Dear parents,
You may have noticed that Mrs Haran, our Deputy Principal, has returned to our school – and we are absolutely delighted to have her back! Mrs Haran has been doing a sensational job as relieving principal at Penrith South Public School since the start of this year, but we have really missed her here. I am sure you are just as happy as we are to have her back!
With just 12 days of the term left, we are getting ready to fill up our days with “sweaty brain” learning and fun-filled and meaningful social and cultural activities.
Next week, our band students will be busy practising with their fellow band members at York Public School with Mr Bamford. Our Stage 3 students will be cooking up a storm ready for their cake stall and our Aboriginal students will be participating in a variety of NAIDOC cultural and sporting activities at the Hunter Fields in Emu Plains, under the supervision of Miss Cavanagh and Miss Tsiattalos. In the last week of school, we will be holding our Pride Day, organised by Miss Kidd.
What a fun and educational time it is for our students. Thank you to our staff who invest so much personal time to make sure these events are available for our students.
Debating
Our Year 5 and Year 6 debating team have enjoyed a successful start to the debating season, under the excellent guidance of Mrs McLoon and ably supported by Miss Kidd. Our next 2 debates will be held next week. Good luck to our teams as they convincingly debate against Kingswood South Public School and Wallacia Public School!
Gold and Silver Assemblies
Our Term 2 Gold and Silver award assemblies will be held on Friday 18th June.
One parent per award recipient will be able to attend the assembly. Parents will be notified if their child is receiving an award.
To assist with our COVID-safety plan, we are restricting the time that parents may enter the school for these assemblies. This is to ensure that the playground is clear of students and staff following our play times, before visitors walk through the playground.
The K-2 assembly starts at 11.30am. Please do not enter the school grounds until 11.25am.
The 3-6 assembly starts at 2.10pm. Please do not enter the school grounds until 2.05pm.
Parents attending the assembly must be well and free of any flu-like symptoms and must adhere to the 1.5-metre safe distancing requirements. Parents must remain seated for the duration of the assembly and leave the school grounds promptly afterwards.
It is a Departmental requirement that parents sign the school sign-in sheet where they acknowledge that they will comply with the COVID-19 restrictions and must also check in using the Service NSW QR code. Both these will be available at the hall.
COVID Restrictions
Whilst the easing of restrictions has certainly been welcome and have enabled parents to be onsite, there are still some restrictions that need to be adhered to. Most of these restrictions are about limiting the number of adults onsite and limiting the length of time they remain onsite.
All parents and visitors to our school site must sign on at the office and scan the QR code. This is not required for parents who are dropping off or picking up their child before or after school.
Parents may drop their child to the supervised area between the hall and the canteen in the morning. Access to the classrooms is not permitted. Please leave the school promptly after dropping off your child.
As can be seen in recent weeks, the COVID situation can change rapidly. If we all do our bit and adhere to the restrictions, we may avoid the need for the tightening of restrictions in our schools. Let’s all stay COVID-safe!!
Penrith Valley Performing Arts Festival
Tickets go on sale directly from Joan Sutherland’s online booking platform from Monday 21st June. Don’t miss out on your tickets, as they traditionally sell very quickly.
Casual Teacher Availability
There continues to be a shortage of available casual teachers to replace staff when they are absent due to illness or other leave. We will do our best, but sometimes classes will need to be split. This situation is widespread across most schools in NSW, as reported in the media.
School Facebook Page
Our school/Department of Education Facebook page is not monitored regularly by our staff. The best way for parents to get timely answers to their questions is by emailing or phoning the school.
Pride Day
Miss Kidd and the Social Justice Club are coordinating Pride Day in the last week of term. This is a day to recognise the diversity of people who make up our community and for everybody to feel proud of who they are. Students and staff are encouraged to wear rainbow colours (or rainbows!) on Wednesday 23rd June in recognition of this day.
I will be taking leave for the last week of this term, returning on the first day back in Term 3. Thank you for your support of our school and our students over this past term. Have a wonderful remainder of the term and a restful and peaceful holiday break.
Best wishes,
Mrs Thompson
Principal