Welcome to Week 8 of Term 2, we’re almost there!
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well.
Firstly, I would like to start by thanking all the parents and families for your patience and continued support with the newly imposed school procedures. They are a little bit to get used to, and I understand that they are far from ‘normal’ but having your co-operation with this is greatly appreciated. Whilst we are still directed to, these procedures will stay in place most likely until we receive further information next term. Therefore, there are currently no changes to drop-off and pick-up procedures, with no parents or caregivers permitted on site.
Additionally, the Kindergarten to Year 2 pick-up instructions remain unchanged with students being collected at 2:45pm from the appointed areas, leaving promptly to alleviate any congestion. Once again, all other children will be dismissed at 3:00pm, including siblings, students whom travel by bus and those that attend after school care with Wesley Mission.
As you are aware, some positive steps forward have been made as of Monday 15th June, 2020 towards regaining some normality within school activities. School assemblies are now permitted to proceed, however they are under a 15 minute time constraint, and are preferred to be delivered outside or via technology mediums. We will endeavour to have K-2 held under the COLA whereby all essential information can be communicated and merit awards can be distributed. With stage 2 and 3 being a larger cohort, it is suggested that the assembly will be recorded digitally to help adhere to social distancing guidelines, and information and award winners can be communicated via this method. Due to the directive of no non-essential persons allowed within the school grounds, unfortunately no parents or caregivers are permitted to attend assemblies at this stage. When and if this changes, it will be communicated via our communication channels.
Excitingly, choir and performing Arts within the school setting can now resume with safety guidelines in place. Students are permitted to attend other schools for any essential curriculum related reasons or for placement requirements- i.e. auditions or placement tests etc. Moreover, incursions/ external providers that deliver curriculum based activities i.e. - music tutors, sports skills development workshops, science demonstrations, Healthy Harold Life Education etc. are allowed to resume, which aid in helping children’s education. Community activities undertaken by students such as dance classes, sport skills development programs outside of school hours are now permitted as long as there is limited adult attendance. Also day field trips to outdoor locations are also allowed to resume, as long as they do not require any specific physical distancing rules to operate.
With all of these positive changes being put in place we are also heading in the right direction for further changes to be made for Term 3. These include all inter-school events such as choir, sport, debating, public speaking and performing arts. All school sport events and competitions. In regards to P&C meetings, there is a strong preference on keeping these as on online meetings. Parent Teacher interviews, are still going ahead, but once again with a strong preference for online or over the phone methods, this minimizes the need for adults to gather, therefore adhering to the health directives we have been given. As always, any updates on any of these changes will be communicated with you clearly and promptly.
In other school news,
We conducted our P&C meeting on Tuesday night via online which was a great success, and the following items were discussed, and will be followed up. Firstly, the Crossing supervisor Roads and Maritime Services. Last week as you may be aware there was several days of no crossing supervisors on duty. To clarify the school is not allowed to have a staff member perform these duties, as it is clearly outside our duty of care. We are able to put out the flags as requested, and proceeded to do so. We are now looking into how people could train as crossing supervisors shall they wish to.
Secondly, P&C support for school resources, the school is looking into purchasing more technology equipment such as laptop trolleys, and the P&C are looking into purchasing these with their funds.
As announced the Athletics Carnival has been postponed until Friday 7th August, 2020. We will continue to keep you updated about this and also update information around parental attendance.
Once again it was brought to our attention the matter of parents congregating at the front gates. Please remember to keep 1.5 metres apart and be aware of your surrounds. As we have K-2 students leaving at 2:45 PM each day we are asking parents to be mindful of their younger children while waiting at the front gate. We have transport buses leaving at approximately 2:30 PM and the front gate must be clear to ensure a safe exit for the transport buses. We appreciate your help with this, working together to keep everyone safe.
Wonderful news also that the winners for the Learning from Home competitions for photography, poetry and public speaking entries have been selected. Congratulations to all our winners and well done on taking the time and making the effort to enter. Please see below for a full list of winner’s names and photos.
Finally, in regards to school maintenance, the work currently being undertaken here at Wyong Public School is still being carried out around the school grounds, with the painting still going and the resurfacing of the carpark and installation of the front gate set to commence shortly, again dates will be advised when they are confirmed.
