St James' Primary School Yamba

As we work towards the end of the term you may all be thinking "Surely not! We have only just returned"  but I know it is Week 8 and the term finish is fast approaching.

The teachers have made excellent use of their time with the children, to think a little differently about learning. We  have all enjoyed using the Diocesan programs for this period and these have resulted in some different forms of learning.  We have been able to use the technologies to engage the learners and you'll not be surprised that the children have loved being off tech too. 

This morning's recorded awards assembly was a new world but I am glad we were able to offer recognition to the learners in all stages. I will send the link on SkoolBag after this for the seniors but be aware that the WiFi in S2 failed! 

Each stage gave out 12 certificates of the teachers choosing, as we have been working differently in this space as the at school agenda was a little different.

Mrs O'Keefe is on leave (she was meant to be in Europe at this time but as with my China trip we shan't speak of it)  and we welcome back Mrs Kirkland for the rest of the term.

Picture this ... duster hockey is on in the Big Top with Stage 1 being ever so slightly competitive! So much so that I can barely hear myself think!! 

I know that I would be on a losing team if the children relied on me to turn and shoot (my hockey days are long, long over!)  Even in times of change, some things remain the same. 

Next week we have the School Cross Country.  I will send a link to all families with the zoom access. Please be patient with us!

We are going to use about 6 cameras and leave our sound on. We will ask you to join us, but leave your sound off so that the school screens remain on your screens. The program will be sent out with the link so that you have an idea when to tune in.  Let's see how we go!!!! 

Best wishes for the week 

Ann 

Don't forget, staff are happy to return calls regarding the learning or concerns regarding all children.  Just ring the office on 66463266 and Mrs Smith, Mrs Frazer or Mrs Commerford will arrange a return call.

On the flip side staff are also contacting parents when they wish to celebrate or check on well-being.

This week sees us continuing to re-build our learning communities in each classroom and on the playground. 

I have been asked when we will return to Pre-COVID times with school access.

We are not really ever going to operate in exactly the same way. 

The cleaning continues on every seat and desk in the school ( 10 hours per week extra and toilets daily as another extra). Every silver seat is being cleaned between breaks for the children. The CSO is maintaining this into Term 3.

Staff continue to socially distance from each other and as such we are using 3 zones for lunch areas and staff meetings within the double classroom. 

At this stage the newest guidelines ( received on Monday night this week) are still restricting access through Kiss and Drop. 

Here is the latest.

Non-essential visitors to schools should not be allowed.

Students should continue to bring water bottles from home to fill at water bubblers rather than drink directly from the bubbler.

Schools should ensure school pick up and drop off arrangements enable parents to physically distance from one another and from staff.  Kiss and Drop zones are preferred.

Incursions/external adult providers to support delivery of curriculum (e.g. music tutors, sport skills development programs, science demonstrations, drama tutors, Healthy Harold). Must maintain distancing and hygiene requirements.

School activities/school site usage

The majority of school-based activities can recommence, as long as the following measures are observed:

• all visitors and external to school providers must adhere to relevant hygiene, distancing and safety protocols (TAB A)

• principals (as site managers) may continue to restrict, limit or prohibit activities if deemed to be contrary to the advice of the day, and may escalate any issues or concerns to their Diocesan office (systemic schools) or CSNSW (RI and PJP schools).

• external providers are required to demonstrate compliance with health and safety requirements. (TAB A)

• non-essential adults are still not permitted on school grounds or at school events – this includes parents/carers unless specifically approved by the principal.

When will it change? 

As soon as we know we will adapt.  Rest assured, when we return to full access, everyone will be pausing to sanitise at every entry!   Myself and Miss Daley were just speaking and we both automatically grabbed a teacher's bottle and sanitised!  We laughed that this is now our normal.

Can we thank you again for helping us  to remain compliant.

I was interested to see  the experiences of the school in Sydney this week where the whole site was shut down for two weeks and all staff at home for the fortnight. A small school much like us. 

These are surely different times. 

https://clarencevalleynews.com.au/exciting-new-learning-program-happening-at-st-james-primary-school/

Teachers are all busily working to prepare school reports. These will be available for publication at the end of Week 9.

You will receive an email copy of the report and a mailed copy will also be sent. The reports are addressed to parents and as such need to reach the appropriate adults for review. Please ring the school if you would like to book an interview with staff ( we have already had our Semester 1 mandated meetings in Term 1 , as is our school process. )  

The reports are very different as the NESA requirements changed when schools were online. 

English 450 characters max

Mathematics 450 characters max

General (including RE ) 650 characters  max

There are 8 Learning Behaviours commented on as well.

We are expecting to return to normal in Semester 2,  2020. 

Music lessons can recommence on site, but no adults or students from other schools will be in attendance. 

Clarence Valley Conservatory will return this Wednesday 24th  and Thursday 25th. Instruments will need to be at school. 

Maclean Music Academy will recommence after the holidays as the teachers are completing some mandatory training which they do at this time each year.

St James’ Award- Eve van Leest

Principal’s Award- Kai Brossman, Zahli Wicks               

 Sports Awards

ES1- Jacob Triggs, Jack Drayton

S2- Gemma Hollington

S3- Dexta Jones

ES1 Class Awards

SOW- Aliyah-Jade  Amante, Jake Segall

Achievement- Poppy Dougherty, Luca Espag

Encouragement- Vivian Perry, Ned Playne

MJR-  Jack James, Lily Gill

Be Your Best Self - Ella MacInnes, Ayva Hollington.

S1 Class Awards

SOW - Eli, Fionn 

Achievement- Sarai, Ari, Ashton

Encouragement- Layla, Max, Rhaya

MJR - Emily, Zoe

Be Your Best Self - Rashad, Ella.C

S2 Class Awards

SOW- Marlie Zvatora, Sam Brailsford

Achievement- Will Hutchinson, Kayden Duckett

Encouragement-  Alfie Ison, Latifah Rice

MJR -  Aaron Perry, Millie Crouch

Be Your Best Self- Leyla McInnes, Jessie Wallace            

S3 Class Awards - 

SOW - Taya Murphy, Oscar Enns

Achievement - Eve McCarthy, Harrison Ferguson

Encouragement - Darcy Riley, Pearl McGrorey, Ellie White

MJR - Raimi Mortimer, Miller Greenaway

Be Your Best Self - Frazer Stokes, Tully Waghorn

ES1 have been exploring what “Our Community” means. We have been reading books, building models and writing about our local and national community. In mathematics we have been focusing on 2 digit numbers - say it, make it and draw it. We have ALL been focussing on having a growth mindset - if learning gets challenging we don’t give up!