Earlwood Public School

Dear Parents and Carers 

Welcome back to the 2019 school year. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing holiday break doing those things you love, shared with family and friends. I have delighted in talking to many of our students who have shared their wonderful holiday experiences and look so smart, proudly wearing their school uniform. As part of the EPS Uniform Policy, black school shoes/joggers are expected to be worn by all students each day. The exception to this is on days when students participate in sports activities.

Classes 2019

I am pleased to announce that EPS has begun the 2019 school year with 27 classes including the support unit class. New classes were formed on Monday, and I can now confirm that all enrolments have been finalised. Should the need arise to alter classes you will be informed beforehand should changes affect your child. This year, as in previous years, a number of composite classes have been formed. To assist parents to understand the reasoning behind the formation of the composite classes, I have included further information about composite classes in the Bulletin this week. As always If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Parent Information Meetings

Please join us for the parent information meetings that will be held during the week commencing 18 February. These meetings provide a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher (if you haven’t already done so) and for families to receive important information about school programs and procedures. A note with specific details of meeting times and dates will be distributed very soon. Families who cannot attend should contact their child’s teacher and arrange another more suitable time to share this information. We will be providing an additional information meeting for the Greek Language program.

Looking forward to an exciting year ahead and a huge congratulations to all our students for making a positive start to their learning in 2019!

Kind Regards

Mrs Angel

In primary schools, classes are organised in a wide variety of ways. Composite classes are one such type. Classes that are made up of children of different year levels have traditionally been called composite classes. In recent times, these classes have also been called stage-based classes, multi-aged or family classes. These classes are formed for a number of reasons such as where there is an uneven enrolment in school years or for educational reasons, where it is felt that the mixing of students of different ages is both educationally and socially advantageous.

At the beginning of a new school year, many parents might suddenly find their child in a composite class. Naturally, questions arise; for the older group - will my child be held back? for the younger group - will my child be able to keep up?

Composite classes have been the source of much misunderstanding over the years, with parents often believing that their child is being disadvantaged in some way by being in one. The key to understanding composites is realising that growth is determined by stages of development and not by ages.

Some points worth noting are:

Children have always been in multi-aged classes. The ages of Kindergarten students range from four and nine months to six and six months; an 18 month difference. Some children start school barely toilet trained where others are quite mature and are already reading at an advanced level; same class but different stages.

Older students are not held back in composite classes. In teaching we accept that different children learn at different rates. Separate programs are often used in many curriculum areas for the different groups of students according to their level of development. There are also some joint activities such as in art and drama. Expectations for each child differ and will be measured against the ability of the child.

Children in composite classes do no better or worse academically than their peers in straight grade class, however, socially, their development is enhanced. They are more confident, can operate better as part of a group, are more assertive, become more independent learners and are better problem-solvers. They also make friends outside of their standard age-groups.

The following aspects are taken into consideration when choosing students for a composite class:

maturity

independent work habits

social needs

friendships

learning styles

At the upcoming parent information meetings your child's teacher will outline his/her class program for 2019 and the strategies he/she will incorporate to assist your child achieve outcomes for his/her stage of development.

A large number of our students have serious allergies to different foods including nuts and nut products. The school requests that parents avoid sending peanut products to school with their children so that other students cannot be accidently contaminated. As an additional precaution, EPS has a policy of no food sharing between students. No birthday cakes, lolly bags or food items are to be distributed at school. We thank you in advance for your vigilance in this matter. Please also ensure that the school has up to date information on your child’s/children’s medical needs.

BEFORE SCHOOL

All children K-6 go to the top asphalt area when they arrive at school where they can wait with their parent or play some games e.g. handball. The top synthetic grass area can be used for games such as soccer or touch football at 8:45am. No large ball games involving bats or kicking are to occur on the asphalt. A teacher is on duty in this area from 8:30am – 9:00am.  The fixed play equipment in the K-2 area is out of bounds during this time. No child should be at school before 8.30am unsupervised except if attending PSSA training.

AFTER SCHOOL

It is the responsibility of all students to leave the school premises in an orderly and safe manner. The correct use of the traffic lights and bus stops is expected and regularly monitored. If parents are late to pick up their child/children due to an unforeseen circumstance, you should inform the school. The children will be directed to the office area where they are supervised until parents arrive. Parents will need to collect their child from this area. Children going to Greek School in the afternoons are to assemble on C Block verandah and not play in the playground unsupervised. All children catching buses outside the school gate will be supervised by a member of staff.

Please note: For safety reasons students should go directly home at the end of the school day and not stay to play on the school grounds unless under the direct and close supervision of their parent. Only students who are under the direct and close  supervision of their parent may use the fixed play equipment until 3:20pm.