Dear parents,
We have quite an exciting couple of weeks ahead of us, with lots of interesting and fun activities and events for our students.
This week, our Year 5 students will be at their camp at Port Hacking for 3 days, where they will engage in a range of adventurous outdoor activities and team-building games. Mr Bamford will be attending the camp for all 3 days, and I will be there for 2 days. We are both looking forward to spending some fun time with our fantastic Year 5 students. Thank you to Mrs Macleod Jones for her organisation and coordination of our camp and to the Stage 3 teachers for giving up their time to attend with the students.
Our Year 6 debating team are looking forward to the challenge of arguing their point against Werrington County PS this week. And next week, our Year 5 debating team will be doing the same against Henry Fulton PS. Mrs McLoon has been working hard to polish up our students’ debating skills, with some early morning and lunchtime training. I am sure our debaters will also be practising their debating skills at home!
Next week, we also have our week-long Dance for Sick Kids fundraiser, which will keep our students on their toes whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause. Thank you to Ms Kidd for her coordination of this fundraiser.
And, finally, a big cheer for Mr Miskell and Mrs Riches who will be managing the NSW Basketball Championships next week, providing a wonderful opportunity for students from schools across the state.
National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is held on May 26th and marks the day that the landmark ‘Bringing them Home’ report was tabled in federal parliament in 1997. It is a time to reflect on the sad and painful stories of the Stolen Generations. It is also a time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power of saying Sorry.
National Reconciliation Week
The Week runs from 27th May to 3rd June every year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021 is, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.
National Reconciliation Week is more than just raising awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements. It is a time to recognise the strength of our Aboriginal communities and honour the knowledge held within them. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Gold and Silver Assemblies
Our Term 2 Gold and Silver award assemblies will be held on Friday 18th June. The last day for award trading for the Term 2 assemblies is Friday 4th June.
One parent per award recipient will be able to attend the assembly. Parents will be notified if their child is receiving an award.
K-2 Assembly
This Friday, 28th May, KJ will be presenting the assembly – not 1O as previously advised! While there will not be a class item, one parent per child in KJ may attend the assembly.
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 of these will be available inside 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.
Parents of children in Kindy and Year 1 may pick up their child from the synthetic turf beside the school office or from the basketball court in the afternoons. Please leave these areas promptly after collecting your child.
Parents of children in Years 2-6 may pick their child up from the undercover area outside the hall or may arrange to meet their child at the school gates. Please do not wait near the classrooms. Access to the classrooms after school is not permitted.
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!!
Dance for Sick Kids
Our Social Justice Club is running a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House charity fundraiser, Dance for Sick Kids. Next week, there will be dance competitions held at lunchtime, with entry being a gold coin donation.
On Friday 4th June, we are having a mufti day. Students are encouraged to dress in multi-coloured and bright clothes and to bring a gold coin as a donation to this worthwhile charity.
P&C Meeting
Our June P&C meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 1st June in our library. We do hope you can join us.
Penrith Valley Performing Arts Festival
Congratulations to our senior dance group, our choir and our band for their successful audition for the performing arts festival. Our students will be performing on Thursday 22nd July at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith. A huge thank you to Mrs Riches, Mrs Robens and Mr Bamford for their coordination of these groups.
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.
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs Thompson
Principal
