Speers Point Public School Newsletter

Looking back over this term we have somewhere between 10 to 15 students late each morning. Missing the first 10 minutes of each morning means missing morning assembly and daily preparation. It's not “just” morning assembly, it means students:

• Miss important daily reminders, announcements and daily playground organisation or groups.
• Lose the time to orientate, organise and settle, which then loses more class time and lesson instruction closing the gap.
• Miss the beginning of literacy learning.
• Often disrupt others coming into a class underway.

While Covid has impacted attendance this year, and people have been doing their best by everyone keeping students home when sick, it makes it all the more important that students are on time and ready to learn. We know that children are not always the most cooperative or time-conscious in the morning, so if you are needing some support, ideas or help please contact you child’s class teacher so we can help develop a plan to work together. 

Late last week there were several updates to school operating guidelines for Covid safe practices. We are aware the general media has been misleading on some of these, however, for most parts there have not been many changes. The updates that have come in focus mostly on end of year celebrations, formals, award ceremonies etc.

Presentation Assembly Guidelines:

• Limited number, keeping the 4 square metre rule.
• Attendance by invitation only.
• Where possible, maintaining a seating plan and records of everyone's attendance to support tracking if required.
• Limiting attendees to one set area and leaving promptly on conclusions.

What it means for us:

• Designing a presentation assembly where some are able to attend, but with livestream options to allow everyone to see it (while being mindful that some students are unable to be photographed or published)
• Possibility of splitting a K-2 and 3-6 presentation assembly, while being mindful that some parents have students in both.

Year 6 Farewell: (this one is a bit easier)

• Student cohort attending (Yr5 and 6 students only).
• Farewell being held in the school hall with the glass panel doors raised for ventilation.
• External catering under Covid-safe practices.
• (and if all goes as we hope) We may be able to invite Year 6 parents in for the last half hour during the presentation, cake cutting etc.) as long as we have records of attendance, social distancing, 4 square metre rule.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be developing plans on how we can hold these events under the guidelines but in ways to ensure student recognition, enjoyment and community involvement. 

In talking to the P&C Monday night, I was able to briefly run through the new process around school planning, and developing the new ‘School Improvement Plan” for the 2021-2024 planning cycle.

An important component in the plan is a situational analysis, which is a deep examination of where the school is at, so we can determine where we are going to. Staff are engaged in this process, and there are different aspects where we are seeking student and community voices in both the “where are we” and “where are we going to.”

Last week I used the new online tool, Videoask, to present and gather feedback on the new proposed school vision statement to be leaders in inclusive, individualised and innovative learning. It was all positive responses which gives us a great lens to focus the new plan through. Keep an eye out for a few more Videoasks, it seems to be a handy tool to use.

We had a great first session with Kinder orientation last week. All of our new students came into the school, and into the program so well and it was great to re-met so many of the parents.

We’re looking forward to four more weeks of the program, running each Friday. If there are more pre-kinder students out in our community it is not to late to enrol and join in on the program.

Have a great week

Chris Payne

Principal

CLASS BORROWING 

Please remember your library bag.

Could you please return all outstanding library books. Thank you.

BOOK CLUB

Issue 8 orders are due by Friday 27 November 2020.

Students can bring in their orders and money to the office or you can order online via the LOOP.

If your order is a Christmas Present, please let the office know, so we don't send it home with your child.

Wednesday 11 November - NAIDOC Week Celebrations

Wednesday 11 November - Observance of Remembrance Day

Thursday 12 November  - Athletics Carnival

Friday 13 November - Kinder Orientation

Friday 20 November - Kinder Orientation

Friday 27 November - Kinder Orientation

Friday 27 November - Book Club orders due

Friday 4 December - Kinder Orientation

Monday 14 December - Presentation Assembly

Tuesday 15 December - Year 6 Farewell

Wednesday 16 December - Last Day of Term - Students

Thursday 17 December - Staff Development Day

Friday 18 December - Staff Development Day