26 August 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Thank you to Abbie, Gemma and Willow for the lovely welcome to school sign they left at the gate last week. It was a lovely surprise and reminded us all how much we miss our students.

Class Coordinator Feedback Sessions

Thank you to all the Class Coordinators for attending the zoom sessions this week. It was great to meet with you all to discuss issues and concerns around the remote learning. The executive team will look at the feedback from the Class Coordinator sessions when planning for next term if we remain on these Level 4 restrictions.

A full summary of our discussions will be sent out next week after today’s final sessions. The schools’ decisions regarding the use of technology are based on research. Dr Kristy Goodwin in her book “Raising Your Child in a Digital World” is a great read for parents during these times. Limiting technology in the early years is extremely beneficial for younger children’s development. Kindergarten, year 1 and 2 students should not be on screens more than 2 hours per day (including watching television).

Although difficult for parents to manage when they are working from home and home-schooling, the activities and hard copy booklets are based on the curriculum requirements and an attempt to reduce children’s use of technology.

We need to balance traditional toys with tech toys, imaginary play with physical play. Let children be bored as it gives their brains time to think and create. Remember that children will be learning from you are parents. If you are anxious and upset, they will be anxious and upset. Always provide a supportive and caring environment for your children and they will learn.

Links below will assist in navigating educational shows and appropriate apps and sites for your children to learn.

A lot of parents are wanting a break during the week from the technology, but we still have parents who need to work and have activities for their children to do. Please remember to access the Reading eggs, Mathletics and Wushka sites that students have, and Mrs Webster has also sent some great library resources home for parents in last week’s newsletter.

The Parent Learning from home hub also gives plenty of timetables and activities that children could do on the days when you require more work.

Parents and carers (nsw.gov.au)

If you require a phone call from your child’s teacher regarding the work or your child please email the office and we will forward your email onto the teacher.

Welcome Erin Jones - 4M Teacher

This week we welcome Ms Erin Jones to 4M class. Erin will be working with 4M until the end of the year.

Kindy 2022 Q&A Session

Please make sure you have enrolled your child for Kindergarten 2022 as we will be beginning our orientation program at the end of this term with a Zoom Q&A on Tuesday 14 September. Enrolment forms and a virtual tour of the school are available on the school’s website.

Food for Families - Voluntary Organisation

The school has received an email this week with an offer of free food for families in need. The email reads:

“One Meal - Northern Beaches Co-op is a local not-for-profit community organisation that helps feed and support disadvantaged, vulnerable and at-risk people on the Northern Beaches. We currently support approximately 350 individuals and families each week, via fresh fruit and veggie hampers, breakfast packs, pantry staples, and ready to eat home cooked hot and frozen complete meals.

We are 100% volunteer run and all food is provided free of charge.

If you have any families that could be helped by our service, please reach out to me.

We can deliver to your school for the families to collect at their convenience. “

Please make contact with Mrs Lee or Mrs Oscroft if you know of anyone or are someone who requires this service.

Support for Families

Some helpful links below:

Provides free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help families grow and thrive together. Contains information on COVID-19 and how to help your family cope.

Information on how to stay safe online during the COVID –19 pandemic

Provides telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers of children ages 0 to 18 who live in New South Wales. Ph: 1300 130 052

Brings together families, support services and community resources so that our children and young people are safe and well. Ph: 1800 066 757

Information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ph: 1800 512 358

Resources for parents and carers to best support their children and reduce worry and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tina Lee – Principal

Learning from Home

Learning From Home

Year 5

Stage 2

National Science Week

Last week was National Science Week and similar to every year Manly Vale students went above and beyond to showcase their scientific talents. Students in K-4 were set the challenge to teach the teacher by conducting their own scientific experiments and uploading a video of it to their Google Classroom. The response was fantastic. We are lucky to have so many enthusiastic students who not only performed an experiment but also documented their scientific thinking on what reactions were taking place and why. Stage 3 have been learning about States of Matter and the particle model. For their Science Week activity they had great fun role playing the behaviour of particles from one state to another. Student videos were both informative and hysterical. A big shout out to all the scientists (students), their laboratory assistants (siblings) and production crew (parents) who got involved to help celebrate. Thank you from the Science team (Mrs Holman, Ms Fisk, Mrs Hacking and Ms McManus).

Library News

Book Week

Each year the Children’s Book Council of Australia brings children and books together to celebrate CBCA Book Week. It is usually scheduled during Term 3 but this year many schools including ours have opted to postpone our celebration until next term when we can celebrate more fully. Students can look forward to author talks, a dress-up day, fun challenges and more.

All students are currently learning about the CBCA shortlisted books during their weekly online library lessons. The CBCA shortlist can be found at the link below.

This year the theme for Book Week is “Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”. It will be a great opportunity for us to escape into another world. More information about Book Week will be communicated closer to the event.

Library Subscriptions

Manly Vale Public School Library subscribes to some wonderful resources to support your child/ren’s learning and leisure. These include Storybox Library, World Book Online and Wheeler’s eBook Platform. Students can access direct links to these resources, and login details, through their Student Portal/My Library. Information was sent home last week through class parents.

Ali Webster – Teacher Librarian

Dates for your Diary

Community Notices

Northern Beaches Council Vacation Care

The link to the Spring brochure is:

The link to the Vacation Care website is:

Vinnies

Vinnies is here to help. If any family needs help with food, bills and/or housing during this difficult time, please direct them to our Helpline on 13 18 12 or call their local Vinnies Support Centre

School Information