Term 1 – Week 10 – 31st March 2021

Dear Parents

What a wonderful term it has been!

It has been so lovely to have parents back in the school and it was great to touch base with a lot of you at the parent/teacher interviews held last week. I hope that you found them beneficial and have a clearer understanding of where your child is at in their learning. The school - home partnership is one that we highly value and it is very important to keep the communication lines open and active, so thank you for making contact at this time.

Well, here we are at the end of Term 1 preparing for a nice holiday time with our families. This last 11 weeks has certainly flown but there has been great achievements along the way. These include attaining a $15,000 grant for lots of exciting projects to take place in the Blue Gate Garden (thank you Suzy!). Watch this space for more information.

We have focussed on Sustainability this term with the No Bees No Future program for Stage 3 which is going to result in great initiatives across the school. In addition, we have promoted a reduction in plastics through our Break, Make, Take, Cake philosophy and we are making a measurable impact across the school (thank you for your support!). STEM lessons are continuing across the K – 6 classes and our report for the Gregson Park refurbishment has been completed.

We have held our swimming carnival, strengthened our Aboriginal education and communication program, have gained entry into 2021 Star Struck extravaganza, run the cross country, and had students initiate fundraising activities to make differences in the broader community. I am so proud of these students. This term, I have also issued a record number of Principal Kindness Awards which is extremely gratifying. To top off the term, this week we celebrated Harmony Day. What a great celebration of the different cultures at our school and recognition of our shared commitment to respect and harmony in the world.

I cannot thank Myles and Ally West enough for their continual support of our school and its students. For Harmony Day, the West family donated all the sausages for our BBQ lunch and as a result we were able to raise over $900. This money will go towards the current playground projects we are trying to raise money for. We need $35,000 for the repair and rejuvenation of the basketball court, $20,000 for climbing equipment for the Kindergarten – Year 1 playground and $15000 for a K- 2 maker space. These are all exciting school improvements and I know the benefit it will have on all

our students and I am so looking forward to making this happen for them. A HUGE thank you for all the Easter egg donations and for the purchase of raffle tickets. Senior students are visiting each classroom selling tickets and are also locating themselves in the COLA for lunchtime ticket sales. Parents will also be able to buy tickets tomorrow for the raffle if they are attending the Easter Hat Parade. The Dixon Street gate will be open at 1.45 and tickets will be available at the gate for 50c a ticket or 3 for $1.00. Our SRC students will draw out the winning tickets.

Thank you for contributing to our fund raising mission and a HUGE thank you also to our lovely ladies who have wrapped all the prizes, Kate Lawrence (Piper’s Mum), Nancy Asvestos (Matteo’s Mum) and Jessica Murray (Estella and Jemima’s Mum). They look terrific!

University Connections

Hamilton Public School keeps close ties with the University of Sydney, the University of NSW and the University of Newcastle. It is very exciting that we have been invited to be a part of the University’s Educational Advisory Board. Next term, the new Dean of the university, Susan Ledger, will visit our school to commence discussions on alternative methods of practicums and creative ways to respond to the demands of accreditation, schools, the profession and the development of future graduates. This is an exciting opportunity to have input and make a difference to the development of our future teachers. This is in line with the Minister of Education’s recent focus to strengthen links between the university and schools.

Leadership

I am sharing with you today our leadership strategy for students at Hamilton Public School. The school executive recently reviewed our current approach to student leadership, which lead to the creation of a new School Leadership Initiative. As illustrated in the hierarchical diagram, the system has been designed to provide more clarity around the roles of current leaders and distribute responsibilities and empower students across all grades.

This change stemmed from student data gathered as part of our Term 1 Student Interest Survey where several students indicated their desire to participate more actively within the school.

Through this new model of leadership, we aim to provide opportunities to develop active and contributing citizens, develop talent and nurture potential in the socio-emotional domains of learning.

Students within the inner and outer ministries will participate in student-led meetings and all working parties will report directly to the minster responsible for their area of expertise. Many students will be receiving letters this week inviting them to be part of the working party system in Term 2. We look forward to seeing our student leaders in action next term.

We have developed a systematic approach to encourage responsibility, self-efficacy and initiative within our students. I have attached the leadership framework for your viewing.

P & C Meeting

Also attached is the Principal’s Report for the P & C meeting which is being held tonight at 7.00pm at the Hive, Hamilton.

I hope that you all have very safe, happy and joyous holidays. Thank you for your ongoing support and ensuring that it has been a great term for all. Please remember that students return to school on Wednesday 21st April. Take care and warmest regards Meredith Lindsay

School Cross Country Carnival

Our school Cross Country was held in Week 8, at Gregson Park and what a great morning it was. The weather gods were looking after us, making for perfect running conditions.

Cross Country requires speed, stamina, endurance and, most of all, a positive and strong mind set. These young students were able to push themselves, achieving a sense of self-pride after completing either the 2km or 3km Cross Country course. For some students, it was about going fast. For others, it was the sense of pride and the fact that they were earning points for their school house while achieving a personal best. Overall, students should be congratulated for their individual efforts.

Some students missed the carnival as they were trialing for a PSSA team, and therefore the races were timed in order to identify our Zone team. Students who were successful will go on to represent the school at the Zone Carnival on Friday 23rd April at Stevenson Park (Week 1, Term 2) and should have already received their invitation.

Congratulations to our place getters, listed below.

Age Girls Boys

8/9 years 1. Gemma Graham

2. Catie Hayes

3. Evelyn Rowe

1.Elliot Monkhouse

2. August Valentish

3. Joseph Gray

10 years 1. May Pepper

2. Audrey King

3. Amelia Kacev

1. Finn Campbell

2. Andy Porter

3. Charlie Enright

11 Years 1. Caleb Smith

2. Leon Hawkes

3. Edward Perry

1. Tahlia Smith

2. Lily Le

3. Daniella Otto

12/13 Years 1. Evelyn King

2. Isla Murphy

3. Abigail Dodson

1. Hamish Drysdale

2. Sam McKerrow

3. Jules Hill

A big THANKYOU to our parent helpers: Tonya and Brenten Smith, Brearne Paddison, Chad Stead and David Perry. Without you we couldn’t have done it!

Dixon Street Traffic – Important message

Dixon Street has become increasingly busier due to the opening of the coffee shop. Never has it been more important to use this area correctly. PLEASE do not park at the Kiss and Drop zone during drop-off and pick-up times. This completely stops the ordered flow of traffic and the safe and smooth collection of children. It is certainly inconvenient not to have easy parking around the school but that is one of the difficulties of our location. We must however not allow this inconvenience to compromise what is best practice for the safety of all concerned.

Thank you very much indeed.

WHEN DOES MY CHILD RETURN TO SCHOOL NEXT TERM?

We have two Staff Development Days (SDD) next term which means your child/ren will return to school on:

WEDNESDAY 21st April

Harmony Day 2021

What a wonderful celebration we had for Harmony Day this year. Harmony day is about celebrating the differences between people, embracing new cultures and making sure everybody is included in society, as well as celebrated for their uniqueness.

We started the celebrations with a sausage sizzle, then after lunch we took part in a variety of activities in our classroom. The activities included making trees with our hands as the leaves, decorating biscuits, shadow puppets, making personalised strips to weave together, playing Knuckles,

finding countries using the alphabet, origami, researching a country and making rice paper rolls.

After recess, we had an assembly where families could join us. The assembly was led by Luca and Tony from Year 6. Part of the assembly was the Aboriginal Didgeridoo and Dance group, an Indian dance, an African song and a presentation on Sweden.

It was so lovely celebrating the theme of Harmony Day “Everyone Belongs” last Monday and this theme could not be more evident than at Hamilton Public School where we truly value “Children of the World”. Thanks to everyone who helped out in some way, on the day.

EALD Teacher, Julie Saperas

Playing our part to build a national picture of child health Next term, our school, along with thousands of others across the country will begin preparations for the fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC gives us a national picture of the development, health and wellbeing of children in their first year of full-time school. Since 2009, the census results have helped communities, schools and governments plan services and develop better policies to target support for children and families. Children do not miss any class time, and parents/carers do not need to supply schools with any new information for the census. The AEDC gives us data at a school and community level - it is not an assessment of individual children. Participation in the AEDC is voluntary. Parents/carers do not need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census. A separate letter for all Kindergarten families will be distributed early next term. To find out more about the census and how communities are using the data to help children and families visit the AEDC website: www.aedc.gov.au. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Cresnar next term.

Information for Year 5 Parents and Carers The application process for Year 5 opportunity class placement for entry in 2022 is about to

begin.

Important dates in the application process are as follows:

Tuesday 20 April 2021: Online applications opens

Friday 7 May 2021: Online applications closes (Parents and carers must apply by the due date.)

Tuesday 11 May 2021: Principals' processing site opens

Friday 28 May 2021: Principals' processing site closes

Wednesday 21 July 2021: Opportunity Class Placement Test

Parents and carers must apply online between Tuesday 20 April and Friday 7 May 2021 at:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5

Grades 3-6 Hamilton Public School will once again be participating in the University of NSW International Competitions and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) tests. ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment.

These tests are promoted by the UNSW for various reasons including:

1. providing data on students’ capacity to use higher order thinking skills.

2. the testing highlights student talents and student weaknesses.

3. the diagnostic reports provide insight into a child’s strengths and weaknesses.

4. the testing provides an external benchmark for national and international standards.

ICAS is a comprehensive international assessment program which has schools in over 20 countries participating in every year.

Payments are now being made directly to ICAS. The ICAS payment page is already open and accessible using the following link, however, further details and school permission note will also be sent home early next term.

https://shop.icasassessments.com

Nature Play at Hamilton Public School

Bron has captured some great constructions in our Nature Play areas. The design process and creativity is terrific! Thanks Bron!

Dates for the Calendar

We are currently planning for the following events to take place.

Date Event Monday, 19th April 2021 Staff Development Day – no students Tuesday, 20th April 2021 Staff Development Day – no students Wednesday, 21st April 2021 Students return to school Wednesday, 21st April 2021 Year 6 attend Civic Theatre Anzac Service Friday, 23rd April 2021 Newcastle Zone Cross Country Thursday, 6th May 2021 PSSA Soccer Wednesday, 12th May 2021 P&C Meeting Wednesday, 26th May 2021 Athletics Carnival Wednesday, 23rd June 2021 P&C Meeting

HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

Tudor Street, HAMILTON NSW 2303 P 02 49693577 F 02 49615148 E hamilton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W www.hamilton-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

15/03/21

Student Leadership Model

Ministers of Events

Prime Minister 2 Prime Minister 1

INN

ER M

INIS

TRY Minister of Grounds

and the Environment Minister of

Education and Technology

Minister of Cultural Affairs

Minister of Sport and Leisure

OU

TER

MIN

ISTR

Y

Technology Leaders

President Green Team Leaders Sports Leaders

WO

RKIN

G P

ARTI

ES

The Green Team

Aboriginal Dance Group

Grounds Maintenance

Team

Culture Group with Jon

Didgeridoo Group

Shadow Technology

Leaders

Shadow Sports Leaders

ALL Working Parties are comprised of students across K-6.

Office Assistants

Buddy Reading Program

Kindy Buddies

Student Representative Council (K-6 reps)

Library Monitors

Breakfast Club

Vice President

Secretary

HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

Tudor Street, HAMILTON NSW 2303 P 02 49693577 F 02 49615148 E hamilton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W www.hamilton-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

15/3/2021

Preparing to Lead Responsibilities

Office Assistant (teams of 2)

● Full School Uniform ● Professionally reporting for duty immediately after roll call. ● To run notes and messages for the office. ● Photocopying and general office work. ● Report card at the completion of the day.

Shadow Sports Ministers

● Wednesday and Friday shadowing for 5 week rotation ● Sports shed duties ● Friday sport duties ● Infants Sports Shed (1 x per week for organisation)

● Collecting stray sports equipment in the playground.

Shadow technology ministers

● Monday and Wednesday Shadowing for term rotation. ● After lunch assembly Wednesday ● School assembly Monday ● Stage 2 Chrome Books – charging and organisation

Grounds Maintenance Team

● Cleanliness of school grounds ● Raking bark under playground equipment ● Redistributing lost property ● Rubbish Patrol ● Sweeping paths ● Ensuring Nature Play is packed and tidy.

Buddy Reading Program

● Interested names forwarded to LaST (Kellie) to set up program where interested students are paired with identified students for daily reading for 10 minutes directly proceeding recess.

Tudor Street, HAMILTON NSW 2303 P 02 49693577 F 02 49615148 E hamilton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W www.hamilton-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOL Principal’s P & C Report 31st March 2021

It has been a very positive term with many of our regular activities being scheduled. The return of parents to school events has been a real positive for all concerned. New School Plan

• School Improvement Plan (2021 – 2024) is finalised and tabled for reference. Once a term, I will report at the P & C meeting on the school’s progress in the school plan. Strategic Direction 1 – Student attainment and growth Progress in this strategic direction include:

• holding parent/teacher interviews • development of student plans for all students • staff have completed Tier 1 in High Potential and Gifted Education professional learning. Two

more levels of training to be completed • research of best practices in reading and numeracy have been conducted • pedagogical frameworks have been finalised and documented

Strategic Direction 2 – Excellence in teaching Progress in this strategic direction include:

• all baseline data collected and analysed and recorded in preparation for end of year evaluations

• an Instructional Leader has been appointed • teachers have undertaken intensive professional learning in STEM, curriculum monitoring,

numeracy, reading and critical and creative thinking • the school has been selected to participate in the curriculum monitoring pilot program • Hamilton Public School keeps close ties with the University of Sydney, the University of NSW

and the University of Newcastle. It is very exciting that we have been invited to be a part of the University of Newcastle’s Educational Advisory Board. Next term, the Dean of the University, Susan Ledger, will attend our school to listen to our thoughts on alternative methods of practicums and creative ways to respond to the demands of accreditation, schools, the profession and the development of future graduates. This is an exciting opportunity to have input and make a difference to the development of our future teachers.

Strategic Direction 3 – Positive culture Progress in this strategic direction include:

• student interest surveys have been completed • extra- curricular programs have commenced • a student leadership framework has been established - tabled • students have been initiating fund raising activities

Tudor Street, HAMILTON NSW 2303 P 02 49693577 F 02 49615148 E hamilton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W www.hamilton-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

• In line with the system target improvements under Strategic Direction 3, parents will be issued with letters of attendance in Term 2 outlining their child’s attendance rate for the previous term. This keeps parents aware and able to make more informed choices. We need to have all students attending school 90% of the time as a minimum standard for them to reach their academic potential and maintain social-emotional wellbeing (as evidenced by research)..The department’s Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) will contact parents if a child’s attendance falls below approximately 80%. Thank you for working with us in this space.

Finance

• We have attained a $15,000 grant for lots of exciting projects in the Blue Gate Garden • We have had to purchase a new phone system for the school. This has cost us $15000 • A tree needs to be removed in the infant’s playground due to a fungal growth which has

hollowed the trunk. The estimated cost is $8000.

School curriculum and operations We have focussed on sustainability this term with the No Bees No Future program for Stage 3 which is going to result in projects across the school. In addition, we have promoted a reduction in plastics through our Break, Make, Take, Cake philosophy and are making a measurable impact across the school. We have held our swimming carnival, strengthened our Aboriginal education and communication program, and had students initiate fundraising activities to make a difference in the broader community. To top off the term, this week we celebrated Harmony Day. What a great celebration of the different cultures at our school and recognition of our shared commitment to respect and harmony in the world. School Improvements

• The school was successful in achieving a $35,000 grant through the department which will now allow us to complete the refurbishment of the school library. The start date for this work has not yet been scheduled.

• The school staff are currently reviewing all infrastructure and amenities within the school to identify future targets for improvement. The improvements required in the next 5 years are: • repair and refurbishment of basketball court - $35000 • K – 2 maker space - $15000 • climbing equipment in K – 1 playground.- approximately $20000 • covered walkways between A and B blocks – price yet to be determined

These school improvements will require substantial funds over the next 5 years through various means including fundraising, grants and possible sponsorships.

Tudor Street, HAMILTON NSW 2303 P 02 49693577 F 02 49615148 E hamilton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W www.hamilton-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOL Change of Staff Development Days (SDD)

• To support one of the professional learnings to be undertaken in the new plan, we are wishing to alter our School Development Days for Terms 2 and 3 (as flagged in the previous meeting). This year, all teachers are undertaking intensive development in High Potential and Gifted Education and will become certified through the University of NSW. This is a $15,000 investment in what we have identified to be the next step in teacher development. Many teachers at the school already hold expertise in this area, however, we are looking at developing consistency across the school so as we meet the needs of every learner. This program has already commenced however, part of the training requires two intensive consecutive days at the beginning of Term 2. What this means: What this means is that we will transfer the SDD from Term 3 and add it on to the SDD in Term 2 this will result in two Staff Development Days at the beginning of Tern 2 and NONE at the start of Term 3.

Events

• In Term 2 we have scheduled: 19th April – Staff Development Day (SDD) 20th April – SDD 21st April – Students return to school. Year 6 attend Civic Theatre Anzac Service 23rd April – Zone Cross Country 6th May – PSSA Soccer 12th May – P & C Meeting 26th May – Athletics Carnival 23rd June – P & C Meeting