We May Be Small But We’ve Got It All Pomona Public School Fortnightly Newsletter Celebrating 100 Years in 2021 Term: 1 Week: 2 February, 12 2020 Principal: David McDonnell Phone: 03 5027 3486 502 Pomona Road Fax: 03 5027 3659 Pomona NSW 2648 Email: [email protected]Website: https://pomona-p.schools.nsw.gov.au Principal’s Report Welcome to the first newsletter for 2021. Welcome back A big welcome back to everyone. How time flies. I hope you all had an enjoyable break over the Christmas/New Year period. We welcome our new students Hattie, Harriet and Ethan in Kinder, Nate in Year 1 and Matilda in Year 6. We hope you enjoy your time at Pomona Public School. I would like to welcome Mrs Bianca Bertalli to our beautiful school. Mrs Bertalli will be teaching the K-2 class this year. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Pomona School operates under the following three values of Positive Behavior for Learning: 1. Respect 2. Safety 3. Learning These values were voted on by students, parents and staff and form our focus for student welfare throughout this year.
Principal’s Report Welcome to the first newsletter for 2021. Welcome back A big welcome back to everyone. How time flies. I hope you all had an enjoyable break over the Christmas/New Year period. We welcome our new students Hattie, Harriet and Ethan in Kinder, Nate in Year 1 and Matilda in Year 6. We hope you enjoy your time at Pomona Public School. I would like to welcome Mrs Bianca Bertalli to our beautiful school. Mrs Bertalli will be teaching the K-2 class this year. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Pomona School operates under the following three values of Positive Behavior for Learning:
1. Respect 2. Safety 3. Learning
These values were voted on by students, parents and staff and form our focus for student welfare throughout this year.
100 Years Celebration Pomona School will be celebrating 100 years of education in October this year. The P&C are hoping to establish a committee to organise an event for this special occasion. They are asking past and current parents or community members for assistance. If you are willing to donate your time and be part of this committee, please contact the school on 5027 3486 or email: [email protected] . Student Leadership Assembly Our Student Leadership Assembly will be held on Monday February 22 starting at 2:30pm. Our student leaders, Izzy, Matilda, Cooper, Tom and Vincent will present their speeches and be presented with their Year 6 shirts and leader badges. School Arrival Times A reminder that students should not be arriving at school before 8:30am unless prior permission has been organised with the Principal. No supervision occurs before 8:30am as teachers are preparing lessons for the day. School Communication A reminder to all parents that communication between the school and home occurs in the following formats. Newsletter – this is sent home every second Thursday, via the Skoolbag App. Skoolbag App – is used for newsletters, reminders and communication at any time. Please make sure it is installed on your mobile devices. https://moqproducts.com.au/skoolbag/installation-instructions/ Facebook – the school has a Facebook page called Pomona Public School which regularly gives updates about what has been happening in the school. Notes – most permission notes are sent home as a separate note. Small Schools Swimming Carnival Please return your swimming notes by Friday, February 12. These notes will be sent home tomorrow with students. The small schools swimming carnival will be held at the Wentworth Pool on Friday February 19 starting at 10:00am. The good news is parents, carers and other spectators may attend sporting events held outside of the school site in accordance with the COVID-19 Safety Plan of the venue.
Class Meetings Class meetings will take place on the following dates and times:
Mrs Bertalli Monday, February 8 at 3:10pm Mrs Forster Tuesday, February 9 at 3:10pm
These meetings are a good way to get to know your child’s class teacher and the expectations they have for students in their classroom. Parents on School Site All parents must report to the office when they enter school grounds. If students arrive to school late or need to be taken off school site before the end of the school day, parents must sign them in and out via the school office. Parents must treat everyone with respect and courtesy and not approach students other than their own whilst on the school site. Covid-19 Update These are the current Covid-19 regulations for Term 1, 2021 regarding parents on site.
Parents and carers can enter the school to:
• purchase or pick up uniforms from the uniform shop
• meet with school staff with an appointment (including meetings for prospective students)
• drop off students to their classes for Preschool, Kindergarten and Years 1, 2 and 7 for the first few days of school provided they following physical distancing and hygiene measures implemented by the school and the Department. Parents and carers may also enter the school to pick up students for the first few days based on each school's arrangements for these year groups.
• attend parent orientation meetings for Department Preschools, Kindergarten or Year 7 and ‘meet the teacher’ meetings with school staff for all year/stage groups. Meetings should be limited to 1 hour where possible. A COVID-19 Safety Plan must be in place.
Recent Premier announcement - Update to COVID-19 guidelines The NSW Premier has announced an easing of COVID-19 restrictions across NSW following updated health advice from Dr Kerry Chant. These measures are effective from Friday, January 29. The key changes being made to DoE COVID Guidelines based on this week’s announcement include:
• Schools in all other regional and rural locations may have up to 50 people meeting indoors or 100 people outdoors. A COVID-19 Safety plan must be in place where there are more than 30 people.
QR Codes for schools Service NSW COVID safe check-in is required for visitors to the school, complimenting existing school visitor sign-in processes, including the external visitors to the school site form (PDF 187 KB). Visitors signing in at the front desk should self-serve using the COVID safe check-in tool as displayed in the poster. Parents and carers who are only dropping off and picking up students do not need to check in using the Service NSW QR code. Sport and Physical activities in schools Interschool sport and physical activities, as well as whole of school carnivals and zone carnivals (e.g. swimming carnivals) can proceed in Term 1. Parents, carers and other spectators may attend sporting events held outside of the school site in accordance with the COVID-19 Safety Plan of the venue (e.g. swimming carnivals). Voluntary School Fees & Yearly Permission Notes In 2021, voluntary school fees have been set at $40. Payment can be made to the office or via POP online. Annual permission notes/consent forms, update of emergency contact forms and student technology access agreement will be sent home next week, please ensure they are returned ASAP. Crunch ‘n’ Sip Each day student can again participate in the Crunch ‘n’ Sip program. This is a time for students to refuel, which improves student concentration. It also encourages them to enjoy healthy snacks of fruit and vegetables and to drink water. All students should be bringing a drink bottle with water in it each day to school. The school has refrigerated bubblers which students can fill their bottles from when empty. I thank parents for taking the time to prepare this food for students each day.
Parent Online Payments (POP) Through our school website www.pomona-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ parents have the opportunity to make online payments to the school. I would encourage you all to use this payment method. This is much safer and secure than sending money to school with your child. Important Dates
2021 School Development Days:
• Term 1 – February 2, 3 & 4 2021 • Term 2 - April 19 • Term 3 - July 12 • Term 4 – Labour Day Monday, October, 4
2021 NSW Term and Vacation Dates:
• Term 1 – Friday, February 5 to Thursday, April 1 • Holidays – Monday, April 5 to Friday, April 16 • Term 2 – Tuesday, April 20 to Friday, June 25 • Holidays – Monday, June 28 to Friday, July 9 • Term 3 – Tuesday, July 13 to Friday, September 17 • Holidays– Monday, 20 September to Friday 1 October • Term 4 – Tuesday Octobe5 r to Friday, December 17 • Holidays – Monday, December 20 to Thursday, February 3, 2022.
We May Be Small But We’ve Got It All
School Uniforms A reminder that purchasing and payment of school uniforms is now ordered online. The P&C and school have been working closely with Laser Signs and Prints to make this happen. Purchases can be made from the following website address.
Please order well in advance as different items may take time to come into stock. Other uniform items like shorts, skorts, track pants, beanie, scarf and gloves can be sourced from local clothing providers like K-mart and Target. Adults On Site/Collecting Students Social distancing rules still apply to all adults on school site. Only essential workers and school staff should be on site. Exceptions need the permission of the Principal and all visitors must sign the External Visitors to School Site Form or scan a QR code using the Service NSW App. Feeling Unwell or Sick Students and staff are not to attend school if they are sick. In accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. Schools will make arrangements for students who present as unwell or have flu like symptoms to be sent home. NSW Health have requested that schools encourage anyone who is unwell or has even mild flu-like symptoms, to arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics. Students and staff with flu like symptoms will need to provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result before being permitted to return to school. Regards
Important Dates For Your Calendar February Monday 8 - K-2 Class Meeting 3.10pm Tuesday 9 - 3-6 Class Meeting 3.10pm Friday 19 – Small School’s Swimming Carnival (Wentworth Pool) Monday 22 – School Leader’s Assembly 2:30pm (Senior Room) Tuesday 23 – Murray Darling Swimming Carnival (Dareton) March Tuesday 2 – Barrier Swimming Carnival (B/Hill) Wednesday 3 – Barrier PSSA Trials (B/Hill)
Year K-2 – Mrs Bertalli A very warm welcome to our new and returning students. I hope you had a refreshing summer break. 2021 brings lots of exciting opportunities to the Junior Class this year and I am looking forward to working with each of your children and watching them grow.
Tomorrow, students will begin their specialist programs in Science, Music, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Sports and Visual Art. On Monday, we will begin our Literacy and Numeracy programs. For History this term we will be studying the topic Families and it would be wonderful if students could bring in a photograph of their family next week. A Class Information Meeting will be held next week, Monday, February 8 at 3.10pm in the Junior Classroom where you can explore the learning space and find out more about the routines that will occur this term, as well as the teaching and learning programs that your children will be participating in. Every student is expected to participate in home reading each night and a Reading Log with further information will be sent home next week. Our focus for the next few weeks is reading for enjoyment. Kindergarten students will begin homework in Term 2, which will give them time to settle in to the classroom. Year 1 students will resume their sight word and spelling programs later in the term. Homework text book programs will begin in Term 2. This year we will be having a Fruit Break during our Literacy block in the morning session. Please pack your child a small container of fruit or vegetables and a bottle of water each day that is separate to their lunch and recess. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss your child’s progress or wellbeing please don’t hesitate make an appointment with me, either in person or by phoning the school.
We May Be Small But We’ve Got It All
Year 3-6 – Mrs Forster Welcome back, I look forward to seeing all the students at school tomorrow and starting the 2021 school year. Over the next week we will be setting our routines for the year, establishing responsibilities, class groupings and learning goals for each student. Next Tuesday, February 9 at 3:10 pm. I will be running an information session with any parents who would like to come into the senior classroom. I will run through our class routines, programs and school expectations. Homework will start on Monday, February 8 All homework is to be returned on a Monday Morning. All students will have a homework book with their spelling words in it, a X Tables sheet and Reading Diary.
Reading Logs are to have 5 entries. Students need to practice their spelling words each night to prepare for Fridays
test. Spelling books are for completing ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check’ and two other chosen activities related to their spelling words
Students need to learn their X Tables, a worksheet is provided to guide them with this. Students will be quizzed on a Friday morning.
Library borrowing will occur on a Thursday so students need to have their library bag with them each Thursday.
If you have any queries regarding your child’s emotional, social or educational wellbeing please do not hesitate to make an appointment to see me so we can have a chat. Have a great week.
Email: [email protected] Website: https://pomona-p.schools.nsw.gov.au Dear Parents, I am currently updating the school’s medical records re: children who have a medical condition (this could be an allergy or reaction, asthma or a physical condition) and require a health care plan as part of the NSW Department of Education and Community requirements. The department states that this should occur every 12 months or when your child’s condition changes. If your child suffers from asthma or anaphylaxis, the school needs to be provided with a plan which has been organized by your child’s doctor using the ASCIA Action Plan Form. Can you please visit your child’s doctor to update your child’s plan if needed and then make an appointment with me at school to discuss your child’s medical plan. Please bring in any updated information or medication that the school should be aware of or requires to help treat your child and keep them safe. It is your responsibility to provide the school with current information about your child’s health condition and with medication that hasn’t expired. If your child requires an Epipen at school it is your responsibility to keep this medication in date and provide the school with a current doctor’s medical ASCIA plan. Thanking you
