“There is no good news!” exclaimed my wife as she switched off the TV. “There’s strawberry milk in the fridge, mum”, came the calming sage response from my son. It made us laugh and reminded me that there are still lots of good things to be grateful for.

As Mrs Liz Hurlow said last week in The View, we need to pause. The relentless pressure of all the different struggles going on is wearing us down. We need to get away from it, have a break. 

Is it as simple as “Don't worry, there’s strawberry milk in the fridge"? We don't usually have a 2L strawberry milk in the fridge, as it’s something special, something sweet to look forward to. What have you got in your life that you look forward to? Is it a walk with the family, a bike ride with a mate or spending time outside away from technology? I look forward to a pause every Saturday by going to church and connecting with friends.

How are you going to pause?

What can you do to reset? 

A few days later, we were finishing dinner when the phone rang. With my roles at school, work is never far away. I answered the phone automatically thinking it would be about work. The call made me pause - it was not what I had been expecting. My wife was sitting next to me and was able to hear. She just looked at me and then smiled and gave me a hug.

A good friend of mine, Dr Darren, once quoted, “For one negative comment you need at least five positives to balance it out”. That phone call was worth at least ten positive comments. God's purpose for my life was affirmed, I was reminded of why I am a teacher. That phone call was my strawberry milk. The IT Department often recommends a switch off and restart, and my phone or computer always seems to run a bit better afterwards. Things need to be put back in order, realigned and put into perspective. I love strawberry milk. 

Could you be the one to help someone else pause? Can you add something positive into someone else’s life?   

What’s your strawberry milk?

Mr Ken Tosen

Stage 4 Coordinator (Years 7 & 8)

There is currently an increase in positive cases in some year groups. We strongly encourage students to wear masks indoors to help prevent the spread of the virus.Students who test positive to COVID-19 must isolate at home for 7 days. They are free to return after 7 days if they are symptom-free. They do not have to show a negative RAHT to return.Students who are isolating as Household Contacts must test negative and be symptom-free to return to school after the isolation period. If the student has already completed 7 days of isolation and another household member tests positive, the student is not required to isolate again for 14 days from the completion of isolation. Positive test results must be reported to the school by emailing admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au

Avondale School is participating in the National Ride to School Day next Friday March 25. The main route for this ride will be from Bonnells Bay shopping centre round-a-bout to Avondale School. This year there is also a Watagan Park route. There will be meeting points along the route for students to join the ride. Any students, staff and parents are welcome to join. The route will be completely on footpaths, cycleways or bike tracks. Students can choose not to do the return ride home. Further information can be found HERE

We have had quite a few reported cases of Impetigo in the Primary School. Impetigo is a skin infection also known as School Sores because it commonly affects school-aged children. It is highly contagious and a child with Impetigo should be kept at home until appropriate treatment has commenced. If your child/children develop blisters which weep and crust, or if they have sores that are not healing and getting larger, medical treatment should be sought. On returning to school the sores should be covered with a waterproof dressing until healed. More information can be obtained from your Medical Practitioner or NSW Department of Health

In preparation for our Cross Country events coming up on April 4, students will be doing training in PE and Sport time. Students have an opportunity to run before school on the Cross Country course (1km) from 8.00 - 8.45am. Each student’s laps will be recorded and certificates awarded for distance covered. This is a great opportunity for parents to talk about setting goals and then taking action to meet that goal. Many students' fitness levels improve over this 2 week period. A large map of Australia is mounted on the Primary Office wall displaying the daily cumulative kms run. (School goal is 11,300km.) Students should bring a change of socks and joggers as the course gets very wet with dew. Students are welcome to wear sport uniform during the two weeks. Our School Cross Country event distances are:1km   Kindy - Year 1 2km   Years 2-43km   Years 5-6Unfortunately, parents won’t be able to run with students before school as in previous years, but we are hoping to be able to invite everyone to the Cross Country events on April 4.  

Year 7 students will have their first vaccination day on Wednesday March 30. Parent Information Kits that include an information sheet, consent form and privacy statement were sent home this week to Year 7 parents/guardians and need to be returned to the Secondary Office no later than Friday March 25. 

All student orders have now arrived at school and were sent home this week. If you missed out on ordering in Issue 1, there will be another catalogue out early next term. Remember that helping your child to become a confident and fluent reader is the best way to set them up for future success.

Last week, students in Year 10 Food Technology had guest presenters present to them in the areas of Food Photography and Grazing Platter designs. Students are undertaking an Assessment Task on Food Styling, Photography and designing a Grazing Platter. No better way to learn than from community members who have specialised skills. Students were provided the opportunity to work with Mr Jared Martin learning and honing in their food photography skills, understanding how to style for a photo, important use of lighting and ways to improve photos. Students were also provided with a demonstration from Miss Ashley Mesaric in regards to presenting food and preparing Grazing Platters. Now we look forward to seeing the platters they create and how they are planning to style their food each week.

Numerous studies have proven that students obtain a higher reading level, math level, concentration level and a greater learning ability as a result of playing chess. There were 73 students from K-6 who participated in the Chess Competition this week in the MPC. Concentration levels were tested over the 7 rounds of chess. From these results 2 senior and 3 junior teams will be selected to play in the Newcastle Primary School Chess Competition during Term 2. Congratulations to the following students:Senior Boys:                                      

Junior Boys:

1st 7/7 Jett P (Y6)                               

1st 7/7 Casey L (Y4)

2nd 6/7 Liam N (Y6)                            

2nd 6/7 Samuel R (Y4)

3rd 5.5/7 Koby P (Y5)                          

3rd 5.5/7 Arthur L (Y2)

Senior Girls:                                       

Junior Girls:

1st 5/7 Betzi B (Y5)                              

1st 5/7 Antigone C (Y3) 

Results are on display in the Sports Cabinet.