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TRANSCRIPT
ICAS
Principal’s News
As expected, things have been very busy since taking on the role of relieving principal. However, I feel most
supported by the office staff, teachers and students around me. Together, we have been able to continue with
business as usual, since Mrs Cassimatis’ departure. She will be missed around our school for a very long time to
come and has left behind many tangible and intangible legacies including the establishment and extension of
the Support Unit, our new hall and canteen (which were completed under her leadership), the Multi-Sensory
Room, Family Fun Day, numerous learning, teaching and leadership initiatives and a strong focus on wellbeing.
George’s Hall Public School is certainly very fortunate to have her and she will undoubtedly continue to have a
very big impact there. I will keep you informed of progress towards the selection of a new principal as best I
can.
As a result of Mrs Cassimatis’ departure, there have been some executive and staff changes. Until a new
principal is appointed, Mr Nathan Chou is replacing me as classroom teacher of 5/6G. I will continue to be the
supervisor of Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6). Sharing the role of supervisor for Kindergarten (to replace Mrs
Cassimatis) are relieving Assistant Principals, Mrs Colucci (Monday), Mrs Misson (Tuesday) and Mrs Austin
(Wednesday to Friday).
It was with great pride that I received notification yesterday that our own Mrs Hensley has been nominated for
“A Day Made Better” award. This recognises exceptional school teachers across the country. We invite
parents, students, and fellow staff members, or anyone who has ever known an exceptional teacher to show
their appreciation by giving them the recognition they deserve. Exceptional teachers do more than just teach
– they inspire, nurture and encourage students to build knowledge, confidence and life-skills. More
information on nominations is available on the “A Day Made Better” website.
In the week before taking on the role of relieving principal, I had the pleasure of accompanying 60 of our Stage
3 students on the Canberra excursion. I would like to thank all of the attending staff members: Ms Allen, Miss
Birm, Mr Ortega, Mr Robinson and Mrs Turner, who willingly gave up their personal time to ensure that all
students were adequately supervised and received a high level of care and support. I would also like to thank
Guildford West Public School 23-51 Palmer Street, Guildford West, NSW, 2161
Phone: 96329942 Fax: 98921197
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.guildfordw-p.schools.nsw.edu
Term 2, Week 6 Thursday 2nd June 2016
June 6 Stage 3, Public Speaking 13 Queen’s Birthday Public holiday 14 ICAS-Writing 15 Regional Cross Country 15 ICAS Spelling 20 Merrylands HS Yr. 5 Open day
22 School Athletics Carnival
A driver must not stop on a pedestrian crossing or children’s crossing that
is not at an intersection or on the road crossing within 20 metres before
the crossing and 10 metres after the crossing.
Mr Watson, who had previously booked the excursion, ensuring that we were able to visit an extensive range
of high quality and interesting venues. It was clearly evident that, while there were a few obvious favourites,
the children thoroughly enjoyed every venue visited. I was highly impressed with, and proud of, the respectful
behaviour displayed by the majority of our students. In fact at the National Archives, the guide who also works
at the National Gallery, stated that our group was ‘categorically one of the best groups she had ever
encountered’.
We gratefully acknowledge the funding and support of the Australian government through the Parliament
and Civics Education Rebate (PACER), which contributed $20 per student towards the cost of the excursion,
reducing it to $306 from the actual cost of $326, thereby making it more accessible to our students.
In the very near future our girls’ toilets in Block I will be receiving a major upgrade. After previous upgrades, I
wasn’t particularly excited about this. However, once I met with the maintenance representative and our
contractor this quickly changed. These toilets will be out of action for approximately four weeks, with an
alternative arrangement organised while the facility is completely gutted - with ceilings, windows, cubicles and
toilets all removed and replaced. The walls will be painted and the floor tiled. This week the preferences of
girls throughout the school were tallied to determine the interior colour for the new toilets. It will be Baby
Motive Quarter from the Dulux range. A great selection girls! Thank you to Mrs Elderton and the SRC for
organising and accomplishing this within a very short timeframe.
This week we experienced a false alarm with a reported stranger danger incident. After following required
procedure, it was discovered that no incident had occurred. While it was very comforting to learn that none of
our students had actually been at risk of harm, it is a timely reminder that as a school and as parents, we need
to regularly remind our children about stranger danger and try to ensure that children avoid walking to school
alone. Please ensure you consider your child’s safety by having them arrive at school after 8.30am when
teacher supervision commences.
Finally, following a visit from our Home School Liaison Officer (HSLSO), I have been encouraged to remind our
community of attendance requirements. A brochure on Compulsory School Attendance is attached. In an
earlier issue of the newsletter this year, a fact sheet identifying the impact of cumulative absences and partial
absences was provided. If you would like another copy of this information, please contact the school office.
In adhering to our requirements and responsibilities regarding attendance, if notification of the reason for an
absence or partial absence is not received within two days, reminder notes will be sent home, and a phone call
made to query the absence if there has been no reply within seven days of the absence. While we understand
that it is usually an oversight when notification is not received, these procedures are being implemented to
ensure that we are working together to support our children in maximising their education. If arriving at school
after 9.10am, parents are required to sign the children in at the front office or send a note explaining the
reason. Not all reasons provided by parents are determined as acceptable by the Department of Education and
in such cases will be marked as unjustified.
I look forward to your continued support during this interim period.
Therese Gawthorne
Relieving Principal
Community Corner
English classes continue throughout June!
Thursdays in the hall at 9am. Everyone is enjoying coming
along, making new friends and sharpening their English
talking and listening skills.
WELLNESS WORKSHOP for Mothers!
Everyone is invited to a workshop to soothe your inner-
self, reduce stress, learn and share simple ways to improve
your self-care.
TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2016 9am – 11am
GWPS Learning Hub
If you have any suggestions, feedbacks or comments please contact me at school Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays or via email [email protected] Mrs. Sharon Furness Community Engagement Officer
Medication at School
Should children need to take any prescription medicine at school, parents are asked to either come to the office and fill out the medicine book or send in a signed note stating the following information.
Name of child and class
Name of medication
How much to be administered
Time to be administered
Note must be signed and dated by parent.
No medicine will be administered without clear and precise instructions. Please note: If your child needs to have antibiotics 3 times a day, it is advised that they have a dose before school, one after school, and a final dose prior to bed. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Kindergarten Enrolments 2017
We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten.
Please call in at the school office to pick up enrolment forms.
Kindergarten children who turn 5 before 31/7/2017 may enrol.
You will need to bring:
Childs’ original birth certificate or passport and/or visas
Proof of address e.g. original of council rates, residential lease or electricity account
Parents born overseas, please bring original passport or citizenship papers
Immunisation History Statement