‘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, 19th August 2020

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRINCIPAL

Stars of the Week – 4/5EA and 3/4R What a great way to start the week with a visit from the brilliant students from 4/5EA. Mrs Adams and Miss O’Harae have been challenging their students to write highly convincing persuasive texts after watching a feature story on BTN (Behind The News). Whilst my own sons spend what seems countless hours playing Minecraft, 4/5EA have put their digital skills to good use, combining their knowledge of the school grounds and their engineering skills to design a virtual school using Minecraft. You can watch the BTN report at this link – BTN - Minecraft School Tours

Congratulations to the following students who were chosen to share their persuasive letters and early designs with me – Sophie W, Ash C, Cooper G, Lily K and Clara N. I have included their wonderful work later in this week’s newsletter. I was blown away by the amazing writing by the students in 4/5EA and then I was visited by a very talented group of Stage 2 students from 3/4R. Mya B showed off her Mathematics skills by confidently answering some addition word problems that involved regrouping – she also taught me the ‘Split’ strategy. Ryan O was very proud of his writing and explained the 7-Steps to writing process. Ryan has written an imaginative text about a Magical Slide which teleports the characters to a different dimension – it was very enthralling! Next to show-off their work was Cooper C. Cooper and his classmates have been studying the artworks of many famous artists including Leonardo da Vinci and

DATE EVENT 24 August CANTEEN CLOSED 25 August English Competition 31 August CANTEEN CLOSED 31 Aug – 11 Sept Scholastic Book Fair 1 September Maths Competition 3 September Father’s Day Stall 3 September Issue 6 Book Club Due 7 September School Photo Day 7 September CANTEEN CLOSED

Vincent van Gogh. Cooper’s sketch was inspired by Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers portrait. Finally, it was Isobella W’s turn to share her creative writing talents with me. Isobella has written a beautiful narrative based around having a Growth Mindset and her love of flowers – thanks for sharing, Isobella; your story was very entertaining!

Foyer Display – 3/4R and 4/5EA Wow, the students in 3/4R and 4/5EA have certainly been busy this week being the Stars of the Week for our ‘classy article’ and decorating our front foyer with their amazing artworks. The students in 4/5EA have been studying Aboriginal Rock Art and have used chalk to create their own hand prints. 3/4R are very proud of their Mona Lisa portraits and fancy themselves as budding Italian Renaissance artists.

COVID-19 Update This week, the NSW Government and Department of Education have released a new set of guidelines in response to the increase in positive COVID-19 cases being reported across NSW schools resulting in tightened restrictions to school-based activities and visitor access to school sites. The NSW Department of Education has protocols in place where it is notified by NSW Health immediately when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school. In addition, schools and workplaces are required to notify all suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the department’s internal incident reporting hotline. Like other schools across NSW, Ourimbah PS is operating full time while actively following health advice. Our school continues 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. A Skoolbag notification has been sent out with the latest guidelines that have been released to families, which come into effect this week. Alternatively, you can view the updated guidelines using the following link –

https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

You will find updated information on the following topics.

1. Student Attendance - In accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. Schools will make arrangements for students who present as unwell or have flu-like symptoms to be sent home.

2. School Activities and Site Usage – e.g. sporting activities, assemblies, choir and band, school formals and graduation events, access to the school library, excursions and camps, Scripture and Ethics.

3. Parent and Community Activities – Parents/ carers and other non-essential visitors are not allowed on the school site. Canteen helpers and Uniform Shop volunteers are permitted.

4. Tightened border restrictions - All students and staff who reside in, or have visited Victoria, must have a permit to enter NSW and are required to comply with health restrictions relevant to their permit which may include the need to complete the 14 day self-isolation period commencing the last day they were in Victoria.

Safety and Hygiene - What’s changing? As of 17 August, some of the changes required from schools are: • vigilance in ensuring that staff and students do not

attend school or work if they are unwell • students absent or sent home due to flu-like

symptoms need to be tested • staff and students must not return to school or work

until they return a negative COVID-19 result and are symptoms free

• schools must sight the negative COVID-19 test result prior to allowing students and staff to return to school

• schools should limit activities to year groups whenever possible

Physical distancing Physical distancing of students in schools is not required under the AHPPC guidelines. Please remember that during this time of uncertainty, with increased numbers of people testing positive to COVID-19 in NSW we ask that all adults maintain physical distance from each other (1.5m) when dropping off and picking up your children.

Please collect your child / children as quickly as possible from the Dog Trap Rd gate and depart the school grounds promptly to ensure we are following social distancing guidelines and maintaining good infection control practices. We thank those parents who refrain from entering school grounds unless it is an essential visit or has been pre-arranged with school staff.

We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, but thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience. Parent and Teacher Phone Interviews have been held this week and I want to thank both the teachers and the parents for taking the time to reflect upon what has been a very different year of learning for our staff and students. It has been great hearing about the students’ personal triumphs as well as the plans for future success across the classes. Keep up the FANTASTIC WORK Ourimbah PS and remember “Endeavour to Excel.”

P&C News

Thank you to those parents and carers who were able to join us for our Zoom P&C meeting last week – please ensure you have downloaded the Zoom app if you would like to join our meetings remotely.

Zoom Cloud Meetings

As part of the latest guidelines distributed by the NSW DoE, P&C social events and functions are no longer permitted. This will have an impact upon the way we conduct future P&C meetings which will need to continue on-line only. The next meeting of your P&C is scheduled for Wednesday 9 September.

Father’s Day Celebrations The executive staff and I, in consultation with the P&C executive committee and Fundraising Coordinator (Venessa Wheeler), have carefully read the latest COVID-19 guidelines and have decided to continue with this year’s Father’s Day Stall under enhanced hygiene measures and strict social distancing regulations. The Father’s Day Stall will go ahead on Thursday 3 September as planned - so save up those coins kids! Gifts range from $3.00 - $15.00. Please remember to send money in with your child if you would like them to purchase a gift from the Father’s Day stall – a small number of gifts will be available from the front office if your child forgets to bring their money in on the stall day! Kind regards, Greg Francis (Principal)

CLASSROOM EFFORT & BEHAVIOUR POINTSCORE Week 4 - Winning House – Koalas Koalas – 37 Emus – 28 Kangaroos – 27 Platypus – 26 Week 5 – Winning House – Kangaroos Kangaroos – 29 Platypus & Koalas – 28.5 Emus – 24 CLASSROOM AWARDS K-2 Week 5 – Alex W, Callie S, Carter C, Hendrix B KL; Kade D, Jenson K, Rebecca L, Savannah A KSB; Charlotte W, Isabel N, Matai I, Cameron H KA; Jack C, Lucy M, Eseroma K, Jonah G 1K; Blair A, Kadyn A, Oliver W, Alyssa P 1/2Y; Piper C, Abbey P, Ashlyn B, Cain B 1/2N; Matilda B, Mia I, Elsie M, Christian B 2ME; Riley C, Joni Rose D, Ayra S, Cooper E 2B CLASSROOM AWARDS 3-6 Week 4 – Anna H, Jade R 3AG; Paige S, Isobella W 3/4R; Vienna D, Hayden S 3/4B; Patrick C, Sienna R 4E; Tay S, Aila B 4/5EA; Lincoln M, Alacia B 5C; Tehya M, Cooper H 6C Week 5 – Zenon B, Jackson H 3AG; Chloe W, Joel D 3/4R; Carlos D, Joshua B 3/4B; Jake B, Grace M 4E; Daniel B, Isabella W 4/5EA; Adison C, Dana M 5C; Lily M, Ruby H 6C; Ben W, Lilly M 6F CLASSY ARTICLE – 4/5EA 4/5EA have had a busy start to Term 3 with Ms Adams and Miss O’Harae. On National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day we learnt to play a traditional Indigenous game called Buroinjin. The students used team work, catching and throwing skills to play.

In literacy, we have been learning to enhance our persuasive text writing. Ms Adams and Miss O’Harae set the students the task of writing letters to Mr Francis and try to convince him to let our class build a virtual OPS. The class then headed to the computer room and created some models of what this could look like.

45EA contributed to the office foyer with a snapshot of some of the wonderful artworks we have completed. Here, we learnt about traditional Indigenous rock art and reflected upon our identities and connections to others.

In mathematics, we have been using number games to enhance our mathematical skills.

4/5EA are on track and are ready to take on the remainder of the year with a positive growth mindset. Ms Adams CLASSY ARTICLE – 3/4R The students of 3/4R have been very busy since they returned to school. This term, we have been writing an imaginative text using the ‘Seven Steps to Writing Success’ framework. In our class story, three friends Petey the porcupine, Wally the whale and Gina the giraffe find themselves in all sorts of trouble when they slide down a waterslide. Let’s just say, their body shapes are not made for human designed waterslides.

Our enthusiastic Mathematicians have enjoyed looking at the relationship between fractions, decimals and percentages. The whole class has worked really hard understanding the properties of three-dimensional objects. They used nets to create a gallery of very colourful three-dimensional objects which show vertices, edges and faces. In computers, 3/4R are learning the features of Microsoft PowerPoint. Students are completing a project about themselves using a variety of fonts and special effects. Many are now experimenting with animations and slide transitions. I look forward to seeing how the presentations evolve throughout the term. In physical education, we have been playing a game called ‘Crikey’. This is a combination of tennis and cricket. Our focus for this game is on throwing, catching, batting and running between wickets. If you think it sounds like cricket, you’re pretty close but, instead of using a bat we use a tennis racquet. Sounds weird, but it’s fun. You should try it? Just ask a member of 3/4R to help you. They also have a lot of fun with Mrs Pasfield, where they have been learning to pitch maps, tune percussion instruments and perform notes with a high, or low pitch. Who wouldn’t have fun doing this? I look forward to working with the students of 3/4R for the remainder of the year. Kind regards, Mrs Rae BOOK CLUB Issue 6 Book Club brochures will come home soon. Orders will be due back at school by Thursday, 3rd September. BOOK FAIR AND CHARACTER DAY The Scholastic Book Fair will be at our school library during week 7 and 8 from Monday, 31st August until Thursday, 10th August to celebrate Book Week. The Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to choose books to support their personal book collections. As a school, we also receive a commission from Scholastic that we use to purchase more resources for our school library. Due to the current DoE and AHPPC guidelines, no parents will be able to view the Book Fair. We have also made some changes to the Book Fair this year to assist with ensuring all students and staff health and safety. An additional note will be sent home with further details. Ms Adams BOOK CHARACTER DAY – TUESDAY, 8TH SEPT Unfortunately due to the current DoE and AHPPC guidelines, we cannot host a Book Parade this year. However, we will continue with the tradition and

students are invited to dress up as a favourite book character on our Book Character Day. The CBCA Book Character theme is ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’ and students may dress up in one of the following ways: * a book character that comes from a favourite book of choice – have a look at the library collection for ideas. * a book character that inspires curiosity. * a creature inspired by wild minds. There is no pressure to purchase a costume as some of the best costumes are the ones made from things lying around in the house and when students get to use their creativity. Although participation is not compulsory, it is strongly encouraged and students will be required to wear uniform if they do not wish to dress up. We can't wait to see what wonderful creations will appear this year! An additional note will be sent home with further details. Ms Adams ONLINE ENROLMENT NOW AVAILABLE We are excited to announce that the new Online Enrolment System rolled out on Monday, 10 August 2020. The Online Enrolment System is designed to provide flexibility for our parents to submit an enrolment application online and at the time that best suits you. The application can be accessed on all browsers and mobile devices including iOS and Android. The online application process is currently restricted to:

• Enrolments into local schools only

• Children who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

• Children who live in NSW. We offer our support and encourage you to complete your application to enrol online. If, however, you do not feel comfortable completing an application online, a paper copy will be available for collection from the front office or can be downloaded from the Department’s going to a public school site. Further information about online enrolment can be found on our website here. KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS 2021 We are now taking enrolments for all students who are eligible to start school in 2021 in our Kindergarten classes. Children may be enrolled in Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five years of age on or before 31 July in that year. By law, all

children must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday. Please advise the front office (4362 1033) of your child’s name and date of birth and we will send enrolment forms home for you to complete and return. You will also need to provide your child’s original birth certificate, statement of complete immunisation from Medicare and proof of your current address. P&C NEWS FATHER’S DAY STALL The Father’s Day Stall is fast approaching. "Save the Date" - Thursday 3rd September A new selection of gifts are available to purchase ranging from $3 each to $15 each. Please send money in with your children on the day to avoid missing out. Below is a sneak peek of some of the gifts that will be on offer. Venessa P&C Fundraising

UNIFORM SHOP 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 ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WORK?

Broadspectrum is currently seeking school cleaners in your local area. The successful applicant will have a professional and honest approach to work and follow health and safety regulations. Hours of work are day shift 11am – 3pm or before and after school (approx. 5am-9am & 2.30pm-6pm). Please apply online at https://jobs.broadspectrum.com/go/NSW-Schools/7861500/ For further information contact our NSW Schools Recruitment Team on 4904 5500 or email your resume to nswschoolsrecruitment@broadspectrum.com CATHOLIC HOLY COMMUNION Dear Parents/Carers To enrol children in the Holy Communion programme for 2020, two information sessions will be held in OLR Church Wyoming on Tuesday, 25th August from 7.30 pm until 8.30 pm or Thursday, 27th August from 7.30 pm until 8.30 pm. If further information is required, please contact the Parish office on 4324 3962. REQUEST FOR BUTTON DONATIONS The local Ourimbah Legacy Group hold a craft stall at the Ourimbah RSL every Wednesday from 10 am – 2 pm, selling all sorts of handmade craft items, as well as

jams and preserves. The crafty volunteers are hoping for donations of spare buttons, the size of a $2.00 coin or slightly larger. If you are able to donate some buttons, please send them in to Darrelyn in the school office and we will pass them on to Legacy.