Dates to Remember

Dear Parents, Who’s In Control in Your Family? In this week’s newsletter is an article called, “I can't control my child's use of technology. That statement and life choice needs to be revised”. I have included the article not so much because of its discussion of technology but more because it highlights a current and increasing trend we are seeing at school, where parents are either anxious about or afraid of telling their children how to behave. Sometimes when this happens we have children coming to school and trying to tell teachers what they will and will not do or simply being disobedient and doing what they want to do. A number of children who have done this have been as young as Kindergarten. When we allow children to be disobedient or to ‘move the goalposts’ we are making problems for ourselves. Parents have to remember that they are in charge – they are ‘parents’ and not ‘big brothers or sisters’. When children come to school thinking they have the authority to show disrespect to teachers by ignoring their requests it becomes a problem for all concerned. Resource packs – Students have now been issued their resource packs. Some classes are still waiting on back order supply of one or two items but as soon as these arrive they will be delivered to the students. Could I encourage all parents to pay for their resource packs asap or call into the office to complete a time payment plan. 2019 Overview of Costs – There was a lot of news about school items over the recent holiday period. At Glendenning PS we do not have any school fees. The costs for parents include:

• The resource pack (and we supply replacement of all items used throughout the year) • Excursions and visiting performers. • Special programs such as gymnastics or water safety and learn-to-swim schemes.

The school pays for all paper, sports equipment, photocopying, art supplies, readers, library equipment and so on. A special letter will be sent to all families next week, outlining the costs of excursions, visiting performers and so on. I would like to remind all parents that all students are expected to participate in all school activities – they are part of our learning programs. At no time should any student miss out on participating in any activity as a result of financial hardship in their home. We do have numerous schemes like time payment to assist all families – please talk to your child’s teacher, or call into the office for more information. Swimming Carnival –A quick thank you to all of the parents who came along to our swimming carnival on Monday – to the parents who assisted with the running of events – to all of the staff for their hard work – to all of the students for their cooperation and sporting attitude and to Mr Bamford for his coordination of a superb day of fun and sport.

Glendenning Public School

Safe, Respectful Learners

Term 1 Week 3 Thursday 14 February 2019 135 Armitage Drive, Glendenning. NSW. 2761 Ph: 9832 8555 Fax: 98329724 E: glendennin-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Mon, Feb 18 7pm P & C AGM and Meeting Fri, Feb 22 9am Resource Pack Payment Due

Taking PBL into the Community -Letter of Expectations – Non-Local Students and Families – At GPS we do have families who seek to join our school community for a number of reasons. The great majority of these families settle in and have a great time with us. Unfortunately, sometimes there is a ‘clash’ that arises because the students might e repeatedly late to school, late to be collected in the afternoon, not wanting to undertake certain activities because they ‘don’t like it’ or whatever. We have prepared a letter for any prospective non-local enrolment applicants for the future. This is very much in accordance with our PBL philosophy of letting people know ‘what we are all about’. The aim is to let applicants know some of the expectations of the school that include:

• Adhere to the School Community Charter of the NSW Dept of Education • Seek outside advice from specialists when requested to do so if we believe your child needs additional support

(eg paediatrician, speech or occupational therapist, vision or hearing screening, etc) • Work hand-in-hand with the school to support students’ academic, social-emotional, physical, and spiritual

wellbeing and development • Support all school activities during normal school times by:

o Making dentist, doctor appointments outside the 9-3 day o Realising and ensuring students participate in all school activities (either by paying for these, by the

due date, or seeking school’s help in doing so) o Ensuring that when students go to athletics, cross country or swimming carnivals, the student stays

for the full day of activities (not leaving because , ‘I want to go home.’) • Attend student learning conferences • Update all school records whenever there is a change or a request to do so as this is the primary means of

contact for the school in the event of an emergency. • Cooperate with the school and its teachers in any events that will benefit the students.

Tracking Children- Parents using tracking devices to monitor children– Over the holidays there was a lot of talk about how children get to and from school and parents needing to know where their children are. An article outlining a ‘helicopter’ view of parenting appears at the end of this newsletter. Thank you to The Educator11 Feb 2019 for providing such a useful article – parts of which are quoted for parents below.

One in five (18%) parents report using a tracking device to monitor the

location of their child when travelling independently. The poll asked

Australian parents a series of questions about their behaviour, attitudes

and experiences in relation to children’s travel to and from school.

According to the findings, 58% are driven to or from school by car most

days of the week, 71% of Australian children do not walk or ride to school

in a typical week and 20% teenagers never travel to or from school without

an adult

The main worries parents have about independent travel relate to safety of their child, including stranger danger, traffic hazards

and bullying. This has prompted many to use tracking devices to monitor their child’s movements.

When asked if “using a tracking device makes me more comfortable to allow my child to travel without an adult”, 88% of parents

responded yes and 87% felt reassured about their child’s safety by tracking their location. Royal Children's Hospital poll director,

Dr Anthea Rhodes, said the findings highlight the many factors that affect a parent’s decision about how their child travels to and

from school.

“Active and independent travel have potential physical and mental health benefits for children and yet many Australian children

are not regularly engaging in these activities, with most being driven to school by car,” Dr Rhodes said. “A combination of fear of

strangers and perceived traffic hazards contribute to parents discouraging tweens and teens from independent travel.”

Have a good weekend Doug Meaney Principal

Do you find that your child is having emotional or behavioural issues? Are they struggling socially, academically? Glendenning Public School now has a clinical psychologist to support your child. Rebekah Langberg is a clinical psychologist who specialises in child and adolescent mental health. Her services are provided at the school at NO COST through Medicare bulk billing. She will work collaboratively with you, your child, and the teachers to maximize opportunities for positive growth. If you believe that this might benefit your child, please call in to the office or speak to your child’s class teacher for an information pack, an application form or for Rebekah’s contact details.

Ms S. Summerrell Learning and Support Coordinator

STUDENT WELLBEING UPDATE GRIFFIN GOAL Each fortnight a Griffin Goal will be determined, which will essentially be a school focus for students, teachers and families for the following two weeks. Data which has been collated is used to determine the Griffin Goal for the fortnight where appropriate. Students are informed of this Goal during Monday morning assemblies and through discussions and displays within the school. Families are encouraged to discuss the Griffin Goal with their children at home.

Griffin Goal Weeks 3-4: We will walk on the concrete ‘CAUGHT YOU BEING’ (CYB) TOKENS Students are rewarded for displaying the school values - safe, respectful, learner by earning ‘CYB tokens. Students can earn these tokens at any time. Students place these tokens into their house boxes out the front of the library. Each token is worth one house point. When the school has collectively earnt 1000 CYB tokens the students get to enjoy a Courtyard Disco. We encourage families to use CYB tokens at home. Please cut the tokens out below and give them to your child for being safe, respectful or a learner in the home. If your child receives a CYB token at home please have them place their tokens in the box in the front office.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – PARENT INFORMATION SESSION If you are interested in attending a parent information session on Student Wellbeing please return the slip below to Mrs Bateup by Wednesday, February 20. _______________________________________________________________________________________

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION (Please return slip to the front office for Mrs Bateup)

Child/rens Name/s & Class: __________________________________ Name/s of parents/caregivers attending the session: _____________________________ Please circle the session days/times you are able to attend: Monday - morning session (9.15-10) Monday - evening session (5.15-6) Tuesday - afternoon session (2-3) Tuesday evening session (5.15-6)

Mrs J Bateup Student Welfare Coordinator

Glendenning PS Playgroup

Please join us at Glendenning PS for playgroup. Playgroup will be held on Monday (2-3pm) and Wednesday (9-10am) each week during the school terms. We welcome all members of the community to attend our free sessions which cater for all pre-school aged children (0-5). Playgroup provides a wonderful opportunity for members of the community to come together and get to know one another. Children participate in a range of activities which support them in developing a range of skills including social, emotional, fine motor, gross motor and communication skills, which play such an important role in their young lives. Parents have an opportunity to engage with their child in a range of activities whilst meeting some other parents. At playgroup children will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities including developmental play, imaginative play, craft and sensory experiences and group time with Mrs Bateup. A range of school readiness activities and information will be provided where appropriate throughout the year. It is highly encouraged that if you have a child who will be attending Glendenning PS in 2020 that you try to attend some playgroup sessions this year. This will provide your child opportunities to meet other children and teachers from our school, familiarise themselves with the environment and be exposed to a range of school readiness activities. Where: Playgroup Room (next to Room 20) When: Monday (2-3pm) & Wednesday (9-10am) during school terms Who: All members of the community (it is not necessary to have a child enrolled at GPS to attend) Cost: Free We hope to see many of the families in our local community attend. Mrs Bateup Student Welfare Coordinator

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

KOORI CLUB COMMUNITY BREAKFAST

We invite all members of the school community to attend a Koori Club Community Breakfast on Tuesday, February 26 at 8.20am. Students, parents and teachers will have an opportunity to come together and get to know one another whilst enjoying breakfast.

This week your child will receive a note with more information about the event. There is no cost involved, however, you are asked to return the permission note. Note need to be returned by Friday, February 22. Breakfast will be held in the playgroup room.

We hope to hold a Koori Club Community Breakfast each term. Students who attend Koori Club each week will have a chance to share with their families the activities and experiences they participate in during the sessions.

KOORI CLUB

Koori Club will be held during lunchtime each Monday. Sessions will be held in the Playgroup Room. During these sessions our students will have the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal Culture, share a range of stories, complete a number of artworks and craft activities and be a part of the preparation of special events such as NAIDOC Day and our Community Breakfasts.

Koori Club is open to all students K-6. Please talk to your child about it if you think they would be interested in attending and encourage them to come along. Parents are also welcome to attend. Please sign in at the front office before joining us.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL APOLOGY

Wednesday the 13th of February marked 11 years since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on behalf of the Government of Australia gave a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

We feel it is important to acknowledge these events at Glendenning PS. Teachers and students were encouraged to discuss the apology and the importance and significance of the anniversary.

Mrs J Bateup

Student Welfare Coordinator

• Aspects of Positive Parenting • Parenting Traps • Making children resilient Parent Information sessions will be running each term this. When: Monday Week 4 18th February (changed due to the swimming carnival)

Monday Week 6 4th March Monday Week 9 25th March

Time: 9:30am after the whole school assembly Where: AV room (on the ramp near the library) Ms Summerrell will meet you after the whole school assembly. Coffee and biscuits will be available.

Parent Information Sessions

PERMISSION NOTES & PAYMENTS Please return all excursion permission notes and money by due date on the note – please no late payments. This helps with organisation of student numbers required for the venues, numbers for buses booked and how many teachers will attend the excursion or not and be required to stay at school. Permission notes - to write full name of student (enrolment legal name)

Sending payments to school please ensure the CORRECT AMOUNT of money is enclosed in the envelope.

PLEASE PUT PAYMENT FOR ONLY ONE ACTIVITY IN EACH ENVELOPE. (If more than one activity is placed in an envelope your child may miss out on participating). Clearly mark each envelope with:

• your child’s full name (enrolment legal name) • your child’s class • name of activity

and please put the permission note inside the envelope. A separate permission note is required for each child in the family. Copies of permission notes are available on the school website www.glendennin-p.schools.edu.nsw.edu.au All payments are to be deposited in the payment slot in the door of the Administration Office.

Example of a Payment Envelope

On-line Payment Some activities may be able to be paid online – please follow instructions on individual permission notes sent home. On-line payments need to be made no later than two days before the due date.

Administration Glendenning Public School

ABSENCES

Student absences – to send a note on return with student to the class teacher. You do not need to contact the office if absent for one day.

CHANGE OF DETAILS

Please notify the school as soon as possible if any of your contact details change. This included changes of address and contact phone numbers. A ‘Change of Details’ form is available from the Administraion Office.

EARLY LEAVERS When signing children out early of an afternoon, for appointments etc, parents are asked to do so before 2.45pm. Students will not be signed out after this time LUNCHES If parents need to bring lunches to school after 9.00am, we would ask that you wait until 11.15am, when you will be able to gain a pass to your child’s class and then be able to take the lunch to your child. MESSAGES REGARDING LATE COLLECTION OF STUDENTS Please phone before 2.30pm with any messages if you will be late picking up your child.

SCHOOL CANTEEN The canteen operates on Monday to Friday each week. Any payments or orders for the canteen should be taken directly to the canteen. SCHOOL CAR PARK Parents are reminded that the school car park is for STAFF PARKING ONLY. Parents are asked not to drop children off in the car park, park in or walk through the car park. There is a gate near the administration office for pedestrian access. UNIFORM SHOP HOURS Mondays: 8.30am to 9.00am Fridays: 8.30am to 9.30am