7 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome back to all our wonderful families. I hope you had a great holiday and are now looking forward to a return to face to face learning and an 11 week term. It is great to know we have an extra week this term to assess our students and set up for an industrious term and year ahead.

I would like to thank and congratulate all parents for the amazing work they have been doing at home during this remote learning phase and to all our wonderful teachers who have kept the momentum going through what has been a very challenging few months. We are all looking forward to seeing our students face to face again.

Staged return to school:

Week 3 - Monday 18 October - Kindergarten and year 1 and essential workers return
Week 4 - Monday 25 October – All students return to school

All teachers and school staff will be fully vaccinated for students return to school. Mask wearing is mandatory for all adults attending the school site however mask wearing for students 12 years and under is advised but not mandatory. Guidelines including start and finish times will be sent out next week. Separate toilets, break times and entry and exit points to the school will be explained through communication next week.

Canteen and Uniform Shop

The canteen will open for a couple of days in week 3 and be fully operational in week 4 when all students return to school. Kerry, Robyn and Becky will send out details of opening times next week. Ice blocks for birthday surprises will be available from the canteen when it is open.

The uniform shop is currently open for online orders only. Please visit the school’s website or order using the new link below. Orders will be made up and left in the office for pick up.

NAPLAN 2021

All NAPLAN results and reports are available for Years 3 and 5. The NAPLAN reports have been put into the remote learning packs this week so please make sure you pick up your pack from the office by tomorrow.

Band 2022

Next week on Wednesday 13 October at 7.30pm we will have our final Band meeting for the year. All parents who wish to attend the zoom meeting can contact the school or the committee for the zoom link. We will be discussing the plans for establishing and auditioning new students to join the program in 2022 and outline the performances and rehearsals for this term. Thank you to our dedicated committee and our wonderful conductors Ben and Carlos for all their work in keeping our Band program alive during these past few months. Junior band zoom rehearsals are on Tuesday 1.00pm and Senior Band rehearsals are on Wednesday 1.00pm.

Bitmoji -Teacher Guessing Competition

Last Bush Telegraph we posted our school staff Bitmoji display. We thought you would like the answer sheet to the guessing competition. The collage and answer sheet are below.

ICAS Competition - online option only or refund

The University of New South Wales ICAS Assessments have informed us that the ICAS Writing competition will be held at home Wednesday 13 October from 3.15-4.15pm due to the lockdown conditions. The organisers recognise that this arrangement demands a lot more of your time to prepare and supervise your child during the test. Unfortunately, there is no alternative solution offered at this time. There will be no additional time slots to ‘catch-up’ students who missed out or were not logged on at the prescribed time.

Unfortunately, this test will increase your child’s screen time due to lockdown restrictions.

ICAS Mathematics and ICAS English will proceed as per usual once we are back at school. The dates will be advised shortly. We recognise that this is not an ideal situation, but we would like to assure you that your child will have equal opportunities to demonstrate their writing prowess in the coming years.

What should I do next?

If you choose to opt-out from ICAS Writing, then:

Please contact ICAS Assessments directly on icasassessments@janison.com to secure the refund.

Please advise Mrs Banham on manlyvale-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au whether you intend to withdraw from the competition.

Please note that if your child usually attends school on Wednesdays, they will not be able to sit this test at school after hours. We would strongly advise requesting a refund from the ICAS Assessments in this case.

Congratulations Mrs Martin

Congratulations to Mrs Bianca Martin and her husband Pat on the birth of their baby boy Xavier Alexander Martin on 30 September. Weighing 4.3kg and 54cm long. The whole family is doing well and hopefully we will be able to meet the latest Martin addition soon.

Red Room Poetry competition

Congratulations to the following students Hannah Solberger, Thanusri Gadikota and Georgie Harris in 5T who have had their poems published in the Red Room Poetry competition.

Please follow the link below to see these great poems on nature from our talented year 5 students

Student poems | New Australian poetry, contemporary Australian writers & poetry education | Red Room Poetry

Thanusri also has been selected as a finalist in the 2021 Schools Reconciliation Challenge, Under One Sky; Yesterday, Today and Forever Exhibition and online gallery for her writing. Thanusri’s work will be recognised at an awards ceremony attended by the Hon. Don Harwin (Aboriginal Affairs and Arts) and Sarah Mitchell (Education Minister) in November. Congratulations to Thanusri on receiving such a commendation for your work we are all very proud her at Manly Vale Public school.

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

Dates for your Diary

On Your Soap Box

Congratulations to all of the Early Stage 1 class participants on their engaging presentations of their speeches last term. All of kindergarten spoke clearly, using eye contact and body language. It was interesting hearing about what planet you would visit if you had your own rocket ship, the most interesting animal at the zoo or the happiest day you can remember.

KR
Bessie Simpson
Max Waller
Skye Cabrera
Ava Barbato
Keira Toivenen De Oliveira

KM
Jace King
Mitchell Richardson
Haneen Saud
Saxon Smith
Hudson Smith
Ivy Quirk
Aurora Barbieri
Luca Siu

KO
Annabel Reid
Judd McDermott
Isla McDaid
Elsie Sciascia

Tegan Robertson

Stage 3 News

Congratulations to George Gregor 5BC, Kalinda Northcott 5K, Finlay Blanchard 5T, Eleanor Beck 6B, Kate Fewtrell 6D, Isla Stedman 6R and Eliza Toole 6W for being selected as the Class Finalists for the ‘On You Soap Box’ public speaking last term. These students presented their speeches to Mrs Lee, Mrs Oscroft and the whole of their grades via Zoom on Thursday 16 September. Well done to every student who gave a speech last term. We were impressed by how well you adapted to virtual presentations.

Year 6 begin their Dance2Bfit program Monday 11 October, in preparation for end of year celebrations. We are unsure what form these will take, however there will definitely be dancing!!!

The Year 5 Student Leadership process will begin next week on Thursday 14 October with our YLead virtual incursion. Students will participate in a range of activities exploring what it takes to be a respectful, courageous and positive leaders in the community. More information regarding the nominations for leadership positions will follow in the coming weeks.

Learning Support

Family Project

COVID Webinar Series

eSafety Webinar

Community Notices

Freshwater Nippers Registration

School Information