Mulwala Public School

Thursday 24 March 2022

Yarma (Welcome)

Dear parents and carers

It was wonderful to have many parents and grandparents attend our assembly last Friday. Our school is getting back to some form of normality with flexible maths groups and stage-based HSIE/Science resuming. The students are very excited that they can play in all parts of the playground and mixing with all their friends.

Changes in staffing

Mrs Thorpe will be taking leave as of Monday 21 March. There will be some changes to the classroom teachers, which are listed below:

• Goonie- Mrs Pinn will teach literacy

• Thurgoon- Mrs Rosmulder will continue to teach literacy

• Nungara- Miss Bacchetto and Miss Anthony will teach literacy

• Flexible maths groups will continue

• Stage based HSIE/Science groups will continue

• Mrs Moore will take over the role of Learning and Support teacher

Head Lice

There have been a number of cases of head lice in the school. Please check your child's hair regularly and treat it as needed. The current health advice is in this newsletter

School Terms

Term 1

Term 1 ends on Friday 8 April

Term 2

Wednesday 27 April- Friday 1 July

Term 3

Tuesday 18 July- Friday 23 September

Term 4

Monday 10 October- Monday 19 December

Updated Covid Information

The recent announcement to the changes in how schools use RATs as a surveillance measure against COVID-19 means that students and staff will only need to test if they are displaying COVID-19 symptoms.

From Monday 28 February we will move to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is displaying COVID-19 symptoms. For our school, this means:

• 8 tests per student and staff in school

• Beyond that students and staff can access PCR tests or purchase RATs directly.

• Our school will continue to ensure our core COVID-smart layers are in place, including vaccinations, physical distancing where possible, maximised fresh air flow through natural ventilation, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.

Registering your child’s RAT result

If a student or staff member receives a positive RAT result, they need to:

• record the positive RAT result through the Service NSW websiteExternal link or Service NSW appExternal link and please include the name of your child’s school when prompted

• notify the school of the positive RAT or PCR result as soon as possible

• follow NSW Health advice to isolate for 7 days.

Registering your child’s positive RAT with Service NSW is a requirement of the Public Health Order and helps NSW Health track COVID-19 in schools and address any public health issues early on if required.

Negative results do not need to be reported to Service NSW or to the school.

Unwell at school

Any student or staff member who is unwell and/or displays symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to go home and stay until they can complete a RAT or PCR test.

• If symptoms continue, they should stay at home and take another RAT in 24 hours or have a PCR test.

• If the second RAT or initial PCR test result is negative and they are displaying no symptoms OR they are diagnosed as another condition such as hayfever, the student or staff member can return to school.

• In NSW, positive COVID-19 cases are provided a Medical Clearance Notice after 7 days and allowed to leave self-isolation as long as they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

For further information refer to the NSW Government’s Rapid antigen testing fact sheetExternal link.

What happens if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19

Under the close contact rules, schools are no longer included in contact tracing. I will inform the school community when there is a positive case in our school and advise families on public health advice, including monitoring for symptoms.

We strongly encourage our students and their families to consider vaccination including boosters when eligible. Find a vaccination clinic to book an appointment near you.

Thank you again for your continued support during this school term.

Covid Safe Guidelines

• All staff, volunteers and providers are fully vaccinated

• Staff are no longer required to wear masks

• All visitors when attending the school site must QR code in.

• Students have been provided with rapid antigen kits.

• Visitors are allowed on school site . They are required to check-in.

Moodamoot (farewell)

Regards

Gayle Pinn

Principal

Goal - 95%

Term 1 - 89.89%

No of days 100% for 2022- 0

Our focus in Visual Art this term is drawing and painting. Students have been immersed in a number of activities involving the use of lines, dots, colour and texture. Goonie have looked at combining their knowledge of colours and numbers. Thurgoon students have experimented with drawing different types of lines. Nungara students are currently exploring the artwork of Tommy McRae and using line and texture to create their masterpieces. Students are all working extremely well to create one of their first visual artworks for the year.

Recently Nancy qualified to compete at the NSW State PSSA swimming championships. The P&C presented her with a $200 cheque. We are all very proud of Nancy and wish her all the best.

On Monday the students participated in Harmony day.

Everyone Belongs!

Last week the school participated in the National Day of Action Against Bullying. By helping build a Kindness Culture we can promote inclusiveness, respect and community belonging for all students in our school. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student or member of the broader community, everyone has a role to play.

It is a requirement of the P&C association that all members have a current WWCC. Volunteer applications are free of charge. Follow the link to submit your online application prior to visiting the mobile centre: Working with children check. Once applications have been cleared a copy can be sent to the school office mulwala-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.