Dear Parents and carers,
Welcome back to 2023 for all our students and families. I hope you had a wonderful summer break and are ready and recharged for another busy year of learning experiences here at Punchbowl Public School. A special welcome to all our new families, especially our kindergarten students, who have made an amazing start to their schooling, and our preschoolers who are engaging in their outdoor learning in our beautiful preschool environment. We have several new staff members who have started with us this year and we warmly welcome them to our school community.
In our classrooms, we have hit the ground running and I am super impressed with the way our classes have settled into their new class routines and expectations. We are safe, respectful learners at all times and in all places across the school day.
So many of our initiatives have already begun this term, including our ‘Respect’ program, gardening, our visiting THERApuppy and gymnastics.
Our SaCC has also begun strongly with many programs beginning this term including Go4Fun, Learning Club, Kids Create and parenting programs and play groups.
In 2022 and continuing into 2023 the school will be focussed on the NSW Curriculum Reforms. The new curriculums will give students more time to focus on key learning areas so that they can acquire a deeper understanding of central concepts. It will ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.
In 2023, the K-2 English and mathematics curriculums are being implemented in our classrooms. Teachers will have this year to familiarise themselves with the 3-6 English and mathematics curriculums. Science and Technology, PDHPE, HSIE and Creative Arts will progress through a period of consultation and release this year.
To support this familiarisation and implementation, our teachers with the support of Assistant Principals, and Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction, are involved in high-impact professional learning. This learning is collaborative and supports the unpacking of the curriculum and how best it can be taught to meet the needs of the students at PPS.
More information for parents and carers can be found online.
To begin the year, we will be putting our use of Class Dojo and SeeSaw on hold. When using third-party applications for the 2023 school year, the Department of Education recommends department-approved applications in the first instance. This is a new direction for the use of these apps.
Schools can currently access online learning tools provided by the department free of charge, such as Google, Microsoft, Canva and Adobe. These applications have enhanced security and data management which meet the standards required by the department.
We will continue to use Skoolbag, Facebook and emails to communicate important information with parents. IParents and carers are always able to phone the school office for information to support their child at school. This may involve passing on a quick message, explaining and absence or requesting contact with school staff, including the class teacher.
The school can be contacted for urgent matters on 9750 5055 or for non-urgent matters on punchbowl-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
It was great to see so many of our families at the Welcome BBQ and Classroom visits on Monday afternoon. This term, we will be holding Parent Forums to improve the communication between home and school on the many ways the school supports teaching and learning. Our first one for 2023 will be held on Monday 6 March in the SaCC room. Keep an eye out on Skoolbag for more information.
I look forward to another year of teaching and learning alongside our teachers, students and families.
Donna McGeary
Principal