11 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

What a start to the year. I had the privilege of attending the Great Aussie Bush Year 6 camp last week. It was amazing to be on a camp again. Sleeping in tents and participating in activities including canoeing, high ropes, orienteering, “The Giant Swing” and archery was a great way to bond with our new school leaders and a chance for their teachers to get to know them all. The “county fair” on Thursday night was an experience with the students running stalls including face painting, milkshake and bakery shops, games boulevard and jumping castle. We all had a lot of fun and congratulations to all students (and their teachers) for completing activities and challenges which moved them out of their comfort zones, preparing them for their year ahead. Thank you to their teachers Mr Dylan, Mrs Blackband, Mrs Ward and Mrs Radan for attending the camp and allowing the students to have this experience at the beginning of their final year at Manly Vale.

Welcome to our New Families

This week we have had a further couple of families enrol in our school. We would like to extend a warm welcome to you all and let you know that there is some Parent Information Evenings coming up in the next few weeks which will allow you to connect with your classroom teacher and other parents within the school. The nights are a great way to get to know the other families in your class group and enter your details so that they can be shared with the class. Please ensure that one parent only attends these nights as per the COVID guidelines. Registration via QR codes will be required on the night. Parents are asked to go directly to the classrooms for the information. Please follow the signage to your child’s classroom.

Week 4:

Monday 15 February - Years 5 & 6 Information Night – 6.00pm-7.00pm
Tuesday 16 February – Kindergarten Information Night- 5.00pm-6.00pm
Year 1 & 2 Information Night- 6.00pm-7.00pm

Week 5:

Wednesday 24 February – Years 3 & 4 Information Night – 6.00pm-7.00pm

Class Coordinators

Every year we ask that one parent from each class become our Class Coordinator. Their role is to liaise between the classroom teacher and the class parents regarding excursions and events, fundraising and opportunities in which to assist the school. The Class Coordinators liaise with Mrs Kristen Te Pania (parent in 3/4T) regarding upcoming P & C and school events. We will have a Class Coordinator meeting after the Parent Information nights are completed in week 5. The first job they will be required to complete is a class email list to assist with communication between all parents in the class. Thank you to all parents who volunteer to undertake this role for the school.

School Swimming Carnival

Today we had our annual swimming carnival. It was a wonderful day and even though parents were unable to attend the children had a great day swimming and cheering on their team mates in the various events.

Special mention to our wonderful house captains who led the cheers and assisted with getting students to their races on time. Thanks also to Mrs Ward and Mrs Birrell for all their work in getting this carnival up and running with minimal supervision and support this year.

Students who will receive ribbons and compete at the District Carnival will be notified in next week’s newsletter. Thank you to all parents for their understanding of the constraints with spectators this year.

School Uniform

We have had many enquiries as to what is considered to be the school uniform. The definition of uniform according to the Macquarie dictionary is “a distinctive dress of uniform style, materials and colour worn by and identifying all the members of a group or organisation e.g. school”

This means that the uniform should look the same on every student so that financial status or peer acceptance does not become a means for discrimination amongst students and families.

The uniform at Manly Vale Public School is very affordable for all families. You are able to clothe your children in a tunic style dress, skorts or shorts (red) with a white polo shirt. Plain black school shoes should be worn with this combination of dress.

The plain black shoes can be leather, canvas or runners but they must be plain black. All black. Not black with white soles, or blue laces, or a white NIKE tick on the side. Just plain black. White ankle socks should be worn with the shoes. Not socks where you can’t see them above the shoe.

Runners of any colour or sports shoes can only be worn 1 day per week and that is a sports day. This is Friday for years 3-6 and other days for years K-2. Not gym day or dance day. These activities require students to take their shoes off and so therefore they can wear their school shoes.

Students who do not wear the correct black shoes during the school day will not receive house points towards the uniform award.

Cyber Safety Parent Webinars

Please follow the link below if you wish to participate in some parent cyber safety workshops. These webinars are run by the E Safety commissioner and very beneficial for parent.

P & C Meeting - Tuesday 9 March

James Fewtrell (P & C President) and Karen Murtgatroyd (P & C Secretary) will be available on the Kindergarten and Stage 1 arent information night to have a chat with parents about the roles of the P & C. They will also be looking for volunteers to assist in the uniform shop, canteen and fundraising events.

Our first actual P & C meeting is on Tuesday 9 March at 7.00pm in the school staffroom (near the office). All parents and community members are invited to attend. A gold coin donation allows you to become a financial member of the P & C and enables you to vote.

Band Meeting - Wednesday 3 March

Our first school band meeting will be held on Wednesday 3 March. All parents whose children are in the band are invited to attend. The band committee is lead by John Logan (president) and Helena Edgerton (secretary). The meeting details will be released closer to the date. Mrs Monika Johnson and Ms Hannah Taylor are the teachers assigned to assist with band this year.

School Banking

We are currently investigating options for school banking. There will be no banking until further notice. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Bus - morning and afternoon

We are currently experiencing a lot of issues with our 618 and 620 am and pm bus service. We are in constant contact with the Brookvale depot supervisor and staff regarding buses not turning up or arriving late. As a school we have made numerous complaints to the depot and are trying to rectify the situation. If you would like to lodge your concerns as a parent please lodge your complaint on the Transport NSW website:

Canteen lunch orders - debt collection

If your child is missing lunch they are sent to the canteen for a replacement. A slip is then sent home asking for payment for this replacement lunch. Please be prompt in returning payment to the canteen. After one week of no payment the school will be sending a reminder email.

Medication Administration

If your child requires medication to be given at school it must be delivered to the office by an adult and not kept in school bags. The teacher does not give medication at school. Trained office staff administer medication in the school office. There are strict procedures and paperwork to be completed and followed so please contact the office via email if you are requiring the paperwork or come into the office prior to the day to complete the necessary forms.

Tina Lee – Principal

Dates for your Diary

School Photos

Our Manly Vale Public School photos are fast approaching. On Thursday 4 March (Week 6), Advanced Life Photos will be at our school to take photos of the whole school, classes and families/siblings.

In Week 4, children will be sent home with an order form envelope outlining different options for photos if you wish to purchase them. You may pay for your school photos via the secure online advancedorder web portal specifically set up for our school using the unique 9-digit online order code P2B 27Y HEW. Parents who place their order online DO NOT need to return the order envelope. Only families who wish to pay via cheque or cash will need to return the order envelope to the school prior to photo day.

Sibling/family photos may be ordered online using the same code above or via a special sibling order envelope which can be collected at the office. Please note that sibling photos are only for siblings who are enrolled at Manly Vale Public School.

Please ensure that your child/children come to school on photo day wearing their neatest and cleanest, correct full school uniform and presentable hair.

Please note that students who do not have permission to be photographed WILL be included in the full school photo or their class photo.

Ellie Radan and Sarah Birrell

Surf Education Year 6 Excursion

As part of the stage 3 PDHPE program, Year 6 will be participating in a day of surf and safety skills at Manly Beach and Shelly Beach next Wednesday 17 February. The excursion will be attended by class teachers. Instructors from SEA Australia will provide the main instruction for the day.

It is important that parents please complete the permission note which was sent home on Monday and return it to their class teacher with payment ASAP. There is also an online waiver which must be completed to attend the excursion. Please follow the link below:

Our year 5's attended the same Surf Ed excursion this week on Wednesday and it was an enjoyable and beneficial day! Photos coming next week!

Lisa Cash

Year 6 High School Information Evening – Monday 1 March 2021, 6.00pm

Year 6 parents are invited to attend an information evening on Monday 1 March, 6.00pm in the Manly Vale Public School Hall. At this session you will hear from our two local high school principals, Christine Del Gallo (Mackellar Girls) and Paul Sheather (Balgowlah Boys). There will also be the opportunity to ask questions about the two campuses.

Following this session Mrs Blackband will distribute the NSW High School Expression of Interest forms and guide you through how to fill them in. Please remember to complete the COVID sign in upon your arrival.

Any questions please contact or email Mrs Blackband via the school office.

Learning Support – settling in to a new school year

Welcome to another year at Manly Vale Public School! We hope all students are adjusting to their new class and routines.

On occasion the Learning and Support team will provide information that is relevant to learning support and of interest to the community. In this week’s Bush Telegraph we discuss starting a new school year.

Settling in

“Big school” is a big change! It is very normal for children to experience a variety of emotions in the lead-up to and during the first few weeks of school. Allow your child time to settle and try to remain positive – this demonstrates to your child that school is a safe place and that you believe they will cope and have fun.

Some children (and parents) find it difficult to separate at drop-off in the morning which can be upsetting for both parties. Below are some tips for saying goodbye in the morning:

• Tell your child when you’re leaving and when you’ll see them next. Leaving without saying goodbye can make things worse. Your child might feel confused or upset when they realise you’re not around and they might be harder to settle next time.
• Say goodbye to your child briefly – don’t drag it out.
• Keep a relaxed and happy look on your face when leaving. If you seem worried or sad, your child might think school isn’t safe and could get upset.
• Have a designated pick-up spot or home-time routine to alleviate anxiety in the afternoon.
• Please contact the school if you are going to be late picking up your child. This will also alleviate any anxiety.
• Spend time together after school, sharing a healthy snack and talking about the day. Children are not always forthcoming with information so it may be helpful to ask quite specific questions such as: What made you smile today? What was your favourite thing that happened today? What did you play at morning tea? Who did you sit next to? What was something you found challenging? etc.

Of course, if it is nearing the end of term and your child is still struggling to settle in, please make an appointment to see the class teacher.

Suggested reading:

The Invisible String – Karst, P. (suitable for K-3)

Owl Babies – Waddell, M. & Benson, P. (suitable for Kindergarten)

Hey Warrior – Karen Young (ages 5+)

Cadence Abrahams & Karen Bellamy (Learning Support Teachers)

Canteen News

Canteen Volunteers Needed

We are delighted to see so many people sign up to volunteer in the canteen and especially we are excited to see so many new people. Thank you.

There are still spots available throughout the term, which we would love filled. The following shifts are available for next week:

Tuesday 16 February - 11.30am-1.30pm
Wednesday 17 February - 11.30am-1.30pm
Thursday 18 February - 11.30am-1.30pm

If you are able to do one or more of them please sign up use the link below:

Reminder

To those parents who were not able to place their child's lunch order last Friday due to Flexischools having technical difficulties and placed the order via phone could you please pay what you owe via the Flexischools IOU.

New to the Menu

Sushi on a Monday

Vanilla Ice cream tubs $1.50.

Kindergarten classes

Kindergarten students are allowed to place orders for recess and lunch via Flexischools and they can buy over the counter at lunch time a variety of healthy snacks.

Robyn, Kerry and Becky - Canteen Managers

Community Notices

Queenscliff Net Set Go Registrations

Northern Beaches High School’s Open Days

Eye Heart Science

Before school, hands-on science class on site at Manly Vale Public School on a Tuesday morning, 7.45am-8.45am. Register now for an exciting term on Great Scientists. Experiments will include crystals, radioactivity, Dinosaur Poo and much more. Suitable for K-6 and Creative Kids Vouchers accepted.

School Information