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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
MEET THE TEACHER-PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
Thank you to all parents/carers who attended the Meet the Teacher night held last Tuesday. The night was extremely well attended with 295 parents/carers signing-in at the various Kinder-Year Six sessions and 99 parents/carers attending the Community Language session.
I would publicly like to thank all staff involved for the thorough preparation, handouts and presentation of the sessions.
Issued on the night were sheets with details of Student Requisites and Voluntary Contributions, see item following. If you did not receive the note please obtain one from your child’s teacher, office or the school website. It was given out on the night so that clarification could be provided to any questions raised.
A short evaluation form is attached to the Newsletter. It should only take a few minutes to complete and can be returned to the class teacher or to the evaluation box in the foyer.
CLASSROOM REQUISITES and VOLUNTARY SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS
Thank you to all parents/carers who have already made payments. It is crucial that Classroom Requisites are paid as soon as possible to facilitate classroom programs.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
These will be taken on Tuesday 10th March. Students should wear their summer uniform. Payment envelopes were issued last Monday. Envelopes should be returned on the day of the photographs with all details completed and correct payment enclosed. Envelopes are to be handed directly to the photographer.
Where students have brothers or sisters here they can have a special photograph taken with their siblings. If you would like this please request a special family group photo envelope from the office as soon as possible
BUILDING THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION
As you may have read in the newspaper or heard in the media the Federal Government is making $14.7 billion available to Australia’s 9540 schools. The timescales are tight and schools have to lodge requests by Friday 16th March. The P & C meeting to be held on Tuesday 10th March at 7pm in the library will be your opportunity to put forward your suggestions. Note that there are certain directions and restrictions, such as no air conditioning, which will be explained at the meeting.
EXCURSIONS/PERFORMANCES
Throughout the year classes/year groups will be involved in excursions/performances. These are planned as part of the teaching/learning program and are a valuable and integral part of the unit of work. It is expected that all students will attend. Financial assistance or deferred payment is offered to those parents/carers who are experiencing financial difficulty. Any such requests are treated with the utmost confidence.
STUDENT WELFARE - ROAD SAFETY
Strathfield Council together with the Local Government Road Safety Program has launched the ‘Watch Out – Cars About’ campaign to promote pedestrian safety in our community.
The campaign is all about reminding pedestrians that as individuals they should take responsibility for their safety and use facilities such as lights, a pedestrian crossing or refuge whenever possible.
Additionally pedestrians should always remember to: STOP - on the footpath LOOK - right, left and right again LISTEN - for all road traffic, including push bikes THINK - is it safe for me to cross? / make eye contact with drivers WALK - carefully and keep on looking for approaching vehicles.
The school has had discussions with the school crossing supervisor who suggested that moving him to the crossing on the corner or Burlington and would provide a much greater service for our students. The few students who cross at the Crescent end of the shops could simply walk along the shops and cross where the supervisor is. It is anticipated the change would commence Term Two.
Regards
Chris Russell
Principal 5th March 2009.
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest Groups will commence on Monday 10th March for students in Years 3-6. They will be offered in areas such as art, languages including Indonesian and Spanish, drumming, gardening, sewing and make and do projects in Human Society and Its Environment. Children were asked to nominate several choices. Unfortunately not all choices were able to be accommodated in the first session, which will run for five weeks. GATS (Gifted and Talented Groups) will run concurrently with Interest Groups. Teachers have nominated students to take part in these groups. GATS groups will operate in Mathematics, Public Speaking, Digital Photography, Games2learn and KWN (Kids Network News). The groups will be held between 12:00 and 1:00pm on Mondays for the remainder of the term. If you require further information please contact Mrs Allan-Smith.
HATS
Hats are a compulsory part of our school uniform and must be worn every day. Coloured and sporting hats are not part of the school uniform and are not to be worn at school. Children without the school hat will be asked to sit under the veranda during outside play periods. School hats are available for sale at the office for $4.50.
PLAYGROUP
A playgroup for mothers/ fathers/ carers of preschool children will be commencing in the coming weeks at our school. It will be most probably operate on Wednesday mornings from 9:00-10:30am. It will be an informal forum for parents/carers to get together and talk whilst their young children will also have the opportunity to interact in a relaxed setting. If you would like to be involved in this initiative or have any further questions please contact Mrs Allan-Smith through the school office.
Gabrielle Allan-Smith
Deputy Principal
HOMEBUSH PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C NEWS
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Homebush Public School P&C News column. Please note that our next P&C meeting is on Tuesday 10th March 2009 (7 pm).
We would like many parents to participate in upcoming meetings. At this meeting we will have the Principal’s report, updates from the P&C committee and many other issues relevant to all parents and students. We are also simply looking for new, fun and different ideas for fundraising and other exciting things we can do in 2009 so come and join us.
P&C meetings are a great opportunity to find out and also have a say about what is happening in our school community. The meetings are also a great place to meet other parents and show your children how much you value their education and how interested you are in what they do.
The information session on the 24th February was very useful. So we would like to thank the school. Watch this space for more exciting news and upcoming events!
The new P&C committee looks forward to your support in 2009.
We also have some light snacks at this meeting.
KANCHAN BAKSHI
PRESIDENT
CANTEEN NEWS
Wednesday Specials are coming. To support busy parents/carers and to allow forward planning Wednesday Specials will be issued each fortnight on the Monday, announced at the morning assembly and advertised on the notice board. They will cover the two Wednesdays. Pre-orders can be dropped into the Canteen Box like normal orders. This will help ensure there are sufficient supplies to meet the Wednesday Specials.
If you have other ideas for our Canteen pleasd rop in and see me at the Canteen. Margaret Benbow.
Bedwetting A new DVD Based program, Bedwetting Cured, has been developed by Dr Mark Condon and Physiotherapist, Margaret O’Donovan. It outlines a successful program for parents to implement at home with their children. For more information and a free Bedwetting Fact Sheet please visit the website: www.bedwettinginstitute.com.au or Phone 1300 135 796
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
I would like to pass on the thanks of the photographers for the behaviour of the children. They said that their job was made much easier by the behaviour of the students and how well mannered they were. It is really pleasing to have such positive feedback, especially from a school photography company whose employees spend most of their time in schools. Well done everyone.
STUDENT WELFARE
ANAPHYLAXIS [Severe Allergic Reactions] The school has a small number of students who due to peanut allergies could potentially suffer an anaphylactic reaction. Schools have provided responsible support over a long period of time for students with severe allergic reactions to allergens such as bee stings. Schools have specific guidelines for Anaphylaxis, which were developed with NSW Health. I have copied part of the document for the information of all parents/carers. “Managing anaphylactic (severe allergic) reactions at school What is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction. It occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen (such as a food or an insect bite). Reactions usually begin within minutes of exposure and can progress rapidly over a period of up to two hours or more. Anaphylaxis is potentially life threatening and always requires an emergency response. Fortunately anaphylactic reactions are uncommon and usually preventable.
Providing support to students at risk of anaphylaxis It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school that their child is at risk of an anaphylactic reaction either at the time of enrolment, or if the student is enrolled, as soon after diagnosis as possible.
As with other health conditions, schools provide support to assist the parent in the management of their child’s health. For this support to be effective it is important that:
 | a partnership is established between the parent and the school to share information and clarify expectations |
| every reasonable effort is made to minimise the exposure of students at risk of an allergic reaction to known allergens within the school environment |
| an emergency response strategy is developed and implemented.” |
It is crucial that any change in a child’s circumstances, especially related to health is communication to the school immediately.
DISMISSAL FROM CLASS
Please note that once dismissed students must leave the school grounds, unless they are involved HOOSH, where they are supervised, an outside activity in the Hall, when the person responsible is on site.
In no circumstances can students use the play equipment.
CHILD PROTECTION
Child Protection and the provision of safe, secure, learning environments are a key responsibility of schools.
Please note the following:
| No students should be on-site before 8:30 when formal supervision begins. Students need to leave promptly at 3pm. If they are waiting for an older brother or sister from Strathfield Girls or Homebush Boys High Schools they must sit on the seat near the front gate. |
| All parents/carers entering the site during normal hours MUST report to the office. |
| All visitors are signed in and out of the school office and are issued with a special badge. |
| If parental structures changes, especially if it involves court orders, the school must be informed. All issues are treated in strictest confidence. |
| Problems that occur between children at school are best solved at school. If you have any concerns raise them with the class teacher or a member of the school executive. |
| Information held by the school is confidential. NO details are released to parents/carers. Even when outside agencies, such as Police or Department of Community Services, contact the school for student or family information if the caller is not known to the school their identity is verified before any release of information. This is standard practice across all DET education facilities. |
| Road safety is an important concern, especially given the location of the school. The habit of a few parents who call children across streets or double park and toot horns is both unsafe and in the latter case illegal. |
| The school cannot publish images, either still or moving, of students without the express permission of parents/carers. It is important that when parents/carers attend school functions they check with teachers before taking group photographs. |
REFUND POLICY
Each year teachers plan a number of excursions, guest speakers and various activities which enhance the educational programs being offered in classrooms. These activities usually have a cost associated with them. Occasionally children are disappointed when they are unable to participate in the activity because they are sick on the day, or late to catch the bus etc. In such cases parents often request a refund of the fees that have been paid.
In making a decision regarding a refund one issue has to be considered: Has the school already spent money for the student to participate in the activity?
If the school has already had to pay for the activity then a refund cannot be given. For example in the case of a live show, the seats had to be booked and pre-paid. In this case this money could not be refunded.
When buses are used to transport children the total cost of the bus is divided by the total number of children expected to attend. It is therefore not possible to give refunds on bus travel.
However, for some activities, guest speakers charge on the basis of the children present on the day. Therefore, the school did not have to outlay any money and a refund would be possible.
Chris Russell
Principal
18th March 2009.
SAFETY CONCERNS
Every afternoon a number of our students go to the Strathfield Public Library and wait there until they are collected by their parents. The staff at the library is not responsible for the safety of the children who visit the library after school. Parents who use this community facility as a free child minding service should be aware of the dangers of leaving their children unsupervised over long periods of time and look at alternative supervised venues for their children.
HATS
Parents are reminded that children must wear the regulation school hat during all periods of outside activity. Children not wearing hats will be asked to sit on the seats under the veranda. If your child does not have a school hat they can be purchased from the school office for $4.50.
PARTIAL ABSENCES
The morning bell rings at 8:55am and children should be on their class line at this time. Partial absences are recorded for all students who arrive after the commencement of the school day. These absences are recorded as “unjustified” unless the accompanying parent has a letter from a dentist, doctor or orthodontist stating the reason for the lateness. Excuses such as ‘slept in’, “running late” or “traffic” will be noted as unjustified. Punctuality is extremely important and children arriving even five or ten minutes late disrupt the smooth operation of the classroom. If you would like further clarification on this issue please contact me through the front office.
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 intranet or contact the school office and address any enquiries to me.
Gabrielle Allan-Smith
Deputy Principal
Zone Swimming Carnival – 2009
On Wednesday 4th March a team of 21 children represented Homebush Public School at the Western Suburbs PSSA Zone Swimming Carnival held at Auburn Swimming Centre. The weather was overcast but fine and was perfect for a whole day at the pool. The program ran very smoothly due to Mr Blundell’s organisation and under the watchful eye of our two referees. We were able to complete the carnival by 2.45pm. The children behaved and participated well in the true Homebush style. Five of our children progressed to event finals. They were Boris, Winona, Vincent, Ho Jung and Anna. Boris gained a third place ribbon in his final of the 9years boys 50m freestyle and will represent WSPSSA at the regional carnival to be held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Monday 23rd March. Our congratulations go to the whole team for their efforts and we wish Boris good luck at the regional carnival. I would like to extend a special thank you to Miss Keating for managing our school team. Mrs Debbie Rossi Sports Organiser
Kindergarten Best Start Assessment
During early Term 1, Kindergarten teachers have been completing the Best Start assessments in Literacy and Numeracy. All activities, analysis of results and entry of results into the Best Start database are now complete. Early Learning Plans to help teachers with their planning have been generated, along with reports containing feedback to parents. The parent reports outline what each child can do in Literacy and Numeracy and offer a range of excellent activities to support each child’s learning. Best Start reports will be sent home with Kindergarten children on Monday, 23rd March.
Mrs Debbie Rossi
Best Start Co-ordinator
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest Groups commenced on Monday 10th March for students in Years 3-6.
Classes are being offered in areas such as art, languages including Indonesian and Spanish, drumming, gardening, sewing and make and do projects in Human Society and Its Environment.
GATS (Gifted and Talented Groups) are running concurrently with Interest Groups. GATS groups are operating in Mathematics, Public Speaking, Digital Photography, Games2learn and KWN (Kids Network News). The groups will be held between 12:00 and 1:00pm on Mondays for the remainder of the term.
One of our parents is currently conducting an origami class and the students are learning new skills during that time.
We would welcome any other parent suggestions for groups that they would like to be involved in next term. If you require further information or would like to discuss your involved please contact Mrs Allan-Smith.