UNANDERRA PUBLIC Principals MessageWeek 8 has arrived and we have certainly been busy learning and playing at UPS. Some of the students have been enjoying playing with skipping ropes, blocks and dancing during lunch times while other students have been joining in the five minute basketball games run by Mr Tanner during recess times. The students have been eating lunch with their classes each day over the past two weeks and this has proven to be quite successful. Recess eating time continues to be supervised by teachers while children are seated in stage groups outside before playing. Arrival and Departure Afternoon dismissal and morning drop off for all of our students continues to be quite seamless. The students have impressed us all with their growing independence and ability to be in the right place at the right time during these transition times. The UPS staff thank the parents/carers for the continued support of our procedures in ensuring all students enter and exit our school grounds safely. Digital and Online Procedures at UPS Earlier this week Stage 3 participated in a Cyber Safety talk presented by Lake Illawarra Police. Students were reminded of the use of digital devices and the age requirements of access to certain social media platforms. Child safety and protection is paramount and we encourage all families to become familiar with the guidelines around the recreational use of online platforms such as Snap Chat, TikTok and YouTube to name a few. Additionally, online gaming and interacting with unknown people can be potentially dangerous and also requires parental guidance and close monitoring. Unanderra Public School are currently updating the Digital and online School procedures. Our school acknowledges the educational value of digital devices and online services in supporting and enhancing educational outcomes and student wellbeing. We also recognise they may cause harm if used inappropriately and that we need to support our students to use them in safe, responsible and respectful ways. Students' safe, responsible and respectful use of digital devices and online services is the shared responsibility of students, parents, carers and school staff. This policy covers student use of digital devices (personal or school provided) and online services in school-related settings, specifically on school grounds, at school-related activities and outside of school where there is a clear and close connection between the school and student conduct. Unanderra Public School students are not permitted to use digital devices during class, at recess and at lunch unless approved by a principal or teacher. Digital devices are electronic devices that can receive, store, process and share digital information and connect to applications (apps), websites and other online services. They include desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones and other devices. All personal digital devices must be stored in the office during the school day and collected at the end of the day. We thank the parents/carers for their support on this very important matter. FLO GIRLS Program The school will be providing girls in Year 6 with the opportunity to participate in the FLO GIRLS Program, consisting of five Workshops throughout Terms 1 and 2. The Workshops will be run by Jenna Claire, founder of FLO GIRLS, Girls Coach & Mentor. Jenna is also an Accredited Teacher with a Bachelor of Psychology and a degree in Education, along with being a Certified Holistic Life Coach and Health Coach. The Workshops (45 min each session) will be educational and inspiring, with the aim of equipping our girls with high-impact skills, techniques and tools to be their most positive selves. Students will be placed in two groups of ten and content will be age appropriate in its delivery. The Workshops will focus on self-worth, resilience, confidence, positive communication and healthy friendship. This program has been funded by our very generous P &C Committee who always work hard to provide our students with support and encouragement. Thank you! School Planning and Strategic Directions We have now completed the Situational Analysis of our school and have considered carefully the three Strategic Directions around which we will focus on to improve student learning, achievement and engagement at Unanderra Public School for our Strategic Improvement Plan 2021—2024.
Canteen 2021 A tender was advertised for the canteen at UPS for 2021. The closing date is 19 March at 3pm. We will certainly advise the P & C of the progress of this process as we proceed. My sincere thanks to Jodien, Rikki-Lee and Carolina (S.A.M) for assisting me in this extended application process. No Hat Play in the Shade Students are to wear school hats. Students who do not have their school hat will be told to play in a designated shaded area. School hats may be purchased from the administration office for $11 cash as the P &C source and coordinate this. School Uniform We all take great pride in belonging to Unanderra Public School community. It is expected that all students wear the correct school uniform each day. As the weather becomes cooler a number of colourful jumpers and socks are appearing at school. Only school jumpers and full school uniform is to be worn by all students to school. Jumpers advertising clubs etc are not permitted. If, this request causes any financial difficulties please contact the school to arrange to speak with Mrs Rajendra. Staffing Update As you may be aware Mrs Cody Breasley has accepted a position at another school for the remainder of 2021. We congratulate her on this career opportunity and look forward to seeing her at the start of 2022. Firstly, I extend my appreciation to the children and families of 5/6BA for their patience and understanding while we have been working towards selecting a teacher through an expression of interest. I am delighted to inform you that Mr James Lloyd has accepted the position of Relieving Assistant Principal, Stage 3 Supervisor for the duration of 2021. Mr Lloyd has been teaching at Bellambi Public School over the past few years and comes to us with incredible skills and outstanding references. I am sure that he will be made to feel very welcome by the Unanderra Public School staff and community. Mr Lloyd will begin officially on Monday 22 March 2021. Mrs Abel will continue to teach 5/6BA each Thursday for the rest of the year as this is Mr Lloyd’s allocated executive release day. A big thank you to Mrs Abel for preparing the teaching and learning program for the casual teachers during this time. Mr Lloyd met the children last Monday morning and I am sure are looking forward to working with him soon. An opportunity for parents/carers to meet Mr Lloyd will be arranged once he has settled in. Evacuation Drill Unanderra Public School had an emergency evacuation drill in Week 6 that required us to assemble in Sheregold Park for a very short time under full teacher supervision. The students had this important safety exercise explained to them and all feedback was communicated and the process was reviewed accordingly. COVID 19 – Update In response to recent parent enquiries of COVID-19 in school staff and students in NSW, have been advised of measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission in school communities. At times all children can become ill and although it may not be COVID-19 related NSW Health requires schools to:
Thank you to our school community for your support and ongoing attention in providing a COVID safe environment for all students and staff. Please refer to the NSW Department of Education or NSW Health websites for further information. Have a fabulous fortnight ahead. Kind Regards, Anissa Rajendra Principal Whats Coming up in Weeks 9 & 10Week 9 Monday 22nd March: Practice Cross Country Walk & Cross County Note due Thursday 25th March: Cross Country Friday 26th March: Harmony Day Activities, Year 6 T-Shirt note due Week 10 Tuesday 30th March: Scripture Assembly 1st April: K-2 Easter Hat Parade This term, 5/6S have been exploring 'identity' as part of our integrated unit 'I am, You Are, We Are'. Students have been exploring and having lots of discussions about their own personal strengths and qualities, and how this differs from everyone in our classroom and school community. Students in 5/6S have also been learning about different character strengths and how to identify them. Students self-identified their own strength that they would like to work on and wrote it on a hexagon that coincides with their strength. Students have also been using these character strengths to make connections with the characters in our text 'Lion'. 5/6D continue to learn about our integrated unit (I am, You Are, We Are) examining the interconnections between people and places, and how this shapes a person’s identity. With a focus on empathy, inclusion and respect, student’s awareness of factors influencing identity has developed along with their understanding and perspectives of others. Students are more receptive to differences including cultural, beliefs, customs, language and values. With a greater understanding that values and attitudes may change over time, part of the unit explores Aboriginal perspectives and our local connections to Dharawal land. This term, students came together to develop a Stage 3 Acknowledgement of Country. The ideas suggested were excellent, as students demonstrated their awareness of culture and local history. Reflecting on their knowledge gained from yarning stories and content learnt in class, the process was collaborative and inclusive. We use this Acknowledgement during our Morning Routine sessions and it is shared by our Indigenous students at the start of our 3-6 assemblies. AssemblyCongratulations to the following students who received a merit award and student of the week awards; KB Merit: Zubair Austin Student of the week: Ruby-Rose KL Merit: Kieran Lily Student of the week: Max KS Merit: Mackenzie Oakland Student of the week: Archie 1S/C Merit: Lucy Nate Student of the week: Anna 1M Merit: Amelia Kiara Student of the week: Trinity 1/2N Merit: Parker Zuhair Student of the week: Amelia 2L Merit: Chloe Zahlia Student of the week: Ava 2B: Merit: Dominic Student of the week: Zoey 3W Merit: Lincoln Elliot Student of the week: Kaitlin 3A Merit: Cameron Zara Student of the week: Chayse 3/4J Merit: Blaire Jaxon Student of the week: Emily 4S Merit: Nevaeh Callum Student of the week: Yerremurra 4W Merit: Jarvis Sophie Student of the week: Penny 5/6BA Merit: Zander Kaitlyn Student of the week: Jett 5/6D Merit: Halona Badley Student of the week: Ella 5/6M Merit: Aiden Peyton Student of the week: Aya 5/6S Merit: Jack Mia Student of the week: Adam Bronze & Silver AwardsCongratulations to the following students who received a bronze and silver award; Bronze: Ayah S Emrah S Phoenix I Cameron J Dakota F Arinja L Holly L Decklyn H Taneeka M Lexie S Oliver C Silver; Aya R Isaac F Gisele F Emeral J Lachlan C Penny H Buddies!Stage 3 have had the opportunity over the past couple of week, to work with the new kindergartens at the school. Stage 3 student's have been showing the kindergartens how to be safe, respectful and responsible learners around the school. The students have had the opportunity to work together in the garden, teach technology skills and have had a picnic together. Easter Mufti Day and donation bonanza |
Unanderra Public School
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