Wide-ranging report in first newsletter of the year
Ettalong Public School principal Ms Lynn Balfour has given a wide-ranging report in the first newsletter of the new school year.
"Our 2020 kindergarten children will participate in the NSW BestStart assessment program this week then commence lessons on February 3.
"Kindergarten children will finish at 2:30pm for two weeks then they will finish at 2.55pm, along with all other students, from February 17.
"Our school day starts at 8:55am and punctuality is very much appreciated.
"Playground supervision starts at 8:30am so no children are to arrive before this time.
"A number of maintenance and repair jobs were completed here during the holidays but the large shelter for K-2 children to assemble under was not built, as planned.
"I am quite disappointed, but I hope to see it erected in the next few weeks.
"It is often very warm when we return to school, so this is a timely reminder that we have a No Hat, No Play policy at our school.
"Hats are available for sale from school or similar blue, broad brimmed hats can be purchased elsewhere," Ms Balfour continued.
"Rules about mobile phones at school were in the news over the holidays.
"Here at Ettalong, we allow children to bring a phone to school but it must be kept in the owner's school bag.
"Students cannot use their phones on school property and no responsibility is taken by the school if a phone is lost or broken.
"Mr Cardy received news on the very last school day of last year, advising that he was successful in gaining a position with the Schools Sport Unit for NSW in the role of organising sport for students with a disability.
"Sport is Mr Cardy's passion so we are all very pleased that he is able to pursue what he excels at.
"He has 'right of return' to our school when his contract ends but, in the meantime, Mrs Dempsey (Corbett-Jones) will join the stage three team and teach Year 6.
"She is extremely popular with staff and students, so we welcome her back with open arms," Ms Balfour said.
"I am expecting a delivery of maths text books this week.
"Payment details will be available as soon as I receive them.
"To those of you who have been directly or indirectly affected by the recent dreadful bushfires, my thoughts go out to you.
"I cannot begin to imagine the devastation felt by those who have lost loved ones, property and/or businesses.
"With the very small number of students who compete in the annual swimming carnival, we will trial this year what many other schools do and conduct the carnival with swimmers only in Years 2 through to 6.
"Reward Days were a huge success last year so will be continued again this year.
"Principal's Awards are also very popular so make sure your child keeps their 3R's awards and when they have two, bring them in to the office for a Principal's Award to be printed and presented at a whole school assembly," Ms Balfour said.
SOURCE:
Newsletter, 29 Jan 2020
Lynn Balfour, Ettalong Public School