GOROKAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

Dudley Street, Gorokan 2263 Phone: 4392 4200 Fax: 4393 1698 Email: gorokan-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.gorokan-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Wednesday 16th October 2019

Term 4, Week 1 Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

School holidays are an important part of learning and provide students and their parents/carers time to rest and enjoy time with family prior to taking on new learning in the term ahead. We have had a number of new enrolments this week and a warm welcome is extended to the new families who have recently joined our school community.

New School Routines - During Term 4 we will be trialing new recess and lunch timetables. Recess will now be from 11:15am to 11:45am, providing students with extra time to eat their recess and play. Eating lunch will be at 1:15pm to 1:30pm. Lunch playtime will start at 1:30pm and end at 2:00pm. The students have adjusted well to this new routine and are enjoying the extra recess time. All students require a broad brimmed hat to play on the ovals or courts.

Behaviour Cards - Term 4 behaviour cards will be sent home this Friday. I would encourage all parents and carers to regularly monitor their child/ren’s behaviour card which is sent home at the end of each week. I have spoken to the students and encouraged them to set themselves achievable improvement goals for the term ahead. Whilst the students are generally very well behaved, sustained and strategic effort will allow them to be successful in their learning and friendships.

Bilby Bash - Over 30 Aboriginal students represented Gorokan PS at the annual Bilby Bash held at Budgewoi PS in Term 3. They participated in a variety of interesting cultural activities and were wonderful representatives of our school. Thank you to Mrs Coote, Mrs Shoesmith and Mrs Duncan for helping on the day.

Photo- Bilby Bash representatives.

Kindergarten 2019 - As we are fast reaching capacity, parents and carers of students starting school next year are urged to complete the enrolment process as a priority so that important student transition and school planning

can occur. In addition to the playgroups currently being held, students starting school next year are invited to attend the formal GET TO KNOW GOROKAN transition program commencing next Wednesday, 23rd October at 9:15am in the school hall.

Healthy Living Expo - Our school concluded Term 3 with a very successful Healthy Living Expo on Thursday 26th September. We had lots of positive feedback from parents/carers and community members who were able to attend this special event. Students thoroughly enjoyed participating in the activities and showcasing their work as part of the event.

Photo - 2019 Healthy Living Expo.

Staff Changes - There are a number of staffing changes while Mr Zammit is on extended leave for Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4. I will be relieving as Principal; Mrs Ranse will relieve as Deputy Principal and Mrs Maiden will relieve as Stage 2 Assistant Principal. Mrs Farrell will also be on leave in Weeks 1 to 3 and Ms Bertram will relieve as Stage 3 Assistant Principal at the start of the term.

The staff and I look forward to continuing working in partnership with you during the term ahead, as together we can make a difference.

Jason Clenton Relieving Principal

Class Awards - Congratulations to the following students for receiving class awards in the last week of Term 3: KC – Callum and Hannah, KJ - Tayah and Sophie, KL – Felicity and Andriel, KFL - Jasmine and Jacob.

Girrakool Excursion - Please Note: Revised Date – KL, KFL and the boys from KJ will now be attending the excursion to Girrakool on Friday 1st November. Let’s hope for a sunny day this time!

Please make sure you have completed the amended permission note and returned it to your child’s teacher.

Welcome Back - It is hard to believe this is the final term in Kindergarten for 2019. The students have grown into confident, capable learners and we are very proud of all their achievements.

Sporting Colours - This Friday Kindergarten are invited to wear their favourite sporting colours or jerseys to school. Please provide a gold coin donation to support cancer research.

Excursion to Laycock Street Theatre - Our excursion to Laycock Street Theatre on the last Friday of Term 3 was an amazing display of performing arts. The students found it very entertaining and enjoyed the bus ride in particular.

Kindergarten 2020 - We warmly invite all current

Kindergarten families to participate in a Teddy Bear

morning tea on Wednesday 13th November from

10:00am to 11:00am on the infant’s oval. We will be

welcoming new families and students to

Kindergarten for 2020 during this time. Please supply

your own morning tea and teddy bear.

Welcome Back to Term 4 - We hope everyone has had a restful and safe break. We are all excited and are looking forward to a happy and productive Term 4. Please check your child’s school bag daily for any important notes that have been sent home.

Year 1 Excursion - The Year 1 excursion to the Reptile Park is on Friday 25th October. Please remember to pack a hat, water, fruit break, recess and lunch. No lunch orders will be available on this day. The bus will leave at 9:15am and be returning at 2:45pm.

Welcome Back to Term 4 - We hope everyone had a fantastic holiday. Please remind your children that they need their hats for outdoor play and water bottles in order to keep hydrated. We are looking forward to the warmer weather this term.

Selective High School Placement for 2021 - If your child is in Year 5 this year and you would like them to sit the test on Thursday 12th March 2020 for selective high school placement in Year 7 in 2021, please be aware that parents and carers need to apply ONLINE by 10:00pm on 11th November 2019. Further information can be obtained at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes

A note will also be sent home this week.

Welcome Back - We hope that all parents and cares had a wonderful break spending quality time with their children.

Gorokan High School Musical - Some of our Stage 3 students, went to GHS, to watch their musical today.

Swimming Lessons - As discussed in previous newsletters, we will be taking the children in the special education unit to swimming lessons this term. Due to availability issues at the pool, we will be going on Thursday Week 1 for assessment and grouping activities, then will start lessons in

Friday 18th October Kindy Sports Colour Mufti

Wednesday 23rd October to Wednesday 13th November

Kindy Transition (Wednesday weekly)

Friday 25th October Year 1 Excursion - Reptile Park

Friday 1st November Rescheduled Girrakool Excursion KFL, KL and KJ boys Gorokan HS Transition GATS Enrichment Day at Gosford HS Stage 2 Supervisor - Mrs R Ranse

Special Education - Mrs S Crook

Stage 3 Supervisor - Mrs G Farrell

Dates to Remember

Early Stage 1 Supervisor - Mrs D Jeanpierre

Stage 1 Supervisor - Miss L Anderson

Week 6. Please refer to the permission note that was handed out this week.

Being in the Right Place at the Right Time - Although we keep a close eye on our students at all times, some students have been wandering (and running) away from staff when they are out on duty at recess and lunch time. It is important that all students stay where they can be closely supervised by staff. It would be great if you could speak to your child regularly about playing in the correct area where our staff can see them. You could ask your child at the end of the day “Have you been playing in the right place at the right time?”

Mindfulness - Mindfulness is a way of thinking about the present, rather than worries and concerns. It is noticing our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and anything that is around us and happening right now. Mindfulness activities can help children reduce anxiety, to calm down when upset or feeling out of control in a situation, and it can help them learn to handle overwhelming emotions more calmly. Here are some mindful activities to try with your child: Breathing Buddies

Have your child lie on

their back with a stuffed

toy on their belly

Help your child to focus on the toy as it rises

and falls with each breath

Spidey Senses

Instruct your kids to focus on their senses of

smell, sight, hearing, taste, and touch.

It is like to turning on their “Spidey senses,”

like Spiderman.

This is a classic mindfulness exercise and

encourages observation and curiosity—great

skills for any human to practice.

Go on a Walking Safari

This activity turns an average, everyday walk

into an exciting new adventure.

Tell your child that you will be going on a

safari: their goal is to notice as many birds,

bugs, creepy-crawlies, and any other animals

as they can.

Anything that walks, crawls, swims, or flies is

of interest, and they’ll need to focus all of

their senses to find them, especially the little

ones (Karen Young, 2017).

Hot Weather – As the weather is warming up, please

ensure that your child has a bottle of water and a hat

with them at school every day.

Sydney North Athletics Carnival - Six students from

our school competed at the Sydney North Athletics

Carnival today at Sydney Olympic Park. What a great

experience for them all to represent both our school

and zone.

Soccer Gala Day - Our boys and girls soccer team will be participating in a gala day in the coming weeks. Selections will be made over the next two weeks and notes will be sent home. The cost will be $10 for each player. Transport will be the responsibility of parents and carers.

Special Swimming Scheme - As part of our PDHPE Curriculum the Special Swimming Scheme will take place in Weeks 7 and 8, Term 4. The cost of $50 is for the 10 day program and includes bus travel and pool entry. It is a great opportunity for your child to learn how to swim, improve their swimming skills and learn water safety skills.

Get in early and pay a $20 deposit to secure your child’s spot. If you wish your child to attend these lessons and you have not seen a note, please collect one from the office.

Welcome Back to Term 4 – I would like to welcome

back all of our wonderful families. I hope you

enjoyed your holiday break.

School News

Sport News

P & C News - Miss J Daunt

Helping your child avoid

being cyberbullied

TECHNOLOGY AND PARENTING

By Martine Oglethorpe

Cyberbullying of children and teenagers is one of the greatest fears facing parents today. The thought of their child being subjected to heinous words, threats to their physical safety, as well as their social and emotional wellbeing, is something no parent wants their child to experience.

Most of the bullying behaviours we now see are happening from behind a keyboard, playing out in social media feeds and gaming chat rooms. It is little wonder parents feel overwhelmed and out of their depth, especially when for most, online is an environment that is relatively unfamiliar.

So what can we do to help our kids avoid these types of behaviours, as well as give them the skills to deal with cyberbullying behaviours should they be exposed?

Remind them of all of the things they have control over

While it may not feel like it, we have a lot of control over what happens online. We can determine who we talk to, what we ignore, what we share, how we comment, who we follow, who we block or hide from our feeds. All of that, helps us determine who is allowed to play a role in our online experiences and ultimately what behaviours we accept on our feeds

Give your child time away from the screens

Everyone needs a break from screens. We want to encourage regular times when a child doesn’t need to be tethered to their device. Building a wider community away from the screens helps a child or teen build their sense

of self worth. Keeping devices away from the dinner table also gives them a break from being socially switched on and allows them to connect with family without a device. Removing devices at night helps their active brains to switch off, and prepare for sleep.

Role play possible responses

Discuss with your child whether they should respond to bullying or nasty online comments, If they do, then consider how they could respond. Consider the statements or types of people they ignore, block or report.

Regularly check the privacy settings

Every app, game and social network has a settings button that enables you to determine how positive an experience your child can have on that platform and how much control they have. Visit these settings regularly to look at the options available

While nothing is guaranteed particularly when it comes to the online world, we can certainly be taking steps to help our kids. We can give them skills, encourage positive behaviours and thinking that allow them to minimise their exposure to the bullying behaviours of others.

If your child is being cyberbullied you can also access the reporting tool at esafety.gov.au

Parenting Ideas