30 January 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome back to all our teachers, students and families. We are all looking forward to an exciting 2020 especially with the completion of our new school facilities to be done by the end of term 1.

It is so lovely to have all the construction fencing down and new play spaces opened up for our students. The artwork around the school has added colour and provides a friendlier and welcoming environment for our community.

The administration office has also had a paint and new carpet throughout and we are all very pleased with our new work spaces.

Welcome to New Staff

We have a new Deputy Principal Mrs Sharon Oscroft starting at our school this week. Mrs Oscroft will be assisting Mrs Lee in running the school and is available through appointment in the front office. Mrs Oscroft come to us from Collaroy Plateau Public School. We are all very excited to have her in leading the staff this year. Mrs Oscroft will also be directly in charge of the new Kindergarten students this year.

We also have some additional staff members that have joined us this year.

Mrs Jessica Legg - Stage 3 Science RFF teacher
Mrs Monika Johnston - Year 3 teacher
Mrs Yasmin Sorenson (Maksut) – returns to us 1 day a week (Thursday) from Maternity leave
Mrs Lisa Morrison- Library - returns 3 days a week from maternity leave
Mrs Susan Yardley - Library - 3 days a week until new librarian is appointed
Mrs Jessica Stephen - School Administration Officer (Monday & Tuesday)

We extend a warm welcome to all our new staff and look forward to working with them in 2020.

Welcome Kindergarten 2020

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new students and families that are starting Kindergarten this year. Today we had our “Get to know you teacher” morning and I thank all the parents who attended the information session in the hall. Kindergarten will now begin their one to one Best Start interviews with their new class teachers. A Kindergarten Information Evening is scheduled for Tuesday 11 February at 6.00pm in the school hall. Please make sure you attend this evening to formally meet the Kindergarten teachers and learn what is happening for the year.

Kindergarten Start Times:

Best Start one to one Interviews - Thursday 30 January, Friday 31 January, Monday 3 February.

Please make sure you have booked in for your appointment online with your teacher. No formal school takes place on these Best Start days.

School starts

• Tuesday 4 February 9.30am-2.30pm
• Wednesday 5 February 9.30am-2.30pm
• Thursday 6 February 9.30am- 2.30pm
• Friday 7 February 9.30am-2.30pm

These shortened days are to allow for parents to organise pick up and drop off procedures. Please be aware that Kindergarten teachers will be in classrooms from 9.00am each day so you can drop off at the normal school time if you do not require these shortened hours. The Before and After School Care (0430 369 288) will be available for all Kindergarten students for working parents. Kindergarten students will be supervised until 3.00pm in classrooms if required during these shortened days. Kindergarten’s first full week of school will begin on Monday 10 February (week 3).

Uniform Shop - Friday 8.30-9.30am

If you require a uniform for school please note that the uniform shop is open on Fridays from 8.30am in the school hall. You can also place an order online at the link below.

Classes for 2020

We have grown an additional class this year and will be making 23 classes. The following table outlines all the new classes and their teacher for 2020. Parent Information nights will be confirmed in next week’s newsletter during weeks 3, 4 & 5 of this term. It is important that at least one parent attends these information nights.

PSSA Summer Trials

Over the next two Friday’s students from Years 3-6 are invited to try out for PSSA School Sporting teams. The following sports are available. Please ensure that sport’s uniform and hats are worn on Friday along with runners. A water bottle is also required these days.

Sports available:

Softball/ T-Ball - Ms Natalie Panetta
Cricket - Mrs Aga Banham
Eagle Tag - (Girls) Mrs Bianca Martin, (Boys) A’s - Ms Hannah Taylor, Boy’s (B’s) - Ms Lisa Cash
Volleyball - Mr Patrick Dylan
Newcombe Ball - Mrs Catherine Thomson

Students who do not make a PSSA sporting team will have school sport back at school.

Corona Virus update

The NSW Government has this afternoon requested that children who have visited China in the last two weeks NOT attend school or childcare services until 14 days have lapsed from their date of departure from China.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said although the risk to children is very low, the NSW Government has taken this step as a precautionary measure.

"I've been advised that it's not medically necessary, but the NSW Government has acted in line with community expectations to ensure the safest possible environment for our students," Mr Hazzard said.

"The internationally recognised incubation period for the coronavirus is 14 days, so this is the logical timeframe to ask students to refrain from attending school. After this time, there is no risk.

"Advice about not attending school has already been provided to any close contacts of confirmed cases."

The Commonwealth Department of Health has confirmed that all passengers disembarking from planes from China are being given comprehensive information about coronavirus in both English and Mandarin.

NSW Health has been contacting passengers who were on the same planes as confirmed cases to provide appropriate advice and has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia.

Ms Mitchell said the Department of Education has issued guidance to schools and childcare services across NSW on protocols in the event of a child becoming sick.

"Although the risk remains very low for children, we believe it is the right thing to do to take this extra step and will continue to update the community with advice," Ms Mitchell said.

There are currently four confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in NSW. All cases had travelled to Wuhan, China or had contact with a confirmed case in China.

Parents with concerns can contact their local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 for advice or visit the dedicated NSW Health information page at:

Anyone who develops a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel to Hubei or contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus, should immediately isolate themselves from other people, contact their GP or local emergency department or call the healthdirect helpline 1800 022 222.

Tina Lee - Principal

Dates for Your Diary

Café Owl Open Friday 31 January 2020

Don’t miss out. We’d love to see you this Friday at our popular Café Owl breakfast club.

Where: Old canteen building in the top playground, carpark entrance
When: 8.00-9.00am
What’s on the menu: Bacon & egg rolls, hash browns, hot drinks, flavoured milk & juices
Who’s invited: Children, parents, grandparents, friends
Why come: Meet up with friends for a community breakfast, where all money raised goes back to the school. Check out the newly opened outdoor space and listen to school band buskers play their instruments.

PS: Cash orders only but credit card coming in 2020!

Canteen News

The School Canteen is up and running for 2020, with all its nutritious and yummy food, snacks and treats available every day of the week.

We are always in need of volunteers to help out in the canteen and no experience is needed.

We have removed the long shift in the hope that the shorter shifts open up the possibility of volunteering for more people. You are more than welcome to do a long shift, please just book the longer morning shift + counter service and add a comment that you are doing a double shift. Your lunch will be provided.

Shift Descriptions (enclosed shoes required for all shifts please)

Morning Shift - involves helping to prepare sandwiches for lunch orders or helping with the baking of such things as our yummy cookies and Banana Bread

Lunch/Counter Shift - involves helping to finalise all the lunch orders, placing the lunch orders in class boxes or on the counter and serving at the counter at recess (11.00am) and/or lunch time (12:50pm).

If you are able to help out please use the following link to sign up:

We would really love some help for tomorrow Friday 31 January and for next Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday & Friday.

In the aim of trying to be more sustainable this year we are encouraging students to bring their own reusable spoon to school to use rather than using single use ones. And we are also thinking a metal spoon will be great for digging into the ever-popular frozen fruit cups. If they forget we will still have the reusable plastic spoons available that will need to be returned to the canteen afterwards.

To encourage students with this initiative we are starting up a "Super Spoon Saver Card" every time the student brings their own spoon or returns the canteen one they will get a stamp and once they collect 10 stamps they will get a Quelch stick as a reward.

Kerry, Robyn & Becky - Canteen Coordinators

Community Notices

Young Investigators Science Club

Young Investigators Science Club is coming to Manly Vale Public in 2020!! For more information or to book a place please visit the link below.

Robokids @ Manly Vale Public School 2020

Join Robokids for Lego WeDo building & coding in Terms 1 & 2 at Manly Vale Public School in 2020! Our award-winning after school programs are engaging and fun!

When: Wednesday afternoons, starting at 3.00pm (Week 2 of Term 1)
Who: Years 1 - Year 3
Where: At Manly Vale Public School!

A fun 10 weeks of building, coding & programming. Students will undertake computational thinking concepts such as algorithms, data-collection, representation & analysis, pattern recognition, logical thought patterns & sequencing, all pitched to the appropriate age level. To book a place at the link below:

Harbord Scouts