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Kinder 2022 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 2022. 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 guarantee an enrolment this year.
If you have a child due to start school who is turning 5 on or before 31st July 2022, 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)
NEWS FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
It is hard to believe that Term 2 is coming to a close, ending with an incursion “Didgeribone” by Aboriginal performer – Tjupurru. He is from the Djabera Djabera people from the Kimberley region of WA who uses both personal and ancestral stories in his performance. This incursion is a lead on to Naidoc Week which usually occurs in these school holidays. It will be a good introduction for activities that will be done in Term 3.
The Home School Liaison Officer from the Department visits our school twice a term. Absenteeism and poor attendance is becoming a concern at Blackwell. The department expects a 90% attendance for each child, which amounts to 45 days each term where a child is present at school all day. This means that less than 1 day per week or no more than 5 days per term absent is expected.
There are many children who have less than 90% attendance. It is so important to come to school each day. What is taught in one day cannot be caught up at a later date. I will be contacting parents via phone or email indicating an improvement in attendance at school is needed. For some, the Department and, as such, our school is requiring a medical certificate for any type of absence. Many students have a pattern where Mondays or Fridays are absent, or there is a birthday. If a family holiday is on your agenda, this needs to be discussed with the Principal of the school. The Department policy outlines that families take holidays in the designated holiday periods after each term. The HSLO officer, Simon Clapham, discusses the reasons why students are absent. If you put ‘sick’ in your SMS messages, or flu, or gastro, and it is the same reason for many absences, then a medical certificate is required. This indicates a chronic illness and must be verified by a Doctor.
I can’t stress how important it is to have uninterrupted schooling. 5 days absent throughout the term means 1 week of schooling has been missed. Over the year, 4 weeks of schooling, which is almost half a term, is missed!
Having said that, I wish to thank you all for cooperation and support for what we do here at Blackwell. It is only when we work hand in hand that we can get the best for your child.
Enjoy the next 2 weeks with your little ones and we’ll see you back for Term 3.
Kind regards
Judith Wilson
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
It’s Growth Mindset Time Again! …..
The catch cries for June and July are:
“BIG IDEAS START SMALL”
“We have grit and we don’t quit”.
Remember this; ‘I can change my mindset with my words’.
Instead of “I am not good at this.” I can say: “I am not good at this YET, but I will learn.”
Instead of “I am great at this.” I can say: “I practised and learned how to do this.”
Instead of “This is too hard.” I can say: “This will need effort and finding the right strategy.”
Instead of “This is too easy.” I can say: “How can I make this more challenging?”
Instead of: “I am afraid to make a mistake.” I can say: “When I make a mistake, I will learn from it and get better.”
Instead of: “I give up.” I can say: “I will succeed if I make an effort and find a better strategy.”
Instead of: “I can’t do this.” I can say: “I need some feedback and help from others.”
Instead of; “This is good enough.” I can say “Is it my best work? Can I improve it?”
Instead of: “I won’t try because I might fail.” I can say:” If I fail, I can try again until I succeed.”
Instead of “I am not as smart as my friend.” I can say: “I am in charge of how smart I am because I can grow my brain by learning difficult things.”
ANTI-RACISM CONTACT OFFICER (ARCO)
Dear Parents / Carers,
My name is Mrs Reynolds and I am the Anti-Racism Contact Officer for Blackwell Public School.
In accordance with the Department of Education's (Anti-Racism Policy) each school must have an Anti-Racsim contact. At Blackwell we reject all forms of racism and are committed to eliminating racial discrimination.
As the ARCO, my role is to assist by providing:
1. Advice on the procedures to resolve concerns or complaints about racism.
2. Support during the process to reach a resolution.
Interpreter Assistance
Interpreters are also available during meetings with school staff. The school can organise one and there is no charge for these interpreting services. The phone number is 131 450 should you wish to contact the service directly.
Should you require any further information please consult the NSW Department of Education's (Anti-Racism Policy) and the School Community and Consumer Complaint Procedure.
Yours sincerely,
Bev Reynolds
Anti-Racism Contact Officer
PEER SUPPORT 2021
FEEDBACK FROM SOME OF OUR STUDENTS
In term 2 Year 6 were involved in a program called Peer Support. This program was designed to motivate students to become a better student.
Each Year 6 led a group of younger students (K-6) and conducted different activities. Paper aeroplane, helicopter, kite, flying saucer and balloon rocket.
I think this a good program because you do lots of exciting activities, it boosts your social skills, you get to meet new people and learn how to make things. The activity I liked the most was the paper aeroplane because you raced it at the end and it went further than the rest of the activities. I enjoyed these activities because they are craft activities.
BRENDAN S3F
Peer Support was a leadership program that year 6 were involved in during term 2. This program was for year 6 students to lead younger students all around Blackwell Public School. Younger students years up to kindy to year 5 were placed into groups to socialize and be motivated. This also helped year 5 and year 6 students experience a leadership role.
Year 6 would lead through each step during different activities likewise paper aeroplanes, helicopters, kites, balloon rockets and flying saucers.
I found peer support amazing. I could help my group having fun and socializing. I had a K2O kid who was very good and made the right decisions most of the time. I myself was also having fun doing all the activities. I preferred the handmade activities. The year 5 student would help me out when I needed it, I didn't even have to ask them. I enjoyes peer support very much and found it sad when it ended because I wouldnt get to do the fun activities with them and hang out much more. But I still see them around the school and say hi.
SHELBEE S3F
In term 2, year 6 were involved in a leadership program called Peer Support. This program was designed to motivate students to become more confident around other kids and participate in different activities.
Each year 6 led a group of younger stdents and conducted different activities, paper aeroplane, helicopter, kite, flying saucer, balloon rocket.
I think peer support was a great opportunity to know other students in the school. My group had lots of fun creating stuff, especially creating the flying saucer. We played outdoor activities and we mainly played duck, duck goose, I enjoyed working with the kids.
JULIET S3F
In term 2 year 6 were involved in a leadership program called Peer Support. This program was designed to motivate students to become more social and step out of their comfort zone by working with others.
Each year 6 led a group of younger students and conducted different activities.
I really loved peer support , it was really fun and I wish I could do it again. These activities were really cool and I loved both craft and colouring activities, but if I had to choose one it would be craft. The craft activities are really fun to make and it gives a leader an experience of leading a group and giving instructions making them more independant. The younger students really enjoyed gluing, cutting and colouring in cool paper creations. I really loved leading a group and I hope next years leaders will feel the same way.
CHARLIZE S3F
I loved peer support, however some of the year 1's didn't listen neither did the kinders. I also liked getting to know more people. My year 5 was helpful as was year 4. I know that many other kids would love to be a leader and participate in peer support.
I also think that the activities were a bit hard for my group and so were the instructions.
MYLEIGH S3V
I feel very strongly about how much I loved peer support. I enjoyed meeting new people, being a leader and seeing the little kids enjoy it.I would like to tell you how much I appreciate my year 5 and year 4 Sienna and Malachi who helped so much with the rest of the group. I also was amazed how much my kindy buddy got involved with the rest of the group. For my group peer support didn't just let us have fun but it helped us make new friendships. I really hope peer support can go on for many more years making kids smile and letting them bond. The only bad feedback I would give is that the activities were a bit hard (even for me). Thank you so much for peer support.
MICHA S3V
I just wanted to say I loved peer support so much, I think it was the absolutely best way to introduce new people to others . I loved being a leader with Noor and seeing people in each stage. The activities are actually really nice and unique in every single way and I know a lot of kids loved it!
VALERY S3V
Parents are able to make online payments to the school for amounts owing for students, via a secure payment page hosted by Westpac. Payments can be made using either a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, and can be made via computer. The payment page is accessed from the front page of the schools website by selecting $ Make a payment Button below.
Items that can be paid include the school pack, excursions, creative and practical arts activities (these include choir, drama and dance). There is also a category called ‘Other’ to cover items not covered in the previous headings. Other can be used to make a complete payment of a school invoice.
When you access the $ Make a payment you must enter:
- the students name and class, date of birth
- contact details-full name, phone number and email address
- payment item-other, then description
These details are entered each time you make a payment as student information is not held within the payment system.
This is a secure payment system hosted by Westpac to ensure that your credit/debit card details are captured in a secure manner, these details are not passed back to the school.
You have the ability to check and change any details of the payment before the payment is processed
Details of the payments are passed daily to the school where they will be receipted against your child’s account. For any enquiries regarding the Online Payment process please contact the School Administration Office.
**PLEASE NOTE** Please do not pay any online payments which should be paid to a third party provider. For Example, School Photographers; P&C Fund-Raising etc. If unsure please call the school to check. CASH Only when paying at the Front Office.
Upcoming Events
School Packs 2021
Year 5 Canberra Camp
Who: Year 5 Students
When: Wednesday, 10th Nov to Friday, 12th Nov 2021
Cost: $350
Balance due by Friday, 15th October 2021.
Year 6 Canberra Camp
Who: Year 6 Students
When: Wednesday, 24th Nov to Friday, 26th Nov 2021
Cost: $350
Balance due by Friday, 15th October 2021.
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.
If prescribed medication is to be given to students at school, a blister pack either supplied from the chemist or in its original packaging is now required. Medication that needs to be cut will need to be done so by a pharmacist and delivered to the school in a blister pack.
Contact Information
Please ensure your contact details are updated at the front office so we can to contact you.
Student Attendance
If your child is absent from school you will receive an SMS at approximately 10am requesting a reason for their absence. If you could please respond to the SMS the school is then able to update their records using this system. You are not required to contact the school by phone prior to 10am to advise of your childs absence. Thank you for your continued support.
We are collecting ALL types of bread bags not just WONDER
WEBSITE
https://blackwell-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
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
UNIFORM SHOP DAYS & TIMES
Tuesday 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Thursday 8.30am to 9.30am
STAGE 3
REPORTS
Reports were sent home last week and hope all parents have taken the opportunity to read the report and make an appointment to see their teacher. Parents can I please ask that you put these reports away in a safe place, especially our Year 5 reports. Your 2023 High School will more than likely ask for a copy and it saddens me that I had to print out reports this year because they were lost or misplaced.
ABSENT DAYS
Your child needs to be at school. Sure, if they are sick then they should stay at home, but we have quite a few students whose attendance for semester 1 is around 70%. For students to really achieve they need to be at school over 90% of the time. Our goal for Semester 2 is to improve our attendance and lift our percentage to over 90%.
LEXIA
Parents we have paid lots of money for this program and offer it free to every child in stage 3 but we still have very low completion rates. We are asking for students to complete at least 20minutes 3 times a week at home.
Year 6 should be reaching Level 21 by the end of the year. All students have their username and logon details.
BREAK
Please enjoy your break Stage 3 and the teachers look forward to working hard during Semester 2. Year 6 you only have about 100 days of Primary school left so make the most of it.