Holbrook Public School

Welcome to Week 5! At Friday’s virtual assembly, our school leaders shared some of the things they have felt grateful for since returning to school after the remote learning period. Here are some of their responses:

• Spending time with their friends
• Having face-to-face lessons with their teachers
• Being able to play ‘contact’ sports again in the playground
• Having our movie rewards afternoon
• Fundraising for the Wild Wigs for Well-being day
• Having the Cross Country Carnival at school this term
• The Year 6 Peer Support incursion with Mrs Wedgwood
• The K-6 Peer Support program
• Playing netball at lunch times with Mrs Biar
• Preparing for debating with Mrs Pargeter
• The WriteOn Competition
• Participating in the Science Expo

Premier’s Debating Challenge

Congratulations to our school debating team ‘the Torpedoes’ who participated in their first debate via Zoom today against Yerong Creek Public School. Well done to Annabel (first speaker), Isaac (2nd speaker), Jayden (3rd speaker), Eli (team advisor) and Tom (absent today) who all participated under the guidance of Mrs Pargeter. Unfortunately, the adjudication didn’t go our way today, but the team received great feedback to grow on and Mrs Pargeter was very positive about the team’s first debate and each student’s individual contribution. Well done, HPS!

WriteOn Competition

Both public speaking and writing are wonderful lifelong skills and  opportunities to influence an audience in an imaginative, informative or persuasive manner. This year, for the first time, our students entered the WriteOn Competition, a state-wide writing competition run by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). I am extremely proud to announce that in this year’s Stage 2 section of the competition, Ollie Cardile has been awarded a silver certificate in the WriteOn 2020 competition. His entry ‘The Long Journey’ will be published in The Best of WriteOn 2020 Anthology, which will be available later this year from the NESA shop online. A copy of this book will also be placed in the National Library, making him a published author at the age of 9! Great effort, Ollie!

Attendance Matters

I know many families are taking precautions by not sending their children to school if they are unwell, which is highly appreciated, and in line with NSW Health recommendations. We ask that all parents and carers please communicate regularly and in a timely manner with our office staff via letter, email, phone call or the SkoolBag app, so we have an explanation for all absences. It is a requirement that explanations are received within seven days of an absence. If a child is away for three consecutive days without explanation, the school is required to contact the parent/carer for an explanation. If your child’s attendance rate is below 85%, a medical certificate will be required as an explanation, and the student’s attendance will be monitored by the school’s Learning and Support Team, Principal and Home School Liaison Officer.

Staffing

At the end of last week, we received news that Mrs Young’s leave has been extended. Mrs Henderson is doing a wonderful job in replacing Mrs Young as the Year 2 teacher and will continue in this role for the remainder of Term 3. Check out this week's Spotlight On Year 2 which includes photos and a video performance! Miss Alysha Barraclough has been working at our school this term as a replacement for Mrs Young. She will be working as an additional teacher across K-2 in the mornings, as well as providing release from face-to-face time for other teachers in the school. Mrs Young’s K-2 Assistant Principal role has been advertised for the remainder of Term 3.

SAS Staff Recognition Week

I feel extremely lucky to have such a dedicated and caring School Administrative and Support Staff to work with each day, and I know that our teaching staff and community are also very grateful for their support and contribution. From 24 – 28 August, we will be celebrating SAS Staff Recognition Week. I hope you are able to thank them as well.

Thank you:

School Administrative Manager (SAM) – Tracey Mullavey

School Administrative Officer (SAO) – Judith Mullins

School Learning Support Officer/Health – (SLSO-H) – Brenda Jones

School Learning Support Officer/Health – (SLSO-H) – Brenton Earl

School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) – Wendy Knust

School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) – Danielle Liddell

General Assistant (GA) – Mark Wedgwood

2021 Kindergarten Enrolments

On Wednesday, 5 August, we held a virtual Parent Orientation Meeting via Zoom for parents and carers of children beginning their schooling journey in 2021. Miss Hemphill and I gave the presentation to eight existing and new families. If you missed this meeting, or you know someone who did, we encourage you to make contact with the school to find out more about this year’s transition to school program. Kindergarten orientation packs are available on request in the school office. The NSW Department of Education has put Kindergarten Orientation on hold for Term 3, therefore, all transition activities will be held virtually with the Greater Hume Children Services at this stage. After meeting many of the pre-schoolers ‘through the fence’ earlier in the term, we’re very much looking forward to seeing them again. We encourage families, particularly those with siblings already at the school, to complete the enrolment process as soon as possible. Feel free to contact us anytime for further information. 

Updated Term 3 Learning Guidelines

Yesterday morning, we received updated advice from the NSW Department of Education regarding COVID-19 measures in schools. I sought further advice in regards to the statement which says 'Students should stay within their relevant cohort group (i.e. class, year group, or stage).' Based on this advice, we will make adjustments at the school to limit activities to either K-2 or 3-6 programs. If we have COVID-19 cases closer to our area, or if the advice I have been given is updated, we may need to revert back to home classes for all activities. Please also see below the 'Important COVID-19 Update'. 

Nathan Fisher

Principal

A huge shiver ran down Matt’s spine as the fog slowly drifted along the forest floor. He started to feel the tall, thick-trunked pine trees getting eerier and eerier, and his Jack Russell cuddled up to his leg. “Urgh, I miss when I wasn’t doing anything and was bored,” Matt said. Matt and his Jack Russell didn’t know what to do…

As the little white flakes fell from the sky, Matt’s mum was starting to get worried, walking to each of the windows in the house and glancing at her watch. Matt and his Jack Russell were meant to be back from their walk an hour ago. The light began to fade, and the snow grew heavier and heavier. Matt’s mum anxiously watched the clock, as ticks went by, waiting for Matt to walk through the door. She couldn’t stop thinking about all the great times they had had together. Her eyes were starting to water and tears dribbled down her cheek.

Matt pulled his rain jacket tight as the snow began falling heavier. It had been snowing for so long. Lots of the snow got caught on the pines and because there was so much weight on the tree, the snow fell as Matt was walking along. He jerked back, frightened. He had been walking for hours and no longer knew where he was. Matt’s mind was losing concentration but he forced his legs to keep shuffling, and the fatigue grew worse and worse. Matt started to wonder if his mum would come to help him. Matt shivered and the hairs on his arms rose. He started to get goose bumps. He whistled his Jack Russell, just to see if he was nearby. Matt’s Jack Russell walked up to him and it felt like the bushes were laughing at him, taunting him, “You’re lost! Na, na, na na, na.”

Matt opened his mouth and yawned. His eyes were starting to flicker. His muscles were getting weaker and weaker. His footsteps were getting smaller and smaller.

Meanwhile, the clock had struck 8.00pm, so Matt’s mum picked up the phone and pressed zero, three times.

Matt’s limbs felt like weights and he struggled to keep his eyelids from closing. Everywhere he looked, it seemed the same, so he no longer knew where he was. Matt found a crook in a tree. He clawed his way up the damp pine tree and he crawled in, exhausted. He and his Jack Russell could rest. Matt slept for the rest of the night.

In the morning, he woke with a fright because an old lady from the search party gently shook Matt’s shoulder to see if he was ok, and knew that he was. “Darling, we have been looking for you all night. Are you ok?” Matt felt relieved, as his Jack Russell nuzzled him. 

I would like to introduce myself as the new Anti-Racism Contact Officer at Holbrook Public School. In this role I am available to assist students, community members and staff to ensure our school is a safe place for our culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse community. If you are in need of my assistance and/or believe you have been a victim of any form of racism at our school, please contact the school office to request a meeting.

Mrs Chontelle Henderson

In consultation with the P&C, Voluntary School Contributions for 2020 are $35 per child, however, feel free to contribute more, if your budget allows.

That’s around 18¢ per child, per school day!

This money allows us to purchase teaching resources as well as writing books, stationery, art supplies and library books. All of which your child benefits from. Last year, through generous donations from parents, we were able to purchase the class set of djembe drums. Remember, every cent counts!

Thank you to those families who have already contributed to their child’s learning experience.

The Challenge is quickly drawing to a close. Students can search for books to read, add books to their reading logs, and track their progress throughout the challenge. I am happy to log books in, if students have difficulty doing so. Students have until Friday, 28 August to complete the Reading Challenge.

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/

Christine Biar
Co-ordinator

The Debating team had their first debate today vs Yerong Creek Public School via Zoom. The topic area was based on education and gave our team members the opportunity to plan arguments and provide rebuttal against their opposition team's ideas. There are four team members who build a team line, and a reserve team member who acts as the chairperson to officiate the debate with the adjudicator. Congratulations to Annabel, Jayden, Thomas, Isaac and Eli who have stepped up to this public speaking challenge.

Christel Pargeter

Co-ordinator

We have a project a little later in the year that requires milk bottle lids. Although we cannot accept them just yet, we would appreciate it if you would start collecting them for us.

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