Guildford West Public School
NEWSLETTER - 2024, Term 1, Week 10
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a big term it has been! The last few weeks have been filled with lots of celebrations including Harmony Day and Easter. On Harmony Day students explored this year’s theme “Everyone Belongs” and participated in lessons focused on diversity and inclusion. We are so fortunate to have such diversity in our school community and celebrate this every day.
Last week we celebrated Easter, with our older students pairing up with their buddy classes to help them make Easter baskets. All students were visited by our school leaders who distributed Easter eggs, and some classes enjoyed an easter egg hunt!
As we come to the end of the school term, we know many families will be celebrating Eid next week also. I wish all students and staff celebrating a wonderful time with their families and friends.
Please enjoy a safe and happy holiday break - enjoy spending time together as a family. We welcome students back next term on Tuesday 30th April.
Ms Weston
A New Way of Handling Problems at School
Our school is trying out a different way of solving problems when conflicts happen. We are moving towards something called Restorative Practice 2.0. This approach focuses on building strong relationships and fixing things when there's a problem.
What Makes This Approach Different?
Language: Restorative Practice is all about talking openly when there's a problem. People involved get to share how they feel and work together to find solutions. On the other hand, traditional ways often involve courts and strict rules, where people argue to win.
Mindset: Restorative Practice aims to fix things and make relationships better. It's about understanding and helping each other. Traditional ways focus more on who's to blame and punishing them.
Conduct: In Restorative Practice, everyone involved gets to talk and decide together how to fix things. Traditional ways often have someone in charge making the decisions without considering everyone's thoughts.
Role of Authority: In Restorative Practice, authority figures guide the process to help everyone understand each other. Traditional ways rely more on authority figures punishing people to change their behaviour.
In Short
Restorative practices focus on fixing things and making relationships better. They involve everyone affected and encourage taking responsibility.
Quick Tips
Restorative practice is a different way of handling problems.
It's about fixing things and making relationships stronger.
Everyone gets to share their thoughts.
It helps students take responsibility for their actions.
Support Unit News
Self Portraits
S Newcastle have been exploring how to express our emotions and ideas in a creative way. We have enjoyed creating self portraits inspired by artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Stavinsky and Frida Kahlo.
STEM
S Newcastle have been working really hard with Mrs Nolevski during STEM. At the start of the year they were posed with a question; How can we create a greenhouse that will extend the farming season of Guildford West? Students researched and conducted experiments about photosynthesis and condensation. They then made a prototype and most fell down or didn’t survive the night. Students provided each other with feedback to refine and improve their designs. When they tried again they all survived and we are looking forward to testing them.
Sport
This term, S Newcastle learnt how to play T-Ball! We have some promising batters on our team, however we still need to work on our fielding skills. We have learnt how to hit the ball off the tee, underarm throwing and catching while wearing the mit. We are now ready to play a game… WATCH OUT Stage 3.
Early Stage 1 News
Kindergarten students have almost finished their first term of big school! Students have been working hard in their classrooms to develop their knowledge of letters and sounds. Our Kindergarten students have been engaging in daily English activities, learning about new sounds and increasing their knowledge of words.
Kindergarten students have been great listeners and listen to many stories daily! Students have been demonstrating their ability to listen to a story, through drawing images that correctly relate.
Kindergarten students have become ‘mini artists’ this term showcasing their creativity in weekly Visual Art lessons. These mini artists have been using different techniques such as painting, shading and drawing to create different masterpieces.
Stage 1 News
What a busy end of term it has been! Stage 1 classes have been working hard in the classroom learning and applying our new knowledge across all key learning areas.
Each day in our literacy block all classes complete a phonics program called The Literacy Collective or better known by our students as TLC. We have been learning new sounds, spelling rules and patterns each day. We are now working towards using this knowledge in our writing and reading activities to demonstrate our understanding.
This term in maths Stage 1 have been busy becoming mathematicians! We have been learning about place value of numbers and really enjoy representing numbers with MAB blocks. Students have also been learning their number facts, such as 6 and 4 makes 10, which will help us quickly solve addition and subtraction problems. Stage 1 has also loved challenging their growing brains by completing tasks with three-digit numbers, wow!
As well as future mathematicians, Stage 1 have shown great determination and perseverance towards becoming future olympic gymnasts! Each week we have learnt many skills such as balancing, correct technique for cartwheels and handstands and how to manoeuvre on the bar all from our gymnastics teacher Nicole Kantek, former Australian Olympian! All students look forward to these lessons and have shown big improvements across the term. Our muscles and brains are definitely looking forward to a restful school holidays.
Stage 2 News
Stage 2 have had an amazing second half of Term 1!
This term we have been busy with our STEM Unit which is run by Miss Kabboura. Students have been learning about the different types of waste they can find and have worked in groups to create a prototype waste bin. Stage 2 have shown great creativity with their designs.
Throughout the term, Stage 2 have been learning about different cultures in History. Students have learned about different cultures and traditions with a particular focus on Aboriginal culture. They have also been building on their research skills and will be conducting research on a tradition they have learned. Stage 2 have thoroughly enjoyed these lessons and have demonstrated a passion and love for other cultures around the world.
In Week 8, we celebrated Harmony Day where students were encouraged to dress in either the colour orange or their traditional clothing. All classes participated in a Harmony Day activity to express their love for their culture. Many students dressed in their traditional clothing and enjoyed learning about the culture of their peers.
Stage 3 News
This Term, Year 5 and 6 students have been participating in t-ball lessons as part of their Physical Education (PE) unit. Each week, students have been demonstrating increased confidence and dedication by practising catching, fielding, striking and throwing. Throughout the weeks, Stage 3 teachers have taken out their classes to the oval to compete and collaborate in a range of t-ball tournaments. This opportunity has provided students with a deeper understanding of the importance of regularly staying active, working out and cooperating as a team.
In S3 Corowa, the class has been writing buddy letters to the Stage 3 ‘Emu’ class at Corowa Public School. The class has been doing research about how important Corowa is, and the role it played leading up to the federation of Australia. Located right on the NSW/Victorian border next to the Murray River, Corowa has a population size very similar to Guildford West. Students are learning what it is like to go to school out in the country, and we are looking forward to learning more about our new buddies.
Opportunity Classes
Is your child a curious learner? Opportunity classes are for high potential and gifted students in Years 5 and 6.
Learn more and apply at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/choosing-a-school/opportunity-classes
Guildford West Public School
Email: guildfordw-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: www.guildfordw-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
Location: 23-51 Palmer Street, Guildford West NSW, Australia
Phone: (02) 9632-9942
Facebook: guildfordwestps