Last weekend was an exciting one for some of our senior students. We have two Tournament of the Minds teams in the competition this year and both teams were successful in becoming the Regional champs, a few weeks back at Southern Cross Uni. They then travelled to Sydney with teacher, Dennis Thomson and parents to compete at the State level. For some children it was their first plane flight  They stayed at Randwick Lodge in Randwick on Saturday 13th September  ready to  face the competition on Sunday. One team were Applied  Technology with Olivia Rose, Emily Farrington, Amelia Coyle-Hayward, Serinna  McGrath, Jaeden Ogston, Rakhan Golding and Nick Daniels. In the Social Science team are Maddy Beck, Anna-Leeza Hull, Elyse Goulding, Natasha Smith, Jack Wheelwright, Jacob Herbert and Maddison Fiedler. Both teams are given a problem based on their category and then given ‘lock-up time’ to devise a solution for presentation.

Quite often this involves developing drama or story lines with music or creating models to show, in the few hours they have. Our Social Science team impressed the judges so much, they won the Primary competition. The other team also did very well and deserved much praise for their effort. Next step is the Australian TOM comp in Melbourne next month, when our wonderful  Social Science people will not only meet the other state finalist but also some from international school. We wish our team luck and know they will do us proud.
Teams Day was held at the Channon Oval on Friday 19th September. This is a day when small schools from our area get together for a fun day of teams’ sport in a non-competitive atmosphere. All students from Kinder to Year 6 enjoy playing Danish Rounders, T-ball (a modified Softball game) and soccer.
Kinder Orientation Day . Kindergarten enrolments for 2009 are welcome to come along on Thursday October 30th from 9.16 till 11.30am. A great opportunity for the new little ones to see what the big school is all about. They will meet our Kinder teacher Mrs Pollard and other staff to help them feel more acquainted with their new school. Parents and carers will be given information ready for enrolling and share morning tea with the staff. Two other orientation sessions are planned in November. Anyone wanting to join us with their child on these days, please ring the school on 6628 2234 during school hours.
 Our students enjoyed a Brainstorm performance called “The Magic Words” at Tullera Hall earlier in the term. The presentation was aiming to give children the message that rudeness and bad attitude create bad  feelings. It highlights some of the complex issues involved in how we develop our values and how our behaviour affects others.
 A Touch Footy Gala Day was held on Wed 17th September at Hepburn  Park, Goonellabah. This was enjoyed by all participants.
 This team also saw visits to our school by the Little Athletics development officer who encouraged the children to become involved in this sport and also a group of language students from Japan who are studying at SC Uni .
 To finish, we are still collecting milk caps from Norco milk. If you have any to donate just pop them into the school letter box or the office.
 Till next time
Jenny Staples (for Modanville Public School)