3 June 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

It is hard to believe that we only have 3 weeks left of school. Teachers are busy finalising the end of semester reports to go out on Wednesday 23 June. There is a lot of extra-curricular events occurring over the next few weeks to wrap up what has been a very busy term.

With all the upcoming events we have decided to postpone our next P & C Meeting until after the school holidays to Tuesday 20 July 7.00pm in the staffroom.

Bushcare for Manly Vale Public School - Monday 31 May

Thank you to Mrs Zuzana Pastuskova (Zoe and Emilka’s mum) for assisting the local Bushcare group last Monday to weed the school gardens. Our volunteer Bushcare group led by Tom Hazel spent the morning working in the gardens on the front rock face to rid them of weeds including Whisky grass, so that our school remains a beautiful natural bush environment. We will need ongoing assistance from the parent community to help with the larger areas of bushland located in the school so we will have a Saturday working bee early next term to try and get a regular work group established to do this ongoing maintenance.

Congratulations to our Drama Group

This week our school drama group auditioned for the Sydney North Drama Festival. The drama group is represented by students from Years 3-6 who auditioned at the beginning of the year. Congratulations to all actors on their portrayal of the children’s story “The Twits.” The group consists of; George Gregor (yr 5), Ashleigh Forrest (yr 5), Martie Rademeyer (yr 3), Savannah Lowe (yr 3), Curtis Puchner (yr 5), Phoebe Gregor (yr 3) and Evey Seymour (yr 3). Special mention to Ms Kate Stacey for her organisation and auditioning of the group, and filming their audition to enter the festival. We look forward to finding our whether we will perform in the festival in week 10 of this term.

ICAS Assessments

This year the ICAS assessments will be done after school. All payments for these competitions are to be done online by 25 June. Unfortunately there is a clash with the ICAS mathematics assessment and the Stage 3 camp, so year 5 and 6 students will not be able to do the maths component this year as they will be in Canberra. ICAS link below and using parent access code ZKH681

Congratulations Isaac and Katie

Our year 6 students Isaac Sherlock and Katie Birch have been elected as our Dance Captains this year. They will receive their badges this Friday morning assembly. Katie and Isaac will host the K-2 dance concert on Wednesday 23 June.

Spelling Bee Finals

This week and next we will be eliminating students in years 3-6 in our school’s Spelling Bee. Congratulations to all students who made it through the class competitions and are now competing in the stage lunchtime competitions. Thank you to Mrs Johnston for all her work and organisation around this event. The stage 3 elimination event will be Thursday 10 June.

Multicultural Public Speaking Competition - Final

Next Monday 7 June, Manly Vale Public School will host the zone public speaking competition. Our outstanding school finalists will now compete against other local schools. Only 1 spectator per speaker is permitted in the hall. Thank you to Mrs Lucey and Mrs Banham for their preparation of our speakers and organising this event.

School Attendance

Please make sure you email the office when your child is absent from school. Record of attendance and reasons need to be recorded at the school office. See-Saw and other class communications should not be used to inform the school of student absences.

Please remember to keep your child at home if they are unwell and obtain a COVID test if they are exhibiting any symptoms. The results of the test should be forwarded to the office prior to the return to school.

Overdue School Fees

We have sent out a lot of reminders for school fees this week. Dance and gym programs are coming to completion and our instructors need to be paid. With half the year nearly completed it is important to make some payment to cover ongoing costs.

Stage 3 camp (30 August-1 September) will be a big expense for some families. Notes will go home this week with details of how to pay in instalments. Please book an interview time with Mrs Lee if you are having difficulty paying school fees.

School Tour - Monday 21 June 2.00pm

For interested families wishing to enrol in the school, there will be a school tour on Monday 21 June at 2.00pm. Please meet at the office.

Banner Assembly - Friday 18 June

Notes have already been sent home to students receiving a banner for Term 2. The banner assembly will be on Friday morning 18 June (week 9). Students will have up to 11 June to cash in their Principal Awards in order to receive their banner on this day.

Tina Lee – Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

Student Attendance

As we are halfway through the year it is a timely reminder of a few key messages in regards to the school’s Attendance Procedures which are in line with the Department of Education’s guidelines. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people.

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for them in achieving their educational best and increase their career and life options.

What if my child has to be away from school?

On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• Being sick, or having an infectious disease
• Having an unavoidable medical appointment
• Being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• Urgent family circumstances (e.g. attending a funeral).

Following an absence from school, parents are required to provide an explanation within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence by means such as a telephone call, written note, email or via our Schoolzine app using the absentee form. As a school we send out daily emails if your child is away and no explanation has been received.

When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

Did you know ….if a student misses as little as 8 days in a school term, by the end of primary school they will have missed over a year of schooling?

Thank you for your support and understanding on the importance of regular attendance.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Sharon Oscroft - Deputy Principal

Dates for your Diary

Winter PSSA Teams and Venues

Stage 1 Art Shack

National Reconciliation Week 2021

More Than A Word – Reconciliation Takes Action

Principal’s - “Acknowledgement to Country”

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land in which Manly Vale Public School stands.

Always was, Always will be, Aboriginal land.
I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.
We meet on the land of the saltwater people.
Where the bush meets the sand, and the sand meets the ocean.
The original inhabitants hunted, lived in an organised clan system, had comfortable homes and passed down their history through yarns, carvings and art.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians and here at Manly Vale we are proud to say we are on our way. Through shared stories, dual perspectives, song, dance, yarns and art we are building a school community that values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Reconciliation Australia urges us to move from ‘safe’ to ‘brave’ in order to advance reconciliation. We ask that you join us in taking this step. Please visit 20 Actions for Reconciliation in 2021 at the link and help make Reconciliation – More Than A Word.

Reconciliation Week – 6R & 6W

For Reconciliation Week 6R and 6W sat in the yarning circle and wrote their own Acknowledgment of Country in a harmonious, creative and collaborative way. We wanted to write our own Acknowledgement of Country to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to our local area. We went down to the yarning circle because the use of a yarning circle (or dialogue circle) is an important process within Aboriginal culture and Torres Strait Islander culture. In the yarning circle, all students were provided with an opportunity to speak and share their ideas of what our class Acknowledgement of Country should include. We discussed the importance of our local area at Manly Vale and the importance of our local community to Aboriginal people.

2S Reconciliation Day

5T Reconciliation Day

2S Window Quote

Defence of Sydney Commemoration Ceremony

On Friday 28 May Mrs Ward took Alex Matheson and Isabella Earl, our two school captains, to North Head for the 79th Anniversary Commemoration Service. It was held to acknowledge the first time war came to Sydney and to commemorate those who lost their lives all throughout the war. Mr James Griffin hosted the service and Mr Paul Kelly gave a fantastic speech about when war arrived at our doorsteps in 1942 and the attack on Sydney Harbor. We sang the Song of Australia, I Vow to Thee My Country, the Royal Hymn and of course the National Anthem. There was a time of book and wreath laying where each attendant stepped forward to place down an item of gratitude and took a moment to pay their respects to those who have fought for our country. Like all commemoration services they had the Ode, Last Post, A Minutes Silence and the Rouse. It was a lovely service and a wonderful leadership opportunity for our captains.

Mrs Ward

Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking School Finals

Last Friday, 10 of our contestants presented their prepared and impromptu speeches. Mrs Lee and the teachers were very impressed with the quality of speeches and individual presentation skills.

The two winners from stage 2 are:

Emma Dixon 4M and Jason Robison 4S

The two winners from stage 3 are:

Abigail Wilson 5BC and Georgia Harris 5T

The adjudicators recognised Isaac Sherlock from 6W with the Highly Commended mention for his engaging prepared speech.

Our winners will now compete at the local MPPS finals, scheduled for Monday 7 June at Manly Vale Public School.

A big thank you goes to our school captains, Mrs Radan, Mrs Johnston and Mrs Lucey, for helping prepare and run this final smoothly and efficiently.

We wish our winners all the best in the next stage of the competition.

Mrs Banham and The GATS Committee

Library News – Meet the Monitors

Ali Webster – Teacher Librarian

Scholastic Book Club

Brochures have been distributed and are due back at school by Friday 11 June 2021.

School Banking – Volunteers needed

School banking has resumed. Parent volunteers are needed to help with school banking. If you are interested in volunteering please get in touch with Kirralyn (school banking coordinator): kyrralyn@gmail.com

Café Owl Reopening

Canteen News

Term 2 Pie & Fizz day! – Thursday 24 June, $6.50 for a choice of pie plus a 250ml can of Glee sparkling juice.

Order online on Flexischools by Wednesday 23 June.

In addition to this special we will be offering a normal recess service on the day, plus a limited selection of sandwiches, drinks and ice blocks.

Contact us on manlyvalepscanteen@gmail.com with any queries.

Outstanding Accounts

A reminder for outstanding canteen accounts, pay on Flexischool’s IOU section at the link below.

Canteen Volunteers

Thank you Thank you Thank you, to the many who have signed up to volunteer in the canteen this term. Our roster is nearly full so for those who would still like to sign up, get in fast as we only have 4 spots still available.

Tuesday 8 June - 9.00am-11.30am
Tuesday 15 June - 9.00am-11.30am
Tuesday 22 June – 9.00am-11.30am
Friday 25 June - 9.00am-11.30am

Please sign up via the following link:

Robyn, Kerry and Becky - Canteen Managers

Stewart House Donation Drive

Congratulations to the winner of the 2021 Donation Drive, a lucky student from Bathurst Public School. Stewart House are sincerely thankful for your fundraising support, as our major fundraising event in NSW public schools, we depend on the funds raised through the “Stewart House envelopes” to help run our unique program.

Community Notices

Expression of interest for Assisted Travel Support Officer (ATSO) position

The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) often provides additional support to students with disabilities on transport. Assisted Travel Support Officers (ATSOs) support students with complex health or behaviour needs to ensure their safe travel to and from school.

If you are interested in temporary part-time work as an ATSO for 2 hours per day before and after school, the following website contains information on the role, and how to apply for the position:

For further information please contact ASTP on 1300 338 278, or email ASTP at atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au

The Resilience Centre

The School Expert on Boosting Resilience – Wednesday 16 June 2021, 7.00-8.30pm presented by Neil Worsley. Discover the secrets of how to help your child or teen develop real resilience and move from struggling to thriving in school. Enquiries robyn@theresiliencecentre.com.au or website at the link below or phone 9869 0377 for more information.

Northern Beaches Council Winter Vacation Care 2021

Northern Beaches Council operates Vacation Care, please see below links for more information:

The link to the brochure is:

The link to the Vacation Care website is:

School Information