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HI EVERYONE
I think our whole community will have earned a big break this weekend after another week of blended learning, trying to keep up with ever changing conditions in our current way of living and all of the things in between! Thank you again for messages of support and checking in so that we can continue to unite as a community, navigating the week together.
I have chosen to keep with my video message format this week, but will summarise the main points here as well in case you want to see it too as well as added information. Please continue to read all communication that comes out, as there have and will continue to be changes as we know more about forward planning.
- Thank you for your incredible support and messages of encouragement.
- Your feedback told us that the Week 2 learning plan format and content were much better for blended learning. Still do only what you can and don’t feel pressure beyond that.
- Week 3:
- Week 3 Blended Learning Plans will come to you on Monday 11th May.
- Increased numbers of students will be on site as students attend on their Grade allocated days. This will reduce at times the amount of online support possible with more face to face teaching.
- Essential workers’ children will be supervised by rostered teachers during the week.
- Children at school on their Grade allocated transition days will have their own teacher and classmates.
- If you are concerned and don’t want to send your child in, you are not penalised for attendance. Continue to learn from home with our support where possible and complete attendance messaging as normal.
- Wear usual school uniform for the day of attendance - Monday to Wednesday Summer school uniform, Thursday and Friday Sport uniform (if you forget, it’s ok).
- Bring a drink bottle - no bubblers to be shared.
- Bring lunch however the canteen is open for orders, snacks and drinks.
- Hygiene practices remain (handwashing; limiting physical contact and face touching; coughing and sneezing into elbows; going home if any symptoms of illness).
- Adult social distancing still to be followed by staff and parents/carers - no parents/carers in the school grounds except office attendance. Staggered lunch breaks for staff and students.
- Drop off only via bus gate in mornings, no walking to classrooms. Adhere to parking zones as usual.
- Pick up Kinder to Year 2 - outside the gate near the canteen - social distancing in the car park area while waiting for teachers to assist children to parents/carers. Older siblings from Year 3 to 6 will be with them for a single pickup for parents.
- Pick up Year 3 to 6 - outside the gate at the far end of Warlters Street (near the Year 5 classrooms) - social distancing while waiting for teachers to assist children to parents/carers.
- Buses as usual via bus gate for all Grades - no parents/carers to congregate where buses collect.
- Police visited during the week to remind parents to social distance outside gates - not at the request of the school. Fines can be issued if they return.
- Children must remain at home if they show signs of cold or flu symptoms. If they present unwell at school they will be sent home.
- Planning ahead:
- Plans are underway for further transitions to full school attendance, projecting that students will be back at school more quickly than previously expected. More information to be announced in the coming weeks as we receive it. Planning ahead will be dependent on updates from Government and Health authorities and as changes occur they will be communicated with families.
- Uniforms:
- Parish Uniform Store in Boronia Street reopening next week - 1:00 to 5:00pm Mondays to Fridays.
- Winter uniforms are not required to be worn before the long weekend in June.
- Mother’s Day:
- We would like to wish all of our wonderful Mothers, Carers, Grandmothers and all other female role models for our community a happy and safe day on Sunday. We pray that you know how much you are appreciated and that you continue to be at the heart of your families, supported by those around you.
- As we miss you here for our usual celebrations at this time of year, there is a special surprise for you. Our own elves in residence (Educational Assistants and helpers as well as some children) have prepared a special card for each family to share with their Mum or other special carer. The children who are at school today will have it in their bag, all other families at home will have a special delivery between today and Sunday from a member of staff. It will be in a plastic sleeve for protection, but please check your mailbox or front area. If for some reason we miss anyone, please contact the school on Monday.
- One of our beautiful leaders, Savannah Beard, has prepared a wonderful video for you all with some help from other members of our school community. Please enjoy her amazing talent and the generosity of other students in being part of this.
- Awesome News!!
- The hint in my video message relates to an announcement we have been waiting for …. I am so very pleased to let you know that our Year 3 to 6 toilet block refurbishment is complete! The fences have come down but there are a few minor internal adjustments before we allow students to start using them, hopefully next week.
- Below you will find a video announcement, where we had a little fun bringing to you our excitement on this news!
WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY
Tess Koning
Principal
RELIGION TASK
The COVID-19 lockdown has unlocked some of the many talents of our students who have recreated scenes from Easter and provided some messages about God’s love.
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support, patience and encouragement as you have embarked on the new career pathway of ‘teachers at home’. We know this may have been challenging at times but we also know you are doing the absolute best for your children at home. We are looking forward to seeing students return in small groups next week.
I would also like to thank our dedicated staff for all they have been doing to support the learning of students during this blended learning environment. Many staff have had to think completely differently from going from teaching face to face to only on a screen as has been a huge learning curve for us all.
As we continue in this environment for a little bit longer I thought I would share a site I use with students at school which may assist at home as well.
Youcubed is a site used by many teachers for research articles on the learning of Mathematics and resources for classroom teaching and learning, especially through the early years of school. Led by Stanford University Maths Professor Dr Jo Boaler, Youcubed also includes advice for parents to help young children develop their mathematical thinking, skills and knowledge. There is a summary of some key tips which may be helpful to families during this time of learning at home, specifically for maths, but in some cases transferable to learning in other curriculum areas as well:- Encourage children to play Mathematics puzzles and games. Anything with a dice really, will help children enjoy maths, and develop number sense, which is critically important.
- Encourage number sense. What separates high and low achievers in Mathematics is number sense – having an idea of the size of numbers and being able to separate and combine numbers flexibly. For example, when working out 29 + 56, if you take one from the 56 and make it 30 + 55, it is much easier to work out. The flexibility to work with numbers is extremely important.
- Always be encouraging and never tell children they are wrong when they are working on maths problems. Instead, find the logic in their thinking – there is always some logic to what they say. For example, if your child multiplies 3 by 4 and gets 7, say – Oh I see what you are thinking, you are using what you know about addition to add 3 and 4, when we multiply we have 4 groups of 3…
- Never associate maths with speed. It is not important to work quickly, and we now know that forcing children to work quickly on maths is the best way to start maths anxiety for many of them.
- Perhaps most important of all – encourage a “growth mindset.” Let students know that they have unlimited maths potential and that being good at maths is all about working hard. When children have a growth mindset, they do well with challenges and do better in school overall. When children have a fixed mindset and they encounter difficult work, they often conclude that they are not “a maths person”.
Jeannine Ucdereli
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
UNIFORM STORE RE-OPENED
The St Agnes' Unfiorm store will resume trade from Monday 11th May. The store will reopen with the revised hours of operation from 1pm-5pm, Monday to Friday. Online ordering has also resumed with click and collect and delivery available.
2021 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
Thank you to everyone who have completed their online enrolments through the link we previously distributed.
As part of our Kindergarten enrolment program, we would normally arrange an Information Night to help families understand the benefits of enrolling their child in Kindergarten at a St Agnes’ Catholic Parish primary school. At this Information Night we would highlight our unique educational approach, which is built on strong foundations, supporting children to grow and learn at Kindergarten and throughout the rest of their school education.
As our Kindergarten 2021 Information Night was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, we developed a video that includes information from our primary school principals, outlining our holistic approach to learning, pastoral care and partnerships with families and the community. Additionally, there is really useful information regarding school readiness presented by Christy Ismay from the Catholic Schools Office. You can view the full video below.
For those who have not started or completed their online enrolment, you can do so at the following link: https://stagnesparish.org.au/
Printed application forms are available on request by calling 6588 7444 or emailing enrol@stagnesparish.org.au.
Please note, enrolment applications must be completed and submitted by Monday 18th May 2020.
We hope that the COVID-19 environment will soon see a staged return to normal where our school communities will be able to meet you in person.
YEAR 7 2021 ENROLMENT
Enrolment has commenced for our Year 7 2021 cohort.
We are currently planning to commence the enrolment interviews, possibly via ZOOM, and will communicate the plan as it unfolds depending on social distancing restrictions. We hope to commence interviews in mid to late May and will continue into Term 3. Parents will be contacted by the College offices.
We encourage all parents of Year 6 students wishing to attend the Colleges in 2021 to return the enrolment packs to the respective College offices as soon as possible. If you have friends or families with students in Year 6 please encourage them to return the packs. Places will fill quickly so it is important packs are returned as soon as possible.
St Agnes' Parish Education Team
The situation that is facing us regarding Corona-virus (COVID-19) is a constantly changing one.
Catholic Care of the Aged services including Residential Care, Respite Care, Home Care and Independent Villages remain operational in our community. It is our intention and our aim to be able to continue taking new admissions, to welcome and support individuals and their families at their time of need.
Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, clients, team members and communities. To minimise contact and maintain the guidelines specified by the Australian Government, we have introduced several changes to the way our services are delivered.
We are enforcing mandatory sanitisation for staff and authorised visitors on the site, COVID-19 screening continues along with temperature checks to ensure reduced risk of exposure. Staff are utilising personal protective equipment (PPE) and practising high-level sanitisation procedures and our routine quality infection controls remain in place.
If you or someone you know is considering Residential Care, Respite Care or Home Care we are currently taking new admissions and would welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. Simply contact our Client Relationship Team on 5525 3600, or email enquiries.cca@stagnesparish.org.au
BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN
ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL OLYMPICS!
As we are not having our Olympics this year, Zoe Little (6H), one of our amazing Sport House Captains, is inviting our students to participate in the St Joseph’s Olympics. Well done Zoe for your great initiative and leadership!
1. Watch Zoe’s Video - https://youtu.be/lix5muP3s3o and choose any of the Olympic activities that you would like to compete in.
2. Practice over the coming weeks and record your best attempt.
3. Send your video to Ms Hatherly via email at laura.hatherly@lism.catholic.
4. Enter by Friday 22nd May.
5. Winners will be announced Friday 29th May.
Good Luck!
From Zoe and our Sport House Captains
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Our School Athletics Carnival is planned for Thursday 25th June (Week 9). We are hopeful the carnival will run, but we will keep you posted if we need to change the date and/or alter how the carnival will be organised. At this stage we need to have completed the event by the end of this Term to ensure we are ready for the schedulded Zone Athletics Carnival in Term 3.
Yours in Sport
Laura Hatherly
LUNCH ORDERS
The canteen is operating as usual and lunch orders can be placed via Flexischools or by dropping them in the basket on the counter each morning.
VOLUNTEER NOTICE
We are still unable to have volunteers in the canteen at this stage until further notice.
Don't forget you can order online by 8:30am- it's so easy!!
- Download the Flexischools app from the App Store or from Google Play.
Note: for iPhone and iPad please select ‘Allow’ notification - Click “Register Now” to create account
- Top-up your balance
- Start ordering immediately
- Alternatively Go to www.flexischools.com.au
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coordinator
TIME TO SHINE
Watch this space!
Yours in Creative and Performing Arts
Leah Toole
The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people remains our highest priority. Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, the School Banking program will remain on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed with any updates including how we will be managing Dollarmite tokens for students.
In the meantime, here are some handy online resources for parents who wish to maintain momentum with their child’s financial education:
- Start Smart: these resources have been created to improve children’s money management skills, and is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and the National Consumer Financial Literacy Framework (https://www.startsmart.com.au/teacher-resources/primary-resources/).
- The Beanstalk: offers videos and fun activities for children to learn about money (https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/can/teaching-kids-about-money.html?ei=tl_visit-beanstalk).
School Banking
Commonwealth Bank
Busways would like to advise that all school and route services to your school are still operating.
Busways is continuing to work with Transport for NSW to ensure vital services keep running for all our customers during COVID-19. The health and safety of our drivers and our passengers is our top priority and as such, we encourage you to remind students to maintain hygiene practices, remain cautious of the virus and follow social distancing guidelines when they’re on the bus (where possible). Students should always maintain social distance from the bus driver.
It’s important that we all continue to exercise every Government outlined requirement to ensure we get through this together. Busways has continued to:
- Maintain extra cleaning on buses, with every bus receiving a disinfectant treatment every day, including all regularly touched areas such as handrails, poles, seats and doors.
- Exercise additional procedures for all Busways employees to follow in order to limit any chance of the virus spreading. This includes issuing employees with hand sanitiser, requiring employees to wash their hands every time they enter and leave a worksite, employees staying home if they’re unwell, and minimising the handling of cash.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and appreciate schools providing information to students to assist in minimising the spread of the virus. Please remind students that they are still required tap on and off with their Opal card or show their School bus pass when boarding.
Current advice:
If a student is experiencing flu-like symptoms, until they know what type of illness they have, they must stay home and avoid contact with other people. They should not board the bus. Students undergoing 14 days of mandatory isolation should also not board the bus.
This information may change at any time subject to Government decisions.
Parents should seek medical advice over the phone and follow all recommendations from their medical professional.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Busways at infoline@busways.com.au.
Assistance for Parents and Families
Please see below an information sheet from Catholic Schools NSW outlining sources of support for families, households, income and small business.
Week 3 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday 12th May |
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Wednesday 13th May |
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Thursday 14th May |
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Friday |
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Week 4 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday 19th May |
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Wednesday 20th May |
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Thursday 21st May |
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Friday |
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Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -
For your convenience school term dates are located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2020
Our remaining Staff Development Days (pupil free) for the year are:
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- Monday 20th July (Term 3, Week 1)
- Monday 12th October (Term 4, Week 1)
Due to circumstances around COVID-19, these dates may change.
Limited child minding places will be available for each of these days and we will advise on how to register closer to each date if you require it.
Blended Learning Update and Drop Off/Pick Up Requirements
KM | Nyah Watson | For sharing photos of the great work you are doing during Home Learning. |
Molly McGeoch | For working hard at remembering her sight words. | |
Grace Gluckstern-Hill | For trying her best and having a go at new activities. | |
KS | Logan Reilly | For his wonderful Home Learning efforts this week. Great work! |
Emmett Riske | For being a helpful class member who likes to assist his teachers and cares about his class. | |
Harper Maher | For excellent investigating and collection of items during letter/sound hunts! Keep up the wonderful work at home. | |
1R | Indii Love | A great Persuasive text written and an amazing retelling of the Emmaus story read out on Seesaw. |
Heidi Lawrence | For wonderful team work when reading on Seesaw and for some awesome stories you have written. | |
William McKenzie | For the great work you have completed and shown to me on Seesaw this week. | |
2S | Lylah Robinson | For completing an amazing amount of work during Home Learning. |
Zoe Lawrence | For completing an amazing amount of work during Home Learning. | |
Toby Smurthwaite | For presenting an amazing Persuasive text on packaging. Well done Toby! | |
2T | Gemma Cooper | For her commitment and effort towards her Home Learning. |
Lily Skinner | For her variety of strategies used for Number Busting in Maths. | |
Sunny Stapleton | For his commitment and effort towards all of his Home Learning tasks. | |
3BH | Xavier Mat | For being such a positive and enthusiastic member of 3BH. Keep up the great Home Learning! |
Chloe Widdison | For being such a positive and enthusiastic member of 3BH. Keep up the great Home Learning! | |
Drew Evans | For being such a positive and enthusiastic member of 3BH. Keep up the great Home Learning! | |
3D | Lailah Watson | For her amazing work on her Home Learning enquiry task! Super effort Lailah! |
Charli Hoitink | For her amazing efforts working on our Home Learning plans. You are a super star Charli! | |
Sebastian Bennett-Tonkin | For his amazing efforts working on our Home Learning plans. You are a super star Seb! | |
4B | Isabella Russell | For her consistent hard work throughout blended learning. I've seen some great pieces of work from you this Term Bella. Keep up the hard work! |
Gene Smith | For his Week 1 writing task. This was very well done Gene. Keep it up! | |
Rocco Robinson | For his participation throughout blended learning. It's great seeing you in our Year 4 Zooms! | |
4F | Lainey Campbell | For your amazing sense of humor and brightening our day with your Thursday Funny and you terrific work on your Persuasive writing. Well done! |
Jaxon Smurthwaite | For your outstanding effort with your blended learning. You have truly gone above and beyond and I am so proud of the effort you are putting in, in all areas. Amazing job Jaxon. | |
Willa Corless-Brown | For your ability to explain your thinking in your maths tasks and using a range of mathematical thinking when completing your work. Outstanding! | |
5G | Millie Paine | For an amazing Google Slide showing all her Blended Learning. Fantastic job Millie! |
Phoenix Charnock | For completing an excellent drawing and design for Maths. Terrific effort Phoenix! | |
Bonnie Russell | For showing terrific dedication to her Blended Learning. Excellent effort Bonnie! | |
5H | Ella Moore | For working so hard and independently from home. |
Phoenix Kitching | For your wonderful start to Term 2 and your contributions to our online learning community. | |
Charlee Webber | For your effort in taking your online learning to the next level. | |
6MH | Sheridan Barker | For using a variety of strategies to solve mathematical problems. |
Tahnee Dimon | For reading aloud in a confident manner with excellent expression. | |
James Hiam | For excellent effort when completing Home Learning to a high standard. Very impressive! |