Website: http://www.kendall-p.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: kendall-p.school@det.nsw.edu 1

Kendall Public School Newsletter

Term 2 Week 4 - 22nd May 2020

Principal’s Message

Welcome to the end of Week 4 with another significant change ahead following the Premier’s announcement that schools will return to face-to-face learning as of Monday 25th May.

We are looking forward to welcoming all students back and resuming more ‘normal’ school operations next week. Although we have seen some faces regularly, teachers, admin and support staff have missed having everyone here. Schools never seem the same without the voices and laughter of children in classrooms and the playground.

As different groups of students have been attending each day, it has been wonderful to see how much they have enjoyed catching up with their friends and sharing their learning at home experiences. I expect that will increase on Monday and we will hear lots of chatter coming from classrooms. By Friday, it is quite likely that teachers and students will be very weary!

Now that learning at home is coming to an end, I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of parents who have supported their children with their learning. We know that it has not been easy, but do appreciate those who have really done their best during this challenging time.

I also commend those students who have shown a high level of commitment to their learning. Again, we know that there have been some challenges but value the efforts of those who have persisted and communicated with teachers to gain assistance. Teachers have closely monitored student work, whether completed online or by returned hard copies. They are fully aware of what work has been accessed and completed by all students and will use this data to support their assessments for Semester 1 reports.

Finally, I congratulate and thank our staff for their commitment to our students and school community. The effort from teachers to undergo extensive professional learning and completely transform their practice was nothing short of exceptional. Teaching in dual modes of online as well as face-to-face has been extremely demanding but their commitment to ensure the best for our children and support families has not wavered. Alongside them, our admin and support staff have also adjusted their roles and provided valuable assistance to teachers, students and parents. What a great team!

Best Wishes,

Leonie Cosgrove

Welcome to our School Chaplain

One new face students will meet on their return is our School Chaplain, Luke Wyllie, also known as ‘Chappy’. Chappy is here on Wednesday and Friday each week, supporting students across the school in their classrooms and also in the playground.

What will the return to face-to-face learning look like at Kendall PS?

On page 2 you will find detailed information regarding the return to face-to-face learning. These guidelines come directly from the Department of Education and apply to all public schools. Some points which are not relevant to primary schools have not been included. Please take the time to read through these guidelines as they address most of the questions being asked by parents.

The following points are specific to our school:

Regular classes and playground breaks will be operating.

The priority in Week 5 is to re-establish student relationships with staff and their peers. After this extended break from regular routines, teachers will focus on school expectations, routines and social/emotional wellbeing. This will include explicit teaching of our School Values and Learning Behaviours. I encourage parents to refer to the information on page 3 so that you can support your children by discussing these at home.

The canteen will not operate next week but will re-open with an updated menu in Week 6 (Wednesday & Friday).

In accordance with the guidelines, most school events and activities will not proceed this term. To support our student leaders, Parliament sessions will be organised for this term.

Although inter-school sport is not available, we intend to prepare for our Cross Country and Athletics Carnival during this term and Term 3. Without a representative calendar, we are able to schedule these school events at later dates and still provide these experiences for our students. Further information will be provided when dates are confirmed.

Website: http://www.kendall-p.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: kendall-p.school@det.nsw.edu 2

School news

A guide to NSW school students returning to face-to-face learning

This guide is for parents and carers Information has been updated as at 19 May 2020, until further notice.

Schools are safe and open for full time face-to-face learning All schools are returning to full on-campus learning from Monday 25 May. All school activities and operations will be in line with Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and NSW Health guidelines as applicable. School students do not need to follow physical distancing guidelines, but should follow good hygiene practices like:

Regularly washing hands

Avoiding sharing drinks or food

Coughing or sneezing into your elbow, or a tissue which should be discarded immediately.

School attendance All students should be at school unless:

They have a medical certificate which states that they are unable to return to school due to an ongoing medical condition

They are currently unwell.

Students who have a medical certificate to stay at home will be supported to learn from home in line with regular procedures if they are able to. These regular procedures are different to what was offered during the learning from home period. If you re-quire work to be provided to your child whilst they are at home due to an underlying health condition, you should contact the school for assistance. Please note, students who live with a family member in one of the categories identified as being at increased risk by the AHPPC, should attend school unless a medical practitioner advises otherwise in writing. If your child is unwell, do not send them to school. If they are unwell at school you or your nominated emergency contact wil l need to collect them immediately. Please make sure your contact details are up to date. If a student is absent without a medical reason for more than three days, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and followed up by the school. If you need any support to get your child back to school, please contact your school.

Reporting and assessment Your child has been assessed during the learning from home period and will receive additional assessment on their return to school. You will receive your child’s semester 1 report before the end of August (week 6, Term 3). This may be a simplified ver-sion of the report you normally receive.

School activities Teachers will continue to follow the same school curriculum with the exception of some activities that can’t go ahead for now.

What children can do:

Use the school library

Engage in non-contact sporting activities

What students can’t do:

School assemblies (unless for critical information)

School incursions and excursions including camps

Inter-school activities (e.g. inter-school sport)

In-school activities requiring parent or other volunteers

Drink from a water bubbler – bring a water bottle instead

School cleaning and hygiene supplies Your school will receive additional cleaning in line with the AHPPC guidelines and advice from NSW Health. Targeted areas include high-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, lockers, light switches and handrails in stairways and movement areas. There will also be additional cleaning of toilets and bubblers and topping up of supplies like soap. Your school has received supplies of soap, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and personal protective equipment. The school is able to order more as needed.

School grounds There should be no visitors to school sites unless they are essential. Your school will provide advice on drop off and pick up procedures. Wherever possible, P&C and parent/carer/teacher meetings should be conducted virtually. Canteens and uniform shops can open at the discretion of the principal. Community use of school facilities will recommence only for uses that are necessary for continuation of education and with principal’s approval.

Responding to COVID-19 cases There is a clear plan in place for schools to respond to any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our schools. We are working closely with NSW Health and will communicate with parents if a situation was to arise .

Website: http://www.kendall-p.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: kendall-p.school@det.nsw.edu 3

School news

Week 5 Focus Value—Achievement Our school value of Achievement promotes the importance of trying our best. We are aiming to promote attitudes in students that are positive and growth minded. Successful people have an attitude of continual growth, looking at every opportunity as a learning opportunity. There is a great deal of research to support that our mindset and attitude to learning can be huge assets to our learning and growth.

School Focus

When focussing on this value, teachers will be asking these questions:

Is that your best work?

Is this an example of your very best behaviour?

Is this learning something for you to be proud of?

Would you be happy sharing this work with others?

Such questions engage students in self reflection and promote constant improvement and achievement at higher levels. Try it at home as it is also a terrific parenting strategy!

If you would like more information on this, the following book is well worth a read: “Mindset” by Carol Dweck.

Week 6 Focus Value—Belonging

KidsMatter message on Belonging: Belonging improves mental health and learning

All children need to feel that school is a safe place where people will care about them, where their needs for support, respect and friendship will be met, and where they will be able to get help to workout problems. When these needs are met, children develop a sense of belonging at school. Belonging is very important for mental health. Children who feel that they belong at school are happier, more relaxed and have fewer behaviour problems than others. They also learn better, are more motivated and more successful with schoolwork.

Research into children’s mental health has found that a sense of belonging at school helps to protect children against mental health problems and improves their learning. Making friends and having positive relationships with teachers helps children develop a sense of belonging at school. Having older “buddies” to turn to helps younger children feel that school is a place where they can get help if they need it. Looking after younger children encourages caring and helping in older children and helps to reduce conflicts and bullying. These are some of the ways that children’s sense of belonging at school can be supported.

School Focus

All students will be talking about Belonging, how they can support a culture of Belonging and why this is so important. Students will talk about friendship, kindness, being part of a group, including others and what a difference it makes to feel like you belong.

LEARNING BEHAVIOURS @ KENDALL PS We are successful learners when:

We Are Independent

I am ready to learn

I take responsibility for my learning

I work towards my learning goals

We Are Motivated

I try to do my best

I challenge myself

I try to improve

We Are Cooperative

I work well with others

I respect and value everyone’s ideas

I share my ideas and opinions

We Are Persistent

I stay calm and focused

I can bounce back

I try my hardest

We Are Creative

I use my imagination

I like to find different ways to do things

I think deeply

We Are Curious

I ask questions

I try to discover things for myself

I am interested in the world around me

Website: http://www.kendall-p.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: kendall-p.school@det.nsw.edu 4

Premier’s Reading Challenge - Rule Update

There have been some important updates to the 2020 PRC Challenge rules to help all students meet the

Challenge requirements this year. The following adjustments will be applied to the Challenge in 2020:

Students on all Challenge levels are able to read 10 choice books - an increase from five.

Students on all Challenge levels will be able to include books on their reading records that they read

collaboratively as a class, in person or online with their teacher or at home with their parents/carers.

Students who complete the Challenge in 2020 will be able to count this towards cumulative awards.

Students who do not participate in the Challenge in 2020 will not be disadvantaged in the receipt of

cumulative awards.

It is great to see a large number of participants registered this year at Kendall Public School! You can still

register at any time and complete your reading. The PRC ends on August 28th 2020.

Please contact me if you have any questions about the reading challenge.

Ms Osborne

School news

Year 6 students are

looking fantastic in

their new shirts!

Great to see them

remembering the

physical distancing

rules too.