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As hard as it is to believe another term has come to an end and “What a Term!!!”
“4 days learning from home” they said and instead we will have completed 49!!!! Feels like more!!!
The effort by all has been tremendous and now students, parents and staff deserve a well-earned break. Please enjoy the holiday even if we are still in lockdown!!
We all need time to sit, breathe and let the sunshine in!
You have all been amazing and the support you have extended to each other and to the school has built a great sense of community. Many of our families and friends have experienced the Covid pandemic up close and personal. To our families still dealing with Covid we hope you make a full and speedy recovery.
The “roadmap” for our return is still “under construction” but like you, we are hopeful that our return to site will happen!
For the first 4 weeks we expect we will be still operating with Learning from Home. Our staff have already prepared week 1 but take home packages will not be delivered until school returns on Tuesday, 5th October. Monday is a public holiday!! A special mention to our wonderful SLSO team who have packaged and delivered a couple of thousand packages this term and to our SASS staff who have printed and sorted these activities.
We have considered staff and parent comments and will be including a Wellbeing Wednesday beginning from Week 2. This will allow families to catch up on work, if needed, or just spend time doing “family” things. We do think it would be wise to limit devices on that day as well. Staff will continue to provide suggestions to focus on mental health and well being during these times.
Our monthly P&C meeting held via Zoom raised the question of transition to High School. We have contacted Erskine Park High School and are in the process of organising Zoom or Google meetings. These will allow our students to meet some of the staff who will be responsible for Yr 7 2022. The high school are also organising virtual tours and sessions for families.
Our own Kinder Transition program is still being planned and hopefully we will be able to meet our new students and families. Please ensure enrolment forms have been completed and either submitted on line or posted to the school. Enrolment needs to be done as quickly as possible to ensure our staffing meets our student numbers.
The school has established a second Support Unit for 2022. This unit will again enable 7 new students with various learning needs to access their education at Blackwell. I would like to thank the community for their continued support in enabling these classes here.
NAPLAN results have arrived for Years 3 and 5. We are currently organising to have these mailed to each of the families. Please look out for these in the coming weeks.
The term will finish on Friday, 17th September with a “Football Fever” theme which will also enable us to have a “flexi Friday” as well.
We hope you all have a chance to unwind and enjoy the coming warmer weather. Until we see each other stay safe and stay sane!!!
Kris Hudswell
PRINCIPAL
NEWS FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Times have certainly changed. Who would have thought that all of Term 3 would be learning from home by our students. A big thank you and appreciation must go to all families in how you have supported your child and our school during this pandemic.
Over the term, Peaceful Kids activities, mindfulness articles have been sent out to you via facebook and the website. I encourage you to look at this material and to have some time of gratitude each day.
As time comes nearer to when students can return to school, it is likely that there will be anxiety, separation issues, not wanting to come back to school, so it is important to start talking about the days your child comes back to school. Prepare them for some of the feelings they will have, how to reconnect with their friends, what they can do if they are feeling lonely.
The resources in this newsletter will help assist in these matters.
Selective Class for Year 5 2022
The exam for this has been postponed. Families should receive further information to update you about this.
Phonics Screening Assessment Year 1
All students in Year 1 were to have been screened for this phonics assessment during the Term 3. The Department has carried this screening over into Term 4. Blackwell will carry out this screening once students return to school, or unless further notice is updated from the Department.
Tell Them From Me Survey
Each year this survey is open to parents, students and teachers. The Department is still continuing to administer this survey. Blackwell will update you on this survey and soon.
Do take care, be kind to yourself and to your family and most of all, a special applause for the wonderful effort you have shown during these trying times.
Judith Wilson
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Our administration staff are working hard to assist you wherever we can with Learning from Home. Most importantly, helping you access the information you need to get you through this challenging time.
We have tried to make this information accessible across a number of different platforms:
1) Our school website - all COVID updates and Stage Learning From Home information can be found under Stage and Wellbeing information
2) The CLOSED Facebook groups ( teachers are updating this information regularly) and our Public Page.
3) SZAPP - instructions
and of course producing hard copies for families who cannot access these platforms.
Please keep us updated with any changes to your contact information. Whether that be changes to your home address, email address or phone numbers, it is really important we have accurate contact information at this time.
Please continue to return refund forms for Camp and Dance Troupe so that may process these as soon as possible.
Please note that there will be a new uniform price list from Excel effective from today 15th September 2021 and you can find this list under the Uniform article of this edition of the newsletter.
We will continue to work to assist you during these times and answer your questions as best we can. Take care.
The Front Office Staff
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
THE UNIFORM SHOP WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
ON-LINE ORDERS ONLY.
Dear Families,
We have all had our share of COVID-19 challenges during this lockdown and experienced its impact on our health and wellbeing. We are currently still in an unusual time of restrictions, isolation and lockdown. There are so many more things that we have to juggle such as balancing our caring roles, our work responsibilities, our personal needs, helping our children do their distance learning and while trying to help them maintain their attention throughout the day.
The struggles we are going through now are real and our strong feelings of confusion, frustration and anxiety are all valid. You are likely not alone in the way you are thinking and feeling. As isolating as it may seem, it is likely that someone out there is feeling the same as you. We can support each other through this.
By looking after yourself you are also looking after your children. Making your wellbeing a priority and setting realistic expectations for yourself can help you to manage your stress well. Shifting your focus to what you are doing in the present and celebrating small goals that you have achieved as a family can also help boost the morale of your household. You could celebrate with a weekly movie night or pyjama day!
Below is a Tip Sheet that covers some of the areas that you might be managing at the moment, each with a link to a reputable information or resource hub. We would love to invite you to explore the Tip Sheet to help you and your family during this unique time in history. Thinking of you all, with hopes of seeing you all again soon!
School Counsellors
Melissa Daher and Aimee Tang
Frank Zlendich will always be a valued member of Blackwell P&C. Unfortunately he lost his courageous fight against pancreatic cancer on the 17th June 2021. 63 Australians lose their lives to pancreatic cancer each week! Frank's wife Belinda and friend Cherie along with a team of family and friends, are walking 63kms this month in honour of Frank and those that have lost their lives or are fighting pancreatic cancer. You can get behind Team Frank by making a donation - every little bit will help Frank's family and friends meet their goal.