'We Love You, Magoo!' by Briony Stewart was a big hit with the incoming Kindergarten students on Wednesday morning. The children made dogs and cats to take home with them. They had a great time having a snack and a play on the playground in the sunshine!
Welcome to Week 7! - Over the past two weeks, it has been wonderful to host Book Week (including the parade and book fair) and our school’s public speaking competition. The Book Week parade always brings with it an exuberance of energy, and this year was no exception thanks to the organisation of Mrs Biar and the extended Holbrook Public School team. Please find a link to a movie in today’s newsletter showing many of the marvelous characters who took part. Well done, parents, on a great effort in 2021!! We sold over $2,500 worth of books, too, which was incredible and will keep the culture of reading alive in Holbrook for some time to come.
Public Speaking Competition - The public speaking competition was also an opportunity for the students to make their mark. The finals were held under the covered outdoor area, with many remarkable speeches being noted. As part of the impromptu speeches, the students voted for Miss B to take on the task of completing one as well. Her topic was ‘gumboots’, and the students responded with great roars of laughter, cheering and applause. Fantastic effort, Miss B and all students! The winners of this competition will be announced at Presentation Day this year.
Vaccination of Adults on the School Site – As of 8 November 2021, all staff, contractors, parents/carers and volunteers need to be double (fully) vaccinated when visiting the school. Showing proof of vaccination and signing in on the Service NSW School Check-in app is required for all visits. At this stage, we are unaware of which families these restrictions may impact negatively. I apologise in advance for these circumstances; however, we must follow NSW Department of Education policy.
What does this mean for our school? Double vaccinated parents can only come to the school, on invitation, for specific purposes. For example to support curriculum delivery, student well-being activities and school operations (for example reading support, and lunch orders). Parents and carers must check in using the school check-in and show proof of vaccination on entry to the school site.
Double vaccinated parents will be able to attend the Year 6 Farewell (Wednesday 15 December), pending the school or any external venue’s COVID Safety Plan. We are currently investigating potential external venues. Failing the availability of a local venue, the event may need to take place at the school. Double vaccinated parents required to help with a specific role (for example, a speech or handing out an award) will be the only ones able to attend Presentation Day in 2021 (10 am Tuesday 14 December), which will need to be held outdoors. As in 2020, we will investigate the possibility of using Zoom to stream the Presentation Day event; however, as it now needs to be held outside, this may not be as efficient.
Staffing - Congratulations to Amelia-Kate White, who was successful in the merit selection process for the new permanent Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction position at Holbrook Public School! Amelia is currently working in a similar role at Thurgoona Public School and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Amelia is excited to be joining our team in 2022. In other staffing news, next year (for one day per week), we will also be employing a Digital Classroom Officer to act as an instructional leader for the high-quality integration of technology in all classrooms. Exciting times ahead!
Thank you for your patience and understanding with the changes in staffing that have been occurring this term. Due to DoE policy and Level 3 School Operations, we cannot run our fluid and flexible English and mathematics groupings for the remainder of the year. The home class teachers for all 3-6 classes will remain the same, however for English and maths, Miss Morgan will teach 3/4, Miss Barraclough will teach 4/5, and Mr Powys will teach 5/6. Miss Lavis will work across all three classes to provide support to students and teachers.
Congratulations and thank you - Caitlin Kotzur, who completed her third Year university practicum with Mrs Biar last week!
Nathan Fisher
Principal