Horsley Herald Term 2 Week 7

I have some staff news to communicate to you.

Mr Obeid will from next Tuesday be taking some leave to help with the lead up to the birth of a new baby to his family. This exciting news will see him take leave from school from Week 8 of this term (next week). He will be back at the beginning of next term. Mrs Rositano who is a well known teacher to the school will be taking K/1O during this time. 

We look forward to the baby photos Mr Obeid and wish you and your family all the best with the exciting birth.

Thank you

A huge thank you to families for supporting their children while learning at home. Our teachers did a wonderful job with Google Classroom, Seesaw, individualised learning packs and countless videos to support learning from home. Many thanks to our students for engaging with the work provided for learning at home.

Assessment and Reporting

Teachers have been working hard to engage students in explicit teaching and learning activities with formative assessment built in. It is important to us that we understand where your children are placed in their learning in order to report to you and also develop new learning programs to ensure they move forward in their learning. The Department has issued schools with advice around reporting procedures for Semester One. Teachers are currently working on reports. The school will be advising you of distribution date very soon. 

The Semester One report will look different to previous reports and that is largely due to the fact that we have been given permission to modify the report for Semester One only as a result of the circumstances around COVID-19 and the learning at home period.

The best part of my day

It has been wonderful to have everyone back on site. Students wasted no time settling back into regular class and school routines and their effort and behaviour have been exemplary. I am excited and encouraged by the quality teaching and learning taking place in every classroom at HPPS. Students are engaged in challenging and authentic experineces that promote deep understanding and develop essential skills, supported by outstanding teachers and support staff. 

Dear Parents, 

With birthday's coming up, it is natural for parents to want to celebrate with cupcakes or other food items. Under our current restrictions it is not possible for any food to be shared including those meant in celebration. As outlined in the NSW DoE Guidelines:

All schools are returning to full on-campus learning from Monday 25 May. All school activities and operations will be in line with Australian Health Protection Principal CommitteeExternal link (AHPPC) and NSW Health guidelinesExternal link as applicable.

School students do not need to follow strict adult physical distancing guidelines, but should follow good hygiene practices like:

• regularly washing hands
• avoiding sharing drinks or food
• coughing or sneezing into your elbow, or a tissue which should be discarded immediately

This includes students celebrating birthdays at school. 

Thank you for your support and understanding as we oversee school operations in line with current protocols and procedures. 

Miss Kas

Assistant Principal

This week we would like to acknowledge student successes and present a class award to the following students. 

Our PBL rule focus for weeks 6 and 7 is on reinforcing

‘How to look after our belongings at school’.

Winter Uniforms

Winter Uniforms have arrived.  Sloppy Joes, Jackets and Polo’s are now available in all sizes.  Sports uniforms have also been ordered, parents will be notified when they arrive.

Picking Your Child Up Early.

If you need to pick your child up before the end of the school day, please call the school office (9620 1301).  When you arrive at the school please alert the office by pressing the buzzer at the pedestrian gate.  Your child will be brought to the gate where  you will be asked to sign the permission slip.

Absent from School

If your child has been absent from school can you please send in a note explaining why your child has not attended school.  As per Department guidelines, notes need to be handed in within 7 days of the last absence. 

Kindergarten Enrolments 2021

Enrolments for 2021 are open.  If your child will be enrolling in Kindergarten or you know of a family that will be seeking Kindergarten enrolment in 2021, please contact the office on 9620 1301.

Anne Martin

School Administrative Manager

We have received the wonderful prizes for our Easter raffle. The Easter raffle will be drawn next week by our school leadership team and the winners will be posted in our next newsletter. 

Are you acting eSafe?

               The sign of a great reader.....

'when you can't even wait to get home to sit down and read'

Opportunity classes can provide intellectual stimulation by grouping together high potential and gifted students who may otherwise be isolated from a suitable peer group. Successful students will usually have to leave their current school to enrol in a school with an opportunity class for Years 5 and 6.

Testing and assessment

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test. Students who wish to be considered for opportunity class placement will sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Wednesday 16 September 2020.

How to apply

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 5 opportunity class entry in 2021, you need to apply between Tuesday 9 June 2020 and Friday 26 June 2020. You will need to access the online application at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5 . You must not use the child’s email address.