6 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to our 81 new Kindergarten students. They all officially started on Tuesday this week and it was a very settled start for parents and students. Next week the Kindergarten students will do normal school hours from 9am – 3pm. Please make sure you have sorted out pick up and drop off arrangements for next week. If your child is catching the bus please make sure you have applied for your opal card online as it is required each time they travel on the bus.

Kindergarten Parent Information Night is next Tuesday night at 6pm.

Fixed Equipment- Out of Bounds

Our new fixed equipment is a great attraction at the moment. Students may only use the equipment if there is a teacher on duty (directly supervising the equipment). This means that students may not use the equipment directly after school or on their way home. I am seeking further advice from the WHS department regarding parental supervision but at this stage until further notice no students are to play on the equipment unless a teacher is on duty.

Black School Shoes

Black school shoes are the current school uniform. There has been some changes to the uniform policy in recent years to allow for flexibility and gender equitable choices e.g. allowing the girls to wear the shorts instead of the dress, but the black shoes has remained the same. Sports shoes or runners can only be worn on Friday (3-6) and allocated sport’s days for (K-2). Sport shoes do not need to be worn for dance or gym as shoes are removed for these activities.

Students may wear black runners if they are all black, not black with white soles or blue laces etc. They should look like black school shoes.

House Captains 2020

Congratulations to all the following House captains who will be receiving their badges at tomorrow’s Friday morning assembly. We all look forward to their leadership at the school’s Annual Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 18 February. All students from years 3 – 6 will attend this carnival with Year 2 students who turn 8 this year invited to attend if they are able to swim the 50 metres confidently. Notes regarding the carnival will come home next week. Payment for the carnival will need to be made prior to the carnival as this program will not be included in the whole school fees.

Band 2020

Our Band Committee met for the first time last Tuesday evening. The committee consists of:

President – John Logan
Secretary – Helena Edgerton
Treasurer – Turia Mako
Senior Band Liaison (teacher) – Miss Emily Sussanna
Jun Band Liaison (Teacher) – Miss Hannah Taylor
Senior Band Conductor – Ben Dickson
Junior Band Conductor – Carlos Villanueva
Instrument Custodian – Chris Nicholls
Senior Band Parent Liaison – Chris Smith
Junior Band Liaison – Kate Meyer
Band Camp Coordinator – Suzie Burton

Thank you to all the parent volunteers for taking on these roles for 2020. We look forward to another exciting year with our school band. Information regarding band shirts, fees and performances will be emailed to the parents within the next few weeks.

Parent Information Nights 2020

Over the next 3 weeks we will host parent information nights. Please ensure at least 1 parent/caregiver attends these nights to pick up information and timetables about class organisation. All parents will be invited to write down their email address onto a staff contact list that will be used to communicate school events and fundraising opportunities. A Class (Parent) coordinator will be required for each class to be the liaison between the teacher and P & C to the parents. Feel free to show an Expression of Interest for this role to you class teacher.

Kindergarten - Tuesday 11 February- 6pm (hall)
Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) - Wednesday 19 February 6pm (Hall)
Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) - Monday 24 February 6pm (Hall)
Stage 3 (years 5 & 6) - Monday 17 February 6pm (Hall)

High School Information night - Thursday 27 February

Our local high school principals will be coming to speak to parents about high school on Thursday 27 February. All parents are invited to attend to hear from Christine De Galo (Mackellar), Paul Sheather (Balgowlah Boys).

After the discussion with the local high school principals the Year 6 teachers will assist Year 6 parents to complete the expression of Interest forms for next year. It is advisable that Year 6 parents attend this evening.

Parental use of Car park

Please refrain from using the carpark as a drop off and pick up zone. Currently tradesmen and teachers sharing the carpark and it is getting very dangerous for students crossing the entrance way to get into school. The safer option is to park down the street and walk up to pick up your child. Your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

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

Year 6 High School Information Evening

We will be holding a Year 6 LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL Information Evening on Thursday 27 February 6-7pm in the school hall. At this session you will hear from the principals of Mackellar Girls Campus and Balgowlah Boys Campus, as well as receive guidance on how to complete the enrolment forms for your local high school. We recommend that at least one parent for each year 6 student attends this session.

We have also recently received the flyer from Northern Beaches Secondary College providing information about their High Potential and Gift Student programs. To be eligible you must complete the online application form by Friday 21 February and your child must attend the application placement test on Thursday 19 March. This is a separate process to the general high school application form. Further information can be found in the attached flyer (hardcopy also sent home with year 6 students)

If you have any questions about High School Transition please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Blackband via email. nicole.blackband@det.nsw.edu.au

Nicole Blackband – Stage 3 Assistant Principal

Stage 3 Surf Education

Stage 3 students will all be participating in Surf Education this term as part of our Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Program. This involves an incursion on Thursday 20 February 9:30-11am, followed by a day at Manly Beach Surf School on Tuesday 25 February. Permission notes were sent home this week for payment prior to the excursion, as this is not included in the whole school fees. Parents are also required to complete an online waiver to enable students to participate. Please use the link below to access the online waver by Tuesday 11 February. https://www.seaaustralia.com.au/school-waiver-form

Nicole Blackband – Stage 3 Assistant Principal

School Photos

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advancedlife on Thursday 5 March, 2020 (Week 6). An envelope and flyer will be distributed shortly explaining the ordering process. If possible it is our preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day. Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advancedorder code found on the top of the envelope soon to be distributed. Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day. Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed. Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au.

Sarah Birrell - Teacher

Dates for Your Diary

Café Owl Now Open Friday’s

We’d love to see you this Friday at our popular Café Owl breakfast club.

We’re also in need of volunteers to help us out once a month. For more info, please email Justine Northcott jneditorial@gmail.com

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.

PS: Cash orders only but credit card coming

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).

We need more volunteers if you are able to help out please use the following link to sign up:

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

Book Club

Scholastic Book Club issue a catalogue twice a term and offer a wide range of products appropriate to the age of your children.

Our school receives 20% from all orders and this is used to purchase class resources and books for your children. The money raised from last year's Book Club orders allowed the school to purchase multiple sets of readers.

Ordering this year can be done online via the link below or by downloading the LOOP app. Please be aware cash orders will not be accepted.

Ordering dates will appear in the newsletter after each issue has been handed out to the children.

Issue 1 orders are due by Monday 17 February 2020.

If you wish to purchase items as a gift and do not want them to be distributed directly to your child, please select GIFT ORDER when ordering online.

If you have any queries concerning Book Club, please contact Jodi Twidale 0421082927 or joditwidale@gmail.com

Community Notices

Manly Vale Football Club

Manly Vale Football Club Registration Day

When: Sunday 9 February - 11:00am - 3:00pm
Where: Manly Vale Public School hall, 77 Sunshine Street, Manly Vale

Please come along and find out more about how you or your child can get involved in Soccer.

Active Kids vouchers can be applied to registration fees

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:

Harbord Scouts

Lifeline Northern Beaches

Manly Roos Junior Rugby Union