Students address residents' group

Students from Pretty Beach Public School have addressed a meeting of the Hardys Bay Residents' Group.

Students Naomi Jones, Cian Donnellan, Katie Stewart, Nathan Richardson, Bella Bowman and Tom Passmore were accompanied by principal Ms Vicki Redrup.

In her address, Naomi spoke of BEAR (Be Excited and Read) for the kindergarten and years 1 and 2, and the school's musical, staged by Year 6 every two years and held on Tuesday, September 4, and Wednesday, September 5, this year.

Cian's talk covered environmental programs, a recycling grant received from Gosford Council, two new worm farms and bins, water-saving initiatives, aboriginal art, and the installation of 10 bat boxes.

He also said that the school has adopted a whale which has been named "Turo", honouring an old-time local identity.

Katie discussed a Values Education Program involving values and virtues, t-shirts designed by children, and flags depicting relevant in-and-out-of-school values.

An Act of Kindness Book existed for people who displayed such acts and supported others.

She also presented an address on Living Through War which took the audience on a journey from the commencement of World War Two in 1939 to the troubles in Afghanistan in 2001.

Nathan's wide-ranging subjects embraced Leadership Roles, Years 5 and 6 trivia days, spending time with the Kindy Start Program, excursions for Years 5 and 6 to Bathurst and Canberra, and the experience-gathering initiative of encouraging captains and vice-captains to conduct assemblies and presentations.

Bella focused on My School, My Community, in which she noted that "lots of cultures make us what and who we are, with many friends from different backgrounds living together as one.

"Home is where the heart is and my home is here!"

Tom, who recently competed in a Regional Public Speaking Competition, said that "sport is breaking down the barriers".

"Sport and recreation are major ingredients in migrant backgrounds," he said.

"Sport provides a positive social effect with its combination of pride and dignity."

Residents' Group president Mr Adrian Williams said: "It was great hearing what these young people had to say.

"It was quite inspirational. They were intelligent and articulate.

"The broad knowledge of the subjects they covered and the ease of their deliveries before the audience were most commendable.

"They are a credit to their families and the Pretty Beach School."

Press release, 3 Sep 2007 Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group