5 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Tomorrow we will have our annual school fundraiser the “Skip-a-thon.” All the students (and teachers) have been practising their skipping skills and sustainability so that they are able to skip for an hour non-stop in the morning. Please bring sponsorship forms in tomorrow and bank the money through your Flexischools’ account. It is preferable that we don’t have to handle a lot of cash. Thank you for your support. All money raised will go towards the P&C spending priorities for 2021 which include replacement of the fixed equipment, the running of the canteen and uniform shop.

P & C Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 10 November

Next Tuesday we have our AGM for our P & C. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our current committee members for all their work throughout 2020. It has been a difficult year to maintain connection amongst all our community but the P & C have kept the community involvement with the school through regular Zoom meetings and supporting the communication through the lockdown period.

Most of the committee is keen to stay in their roles for another year, but if you are interested in standing for a position or attending the AGM please contact Karen Murgatroyd via manlyvaleprimaryschoolpc@gmail.com

Thank you and congratulations to our 2020 P & C executive team:

President - James Fewtrell
Vice President - Helen Gay
Treasurer - Tony Sherlock
Secretary - Karen Murtgatroyd
Class Coordinator Liaison - Kristen Te Pania

Kindergarten Orientation - Monday 9 November

Last Monday we had our first face to face orientation session with our new Kindergarten students for 2021. With a quick 10-minute hand over the children were quick to get into the classrooms and begin the activities. It was very surprising to see how well all the students separated from their parents and were ready to go into “Big School.” We will have our second session next Monday at 9.30am. These sessions are invaluable for our teachers to assess school readiness and collect information for class placements. We will have a picnic down at Manly Dam to conclude the Orientation program on Thursday 19 November. Thank you to Mrs Oscroft and the kindergarten teachers Mrs O’Connor, Ms Mason, Mrs Robertson, Mrs Rae and Mrs Holman for all their organisation.

Uniform Shop

Please make sure you have ordered all your uniform for the start of school next year. Uniforms can be purchased online at the link below:

The uniforms will be delivered to the front office for pick up.

World Teachers Day - last Friday

Thank you to the P & C who on behalf of the parents and community gave each teacher a school umbrella to say thank you for all the work they do in educating our children. This year has been a particularly difficult year for teachers and parents as our usual connections and communication avenues have been all put to an online platform. Our students though have had a terrific year. Even with all the hardships of lockdown, great positives arose including the increased connections between families, the adoption of regular physical exercise that is not planned but happens spontaneously, and the valuing of school as a place of learning and where close friendships can be made.

The teachers have remained positive and focussed on the job at hand and have worked hard to maintain stability for each child in their care. Even when our regular programs had to be cancelled they have found a way to make school still engaging and interesting. It was a lovely day last Friday and the teachers truly appreciated the lovely cupcakes for morning tea and the acknowledgment made by the P & C.

Remembrance Day - Wednesday 11 November

Next Wednesday we will have a short ceremony for all students (in separate areas) to acknowledge and show respect for those who gave their lives to defend our country during the war. We will not be attending the Manly Dam service this year but will hold our own on the school grounds.

School Tour - Thursday 12 November 3.30pm

There will be a school tour for all new enrolments to the school on Tuesday 12 November at 3.30pm. The tour is aimed at new students (Years 1-6) who will be enrolled in the school for 2021. We will exercise social distancing and forms will need to be completed on entry to the school. We will try to run school tours for new Kindergarten parents next year during their first week.

Banner Assembly - Friday 13 November

The following students will be receiving a banner at next week’s Banner assembly. Congratulations to all these students. Banner recipients will be photographed on the day receiving their banner and placed in the school newsletter the following week.

George Gregor, William Stevens, Noah Lougher, Curtis Puchner.

SRC – this Friday

This Friday our Year 4 students and SRC representatives will attend the SRC meeting. Our suggestions from last meeting which was led by Year 5 included:

• A musical bell for transitions to and from class
• Canteen - bring back the favourites
• Upgrade the playground equipment with sustainable recycled materials
• Need a trolley of equipment for lunchtimes - pumped up balls

Farewell Peter Snailham

The school is preparing to farewell Pete Snailham after 20 years of service to the students of Manly Vale. Pete will retire on the last day of school this year.

Traffic Signs

On the street surrounding the school there has been changes to parking and an extension of the bus zone on Gibbs Street. There is now a 5 minute parking limit on the southern side of Sunshine Street which allows for a quick drop off and pick up. On the opposite side of the road on Sunshine Street there is ‘no parking’ in school drop off and pick up times. Whilst you can’t park, you can remain in the car for a short time for students to get in. You must not be more than 3 metres from your car.

On Gibbs Street there is an all day bus zone on the corner of Arana & Gibbs Streets to allow for all buses including PSSA and school excursion buses, as well as our normal bus zone for the school bus service between 8.30-9.30am and 2.30-4.30pm (school days). Traffic wardens and controllers will be enforcing these regulations. Please take care when parking around the school.

Parking

Every week a neighbour calls the school with complaints of driveways being blocked due to parents illegally parking in the pick-up and drop off times. Please do not park across the neighbour’s driveways. There is plenty of parking just a short walk from the school. Please respect our neighbours and their property.

Tumbarumba - Thank you

This week we received a lovely thank you email from the Principal of Tumbarumba Public School, Jennifer Lumsden. The community and school were all so appreciative of our fundraising efforts to assist them to rebuild their community after the devastating bushfires from last January. Our school raised a total of $2327.70 and it will be sent directly to the school account to go towards resources and school excursions for the students of Tumbarumba. They also acknowledged what a difficult year it has been for all of us here in Sydney with the lockdowns for COVID 19, and thanked us enormously for our generosity in times of our own hardships.

Flexible Classrooms

Our school focus this year has been to develop expertise in team teaching and using a variety of flexible learning spaces and furniture for our teaching. Last Thursday evening all the teachers remained back for additional training in the Future-Focussed learning strategies. All teachers designed lessons and activities around various co-teaching models and enjoyed collaborating on lessons to be taught in the future. It is an exciting time for all of us as we begin to use the wonderful classroom spaces we have been given.

Leaving next year?

As we begin to formulate classes for 2021, it would be helpful if you can let us know if you intend on moving from the school. Staffing arrangements are based on student numbers and classes need to be formed for 2021 over the next few weeks.

Please notify the office via email if you are not returning to Manly Vale next year.

Tina Lee – Principal

Dates for your Diary

Rotary Youth Awards

Acknowledging students who demonstrate:

• emerging leadership skills,
• are the quiet achievers,
• mentor and support fellow students,
• demonstrate commitment in the area of Community Service, and/or
• strength/ courage/endurance in unusual circumstances.

Congratulations to Ruby Nelson who has been awarded a Rotary Youth Award for being an outstanding student who always demonstrates exceptional civic and citizenship. Ruby always puts others before herself and consistently demonstrates the ability to mentor other students not only within her classroom and grade but through our buddy program. Ruby is the quiet achiever and is a beautiful, caring and thoughtful young person. We are honoured and feel privileged to be a part of Ruby’s schooling journey. She will be receiving her award on Tuesday 10 November.

Library News

Curious Creatures Wild Minds Challenge

We had over 300 entries into our Curious Creatures Wild Minds Book Week challenge. Two winners were drawn at random at assembly last Friday – the lucky winners were Zoe and Niamh, both from 1GT! Zoe won the Amazing Book of Mythical Beasts and Niamh won a copy of the Illustrated Guide to Ugly Animals, which was shortlisted for the CBCA awards this year. We hope you enjoy your curious books. Thank you to all students (and teachers) who challenged their wild minds for this curious challenge.

Ali Webster – Teacher Librarian

2020 Year 5 Opportunity Class Placement Test

An information pack will be sent home this week with students who are listed on the candidate record to sit the 2020 Year 5 Opportunity Class Placement Test at Manly Vale Public School on Wednesday 18 November 2020. The test will be administered by Manly Vale staff in the 4T classroom 9.00-11:15am. Students will not attend their scripture lesson.

Parents/Caregivers are urged to read the information sent home that is provided by the High Performing Students Team. Students are to be prepared for the day and bring all required items, including a printed copy of their ‘Test authority’ letter showing their application number.

Students are to arrive at school by 8:50am and go straight to the Year 4 classrooms.

As this is an external test, please direct all enquiries to the High Performing Students Team.

Telephone: 1300 880 367
Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au

Scholastic Book Club

Book orders are due by Monday 30 November 2020.

2021 School Travel