Newsletter Week 6 Term 2 2020

Principal’s message

Students have returned successfully to full time face to face teaching and learning. Transitioning into learning at home and then back again wasn’t easy, however the resilience of our students has contributed to their success. Dedication and hard work of our staff, along with commitment of parents and carers have been the other contributing factors. Well done everyone – I am proud of you all.

Last week, Youth Liaison Officer Senior Constable James Bottalico contacted local principals about school zones and student safety. He asked that we remind parents and carers ‘to do the right thing around schools and be patient when confronted with possible heavy traffic’. He provided information about traffic offences and fines applied when rules are broken. The information is included in this newsletter. Again, thank you for helping us keep our students safe.

The NSW Department of Education has adopted a revised approach to student assessment and reporting for Semester 1 2020 to reflect the current teaching and learning environment. The revised approach ensures families are provided information about student progress and achievement, however in a more flexible way. Semester 1 student reports will be sent home in Week 10 Term 2. You will receive a modified written report for your child that encapsulates progress and achievement of the learning provided both at school and at home, as well as guidance going forward. In addition, during Term 3 students and parents/carers will be invited to participate in 3-way interviews with their teacher.

Our Prime Minister Angus invited me to a ministers meeting on Thursday 21 May to discuss students return to full time face to face learning. We had a productive meeting, and so far two of the agreed initiatives have been actioned. Angus, along with Deputy Prime Minister Kristy recorded a welcome back to school message for all of our students - I posted the message on ClassDojo School Story. Similar, to re-establish a sense of community our ministers have arranged for a mufti day fundraising event. The World Environment Day event will bring us together and raise money for a great cause - our koalas.

I would like to introduce a new member of our school executive team – Miss Sarah Weston. Miss Weston was the successful applicant following a rigorous merit selection process for the position as Assistant Principal. She will start in her role on 17 August. Miss Weston will supervise our Stage 3 teachers and students, and teach our OC students for the remainder of the year. Miss Weston is an innovative educator; her experience includes Relieving as Assistant Principal and teaching OC students at Balmain Public School.

Works are ongoing across the school, however I am working closely with contractors to assure there is no disruption to learning and physical distancing is in place for adults. We are excited to have renewed and updated learning spaces and play areas. We are most excited that the expected completion date for the multicourt is Friday 12 June!

Thank you for taking the time to read about what’s happening at Summer Hill Public School, we are very excited to report what our students have been doing. If you enjoy reading our newsletter and would like to see what’s happening around the school more regularly visit the website. For day to day updates and reminders download our Skoolbag App for your phone or tablet device. Click here to go to the school website at https://summerhill -p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ for further information to upload to your device.

Natalie Armstrong Principal

June

Fri 5 World Environment Day mufti fundraiser

Mon 8 Queens Birthday public holiday

Tue 16 P&C meeting 7:15pm online via Zoom

Sat 20 World Refugee Day

Sun 21 World Music Day

July

Fri 3 Last day of Term 2

Sun 5 NAIDOC Week 5 - 12 July

Mon 20 School development day

Tue 21 First day of Term 3 for students

August

Mon 3 Education Week 3 - 7 August

Mon 10 Science Week 10 - 14 August

Mon 24 Book week: Curi-ous creatures, wild minds. 22 - 28 Au-gust

E summerhill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W summerhill-p.schools.nsw.gov.au T @SummerHill_PS P 02 9797 8160

Find more on EVENTS on the school webpage

Communications

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The on-site uniform shop will be open Tuesday mornings by appointment only. Appointments can be made via Pickles Schoolwear online booking system or the rest of Term 2. Families are encouraged to continue to order online with classroom deliveries or collection from the Marrickville shop. For further assistance contact Pickles Schoolwear at info@picklesschoolwear.com or visit Pickles Schoolwear shop located at Fitzroy St and Saywell St, Marrickville NSW 2204.

Uniform shop

The canteen will be open for lunch and recess from Week 7. The updated menu will be available on the school website and Flexischools online ordering site.

Canteen

We are now taking Expressions of Interest from families with a child due to start Kindergarten in 2021. Families that reside within the catchment can complete an Expression of Interest form on the school website enrolment page. For additional information about the enrolment policy and Out of Area applications view our enrolment policy on the school website.

Expression of Interest Kindergarten 2021

We are delighted to have works finalised on the renovation of our school vegetable garden. Established as a joint P&C and school sustainability initiative in 2009, the Summer Hill Public School vegetable garden program has engaged approximately 1000 Year Two students in authentic outdoor learning experiences over the years. We look forward to getting back to learning outside and growing healthy crops in the veggie garden with our keen young gardeners. The very much needed renovation was funded by an Australian Government Local Schools Community Fund grant awarded through the office of the Member for Grayndler, the Hon Mr Anthony Albanese, MP. Regards

Carmel Grimmett, Teacher Librarian

School vegetable garden upgrade completed

Year 5 entry to an opportunity class in 2021

The Opportunity Class Placement Test has been rescheduled to Wednesday 16 September 2020. Due to the postponed test, changes have been made to the placement process for this year only to ensure students are placed in Year 5 opportunity classes as early in 2021 as possible. Refer to the fact sheet for information about these changes. Applications will open on Tuesday 9 June 2020 and close on Friday 26 June 2020. Parents will be able to apply from this web page at that time. Parents are advised to ensure an application is submitted by the closing date for their child to be eligible to sit the placement test. Late applications cannot be accepted.

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P&C News

In line with social distancing requirements (at time of writing), this meeting will be held online via Zoom. (Please note: Zoom's free tier offers up to 100 participants to be in a meeting for up to 40 minutes), if we need more time we can take a break and start another rmeeting. See the latest news regarding P&C Federation proposed constitutional changes to fully enable virtual P&C meetings: https://www.pandc.org.au/amended-constitution-for-incorporated-pc-associations-2/ A Zoom meeting ID and password will be sent prior to the meeting. Please ensure we have your email contact details if you wish to receive the log in details. Please send any requests for agenda items to the P&C email address: summerhillpandc@gmail.com please note depending on the number of items on the agenda, some items will need to be addressed at a future meeting.

Although kids are back at school, please note there will be no school banking until further notice as the program is currently on hold.

The second hand uniform shop is closed, however, please be advised that the office has access to the stock and will assist you if there is something your child needs. Please email the school summerhill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and the office staff will assist. There is limited stock and we do not have all sizes so please ask for the size and item you need in your email. After confirmation from the office please send your chi ld to pick it up. There will be

no money handling at this stage.

President - Lachelle Uzcateguigaymon

Vice President – Paul Rawlings

Vice President – Conor Woods

Treasurer – Joe Harber

Secretary – Shanon Winfield

Social Media – Nilesh Deshmukh

P&C Meeting - June 16th at 7:15pm

School banking

Second hand uniform shop

Reminder of your new executive team for this year

This has been an extraordinary time in all our lives, and while at times over the last few months all of us will have felt scared or anxious, what has been wonderful is how Summer Hill has come together. As parents and carers, we have delivered a powerful lesson to our children: the Covid 19 crisis did not make things fall apart, instead we all came to-gether as a community. Hopefully, this is knowledge our children can carry with them their entire lives. And while things aren’t quite back to normal, we can now get back to enjoying some of the regular patterns of life, such as the next P&C meeting…

E summerhill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

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Across the stages

Kindergarten students had a funtime creating an artwork based on Giuseppe Arcimboldi’s work. Using items from around the classroom we created a

self-portrait called ‘The Student’. Our results were varied in size and items used. Our classrooms became an art gallery as we walked around discussing

what we liked about each other’s art. Our temporary artworks had to be packed up at the end of the day. Luckily our teachers photographed them before

they were gone forever!

Regards The Kindergarten Teachers

Kindergarten Art

Stage 1: Living Things

This term Year 1 and 2 are exploring the Science Unit “Living things and their Homes and Growth and Change”. Plants, people and animals are living

things. Stage 1 are learning about external features of a living thing and that all living things go through a number of stages or change as they grow and

learn. Students have completed drawings of Living Things below.

Students should be able to learn at home two days of the school week

The familiar sound of my alarm clock rings in my head. I debate on ignoring it for the 3rd time or getting out of bed and going to school. The last place I

want to be right now. I groan and twist my body over so I can face the alarm clock, and then I immediately jump out of bed. “What in the world!” the

alarm clock says 9:14 am! I have 1 minute to get dressed, brush my teeth, eat breakfast, and walk to school, and that itself takes 10 minutes! My mind

drifts off to when we had to stay home because of Covid19 and I didn’t have to live the struggle of having to wake up extra early to do all the things I had

to do before I went to school. If only I could relive that time… Doesn’t that sound horrible? And I can guarantee that I am not the only person who feels

this way. And if not, continue reading this text and I am 100% sure you will change your mind.

Now, we all know that when we work with friends we get distracted. It happens to everyone. You go off-topic and talk about things outside of the learning

curriculum. Even if you just sit on a table with your friends there is always a conversation going on. There is no way to prevent this as we almost have

another life going on outside of school and of course we want to talk about it. Don’t get me wrong having friends in your class is amazing because if you

didn’t have them, you would feel very alone. But this conversation that is going on can interfere with our learning as we may not be able to get all of our

work done. If we go to school 3 times a week, we will be able to see our friends and have plenty of time to talk and catch up with them. But if we

homeschool 2 times a week we will be able to put all our focus on our work and not have any distractions. This may even improve your focusing skills at

school. Most importantly, this will create a great balance with being able to focus and get everything done, and socialising with your friends.

Every single day, students and teachers wake up extra early to be able to get to school. Some wake up early because they live hours away, and some

wake up early because they have to use public transport. There are many reasons as to why people have to wake early. But all I know is that waking up

and getting ready in the morning is draining and even a health risk. If you are reducing sleep to become an early riser it can have many negative effects

on you such as moodiness, poor concentration, high anxiety, and risk of having high blood pressure. Which is something I'm sure none of us wants. I

think of online school almost as a holiday. We don’t have to do all the extra things we would normally in the morning. Let's be honest, you don’t even

have to get out of your pyjamas! You do still have to do work but it makes life so much easier.

At the start of homeschooling, I thought I wasn't going to be able to work on my own. Due to the lack of confidence I have had in my work over the years,

and I have always thought I was never going to be able to do work without help from my friends or a teacher. But during this experience, I have had to

work without help. I have learnt to be a much better problem solver and have had to have confidence in the work that I have done. It has helped me look

at learning in a whole new perspective, and I have realised that I can do the work. And it isn’t as hard as my mind made it all out to be. All I needed was

this little push. And honestly, I think everyone needs this. Even confident, independent learners. I know this because I have asked many of my friends

such as Lila, Alessia, Astrid and Yevin and they have all agreed with me. I am sure that everyone else will agree with me that online learning has helped

everyone become more independent learners. This is a great skill we all need for high school and the future.

Conclusively, working from home helps us improve on our focus skills, makes it easier for our everyday lives, and gives us a chance to work on our

independence. These are all skills we will need for high school and even later in the future. Working from home has been an amazing experience and I

am so glad I have got a chance to try it out. If you all agree with me, which I’m sure you do we will hopefully get to do this in the future.

By Rosie R-L 6CM

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Across the stages

Stage 2

Stage 3

Sorry Day by 4TK

Long ago and not so long ago. The children were taken away, No choice or no warning, Sorry Day.

Sorry to the children, Sorry to their parents and grandparents, Sorry to their brothers and sisters . Taken away.

It is important to remember, Humans aren’t all the same, Let’s learn from our mistakes.

Year 5 have been working on creating "non-contact" PE games that they can teach to their peers and other grades.

Julia, Madi and Claudia (in 5AW) created a game called "Jam Pot", which involved running, getting your heart rate up and genuinely just having a good time!

On Tuesday the 2nd of June, Julia, Madi and Claudia taught the game to the Year 3 classes. They showed great enthusiasm and leadership skills. The Year 3 classes enjoyed participating in the game.

Year 5 classes will continue building up a list of "non-contact PE games" over the next few weeks and hopefully will be able to share these with other grades.

E summerhill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

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Across the stages

Stage 3

A music task set for Stage 3 students during the remote learning period was to rewrite lyrics to a song we were learning last term. I really enjoyed this topical rewrite by Jiekai M 5SH Rewrite of When the Clouds are Sinking Low I check if there are shops nearby, To see when I can panic buy, I want some masks and lots of food, But find that they’ve all been removed, I check if there are shops nearby. How can I survive like this My fridge is just a huge abyss, It is empty and there’s nothing there, Not even a bit of spare. How can I survive like this.

Rewrite of Wondrous Place I’ve been to Woolworths, Coles and Aldi, But they say they’re sorry, There is no more toilet paper left. I’ve checked if you can click and collect, Or just buy direct, But it still says it is out of stock. Everywhere I turn, I will start to learn, No more stock is left, And I am left bereft. I am now depressed, And also extremely stressed, I have checked every single shop. I’ve checked all the shops nearby

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Music

Sport

Welcome back everyone after a very long break. Advanced Recorder and Advanced Ukulele are back on. Advanced Recorder. Music Room 8.15am Tuesday Advanced Ukulele. 3/4PC’s Room 8.15 am Thursday The Instrumental and Choral Festivals and School Spectacular will not be going ahead this year. However, we will be looking at creative performing options for the students in the Music Ensemble programs now we are all back on deck. Thank you to all parents who helped students navigate the online portals. I have received and enjoyed many performances from students (and some family members), during the ‘at home’ learning time. I have also learned a lot from this period of online learning. I will be keeping the music google classrooms going to upload supporting videos, pdf’s and mps3s for the music program as required. Great to see everyone back! Donna Ross Music Teacher

All ensembles will begin regular rehearsals again this week (Week 6) at the usual times –

Stage Band: Tuesday 3-4pm in the Music Room

Concert Band: Wednesday 3-4pm in the Hall

Senior Band: Thursday 8-9am in the Hall

Training Band: Friday 8-9am in the Hall

Symphony Orchestra: Wednesday 8-9am in the Hall

Chamber Orchestra: Wednesday 8-9am in the Music Room

Training Orchestra: Friday 8-9am in the Library

Please don’t worry if you are a bit out of practise – we are looking forward to seeing everyone back!

Notes from the music room

Bands and Orchestras

The Department of Education now advises that due to COVID-19 and the ‘social distancing strategy' all programs for Terms 1 and 2 are now cancelled.

The health and well-being of everyone involved is paramount and at the heart of this decision.

All Term 2 2020 Zone/District, Sydney East and NSW PSSA activities will now be cancelled and will not be rescheduled during 2020. This situation will be regularly reviewed and updates provided about activities in Terms 3 and 4. We thank you for your understanding during this time.

So as it stands now our Friday afternoon competitions for Term 2 will not be conducted and the zone, regional and state cross country carnivals will not be held this year.

E summerhill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

W summerhill-p.schools.nsw.gov.au T @SummerHill_PS P 02 9797 8160

Community notices