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Message from the Principal I’m so proud of our teachers at PBPS and grateful for their commitment to ongoing improvement, as individuals and as a team. This year we have introduced some significant changes to school systems, including the migration to a web-based software solution called Sentral. The introduction of this sophisticated management system will mean quite a few changes to many things including school administration, and the streamlining a range of school processes. There will be changes to the way we do simple things such as mark rolls and respond to attendance issues. It will have a significant effect on how we centrally store, access and evaluate student data and the way we monitor student wellbeing. There will be changes to assessment and reporting processes as well as how we communicate with parents. As each of these individual changes to processes are implemented, we will be letting our parents know so that we all feel comfortable and confident with new, streamlined practices. Another big change, linked to the introduction of Sentral, relates to our school Learning Support Team and related systems of support for meeting the individual needs of all our learners. Strong learning support processes need to start with early and systematic collection of relevant student data so that we can identify and support individual student needs as early as possible. Of course, strong LST processes will also support our ‘at stage’ and ‘high potential’ learners so that they, too, are meeting or exceeding expected growth. This year we will be also developing new systems of support across the school to make it easier to collect and evaluate student wellbeing data. Our goal is to ensure that students who are at risk of social or intellectual disengagement from school are identified as soon as possible and supported with individualised plans to increase engagement at school. As we embed these new systems, there will be increased communication with parents. We also endeavour to have parents more effectively contributing to the development of individual student learning plans or wellbeing plans.
Along with these new PBPS systems of support, our teaching team are currently working on a process of shifting from using classroom peg charts to visual support strategies associated with the Zones of Regulation. The zones of Regulation allows students to use a shared language to categorise complex feelings in a simple and non-judgemental way and allows teachers to support students to recognise not only how they are feeling but how they can “get back in the zone”. As our students learn about “the learning zone” and how they can use simple strategies to self-regulate their own behaviour, our parents will be hopefully learning with us, too! We will be sharing our “Zones of Regulation” lessons online so that parents can be involved, learn with us and use the associated language. We hope that families, too, will benefit from these positive strategies at home as well as at school. You can read more about the ZoR further in the newsletter.
Feedback is always sought and appreciated. Feel free to drop me an email any time.
Kind regards, Karen Wardlaw
Term 1 | Week 4 | Thursday 20 February 2020
prettybch-p.schools.nsw.gov.au
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Whats Happening at PBPS? Please visit our website for more details and spare notes…https://prettybch-p.schools.nsw.gov.au
Assembly Awards and Principals Awards Congratulations to the students who received Merit Awards and Principal Awards at our last assembly. Term 1 - Week 1-2 Kinder Florence,Jock, Archie Kinder/1 Xanthe, Luke, Finn, Yr 1/2 Sunday, Roy, Angus, Morris, Yr 2/3 Ethan, Eben, Mae, Matilda Yr 3 /4 Jessica, Louis, Misha, Maya, Yr 4/5 Fin, Jack, Sadie, Edie Yr 5/6 Aston,Alastair, Keanu, Maya Principal Awards Max FW, Maya VB, Luke Q Voluntary School contributions
Towards the end of Term 1 parents will receive a letter regarding voluntary school contributions. With the introduction of our school bookpack, the School Contribution is valued for its assistance with provided non-stationary equipment such as art supplies, first aid consumables and other school resources. Whilst valued, we recognise that these contributions are voluntary in nature and appreciate that all families are different and unique. For some, the voluntary contribution may stretch some families and we respectfully stress the “voluntary” aspect of these contributions. Health and Safety update
We have been able to confirm through School Services Health and Safety Operate that our school is able to provide sunscreen for students throughout the day. Misinformation had been provided to the school some time ago about this. As a Sunsafe school, we consider it important to be able to not only provide reminders about sun safety but also to make sunscreen available for our students. Please note that we can not apply sunscreen to students. It would be helpful for parents to ensure our younger students know how to apply their own sunscreen. Also, roll-on mosquito repellent is fine for students to bring to school and apply as needed, throughout the day. We will remind students that they are not to apply
repellent to any other student. At the moment, the mosquitos are prolific at school and, as I do for my own children, I encourage families to provide a roll-on repellent for their child to keep in their school bag, particularly if your child is suspeptible to bites and stings. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
Over the past fortnight we have been revising what Excellence, Respect and Responsibility looks like when attending school assemblies, transitioning from lessons and when going to the toilet.
Assembly Lesson Transitions
Toilets
Excellence Arrive promptly
Follow instructions
Leave and return promptly
Respect Respect each other’s space
Consider others
Seek permission
Responsibility Listen to speaker
Walk safely and directly to activity
Go in break times
We have also been revising what positive behaviour looks like when delivering messages and returning notes and money to school. We need to remember to take notes home to give parents information about upcoming events and organisation. These notes must be returned on time and with money when required. When delivering messages to other teachers we must be responsible and polite. Well done to all students who have been proactive in returning notes and money on time, Keep it up! Please see our new and exciting reward menu for 2020!
Ms Metcalfe PBL Coordinator
Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation is a framework that teaches students to develop self-regulating strategies that help them to stay in control and make positive behaviour choices. Students learn about complex feelings and how we often experience different levels of alertness and
When? Events & Due Dates
T1 W4 21/2 Assembly 2.15pm
T1 W5 25/2 Swimming Carnival for students in Years 3-6 (and students turning 8 this year who are confident swimmers)
27/2 Clean up Australia Day
T1 W6 P&C AGM 7PM on Monday 2 March. All Welcome.
T1 W6 6/3 Sport Assembly
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emotional states. Students learn to recognize and communicate how they're feeling in a safe, non-judgmental way. Teaching the Zones allows students to use strategies or tools to help them move between zones, aiming to stay in the GREEN (learning zone). Students learn that it is normal for us to move in and out of all four zones at times, but it is important to learn and use strategies that help us to get in (and stay in) our Green Zone. Here’s an overview of each zone:
The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored. This is when one's body and/or brain is moving slowly or sluggishly.
The Green Zone is used to describe a regulated state of alertness. A person may be described as calm, happy, focused, or content when in the Green Zone. This is the zone students generally need to be in for schoolwork and for being social. Being in the Green Zone shows control.
The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness; however, a person still has some control when in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, nervousness, confusion, and many more slightly elevated emotions and states when in the Yellow Zone (such as wiggly, squirmy, or sensory seeking). The Yellow Zone is starting to lose some control.
The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness or very intense feelings. A person may be experiencing anger, rage, explosive behavior, panic, terror, or elation when in the Red Zone. Being in the Red Zone can best be explained by not being in control of one's body. It’s hard to make good choices in this state.
Teaching the Zones of Regulation and using positive visual reminders in the classroom will support students to use strategies from their ‘toolkit’ to stay in control. This will replace the current peg chart. The resulting positive shift will allow us to more effectively teach and reinforce self-regulating strategies for all our students.Teachers will recognise when students are attempting to self-regulate, even when they are in a heightened state, rewarding attempts to make good behaviour choices. This positive whole-school shift will take a little time but we are confident that these changes will help our classes remain, happy, safe, calm spaces so that we can all stay ‘in the learning zone’.
RFF RFF – Stem and Sustainability
This term all classes will spend an hour each week, learning about the environment and ways in which we can help to sustain our planet.
Students will be given the opportunity to explore, design and create in this very ‘hands on’ subject. This week K and K/1 went on a leaf hunt and made artworks using the leaves we collected. We also learnt about the different parts of a tree (roots, trunks, branches, leaves) and why each part of a tree is important. We then constructed trees using playdough.
I am so impressed and excited about the knowledge our students already have about the environment around them. I hope we can all inspire and encourage one another to keep learning and making a difference!
Mrs Katrina Hutchens
K-6 RFF Teacher
Debating Workshop Day
On Wednesday 19 February 2020 the Pretty Beach debating team attended the debating training day at Avoca Beach. The workshop was run by the departments most senior adjudicators and coaches. This day covered everything we need to know about debating including rebuttal, arguments, definitions and speakers’ roles, as well as games and fun activities. Our debating team were given the opportunity to deliver a short debating speech and improve their debating skills. We are looking forward to participating in the upcoming premier’s debating challenge this year.
Thank you Kate McKinney Debating Coordinator Prescribed Medication If your child requires any prescribed medication, all medication is to be brought to the office and the appropriate paperwork (a request for administering prescribed medication to a student form) must be completed by the parent.
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Students are not to administer this medication by themselves and all medication should be kept in office, which is a safe and secure location, where appropriate checks can be made. Please note, asthma puffers can be kept in the child’s bag.
Strings Program
“It was lovely to see so many happy string playing children arriving at school bright and early on Wednesday morning for the first String Ensemble rehearsal of the year. Many of these children had never played in an ensemble before so it was amazing to see what they achieved in just the first rehearsal! We look forward to hearing them perform at some point later in the year.
The strings program is off to a great start this year, under the guidance of our cello tutor, Monica Jamieson. At this stage the violin program is entirely full and the cello program has possible room for two beginners from year 3-6, if you are interested please contact Monica on 0402 106976.”
Emily Stoddart
Woolworths Earn & Learn Program
Thank you to all who collected the Earn & Learn stickers when shopping at Woolworths last year. With our points we received a number of games (as pictured) which will be utilised by the students during break times in an outdoor games area to be set up shortly.
Canteen
Thank you for your understanding when we had to close the canteen last week following the storm and the loss of our frozen stock. A reminder to make sure you are using the 2020 Menu which was sent home at the beginning of term or an electronic version is available on the website. Please note there are some new items and a number of price increases. We only have a limited supply of Weis Bars so have now added canteen approved Paddle Pops at $2 each.. They have increased fibre and calcium which give them a health-star rating of 3.5 stars so they now comply with NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy.
Lunch orders are placed in the gold box in the office every Thursday for Friday’s lunches. If your child is sick on Friday just phone the office and the order can be held over for the following week or a refund will be given. Lunch orders will be accepted on Friday before 8.45am at the Canteen.
Thank you also to those who have volunteered to help in the canteen so far this term (roster below). If anyone would like to volunteer on 3/4/20 please call the school on 4360 1012 or call in to the office to let us know.
Date Volunteer Names
21/02/2020 Rene Podmore
28/02/2020 Anjing Sun
6/03/2020 Karin Witanowski
13/03/2020 Abi Couchman
20/03/2020 Lara Keogh
27/03/2020 Lousie Ware
3/04/2020
Jan Tochowicz Canteen Manger School Banking…each Monday Each Monday students need to hand their bank book in to their teacher or drop into the box at the office before school. The new School Banking theme for 2020 is Treetop Savers with Terry Denton's Activity Book and the Mini Soccer Ball available Term 1.
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The first time your child banks this term an information pack will be sent home with further tips on helping your child to save and full details of the new rewards items. Are you using the CommBank Youth App yet? Did you know if you use this app your child can:
Check the balance of their Youth Saver account
View school banking deposits in their transaction history
Track the number of times they have banked towards their next reward
Set up savings goals and monitor progress
Create lists of chores they can do to earn pocket money
So explore the CommBank Youth App to help encourage regular saving. Your child doesn’t have a bank account? To open a bank account just go to any Commonwealth Bank or this can be done on line. The bank have advised if you do this the deposit book, with their account details and yellow wallet will be sent to you by mail within 5-7 working days. Could you please ensure that the account number details are completed in your child’s deposit book, prior to your child bringing the book in on their first School Banking Day. Ethics Volunteers needed for 2020 We need people to teach ethics and someone to help co-ordinate. If you can teach ethics at the school one day per week please go online to apply here: https://primaryethics.com.au/ If you're interested in being the ethics co-ordinator please email [email protected] to find out more about the position. You don't have to be a parent at the school to teach or take part, so even if you're not personally able to take part, please feel free to pass this information on to other family members or friends in the community who might be interested.
MH Dance Academy Local dance studio at Hardy’s Bay and Empire Bay. Classes available for all ages! We are now taking new enrolments for 2020, contact us to try your first week for FREE! Claim up to $300 off dance fee’s, with your creative kids and active kids vouchers. RAD Ballet, Cheer, Acrobatics, Tumbling, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tap, Private lessons and competition classes. Contact 0404824775 or [email protected] for our 2020 timetable or for more information
A few spaces will open up in the Pretty Beach After School Drama Club for 2020.
For enquiries or bookings, please contact Donna on 0432535041 any time after December 19.
Thank you, Donna
