Kurrajong Public School

1111 Grose Vale Road

Kurrajong NSW 2758

Ph: 4573 1647

Email: kurrajong-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website: kurrajong-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

Principal: Miss Rosemary Richardson

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

All of our students have returned and along with their teachers are all very happy to be here. We also welcome with open arms the very many new families who have joined us this year. I hope your time with our family brings you great joy and friendship in the years ahead.

We have a few new faces on our teaching team this year and I’m sure you’ll join me in welcoming Mr Darren Wegg, Miss Bonny Demarco and Mrs Tessa Stockey to our family.

After much ado we are essentially back to the business of teaching and learning here at Kurrajong PS. You may or may not be aware that the number of classes we can form is based directly on the number of students who are enrolled from day one. We have about a week of ‘wiggle room’ before the numbers are confirmed with the Department of Education. This means that until the date our numbers are submitted class structures are ‘fluid’ and may possibly change from day to day.

I can assure you that a great deal of thought has gone into class placements and matching teachers with students based on current knowledge of our students.

Due to the success of our ‘Stage based’ classes last year we have decided to continue this year with stage classes throughout the school.

‘Stage-based classes’ are a style of classroom organisation with a basis in the educational belief that the individual child is important, learns at his/her own pace and should not have their learning restricted to a confined grade or period of twelve months. Legislation allows students to start school between 4½ yrs and 6 yrs (so children have always been in multi-aged classes from kindergarten onwards). This range of ages continues to be reflected throughout the schooling process.

The key to understanding staged-based classes is realising that growth is determined in stages and not by ages.

In the classroom, students are grouped according to their progress rather than their school chronological year. Children also develop positive attitudes to other children of different age groups and relate well to them, similar to the way they do in 'out of school' situations. We feel this is more natural for them. It also allows smaller class sizes in the primary.

•

•

•

STAGE BASED CLASSES

Managing stage-based classes requires skilled teachers. Teachers at Kurrajong Public School are well-versed and experienced in conducting programs in stage-based classes. Working in teams will certainly enhance the opportunities provided to the children. Teachers will ensure that our 21st Century students can develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to be life long learners.

If you would like any more information on our classes, class structures, or other aspects of school life at Kurrajong, please call the school and make an you appointment to see me or one of our Assistant Principals:

Early Stage 1 & Stage 1: Mrs Franks Stage 2: Miss Bernacki Stage 3: Mrs Stirzaker

WELCOME BBQ

Next Thursday evening we look forward to meeting our new families and catching up with current families at our P&C BBQ. Teachers will hold a brief 20-30 minute information session (2 sessions) before hand and will be available at the BBQ for you to get to know them. Please remember that these sessions are not about individual students and if you would like to discuss your child with the teacher you can make an appointment for a later date.

MORNING ROUTINES

The most important part of the day is the first 30 minutes our students are in the classroom as it sets the tone for the rest of the day. In the past we have held morning assemblies here at Kurrajong. Sometimes these assemblies can take a very long time and vital learning time is missed. Therefore students will now begin the day by lining up at the classroom steps. (Stage 3 will line up in the COLA). This will enable staff and students to get straight into their room and begin the business of learning.

On behalf of the KPS Staff we look forward to a happy and positive 2020.

Rosie

Miss R

SPORT

This term we have been lucky enough to receive a sporting schools grant from the Federal Government. The grant enables us to have hockey lessons with Ty which we are very excited about.

Tuesday Term 1 only –

Years 1,2,5 & 6 — Hockey lessons in weeks 2-5

Years K, 3 & 4 — Hockey lessons in weeks 6-9

Students are encouraged to wear sports uniforms on this day.

DANCE2BFIT

Dance2Bfit is an energetic, innovative and fun way to get fit with the latest dance styles to the hottest music tracks.

This is a great program to improve the fitness levels of students while they’re having a great time.

This program has been developed specifically for NSW Primary Schools under the PDHPE syllabus where students have fun learning a dance each lesson.

Lessons are due to commence on Friday’s beginning Week 3 for 8 weeks. Students will be required to wear school uniform on this day. A note will be sent home shortly.

BENEFITS OF

STAGE BASED CLASSES

• The syllabus documents (by which we teach) are in

stages (and have been for over 20 years).

Unfortunately publishing companies print their

workbooks in ‘years’, which gives the community a

false impression of teaching.

• – all

classes in each stage will be given the same

opportunities, expectations and strategies.

• It acknowledges that there are significant

individual differences in each child to be

addressed regardless of age. The formation of

classes can reflect and cater for these individual

differences.

•

"stages" of development and reflect the

developmental nature of learning in young

children. The organisation of classes should take

into account current research on learning and best

practice in teaching and learning.

• A report Multi-Age Classes in NSW found that

these classes based on educational principles do

not disadvantage students academically and

actually benefit them socially and emotionally.

• It makes sense then to group children who are

going through the similar stage so they can relate,

help and experience together. Even within the

same class, children will be at different levels.

Teachers recognise this and usually extend the

work of those who learn more quickly and give

more attention to those who don’t. The class then

becomes outcome based rather than competition

based.

• This multi-age philosophy places each learner at

the centre of the considerations of curriculum and

classroom practice. Children are able to progress

at their own rate without regard for restrictive

‘grade’ expectations.

• Overseas research has shown that children

become more confident, can operate better as

part of a group, are more assertive, become more

independent learners and better problem-solvers.

They also make friends outside of their standard

age-groups, and develop tolerance & diversity.

• Multi-age grouping creates an environment at

school similar to that of home, resulting in greater

continuity, thereby easing the transition to the

school environment.

• Multi-age grouping reflects the social environment

of the work force, which is made up of all different

ages.

• The fundamental difference between multi-age

grades and straight age grades is in the way the

curriculum is planned and delivered. In our

multi-age learning groups we accept that different

children learn at different rates. Our integrated

curriculum is planned to reflect the developmental

stages of the children.

• Research shows that children in multi-age learning

groups appear to be more caring and cooperative

with each other. Diverse social groups provide

opportunities for the older children to reflect on

the needs of the younger ones and they are more

likely to see the younger children to be in need of

their care and help. Older children provide

valuable role models for the younger children both

socially and academically. Year by year as the

classroom structure changes, all children gradually

find more opportunities to develop and practice

their own leadership skills.

• Remember: any class of more than 1 student is

technically a ‘composite’, so the terminology is no

longer appropriate.

• Straight-age grades originated in the 1850’s in

America and were then adopted by many

countries around the world. This factory model for

schooling was intended to prepare workers for the

industrial society of the time.

SCHOOL BANKING

School banking day

has changed to :

THURSDAY! THURSDAY

Email: kurrajong-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Phone: (02) 4573 1647

Fax: (02) 4573 2044 Principal – Miss Rosemary Richardson

Parent Information Evening and Welcome Back BBQ This year, our Parent Information Evening and P&C Welcome Back BBQ will be held on Thursday 6 February. The evening will commence at 4:30pm. The organisation for the

evening is listed below.

When: Thursday 6 February

Where: All sessions will be held in your child’s classroom.

Times: Session 1: 4:30 pm – 4:55pm

Session 2: 5:05 pm – 5:30pm Welcome Back BBQ: 5:30 pm

Please note: Each teacher will run two identical information sessions, enabling parents with multiple children to attend relevant sessions. The first session will commence at 4.30 pm and the second will commence at 5.05 pm.

Hopefully, parents will be able to meet all of their children’s teachers on the evening. However, should times clash, please see the teacher to arrange a before or after school time to meet the teacher and pick up any handouts.

The P&C Welcome Back BBQ will be held at the school hall commencing at 5:30pm and it is hoped that many parents will stay to enjoy the evening. Thank you to the Kurrajong P&C for organising the barbeque.

The purpose of the evening is twofold. Firstly, the teachers will provide general information regarding homework expectations, work expectations, reporting to parents, excursions, interviews with teachers and other general matters. Secondly, the class teacher will outline general class and school routines, an overview of each Key Learning Area and class related information. This is an information evening and not an opportunity to discuss individual student progress. Interviews can be made by arrangement with the class teacher.

We look forward to seeing all of the Kurrajong Public School community, as well as meeting the new parents who have joined our wonderful school in 2020.

Rosemary Richardson

Principal

Kurrajong Public School 1111 Grose Vale Road, Kurrajong NSW 2758

Menu updated April 2019

Recess/Lunch orders must have student's name/class clearly marked & be received at the canteen by 9.15am.

RECESS/SNACKS FRESH FRUIT & VEGRice Bites (plain) 0.80 Fruit & veg (apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, 0.50Red Rock Deli Chips (plain) 1.00 cucumber) are available before school for

Weet-Bix Go Mini's 1.00 Munch & Crunch, or any time for Recess & Lunch. Pikelet 0.30 Apples are slinkied for free, including applesCheese Melt (half roll) 0.60 from home.Banana Bread (buttered & toasted) 2.00

G.F. Banana Bread (buttered & toasted) 2.50 DRINKSMainland Cheese & Crackers 1.50 Blue Mountains Spring Water, 350ml 0.60Muffins (when available) 0.60 Blue Mountains Spring Water, 600ml 1.00

Oak Light Milk (chocolate, strawberry), 300ml 1.20Plain Milk, 300ml 1.20Fruit Juice (apple, apple & blackcurrant, orange) 1.20Sanitarium Up & Go (chocolate, strawberry, banana, 2.00vanilla, caramel)G.F. Sanitarium Up & Go (chocolate, vanilla) 2.50

LUNCHSALAD PACK HOT FOODIncludes tomato, lettuce, beetroot, 3.00 Tomato/BBQ Sauce Sachet 0.20carrot, cucumber, cheese Corn on the Cob 0.80

add Boiled Egg 0.50 Chicken Chips (each) 0.50add Tuna 1.00 Pizza (hawaiian) 2.20add Ham 1.50 Sausage Roll 2.50add 4 Chicken Chips 2.00 Chicken Noodles 2.50

Beef Pie 2.50SUSHI (BY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY) Macaroni & Cheese 3.50Tuna & Corn Nori Roll 2.00 Butter Chicken w/ Rice 3.50Soy Sauce 0.20 Bolognaise Pasta Bake 3.50

Nachos 4.00SANDWICHES Chicken Chip Wrap (4 chicken chips/lettuce/mayo) 3.00(wholemeal bread unless white requested) Grilled Chicken Burger (lettuce/tomato/mayo on a roll) 3.00Sandwich One Filling 2.00 Hero Beef Burger (cheese/tomato sauce on a roll) 3.00

Two Fillings 2.50 Gluten FreeThree Plus Fillings 3.00 Lasagna 3.50

Wrap/Roll One Filling 2.00 Macaroni & Cheese 3.50Two Fillings 2.50 Nachos 4.00Three Plus Fillings 3.00 Beef Pie 4.00

Fillings:Vegemite FROZEN ITEMSCheese Quelch 99% Juice Stick (half) 0.30Egg Quelch 99% Juice Stick (whole) 0.60Ham Proud & Punch Iceblock 1.30Tuna Coconut Iceblock (strawberry & mango) 1.50Tomato Frozen Yoghurt (choc/vanilla & watermelon/mango) 1.60

Cheese Toastie 2.00 Frozen Fruit (pineapple, orange, grapes, banana) 0.50Ham and Cheese Toastie 2.50 Slushies (when available) 1.20Ham, Cheese, and Tomato Toastie 3.00

Kurrajong Public SchoolCanteen Price List

Canteen opens at 8.45am for sales of fruit, drinks & toast for Breakfast.

Resilience Respect Responsibility Excellence

We need volunteers to keep the school canteen open. The canteen is operated solely by volunteers and is

not operated for profit. We do this to keep the canteen affordable and available for all of our families.

We try to have two volunteers on Mondays, two or three on Wednesdays, and at least three volunteers for

Fridays. Shifts run from 8:30 a.m. to around 2:30 p.m. Volunteers can be parents, grandparents, carers, or

other members of the Kurrajong community.

You don’t need any special skills to volunteer!

We will be providing three training days for volunteers during the first full week of school in the canteen:

Monday February 3, 9:15-11:40

Wednesday February 5, 9:15-11:40

Friday February 7, 12-2:30

We can also pair you with an experienced volunteer if you can’t attend a scheduled training day.

There are three easy ways to volunteer:

• Come to one of the training days next week.

• Add your name to the canteen roster by stopping by or calling the office.

• Talk with or text Hannah Lait at 0400 943 119 with the day you’d like to volunteer.

Thank you!

The Kurrajong Public School Canteen is generally open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for recess and lunch

orders. Children may also purchase over-the-counter items at recess and lunch.

To place a recess or lunch order for your child:

On a reusable lunch bag OR a paper bag, clearly write your child’s first and last name, class, and “Recess”

or “Lunch.” Use separate bags for recess and lunch orders if you are placing an order for both.

List each item you would like to order along with the price as listed on the canteen menu. Write the total

cost at the bottom.

Put the total cost of the order in the bag. Note on the outside of the bag if your child needs change.

Drop the bag off at the canteen between 8:45 and 9:15 a.m. Students should pick up their recess order at

the canteen. Lunch orders are delivered to the classroom.

The Kurrajong Public School Canteen is a non-profit canteen operated by the P&C for the benefit of the KPS community.

It is staffed by volunteers. The canteen may be closed periodically for school special events or if there are insufficient

volunteers to operate it. Please volunteer your time if you are able! Gluten free items are available.

Resilience Respect Responsibility Excellence

Resilience Respect Responsibility Excellence

Kurrajong Public School Start of Year Notices and Reminders 2020

Medications at School We have three levels of student medication at school.

1. Self-administration of asthma

puffers. If the parent/carer consents, students who need to carry a puffer, for occasional use, may carry out their own medication.

2. Medications - including puffers. All medications require special forms to be completed by a parent/carer and/or doctor. Prior to administration of any medication,

original packaging including clear

dosage requirements must be given to the front office. The student comes to the office to receive the medication, the medication is administered in the school office, under supervision and the event recorded in our medication register.

Student Supervision

A teacher supervises our school playground each morning from 8:45am. If a student arrives before 8:45am, he/she will need to sit on a seat, in the assembly area, until the duty bell sounds.

Students should not arrive at school

before 8:30am. Students arriving for tennis lessons are to go straight to the court and should not be more than a few minutes early or they risk being unsupervised. After school, students who travel by bus assemble in designated areas with teacher supervision. Students who are being collected by a parent/carer must arrange a ‘meeting place’ in a part of the playground or wait in the ‘pick up zone’ for quick collection by a parent/carer. Parents/carers insisting on meeting their child outside the school must be aware that such arrangements are beyond our supervision and responsibility.

Drop Off and Pick Up

The police regularly enforce parking and speed restrictions around the school, in the interest of student safety. Please ensure that you observe the parking signs and road rules. For more information regarding the use of our afternoon pick-up zone, can be found in our Parent Information Booklet on the KPS website.

Bus Conveyance Opal cards are now used for all students travelling to and from school by bus. For more information regarding applying for an Opal Card, please visit: https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/ticket-eligibility-concessions/child-student-concessions

Private Car Conveyance If you make a special trip to drive your child to/from school or to/from a bus stop each day, you may be entitled to claim a conveyance subsidy. Certain conditions are imposed and more information is available at https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/#/schoolDriveSubsidy

The money is paid twice each year (about August and January) based on the number of days the student attended school.

Tennis Lessons A local tennis coach, holds tennis lessons on our multipurpose court each Thursday morning at 8:00am during term, with sessions held some mornings and afternoons (depending on numbers). For enquiries, please phone 45788999 or email http://www.insidethelines.net.au/

Road Crossing If your child needs to cross Grose Vale Road on the way to or from school, please ensure he/she is instructed on the correct and safe use of the marked crossing, which must be used.

Senior Excursions

Our Year 5 and Year 6 students have a major excursion each year. In 2020, these groups will be attending the Great Aussie Bush Camp - Kincumber, and several day excursions. The approximate cost for these excursions will be $500. We like to ask families to begin to put some money aside early, as these days/nights are a valuable part of the children's education.

Student Assistance Funds

A small amount of money is available to assist families experiencing financial hardship. This money may be used to subsidise things such as excursion costs and/or textbooks. Please contact the Principal, if you require financial assistance. All enquiries regarding financial assistance will be handled discretely.

Religious and Ethics Education Religious Education (Scripture) is a mandatory part of the public school curriculum, just like reading or mathematics, and lessons are held from 9:15am to 9:50am each Wednesday morning. Automatic exemptions are granted to special religious groups, such as Jehovah's Witness or Muslim students. All students must attend unless their parent/carer specifically, in writing, requests exemption. Students not attending Religious Education lessons will be supervised by a teacher.

Swimming Carnival The school swimming carnival is on Wednesday 19 February. The carnival program includes 25, 50, 100 and 200 metre races, over all strokes, and a team for the Hawkesbury District competition will be selected from this event. It is expected that all students in Years 2-6 will attend and a consent note has been sent home.

School Merit Awards Our school merit awards are presently of three types: 1. Weekly class awards which are usually presented each Friday at our fortnightly morning assembly. An additional award for each class is given for demonstrating our school values of Resilience, Respect, Responsibility and Excellence. 2. ‘Tokens’ are distributed by all staff for positive behaviour or performance.

When a student has ten of these, they hand them to their class teacher for presentation of a silver award. When a

student has three silver awards, they bring them to the office and we prepare a gold award for presentation by the Principal. Special presentations are made for three and six gold awards. The tokens and awards have no expiry date; therefore any tokens earnt during previous years may be used this year. 3. Playground tokens are also distributed to students for displaying positive behaviour in the playground. A draw is conducted at our weekly K-6 assembly and winners receive a value trophy to be kept on his/her desk for one week.

Mobile Phones/Devices

Whilst we recognise that mobile phones/devices may be perceived by some parents and carers as devices to improve the security and safety of their children, the following policy and procedures have this understanding in mind – while also being directed by the requirements of the Department of Education.

1 In general, students are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school. Other mobile devices, such as iPads are not required at school.

2 Students who need to have a mobile phone will be required to store the phone in a safe place, organised by the teacher, in his/her classroom at the beginning of each school day. It is the responsibility of the student to collect the phone/device at the conclusion of each school day.

3 The school will accept no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones/devices or for costs incurred while the phone/device is on school premises.

4 Any urgent need by a parent/carer to contact their child during the day should be met by calling the school office on (02) 4573 1647.

Head Lice (‘Nits’) Head lice infect children and adults at various times, especially during Autumn and Spring. If a case is discovered, then special treatment available from chemist shops is essential, followed by removal of remaining eggs from the hair. If we are advised of a head lice case, we notify families in the affected class by note. If every parent checks their child’s hair, and administers a treatment, if necessary, then the infection will be short-lived. This policy requires 100% family support.

Dental Treatment Students in infants and primary classes are entitled to free dental treatment by Health Department dentists. Parents/carers can make appointments by phoning 4560 5756. The clinic is located in the grounds of Hawkesbury Hospital.

Consent Notes Written consent, in a prescribed format, will be requested for school events. Without this consent being returned, a student is not allowed to participate.

We also require written notification or notification over the phone if parents want another person, such as a friend to collect their child from school or from a school activity, such as a sports carnival or special event.

Please remember that class teachers must receive and record a reason for all student absences, even for partial absences.

Receiving Money

All school money is received at the school office. We prefer that all payments be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly labelled with the student name and purpose of the payment. Printed receipts will generally only be issued on request.

Payments may be made in one envelope for more than one purpose and more than one family member, except Voluntary School Contributions which must be submitted in a separate envelope, if a receipt is required for tax purposes.

Our new parent online payment portal is in operation (POP). Parents/carers can make payment using this system by visiting our school website https://kurrajong-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/

Please note - this option is only

available for school events and cannot

be used for P&C events, uniform shop

or canteen purchases.

Class Helpers

Each year, we have a long list of helpers and we sincerely thank those mums, dads and grandparents who volunteer. The reading and mathematics groups operate as follows.

Each class teacher has groups at ability levels. The teacher devises a series of developmental activities each day to improve student performance, in small steps, towards the achievement of syllabus outcomes.

The planned activities are designed to be completed in sequence, so it is important that the class helpers carry out designated tasks exactly as specified by the teacher. It is not always possible for parents to have their own child’s group.

The help provided by our volunteers is a great facility for teachers, but it is important to remember that it is carried out as an educational task with defined activities and goals. Confidentiality, when working in classrooms is also imperative.

Working with Children Check

The majority of parent volunteers in

school do not need to obtain a WWCC clearance, although all volunteers will need to complete a declaration & provide photo ID.

School Uniform We have a school uniform approved by our parent body and it is expected that students will wear it every school day. Concert Band members are required to wear their designated uniform when performing. A ‘no hat, play in the shade’ policy is in place and we recommend sunscreen be placed on students before coming to school. The P&C Uniform Shop (near the canteen) is open at advertised times each week. Written orders (with payment) can be left at the office for the Uniform Coordinator at any time.

The Internet All classrooms and our library have access to the Internet. Parents will receive a copy of our school Internet Usage Policy in our School Information Booklet at enrolment time. We assume that all students are allowed to use this resource, subject to the conditions in that policy, unless they are specifically exempted by parents or guardians in writing.

Toys etc at School Please ensure that your child does not bring any item that is dangerous, or potentially dangerous, to school. Such items include guns, swords, knives and laser pointers. We prefer that toys are of the ‘peaceful’ type, and weapons are not welcome. The owner of any toy etc brought to school is at all times responsible for its care and security.

Dogs in the Playground Dogs are not permitted on school grounds.

Newsletters/Enews/Facebook The fortnightly newsletter is posted on Enews and our school website on Thursday afternoons. The newsletter is our major means of communication with our school families and your child may miss out on a school event if you do not read it each week.

To keep up to date, please register

with Enews to receive the school newsletter and class notes via email.

Go to our website, click on the

‘Newsletters and Notes’ tab, tick the relevant boxes and enter your details.

Miss Rosemary Richardson

PRINCIPAL