ENewsletter

ISSUE 3: Term 1, Week 7 - Monday, 8 March 2021

From the Principal's desk

Welcome to Week 7! - The easing of COVID-19 restrictions brings exciting news for schools this week, with parents and carers now able to enter the school grounds, and attend school sporting events again. As we have now reached over 40 days without community transmission in NSW, and the rollout of the vaccination program is under way, the NSW Government has recently eased restrictions across the state on the advice of NSW Health. All visitors to the school must continue to sign the school sign-in sheet in the office foyer, where they acknowledge that they will comply with the COVID-19 requirements for visitors, contractors and service providers. Visitors will also be required to sign in using the Service NSW QR Code sign-in. We are still investigating the logistics of parents and carers attending assemblies, however, this looks positive. For now, it isn’t necessary for us to keep our cohorts separate (K-2 and 3-6), which means students can move freely around the entire playground once again, and activities such as peer support can be planned for once more. I’m sure you can imagine how happy the students were regarding this announcement!

There are an abundance of sporting opportunities this week, with Paul Kelly Cup AFL, Riverina Swimming, Mortimer Shield League Tag and Eastern Riverina AFL trials being held. It is unfortunate that all events are in the same week, however, I wish all teams and individuals the best of luck.

Paul Kelly AFL Cup - Tomorrow, our boys’ and girls’ Paul Kelly Cup teams will play at Billabong High School oval, Culcairn. This is the first time there has been a girls’ competition in Culcairn which is exciting, especially after Alyce Parker’s visit last year. Good luck to both teams; it should be a great day.

Eastern Riverina AFL Trials - Congratulations to Ollie, Will, Cooper, Isaac, Eli and Joel who were all selected to represent the Southern Riverina AFL team in the Eastern Riverina AFL Trials at Lake Albert, Wagga Wagga, this Friday.

Mortimer Shield - Two 5/6 girls’ league tag teams will participate in the competitive section of the Mortimer Shield in Albury this Friday. Most years, we take two teams due to high interest and to give everyone an opportunity to participate. Due to a clash with the Eastern Riverina AFL trials, we decided to withdraw the boys’ rugby league team from the Albury competition, in favour of attending the Wagga Wagga competition in Term 2, should we be able to be accommodated.

P&C Meeting - Our next P&C meeting will be held in the school library at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 March. We will again be discussing and consulting on our School Improvement Plan (2021-2024) as part of this meeting. Many thanks to the P&C for their interest and support in the planning and sourcing of materials for our sustainable garden project. Many thanks to Bill and Joy Wearn, from the Holbrook Hotel, who have donated some recycled bricks for a pathway in the garden.

Welcome Back - It was wonderful to welcome Mrs Judy Ross back to our school again today. Judy was a teacher and Assistant Principal at the school for many years, and is returning for one day a week to support us with the Intensive Learning Support Program.

NAPLAN - This year, Years 3 and 5 will be completing NAPLAN online for the first time. We will have a two week window to complete the assessments for Writing, Language Conventions, Reading and Numeracy. This assessment window will open on Tuesday, 11 May and finish on Friday, 21 May. In 2020, we began using more online assessments as a transition for students. Further information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Survey Feedback - Thank you for the feedback you provided in the recent survey regarding our core values, home learning and new school plan. Cooperation was rated as the most important core value by parents and carers, and over 80% of parents and carers who were surveyed agreed that reading is the most important aspect of home learning. Further opportunities to discuss the feedback with our executive team and the P&C will be provided in the next two weeks.

Nathan Fisher

Principal

REMINDER: Start of Year forms

Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you to those who have already completed the Start of Year forms listed below.

Student Information (Please pay special attention to the Parent/Carer Occupation and Occupation Group information. It is a Departmental requirement that these details are updated annually as they are pertinent in determining the level of funding our school receives).
Internet Code of Conduct Permission for parent/carer and/or student to sign;
Media Information and Permission;
Annual Home Learning Contract for parent/carer and/or student to sign;
Walking within Holbrook Permission;
Third Party Privacy Permission;

For those of you have yet to complete and submit them, you can find these forms on the Skoolbag app, by tapping Holbrook Public School and then EFORMS. By completing these forms, you are ensuring that we have the most accurate information to hand, which enables us to better care for your child.

REMINDER: Year 7 Expression of Interest

We are still waiting on eight, Year 6 families to return their Year 7 Expression of Interest Form. If you haven't returned yours to the school, please do so promptly.

COVID-19: Easing of restrictions

The NSW Department of Education has updated their COVID-19 guidelines to reflect easing restrictions across the state on the advice of NSW Health.

Parents and carers are able to enter school grounds but should continue to follow COVID-safe practices, including social distancing between adults of 1.5 metres.
Parents and carers can attend school sporting events. School sporting events should align with requirements for community sporting competitions and training activities in NSW.
There are no recommended limits on singing groups in schools, including for in-class educational activities such as repetition, chanting, recitation, or singing activities. Five metres is recommended between a group of performing singers and other people, including the audience and conductor, where practicable.
Dancing activities – including dance classes, formals and social events – can proceed, but organisers should comply with any venue restrictions.

Riverina Cricket

Congratulations to Cooper Glass who has been selected in the Riverina cricket squad.

PSSA Cricket

On Monday, 1 March, our school cricket team travelled to Howlong to play round one of the PSSA knockout. Our team put in a big effort against a strong side and lost by only 11 runs. 'Attitude is Gratitude' which certainly reflected in every boy's actions on the day. The team showed how grateful they were to be representing their school and did a wonderful job both on and off the field. A big thank you to Rose Bennetts and Brooke Mathewson for scoring on the day, Rob Mathewson for coming along to umpire, and the entire team for assisting Mrs Ross with many things on the day. I was very impressed with the boys' enthusiasm and commitment to the game.

Kimberly Ross

Clean Up Australia Day

Clean Up Australia Day activities at Holbrook Public School were taken to with great enthusiasm by students and staff. The Clean Up Australia Day Council sent plenty of gloves and bags for us to use.

Students in Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 cleaned up the inside of the school grounds. The Year 3/4 students cleaned up the front of the school and out of bounds areas within Holbrook Public School, Year 4/5 took to the footpath around the school fence line, and Year 5/6 headed over to the Submarine to tidy up. Thank you to the students who brought in gloves to use on the day. A big thank you to all of the students who were diligent and eager in their clean up efforts!

Ashleigh Hemphill and Christine Biar

Clean Up Australia Day Event Co-ordinators

Premier's Reading Challenge

We are thrilled to launch a new year of the Premier's Reading Challenge. 2020 was a fantastic year of reading, with more students than ever participating in the challenge, with more special awards at all levels presented to students.

2021 Challenge dates are as follows: Monday, March 1 - Challenge opens for students Friday, August 20 - Challenge closes for student entries

2021 poster

The PRC poster for 2021 features artwork created by Dr Bronwyn Bancroft, a Bundjalung Woman and artist. Bronwyn has been exhibiting nationally and internationally for over 3 decades, and has written and/or illustrated 41 children's books.

2021 Booklist updates

The first of the new booklist updates for 2021 has been uploaded to the website, and can be found on the PRC booklists page. There have been two main changes to the way that the PRC booklists are now arranged, in order to provide better transparency for students, families and coordinators when choosing appropriate reading material for students.

PRC student site

The PRC student site is available again this year! Students can search for books to read, add books to their reading logs, and track their progress throughout the challenge. The website is currently being updated and will be available for students when the challenge opens on March 2. You can find the site at https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/ and there is a useful help video available to demonstrate how the site works.

So time to start reading those books again!

Please contact me if you have any concerns or queries.

Christine Biar
Premier’s Reading Challenge co-ordinator

Book Club: Issue 1

Please be advised that there has been a delay in delivery of our Book Club: Issue 1 orders. Orders are on the way and should be here soon.

Book Club: Issue 2

Riverina Swimming

All the best to our 13 students who travel to Leeton to compete in the Riverina Swimming Carnival this Wednesday, 10 March. We wish them all the best and are sure that they will represent Holbrook Public School proudly by trying their best. We look forward to hearing how they go.

Chrissy Lavis

Mortimer Shield

On Friday, 12 March, Miss Hemphill and Mrs de Steiger will accompany two girls League Tag teams, from Years 5 and 6, to Albury to compete in the Mortimer Shield. Each team will compete against three other schools, playing three games each. If the teams are successful, they may progress to the finals to be played in Wagga Wagga in June. Best of luck to both of our teams!

Due to a clash in the timetable, the boys Rugby League team is not able to compete in the Albury Mortimer Shield Gala Day this year. Instead, we've investigated the possibility of the boys playing in the Wagga Wagga Mortimer Shield Gala Day later in the year.

Miss Hemphill

League Tag/Rugby League Co-ordinator

Harmony Week

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/multicultural-education/culture-and-diversity/calendar-for-cultural-diversity/planning-harmony-week#:~:text=Harmony%20Week%20occurs%20in%20March,Week%20is%20'everyone%20belongs'.

Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This year, the students in K-6 will be celebrating Harmony Week on Thursday, 18 March, Week 8. Students are asked to come dressed in orange, as this colour signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Another option to wearing orange, is that students could wear items that are symbolic to their nationality.

In the afternoon, students will participate in activities such as arts and crafts, movement and dance, stories, sports and discussions significant to various cultures. As well, students are invited to create a themed Harmony Day poster and song lyrics. Watch this space for more information.

As a lead up to our Harmony Day celebrations, all students are encouraged to explore, through discussions with family members, to find out more about their cultural heritage and share this with their class.

Cross Country

This year’s Cross Country Carnival will be run on Friday, 26 March (Term 1, Week 9). The Carnival will be held in the morning session, beginning with walking the course at approximately 9:40 a.m. Students will begin training for the event during PE sessions at school, however, they are also encouraged to begin training at home. Each age group’s individual distance is listed below. Please note, students will run in the age they are turning this year. While we are delighted to welcome volunteers and spectators to the school, more information will be sent out in a separate note prior to the event.

Seniors – 11 and 12 years – 3km

Juniors – 8, 9 and 10 years – 2 km

Sub Juniors – 7 years – 1 km

5 and 6 years – 500 m

Ashleigh Hemphill and Felicity Morgan

Cross Country Carnival Co-ordinators

Canteen volunteers wanted for Term 2

Do you have some free time in your calendar during Term 2? If so, we would really value your time to help with lunch orders on Monday and/or Friday mornings. The process is simple:

1. Sign in via the COVID QR code and the visitors book and take the class baskets from the office to the canteen,

2. The students will put their lunch orders in their class baskets,

3. Sign out and take the baskets to the Holbrook Bakery.

It only takes around 45 minutes out of your day and your child loves to see you there. Please email Georgie Millard on gmillard75@gmail.com‎ to volunteer or if you have any questions.

Donations of Easter eggs required!

Please support the Holbrook Public School P&C by donating to our annual Easter raffle. This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and we would appreciate your support by donating Easter eggs and selling raffle tickets.

Easter eggs, tickets and money can be left at the front office.

The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday, 31 March and winners announced on Thursday, 1 April at the P&C barbecue.

Stewart House

All public school staff and students are encouraged to submit their $2.00 donation, which buys an entry into the draw to win a gift voucher valued at $4,000!

STEP 1... Take home the envelope and fill in your name, address, telephone number and school.

STEP 2... Insert a donation of at least $2 into the envelope and seal it.

STEP 3... Return the envelope to your school office by Friday, 14 May 2021.

Need uniforms?

This year, our uniform shop will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend at these times, please feel free to email your order to holbrook-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and we will fill it at our earliest convenience.

Payments can be made by sending in cash with your child, clicking the 'Make a Payment' option on the website or by card over the phone.

Winter is coming

Term 2 sees our students return in Winter uniform. Please get your child to try on their uniforms so that you are well prepared for when the colder weather creeps in.

Pre-loved uniforms for sale at just $5 each

Uniform Item	Sizes Available
Summer Uniforms
Short sleeve polo shirt	4, 6, 8, 12
Shorts	6, 8, 14, 16
Summer dress	4, 6, 10
Winter Uniforms
Long sleeve polo shirt	4, 6, 8, 12
Fleece jacket	4, 6, 8, 12
Long pants	4, 6, 12
Tartan pants	6
Tartan skirt	4, 6, 8, 10, 12
Tartan tunic	8
Windcheater	6, 8, 10
Sports Uniforms
Sports shirt	6
Track suit pants	4, 6, 12

Star of the Week

Class awards

First Class Ready Awarded to that class who has consistently been prompt when lining up at morning assemblies, and after lunch and recess.	Year 4/5
Best Class Assembly This award is given to the most attentive and responsible class at assembly.	Year 1
Sustainable Sam This award is given to the class who keeps their room tidy, consistently uses their recycling bin and turns off the lights when the room is not in use.	Mrs Wedgwood/Mrs Henderson
Yellow Star Card For excellent behaviour in the playground.	Asher Kenney
Blue Star Card For excellent behaviour in the classroom.	Jimmy Boers and Oliver Pendrick

Term 1, Week 6 Award recipients

Teachers	Recipients
Miss Hemphill	Hunter Atkinson: For his enthusiastic approach to our shared stories and great drawings of his favourite characters George Beavis: For his determination when tracing his name. Well done on your great effort and never giving up, George! Ruby Mohr: For bringing and using her listening ears to class and for setting a great example for her peers Leo McKeahnie: Sportsmanship
Mrs Biar	Arabella Harbison: For being a kind, considerate class member, who listens to instructions and works sensibly Jack Lindsay: For showing great pride in his work and always trying his very best Natasha Atkinson: Sportsmanship
Mrs Pargeter	Joel Laffan: Listening to, and applying feedback, which has resulted in improvements in reading fluently Eddie Landale: Being an active listener in discussions, and confidently sharing findings related to his learning Michael Walkerden: Sportsmanship
Miss Morgan	Darcy Heriot: For his enlightening and rich contribution to English discussions. He inspired his entire class to produce quality sentences. Dominic Walkerden: For his excellent focus during maths lessons. His concentration has seen him grow more confident in his understanding of place value. Alex Mohr: Sportsmanship
Miss Barraclough	Sophia Henderson: For being an active participant in class discussions and demonstrating active listening skills Ben Yensch: For using the five senses to create interesting and engaging sentences in creative writing Antonia Grunow: Sportsmanship
Miss Lavis	Jessica Frana: Persevering with problem-solving Isabel Yensch: Being considerate of others and willing to help Ruby Walkerden: Sportsmanship
Mrs Ross	Geordie Geddes: For using his extensive vocabulary and always wanting to learn and use new words
Mrs Trethowan	Charlotte Ingram: For taking pride in the presentation of her bookwork
Mrs Wedgwood	Anabella Lindsay: For entertaining writing, using similes and personification Mylee Toll: Being reliable, adaptable and resilient Chayse Ross: Sportsmanship
Mr Fisher	Tom Black: An enthusiastic approach to improving his literacy skills with Mrs Trethowan Laycii Freund: An enthusiastic approach to improving her literacy skills with Mrs Trethowan Nate Kenney: An enthusiastic approach to improving his literacy skills with Mrs Trethowan Jessica Frana: Sportsmanship

Parenting Ideas

Date and Time

From Wednesday, March. 17th, 7:30 pm to Wednesday, March. 17th, 8:30 pm

Location

Holbrook NSW, AustraliaGet Directions

Information

I warmly encourage any interested members of our school community to attend our meeting and consider whether or not involvement in the P&C could be for you.

The P&C could be for you if:

You believe that outside of family life, schooling is the biggest and most important part of all of our children’s lives.
You are new to the school – or have been in the school community for years but haven’t yet been to a P&C meeting.
You have specialised skills to share in finance, business, events, design, creative services, parties, fundraising, maintenance, trades, gardening, food handling, project management or any other area
You want to meet new families and extend your school network.
You’ve ever had ideas about events or fundraising.
You want to have fun AND make a real difference to your children’s school!

Holbrook Triathlon Training

Kids Triathlon Training: Saturday, 27 February 9:00 a.m. at Holbrook Pool (Bring your bike, helmet, runners, swimmers and goggles)

Enquiries: Margot 0407 658 401

Triathlon: Sunday, 14 March

Our sponsors

The following Holbrook businesses sponsor our newsletter. Please support them when you can.

Download the SkoolBag App

https://moqproducts.com.au/skoolbag/installation-instructions/

The SkoolBag app is the easiest way keep up with school events, last minute notices, newsletters and all school communications.

Instantly translate this newsletter to 100+ languages

With our Google Translation integration, your community can access your newsletter in ANY language. Simply scroll to the bottom of the newsletter preview to give it a try.

Holbrook Public School

Quality education for all, in a secure and caring environment