THIS WEEK

Monday - Permission and payment due - Zone Athletic Carnival

Wednesday - LHS Transition Visit - Year 6 students

Friday - Newcastle City Zone PSSA Athletics Carnival 

NEXT WEEK 

Thursday - School Assembly - KH

Friday - Water Safety Presentations - NCC Lifeguards

Education Week

Our thanks to all parents and carers for your support and engagement with our Education Week Zoom meetings last week. The feedback from the teachers and students was really positive with the students really enjoying the chance to connect with their families while at school. I do know that a few families were unable to connect to their child’s Zoom session for various reasons, I am sorry that did not work out for you in the same way it did for others. As good as technology can be, it is not always our friend. My thanks extend beyond Education Week to the combined Book Week activities as well. The teachers and I commented that we cannot recall a time when so many of our students dressed up in such numbers. The costumes were fantastic and we are grateful for your support in helping the children find something that they wanted to wear. You can see some of the photos and a link to a short video further on in today’s newsletter to enjoy.

Uniform Update

I am happy to report that now that the rebranding process is finalised and being utilised in school communications, I am now free to dedicate more time to the uniform review. The uniform committee, consisting of 5 parents, 2 staff and myself met this week in the next step of the process. We started by reviewing the 2019 parent uniform survey feedback to draw out key messages from parents to help shape our objectives and we also discussed the Department of Education’s school uniform policy guidelines. Following this discussion, I can share with the community that the committee has determined that there are many good reasons to explore a new design for the school’s uniform. In other words, we will not look to make minor changes to the existing uniform but use the opportunity to start with a new design concept. We have also set some key objectives that we will seek to achieve through this process, these include:

• Red and green will be incorporated within the new design to represent the schools colours
• Exploring uniform items that are durable, easy care and that represent value for money (affordable)
• Continuing in the same style of the current uniform which is unisex and allows students freedom of movement, sun safety and comfort
• Select base colour items that are accessible through retailers as well as the uniform shop
• Seek to enhance the appearance of key items like the polo shirt with a more crisp, stylish design
• Look at consolidating suppliers down from 4 separate suppliers to 1 if possible
• Explore suppliers that have online parent portal ordering options
• Remove the sports uniform, one uniform for all school days
• Explore appropriate options for students from multicultural backgrounds
• Develop a new school uniform policy

Again it is difficult to predict how long we will need to undertake this process, however we intend not to rush it but take the time necessary to reach a good outcome for the students and our families.

I will endeavour to provide regular updates as we continue to make progress. I also remind all families that it is our plan down the track to present 2 or 3 design options for the community – parents, teachers and students to vote on. It will be quite exciting once we reach this stage. For now, my thanks to the members of the uniform committee who have committed some of their time to meeting fortnightly to undertake this process. It is greatly appreciated.

The Olympics

So much I could say or write in this space but I’ll keep it short! My hope is that the Olympic excitement is alive and well in your homes. For my part, the Tokyo Olympics have not disappointed and I’ve been delighted with the student’s enthusiasm and engagement with them at school. We are celebrating the Aussies’ success on a daily basis. We only received one photo from a family gathered at home watching the Olympics even though the students report many of you are watching and cheering Australia on (see further on) but we would love to have a bunch more. If you feel comfortable to do so, please send them through this week, we’d love to share Lambton’s support with you. 

Have a great week

David Holland

Congratulations to the following students who were selected as the Junior and Senior students of the week for their work during Term 3, Week 3.

Last Thursday, we presented the awards to those students who finished either first, second or third in their respective events at the recent Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to all students for their outstanding achievements and the wonderful support that they showed to one another on the day . The carnival champions were as follows:

Junior Boys Champion – Tyler Johnson

Junior Girls Champion – Lola Cunningham

Senior Boys Champion – Zac Johnson

Senior Girls Champion – Sophie Pulsford

House Champion - Cook

This term, the PDHPE program for Early Stage One and Stage One classes will focus on child protection, safety and relationships. Some of the content of the program deals with sensitive issues which the school recognises by teaching about these issues within the context of a developmentally appropriate child protection program.

The child protection program will be implemented in a manner that supports the role of parents and caregivers and reflects the ethos of the school community. Click here for  more  information on the PDHPE syllabus.

The child protection program aims to encourage students to make informed decisions about their lifestyle taking into account the values of the family and culture to which they belong.

If you have any further questions or concerns about the PDHPE program, or do not wish for your child to participate in these lessons,  please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or send an email to the school. 

Lambton PS implements the guidelines of NSW Department of Education as applicable for our context.  The NSW Department of Education follows the advice of NSW Department of Health.  The following guidelines are current as at 3:00pm, Friday 23 July.  The latest advice for families is available on NSW Department of Education website.  Advice for families (nsw.gov.au)  If you are unsure about whether or not your child should be at school please contact the school office to discuss in advance.  We are happy to help.

 Level 2 COVID Guidelines – Lambton PS

 Updates will be communicated as required through Skoolbag.

 Attendance

All staff and students are expected to be at school unless they have even the mildest of COVID symptoms.

Under the current health orders, there is nothing to restrict students and staff who must attend school from moving between two areas with different levels of restrictions. Students and staff should reduce travelling to geographical areas with higher levels of COVID restrictions 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.

Masks

While at school, masks or face coverings are recommended in all indoor settings for:

·         all students in Year 7 and above

·         all staff in school settings.

Masks are mandatory on public transport for students aged 13 years and over, and staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services.

 Visitors

Non-essential visitors are not permitted in schools.  Some visitors are permitted in schools based on the guidelines that follow.

 Parents and carers of Lambton PS students K-6 should make drop off and pick up arrangements in advance so that your child knows what they need to do (eg, how are they being collected today). Some staff will be present at key gates in the morning to assist students with making their way into school. Parents and carers must not enter school grounds without prior approval from the principal until further notice. School grounds begin at the boundary fence/gates. Please assist us to implement these guidelines and do our part to keep our community safe and well.

Parents should:

·         maintain physical distancing by avoiding gathering outside of school gates

·         remain outside of school grounds (note some exceptions may apply for vulnerable students or students with disability – consultation and approval must be confirmed in advance with reasons specified)

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

·         contact the office or teachers through email or phone rather than coming into the office (any payments, etc can be made online).

Who is permitted:

Staff providing essential support for student wellbeing are permitted on site, such as home school liaison officers (HSLO) and counsellors, workers supporting the infrastructure development and maintenance of schools can continue on site. This includes contractors, general assistants and other grounds support staff. As of today, essential visitors will be asked if they live in Greater Sydney.  Proof of residence will need to be sighted.  Anyone from the Fairfield area will need to show evidence of having a COVID test within the last 3 days and anyone from the Greater Sydney area within the last 7 days.

Checking in and out

The NSW Government have introduced mandatory QR codes across a range of additional settings, including schools.  Staff and on-site visitors, including contractors, will be required to check in every day. If a person is unable to provide contact details, another person may provide contact details on their behalf.

Parents and carers or other visitors to the school who do not have access to electronic devices for the purposes of QR check-in can:

·         authorise another person to provide their contact details on their behalf

·         provide their details to the school to be recorded in an appropriate manner for provision to NSW Health should it be required.

What is permitted

Schools can continue to operate:

·         Scripture and Ethics

·         Sport within school grounds may continue, provided mingling of students is minimised

·         Work experience

·         Emergency drills.

The following additional activities can continue on school sites:

·         childhood education services (OSHC, vacation care, preschools etc.)

·         playgroups

·         school holiday programs

·         all external providers and specialist programs not directly related to educational outcomes and support, eg, band, rock band, sport in schools, etc.

School based activities permitted with modification:

·         Assemblies can be held with COVID-Safe practices in place. No visitors permitted

·         Singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs are permitted if conducted outside in a well-ventilated area

·         Bands and ensembles are permitted in line with Health advice on maximum indoor and outdoor gatherings

·         Dance or drama are permitted in line with COVID-safe practices within classes

·         Library activities are permitted in line with the Infection Control requirements

·         Principal-endorsed activities for students are permitted in line with COVID-safe practices.

Events

·         Excursions should 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 school for the purposes of school orientation programs

·         Inter-school sport can continue with COVID-safe practices in place.  More advice is coming regarding gala days and regional/state activities.

Community activities

The following activities may continue in line with COVID-safe practices:

·         P&C activities, including meetings

·         Community use outside school hours

·         Canteens and uniform stores where appropriate hygiene measures are in place

·         Electoral commission officers conducting polling location inspections permitted they follow COVID-19 requirements for visitors

·         All polling days will require additional planning from the electoral commission based on health advice of the time.

 Thanks everyone for your cooperation and support.  We will keep you posted of any further developments.