheldon, Sabrina, Jamie
and Kent enjoy watching particularly when they see themselves. It is a great hit in the room with
music to dance by.
Carolyn, Julia and Maree
TERM PLANNER 2013
TERM 3
Week 1
th
15 July
Monday
17th July
Wednesday
29th July
Monday
Professional Learning Day
Students return / Hair Cuts
Week 2
Week 3
P & C Meeting
Education Week
Open morning – Education Week
31st July
Wednesday
1st August
Thursday
Students reviews
Week 4
8th August
Thursday
Clinic
Week 5
15th August
Thursday
Minister for Education : Mr Adrian Piccoli will
be visiting the school .
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
9th September
Monday
P&C Meeting (please note change of date)
7pm
Week 10
12th Sept
Thursday
Clinic
20th Sept
Friday
School Holidays Commence PM
TERM PLANNER 2013
TERM 4
8th Oct
Monday
Public Holiday
9th Oct
Tuesday
School starts for students/staff
10th Oct
Thursday
Clinic
21st Oct
Monday
P&C Meeting 7pm
14th Nov
Thursday
Clinic
25th Nov
Monday
P&C Meeting – 7pm
26th Nov
Tuesday
Week 9
4th Dec
Wednesday
End of Year Assembly
Week 10
12th Dec
Thursday
Clinic
Week 11
18th Dec
Wednesday
School Finishes for students
19th & 20th Dec
Thursday
Professional Learning Days for staff
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Friday
School Leavers’ Function