19 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

It has been very busy this week but it has been business as usual here at Manly Vale. Daily updates regarding the COVID-19 virus have been sent out to parents and please take the time to read these updates as they come through. Thank you to Mrs Kirsten Te Pania our Class Coordinator who was extremely helpful in notifying parents of the Stage 1 students when we cancelled the excursions this week.

Zone Swimming Carnival - Friday 13 March

Last Friday 37 students went off to represent our school at the Zone Swimming Carnival. Mrs Birrell and Mrs Ward were extremely proud of the sportsmanship each individual displayed on the day. Congratulations to all our competitors who will now progress to the Regional carnival later in the year. A more detailed report will follow in this newsletter.

Harmony Day - Wednesday 18 March

Yesterday students wore a “Splash of Orange” to acknowledge and promote diversity and acceptance of all cultures. Discussions on cultural heritage and community were held in classes and children were able to share proudly stories of their past and history. Harmony Day is the day to acknowledge and accept cultural difference and identity. The event coincides with the United Nation’s International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

COVID-19 Virus

Manly Vale has been vigilant in ensuring that all students are washing their hands before and after the break times, sending students and teachers home who have exhibited any cold like symptoms including coughing, sneezing, fever and headaches. Thank you to the parents who have come and collected students or kept them home as a precautionary measure.

Teachers have suggested that the following sites can be used for school work:

For years 3 and 5 students it is a great idea to prepare for our NAPLAN online tests by visiting the NAPLAN public demonstration site below.

Some teachers have also set up Google classroom for their classes where current school work can be accessed.

Creative writing, making journal and diary entries during a stay at home is also a great way to practise writing skills. Reading books, doing jigsaw puzzles and playing card games are all great ways for students to continue their learning. The Department of Education has also provided the following access to teaching and learning resources.

It is important to keep your child at home if they are sick. Be mindful that schools may not close at this time. There are predictions that this virus will be around for the next 6 months and that keeping students at school may be the best way to contain the spread of the disease. The following link is to an interview between Mark Scott (Secretary of the Dept of Education) and Kerry Chant (Chief Health Officer NSW) explaining why schools may not close. It is important to limit the contact between children and the older and more vulnerable people.

Parent/Teacher Interviews postponed

As per the guidelines around social distancing and the limitation of visitors, we have decided to postpone the parent/teacher interviews scheduled for the next 2 weeks. A cancellation email will be sent to those parents who have booked interviews.

Barefoot Bowls Night - cancelled

Our P & C fundraiser due to take place on Friday 27 March at Manly Bowling Club has been cancelled. We hope to run a social night later in the year. The Mother’s Day stall will now be our first major fundraiser. Kindergarten parents will organise and run the store this year. The store will be held on Friday 8 May. Children will be asked to bring in a gift for the stall next term Kindergarten parents who are interested in helping out on the stall need to contact their Class Coordinator this week.

Canteen - No Cash

All orders for the canteen need to take place using Flexischools. Recess and lunch orders need to be placed online using the Flexischools account. Due to hygienic reasons the canteen staff are not accepting any cash. There is a tab on Flexischools where you place recess orders. Thank you for your cooperation. Volunteers for the canteen please contact Kerrie or Robyn at manlyvalepscanteen@gmail.com

NAPLAN Online – 11 May -22 May

Our Year 3 and 5 students will participate in NAPLAN online testing in Writing, Reading, Numeracy, Punctuation and Grammar (Language Conventions). All of these tests will be done online part from the Year 3 writing test. Practice tests are available for all students using the demonstration site.

Raincoats

Please send a rain jacket every day in your child’s bag. It is a long walk from the covered COLA areas to the bus stop and road access and students need to wear rain jackets. Umbrellas can be used by parents but children should not be using an umbrella to shelter from the rain as it is very dangerous when there is a lot of children in close proximity.

Parking

Please do not park in the driveways of our neighbours. Our neighbours in Sunshine and Gibbs Street are being parked in due to parents parking in driveways on wet days. Please refrain from using our neighbour’s driveways as a drop off or turning point.

After School Activities

Currently we have Robotics, Keyboard lessons (Col’s Music House) and Eye Heart Science classes operating before and after school. Like the Before and After school Care facility these sessions will continue until the end of term. All of these companies are aware of the strict guidelines around social distancing and hygiene. You will be updated with any changes to these arrangements as they occur.

SRE & SEE

Scripture and Ethics classes have been postponed until further notice.

Tina Lee – Principal

School Banking – suspension of service

Notice from CommBank School Banking

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence.

Dates for Your Diary

Waste Free Wednesday

Dance Captains

Congratulations to Melanie Burton and Alex Matheson on their appointment as Dance Captains for 2020.

Natalie Panetta and Bianca Martin

Zone Swimming News

Last Friday our Zone Swimming Team went to Manly Boy Charlton Swim Centre to compete in the Manly PSSA annual swimming carnival. All swimmers swam their best. Hudson McLaren, Joel Colwell, Hannah Huisman, Asher Fitzgerald, Charli Lehmann and Pipi Te Pania were all successful in making their 50m Freestyle final.

Hudson was first in his 8 years 50m Freestyle final and Holly Mildwater also came 1st in the 8 years Multiclass 50m Freestyle and 2nd in the Junior Girls Multiclass 50m breaststroke. A great effort at their first zone carnival.

Pipi came 3rd in the Senior Individual Medley and 2nd in her 12 years 50m Freestyle final. Hannah won the Junior Girls Individual Medley, the Junior Girls Butterfly and she came 3rd in her 10 years 50m Freestyle final. Hannah was awarded 10 years girls age champion at the end of the carnival. Great effort Hannah! Congratulations to these swimmers who are off to the Regional Swimming Carnival which has been postponed until further notice.

Thank you to all students, spectators and Mrs Birrell for their wonderful involvement at the Zone Swimming Carnival. Thanks also to our parent supporters Ian Kennedy, Amanda Lehmann and Jackie Seymore for timekeeping all day.

Melinda Ward

Canteen News

Thank you to everyone who has already offered to volunteer in the canteen. The following shifts for next week are still free if there is anyone else willing to help.

Also, just a reminder in the response to COVID - 19 there will be NO over the counter cash sales until further notice. Please order recess and lunch orders via Flexischools and do not send cash to school.

Sausage Sizzle

We are having a Sausage Sizzle Day on Wednesday 8 April, $5 for a sausage sandwich, juice popper and quelch stick. Order now via Flexischools. Please note that we will not be serving sushi or any other hot food on that day but sandwiches will be available for those not wanting a sausage.

Kerry, Robyn & Becky - Canteen Supervisors

Book Club

Ordering this year can be done online at the link below or by downloading the LOOP app.

Please be aware cash orders will not be accepted.

Issue 2 orders are due by Monday 23 March 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.