Tamworth West Public School

COVID-19 UPDATE WEEK 6

We are continuing to have COVID19 cases reported to the school in relation to staff and students. Families who require additional RAT kits are asked to contact the front office. These RAT kits are to help ease isolation requirements and enable students and staff who are close contacts and have no symptoms, to continue to attend school if they follow guidelines agreed with NSW Health.

Please note that staff and students who have had confirmed COVID19 in the last 12 weeks do not have to comply with the following guidelines if they become a household or close contact and are not required to self-isolate or test unless they develop new COVID19 symptoms.

Close contacts attending school will need to adhere to the following:

• They must notify the school if they intend to return under this provision

• They should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result each morning before attending school for five school days

• Staff must, and students are encouraged to, wear a mask indoors except when eating or exercising

Other guideline updates include:

• No student or staff member identified as a close contact will be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps

• A medical certificate is provided to the school confirming that symptoms are explained by another diagnosis (such as hay fever)

Students/staff must not attend school if they are unwell, even if they have tested negative for COVID19. Rapid antigen tests can produce false-negative results, and symptoms of other illnesses can also be similar to COVID-19, including flu, the common cold and stomach bugs. Health advice is that students/staff who are sick should always stay home to rest and recover and avoid putting other students and staff at risk of getting sick.

STAFFING UPDATE

Congratulations to Miss Felicity Bagshaw, who has recently been successful in gaining a permanent Assistant Principal position at Tamworth West Public School. Felicity has been relieving in the role of Assistant Principal and is very deserving of this position. We welcome Felicity to the executive staff on a permanent basis.

Congratulations also to Mr Grant Scarborough, who has recently been granted a transfer to Oxley Vale Public School. While this is sad news for us, we wish Grant all the best in his new role.

Mr Sam Bowkett, one of Assistant Principals Curriculum & Instruction, has this week taken up the relieving principal role at Blakebrook Public School. Sam will be working in the far North Coast of NSW for the next fifteen weeks and is due to return to Tamworth West in term 4.

The change in these roles has opened up two permanent and one temporary vacancy at Tamworth West Public School. We are about to start the process of filling a permanent classroom teacher position and our Assistant Principal Special Education position and we are still trying to find someone to relieve in the Curriculum & Instruction role. I will keep you updated on our progress.

The impact of COVID19 and other illnesses is being felt at our school. We have had a number of staff on leave recently, and while we are trying our best to maintain consistency for our students, this has not always been possible. Splitting classes is a last resort, and it has been a regular occurrence for our COVID team, our Learning & Support teachers, our Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction, our deputy or one of our principals to be on class. Unfortunately, there have also been times when we have had to split classes, even if only for part of a day. Please know that we are doing our best to limit the impact on our students.

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Next week staff will be engaging in some wonderful professional learning opportunities.

Teaching staff will be working with Dr Janelle Wills from Hawker Brownlow Education. To minimise disruption, these sessions will be held on teacher's usual Relief from Face to Face and Collaborative Teams day. The focus of this professional learning is The New Art & Science of Teaching.

The New Art and Science of Teaching offers a framework for substantive change based on Marzano's fifty years of education research and observation. Marzano identifies ten design areas within three categories of teaching - (1) feedback, (2) content, and (3) context - that form a road map for teachers' lesson and unit planning.

Next Thursday, a team of staff will also attend The Resilience Project conference in Sydney. We have partnered with The Resilience Project to improve our capacity to teach simple and practical mental health strategies.

At this teacher seminar, Hugh van Cuylenburg and Martin Heppell will walk us through their journeys and tell stories of the incredible people who have inspired them - and The Resilience Project - to spread happiness.

We’ll also be provided with practical strategies to look after our own wellbeing along with learning activities, resources and tips that will empower us to improve our students’ mental health.

We look forward to improving our capacity as a result of both of these professional learning opportunities.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION

There has been an increase in the number of students eating foods that are not essential for good health both before school and during breaks.

Good nutrition helps students show up at school prepared to learn. Because improvements in nutrition make students healthier, students are likely to have fewer absences and attend class more frequently. Studies show that malnutrition leads to behaviour problems, and that sugar has a negative impact on child behaviour. However, these effects can be counteracted when children consume a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, complex carbohydrates, and fibre. This means students will have more time in class, and students will have fewer interruptions in learning over the course of the school year. Additionally, students’ behaviour may improve and cause fewer disruptions in the classroom, creating a better learning environment for each student in the class.

Please find below a fact sheet on healthy lunchboxes from the “Crunch & Sip” website.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

At this time of year, students are able to wear either summer or winter uniform, dependent on the weather. Our official change-over date to winter uniform is Tuesday, 14 June 2022. This is directly after the long weekend. At this time, ALL students are to wear winter uniform to school.

The community has unanimously decided that Tamworth West Public School will have a uniform and that the Principal has authority to insist that it be worn. We are very proud of our uniform and seek your support in providing it for your children. Financial assistance is available if required. Please contact me if you require assistance with this. All submissions will be treated confidentially.

I recommend that all clothing should have your child’s name on it. It makes it so much easier to return it to its rightful owner when it is labelled.

Clothing with slogans etc and jewellery are not part of our uniform. In addition, earrings should be limited to sleepers and studs only. Also, the wearing of makeup by students is not permitted. Our children have many years ahead of them to act and behave like adults – now is not that time.

Uniforms can be purchased at Lowes Store in Peel Street. School hats can be purchased from the front office.

Our winter uniform includes:

Sports uniforms are only to be worn on designated sports days or as advised in writing – on special occasions. Sports days are:

Kindergarten – Tuesdays

Stage 1 – Tuesdays

Stage 2 – Thursdays

Stage 3 – Friday

Please note: black shorts and black track pants are not part of our school uniform and parents/carers are asked to ensure that students are not wearing them to school.

Keep smiling,

Mrs Kay

Principal

Yaama,

On Thursday, 26 May we recognised National Sorry Day. Classes discussed the significant meaning of this day and engaged in activities which supported their understanding of what the day represents. Stage 3 watched the speech given by Kevin Rudd while other stages read books about Sorry Day.

We also currently celebrating Reconciliation Week from the 27 May to 3 June. The theme is “Be Brave, Make Change”. Students are working on artwork and discussions around what this theme represents.

In Aboriginal language classes, Early Stage 1 are learning the Gamilaraay names for animals. We are currently learning a song in language to support this learning.

Stage 1 are finalising our unit on birds and have learnt the Gamilaraay words for several birds and engaged in Dreamtime stories about them and the significant meaning attached to these stories.

Stage 2 and 3 have also learnt the Gamilaraay bird names and listened to cultural stories. They are currently working on translating simple stories into Gamilaraay language. Students are working on their language pronunciation skills, as these are very different to those in English. We are working towards being able to read these books in Language to K-2 students during NAIDOC Week at the end of this term.

Computers

Kindergarten has started regular computer sessions each Friday. During these lessons, we are learning how to log on using our passwords and login details and how to log off correctly. Through an App called ABCYA, they are learning to scroll, select icons, and type. Kinder thoroughly enjoy this lesson and of course are highly motivated.

Kindergarten enjoyed the Cross-Country event earlier this term. A big congratulations to all our kinder students for participating on the day. A special congratulation to Mella Carrigan for coming 1st in the girls 6yrs old race; Addison Chambers who came 3rd and Atley Fielding who came 2nd in the boys 6yr old race. Finally, well done to Iviah Green and Simon Bonavita who both came 1st in the 5 year olds.

Each Thursday, Miss Spearim joins our Kinder classrooms. This term she is teaching us some Aboriginal dances. We will be learning how to move like Australian native animals, which has a direct link to our English unit where we are learning to write information reports on Australian animals. The kids love Miss Spearim’s short talk about Dreamtime stories and her singing in Gamillaray using clapsticks. This will continue throughout the term.

This term Kindergarten presented our first item at the Infants Assembly. Miss Massey and I were very proud of our readers and students who showed their artwork.

Just a reminder to families to label all clothing. Although the mornings are cold, the days warm up and our Kindergarten students start removing jackets and coats. If you are missing clothing items, the school has a large container for lost property at the front of the school and all items are placed there at the end of the week if we cannot locate the owner.

-Mrs Wilson & Miss Massey

Kindergarten Teachers

Stage One continue to enjoy lots of learning opportunities this term

In English we are reading examples of persuasive texts and using them as models for our writing tasks. When writing texts we have learnt about high modality words and are using them to persuade people to try new foods and to persuade our parents to let us have a pet. We are learning to edit our work and ensure our high frequency words are spelt correctly. Here are some examples of our writing.

This term we started netball skills and have had a great time learning to play the game during sport. It is very hard to catch the ball and try to remember not to run with it. We have had lots of fun using these skills in modified netball games.

What a great day at cross country – congratulations to our place getters in Stage 1

Welcome to winter!

The weather has suddenly become very chilly so hopefully these cold days will only be around for a few days!

This term in English we are focusing on writing book reviews. We are looking closely at the information we need to include to either persuade (or dissuade) an audience to read it. We are even learning to use stars to rate a book!

Well done to our year 3 students who recently did the NAPLAN assessments. NAPLAN assessments are held every year across Australia for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Our students showed a great deal of resilience to complete the assessments and not one student gave up. Well done to the year 3 students and their teachers! Students and the school will receive student results later in the year.

Cross Country was a roaring success! We had MOST students attend the cross country and all the stage 2 teachers were so proud of how many students ran the cross country course without giving up! Our students had to run 2km and NOT ONE student dropped out during the race! This is an incredible effort, and I know how proud parents must be. It was also great to see so many mums and dads there cheering their child (or even other children) on as the students raced. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

We then had a number of students from Stage 2 attend the zone cross country in Nundle. Congratulations to Evie G and Jace D who have now made it through to Regionals which is being held in Coolah! Don’t forget your warm clothes Evie and Jace – Coolah is always cooooool….

In sport we are still focusing on learning and improving our athletics carnival events which include high jump, discus, shotput, ball games and running. I (Miss Bagshaw) have been doing the high jump and am loving seeing how hard our students are working to learn correct technique to get over the bar!

We have a number of Stage 2 students involved in the boys and girls Softball Gala days coming up next week (6 and 7 June). It is great to see so many enthusiastic students putting their hands up to try a new sport! Well done Stage 2!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) started a few weeks ago in our classrooms. Each teacher has organised an activity to run for a Friday afternoon. The activity involves students working together to solve a problem. It could be building a bridge, creating a maze to program a robot to move through, building earthquake resistant structures or making wind powered boats. EVERYONE (including the teachers) is having fun!

DUBBO excursion – with all the excitement of NAPLAN, cross country, Commonwealth Games Day, Softball Gala Days and everything in between, I am in the process of getting the Dubbo excursion deposit notes out to parents as soon as I can. Stay tuned…..

As the weather turns cold, it is important that students have appropriate clothing with them. Long pants and stockings will keep legs warm and jumpers are important for our top half. Please check with your child that they have adequate clothes for the day to avoid them getting sick!

Thank you also to parents for packing fresh fruit for our morning crunch and sip. Food doesn’t have to be whole piece (even an apple cut into slices is good) and it makes eating their food while doing our morning routines nice and easy.

Parent/teacher interview timetables should be available now if you wish to speak to your child’s teacher. Interviews go for around 10 minutes each (I believe the times are in 15 minute intervals)

Thank you to all our parents and the teachers for all the hard work you do in supporting our students!

Felicity Bagshaw

Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Stage 3 continue to work productively this term despite the continued high rate of sickness. Thanks to the families that have advised the school when students are sick.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing in weeks 3 and 4 presented us with a fabulous opportunity to have straight classes for several sessions. Mrs Flick and Mrs Van taught Year 6, whilst Mr Willis and Mrs Milton supported the testing. Mrs Flick taught a variety of numeracy games, which the Year 6 students have taught Year 5. Mrs Van taught persuasive writing and debating, which she noted, ‘they did exceptionally well at arguing their points of view’.

Year 6 enjoyed a number of sessions together this month while Year 5 were undergoing their NAPLAN assessments.

The senior students enjoyed their time with Mrs Flick and Mrs Van working on numeracy skills and games, Debating skills (11-13 year olds are naturally talented at arguing their point at this age!), some persuasive writing to create an advertisement for radio, and some making and discussing 3D shapes from plasticine.

Debates were undertaken with vigour and topics included:

-Dads are better than Mums

-Dogs are better than Cats

-The Book is always better than the Movie

-Homework should be Banned

-School Uniforms should not be Compulsory

-School Canteens should be able to sell Anything

Well done to Year 6 who used their time together wisely, and thank you to Mrs Milton and Mr Willis for their supervision of Year 5 during NAPLAN.

Year 6 Shirts

I will advise when the shirts arrive. Their company like many local businesses are struggling with staff shortages at present. Thanks for being patient.

Leadership Team

Congratulations to our leadership team. Many staff are commenting on how efficient, respectful and well organised they are when running assemblies. We are still learning to complete all our duties consistently as there are many, but it is fabulous to be recognised! Canteen duty, flags being put up and down, collecting and collating weekly house points, attending SRC meetings and arranging sports equipment are just some of the tasks the leadership and wellbeing team are carrying out on daily or weekly basis.

Broken Bay Excursion

Thanks to the families who have been making regular payments. The payment schedule was a guide only and any monies paid before the due date is accepted. A reminder, behaviour will be considered before any student attends an offsite excursion. Staff will meet with students parents/carers who require medication of any variety before the completion of Term 2 to ensure any plans for support are well organised before the start of Term 3. The excursion date will be upon us before we know it!

RFF

We are fortunate to have a dedicated and eclectic staff. The Release from Face-to-Face staff are highly skilled in their fields and offer our Stage 3 students a glimpse into high school life. Weekly rotations through various teachers and movement encourage students to demonstrate their capacity to be independent, encourage confidence and experience differing teaching styles within a day. The attached photos display all classes exploring music with guitars, science with magnets, Aboriginal language with yarn circles and technology skills through google classroom.

Uniform

It is important that students wear their uniform. Any student unable to buy the correct uniform is encouraged to see their teacher and the school will be able to assist if required.

Athletics Carnival

Our athletics carnival will be held in Week 10. Each week stage 3 has been practising, high jump, shot put, discus, relays and ball games to develop the skills and accuracy required for improved results.

-The Stage 3 Team.

Welcome to the mid-point of term 2

Students and teachers are working busily to complete assessments in preparation for reports. Once again there are lots of exciting things happening and there are lots of minor illnesses around the support unit at the moment. It really is the “sneezin’ season”. Keep your child at home if they are unwell and please notify the office.

Persuasive Writing

This term all classes in the support unit are exploring persuasive texts. The students have been learning to give their opinion on different topics and devising ways to come up with reasons and examples to support their opinions.

Geography

In Geography the stage 3 students have been learning about Indigenous people in a range of countries, with Australia as a key focus. Stage 3 have also been learning about oceans, continents and key geographical structures to help them get a sense of Australia’s place in the world.

The stage 2 students have been looking at and researching some of Australia’s neighbours and they have been using laptops to create a PowerPoint presentation on the different countries, New Zealand, New Guinea and Japan. We have made some lovely collages showing thing that are similar and different between these countries and Australia. The stage 1 students have been working hard learning about the weather! We’ve had lots of fun looking at weather and the different seasons.

University of Newcastle OT Cooking Classes in 5-6D

These classes are continuing each Wednesday and are a weekly highlight for the both the 5-6D and UON students. To date, pikelets, pizza, fruit skewers and fried rice have been menu items which have been created and enjoyed by the 5-6D chefs.

Cookie Dough

Thank you to our wonderful P&C for organising this fantastic fundraising opportunity for our school. We eagerly await the arrival of our dough so we can start baking the delicious cookies!

Pip Diss

Assistant Principal

Special Education

3-6W

It’s has been full steam ahead for 3/6W since returning to school after the holidays. Its hard to believe we are now in week 6. Well, they do say time flies when you are having fun!

Earlier this month we completed our interest text ‘Mega Monster’ written by the English author David Walliams. The text is read most days during one of our Brain Breaks. We have recently begun a beautiful fiction text called ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ by Brian Selznick. This text is filled with amazing and very intricate lead pencil drawings which entice us to think about the characters and what they are up to. The students are enthralled and very much look forward to finding out the mysteries surrounding this young boy and his acquaintances.

All students in 3/6W have this month shown a very keen interest in the subject area of Geography. During stage 2 Geography lessons we have learnt much about Australia’s neighbours and their diversity. Whilst during stage 3 Geography lessons we have been looking at Australia’s global connections. Students are eager to listen, make comparisons and discuss the new information supplied to them

During literacy lessons, the class has been learning about persuasive writing whilst utilising the text Cyclones by Jackie French. Here we have looked at the plight of living in a cyclone affected region such as Darwin and the impact the cyclone had on the local community.

As part of learning grammar this month, we have learnt about antonyms and synonyms, adverbs and conjunctions. I am proud of the progress students are making here in both their understanding and practice.

This month we attended the annual TWPS cross-country event. It was a marvellous day and great time was had by those who attended. Last week we as a class participated in Sorry Day activities. We read a beautiful book by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler describing parallel stories in different timelines culminating in reconciliation. Students also brightly coloured ‘Sorry Day’ Aboriginal art during our mindfulness break which are currently being displayed in our classroom.

As part of mathematics, students have delved into area, volume, subtraction and multiplication. Students enjoy using lots of manipulative objects such as coins, counters and MAB blocks to assist with their learning.

We wish to congratulate all our students for their continuing effort and drive this month to learn and embrace new things. To this end, Elise and I are looking forward to another wonderful month of teaching and learning with your amazing children in June.

Words empower children to make sense of the world around them. A wide vocabulary helps them to put their emotions into words, socialise with people, imagine and wonder. Time spent in articulate and lively oral discussion using flexible and sophisticated language builds rich vocabulary as opposed to the considerable amount of time spent alone often involving screen time as is the case for many children.

• If your child is writing a sentence, ask your child to tell you their sentence before they write it.

• Point out a word when you are driving in the car, ask your child what it might mean? Can they put it into a sentence that makes sense?

• If they come across a new word, discuss its meaning, and give them an example of how to use it in context. This helps to build the rich vocabulary mentioned earlier.

Within the key learning area of Mathematics, staff have undergone training using the online platform ‘Essential Assessment’. Teachers will use this platform to gather data about where students are in their learning and identify where to next. This platform has apps, that can be accessed here at school, to help consolidate new learning in specific content areas in mathematics.

PSSA Netball Knockout and Zone Trials

On Friday, May 13, a team of nine stage 3 students represented Tamworth West competing in the PSSA Netball Knockout at the Tamworth Sports Dome. The first game was against Tamworth Public and we came away with a win by 1 point! It was a fantastic game! This was followed by another win against Duri, with our shooters sinking 43 goals in this game!! Unfortunately our third game was not quite as good against a very strong Barraba team. The whole team put in an amazing effort and displayed great sportsmanship over the day. They made Mrs Spinks and Miss Burns very proud of their efforts!

Following the knockout, two of our students trialled for the Zone netball team. Congratulations to Hayley Mason who was selected for the Zone team.