It is getting close to that time of year again when a few of us around school has some form of cold or flu, suffering a sore throat and all other symptoms that go with it. Still fresh in our memories is the outbreak of Swine Flu last year that caused a lot of panic and worry amongst the community but in particular, parents concerned with their child’s safety at school.

To avoid the alarm this year, I encourage all parents to consider the Swine Flu vaccine Panvax®. This vaccine has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and is available to all of those over 6 months old from any general practitioner, Aboriginal Medical Services and some community health centres and council immunisation clinics. 

I think this is an approach that should be considered by parents at this school to ensure the health and safety of students and staff is protected coming into the cooler season.  If you have any questions about vaccination please contact your local Area Health Unit or go to http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/index.asp

On 23 February, the Year 11 Legal Studies class travelled to Singleton to participate in the first round of the Inter- Schools Mock Trial Competition hosted by the Law Society of New South Wales. The team consisted of students from Hunter Valley Grammar School acting as Barristers, Solicitors and Magistrates for the defence in a case of criminal common assault against St Joseph’s of Aberdeen.  The team consisted of:

• Barristers:                               Harkiran Singh, Jesse Iliopoulos
• Solicitor:                                 Emmanuel Antoniades
• Witnesses:                               Jasmine Pryor and Meghan Morris
• Magistrates Assistant:               Beth Jackson
• Assistants:                               Abby Stewart and Ben Sagar-Haller

Some students from the Senior School have been accepted into the GATS course at Merewether High School. Harkiran Singh and Megan Wright will complete the Molecules, Cells and Organisms components, while Sophia Halpin and Jasmine Pryor will complete the Philosophy sections. Congratulations to these four students, we are sure you will do well.

Congratulations to Miles Cole-Clark who was awarded a CIS Blue last Friday evening for his outstanding achievements in High Jump in 2009. Miles was one of only 30 CIS students in the State to receive this prestigious award. World Champion Discus thrower Dani Samuels was guest speaker at the function.

Conrad Bond (Year 12) attended the Zone Final of the Lions Club Youth of the Year on Tuesday 2 March.  Conrad was selected as one of two to progress to the Regional Final (3rd level of competition) on Sunday 14 March 2010.

Our society has condoned some very ordinary driver behaviours such as talking on the phone, eating food, or, even more dangerously, sending and reading text messages.  It is the latter which I wanted to spend a few moments on in this week’s newsletter.

Texting while driving is a very dangerous behaviour, and most adults readily accept this and denounce the practice.  Despite how much is written about this and preached about the behaviour many teen drivers continue the practice.  We know that the few seconds the eye is taken off the road to text a friend can be deadly.  Research studies are only now revealing that the distraction caused by drivers using mobile phones is a significant cause of fatal crashes in drivers under the age of 20.  Mobile phones are part of the landscape with the majority of teenagers owning one.  As you know, mobile phones have evolved and the iPhone (with significantly more features) is now available. 

Paul Teys
Principal

On Monday 1 March 2010, the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) published the draft K-10 Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science and History for a period of national consultation. The consultation period closes on 23 May 2010. This is a significant event in Australian education.  At Hunter Valley Grammar School we have a number of staff members from across several Key Learning areas, and across each sub-school, who will be involved in the trial development of curriculum materials for the National Curriculum. This gives our staff a first-hand opportunity to engage with these new developments.

The draft curriculum, and all the resources required to provide feedback, are published at: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au.   At this address, you will find the draft curriculum which you can comment on, a survey which you can complete and other resources such as videos, information sheets and frequently asked questions.

On visiting the website, you will need to register your details in a simple process that will provide you with an ongoing login and password and ensures you the opportunity to save and return to your feedback over time and as often as you wish.

Margaret Finucane
Director of Teaching and Learning

• Academic Scholarships  Years 5-11
• Music Scholarships        Years 5-11
• Art Scholarships            Years 9-11

Visit HVGS on our Open Morning and experience for yourself the right learning environment.  Classrooms from Preschool to Year 12 will be open for you to visit.

Jenny Fisher
Registrar

Susan Boyd
Archivist

Some students are arriving at school quite early, prior to 8:00am. 

We understand that some parents are required to be at work early, however, we need to remind you that staff are not on duty until 8:00am and that students are not supervised until this time. 

Please, also remember that in order to promote a secure and safe environment we require all parents to report to the Main Administrative Office and sign in before coming to the Junior School throughout the day. 

Parents are reminded that at any time throughout the school day, should you need to collect your children you should first visit the Main Administration Office and sign your child out before going to the Junior School to collect your child.  Your assistance with this security procedure is also much appreciated.

We have many students who travel by bus for some time each day.  In order to make this trip a comfortable and safe one for all we ask that all students remain seated throughout the journey, they respect the rights of others around them by displaying appropriate and acceptable behaviour and they respect the drivers need to focus on the road.  Soon new bus prefects will be appointed from our Senior School. These students will assist me by reporting any disturbing or inappropriate behaviours to me at school.  Your assistance in reminding your children of their responsibilities would be appreciated.

The following is an important notice that requires your attention.

Due to an increasing number of late notifications by parents Mrs Kephart is no longer able to ensure the processing and delivery of change to routine for travel home and other messages for students if they are phoned in to the office after 2:15pm.

Parents and Carers are also reminded that the end of the school day is 3:00pm.  All Kindy to Year 4 students must be collected by 3:15pm.  Year 5 and 6 students on campus after this time must be actively engaged in homework or study in the library.  They should not be wandering about the campus or sitting on the lawn waiting for collection.

In the interest of student safety all parents of Junior School students are asked to ensure that two emergency contact numbers (other than the parent’s numbers) are provided.

Your assistance with the above is much appreciated.

A reminder to all families of our Theme Day being held on the last Wednesday of Term 1 (31 March).  Heads of Primary will be publishing details about what their particular stage is doing, and how you can be involved as the day draws closer.  We will be having a visiting theatrical artist present to students on this day around the theme of indigenous culture. This year we have aimed at developing a day that is practical by nature and signifies the learning journey our students have made.  We are looking closely at presenting hands on experiences for students in order to enrich their understanding and knowledge.  We hope that many parents will join us to sample the journey.

This week we had many students represent HVGS at the HRIS swim meet at Lambton Pool.  I must say how proud I was of their efforts on this day.  Congratulations to those students who have been selected to represent HRIS at the CIS level as a result of their times on this day.  We look forward to hearing of your successes at this meet in the near future.

Parent teacher interviews in the Junior School have been booked on line.  We will be holding these interviews in the Latter Hall.  Each interview will last for 10 minutes. 

We have an increasing number of parents who are asking for their child’s reading levels to be increased.  Teachers are monitoring progress and we have built some additional opportunities into our program to reassess students, however, I must remind parents that the most important aspect of home reading is to experience text.  Through experience students develop their language, their comprehension and their fluency. 

Children need to be read to, they need to read without always experiencing difficulty in order to develop confidence and they also need to develop their comprehension skills, ability to understand the pictures of language, in order for them to become competent readers when text is more complex. Discuss the language of texts, introduce similes and develop the more abstract ideas that text holds.  We are planning to hold Parent Information evenings throughout this year, and look forward to sharing our ideas with you.

Liz Thompson
Head of Junior School

Now a tradition, the Middle (and Senior) School at Hunter Valley Grammar School holds two Pastoral Care Days each year to allow the students to experience more diverse activities of a pastoral welfare nature, which we are unable to fit into the normal routine of the very busy day at Hunter Valley Grammar School.

The theme of the Year 2010 Semester One Day is COMMUNITY SERVICE, and we are linking this into a new initiative across the Middle School for 2010.

Program

8:30am-12:30pm-Community Service.
12:30pm-1:30pm-Lunch (provided by the P & F).
1:30pm-2:45pm-Motivational Speaker, ParaOlympian, Christine Dawes.

Clothing
Sports Uniform, Hat, Morning Tea, Water Bottle.

Cost
Nil.

Transport
Transport will be organised when numbers are finalised. Bus transport will be used.

Supervision
All venues will be supervised by staff from HVGS.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Middle School Office during work hours on 4931 0760.

World Education Program (WEP) Australia is now accepting applications from students to participate in 2010/11 exchange programs for a summer, semester or year.  Students and parents can choose from more than 266 countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Spain. If you are interested in student exchange, please collect a pamphlet from the Middle School Office, or visit www.wep.org.au  (WEP: World Education Program Australia Ltd).

Parent Teacher interviews, 7-12 will be held on Monday and Wednesday, March 8 and 10 in the Cameron Centre. All interviews are to be made online following the information guidelines sent home last week. Please note the closing date. If, for any reason, you are unable to make the interviews, please contact Mrs Long on 4931 0760 or email longj@hvgs.nsw.edu.au and alternative arrangements can be made.

Camp preparations are well underway for 2010. This is an important part of the School’s curriculum, allowing students to continue to learn by exposure to different, sometimes challenging activities in an outdoor setting.  Some last minute advice:

• If your child is sick on the morning of camp, PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY.  DO NOT send a message via a friend. This can be lost/forgotten in the excitement of the morning.
  
  
• ALL medications must be clearly labelled with the child’s name, dosage and schedule. It must be presented to the accompanying member of staff on the Monday morning of camp. Parents are responsible to ensure all medication is with the student.
  
  
• Should you need to make contact with your child during the week, please contact either Mrs Long in the Middle School Office on 4931 0760 or the main Administration Office on 4934 2444, as they have copies of all of the contact details and programs for the week.

Thank you again to all of those parents who have made contact with either myself or the appropriate Head of House highlighting issues which we have been able to act on immediately. Please do not hesitate to contact the School if we can assist you in any way.

Liz Baird
Head of Middle School

For all students in the Senior School, the importance of a consistent, balanced approach to their work is vital, and will help ensure success. By balanced I mean ensuring that each course being followed is given an appropriate share of the time available when it comes to study and revision. I also mean that students should try to achieve a balance of study and recreational activities, which, in turn, helps to maintain a positive outlook to the work which they need to complete.

On Thursday, 11 March, Senior School students will be involved in the first of two pastoral days this year. On this day, amongst other things, students will have a special guest speaker in the morning, Craig Hamilton, ABC broadcaster and ambassador for Beyond Blue who will address students about issues surrounding stress and mental health. I am sure many of you would have read the article in last Saturday’s Newcastle Herald magazine which featured an interview with Craig.

Each year we have a number of students who actually follow courses offered by “outside providers” as we are unable to offer them here at Ashtonfield. These courses range from Agriculture to Spanish and Dance. The courses are run in various modes – online, correspondence (using snail mail), by attendance at TAFE, and by working with another school or tutor. Following such courses takes determination, and the ability to work independently, often without the company of any other students at HVGS undertaking the same program. Natasha Proszkowiec of Year 12 is but one of the students this year who is studying one of her courses in such a manner. She will present for her HSC in Dance. She has been studying this for some time now, and at the end of last year achieved very high accolades, not only for her dancing, but also for her costume design and the way she was able to talk through her choice of design.

A reminder to please follow up your son/daughter’s progress by checking in their diary on a regular basis – there could be comments which need a response. Please sign this each week and use this as a form of communication with any of your son/daughter’s teachers. The diaries we provide are to be kept clean at all times, and are predominately to be used to record things for school use. They are required in each lesson as well as in Tutor Group.

• March 9         Raymond Terrace Bowling Club
• March 10        Club Macquarie, Argenton
• March 15        East Maitland Bowling Club
• March 17        Wests, New Lambton

The website for these events is – www.planyourcareer.com.au

• Senior School Pastoral Day       11 March
• Easter Service                          23 March – Cameron Centre at 11:40am
• Year 12 assessments               24 March (start date)
• Year 11 assessments               25 March (start date)
• Year 10 camp                           29 March
• Last Day, Term 1                      1 April

Kind regards
Greg Robinson
Head of Senior School
robinsong@hvgs.nsw.edu.au

There are approx 40 students who have registered for Schools Sharemarket Game. Trading commenced on Thursday 4 March and will continue for 10 weeks. We will report any significant places in the newsletter in the coming weeks.

The Mock Trial team competed in Singleton last Tuesday and experienced a convincing win over St Josephs at Aberdeen. The assault case was won by our defence team as well as winning the trial. The students are preparing for their next trial.

Our Global Challenge team is currently second in this competition by a slim 4 cent margin in share price. They are awaiting news of the challenge which they will work on concurrently with the online simulation. At this stage the finance members of the team have already had their chance to shine and the creative team members are looking forward to their section of the competition which will commence next week. The team consists of Erin Johnson, Jacquie Hennessy, Will Hamilton, Jasmine Pryor, Brittany Williams, Jared Ross, Joshua Kennedy and Zaid Arain.

Year 10 recently experienced a Geography excursion and below is a report from Chantal Balmain……

“On Tuesday the 9th of February, Year 10 Geography classes attended an excursion to the Bedminster Co. Composting Facility (or the dump) at Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens Council and Honeysuckle Wharf in Newcastle. The excursion was in relation to Year 10’s current topics: Urban growth and Decline and Waste Management. On the excursion, we found multiple examples of urban growth and decline in the Honeysuckle area and at the Council Chambers watched a presentation from a council worker on the functions of the Bedminster Facility. Bedminster was a great experience for us to see what really happens to our waste and it made us all more aware of waste management. All over, it was a great excursion and we all had a good time”.

Year 7 History students are beginning a unit of work on Medieval Europe. Should student and families be interested in all things medieval, they may be interested in Ironfest (www.ironfest.com.au). This festival is held in Lithgow and this will be its 11th year.

Amanda King
Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities

Arrendell Secondary Education Centre in Newcastle is hosting a series of writing and HSC workshops during the April holidays which may be of interest to students. Contact details are: 

ARRENDELL SECONDARY EDUCATION CENTRE
11 Scott Street, Newcastle 2300
Phone 4929 2522

Entries are open for the annual ‘What Matters’ writing competition, which asks young people in Years 5 to 12 across NSW and the ACT to write 400 – 600 words about what matters to them.

• Entries close Friday 30 April 2010. Entry forms are available from Mr Jolliffe.
• Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner up in each category.

Entries are also open for the write4fun poetry and short story writing competition.

• Entries close on March 31 2010. Entry forms are available from Mr Jolliffe.
• Cash and other prizes will be awarded, including iPods and Wii consoles.

The Write Now! 2010 creative writing competition for students in Years 7-9 closes on April 1. Short stories must be no more than 1000 words and utilise one of the three ‘story starters’ provided by bestselling authors. Prizes include $300 book packs and publication on the Sydney Writers’ Festival website.

The Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award, a national public speaking event, is now seeking entries (max. two per school). The award was established to develop the confidence of students aged under 14, as well as to develop their oral communication skills. All students compete for the title of NSW State Winner, which carries with it a $500 cash prize. Details are available from Mr Jolliffe or by visiting: www.pau.nsw.edu.au/Public_speaking/Legacy_Junior/index.htm

Students in a Year 7 English class were invited to write a short poem as extension homework about how we should live.  Brittany Radbone composed the following….

Stage 3 students were invited to make reading recommendations in the LLD Competition.  Their suggestions were displayed on heart-shaped notes as part of this year’s recognition of the love of libraries and reading. 

Congratulations to William Blanshard, Brittany Evans, Jemyma Ryan and Nick St Pier who each won a book.  Their recommendations were The Billionaire’s Curse by Richard Newsome, Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin, Diary of a Would-Be Princess by Jessica Green and Just Annoying by Andy Griffiths.

The “Top 20” Books of 2009 are currently displayed in the Weeks Library.  Mrs Anderson made use of loan statistics to prepare the list which is topped by Michael Salmon’s The Great Tasmanian Tiger Hunt.  Please call in to see the other titles that were popular with P-6 students in 2009.

Students in Stages 2 and 3 have been very busy looking at a number of sites to do with the Winter Olympics in order to answer the 20 quiz questions posed in the competition.   Whilst the search for some of the answers has been assisted by useful links on HVGS Moodle, others have been more challenging causing students to ponder their search terms and consider the sites that might be of the most use.  The names of the winners will be published in the School Newsletter in the near future.

In our youth (!), an autobiography or biography we read or was read to us may have opened our eyes to what’s possible in life and inspired us for the years ahead.  Paul Brickhill’s Reach for the Sky, the biography of Douglas Bader was one such book for this writer and a more recent read was Clarissa Dickson Wright’s book Spilling the Beans.  Both people faced adversity and both were able to overcome the difficulties they faced in their lives; both were inspiring.  The Weeks Library Team requests that parents and guardians in the HVGS community let us know which autobiographies and biographies have been inspiring.  Please respond in an email to barkere@hvgs.nsw.edu.au including your name, the name of the person, the book and a brief reason for why he/she is inspiring.  We hope to promote the titles to the School community.

The Weeks Library Team

Assessment Tasks - Term 1

• Year 7 -   Week 7 - History of Number and Number Theory.
• Year 8  -  Week 9 – Algebra, Pythagoras, Equations.
• Year 9  - Week 8.
• Year 11 - All levels : Formal Task : Week 10.

Assessment Tasks - Term 2

• Year 7 -  Week 3 - Angles, shapes and solids.
• Year 7 -  Week 6 - Fractions and Decimals.
• Year 8 -  Semester 1 Exams to be advised.
• Year 9 -  Week 7 - Personal Interest Project due.
• Year 10 - Semester 1 Exams to be advised.
• Year 11- General: Week 6.
• Year 11 -Mathematics: Week 5.
• Year 11 -Extension 1: Week 8.
• Year 12 - General: Week 6.
• Year 12 - Mathematics: Week 6.
• Year 12 -Extension 1: Week 8.
• Year 12 -Extension 2: Week 4.

Consider the integers from 1 to 100. What is the difference between the sum of all of the even numbers and the sum of all of the odd numbers?

Trains for Albertville arrive on Platform 1 every 24 minutes. Trains for Brooktown arrive on Platform 2 every 18 minutes and trains for Collinsburgh arrive on Platform 3 every half hour. At mid-day today, trains for Albertville, Brooktown and Collinsburgh all arrived at the station together. At what time will all 3 trains next be in the station together?

So much activity has taken place since the last newsletter! Once again it is my absolute pleasure in congratulating Kate Garaty and Frances Ross for their fine contribution to the last Senior School assembly. They both performed very challenging repertoire in two spectacular presentations.  

Choirs are off and running, busily preparing for the School’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations and it has been thrilling to see the commitment shown by our young singers. Music Extension students have been busy organising lunch time concerts and the first in this series, Year 12 Music 1 and 2 students, did not disappoint. Another event that has the Music staff excited is the upcoming Gifted and Talented Music Camp that is being held at the School this weekend (5-7 March).

There will be three main electives of study; a Music Theatre class, an Instrumental Ensemble and a Massed Choir. As a newcomer to the School this year, I have been very impressed with the level of commitment shown by our young musicians in their co-curricular endeavours. The large ensembles are achieving some very polished and sophisticated performances already.

Jack Machin
Director of Music

In our last newsletter our Primary 12 years Age Champion was published incorrectly. Our Champion is Brady Phillips.

A report from yesterday’s HRIS Primary Swimming Championships will be included in our next newsletter. The Secondary HRIS Championships are scheduled for March 17 at Lambton Pool. Swimmers and Parents are reminded that HVGS representative swimmers are to be worn at HRIS. In addition, we request that all athletes stay for the duration of the carnival and therefore be there to support all our swimmers.

HVGS students have the opportunity to nominate to participate in the AICES and CIS Championships in events that we do not swim at our carnival.  These include:
Secondary:      200m Breaststroke, 200m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, 200m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke.

All are in Junior, Inter and Senior Divisions.  Students are to submit verified times to Mr Burgess as soon as possible.

Our First XI cricket team have moved into the third round of the Douglas Shield after a convincing win over Bishop Druitt, Coffs Harbour. In addition, we would like to wish the First XI Captain Jesse Caulfield all the best after being selected in the Country School Cricket team to play in the Lords Taverners NSW All School Championships starting March 15 in Sydney.

Jesse will play in a week long carnival against the best players from all school systems in NSW.

• Caroline Abrahams
• Maddy Clark
• Amelia Fisher
• Danielle Keith
• Georgia Sexton
• Clare Youngman

Open

• Miles Cole-Clark
• Emily Keith
• Emma Moore
• Ben Reynolds

Students interested in trialling for the HRIS representative team to compete at AICES/CIS should see the relevant TIC for details.

• Primary Netball  8 March 4:00pm at Newcastle
• Primary Football  25 and 30 March 4:00pm at Wallsend
• Primary Touch   26 May 4:00pm at HVGS
• Secondary Football  29 March at HVGS (Boys) and Macquarie College (Girls)
• Secondary Rugby  4 May 4:00pm at HVGS

Students interested in participating on the HVGS Basketball program for Term 2 and 3 should now have returned the registration form. Teams will be finalised shortly.

Any student interested in trialling for a Combined Independent Schools (CIS) team this year should log on to the CIS website. This site contains dates of trials, competitions etc. The web address is www.aisnsw.edu.au/cis/. Information on AICES representative sport can be located at www.aices.com.au.

Sports in which HVGS does not have teams but CIS does include:

• Triathlon, Primary and U15 AFL and Diving. Students that are at a high representative level in these sports outside school should see Mr Burgess as soon as possible.

Welcome to the 2010 season. The 1st XV will commence training on the 4 February. Other teams will commence training in Term 1. The competitions that the School will enter in 2010 are listed below.   

Attached are the relevant year groups.

• Digby Rayward Shield September Years 5-6
• Alumni Shield June-August Years 7-8
• Vince Fester Shield: commences May Years 7-8
• McKendry Shield June-August Years 9-10
• Wiburd Shield: commences May Years 9-10
• Hawthorne Shield June 1st XV
• Waratah Shield: commences May 1st XV
• Yeates Shield: commences May 1st XV

The football season is fast approaching. Most teams have healthy numbers and training will commence the week beginning March 15. The teams that will be registered for this year are as follows:

• Under 6 – 3 teams                     COACHES NEEDED PLEASE
• Under 7 – 3 teams
• Under 8 – 2 teams
• Under 9 – 2 teams
• Under 10 - full
• Under 12 - full
• Under 15 - full
• Under 18 – 2 more players would be ideal

Information regarding team structure, training afternoon, coach, trial game and coaching clinic will be handed out this week. If you have any questions please email Ralph Maier:  maier@hvgs.nsw.edu.au or give me a call on 4934 2444.

Mr Ralph Maier
TIC Football HVGS

Netball teams for 2010 season have been finalised. There has been a great deal of effort to come up with the right balance and compliment of players for each team. Teams will have been posted on noticeboards in Junior, Middle and Senior school by now. Attached to this is a copy of the names and coach for each team. Final determination of a grade for each team will be known soon. As much as possible coaches have nominated training day for their team. Coaches will be contacting players to outline training details.

Please note training for some teams started Week 6 but for most teams this will be Week 7. It would be appreciated that communication between parents, players and coaches is kept up to date to ensure smooth running of the activities of the team. This is especially important if a player cannot make training or a match game.

A reminder that if you have not purchased a bodysuit then please see the uniform shop for details.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information. My preferred method of contact is by email as response time is made more effective. My email address is fullicka@hvgs.nsw.edu.au.

Anne Fullick
TIC Netball HVGS

The Interschools Snowsports Championships are a series of competitions in 7 disciplines:

• Alpine - Skiers are timed on a modified giant slalom course
• Skiercross - Skiers are timed on a slope-style course
• Freestyle - Moguls  Skiers are scored on a bumps/jumps course
• Snowboard Giant Slalom - Boarders are timed on a modified giant slalom course
• Snowboard Cross - Boarders are timed on a slope-style course
• Cross Country Freestyle - Raced with skate or classic cross country skis or style with a mass start
• Cross Country Relay -3 Person Relay team only event

Two weeks ago, our full rowing squad travelled to Canberra for the most significant regatta in our school's rowing calendar, the Independent Schools Rowing Championships. Racing was conducted over two days, with heats for all crews on Saturday that seeded all crews into graded finals on Sunday. 58 HVGS crews started, with 20 winning their heat and 24 crews making it through to A-finals. In A-finals, HVGS crews won 13 medals made up of 5 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze while our crews also won 12 of the minor finals.

The 2010 National Rowing Championships are being conducted this week on Nagambie Lakes in Victoria. Hunter Valley Grammar School has sent 8 rowers and 2 coaches for the full week of racing while 2 other rowers and a coach will attend for the school races starting on Friday. The racing format provides one race per day for each event with heats on the first day (winners straight to semi-finals), repechages (second chance to reach the semi-finals), semi-finals and a single final on successive days. In the school events that begin on Friday, the pattern of races is similar except that racing is condensed to 3 days and the semi-finalists are seeded into 4 finals (A, B, C and D).

Rowers : Jessica Beadle, Conrad Bond, Aimee Hill, Bec Humphris, Chloe Hutchinson, Pat Ireland, Lena Latham-Cannon, Holly Lawrence, Nick Minch, Llewellyn Thomas.

Coaches: Peter Bond, Gavin Ellis, Sarah Keene.

The year began for Middle School Student Representative Council with a new group of eager council members, meeting every Monday at recess.  One of the first decisions made was the election of Zoe DeVries as President and the selection of the Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee Incorporated as our local chosen charity.  Our first fundraising activity will be a BBQ to be held on Tuesday 16 March.  We look forward to you helping us raise money for this worthy cause.

The next P & F meeting is on Wednesday 17 March at 1:30pm in the Boardroom. Everyone is very welcome.

There will be a Kinder parents dinner on Friday 12 March. It will commence at 6:45pm and will be at Lillies and Limes in Swan Street Morpeth.

For further details contact: Rebecca Daines on 0404 884543 or email rebecca@lifeplanners.com.au or Amanda King on 0410 644140 or email kinga@hvgs.nsw.edu.au. (Kindergarten P & F Parent Representatives). An invitation will be sent home shortly to Kindy parents.

The P & F are organising a BBQ lunch for the Middle School students when they return from their morning activities. Your help with the preparation and / or serving would be appreciated. Please ring Kathy Willmott 0413 331489 for the details.

The P & F would like to organise a First Aid course for the Parents and Friends of HVGS. It would involve First Aid and CPR procedures. You would complete the paper work study at home and then meet with the instructors for the practical part of the course.

19 March 2010 Parents and Friends are needed to help with the BBQ preparation and serving of the food on this day.

Junior School and High School Parents and Friends are needed to help with the cooking first thing on that day.

The sausage orders for Kindy to Year 4 will be placed in bags in their lunch order baskets and distributed to the children.

Parents and Friends requiring lunch on the day can send their order information with their children.

Any special dietary requirements will be catered for. Any students and parents wanting vegetarian patties instead of sausages must place their order at the canteen by Monday 15 or Tuesday 16 March.

Sausage sandwich orders are to be given to the class teacher or roll call teacher by Friday 12 March so that ordering can be completed. This is a special day, organised by the School, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our School, so our support for our School and its students is needed!

Please complete the attached section below to let us know that you are available to help with the preparation and serving. If you have any questions please call Kathy Willmott on 0413 331489

The P & F has received the Staff Wish list for 2010 and this will be the main agenda item at the next P & F meeting.  We will decide at that meeting where the money raised from the following fundraisers will go to.

• Bulb Fundraiser
• Please return order forms, with payment enclosed, to the Admin Office or your Class Teacher by Wednesday 17 March (St Patrick’s Day) so that orders will be returned before the holidays. Bulbs would make great Easter gifts and/ or Mother’s Day gifts! Order forms will be sent home as soon as they arrive at school.
  

• Hot Cross Buns
• Please return the attached order form, with payment, by Friday 19 March to the Admin Office or your Class Teacher. If you have any questions on either of these fundraisers please call Kathy Willmott or any member of the P & F committee.

Junior School

• Kindergarten  Amanda King, Rebecca Daines
• Year 1  Josie Gabites, Marian Green (1P)
• Year 2  Stacey Pethers (2H)
• Year 3  Julie Fisher (S2W), Prue Molan
• Year 4   Simone Harris (4A), Marian Green (4M), Lisa Welfare (4A)
• Year 5   Simone Harris (5M), Kate Stainton (S3I)
• Year 6   Kate Stainton (S3I), Emma Badgery (6D), Prue Molan, Marian Green (6M)

Secondary School

• Year 7  Deb Moore, Pip Teys, Kathy Willmott
• Year 8                
• Year 9                    
• Year 10  Deb Moore, Diana Gilmont
• Year 11  Kathy Willmott
• Year 12  Sue Nichols

Thank you for your support.
Kathy Willmott 0413 331489 or email kathryn_willmott@hotmail.com
President Parents and Friends Association