UNANDERRA PUBLIC Principal's MessageDear Parents/Carers, As you will be aware the COVID-19 restrictions have been further tightened across NSW including in our school. Unanderra Public School staff continue to become familiar with the updated guidelines as each day evolves. Although the transition once again to learning from home can feel somewhat overwhelming at times the staff at Unanderra Public School aim to make this as seamless as possible. Further information regarding the current Term 3 guidelines released by the NSW DoE can be found in the following link; https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families/schools-in-greater-sydney1 Parent/Carer and Student Wellbeing As ongoing restrictions continue to change, please feel reassured that the staff at Unanderra Public School are always happy to assist where and when they can. We have seen in the past eighteen months that our students (K-6) can be resilient and are capable of doing many tasks independently and successfully. I am confident that during this lock down period our children will once again demonstrate their strength and resilience. As the adults in their lives we are privileged to be able to nurture and encourage our children to achieve socially, emotionally and academically beyond their potential. With this in mind I encourage all of the adults in our families to take the time to ensure that your own health and well being is in check as we know that our children are certainly relying on you that little bit more during this time. Please take the time to explore the link below as it is one of the many great resources that can be accessed for some additional supports. https://sites.google.com/education.nsw.gov.au/wellbeingresources The NSW DoE have great resources on their website that provide information and resources for teachers and parents to support learning from home and self -care tips for parents. Teaching strategies and resources, learning sequences, student workbooks and materials are being regularly added to for students from preschool through to Year 12. These resources are available to the public and I encourage parents to visit this links during this learning from home period. https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/parent-and-carers-toolkit/self-care-tips-for-parents Playground Updates Recently the landscaping company Natural Habitats completed a magnificent project in our playground consisting of beautiful plants, logs and a dry creek bed. At this stage the children will not be playing in it as the plants need time to grow and become strong. I know that the children are looking forward to spending time exploring, sitting and enjoying this long awaited garden area. Thank you to Natural Habitats, the children, staff and school community for their patience during this building period. It really is beautiful! Attendance All students who are learning from home will be marked as attending school, based on the student’s engagement with their class teacher during online learning. This week we are asking that children upload one piece of evidence of learning each day as requested by their class teacher. From either this evidence and/or contact with students and their families via phone or Seesaw, teachers will monitor student work and engagement. An absence of regular contact between the teacher and the student will result in the teacher and/or the school working together to work through any issues including access to either the hard copy or digital booklet and resources that can impact on remote online learning. Persistent and ongoing lack of student engagement and parent/carer contact, will result in students being determined as having an unexplained absence from school. Please remember we are always here to support and assist your child/ren to learn in any way they can. Students who need to be at School Unanderra Public School will remain open for those students whose parents/carers who are required to be at work (essential workers) and those where school is the safest place to be during this time. Parents/carers who are considered to be essential workers in areas such as health, education, emergency services, food and produce services, cleaning services etc, are able to access supervision for their child’s learning at school. Learning from Home or at School- learning access and expectations are the same As directed by the NSW DoE minimal staff will be at school each day and therefore minimal teaching supervision will be provided. Students will be completing the same online unit of work that students at home will be doing. Students attending school will be placed in similar aged cohorts and will have the same set unit of work (digital booklet or hard copy) learning supervised by a teacher. Support will be provided in a similar way to those students working from home. Parents and carers working with their children from home are reminded that they do not need to replicate the whole school experience but rather enjoy spending time with your child/ren. This may include reading, playing, cooking singing, building, making and creating and gardening just to name a few activities. We absolutely understand that parents and carers are not their child’s classroom teacher. Reassuring your child and being a calm and positive role model in their lives is what you do best and we ask that you continue to do this. Below is a link to the parent’s toolkit from the NSW DoE that shares great information that may be helpful during this time. https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/parent-and-carers-toolkit Health and Safety in our School As mentioned in previous correspondence face masks are now required to be worn by all staff, whilst they are indoors. If your child must attend school and wishes to wear a mask they will be fully supported to do so. Enhanced cleaning arrangements will remain in place throughout this period and students will be asked to sanitise their hands frequently throughout the day. Additional cleaning will take place before and after each school day as well as throughout the day. PPE and hygiene packs have been distributed to school by NSW DoE. These supplies include masks, gloves, wipes, hand sanitiser and soap. Unfortunately, our school canteen will not be in operation during this week and as we are informed of the NSW Health and NSW DoE next steps we will let you know when they will be open again. Upcoming Events and School /NSW DoE activities Southern Stars has been postponed until the 5th and 6th November 2021, and all school planned activities including education week are being reviewed by staff. Updates of when, where and how these events will take place will be shared as soon as we know. Masterclasses at Figtree High School are currently on hold until further notice. HPAG classes are currently on hold until further notice. NSW Health advice To minimise further spread of COVID-19, NSW Health has advised that schools in these areas are required to implement the following steps immediately:
NSW Health regularly updates its advice and additional updates will be provided as the current situation evolves. NSW Government website Students and staff should not attend work or school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurring symptoms, a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test result. Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms is strongly encouraged to get tested immediately and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Locations of testing clinics are available via the NSW government website. Entering the school site Please remember that parents and visitors are not able to come on site unless specific arrangements have been made with the school. Any person entering our school administration area is expected to sign in using the QR code, sanitise hands, wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols. Pick up and Drop off Arrangements Please note that school pick up and drop off organisation and times remain the same. Parents/Carers are expected to wait outside the school gates (whether it is front or back) to collect their child/ren and remain in your car if it is safe to do so. Teachers will continue to supervise students exiting the school grounds each afternoon. Mask wearing by adults during this time is encouraged and please remember that physical distancing guidelines are adhered to at all times. Additional information Parents/carers are welcome to contact the school to discuss any individual health care needs of their child. Please ensure that any changes to medication or care arrangements for your child are reported to the office as soon as possible. Any adults or children experiencing flu like symptoms or are feeling unwell should not attend school. I truly understand that this continues to be an exhaustive list of expectations and requirements in order to keep our staff, students and whole school community safe. I thank you all for understanding and providing feedback when requested. In order to ensure that everyone has access to the information and the online and remote learning packages we will continue to provide as many updates as possible. As usual the UPS staff really appreciate the ongoing and continued understanding and support received from the school community. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office, should you require any further information. Email [email protected] or telephone: 42728730 Stay safe Kind Regards, Anissa Rajendra Upcoming EventsWednesday 21st July Spelling Bee Final Monday 2nd August P&C Meeting Monday 30th August InterRelate Family Evening Thursday 2nd September Fathers Day Stall Saturday 4th September P&C Election Day BBQ and cake stall Friday 10th September P&C Spell-a-thon During Term 2, 3/4J completed a history unit on ‘Community and Remembrance’. We explored how events and aspects of the past have significance in the present. We had a strong focus on our Aboriginal history. We developed our understanding of the importance of country to Aboriginal people, we looked at who our local Aboriginal people are and investigated many of the customs and traditions of Aboriginal people, including Dreamtime stories. We also learned about a range of celebrations and commemorations that have significance in Australia and around the world such as ANZAC day. We created an artwork to show our remembrance of ANZAC day with a silhouette of a soldier. We also showed our appreciation of the traditional Aboriginal custom of dot painting with our animal artworks. We hope you enjoy them! Mrs Jackson and 3/4J In Term 2 in 5/6M, our history focus was Game Changers in Australian History. In morning routine, we learnt about the noteworthy Australians who appear on Australian currency. David Unaipon, who appears on the $50 note, was an inventor and the first Aboriginal Australian author to be published. We also looked at recent role models, such as Cathy Freeman and why her achievements were significant to Australia as a nation and the sporting world. During Reconciliation week, we learnt about Aboriginal Astronomy, and how the constellation ‘Dinewan’ the Emu in the Sky informs people when to hunt emu eggs and when to leave them alone as they are chicks. The students have approached discussion time with thoughtful contributions and enthusiasm for learning. We look forward to learning how Aboriginal people have cared for the land and environment in this term’s unit of work. Gold AssemblyGold Level One 1M Lani M Bronte W 2B Bridget B Samuel C Zoey C Keira G Loralee H 2L Charlotte B Millie B Ava C Kayleigh H Memphis H Diesel W 3W Izaiah L Gold Level 2 3A Stefan J 3W Kimberley T 3/4J Emily P Serena R Amy S 4W Siara Phi Halil S Sofie W Braxton Z 5/6S Ryan W Gold level 3 3/4J Matilda C Decklyn H 4W Adina M 5/6S Shaylah A Gemma C 5/6LA Jed B Ela S Gold Level 4 5/6S Noah F 5/6LA Angus H Gold Level 5 5/6S Indiana H Assembly3W Merit: Chase C Ty P Student of the week: Jacob B 3A Merit: Student of the week: Jackson K 3/4J Merit: Ryley N Student of the week: Anastasia W 4S Merit: Ozzy L Lily E Student of the week: Bentley C 4W Merit: Lindsay D Oscar R.V Student of the week: Siara P 5/6BA Merit: Ela S Student of the week: Zoe M 5/6D Merit: Lexie S Axel C Student of the week: Halona J 5/6M Merit: Student of the week: Torah G 5/6S Merit: Oliver C Ryan W Student of the week: Bentley P Bronze & Silver AwardsBronze Awards; Ebony C Levi R Sienna M Ozzy L Jahkobi W Taliah C Alex W Jayden V Benjamin A Sarash M Silver Awards; Milica J Liam C Charles H Callum L Kylah-Rose T Caleb P Aya S Bentley C Be Kinder DayUnanderra Public School celebrated B Kinder day on the 22nd of June, supporting the Fly High Billie Foundation. Students dressed in various colours of the rainbow and worked as a team with their classes to decorate the outsides of their classrooms to create a fantastic Kindness walk. Throughout the Kindness walk, students completed kindness challenges with their peers and finished with a fantastic dance party on Gorgeous Grass. At the end of the day, buddy classes came together to complete activities focusing on the spirit of kindness. Overall the students of UPS had a fantastic day and we appreciate parents and careers for helping our school support this great day. Athletics CarnivalCongratulations to all the students to came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in an event at the Athletics Carnival. Age Champions are still yet to be announced. Community News
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Unanderra Public School
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