12 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

This week we had our final Kindergarten Orientation session for the year. Thank you to all the families that attended the morning. We now have 79 students enrolled for next year and will make 4 Kindergarten classes. A picnic at Manly Dam has been organised for parents and children to meet and get to know each other. This will be on Thursday 19 November at 10.00am, Mrs Oscroft and Mrs Lee will be attending the picnic to answer any final questions.

Congratulations to Manly Vale

Congratulations to Isaac Sherlock and Charli Lehmann on taking out the winner’s trophy for the Dancesport finals competition. Our Year 5 team this year was a very strong one and Isaac and Charli both did an outstanding job in becoming the Tango champions for 2020 defeating Mona Vale Public School.

Well done to all our Year 5 students!

Follow the link below to see videos of the Dancesport finals:

Skip-A-Thon

The skip-a-thon last week was a fantastic success. The students loved being outside with all their friends and completing an array of skipping activities including weaving through poles. Ladder jumping, singular and partner skipping and large rope team skipping. A total of $18,500 was raised. We would like to give the winning fundraising classes an ice block day. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported our fundraising initiative for this year.

P & C AGM - Tuesday 10 November

Last Tuesday night we had our final P & C meeting for the year. It was strange not being able to get together this year. The following parents have been elected to positions for 2021:

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

Thank you to the new P & C committee for volunteering your time for another 12 months. It certainly has been a challenging time this year but the P & C have been so supportive of all the staff and families within the school.

They have provided support for those families who have suffered financial and emotional hardships this year by supplying lunch coupons for students. They have supported the school Band program with the purchase of additional instruments allowing for families to hire rather than buy instruments to join the band. The P & C have been so supportive of the teachers during the year by acknowledging their work, providing cupcakes during the lockdown period, and making special presentations on World Teacher’s Day.

Emails and letters of support have been very much appreciated by this committee and those regular attendees at meetings. Thank you for keeping the canteen and uniform shop going by implementing the Job Keeper assistance for our employees. I look forward to working with the new committee in what hopefully will be a much brighter 2021.

Remembrance Day - Wednesday 11 November

Remembrance Day is at school this year. We are separating the grades and stages and running an open-air service near the flagpoles. Poppies will be worn by the students and a lovely Lest We Forget sign being made for the hall.

Enrolling for 2021

This afternoon at 3.30pm there will be a school tour for all new enrolments to the school from Year 1-6. This tour is limited to 2 people per family and COVID guidelines will be followed. A sign on sheet will be at the office which needs to be completed. Please meet on the grass area outside the administration office at 3.30pm

Second Hand Uniform Sale - Friday 20 November - 8.30am-9.30am

The uniform shop will be selling second-hand uniform pieces along with some new large sized uniforms outside the hall on Friday 20 November. Please bring your credit card to purchase as we would prefer to keep the transactions cashless.

Jackets, skorts and shorts will be around $5

Dresses - $10

All proceeds will go towards the school. Please come to the tables outside the hall on that Friday morning. Purchases will need to be made quickly within the 10 minutes, in keeping with the COVID guidelines.

Instrument Allocations Tests - Junior Band

Today Carlos (junior band conductor) and Ben (senior band conductor) interviewed the new students for the junior band program for 2021. The interviews and musicianship assessments allow for the conductors to choose the most appropriate instrument for students to play. Junior band members will need to engage a tutor for individual lessons in preparation for their first combined rehearsal early next year. Notes and information will come home with your children next week.

Banner Assembly - Friday 13 November

Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a school banner at tomorrow’s assembly:

Isla Williams, Ziggy Sciascia, Jack Wilkin, George Gregor, William Stevens, Noah Lougher, Curtis Puchner.

Celebration of Learning - Thursday 3 December (Stage 1, 2 & 3)

Celebration of Learning will take place in stages. We are going to run them on Thursday 3 December. Only one parent from each family will be able to come to these assemblies. No grandparents. COVID guidelines will be followed.

9.30am – 11.00am - Stage 3
11.30am – 1.00pm - Stage 2
1.00pm – 3.00pm - Stage 1

Kindergarten Graduation- Friday 11 December

Kindergarten will have a graduation ceremony and awards day on 11 December. We will do it class by class to allow Kindergarten children to have both parents there. Filming of all ceremonies will take place with links that can be accessed. More information will follow via classroom teachers.

Year 6 Graduation - Monday 14 December – 1.00pm

We will have our normal graduation ceremony for Year 6. There will be no students in attendance (other than Year 6), to allow for every year 6 student to bring both their parents. No grandparents will be allowed. 2 parents per child only. The ceremony will be in the school hall and parents can sit together.

Year 6 Graduation Dinner – Tuesday 15 December

Currently the Year 6 parent committee are looking at COVID safe ways to deliver food to the hall. The children will have their disco just by themselves and limited staff will be able to attend. The Dance to be Fit group is teaching the students their dances for the night.

Thank you to the P & C for their donation to this event as fundraising (Minifest) is unlikely to occur this year.

Class Parties - Not Permitted

No class parties or class presentations this year. If Class Coordinators are organising cards or combined gifts for teachers they will need to be dropped at the office and the SRC representatives can read out the cards. You could even keep it to individual cards from families if you wish, no group gatherings of classes will be permitted this year

Scripture Service

Final event – Wednesday 25 November. Social distancing for the service will occur in the school hall. SEE classes will take place in classrooms.

Vandalism and Security

We have had some vandalism and breaches of security over the past 2 weekends. School security will be putting on patrols and video footage of the culprits will be shown to the police. Please feel free to report any criminal behaviour or vandalism to the police 000 or school security on 1300 363 778.

The school was designed to allow for community use of the facility it would be a shame to now close it down for community use.

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.

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.

Rotary Youth Award – Ruby Nelson

Congratulations to Ruby Nelson who has been awarded a Rotary Youth Award for being an outstanding student who always demonstrates exceptional civic and citizenship.

Tina Lee – Principal

Dates for your Diary

Year 5 Students ONLY - Selective High School Online Applications for 2022 close 16 November

If you would like to have your Year 5 child to be considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2022, you need to apply on the internet by next Monday 16 November 2020.

Detailed instructions on how to apply online will be available at the link below:

The application website opened at that link on 6 October 2020 and closes next Monday 16 November 2020. You must apply online before the closing date.

There are no paper application forms. If you do not have internet access, you could apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the High Performance Unit for assistance.

TO APPLY YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER AND THEN APPLY THROUGH THE HIGH PERFORMING STUDENTS WEBSITE.

I you have any further questions please contact Mrs Blackband via the school office.

Basketball Clinic

Years 3 – 6, along with some very keen Year 2 students, had the opportunity to take the time out of their busy day to learn some new basketball skills and tricks. Students learnt key skills for basketball success including passing, catching, dribbling, shooting and ball handling. Our students thoroughly enjoyed participating in the skill challenges and shooting games. Coach Rad was very impressed with the level of enthusiasm and skill that our students put on display. We might have some WNBL and NBL stars in our future!

Canteen News

Term 4 is very much up and running in the canteen, with orders continually increasing every day. Thank you to everyone who has signed up for this term there are still spots free and we would love for others to also sign up, please use this link to sign up:

The following spots for the next 2 weeks are free and we would really appreciate if they could be filled:

Monday 16 November - 12.15 -1.30pm
Tuesday 24 November - 12.15 -1.30pm
Wednesday 25 November – 12.00 -1.30pm
Friday 27 November - 11.30am -1.30pm

No experience is needed.

Canteen Coordinators

Scholastic Book Club

Book orders are due by Monday 30 November 2020.

2021 School Travel