Palmerston Post

Hello Palmerston families,

In This Together – what a perfect theme for National Reconciliation Week, next week.

We have certainly, as a community, been ‘In This Together’ in recent and current times. I applaud our community for the manner in which you have embraced the disruption to learning and now the transitional phase back to face to face learning.

We warmly welcome two new teachers to our school: Mrs Saleshni Chand and Mrs Malika Chona. Mrs Chand is replacing Libby Hargreaves, who is our online teacher working remotely. Mrs Chona is taking on a Yr 4 class, replacing Ms Black. Please extend a warm smile and welcome when you meet these teachers. They are feeling very excited to be part of this beautiful community.

How fabulous it is to have our junior students return to us this week, as well as the IEC, K-6FS and some senior students too. Our school is a much nicer place with lots of children inside it. We missed them so much.

After a rocky start at pick up on Monday afternoon,  a few small tweaks has meant our afternoon pick ups are working well. We will gradually move away from every teacher on deck being at every gate across the coming weeks, to a smaller proportion – still plenty of people around to escort students to class if needed. Thank you for improved social distancing as well at collection points, particularly in the afternoon. We have been impressed with how well our younger students are carrying their own backpack and bags to their classroom – they are gaining great independence.

Hygiene practices are frequent across the school. Mr Phil is doing a great job keeping all soap dispensers full for everyone to use. We also have some new cleaners, who are busy doing rounds of all areas, with cleaning. A dedicated team making our school safe.

 I am so proud of the manner in which our students have returned SO eager to continue their learning, SO happy to see their teachers and friends and SO willing to try hard to do the best they can…

Our LSU courtyard is progressing well, having workmen on site and all types of construction taking place, is a rich learning experience for our students to see. We are also please to share with you that we are receiving brand new, latest technology ceiling fans in the Hall, which will make a very big difference this coming summer.

So, as we eagerly await the return of our Yr 3 and 4 students next week, can I remind them, that their nominated entry and exit gates are the red gates near the oval and senior equipment area. Of course, if you are meeting younger siblings, go to their spots to greet and meet up with them.

Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the autumnal colours that Canberra does so very well at this time of year.

Kate Smith

The theme for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2020 is “In This Together” (#inthistogether).  A theme that I can relate to in so many ways.  Some examples that come to mind are how we all have taken on a shared responsibility at our school and worked in true partnership to meet student needs, staff have supported each other in ways that I could not have anticipated or predicted, and their collegiality has been truly inspirational.  Students have also taken on the theme of #inthistogether, helping each other learn and stay connected. 

Historically, we have not always been #inthistogether with the first peoples of our country.  Growing up my view of Aboriginal culture and my understanding of Aboriginal communities was very limited.  It was never a part of everyday discussions in the classrooms I attended and my parents, with their limited English and being new to the country, couldn’t really enlighten, nor educate, me.  In fact, it wasn’t until I was at university that I truly began to grasp the enormity and beauty of Aboriginal history and culture.  It was a group assignment that led me to the Wreck Bay community down in the Jervis Bay area.  Speaking with children and community members at the Jervis Bay School I was truly taken aback, not just by the beauty of the sea and the land around me, but by the honesty and openness of the people.  It was here that I was introduced to new ways of learning and teaching – connected to community, tied to nature and beautiful storytelling and imagery across all learning areas.  It changed me.  My stereotypical views, ignorance and beliefs slowly disappeared, and made me a better educator and a better person. For that I am truly grateful.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can be #inthistogether and contribute to achieving and sustaining reconciliation in Australia.  The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

This year our school will be organising the following events to commemorate NCW.  They are;

·       Dressing in red, black and yellow on National Sorry Day, Tuesday 26 May

·       Learning an original school song – written by Mr Shaw (with thanks to Mr Elks).  I have included the lyrics in this newsletter

·       Asking classes to share their Acknowledgement of Country each morning

·       Asking students to share reflections, stories and/or poems about reconciliation

·       Writing messages, and drawing pictures, of friendship, hope and support in a giant serpent on the playground

·       Learning about Aboriginal culture and influential figures from Aboriginal communities

·       Playing Indigenous games

·       Celebrating Aboriginal culture by completing art works, sharing stories and through song.

It will be a very busy week, but one I am truly looking forward to.  The themes, knowledge and new understandings we will gain shouldn’t stop there.  Aboriginal history should be continuously remembered, their culture celebrated and the many contributions to our society should be applauded.   Reconciliation should be a value we always endeavour to achieve together.

Reconciliation – In This Together

Music and Lyrics by CJ Shaw (with thanks to Dylan Elks)

Reconciliation

In this together

Narragunnawali 

In this together

Ngunna yerrabi yanggu 

All are welcome

Winnunga Nimmityjah

Strong and healthy

Share the Ginninderra

Shine bright to light the way

Reconciliation 

In this together

Narragunnawali 

In this together

We are the warrumbul

We are the future

Nengi bamir ahead

A better future

Share the Ginninderra

From the Gurubun up in the trees

Hear the Gang Gang call

Always is and always was

The land of the Ngunawal

The Kubbadang shines through the trees

Hear the Guginya  call 

Always is and always was

The land of the Ngunawal

Reconciliation 

In this together

Narragunnawali 

In this together

Reconciliation 

In this together

Narragunnawali 

In this together

Hello! It is Helen Ritchie, your new P & C President.

I hope you are all enjoying the extra family time that home learning is giving us.

We have sadly had to cancel quite a few of the student's favourite Fundraising activities because of COVID 19 restrictions.

But I have been thinking.... is everyone else doing more family cooking and baking in lock down?! I can't tell you how many cakes I have had to eat!

So I thought, how about we use the time before the kids go back to school to compile a Palmerston Multicultural Cookbook!

You can send us any favourite recipe - Meals, desserts, snacks, even play dough or slime! 

We would love recipes from all cultures. Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Halal, Vegan and Dairy free ones too.

Please email through, in any format that is easiest, your recipe and a photo or drawing that you would like to go along with the recipe.

The Cookbooks will go on sale Term 3 in Hard copy $25 (spiral bound for easy use) and a digital copy $15.

Stay safe!

Monday 25 May                               Year 3 & 4 students return to school.

Tuesday 26 May                               National Sorry Day - Students to                                                              wear red, black and/or yellow.

Monday 25 - Friday 29 May            Reconciliation Week.

Monday  1 June                                 Reconciliation Day Public Holiday.

Tuesday 2 June                                  Year 5 & 6 students return to school.

Monday 8 June                                  Queens Birthday Public Holiday.

Friday 3 July                                        Term 2 ends.

Monday  20 July                                 Term 3 commences.

With the gradual return of school for Canberra's students, a sense of normality is starting to return to our lives. A big part of that is restoring our morning routine and that means packing the lunchbox. Who would have thought this onerous morning task could have been missed so much! Check out our tips below to get you back in the lunchbox packing mode.  

Try these throw together ideas to get you started

• the trusty sandwich (think cheese, lean meats, vegemite, egg, salad, leftovers)
• leftovers (some are better cold than others!)
• soup (consider investing in a wide neck thermos – these will keep food hot for up to 6 hours)
• small tin baked beans or tuna (needs a ring pull or use a small container) with 1 or 2 slices of wholegrain bread or crispbread

Launch these 'grab and go' snack options into the lunchbox

• air popped popcorn                                            
• fresh fruit
• cheese sticks
• fruit bread
• veggie sticks (carrot, cucumber and capsicum are winners)  
• grainy crackers
• yoghurt tubs