‘Endeavour to Excel’ ‘Excellence, Opportunity, Success’ 121 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, OURIMBAH 2258 PHONE: 4362 1033 FAX: 4362 2531 Email : ourimbah-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website : www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

‘Communicating with our Caring Community’

Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRINCIPAL

Welcome Back Welcome back to all students, teachers and families to the new school year. A very warm welcome is extended to all our new students and their families. It is a pleasure having you join the Ourimbah PS community and we look forward to your involvement in your child’s education and whole school initiatives. We are very excited that Kindergarten will be starting ‘big school’ next week and we look forward to being able to take them on their educational journey. As we commence the new school year, the staff and students continue to adjust to the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines. Whilst many restrictions have been lifted and, or relaxed, we ask that all parents and visitors to our school continue to support the efforts of staff to ensure we are remaining safe and well by familiarising yourselves with the NSW Department of Education’s advice.

Schools continue to be safe, and operations are in line with Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and NSW Health advice. All students should be learning on campus unless they are unwell or have a medical certificate to support their absence. Further information regarding these guidelines is available at the following link – Advice for Families. Alternatively, you may like to call the front office (4362 1033) for further clarification.

Road and Pedestrian Safety I want to take this opportunity to remind all parents and students about the importance of road and pedestrian safety when travelling to and from school. Many of our students either walk or ride to and from school each day. As younger children are developing the skills needed to ride alone, the safest place to ride bikes, scooters and skateboards is within fenced areas away from roads. Children under the age of 10 years old are not permitted to ride (bike, scooter or skateboard) to school without adult supervision. Children between 10 years old and 12 years old should ride away from busy roads. Accompany your children when they are riding a bike until they are at least 10 years old. Ride or walk alongside them and talk about how to be a safe bicycle rider. I have included a flyer with this week’s newsletter further clarifying the Department of Education’s advice on children riding to school.

DATE EVENT 2 – 5 February Kindergarten – partial days 8 February Kindergarten – start full time 8 February CANTEEN CLOSED 18 February Book Club orders due 25 February Swimming Carnival Yrs 3-6 10 March P&C Annual General Meeting 7pm

Class Placements The staff and I have spent a significant amount of time in placing students in particular classes and have done so with great consideration, thought and sensitivity. Issues such as academic progress, social relationships and student behaviour were, and continue to be, all contributing factors when making decisions about class placements. We are confident this is the best make-up for our school organisation and base this foundation upon a collaborative, diverse and professional approach during the planning phase. A number of parent requests were submitted at the end of 2020, and we have made every effort to accommodate these needs. Whilst we welcome parental input into their child’s ongoing education, including requests from parents highlighting exceptional circumstances that need to be considered when placing children into a new class, I must emphasise that, as professionals, the teachers and I are in the best position to determine final class placements for students. This year, we have had several new enrolments to consider when forming classes bringing our current student cohort to 388 students – this has meant that we have been able to establish 15 classes for 2021. The school is staffed on total student enrolment and not on the number of students in each grade. This means that some composite classes are usually unavoidable in a school our size.

Class Structures and Composition Current class arrangements for 2021 are as follows. Teaching Staff KG – Mrs Gordge KMB – Mrs McMurtrie (M-W) / Mrs Brewin (Th-F) K/1A – Miss Adams 1NE – Mrs Wakelin (M-T) / Mrs Elsey (W-F) 1/2N – Miss Nebauer 1/2Y – Miss Young 2B – Mr Bradbury 3/4A – Mrs Alamango 3/4R – Mrs Rae 3/4B – Mrs Bowd 3/4E – Mr Edwards 4/5C - Mr Castles 5/6M – Mrs McLean 5/6K – Miss Kimpton 5/6W – Mr Wilson Library – Mrs Golding Learning & Support Teachers – Mrs Miranda, Mrs

Nagle and Miss Eyers.

RFF – Mrs English, Mrs Pasfield, Mrs Brown (M / W) and Mrs Thorsby (Th)

Mrs O’Malley – Assistant Principal (Hearing) School Counsellor – Mrs Russo (M-T) Itinerant Teacher (Hearing) – Mrs Mifsud

If ever you have a particular concern regarding your child’s education, the first port of call is your child’s class teacher. If required, any concerns regarding students in a particular grade can be referred to the relevant Stage Supervisors. This year, we have maintained a School Leadership Team comprising of 4 Assistant Principals – • Early Stage 1 (Kinder) and Stage 1 (Years 1-2):

Nicki Wakelin • Stage 2 (Years 3-4): Linda Bowd • Stage 3 (Years 5-6): Tina McLean, and • Learning and Support: Jodi Golding.

Administrative Staff Senior Administrative Manager – Ms Vila School Administrative Officers – Mrs Ward and Mrs

Dawson (T-Th) Student Learning Support Officers – Suzie

Matheson, Judy Worth, Rhys Smith, Mel Kenny, Niamh Formby, Amanda Hampson and Elise Brewster.

General Assistant – Mr Rainger Cleaners – Gabrielle Niese.

Staffing Update There have been a few staffing changes to begin the new school year. We welcome back Dean Wilson who has re-joined the Stage 3 team, however, we have also said bon voyage to Miss Fuller who is travelling around Australia in 2021 – happy travels, Cassie! We also welcome 2 new members of staff to Ourimbah PS this year. Zoe Mifsud, has joined Ourimbah PS as an Itinerant Teacher – Hearing. Itinerant support teachers visit schools and other approved educational centres to help support students and young children with confirmed disability. Itinerant support teachers work directly with students and in partnership with the school's learning and support team, parents and carers, and other support agencies to plan personalised learning and support. Haylie Eyers commenced working at Ourimbah PS in Term 4, 2020 as a casual teacher and as a Student Learning Support Officer. This year, Haylie has accepted a full-time position as an additional Learning and Support Teacher and is employed under the Government’s Intensive COVID-19 Learning and Support Program.

We also welcome Elise Brewster back who has accepted a more full-time role as a Student Learning Support Officer (Teacher’s Aide). Student Learning Support Officers work under the direction and supervision of classroom teachers and are part of the school’s Learning and Support program. They provide assistance to students with disability and additional learning and support needs enrolled in special schools, specialist support classes in mainstream schools and in mainstream classes. Mr Miller will continue to be on a leave of absence this year as he extends his contract working as a NAPLAN Online Training Facilitator - good luck, Chris! Mrs Burgess and Mrs Anderson remain on maternity leave but will be re-joining our school in Term 2. Please join me in welcoming all of our new staff to this amazing school!

Composite/Split Grade Classes This year we have 11 composite classes, which are influenced by student numbers, wellbeing considerations and the academic and social needs of our students. Composite classes are a regular inclusion in all schools across the nation. Inclusion in composite classes can be a very positive experience for students. The students, whilst participating in regular grade appropriate programs, will have the opportunity to work with their peers to improve their learning performance. They will also develop their independence skills and enhance their interpersonal abilities. As in other classes, all students will be provided with learning programs relevant to their own individualised needs and abilities. These students will regularly integrate with other classes in their grade for a wide variety of activities – including sport, fitness, excursions and some academic programs. For further information regarding the benefits of composite classes in Primary Education parents are encouraged to visit the following website - Kidspot - Composite Classes

Part Time/Job Share Teachers Like many schools, businesses and government organisations, our school has staff who work on a part-time basis. This may be because of leave options, employment requirements or employee choice. As the Federal Government provides this entitlement to all workers nationwide, more and more employees will take the option if desired. This results in many classes in schools across Australia being taught by two teachers on different days of the week. While some parents may not see this as desirable, it is a staffing arrangement that exists in all schools. Our teachers are committed and hard-working

and when those who do job share, team up with a colleague, we ensure that regular and frequent communication takes place between them and that the effect of two teachers on the students is nothing but positive.

Office Hours Please note that the school office hours are 8:15 am to 3:15 pm Monday to Friday. It is not always possible to get messages to children after 2:30 pm unless in the case of an emergency. If there is a change in your child’s going home arrangements, please let the office know as soon as possible; preferably before 2:30 pm.

Health Care Plans If your child has a health condition that needs medication or specific management, parents are required to provide the school with a health care plan or asthma plan filled out in consultation with a doctor. They need to be renewed every year. Please contact the front office (4362 1033) to update your child’s Health Care Plan. We would appreciate your immediate attention to these plans, so that we can be sure we have up-to-date information if your child needs assistance with a health issue. Kind regards, Greg Francis (Principal) GENERAL SCHOOL HOUSEKEEPING ATTENTION ALL PARENTS Reminder of permission notes & money procedures Notes and money are to be placed by students or parents into the secure box located in the office foyer. Please note that all money and notes will need to be in a clearly marked sealed envelope with the student’s name, class and event on the front. The office will receipt the money, collate the notes and then pass on to the class teacher. 2020 SPORT DAYS K – 2 Wednesday Yrs 3 – 6 Friday NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION The school newsletter is produced on a fortnightly basis on Wednesdays on odd weeks of the term and it is accessible on the school website, www.ourimbah-p.schools.nsw.edu.au and also on the Skoolbag app. This week’s newsletter (Week 2) will be an additional one, with another newsletter to follow next week in Week 3.

SKOOLBAG APP Don’t forget that Ourimbah PS has a Skoolbag App. The app is very user friendly, allowing you to receive notifications and reminders for upcoming events. You can also view newsletters and submit absentee notes. Download your free Skoolbag App from the App Store now. Available for both Apple and Android phones. CANTEEN The school canteen is open from Tuesdays to Fridays each week. Therefore, there is no canteen available on Mondays. Orders can be placed via flexischools online or at the counter. SPORT NEWS SWIMMING CARNIVAL The Annual Primary Swimming Carnival will be held at Mingara Aquatic Centre on Thursday, 25th February. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions and adhering to social distancing policies, parents will not be permitted to attend the carnival. All Year 3-6 students and 8 year old squad swimmers from Year 2 will travel to and from Mingara via chartered coach with their teachers. We are expecting all students (including non-swimmers) to attend the carnival.

Please return your permission note with medical form and payment ($15) prior to Friday, 12th February. D Wilson - Coordinator ELECTION OF SPORTS OFFICIALS 2021 The students in Years 3 to 6 will meet in house groups on Friday, 12th February to elect their Sports Leaders for 2021. Year 6 students are eligible to stand for the positions of Vice Captain and Captain, both boys and girls, for their respective sports house. A short presentation ceremony will be held soon during a school recess assembly for the successful leaders. Guardians of each leader will be contacted with the date and time for the presentation prior to the event. Gary Edwards BOOK CLUB – DUE BY THURSDAY, 18th FEBRUARY Welcome to all of our new students and parents. The first issue of Book Club for 2021 will be sent home soon and will be due back at school by Thursday, 18th February. If you wish to place an order for Book Club, please be sure to fill in the order forms correctly, with your child’s name and class and then send with payment to class teacher or the front office. Orders can be paid for by cash or cheque or by ordering online with your credit card via the LOOP option. Issue 1 of Book Club for 2021 will be due back at school by Thursday, 18th February.

PARENT ONLINE PAYMENT (POP) SYSTEM Our Parent Online Payment (POP) system is proving to be very popular. Parents can use this system to pay for excursions, performances, sport and voluntary contributions. You can find POP on our website under the ‘Make a Payment’ tab. Only fields marked with a green asterisk are mandatory. Therefore invoice numbers and reference numbers are NOT needed. All notes involving payment of money should have instructions regarding what to type into the ‘payment details field’ on the website. POP is also user friendly on all mobile devices. Payments can still be made via cash and cheques. Please note, online canteen and uniform shop purchases are made via Flexischools. CHANGE OF HOME ARRANGEMENTS If your child’s going home arrangements need to be changed, please ensure this is put in writing to your child’s class teacher. Verbal messages to children can create confusion and this can cause them distress. If you do have to change arrangements by phone during the day, please give plenty of time for the message to be received by the class teacher. LATE ARRIVAL If your child arrives after the school bell has gone a late arrival note is required. Please bring your child to the office for this note. EARLY DEPARTURE A note to your child’s teacher stating time of departure and reason is required. The office staff will organise for your child to come to the office after you arrive to pick them up, so please allow time for them to walk down from their classrooms. AFTERNOON WET WEATHER DISMISSAL Parents are requested to wait at the gates under the covered waiting area in the afternoon for your children, even during wet weather. Waiting near the hall causes congestion and confusion during the dismissal of bus lines. Please send your child every day with wet weather gear to wear. Only children in Years 3-6 may bring umbrellas.

ADMINISTERING PRESCRIBED MEDICATION If your child requires medication at school, please fill in a Medical Consent form at the office. This form must be completed prior to any medication being administered by our staff. Please note that only prescribed medications can be administered. A note to the class teacher is also necessary to inform them of medications and the time to be given. HEALTH CARE & ASTHMA PLANS At the end of last year, new Health Care Plans and Asthma Plans for 2021 were sent home to parents of students previously with health care needs. Thank you to parents who have returned these already. If you are still to return your child’s plan, please return it as soon as possible to the office. OUR POSITIVE REWARD SYSTEM The Magpie Reward system is based on recognition for good behaviour and effort over a single term. At the end of each term those students achieving 10 ‘Magpies’ will be eligible to participate in the ‘Magpie Term Reward’, which may vary from term to term.

Each student will be eligible to take part in the term reward activity if they have received 10 class ‘Magpie Awards’ that term. The following term everyone starts anew. All terms will be of equal importance. Each student will have a ‘Magpie Reward Card’ which will be kept by the classroom teacher. The card will indicate the progression from 1 to 10 awards. The ‘Magpie Reward Card’ will go home at the end of each term as a record and memento.

The school will continue with the K – 6 House Points Shield and various other in-class reward systems. The ‘Playground Award’ will expand from positive playground behaviour to include behaviour and effort when working outside of the regular classroom e.g. library, sport, art, etc. This is known as the ‘Citizenship Award’ with a canteen voucher going to the lucky draw winners each week.

COMMUNICATION CARD Last year the use of the Communication Card proved very effective with students. Use of these cards will begin in classrooms from next week (Week 3) for all students from Year 1- Year 6. SCHOOL OPAL CARD An important requirement of the School Opal card is the need for students to Tap On and Tap Off when they travel to and from school. Opal data gathered by tapping on and off is used to determine demand for bus services. If students don’t tap on and tap off, services may be cancelled due to the lack of recorded patronage.

With this in mind, we ask for your assistance in reminding students that tapping on and off at the beginning and end of each trip is one of the conditions of using a School Opal card. This in turn helps us ensure we are able to provide the appropriate level of service to students. COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF Open lines of communication are essential in creating strong home to school partnership links. It is important that the students see us working together as a team. In order to ensure that concerns or questions are dealt with in a fair a timely manner it is important that communication flows through the correct channels. Trying to talk to teachers when they are preparing for their teaching day, on duty, managing children or engaged in another conversation is not fair on you or your child. We want to give every parent our full attention at the appropriate time. From time to time parents or other members of the community may need to approach the school for numerous reasons including to:

• discuss the progress, wellbeing or welfare of their own child,

• express concern about the actions of other students,

• enquire about a school policy or practice. If you are seeking information or have concerns about: CONCERN APPROPRIATE ACTIONS The academic progress of your own child

*Contact the class teacher. They will respond at the earliest convenience and if necessary make an appointment for a meeting.

The wellbeing of your own child

*Contact the class teacher who will clarify information and if necessary make an appointment for a meeting. *If there are serious concerns the class teacher may organise a meeting with you and their supervisor.

The actions of another student

*Contact the classroom teacher. *If serious the classroom teacher with notify the Assistant Principal who will make contact with you if necessary. *At no time should a parent approach a child other than their own.

School policy or practice

*Contact the office. State the nature of the concern and they will pass the information on to

the Principal or Assistant Principal who can help you with your query. *The Principal or Assistant Principal will contact you at the earliest convenience.

School events *Contact the office, if they are unable to assist you with your query they will pass the information on to the organising teacher who will make contact with you.

Change of information

*Contact the office and they will assist you with your query.

Contact can be made via:

• a note addressed to the teacher, • phone call • an email to the front office which will then

be forwarded to the relevant teacher and or supervisor

Please include identifying information on all written communication including child’s name and class. This makes it easier to ensure that emails in particular are forwarded to the right person to assist you. UNIFORM SHOP NEWS Operating Hours – Mondays & Thursdays The opening hours for the uniform shop are as follows:

Mondays 8.30 am - 9.15 am Thursdays 2.30 pm - 3.15 pm

COMMUNITY NEWS

Wednesday 10 February: 8pm—5pm Thursday 11 February: 8am—5pm Friday 12 February: 8am—5pm Scholastic Warehouse Gate 3, 76-80 Railway Crescent, Lisarow We are opening our warehouse doors for a few days Only to celebrate the new school year. We hope you Find this an incredibly affordable way of updating Your classroom and school library with books kids want to read this year. Come along for amazing back-to-school bargains, and If you can’t make it, please share with your colleagues and community so they don’t miss out! We hope to see you there!