Articles Archives - Page 279 of 460

SNIPPETS…

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes East Marimba group entertained the crowd at the Christmas Carnival in Cooke Park last Friday.

More Cash For Drought-Hit Farmers: Payments of up to $3,000 will continue to be available to drought-hit farming families throughout Christmas and the New Year. The Federal Government has topped up the existing round of the Drought Community Support Initiative with Minister for Drought, David Littleproud announcing a further investment of $33.2 million in the scheme. “This is about making sure families can have dignity this Christmas and into the New Year,” the Minister said. “Eligible people include farming families, farm workers, suppliers and contractors.” The program will be delivered through Vinnies and the Salvos. Applications to be made through the St Vincent de Paul Society on 1300 846 643 or at www.vinnies.org.au/droughthelp or through the Salvation Army on 1300 551 030 or at www.salvationarmy.org.au/drought

Elvis Turns 85: Everyone is invited to celebrate Elvis’s 85th birthday on Wednesday, 8th January 2020 with a cake and free entertainment in Cooke Park near the Elvis Statue at 10am. Music will be provided by Parkes’ one and only Elvis Tribute Artist, Barry Green. Bring a chair or rug to sit on. If you share a birthday with Elvis bring along proof to go in the draw to cut the official birthday cake. The event is organised by the Elvis Revival Incorporated Committee.

Christmas Cakes: Lions Christmas cakes available at Meals on Wheels in Parkes – small $13, large $17. Call 6862 6189 to place your order.

NSW Farmers Dinner: The Parkes/Forbes NSW Farmers held its annual Christmas dinner at the Ikon Restaurant last week with several guest speakers for the even- ing. Councillor Ken McGrath gave an update on all the happenings in the Parkes Shire, in particular the water infrastructure, Andrew Rawsthorne talked about the funding of country halls and sports grounds in the Forbes Shire, Rodger Kitson gave a drought funding update, and Wayne Dunford explained heavy vehicle regulation and access.

Anna and Tom Green from Forbes, and Bruce Watson from Parkes at the NSW Farmers Christmas dinner at Ikon.

Editor’s Note

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

This last year of the decade featured many highlights and challenges from the Elvis Festival at the very beginning to the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, plenty of grand projects launched and loads of heart-warming community stories.

The challenges kept our feet on the ground as the drought tightened its grip, the maternity fiasco that still makes our blood boil, and the bush fires and dust storms that have become the norm.

Through all of this we’ve come together as a community to support each other with loads of kindness. Thank you to all our readers for your support, all our contributors for adding value to our content and all our advertisers for keeping us going.

We wish you a blessed Christmas and may the New Year bring us lots of rain, hope and tons of kindness.

Maggi

NAPLAN Results – 4th In NSW!

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School students Madeline McCutcheon, Hudson Field, Jasmine Collier, Mark Allen are part of a supportive school environment where they feel valued.

Parkes Christian School is one of the top NAPLAN schools in the state following the release of a comprehensive analysis of results.

The analysis reported on the growth of student results from Year 5 and Year 9 over a five-year period.

Parkes Christian School’s growth in Year 9 results since 2014 was a staggering 9.1%, placing the school fourth out of 811 schools in NSW.

The Year 5 result was also impressive, with a 5.5% growth recorded, resulting in the 184th best result from 2,071 primary schools in the state.

According to Parkes Christian School Principal Glen Westcott, these rankings are the result of a “back to basics” approach to classroom teaching.

“Over the past few years we have had a real focus on explicit, direct instruction that involves teaching students exactly what they need to learn through repetition and fast-paced, dynamic teaching strategies,” Glen said.

“This leads to massive improvements in literacy and numeracy skills as reflected in our NAPLAN results.”

“Having a strong base in these fundamental skills is just so important for students as they move into high school and start exploring more abstract concepts. The link we have between our primary and high school has also led to our impressive Year 9 results.”

While being very pleased with the NA- PLAN results, the Principal said the school was far more interested in overall improvement rather than the results of a standardised test.

“As a school we emphasise to our students to strive for improvement in all areas of life.”

“We aim to build students of strong character, who are well-equipped for the challenges that life will throw at them.”

“We work very hard to create a school where students are valued and they actually enjoy being at school. Happy students will always want to work harder and improve.”

As one of the only Kindergarten to Year 12 schools in the local area, and the only school delivering Compressed Curriculum for the HSC, Parkes Christian School provides a unique opportunity for students to grow up in a supportive and dynamic environment for the entirety of their schooling.

Christmas Community Spirit

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

IGA Parkes donated $515.16 to Currajong Disability Services from its Community Chest Program just before Christmas. “It is Christmas a little early for us to be honest thanks to IGA and Peter Boschman,” said Matt Medlyn of Currajong Disability Services. “It is a great example of the generosity of the Parkes business community,” said Matt. At the handover were (L-R) Ashley Stronach, Matt Medlyn, Peter Boschman and Kyal Sauer.

13 Days Of Double Demerits

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Local Highway Patrol Officers Senior Constable Kelvin Jubb, Senior Constable Melanie Maguire, Senior Con- stable Nicholas White, Senior Constable Katherine Ellis, Senior Constable Nadia Batten and Sergeant Martin Ling.

Motorists are reminded to drive safely and to remember that double demerits are in place for 13 days over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Double demerits start today, Friday, 20th December and run through to New Year’s Day on Wednesday, 1st January (inclusive) and apply for all speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Drivers caught using their phones can expect to be hit with a fine and up to 10 demerits. As today is still a gazetted school day, double demerits will apply to relevant school zone offences.

“The message is clear: Don’t drive tired. Don’t text while driving. Don’t drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don’t drive without a seatbelt fastened,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor.

“We want everyone to have a happy and safe Christmas with their families – please obey the road rules and drive safely.”

According to NSW Police’s Central West Highway Patrol Sergeant Martin Ling there is a 30% reduction in casualty crashes when double demerit points are in play.

All Police cars are a mobile random breath and drug testing unit. In Central West Police District the focus will be on back roads and regional roads.

Our Arts

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The wall at the Parkes Library is filling up with contributions from individual artists and groups to inform the community of what is available. Contact Kerryn Jones on 6861 2309 if you want to be part of it.

Outstanding HSC Results For PCS

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The PCS Year 12 graduates are at the back (L-R) Jessica Weber, Ella Richards, Chelsea Johnson, Mikeely Bermingham, Elisha Littlewood, Tiarne Rusten and Chloe Hill. In front are Ali Himmetpasaoglu, Zak Chatman, Mark Allen, Nic Jones, Mitchell Applebee, Joel Hall-Matthews and Jesse Magill.

Parkes Christian School (PCS) is celebrating another year of outstanding HSC results with Creative and Performing Arts coming to the fore this year.

In just the fifth year of delivering the HSC, the school is very proud of the results achieved by the 2019 cohort.

Students achieved Band 5 and 6 results in Advanced and Extension English, Business Studies, Drama, Music 1, PDHPE, Software Design and Development, and Visual Arts.

Ella Richards capped off a memorable year by achieving a Band 6 in Visual Arts after submitting an impressive series of paintings for her major work.

She also achieved Band 5 in Advanced English, Drama and Music 1, demonstrating her outstanding ability in the Creative and Performing Arts.

Ella also achieved an E3 in English Extension 1, in which she received 41/50 in an extremely demanding and academic course.

She will now be able to gain direct entry into a Graphic Design Course in Sydney next year.

Chloe Hill also achieved some excellent results, securing Band 5 in Business Studies and PDHPE.

She also performed extremely well in English Advanced and Mathematics, which will put her in a good position to undertake her chosen university study. She had already gained entry to a number of courses through the Schools Recommendation Scheme.

There were also some outstanding results for students completing their first year of Compressed Curriculum.

This method sees students sit Year 11 and Year 12 in one year for three subjects, before doing the same for three more subjects the following year rather than doing six subjects over two years.

Because students only have to concentrate on three subjects at once, it allows for more focused learning and less stress for HSC students.

This method has certainly proved successful, with students being far less stressed throughout the year compared to past students.

Grace Prow received a Band 5 in Music 1 and just missed another Band 5 in Multimedia, while Christopher Cox achieved Band 5 for Business Studies and Software Design and Development.

Tanya Onserio was another student to show her prowess in the Creative Arts with a Band 5 in Music 1.

These three students will complete the second half of their HSC next year.

High School Coordinator Greg Ballantyne was thrilled with the results.

“As a school we are really pleased for Ella and Chloe. Their results are the product of many hours of hard work and dedication,” he said.

“But the rest of the group have also done extremely well and have bright futures ahead of them.”

“Every student who applied for early entry to university received an offer, maintaining our 100% record over the past five years. We work hard as a staff to give our students the best possible opportunities to succeed, so it is nice to see them taking those opportunities.”

“But at the end of the day, it is the students who have done the hard work and need to take all the credit for their achievements. We’re just here to help them along the way.”

“The thing I’m most pleased with is that every student seemed to be very happy throughout their HSC, enjoyed being at school, had time to pursue other interests and hobbies, and learned a lot about being people of good character and integrity. These are the things that will stay with them throughout their lives.”

Think You’re Ok – But Could You Be Better?

December 20, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE… Jann Corcoran, Aileen Ahearne and Trevor Southwell are excited about the Neighbourhood Central’s new Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program starting early next year.

There are many advantages to being older. You have more time for family, friends, travel, hobbies, and other things you’ve wanted to do for a while. Not to mention you’re wiser, and more experienced.

Wellbeing is as important now as any other stage of life. People can experience many changes in their older years including living arrangements, physical health, brain function and memory. It’s important to look after yourself.

And your body isn’t what it used to be. Aches and pains are starting to abound in your daily life. You may even feel helpless as you officially stamp your card for the 60 or 70 plus club! But there’s hope!

There are definitely things you can do to find support, and for older people registered with My Aged Care, Neighbourhood Central has a new program that fits the bill!

The team behind the new Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program of Neighbourhood Central are (L-R) Louise Tosetti, Monica Lea, Rachel Kerin and Rachel Brown.

Neighbourhood Central is excited to announce a new Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program for older people living in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore. This 20-week program will offer a variety of relaxing and enjoyable activities to increase health and wellbeing, while maintaining independence and quality of life.

The activities include hydrotherapy, Tai Chi, yoga in a chair, music and singing groups and modified games, as well as information workshops that will increase health awareness and promote falls prevention strategies, combined with light exercise sessions. The aim is to prevent or delay further entry into the aged care system, make you feel good and keep you living in your home for longer.

Can exercise really be for everybody?

Even those who, due to age, inflexibility, or injury, need to practice completely from a chair? Absolutely!

Neighbourhood Central’s new Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program works from the premise that every person is different, and will accommodate all levels of ability.

Monica Lea (left) demonstrates chair yoga with Jann Corcoran, Carol Southwell and Aileen Ahearne (standing).

Activities will start in February in Parkes and Forbes, with some sessions also in Condobolin and Peak Hill. For those living in other areas transport will be offered to selected events.

The faces behind the Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program are Louise Tosetti and Rachel Brown, assisted by the lovely experts at Kerin Physio who will conduct an initial screening and intake before people can take part.

Don’t let aging stop you from having the best body and living the best life you can live. If you are over 65, or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and you’re having trouble with everyday tasks and feel that getting back into the community, or participating in a little exercise and some fun activities could improve your health and wellbeing, call Louise 0409 372 742 or Rachel 0456 800 328 or contact the office on 6862 3757 to register. A $20 registration fee applies (that’s $1 per week!) and will cover activity costs.

There will be limited numbers available for each session, so make sure you get in quick to secure your spot!

Physiotherapist Rachel Kerin (right) in a Stepping On session with Trevor Southwell.

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