This fortnight has been great for students to explore new learning opportunities on offer during break times. I am super impressed with the number and variety of experiences made available by our staff in their break times. The activities were chosen based on survey results from students. The participation rate is currently high, showing students are voting with their feet. Ask your child if they are giving any of these programs a go. We're both looking forward to visiting these groups over the coming weeks to see the wonderful learning.

Our NAPLAN schedule has been organised to accommodate Ramadan and Eid celebrations. Older students will have tests in the morning and there are no tests timetabled for Eid to avoid make up tests later.

As we come up to the Mother’s Day weekend we would like to wish all of our mums, stepmums, grandmothers and aunties a very special day. Big hugs to anyone who is missing their mum. Last but certainly not least a very Happy Mother’s Day to our staff who are mums too. We have great admiration for how you meet the challenge of being a parent and mum too. Thank you to the organisers of our Mother's Day events and the volunteers who supported our school. It's special to take time out to celebrate the amazing women in our school community.

Links to Learning

This term, Year 6 students will complete the Links to Learning transition program. They have enjoyed participating in a range of engaging activities to support their transition to high school. This program complements the transition program which will take place in term 4. 

Belonging

This term our theme 'Belonging' has motivated us to learn about why some groups in our community feel like they don't belong. Each class has read a range of texts to explore the theme and these led to some rich discussions. 

Music

This term our RFF teachers are covering the music program. Students will listen to, compose and play different types of music using a variety of musical instruments. We were super impressed with the way students were able to talk about 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' a classical piece by Rimsky Korsakov. They made suggestions about the instruments and how the music reflects a bee. 

NRL

Students had a great time at the NRL clinic where they learned new skills through a range of fun games. It was wonderful to watch them play in a relaxed cooperative atmosphere. 

Another busy and exciting fortnight for Stage 2 students. Classes were able to participate in the League Stars' program where members of the NRL team showed them a range of exciting new skills and concepts to improve their physical health and skill sets. Their competive nature and hard work was on display during every session.

Due to last year's cross country carnvial being cancelled, it was most of our students first go at the event. With lots of smiles, the students had a great time competing for their respective houses. What was great to see was not only the students giving their best effort on the track, but those who were encouraging their peers from the side line.

Stage 2 students have been enjoying the use of technology and robotics in the library. Mrs Lynch and Mrs Chenoworth have been busy setting up many challenges and activities for the students to work through. We have also been very lucky to have visits from coding experts to help students enhance their skills.

Congratulations to all students who have been successful in making a winter gala day team. If your child has recieved a note, please have these signed and returned ASAP.  It will be exciting to see so many Stage 2 students representing our school once more.

This term, Stage One have been focusing on poetry. Students have been creating and reciting different kinds of poems. They have been learning about different language features such as repetition, rhyme, alliteration, onomatopoeia and lots more to make their writing more interesting. It has been our pleasure to see Year One and Two students be so creative in their writing and achieving their learning goals.

We also wanted to congratulate all the Year 2 students who participated in their first Cross Country on Monday. It was exciting to see so many students try their best and not give up!

Stage One students have continued working hard on their mindset goals – Be Collaborative and Be Flexible. Congratulations to our fortnightly award winners for demonstrating these mindset goals. We would also like to congratluate 1/2L for winning the class of the week! 

Mrs Doughty and Miss Staats

I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to those parents, carers and family members who assisted this week with the Mother's Day stall and to everyone who came along to our afternoon tea. The kids absolutely love seeing you in 'their space' and we have missed being able to share these events with you all.

The recent wet weather, along with the accidents that some children experience at school, has seriously depleted our supply of spare clothing. If your child is prone to toileting accidents could you please pack spare pants, socks and shoes for them to change into. This will eliminate the need to call you up to the school with these fresh supplies.

The current focus for student learning in history and literacy is on belonging which encompasses the groups that we belong to such as family, social, sporting, ethnic, cultural, religious and special interest groups. Student learning can be enhanced and deepened through conversations at home including the types of groups that family members belong to, why they belong to them and what the benefits or disadvantages of membership might be.

I wish you all a wonderful day of family celebration for Mother's Day this weekend.

Kris Westcott

Assistant Principal

PSSA Term 2 Gala Days

Friday 28 May 2021 and 11 June 2021

Notes were issued to students this week who trialled and were selected in a team.   There are several sections to the note.

1.   Parent Consent - this must be signed by the parent/carer for the student to participate.  Please ensure the section regarding medical conditions is completed eg. asthma.

2.   Code of Conduct - this section must be signed by the student after reading the code of conduct statement.

3.   Payment slip at the bottom of the page - this is to be completed and returned with payment of $14.00 for both Gala Days.

Please note for any student who participated in the Term 1 Gala Days the payment will only be $7.00.  The cancelled Gala Day last term has been refunded to your school account.  For those students who did not participate in Term 1 the payment remains at $14.00.

The preferred method of payment is via a Parent Online Payment (POP).  Simply logon to the school website here, select the "make a payment" tab at the top of the screen and follow the prompts.  Use your student's name as the reference and PSSA Gala day.  Permission slips must be returned noting your receipt number at the foot of the page.  Cash payments will be accepted and should be submitted in an envelope clearly marked with the student's name and can be placed in the "Fees Box" at the office.  EFTPOS is available at the office however no telephone payments can be made.  Please return the fully completed form and payment no later than Wednesday 26 May 2021.

Stewart House Donation Envelopes

Final day to return donations is Friday 7 May 2021.  We would be grateful if you could make a donation of at least $2.00 in the envelope provided and return it back to the school office.  Each donation has a chance of winning a $4,000.00 family holiday..  

Year 5 2022 Opportunity Class

 All applications are online only and is open now until Friday 7 May 2021.  Further information is avalable here.  Please return the slip at the foot of the page to advise if your child will be sitting the exam.  An information brouchure is available here.  .

This fortnight our PBIS focus is on Anti-bullying. Students will develop an understanding of what bullying is and the types of bullying that can occur. This will form the initial lesson of a series being introduced this term to further develop students ability to recognise bullying and provide strategies to use when in difficult situations. 

Our mindset goal focus is- Be Motivated! Special red buzzbees wil be given to students over the next 2 weeks who display this mindset within their classrooms. Red buzzbees will be drawn out in the next assembly as part of our special buzzbee prize draws.

The NAPLAN Online test period will begin next week (Week 4). It is essential that all students attend on the test days if at all possible.

On Tuesday, 11th May, Year 3 and Year 5 students will complete the NAPLAN writing test. Year 5 students will complete the test online. Year 3 students will handwrite their responses.

All students in Years 3 and 5 will complete the Reading test on Monday, 17th May, the Language test on Tuesday, 18th May and the Numeracy test on Wednesday, 19th May. All of these tests will be completed online.

Following this test period there will be 2 catch up days (Thursday and Friday) for students who have been absent for any of the tests.

If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN, please contact Mrs Wells.

YMCA would like to advise the school community commencing Monday 17 May 2021 the opening hours are changing for the afternoon/evening session.  The service will now close at 6.00pm.

Operation hours are now: 

Before School Care:  6.30am - 8.30am

After School Care:  3.00pm - 6.00pm

If you have any queries please contact YMCA directly on 9618 3480

Apply online here.

Buzzbee's Extra-Curricular Clubs and Programs are happening now! These are special actvities that your child might like to be invloved in during lunch and recess. 

* CLUBS - are activities that your child MUST attend each week. Clubs will work towards a performance or design that can be presented to others.
* The first 2 weeks will be a ‘trial’. Your child will have to make a decision by week 4 if they would like to stay in the club. Your child will be expected to attend every week.

* PROGRAMS - are activities that your child can choose to attend when they like. Your child does not have to attend the program every week.

* Students will be shown the clubs and programs today. The clubs and programs will be announced each day on Radio Sackville, plus there will a timetable displayed in each class.
* Programs are highlighted in blue and clubs are highlighted in purple

"The ability to monitor and manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviours" (Committee for Children 2015)

Understanding and managing our emotions and behaviours can be difficult for adults, but even more so for children. Emotional intelligence is about having the skills to understand and react appropriately to our own emotions, or those of others, regulating our emotions and using them in order to achieve personal goals.

In the article 'How to help children through an after school meltdown' the author explains that

... home is a place for most children, where they can behave without judgement, be spontaneous, express their emotions, have more freedom, be creative, and feel safe and secure. A home is where they can be their ‘true selves’ and once they are there, children finally have a safe space to let out all their bottled-up emotions. They haven’t seen their parents all day long and finally have the people they trust most in the world to collapse into a heap with and still be loved unconditionally.

Parents, therefore, bear the brunt of their child's emotional let down from holding themselves together thoughout the school day. The article goes on to suggest practical tips for parents to support their children through these emotionally turbulent times.

Another quick read is: Emotional regulation:how children learn to manage their feelings & how you can help

Our staff are committed to the wellbeing of our community. As we move through these challenging times together, If you or your child require emotional support please don't hesitate to make contact with us. Often a conversation can set minds at ease. Organisations such as Beyond Blue, Headspace and Kids Helpline are also available to provide additional specialised support.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 224 636

https://headspace.org.au/   Headspace Campbelltown 4627 9089  Headspace Liverpool 8785 3200         

https://kidshelpline.com.au 1800 551 800