Welcome back to Term 4. We have a busy term ahead of us, here at Swansea Public School, so batten down the hatches!! This is also the term that each teacher undertakes comprehensive assessments in order to check on student progress and achievement over the year, and to use the gathered information to support the development of Semester 2 student reports. Therefore it is very important that our students have a good attendance record and are here to participate in all assessments (unless they are sick of course!!).
We are experiencing a second round of gastroenteritis in the school and it is quite severe. It is extremely contagious so I provide the following advice:
· Children need to wash their hands regularly, especially after going to the toilet
· Children should not attend school if they have been vomiting or are experiencing diarrhoea
· Children should remain at home for at least 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
Next Tuesday, 22 October Swansea Public School will be supporting “Limb Difference Awareness Week”. This special day will be led by Felix from Year 3 who is a member of Aussie Hands. Please see Felix’s note in this newsletter that will also be placed this week on our school Facebook site and on Skoolbag. Thank you Felix!!
In Term 4 I always start our planning for the following school year. As this is my last term at our school, I will be making sure that the plans are in place and ready to go for the new principal, Mr Carr and the plans also support the staff of the school. One of the important planning processes is to start establishing classes for next year and to start allocating children to those classes,
So just a few requests that as parents and carers you might like to consider:
· If you have concerns about your child’s academic or social progress please consider discussing this with your child’s class teacher. You may like to discuss the possibility of repetition in 2020 and we can provide professional advice to you on this matter.
· Complete a Student Class Request 2020 form that is included in this newsletter if you would like to have on record some special requests. For instance if you have twins, you may like to suggest that they be in the same class or you may request that they be in different classes. It is important that I have a written record of your request as this will provide information for Mr Carr. This request form is also available from the front office. The information on these forms are treated confidentially; however please be advised that not all requests may be able to be successful. Please ensure that any forms are returned to me by Friday 15 November (Week 5).
· I am considering the idea of continuing with a STEM class in 2020 and I am currently completing a review of the effectiveness of such a class for 2020. My initial reaction to the class has been overall very positive and I have noted the wonderful experiences, learning projects and activities that the students of 5/4 STEM have been involved in 2019. For most students it has been a very engaging and challenging year of learning. I am only too happy to hear from parents and carers who would like to share their opinions with me.
