Newsletter of Fairfield Heights Public School

July 2019

HIGHLIGHTS

RESPECTING OUR NEIGHBOURS We request that parents / carers respect our neighbours when choosing where to park before school and at the end of the school day. * Please DO NOT park in or across driveways. * NO double parking - this is dangerous for our students. * A list of school zone penalties is on page four of this newsletter.

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY A School Development Day will be held on MONDAY 22nd July, 2019. This date has been determined by the NSW Department of Education. On this day students remain at home to enable staff to work together to plan and develop the school’s educational programs. The focus area for the School Development Day will be Science and Technology.

DAY 1 of TERM 3 for K-6 students is TUESDAY 23rd JULY, 2019

DID YOU KNOW? If students commencing Kindergarten miss eight days in each school term, by the end of primary school they will have missed a whole year of education. ALL CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION Only by regular school attendance can children make the most of educational opportunities. EDUCATION in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age. Once enrolled children are required to attend school each day it is open for instruction. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS The Education Act 1990 requires that parents (including carers) ensure that children of compulsory school age are enrolled at and regularly attend school. The New South Wales Department of Education may take legal action against parents and carers if children have recurring, unjustified absence from school. JUSTIFIED REASONS FOR ABSENCES may include: Having an unavoidable medical or dental appointment (preferably, these should be made after school or during

holidays). Being required to attend a recognised religious holiday. Being required to attend an exceptional or urgent family circumstance (such as attending a funeral).

Being sick, or having an infectious disease. KEEPING THE SCHOOL INFORMED Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. While parents

are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, school staff, as part of their duty of care, monitor

part or whole day absences.

HIGHLIGHTS Page 2

SCHOOL PLAN 2018 - 2020 Each school is required to revise their School Plan 2018 - 2020 and place the plan on the school website. The Annual School Report 2018 is also on our website. The Strategic Directions 1/2/3 indicate the most important ways our school will continue to develop during 2019. The School Plan 2018-2020 directs our school growth and is linked to improved student learning outcomes.

SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT Fairfield Heights Public School is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities for each

and every child.

Every student is known, valued and cared for in our school.

Every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best through engaged, active learning in a safe, supportive and respectful school.

All members of the school community (teachers, students, parents, community members) work together with a definite, common sense of purpose - the welfare of our students.

SCHOOL STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2018 - 2020

Purpose:

To improve student learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy through an integrated approach to quality teaching, curriculum planning and delivery and assessment.

All of our students have a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy and our programs are responsive to their individual needs.

Purpose:

Build staff capacity through focused professional learning and development that creates a school culture where every staff member is engaged in ongoing, relevant and evidence-based learning and practice. Professional learning is linked with curriculum innovation, quality teaching, instructional collaboration and leadership capability that focusses on improved student outcomes.

Purpose:

Support the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and spiritual wellbeing of students.

Our students will be actively connected to their learning, have positive and respectful relationships and experience a sense of belonging to their school and community.

Our students will be respected, valued, encouraged, supported and empowered to succeed.

Establish effective partnerships with our families and wider community.

STRATEGIC

DIRECTION 1

Improve student outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

STRATEGIC

DIRECTION 3

Student Wellbeing : Connect, Succeed, Thrive and Learn

STRATEGIC

DIRECTION 2

Quality Teaching

and Effective

Leadership.

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JULY

3 Year 5 Scenic World Excursion.

5 Last Day of Term 2

6-21 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

22 STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

23 Students return to school

30 Year 3 Wattamolla Excursion.

31 Recorder - Jacaranda Concert at Sydney Opera House

AUGUST

5 -9 EDUCATION WEEK Theme : ‘Every Student, Every Voice’.

6 EDUCATION WEEK - OPEN DAY

7 3-6 School Athletics Carnival

20 -24

BOOK WEEK - Theme : ‘Reading is my Secret Power”.

23 Last day for Blue Awards

28 Horsley Zone Athletics Carnival

SEPTEMBER

1 SUNDAY : Fathers Day

10-11 Gillawarna Festival - Dance Group and Choir. More infor-

mation to follow

20 Horsley Zone Gala Day

25-27 Year 6 Canberra Excursion

26-27 Year 5 Bathurst Excursion

From Mrs Lind’s Desk

Page 3 HIGHLIGHTS

eSafety Commissioner Australian Government

FRIDAY 8:24PM SENT BY UNKNOWN

Don’t tell Ur

mum or dad

Online Safety

Start the Chat

From Mrs Craig’s Desk

eSafety.gov.au Talk to your kids before a stranger does.

No matter what their age, if your kids are online, now’s the time to talk about online safety. It can be hard to know how and when to talk to kids about staying safe online. While they might know a lot about technology, they don’t always know as much as you do about life. To better understand the issues and start the conversa-tion, you need the right tools, tips and advice. Through our eSafety website, you can learn how to talk to your kids about cyberbullying, online predators, sexting and other inappropriate content.

Visit eSafety.gov.au

As Semester One comes to a close, the students of Fairfield Heights should be congratulated on the way that they are meeting the exciting challenges that education brings. All of our students are participating enthusiastically in literature lessons in the library with many students discovering new authors and enjoying reading series of books by the same author for the first time. Our teacher librarians, Mrs Ryan, Mrs Currao and Mr Panagiris are very proud of the number of books being borrowed. Our value system on the playground and in the classrooms is fostering a shared responsibility for caring for our school environment and caring for each other. It was a great privilege to read so many outstanding reports and to know that many of our students are reaching the highest expectations in literacy and numeracy. The teachers K-6 are developing new Science Units ready for implementation in Semester Two. They are designed to develop deep knowledge and deep understanding where students can demonstrate their grasp of central ideas and concepts and use ICT both to develop their knowledge and problem solving skills. Stay safe over the holidays.

Mrs S Craig - Deputy Principal

This term has been very busy with a lot of fantastic things happening at our

school. Year 6 has been participating in a gymnastics program and are enjoying learning new skills. We will also be

completing Peer Support training in week 10 and are looking forward to that. Year 5 are very lucky to be going to visit Scenic World in the Blue Mountains. This

sounds like a very exciting excursion! Early in Term 2, Year 4 went on an excursion to the Royal National Park at Wattamolla. Students explored how natural processes and human activity

had shaped the surroundings. In week 8, Year 1 went to Wannabees Family Play Town, where students had great fun playing and learning about

what they want to be when they grow up. Year 2 went to the Powerhouse Museum to look at how technology has changed

over time. They also participated in Colonial Fun Day. Students and teachers had great fun going back in time! The Stage 2 drama group has been

working hard this semester, preparing a performance. The 3-6 Choir has also been rehearsing for Gillawarna Festival. The SRC has been busy instilling our school values across the school,

providing excellent role models for all students. Students at Fairfield Heights are learning more each day. We are excited about

next term because Peer Support will begin and Years 5 and 6 are going to camp.

Jordan and Olivia - School Captains

What a busy term it has been at Fairfield Heights. As a new teacher to the school, I have been overwhelmed by the kind and friendly welcome I have received from all of the students. Every day I am greeted with warm smiles, hellos and friendly conversation. I have been fortunate enough to work with all of the 3-6 classes this term, in the use of technology. Students have been learning to use iPads and laptops to enhance their learning in all subject areas. They have also learnt how to use more than one program to complete a task. I was very impressed with how quickly students picked up the new skills they were being taught and it was great to see the excitement in their faces when they had achieved success. The 3-6 choir has been rehearsing regularly to prepare for their participation in the Gillawarna Festival. I have thoroughly enjoyed travelling with them to their combined school rehearsals. The students always display outstanding behaviour, making Fairfield Heights proud! Did you know that we have two soloists performing at this year’s concert? The girls are fabulous and what an honour for our school. As Naidoc Week draws to a close, our Aboriginal students have been working with me on an art work to commemorate this year’s theme of ‘Voice, Treaty, Truth’. We have been looking at different Aboriginal languages and the way they say “hello” or “welcome”. Did you know that “Worimi” is how you say welcome in the Dharug nation? Their work will be displayed outside my office if you’d like to come and see it. I am looking forward to another exciting term and going along with Year 6 to their camp.

Have a peaceful holiday.

Mrs S Lind - Deputy Principal

School Captains’ Report

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Fines current as of September, 2018.

Fines and demerit points are subject to change.

All the very best ! S J Gerard - Principal