Mount Kanwary Public School Newsletter

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Thank you to the parents and carers who continue to observe our social distancing restrictions. Currently, the same rules apply to all parents and community members as the end of last term in that all non-essential adults are still not permitted on school grounds or at school events without principal approval. We appreciate you continuing to follow these guidelines, so that we keep our staff and other parents safe.

All external visitors to the school need to complete a External Visitors to the School Site form each time they visit the school. This form acts as evidence that the visitor is aware of, and will abide by their obligations to comply with the health advice of the day, including hygiene and distancing requirements. The visitor must provide personal contact information to the school to be used in an emergency of when performing contract tracing if required.

The school will keep you updated with any changes to our current procedures through our newsletter and Skoolbag.

Education week is happening this week and the theme  is 'Learning Together'. As part of our celebrations we are having a pyjama day this Friday 7 August  and students are asked to bring a gold coin donation to  support children in Foster Care. Students are able to wear their pyjamas to school as we celebrate and acknowledge home learning. Just a reminder that closed-in shoes such as joggers or school shoes must be worn.

Thursday 6 August there will be a special webinar on the technology commonly used in NSW public schools, presented in partnership with the NSW P&C at 7pm.  To find out more, meet the presenters and reserve a place please see the link below. Book early! This is bound to be popular.

Webinar for parents and carers

Our Year 5 students will be participating in the Newcastle Permanent maths competition on Wednesday 19 August and there is no cost involved.

Each year the Department nominate a group of schools to participate in an external validation process This provides an opportunity for schools to discuss their judgements about their practice, and the evidence that underpins them, with a panel of peers. This year we have been one of the schools selected so, while working with the disruptions of Covid-19 and home learning, we have been undergoing lots of preparation ready for our External Validation day on Tuesday 18 August.

School Improvement Plan and External Validation

The school has been undertaking 'External Validation' in 2021, this process involves looking at where the school currently sits against the 'School Excellence Framework' with plans on how to continue school improvement for our students. This process is almost complete and is a wonderful opportunity for the school to look to the future with the new planning cycle. The school is moving into a new 4 year planning cycle for 2021-2024, I will be communicating opportunities for our families to be involved in the process later in the term. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions consultation will occur remotely. The staff look forward to collaborating with the whole-school community to create a vision for the school moving forward into the coming years.

Have a wonderful week!

Katrina Cameron

Principal

Thank you to our families for continuing to work with us to implement the health advice. This is a reminder for parents and carers to please keep children home if they are sick or showing signs of being unwell.

If students become unwell at school parents and carers will be contacted to come and collect children. They should stay home until they are well.

Thank you for your support.

Just a reminder our school supervision times are 9am - 4pm.

Before school supervision begins at 9am, 30 minutes before school commences. If the weather is rainy or unsuitable students are brought into the classroom from 9am onwards. 

If parents could please refrain from dropping children early without prior arrangement as teachers are preparing for the day's learning, engaging in professional learning and meetings.

When picking children up at the end of the school day, if parents could please minimise entering the school grounds before 3.10pm to avoid disruption, as learning time for students continues until 3.30pm.

Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the  minimum school leaving age. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or are registered with the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards for home schooling. Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.

Arriving at school and class on time:

• Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day
• Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine
• Give students time to greet their friends before class
• Reduces classroom disruption
• Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents