UNANDERRA PUBLIC Principals MessageWelcome to our final newsletter for 2020. It has certainly been a different year to the year we anticipated when we all first came together at the start of term one. Today we listened to speeches for leaders in 2021 and I congratulate the many students who have put themselves forward as future leaders of Unanderra Public School. I extend my best wishes to all students involved and congratulate them all on their excellent speeches. Yesterday all of our students enjoyed the Obstacool day that was initiated by our wonderful P&C. The children and teachers alike had a fabulous time climbing, jumping and running which was followed by an ice-block and a sausage sandwich. The success of the day can be attributed to the great collaboration between the P&C and our school staff. Everyone worked so hard to make sure that the children really enjoyed the day. Thank you! Our Colour Explosion will go ahead as planed next Thursday and once again my thanks goes to the wonderful work of both our school staff and the P&C who work together to provide such great opportunities for our children. Last Friday we concluded our Book Week celebrations with a fantastic Book Parade which was coordinated by Miss Prior and embraced by our school community and staff. Everyone made such a great effort to make this day one to remember and I thank everyone who contributed in any way. Our kindergarten orientation program has concluded and I thank Mrs Edwards, Miss Layton and Mr Synnott and our amazing administration staff for their work to ensure that our new students feel welcome and excited to begin school in 2021. We are really looking forward to seeing you all again on Friday 29 January, 2021. Usually at this time of the year we would be hosting a Volunteer Morning Tea, however due to ongoing restrictions we are unable to do this. Although we have not had parent and community volunteers onsite I consider the words and messages of support, patience and understanding given to the UPS staff by our families and whole school community to be deserving of great recognition. We thank you all for everything you have said and done to encourage our teachers, administration and support staff. We look forward to seeing you all more in 2021. The final day for students this year will be Wednesday 16 December 2020. Students in Years 1-6 (2021) will resume school Friday 29 January 2021. Kindergarten students will also start on Friday 29 January 2021 but will have a short day starting at 9am and concluding at 12.00pm. It has been wonderful to welcome a number of new families who have moved into the area. Please advise the school if you know that your child will not be returning to UPS next year (apart from year 6, 2020) to ensure that our student numbers for 2021 are as close to accurate as possible. Alternatively, if you know of friends or family members who intend to enrol their children in Unanderra Public School please ask them to contact the school office for further information. Monday 7 December, is our final P&C meeting for 2020 and I am taking this opportunity to thank our P&C committee in what has certainly been an unprecedented and challenging year. The meeting next Monday meeting will begin at 7pm and will include the opportunity to chat over refreshments and snacks at Mount Kembla Village Hotel. We look forward to seeing those of you who can make it there. Reports will be sent home on Friday 11 December. Last semester student reports were modified due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, this semester our reports have returned to the format used in semester two of 2019. Each student’s report has been written using teacher professional judgement, internal and external data while also referring to state wide standards. The presentation assembly will be held very differently to last year due to current restrictions, however we are certainly planning on ensuring that this occasion doesn’t go unrecognised. Each stage group will host a separate presentation assembly allowing for two adults for each award recipient to attend if they so wish. A COVID-19 Safe plan has been created and I thank the executive teachers for arranging for this to happen. Congratulations to all of our outgoing year 6 students who have managed remarkably throughout this year of unprecedented change and uncertainty. They have shown us that they are ready for the new and exciting learning journey they have to look forward to in 2021 and beyond. We wish them all the very best for their exciting future ahead and can’t wait to see you visit us in the years ahead. The wellbeing and safety of all of our students is paramount and as we move closer the school holidays it is timely that we talk with our children about the importance of staying safe. I have included a flyer that is titled 'Safe People, Safe Places', that provides an opportunity for parents and carers to have this important conversation with their children. Finally, I once again thank the entire Unanderra Public School Community and whole school staff and students for their ongoing support, patience and understanding on what has certainly been a busy, interesting and rewarding first year as principal of Unanderra Public School. I also extend my congratulations to all of our awesome children for making our school a wonderful place to come to each day! I wish you all a restful, happy and safe festive season ahead and look forward to welcoming you all back in 2021. During Term 4, students at UPS have been lucky enough to have the stem.T4L PC robotics kit. This kit is designed for students to engage in computational thinking and STEM concepts through technology. Students from K-6 have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers to design, build and code using technologies such as Ozobot, Lego Mindstorms, Makey Makey and Micro:bits. During these activities, should had to work together to define problems, imagine, ask questions, test their ideas, and then go back and redesign if needed. Students had lots of fun using different technologies this term! As part of the NAIDOC happenings this term, the iLibrary has been celebrating Indigenous Literature ensuring our large collection of stories by Indigenous authors and illustrators has been on display for children to read and explore. Students in Stages 1 and 2 have also been enjoying the Book Week book, ‘Little Bird’s Day’ by the famous Indigenous author, Sally Morgan. In this story, we travel with Little Bird through her day as she interacts and makes connections with the natural elements around her. This book has been shortlisted in the 2020 CBCA Book Week collection in the ‘New Illustrator’ category. Students watched a clip of the Indigenous illustrator, Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr from Arnhem Land, talking about the process of painting and illustrating the pictures for this book. We then headed outside to our new Yarning Circle to listen to the story. After listening to this beautiful story and taking in the wonderful illustrations, students practiced writing sentences using ‘personification’. Personification is a literary tool where the author gives human characteristics to things that are not-human to add interest, connection and/or fun. Take a look at some work samples from 1B and 3/4S as they use personification in their writing. By Ms Prior Teacher Librarian 2020 Book Week… a week full of book Monday Students participated in a Book Week Treasure Hunt at lunchtime, with Ms Prior. Armed with clip boards and a sheet full of clues, students played detective, exploring the playground to find answers to their book questions! Here are just a few of our intrepid explorers! Tuesday A Book Week Scavenger Hunt was held in the library with students finding books on shelf to match the Scavenger Hunt clues! Wednesday Students had the opportunity to create amazing creatures from LEGO with Mrs Alewood. Take a look at what these ‘Wild Minds’ came up with! Thursday K-2 students took part a ‘Book Walk’. Students could read a story as they walked along the edge of their playground! Friday In the morning, students had terrific fun as they participated in book activities, rotating between classrooms and teachers. After reading a story, students painted, crafted, cooked, participated in drama activities, played games and so much more! This was followed by our annual Book Week Parade. Teachers and students came dressed as either characters from a book or something to match the Book Week theme ‘Curious Creatures. Wild Minds!’! While our extended school community were sorely missed, students had a wonderful time. Take a look at the gallery of photos. There were many prizes announced during the parade, with the winners of the Book Week Poster Competition and the Costume Draw being announced. Each winner received a book. Poster Competition Winners: Kindergarten – Ella M Year 1 – Alliana C Year 2 – Lincoln Q Year 3 – Charlotte W Year 4 – Lexie Stephens Year 5 – Jaxson Shipp Year 6 – Rayan Matar Costume Draw Winners: Kindergarten – Miranda J Year 1 – Sam C Year 2 – Elliot S Year 3 – Oscar RV Year 4 – Jett F Year 5 – Sarina B Year 6 – Summer T Finally, in the afternoon, students were able to see a play of the Book Week Shortlisted book ‘Bat vs Poss’ by Alexa Moses, all about sharing, put on by UPS staff. Just ask your children, it was a hoot! Thank you to all the parents for putting together costumes for their children. It is always a memorable day and hopefully next year, we will all be back together again. Rachel Prior Teacher Librarian Primary Gala DayStudents in Stage 2 and Stage 3 were excited to play the long awaited sports Gala Day at Sheargold park last Tuesday. The day coordinated by the dragons and students got to take home some souvenirs. It was a beautiful day for the students to play Dragon Tag against each other. All students played with amazing team spirit and pride. All the teachers are very proud of the sportsmanship that was displayed on the day and look forwards to more Galas Days next year. WEEK 7 ASSEMBLY AWARDS |
Unanderra Public School
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