Blue Mountains Grammar School Newsletter

Vol 8, 20th March, 2020

FROM THE HEADMASTER Brave in a New World There have been many occasions over the thirteen years of my headship that I have advocated for growing capable young people fit to meet the challenge of an uncertain future. Have we now arrived at that future? It certainly feels uncertain! So much so, that I meet daily with the Deputy Head and Business Manager to re-evaluate our COVID-19 Pandemic Plan. So much so, that each week our Heads of School consider afresh the events to come and any modifications necessary to comply with our Plan. So much so, that parents have to consider each and every family routine, looking at them from a new perspective, to decide whether they too need to be changed. So, as we each vary our routines to accommodate government directives, personal and family safety, and responsible citizenship, let’s take our children along for the ride; not the kind of ride where they are in the back seat of the car strapped into a child restraint, but the kind where we are each riding our own bikes discussing whether to turn left or right or whether to keep going straight. Let’s view this whole experience as a learning opportunity for School leaders, for teachers, for parents, for young people and for children. Every day we do not learn is a day wasted. Let’s not waste a day. Mr. Ian Maynard Headmaster

COVID-19 Pandemic Plan: School Community Briefings In addition to the regular emails from the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster, updates and briefings regarding the School’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic will be posted on our website as each are released. Click here for the latest video briefing published by the Headmaster, and click here for the COVID-19 FAQ Facts Sheet,.

FROM THE CHAPLAIN A Prayer for These Times Dear Heavenly Father, During these days of uncertainty, help us to be certain of our trust in You. Give us strength to be strong for those who need us, build us up to be a non-anxious presence in an inevitably anxious time. Because we can’t help with our hands, may You replenish our hearts so we can love each other just as Christ loves us. We ask for your protection over the sick, the vulnerable, the less-fortunate, and for comfort to those who are suffering and mourning what has been lost. God, we ask that if it is in Your will, for COVID-19 to be stopped so that healing can truly begin. We do not always understand why things are happening the way they are, but we know You are pure and good, You are Love. Please help us to look to You as our lighthouse during these uncertain days, and for our faith not to be shaken but to grow stronger as we rely on You for a way forward. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen. Mr. Luke Webb

FROM THE PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION Due to several matters including, but not limited to, the COVID-19 we were unable to hold the AGM on Tuesday, 17th March. This meeting will now be rescheduled for the first available opportunity. In the interim, however, I, together with the 2019/2020 Executive Committee Members, Mrs. Kate Klein (Treasurer) and Mrs Yolande Boys (Secretary) and Mrs. Bonnie Mamo (Junior School Representative) will continue in our roles and will continue to meet the obligations of the Association until such time as the AGM can be held. In the meantime, an election was held for the Preparatory Campus Parents’ & Friends’ Association, and we welcome Ms Michelle Magill, who will take up the role of Campus Representative and Chair of their Committee, with Mrs. Natalie Sommerville stepping into the role of Secretary, and Mr. David Sommerville into the role of Treasurer. We also welcome new Committee members Mrs. Sarah Rodgers, Mr. Mark Rodgers and Mark Kinnear. Mr Michael Magill Chair, BMGS Parents’ & Friends’ Association

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Responsible Pet Visit On Wednesday this week our students enjoyed a visit from a furry friend to learn more about being a responsible pet owner.

Sharon, with her dog Jaffa, led the learning for our Pre-K to Year 2 students. The topics covered included being a responsible pet owner and dog safety today, as well as the four steps to approaching an unknown dog: 1. Stop 2. Ask the owner for permission

to pat 3. Place hand out for the dog to

sniff 4. Stroke gently on their back

Parent/Teacher Interviews With our Parent/Teacher interviews evening coming up next week, please see helpful hints below for getting the most out of your time.

The website https://raisingchildren.net.au/ has the following advice for preparing for an interview with your child’s teacher:

What to talk about at parent-teacher interviews To get the most out of parent-teacher interviews, it helps to be well prepared.

It can help to take a list of questions and information with you to interviews so you remember what you want to talk about. The interview time tends to pass quickly.

If you’re not sure what to talk about, here are some questions to get you started: What are my child’s interests and strengths? What does my child struggle with? How much homework should my child be completing every night? What can I do at home to help my child with schoolwork? What can you tell me about my child’s behaviour in class? How is my child getting along with other students? What support services are available for my child at this school?

If you don’t get through everything you want to discuss, you might need to arrange another meeting with your child’s teacher.

Talking with the teacher: tips Being open and friendly will set you up for positive communication with the teacher. You can show that you respect what the teacher is saying by listening carefully and trying not to become defensive, even if you disagree with feedback about your child.

It’s important to get as much out of the meeting as you can, so it’s OK to be direct when you need to be. For example, you can ask the teacher to explain, clarify or say more if you don’t understand what’s being said.

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

If you have a concern about something, try to be specific and avoid blame. Combining a request with understanding will usually help. For example, ‘Freya says that when you explain things it makes it clearer to her. Would you mind if she asked you to take more time to explain when she’s learning something new?’ It can also help if you mention something positive at the same time. If you have to discuss problems with the teacher, it helps to come ready with some possible solutions, or at least some positive and practical suggestions. Be willing to listen to the teacher’s ideas too. If you make any decisions, it’s good to agree on who will follow up and when. Preparatory School Awards: Kindergarten: Michael Lynch Stage 1: Connor Diskin and Jari Povelsen Stage 2: Rose Cottle and Carlia Diskin Miss Alicia Brace

IMPORTANT NOTICE RE UNIFORM SHOP

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO UNIFORM SHOP OPERATIONS: With effect from Monday 22nd March, 2020, parents are advised that, in the immediate future, the Uniform Shop will be closed to public visits, and will operate on a ‘Pick-and Pack’ basis only. If you require any items of School uniform, please email Mrs. Kymberley Arrell on mailto:uniformshop@bmgs.nsw.edu.au OR please call 4757 9004 to place orders (Mon/Tues only). These orders will then be processed and packed, ready for collection from Coorah Reception the following day (Wednesdays). Please note that the dispatch of uniform items to our Valley Heights campus, via the School Shuttle, will continue as per normal. We thank you, in advance, for your understanding as we make this necessary change to our Uniform Shop operations, and will advise the School Community as soon as normal operations can recommence. Mrs. Kymberley Arrell

JUNIOR SCHOOL

FROM THE HEAD OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL What a difference a week makes and here at School we have been adapting daily to current challenges created by the desire to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The children are being well-informed by their teachers at an appropriate level when questions are raised, and I have recently emailed home some useful documents that can help at home in dealing with any discussions that may come up surrounding the coronavirus. Please do contact the School if you are seeking help or support. We have contingency plans in place in the event of School closure to facilitate learning from home using online platforms. If the need arises, you will be informed as to how to engage with such platforms. Already there is some learning online taking place in our older classes which are experiencing significant absences. Teachers have been discussing with their classes good hygiene practice and encouraging the children to wash their hands with soap and water before eating and after playing outside. We have also installed hand sanitiser units in each classroom and taught the children how to use these as an added measure to encourage good hygiene. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel all remaining excursions for the term which includes HICES debates, Kids’ Lit Quiz and attending the CIS Swimming Carnival. It was also felt prudent to postpone Grandparents’ Day to a date later in the year when the situation with Coronavirus is less volatile. Additionally, IPSHA have cancelled this year’s Performing Arts Festival and all organisations that bring schools together (IPSHA, HICES, CIS) will be reviewing all future events set down for Term 2 and beyond. As information comes to hand I will be sure to inform you. Our Inter-House Cross Country Carnival scheduled for 3rd April will be going ahead at this stage given that it is an outside event and we can use space to mitigate against too much close contact. Whilst the situation is serious, it is important to remain calm and focused on what is within our control and this is what we are trying to maintain at School. I appreciate it must be much the same in the home environment and as always, we are keen to partner with families to see us through these unusual times and reach the best possible outcomes that we can. Again, please do contact the School if you have any concerns. In other news, it was great to see so many parents engaging with the class teachers during Parent/Teacher Interviews last week. If you missed the opportunity and would like to arrange a meeting, please contact the relevant teacher who would be happy to arrange one with you. To finish on a cheerier note, Pre-Kindergarten had a very exciting time last week when teddy bears came to visit and Mrs. Gwyther writes further on this below. Student Awards This week the following award was presented at Assembly: Bronze Award – Kelan Robinson (Stage 2 Grove’s Paperbark) Mr. Nigel Cockington

JUNIOR SCHOOL

EARLY LEARNING TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC

Pre-Kindergarten had a very exciting week when our teddy bears came to visit. The Teddy Bear Hospital was busy with toys needing attention and we created specially designed cars and beds for them. On Friday we celebrated with a Teddy Bears' Picnic that had dancing, games and a storytelling adventure. It was great to have so many family members sharing in our escapades.

Mrs. Angela Gwyther

FROM THE JUNIOR SCHOOL PARENTS’ & FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION

Thank you to everyone whom came along to our Flip Out Inter-Campus social event last weekend, and we fundraised $250 for our School.

We have commenced our annual Cadbury Easter Egg fundraiser. Please place your orders as soon as possible. While our order deadline is next Tuesday, 24th March, Cadbury has actually run out of stock this year and they are eager to sell our BMGS reserved stock that I ordered earlier in the year. Mrs. Bonnie Mamo

JUNIOR SCHOOL

SENIOR SCHOOL

FROM THE DEPUTY HEAD – HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL In this strange season of Coronavirus, I have taken the unfortunate step of cancelling or postponing a range of events across the Senior School between now and the end of Term 1. Please be aware that the safety of our children and staff is our first priority, and for each and every event we are conducting a detailed risk assessment. At the heart of such risk assessment sits the possibility of exposure to Coronavirus. For this reason, events that send our children out into public places and those in which they might come into contact with crowds have been the focus of our attention. Whilst we understand that our students will quite possibly have contact with the general public in other spheres of life, we are doing everything in our power to ensure their safety. Wilderness Education excursions, in which our students engage with our World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park, will (for the most part) be permitted to go ahead. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at hoss@bmgs.nsw.edu.au.

Mr. Owen Laffin

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM As parents are aware, last night’s Parent/Teacher Interviews for Pitt/Ziele Houses have been postponed. A letter about this was sent last Friday, 13th March, 2020. My office will contact all families impacted when a new date has been set. If your child is in Years 11 or 12 and you are concerned about your child and Stage 6 progress in light of COVID-19, please see this advisory from NESA around advice for students in Years 11 and 12: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/news-stories/news-stories-detail/covid-19-novel-coronavirus I am receiving a lot of inquiries around assessment and the process of what happens if a child is away due to self-isolation or social distancing. Please rest assured that the School has a process for this and I am is looking at each request with a sympathetic eye in order to ease families concerns, especially around assessment stress. Families are encouraged to contact both me and their child’s teacher if they have any questions about this matter. Staff are also being encouraged to put all work on School Portal. Teachers can be emailed as well, although please be aware that staff may only check their emails once or twice throughout the day due to their teaching loads. Departments are also looking at alternative ways of delivering content online in the advent of a School closure, Again, if you have any concerns, please contact my office Mr. Tristan Forsyth

SENIOR SCHOOL

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF WELLBEING AND INCLUSION It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you are hearing about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) right now. It is also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV – or hearing from other people – so they can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, stress and sadness. However, having an open, supportive discussion with your children can help them understand, cope and even make a positive contribution for others. See tips below from Beyond Blue: Looking after Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak We recognise and understand the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offer the following wellbeing advice:

1. Try to maintain perspective While it is reasonable for people to be concerned about the outbreak of coronavirus, try to remember that medical, scientific and public health experts around the world are working hard to contain the virus, treat those affected and develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.

2. Find a healthy balance in relation to media coverage

Being exposed to large volumes of negative information can heighten feelings of anxiety. While it’s important to stay informed, you may find it useful to limit your media intake if it is upsetting you or your family.

3. Access good quality information

It’s important to get accurate information from credible sources such as those listed below. This will also help you maintain perspective and feel more in control. World Health Organization – coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak Australian Government coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert smartraveller.gov.au – travel information for Australian citizens

4. Conversations with children and young people

Families and caregivers of children and young people should discuss news of the virus with those in their care in an open and honest way. Try to relate the facts without causing alarm, and in a way that is appropriate for their age and temperament. It is important to listen to any questions they may have, to let them know that they are safe and that it’s normal to feel concerned. If the media or the news is getting too much for them, encourage them to limit their exposure.

5. Try to maintain a practical and calm approach

Widespread panic can complicate efforts to manage the outbreak effectively. Do your best to stay calm and follow official advice, particularly around observing good hygiene habits.

The Australian Psychological Society has advice about maintaining positive mental health during the outbreak.

6. Try not to make assumptions

To contribute to a sense of community wellbeing, try to remember that the coronavirus can affect anyone regardless of their nationality or ethnicity.

SENIOR SCHOOL

7. Seek support It is normal to feel overwhelmed by news of the outbreak, particularly if you have experienced mental health issues before.

Where possible, it can help to maintain normal routines. It can also help to stay in touch with friends and family, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active.

8. Acknowledge feelings of distress and seek further professional support if required.

Beyond Blue has fact sheets about anxiety and offers other practical advice and resources at beyondblue.org.au.

The Beyond Blue Support Service offers short term counselling and referrals by phone and webchat on 1300 22 4636 Mrs. Alicia Michielsen

FROM THE HEAD OF MATHEMATICS

Mathematics Tutoring takes place in the LRC every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, from 3:15pm to 4:45pm.

Bring along your Mathematics books and seek help with any areas of concern, with revision for assessment tasks or with enrichment.

Mrs. Samantha Coultas

FROM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

English Tutoring The Senior School LRC was buzzing last week as Year 10 English students sought some last minute advice on their 'Poet Study' submissions.

Remember, access to after-school tutoring is available to all Senior School students on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Click the link to visit our new information page if you'd like to know more.

Mr. Greg Horne

FROM THE HEAD OF MUSIC Music Soiree #1 Congratulations to the following students who performed at the first Music Soiree for 2020 last Thursday evening: Abbie Clyne (Year 12), guitar and voice; Kara Charlton (Year 12), guitar and voice; Sam Gander (Year 8), piano; William Louis (Year 8), piano; Mary Smallhorn (Year 11), voice; Belle Ashford (Year 12), flute; Bella Antarakis (Year 11), voice; and Sel Hardaker (Year 12), violin. A wonderful variety of music was presented and all students are to be commended on their performances. Thank you to the Music Captains, Sel Hardaker and Belle Ashford who compered the evening and to the audience members who came along to lend their support to our talented students.

Orpheus Strings is a community Chamber

Orchestra. We rehearse every Sunday night in the BMGS Performing Arts Centre Recital Room

from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

We play a wide range of styles of string repertoire and perform a concert in Katoomba at the end of

each term.

New members are very welcome. Please come for a rehearsal and meet us!

For any further information, contact Mrs Elizabeth Harding on 0412 786 381.

SENIOR SCHOOL Encore Concert The Encore HSC showcase performances were cancelled this week. We will keep in touch with NESA and let Year 11 and 12 students know if the performances will be re-scheduled to a later date. Diary Dates Soirée #2: Thursday, 28th May, 7.00pm, PAC Recital Room Mrs. Debbie Smith

FROM THE HEAD OF DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY 2020 F1 In Schools National Finals It was an exciting week at the F1 In Schools National Finals in Melbourne last week, at the Australian Bosch Headquarters. Our team, AWAKEN, consisting of Vaughan Dugdale, John Zhu, Oliver Freeman, Katerina Reynolds and Jared Harris, all put in a fantastic effort to pull their campaign together and make it to the Finals in Melbourne, despite a range of hurdles that they had to overcome. The week is definitely a nonstop time with challenge after challenge arising. Teamwork is paramount under these pressures and these bright young students learnt some valuable life skills in this environment. All states and the ACT sent their best and brightest to the titles. In this star studded field, AWAKEN finished 7th in the Development Class out of the seventeen schools. I am extremely proud of the group’s efforts and the way in which they conducted themselves at all appointments was a credit to themselves and the School. AWAKEN was acknowledged with a special award from the Chair Of Judges, who only bestows two such awards across all 38 teams from both divisions. The Chair of Judges Recognition of Achievement Award, for the mathematical equation they developed to try to predict the track time of their car given a range of variables. He spoke enthusiastically about this process at the presentation ceremony on the Friday night. If any student from Years 7 to 10 is interested in forming, or joining a team, for this year’s F1 In Schools competition, please come and see me as soon as possible to resister your interest. All are very welcome. Mr. Ian Harrison

SENIOR SCHOOL

FROM THE HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT Last Thursday, Year 8 students travelled to Bungawarra for their very first session as part of the inaugural Expedition Time initiative.

Expedition Time is a cross-curriculum project where students will be applying skills they have learnt in both Geography and Science to a real-world setting. They will also get a taste of the types of experiences and learning opportunities offered in the Stage 5 Elective Wilderness Education course. Over the course of six ‘expeditions’, students will be focusing on building sustainable futures by restoring the quality and uniqueness of the natural environment with a purposeful bush regeneration project being their final goal.

This first session was aimed at intentionally noticing their surroundings, empathising with Indigenous elders who taught the students about the spiritual value of the landscape, and applying their skills of map reading to a fun navigation quest.

It was a beautiful day at the School’s outdoor education facility, where students were given the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of what is now a very green landscape!

Miss Laura Hall and Ms Lauren Wade

CHESS CLUB

A reminder to Senior School students that Chess Club is held in ST1 on Tuesdays at lunch times. Social games are being played at lunch times during this Term.

Next term the competition begins. Feel free to come to practise or simply enjoy learning the game or having a friendly game. All levels are welcome.

Mrs. Jackie Tanner

IMPORTANT NOTICE RE UNIFORM SHOP

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO UNIFORM SHOP OPERATIONS:

With effect from Monday 22nd March, 2020, parents are advised that, in the immediate future, the Uniform Shop will be closed to public visits, and will operate on a ‘Pick-and Pack’ basis only. If you require any items of School uniform, please email Mrs. Kymberley Arrell on uniformshop@bmgs.nsw.edu.au OR please call 4757 9004 to place orders (Mon/Tues only). These orders will then be processed and packed, ready for collection from Coorah Reception the following day (Wednesdays).

SENIOR SCHOOL Please note that the dispatch of uniform items to our Valley Heights campus, via the School Shuttle, will continue as per normal.

We thank you, in advance, for your understanding as we make this necessary change to our Uniform Shop operations, and will advise the School Community as soon as normal operations can recommence.

Mrs. Kymberley Arrell

FROM THE HEAD OF SPORT

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, the sporting calendar will have a number of cancellations or postponements. These will be notified on a weekly basis in the School’s Newsletter.

Rugby at BMGS It is disappointing to announce that due to a lack of interest across the School, in 2020 BMGS will only be entering an U16s and an U14s team in the ISA Rugby Competition. Those students who put their names down for the U15s team are permitted to play up in the U16s. Please see Mr Horwood to confirm your position in the team.

Presentation Evenings All summer sport Presentation Evenings have been postponed to Term 2. When new dates are set they will be listed in the Newsletter.

Waratahs Game The trip to watch the Waratah’s rugby match has been cancelled due to cancellations by NSW Rugby.

NSWCIS Swimming The NSWCIS Swimming Carnival to be held in Term 2 is still listed on the calendar. Once the ISA notifies us of those who were successful in making the ISA team, the individual students will be contacted by email.

Football Trials Thank you to all the students who attended the Football skills camp that has been running over the past two weeks. All the feedback I have received so far has been positive. This was a good opportunity for students to work on the fundamentals of the sport prior to the commencement of the season. Our thanks to Max, from One Goal Football, for the work he did with our players over the past two weeks.

Winter Sport Teams A number of sporting teams have been selected. As the teams are finalised they will be posted on the noticeboard outside my office. If you were successful in making a team you need to email uniformshop@bmgs.nsw.edu.au so that your order can be packed for pickup. Payment can be paid using EFTPOS via phone.

If you were unsuccessful in making a team please come and see me at the Sports Office as there may be positions in other sports that you may be able to fill.

Mrs. Megan Harris

THE WEEK AHEAD –MARCH

Friday, 20th March – Harmony Day Friday, 20th March and Saturday, 21st March – Preparatory School Years 2 to 4 Overnight Camp Monday, 23rd March – Year 9 Wilderness Education Class 1, Basic Canoeing Prac, Wentworth Falls Lake Wednesday, 25th March – Year 10 Wilderness Education Class 1, Map Feature Recognition, Sublime Point