Page 1

Week 6, Term 2 2020 5 June 2020

From the Desk of Mr Harris Welcome to Week 6.

Over the last two weeks, we have welcomed back a majority of our children. The last 9 weeks as a country and as an educational system, is something we will never forget.

My many thanks for all your dedication in supporting our children with their blended learning during this time. We have indeed been on one of the steepest learning curves ever known in our education system and the professional learning and commitment to providing children with the very best in this time, needs to be applauded by all involved.

Even now, children will still be heavily involved with Google Classrooms and the technology that has been used during this time, will now become part of their learning at school as well as at home.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our community for all their positive comments and patience as we have navigated through these interesting times.

Although most of our children have returned in a very positive headspace, we do have some children who are not coping as well and finding the return to school routines a little troublesome. Now that school has returned, we are suggesting that the routines at home match the same routines that were had prior to COVID-19, which includes bedtimes and a reduction of screen time. Please see further below in this eNewsletter for our Thrive 2020 program, being run by our wellbeing staff.

Our school leadership team met last Monday for a full day of planning for 2020 and even 2021! It was a day filled with reflection of our school practices, what we do best and where to grow in the future. We are fortunate to have such a dynamic team with a wealth of knowledge and experience to support our school’s future directions. Thanks everyone.

School Reports will also be issued at the end of Term 2. These reports will be modified to reflect the times we have just experienced, in Semester One.

A reminder, that if you are continuing to keep your child home due to COVID-19 issues, with their health or they reside in a home with someone who is at risk, then you are required to supply the school with a doctor's certificate. Unfortunately, if this information isn't supplied, the school has to follow Department of Education protocols and contact the Home School Liaison Officer for further follow up. Thank you to those parents and carers who have already done this. Your support with these protocols is greatly appreciated.

77-105 Bangalay Drive, PORT MACQUARIE. NSW 2444 P: 02 6582 3478 F: 02 6582 2326 E: tackingpt-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au W: https://tackingpt-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ Principal: Mr Phil Harris

Tacking Point PS Newsletter

Page 2

My many thanks also to our parents who have communicated new routines to their children and are picking their children up outside the gates. We have seen no congestion and parents observing the social distancing protocols, which will be with us for some time.

Children will need to continue bringing a drink bottle to school, which can be filled up in the classrooms, as our bubblers will continue to be turned off during this time.

Our canteen is back operational, but again will be following protocols.

As you are no doubt aware, all our major excursions this year has been cancelled. We are hoping to put alternatives into place but done at a local level.

There is no teacher on duty until 8:25am in the morning. We have had a number of children arriving to school at 8:00 o'clock in the mornings, which should not be happening. We ask you to ensure that children arrived at 8:25am or after as supervision commences at that time.

Classes commence at 8:55am and if children do arrive late, a parent (either in person or by phone) should be informing the office with a valid explanation.

At this stage no birthday cakes can be brought into the school during the current protocols. Your support with this is appreciated. Some of our families have brought ice blocks etc in, which are individually wrapped and meet protocols.

Principal

Message from the Deputy Principals

National Reconciliation Week 2020

In 2020, Reconciliation Australia marks twenty years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation.

Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding of the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution.

2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation and show their support for a more reconciled Australia.

As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past.

Today, we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country.

Page 3

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We strive towards a more just, equitable nation by championing unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another.

On this journey, Australians are all In This Together; every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. Here are some snapshots of Reconciliation Week celebrations…

Page 4

Kelly Jordan and Trevor Thompson

From the Library Congratulations to our children and their families who have completed their Read Aloud Bookmarks Term 2 weeks 5 and 6:

1H Adeline Ninness, Amelia Pirie 1K Liam McQuaid, Evie Noble, 1V Jack Fitzpatrick, Zoe Moen 1W Emily Ashton, Macie Barry 2C Flynn Apthorpe, Kayla Button, Isaac Chapman 2I Louis Burton, Harry Stephens 2T Joshua Harris, Soetkin Nuyttens 3K Mahalia Anderson 4D Sienna Goldie 4S Maddison Lyons-Pascoe, Amelia Maestri 5/6N Mikayla Campbell

Ms Lea Tracy Teacher Librarian

Page 5

‘Thrive’ 2020 'Everyone Matters' at Tacking Point Public School. Our wellbeing staff of Jody Bond, Nicole Chilcott and Katie Freeman, will be running the ‘Thrive’ program in our school, commencing in Week 9 of this term. The ‘Thrive’ program is designed to support primary school children who experience high levels of anxiety with a focus on teaching strategies for children and parents to understand, regulate and manage together.

‘Thrive’ involves approximately 10 in-school sessions, in a small group structure of students who are close in age. Each of the school sessions is approximately one hour.

We invite the parents to be part of the program, which includes a 2 hour information session, where parents will learn the evidence based strategies to best support their child both at home and school. The delivery format of the parent session will be adapted in accordance with the latest Department of Education COVID-19 advice.

If you would like your child to be involved in the ‘Thrive’ Program, please email nicole.chilcott@det.nsw.edu.au by Wednesday 10th June.

Nicole Chilcott Counsellor

Student Work from Year 1

Page 6

Tuckerbox Canteen All Uniform Shop orders purchased through the QKR! System, will be processed on a Monday morning and delivered to the student’s classroom.

The Uniform Shop will not be open for over the counter sales until further notice, via Facebook and Skoolbag alerts.

TUCKERBOX ROSTER You can place lunch orders via the P&C’s Qkr! App

Mon 8/6 *** PUBLIC HOLIDAY ***

Tues 9/6 C. Baker

Wed 10/6 R. Brennan

Thurs 11/6 A. Baker A. Brinkman

Fri 12/6 H. Ryan R. Brennan

Mon 15/6 L. Speedy

Tues 16/6 C. Chantler

Wed 17/6 V. Wilson

Thurs 18/6 R. Brennan

Fri 19/6 S. Shepherd E. Venter In accordance with WH&S regulations, it would be appreciated if volunteers could please wear enclosed footwear and have long hair tied back. Thanks Leanne and Sandy.

UNIFORM SHOP ** Online orders only **

Uniforms can be viewed and purchased via the P&C’s Qkr! Payment site

Page 7

Community News