MPS Community Newsletter
9 March, 2021
We are Maryland Public School
'Every child, every opportunity, every day'
Email: maryland-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: https://maryland-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Location: 51 John T Bell Drive, Maryland NSW, Australia
Phone: 4955 9430
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarylandPublic
Twitter: @MarylandPublic
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We celebrate the strength, diversity and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Welcome to Week 7
It was announced at the beginning of the week that restrictions have eased, allowing greater access to school sites for parents and carers. This is welcome and fantastic news.
What hasn't been published as widely, is that 'drop off' and 'pick up' must be done in accordance with local school COVID Safe arrangements.
All teachers, support staff and parents must maintain physical distance from each other (1.5m).
This includes ensuring school pick up and drop off arrangements enable parents / carers to physically distance from one another and from staff.
We encourage parents and carers wherever possible to continue the current practices of dropping children off at the school gates in the mornings.
If your children require assistance to enter the school grounds, you MUST complete the COVID Safe Check In (barcode check in on smart phone) and walk them directly to their classroom to drop their bag off, before they go straight to the playground. Parents are then required to exit the school grounds.
In the afternoons, our gates will open at 2.50 pm. We request that parents do not enter the school grounds prior to this time.
You must complete the COVID Safe Check In before moving to one of the COLA areas to wait for your child.
We respectfully ask that you do not wait outside classrooms or on pathways so we can ensure a safe and quick exit for our 390 students. Teachers will be assisting students to safely exit the school at this time.
We will continue the practice of walking our K-2 classes to the school gates each afternoon where students can meet parents / carers.
Please note that ALL visitors to our school (including parents and carers) are required to do the COVID Safe Check In EVERY time they enter the school grounds.
If you need to speak with your child's teacher, please pre-book this appointment via phone or class dojo.
In accordance with advice from NSW HealthExternal link, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms.
NSW Health has requested that schools encourage anyone who is unwell or has even mild flu-like symptoms, to arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinicsExternal link.
Students and staff with flu-like symptoms need to be tested and provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom-free before being permitted to return to school.
Students who do not undertake a COVID-19 test will not be permitted to return to school for a 10-day period. Additionally, they must be symptom-free for at least 3 days prior to returning to school.
Students who have seasonal allergic rhinitis or another condition that presents similarly to flu-like symptoms are still required to get tested for COVID-19 and return a negative test result. Where their symptoms continue beyond 10 days, students should provide documentation from their GP confirming their symptoms are typical for their condition. If the student develops new or changed symptoms, they should get tested for COVID-19.
Please visit the link provided below for further information.
Our students have developed incredible resilience and independence over the past twelve months which we continue to encourage.
We thank you for your ongoing support.
Teach for Australia Photo Shoot reminder
A reminder for students in the following classes to please return their 'release form' notes by Friday;
KC,K/6G, 1M,3/4B and 5/6K.
Students who have not returned release forms will not be able to participate.
Thank you.
Executive Director and Director Educational Leadership visit
Today, we welcomed Mr Tim McCallum and Mrs Josie Bailey to our school. They were met by our wonderful school captains, Charlee J and Riley M who introduced them to our office staff and invited them to enjoy some refreshments in our staff hub.
Following that, visits to KC, 3/4B and our Support Unit Sensory Room, ensured our guests had terrific opportunities to see the wonderful teaching and learning that occurs every day at MPS.
A lovely afternoon celebrating Public Education!
Have a safe and happy week everyone,
Mrs Van Egmond
Yarn Up and Goal Setting BBQ
We welcome families of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (and students of course) to join us at school on Tuesday 23 March from 3.15pm - 4.15pm for a yarn up and opportunity to discuss goals for 2021. Following this we invite you to stay for a sausage sizzle. We look forward to seeing you all then.
MPS Calendar
Term 1
Tuesday 9 March 2021
- 5.30pm-7.30pm Callaghan College Wallsend Campus Information Session
Thursday 11 March 2021
- Selective High School Test
Monday 15 March 2021
- Orders & money due for the canteen Hot Dog Day
Tuesday 16 March 2021
- 6pm P&C Meeting
Friday 19 March 2021
- Cross Country
- 2022 Year 7 High School Expression of Interest form due
Tuesday 23 March 2021
- Hot Dog Day
- Yarn Up and goal setting 3.15pm - 4.15pm and BBQ afterwards
Wednesday 24 March 2021
- CCWC Online Aspire & CAPA Applications Closes
- 9am Cut-off for Grey & Gold Cards to be handed into the office for Whole School Assembly.
Friday 26 March 2021
- Year 6 Commemorative Polo Shirt payment & order form due
- Year 5 & Year 6 Canberra deposit due
Monday 29 March 2021
- Book Fair
Tuesday 30 March 2021
- Book Fair
Wednesday 31 March 2021
- Whole School Assembly
- Book Fair
Thursday 1 April 2021
- Book Fair
- Last Day of Term 1
Term 2
Monday 19 April 2021
- Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
- Students resume for Term 2
- 6pm P&C Meeting
Friday 30 April 2021
- Zone Cross Country
Stage 3 News
Callaghan College Wallsend Campus Information
Tuesday 9 March 2021: Year 6 Expo from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. All interested families and students are welcome to come along and have a tour of the school, speak to key personnel and current students.
Tuesday 9 March 2021: Transition Tour - Representatives of the Aspire and CAPA Programs will be visiting Partner Primary Schools for a quick concert, display of work, and chat with program coordinators and current students.
Year 7 2022 Aspire & CAPA Program at Callaghan College Wallsend Campus
Callaghan College was established to provide new horizons and new opportunities for our students. In this spirit, Callaghan College Wallsend Campus (CCWC) aims to build upon its programs for talented students by offering enrolment in a Gifted and Talented Extension Program (Aspire Program) and Creating and Performing Arts Enrichment Program (CAPA Program).
Only students who live in our designated zone are eligible to apply for these programs.
For more information click on the link : Callaghan Wallsend Campus
Library News
Scholastic Book Fair Term 1!
We are very excited to once again be holding our Term 1 Scholastic Book Fair!
- When: Week 10, Monday 29 March - Thursday 1 April.
- How: All students K-6 will be able to purchase books in their normal library lesson time and additionally during lunch times.
- Where: School Library
- How Much: Books range from $4 - $35. Individual books and book packs are available to purchase.
Additional information and brochures will be sent home in the coming weeks, keep a look out! Every dollar spent by students at the book fair, raises money for the library to purchase new books for all students to enjoy and borrow! Any purchase is appreciated.
Mrs Shaw (Teacher Librarian)
Sport News
Crossroads Zone PSSA Trials
Football Trials - Congratulations to Harry S for his selection in the Crossroads Zone Football Team.
Netball - Congratulations to Madi B for her selection in the Crossroads Zone Netball Team.
Sport - This term students are trialling for the Athletics Carnival in high jump, long jump, discus and shot. The top 8-10 students will then compete at the school carnival in Term 2.
PE - During PE sessions students are completing activities relating to endurance in readiness for the Cross Country in Week 8.
P & C News
Canteen News
New Uniform Shop News
- Tuesday 8.30am - 9.30am
- Thursday 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Preloved uniform news
Opening hours this week are
- Tuesday 8.30am 9.00am
- Thursday 2.30pm to 3.00pm