23 Sep 2020
TELL THEM FROM ME – PARENT SURVEY
Our school will be participating in the Partners in Learning parent survey, another part of the Tell Them From Me suite of surveys (student, teacher and parent surveys) on student engagement. The survey asks parents and carers questions about different factors that are known to impact on student wellbeing and engagement.
Running this survey will help our school understand parents’ and carers’ perspectives on their child’s experience at school. These include: communication between parents/carers and staff, activities and practices at home and parent/carer views on the school's support of learning and behaviour. This valuable feedback will help our school make practical improvements.
The survey is conducted entirely online on smartphones, iPads, tablets, laptops or computers. The survey will typically take 15 minutes or less to complete and is completely confidential. The survey will close on Friday 9 October. Although participating in the survey is entirely voluntary, your responses are very much appreciated. As an incentive to participate, one lucky family will receive a $50 gift voucher to spend at the canteen.
The link for the survey is http://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/carlo
TERM 3 THANK YOU
Strangely enough, Term 3 is the first full term that our students have completed at school this year.
In an ever changing landscape of COVID-19 rules and regulations, our students and staff have demonstrated flexibility, patience and resilience to make CPS such a positive place in an uncertain world.
Thank you to our community for their flexibility and support in abiding by COVID-19 guidelines to ensure our school community is safe.
FRIDAY FUN DAY
To celebrate the end of term, the Student Representative Council (SRC) is organising Friday Fun Day, this Friday, 25 September.
What to wear: Students will be given the opportunity to wear a weird and wonderful hairstyle or hat. Another option suggested by the SRC was to wear some interesting socks or stockings (e.g. colourful, mis-matching, footy socks). The rest of their school uniform will be as normal. There is no cost to the students.
Thanks to our SRC, Mr Oram and Miss Cheung for their efforts in organising Friday Fun Day.
LITERACY DAY CELEBRATIONS
This year Literacy Day will be held on Tuesday 20 October, 2020. Students and teachers are asked to come to school dressed up as their favourite book character. Some suggestions for book characters include Tashi, Paddington Bear, dragons, pirates, bears, princesses, animals, make believe, Cinderella, Charlie & Lola, Where’s Wally, Pingu, Rainbow Fish, Harry Potter characters - the list is endless.
Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions this year, parents and guests are unable to attend. Each stage will hold a short parade to display their amazing costumes. Book week promotes engaging communities with literature for young readers, something the Children’s Book Council of Australia has proudly supported for over 70 years.
MULTICULTURAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION RESULTS
Earlier this term, students in Year 3 – 6 participated in the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking competition. Congratulations to Kayla (3P) and Sana (4A) who were selected as our Stage 2 winners and Yannis (5/6P) and Rashi (6NB) who were our Stage 3 winners.
These students then represented our school at the district competition. Kayla and Yannis took out first place as Stage 2 and Stage 3 winners while Rashi received a highly commended award. Kayla and Yannis will now progress to the regional finals in Term 4.
KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION FOR 2021 STUDENTS
Normally at this time of the year, we would be planning our Term 4 Kindergarten transition sessions for next year’s intake of students. However under current Department of Education and NSW Health guidelines, all Kindergarten transition programs have been placed ‘on hold’ until further notice.
As a school, we value strong partnerships between families and school as a key ingredient to a successful transition into our Carlingford Public School (CPS) community. In coming weeks, you'll see a new tab on our school's website under Kindergarten 2021. New families will be able to access information about:
- How to enrol
- Getting Ready for Primary School
- What will I need to pack in their school bag?
- Where do I buy the school uniform?
Next term, we will be releasing videos for families to get a taste of what it's like to be a part of our school. :
These videos will include,
- A day in the life of a Kindergarten student at CPS
- What do the school grounds look like?
- What does a Kindergarten classroom look like?
- Who will I meet?
If the decision to cancel all Kindergarten transition program is made, we will hold our Kindergarten Transition Program in the first few weeks of 2021. More information regarding Kindergarten Transition and starting dates will be communicated as soon as we know. In the meantime, if you know of any families who would like to join our Kindergarten cohort next year but have yet to enrol, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible so that we can personally update them via email.
MERIT SELECTION PROCESS
During the holidays we will be advertising for our unfilled classroom teacher position, vacated by Mr McBain. The position will be filled through merit selection, with applicants having to submit a CV, before being selected to proceed to interview.
The panel will be run by Mrs Kristensen, our relieving Deputy Principal. Panel members will consist of Mrs Pogainis (teacher rep), Emily Wong (community rep) and Priyanka Malhotra (EAL/D community rep). The successful applicant will commence duty in 2021.
TERM 4 STAFFING UPDATE
Mrs Castelletti and Mrs Seaegg will be on leave for the remainder of 2020.
Mr Chris Foo will take Mrs Seaegg’s technology role, teaching technology to the students three days a week.
Mrs Castelletti’s Teacher Librarian role will be filled by Mrs Jenkins on Monday, Miss Hannah Monck on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Mr Foo doing Thursday and Fridays. These teachers will deliver Term 4 programs planned in conjunction with Stage teams.
P&C PARKING ZONE SURVEY
Thank you to our community for their responses to the P&C Parking Zone Survey. We had over 150 responses submitted. The survey is now closed.
The data will be used to help make decisions that will provide the safest possible environment for our community.
SCHOOL UNIFORM REMINDER
Carlingford Public School prides itself on teamwork and everyone working together. As with any successful team, a uniform is an essential part of creating a sense of belonging and pride.
Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of students presenting at school not wearing CPS uniform. Just a reminder that students are expected to wear full school uniform to school (including correct hat & black shoes).
Congratulations to our families who are sending their children to school in correct school uniform every day. Any families facing financial hardship, unable to provide a school uniform for their child/ren, are urged to contact Mr Hinton for assistance.
AFTERNOON STUDENT PICK UP
The school gates are open from 3:00-3:30pm in the afternoon for student pick up. Please ensure you collect your child/ren quickly in the afternoon and move off the school grounds promptly. The equipment and playground are not open for play in the afternoon. It is important that parents maintain social distancing when on the school grounds. If these guidelines are not followed the school will be required to revisit afternoon pick up protocols and parents may need to be excluded from onsite pick up in the afternoons for the safety of the school community.
HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAYS
I wish students, staff and parents a well - earned, safe and relaxing holiday. Staff and students return to school on Monday, 12 October.
Neil Hinton
Principal.
