. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Term 1, Week 8 - Tuesday, 15 March 2022
Visit by the NSW Executive Director of Education
Our school was very honoured to have received a visit by NSW Executive Director of Education, Ms Deb Summerhayes and the Director of Educational Leadership Mr Jason Miezis.
The visit is in recognition of our school's outstanding performance in the 2021 NAPLAN. Ms Summerhayes was very keen to look at some of the processes we have in place to engage and motivate our students to academic success. The key to our success is teacher/student conferencing, where students are given academic goals and the support to achieve success.
Mr Miezis said “. St Marys South PS strongly typifies what we mean by ‘every student known, valued, cared for, especially with regard literacy and numeracy ~ one of the reasons why SMSPS results are so, so strong”
Ms Summerhayes spoke to Sienna in 5/6 Topaz “I had a chat with a Stage 3 student, Sienna, who could clearly articulate her specific writing goals and the evidence to show achievement. We saw evidence of very specific and targeted teaching in every classroom we visited.”
Our school performance in most areas in NAPLAN far exceeds the performance of similar schools in NSW. To achieve such highly acclaimed results is due to the combined efforts of our teachers, the executive team and you, our school community. Together we continue to support and nurture our students to exceed their potential.
COVID-19 Update
We are seeing an increased number of families testing positive for COVID-19.
You are reminded that students cannot attend school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19. These include
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- loss of smell/taste
- muscle/joint pains
- diarrhoea
- nausea/vomiting
- extreme tiredness
- unexplained chest pain or
- conjunctivitis (eye infection)
If a student or staff member receives a positive test, they need to:
- record the positive RAT result through the Service NSW website or Service NSW app
- notify the school of the positive RAT or PCR test result as soon as possible
- follow NSW Health advice to isolate for 7 days.
- Negative results do not need to be reported to Service NSW or to the school.
All household contacts must:
- Follow the Self-isolation guideline and self-isolate for 7 days from the time the first COVID-positive person in your household had their test.
- Have a rapid antigen test (RAT) as soon as possible and again on Day 6. Have an additional RAT if you develop symptoms.
- If you have symptoms and are at risk of severe disease* from COVID-19, please have a PCR test as it is more accurate and means you can be assessed for treatment faster.
- If all tests are negative, you can leave isolation after 7 days.
- The risk of developing COVID-19 is high for 14 days after exposure, therefore, for 7 days after leaving isolation you should:
- avoid high-risk settings (healthcare, aged care, disability care, correctional facilities)
- wear a mask in indoor non-residential settings
- monitor for symptoms and get a PCR test immediately if you develop symptoms
- avoid crowded venues and work from home where possible
- You do not need to repeat isolation if another person in your household tests positive in the 14 days after your isolation period ends
- If another person in your household tests positive for COVID-19 more than 14 days after your isolation period ends, you will have to isolate again and follow the instructions for household contacts of people with COVID-19.
The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students are paramount at all times. As such, we will continue to ensure that all necessary health advice is closely followed.
THE IMPACT OF PRIVACY LAW ON THE INFORMATION PARENTS CAN BE PROVIDED ABOUT OTHER PARENT’S CHILDREN
Our school holds information about our students. Some of this information is highly sensitive.
The way this information is collected, used, disclosed and secured by our school is subject to NSW legislation including the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, Health Records and Information Protection Act 2002 and the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.
These laws limit the circumstances in which your child’s information can be disclosed to other parents. They also limit the circumstances in which you can be provided with information about action the school has taken in relation to other people’s children.
This means, for example, you may not be provided with complete details of the action the school has taken in relation to a student who has engaged in unacceptable behaviour that has impacted on your child.
You should not assume that no action has been taken because you cannot be provided with information about what the school has done to deal with an issue relating to your child’s interaction with another student.
Our school takes inappropriate behaviour from students very seriously and responds to that behaviour consistent with the school’s student discipline and welfare procedures.
Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful (IER)
New policies, procedures and framework to keep students engaged in learning at school
The Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful (IER) Schools package was announced in February this year by NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning, Hon Sarah Mitchell.
It centres on three new policies and procedures and a framework that together set the guidelines for how we ensure all children and young people can learn through public education in a safe and engaging way. The IER Schools package includes the:
- Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability
- Student Behaviour Policy and Procedures
- Restrictive Practices Framework and Restrictive Practices Reduction and
- Elimination Policy and Procedures.
With these new policies, we want all students to:
- be included in all aspects of school life and supported to learn to their fullest capability
- be supported in engaging, respectful, and effective classrooms with positive and inclusive practices
- feel welcomed, valued and safe in our schools and classroom
Two of the policies are new: the Inclusive Education Policy; and the Restrictive Practices Framework and policy. Both clarify existing legal obligations, effective, appropriate and prohibited practices, and the rights of students, parents and carers.
The Student Behaviour Policy replaces the Student Discipline in Government Schools and Suspension and Expulsion Policy. The key change is the approach all NSW public schools will take to address disruptive or inappropriate behaviour by a student. The duration of a suspension will be reduced along with the number of suspensions across a school year. Every school will be able to draw on the support of a range of staff including behaviour specialists to effectively address issues resulting in these behaviours in order to prevent future escalations. We will continue to work closely with you and all our families.
These new policies become operational from the start of Term 2 this year. The staff and I are reviewing our current approach to all of the areas covered by these policies, and wish to share any changes we believe need to be made with you next term.
Our school already takes a strong, positive student-centred approach, but we want to work with you to ensure, together, every student has the right support at the right time to help them grow into confident, resilient adults.
For more information on these policies, please visit the NSW Department of Education website.
Music with Mrs Carroll
Earlier this month, several new tuned percussion instruments arrived in the music room. We now have a Bass Xylophone, several Alto and Soprano Xylophones and some Glockenspiels for the students to play. These instruments look and sound amazing.
This past week, Stage 1 and 5/6 Amethyst had fun creating musical compositions on these new instruments. Students created their own melodies based on a given rhythm, and also created their own musical patterns which they layered together to create a beautiful piece of music that we called “One Rainy Day”.
We really look forward to sharing some of our work in our class assembly items later in the year.
School Chaplain
Hello everyone, My name is Joel Gerber and I’m our school chaplain. I’ve loved being a part of the St Marys south school community for the past 5 years.
I am here at the school on a Wednesday and Thursday. My role is to help our students grow in their emotional health and wellbeing. I facilitate programs such as ‘Rock and Water’, which teaches students when to be strong and when to go with the flow, as well as specific boy and girl programs. These programs help build resilience and focus on teamwork and the pressures that primary age students face. I also connect with many kids in the school garden.
During lunch, I enjoy playing sports with the students and helping them work on their social skills.
I also work closely with teachers to get the best out of every child at the school, helping to build safe, respectful learners.
I highly value our students and I look forward to seeing each one of them reach their full potential this year.
NAPLAN 2022
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.
Our school will be participating in NAPLAN between 10 and 20 May 2022.
In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will also be participating in practice tests on Thursday 24 March and Thursday 31 March 2022. The practice test is a trial run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN in May. It is not an assessment of student ability, and the tests will not be marked.
Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.
Year 3 and 4 Excursion
All students in Years 3 and 4 have been invited to attend an excursion to the Kamay, Botany Bay Environmental Education Centre on 30 March 2022.
The students will be attending this excursion as part of our History Unit – First Contacts, where students will explore Captain James Cook’s landing site and consider traditional uses of the land.
Date: Wednesday 30 March 2022
Time: 8.30am – 2.45pm
Venue: Kamay Botany Bay EEC
Transport: Bus
Cost: $35
Students will need to bring their own food for recess and lunch. They will need to wear full school uniform and pack a school hat. All payments should be made online or to the office by Wednesday 23rd March. Please return the green permission note to your child’s teacher.
Parents and Citizens meeting -Thursday 31 March at 2:00 pm
St Marys South P&C is a group of dedicated and hardworking Parents, School Staff and Citizens who operate to promote the best interests of the students and our school.
Our P&C provides invaluable services to the school being responsible for fundraising including raffles, Mothers and Fathers Day stalls, sausage sizzles and school discos which help provide facilities and equipment for the students and school.
The P&C provides a role in representing the parent's voice in a range of school related topics. The commitment and involvement of the Parents and Citizens help to create a dynamic community at St Marys South Public School, benefiting all our children.
New members and volunteers are always welcome and membership is open to all members of the school community. To become a financial member and gain voting rights it costs $1.00 for the year or you can attend any meeting as a guest.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 31 March at 2:00 pm
The P&C encourages your involvement and participation in our school. Helping out is a great way to be involved in your child's school life, get to know the students, other families and contribute to your community. There are many different ways to be involved and participate from volunteering to becoming a P&C executive committee member. Its about everyone doing what they can when they can.
PBL Awards
Kaizah McNeill
Phoenix Keys
Susanna Yun
Easter Hat Parade
On Thursday 7th April, St Marys South Public School will be holding the annual ‘Easter Holiday Parade’. The parade will commence at 9.30 am on the Binda.
Students are encouraged to design and make a hat, mask, basket or costume with an Easter theme to wear at the parade. Each student will have the opportunity to parade with their class members to music in front of the St Marys South community.
Younger siblings are also invited to wear a hat or dress up as there will be an opportunity for them to parade during the event.
Students can wear ‘mufti’ if they are not wearing a costume. Please ensure your child is wearing enclosed shoes at all times.
We look forward to sharing this occasion with you.
Look at me in 1 Emerald
Kindergarten - Best Start Parent Information Session
At the beginning of the year, all Kindergarten students participated in the Best Start Assessment. The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment is a state-wide assessment that helps teachers identify the literacy and numeracy skills that their students bring with them at the beginning of kindergarten.
This week the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment parent reports will be sent home.
We invite you to attend a Best Start Parent Information session on Thursday 24th March from 9.00 – 10.00 am
During the presentation, we will work through the information presented in the reports and how parents can assist their children at home in their literacy and numeracy development.
We hope you will be able to attend this session.
Information will be added to the school website under the Kindergarten 2022 tab at the conclusion of the session for those that are unable to attend.
Kindergarten Capers
Kindergarten will be visiting Calmsley Hill City Farm on Friday 1st April.
This will give students background knowledge for when we start our Science & Technology unit on Living Things.
Students will be able to participate in animal patting, cow milking and a tractor ride; they will also get to see the stockwhip show, working dog show and sheep shearing show.
A note was sent home last week with the excursion details. If you require another please go to the school website and look under the Events tab. You may wish to pay online by visiting the school website.
Easter Hat Parade
Thursday 7th April will be our Easter Hat Parade – students and parents are encouraged to make a hat or mask together at home to wear to the parade. Parents are welcome to attend this event.
Changes to the school timetable
Some of the Kindy fitness, library and music times have changed. Below are the new times starting this week.
Kindy Jade
Music - Wednesday
Fitness - Tuesday
Library – Friday
Kindy Pearl
Music - Monday
Fitness - Tuesday
Library – Friday
Kindy Ruby
Music - Tuesday
Fitness - Tuesday
Library - Monday
Thank you for your continued support of our Kindergarten students and teachers.
Kindergarten Stars of the Week - Weeks 7 & 8
Years 5 and 6 News
UWS Visit
On Thursday 10 March students in 4/5S, 5/6T and 5/6A participated in an incursion, held by Western Sydney University (WSU).
Students engaged in different learning opportunities, where they collaborated to design a backpack. Each group chose their own target audience and engaged in the designing process which included calculating the cost for each individual item.
High School Forms- Year 7 2023
High school forms for students starting Year 7 in 2023 need to be returned to school before the 18th of March.
Please ensure your child‘s form is completed and returned to the front office by the due date.
Year 6 Shirts
Year 6 Shirts
Payment for Year 6 shirts is due by the 17 of March.
School uniform
Uniform Shop
Our Uniform Shop is located at Abel Schoolwear in St Marys.
Abel Schoolwear offers 6 days of trading, online purchases, cash and EFTPOS payments and change room facilities.
To order online, please click on the following link. Online orders.
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Saturdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
St Marys South Public School
Phone: 02 9623 1745
Address: 96 Monfarville Street, St Marys NSW 2760