Semester 1 Reporting - The NSW Department of Education has released guidelines for

schools about the temporary changes to reporting for Semester 1, in response to the

COVID19 pandemic. We will be providing a simplified, written report to parents which

summarises a student’s progress and achievement in their learning, as well as information

about where a student needs to work in their next steps of learning. The report needs to

provide information about a student’s attendance and also about their commitment to

learning.

Teachers are not required to use the A-E scale in their reporting nor are they required to

comment on all Key Learning Areas.

Our school will be primarily focused on providing quality feedback about the learning

students have undertaken in English and Maths. Teachers are in the process of collecting

assessment information to support their development of student reports.

The schools have been given an extension for completing Semester 1 reports and we are

working towards having them ready to send home Friday 31st July.

Opportunity Class Placement Process Changes- The 2021 Year 5 opportunity class

placement process was put on hold in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation. We now

have a revised and simplified timeline for the OC placement process to ensure that

students and families can have certainty about their placement as soon as possible.

The changes include: A new date for online applications. Parents must apply between 9

June 2020 and 26 June 2020. Late applications cannot be accepted.

A new test date - Wednesday 16 September 2020.

To ensure fair and consistent assessment of students across New South Wales, students

will be offered places based only on their test results this year – there will be no school

assessment scores. There will also be no opportunity for appeals given the tight

timeframes.

There is OC information at the school office.

Fiona Paine Principal

From the Principal

Book Club orders are due by 22nd June 2020

Opportunity class placement applications must be in by Friday 26th June 2020

Last day of Term 2 is Friday 3rd July

First day of Term 3 is Tuesday 21st July

KatNews Newsletter Date The official newsletter of Katoomba Public School

Volume 2020 No: 12 Term 2 Week 8, 18th June 2020

School Expectations

Respect Yourself

Respect Others

Respect the

Environment

Uniform shop is

closed until advised

further. Uniforms

can be ordered

through the office

Our Canteen is not

open so please send

food for your child

every day.

The virtue this week

is Confidence

Our PBL lesson this

week is “Respect

yourself in lines”

There will be no

assemblies held

until advised further

Merriwa Street, Katoomba NSW 2780

Tel: 4782 1226 Fax: 4782 2996

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

Website: www.katoomba-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

Please Remember……

Page 2 KatNews Volume 2020 No:12

Update on COVID-19 requirements for schools With updated health advice and changes to state and national restrictions, the Department of Education has

advised that schools are now able to start returning to the majority of school-based activities. Here is a summary

of the Department’s advice, as of 15 June 2020.

As of Monday 15 June schools are able to do the following:

Hold short school assemblies (limited to 15 minutes but with no parents or carers or other visitors).

Our choirs and recorder groups can now practise and perform at school (no external performances at this

stage). We will let you know about band and dance in the near future.

School photos can be taken – our photo day is booked for the 14th of September.

Students may visit other schools for essential school-related purposes such as sitting placement tests.

External sports skill development providers can now come to school as part of the sport curriculum.

Internal school groups such as Koori Club, Garden Club, Games Club, etc, can resume.

As of the beginning of Term 3 Scripture and Ethics volunteers will be able to resume classes on a

Wednesday.

We are still required to adhere to the following requirements:

Non-essential adults, including parents, carers and volunteers, are not permitted on school grounds or at

school events (unless specifically approved by the Principal).

Parents and carers are to continue to drop off their children at the main Merriwa St driveway gate and not

enter the school.

Parents and carers are to continue to wait for their children outside the school at the exit gate designated

for your child.

Physical distancing requirements remain for all adults including teachers, support staff and parents and

carers.

Any essential visitors approved by the Principal must adhere to relevant hygiene, distancing and safety

protocols.

P&C meetings will continue to be held online only – the next P&C meeting is 7.15pm Wednesday 12 August

(log in details will be provided closer to the time).

Parent/Teacher meetings will continue to be via phone wherever possible. Don’t hesitate to contact your

child’s teacher if you have any concerns or want to discuss your child.

All students should be at school unless they have a medical certificate or are currently unwell. If you have

any concerns, please make an appointment to talk to Fiona Paine by ringing the Office on 4782 1226.

The school is continuing to receive additional cleaning, targeted at high-touch areas such as handles, railings, door

handles, etc. The children are also being reminded to wash and sanitise their hands and to bring their own drink

bottle.

See https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families for the Department’s latest guide for families

relating to COVID-19.

Community Liaison News

Page 3 KatNews Volume 2020 No:12

Kindergarten 2021 We are now taking enrolment forms for Kindergarten 2021. If

you have a child ready to start next year, please collect an

enrolment pack from the front office.

Information regarding playgroup and transition group will be

provided early next term.

Congratulations to the following students who received awards in Week 7

Principal Book Awards: Cormac 1G, Ned 3/4T, Poppy 1G

Class Assembly Awards

KG: Diego K/1S: Allan

1G: Edmond 2C: Lydia

2H: Silas 3G: Guanbo

3/4T: Izabella 4B: Lukas

5/6S: Jarrah 5/6K: Emma

5/6A: Harry K/6N: Levi

Page 4 KatNews Volume 2020 No: 12

K/6N is back!

We have celebrated by making a life size mural of ourselves