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WELCOME TO HPS 2009
I would like to welcome all returning and new parents/carers, students and supporters of HPS to the 2009 academic year. I would especially like to welcome the new students and their parents/carers to the school. Over 50 new kindergarten students have joined our school community this week.
A few highlights of 2009 will be Introduction of Korean Community Language Involvement in Multicultural Project Extension of GATS program and the introduction of an “electives” program Years 1-6 where teacher expertise and hopefully expertise from the community will be used to broaden our educational offerings. Arts in the Dark to celebrate creative and performing arts in Term 3.
I look forward to sharing the journey with you.
STAFFING
A number of staff took transfers to other schools to further their careers, promotion [Mrs Holden] or in Mr Moussawer’s case accepted a one year secondment to work on the regional implementation of the Best Start program.
We are very fortunate to have the following teachers appointed and are sure they will make a valuable contribution to our team Anne Lowther teaching K/1 Ms Rebecca Hoad teaching Year 5 Hae Ryun Martin teaching Korean Community Language. Mrs Debbie Rossi is relieving Assistant Principal during Mr Moussewer’s secondment.
The vacant Assistant Principal’s position created by Mrs Holden’s transfer will be filled through the merit selection process this term.
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
Schools are staffed based on a formula with different weightings for Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Years 3-6 students. As our numbers are changing daily it will not be until the end of Week 2 that our staffing will be finalised. The class structure put in place last week was based on the best estimate of enrolments made last year. It is subject to change and although we expect the current structure to remain it cannot be guaranteed. If any changes are made parents/carers will be informed in writing. The school had to form a number of composite classes, that is more than one year level in a classroom, due to the spread of enrolments and state wide average class number [K -20, Y1 – 22, Y2 – 24, and Y3-6 30] Currently we have a K/Y1, Y1/2, Y2/3 and Y 5/6.
TEXTBOOKS
Reflecting curriculum changes and methods of teaching, fewer text books are being used this year. Notes were issued last year and reissued with envelopes yesterday.
Notes and payment need to be returned on Thursday 5th when the company will be on-site with the textbooks. Sales will commence at 8am in the hall as a support for working parents/carers only. Children will be taken to the hall in class/year groups during school hours. This will be the only sales day. After this date parents/carers will need to purchase from bookshops.
STUDENT WELFARE
One of the main responsibilities of schools is to provide a safe, secure environment for students and staff. Parents/Carers can assist by: Ensuring no student is on site before 8:30am, when formal supervision commences; Collecting students promptly at 3pm; Only entering/leaving the site by using the appropriate gate; NEVER through the car park. The gate to the Crescent will be locked between 9:30 and 2:30 for security reasons; Reporting to the office when coming on site during school hours.
Absences- all student absences must be explained in writing. Any student arriving after the commencement of lessons must obtain a “Late Note” from the office. Where lateness is because of a medical/dental appointment some form of documentation must be provided.
Children who leave before 3pm must:- have a letter from their parent/carer or an authorised person, and for medical/dental appointments some form of documentation must be provided ; must be collected by a parent/carer or by a person who has been authorised by the parent/caregiver and signed out from the office. Any authorisation to collect other than by the parent or primary caregiver must be in writing and will be verified.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The school’s Annual Swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday 4thFebruary at Enfield Pool. The carnival is open to all students Year 3-6 and for Year 2 students who turn 8 this year. A note giving details has already been issued. House meetings were held last week to explain all the procedures to the students. Parents/Carers are welcome to attend and share the excitement.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
This Friday the school will celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox. This is part of our ongoing celebrations of multiculturalism. The activities will be held under the COLA commencing after recess and will include a Lion Dance and food stalls. Parents/Carers are welcome to attend. A special red flyer was issued yesterday.
CLASSROOM REQUISITES and VOLUNTARY SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS NOTES
The NSW Department of Education and Training provides global funding to cover schools general operations, teacher professional learning, short term relief for teachers/support staff, urgent maintenance and utilities [gas, electricity, water sewerage]. The indicative funding base for the school is $60.10 per student.
Classroom Requisites - For the school to operate programs and curriculum areas a payment is requested to provide such things as booklets produced by the school, science materials, maths materials, visual arts materials, computer requisites, and other disposable items required for the class/year group. These vary across the school and reflect changing curriculum delivery, such as in Kindergarten to Stage 2 where Count-Me-In Maths means that the nature of the learning activities requires a wide variety of resources. These will be issued soon. It is essential that these fees are paid.
Voluntary School Contribution- The voluntary contribution scheme is an avenue of fundraising to support specific projects that are outside of normal school funding. In past years major projects have included lighting of COLA, a shade cover for the K-Year 2 fixed play equipment, provision of library resources, new home readers, PE and sports equipment. This year will include such things as shade cover for outdoor teaching space above the forum, additional playground seating for Area C and resources to support specialist programs, such as GATS [Gifted and Talented Students]. These contributions are important in that they provide many resources and facilities that would not otherwise be able to be purchased. The amount for 2009 is $40, which has remained unchanged since 2005.
MEET THE TEACHER-PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
A Meet the Teacher-Parent Information Night will be held, most likely in Week 4 of Term 1. The night allows parents/carers to meet the class teachers, to hear about what is planned for the year, expectations of students and parents/carers, as well as how parents/carers can help, along with other important information. A special information sheet will be issued when class organization is finalised.
HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Open two-way channels of communication are crucial for an effective educational partnership between home and school. Our main form of communication is the Newsletter, which is issued each fortnight.
If you would like to have the newsletter emailed to you please send an email to homebush-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au, with Newsletter request in the Subject line. Include your name and student/s class/es in the body of the letter.
The school web site contains a wealth of information about the school, a calendar, copies of all notes issued and a photo album. Please take the opportunity to click on the sites address http://www.homebush-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ regularly.
BUILDING WORKS
The majority of site works for the installation of the lifts occurred during the school holidays. Some temporary fencing remains in place. The lifts should be installed and operational by mid-term.
CANTEEN
Attached to the newsletter is the new price list for 2009. The canteen operates each day selling items approved by the Canteen Association. The new price list has items coded to assist you with your selection of healthy foods. If you have any questions about products please see canteen staff.
HOMEBUSH PS P & C ASSOCIATION
The P & C [Parents and Citizens Association] is a formal association of parents/carers and community members. Membership is open to all members of the school community. Monthly meetings provide a forum for discussion, have a report from the principal and frequently have guest speakers. The P & C is also an effective fundraiser and has provided items including reading resources, the demountable stage, a giant chess set in the library courtyard. Monies raised in 2008 are being used to assist in the installation of security fencing.
All members of the school community, especially those new to our school are invited and encouraged to attend the meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the library. The first meeting of 2009 will be held on Tuesday 10th February.
Regards
Chris Russell
Principal
2nd February 2009.
FROM THE OFFICE
OFFICE HOURS - The school office is open between 8:30am and 3:00pm
MONEY COLLECTION – Please ensure that all payments are made by 9:30. Collections days are Monday to Thursday only. Envelopes must have the student’s name, class and the activity clearly written on the cover and contain the correct money along with any return slip. Unless advised otherwise cheques should be made out to Homebush Public School. EFTPOS facilities are available every day and provide a convenient and safe form of payment.
CANTEEN NEWS
Dear parents/ Students, Welcome back for 2009. We would also like to extend our welcome to the new parents and children.
As always we look forward to providing good quality food and a high standard of service to the school community.
There a few minor changes to the existing menu .
The price changes will be effective as of Week 3—Term 1 (9th February). Should you have any enquiries please feel free to contact us at the canteen or call Margaret (Manager) on 0402 414 812.
Volunteers Needed!!!
Thank You—Canteen Staff
COOL KIDS FAMILY BASED PROGRAM
A PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit to help children whose anxiety and fears are interfering with their lives.
Please see school notice board or contact Croydon CHC 9378 1100 (Stefanie or Pearl) for more information.
Interest Groups Interest Groups will commence soon for students in Yrs 3-6. They will run for five weeks on Mondays from 12:00 -1:00pm. If there are any parents who would like to use their skills in areas such as cooking, art or languages and take a group (with a teacher working nearby) please contact Mrs Allan-Smith.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
Last week the school submitted the enrolment figures which determine teacher staffing for 2009. As they were within the predicted band structures established in the first week of term will remain.
I would like to welcome Mr Jeremy Maher who has replaced Ms Stinson on Year 1. He will fill the position until the currently vacant Assistant Principal’s position is filled through interview. Mrs Vicki Johnstone is currently Rel Assistant Principal responsible for Year 2.
BUSHFIRE APPEAL
Unfortunately I was attending a conference when the Bushfire Appeal Fundraiser organised by Mrs Vicki Johnstone was held last Thursday. I was delighted and humbled when I phoned the school and was told over $2800 was raised. This is a wonderful effort and all community members should be justifiably proud of their contribution to supporting those who suffered.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
What a wonderful celebration for the “Year of the Ox” was organised by Mrs Tung and Chinese Community Language Students. Thanks are extended to the parents/carers and community members who made the food stalls a fitting climax to the celebration. Photos have been placed on the school website.
MEET THE TEACHER-PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
A Meet the Teacher-Parent Information Night will be held on Tuesday 24th February. The night allows parents/carers to meet the class teachers, to hear about what is planned for the year, expectations of students and parents/carers, as well as how parents/carers can help, along with other important information. An invitation will specific details was issued on Wednesday.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
The date for 2009 school photographs is Tuesday 10th March. An information sheet giving details of what packages are available and payment envelopes will be issued on Monday 2nd March. Note that payment is made on the day the photographs are taken.
NAPLAN
Last year the National Assessment was introduced where all students in target year levels sit the same tests across Australia. At the Primary education level Years 3 and Year 5 will sit for tests over the period 12th -14th April.
ROOM UPGRADES
As part of the ongoing maintenance program of the school Rooms 3, 8 and 14 were recarpeted last week. The new carpets have certainly enhanced the environment of those rooms.
CANTEEN
Often students are short in the money they place in lunch orders. As a matter of goodwill and for students welfare the lunch order is processed by the Canteen workers. It is important these amounts are paid the next day as the canteen does not provide credit.
MOBILE PHONES
In short the school policy which was formulated in 2005 and reviewed in 2008 states:
Mobile phones should not be bought to school.
Where there was a potential safety issue, such as working parents/carers, children could bring a mobile phone to school but it was to be deposited in the office on arrival at school and collected at the end of the day. It was the child’s responsibility to collect the phone on dismissal.
If a parent/carer needed to contact the school that the office was manned between 8:30am and 3:15pm and that urgent messages would be relayed to the child.
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
The school’s student welfare policy is based on restorative practices. Restorative Practice seeks to foster healthy behaviours and stronger relationships. This is best achieved when teachers, students and parents learn to engage with one another in restorative ways.
Restorative Practice uses an explicit framework designed to re-establish significant relationships following behavioural incidents. It seeks to ensure that the consequences for misbehaviour have relevance and meaning within the school community context, fostering individual responsibility and helping develop empathy.
Restorative Questions are used at school and are equally applicable in the home.
Restorative Questions 1.
When things go wrong.
What happened? What were you thinking at the time? What have you thought about since? Who has been affected by what you have done and why? In what way? What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Restorative Questions 1.
When someone has been hurt.
What did you think when you realised what had happened? What impact has the incident had on you and others? What has been the hardest thing for you? What do you think needs to happen to make things right?
A mini training session will be run at the next P & C Meeting.
HOMEBUSH PS P & C ASSOCIATION
The last meeting of the P & C Association was the Annual General Meeting. It was really well attended and there were many new faces, which augers well for 2009. The outgoing committee were thanked for their contribution tour school before an entertaining election was held.
The new committee for 2009 is:- President: Kanchan Bakshi Vice Presidents: Namrtha Sethi, Ravee Sivasubramaniam Secretary: Rakesh Sethi Treasurer: V.A. Manoharan Fundraising: K Baladevan, S. Ansari Uniform Shop: Laltha Parathan ; V.Sooriakumar All members of the school community, especially those new to our school are invited and encouraged to attend the meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the library. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10thMarch.
Regards
Chris Russell
Principal
17th February 2009.
School Attendance
The document STUDENT ATTENDANCE IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS: PROCEDURES is available on the DET internet for the perusal of parents and care givers. This document supports the implementation of the SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY (2005). In general the new procedures reflect current practices but parents need to be aware that in instances where leave for in excess of 15 days is requested a certificate of exemption needs to be obtained. To obtain the certificate parents must approach the school office and complete the application form. The form is then sent to the Regional Director who has the authority to grant leave for the specified period. The exemption form will be forwarded to the school. Upon the receipt of the exemption certificate parents will be sent a copy. If this exemption is not sought a student’s absence is recorded as unexplained.
Scripture or Special Religious Education (SRE)
Special religious education is provided by authorised representatives of
approved religious groups to students whose parents have nominated that religion
and at a time negotiated with the school. SRE is held at Homebush PS on
Wednesday mornings from 10-10:30 for Years K-2 and from 10:30-11:00 for Years
3-6. Students who attend non-scripture are supervised for a period of silent
reading; they receive no formal instruction at this time as per the NSW DET
policy. If you have questions about SRE please consult the DET internet or
contact the school office and address any enquiries to me.
Gabrielle Allan-Smith
Deputy Principal.