St Marys North Public School

With only 18 days of learning left in 2020, we are certainly noticing a buzz in our classrooms as we get closer towards the end of another year – and what a year 2020 has been!

This year has been an extraordinary year that has presented us with many difficulties, along with many opportunities to try new ways of delivering special moments with our community. This year’s Presentation Day will be another such moment. Due to the current health restrictions, we are unable to invite families to join with us in person to celebrate our students’ successes. We will, however, invite you to join us via FaceBook as we livestream the event. We hope that this provides our families with a front row seat to our celebration of learning. Notes will be sent home to inform families of students who will be receiving an award. We are requesting updated email addresses from these families so that we are able to email photos taken of your child with their award. This year we will also be holding separate K-2 and 3-6 award assemblies to ensure we meet the strict health guidelines for schools.

In the past, we have announced our incoming school captains and councillors at our Presentation Day. This year, we will be announcing the 2021 leadership team and they will take the pledge with the 2020 leadership team. However, we will not be announcing the captain and vice-captain positions. Early next year, we will hold a School Leadership Induction assembly where our new captain and vice-captains will be announced and all 2021 leaders will receive their badges. We are hopeful that families will be able to attend this assembly and share this special moment with their children.

Over the past 2 weeks, we have had the privilege of meeting our new kindergarten students for next year. It is always wonderful to welcome new families into our school community and we are looking forward to having our newest students commence school in 2021. I would like to congratulate the parents of our newest learners who were simply amazing in handing their little ones over to us without actually being able to enter the school and walk their child to the classroom door. The trust that was shown was indeed humbling.

If you are aware of a family who is considering our school for 2021 we would love for them to contact us. At this time of the year we are looking at how to structure our classes for next year. It is vitally important that we know who will and won’t be returning next year. I would ask that you contact the office to let us know if your child will not be returning in 2021.

 ‘Love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort and keep on learning.’ – Carol Dweck

Mrs Parrello

Principal

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Our FREE Breakfast club is open every Tuesday and Thursday 8:30am – 8:50am. Students can collect a slice of toast, piece of fruit and an Up & Go. The Breakfast Club is located between KB and 2U.

 Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Breakfast means ‘break the fast’, as the previous meal is typically 8–10 hours before waking up in the morning. Breakfast is important in re-fuelling the body with energy and nutrients, kick-starting the day. If breakfast is skipped, the result can be feeling lethargic and tired and lead to difficulty concentrating and behaviour difficulties in the school environment.

How can breakfast affect children while at school? Children who have eaten breakfast can concentrate better and have a longer attention span, helping them to learn and study better. They can also perform better physically after eating breakfast as there is more energy available to their muscles. Breakfast can improve behaviour and mood, as children have better concentration and aren’t tired or hungry.

https://www.redcross.org.au/getmedia/f7b6f98a-e338-4734-ba14-40199f07945b/fact-sheet-4-2.pdf.aspx#:~:text=Breakfast%20is%20important%20in%20re,difficulties%20in%20the%20school%20environment.

Willow’s Pantry is a place where families in need can collect free and low cost grocery items. Each Tuesday morning watch our school Facebook page for Willow’s Pantry post. If you are needing some help, comment on the post and we will book a time for you to collect some groceries.

Christmas is coming, we can also help you with a low cost goodies hamper. If you are interested, speak to one of our lovely ladies at Oak Street gates for more information on how to secure yourself a Christmas hamper.

We are so lucky to be blessed with so much warm weather coming up, and so many fun ways to cool off! You don’t have to spend lots of money to have some water fun, there are fantastic local playgrounds with water features located all around us for FREE! Pack the kids, sun safe cozies, a towel, picnic blanket and some lunch for a great low priced day out. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

https://www.ellaslist.com.au/articles/top-8-free-water-play-parks-for-kids-in-sydney

The last book club for the year went home with students last week. Orders are due in by the 30th of November. 

Congratulations to our first two students who have completed 150 nights home reading. Well done Annabelle and Samuel. I hope you enjoy reading your chosen books from Book Club.

This year has not been an easy one for the Premiers Reading Challenge but thank you to those who persevered through Covid 19 and continued to read their 20 or 30 books needed to complete the challenge. This year we had 28 students complete the challenge. Fantastic work!

It is with great excitement that our Year 6 students will spend an evening of fun and togetherness at their Year 6 Farewell. The big night will be held on Thursday 3rd December, 2020.

We look forward to sharing some special "Year 6 Farewell" photos with our school community after the big night,

 A reminder that school banking operates each week at school. School banking is a great way for our students to become financially literate and learn about money while developing good saving habits. Rewards are offered to students as an incentive to regularly save. Banking day is each Friday. Students will need to hand their bank books in at the office before 9am. Should you require further information please contact the school office.