Assistant Principal News 

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

As the building construction continues onsite, parents are reminded of the 5kph speed limit for cars entering the carline and when entering the staff car park to access Oosh Before and After School Care. 

The carline service provided is very busy and parents are reminded to instruct their child/children not to walk in between cars when exiting or entering their vehicle.

Parents are also requested not to open their boots which is a danger hazard when students are walking across the pedestrian crossing. Parents are now able to come onto the site to drop off or collect their child/children and may enter and exit via the main school gate or the gate at Keller Hall. Once construction of the new pathway is complete the gate leading to Port Hacking Road will be accessible. Another reminder is to be aware of the traffic and cars banking up on Port Hacking Road as you enter the school grounds, especially in the afternoon. Thank you for keeping the safety of the students and OLF community in mind at all times.

Safety Reminders Concerning Dogs

For the safety of our children please refrain from bringing dogs onto the playground. If you bring them around the school exit gates please ensure they are on a leash at all times. Many of our children love dogs and want to show their affection by rushing to pat or cuddle them. No matter how friendly the dog, there is still a risk that they could react and I would hate an unfortunate incident to happen here at school. 

K- Year 2 English And Mathematics Syllabus

Reviewed and updated English and Mathematics K–2 Syllabuses have been released this year. These are the first syllabuses of the NSW Curriculum Reform and are key to building strong foundations in the ‘early years. The evidence-based syllabuses are designed to improve student outcomes by focusing on essential learning and building foundational skills in English and Mathematics.Literacy and numeracy skills in the early years are essential foundations for later success at school. 

Literacy and numeracy skills:

• unlock children’s academic potential
• improve children’s overall academic outcomes
• set students up to thrive, learn and re-learn throughout their schooling and beyond.

In the revised K Year 2 English Syllabus students will  gain knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

• Oral language and communication
• Vocabulary
• Phonological awareness
• Print conventions
• Phonic knowledge
• Reading fluency
• Reading comprehension
• Creating written texts
• Spelling
• Handwriting
• Understanding and responding to literature.

In the K- Year 2 Mathematics Syllabus students will be taught to:

• develop essential numeracy skills and mathematical fluency
• identify, describe and apply patterns and relationships
• develop their reasoning and problem-solving skills
• apply their knowledge and understanding in practical situations and make informed decisions.

These syllabus documents will be implemented in 2023. This year all teachers are engaging in professional learning and planning to unpack the new content and become familiar with the  high impact teaching strategies (HIT's) and resources to effectively teach the essential knowledge and skills underpinning these curriculum areas.           

Child Safe Communities- Parent Volunteers

Sydney Catholic Schools is dedicated to upholding the values and practices that create safe learning environments for students. In this, SCS is committed to the vision of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF) that "all Australian schools are safe, supportive and respectful teaching and learning communities that promote student wellbeing".  Ensuring we have child safe communities goes to the heart of our faith and core purpose.

This is underpinned through processes, tools and communicating expectations and standards through:

• selection procedures that include child safe messaging
• pre-engagement checks such as the Working with Children Check (WWCC) or National Police checks
• effective and accessible child safe policies and practices
• induction, resources, training and support to build and maintain awareness of child safe practices
• an environment that encourages and welcomes disclosures regarding high-risk behaviour 
• the Child Safe Communities system. 

These processes are in place to ensure the safety of all students.

As the school prepares to welcome parents and carers back to the school to assist in classrooms or sporting events etc it is necessary that all volunteers complete the Child Safe online induction/verification process via the following link:  

If you have previously registered your number with the SCS verification process, please contact the school office to ensure you are on the register.

In addition to completing the online verification it is a requirement that all parents who wish to volunteer, participate in a face to face school based presentation or zoom session. 

There will be two induction sessions offered:

1. Wednesday 23rd March commencing at 2.30pm in Keller Hall 
    
2. Zoom session - Monday 28th March commencing at 5.30pm. Please access the zoom link below.   

Assembly Update

On Monday mornings at 8:50am we will hold a whole school assembly with prayer, our National Anthem and SPBL rule of the week. 

On Friday mornings at 8:50am at our whole school assembly we will celebrate our SPBL award recipients and any other significant achievements. 

Parents are welcome to join us on the playground for these assemblies.

School Uniform News

We are currently looking at updating our sports uniform and introducing a new sports top, shorts and tracksuit. As of next week there will be some samples in the front office if you would like to drop in and give us some feedback. We are in the planning stages at present and welcome your input and feedback.   

Mrs Louise Gordon | Assistant Principal