Trundle Central School Newsletter · am proud this school is proactive in trying to drive progress...

Telephone: (02) 68921303 Fax: (02) 68921184 Email: [email protected] School webpage – https://trundle-c.schools.nsw.gov.au Facebook - www.facebook.com/TrundleCentralSchool

18th May 2020 Term 2 Week 4

Trundle Central School Newsletter A school that provides a

professional, stimulating and challenging learning

environment

Principal Mr John Southon

Head Teacher Secondary Mr Gerry Capell

Assistant Principal Mrs Fiona Sanderson

Reminders

Week 4

PRIMARY Monday 18th May K-6 Face to face teaching resumes for today only.

Tuesday 19th May—Friday 22nd May Children are encouraged to work on their book packs at home.

SECONDARY 7-10 Monday 18th, Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st May All students should be working on book packs at home.

Tuesday 19th and Friday 22nd Students will be working on altered time table at school.

SECONDARY 11-12 School as normal.

P&C President

Vacant

Secretary Vacant

Treasurer Vacant

Secondary students adhere to social distancing with separate desks but all

smiling and happy to be back at school.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.trundle-c.schools.nsw.edu.au/


Term 2 Week 4

Principal’s

Message

Our phased return to face to face learning last week

was an outstanding success with the vast majority of

students returning to school and engaging well in class.

A few students are yet to return but I hope they are

just preferring learning from home at this stage and we

have not lost any additional families from Trundle. That

is the last thing this school or town needs.

This week will be the same structure. Face- to- face

time will increase in Week 5 as per the timetable

outlined by the Department of Education and

communicated to parents. This is naturally dependent

on the virus being under control and students adhering

to the increased hygiene measures.

Our Government is not perfect. No Government can

be because they are comprised of humans and every

human has flaws. However, the response of the

Australian Governments coupled with our relative

geographic isolation has allowed us to control this virus

to an extent that many things, including schools are

starting to return to a new normal. Where in the world

would you rather live during this event than Australia?

Australia is still the lucky country and we are living the

virus free (at this stage) dream in Trundle.

I laughed when Primary students returned last Monday.

Friends circled each other, seemingly not knowing what

to say or how to react when face- to- face rather than

through an electronic device. However, after we quickly

cut out the shape of a computer monitor or mobile

phone for each group to talk in to and told students

that the conversation needed to drop out for the

Telstra catch-up every 5 minutes, students started to

interact well again. This week, each teacher will have an

internet wheel of death to simulate the internet

coverage drop out to allow the students extra thinking

time for answering questions.

The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced that school has

multiple functions, not only the teaching of Literacy and

Numeracy. At times, this seems the only concern in

some powerful circles. Good schools teach students

how to interact positively with each other,

communicate and form relationships with a variety of

people. Most of all, schools teach our young people to

think and generate informed opinions based on their

ability to generate knowledge rather than simply repeat

facts. Eventually, robots will perform basic tasks for us

but they will not show compassion, empathy, forgive, or

learn from past history; we will still need laterally

thinking humans for that. In short, technology still

cannot replace the natural human desire for personal

interaction that the classroom provides.

As Principal I am very much looking forward to

reporting on a sporting event, school excursions, inter-

school visit or other achievements. The current

situation is not our world. Community lock downs and

students out of school should become another page in a

history book. I also worry about the lasting mental

health effects on some students and families from this

prolonged change to our lives. I realise talking about

mental health especially to many country males creates

the same reaction of total mental shutdown and lack of

ability to communicate, as when your partner asks your

opinion on moving furniture but the conversation needs

to be had. Our farm children have had 3 years of

drought, now disruption through COVID-19 virus. This

has to have a lasting or short term effects on some

children.

The ironic nature of the world always makes me laugh.

However at times it is not a belly laugh, but a nervous

reaction to things I do not understand. The profession

of teaching has been under constant attack for many

years, diminishing its status. As an educator, I have been

actively or passively blamed for declining Literacy

standards, poor manners in young people, a media

fabricated increase in serious criminal activity,

breakdown in family structures, reduction in religious

observance, lack of cooking and sewing ability of

children, poor handwriting, vandalism, poor road

manners, Married at First Sight and much more. That

was just last week!

However, now teachers are the pivotal factor in

returning our country to economic prosperity

according to the Prime Minister. How can this be

possibly true? How can the people who were in many

people’s opinion overpaid, under worked and ‘anyone

could do it’, be now important in Australian society?

Maybe along with enhanced hygiene and cleaning and

phrases such as ‘social distancing’, out of this emergency

comes increased respect for the people who teach your

children. This is in classes up to, sometimes beyond 30

children, some children with disabilities, some with

behaviour problems and the many more challenges in a

typical classroom. It should always be remembered

that most parents are not home-schooling children.

They are supervising prepared work from the school.




Term 2 Week 4

The profession /art of teaching is far more complex than

families have been exposed to. I believe, it deserves, and

hopefully will, gain more respect after this emergency.

Some parents have expressed concerns that their child

(ren) did not complete all the learning from home

packages. This is an assumption we are making in our

planning for when students return to school full time.

This is especially in High School. Teenagers are like

Ducati Super Sport motorcycles. Fantastic when

performing but can be a little temperamental and hard

to start. As we move closer to the return of full time

face-to- face, I repeat my call to parents not to die on

the school work hill. Schools will quickly catch up

students where deficits are observed. Also, let’s be

realistic! If your High school student refuses to

complete the work, where does the blame fall? I suspect

not with parents.

Last week, I was invited to sit on the UNICEF Rural

Advisory Steering Committee again for 2020. This group

involves several government and non-government

agencies and looks at areas on inequality for country

youth from their perspective. This is a great honour

again for our school, as it gives us a voice directly to the

Government. It is also an area which I am passionate

about, as I do not believe geography should determine

opportunity. It does not matter where a young person

lives, they should have access to services such as Mental

Health Counselling, Career Advice etc. Last year, the

committee met directly with the Agriculture Minister,

David Littleproud and the Deputy Prime Minister,

Michael McCormack to present a paper outlining issues

for youth in country areas. What happens with this

paper is beyond our control but at least it is in the

Government domain now.

Last week I received the news that the supermarket has

a very good chance of re-opening. This is wonderful

news for the town of Trundle and surrounding areas.

This school has appeared on several media platforms,

promoting the opportunity for someone to come to

Trundle and re-open the supermarket because of the

enormous benefits to the community, especially my

students. I do not know if this helped in the process or

not. For many people, the school could arrange for the

Queen and the Pope to visit and still they would say

‘What about Elvis!’ Nothing is good enough, that is their

mindset, or it is personal.

Trundle businesses have tried to provide some basic

groceries after the closure of the Supermarket because

of their sense of community but it is not the core

business of the Café, Pub, Hardware or Newsagent to

provide groceries. The re-opening of the supermarket

will help all businesses because it makes our town more

attractive to new people. I would not have come to

Trundle if a Supermarket was not available. Indeed,

when I arrived, there were two. I apologise for referring

to Trundle as our town, as I have not the right to say

that until several generations are buried in the cemetery

and my children have had their 21st birthday at the Pub. I

am proud this school is proactive in trying to drive

progress in the community. Passive observation of rural

decline, especially the reduction of government services

actually increases the speed because governments

generally view inaction as acceptance. I believe, we must

promote this community and demand equality of

opportunity for our kids.

I was very pleased to receive a reply from Parkes Police

to my enquiry about the return to community policing. I

have received an assurance that the Trundle community

will continue to be policed adequately and the station

has an officer attached. Whilst not the complete answer

to my request and I am not happy, it is a very good

starting point. I will be writing again when I return to

work, for Police to describe what adequate policing is!

Parkes Shire Council is yet to reply to my enquires

about nuisance dogs, but I certainly will not be letting

that issue go until I receive a reply and hopefully actual

action rather than words. I have had a small medical

procedure, so I am off work until Thursday, I will get

back to people after this date. As the Centrelink call

wait repeatedly states sometimes for up to an hour:

‘You are important and we will get back to you.’

John Southon

Principal

Secondary students were happy to see their

class mates and start learning face-to-face.




Term 2 Week 4




Term 2 Week 4

Bark with laughter with Ajax:

What do you get if you cross a parrot with a shark?

An animal that talks your head off.

Woof Woof Awards:

500 happy barks to all students who have returned

in full uniform. You obviously have had some time

to purchase new clothes. Hopefully, you purchased

locally, as Bug Eyed Brats is our preferred store.

500 happy barks to our school cleaners. So few

hands are responsible for keeping the school,

especially toilets clean, full of soap and paper

towels, allowing the hands of so many to be clean.

500 happy barks to all the happy dogs in Trundle.

You know who you are, the ones that are not

locked up for days on end, fed and exercised.

500 happy barks to the students playing handball.

Returning the ball to the bucket of disinfectant and

washing our hands after is keeping us safe.

501 happy barks to Tracy Farrar. Not only did she

produce the Dux of Trundle Central in Jessica

Farrar, she also in the last week of Term 1

transported every non-town child to school. An

enormous effort.

500 happy barks to Jennifer and Nancy Lornie. You

have settled in so well and became part of our

school. Do not believe the rule about not feeding

the dog. Completely optional for students who

have lived overseas.

5000 happy barks to Judith Crawford of Trundle

Police. It is only when you are not here that we

truly appreciate the excellent service you provide

for our community.

I cannot think of any reason to be cranky today.

School is going back, COVID-19 is under control

and Southo has just taken delivery of his weekly

supply of Teflon.

Life is good.

Ajax’s

Weekly Woof

After I had a bath, I

laid in the sun with

Harry for hours.

Life is good.




Primary

Term 2 Week 4

What a fantastic first day back! It was a great day

for the students to reconnect with their peers and

teachers.

Week 4

As per last week, all K-6 students will return on a

Monday.

Students will be given work to complete at home,

questions will be answered and concepts for the

week will be introduced.

This will also be a day for the students to

reconnect with their teacher and peers and engage

in activities they may not be able to access at home,

such as technology.

Week 5-6

Monday 25th May is when all K-6 will return on a

Monday and a Wednesday.

When returning to school students will be

encouraged to:

• Follow social distancing guidelines and wash and sanitize their hands regularly throughout

the day.

• Technology used in the classrooms will be

cleaned before and after use.

• Students will be given labelled stationary

packs and these will stay at school.

• Students must bring their own water bottles

as the bubblers are still not in use.

• The computer room and library will not be

used in Week 4.

• There will be no play equipment used or

shared and the sand pit will not be used.

• Fruit will not be able to be cut during fruit

break so if your child prefers cut fruit, please

do this when packing their lunch box.

We encourage parents to call with questions or

queries regarding the work packs sent home.

Teachers have made contact with students via

SeeSaw, Google Classroom or through their work

packs.

We are asking students to return Term 2 Week 1-

3 work packs on Monday 18th May.

Thank you

Mrs Sanderson

Assistant Principal




Term 2 Week 4

Secondary

Welcome back to Week 4.

It was awesome seeing our students last week and

they should be commended on their attitude on

their return.

This week we will follow the same timetable as last

week for our Year 7-10 students.

We intend to extend our days at school to include

Thursday in Week 5 if we are allowed to. If this is

the case Secondary students will be at school

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We will be following

the normal timetable.

Our Stage 6 students are continuing with their

Zoom lessons and usual support from their co-

teachers at school. If there are any concerns with

any aspects of their education and, especially if

there are any in regards to assessments, please

come and speak to me.

Last week we sadly said good bye to Miss Ward

who has taken a full time position at Parkes High.

We wish her luck with her new job. We are very

fortunate to have a high calibre replacement in

Mr Flavel stepping into this position. Welcome to

the team!

As always if there are any questions in regards to

Secondary please contact me at school.

Gerry Capell

Head Teacher Secondary Studies

Some of the students’

Technology projects

created in isolation.

Week 4 commencing 18th May

Year 7-10 students

Tuesday and Friday

Year 11/12 students

5 days per week

Week 5 and 6 commencing 25th May

Year 7-10 students

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Year 11/12 students

5 days per week

TUESDAY

PERIOD 7 8 9/10

1 SCIENCE-

DL

MATHS-EP HSIE-KR

2 MATHS-EP TECH-LR

MATHS-GC

3 7 TECH-LR SCIENCE-

EP

ENG-GR

4 7 ENG-KR HSIE-GR SCIENCE-DL

5 7 HSIE-GR ENGLISH-

KR

IND TECH/ART

-KW/LR

FRIDAY

PERIOD 7 8 9/10

1 ART-KW LOTE-LB AG/IST-EP/DL

2 LOTE-LB ART-KW PDHPE-TM

3 MUSIC-LB PDHPE-

AW

IND TECH/ART

-LR/KW

4 PDHPE-TM MUSIC-LB FOOD/PASS-LR/

AW

5 RM 12 P21 RM 14




Term 2 Week 4

Secondary

Update from the Ag Plot: Seeking Donations The Year 9/10 Agriculture class have returned to

school and are back at the Ag plot!

In Week 3, students planted their own vegetable

patches, whilst maintaining social distancing. With

the clear skies and warm days that we are

currently having, the vegetables will be ripe for the

picking in no time.

In Week 4, the students will be sowing a crop

trial. The students will be sowing a variety of

cereals, pulses and canola, to compare the different

plants. The primary aim of the trial will be

experimentation with different sowing rates. It will

certainly be interesting to see the results.

This term, the students are also undertaking a unit

of study on Sheep Production with a focus on

Prime Lamb Production. Due to the impacts of

Coronavirus, the students are not able to attend

excursions. Therefore, to ensure that the students

have the opportunity to participate in practical

learning activities, the Ag plot is seeking to obtain

3-4 weaned lambs to feedlot at the school Ag plot.

The students will utilise these sheep to develop

practical skills in animal husbandry and management

and relate the theoretical concepts that they are

learning in class to practical real-world learning

activities.

As such, the Trundle Central School Ag plot is

looking for donations of weaned lambs. If you

would like to donate a weaned lamb to the Ag plot,

please contact the school on 6892 1303.

Thank you

Emily Price

Ag Teacher




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Library

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Community

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