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DAWSON P.S NEWSLETTER ISSUE 9, 2019

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Monday 17 June, 2019 Issue 9, Week 8, 2019

Our Mission Statement Dawson Public School is committed to creating a safe, respectful, flexible and caring environment that empowers students to discover, acquire and

articulate skills as a life-long learner.

COMING UP

Week 8

18.6.19 - Featherdale Excursion Kindergarten

18.6.19 – Life Skills

19.6.19 – Preschool Bee Incursion (Mon, Tues Group)

21.6.19 – Preschool Bee Incursion (Thurs, Fri Group)

Week 9

24.6.19 – Spelling Bee

25.6.19 – Life Skills

26.6.19 – Stage 3 First Foot Forward

26.6.19 – Active Incursion Sports Day

29.9.19 – Reports Sent Home

DAWSON

IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 - Principals Report

Page 4 - Deputy Principals Report

Page 5 – Achievement Roll 3-6

Page 7 – Instructional Leader’s Report

Page 8 – Pre School News

Page 9 – Early Stage 1 News

Page 10 – Stage 1 News

Page 11 – Stage 2 News

Page 12 – Stage 3 News

Page 13 - Support News

Page 14 - STEAM

Page 15 - Giants Writing Program

Page 16 - Sport News

Page 19 - SRC News

Page 20 - Dawson Dynamos

Page 21- Attendance

Page 22 - Open Classrooms

Page 23 - ‘Bringing Up Great Kids’ Information

Page 24 – Rewards Day

Page 25 – Community Information

ASSEMBLIES (Fridays from 2pm)

• WEEKS 2, 4, 6, 8 - 3-6 ASSEMBLY • WEEKS 1,3,7,9 - K-2 ASSEMBLY • WEEK 5 & 10 - WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

NEWSLETTER

P&C MEETING Wednesday 12 June - 2pm

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DAWSON P.S NEWSLETTER ISSUE 9, 2019

Open Classrooms – Writing

Thank you to the many parents who joined us for our second Open Classroom session of the year. It has been wonderful to see and hear the positive community response to this initiative. Even more pleasing is to see how excited our students are to have you join them in their learning. This is turn has motivated many of our students to go home and, with your support and encouragement, use the resources that were handed out during this session to independently write persuasive, narrative and informative texts. Please find a snapshot of the data that was collected from last week’s writing session.

Individual parent responses to the Open Classroom Writing Session include:

- More practice in writing with the students. - This is great. Seeing how my kids are doing in class. - Thank you for putting together open classrooms and the take home pack. - Enjoyed my time watching my child interact with his class and peers, thank you. - Keep up the great work with our kids. We appreciate you. - I feel that the classroom interaction has been important in helping bridge the gap between parents and their

children. Thank you I look forward to more of these in the future. - Very impressed with the classroom setups for this literacy program the ideas available to students to assist with

their sentences very good. - Hard to go between 2 children's classrooms in the time allocated.

In response to the Open Classroom Writing survey results we will be:

- Holding an informal writing information session for parents on Tuesday 25 June in the library at 2:15pm – 2:45pm. Afternoon tea will be provided (notes regarding this event went home last week and are posted on our Skoolbag app).

- Our Term 3 Open Classroom session will focus on how we teach your child to read. Further information about this day will be sent home next term.

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Parent Portal and Online Parent Teacher Booking Information

Last week I sent home information about our new Parent Portal. The letter contained information about how to set up your Parent Portal and had your unique family code to access the portal. The Parent Portal gives you access to information about your child and allows you book your Term 2 Parent Teacher Interview time. Parent Teacher interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 3 July between 2pm and 6pm. If you did not receive information last week about our new online booking process and the parent portal, please speak to your child’s teacher or inform a member of our office staff.

Preschool Improvement Project

In the coming months, you will start to see a few minor changes and improvements made to our preschool. Earlier in the year we installed new roller blinds for all the windows. The next phase of our improvement plan is removing the outdated old cork pin boards and replacing them with new Velcro pin boards. The new pin boards will cover most of the inside walls, acting not only as pin boards but will aesthetically brighten and lift the interior of the classroom spaces. Teachers will be able to immerse their children in literature, language and proudly display children’s works. Additionally, the sandpit area will be modified and extended. The sandpit will now sit below the level of the ground allowing staff to neatly sweep the sand back into the sandpit. As well as this, a new ‘mud kitchen’ will be installed to the right of the sandpit. This area, as well as the picnic table area, will be covered with new shade shelters, providing additional spaces for our students to explore and learn. Lastly, we will be fixing and upgrading the existing stage area as well as installing shade roller blinds under the awning area.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

The PBL team have been working away quietly in the background. Not only have they been organising student centred Reward Days, they have been working with our students to design PBL signage to be placed around the school to further promote a positive, student centred learning environment. The signs will further promote, reinforce and celebrate the positive culture being established here at Dawson. The signs will be installed during Term 3.

K-6 Assembly

At Dawson, we are always looking at ways to further promote quality teaching and learning practices as well as providing our families with opportunities to connect educationally with the school and celebrate student achievement. With this in mind, I asked at the recent P&C meeting whether having fortnightly K-6 assemblies would best suit both the needs of our students and our families. After some discussion, it was unanimously agreed that this could indeed be successful here at Dawson. Points that were raised included:

- We are a K-6 school and should celebrate as a whole school. - We have a large hall that more than adequately caters for all our students. - We would need to start assembly 10 minutes earlier, meaning our bell times would need to slightly change for

this to occur. - Parents with children in both K-2 and 3-6 would only need to attend assemblies once a fortnight rather than

weekly.

If you would like to vote on your preference, please head to:

https://forms.gle/HX5VRTvMu3NKMo5c8

Results of the survey will be published in the next newsletter.

Mr Garry Sheen Principal

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Over the past couple of weeks I have been working alongside some of our Stage 2 and Stage 3 teachers. Our focus depends on an area the teacher feels they need some extra support in in order to support their students.

In 4P, Mrs Peteru and I have started to look at how to plan modelled reading lessons that link with the concepts we cover in literacy activities which then also link with our writing lessons. This form of planning ensures students have many opportunities to successfully engage in lessons and activities to enforce their understanding of the concepts being taught. This form of planning along with Modelled, Guided and Independent structures ensure our teachers effectively differentiate work for our students.

In 5S, Mr Sterling and I have started doing Number Talks. During these short lessons we are encouraging our students to build on their knowledge of number relationships to solve problems. We want our students to see themselves as mathematicians. 5S students know that mathematicians are efficient, flexible and accurate. Students are now working on articulating how they solve problems. They have already come such a long way in just a couple of weeks.

Wishing you a great week!

Mrs Plowman

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3-6 Award Recipients (Week 6)

Class Academic PBL Class Academic PBL

3M • Blake • Izayah • Batool 5S

• Shylah • Norton

• Chelsi

3S

• Cooper

• Ofisa

• Sia

5/6D

• Anthony • Makala

• Angelikah

4I

• Latarsha

• Jamaine

• Manu

5/6R

• Ebani • Hineakura

• Suamata

4P

• Faleti

• Haseeb

• Tariaroha

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K-2 Award Recipients (Week 7)

Class Academic PBL Class Academic PBL

KB

1T • Rabieh • Yousuf

• Keira

KR 2MB

KS • Madina

• Mackenzie

• Sahara

2S • Su

• Tyryce • Rayan

1H • Shanaya

• Kapeneta

• Theodore

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The children were very excited to make bread today with our student Miss C. They looked at the recipe on the whiteboard and helped to measure out the ingredients. We then reread The Little Red Hen and discussed whether the animals were good friends and helpers. The children were interested with the numbers in the recipe and how they helped us to make meaning from the “text”. We now plan to look at numbers more closely and plan some activities around them.

Link to EYLF Outcome 1: Children learn to interact with others with care and empathy; Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners and Outcome 5: Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts

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Students in KB have been working very hard in class. They have been writing sentences that have lots of information, making sure they are

writing neatly, starting each sentence with a capital letter, leaving spaces between words, and ending their sentence with a full stop. KB are challenging themselves to try and sound out words themselves, as

well as look for known words around the room.

KB students have improved in their reading skills. They make their reading sound like talking and can recognise their

camera words in texts. They are now sounding out new words in their texts and are enjoying books at levels that challenge

them. KB are enjoying using the microphones to listen to themselves read.

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Year 1 have been learning how to write simple algorithms to code the Blue-Bots to reach specific destinations. They have been practicing how to record forward movements, right turns and left turns. Students in Year 1 have been using this knowledge to design and map out their own zoo. We have been discussing how to effectively fill the space and where to place walkways.

Year 1 have also been practising their multiplication and division skills. Students have made equal groups with various items and used their growing knowledge of skip counting to count a collection. Year 1 have also divided a collection of items between groups to work out the total number held in one group.

Skip counting by twos

Arrays

Repeated addition

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This term 4I is looking at the special buzz topic known as CODING. It is a scary word that brings shock “OMG how do I do that” moments. The key is to look at it simply… it’s just telling things what to do, known as programming. We do this in our daily lives to one another ;), so let’s learn how to do this in the digital tech world.

Our class is using a tech product known as Ozobots, these little machines are coded using coloured lines. We can control where these cute little bots go by controlling their speeds and moving them in many directions with the sensors on the bot. The Ozobot then picks up the colour combinations it detects and moves accordingly. Below are a few pics of 4I understanding how to communicate with these devices and observing them as they understand our commands.

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Number Sense with

Mrs Plowman and 5S The students in 5S have been working with Mrs Plowman on developing the number sense. Students are beginning to talk about why they do what they do in Maths. The children are looking at becoming mathematicians being not only accurate but also efficient in their use of mathematical strategies to solve problems. To solve the problem below students had to work out the value of the circle to ensure that the equal arm balance remained steady.

Students were heard discussing that 6 + 7 = 13 so then you had to take away the other end to find what the circle equalled.

This problem was looking at place value and how important the zero is.

Students needed to explain what they did with the zero. Using their knowledge of place value students attempted to use expanded multiplication, traditional algorithms (although we are trying to move away from these) and then just times everything by 4 and put a zero on the end. The students then had to teach each other and us how they did what they did.

This week we challenge you to give your kids a problem and ask them to teach you how they do it.

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PSSA Touch Football Practice

As part of the Mt Druitt PSSA Touch Football Competition, the boys and girls senior teams have been given the opportunity to have participate in an extended training session on Thursday morning before school.

Each morning we have had around twelve of the twenty children in the two squads braving the cold to improve their touch football skills. The training session starts at 8:00am and we begin with a series of dynamic stretches and warm ups. We have been focusing on basic touch football skills including moving up in a line in defence, dumping and passing in a two on one situation.

Both teams have improved their general play since they have been attending but the girls have made a huge improvement and have not lost a game since their first week. The boys have unfortunately been short of players the last few weeks but have shown their strong improvement by having a couple of close loses playing with no subs against teams with a full complement of players.

We are hoping to improve the attendance at the training session so we can continue to improve our touch football skills as an entire squad. While many of the boys are accomplished Rugby League players, there are several key skills we have been practicing that are unique to touch football and do not carry over between the two sports.

Everyone seems to be enjoying the sessions and the players who have been coming are all regular attendees. I am looking forward to continuing the practices and seeing how far we can continue to improve throughout the season.

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Stage 1 STEAM Group

As we wrap up our fun time with our StemShare Tablet Robotics Kit, these Stage 1 students have learnt how to adapt and overcome to solve a problem. All students were able to articulate what they needed to do with the robots (DASH) - which was to use the Robot to help solve a problem they knew about.

The students quickly realised that they could record their own voices on the iPad and Dash would “speak” for them.

When coding, you need to have a positive Growth Mindset to help when problems occurs. They all showed a positive mindset and were able to get Dash to do what they wanted. Sometimes with more trial and error than they would have liked!

Here a student was trying to get Dash to stop UNDER the classroom table.

Some students working on their project, trying to get Dash to move where they want

him to.

Discovering Mathematics around us is always amazing. a student discovered that they had made a pattern in his algorithm.

During Term 3 the Stage 1 STEAM group will be using a new StemShare kit for another exciting project! Stay tuned!

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So many amazing things have happened since our last newsletter article. Our incredible reporters have been working hard on Monday afternoons to learn about the role of being a Giants reporter. They were lucky enough to put the skills they have learnt into action when they had a visit from the one and only G-Man. The excitement in the room was electric and our enthusiastic reporters waited patiently to ask the hard pressing questions like “Are nuggets better than chips?” “Who’s your favourite Giants player?”, “How much money do you earn?” and “What would you be if you couldn’t be a mascot?” The students quickly recorded G-Man’s responses and waited for the chance to ask more questions. It was a very exciting experience and one that the students will remember for some time to come

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Sports in Schools: This term the students in years 3-6 have been participating in gymnastic and athletics based activities during their Monday ‘Sports in School’ sessions. The students have enjoyed these practical lessons and will have the opportunity to utilise some of these newly developed skills at our athletics carnival in Term 3.

PSSA Winter Competition: Thank you to the students who have proudly represented our school over the first five rounds of PSSA winter competition. I would also like to extend that thanks to the parents and family members who have been coming along to support our teams.

Congratulations to the students who have been identified as Player of the Match in each round, these choices are based not only on the students’ skills but on the contributions they make to the wider team by consistently displaying the attributes of good sportsmanship.

Keep up the great work!

PSSA Winter Competition

Round 2

*Please note our score appears first

Team Opponent Result Player/s of the Match

Girls Touch 3-6 Crawford 4-3 Emily Salamon

Boys Touch 3-6 Crawford 1-1 Tylique Setu

Junior Soccer A Lethbridge Park Game 1: 0-5

Game 2: 6-0

Peter Kaena

Junior Soccer B Lethbridge Park Game 1: 4-1

Game 2: 1-2

Turaki Newcomb

Senior Soccer Lethbridge Park 1-1 Yosef Faizi

Junior Netball Bye N/A N/A

Senior Netball Emerton B 5-9 Ellanorah Talisau-Iosefa

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Round 3

Round 4

Team Opponent Result Player/s of the Match

Girls Touch 3-6 Doonside 7-2 Amisha Prasad

Boys Touch 3-6 Doonside 5-11 Lillyarna Suitupe (filled in for boys team)

Junior Soccer A Michinbury Game 1: 3-1

Game 2: 2-0

Cooper Pratt

Junior Soccer B Michinbury Game 1: 2-1

Game 2: 0-0

Pretty Thin Tuep

Senior Soccer Michinbury 2-2 James Coe

Junior Netball Crawford 0-2 Jordyn Mearns

Senior Netball Crawford 9-8 Daesharn Henry

Team Opponent Result Player/s of the Match

Girls Touch 3-6 Whalan 2-0 Laurenzeetah Lealaivaega

Boys Touch 3-6 Whalan 3-7 Pasi Hu’ahulu

Junior Soccer A Whalan Game 1: 4-1

Game 2: 5-0

Soa Fonokalafi

Junior Soccer B Whalan Game 1: 4-0

Game 2: 3-0

Jahmin Briggs

Senior Soccer Whalan 1-2 Haydar Al-Haydari

Junior Netball Hebersham 1-18 Nyah Napoles

Senior Netball Hebersham 6-19 Ellanorah Talisau-Iosefa

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Round 5

Team Opponent Result Player/s of the Match

Girls Touch 3-6 Tregear 2-3 Shinhtet Win

Boys Touch 3-6 Tregear 2-3 Jerome Fetalaiga

Junior Soccer A Rooty Hill Game 1: 3-0

Game 2: 6-1

Chelsi Barnes

Junior Soccer B Rooty Hill Game 1: 5-0

Game 2: 4-0

Thomas Tran

Senior Soccer Rooty Hill 2-0 Gideon Thin Tuep

Junior Netball Michinbury 2-3 Alysha Brook-Nikua

Senior Netball Michinbury 9-5 Monica Tauga

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The SRC met last Thursday to discuss the games, activities and interest groups the students at Dawson would like to have in Term 3. We have enjoyed hearing the feedback from our students this term and will continue to ensure the students voice is what guides the range of activities and games we offer on the playground in Term 3.

The SRC have started our very own play zone. This area provides a quiet space for those students who don’t want to run around and play sports at break times. Our wonderful SRC members have been monitoring the area and ensuring the equipment is set up and packed away at the end of each break.

This week, the classroom teachers will be speaking to our kindergarten and year 1 classes and our SRC representatives from years 2-6 will be speaking to their classes regarding movie selections for our PBL Term 2 celebration. SRC representatives will also be asking students to vote on our Term 3 interest groups and playground sports.

Please see one of our friendly SRC members if you have any new ideas or suggestions

SRC Play Zone

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The Dynamoes have been working together to develop an understanding of how we can recognise and monitor our feelings and emotions. We have discussed how people can change when they become angry and have identified some of the early warning signs people might experience.

Everyone reacts differently to situations and experiences but we all agreed that each of us has certain triggers that can contribute to us experiencing the feeling of anger. This week the Dynamoes used the symbol of a traffic light to identify how they start to change and what their body language shows when they are angry.

Everyone experiences the feeling of anger at some time but it’s how we respond to that anger that is important. We don’t want to react without thinking. So we looked at using the turtle technique to help us when we start to feel those early warning signs. This is only one strategy and may not work for all, but it’s important that we have a range of strategies that we can use when experiencing a difficult or challenging time.

1. Recognise you feel angry 2. Think – it’s time to stop! 3. Go into your shell and take 3 deep breaths 4. Come out of your shell when you’ve calmed down and think of a solution

(Ask a friend or teacher to help, if you need it)

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“Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success - both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades and develop healthy life habits. When students are absent for fewer days, their grades and reading skills often improve - even among those students who are struggling in school. Students who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to graduate from high school, setting them up for a strong future.”

At Dawson we have a school goal of 94% attendance every day (this means they attend school roughly 195 days of the year). We understand that as winter kicks in more students will be at home with the flu, however please be reminded to contact the school by phone or using the skoolbag app to explain your child’s absence. If not please ensure they have an absence note or doctor’s certificate in their bag when they return to school.

Thank you.

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Open Classroom Term 2

Thank you parents for being a part of your child’s learning

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In Term 3 (starting in week 2) we are hosting the “Bringing Up Great Kids” - Parent workshops. This course will take place on Wednesday afternoons, starting at approximately 1.30pm.

‘Bringing Up Great Kids’ Parent workshops are built upon a belief that all parents need good support to be the kind of parent they aspire to be for their children and provides self-care strategies for parents.

The program supports thoughtful communication with children leading to opportunities for children and parents to engage in great positive exchanges.

It will also help parents to see the child’s perspective or experience of the world and understanding the stages of brain development in children.

A separate note will be sent out to all families regarding this opportunity.

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This term’s PBL Reward Day will be held on Friday 5 July.

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