Horsley Herald Term 1 Week 5 2022

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to Term 1, 2022. 

So many important events have already occurred and we are set for an exciting year of teaching and learning.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our students and their families. A special mention to all our new families and kindergarten students and their families who have joined us at Horsley Park Public School this year. It has been so encouraging to see how quickly all students have settled into school. I have enjoyed visiting all our classes and am excited by the confidence and polite attitudes of all students. During Monday Morning Leaders Assembly on Monday 21st February, we were able to acknowledge and congratulate students Mackenzie, Taliyah and Elle who have achieved  some personal bests in different sport events as part of a Community Little Atletics Club. All students reached Regional level and Taliyah has reached State level in specific track and field events.

Meet the Teacher Afternoon

Thank you to all our parents, carers and community who joined us for our 2021 'Meet the Teacher' Afternoon via zoom on Wednesday 16th February. Our teachers thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share their class information.  The afternoon sessions were recorded and posted on your children's class SeeSaw platforms. As always, our teachers can be contacted throughout the year if you have any concerns about your child and the best way to do this is to contact the office on 96201301, or you can send a message via the Schoolzine App or the school email: horsleypk-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Your message will then be passed onto the teacher who will contact you when they are not on class.

Staff Organisation 2022

All teachers receive 2 hours release from face to face teaching each week and their class will be taught by RFF teachers

A big thank you for your continuing efforts in supporting our school and students during the pandemic – especially prioritising safety and learning.

The Premier and Minister for Education have announced changes to school settings for the remainder of Term 1. These updated settings were developed in close consultation with NSW Health and key stakeholders to ensure we continue to keep our schools open for learning, while keeping up with changing community settings.

The updated settings include:

RAT Testing: From Monday 28 February, we will move to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is symptomatic or there are cases in their class. Our school will provide each student and staff member with 8 tests per student. Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests as these are now readily available and accessible in the community.

Masks: Masks will continue to be required indoors for all school staff, volunteers and visitors including parents and carers in primary schools until Friday 4 March. This means that from Monday 7 March, masks will no longer be mandatory for all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.

Cohorting no longer required: As of Monday 28 February, students will no longer be required to be kept in year groups. All students K-6 will enter and exit via the school's Kiss and Drop Zone via Gate B at 3:00pm.

Parents on site: It has been a long time since you were last on-site! From Monday 28 February, parents and visitors can be allowed back on school sites regardless of their vaccination status. Our school will consider activities such as assemblies, parent-teacher meetings and other gatherings in the coming days. We will let you know if these can proceed with our school in a COVID-smart way. All visitors are asked to follow our usual sign-in and sign-out process.

COVID-Smart Measures: Our school will continue to ensure our layered COVID-smart measures are in place, including staff vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.

I strongly encourage our students and their families to consider vaccination including boosters. Please book an appointment if you haven’t already.

Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal School Procedures 

Our morning arrival school procedures continue and allow students to enter the school grounds from Gate B either by foot or via car drop off in the School Kiss & Drop Zone.
To keep the procedures smooth and, above all, safe, parents/carers are encouraged to please follow the below procedures:
● Remain in their cars at all times if using the School Kiss & Drop Zone to drop off your child/ren. Your child should only use the School Kiss & Drop Zone if they can independently exit the car. Walworth Road is marked as a No Parking Zone, therefore if your child needs assistance to exit, we ask that you park and walk your child to Gate B.
● If entering the school on foot, you are required to park your car in a safe spot that does not block the flow of traffic. When crossing the staff car park driveway, please cross the car park with caution.
● A member of staff will be at the Gate B  to support students to enter the school safely.

Canteen

Our wonderful P and C have announced that the School Canteen will resume from Monday 28th February. The School Canteen will be open for lunchtime only every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We are very thankful to our P and C for volunteering their time to operate the School Canteen this year.  Students and parents can order lunch orders at the canteen before school.

Thank you again for your continued support during this school term. We are excited that this is another step closer to our normal operation, but please continue to be safe and mindful of the safety of others.

Important Dates 

Attendance Matters

Wellbeing Week at Horsley Park Public School

It is Wellbeing Week at Horsley Park Public School this up coming week. In Week 6, Monday 28th February - Friday 4th March, teachers, staff and students will be participating in a few simple ways to promote wellness. I would like to encourage our whole school community to also join us. Please take time out for yourselves and maybe you can try some of the tips listed below:

Have a wonderful week.

Anica Tanevski

Principal

A Message from K6C 

2022! Wow, what an amazing start we have had!Congratulations to all of our students on the return to school and welcome to the students in K6C and their families. So far this term, in K6C we are focusing on personal responsibility and routines. Being consistent with this and having high expectations of all students is the key to our success as we move forward this year. We are also focusing on students fine motor skills throughout their learning experiences. I look forward to working with all families this year to
achieve your child's goals.

Mrs Campbell :)

Welcome to 1/2 Butson

Everyday mindfulness

You can use everyday moments to build and practise mindfulness. The more you practise, the more benefit you’ll get.

You can also encourage your child to build mindfulness. In many ways, this is just about getting your child to do what she naturally does. Young children are naturally mindful because every new experience is fresh and exciting for them. Older children and teenagers can learn mindfulness.

Encouraging your child to be in the here and now can give him skills to deal with the stress of study, work and play as he gets older.

There are many ways to help your child build and practise mindfulness. For example:

• Colouring in is a great way to get your child focused on a task.
• Walking through nature with the family can get your child interested in exploring the beauty of nature. Your child could collect and examine autumn leaves, or she could feel the sand beneath her toes during a walk on the beach.
• Taking photographs or drawing something interesting or beautiful – like a sea shell or an insect – encourages your child to look closely at details.
• Looking after a vegetable patch encourages your child to notice how plants grow.
• Listening to music and focusing on the instruments or lyrics is a great way for your child to focus on the present without distraction.

For more information on mindfulness visit: https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/mental-health-physical-health/about-mental-health/mindfulness 

Horsley Park Public School Photo Day Thursday 24th March 2022

Dear Parents,

School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.

NEW
advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.

3 easy ways to purchase:

1. LatitudePay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
2. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
3. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day
4. PHOTO DAY HORSLEY PARK PS

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: ZC4 Q7X EC4

School photography information:

• Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
• Package delivery - photographic packages will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
• Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the 'previous years or group photo' tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the 'Order School Photos Here' button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Horsley Park Public School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact