St Marys North Public School

Term 4 Week 3 Newsletter

Important Dates


Student of the Month AssemblyMonday  2 November 2020
School DentistMonday - Friday  9 - 13  November 2020
Nomination Day - Year 5Monday  9 November 2020
First Kindergarten OrientationTuesday10 November 2020
Second Kindergarten OrientationWednesday18 November 2020
Hire - a - Helper Auction DayThursday 19 November 2020
Last Kindergarten Orientation Thursday26 November 2020
Hire - a - helper DayFriday27 November 2020
Hot Dog DayFriday27 November 2020
Student of the Month AssemblyMonday30 November 2020
Year 6 FarewellThursday  3 December 2020
Year 6 Fit Futures Gala DayMonday   7 December 2020
Presentation DayFriday11 December 2020
Class Party DayMonday14 December 2020
Graduation Assembly - Year 6Wednesday16 December 2020
Last  Day of Term 4Wednesday16 December 2020
First Day of Term 1 2021Friday29 January    2021



From the Principal

Welcome back to our final term of 2020. We have had quite a number of new families join us this term and we welcome them especially to our lovely school and community. Term 4 is underway with teaching and learning continuing across the school. It is definitely a time to consolidate learning and to build deep understanding across concepts in both literacy and numeracy.

This week it was delightful to see our children have their Book Parade, even though COVID-19 restrictions meant that it looked a bit different. Our children had so much fun, and were so excited to be able to still have this enjoyable event.

Coming up soon we will begin our Kindergarten Orientation program. Again, this year we have had to make alternative arrangements and information for this has been communicated to parents.

Just a reminder that our school uniform is to be worn every day for school. There are many families that are wonderful at doing this and the children look so proud in their school uniform. If you need to purchase new uniforms, you can order and pay online or come to the front office via the Willow Rd gate.

It was wonderful to see our SRC begin their student voice project this week, with our ‘Nude Food’ initiative. This project was requested by our students and will encourage us all to be mindful of waste and to think about the daily actions we have and the impact of that on the global environment. Well done!

 

Lee-Anne Bishop

Relieving Principal

Principal's Award

  • Samuel. H
  • Belinda. T
  • Jackson. S
  • Kayla. D

Student of the Month

  • Emily
  • Brianna
  • Manaola
  • Jacob
  • Ivy
  • Jazib
  • Rydan

News From The Office

We all know how busy our lives can get with work and family life, so sometimes things can slip our minds. We would really appreciate if you have any changes to your contact numbers, address or emergency contacts that we are notified as soon as possible. This helps us in doing the best job we can in case your child/children are unwell or in case of an emergency.

Mrs Sandie Homfray

School Administrative Manager

News From The K-2 Instructional Leader

This term a number of our Year 2 students have begun Reciprocal Reading. Reciprocal reading supports students to improve their understanding when reading.  Students are taught four strategies to allow interaction in the group and with the teacher about the text, while helping improve their comprehension. Strategies are:

                        Predicting, Clarifying, Generating a question, Summarising

Year 2 students participating in Reciprocal Reading are very enthusiastic about the books they are reading. They are enjoying sharing their thoughts and ideas on the text.  It has been a pleasure to be part of this, discussing texts and watching the students improve their comprehension skills, become more self-confident in sharing ideas about a text and seeing them get excited about reading.

Mrs Smith

Instructional Leader

News From The Aboriginal Education Office

Yaama everyone,

Our NAIDOC celebrations were a bit different this year but that didn’t stop our students from having a fun day. Our Aboriginal dance group performed 3 dances in front of the whole school. One of the dances, the Brolga, was created by 2 of our students, Latoya and Marina with the help of Uncle Mark and Aunty Teagen. Classes then participated in a range of fun and educational activities throughout the day. 

Official NAIDOC week celebrations will be held across Australia from the 8th to the 15th of November.

Culture Class lessons have started again. So far students have been learning about connections to people and culture, the cause and effect of British arrival in Australia, the concept of Terra Nullius and the atomic bomb testing at Maralinga.

Focus on Aboriginal languages. Names of native animals.

Buru – Kangaroo – from the Darug / Dharug language

Bandhaa – Kangaroo – from the Wiradjuri language

Burrugin – Echidna – from the Dharawal language

Wambiyala – Echidna – from the Wiradjuri language

Biladurang – Platypus – from the Wiradjuri language

Garraway – Cockatoo – from the Darug / Dharug language

Widyagala – Cockatoo – from the Wiradjuri language 

Miss Wallace

Aboriginal Education Officer

News From The Community Liaison Officer

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN

Halloween Twilight Market

Halloween themed market with rides, food and market stalls

A Spooky Market with Rides, Food and Market Stalls.

Characters will roam around throughout the night with prizes for Best Dressed and Halloween Hunt for kids!

Details

Starts: 30 October 2020 - 05:00 PM Ends: 30 October 2020 - 10:00 PM

Penrith Paceway

141-147 Station Street Penrith NSW 2750

https://www.visitpenrith.com.au/events/markets/halloween-twilight-market

ReAnimate Penrith

This November experience Penrith like never before, as the City Centre is transformed into an unexpected wonderland of art, exploration, technology and fun!

ReAnimate gives the community a chance to reconnect with and support local businesses as the ARtWalk trail takes you on an animated journey through the City Centre. Explore the City’s High Street and uncover hidden secrets and all that our vibrant city has to offer. Unlock the fun at ReAnimate Penrith this November!

DOWNLOAD: ReAnimate Penrith App

Limited capacities and social distancing measures will be encouraged at this event to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.  Check out the full program here: www.reanimatepenrith.com.au

ReAnimate Penrith is proudly produced by Penrith City Council.

https://www.visitpenrith.com.au/events/festivals/reanimate-penrith

Ten Dollar Market

A monthly night market at PCYC Penrith, held on the first Saturday of each month. 

Food trucks, retail stalls, kids activities and entertainment which means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Operating under a Covid-Safe plan. 

Details

Starts: 07 November 2020 - 04:00 PM Ends: 07 November 2020 - 09:00 PM

PCYC Penrith

100 Station Street Penrith NSW 2750

https://www.visitpenrith.com.au/events/markets/ten-dollar-market

Willow’s Pantry

Each Tuesday, we offer a free food hamper to any of our school families only. Keep an eye on our school Facebook page for your opportunity to request one.

Thank you to Food Bank and Little Helpers on the run for their support.

Mrs Baker

Community Liaison Officer

Attendance Matters

Whole School Attendance


Week12345678910

90.91%90.27%87.25%
           

    

        
         

Week 1 -  I Cellos 98.86%

Week 2 -  1/2 Harps 97.73%

Week 3 -  K Maracas 95.31%




Class In The Spotlight

Learning in Kindy Bells

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays Kindergarten takes part in investigative learning. During this time we investigate and play in areas of our interest. This term Kindy Bells have been constructing, creating and using their imagination during play.

We went for a walk and collected sticks, leaves and bark to make a nest for a bird. We got this idea after watching Sid the Science Kid. 

2 Ukulele

2 Ukulele are learning to use strong, persuasive language in their writing.

Are you convinced?

Around The School

School Travel for 2021

2021 school travel applications are now open

Applications for student travel  in 2021 opened from  Monday 12 October 2020.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for  the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.

*Applications must be completed by the student's parent or legal guardian if the student is aged under 16 years. Students 16 years and over must complete the application form themselves.

Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If a student needs to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2021.

Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

New Concession Entitlement Cards

Transport for NSW will be replacing the below cards with Transport Concession Entitlement Cards (TCEC) from October 2020:

·         Senior Secondary Student Concession Card (16 years and over) – also used by Mature Secondary Students (18 years and over), Distance Education Students and Home School Students

·         Proof of Age card (when a student under 16 years of age looks older)

·        Boarder Rail Pass.

All previous cards will be valid until they expire. Students who require a Transport Concession Entitlement Card should speak with their school administration staff.

Enquiries regarding school student travel can be submitted to Transport for NSW at: https://transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback/passes-concessions-feedback

SCHOOL BANKING

 A reminder that school banking operates each week at school. School banking is a great way for our students to become financially literate and learn about money while developing good saving habits. Rewards are offered to students as an incentive to regularly save. Banking day is each Friday. Students will need to hand their bank books in at the office before 9am. Should you require further information please contact the school office.