The Peninsula Community of Schools values leadership and recognises the significant role that our young people play as leaders in our schools. To motivate, encourage and support our young leaders, they are offered an opportunity to participate in the PCS Young Leaders Program. Last week the Young Leaders visited Gibberagong where students participated in team building activities and leadership tips.
The PCS receives great support from our parents and the community. This week, representatives from our students, principals, parents and community partners will come together as the PCS Advisory Council to discuss PCS directions for 2011. This group meets once a term and provides a forum for input into PCS initiatives. The PCS Advisory Council is the only one of its kind in NSW.
The opportunities provided by the PCS are not just for the students. Many PCS staff attend Professional Learning workshops held after school with the majority of the workshops being delivered by staff from within the PCS.
It is a busy upcoming few weeks so watch out for:
• The robots on the move to Bilgola Plateau and Collaroy Plateau Schools.
• The PCS Year 7 Extension Class 2012 test is being held Tuesday 8th March.
• The PCS High Schools Open Night program begins with Barrenjoey High Monday 7th March, followed by Pittwater High Tuesday 15th March and Narrabeen Sports High Wednesday 16th March. More information can be found in your school newsletter, Saturday 5th March Manly Daily and there is also a post on the blog.

Towards the end of last year Peninsula Community of Schools families began collecting shopping vouchers for the Coles Sports for Schools. The points have been counted and we amassed a whopping 400,000 points. Each of the 13 Katherine Groups of Schools in the Northern Territory we support will receive the following:
1 Touch Football Kit
2 Soccer Kits
2 Netball Kits
1 AFL Kit
60 tennis balls
2 Basketball kits
1 Upright Pump
Each kit includes at least 6 balls, a ball bag and some include domes.
What a fantastic effort and thank you to parents, students and staff for collecting the vouchers. Congratulations and thank you to Mrs. Lewis, Bilgola Plateau Public School for her coordination of this wonderful event.

Our Year 11 senior students are being offered an opportunity to attend a session at their school about successfully starting senior years. The first session takes place at Barrenjoey High School this week.

Applications close this Friday 25th February for the PCS Year 7 Extension Class 2012. Applications for the test are available from your local primary school.
Have you pencilled in a visit to your local high school for Open Night? The PCS high schools will be open and celebrating their success on the following days: Monday 7th March Barrenjoey, Tuesday 15th March Pittwater and Wednesday 16th March Narrabeen Sports. More information can be found in your school newsletter and in the Manly Daily on Saturday 26th.

The Peninsula Community of Schools would like to invite current and prospective parents and students to see our high schools at work. Open Nights are an opportunity to tour the facilities and speak to students and teachers in their classrooms.
Student performances will be scheduled and student work will be on display.

The Peninsula Community of Schools three high schools will be open and celebrating their achievements at the following times.

BARRENJOEY HIGH
Principal: Ian Bowsher 99188811
Monday 7th March 6.30 – 8.30 pm
Tuesday 8th March 9.00 – 11.00 am

PITTWATER HIGH
Principal: Ross Cusworth 99994035
Tuesday 15th March 6.00 – 8.00 pm

NARRABEEN SPORTS HIGH
Principal : Barry Miller 99137820
Wednesday 16th March 6.30 -8.30 pm

Any enquiries you might have about one of the Open Nights should be directed to the school concerned.

Welcome back to all of the families and students of the Peninsula Community of Schools (PCS) and we also extend a warm welcome to our new PCS families and students. Did you know in our community of schools we have around 8000 students?
Year 11 and 12 students engaged in the Senior Shared Curriculum have begun their afternoon classes on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Shared Curriculum provides for a broader subject selection for the senior students. This involves travel to one of our PCS High Schools for the courses to be delivered.
Our Year 6 Young Leaders from the 10 PCS Primary Schools are launching into their leadership training being held each Wednesday afternoon at Narrabeen Sports High. Stay tuned for an update on this wonderful program. The students will be presenting to Rob Stokes MP and Councillor Julie Hegarty at the end of this term.
The robots have enjoyed a well deserved rest and are now ready to begin their journey around our schools. The robot tour which includes the Bee Bots, Probots and NXT’s will begin at Avalon and Cromer Schools. The robots will remain in both of these schools for four weeks before travelling to their next destination.
The PCS Year 7 Extension Class 2012 will take place on Tuesday 8th March; applications for the test are available from your primary school. Applications close on Friday 25th February.
Almost 2000 people have visited the PCS Blog. Have you? The Message of the Week goes on there as well as other information about the PCS. You will need to type in the following address to reach the blog. http://peninsulacommunityofschools.wordpress.com/
Have a wonderful week!

Good luck to all teams competing in the First Lego League competition at Macquarie University tomorrow! We look forward to seeing you up there.
The robotics programs are drawing to a close for the year and the robots will be having a well deserved rest! We are sure that everyone has enjoyed the use of this exciting new technology.
Last week Year 9 students from our three high schools enjoyed a day at Macquarie University visiting the Science Faculty.
Thank you to Mr Bruce Collins who has relieved as principal of Narrabeen Sports High School this term and has made some fantastic contributions not only to the school but to the PCS.
Best wishes to MJ Peel as she begins her new position next year as Assistant Principal at Mona Vale Public School. We thank her for the wonderful work she has done in the PCS over the last two years.
The Message of the Week will be on the blog as well as other information about the PCS. You will need to type in the following address to reach the blog. http://peninsulacommunityofschools.wordpress.com/
As this is the last message for the year we would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe Festive Season and holiday!

Thank you to all the families who have supported the collection of Coles vouchers. Representatives from all PCS schools attended Bilgola Public School for a photo and had the opportunity to talk to Jeff McMullen. Jeff explained to the students the significance of the PCS efforts and how valuable this will be to Katherine Community of Schools.

The PCS Robotics teams had a wonderful afternoon at Barrenjoey High School last Wednesday participating in a pre tournament challenge for the upcoming FLL competition being held at Macquarie University December 4.

Opportunities for Professional Learning have been plenty. The PCS Administration staff participated in workshops delivered over the last two Thursday afternoons and many of our Primary and Secondary staff have attended a workshop looking at NAPLAN results.

We have had yet another visit from Western Australian Principals. They are very interested in the operation of our Community of Schools.

The Bee Bots have had such a wonderful time at Collaroy Plateau they are going to stay for another two weeks, the Probots are at both Cromer and Wheeler Heights and the NXT’s are visiting all three PCS high schools.

Have a lovely week!

Term 4 is off and running with many schools beginning preparation for the end of year activities.
Year 6 students are enjoying their last term in their Primary School whilst the PCS High Schools are preparing for the arrival of Year 6 in 2011.High School orientations will take place in the next few weeks of term.

Robotics continues to be another busy area in our schools not just for students but for staff as well. Last week teachers from some of our PCS Primary and High Schools participated in the inaugural robotics teacher challenge. Luan Heimlich from Macquarie University came down to adjudicate the challenge. Congratulations to these staff members as they were the first teachers in Australia to have participated in such a challenge. The challenge resulted in a draw with all teams employing clever tactics to achieve the missions. On Wednesday of this week the excitement continues with the PCS teams entering the FLL robotics competition participating in a pretournament challenge. Best of luck to all team members. The official FLL competition will be held at Macquarie University December 4.

Year 12 2010 students are in their final weeks of exams with the HSC concluding on the 10th November.
Year 11 have completed their Preliminary Course and have begun their Year 12 course work for the HSC 2011
Year 10 is in the final stages of revision for their upcoming School Certificate beginning Monday 8th November
PCS staff are continuing to take advantage of Professional Learning opportunities with more workshops being delivered this week.
There is no rest for the robots. The Bee Bots are at Collaroy Plateau, the Probots are at Cromer and the NXT’s are at Barrenjoey High School, Pittwater High School and Mona Vale.

Astronomy Open Nights are yearly evenings held on Macquarie Campus. Join Macquarie astronomers to view the night sky through up to 30 telescopes operated by both Macquarie University astronomers and amateur astronomers.
16th October 2010 6:30-10:00 PM
Illustrated Talks
“Photography and the discovery of the Universe” by David Malin @ 7:00pm
“Lasers in Astronomy – from Guidestars to Ripples in Spacetime” by Stuart Wyithe @ 8:30PM
Telescopes & Stargazing
Join Macquarie astrophysicists and local amateur astronomers and explore the cosmos using various telescopes from Macquarie University Observatory, local astronomy clubs, and individual astronomers. Look at celestial objects such as planets, star clusters, and nebulae, talk to members of your local astronomical society, and join in the action! Several telescope vendors will be present and eager to answer all your questions about buying your very own telescope.
Planetarium
Come to the planetarium for a virtual tour of the cosmos with Macquarie astronomers. Learn about the movement of the sun, moon and stars, find out how to identify a planet, and learn about various constellations from both Western and Indigenous viewpoints. 12 sessions will run for 10 minutes each. Tickets are free and will be issued for each session, but only 200 are available, so you must pick one up ASAP on arrival at Open Night!!!

Aboriginal Astronomy
Learn about Aboriginal views of the night sky from Aboriginal Astronomy researcher Duane Hamacher. Duane will be selling a book on Aboriginal Astronomy entitled ‘Emu Dreaming’ by Ray and Cilla Norris, along with posters of the famous ‘Emu in the Sky’. Pull up a chair and watch a Message Stick documentary on Aboriginal Astronomy and see the latest research at Macquarie. You can also pick up ‘Dark Sparklers’, a book on Wardaman Astronomy, from the Sydney Observatory booth.

Kids Activities
Kids activities will include making a planisphere and participating in an astronomy colouring contest!
• Main E7B Courtyard: Space wood building contest: Build your space art and win a prize.
• E7B room 163: Spacecraft model building and more.
• E7B room 165: Build a working rocket and more.
• E7B room TBD: Walk the laser maze
• E7B room TBD: Laser Graffiti

Details
Date: Saturday, 16 October 2010
Time: 6:30 – 10:00 PM
Location: E7B Courtyard, Macquarie University. Free parking only in the F3A and F7 carparks.
Cost and payment: please pay at the Foundation for Astronomy booth in the E7B courtyard after you arrive.
• $5 Child (under 18) and seniors
• $10 Adult
• $25 Family
Travel to Macquarie University: The Campus can be reached by car or by train (Macquarie University Station on the Northern Line).
Parking: free car parking only in the F3A and F7 car parks. If parking in any other carpark, a meter ticket must be purchased at the machine. Those cars not in the F3A or F7 car parks must display a meter ticket, or they will be booked. Maps will be distributed to those entering campus through the Waterloo Rd. or Balaclava Rd. entrances by Open Night staff. A campus map can be downloaded here.
No bookings required. Enquiries to (02) 9850 7111
The evening will not be cancelled in the event of bad weather, however the telescopes will not be available if it is cloudy. But don’t worry, there will still be plenty to do!

Time flies when you are having fun! It is hard to believe but we are already at the end of Term 3.
Many of our Principals and the PCS coordinators were very fortunate to be able to attend the fabulous Arts North Choral Festival at the Opera House last Monday night. Students from our PCS schools were part of the 730 combined primary choir. The program highlighted the wonderful music education that takes place in our schools. Congratulations also to the PCS choir for their beautiful performance of Arlington at the festival conducted by Rhonda Mawer.

Robotics teams are preparing for the upcoming First Lego League competition. The challenge has been released and a mini tournament will happen early next term in preparation for the competition being held at Macquarie University December 4. For more details contact your Robotics Coordinator.

The students who attended the Sustainability Fair held at Macquarie University had a fabulous time. They participated in activities that raised awareness about sustainability issues.
Professor Tim Flannery is speaking to staff, parents and students on Monday at Narrabeen Sports High. Tim Flannery is one of Australia’s leading thinkers and writers. An internationally acclaimed writer, scientist and explorer, he has published more than 130 scientific papers and has written many books, including his recent bestseller on global warming, The Weather Makers: The History & Future Impact of Climate Change.

Year 11 have completed their Preliminary Exams this week.
Year 12 students are in their final week of school. Best wishes to all PCS students in their final preparation for the HSC.

The Interschools Snow Sports National Titles concluded at Perisher last weekend. Congratulations to Newport who won numerous events. A fabulous achievement!

Elanora Heights is enjoying another visit of the Bee Bots and the NXT’s. The Probots are visiting Wheeler Heights.
Have a lovely holiday!

What an extravaganza! The PCS Music Festival provided two nights of wonderful entertainment with students dancing and singing their way across the stage at Barrenjoey High School. Students from Barrenjoey’s Entertainment class provided wonderful support with the sound and lighting. Congratulations to everybody involved and many thanks to the teachers who assisted students making it to the stage.

Luan Heimlich from Macquarie University will be working at Narrabeen Sports High with staff and parents who will be entering teams in the First Lego League competition. The long awaited challenge is released this Saturday. For more details contact your Robotics Coordinator.

The Biodiversity Poster competition has been judged and winners have a certificate that will be presented this week. Congratulations to all students who entered the competition.
The judges enjoyed looking at your wonderful work.

Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 are attending the Sustainability Fair being held at Macquarie University this week.

Years 10 students were spellbound listening to the amazing stories of two inspiring people
Matt McFadyen ‘Youngest Australian to reach the North Pole on foot’ and Matthew Kershaw – A life of servitude and developing others. Matt overcame a life threatening illness and then attempted climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.

Year 11 begin their Preliminary Exams this week. Best wishes to all PCS students attempting these exams.

The Interschools National Titles are being held at Perisher this weekend. Best wishes to Newport and Avalon students competing. An amazing achievement to have qualified for the National Titles.

The winning schools for the robotics competition have been presented with their certificates and voucher from Modern Teaching Aids. Congratulations to all students who participated in the challenge and to the winning schools
Narrabeen North is the centre for robotics at the moment. All of the PCS robots are visiting Narrabeen North
Make sure you find time to read the Term 3 PCS Newsletter.