PRINCIPALS BLOG A weekly update on everything at New Lambton South Public School

TERM 3 WEEK 6 20th August 2021

FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK

CHESS

This week our chess team took part in the state semi-finals. Albeit in an online fashion. The New Lambton South Public School team played strongly on Wednesday and qualified for the State Final of the Interschool Chess Challenge. Our team consisting of Maxim, Rohan, Abel, Banjo and Levi scored equal top team points, however after the tie break scores were calculated finished in second place overall. There were some strong individual players from the other schools, including scores of 5/6 and even a perfect 6/6. Overall top 3 school placings on Wednesday were: 1. Jasper Road Public School (Baulkham Hills, Sydney) – on 14.5 team points 2. New Lambton South Public School – also on 14.5 team points 3. Meadowbank Public School (Ryde, Sydney) –13 team points Best of luck to the boys for the State Final on 9th September

OUR KIDS OUR SUPERHEROS

Everyone is applauding everyone but our children. These little heroes have stayed indoors more than they’ve ever known. Their worlds have been turned upside down and they don’t know why. All these rules they’ve never known. Not being able to see extended family or give them hugs, no sport or after school activities, no holidays to look forward to, no play dates or catching up with friends at school. Adults talking about the current situation, news reports constantly focusing on the COVID situations in our backyards. Our poor children’s minds must be racing. Every day their resilient little bodies get up and carry on despite all that’s going on. So here’s to our little superheros…

COVID GUIDELINES – CURRENT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS

Level 4 schools

Parents and carers MUST keep children – across primary and secondary school – at home unless they need to be at school. Schools and outside of school hours care (OOSHC) services are open for any child that needs it. In today’s press conference the Premier stressed the importance of only sending children to school if it were absolutely necessary. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Whilst we are on Level 4 lockdown the following COVID-19 guidelines apply:

- NO visitors or parents on the school site. - Minimal staff on site – must wear masks whilst indoors. - Students are not required to wear masks. - No assemblies or excursions. - Parents only to enter school grounds if essential, via Gate 4 and must wear a mask.

Updated communication released from the Department of Education can be found by clicking here.

CANTEEN CLOSED

Please remember that during the current COVID guidelines our school canteen is NON- OPERATIONAL.

CLASSROOM IMPROVEMENTS

An initial meeting was held this week to scope some capital works focussing on upgrading the Stage 3 classrooms. Plans have been drafted to have 4 large external doors built on the northern side of the building. These doors will open onto decks which will flow down into a landscaped outdoor learning space. The school is now waiting final approval from the Department's Asset Management Unit before the work can commence. This will be an exciting project for our school and a long-awaited extension to the stage 3 classes.

OPPORTUNITY CLASS PLACEMENT TEST

The 2021 Opportunity Class Placement Test date has been rescheduled to occur on Wednesday, 6 October 2021. This date will enable placement outcomes to be provided to parents and carers and schools prior to the end of Term 4 in 2021. Due to the increased health and safety risks which prevent large groups of external students mixing and mingling with local school students, the Opportunity Class Placement Test will be conducted within the government students’ primary schools. This approach was used in 2020 when faced with similar challenges. The test will be conducted during school hours

BOOK CLUB INFORMATION

Issue 5 orders NB: If you have not received your Issue 5 order it should arrive this week and the school will contact when your order has arrived. Book Club Issue 6 is out now. You can pick up a hard copy of the catalogue from the office or go online through this link below. Book Club - Parents LOOP Home Delivery (option)

Parents will be provided with the option to select either school or home delivery for any new Book Club Orders they place. The order default is to the school address, so parents must choose the home delivery option on the order summary page. Please note: The home delivery option can be selected by parents at the time of ordering at a cost

of $7.50. Your school will still earn 10% in Scholastic Rewards on home delivery orders. School deliveries will still be sent to the school once you submit the order. You will still need to submit orders to have existing orders despatched to the school.

ALL BOOK CLUB ORDERS NEED TO BE PAID ONLINE BY Friday September 3

P AND C INFORMATION

P AND C MEETING INFORMATION At this week’s P and C meeting the decision was made to cancel the Father’s day stall. With COVID restrictions there was no suitable work around which could see this event run. Further discussions were held regarding the P and C funding a shade structure over the Infants concrete area. An outcome for this proposal will be decided on at the next P and C meeting. FUNDRAISING – FINAL DAYS: TO ORDER CLICK HERE.

Have an amazing weekend and keep safe.. Mr Pryce - Principal