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249 Grose Wold Road, GROSE WOLD 2753 Phone: 4572 1386 Email: [email protected]

Grose View Public School

Newsletter

8 April 2020 Term 1 Week 11 Volume 6

From the Desk of the Principal As we started the year in January, the Coronavirus news had started to infiltrate our country and during this term we have witnessed its spread each week. As a school community we have tried to keep up to date with the latest advice, as quickly as it has changed at times, and as a school we have tried to respond in a calm, organised and clear manner. As school leaders, we have been guided by the response of our federal and state governments, who have worked together to balance the important decisions to make for all in the containment stages. It has been our approach to be supportive of the government and health authorities as they seek to make wise decisions for everyone, not just in the short term, but for as long as this concerning situation lasts. At this stage, Grose View Public School will continue to remain open and provide ongoing remote learning for our students throughout Term 2. As we approach the end of the Term I would like to express my sincere thanks to our wonderful staff. They have just been so diligent in their planning for various scenarios, caring of the students and endlessly encouraging of each other. We are so blessed to have such a committed team of teachers and staff across the school K-6. Our school office team have been exemplary in making the many adjustments required from the start of the term. Thank you to so many parents for their advice and encouragement during the term, so many messages that have been kind and measured. Lastly, thank you to the students. Their endless enthusiasm for learning and the enjoyment they gain from their friendships and all that they share at Grose View is wonderful to witness. You may be wondering what our advice to students is regarding school work in the upcoming break. Students and families are advised to have a rest and spend time with family and friends so that they return to school next term refreshed and ready to tackle what will be a very different term as we continue with our online learning programs.

As parents you should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved thus far with your children. Staff have been instructed to take some time throughout the holidays to rest and recover. I ask that our families give our teachers this time to spend with their families and partake in some self-care. All online platforms can still be accessed by our students should they wish to; however, staff will not be responding to questions or requests throughout the break. We thank you for your understanding and know that you will support us in these measures to ensure our wonderful teachers are able to return to us in good health and well-rested for the term ahead. It’s been a big six months for me personally as Relieving Principal, and I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all our community for your support, kindness and care. I have many highlights and points of insights from the last two terms. When I think of them, I would have to say that the majority of these are the moments with our students, staff and parents – whether it be incidental conversations in hallways about learning and life, challenges we are individually facing or what we love about our beautiful school. Whilst this has been an incredibly challenging task over the past six months, I have learnt a lot and gained invaluable experience. Our Principal, Mr Damien Feneley, will be returning from his state office duties from next term. We look forward to welcoming him back and filling him in on all of our adventures! As we approach the end of the term, I would like to wish all our families a hopeful holiday break as we also celebrate Easter. As you spend time together, maybe more than usual, I would like to encourage you to remember, with your family, the great importance and significance of the Easter message. I hope that you can take heart in this message in these challenging times.


School Development Day The second school development day for 2020 will be on the first day of Term 2. The purpose of the school development day is to contribute to the improvement of the learning outcomes of our students. The School has decided to focus on upskilling our staff in online learning skills and platforms. Online Learning Routines I hope you have appreciated the School’s communications over the past weeks. I understand there have been many, but it is important that you are aware of our thinking during this ever-changing time. As Grose View continues to provide online learning, we will continue to communicate with parents and students actively. Our partnership with parents is crucial at all times, but even more so with the current environment. It has also never been more pertinent to establish healthy routines for your child during this transition. There are a number of learning activities and links through the NSW DoE’s Learning From Home Hub, the link for which we provided in last newsletter, however, here is the link for you again: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-from-home/advice-toparents-and-carers Responding Positively to Wellbeing Challenges An event like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect young people in different ways. They might feel overwhelmed by the information, conversations and increased levels of stress in their community. Identifying what they can and can’t control is a starting point that helps them manage their emotions. Routines to Recharge Students are reminded of the steps they can take to safeguard their physical, social and emotional wellbeing while learning from home. This week, the focus was on maintaining good routines. Routines are one of the most important tools we can teach our students to help them achieve success in life. Stable routines for children are associated with academic achievement, positive self-esteem, optimism, appropriate social skills, reduced behaviour problems and school readiness. Daily actions are products of our unconscious habits, reinforcing the need for developing healthy routines at a young age. Although students' physical learning environment will be different, some routines should remain the same. The following strategies are recommended:

Maintain a consistent time for waking and going to bed.

Eat breakfast at the same time you would on a normal school day.

Have a shower and change out of your pyjamas.

Make your bed. This habit is shown to start a chain of good decisions throughout the day.

Arrive at your online lessons on time with a positive, ready to learn attitude.

Eat at regular times and avoid the temptation to graze.

Use break times to connect with others. Move your body as you transition between

online classes. Schedule down time and 'switch off'. Engage in activities that make you happy. Practise kindness each day. ANZAC Day I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of our Student Executive who have worked hard to put together an online ANZAC Day Tribute for our community. This will be shared with our community in the holidays via our online platforms. Thank you Mrs Hopkins for putting it together for us! Farewell Mrs Saunders It is with sadness and disappointment that we farewell our beautiful Mrs Saunders. Mrs Saunders has shared her love, passion and enthusiasm for music education with Grose View Public School for 18 years. Her dedication, commitment and outstanding work ethic are a testament to everything that Mrs Saunders stands for. I would like to commend Mrs Saunders on her professionalism, grace and kindness throughout the many challenges she has navigated. The many students’ lives she has touched have truly experienced something very magical in Mrs Saunders and will forever be connected with their love for music. With an ever changing world on our doorstep and complexities around the management of the school music program we have had to make the difficult decision to move to a more sustainable model of music education in the future. Mrs Saunders will continue to be a part of our school community and is much loved by all. We wish Mrs Saunders all the very best and look forward to farewelling her properly after school returns to normal.

Rachel Graham

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-from-home/advice-toparents-and-carers




BAND

2002 ‘THANK YOU’ 2020 ‘GOODBYE In 2002 I began my practical placement for Primary Education at Grose View Public School. I was already employed by a private school as the K-6 music teacher and needed to upgrade my qualifications. Knowing I had music training, the school quickly seized upon my skill set to conduct the school band for a performance at the local Preschool as the previous employee had left. So, without even meeting the students or attending any rehearsals, let alone knowing any of their music I found myself digging deep and agreeing to do it. That was the start of my employment as the band teacher at Grose View. Fast forward to 2020 and I find myself saying a heartfelt ‘Goodbye’, but before I leave, I also wanted to say ‘Thank you’. Thank you to the Principals, P&C committees, parents, families and friends, and students who have participated in and contributed to the music program thus far. It is always a team effort, and nothing would have been sustainable or successful without all these parties involved. Thank you for the opportunity to share my love and passion for music education. It is an art form that I personally believe contributes to the well-rounded education of a student way beyond learning to play an instrument and reading music. I have had the privilege to watch children grow in confidence and self-efficacy as they felt the buzz of an applause, conquered their fear of performance, passed exams with Distinction or even just mastered a song that was initially difficult or overwhelming. I have witnessed friendships grow and blossom as the common interest of music brought them together at school ensembles, music workshops, band festivals and music camps. For others music education supported their school learning as they mastered concepts involving mathematical counting, understanding and reading a foreign language, reading and tracking information that moved at a fast pace whilst physically coordinating and manipulating an instrument. I have seen ex Grose View students excel with music scholarships in secondary school and continue their music education through to the HSC. What a wonderful reward all these positive aspects of teaching have brought to my personal and professional career, and for this I am truly thankful. As I shut the band room door on Thursday, I leave behind so many beautiful memories of the sounds and music created inside the walls of the band room. However, it has been fairly quiet these last three weeks with the difficult position we all find ourselves subjected to. It is an unusual way to say ‘Goodbye’ - not what I would have imagined or preferred, not face to face or able to give out hugs, but by a short letter to the Grose View community. I am thankful that the school will continue to value and offer music education via an independent company and I look forward to hearing how it flourishes under new leadership. May you all stay safe and well as the new term approaches and I look forward to a chat or a smile when our paths next cross. Warm regards,

Alison Saunders


ONLINE LEARNING We have included instructions for using Google Classroom on the following pages. Please take the time to read and familiarise yourself with this if you are not already. MINDQUEST The 95th MindQuest enrichment weekend will be held on 30-31 May from 9.30 am - 3.30 pm at Glenwood High School. The program is for students in Years 1-6 and the cost is $210. Students will have an opportunity to participate in over 37 exciting, fast paced courses in the two day program. They include courses in chemistry, earth sciences, future problem solving, lego robotics, art and much more. If you would like a brochure please contact the office. Applications close Friday 1 May.

SCHOOL BANKING There will be no school banking this year. Please see information on P&C page.

HALOGEN YOUNG LEADERS EXPO Our Student Executive attended the National Young Leaders Expo last month in Darling Harbour with a number of other school leaders from across NSW. They heard from several keynote speakers including John Coutis (inspirational leader and Hawkesbury local), Erin Molan (television personality), Jade Slater (Cotton On product manager), Bianca Chatfield (Australian netballer and television presenter) and Rove McManus (television personality). Our Student Leaders also took party in a giant dance party with Ezra from Dance Curriculum Australia. The day was very inspirational and one our leaders will not forget.

Tamara Hopkins


Thursday 9 April Last day of Term

Monday 27 April School Development Day

Tuesday 28 April No school banking Students return for Term 2

Wednesday 29 April 10.00 am ANZAC Day service—to be confirmed

Thursday 30 April Allowah Day—to be confirmed

Tuesday 5 May No school banking Mother’s Day Stall—to be confirmed

Wednesday 6 May 2.00 pm Assembly—1/2S & Think Share Act—to be confirmed

Thursday 7 May Cross Country Carnival—to be confirmed

Monday 11 May 6.30 pm P&C Meeting

Tuesday 12 May No school banking


Wednesday 20 May 2.00 pm Assembly—Badges & Cross Country—to be confirmed

Friday 22 May District Cross Country—to be confirmed


Tuesday 2 June No school Banking

Wednesday 3 June 2.00 pm Assembly—4/5P—to be confirmed

Friday 5 June Year 6 Transition Day—to be confirmed

Monday 8 June Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 9 June No school banking

Monday 15 June 6.30 pm P&C Meeting

Tuesday 16 June No school banking

Wednesday 17 June 2.00 pm Assembly—Badges & 5/6E—to be confirmed

Monday 22 June Hawkesbury Enrichment Program begins— to be confirmed

CALENDAR


P&C NEWS

NEXT P&C MEETING Our next P&C meeting will be held on Monday 11 May commencing at 6.30 pm in the staffroom. All parents are very welcome to attend.

SCHOOL BANKING Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a volunteer to process student banking. There will be no school banking available to our students this year. Please do not send deposit books and money to school with your child. Parents may continue to make deposits either online or in branch.


NOTICES

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