Byron Bay Public School Newsletter TERM 2 | WEEK 9 | 2022

This term, Year 6 students had the terrific experience of Taster Lessons at Byron Bay High School. This opportunity was the beginning of the transition to High School program run between our two wonderful schools. The students participated in a range of activities from making surfboard key rings in WoodTech, to writing their name and dressing in traditional costume in Japanese, dissecting flowers to study under a microscope in Agriculture, to breaking codes in an escape room in HSIE. Students were able to meet other students from local schools and future friendships were made. The day was spectacular.

Premier's Debating Challenge

Byron Bay Blue team debated and won against Brunswick Heads Public School last Wednesday. Our topic was ‘That we should only have 8 weeks of school holidays a year’. Audrey, Halo, Phoenix and Lenni were the negative team.

Congratulations on all their hard work leading up to the day! Our next debate will be against Eureka Public School in the coming weeks.

Debating Team Teacher | Carly Hogan

We are welcoming donations to our Library Fund or Building Fund

Donation cards for our Library Fund and Building Fund were sent home last week.

To make your donation to the Byron Bay Public School Library Fund or Building Fund you can pay at the school office with cash, cheque, debit card or credit card. You can also donate by clicking on the 'make a payment' tab on the school website or via Schoolstream and pay by credit card. Make the reference - Donation Library Fund or Building Fund.

Reminder: if donating please donate before 30 June, 2022 for a tax deduction in the 2021/2022 financial year.

Principal's Message

We are very fortunate to have experienced and professional teachers who are dedicated to the profession, to teaching and learning and student achievement of outcomes. Byron Bay Public school provides an outstanding learning environment for our students. It is always heartening to see first-hand the enthusiasm, effort and knowledge that goes into developing our school programs.

One of the initiatives we have implemented to support grade and stage based collaboration and team work for teaching staff, are our Collaborative Practice Days.

On a term basis, the teachers from each grade are released together to collaboratively plan, assess and evaluate teaching and learning activities, leading to enhanced consistent teacher judgement across the grade. Identification of best practice and consistency of instruction across the grade, utilising evidence based research and innovation further enables professional development and student achievement of outcomes.

As well as providing productive learning conditions for students, we also seek to provide productive learning conditions for teachers too. If our teachers aren’t continually learning ways to enhance effective teaching practice, then our school does not move forward. Our planning days are a valuable structure for us to have in place. To inspire lifelong learning and a love of learning, teachers must also be learners. It is always impressive to see the intense focus on student learning and the professional manner in which these sessions are conducted.

We understand that at times parents become concerned when teachers are not ‘on class’ but you can be assured that the time teachers invest in teacher professional learning is all about making a difference for your children. The way we have our school set up means there would normally be minimal disruption to class programs and routines. Currently high staff absenteeism due to illness is causing disruption to some of our support programs.

Support Programs

We are very fortunate to have a team of very professional and dedicated teachers here at Byron Bay Public School. Our teaching staff is made up of classroom teachers, Release from Face to Face (RFF) teachers, an Instructional Leader, as well as our Learning and Support Teachers (LAST).

The Learning Support Staff consists of Ms Paron-Clarke on the K-2 Learning and Support Program, Ms Elliott on the Years 3 - 6 Learning and Behaviour Support Program, Miss Dickinson on the COVID Intensive Learning Support program Years 1 – 6, Ms Monty on the EAL/D and New arrivals Program K-6, plus Mrs Campbell on the Instructional Leadership Program K-6. All these teachers work extremely hard, in collaboration with classroom teachers, in order to provide extra support for students in need.

Staying Healthy and Well

NSW Health has a website with useful resources in a section called Kids and Families. You can find the link to the ‘Good Sleep’ website here: https://www.healthyliving.nsw.gov.au/pages/sleep.aspx

Prolonged sleep loss weakens our immune system, making us more prone to infections such as the common cold. The Australian Government recommends:

• An uninterrupted 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night for 5 - 13 year old’s;
• 8 to 10 hours per night for 14 - 17 year old’s with consistent bed and wake-up times;
• Adults 18 and over require 7 - 9 hours of quality sleep.

More useful information can also be found on this website. It is as important as ever to keep healthy during this time by eating well, staying physically active and getting enough rest and sleep. This will ensure students and their families maintain mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. There are many ways to keep our immune systems healthy and guard against disease, including colds, flu and other viruses. These include good handwashing, eating well, being physically active, managing stress and getting enough sleep.

Student Reports

Student reports will be sent home next week. Staff have put a lot of time and effort into writing these reports. If you would like to discuss your child’s report with the class teacher, please contact the office on 66856557 and organise a suitable time for a meeting.

The reports provide students and parents with information on student achievement so far this year. They provide clear, comprehensive and consistent information about each child‘s progress. Students have been undertaking ongoing assessments throughout the year to allow teachers to make judgments about their progress. Teachers have also spent time working in their grade and stage teams to ensure that there is consistency across the grade and stage. Student reports provide an accurate indication of each child’s current learning and achievement.

Attendance

Thank you to the large number of parents who already provide explanations for their child’s absences. In accordance with the NSW Department of Education’s policy and guidelines, all student absences need to be explained. The most effective way to inform us of the reason your child is away is to send a message through Schoolstream. Other ways you can notify us is through email, a written note to your child’s teacher or a telephone call to the front office. If your child is away and we have not received an explanation, after 7 days from the first day of absence, they are marked as having an unexplained and unjustified absence. Once we have received an explanation, this is updated on our school rolls. If your child returns to school after an absence and we have not received an explanation, an Explanation of Student Absence form will be sent home. Please complete the form and return it to your child’s teacher the next day.

Staff News

Welcome back to Amy Stanford who will be working on 1H on Mondays and Tuesdays, starting next term. Kate Harvey will remain on class on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Last week we farewelled Emily Powell who is taking maternity leave for the remainder of the year. Welcome to Jessica Watson-Hicks who will be taking over KP. When there is a change in staff, both teachers work together to ensure continuity of the class program.

Canteen News

Last week we farewelled Jodie Wittig and Mandy Montalbetti from the canteen. They have worked in the canteen for over 10 years. Together they have been a very dedicated team who have done a great job running the canteen. Jodie 's last day was Friday. Mandy will be finishing up at the end of week two next term. It is one of the best run school canteens that I have come across. Congratulations ladies, on a job well done. We wish you both all the very best in your new ventures.

Come Monday, 1 August, Emma Douglas will take over as the Canteen Supervisor. Meghan Jermanus, who is replacing Jodie, has commenced work in the canteen. Please extend a BIG, warm Byron Bay welcome to these ladies.

Messages for Students

The office is often inundated with messages from parents for students towards the end of the day. Our current procedure is for parents to contact the office by 2.45pm for urgent messages only. Before sending your child/ren to school, please think about your day and inform you child/ren of any changes to routine before they leave home. K-2 children should have these changes put in writing in order for them to give the message to their teacher, so that they are also aware of the change to routine.

Safety Around Our School

A reminder that the safety of all our students around the school is paramount. Key drop off and pick up times are when I ask all parents and carers to be particularly vigilant and safety conscious. Please follow the road rules and council signage around our school. It is best to park on the same side of the street that you are dropping off or picking up your child, so they don’t have to cross the road with lots of cars and buses around. The exit gate for Kingsley Street of an afternoon is the double gate. The electronic gate of an afternoon is only for bus students to exit from.

School Photo Catch Up Day

Please be reminded that we will be having a School Photo Catch Up Day next Tuesday, 28 June from 9.30am for students that missed out on their Individual and Sibling School Photos only. If you have not yet ordered school photos, you may still do so, online onl, with 'The School Photographer'.

Learning from Home

This week’s online ‘Digital Learning Pack’ is called ‘Tasmanian Devil', next week it will also be 'Tasmanian Devil'. The units have been designed to provide continuity of learning for students who need to self-isolate or need to work from home due to the school temporarily ceasing operations. They are not to be used as a form of distance education, unofficial home schooling or homework. The ‘Digital Learning Packs’ will be added to each fortnight. You can access the unit if needed, on this link -

Awards

Congratulations to the following students on receiving the Citizenship Award for the month of June.

Class Achievement Awards

Class Achievement Awards for Term 2 Week 6 2022.

Sport

Boys PSSA Football (soccer) Knockout Round 2

Congratulations to the Byron Bay Public School Boys Football team. The boys played round 2 of the NSW PSSA Knockout Competition against Bangalow this week. The team played exceptionally well and finished the game with a win of 2-1. The boys will now progress to round 3 of the knockout. The referee commended our boys at the end of the game on their great sportsmanship and attitude.

PSSA Boys and Girls Knockout Basketball

Last Wednesday 15 June I had the absolute pleasure to take our boys and girls basketball teams to the Cavanbah Centre to compete in the PSSA Basketball Knockout Competition.

The boys played their Round 2 game against Tweed Heads Public School, taking away a landslide win with a final score of 41-20. While the boys rested up from their win the girls played their Round 3 game against the Tweed Heads girls team. Our girls displayed great sportsmanship, developed their basketball skills and had a great time. Unfortunately, in the final quarter Tweed Heads Public School took the lead, finishing with a final score of 22-36. The boys played their Round 3 game against Ocean Shores Public School winning the game 35-21. The boys defensive skills and their ability to remain calm under pressure helped maintain their lead. Our boys will now play Lennox Head Public School sometime early next term. Congratulations to all our Basketballers!

Michelle Wright | Basketball Coach