Castle Hill Public School

NEWSLETTER Les Shore Place, Castle Hill NSW 2154 Phone: 9634 3777 Fax: 9899 6845

Email: castlehill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Webpage: castlehill-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

June 17, 2020

Return to fulltime face-to-face learning guidelines Late last week, the Department of Education released information relating to the relaxing of restrictions on many school activities and events. The information below is a summary of these guidelines in relation to our own school context. Whilst there is no physical distancing of children required by the latest AHPPC guidelines, adults must maintain physical distance from one another (1.5m). Unfortunately, we are still required to restrict parents from entering the school grounds until further notice.

Our thorough cleaning and hygiene practices will continue. In addition to allowing students to regularly wash their hands and use sanitiser etc, library books and home reading books will continue to be quarantined upon return to school. Shared equipment will continue to be either quarantined or wiped down after student use.

The Department has approved assemblies of no more than 15 minutes duration however we will continue to cancel assemblies until further notice. Miss Machuca, Mrs Kohary and myself will continue to visit classrooms of a Monday afternoon to present silver and gold awards.

Extra-curricular activities are permitted to re-commence. Some of our extra-curricular activities will re-commence next term. We will keep you informed prior to the re-start of these activities.

Our annual Showcase program will not be held this year. Typically, preparations for the Term 3 performances would be about to commence. At this stage, we have no indication as to when parents will be allowed on-site.

External providers are now permitted to operate on-site. Our band, chess and Mandarin programs will re-commence at the start of Term 3.

School photos will proceed as planned and will be held next term.

Winter PSSA has been cancelled for this year. Summer PSSA will re-commence midway through next term with a draw to be re-issued.

Zone, Area and State Athletics carnivals have been cancelled. Our school Athletics carnival has also been cancelled.

Scripture will re-commence in Term 3.

We will continue our 2.50pm finish for Kinder and siblings until further notice. The 2.55pm Kiss and Drop for these students will continue whilst parents are unable to be on-site.

Monday June 29 Platinum Lunch Term 1 recipients

Tuesday June 30 Platinum Lunch Term 2 recipients

Friday July 3 Last day of Term 2

Monday July 20 First day of Term 3

ff d l d

WHAT’S ON

PBL Fortnightly Expectation Focus

Term 2 Weeks 7 & 8 Responsible Care for your school enviroment.

Our school canteen will continue to supply lunch orders ordered via Flexischools only. We will review whether or not counter service will be provided in Term 3 in the final week of this term.

Access to our uniform shop continues to be by appointment only whilst parents are not permitted on-site.

Should there be any further changes to our day-to-day operations, we will continue to keep you informed.

Thank you again for your co-operation and assistance over the last few weeks. We look forward to the lifting of all restrictions sooner rather than later but understand that these restrictions are in place to protect all of us.

Parent /Teacher interviews Parent/teacher interviews will be held throughout Week 2 Term 3 (commencing Monday 27 July) with the exception of KM who have either already had, or are about to have, their interviews. Given the restrictions on parents entering the school, all interviews will be phone interviews.

Parents will be able to book an interview time online at www.schoolinterviews.com.au once bookings are opened. Bookings will open at 3.00pm on Wednesday 1 July. An event code will be provided in next week’s newsletter and via a Skoolbag alert in preparation for this date and to allow you access to the booking pages. Parents will be asked to include the phone number on which they wish to be contacted for their interview.

Student reports will be issued Friday Week 1 Term 3 (24 July) to all students.

Kindergarten Enrolment for 2021 Applications to enrol for Kindergarten at Castle Hill Public School in 2021 are now open. If you, or someone that you know, is looking to enrol a child into Kindergarten next year, enrolment forms can be lodged online by following the link to our school website at http://www.castlehill-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/our-school/enrolment . If possible, parents are asked to use the online enrolment system. At this stage, the online system will only accept enrolment applications from ‘in-area’ families and Australian citizens. Paper applications are also available, and can be lodged, at the front office. Any out-of-area applications and enrolment applications for students currently holding visas will need to be made by paper application.

Please note that as part of the application process, proof of residential address is required. In cases where a lease agreement that expires before February 2021 is offered as proof of address, we will ask for details of a new lease agreement to be provided before enrolment will be confirmed.

Dates for our 2021 Kindergarten Orientation program are as follows:

Parent information evening: Thursday 3 September 6.00pm Orientation Session 1: Thursday 22 October 9.30am – 10.30am Orientation Session 2: Thursday 29 October 9.30am – 10.30am Orientation Session 3: Thursday 12 November 9.30am – 10.30am Orientation Session 4: Thursday 19 November 9.30am – 10.30am

At this stage, we are working on the assumption that we will be able to invite parents into our school for our orientation sessions.

Parents are strongly advised to ensure that their child attends all of the orientation sessions.

Notes Home: Yrs 4 & 5 - Interrelate Girls Only session - permission note Yr 6 - Interrelate Moving into the Teen Years session - permission note Yrs 5 & 6 - Canberra at Castle Hill Day

Craig Oliver – Principal Craig.oliver@det.nsw.edu.au

Platinum Lunch and presentation Notes will be distributed today to students who have received a Platinum Award during Terms 1 and 2. A presentation and lunch with parents will be held for Term 1 recipients on Monday 29 June and for Term 2 recipients on Tuesday 30 June.

Opportunity Class Placement for Year 5, 2021 A reminder to parents of Year 4 students who are intending to apply for an opportunity class placement on behalf of their child, to please return the note to your child’s class teacher, as soon as possible. Opportunity classes can provide intellectual stimulation by grouping together high potential and gifted students who may otherwise be isolated from a suitable peer group. These classes help students learn by using specialised teaching methods and materials. Year 5 enrolments are available at 76 primary schools including a virtual opportunity class, at Aurora College, for students in rural and remote areas (not applicable to students residing in or near Castle Hill). Parents apply when their children are in Year 4. Successful students then attend the opportunity class full time in Years 5 and 6 at the opportunity class primary school at which they are placed. This is a two-year placement program and parents are not able to apply for Year 6 entry only. In the majority of cases, students who accept a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend the school with the opportunity class. Significant changes have been made to the OC process this year due to the delay caused by COVID-19. There is now a new date for online applications. Parents must apply between Tuesday 9 June 2020 and Friday 26 June 2020. Late applications cannot be accepted. The new test date is Wednesday 16 September 2020. Placement in an opportunity class will be based on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test, not a combination of school assessment scores and the placement test. There will not be an opportunity to lodge illness/ misadventure requests or appeals. Placement outcome information will be despatched to parents overnight on 1 December 2020. To apply on behalf of your child, you will need to access the online application at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5. For translated information about opportunity class placement go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/public- schools/going-to-a-public-school/translated-documents/ opportunity-class-and-selective-high-school-fact-sheet Nationally Consistent Collection of Data The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on school students with Disability is an annual collection that counts the number of school students with a disability and the level of reasonable educational adjustments they are provided with. The national data collection will count students who have been identified as receiving an adjustment to address a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). The DDA can be accessed from the ComLaw website at www.comlaw.gov.au Please take the time to read further information about this data collection on the following page. If you have any questions regarding this data collection, please see Miss Machuca.

National Parents/Carers Fact Sheet Version No. 4 as at March 2016

Information for parents and carers WHAT IS THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION?

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual collection that counts the number of school students with disability and the level of reasonable educational adjustment they are provided with.

The national data collection counts students who have been identified by a school team as receiving an adjustment to address a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). The DDA can be accessed from the ComLaw website at www.comlaw.gov.au.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT FOR MY CHILD?

The aim of the national data collection is to collect quality information about school students with disability in Australia.

This information will help teachers, principals, education authorities and families to better support students with disability to take part in school on the same basis as students without disability.

The national data collection is an opportunity for schools to review their learning and support systems and processes to continually improve education outcomes for their students with disability.

WHY IS THIS DATA BEING COLLECTED?

All schools across Australia collect information about students with disability. But the type of information currently collected varies between each state and territory and across government, Catholic and independent school sectors.

When undertaking the national data collection, every school in Australia will use the same method to collect information. Therefore, a government school in suburban Sydney will collect and submit data in the same way as a Catholic school in country Victoria and an independent school in the Northern Territory.

The information provided through the national data collection will enable all Australian governments to

improve target support and resources to benefit students with disability.

WHAT ARE SCHOOLS REQUIRED TO DO FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY?

All students are entitled to a quality learning experience at school.

Schools are required to make reasonable adjustments, where needed, to assist students with disability to access and participate in education free from discrimination and on the same basis as other students.

These responsibilities are outlined in the DDA and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards). The Standards require educators, students, parents and others (e.g. allied health professionals) to work together so that students with disability can participate in education. The Standards can be accessed via the ComLaw website at www.comlaw.gov.au.

WHAT IS A REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT?

A reasonable adjustment is a measure or action taken to help a student with disability access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability. Reasonable adjustments reflect the assessed individual needs of the student, and are provided in consultation with the student and/or their parents and carers. Reasonable adjustments can be made across the whole school setting (e.g. ramps into school buildings), in the classroom (such as adapting class lessons) and at an individual student level (e.g. extra tuition for a student with learning difficulties).

WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED?

Every year your child’s school will collect the following information for each student with a disability:

• the student’s level of education (i.e. primary or secondary)

• the student’s level of adjustment • the student’s broad type of disability.

The information collected by schools will be provided to all governments to inform policy and

National Parents/Carers Fact Sheet Version No. 4 as at March 2016

programme improvement for students with disability.

WHO WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION?

The definition of disability for the national data collection is based on the broad definition under the DDA.

For the purposes of the national data collection, students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or auditory processing disorder as well as chronic health conditions like epilepsy, diabetes or asthma, that require active monitoring by the school, may be included.

WHO WILL COLLECT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION?

Teachers and school staff will count the number of students with disability in their school and the level of reasonable adjustment they are provided based on:

• consultation with parents and carers in the course of determining and providing reasonable adjustments

• the school team’s observations and professional judgments

• any medical or other professional diagnosis • other relevant information.

School principals are responsible for ensuring the information identified about each student is accurate.

HOW WILL MY CHILD’S PRIVACY BE PROTECTED? Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all students and their families is essential. Personal details such as student names or other identifying information will not be provided to local or federal education authorities.

Further information about privacy is available from www.education.gov.au/notices.

IS THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION COMPULSORY?

All education ministers agreed to full implementation of the national data collection from 2015. This means that all schools must now collect and submit information annually on the number of students with disability in their care and the level of adjustment provided to them.

Information about the arrangements that may apply to your school in relation to this data collection is available from your child’s school principal and the relevant education authority.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact your child’s school if you have further questions about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability.

You can also visit www.education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability.

An e-learning resource about the Disability Standards for Education 2005 is freely available for the use of individuals, families and communities at http://resource.dse.theeducationinstitute.edu.au/.

Uniform A reminder that all students should now be wearing full Winter School Uniform (including the school tie) or appropriate sports uniform to school, each day. Girls have the choice of wearing white socks or navy tights (not other coloured leggings or tights). Please ensure your child’s name and class is clearly marked in their school jumper or jacket, so there is a greater chance of the item being returned to them, if it is lost.

School tracksuit pants or school sport shorts

(no leggings under shorts) Navy tights or white socks for girls

Wearing ties as part of Winter uniform

School Photos Our school usually has school photo days in early June. Due to current restrictions around COVID-19 our school photos days have been re-scheduled to mid-Term 3, when authorised visitors will be allowed onto our school site. Mobile devices and smart watches at school

A reminder to all families that students must have their mobile devices switched off during the hours of 9.00am-3.00pm. A number of students are also wearing smart watches to school and we ask that these be disabled during school hours as they are currently posing a distraction during learning time. We thank you for your support with this. Remote Learning for SRE and SEE Approved providers of SRE (Special Religious Education) and SEE (Special Education in Ethics) are not yet approved to be on the school site. Their organisations have however, created online learning programs available, to support remote learning-if families wish to do so. The links are available on our school website and can be accessed through the link below. https://castlehill-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/news/2020/5/religion-and-ethics-lessons-continue-at-home.html The link for Hindu was previously not available, but is now through the link below: https://www.chinmaya.com.au/event/online-chinmaya-hindu-scriptures-lessons/

Mrs Alex Kohary and Miss Danielle Machuca Deputy Principals

NSW Department of Education

Changes to the opportunity class placement process for Year 5 entry in 2021

The department is committed to the continued education of all students across NSW, including advanced learning programs for high potential and gifted students.

The 2021 Year 5 opportunity class placement process was put on hold in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation.

We have now rescheduled and streamlined the application process. Please note the details of the changes below and assist parents and carers to understand these changes.

Why have changes been made to the 2020 opportunity class placement process?Due to the shorter time frame available for the OC placement process, changes have been made to the process for this year. The department is committed to supporting the continuity of learning and transitions for each child, and the revised application and placement process will ensure students are placed in 2021 Year 5 opportunity classes as soon as possible.

What changes have been made?

The 2020 opportunity class placement process has been revised to accommodate the shorter timeline due to the postponement of the test.

To ensure the fair and consistent assessment of students across all schools and regions of NSW, this year students will be placed on test results only. Taking this approach reduces the effect of the disrupted start to the school year, which could compromise school assessment scores, and ensures that all students are placed using the same test performed under the same conditions. The test is created by an independent educational assessment provider and measures academic ability, not achievement, giving a reliable method for identifying highly gifted applicants which is not subject to the variable classroom conditions experienced this year.

Information for parents/carers and students

education.nsw.gov.au

education.nsw.gov.au

What are the key dates I should be aware of?The revised dates are listed below. Parents are advised to review the new dates carefully and ensure an application is submitted by the closing date for their child to be eligible to sit the placement test as, owing to the shorter timeline, late applications will not be accepted.

A visual timeline showing the key dates is printed on the next page.

Action Date

Applications open 9 June 2020

Applications close 26 June 2020

Opportunity Class Placement Test date

16 September 2020

Parents and schools advised of placement outcome information

From 1 December 2020

Parents accept or decline first round placement

By 15 December 2020

Principals arrange orientation day for successful candidates

December 2020

Reserve places offered From mid-December 2020

Authority to attend an opportunity class letter sent to parents

Late January 2021

Successful candidates enrol in Year 5 at a school with an opportunity class

Late January 2021

Further information

Visit the department’s website

Opportunity classes – Year 5 updates available on the website at https://education.nsw.gov. au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/updates

Opportunity classes – key dates on the website at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/general-information

Parents are encouraged to speak to the principal of their child’s primary school for further information about the changes made to the opportunity class placement process this year.

ContactFor further information or assistance contact: High Performing Students Team ssu@det.nsw.edu.au 1300 880 367

Follow us on Facebook for updates on the current and opportunity class placement process.

Opportunity class placement

education.nsw.gov.au

2020 Opportunity class placement process - key dates

9-26 June 2020Application window

Notification of placement outcome

Reserve places offered

Students enrol in opportunity classes

Opportunity Class Placement Test

Parents accept or decline first round placement

Authority to attend notice sent to parents of successful candidates

16 September 2020

1 December 2020

From mid-December 2020

By 15 December 2020

Late January 2021

Day 1, Term 1 2021

Student magazine Some Stage 3 students have met this week to start planning for our CHPS Magazine. More information will be coming in next week’s newsletter about how to submit articles and the criteria that would make a great article.

Please keep submitting your suggestions for our CHPS Magazine – we have had some fantastic suggestions so far. Students will vote on the magazine title in early Term 3.

https://tinyurl.com/y9y4485y

Bebras Mini Challenges The Bebras Mini Challenges are available to complete online. They are shorter versions of the Bebras Challenge with a focus on one Computational Thinking skill. You can access these at any time throughout the year, without the need to log-in.

https://digitalcareers.csiro.au/en/Bebras/Bebras-resources/Bebras-mini-challenges

Weekly Problem Solving Chess Contest At the local games evening, four people were competing in the draughts and chess competitions.

Frankie beat Glen in chess, Dale came third and the 16-year-old won. Frankie came second in draughts, the 15-year-old won, Dale beat the 18 year old and the 19 year old came third. Emery is 3 years younger than Glen. The person who came last in chess, came third in draughts and only one person got the same position in both games.

Can you determine the ages of the people and their positions in the two games?

Week 6 Problem Solving Solution BAG >> BADGE DED >> DAZED DIA >> DIARY UOA >> QUOTA IDE >> INDEX OEL >> VOWEL UMS >> BUMPS PYY >> PYGMY GOU >> GHOUL NAL >> FINAL CRA >> CRACK UMB >> JUMBO DTY >> DUSTY

Mrs Amanda Hobbs

Ballroom competition Ballroom competition has been cancelled this year. We understand that many sports are returning, although social distancing cannot be adhered to whilst ballroom dancing.

Lisa Macfarlane and Rachel Allen.

Outstanding Library books There are a lot of students who have overdue library books which date back to March, just prior to the home learning period. Can you please ensure that ALL library books are returned by MONDAY 22 June as we would love to see everyone borrowing and reading again. If the book(s) has been lost or damaged, can you please advise the library in writing and we will send you a

notification of the cost to replace the book(s).

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Silvia Georgiades and Serena Guild

GOLD AWARDS – Please not that these awards will be presented next week in class by Mr Oliver and Miss Machuca

YEAR 1 YEAR 2

Rifa 1P Carol 2A

Neona 2D

Amanda 2H

Kate 2H

Harry 2P

Ishaan 2S

Zara 2S

Years 1-2 Assembly

SILVER AWARDS – Please not that these awards will be presented next week in class by Mr Oliver and Miss Machuca

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 Jasmine 1A Atika 2A Atharva 1A Harry 2A Elisha 1A Suzanne 2A Stefan 1A Alden 2A Sarah 1A Louis 2A Reet 1A Elissa 2A Stella 1A Alexa 2A Ava 1A Sarah 2A Ellington 1J Xavier 2D Louis 1J Chloe 2D Shaina 1J Mia 2D Liam 1J Michelle 2D Oscar 1J Oliver 2D Rithika 1J Sean 2D Ario 1J Emma 2D Daniel 1L Arian 2H Thomas 1L Elixe 2H Samuel 1L Amanda 2H Victoria 1L Ellie 2H Natalie 1L Frank 1L James 2L Pranaya 1L Jesper 2L Grace 1L Ryan 2L Mikyle 2L Esha 1P Chloe 1P Chanuli 2P Ethan 1P Cadence 2P Louis 1P Aida 2P Chris X 1P Isabel 2P Eric 1P Lucy 1P Noah 2S Retal 2S Vishwa 1T Theresa 2S Jason 1T Isaac 2S Imogen 1T Jacqueline 2S P.J 1T Evan 2S Dante 1T Lachlan 2S Abi 1T Will 1T Sara 1T Tanish 1U Annie 1U Dhruv 1U Vihaan 1U Gina 1U Aimee 1U