South Wagga Public

School

Term 2, Issue 12 Friday 8 May 2020

Bulletin

Achieve with Pride Respectful~Responsible~Connected

A message from our Principal

COVID 19 Phase 1 From Monday 11 May we move to Phase 1 for students returning to school. This means that all students are invited to attend school one day a week. The staff are very excited to see everyone again.

The timetable for attending is as follows:

Tuesday 12 May Years 1 and 4 Kindergarten Group 1

Wednesday 13 May Years 3 and 6 Kindergarten Group 2

Thursday 14 May Years 2 and 5 Kindergarten Group 3

The school remains open for those who need to attend.

This timetable will remain the same for as long as Phase 1 is in place. We will continue to communicate with you through the school app, school notice board and the Bulletin.

Enhanced hygiene and cleaning practices are in place in the school. For the health and safety of everyone in the school, please:

• minimise your access to the school when possible by waving your children off from the gate rather walking them in, and wait for them outside the grounds

• ring or email the school if possible

• keep your children home if they are unwell

• and observe social distancing at all times.

Please contact the school if you have any questions.

New Library Furniture The library has had a face lift! All of the new furniture has now been delivered and turned the library into a flexible learning space for staff and students. Thank you to Mrs Buinic, Ms McT and Nicole Measday for liaising with school staff, the P&C and the furniture company to achieve this result. Thank you to the P&C for assisting with the funding of this project which will benefit the whole school.

Bell times for 2020 9:20-11:20 Morning session 11:20-11:47 Lunch 1 11:47-12:15 Lunch 2 12:15-14:15 Mid session 14:15-14:35 Recess 14:35-15:20 Afternoon Session

Learning @ SWPS:

Playing fairly

Next week we will be focusing on

developing our skills of playing fairly.

Playing fairly involves understanding that

for to a game to work, everyone must

have fun and be involved.

Student thinking may include:

• I will make sure the teams are fair.

• I will take it in turns so everyone can

have a go.

• I will ensure everyone who wants to

play, can.

• I will try to remember that fun is more

important than winning.

• I will speak nicely to everyone.

• I don’t always have to be the boss.

• I can help sort out any problems.

Through playing fairly, SWPS aims to

ensure that we all enjoy our leisure time,

and learn to have fun while we play!

Australian Government Child Dental Program

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School

New Library Furniture

Learning From Home—Kindergarten

Coat hanger maths activity (Pia)

Writing lesson (Bridie)

Mathletics on line at home (Amir)

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School

New School Jackets The P & C have the store set up for our new school jackets. The shop link is:-

https://mortimerapparel.com/collections/south-wagga-public-school/products/all-weather-jacket-5?variant=31858825756746

Pre-order and pay online by 15 May.

A selection of jackets are available at school office to check sizes.

Canteen

The canteen will be open from next week (Week 3) for lunch orders only on

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Students learning from home can continue to access Special religious education (SRE) and Special education in ethics (SEE)

classes. Face-to-face SRE, SEE and Voluntary student activities of a religious nature in schools (VSA) will not be available until

schools resume normal operations. In response to requests from school communities, SRE and SEE approved providers are

delivering their authorised curriculum with modifications to allow students to learn from home from the start of Term 2. The

lesson content and the mode of delivery has been reviewed and modified for easy access by students. The approved

providers recognise that learning at home will not replicate face-to-face learning at school.

SRE Learning from home access on the school website

Busabout

Busabout will continue to operate all school buses providing transport for students to all schools in Wagga Wagga. The health and safety of our staff, students, and the community is of paramount importance. We have taken extra measures to ensure our buses are cleaned twice daily, with a priority on all high-touch surfaces. Students may notice some drivers wearing face masks; this initiative is up to the individual and not an indication that they are sick. Likewise, if students wish to wear their own PPE they are welcome to do so on board our services.

Secondly, on 30 March a raft of changes were implemented to the Wagga bus network, including school services. In an attempt to simplify and to avoid any confusion, please see the following points:

• Some students may need to catch a different bus to and from school

• Students that once transferred buses at Lutheran School can no longer do so. These transfers now take place at different locations.

• The timetable for many school buses has changed. The new timetable is at the end of this bulletin.

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School

Back to School Basics: Managing Anxiety around Students returning to School

This has certainly been a year like no other. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has created a great deal of anxiety and

uncertainty. We have seen the impact of this pandemic across the globe in terms of health and economic costs. Our way of

life has changed with restrictions and social distancing measures put into place. Learning has moved online and we are still

adjusting to what most of us typically took for granted. Now we are being asked to adjust back again, albeit in gradual steps.

How do we prepare our children for these changes? Get back to basics!

Foundations. A number of factors are important for basic wellbeing. Taking steps to ensure that your child is getting 10-12

hours of sleep per night, that they have good food, remain hydrated and exercise at least 30 minutes daily will help to

ensure that they are better able to cope with whatever comes their way.

Monitor. Teaching your kids to monitor and keep track of their emotions is important. Reflect upon each part of their day

and encourage them to take note of how they were feeling using the example below. More importantly, build upon the

repertoire of skills they can call upon with they are not doing so well and explore the steps they can take to manage big

emotions. Calm emotions and focus on solutions.

Check-in. It is also important to check-in with your own feelings and emotional responses. It is important that you try to

reassure your child that everything will be ok and not project any feelings of anxiety on to them. It is ok to share with them

the feelings you have but it is equally important to model healthy ways of managing this. The more you can stay calm and

present returning to school as positive – the better.

Separation. If you think your child may have difficulty separating from you on drop off – brainstorm with your child a fun

little cue to say good bye. It might be a high five, a bear hug or secret handshake. What ever it is you agree on, use it and

leave.

Routine. Just as you set up a routine when learning from home was introduced, it’s just as important to adjust that routine

now that we are gradually returning to school. Routines make everybody’s role clear. Discuss the routine each week and

again each night. Reflect upon what worked and what didn’t. Allow time to readjust.

Plan. Make plans in advance with your child on how they will get to school and home again. Which entry/exit point of the

school will you be dropping them off at and meeting them at the end of each day.

Reward. Recognise and reward your child when they have taken a risk, used their resilience skills and called upon the

resources they have available to them. Remind them that we are all in this together and this means they are not alone.

Reinforce their networks of support such as family, extended family, friends and teachers.

Support. Parents play an important role in helping their child to understand anxiety as a normal emotion experienced by

most people at times. Parents also play an essential role in modelling ways to respond and adapt to such reactions. Free

programs such as the Brave Program are available to step through with your child.

https://www.brave-online.com/

Skill-building. You are your child’s first Teacher. Parents play an essential part of skill development in their children.

Modelling how we relate well to others, build relationships, foster friendships, keep organised, keep confident, manage

stress and maintain optimism are all important skills for life. Review these skills regularly.

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School

Skill-building. You are your child’s first Teacher. Parents play an essential part of skill development in their children. Modelling

how we relate well to others, build relationships, foster friendships, keep organised, keep confident, manage stress and maintain

optimism are all important skills for life. Review these skills regularly.

Remember. It might take time for your child to settle back in to school life. You may see some anxious responses in your child

you may have never seen before. Using the tips should help with this process. Talk to your school staff if your concerns remain

over time.

Moderate. The information you read and hear over social media and other news formats. There is so much information coming

each day, it can be confusing, overwhelming and therefore anxiety provoking.

Scientific Research. It can be helpful to remind your child about the research relayed by the Chief Medical Officer. Most children

do not contract the virus. Exceptions need to be made, of course, for children with compromised immunity. Remind your child

about all the work our country has done to flatten the curve in order that we can begin to return to our normal routines as soon

as possible.

Safety. Reassure your child that every measure is being taken to ensure that schools are safe. Reinforce rules around social

distancing and not touching others. Also keep in mind that the department has adjusted its policies and response to COVID-19 as

official health advice has changed. Be reassured that enhanced cleaning is in place at workplaces and schools. First aid care

packs, essential hygiene and ongoing critical supplies have all been delivered to schools in the event that they are needed.

Appropriate protocols are in place to manage any changes if COVID cases are arise.

Most importantly. Let your child know that school will still look a bit different for a while but one thing remains most

important - all the staff at school are ready and can’t wait to see your child again. This slow return to school is the first step back

to normal and this is a positive sign.

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School

Issue 12 South Wagga Public School