Term 2, Week 4 18 May, 2020

4 Blakehurst Public School, Dewrang Street, Carss Park, NSW 2221 Tel: 9546 1555 Fax: 9547 1796 E-mail: blakehurst-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: blakehurst-p.schools.nsw.edu.au A Message from our Principal, Mr Cameron Smyth-Gapps Last week saw us commence Phase 1 of our return to school for students, meaning that each class had the opportunity to access face to face teaching and learning with their class and teacher for the first time this term. It was great to see so many students back in their classrooms and it certainly gave the school an added atmosphere that we haven’t seen in some time. As communicated through Skoolbag last week, the face to face teaching day supports your child’s academic and social development in ways that cannot be achieved through the online platform and I strongly encourage all families to send their child/children to school on their scheduled day. I am always available to speak to families with special circumstances to consider but for those students who are able to return to school now, this transition period will be invaluable as we move towards an increased number of days at school in the coming weeks. Public schools across NSW are still awaiting advice as to when we can move into Phase 2 and beyond. Our current attendance plans (see below) will remain in place until further notice. Please refer to Skoolbag for the most updated information or call the school on 9546 1555 if you require additional information or support. The schedule for students attending school for Week 4 is as follows:

Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Classes KW

3/4K 5/6T

1S 2P

1J 2S

3/4H

KB 5/6K

K/2G 3/4S 5/6B

Social distancing rules for students

The NSW Government has recently eased the social distancing rules for children, meaning that students are no longer required to socially distance in the classroom or on the playground. As a result, some teachers are electing to revert back to having all of their students in the one classroom on their teaching day. The school will continue to monitor student interactions closely to ensure that ‘respectful’ distancing remains in place, as we understand that parents may still have concerns about virus transmission as we move from isolated practices back into the mainstream classroom. Please refer to the link below for the Department’s updated information on social distancing in schools: https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/covid-19/school-staff/physical-distancing-in-primary-school-settings

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Blakehurst Public School Newsletter

A caring community school - safe, respectful, resilient, engaged.

On the day that your child attends school, the following will still apply:

• The school hours remain as normal with class starting at 9:25am and finishing at 3:25pm. • A ‘staggered’ leave time will remain in place so that classes take turns leaving in the afternoon to prevent

large numbers of parents from congregating at the gates. Parents are asked to remain in their vehicle and utilise the ‘kiss and drop’ zone where possible.

• Systems will be in place to ensure that social distancing is maintained for staff at all times. • Parents are asked not to come on the school grounds at this time. • Students will wear their full school uniform and bring all learning resources with them on their day of

attendance, as would be the case on any other regular school day. • Students are asked to bring their lunch and recess, unless they are intending on utilising the canteen on a

day that it is operating (see below).

What is the school doing to ensure that staff, students and parents are safe at school?

The following measures are being put in place by the school to ensure everyone’s safety at this time.

• Limiting the number of classes on site each day to ensure that the student population on the school ground is limited to 25% or less each day.

• Ensuring that our school is regularly and thoroughly cleaned and sanitised. Additional cleaning hours and staff have been allocated to the school and ‘high touch point’ areas are being regularly cleaned throughout the day.

• Promoting regular hand washing and sanitising for all staff and students and ensuring that soap, hand towel and sanitiser is plentiful in all classrooms and common areas.

• Closely monitoring the health of our staff and students and ensuring that only those who are well enough to attend school are able to enter the school site.

• Preventing adults (other than teachers) from entering the school grounds by asking parents to wait at the gates and not running incursions, Ethics, SRE or other programs where visitors are required on the school site.

• Providing staff, students and community members with additional support as required by connecting them with our school counsellor and external agencies.

Canteen News

Our canteen is operating one day per week, starting this Thursday 21 May. The canteen will be serving ‘special lunch orders’ only, which need to be ordered on FlexiSchools prior to the day. Over the counter sales and additional menu items will resume in the coming weeks. Please refer to Skoolbag for the latest updates from the P&C and canteen committee.

Canteen days of operation:

• Week 4 – Thursday 21 May • Week 5 – Tuesday 26 May

Before and after school care

I have been in ongoing contact with our before and after school care providers to determine an appropriate time for operations to resume on our school grounds. KCS completed a risk assessment at the school today and this is the first step in a return to full operations. For our families who have continued to use the service during the COVID-19 period, I thank you for your flexibility with your child/children being required to travel to Carlton South PS. We look forward to the service resuming here at Blakehurst PS in the near future. Please refer to Skoolbag for updates. I wish our families another safe week ahead and look forward to providing you with information regarding our Week 5 arrangements in the coming days.

School Calendar Upcoming events at Blakehurst Public School Please put these dates in your diary. Dates and events are subject to change. Check the school website for recent updates and changes.

Term 2 - 2020

P&C News Canteen We are very excited to be able to offer a special food day to all our Thursday students this week (see flyer below). Please place your orders on Flexischools before Wednesday. Uniform Shop Our Uniform Shop has a great range of winter uniform items in stock. Orders can be made through Flexischools or through the order form sent on Skoolbag. Orders placed before 5pm on Thursday will be packed up on Friday mornings. Orders can be collected from the school office or sent home with your child on their day of attendance. We love to hear any feedback you may have for the P&C. Any suggestions and ideas for events and fundraising are welcome. Please drop us an email at blakehurstpandc@gmail.com Thanks Your P&C

Term 2 Week 4 Phase 1 continuing Monday 18 May KW, 3/4K and 5/6T classes

Tuesday 19 May 1S and 2P classes

Wednesday 20 May 1J, 2S and 3/4H classes

Thursday 21 May KB and 5/6K classes Canteen open - Special Food Day orders only

Friday 22 May K-2G, 3/4S and 5/6B classes

Term 2 Week 5

Tuesday 26 May Acacia Choir Rehearsal for SPAF - CANCELLED

Wednesday 27 May SPAF Audition teams - CANCELLED

Thursday 28 May Casuarina Choir Rehearsal for SPAF - CANCELLED

Term 2 Week 6

Thursday 4 June Open Day - ‘Sticky Beck Tour’ - POSTPONED

Term 2 Week 7

Monday 8 June Queen’s birthday - Public Holiday

Tuesday 9 June Lockout Drill - 11.05am - 11.15am

Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 4 Canteen Roster Term 2 Week 5 Thursday 21 May Angela TBA One day only (Special Food Day)

Canteen Coordinator: Deb Bennetts School Lunch Orders via www.flexischools.com.au

: blakehurstpscanteen@gmail.com

Open Every Friday 9.00am – 9:45am

UNIFORM SHOP ROSTER TERM 2

Week Date Volunteer

4 22 May

Uniform Coordinator: Christine Parlett : blakehurstuniformshop@gmail.com

Orders can be made via www.flexischools.com.au

Kindergarten 2021 Enrolments Kindergarten enrolments are now being accepted for 2021. We have already had some very keen people take enrolment forms. If you or someone that you know has a child turning 5 before 31st July 2021 and is looking to enrol a child into kindergarten next year, please do the following below: How to Enrol:

• check eligibility requirements • download an application to enrol from the NSW Education website or • pick up an application form from the school office • complete and submit the application to the school as soon as possible or • call the office on 9546 1555 if you have any queries

What to bring to the school office with the enrolment form:

You will need your child’s:

• Birth certificate and/or passport • Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) immunisation history statement

• Parent/carer’s details with home address stated as proof of residence (such as a rate notice, lease agreement etc.)

• Residency status or visa number (if applicable) passport, travel documents or current visa (if applicable)

• Family law or other relevant court orders (if applicable) If you have any questions about this program or enrolment procedures please ask our friendly staff in school office. Pick-up Zone Guidelines Blakehurst Public School uses a No Parking area on Dewrang Street to provide parents and carers with a safe environment to drop off and pick up their children from school by car. The designated area in front of the school is a No Parking zone between 8.00am - 9.30am and 2.30pm - 4.00pm. No Parking means you must not stop for more than two minutes and you must remain in or within 3 metres of your vehicle. Vehicles cannot be left unattended in the designated zones during the above times, nor can you wait for more than two minutes in your car during this time for the pick-up line to begin. The pick-up line operates in the afternoon from 3.25pm to 3.35pm Monday to Friday. If you arrive earlier than 3.25pm, please park safely nearby (not over our neighbours driveways, as they need to enter and exit their properties during pick-up time) or proceed around the block until 3.25pm when the pick-up zone begins.