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Welcome to Term 3. We were looking at a more positive COVID situation prior to the commence of this term but with new cases on the rise some of our plans have had to be shelved.
Please keep any child home who is unwell and monitor symptoms. I know this is Flu season but we all need to be extra vigilant during this time and help to keep our community safe.
Our term calendar has included a few events that we are hoping will run smoothly. We have started the term with Gymnastics for all classes taking place over Mondays and Fridays for the term. Cost for students were part of our school pack.
Peer Support has recommenced with Session 3 taking place last Friday. These lessons will continue for the next 6 weeks. A great job by our Yr 6 leaders saw every child enjoying the chance to learn and meet their buddies in a more social environment. Well done to all!
Scripture for Protestants only will recommence in Week 5, Wednesday,19th August. We have no Catholic Scripture volunteers and Ethics classes will not proceed either this term
Our Athletics Carnival will take place over 2 days with K-2 holding their events here at school and Stage 2 and Stage 3 students walking to Saunders Park. Unfortunately no spectators are allowed to either site. Students may wear House colours on their day.
Thanks for taking the opportunity to meet with staff for Parent Interviews. These will be conducted over the phone.
Please ensure all students are wearing correct uniform and please ensure all items are clearly labelled. Lost property has some expensive and quite new items sitting unclaimed!!!
Lego Land comes to Blackwell! Mrs Reed has been busy behind the scenes organising a special privilege week at the end of the term. To celebrate the library will be open on special days for each stage to compete in some simple challenges! More details to be given to students next week. I am currently bidding for bulk Lego pieces on EBay!!!!
Unfortunately in this current climate we have decided NOT to hold auditions for either dance or choir. The staff have debated over making this decision and are very aware that many students may be disappointed. Please be assured we are doing our very best to keep events and programs happening where department guidelines allow.
Kristine Hudswell
Principal
Kinder 2021 Enrolments. Please ensure you have collected an enrolment form, complete and return as soon as possible so we have an accurate indication of our kinder numbers for 2021. All enrolments must have proof of address and live within our school boundaries. Enrolment guidelines are to be strictly enforced as we are over our entitlements and as such are capped for Blackwell. Siblings do NOT automatically guarantees an enrolment this year.
If you have a child due to start school who is turning 5 on or before 31st July 2021, or know of someone with a school aged child living in the area, please let them know that they can come and collect an enrolment form from our front office and when completed it can be returned to our office with:
- Original Birth certificate
- Current Immunisation certificate
- Proof of Address - 100 points ID (eg Utility Bill, Rental Agreement or Council Rates)
A NOTE FORM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
We have had a busy start to Term 3. This term we will try to get back to ‘normal’ activities.
Gymnastics
Stages 2 and 3 plus KK, KH, 1H and 1T have gymnastics on Monday. Kinder and Stage 1 have gymnastics on Friday.
Each child sanitises their hands before they use any equipment and all equipment is wiped down before each session begins. This is part of the contribution to the School Pack and all students who have paid for their school pack will participate in gymnastics.
Confirmed Incursions
The Performance “Circus of Life” related to wellbeing and resilience will be at the school later in the term. Sessions will be held over 2 days so numbers are not large.
“Itty Bitty Beats” will also be her for Early Stage 1 students in Week 9.
Again, this is part of the school pack contribution.
School Photos
These have been confirmed for Wednesday, 16th September. Family photos and Group photos will be taken on this day as well. A busy day to catch up from Term 1. Envelopes will go home after Week 6 and you will still be able to order photos if you did not do so in Term 1.
Canteen tender
We have now completed the process for the canteen tender. The school formed a committee to review all tenders submitted and visited other school canteens before reaching it's decision.
The school canteen has been run by Mel Brown for the past 10 years but unfortunately was not successful in attaining the tender this time around. We are sad to see her go and thank her and her staff most sincerely for the valuable contribution she has made to our school community. We wish her and her family all the best for the future.
Kids Pantry Canteen was the successful applicant and will be operating from Day 1, Term 4. We look forward to welcoming them to Blackwell.
What is Working Memory? Tips to improve.
Working memory is the ability to work with information – following directions, getting out the right book, follow order of instructions, knowing where to go in the school, difficulty in listening.
Poor working memory in students is an indicator of a child’s ability to learn. The child has difficulty keeping up with the information, take it all in and use that information. The memory is unable to save and use the information coming in.
Students who display poor working memory have:
Difficulty following instructions
Cannot remember what is asked
Easily distracted
Fidgety
Loses track in tasks
Does not complete tasks in time
Gives up easily
Needs constant reassuring
Difficulty learning times tables
Forgets what is read after each word and after each sentence
Struggles with comprehension
Handwriting is difficult to understand.
You can help by:
- See it – get child to draw and describe what they hear when reading
- Directions – give verbally and visually. Get child to repeat back and explain. Give checklist
- Games – card games, scrabble, memory games help build memory skills
- Do it Again – do lots of examples when learning something new. Lots of repetition.
- Give instructions one at a time
- Chunk information together
- “Your brain needs to hear what you are saying” – read aloud, write aloud, learn aloud.
Rehearse information out loud – hear what you have to do, retell the instruction , state what you have to do or learn facts out loud.
Have a good few weeks.
Judith Wilson
Deputy Principal
Hi Everyone,
We have our next meeting coming up on Monday, 3rd August at 7pm. It will be another Zoom call and details will be posted shortly to dial into.
We also still have the open position of Treasurer if anyone is keen to assist the P&C.
As usual, our meetings focus on issues that parents see as critical and Mrs Hudswell gives a great summary of the recent activities around the school.
Very easy to make an evening cuppa and join the Zoom meeting to keep informed at what is going on at Blackwell.
Kind regards
Frank Zlendich
2020 President - Blackwell Public School P&C
On behalf of the P&C Executive
PARENT / TEACHER PHONE INTERVIEWS
Parent / Teacher PHONE Interviews will be held in Term 3, the week beginning Monday. 3rd August till Friday, 7th August 2020.
Bookings will close today Wednesday, 29th July at 3pm.
WEBSITE
https://blackwellps.schoolzineplus.com/
SZAPP ALERTS
CLICK HERE FOR HOW TO GUIDE:
https://www.schoolzine.com/szapp-installation
https://www.facebook.com/blackwellps/
If you have any problems, please see the front office.
The SZapp APP gives your access to:
Latest newsletter
School Calendar
Absentee
Other forms & documents
and links to Facebook and Website.
Please note in Term 3 the Uniform Shop will be open on Tuesdays from 2:30pm - 3:30pm. Online ordering is available.
Upcoming Events
Yr 3 – Yr 6 Athletics Carnival
When: Wednesday, 12th August 2020
Where: Saunders Park, St Clair
Cost: Nil
Permission Note to be returned to the CLASS TEACHER by Friday, 7th August 2020.
Under current COVID-19 conditions, NO SPECTATORS are able to attend school sporting events held during school hours.
Stage 3 Camp
Where: Hill End Ranch Camp, Hill End
When: Yr 5 Wed 23rd to Fri 25th September 2020
Yr 6 Wed 14th to Fri 16th October 2020
Cost: $230
Permission Note and money to be returned to the front office. Payments by cash, cheque or online, in instalments or in one lump payment. FULL PAYMENT OF CAMP NEEDS TO BE PAID PRIOR TO STUDENTS GOING.
Medication at School
Please ensure that the front office has ALL of your updated medical information and any medication required.
All Anaphylaxis & Asthma Plans need to be updated annually.
Zac | KD |
Flynn | S1W |
Welcome Back
Stage 3 teachers would like to welcome back everyone to Term 3 2020. We are going to be working hard this term on some new units which includes an English Unit on Fairy Tales, Gold, Forensic Science and Global Connections in Geography. We will be continuing with our assessments Week 5 and Week 10 so it is very important that students turn up to school ready to learn when they are well.
CAMP
We are still holding on to a glimmer of hope that our camp will still go ahead this year to Hill End. Permission notes have gone out to students yesterday. From our expression of interest we have 55 Year 5 and 66 Year 6 interested on going to camp. There will be no room for any extras as we are reorganising buses to accommodate.
Absent Days
Parents please remember that if your child is away, a note to explain the absence needs to be sent into the teacher within seven days of the absent date. It is important that if your child is unwell that they stay at home.
High School
Year 6 should now know where they are going to High School. Information about student’s achievements and academic history is now being passed on to Year 7 coordinators. High Schools will be in contact with families to let them know about Orientation days and Uniform try on. If you need any more info about High School, please contact the High School.