Vardys Voice

As mentioned in previous newsletters and discussed at recent P & C meetings, a few parts of the Vardys Road school uniform are currently under review. After much research and debate, the P & C and the Uniform Subcommittee have developed a number of options for the school community to consider.

A voting form will be sent home this week with each Vardys Road student. Families are encouraged to discuss the uniform options at home, complete the voting forms and return them to school as soon as possible so the uniform items can be made available in a timely manner.

Recently, in an attempt to provide more predictability with school payments, Vardys Road introduced Term based invoicing. These invoices give a clear summary of costs for the term ahead and offer some flexibility.

To further assist families, the school is once again offering a $100 cap on voluntary contributions for families with three or more children.

The school thanks the many families who have already started to pay these costs and fees. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

The Vardys Road P & C are doing a wonderful job in running fund raisers, liaising with the community and supporting the school. So far, in 2019, we have already seen a Trivia Night, Mothers Day stall and Easter celebrations. Even with these achievements, the P&C are in desperate need of some volunteers to fill two roles; Vice President - Events and Vice President - Uniform.

The P & C understand that work and family commitments sometimes prevent community members from taking on formal roles in the school, however, the P & C Executive are open to offering a degree of flexibility.

Please email me at ian.d.short@det.nsw.edu.au if you would like to discuss the possibility of accepting one of these positions.

Over the past few years Vardys Road has been working hard to further strengthen its learning support and student welfare procedures and programs. The Positive Behaviour for Learning Committee has collaboratively developed systems that respond to appropriate and inappropriate behaviour to help prevent and respond to bullying. These systems help teachers to clearly describe how students are expected to treat each other. They also provide a clear understanding of what bullying is and what it is not. 'Bullying' is a word that is used for lots of behaviours that may not actually be bullying.

It is important for children to understand the difference between someone being insensitive or mean and what constitutes bullying behaviour because being able to successfully resolve and navigate these situations is a huge step in a child’s emotional growth and maturity. If the situation is deemed to be simply mean or hurtful behaviour it is important not to over-play this through misleading terminology (ie bullying) and instead offer ways for the child to address and resolve this themselves.

The article, entitled Not Every Act of Meanness is Bullying, outlines the importance of identifying what is and isn’t bullying so that parents and teachers can respond appropriately.

Parents interested in reading this article are encouraged to click the link below.

https://www.parentshop.com.au/meannessvsbullying/?inf_contact_key=da176cc4b7807323179cae05caf2ac4916358d5485884e2f31e6019a0d26c8b0

The Vardys Road Learning Support Team has been working tirelessly to ensure every child receives the level of support needed to address any learning, behavioural or social/emotional learning needs.

The Learning Support Team receives and manages both parent and teacher driven learning support and counsellor referrals. They then prioritise the referrals and manage the many related caseloads.

To track and manage these referrals and programs, the school has developed a clear process. The article below explains this process.

Supporting Students through the Learning and Support Team

1.    The Role of the Learning and Support Team

Students at Vardys Road Public School achieve maximum outcomes when they are able to work in a caring, secure and supportive environment.  The whole school community works together to provide quality educational programs and to meet the personal, social and learning needs of all students.  Our Learning and Support Team is a group that meets regularly to discuss specific strategies to assist students requiring additional support in areas of learning and behaviour. The Learning and Support Team coordinates the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of learning support plans.

2.    Process of Referral to the Learning and Support Team

Students requiring additional support at school may be identified by teachers and/or parents. Through teacher and parent consultation these students may be referred to the school’s Learning and Support Team. The Learning and Support Team then discusses the most appropriate form of support and intervention for the student and communicates this outcome to parents/carers.

In some cases a referral to the Learning and Support Team may result in a referral to the school Counsellor.  In these cases, written permission will be sought from parents/carers.  All referrals to the school Counsellor are prioritised by the Learning and Support Team according to level of need at school.  Following intervention by the school Counsellor, parents will be invited to discuss the outcome of the intervention and will be provided, in many cases, with a written report.

Should there be a Counsellor recommendation for further intervention through a non-DoE service provider (e.g. paediatrician) then this report may be used to provide information to inform additional assessment. The school Counsellor, with parent/carer permission, will liaise with outside service providers, as required/requested.

As the school Counsellor is employed by The Department of Education they work in response to referrals from the Learning and Support Team, and are not in a position to respond to requests for assessment from outside service providers. Parents/carers however, may feel free to discuss any issue affecting their child with the classroom teacher in order to determine whether a referral to the Learning and Support Team may be appropriate.  The Learning and Support Team will then discuss what intervention is appropriate. 

3.    Requests for Information from non-DoE Service Providers

Parents may choose to independently seek intervention through a non-DoE service provider independent of a school referral to the Learning and Support Team. In some cases, outside professionals will then provide parents with questionnaires to hand to the class teacher, or may request other forms of information from the school. All such requests MUST be made through the Principal.

Due to issues of privacy and confidentiality surrounding the release of information, in addition to considerations of teacher workload, parents/carers are kindly requested to ensure that the following protocols are observed:

·         The service provider is requested to forward a letter addressed to the Principal outlining what information and who is required to complete the information.  When particular forms are required to be completed these need to be included in the letter of request and not handed to the classroom teacher.

·         The parent/legal carer must provide written permission for the release of information.

·         A return name and address of the service provider is required for confidential return of information through the Principal.

·         All information exchanged will be in writing.

·         Please allow at least 2 to 4 weeks prior to a further appointment for information to be collected and sent.

You may remember in a previous newsletter a mention of Anna in Year 6, who had been selected to represent NSW in rhythmic gymnastics. Congratulations are once again extended to Anna because her team won gold in the national Gymnastics competition.

Anna and Vardys Road are very proud of this significant achievement and Anna’s usual beaming smile has grown even larger. Well done Anna!

Over the past few years, Vardys Road has offered a number of parent workshops and courses.  Wesley Family Services Group also run many parenting and family support programs. A calendar of the programs on offer during Term 3 are included in this newsletter.

GIRLS SOCCER

Game date: 7/6/19

Versus: Caddies Creek Blues

Result: Juniors won 5-0, Seniors lost 0-1
Sports Awards:   Juniors – Isabella & Ananya    Seniors – Layaan & Caelin

Game date: 14/6/19

Versus: Kings Langley

Result: Juniors lost 0-11, Seniors lost 5-0
Sports Awards:   Juniors – Jasmine H & Jessica    Seniors – Jasmine K & Lilian

BOYS SOCCER

Game date: 7/6/19

Versus: Seven Hills North

Result: Juniors won 5-3, Seniors lost 2-1
Sports Awards:   Juniors – Ibrahim & Austen      Seniors – Toby & Riley

Game date: 14/6/19

Versus: Lynwood Park

Result: Juniors won 10-1, Seniors had a 3-3 draw
Sports Awards:   Juniors – Levi & Jasper      Seniors – Marcus & Lachlan

OZ-TAG

Game date: 14/6/19

Versus: Seven Hills West

Result: Seniors W 12-4, Juniors W13-2
Sports Awards:   Juniors – Iggy & Ahmed    Seniors – Aryan & Brock

NETBALL

Game date: 7.6.19

Versus: Caddies Creek 2

Result: Junior  Win 5-4   Senior  Loss 12- 14
Sports Awards:  Juniors – Shayla & Daniel   Seniors – Emily& Abbey E

Game date: 14/6/19

Versus: Kings Langley

Result: Juniors loss 14-2 Senior – loss 26 - 6
Sports Awards: Juniors- Isabella and TeAwhi   Seniors – Tahli and Rojin

During Weeks 6 and 7 our Stage 3 Dance Group performed at the Synergy Dance Festival at the Evans Theatre, Penrith. Once again our students did an outstanding job and they lit up the stage with their magnificent moves and sensational smiles. Not only did they perform beautifully, but their behaviour throughout the rehearsal day, matinee and evening performances was exemplary. Well done to you all and a big thank you to our VRPS parents who made sure the girls were ready and at the right place at the right time. Performing in a festival is a big commitment and we appreciate your involvement.

At Vardys Road we are learners with Values

At the toilets and bubblers

I show RESPECT when:

• I am quiet
• I allow for the privacy of others
• I use the bubblers properly
• I turn off the taps when I have finished

I show PRIDE when:

• I put used paper towel in the bin

 I show SAFETY when:

• I wash my hands with soap and water
• I keep my food away from the toilets and bubblers
• I tell a teacher if there is a problem