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From the Headmaster
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the School community for their understanding, co-operation and flexibility during the flood of two weekends ago. While the School was not directly impacted (apart from some of the Agricultural areas), the disruption caused for students, parents and staff getting to and from school was significant. I very much appreciate the way families dealt with the disruption and understood the impacts on the school operations. Thankfully the School was able to return to full operations quickly and the pre-planning of rescheduling the Senior Athletics Carnival proved to be the correct decision. It was quite remarkable that after all that rain, both the Senior and Junior Athletics Carnivals were able to be held on the School Oval. It was testament to a well constructed and drained oval. Following these carnivals the NASSA Senior Athletics Carnival was held yesterday with over 100 Year 7-12 students representing Macarthur. While the results have not been finalised I was delighted with the participation and effort of the students who attended. I am sure more information will follow as and when we find out the full results. This evening we have the Festival of Performing Arts which is always a special evening in the life of the School. I do hope that you will be able to join us this evening. Monday 20 July 2016 is of course the School’s Foundation Day. A day of celebration has been planned as usual with both formal assemblies as well as the Macarthur madness, epitomised by the House Regatta on the Oval! If you have not had an opportunity to witness this event it is well worth the effort.
I am particularly delighted that this year as part of the formal Foundation Day Service, we will be visited by the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda. While plans have not been finalised it is my hope that we will be able to hear them sing as part of our celebrations and then host them in the School for the rest of the day. David Nockles
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From the Deputy Headmaster
Parent Parking Last week the Year 3-6 carnival presented the School with
needless parking difficulties that are easily overcome with some thoughtfulness
and minor inconvenience. The parking area close to the Administration building is
reserved for Administration Staff of the School and the occasional visitors (of
whom there are many each day). It is not designed as a parent car park (nor a
teacher car park) as there are simply not enough spaces to accommodate events
at which parents are present in great numbers. The parent car park is near the
Macarthur Café, where there is ample room or if you prefer just to the left on
the grassed area as you enter the circuit. Sadly, some folks park in places clearly reserved for staff
critical to the smooth running of the school. I find such actions truly
perplexing. Further, some parents parked in the circuit in spaces reserved for
public buses creating a real jam at the end of the school day. We are very privileged to have an abundance of parking on
our property: a blessing denied at many schools across the state. Let us
consider the safety of children and the needs of others first as we choose
where to park in the school. Uniform Matters The dress and bearing of students has a significant effect
on the whole tone of the school. Get things right with uniform etc and it often
translates (almost mystically) to good order in the classroom and the school in
general. We receive so many positive comments about the students’ conduct and
appearance from members of the public when we take them out on excursions and
the like.
Parents, please assist us by ensuring that your child is
appropriately attired when they leave for school. Too many female students are
arriving at school with jewelry such as earrings, rings and necklaces. Nail
polish and eye shadow are also obvious and unacceptable breaches of our uniform
policy. Each case of disobedience in this regard becomes a time consuming
exercise having students remove make-up, confiscate jewelry (and having it
appropriately stored), writing-up punishments etc. Like housework, ensuring
students are appropriately attired is an ongoing task with no hope of ever
reaching a complete utopia. And like housework it is a shared responsibility.
Home and school must play their part. Andrew Kokic
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Chaplain’s Chat
Foundation Day 20 June marks our
anniversary of the beginning of Macarthur Anglican School in 1984. On Monday we will
have a day of celebration with a Service and Assembly at 11.00am in the St Paul
area. Parents are welcome to attend. This year we have
the wonderful Watoto Children’s Choir coming to help us in our celebration
during the service! The day continues
after lunch with the fun and colour as the Houses compete in the traditional
dry ‘boat’ races on the oval. Super CRU Day Camp (11-15 July) The Crusader
organisation are partnering with us and local churches to run a holiday day
camp here at Macarthur during the next holidays. We have ten Year
11 and Year 10 students preparing to assist a group of qualified leaders in
running what looks like a very enjoyable and engaging week for children from
K-6. The camp runs
from Monday 11 July to Friday 15 July with drop off from 8.00-9.00am and pick
up from 5.00-6.00pm. More information
and registration is available on https://crucamps.com.au/camps/details/?campid=0066F00000gPq0LQAS&camprego=true (only 16 male and 10 female places were
available when I last checked!) (you will also find information on other camps
for high schoolers on the same site)
https://crucamps.com.au/ The Reverend David Hayman
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Community Relations and Fundraising
It’s fair
to say, the first couple of weeks in this role have been diverse. I’ve
spent time with the ladies in Talk Back Thursday, caught up with the kids in
Robotics and have been spending time in the Junior School classrooms. Planning for
the Annual Fundraising Dinner and the Annual Appeal is well underway and I’ll
soon be catching up with Playgroup, W@M and M@M. For all
the busyness, one of the highlights has been getting to know the students. They
are so generous with their time and so willing to share their experience of
school. For me, they are a beautiful reminder of God’s grace in bringing
different talents to our world.
As I settle
into this role I would like to say thank you to everyone for your support and
encouragement, it has been truly wonderful and I feel particularly blessed to
have the opportunity to serve the Macarthur Anglican community. Karyn Ingram
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School Photo Days
School photos will taken on Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July.
School portraits and class/year photos for Transition 3 Day and 5 Day and Kindergarten to Year 6 will be taken on Thursday 30 June. Students in Transition 2 Day and 5 Day Transition and Years 7 to 12 will have their individual portraits and Year group photos taken on Friday 1 July 2016.
Sibling photos will be taken at lunch time on both days.
All photos will now be order online and paid for by credit card as per the instruction sheet below. The School will NOT be receiving an Order envelopes nor accepting monies for orders. The School’s Online Order Code is 8RA 5QQ NJM.
Full Winter uniform is to be work on the day. Please refer to page 21 of the Junior School Diary and Page 22 of the Middle School and Senior School diary if you are unsure of the Winter uniform requirements.
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Uniform Shop Sale
There is a sale of obsolete items in the Uniform Shop - Boys and Mens sizes board shorts. Normally $28.00 sale price $5.00.
The Uniform Shop is open Monday - 8.15am -4.30pm, Wednesday and Thursday - 8.15am-2.45pm.
Sue McKell - Uniforms Consultant
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It’s On Again!
The Western Sydney Wanderers and Netball NSW have
kicked off their Skills Intensive Programmes this term, running over the last
several weeks. Hosted by Macarthur
Anglican School the programme, which is open to the community, compliments the
Skills and Acquisitions Program run by NSW Football and the development of
Skills and Match Play specific to the Sydney Swifts and Netball NSW. The programmes are offered to both boys and girls
aged 5 to 14 and is led by highly qualified and experienced skills coaches. The
programme will also be available every Wednesday in Winter Term, commencing from Wednesday
27 July, 3.30pm–5.00pm. After School Care again is complimentary between the
conclusion of school at 2.30pm, or 2.40pm for Years 5 and 6 students, through
to 3.30pm (the beginning time for the Academies). This is a
unique opportunity offered by the School and allows students to support the School’s
strong academic endeavours and assists promoting students self-discipline. We
are thrilled and honoured to bring this ‘cutting edge’ co-curricular, football and
netball programme to our students and the Macarthur community. The programmes
aim to develop players’ technical and tactical skills, knowledge and
understanding of each game and to set the highest standards for personal growth,
which can be achieved through these sports. The programmes are designed to cater for players in
various development stages of the respective game with a focus on enhancing
their existing skills, knowledge, understanding and promote further enjoyment
of either football or netball respectively.
If your child may be interested please follow the
links on the School website under the ‘In Focus’ tab or visit www.absolutesportsacademies.com.au.
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From the Head of Junior School
A reminder that
students in Years T-6 are not permitted to go to the café in the morning or
afternoon unless they are accompanied by an adult or older sibling in Years
7-12. Kylie Elling
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What’s Happening in Year 4?
Year
4 has had an exciting term. We have been exploring local history from the
time of the Dharawal People to the original land grants in Cobbitty and the
life of the German and Chinese immigrants who lived in the area. We were able
to visit the Camden Museum to research immigration in the area. We were
privileged to visit St Paul’s, Cobbitty and the Rectory to learn about Thomas
Hassall and others who came to Cobbitty in the early 1800’s. We would like to
thank Mr Burge and Mr and Mrs Barrie who shared their wonderful knowledge,
making history come alive for us. “The
Rt Rev Reginald Heber who was Bishop of Calcutta which included Australia, died
before he got to come to Australia. The Heber Chapel is named in his memory.”
(Flynn Williams) The
Rectory at St Paul’s Cobbitty was Thomas Hassall’s house. There are a set
of bells in the servants quarters that the residents used to call for
attention. The three bells have different sounds which indicated which rooms
needed attention.” (Nellie Jansen)
“One
of the stain glass windows was made in 1836.” (Lachlan Siemon)
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Forensic Workshop
On Tuesday 14 June students
in Years 3 to 6 were involved in a Forensics Science workshop. We were taken
through a simulated crime scene where we had to solve two crimes. We were given
the tools to help us observe and gather clues. Activities to help us solve the
crimes were finger printing, reading invisible messages, using a microscope to
identify poisons and piecing together a foam jigsaw that revealed suspect
characteristics. I think the best part was
putting together the foam bars to simulate the suspects DNA. It was awesome. Andrew Towell Year 4 Some Year 4 Reflections: It was like being in the CIA!
Keon The microscope showed us so
much detail. Filip I got to work with my friend
to solve a crime. Oscar Taking fingerprints was my
favourite part. Harrison I liked the mystery and how
the suspect was pretend. Marielle I liked the challenge of
working it out by ourselves. Rebecca The ultra-violet light showed
invisible ink and revealed a map of where the treasure was. Ayla I liked investigating things
and using the microscope. Paige Forensic work is fun. I loved
looking for DNA and uncovering the coins. Niamh
I enjoyed piecing together
the DNA to reveal the suspect. Elizabeth
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Latest News from the Chess Club
Our Year 4,5 and 6 chess students have been practising for the NSW
Junior Chess League Gala Day to be held on the first day of next term. Recently
our players had an opportunity to attend four chess extension seminars in
preparation. Each session went for an hour and we were privileged to have Mr
Paul Davey as our guest presenter. The sessions covered a range of topics
including endgames, openings, special moves and tournament play. The students
gained a lot from these lessons, as Mr Davey explained the thinking behind
making better decisions in their games. He exposed the common flaws made by
inexperienced players and helped us to understand the deeper thinking needed to
win games. At one of the seminars, Mr Davey played against all seventeen students at
the same time! He had the students sit in a square with their own boards. He
then moved around the inside of the square, making a move at all seventeen boards. This session was extended for those able to stay.
Mr Davey also gave an extra seminar to our top Year 6 players who are in
training for the HICES Chess Tournament to be held at Penrith Anglican College
next week. The boys and I enjoyed learning about more advanced moves and how to
approach a range of situations that may appear to be hopeless. Thank you Mr
Davey for your time, passion and enthusiasm - it is greatly appreciated. Mrs Hey - Chess Co-Ordinator
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Champ Camp The cost of camp, including all meals, accommodation, transport by bus and an outing on Wednesday evening is $440. Payment for this camp is via try-booking (click 'Register Today' below). A deposit of $100 is required by 24 June 2016, and the balance is due by 26 August 2016. Medical forms, permission notes and a copy of the draft programme will be forwarded to you in Winter Term. Should you have any questions regarding the camp please do not hesitate to contact either Mrs Fitzpatrick or Mr Bedingfield at Macarthur.
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Prefect Assemblies
The Prefect Assembly is served with a dash of humour, a sprinkle of formality and a bucket full of preparation. The Prefects frantically knead, dice and bake skits, presentations and awards for the enjoyment of students: our loyal customers. The Assembly is a student-to-student service that aims to engage pupils in a creative way while promoting the community atmosphere of the school. It includes a co-curricular advertisement, a prayer and an interview with a student appreciation award recipient(s) — a pupil(s) who has participated in a remarkable activity, deserving recognition.
The interviews have given the students insights on dancing for the Chinese government, conducting missionary work in South Africa and the moving of countries by the international students. The co-curricular advertisements have allowed the Agriculture Club and the Robotics Club to present their ideas to the Macarthur community, enticing participation from the students. These skits and awards showcase the different facets of the school community and the multitude of student talents. It is a ‘service with a smile’ industry — we smile because we are delighted to serve our students, it is rewarding to share your work to benefit and entertain others.
It’s a hot dish — popular and successful among the students. The feedback suggests they enjoy it. The Prefect assembly adds a little more magic to the mundane.
Ernst Nel - School Captain
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