TERM 1 | WEEK 8 | 18 MARCH

IMPORTANT DATESWed 20/3 Student Banking

Thurs 21/3 Harmony Day

Friday 22/3 Scope IT - Stage 3

Wed 27/3 Student Banking

Friday 29/3 Scope IT - Stage 3 School Photo Day

Takari Ave Clare Point NSW 2250 | 02 4325 0594 | pointclare-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.pointclare-p.schools.nsw.edu.au | www.facebook.com/PointClarePS/ | pointclareschoolcouncil@gmail.com

NEWSLETTERPOINT CLARE PUBLIC SCHOOL

Nurturing Inspiring Achieving

Thought of the Week

SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS Last Friday our school participated in the National Day of Action against Bullying. Each Stage performed or presented their collective work to the rest of the students at the Friday assemblies and I am happy to report that it was absolutely inspirational. I am extremely proud to be the Principal of such a great school. Our staff work extremely hard to get the absolute best from our students. This was yet another shining example of how great our school can be. The children are really responding to the anti-bullying mes-sages that the teachers are providing and this year we have expanded the opportunities for the students to have a voice on the issue. A team of twelve (12) students met with Mrs Young and myself to devise a flowchart of actions for bullying behaviours. This flowchart will now be ratified by the Anti-bullying Committee and will be published on our school website and in this newsletter before the end of Term 1. To see more amazing efforts from our students please head over to our Facebook Page and school web page for two awesome songs performed by our clever students.

NAPLAN 2019In 2019, students in Years 3 & 5 at Point Clare Public School will sit NAPLAN paper tests rather than the online tests. However, children in other schools across Australia will sit the NAPLAN online tests this year. Federal, State and Territory Education Ministers have agreed that all schools will move online by 2020. Occasionally we have parents who wish to withdraw their chil-dren from the NAPLAN assessments. NAPLAN tests are a routine part of the school calendar. However, students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer if there are religious beliefs or philosoph-ical objections to testing. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with their child’s school. A student with a significant intellectual and/or functional disability may be exempt from participating in NAPLAN. All other students are expected to participate in NAPLAN and disability adjustments may be made to support individual students. Attached to this newsletter are two forms for parents who met the criteria above. I urge any parents who have concerns and are consid-ering applying for an exemption should discuss this with their child’s class teacher.

Friday, 29 March, 2019

POINT CLARE PUBLIC SCHOOLNurturing Inspiring Achieving

Takari Ave Clare Point NSW 2250 | 02 4325 0594 | pointclare-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.pointclare-p.schools.nsw.edu.au | www.facebook.com/PointClarePS/ | pointclareschoolcouncil@gmail.com

SUPPORTING STUDENTS Following the act of terrorism in Christchurch many people will experience strong emotional and/or physical reactions. People may feel the need to share their anger, sorrow and acknowledge loss, even if they are not di-rectly impacted by the event. Students will be affected to varying degrees and in different ways. How they are affected will depend on their emotional and social ties to the people involved in the event as well as their own resilience, emotional health and support networks. They will also be affected by the community’s reaction and media reports.It is important that all those who feel affected can access support. School counselling staff will be available to support students. If students would like to speak with someone anonymously confidential sources of support are:• Kids Helpline (1800 551 800 or www.kidshelp.com.au)• Headspace (1800 650 890 or www.eheadspace.org.au )

EXTERNAL PROVIDERS – INCLUDING NDIS There has been some confusion lately regarding the processes involved with requesting an External Provider such as an Occupational or Speech Therapist working with a child in our school. Ultimately, there are 4 key steps for parents and carers who seek to have NDIS-funded services delivered in school:

1. Ask the school in writing2. Meet with school staff to discuss details3. Principal considers your request taking into account the needs of your child, other students and the operations of the school 4. If agreed, the service needs to enter into an agreement with the school and meet important legal re quirements.

In addition to this, there are several identity and insurance related matters that the school must check before any provider can enter the site. These processes are mandatory at every NSW public school. SCHOOL UNIFORM REVIEW CLARIFICATIONThe school executive and the P & C Uniform Committee will be meeting on Friday 22 March 2019 to review the current school practices and to ensure that the school meets the required guidelines. A proposal has been put forward by the teaching staff regarding the possibility of introducing house coloured t-shirts for “in-school” sporting activities. This t-shirt will only be worn for in-school activities and we aim to retain the sports polo for when students represent the school at Zone & PSSA events including the Ball Games carnival. Additionally we feel that the implementation of the house t-shirts would boost the sense of belonging for all students and would help further with our evacuation drills. As always, we greatly appreciate our community’s feedback about this proposal and any other general feedback about the school uniform via the following survey. Please note that the survey will close on 21 March 2019 at 5pm.https://tinyurl.com/y2qdgnej

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY VARIATION – REPEATAfter consulting with our P & C Association, the school teaching & administration staff and our Educational Director, Point Clare Public School will finish Term 1 one day earlier than previously advertised. The students will now finish Term One on Thursday, 11 April, 2019 and will resume school for Term 2 on Monday, 29 April 2019. The reason for the change is due to a whole school professional learning event that is only possible on the 12 April 2019 for the teaching staff. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our families and the wider com-munity. We ask that all families please make alternative arrangements for your children on that specific date - 12 April 2019. Before and After School care in Woy Woy are currently taking expressions of interest for parents requiring child care on this day. They can be contacted on 4344 3018, alternatively you can advise Point Clare Public School Before & After School Care of your interest. Mr Scott Campbell - Principal

SOME OF OUR AWARD WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK

SPORTING NEWSWell done to Tristan PM who represented our school at the Sydney North Tennis trials last week. Tristan trialled well, however, did not make it to the next level. Fantastic effort on making it this far Tristan.

Good luck to Toby F and Zac J who will be representing our school at the Combined Zone Soccer trials this week and to Sarah H and Jessie M who will be representing our school at the Zone Netball Trials. We hope the weather holds out for you! Alana Currie - Co-ordinator

GIRL’S CRICKET On Friday 15 March, the PCPS Girls Cricket team travelled to Ad-cock Park to verse Gosford PS. We won the toss and elected to bowl first. We started fantastically, getting 4 wickets in the first 5 overs. However, Gosford came with some batting talent and hit our great bowling around the ground. We finished our bowling innings 9/102. Wickets - Brooke B 4, Annie S 3, Sarah H 1 and Rachel S 1.

It was our turn to bat and the girls were extremely eager and excited and that was evident when Sarah H smashed fast pace ball and with a great catch from the other team lost her wicket early. We then lost a couple of quick wickets, until a great stand from Rachel S and Brooke B held us in the match and got us to 6/54 at drinks break. We came out ready to go and unfortunately lost another wicket in the following over. It was a nail bitter right until the end with PCPS needing 6 runs off the last over with 2 wickets in hand. With some great bowling from Gosford, they were able to hold on and we lost by 3 runs. Final score being 9/99.

It was a great game to watch with lots of excitement. Both teams played with great sportsmanship and had lots of fun.

Thank you to the parents who came and supported the girls, helped with scoring, transporting the girls, setting up and packing up. The day would not have been successful without you. Alana Currie - Coach

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING (PBL) PBL is a school wide behaviour initiative that encourages positive behaviour from all students. The program aims to recognise and reward students who consistently uphold our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best. You will begin to see PBL posters around the school that display the rules for specific areas. These rules will be taught during PBL lessons in class and then reinforced in the playground. Each fortnight teachers will be focus-sing on each of the three values.This fortnight our PBL focus is PERSONAL BEST in ALL AREAS

POINT CLARE PUBLIC SCHOOL Nurturing Inspiring Achieving

SCHOOL BANKING Calling for volunteers – we need your help!Our students really enjoy participating in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program and to keep this program running we need your help.

The program requires volunteer School Banking Co-ordinators to facilitate the banking and distri-bution of School Banking rewards. This only takes a small amount of your time one day a week and the Commonwealth Bank and current co-ordina-tors will provide support and training. Your help with the program will greatly benefit students as they develop vital saving skills while also helping our school with fundraising.

Currently, School Banking day is Wednesday morning.

We are currently looking for two more parents to join our team – then we would only be asking for 2 hours a fortnight of your time to do something for our kids!

If you are interested in volunteering for this great program, please contact Odette on 0414 888 388, message the P&C Facebook page or leave your details with the office and we’ll call you.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBOrders are due back by Tuesday 19 March. Late orders will not be accepted.

P&C NEWS

HARMONY DAY CANTEEN SPECIALS Online orders for the Harmony Day Canteen Specials are due by 9AM tomorrow (Tuesday 19 March).

These orders will be delivered on Harmony Day this Thursday 21 March.

Regular menu items will continue to be available.

P&C Canteen Committee

POINT CLARE PUBLIC SCHOOLNurturing Inspiring Achieving

Requesting the delivery of an NDIS-funded disability therapy service for your child at a NSW public school

Information for parents and carers

This document provides important information for parents and carers who are considering requesting that NDIS-funded services are delivered to their child while at school.

There are 4 key steps for parents and carers who seek to have NDIS-funded services delivered in school:

1. Ask the school in writing

2. Meet with school staff to discuss details

3. Principal considers your request taking into account the needs of your child, other students and the operations of the school

4. If agreed, the service needs to enter into an agreement with the school and meet important legal requirements.

NSW public schools support students with disability and additional needs

Teachers make adjustments for students whose learning is impacted by disability so they can participate in school on the same basis as other students. Teachers work closely with parents and carers to plan for and deliver these adjustments.

Some children and young people may benefit from allied health and specialist therapies for disability related needs. Some examples include physiotherapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy.

This information sheet relates to providers of therapy services who are funded through a child's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support plan or package. Schools work with parents and therapy providers in a number of ways to help ensure that therapy services meet the needs of children and young people and support their participation in learning. This may include contributing to therapy assessments and planning therapy interventions.

The NSW Department of Education and the National Disability Insurance Agency recommend that therapy services for children’s disability needs funded through a child’s NDIS support plan are best delivered outside of school time. This allows the school to focus on teaching your child and all other students and ensures your child does not miss out on important learning time.

NDIS-funded therapy for your child at a NSW Public School: Information for parents and carers August 2017

© 2017 NSW Department of Education 2

However, in some cases, it may be suitable for these services to be provided at school.

If this is the case, the school principal will manage these services in a way that does not affect your child's opportunity to take part in class. It is important that your child does not miss out on important learning and school programs because they are receiving therapy services.

Principals must also make sure that the school is able to run to benefit all students without undue disruption to learning.

How to request the service for your child is provided at school

1) The principal must properly consider a request for a child’s NDIS-funded therapy service to be provided at school. Put your request to the principal in writing so that it is clear what you are asking and there is a record of your request.

2) Organise to meet with school staff:

a) Make an appointment to meet with the principal or the school staff they nominate. This may form part of your normal planning meetings with the school about your child's learning and support. You may want to invite the therapy provider to the meeting or include them in the discussion. Note: Schools will not meet any costs for providers to attend meetings at school.

b) Bring all relevant documents and information to the meeting. This may include reports from specialists, therapists or, your child's NDIS support plan.

c) The meeting will help the principal to consider whether providing the service at school will fit with your child's personalised learning and support provisions and the operational arrangements at the school. This might include discussion of the times when the service would be provided.

3) The principal will then need time to consider your request. A service provider will not be able to work in a school before approval has been given by the principal.

4) If the principal agrees to the service being delivered at school, the school will let you know and will enter into a written agreement with the therapy service provider.

The principal will consider a number of important matters

After the meeting, the principal will consider all of the information relating to the request and how the proposed therapy contributes to your child's personalised learning and support, as well as the potential impacts on other students and the school in general.

The principal will consider:

the school's duty of care to all students and staff

how the service relates to your child's personalised learning needs and agreed educational adjustments or supports.

impacts on your child if he or she needs to leave the classroom to receive therapy

arrangements to ensure that your child is adequately supervised when receiving the service

effects on other students if the service needs to be provided in the classroom

whether the service needs to be delivered at a particular time of the day.

NDIS-funded therapy for your child at a NSW Public School: Information for parents and carers August 2017

© 2017 NSW Department of Education 3

The school will enter into an agreement with the provider

Before starting work in a school, the service provider will be asked to show that they comply with certain legal requirements. This includes a Working with Children Check clearance for all provider staff delivering the service at the school. The school will give providers information about these requirements.

If they have not already done so, providers will be asked to sign a written agreement with the school. This agreement sets out how they will work when in the school. As part of this agreement, the provider will need to record the details of the particular services that they will provide to your child in the school. You can request a copy of the agreement between the school and the provider and the schedule or part of the agreement that relates to your child. Information about the attendance of the service provider at the school can also be made available on request.

The school reserves the right to stop access by a provider if they breach their agreement with the school or if the principal determines that the provision of the service at school does not align with the educational needs of your student or the operational requirements of the school. The principal will contact you before they take this step. If you are unhappy with this decision, you should discuss it with the principal.

Your ongoing role

As part of your role in your child’s NDIS plan, you will have a service agreement with the provider you have chosen for your child’s therapy support. This means you will continue to have a role when it is agreed that the service will be delivered at school. This includes:

Letting the therapy provider know that the school has agreed they are able to work with your child at school at the agreed times and any other condit ions. This information will be included in the written agreement with the school.

Telling the therapy provider as soon as possible if your child is absent from school on a day on which the provider is supposed to go to the school.

Telling the service provider if other activities at school mean that therapy cannot take place. For example, when sports carnivals, excursions, or special events or assemblies are scheduled.

Telling the school if you stop using the service or change providers.

Meeting or talking regularly with school staff to review your child's personalised learning and support plan and talk about how the service is going.

Schools will not assess providers

Schools will not assess the professional skills of therapy providers or evaluate their accreditation.

However, if the school has concerns about the service being delivered to your child, the school will discuss these concerns with you.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Rest breaks *Braille test *Black & white test

NAPLAN support person *Electronic test *Scribe (Writing only)

Extra time *Large print test *Assistive technology

Oral/sign support *Application to NESA required

NAPLAN 2019

Parent/carer consent for disability adjustments FOR Y A19

NAME OF CHILD YEAR

I have discussed my child’s participation in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2019 with the school principal and understand that my child is entitled to receive the following disability adjustments.

(

PRINCIPAL PLEASE TICK

PRINCIPAL’S SIGNATURE

NAME OF PARENT/CARER

SIGNATURE OF PARENT/CARER

DATE

A student with a significant intellectual and/or

functional disability may be exempt from

participating in NAPLAN. All other students are

expected to participate in NAPLAN and disability

adjustments may be made to support individual

students

Adjustments permitted in NAPLAN are intended to enable access to NAPLAN on an equivalent basis to students without disability. The adjustments should reflect the kind of support and assistance provided for assessment in the classroom, noting that adjustments that are appropriate in a learning environment may not be appropriate in a standardised assessment environment.

Disability adjustments must be discussed with the student’s parent/carer and this consent form must be signed and filed at the school prior to the test period. An application must be made to NESA for a student to use braille, large print, black and white, or electronic test material. An application must also be made to NESA for the use of assistive technology or a scribe. Applications must be made through the PAR website. All other disability adjustments are to be approved at the discretion of the school. School approved disability adjustments should be entered in the PAR website when completing the class test participation roll after each test.

Principal please note: This signed consent form should be filed at the school by 3 May 2019.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Language conventions test

Reading test

Writing test

Numeracy test

NAPLAN 2019

Parent/carer consent for exemption and withdrawal

In May 2019 the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be completed by all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN will assess the literacy and numeracy learning of students in all Australian schools.

The results of the tests will provide important information to schools about what each student can do and will be used to support teaching and learning programs. Parents will receive a report indicating their child’s level of achievement and will be able to compare their child’s performance against the national minimum standard.

Consideration for exemption can be given to students: newly arrived in Australia (less than a year

before the tests) and with a language background other than English,

or

with significant intellectual disability and/or significant co-existing conditions that severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests.

Exemption must be discussed with the principal.

Students may also be withdrawn from the tests at the request of the parent/carer.

NAME OF CHILD YEAR

I have discussed my child’s participation in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2019 with the school principal and understand that my child will be exempt or a parent withdrawal from the following tests.

(PRINCIPAL PLEASE TICK)

Exempt (Language) Exempt (Disability) Parent Withdrawal

PRINCIPAL’S SIGNATURE

NAME OF PARENT/CARER

SIGNATURE OF PARENT/CARER

DATE

PRINCIPAL please note: This signed consent form should be filed at the school by 3 May 2019.

We are SunSmart - a note for families Too much UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. Overexposure to UV during childhood and adolescence is a major factor for future skin cancer risk.

You can’t see or feel the sun’s UV so don’t be fooled. Whatever the weather, if the UV levels are three or more, it’s important to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide!

Our school aims to protect children and staff from too much UV to help minimise future skin cancer risk. We are a registered member of the Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart Program. Please help support our SunSmart membership by ensuring your child follows the SunSmart measures included in our policy.

During the daily local sun protection times (issued whenever UV levels are three and above), use these 5 SunSmart steps – even if it’s cool and cloudy.

1. Slip on a shirt - for free dress days, ensure your child wears clothing that covers as much skin as possible (e.g. elbow length tops with a higher neckline or collar and longer style shorts or skirts). Densely woven fabrics are best.

2. Slop on SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen – apply a generous amount of sunscreen at the start of the day and make sure children have sunscreen in their bag ready to be reapplied throughout the day. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. Please ensure they get plenty of sunscreen application practice at home so they’ll be all set when they are at school.

3. Slap on a hat – one that protects the face, neck and ears such as a broad brimmed, legionnaire or bucket style hat. Peak caps do not offer enough protection and are not recommended by SunSmart. Please help your child remember to bring and wear their approved hat.

4. Seek shade – choose shady spots for play whenever possible.

5. Slide on some sunglasses - if practical and approved by the school. Make sure they are labelled AS 1067 and cover as much of the eye area as possible.

Sun protection times

Don’t just wait for hot and sunny days to use sun protection. Check the sun protection times each day so your family can be protected when they need to be.

Daily local sun protection times and weather details are available from the SunSmart widget on our school website, in the weather section of the newspaper, on the SunSmart website at sunsmart.com.au and as a free SunSmart app. Sun protection times can also be found at the Bureau of Meteorology website and live UV levels are available from ARPANSA.

Further information contact SunSmart P: 03 9514 6419 E: sunsmart@cancervic.org.au W: sunsmart.com.au

Where

Don’t forget to bring:

Coast Community Connections, Peninsula Community Centre, 93 McMasters Road, Woy Woy

Bring Your Bills Day & Community ExpoWoy Woy

Services attending• Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW• Ability Links• Australian Financial Complaints Authority

(AFCA)• Australian Hearing• Australian Taxation Office• Central Coast Community Legal Centre• Central Coast Council• Community SOS Financial Counselling

and No Interest Loan Scheme• Central Coast Tenants Advice and

Advocacy Service• Coast Community Connections Ltd,

including Evolution Youth Services, Aged & Disability Services, Gambling Counselling & Giving Space

• Department of Human Services• Energy Retailers - speak directly to AGL,

EnergyAustralia, Origin Energy & Red Energy. If your retailer is not present EWON can help you.

• LawAccess• Legal Aid NSW - Driver Reform Team• NSW Fair Trading• NSW Trustee & Guardian• Office of Environment & Heritage• Revenue NSW• Salvation Army• Service NSW• St Vincent de Paul

• Current gas and electricity bills• Past gas and electricity bills• Letters from providers• Pensioner or concession cards

If you can’t make the event you can contact EWON:

Reply Paid 86550, Sydney South NSW 1234Level 11, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

ALL WELCOME

WhenThursday 11 April 9.00am - 3.00pm

Residents are invited to join us for free, face-to-face support.Coast Community Connections and the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW invite Central Coast residents to a free community event for help and support with energy bills, tenancy, financial and legal issues, outstanding fines and cancelled licences, free hearing tests, disability services, a giving space and much more.

1800 246 545 ewon.com.au complaints@ewon.com.au@

Saturday 23 March 2019

The P&C is holding a cake stall at Point Clare Public School on Election Day and we

really need families to donate cupcakes, biscuits, muffins or slices to help us raise

funds for our kids and the school.

Consider the following: We would appreciate all donations be:

□ No refrigeration is available Already cut or ready for serving/ sale

□ No cream or custard permitted Delivered in/on disposable containers

If you’re available for a couple of hours between 8am—2pm to help on the day,

please put your name down on the volunteer register available on the P&C

Facebook page or email fundraising@pointclarepandc.com

I’m donating

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

□ Nut Free

□ Sugar Free

Ingredients

I’m donating

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

□ Nut Free

□ Sugar Free

Ingredients

ELECTION DAY

CAKE STALL

DONATIONS

All donations to be delivered to the cake stall located at the lower playground,

near the hall, on the day between 8am—12noon

NSW Health Requirements state that ingredients must be

listed for all food that is to be sold.