Dear Parents and Carers,

Last week I was pleased to read that the Premier and Minister for Education have announced changes to school settings for the remainder of Term 1 which are very positive indeed. The updated settings were developed in close consultation with NSW Health and key stakeholders to ensure we continue to keep our schools open for learning, while keeping up with changing community settings. I would like to sincerely thank parents and carers for their patience and understanding over the last six weeks during these uncertain and ever-changing times. The updated settings include:

· Visitors which includes parents, carers and families are allowed back on school sites regardless of their vaccination status.

· Students are no longer required to be kept in year groups or other cohorts.

· Assemblies and Scripture will recommence at our school in a COVID-smart way.

· Schools will move to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is symptomatic or there are cases in their class. Our school issued 8 Rapid Antigen Tests to Preschool, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students yesterday in their school bag to use if symptoms occur. Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will receive their RAT kits as soon as they arrive. We have been told the anticipated date of arrival is 11 March 2022. If you do not wish your child to receive the RAT kits in their bags please notify the school. Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests as these are now freely available and accessible in the community.

· Masks will continue to be required indoors for all school staff, volunteers and visitors including parents and carers in primary schools until Friday 4 March. This means that from Monday 7 March, masks will no longer be mandatory for all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.

· In line with community settings, workers who support our students with disability in some mainstream classrooms will be required to wear masks while working with students.

· All visitors are asked to follow our usual sign-in and sign-out process.

· Anyone working on a school site, including parents and volunteers, must be double vaccinated.

· Finally our school will continue to ensure our layered COVID-smart measures are in place, including vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces and continued good hand hygiene.

COLOUR EXPLOSION FUN RUN

I am delighted to announce that we will will be holding the School Colour Explosion Fun Run as a major fundraising event this year on Friday 25 March, Week 9. We are doing it to raise money for solar panels at our school. The Colour Explosion Fun Run promotes healthy and active lifestyles while helping us raise funds! It’s all about participation, with students treated to a great day as a reward for their fundraising efforts. Family support is key to our fundraising success and we encourage everyone to get involved. On Tuesday your child received a booklet outlining how to be involved in the event, how to create an online student profile page, collection of sponsors and prizes to be won. Stay tuned for further exciting news about this event.

SCHOOL ENTRY AND EXIT

To avoid congestion during the morning drop off and conclusion of the school day the following procedures have been put in place. In the morning, students can enter the Preschool, Wentworth and or Griffiths Street gates. Just a reminder to all parents and carers the earliest students can enter the school grounds is 8:30am and students are not permitted before this time. Upon entering the school, they are asked to go to their designated area.

At the conclusion of the day students can leave the school grounds through one of four gates, which include Wentworth Street, Griffiths Street, Preschool and or bin gate. It is asked that parents organise with their child a gate they are to exit at the end of the day, to avoid confusion and anxiety for students, especially our little people.

I would like to remind parents/carers and visitors that if they need to enter the school during school hours they are to use the main gate on Griffiths Street only. Whilst the other gates are closed during the day, they are not locked and should not be used as entry points.

DISTRICT SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Congratulations to all our competitors at Week 4’s Mid South District swimming carnival at Oak Flats Swimming Pool. It was fantastic to see people doing their best, cheering each other on and representing Oak Flats in such a positive manner. Congratulations to Kalani B, Andrew R, Sophie S, Aliyn P, Joshua O, Logan M, Georgia M, Polly H and Adelle G for progressing to the Regional Carnival at Dapto Pool on 9 March 2022. Thank you also to Miss Ford and Miss Cotterill for assisting and supervising our students and also to our parents for transporting our students while being unable to be spectators. Your support and understanding was very much appreciated!

GYMNASTICS LESSONS

Next week students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will be participating in gymnastic lessons on either a Monday, Tuesday or Friday in the school hall for the rest of the term. These lessons are being run by qualified instructors who have a passion for all elements of gymnastics. Students will learn a new skillset from balancing on different balancing beams to performing acrobatic movements. All activities are designed to help students build strength and develop their coordination in a fun and stimulating way. This is a free program, funded through Sporting School Funding.

PLP BREAKFAST

We will be holding our PLP Breakfast for our Aboriginal students and families on Friday 11 March, 2022 at 8am in the school hall. The aim of this breakfast is to give our Aboriginal families the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and create your child’s Personal Learning Plan. Breakfast will be provided to students, parents and carers. A note was sent home on Wednesday and it is asked that this note be returned, indicating if you will or will not be attending. We hope to see as many of our Aboriginal parents/carers and students at the PLP breakfast and look forward to a productive and rewarding year.

KINDERGARTEN BEST START PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

On Wednesday 9 March, 2022 our Kindergarten parents will have the opportunity to meet with Kindergarten teachers to discuss their child’s early learning and progress. A note will be issued shortly outlining times and where the interviews will be conducted. The Best Start assessments held earlier this term provide an excellent opportunity for teachers to gain a better understanding of the individual literacy and numeracy skills of children in their Kindergarten classroom. Last Thursday teachers provided parents and carers with information about the skills their child demonstrated during the assessment, and how they can now continue to build upon what they know and can do. Thank you to our wonderful Kindergarten parents and carers for your ongoing enthusiasm and support of your child’s learning and the school. Our Kindergarten students have settled well this year and are working productively in class. A huge thank you also to our amazing Kindergarten team of teachers and support staff for ensuring a successfully smooth transition into "big school” for our youngest students.

NAPLAN ONLINE

This year the students in Years 3 and 5 of Oak Flats PS will be completing the NAPLAN tests online, commencing in Week 3 Term 2. Additional school based information will follow in upcoming newsletters. Students will participate in the NAPLAN online Practice Test in Week 9 of this term.

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENT FORMS

Enrolment forms for Year 7, 2023 have been sent home with all students in Year 6. These forms have the student’s name, address and designated local high school written on them. Please DO NOT change the name of your designated local high school, as this is based on the address you have provided to the school. If you have moved and need to change your address as it appears on the form please see the office staff and they will advise you of the documentation required to change the address. Year 7 2023 Enrolment Forms were due back to school by the 25 February. If you have not returned your form please do so as soon as possible. Enquiries about high school enrolment forms should be directed to the Stage 3 Assistant Principal, Mrs Blazic.

LIFE EDUCATION

As part of our Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PD/H/PE) program, the Life Education Van has once again returned to our school. Students will engage in exciting lessons about their bodies, health, peer relationships and nutrition. The visit includes the mobile classroom lesson and student workbooks, which provide the necessary activities to complement further PD/Health/PE lessons in the classroom. Merchandise, including Healthy Harold items, is available for purchase. If students would like to purchase any Life Education products this year they can do this in Weeks 6 and 7.

SUPPORTING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Oak Fats Public School students are provided with many opportunities throughout the year that enhance our curriculum. These activities include music programs, excursions and visits from performing artists. With our strong philosophy of inclusion, we enable access for all. If you require financial assistance for your child’s participation at school, please contact Mrs Alice Wigny.

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Scholastic Book Club