Plattsburg Public School Newsletter

It's definitely been a tough year and no one has been spared in sharing in the hardships and challenges. When school came back to full time face to face teaching in Term 3 we made some big changes to give every student optimal learning opportunities. There has been some extraordinary growth for most. But it's not just about academic growth it's also about social and emotional growth and belonging. Please consider carefully when you pick up kids early from school or persistently get them to school late. Our kids are living through an historical event where wellbeing and connection have become a priority; being with their friends and experiencing the events that school life can give them a sense of being safe and a feeling for a future. Please prioritise attendance and all that that means to a child trying to understand the outside world. Give them their friendships, their play and their challenges.

Our school is committed to ensuring that how we teach your child is based on what we know makes the biggest difference to their learning. In our school, we have a focus on using the ‘What works best’ eight practices for effective teaching.

These practices include:

·       Having high expectations of your child. In our school we do this by…

·       Using explicit teaching in the classroom. In our school we do this by…

·       Giving effective feedback to your child on their learning. In our school we do this by…

·       Using data to inform how we teach your child. In our school we do this by…

·       Using regular and effective assessments so we know how your child’s learning is going. In our school we do this by…

·       Supporting the wellbeing of your child by looking out for their mental, physical and emotional health. In our school we do this by…

·       Managing the classrooms well so they are safe, positive and stimulating environments for learning. In our school we do this by…

·       Making sure our teachers collaborate with each other, and experts outside the school, so teaching practice continuously improves. In our school we do this by…

In addition, research shows that greater levels of support and engagement from parents and carers are associated with better student academic and wellbeing outcomes. We also know that students learn more effectively when the home and school environments form complementary and supportive roles for learning. It is for this reason that we are focused on continuing to foster the partnership between our school and parents.

The Department of Education has now released a ‘What works best’ resource for parents and carers, which provides tips for having conversations with your child about their learning. You can visit the department’s Parent Hub where you’ll find other tailored resources for parents and carers, as well as message from the NSW Minister for Education the Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/learning/what-works-best-2020-update

Permissions notes are going home today or can be downloaded at the links at the end of this newsletter.

• K-3 Movie Day on Tuesday 8th December 
• Year 4-6 Movie Day on Wednesday 9th December 

The cost of the movie day will be $5. The price includes the movie in the hall, a popper and a bag of lollies. The money needs to be prepaid to the office.

What a perfect time for our school to hold a fundraiser and just in time for Christmas!

Please return your order form to school by Thursday December 4th and don't forget to ask your family, friends and neighbours too. All orders will be ready on December 11th.  

If you need a new order form please collect from the front office or download one at the link at the end of this newsletter. 

Miss Ashley.