Rozelle Rustlings www.rozellepublicschool.com.au 663 Darling Street, Rozelle PO Box 300, Rozelle NSW 2039 tel: 02. 9810 2347 fax: 02. 9555 8715 rozelle-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Next week

This Term

9/4 Last day of Term 1

27/4 First day of Term 2 for staff

28/4 First day of Term 2 for students

12/5-22/5

NAPLAN for Year 3

And Year 5

8/6 Queen’s Birthday

Public Holiday

Week 8 Term 1 Friday March 2020

Harmony Day is celebrated annually on March 21st in Australia. It began in

1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimina-

tion of Racial Discrimination, and each year provides an opportunity to re-

flect on and celebrate the multicultural diversity we so value in Australia.

This year Harmony Day is being celebrated in each class and, while we

aren’t holding hands literally, more than ever we need to hold hands sym-

bolically and stand together with every member of our society to ensure

that everyone, and especially the most vulnerable, are looked after through

this difficult time. Happy Harmony Day!

Below is the lovely art work that Kindergarten Acacia and Kindergarten Wa-

ratah created for Harmony Day.

HARMONY DAY 2020

COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

Thank you for the positive comments about our level of communication during this very unusual time.

Parents are reading carefully the information we are sending out via email and skoolbag to keep eve-

ryone up to date and well-prepared for any changes. Angela Svinos will continue to keep you very reg-

ularly updated. If you have any concerns or questions please don’t hesitate to contact the office. We

now have updated lists of how best to communicate with families. Thank you for assisting us with

that.

CHANGES TO ROUTINE

We will also continue to update you on any changes to school routines.

As of 20 March, the following activities and events have been postponed until further notice:

• Morning lines

• Friday assemblies

• Chess, choir, theatre sports, lego club

• All excursions

• Stage 3 Camp

• Student-led conferences

• Preschool portfolio discussions with parents

• Easter Hat Parade

• The following activities are continuing with strict hygiene control measures:

• Normal class programs involving all Key Learning Areas

• Sport in Schools for K—4

• Coding for Term 1 classes

• Band tutorials

• String ensemble and tutorials

Further information will be sent out regarding Band rehearsals prior to Helen’s scheduled return on

30 March.

LEARNING FROM HOME

I am including with this Newsletter a general list of suggested activities that students can undertake

at home if they are absent from school. As I have stated clearly, it is expected that all students attend

school unless they need to be absent due to their own medical vulnerability or that of a family mem-

ber. The school has learning resources ready to send out to each student in the event that the school

is temporarily closed for all students at some time in the future.

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful commitment being displayed by all staff, both teaching

and non-teaching, during this time. They have created a happy, calm, normal environment in which

our students can continue to learn and play together. They have felt very well supported by parents.

Thank you.

STAFF NEWS

Angela Svinos will be Acting Principal until a new Principal is appointed, Julie Day will be relieving

Deputy Principal for the last few three weeks of Term 1 and then a decision will be made about who

will relieve as Deputy Principal in Term 2. Ms Patty Ireland and Mrs Merryn Hatsatouris who are won-

derfully experienced teachers and well known to Year 2 Lavender will take the class til the end of the

term.

NEWS FROM KWARAA, TANZANIA

I was excited to receive photos from the Principal of Kwaraa, Mr Semphorian Martha, this week. The

school has been given some bicycles. We’ll need to get some more information about what the bikes

are for but it was clearly a very auspicious occasion. They are also building some more new class-

rooms. I would urge everyone to continue to build on our relationship with Kwaraa and Katuuso in

Uganda and also to keep in your thoughts at this time those school communities where access to

medical care is so limited. We are indeed fortunate to live in Australia.

THANK YOU AND FAREWELL

As I write my final Newsletter in a long career of teaching and Newsletter writing, I would just like to

say how proud and privileged I feel to have been Principal of Rozelle Public School. Over the past nine

years I have been so fortunate to nurture such a wonderful group of students in all their uniqueness,

to work with such a dedicated, caring and collegial staff and to lead such a vibrant, engaged and sup-

portive school community. I have been overwhelmed in the last week by the many thoughtful actions,

kind words and lovely gifts. I wish everyone the very best. Stay safe and well and continue to work to-

gether for our students and our school.

Kind regards and best wishes

Stephanie Searle

Year 5 students presented me with possibly the most unusual present I have ever received—a very large sweet potato grown in Rozelle’s very own vegetable gardens! That will certainly sustain my family and me for the next little while.

I arrived at school this morning to find my office, the whole main office and front foyer decorated with a host of beautiful butterflies. Certainly something to lift the spirit at this difficult time. Thank you to all the students who created a butterfly and to Ms Cole for her inspiration and hours of work to stick them all up! They will be there for everyone to enjoy for some time to come.

Year 4 Wollemi presented me with a book of wonder-fully entertaining poems. Here’s just a taste.

Stephanie Searle Principal

Community News