6 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Please refer to the side panel “School Calendar” section for the “live” calendar of events for information

Principal’s Introduction

Newborough Returns

Tuesday, Week one, was one of the most uplifting and exciting days of my teaching career. I suspect for many staff this was a similar feeling as 72% of our students returned and classes started to fill. Clearly the word had spread as more students returned on Thursday and more again on Friday. This week we have seen a further increase. Thank you to those parents who are schooling at home. This has helped our transition back allowing distancing and the formation of hygiene habits. We love having the children at school and knowing everything is being done to make sure our school is a safe and stimulating learning environment. The sheer joy and expression of the children’s faces and the way they have returned so keenly and positively is so joyful.

We are still amid the pandemic response and the risks are present. This means we stick strongly to the health recommendations for social distancing, particularly adults, washing hands, cleaning with disinfectant, staying home if unwell and sneezing/coughing into the crux of the elbow. The restrictions for social distancing of students has been relaxed by the Education Department on advice from the Health Department for schools. We still apply distancing as much as practical in the classroom and playgrounds.

To assist with extra cleaning of high touch surfaces we have employed an additional full-time day cleaner paid for by the Government, Mrs Rhonda Yates, valued parent and P&C member, who is doing this role for term two Monday to Thursday and Mr Tom Palmer on Fridays. One of the first jobs was to clean the play equipment ready for re-opening. We gathered all the students, safely, at school and gave a big cheer as the student leaders cut the ribbon and removed the signs. It was very symbolic and a showed we were getting some things back to normal. Unfortunately the Nature Playground is not open as it is exposed to public traffic.

Thank you so much to all staff for the way you have embraced parents’ choice to have their child(ren) return to school. Our teachers, with wonderful support from all our non-teaching staff, did a magnificent job preparing online learning and work packages late last term. This was a super effort given that the term had already been a busy and uncertain one as the COVID-19 crisis became more real and the impact and uncertainty hit everyone.

We know families were also impacted hard with some jobs lost, different work and school arrangements and family support structures changed for many. Every family situation is different, but we really appreciate everyone’s understanding and efforts during this difficult time.

It shows how important school is and how vital this place is providing a caring and great learning and wellbeing environment. Thank you to the many parents and carers who recognised the efforts and pressures on staff. Those kind words and gestures offered by so many has really helped keep moral and further already strong relationships.

As I mentioned to staff on the School Development Day, we need to trust in the Departments’ of Health and Education and our own capacity to manage our health and wellbeing and do our job and support student learning and wellbeing. The crisis is not over yet. There will be more twists and turns and we need to be responsive and positive.

Supporting and working together is how we succeed and excel. Great Job! Team Newborough!

John Worthy
Principal

Term Dates for 2020

School Directory

Absentees

Just a friendly reminder that if your child will be absent, please contact the School directly either by:

Please include only the student’s name and room number, reason for absence and the date in any messages – the use of apostrophes, a colon or emoji results in the school receiving a blank message, and we are unable to accurately update your child’s record.

For Example: “John Doe Room 13 absent 1/2/2017 sick with flu”.

Thank You
Administration Staff

Student News

Coping with Covid – A Student Perspective

The phrase, “unprecedented times” has certainly been appropriate and used frequently over the last month, non-more so for students. Our school student leaders have put together a short summary of their feelings about what has happened over the last month for them, from learning at home, returning to school and the emotions that accompany the changes. Below you will find their thoughts:

Riley T

Homeschooling was harder than usual because the teachers were not there to tell us exactly how to do the task. The upside was we had more time to spend with our family to do a lot more activities like: games, cooking, gardening and exercise. The positives of coming back to school were seeing all your friends again and being able to get up to date with your work. As Covid-19 started, the world has really come together and our school values of Teamwork, Kindness, Respect and Challenge Yourself have been shown. I am sure that you have seen lots of rainbow chalk and teddy bears everywhere!

Noah B

As a student everything that’s going on is a lot and it’s weird for students because at one point we all had a different learning system, working with our parents, not being able to see your friends and a different and new experience for everyone. Student would have had mixed emotions, maybe sad, angry, disappointed or maybe even happy in a way! All around we just feel weird because as a student it is a lot to handle, and we don’t really know how to react.

Will D

Quarantine for me wasn't too peculiar for me, since I had been off for a whole week last year because of an ear surgery. It was pretty weird not seeing anyone for 5 weeks, though. This all was an incredible experience, working at home, not seeing people basically being disconnected from most people you know.

Sophie D

Home schooling was definitely stranger and more challenging than normal especially as a Year Six, our last year of primary school. It was weird not having any teachers or other classmates to guide us with our work and to be reading our work off a timetable. I was very happy to hear that school was going back as I feel it is the best way for students to learn and stay safe and calm with Covid-19 going on.

MUSIC NEWS

Senior Choir

The WA Massed Choir Festival committee is still not sure whether the concert is going to take place or not. It all depends on how far the government will go with any easing of restrictions, particularly around social distancing. In the mean time I hope you are all working on the songs at home. Please note that the following 3 songs have been put on hold for next year: Against all Odds, Enjoy the Storm and Take to the Sky. We are currently learning Gundullah – We Dance in Year 3 and 4 and Living in the Bush in Year 5 and 6 music classes. Please practise Don’t Stop and I’m still Standing for the next couple of weeks and remember the techniques to focus on for now are to sing on pitch and breathing at the right time (phrasing). Happy singing!

Mrs Snelson

P&C News

Welcome back to Newborough for Term 2. Whether your family is physically back at school or learning from home, we hope you are happy and healthy and have managed the last few weeks without too much stress!

Although Term 1 was cut short, we still managed to complete our Easter Raffle and Killerby Wine Fundraiser (what great timing that was for many). Huge thanks to Jackie Stott for organising the Easter Raffle and all families who were able to donate prizes and purchase tickets, we raised $1300 this year. All lucky winners were notified by either text or email at the end of last term, we hope you enjoyed all the chocolate. The wine fundraiser brought in $1100, many thanks to all who placed orders.

This term the P&C Uniform Shop is still available. It is online only at this point. Order online and items will be delivered to your child's classroom. With the cold change in the weather, take a look at Quickcliq to see what options are available for winter jackets/fleece. If you have any questions please contact Miriam or Fiona on the uniform shop email: newboroughuniforms@gmail.com

The canteen will remain closed until further notice. We will be reviewing this regularly with the school and keeping you updated. By which time we will all be needing a day of no lunch box packing!

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop is now completely ONLINE!!

It is so easy to order, simply login to Quickcliq (the same account for your child’s canteen orders) to place your order and we will get it delivered to your child’s class.

Deliveries will be made on a Wednesday, for orders placed before Monday evening of the same week.

If you have ordered the wrong size and need to exchange something, simply return the unused uniform to the office the next day and send us an email telling us which size you would like to swap it for.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we can not accept or sell any second hand uniforms at the moment.

If you have any questions, email us newboroughuniforms@gmail.com and we will help you.

Thanks!
Fiona & Miriam

Book Club

Welcome back to term 2!

I trust that everyone is well and has a new appreciation of books and puzzles that can help our kids keep quiet in a positive way!

The Scholastic Book Club will not be delivering physical catalogues this term, however their amazing books are still available online and the school will still benefit from any purchases made. Any books you buy will be delivered to the school and depending on government guidelines at the time, books will either be delivered to your child's classroom or available in some other way.

Please have a look through the Scholastic Online catalogue:

and order as usual, using the 'scholastic loop' app.

I know that without the kids receiving the physical catalogue, the pressure to buy books is reduced. I get that. Just remember that for every book that is purchased, 20% of that purchase price goes to the library in order to purchase more books for the whole school to enjoy.

If you're anything like me, you have been overwhelmed by online platforms of this and that. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions: michelle.slobodan@gmail.com.

Happy reading!
Michelle

Entertainment Book - Mother’s Day

Mothers day is coming up. Please click on the images to

DoE Security

Keep an eagle eye on our school!

School Watch encourages the school community to report any suspicious activity in and around school grounds, after hours and on weekends, as well as during school holidays.

Telephone 1800 177 777 (freecall) or 13 14 44 (WA Police).

Please do not approach any individuals, just contact security and they will investigate the situation or contact the Police. Working together will help protect our school.

Schoolzine App

Have all our school’s information accessible at all times – download the FREE Schoolzine app to your mobile device to readily access the latest information in real time.

Newsletter, School Calendar, Term Dates, Dates to Remember – It’s now all at your fingertips!!