Our P&C AGM was held on Monday night. We are thankful that so many parents have served our school community over the past year and also those who have stood for election this year or who have stood again. At this stage all positions are filled except for the vital one as Secretary. The P&C have considered splitting the role into a Minutes Secretary and an Association Secretary for completing the necessary tasks as an incorporated body. Please consider putting your hand up for one of these, particularly if you work in this type of field and have skills. Alternately anyone ready to learn is also appreciated.
It is a mark of our school community that despite the challenges of 2020, Randwick students have thrived and prospered, our school community has adapted to all the rules and regulations, and new ways have been found to accomplish old tasks such as meeting by ZOOM as a P&C. It has certainly allowed more people to be involved.
Meanwhile at school it has allowed time to do some school and playground refurbishments: Hall sound and lighting, Cricket nets/multipurpose court, Kindy natural play area and now netball/tennis court.
Our PBL committee has also been hard at work with updating our values, awards and sports houses which will form the backbone for improved wellbeing and engagement programs in 2021-2024.
The beautiful "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a Learner" mural takes pride of place in the playground along with signage explaining these values in practical terms in different settings. It has inspired teachers under the leadership of Ms Butler to involve Year 6 in a legacy by creating a mural of the 6 new sports house animal emblems on the back wall of the parents room. There will need to be a tour or unveiling of everything when we can freely admit parents to our playground in 2021 as we hope.
Thank you to parents for being respectful of the Department’s guidelines about accessing schools. We will be able to have parents by invitation to the Year 5 leadership speeches, the various Presentation days and Year 6 functions so please look out for notifications about booking for these events if you receive an invitation.
We are also currently having after school playtimes for new Kindies - 30 per afternoon, again through a booking system. The first one yesterday afternoon I’m told was a great success and children were delighted by all the climbing equipment.
The advice is that for the remainder of 2020 we must follow a COVID safe plan which means that each person acknowledges the rules around possible infection, remains at home if unwell and provides their name and details before entry. I believe the Department is making a business case to Treasury to fund a similar QR code as is being implemented in public venues, so this may help with management in 2021. As we can see by the current South Australia outbreak, it takes every one of us to be vigilant and stay safe.
Students in Years 3 and 5 have been completing a Literacy and Numeracy Check in Assessment. Around 1700 schools elected to take advantage to use this brief NAPLAN substitute for 2020. Year 5 results are back and I’m pleased to say that our students have not suffered adversely from the interruptions this year. We are still waiting on Year 3 final results, but it appears that parents with home learning and teachers with online materials have been able to keep students on task and learning well. Our thanks to the P&C for their support of IT over the years that ensured both teachers and students were ready for the remote learning experience.
My thanks to our teachers and particularly executive members Miss Bell and Miss Robertson. The Year 4, 5 and 6 camps were pulled together very quickly when the announcement was made for them to go ahead this term. I have just returned from the Year 5 camp at Hawks Nest, just past Newcastle. The children were great and behaved well ensuring everyone had an enjoyable time. Thank you to our teachers who gave up their time so willingly, assuming the 24/7 care of the children and to students for their enthusiastic participation and ability to get along well with everyone.
We look forward to various events before the conclusion of the term only 4 weeks away and the new year. The starting pattern is a little different so please watch the dates in the newsletter regularly. There will also be an update just before school resumes for students letting you know about any ongoing restrictions at that time.
Regards
Susan Allen, Principal