Community members are advised that they will no longer be required to attend Grandparents Day, Harmony Day or any assemblies. And a final note: Parents, carers and community members are asked, with the utmost respect, to only visit the school when absolutely necessary. We are attempting to limit the number of people (students and staff) on site at all times. We have a small number of other adults who attend our site each week and these people sign in and out at the office. If your visit to the school or classroom is not essential, it would be helpful if you phone us instead. Class teachers can be contacted using the class communication app, email or phone. The department is working closely with NSW Health to ensure we have access to the latest advice on how to keep our staff, our students and community safe. We are following their guidance. I will be in touch with you regularly with updates as events unfold. Thank you once again for your patience and understanding. Harmony Day – UPDATE This Friday March 20th, we look forward to our school celebration of ‘Harmony Day’. PLEASE NOTE - We will NOT have our celebratory assembly or parent visitors. We thank the community members who volunteered to come along to assist on the day, but this assistance will no longer be required. We hope to invite everyone along to celebrate our cultural diversity at another time later in the school year. We will go ahead with our in-school activities for students to learn about many different countries and cultures. Students are encouraged to wear mufti dress which celebrates the traditional clothing from another country. An alternative outfit can be comfortable clothes in the colours of your child’s class flag (eg. 1/2 Germany etc). Quality Work At Bomaderry Public School, teachers ensure that their class has a clear understanding of what they need to achieve during each lesson. This explicit teaching allows students to strive to achieve high quality learning and work samples. Students know the criteria and can work hard to achieve them. Shanley, Jolie, Dustin, Blake and Matilda from 5/6S wrote excellent factual texts about recognising a witch! They used detailed descriptions which were organised well using headings and sub-headings. Canberra Excursion – We Are Still Planning for This Later in the Year The deposit amount of $60 can still be paid, however there is only one position left. We look forward to planning this significant excursion opportunity as the term progresses. If any additional information is required in regards rescheduling etc, we will let Stage 3 families know as early as possible.

Dear Parents/Carers, Welcome to Week 8 of our term and thank you to each and every one of you for the wonderfully calm response to the confusing media coverage around us. We appreciate the trust and sensible communications we have had with our families. We are very aware that our community is operating in a very new and ever-changing time, due to COVID-19. The Department of Education have provided further information from our Secretary, Mark Scott to all staff on additional measures we can all take in our schools to help ‘ Flatten the Curve‘ of COVID-19 transmission in the wider community. There is understandably concern in both schools and the wider community about whether schools should remain open. In line with what our Secretary has indicated we are following advice from the leading health experts in the country. We will continue to follow this advice. The decision about when and if to close schools is a decision that will be made based on the best health advice. At this stage, school remains operational as usual. The most important information to help manage the spread of illness: 1. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. 2. Sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, disposing of the tissue straight away and then washing your hands. 3. Stay at home if you are unwell. Schools will send home students who show signs of being unwell through the day. The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount. If your child is unwell with respiratory illness, they should remain at home until symptoms resolve and, where appropriate, seek advice from a medical practitioner (and call ahead first). Other information you will need to understand regarding what is/isn’t taking place at schools: School Assemblies From today Monday 16th March, schools are using alternative ways to communicate with students and parents other than through whole-school assemblies. Our morning assembly lines for Infants and Primary will go ahead, but our fortnightly gatherings in the school hall will not. School Excursions All school excursions outside of our schools will be cancelled until further notice. We hope to reschedule some and specific details will be shared as they are arranged. Please be patient about refunds and other administration procedures. These will take time and clarification. Thank you for your understanding on this. A number of virtual school excursions are available through the Department’s partnership with Distance and Rural Technologies. We will explore some options for virtual excursions in classes. Activities and Events All major Arts, Sports and Initiative activities and events beyond the school will temporarily be ceased until further notice. This includes whole school sporting events and inter-school events involving three or more schools. This means our Water Safety Fun Day and Cross Country carnivals are postponed until further notice. Local school sport and other activities will proceed. This includes After School Sport and usual class PE lessons. These will proceed as usual.

Term 1 - Week 8 16th March 2020

‘Like’ our Facebook Page

Bomaderry Public School has a Facebook page where we post lots of reminders, news and photos. Don’t miss out on the updates on your devices.

Achieving our Goals Every BPS student has individual learning goals and they strive to achieve these every day. Bradley in 1/2F was our first goal achiever for 2020! Congratulations Bradley. He can successfully use paragraphs in his written work. Year 3-6 School Caps The introduction of a school cap for Primary-aged students (Years 3 to 6) is in full swing. The first sample of the navy blue cap, with gold trim and embroidery has arrived. It will be available soon – hopefully by Term 2. The addition of the cap will support our goal of improving positive playtime behaviours and engaging students in physical activity, using the equipment on the oval – including our brand new cricket nets and outdoor gym installations. We look forward to adding this item to our uniform at BPS. Remember – it will only be sold to, and worn by, Years 3-6. Aim High – Achieve High Have another fantastic week of learning and fun at BPS. We understand there are a few changes to implement, but we will endeavour to have business as usual where we can. Please support us by reducing adult visits to school where you can. Of course, it is absolutely OK if your attendance here on site is required. We appreciate your understanding and will keep you posted as further information is given to schools. As always, the wellbeing of our students, staff and community is of utmost importance. Aim High to Achieve High Ms Dionne Hanbidge Principal

Term 1 - Week 8 16th March 2020

Easter Raffle Donations Every year the P&C do a monster Easter raffle. We ask families to donate chocolate eggs, Easter bags, ribbon, baskets, colour-in books, craft activities etc. to contribute towards the raffle prizes. Please drop donations into the school office. Raffle tickets will be sent home in the coming weeks. Thank you in advance from The P&C

Stage 3 Canberra Excursion

Notes have now gone home with Stage 3 students about the upcoming Canberra Excursion on 26th - 28th August. A non-refundable $60 deposit is due by Friday 20th March. There are limited numbers for this excursion and therefore the first 60 students to bring in their $60 deposit will be assigned a spot. If you have any questions, please contact the office on 4421 6577

AFL Gala Day - Stage 2

On Wednesday 11/3 Stage 2 went to an AFL Gala Day. We had 6 teams play; 2 boy teams, 2 girl teams and 2 mixed teams. The students had a lot of fun learning new skills and competing against other schools in games. The Stage 2 teachers were very proud of the great effort and behaviour from all the students that attended the gala day!

Library Matters

Book club orders are due this Thursday 19th March. Orders can be dropped to the office or can be placed online at Book Club LOOP https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/parent/login.aspx We have a huge range of books for the students to borrow and it is fantastic to see so many students enjoying their library books. Kyran, Katelyn and Thor are pictured reading quietly in the library. Mrs Urquhart – Teacher

Librarian

Staff Development Day - Office Closed

The School Office will be closed on Monday 27th April 2020 for the Staff Development Day. The office will be open at 8:30am on Tuesday 28th April, when students return to school.

- COMING SCHOOL EVENTS -

Mon 16th Mar - Skyworks payment closed

Fri 20th Mar - Harmony Day - Students taking part in Doing Things Together Day

Mon 23rd Mar - Skyworks Incursion - Years 3-4

Fri 3rd Apr - POSTPONED - AFL Gala Day Years 5 & 6

Mon 6th Apr - POSTPONED - Cross Country Carnival - Years K-6

Thurs 9th Apr - P&C Easter raffle drawn - Last day of Term 1

Fri 10th Apr - GOOD FRIDAY - SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Mon 27th Apr - Staff Development Day - School Office will be closed

Tues 28th Apr - Students return to school

Term 1 - Week 8 16th March 2020

BIG BLUE AWARDS

KC Kristen

1/2G Leeanne

1/2Y Isabella, Thor, Lucas

3B Lilly, Kaira

K-6P Tyson

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please be mindful of neighbourhood driveways when you are dropping and picking up students from school.

Driveways MUST NOT be blocked by cars.

Attention BPS Defence Families

Mrs Bradshaw, our BPS Defence Liaison staff member, will be hosting a meet and greet for all

Defence families on Thursday 2nd April at 3:20pm in The Nest. This is a great opportunity to meet other

Defence families and build a support network around you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs Bradshaw on chloe.bradshaw5@det.nsw.edu.au,

or the school office.

Shoalhaven District Tennis Association

Tennis Open Day Sunday 5th April - 9am to 1:00pm

- ANZ Hot Shots for Juniors (racquets and equipment supplied)

- Social Tennis for Everyone - Fastest Serve (Prize $50 Rebel Sport Gift Voucher) - Target Tennis - BBQ ($3 per sausage sandwich) - Jumping Castles Plus lots more fun!

For further information, contact

Vicki Pritchard on 0412 134 840.

Community Notice - Willandra Cross Country

Victory Runners Inc., a relatively new recreational running & walking group cordially invites anyone of any age and ability, who would enjoy the challenge of running, jogging, or walking at Willandra cross country venue, each Saturday afternoon during the Autumn & Winter months.

The season will commence on Saturday 21st March at 4:00pm at Willandra Cross Country Venue, 101 Browns Mtn. Rd. Tapitallee. (3pm when daylight saving finishes!) For further information, email info@victoryrunners.com.au

DONATIONS NEEDED Garden Club are asking for donations of small/medium glass jars, tins and empty pot plants for this interest group. Donations can be left at the front office.

Thank you, Mrs Paton