T H O R N L E I G H

W E S T

P U B L I C

S C H O O L

N E W S L E T T E R

The Warami

Hello and Welcome Family and Friends of

Thornleigh West Public School

T E R M 2 , W E E K 2

6 M A Y 2 0 2 0

I NS I DE T HI S

I S S UE :

This Week’s

Update

Stage 2 Home

Learning

Sports News

COVID Resources

for Parents

Address: Giblett Avenue,

THORNLEIGH, NSW,

2120

Email: thornleigw-

p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Phone: (02) 9484 4242

Fax (02) 9481 9471

This week’s update

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 2! After a challenging Term 1 we are all look-

ing forward to getting back into some sort of normality.

As a school community we have many things to be grateful for. Our outstanding educators who have changed all that they do in teaching

and learning. The teachers have worked collaboratively to ensure quality teaching and learning continues. The other word that comes to mind is “adaptability” teachers have tested and refined what they know to completely learn new things. They have shifted course based on the current learning environment.

Our amazing students who have displayed resilience and persistence during this time of uncertainty. Students have recalibrated. They are learners who have stunned me. I am really proud of them! A massive

thank you to all the parents and caregivers who have juggled working from home while supporting learning, this has been challenging! We’re all in this together and we are getting closer to a normal school routine.

The phased return (11 May) that has been directed by the Premier is going to be disruptive. I assure you that TWPS teachers will support your child’s learning and well-being on their allocated day.

The Board of Studies has allowed principals and team leaders to de-cide which syllabus outcomes and content they teach and assess for Kindergarten to Year 6 in 2020 during COVID-19.

This means we have selected the outcomes and content that will form the basis of the educational programs for Kindergarten to Year 6 stu-dents. The educational program does not need to address all out-comes or all content of the syllabuses.

Along with flexibility already available in the curriculum, this decision

supports TWPS to develop teaching and learning programs for stu-

dents as they progressively return to face to face learning at school.

As a staff we will monitor progress with greater emphasis on assess-

ment for learning, for example use evidence from a number of learn-

ing activities and processes.

My main priority is to stay connected with students, teachers and the community.

A few ways we have planned to do this:

Live lesson delivery

Q & A session with me Wednesday 6 May 3.30pm

Student leaders are brainstorming ways to keep connected. (Virtual disco, vir-

tual assembly, photo competition and lunchtime Zoom with friends)

Regular videos on Facebook

Teachers making contact with parents via phone or email.

Birthday calls to students.

The well-being of our students is paramount. Please do not hesitate to contact

your child’s class teacher if you have any concerns about your child.

Mr Singh our school counsellor has shared a social story that might help your

child understand COVID – 19 and the transition back to school. This resource will

be emailed directly to you.

Mother’s Day

As I read all the Mother’s Day motivational books and cards I often reflect and

ask myself the question am I a good mother? I can’t make fancy birthday cakes, I

avoid organising sleep overs for my children and sometimes there is no food in

the cupboards.

The juggle of being a mother can be tricky at times but what a privilege it is. My

children aged 10 and 6 have become very resilient and adaptable due to the

work life balance! A massive thank you to my own mum who helps me do the

juggling act. She helps me with the afternoon pick up, swimming training and

homework.

To our beautiful TWPS mums, I hope you are spoilt on Sunday with a sleep in,

homemade breakfast and maybe even some new slippers. TWPS mums rock!

Thank you for all that you do to support your children and our amazing school.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Have a great week.

Chantal Mamo - BTeach BEd MA Creative Arts

Stage 2 Home Learning.

What a fantastic start to the Term Stage 2 have had. All the teachers are so very proud of each student and the learning they are completing. As a stage group we reflected yesterday, all the stage 2 teachers agreed that the learning has gone from strength to strength as students develop confidence, working independent-ly, using seesaw and always trying their best as they complete learning tasks.

At the beginning of Term 1, Year 4 focused on imaginative writing. Below is a wonderful work sample from Niamh in 4C, she uses rich descriptive language and figurative language to describe what she saw in a short video of Shelley

Beach in Manly.

Word investigations have been a major focus for Year 4 as they begin to look at words. Sorting words is a problem solving process involving searching, compar-ing, analysing and contrasting words to form generalisations about words and their spelling. Below is Zach’s word sort, it is clear Zach is making decisions about words and finding out how words are connected.

Year 3 have been learning about persuasive writing and how important planning is. Rochelle from 3/4C has written her arguments both for and against the topic. This is the beginning of a great piece of writing.

History this semester has been very exciting as the students explore the History

of Thornleigh and surrounding suburbs. In a seesaw activity the students had to do independent research about the meaning of names of our streets. You can see from Oliver’s response he has learned who Duffy Ave was named after.

Seesaw has been a wonderful way to share learning, stay in contact and contin-ue to deliver rich, authentic lessons. Stay positive, keep smiling we are really enjoying watching you grow as learners each day.

Nicole Dowd

Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Sports News

Wellbeing Challenge

During this unique and interesting time, it is important that we all take care and look after our wellbeing. TWPS will be running a wellbeing challenge. It will be similar to the Premier Sport and Premier Reading Challenges. During your time at school in week 3, you will be given a wellbeing challenge sheet and a list of suggested wellbeing activities. Your challenge is to do as many activities as you can each week. The more you do, the higher award you achieve. At the end of the term we will have a celebration and you will be giv-en a certificate with the overall award you achieved. Every week when you are at school you must bring your wellbeing recording sheet so the teacher can record your weekly achievement award. Remember team, we are all in this together and we hope to see everyone back at school soon.

Cross Country

We hope everyone has been practicing for the home learning cross coun-try. It’s been great seeing so many students running around our school oval. Just a reminder of how it works. During weeks 1 and 2, students should prac-tice running around their local oval. Each year has a different time limit. Early Stage 1: 10 minutes, Stage 1: 15 minutes, Stage 2: 20 Minutes and Stage 3: 25 minutes. By Friday 15th of May (week 3), students are to complete the event. They are to run/walk/skip for their time limit and record how many laps they completed. The number of laps, and a picture of them doing the event needs to be uploaded to their class Seesaw. The total number of laps for each house will be counted to determine the champion house. Remember this is a fun event, there will not be ribbons for first, second or third provided and this is not a trial for Zone. We hope to see everyone actively involved and par-ticipating in this physical activity.