GORDON WEST BULLETIN V O L U M E 5 2 0 2 0 A P R I L 9 2 0 2 0

Principal’s Report Ryde Road Pymble 2073 Telephone: 9498 4644 Fax: 9498 4436 Email: gordonwest-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.gordonwest-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Thursday 9 April

Last Day Term 1

Friday 10 April

GOOD FRIDAY

Monday 27 April

Staff Development Day

Tuesday 28 April

Learning from Home Classes resume

Dates to Remember

Hello Gordon West Parents.

It has certainly been an exciting Term 1!Bushfires, storms and now COVID-19.

I think that we will all appreciate the Easter vacation even though we are confined to our homes.

Having had members of our immediate family working from home I can appreciate the challenges that our Gordon West families are experiencing when not only working from home themselves but having the additional responsibilities of supervising children at the same time.

The wellbeing of our families is paramount and that is why I am continually emphasising the need to be flexible.

Update:

1. The Federal and State governments urge parents to keep their children at home if possible. However at this stage schools will remain open for Term 2.

2. Teachers have made phone calls to see how students and families are coping. Please let us know how we can support you.

3. To keep teachers safe the NSW Department of Education has instructed all schools to transition to a teacher supervision roster for Term 2 with a maximum of 30% of teachers at school with the remainder working from home.

4. When students attend school very strict social distancing policies will be implemented with no ball games, touching or sharing of equipment.

5. To facilitate the working from home process if parents require additional

devices please contact the school 9498 4644.

6. There will be increased support for students in our Learning Support Programs and our EALD programs.

7. The Learning From Home Programs will continue in Term 2. The Term 2 week 1 program will be available from Monday 27 April.

8. Online platforms including Seesaw K-4, Reading Eggs K-2 and Google Classroom Year 5-6 will be implemented and continue throughout Term 2.

9. Gordon West will provide an online feedback and marking guideline that will ensure that all stakeholders know the expectations, boundaries, best practices and acceptable behaviour in the use of these online platforms.

10. The Department of Education is developing a range of policies in relation to student assessment and reporting practices to ensure consistency and fairness.

11. A big thank you to Mr Sparke and the LFHC for their enormous efforts in organising and coordinating the Gordon West Learning From Home program.

In conclusion today we would normally have held the Easter Hat Parade a feature of the Gordon West School calendar. Hopefully some of you have organised your own family Easter Hat Parade but didn't eat too many chocolates.

Although rather quieter than normal the school continues to operate. Would you believe we have had to move eating times indoors because the naughty kookaburras have been taking the student's food.

Construction work continues on the project adjacent to the fixed equipment and the children will love this new facility when school eventually returns to normal. The toilets and certain

classrooms are being painted which has been easier to complete given that most students aren't in attendance.

We wish you a very happy Easter vacation and thank you for your wonderful support and cooperation in this challenging time.

On a personal note Julia and I are having a lovely time being isolated in Cherrybrook.

I have had to get used to the fact that I am one of the Departments oldest principals (if not the oldest) and because I have asthma I have been isolated and working from home.

We are doing lots of jobs around the house and doing lots of bike riding. Although I now know why Cherrybrook is called "The Hills District" with the riding much more difficult than our normal Homebush, Parramatta rides.

Thanks once again for your cooperation.

Regards

J Huckerby Principal

STUDENT NEWS

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE

Emerson O 1G Miles T 1J

Edward S 2J Joan H 3H

Daniel G 4C Grace K 3/4D Logan L 4H Artin R 4H

Emily R 3/4D Jasper C 3W Arnav V 3H

Isabella C 4H Ella F 4H

Prisha S KS Yolanda D 4C

Congratulations to the following students who have completed the challenge:

Stefan S 4/5T Alicia B 5/6W Sophia B 5/6W

Angie H 5D Eleanor K 5/6W

Chen R 5D Caitlin V 5/6W Lucinda H 4H Ethan H 4/5T Jasmin L 5D

Felicity B-Y 6S Rainbow W 6Y

Asmi S 3/4D Lillian O’H 5D Austen Z 5D

TENNIS COACHING CLASSES

Due to government restrictions we have had to cancel group tennis lessons for week 10 and 11.

We are still doing private lessons and we are happy to convert your group lesson credit into private lessons this term or catch up group lessons will be offered when we resume.

Scott 0414 554 612

SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS Private lessons are available during school holidays.

Bookings to Scott 0414 554 612