Curriculum Reform
The new English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses will be taught in all NSW primary schools from 2023. The English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses are the first new syllabuses of the K–12 NSW Curriculum Reform. Our K-2 teachers for 2023 will be working with me over the next few weeks to prepare for the implementation of the K-2 Syllabus next year and will need to be released by casual teaching staff to allow them to engage in professional learning as a team.
Attendance Matters!
As we head into the end of the school year, I want to remind families it is important for your child to attend school every single day to achieve their full potential. Being at school is the best place for students to learn as well as to keep social connections and build life-long skills. We know that school is the best place to learn and regular attendance means students can stay on top of their schoolwork and get the most out of their learning. If you are having trouble getting your child to school every day or on time, please talk to your child's class teacher so we can work together, because every day counts.
Missing a day here or there may not seem like much, but absences add up. When your child misses one day a week over a year, that’s 40 days of school, 8 weeks of lessons and 2.5 years over their school life lost. As your child’s education has already been interrupted through periods of learning over the last 2 and a half years, we are now making the most of every school day.
Next year, one of our goals in our School's Strategic Improvement Plan that we will be focusing on is to increase the proportion of students attending school at least 90% of the time. We know this year we have had a very disrupted year, with high number of absences for a number of reasons including sickness, COVID, extreme weather events and an increase in family hoildays after a long period of not being able to travel. We know that for many families, time off with sickness has been unavoidable this year. We also understand and value the importance of time spent together as a family and the educational experiences that children access while on holidays is also beneficial. While families are encouraged to travel during school holidays, we know this isn't always possible - I too know that planning holidays during the school holidays makes a very expensive holiday! If you are considering a holiday during the school term, please email me to request a DoE application for extended leave due to travel form. Once approved, a certificate of Extended Leave is granted.
2023 Transition Afternoon
We hope to announce class teachers for 2023 in Week 9 to coincide with a transition afternoon where students will be able to meet their new teacher and spend some time in the classroom they will be in for 2023 on Wednesday 7th December. I know for some students (and parents) this can be an anxious time, waiting to find out but I would much prefer to announce teachers and classes when plans are less likely to change. As always, things can and have been changing with our staffing arrangement plans.
2023 Dates and Calendar
We have been working hard with venues to make tentative bookings for next year to give parents as much notice as we can. The Skoolbag Calendar already has a number of 2023 dates tentatively booked in, details will be added including permission notes once details have been finalised. Please check the calendar out and let us know if you have any feedback!
Carnival Crew!
Mrs Robinson is seeking a 'carnival crew' of parents to help with school carnivals. Please let her know if you are able to help out on the day with time keeping, setup or pack up as having some extra hands on the day makes the day run smoothly. We have tentatively booked our dates for next year and hope you can add these to your diary to help out on the day. Cross everything that next year we have beautiful weather and we won't need to use our backup dates!
Swimming Carnival - Wednesday 8th February
(Friday 10th February as the back up date)
Cross Country - Wednesday 22nd March
(Wednesday 29th March as the back up date)
Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 21st June
(Wednesday 28th June as the back up date)
Library
Please return any library books by this Friday in preparation for the mandatory stocktake next week.
Swimming for Sport
Swimming for sport continues for Years 3-6 students each Friday afternoon from 2pm-3pm, running until Friday Week 9. Students will need to remember to bring either proof of their pool pass or $3.20 each Friday. Don't forget a rash shirt, swimmers, towel, sunscreen and a plastic bag for wet swimmers.
Volunteers and Helpers Morning Tea
On Thursday 1st December we will be holding a morning tea from 11.15 to 11.40 to thank all of our volunteers who have helped us throughout the year.
Presentation Day Save the Date
Our Presentation Day Assembly will be held at Kangaroo Valley Hall on Tuesday 13th December from 1.30pm. Please add this date to your diary!
Christmas Dress Up Day
We invite everyone to wear their best Christmas outfit, Christmas T-shirt or red and green mufti clothes on Wednesday 14th December.
Last Day of Term
On the last day of term, we are organising a fun day of activities for our students at school to celebrate all of their hard work throughout the year. We will conclude our final fun day of the year at Kangaroo Valley pool for a swim and some fun activities. Parents can either pickup their child from the pool at 3pm or normal departure at school from 3.15pm.
Kindergarten 2023 Key Dates
Our first day for Kindergarten students will be Wednesday 1st February, 9.15am - 3.15pm.
Next year, we will have Kindergarten students start the year off a little differently than in the past. Kindergarten students will start school the day after our Years 1-6 students, on Wednesday 1st February.
Talent Show Expressions of Interest
Our KVPS Talent Show will be held on Thursday 15th December!
The next auditions/expression of interest session will be held on Thursday 1st December at lunch time so keep practising your act! Music links or supporting materials can be emailed to Miss Arnott jennifer.arnott3@det.nsw.edu.au
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have.
Jen Arnott
Relieving Principal
