Murwillumbah Public SchoolPromoting Excellence in EducationNewsletter 18th February 2021 Term 1 Week 4

PUBLICSCHOOL

Prince Street 6672 1467Murwillumbah

Principals Message Dear Parents and Carers,

As we all know, 2020 was a tough year. Particularly so for our students and teachers who rose to the challenges in a disrupted year that included seven weeks of remote learning due to COVID-19.

In recognition, the government and department have announced a $337 million program, COVID Intensive Learning Support Program (COVID ILSP). The program aims to ensure students’ educational outcomes continue to improve in 2021 through the provision of small group tuition for students who need it most.

Our school has benefited through the employ-ment of Mrs Hanson and Mr Halloran. Mrs Hanson and Mrs Kester will facilitate this and implement the COVID ILSP. Our focus being Literacy and Numeracy in line with our School Plan 2021-2024.

Planning has already commenced for the imple-mentation of the small group tuition. You will be notified if your child will be receiving this support.

This may occur at anytime throughout the year.

MEET AND GREETWe will hold a Meet and Greet evening in Week 6 for parents of children in the following classes: Monday 1st March 2021 from 4.00pm – 4.45pm K/1L &K/1W in K/1L classroom 3/4G, 3/4B &3/4P in the old hallTuesday 2nd March 2021 from 4:00pm - 4:45pm 1/2A &2W will meet in old hall 5/6H, 5/6S & 5/6K in the new hall

COVID-19 protocols will need to be followed, however, we wish to go ahead with this wonder-ful opportunity to meet with the families of the students here at school with us. Staff will give an overview of the year ahead, and then you will have an opportunity to say “hi” and have a quick chat with the class teacher. We will also be holding follow up 3 way meetings with par-ents, the child and class teacher to set individual learning goals for the year. These meetings run for approximately 15 minutes. We will have infor-mation booking slips for you at this initial class meeting.

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MEC WORKSHOP FOR PARENTSA workshop for parents of Murwillumbah PS will be held next Wednesday 24th in the school Library prior to the P&C AGM. The meeting will commence at 5.30pm and run for approxi-mately 1 hour. The workshop is to provide parents to have opportunity to express your view and aspiration at the planning and devel-opment stage of the MEC project.

The format is that small groups of parents move through 4 stations discussing and recording reflections around the following areas:

• Facilities• Culture• Partnerships• Student Wellbeing• Qualities of a student leaving Yr 12

This will be a wonderful opportunity for you to have input into this workshop. I hope to see you next Wednesday from 5.30pm. COVID -19 protocols will need to be followed.

STUDENT ASSISTANCEWe realise this time of year can be financially demanding. Families who are having difficul-ties paying for school activities are encouraged to seek support through our student assistance money. This money is available to ensure students are not disadvantaged by financial hardship, which can occur at any time. If you would like to discuss this, please ring me via the front office.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNINGOur school implements the Positive Behaviour for Learning program in both the playground and classroom settings. Lessons have already commenced this year. This week all class-es have been reviewing expectations around assembly and playground in relation to our school values of Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Learning. Weekly awards are presented to students to recognise their behaviour in this areas.

HEALTH CARE PLANSIf your child has a health condition that needs medication or specific management, parents are required to provide the school with a health care plan or asthma plan filled out in consultation with a doctor. They need to be renewed every year. Please contact the front office to update your child’s Health Care Plan. We would appreciate your immediate atten-tion to these plans, so that we can be sure we have up-to-date information if your child needs assistance with a health issue.

CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY CAKESPlease do not send these items to school. We are NOT able to hand them out due to COVID regulations. Please remind your children that they should not be sharing food with other chil-dren while at school. Thankyou.

MOBILE PHONES/SMART DEVICEWhile we recognise that mobile phones and smart devices may be perceived by some par-ents and carers as devices to improve the secu-rity and safety of their children, the Department of Education policy and procedures has this understanding in mind. In general students are discouraged from bringing mobile phones and smart devices to school. Students who need to have a mobile phone need to hand the phone or smart device to the office at the beginning of the school day. The phone/smart device will be collected as the student leaves school in the afternoon.

The school will accept no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones/smart devices or for costs incurred while the phone/smart device is on school premises. Any urgent need by a parent/carer to contact their child during the day should be directed to the school office on 6672 1467. I would like to thank those students who have been following the proce-dures. I will also be revisiting the school policy on mobile phones and smart devices at the P&C meeting next week.

Principals Message Cont

School News

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Merit Awards CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MERIT AWARD WINNERS FOR WEEK 3 TERM 1K/1L: Beau, Ryder, Tommy 5/6H: Angelina, Declan, FrankieK/1W: Alison, Ruben, Grace 5/6K: Nevaeh, Martha, Amy1/2A: Jesse, Saskia, Xanthe 5/6S: Chloe C, Chloe D, Nick2W: Willow, Grace, Lexie Mrs Armour: Wilson, Taya M, Barnaby3/4B: Maddison, Quentin, Seth Mrs Kester: Willis, Aubrey, Damo3/4P: Kalia, Kyah, Lara Mrs Hanson: Lucas, Ryley, Elijah3/4G: Ella L, Lalita, Lachlan Library: Natasha, Kylan,Audrey

GET TESTED! Parents are reminded that any student or staff member with cold or flu-like symptoms must stay home, be tested, return a negative result and be symptom-free before returning to school. Many thanks to the parents who have heeded this advice and been providing screen-shots of text message results to our office and for supporting the effort to maintain community safety.

Enjoy the week ahead

Regards

Les DaleyPrincipal

P & C NEWSThe AGM will be held Wednesday 24th February 6.30pm in the library. All current positions will be declared vacant. An ordinary meeting will follow after the AGM.P&C meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of every month.The P&C would love to see more parents/car-ers join us. We appreciate valuable input & any ideas/suggestions that anyone may have. We hope to see you there & have another suc-cessful year.

Jade JuleffPresident

Principals Message Cont

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MERIT AWARD WINNERS FOR WEEK 4 TERM 1K/1L: Lilly, Olivia, Barney 5/6H: Rylee, Zalee, JemmaK/1W: Oliver R, Sophie, Emma 5/6K: Jarod, Jayden, Tahlia1/2A: Wilson, Olivia, Wyatt 5/6S: Danica, Oskar, Layla2W: Bella, Alese, Mahli Mrs Armour: Lara, Olive-Jane, Keira3/4B: Zarli, Liam, Quade Mrs Kester: Kye, Amalia, Thaubaan3/4P: Khuzaymah, Jonah, Lucas Mrs Hanson: Kaylee, Annabelle, Sienna3/4G: Thaubaan, Otis, Heath Library: Lucas, Chloe D,

Mrs Power: Reilley, Codie, Marie

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Around the School with 3/4B & 3/4PWhat a busy and fantastic start to the 2021 school year!We have settled into routines very quickly and are already showing how responsible we are as Stage 2 students.In English, we have started a narrative unit and are looking closely into the structure of a story including orientation, complication and resolution. The classes have also started reading rotations and are looking closely at comprehension strategies and reading with fluency.We have started our small Mathematics groups and are already seeing progress in our understanding of numbers. The children are furiously trying to learn their times tables so they can move up the ladder.Our Science topic this semester is ‘Living World’. We will be exploring the classification of animals and plants, the life cycle of animals and plants and what fibres people can produce from plants and animals. We are able to be broken into small groups for this topic which allows us more time to investigate and research thoroughly.During History, we are looking at first contacts and exploring life before, during and after, in our local area. Again we have the opportunity to be in small groups, allowing for greater access to technology to support our research.During the swimming carnival it was excellent to see so many 3/4B and 3/4P students participating in events. We were thoroughly exhausted after sport on Friday. In Stage 2, we were able to choose between cricket, tennis, basketball, netball, t-ball and handball/skipping.Homework is handed out each Monday and should be returned on Fridays. Children should be reading every night for at least 20 minutes.With such a positive start to the year, we are looking forward to a fun-filled and challenging year.

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The 2021 District trials are well under way. It is fantastic to see our students are once again able to try out for their chosen sports against students from other schools after COVID got in the way last year!Students are chosen to try out at these trials against students from all other schools in the Murwillumbah and Tweed district. A requirement for these trials is students to have had years of experience in weekend competitions in their chosen Sport. They need to have competed for their weekend clubs and have a high level of skill to participate. If successful at District trials they then go to Far North Coast trials, then if successful they trial at North Coast trials (the North Coast area is from Tweed down to Taree). Exceptional players are then chosen to represent North Coast at a state wide carnival against all other areas from NSW. Parents are responsible for transporting their child to these trials and are asked to pay the PSSA levy.Sports include - Girls and Boys Cricket, Girls and Boys AFL, Girls and Boys Tennis, Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls and Boys Hockey, u11’s and Open Rugby League, Netball and Girls and Boys Touch Football.So far we have had Alec, Oskar, Chloe C, Chloe D, Leila, Marlie, Rose, Lachlan, Clem and Mathew trial in their chosen sports. Well done to all of them and good luck to those who are trialing in the next few weeks.Congratulations to Marlie and Chloe D who are off to Coffs Harbour next month to trial for the North Coast Girls Cricket team. Mrs Hill

PSSA Trials

Community Notices

Uniform Shop UpdateSchool Sports (White) Polos and Boys (Blue) Polos have now arrived and are available to puchase in the uniform shop. Our Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30am to 9am. Uniform order forms are available from the School Office, or online on our website under the ‘notes’ tab. Payment can be made by cash, EFTPOS/Credit Card or our online Parent Payment Portal.

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Swimming Carnival Results

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Swimming Carnival Results Cont.

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Swimming Carnival 2021

School News

CALENDARTerm

1 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

418th February 19th February

District Swimming

Carnival

522nd February 23rd February 24th February

P&C AGM 6:30pm

25th February 26th February

61st March 2nd March 3rd March 4th March 5th March

78th March 9th March 10th March 11th March 12th March

815th March 16th March 17th March 18th March 19th March

922nd March 23rd March 24th March 25th March 26th March

1029th March 30th March

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

31st March 1st April

LAST DAY OF TERM

2nd April

GOOD FRIDAY

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This Calendar is updated as new information becomes available, so please continue to check over the course of the Term.