Week 10 Principal’s Message “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears” – Nelson Mandela As this is the final newsletter for the term, I would like to sincerely thank our wonderful community for your support over what could only be described as a very unique time for all of us. Never have we seen such changes internationally, nationally and locally. As a school, we will continue to provide updates regarding any changes to the current situation through our Facebook account, REMIND app and the school website. At the moment, we are possibly in the mist of the greatest educational shift of

our generation moving from traditional teaching to remote and flexible learning

at home. I am immensely proud of the professionalism, creativity, collaborative

energy and innovative approach that our staff have set about achieving this

change. Last week, we successfully transitioned (in a very short period of time)

to create learning packages for all students (both online and hardcopies).

Staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure continuity of learning.

I can assure you, we are trying our very best to deliver meaningful, learning

opportunities, provide feedback to our students as well as support the needs

of families with the move to remote and flexible learning at home. I am

extremely privileged to be the principal of a school with such caring and

dedicated staff.

Parents, as you adapt to learning from home, please remember to take care

of not only your child’s wellbeing but your own. Children take in everything

around them and they too are feeling very anxious. Over the coming weeks,

you will more than likely see an increase in behaviour issues with your children.

Whether it is anxiety, anger or a protest that they can’t do things normally–it

can happen.

Event Title

Event Title

TERM 1 / WEEK 10

ALL EVENTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED

NEW DATES TO BE ADVISED

You may see more tantrums and oppositional behaviour. This is normal and expected under these circumstances. What children need now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. So, if this means changing or altering your home learning schedule for a reset, break and then coming back to your school work that is fine. Your child/children’s teacher/s are only too please to support you in whatever way they can.

You might like to do things such as do a science experiment together, play out in the yard or find a fun virtual excursion

to explore. You might try starting to a book and reading together as a family, playing board games, bake cookies or

even just do nothing. Please do not worry about them falling behind with their school work as every single child is in

the same boat. We will all get through this together.

To our beautiful students at Copacabana, your teachers congratulate you on your maturity, resilience and the manner in which you have adjusted so readily to new routines and life without seeing your friends each day. Throughout the week, teachers will touch base with families by phoning parents to check how children are going and how we can further support you. While our school is currently open, our attendance has dropped considerably with the vast majority of student accessing their learning through remote and flexible learning packages. Staff are working from school and home on a rotational roster as per the Department’s alternative work arrangements On a final note, I would like to congratulate Mr Brett MacDonald on gaining his first permanent position to Avoca Beach Public School and wish him all the best in his future teaching career. On behalf of the school community, I would like to like to thank him for his professionalism, enthusiasm, caring nature and for the huge contribution he has made to Copacabana Public School during his time here. Once again, I would sincerely like to thank the Copacabana Public School Community for your understanding of the complexities we have been managing and for the heart-warming support and positive feedback. As this is the last newsletter for the term, I wish you a safe Easter holiday break. Yours in education, Mary Hunt Principal In the words of Dr Seuss…

TERM 1 / WEEK 10

News

TERM 1 / WEEK 10

Attendance and Home Learning During the COVID 19 pandemic, parents are encouraged to keep their child at home as announced by the NSW Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian. We appreciate that the transition to home learning has been fast-paced and families now find themselves trying to maintain their own jobs, whilst supporting your child and household, we acknowledge the challenge. Families are not asked to take over the role of the teacher but instead support your child in self-directed learning using resources provided by the classroom teacher. Your child’s teacher is available between 9:00am – 3:00pm for any enquiries or support you may need. All students are expected to engage in learning that has been provided by the class teacher whilst at home. Teachers are required to regularly monitor rolls in line with normal attendance procedures. If your child is learning from home and is sick, please let your child’s class teacher know. If students are not engaging in learning your child’s teacher will contact you to see how we can offer further support. School Security Community members are encouraged to contact school security on 1300 880 021 if they notice anything unusual or suspicious over the holiday period. Our General Assistant and some maintenance workers will be working as normal but outside regular week day hours. Term 2 Staff return to school on Monday 27 April for a professional learning day. All students K-6 return on Tuesday 28 April. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS BASED ON CURRENT ADVICE AND THIS CAN CHANGE BASED ON DIRECTIVES FROM THE NSW GOVERNMENT. The school will advise through the Facebook, REMIND app, broadcast emails and the Copacabana Public School website on the most current information.

Tips for Learning at Home Below are some tips that may assist in the implementation and success of learning from home Parents

1. Make space for learning – set up a quiet, comfortable space that’s dedicated to learning.

2. Maintain breaks such as recess and lunch-time-routines and schedules are important to children at school and this is no different to home. During breaks encourage them to go outside and run around.

3. Schedule time for fun 4. Talk to your child regularly about their learning 5. Mix screen time to with print-based work- overuse

of screen time can have adverse effects. 6. Communicate concerns or achievements with the

class teacher via REMIND between the hours of 9:00 – 3:00pm Monday to Friday

7. Supervise your child’s use of screen time and put limits on the time spend online

8. If you child has difficulty maintaining the schedule, remain calm and complete what you can.

9. Encourage your children to keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media (where appropriate).

10. Refer to the e-safety commission site to talk to your child about being safe, respectful learners when online https://wwwesafety.gov.au/parents

Students

1. Be prepared for learning each day by having all the necessary equipment

2. Follow daily class timetable set out by the teacher 3. Complete tasks assigned by the teacher 4. Listen to your parents and follow their instructions 5. Communicate with your class teacher and let

him/her know how you’re going with your home learning

6. Have regular exercise breaks throughout the day and drink plenty of water

TERM 1 / WEEK 10

Student Wellbeing Mindfulness The following is a link to an online platform called Smiling Minds. This is a free program which assists parents to introduce meditation to their children. Many studies have shown that meditation assists children with behaviour and learning. http://www.smilingmind.com.au Reducing Anxiety Being confined to home for an extended period of time can cause stress and conflict. Tips for looking after your children during this time:

Help your children to think about how they have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassure them that they will cope with this situation too.

Exercise regularly – options include dancing, walking around the backyard.

Talk to your whole family about what is happening:

The following links have some advice on discussing coronavirus with your children https://education.qld.gov.au/student/Documents/coronavirus-fact-sheet-for-parents.pdf#search=coronavirus https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/schools-safety/novel-coronavirsu/covid19-further-information

A special message from Mr MacDonald Dear Copacabana PS community, Through the merit selection process, I was successful at

gaining a permanent teaching position at Avoca Beach

Public School. The role commences at the beginning of

Term 2, 2020. This will be my last term teaching here at

Copacabana Public School. Whilst this is great news for

me professionally it is also very sad for me personally.

The last 2 and a half years have been the best of my

professional work life. I have had the absolute best time

getting to know all of the students. I have worked with an

amazing staff and an incredibly supportive community.

As the term comes to an end, I want to take a moment to

say thank you for supporting my effort. I have enjoyed all

the laughs, smiles and kind words your child/ren have

shared with me. I have been unbelievably lucky to have

taught such a friendly, charismatic and hardworking

group of students this term and I will miss them all

incredibly. I wish that I had more of an opportunity to say

goodbye to the class and the students of Copacabana.

However, the safety of all families is more important at

this time. Thank you again for all of your support. Have a

safe and happy break, and I wish you all the very best

moving forward.

TERM 1 / WEEK 10

TERM 1 / WEEK 10

Thank You to our 2020 Gold Sponsors

Advertisements