Sutton Public School

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Canberra Lock Down

We are all feeling the impact of the ACT Lockdown as we try to work our way through such wide ranging and quickly changing details.   Sutton Public School continues to be fully operational and all students who are NSW residents are to attend their NSW public school.  We continue to operate under Level 2 restrictions.

Please refer to the NSW Department of Education updates for information.  

https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

The Rural Access Gap (RAG) is the first stage of the Schools Digital Strategy that is aimed towards regional and rural schools like ours providing digital supported so that our access to technology for teaching and learning will match our metropolitan counterparts. 

It is through RAG that our school's internet service has been strengthened  and  a roll out of digital devices to schools has seen 25 new iPads and 12 laptop computers arrive at Sutton.  These new devices  will soon be in our classrooms.  We are working to ensure  technology that supports learning is available and expertly integrated into lessons by teachers in every classroom to achieve improved learning outcomes for every student.  We are pleased to have received these resources to help us build expertise and innovation across the school.

Clare Sullivan

August

17th - 150th Art Exhibition Workshop#3 (All classes) TBC

23rd - Book Week celebrations begin TBC

31st - Stage 1 dental talk

September

7th - District Athletics Carnival

14th - External Validation Day

17th - Last day of Term 3

Activities we are looking forward to in week 6:

Monday:      ICAS -  English assessment - 9:30am

                     1/2 C will work with Aaron from Dreamtime Connections

Tuesday:   Chess Club with Mr Tallon in the computer lab

                    Library open at lunch time - Mrs Walker

                    Garden work

Wednesday: Library open at lunch time - Mrs Doran

                       Choir meeting at lunch time

                        Garden work

Thursday:  Library open at lunch time - Mrs Doran

                       Coding Club - 5/6E room

                       Garden work

Friday:  Footsteps program for all classes

                       Band lessons

Restrictions on certain activities and non-essential visitors apply to schools outside of Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour). Non-essential visitors are not permitted in schools. Parents should expect us to 'meet and greet' you at the gate each morning, ask you to 'call ahead' if you are to collect your child during school hours and 'wait at the gate', observing social distancing, when it is pick-up time. If parents need to drop off/pick up notes/lunch etc please call the office and we will meet you at the gate. Please only enter school grounds if you have an appointment.

In circumstances where it is essential for visitors to enter during school hours, the following guidelines must be followed:

• maintain social distancing
• follow COVID safe hygiene practices

• follow mask-wearing requirements 
• sign in using the Service NSW QR code when entering the school

The NSW Government have introduced mandatory QR codes across a range of additional settings, including schools.

Parents and carers permitted on school sites for specific purposes are required to check in using the QR codes available and check out once they leave the school site.

The YMCA has a specific QR code available to the parents of children enrolled in before and after school care.  Parents are required to check in in using that QR code when dropping off and picking up their children.

• Assemblies can be held with COVID-safe practices in place. No visitors will be permitted.  Assemblies will shared via zoom.
• Singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs are permitted if conducted outside in a well-ventilated area.
• Bands and ensembles are permitted in line with current health advice.
• Dance or drama are permitted in line with COVID-Safe practices within classes.
• Library activities are permitted in line with the Infection Control requirements.

Events

• Community use and events outside of school hours
• Excursions will be limited to outdoor locations within the Local Government Area of the school where the school can demonstrate COVID Safe practices
• Parents and carers may attend for the purposes of school orientation programs
• School orientation programs are permitted with COVID-safe practices in place
• Inter-school, inter-regional and intrastate activities and events, such as gala days and sporting carnivals can continue with COVID-safe practices in place
• Schools must make alternative arrangements for performances, productions, concerts, speech nights, award presentations, graduations, formals and school dances that support the broader guidance. Personal hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping practices must be adhered to at these events.

• P&C activities including meetings
• Community use outside school hours
• Canteens and uniform stores where appropriate hygiene measures are in place

Students should not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.

Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms is strongly encouraged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Find your local testing clinics.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families/schools-outside-of-greater-sydney1

Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are really enjoying Footsteps lessons each Friday with Abbey.  This classes will be working towards developing performance skills using "Wake Me Up by Wham ( Kindergarten) Peppermint Twist - by Sweet ( Stage 1), We will Rock You by FIve ( Stage 2) or My Island Home - by Maupower ( Stage 3). Todays lesson was a little different as we were online! But students had just as much fun.

'Where I Live and What I Dream’ is a visual arts project in collaboration with local artists, allowing students across K-6 to engage in artmaking, with the intention of celebrating student art in an opening exhibition as part of the school’s 150th celebration.

Students have enjoyed workshop #2 this week . A final session will be held next Tuesday 17th August for classes or students who need a little more time to complete their work.

We wish to thank all our wonderful artists for supporting this project. Thank you for sharing your talents, passions, skills and time with the students of Sutton Public School.  We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition!

Bush tucker tasting!   1/2R tasted wattle seed biscuits and lemon myrtle tea today with a visit from Aaron Chatfield of Dreamtime Connections.

Next week 1/2C will have the opportunity to meet Aaron and learn more about Aboriginal culture and the use of native plants for food and medicines.

We are excited to get these native plants into our Indigenous food garden soon!

KK

Stella N - for her fabulous and detailed writing based on Possum Magic!

Poppy W - for looking at the pictures to find clues when reading!

KS

Jacob L - for displaying the Sutton PS value of courage!

Remy U - for her effort and dedication to writing!

1/2C

Emma C - for excellent work in naming and identifying 3D shapes!

1/2L

Emma G - for presenting engaging news item to the class!

Sophia P - for outstanding improvement in reading and spelling!

1/2R

Amelia W - for using a range of subtraction strategies in mathematics!

Layla S - for a positive attitude to everything she does!

3/4F

Zoe A - for amazing work in al KLA's in term 3!

Ryan B - for excellent reading in term 3!

3/4T

Marcus C - for using a plan to write his information report!

Sophia L - for improving her subtraction and addition skills!

4/5M

Sebastian K - for being the class expert on Tangrams!

5/6E

Archie G - for enthusiastic participation in Footsteps dance lessons!

Joshua V O - for enthusiastic participation in Footsteps dance lessons!

5/6H

Lachie C - for utilising quality research skills when gathering information about Michael Jordan!

Danijela E - for her comprehensive information report on bottlenose dolphins!