Inside this issue:

Principal’s Message, School Banking

1

Increasing Social Distancing Precautions

2

Teacher Profile 3

2/3 C Learning Fun 4

5/6 F & 6P Leadership Training 5

PBL News 6

Library News 7

Canteen News 8

Save the Date Careers Day 9

Preschool Fees, Year 6 Shirts, Details & Permissions, Screen Printing,

10

Saver Plus, Port Stephens Library 11

P&C Fundraiser 12

IRRAWANG PUBLIC SCHOOL

An Innovative, Vibrant and Diverse Learning Community

Term 1, Week 8, 20th March 2020

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Parents/Carers and the entire Irrawang Community, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone in our school community for the support you have shown during these unprecedented times. We are all going through this for the first time together and I am very thankful that we are being precautious and safe as a school and a community, without panicking. As a school we are following social distancing guidelines and enhanced hygiene procedures to maintain the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. I appreciate those parents and carers who are: *Keeping children at home who are unwell or have respiratory issues. *Providing drink bottles for their child to reduce bubbler usage. *Encouraging increased hand washing and coughing into elbows. *Sending their child to school as close to the 8.55 am bell as possible.

We have also postponed assemblies, excursions, school photos, scripture, NDIS visits, volunteer helpers, breakfast club and other additional activities/people coming into the school as an extra precautionary measure. Thank you once again for your ongoing support.

Stacy Mathieson

Irrawang Public School 21 Geer Street

RAYMOND TERRACE NSW 2324 P: 49872403/ 49872600

F: 49874063 Principal:

Stacy Mathieson Webpage:

http://www.irrawang-p.schools.nsw.gov.au Email:

irrawang-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY LEARNING RESPECT

School Calendar 2020 TERM 1

Notice from CommBank School

Banking:

School Banking temporarily unavailable

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence.

Increasing Social Distancing Precautions

To enhance the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and community, we are making the following changes to our morning and end of day procedures.

This will come into effect Monday 23rd March, 2020. Mornings: We still ask that parents/carers send their child to school if they are well, just before the 8.55am bell – NO EARLIER please.

Morning changes: Parents and Carers are required to drop their child at the gate, rather than entering the school grounds themselves. If your child is late, do not accompany them to the office. Instead ring the school and let the office know you have done so. During the day: If your child needs to be collected throughout the day, they will be sent to the office when you arrive to collect. You will not be able to go to the classroom to collect your child. End of Day changes: All parents/carers MUST wait outside the school gates. There will NO LONGER be a parent pick up line. All students will be escorted out of the school gates by staff. Parent Pick Up line: If your child is usually in the parent pick up line, please complete the slip below and send it in with your child before Monday 23rd March. Mrs Mathieson will also have spare slips at parent pick up today and tomorrow to complete if that is easier. NB: There are no changes at this stage to assisted school transport vehicles, support class routines or preschool routines. Thank you for your ongoing support. Stacy Mathieson Please complete and return this slip if your child usually exits the school via the parent pick up line.

My child/ren: _________________________________________________Class: _________

_________________________________________________Class: _________

_________________________________________________Class: _________

Will now need to be placed in the following exit line. (Please circle ONE ONLY) 1. Geer St Gates 2. Cambridge St Gates 3. Bus line – Cambridge St 4. Roslyn St Gates 5. Bus line – Geer St

Parent Name: _________________________________ Signature ___________________ Date _________

5/6F& 6P

Leadership Training

at school and

Throughout term 1, Year 6 students have been given the

opportunity to participate in a range of Leadership Training

experiences, both in school and at Riverwood Downs.

The photos show the fun we have had.

PBL NEWS

IPS Staff, School Community, Students and

Parents

are

Safe, Responsible Learners who show Respect

This week we will focus on students learning to

Bouncing back from challenges

Being Resilient and Bouncing Back from Adversity It is normal to have ups and downs in our lives You can bounce back from difficult times if you try Sometimes we need someone to help us out.

PBL Week 8

What’s Hot in Irri’s Library

Business as Usual Students across P-6 have been thoroughly enjoying their Author Studies this term. P-2 have been learning about an Australian legend Mem Fox while our seniors have been engaged in Independent Inquiry Tasks on Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, Morris Gleitzman, Mem Fox and Alison Lester. Students have come to appreciate why these remarkable people are acknowledged as leaders in their field and why they have dedicated their adult lives to children’s literature, shaping Australian society and culture in the process.

Caring for our Books To promote cleanliness and good hygiene in Irri’s Library, students are asked to wash their hands before entering and sanitise them when required. When books are being returned, they are wiped down and sprayed with a disinfectant spray before returning to the shelf. Laptops and computers are also cleaned after each class and toys accessed during lunchtime are sprayed with a disinfectant spray.

In Irri’s Library, we work together to get the job done!

Harmony Week

In Irri’s Library we are celebrating Harmony Week by looking through many great texts about inclusiveness and diversity such as Mem Fox’s, Whoever you Are. Together we will be celebrating Australian multiculturalism, respect and belonging for ALL Australians.

One of our core Australian values!

Easter Book Fair

In Week 11, Irri’s Library, will be hosting their Easter Book Fair.

Students will have an opportunity to come to the Library to view the books and make a purchase. A brochure will go home next week showing some of the popular items available. If there are any questions, please contact Mrs Lynch.

Issue 2 orders have been placed.

For Parent’s Information

Please be aware with current circumstances some of our menu items may become unavailable due to supply issues.

Flexischools will be updated daily but if orders are sent in and the item is not available, we will be asking students to choose an alternative lunch so if your child comes home and says that did not get what was ordered they will have chosen something else.

Can I also please ask that if you are unwell to not come to the canteen window? Please use online or send an order with your child I understand we are living in strange times but I must protect my health and that of our wonderful volunteers.

Thank you

Tracey

Careers Day at Irrawang Public School is all about celebrating career choices and the importance of education in achieving your goals.

We are planning the Careers Day for 2020 and are looking for any parents/caregivers or extended family who may be interested in being a career presenter or helper on the day. In particular, we are looking for any previous Irrawang Public School students.

If you can help, please fill in your details on the slip below and return to the front office before Wednesday 1st July. If you have any questions regarding your participation in Careers Day, please contact Community Liaison Officer Melissa Beasley on 4987 2403 or Gina Ascott-Evans at Thou-Walla on 4987 4666. We will contact you within 2 weeks of receiving your return slip. If you do not hear from us after

this time, please contact us by phone.

Thank you to some of our previous Presenters

CAREERS DAY 2020 23rd September 2020 (Term 3) Looking for Career Presenters

Youth Liaison Officer Senior

Constable Leanne Mann

from Port Stephens Hunter

District Police Force

Parent-Musician / Roadie

Andrew Bettini Parent-Admin Supervisor

Tina Lanesbury from TNT

Compliance Officer & Senior Ranger Peta

Ware & Andrew McAdam from PSC

Road Safety & Traffic Officer Lisa Lovegrove from PSC

Parent- Bank Manager Westpac Bank

Mrs Ping's brothers &

Mr Kirks sons –

Personal Trainers from

F45 Gym Andrew &

Matthew Kirk

Library Assistant Mathew Reed from Raymond Terrace

Library (PSC)

Careers Fun Day Volunteer (Please return this slip to the front office by Wednesday 1st July 2020) Yes! I am able to help with the Careers Fun Day on Wednesday 23rd September 2020. Your name: _______________________________________________________________________

Your child’s name and class: ___________________________________________________________

I work(ed) as a ______________________________________________________________________

and can be contacted during the day on (Ph)______________________.

SCREEN PRINTING:

Reminder: You can leave your child children’s Collared Sport Shirts in the office with $2 per shirt and we will have the school logo screen printed on them for you.

Please ensure your child/children’s name is clearly marked on each shirt.

Irrawang Public School Family Details and Consent Forms2020

Have been sent home with your child, could you please send these forms back to the

office ASAP so we can update your child/rens details and record permissions.

PRESCHOOL FEES Accounts have been handed out.

This year we have invoiced for the full year. Payments need to be made before the end of each term or can

be paid in full at any time. Term 1 fees are due to be paid in full by 9th April.

Payments can be made online at

www.irrawang-p.schools.nsw.edu.au Or by cash at the office/Preschool.

Fees can be paid weekly, monthly or by the term. If paying by cash, please place money in an envelope with your child’s name,

class & amount clearly marked on outside. Thank you

Year 6

Shirts

Dear Parents/Guardians

This is the design for the year 6 shirt for 2020. The T-shirt will cost $42.00. The shirts are a great way to celebrate your child’s final year of primary school. Students will be allowed to wear their shirts any day, except sport day and official functions, (as soon as they are ready) all the way to the end of the year.

Please indicate your child’s size when ordering. Money will need to be paid before the order is sent. Please return the note with payment by Thursday 26th March to your child’s class teacher.

The orders will be sent at the end of Week 9, Term 1, (27th March, 2020)

Late orders will NOT be processed.

Could $500 help you with school costs? Join Saver Plus and we’ll match your savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500 for school costs.

To join Saver Plus, you must be at least 18 years or over, have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself, have regular income from paid employment (you or your partner), have a current Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card and be in receipt of an eligible Commonwealth social security benefit, allowance or payment*

* many Centrelink payments are eligible, please contact your local Coordinator for more information. Saver Plus is an initiative of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ, delivered in partnership with Berry Street, The Benevolent Society and The Smith Family and other local community agencies. The program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.

Contact your local Saver Plus Coordinator

Phone or SMS your name and postcode to 1300 610 355

Email NewcastleSP@thesmithfamily.com.au

Online saverplus.org.au

Laptops & tablets

Uniforms & shoes

Sports fees & gear

Lessons & activities

Books & supplies

Camps & excursions

In consideration of the wellbeing of all members of our community, we are following NSW Health’s recommendations around social distancing as a key way to slow the spread of COVID-19.

As a result, we have taken steps to suspend or cancel all our library programs and events until the end of April. This includes our April School Holiday Program.

Port Stephens Library branches are still open at the time of writing. For more information and to keep up to date with latest developments visit the webpage or Library Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/PSLibrary

https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/live/library/programs-and-activities

This year for our P&C Easter fundraiser we will be selling Cadbury Chocolate Boxes. This will be in addition to our yearly Easter Raffle. Parents will need to order and purchase the boxes in full from the P&C (order forms are available at the office, on the schools website or on Facebook) to then sell to the community, or just keep the chocolates for yourself! There are Easter egg boxes available, so it’s a perfect opportunity to shop for Easter while also supporting Irrawang Public School at the same time. Depending on the type of box, each box sold will raise between $10 and $30 for the school. Tips for selling your treats • Each item sells for $1 per chocolate bar, $4 per chocolate egg bag or $3 lolly bag. • Sell to family members, colleagues, friends or neighbours • Parents/carers must collect their purchased boxes from the front office when they arrive • We don’t recommend that children sell the products – if they are involved, please ensure an adult is with them at all times Boxes available: Easter Egg Box (Milk Chocolate, Crunchie, Caramello)- full price $80 20 Bags sell for $4 each Freddo and Caramello Fun Box (giant Freddo, giant Caramello)- full price $60 60 Chocolates sell for $1 each

The Lolly Box (party mix, fruity chews, snakes, sour squirms)- full price $60 20 Bags sell for $3 each

Toblerone Box- full price $24 24 Chocolate bars sell for $1 each

Payments can be made at the front office using cash or online through P&C Flexischools at https://www.flexischools.com.au/ Raffle tickets are available for $1 per ticket and will be drawn at the Easter Parade on Wednesday 8th April. Please include phone numbers on the tickets. This year there will be limited prizes available due to the Chocolate Box Fundraiser. Thank you Irrawang Public School P&C

P&C Easter

fundraiser