Gwandalan Public School Newsletter

Term 4 Week 8 - Thursday 25th November 2021

About our school

Gwandalan Pubic School strives to provide students with opportunities to become self-directed, lifelong learners, where they can develop skills that enable them to create a positive future for themselves and become confident members of the community. Gwandalan Public School is a place where every student can learn and grow with confidence.

Principal's Report

Term 4 Week 8

Principal's Report

Kindergarten Orientation

We had our second orientation session this week and I am so please with how well our new kindergarten students attended this weeks session. Last week for the first visit they were so brave leaving their parents at the gate. There were understandably a few tears. This week there were very few tears. It was wonderful to see how they engaged enthusiastically in the activities in the classroom. We have our final visit next week. 

Presentation Day

This year our Presentation will be celebrated virtually because of current COVID restrictions. Parents of award winners should receive further information next week. See further information later in the newsletter.

Enrichment Class for 2022

We have made the decision to provide a special opportunity for out our gifted and talented students in years 4 to 6 next year. Parents of students who have been identified for the class will receive further information and a checklist to complete in the next week. There is a criteria for identification in the class based on assessment results, teacher checklists and observations and parent checklists. We hope to continue this opportunity and possibly expand it into the future.

Bush Fire Season

Please see further information later in he newsletter regarding bush fire season. 

Bike Safety

Children should not ride a bike or scooter to school without a helmet. If they come to school without a helmet they will be asked to leave their bike or scooter at school until they bring their helmet. This is for their own safety. Their bike or scooter will be locked up securely.

New Students for 2022/ Leaving in 2022

If you are leaving Gwandalan PS next year can you please let us know?

If you know of any new student who are enrolling with us next year would you encourage them to contact our office. We are beginning to plan for 2022 and would appreciate this information.

Kind Regards

Sandy Notley

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 2022-23 BUSH FIRE SEASON

Our school has been identified as a school at increased risk if a bush fire were to break out. In the event of a Severe or Extreme Fire Danger Rating I am required to inform you via our School Website, Skoolbag app or School Facebook page and we will closely monitor fires in the area. These happen fairly frequently during the bushfire season.

To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students and staff, the NSW Department of Education has determined that on days when a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is issued for our area, the school will temporarily cease operations for the day(s) the rating is current and alternative learning arrangements will be put in place. This is based on information obtained through a bush fire assessment of our school arranged by the department.

A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is likely to occur on a very small number of days during the bush fire season, if at all.

The school will only receive notification of a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating after school hours the day before the forecast is issued. To assist me in contacting all parents please ensure that you have provided the school with up-to-date home or after hours contact details.

When there is a fire in our area we will monitor the situation and keep you informed via School website, Skoolbag app, School Facebook page or SMS.

In the event of an Emergency Warning we will shelter in place or evacuate to a refuge as directed by the Rural Bushfire Service. Should this occur we will ask that no child is picked up until we are safely evacuated or sheltered.

Please read our Bushfire Emergency Plan on our School website or Skoolbag app.

Information for parents and carers provided by the department about these arrangements is attached. Up to date bush fire information will also be available to you on the department’s bush fire safety website. The link for this site is: https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/health-and-safety/emergency-planning-and-incident-response/emergency-management-procedures/bushfire-planning

Please contact the school on 4976 1318 if you would like any further information about this matter.

Procedures if your child is sick

If your child is unwell, they must be kept at home & not attend school. If they have ANY COVID symptoms, they must have a negative COVID test AND be symptom free before returning.

If you are keeping your child home because they are unwell, please phone the school to advise the nature of their illness. Our office ladies will confirm whether or not your child will require a COVID test. You can also advise the nature of your child's illness through our Skoolbag App, however, we ask that you give more specific details than just stating your child is 'sick'. If you state that your child is 'sick', our office ladies will need to phone you for more details. As you can imagine, this is increasing their workload.

Presentation Day 2021

This year, we will hold our Annual Presentation Day on Thursday 9th December 2021. Due to the current COVID guidelines, we are unable to have parents attend.

The special assembly will take place during the morning and will be attended by teachers and students who are receiving awards. The Presentation Day assembly will be recorded and we will upload this to our school website during the afternoon of Thursday 9th December for our school community to view. Due to current guidelines which limit the mixing of cohorts, we will be holding the assembly in stage-based groups throughout the morning. For this reason, we are unable to live stream the event.

2022 Student Leaders

Bike Safety

We have an increasing number of younger students riding to school without supervision as well as an increasing number of older students not wearing a helmet.

The Department of Education and NSW Roads and Traffic Authority recommend that children under 10 years of age DO NOT ride bicycles to or from school unless accompanied by an adult.

Children must correctly wear a Standards Australia approved bicycle helmet at all times when in control of a bicycle. Bicycles ridden to school must be in good, safe working order and bicycles must be fitted with a bell.

Year 6 - Dinner & Disco

We are excited to announce, that due to COVID restrictions easing, we will be able to hold a dinner (Pizza) and disco for Year 6 students. 

Date: 8th December, 2021

Venue: Gwandalan Public School – COLA

Drop off: 5pm - Parents are asked to drop students at the front of the school (outside school gates)

Pick up: 7pm – Teachers will escort students to the front gates, where parents are asked to be waiting.

Permission notes are now due.

School Updates App

Have you downloaded the Department's School Updates App? We are encouraging parents to download it as we prepare to return to school. Once downloaded, you can register your school (GPS) & the App will send you an alert should we need to close due to a COVID case or bushfire.

The Lions Club of Gwandalan have 2022 Calendars available for purchase from the school office for $8.00. Cash only please. The school will make $3.00 from each purchase.

Skoolbag App

Do you have our Skoolbag app? If not, why not download it to keep up-to-date with all the latest news happening around the school. Just go to your application store and search Gwandalan Public School.