Principal’s Report Remote Learning Kahibah PS recognises and thanks families for the effort and lengths that families are going to, ensuring the continuity of learning for their children as we work in this remote learning model. Please know that teachers are preparing the lessons online that would be normally presented in the classroom. Teachers are looking at ways to better differentiate the online learning - as teachers are expert at differentiation when the children are with them each day, knowing each of the children individually and being able to make adjustments to the learning, providing support where needed and extension at other times. The staff at Kahibah PS also recognise that students’ wellbeing and ability to cope with all the changes in the world at the moment would also likely impact their ability to focus and complete the assigned tasks. We also recognise that the health and economic impact of COVID-19 is taking a toll on families in varying degrees which has an impact on parent’s availability to be by their child’s side for a full school day. Just as each child is unique, we recognise that family circumstances are unique and the school aims to work with the families in a spirit of understanding and empathy. Please provide regular feedback to your child’s class teacher so the learning can be adjusted appropriately and discussions can occur as to the individual expectations for your child. We want this online remote learning to be a positive experience for each of the students and their families. As of yet, we have no definitive indication as to how long this model of learning will continue, but please know that the teachers at Kahibah PS have been so very impressed with how quickly the students have stepped up to the challenge and are not just surviving, but in many cases thriving! If you or your child are ever not sure how to access the remote learning platform, please visit our school website where you will find a direct link front and centre on the home page, beneath the photo. Quality Work Students in 2F were invited to participate in a general interest art project. Students were encouraged to take a photo of something that interested them or something they had done and to get creative with it. As the photos started to trickle in the creativity increased, including photos of outdoor and indoor activities, garden discoveries, door adventures, artworks, birthday wishes to a classmate and of course a sprinkling of rainbows. Impressive creativity, 2F!

CURRENT NOTES….

WHAT’S AHEAD……

Thurs 9th Apr - Last day of Term 1

Tues 28th Apr - First day of Term 2

Kahibah Public School

Positive Relationships for Positive Learning.

31st March 2020 Web Page: www.kahibah-p.school.nsw.edu.au Phone: 4943 4501

WEEKLY PROGRAM……

Classes Begin - 9am and finish 3pm

Assemblies fortnightly on Monday

K-2 1-1.40pm

Yrs 3-6 - 2-3pm

3rd Tuesday of each month - P&C

Meeting

3/4A have been working hard on a writing masterpiece titled 'The Tunnel'. Students have planned, written and edited a story, and with feedback from teachers they are almost ready to publish. Special mention to Lenny C, Maya M, Flynn H, Lennox H, Kiarni M and Manu L for their imaginative stories. Students in 3/4A have also been reading The Twits by Roald Dahl and students have created some horrific collage projects of Mr. Twit and that dreadful beard!

The 3/4A creative arts portrait unit continues to develop; Polly H, Elsie E and Flynn H created wonderful pop art last week and the Curtis brothers composed a delightful portrait in the mode of Kehinde Wiley.

Many 5/6B students have been engaging in online writing using the Writing Legends website. Students have been using similes, adjectives and adverbs to create short 10 minute writes and to start working on longer pieces. Jaiah B, Illyana D, Jeremy C, Bailey W, Isabelle M, Catherine S and Paddy R have been putting time, effort and creativity into their writing. Well done 5/6B! NAPLAN 2020 – Cancelled Please find below the message sent to schools from the NSW Education Standards Authority, CEO, Paul Martin on 20

th March, 2020.

Education Council agreed today that NAPLAN 2020 will not proceed to help principals, teachers and school staff focus on student learning during the outbreak of COVID-19. This decision includes cancellation of: • NAPLAN Online practice testing, 23 March – 9 April 2020 • NAPLAN Online tests, 12 May – 22 May 2020 • NAPLAN paper tests, 12 May – 15 May 2020. NESA recognises and thanks principals, teachers and school staff who are critical to ensuring students receive a continuation of education. This cancellation is to provide you with more time to focus on your students and staff. Lines of Communication The preferred mode of communication from the school is via electronic formats. This includes notes and information being sent via email, the Skoolbag app and posted on the school website. It is therefore important that you provide the school with a frequently used email address and where possible have the Skoolbag app downloaded on your mobile device. Please also ensure that you have the Seesaw app downloaded as this is the preferred mode of communication from most classroom teachers. Kahibah PS also encourages students to stay connected with their friends and classmates. The longer this period of isolation, the more important it’s going to become for children to feel connected to their peers. While play dates and hang outs with friends after school and on the weekends are not currently possible, we encourage families to provide ways for their children to stay connected even if it means Face timing a classmate during the school day to work on a task together; or a phone call during break time. We are noticing students mentioning that they miss one another, so please consider some safe ways for your children to stay connected. School Counsellor Support Kahibah PS has a school counsellor, Mr Warren Burden on site on Mondays. Parents and families can call the front office on 4943 4501 to access counsellor support and/or make an appointment. Mr Burden can support families by: ● serving as liaison for communication with students/families in crisis ● offering access to social-emotional resources ● hosting times for students and/or their families to access virtual counselling sessions

Health & Wellbeing Tips Let's all do our best to stay safe, healthy, and centred during the current health crisis. The Greater Good Science Centre at University of California Berkeley published these tips by Dr Jill Suttie:

Stay calm and focused You can try to stay calm by practicing meditation/mindfulness, taking a walk in the park and let nature soothe you, or talk to a calm friend who can help reduce your anxiety.

Pay attention to those doing the right thing While the temptation might be to focus on fear and everything going wrong, redirect your attention to those who are doing the right thing, which will lead us to be better citizens ourselves.

Show gratitude One of the kindest things we can do is to say “thank you” to those who are doing what they can to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. Send a message of thanks to people and organisations you see doing the right thing.

Remember our common bonds Try not to blame on others or indulge in prejudice toward groups you see as responsible for the spread of COVID-19. When we recognise our common humanity and show compassion, we are more likely to pull together and to solve complex issues. Term One Comes to an End With a week and a half to go…the last day of school of term one is Thursday 9th April. The first day back for Term 2 is a Staff Development Day, with students resuming school (highly likely still the remote learning model) on Tuesday 28th April. Wishing you safe and well for the upcoming school holidays! Mrs Honi Faasisila Kahibah Public School Principal