trundle central school newsletter · learning packages. continually placing pressure on students...

Telephone: (02) 68921303 Fax: (02) 68921184 Email: [email protected] School webpage – https://trundle-c.schools.nsw.gov.au Facebook - www.facebook.com/TrundleCentralSchool

6th April 2020 Term 1 Week 11

Trundle Central School Newsletter A school that provides a

professional, stimulating and challenging learning

environment

Principal Mr John Southon

Head Teacher Secondary Mr Gerry Capell

Assistant Principal Mrs Fiona Sanderson

Reminders Friday 10/4/20 Good Friday Have a safe Holiday

P&C President

Vacant

Secretary Vacant

Treasurer Vacant

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.trundle-c.schools.nsw.edu.au/


Term 1 Week 11

Principal’s

Message

The COVID-19 virus has created numerous challenges

for schools and families this term. This health

emergency, I believe, is the defining moment of this

generation. My parents had Vietnam, before that my

grandparents WWII, mine was the emergence of

international terrorism, following the attacks on

America. The school’s, your children’s, and your

response to the possible defining moment of this

current generation will determine the long term effect

on our society as it passes into history.

Those of us with a few kilometres on the clock

remember the fear of the next escalation of world

tension or another terrorist attack when the planes hit

the World Trade Centre. The world moved on after a

period of uncertainty and I am sure it will again, if we

remain united and follow the health advice. As it was in

9/11, tension is increased by conflicting decisions from

our various levels of government and sensationalised

reporting from the media. The enormous difference

with 9/11 is that the problem of terrorism was largely

‘over there’ not potentially on our doorstep as the

threat of COVID-19.

A significant danger, I believe is that many Australians

are losing compassion and the acknowledgement of our

role as citizens of the world, as we place our wagons in

a circle to defend fortress Australia. Recently, in the

popular media, the call was for cruise ships to return to

their port of origin to disembark sick passengers or

crew. On the surface a very reasonable request,

considering the current strain on the NSW health

system. However, consider if it was your 20 year old

son or daughter, part of the crew and sick on a cruise

ship off the coast of a developed, politically stable

country, with one of the best public health systems in

the world. Your reaction could be different. Would you

want your child forced to travel many days and leave

the cruise ship in a poor developing country or

international tax haven where many of these ships are

registered? Even in the direst of times, Australia and the

world must recognise the compassionate obligation to

provide assistance to those in need.

Also on Fakebook, there have been many calls for

Chinese businesses to be boycotted. China is Australia’s

biggest trading partner. I am sure farmers, miners,

doctors, universities, tour operators and many more do

not want Australian businesses boycotted in return. I

do not have all the answers, but I can acknowledge the

many questions this emergency is creating rather than

making blanket statements.

The Prime Minister has clearly said that we should be

preparing for these changed conditions for at least six

months. This school has put in place significant

measures to do our best to reduce the spread of this

virus. The next step is, staff are not going to be

rostered on, but on call. This change will allow flexibility

of staffing, both in the time where students are strongly

encouraged not to attend school and when the school

starts to return to normal operations. We are working

extremely hard to produce lesson packages to allow

your children to continue their learning, utilising a

different format. This can occur at home with

technology, hopefully maintaining the connectivity with

the school. All families have received phone calls from

the school. This will continue as long as these changed

conditions are in force, teachers are not checking or

spying but supporting.

Teachers also deserve to have their children and

themselves in the safest possible environment, the

family home. As Principal, I am as much as possible

determined that my staff will not be the collateral

damage of this health crisis. The staff at this school have

enormous dedication to the students of this school.

However, this must be balanced by the need to keep

safe. This is the reason for the dramatically reduced

staffing levels. If children come to school, there is no

play at recess or lunch or ball games. The principles of

social distancing are in force. Some may consider this

extreme but I am sure if these measures were not in

place, some people would also complain. As Principal, I

have to balance the noise from those who would boo

Santa Clause with the genuine concerns of people.

The attitude, degree of stress and the level of

motivation students return to school with, is vastly

more important than completing every aspect of the

learning packages.

Continually placing pressure on students during a time

where they have already a high level of anxiety, is in the

long term counterproductive. This school will not be

placing judgement on families based on the extent their

children have completed the work packages. I

understand the challenges of parenthood and this is a

highly unusual situation families are placed in. I am very

sure when doctors are trying to revive a young person,

they do not yell questions from chapter 4 of the Year 9

Maths textbook. Encourage and support your children

to finish what they can. Completing every aspect of the

package is not a life or death situation.




Term 1 Week 11

One of the constant messages I have in relation to

children is, they deserve to be shielded from material

and situations that are not age appropriate. Young

children should be looking for fairies in the garden

rather than viruses in the house that will end the world.

Try to make your house an emotional oasis for your

children and as much as possible promote normality.

NESA the organisation that administers the HSC has

announced that the exams at this stage will go ahead as

planned. The Education Ministers of each state are

meeting today to consider what changes will be made.

People much more intelligent than I will make these

decisions and again the people on the ground will

interpret and implement them in the local context.

However, changes have already been made to allow

social distancing to continue in schools. These changes

at this stage are:

Principals will decide the number and weighting

of Year 11 Assessment tasks.

The requirement for VET students to undertake

mandated Work Placement has been lifted.

Mandatory Group Drama and Ensemble Musical

performances have been cancelled.

I understand these are challenging times but I will state

again, it is important students just worry about what

they can control. Senior students should continue to

work on assessments and lesson packages because they

can control their attitude and effort, not the form the

HSC takes in 2020.

The question of equal access to educational opportunity

for our HSC students during this health emergency is

something I am pursuing. I believe the current situation

highlights the entrenched disadvantage across NSW

especially in terms of access to communication

technology. Some schools can run interactive lessons,

whilst we are training pigeons. It has been incredibly

frustrating when city based public servants and

politicians assume that every student has access to a

reliable internet connection. This indicates a very poor

understanding of rural life. Additional laptops and

dongles are great ideas in a city or regional

environment but not as effective for students at

Trundle Central School, where a few kilometres away

from town, mobile and internet coverage is significantly

reduced.

Just as the recovery from the drought, I have real

concerns what the future will look like for our business

community. This current health emergency is a perfect

storm in relation to placing additional stress on the

business sector in country towns. Lack of traffic

movement, community lockdown and massive loss of

jobs will mean, only the very strongest businesses will

survive. I hope with all the billions being given out at the

moment, some finds its way to country towns as we are

sure going to need it.

I usually do not comment on rumours or the various

Facebook posts that are thrust into my face. This is

because a mentor principal said to me many years ago:

‘only worry about criticism from those that you would

happily take advice from’. This excludes many of the

people that post on Facebook. Facebook also lacks a

truth filter, moral code and memory and has moved

well beyond its original function of information transfer.

However, the idea which appeared on Fakebook

recently is that the school is ‘hoarding’ large amounts of

food has to be commented on because some could

believe it. This school distributed tonnes of food,

clothing, water etc during the drought because of the

compassion of staff and donors. We have half a pallet of

water left as we had a system that as goods were

donated, they were distributed. The ungrateful nature

of some people disappoints me but unfortunately does

not surprise me. When did it become the school’s role

to feed children? If a donation comes to the school they

will be distributed equally to the school community as it

always has. However, it is not now, or has it ever been

a core function of this school to distribute food to

families.

Enjoy the term break.

John Southon

Principal




Term 1 Week 11 Page 4




Term 1 Week 11

Ajax’s

Weekly Woof

Woof Woof Awards: 500 happy barks to the parents for the fantastic

way you have embraced social distancing. If only

the barking pan lickers in town could embrace

social distancing. Maybe Condo would be the

appropriate distance.

500 happy barks to students working well through

the packages provided by the teachers. Just a

couple of hours a day guys, and be nice to your

parents.

500 happy barks to year 12 students. This is a very

difficult time for all and Year 12 is stressful enough

without the Corona Virus. Keep working and only

worry about things you can control.

5000 happy barks to supermarket workers who

are working in some very difficult circumstances

and with some very cranky people. Southo came

home with toilet paper on Saturday. I have not

seen him as happy since, come to think about it, I

have never seen him as happy.

5000 happy barks to Trish, Anthony and the other

people still providing service in Trundle. It is nice

to maintain some routine during these times.

5000 angry growls to those people who think the

school is hoarding food. I am a Labrador on a diet.

If there was food in this school I would know about

it. Please connect your brain to your Facebook

account as a stupid comment can cause a lot of

problems in a small town.

5000 angry growls to those people telling young

people that this virus could be the end of the

world. Kids are only young for a short period of

time. Try not to take away the magic of childhood.

I should know. I age seven years every year.

During these times we should always remember how lucky we are to live in Trundle. We have still a

sense of community and our isolation shields us to

a degree from the main problems with this virus.

On Friday, we even had rain to fill our dams. It is a

wonderful world, we just need to look.

Have a safe holiday

Ajax

Bark with laughter with Ajax:

What do you call a girl with a frog on her head?

Lily!




Primary

Term 1 Week 11

All the staff wish the students and their families a very Happy Easter! Enjoy your holiday!

As per last week, this week and into next term:

Each teacher will monitor individual student’s needs, ensuring that specific tasks are adjusted and

developmentally appropriate.

Each teacher will adjust work packs ensuring there are a range of engaging tasks for a range of

abilities.

Staff will ensure that there are explicit instructions in each pack, enabling parents to easily monitor

their child’s progress.

The staff at Trundle Central School are committed to providing each child with high quality, easily

accessible resources that will continue their journey along a successful educational pathway.

Over the holidays and into next term parents and students could look at some of the suggestions below.

These are from NSW Department of Education website.

Talking to your children about coronavirus (COVID-19)

Listen to your child’s questions, concerns and give them accurate information.

Younger children need reassurance more than facts. They need to know that the adults are looking after

them even when things are difficult.

Use a calm, reassuring tone so they understand that the adults are coping with the situation.

Try to retain normal routines as much as possible and focus on other things – besides the coronavirus.

Supporting your child’s learning at home

Provide support for your children by:

Establishing routines and expectations

Setting aside a space for your child to work in

Beginning and ending each day by asking about your child’s learning

Taking an active role in helping your children with their learning

Encouraging physical activity and/or exercise

Keeping your children social but set rules around their social media interactions.




Term 1 Week 11




Term 1 Week 11

Parents and carers who read aloud with children in a secure, safe and comfortable context motivate their children to read.

Parents’ perceptions, values, attitudes, and expectations play an important role in influencing their children’s attitudes toward reading, and subsequent literacy development. When children share a book with someone who makes them feel special, the attitude that reading is pleasurable is transferred to other reading encounters.

Relationship building

At the core of reading is a relationship and it is the bond between children and parents that is enhanced through reading together. It only takes ten minutes a day to build this relationship.

Children’s reading improves

The research is conclusive: When parents successfully support their children’s literacy learning from an early age, everyone benefits. When teachers and parents work together to support children’s reading and academic success, learning outcomes for all children improve.

Children read more

Students who read with their parents are better prepared for school. They begin school with knowledge of book language and familiarity with concepts of print. They understand how books work and have many more exposures to text types and vocabulary.

Children’s self-esteem improves

Knowing someone cares enough to take time out of a busy schedule to give you undivided attention around a book makes a significant difference to how students perceive themselves as learners and readers. When parents show an interest in their children’s learning, children respond positively.

Reading unites families through shared stories

When a family reads together, stories form a common ground for communicating. Stories bind families and help students makes sense of where they fit in the world.

Not only does parent involvement have a specific and profound impact on children’s reading, but also on children’s language and literacy learning in general. It is through interactions with parents and carers that children learn new vocabulary, seek clarification of new understandings, and learn to comprehend their expanding worlds. Talk is the key to reading and writing success. Talking with children (walking to school, at the table, in the car, bedtime) has a significant effect on literacy learning in general.

(Source:http://www.petaa.edu.au/imis_prod/w/Teaching_Resources/Parents_guide.aspx/#benefits)

The proven benefits of reading with your child



http://www.petaa.edu.au/imis_prod/w/Teaching_Resources/Parents_guide.aspx/#benefits


Term 1 Week 11

Some great online ideas for the holidays:

Don’t forget that you are able to borrow e-books from the Trundle Central School library.

Details on how to borrow books is attached to the library section of this newsletter.

Check out the library tab in Reading Eggs. There are some amazing readers and you can find age

appropriate readers for your child.

Podcasts

Short and Curly – a podcast made by students

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/shortandcurly/how-to-work-together-through-

coronavirus/12075996

Listen for free from your mobile device on the ABC listen app, Apple Podcasts or Google

Podcasts.

Coronacast – this is a great podcast that answers children’s questions about COVID-19

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/coronacast/how-does-coronavirus-go-into-my-body-we-answer-

kids-questions/12119642

Other than Mathletics and Maths Seeds the students could look at: https://www.mathplayground.com/

https://mathsstarters.net/numoftheday/

Other than Reading Eggs and Sound Waves online the students

could look at:

Story Box Library – this is an Australian website that ask you to subscribe. Authors read the

quality books to the students.

https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/

Epic – a digital library for students 12 and under.

https://www.getepic.com/

Vooks – storybooks brought to life.

https://www.vooks.com/



https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/shortandcurly/how-to-work-together-through-coronavirus/12075996

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/shortandcurly/how-to-work-together-through-coronavirus/12075996

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/listen/

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/short-curly/id1093699006

https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9yYWRpby9wcm9ncmFtcy9zaG9ydGFuZGN1cmx5L2ZlZWQvNzM4ODE0Mi9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbA&ep=5&at=1561606567715

https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9yYWRpby9wcm9ncmFtcy9zaG9ydGFuZGN1cmx5L2ZlZWQvNzM4ODE0Mi9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbA&ep=5&at=1561606567715

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/coronacast/how-does-coronavirus-go-into-my-body-we-answer-kids-questions/12119642

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/coronacast/how-does-coronavirus-go-into-my-body-we-answer-kids-questions/12119642

https://www.mathplayground.com/

https://mathsstarters.net/numoftheday/

https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/

https://www.getepic.com/

https://www.vooks.com/


Term 1 Week 11

Secondary

This week we will continue to offer support to

families and students as we progress with our

distance education mode.

Thanks to all the parents who picked up packs on Friday and for everyone else the packs were sent

home on Friday. While we are encouraging all

students to attempt the work please ensure that

they are also taking time for themselves and

working normal hours. I often see notification from

Google Classroom of students submitting work

late at night, and while I admire their dedication I

also want to make sure that stress levels are not

rising over this time.

We will be completing printed work packs for all

students for Week 1&2 of next term this week.

This will be mailed home for everyone on

Thursday. This work should be commenced

Monday 27th of April. By this I am hoping that

our 7-10 students will actually take a break from

their school work over the holidays to make sure

they are refreshed and prepared for Term 2.

Our Year 11 & 12 students are continuing with

their course work as it is set out on each of their

subjects on Google Classroom. Their co-teachers

will continue to call them and offer support this

week.

If you have any concerns at all please contact me at

school between 9am-3pm. If it is a question on

another subject which I cannot answer in depth I

will contact the teacher and ask them to call you to

provide clarification.

As always have a great week

Gerry Capell

Head Teacher Secondary Studies

How You Can Commemorate ANZAC Day 2020

There’s no doubt

that ANZAC Day

2020 will be very

different to

ANZAC Days of

previous years.

While we will not

be gathering at

services or

marches, there are

still ways to

acknowledge ANZAC Day and ensure Australian

servicemen and women are appropriately

remembered.

1. Record yourself reciting the ode or sharing a

message of support for veterans. Respond

“Going” to our ANZAC Day 2020 Facebook event.

Then use the hashtag #ANZACSpirit and share how

you’ll be commemorating privately, as well as who

you’ll be remembering this ANZAC Day.

2. Light up the dawn. At 6am on ANZAC Day, go

to the end of your driveway or stand on your balcony

and listen to a brief commemorative service.

Together – even while apart – we’ll remember those

who served and sacrificed. You can sign the pledge to

light up the dawn at rslanzacspirit.com.au

3. Tune into live services and virtual

commemorative services. The ABC will be

broadcasting a 5.30am service from the Australian

War Memorial in Canberra. There will also be a

10am service from the Anzac Memorial in Sydney that

will be broadcast on ABC and streamed live.

4. Reach out to a mate who might be alone .

Many people are alone during this time of isolation.

It’s an opportunity to invoke the ANZAC value of

mateship and check to see how a mate is doing.

5. Donate to the ANZAC Appeal online

at anzacappeal.com.au. Donations support

Australian veterans and their families in need.

Donations in New South Wales support services

provided by RSL DefenceCare and Veteran Sport

Australia.

(source: RSLNSW)



http://rslanzacspirit.com.au/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rslnswanzacspirit

https://anzacappeal.com.au/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rslnswanzacspirit


Term 1 Week 11





Library

Term 1 Week 11





Library

Term 1 Week 11

1 11




Community

Term 1 Week 11




Term 1 Week 11




Term 1 Week 11 Page 17 Term 1 Week 11 Page 17 Term 1 Week 11 Page 17 Term 1 Week 11 Page 17 Term 1 Week 11




Term 1 Week 11 Page 18 Term 1 Week 11



trundle central school newsletter · learning packages. continually placing pressure on students...

Documents