Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

Last week was Education Week for all NSW Public Schools. The theme 'Learning together', reflects an incredible year for NSW public school students, staff and parents, and the partnerships that have been strengthened in response. I hope parents enjoyed the online activities showcasing events in our school.

Usually this time of year we are preparing for the NAPLAN in Year 3 and Year 5 classes. Due to current restrictions and the lock down earlier this year, NAPLAN will not go ahead in any states. Our school will be participating in a NSW state wide 'check-in' assessment for Year 3 and Year 5 students. The Check-in assessment includes two online assessments for Year 3 and Year 5 students:

reading assessment
numeracy assessment

Each assessment is designed to be quick and easy to administer, consisting of approximately 40 multiple choice questions.

Year 5 Check-in:

17 Aug Assessment window opens

4 Sep 2020 Assessment window closes

Year 3 Check-in:

21 Sep 2020 Assessment window opens

23 Oct 2020 Assessment window closes

Teachers will use this standardised assessment to plan individual and grade programs following analysis of our students' results.

All grades are now implementing grade curriculum in the same way and expected level of performance as in previous years. Teachers and students have re-established routines in classrooms. There is a clear focus on core curriculum content to ensure students cover the required content in the scope of all curriculum areas.

Unfortunately our Years 3-6 PSSA inter-school sport activities have been postponed until next year, 2021. In the interest of student and staff safety the decision to postpone inter-school sport was taken due to the risk involved in gatherings of students from different schools and shared bus travel.

We will continue with our usual school sport arrangements for the remainder of term 3 and term 4. Hygiene and cleaning of equipment is now included in all school sport activities.

Special Religious Education (SRE) and Ethics (SEE) will begin this week. Changes this term are that there will be no Hindu SRE. Students in other faith denominations will be withdrawn from their classes for these weekly sessions. No new class curriculum content will be introduced while students attend SRE and Ethics lessons.

We have had some very wild winter weather recently. Hopefully we will see some change in the weather soon. Lots of school scarfs, jumpers and beanies!

All the best.

G. Walker