MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life

66 Eton St, SUTHERLAND 2232

Ph: 9521 3433

WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020 minerva-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Principal’s Message

The first half of this year and Term 3 has continued to be like none we have experienced before. Students have done a remarkable job in returning to school this term and settling back into their routines. The parent/carer community have continued to be extremely supportive of the school. Despite the limitations and restrictions due to COVID the staff have ensured students continue to be engaged in their learning through exciting and innovative learning experiences. Classes have utilised the STEAM resources, online resources and technology such as Zoom to deliver whole school assemblies. The amazing staff have been committed to up-skilling themselves and learning new ways of delivering the curriculum. This term the school has continued to see major aesthetic changes and improvements. The introduction of the new entry and exit points through the construction of the driveway has resulted in students being transported in a much safer environment. Over the next few weeks we will also see the installation of an electronic entry gate and a fence for the pedestrian entrance at the front of the school. These additions are another layer of safety for our students and transport drivers.

The sensory garden is being upgraded to include a ‘yarning circle’. This development will see a designated area to include the Indigenous perspectives on education and learning. This will include a new flag pole to display the Aboriginal flag, resurfacing and sandstone blocks for classes to use this space as a meeting point and also the incorporation of some display didgeridoo’s. This space will provide teacher’s with an authentic and valuable space to deliver all aspects of the curriculum with an indigenous consideration.

Students across the school have undergone some extensive Literacy assessments this term. Miss Kylie has delivered the NEAL assessment on reading to evaluate student progress in this area. The assessments have provided some detailed insight into the remarkable impact the reading program is having on student progress in Literacy. All staff and students should be commended on their efforts.

Crunch n Sip is an important whole school program that we are involved with and feel that healthy eating and lifestyles are an important facet of the curriculum that we deliver to the students. Miss Sarah should be commended on her efforts to organise and deliver this program. To support this the school has been acknowledged and received an award including vouchers for being such an amazing Crunch and Sip school.

Principal’s Message (continued)

Some of our SRC and senior students have been actively involved in a wonderful ‘Friendship’ program with Kirrawee High students. The aim of this program is to build the capacity of our student’s social skills and enable them to interact and form positive relationships with the students from Kirrawee. A huge thank you to Miss Belinda for organising this wonderful initiative. This experience has also meant that the new school bus has been utilised to transport students to and from Kirrawee High.

Miss Mel, Miss Michelle and Miss Belinda have been actively involved in undertaking professional learning and delivering whole staff PL on the Literacy and Numeracy progressions. This has also included a large display in the staff release room that highlights every student’s name across the school and where they have been placed according to the progressions. These displays will be continually updated and provide an opportunity for staff to assess, record and share student progress. This will also be instrumental in the ‘hand over’ process at the end of each year where a detailed folder per student will be provided to the new class teacher with insight into how that student has tracked over the year.

Staff have been having extensive discussions regarding the new school planning cycle. As our current 3 year plan is coming into its final stages, there is much thought going into the planning and creation of a new 4 year Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). This process involves evaluating our current situation (situational analysis), discussing what will be areas of focus over the next four years and areas of development. This process will involve all parties within our school community including students, staff, parents, carers and the wider community. In the coming weeks there will be opportunities for the parent/carer community to have input into the evaluation of the current school plan and input into the future directions of the school. It is such an honour to be a part of this amazing school and

community. The highlight of my week is without doubt the time I share with the students. Students visiting my office, sharing of assemblies, being on the front gate every morning and afternoon and visiting classes to share in the students learning experiences.

Thank you to our entire school community for your ongoing support.

Kind regards

John Mazzitelli

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

LILLI PILLI

Miss Carolyn and Miss Peta

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

Look at class Lilli Pilli learn! The students have settled into their familiar class routines and have made huge progress with their fine motor, communication and maths skills. We contin-ue to thrive by having sensory breaks incorporated throughout our school day and are cur-rently exploring visual therapy during our afternoon ‘Sip & Crunch’ sessions.

WATTLE

Miss Tahlia and Miss Tanya

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

WARATAH

Miss Michelle and Miss Nicole

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

EUCALYPTUS

Miss Belinda

Miss Pauline and Miss Karina

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

BANKSIA

Miss Laura and Mr Jordan

Miss Sharon and Miss Bree

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

GREVILLEA

Miss Katrina and Miss Maddie

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

BOTTLE BRUSH

Mr K, Mr Hely, Miss Julie and Miss Bree

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

GARDEN TEAM

All the wet weather of late has helped the garden to grow beautifully. We have new broccoli coming through and the silver beet, herbs and baby spinach continues to rejuvenate as we harvest it. Newly planted crops this week are Kale and Coriander. Thank you to the classes that assisted in their planting.

Class Banksia have been making good use of the garden harvest in their Food Technology lessons, creating Tabbouleh utilising fresh mint and parsley. The recipe is included in this newsletter.

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 5 TERM 3 2020

Minerva & Kirrawee High School

FRIENDS PROGRAM Our ‘Friends’ program with Kirrawee High School has finally started.

Some of our Year 7-10 students have spent their Tuesday afternoons visiting

Kirrawee High School to build friendship and social skills.

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 10 TERM 2 2020

MINERVA SCHOOL

Learning for Life WEEK 10 TERM 2 2020

August 2020 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

2 3 BANK

HOLIDAY

4

5

VAC YEAR 10

6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 HEALTHY

HAROLD

20 HEALTHY

HAROLD

21 HEALTHY

HAROLD

22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 SEPT 1 2 3 FATHERS

DAY STALL

4 5

September 2020 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 LAST

DAY OF

TERM 3

26

27 28 29 30 OCT 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10