Primary Matters
From the Head of Primary - Oakhurst
Back to another School year here at Oakhurst Primary! I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and managed to spend time with family and friends. It was wonderful to see the smiles and hear the chatter and laughter of our Primary students as they returned last Friday. Our new Kindergarten classes commenced yesterday and have made a positive, settled start to ‘big school’. Of course, we were all hoping that 2021 may have begun without the COVID restrictions - sadly not to be, however, we have the advantage of practised routines already in place to continue for a little longer.
A special welcome to new teachers joining us at Oakhurst Primary in 2021 – Miss Eliza Stephens Year 1, Mrs Jennifer Burnelek Year 2, Miss Victoria Emmerson Year 4 and Mrs Leesa Horton Year 6.
Two of our teachers had beautiful weddings during the holidays so have changed their surnames - Miss Hawkins is now Mrs Smith and Miss Scott has become Mrs Girgis. We congratulate them on their marriages.
The School Executive have gone ahead with planning for events for Term 1 which were outlined in the Information note emailed out last week, however, please see the RJ Review, Seesaw notifications and School email correspondence for any changes to these programmed events.
The beginning of Term Parent Information note was uploaded to the RJ website at the start of the School year - Link.
EVENTS THIS WEEK
The Swimming Carnival will be held this Thursday for Years 3-12. Notes came home last week regarding this day. In preparation for this event there are House Meetings today (Tuesday) so students are hopefully in their House shirts. We will celebrate the founding of our School this Friday on Richard Johnson Day with a combined Assembly for Years 3-12.
PRIMARY INFORMATION EVENING
This evening has been changed to a series of video links that will be emailed out this week. You will be able to click on the links pertinent to your child’s Stage group. Teachers have sent out additional class information that will assist in timetabling and packing the correct equipment for each day. There will be Parent/Teacher Interviews later this term to discuss your child’s progress.
MOBILE PHONES
Primary students who bring a mobile phone to School must hand it in at Primary Reception in the morning and collect it at the end of the school day. Primary students found using a mobile phone on School grounds will have it confiscated and parents will be notified to come in and collect the phone from Reception. The School does not accept any liability for lost or stolen phones brought to School.
YEARS 5 AND 6 CAMP
Oakhurst Stage 3 students will be joining with the Stage 3 Marsden Park students for the annual Teen Ranch Camp in Week 3. Years 5 and 6 benefit greatly by attending this outdoor recreational camp. Please return permission and medical forms ASAP.
SPONSOR CHILDREN
Each grade (K-6) has been linked with a sponsor child from the New Creation Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal. Each student is asked to bring in $2 per month to contribute to supporting their sponsor child. The children also enjoy writing and receiving letters to one another throughout the year. We thank you for your support of this important ministry.
MATHS GROUPS
Grouping in Mathematics is changeable year to year, depending on student ability and need. In 2021, Years 3-6 classes will again be split into ability groups for Mathematics. This allows for more intensive and tailored instruction where students at similar levels can access content at a pace most beneficial for their understanding. The same curriculum outcomes will be covered in all groups.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
We ask all parents to co-operate in the matter of punctuality regarding bringing and collecting their child/ren from School. No child should arrive at School before 8.00am or remain after 3.45pm.
- Mornings - Staff are on duty in the morning from 8.00am. Supervision between 8.00-8.15am will occur in the Canteen and Hardcourt area. From 8.15am students can move to play areas supervised by Primary teachers. The current COVID directive is no parents onsite, so please drop your children at the Dryden Ave gates or the main turnaround area.
- Afternoons – Students can be picked up from the Grass area (enter via Jersey Rd gate), Dryden Ave, Church carpark or meet secondary siblings on the Hardcourt. Students attending after school care are escorted to the relevant Church buildings.
Kindergarten children may be collected from the Courtyard area at 3.00pm in Weeks 2 and 3 if being picked-up by parents/carers. Enter via Jersey Rd gate. We suggest parking across the road in Plumpton Marketplace carpark.
We look forward to a healthy and happy Term 1!
Mrs Karen Shannon-Duhigg
Head of Primary - Oakhurst
From the Head of Primary - Marsden Park
Welcome again to the 2021 School year and to new families and families of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children commencing school for the first time. It was lovely seeing so many happy faces on Day 1.
The Term 1 Parent Information Note is available in the resources section on the School website, as is the Stationery Order for students in Years 3-6. If you have not familiarised yourself with these documents please do so as they provide valuable information for a successful year.
We appreciate your ongoing prayers for our School and Marsden Park Campus throughout 2021 as we trust God to lead us safely through our school year.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL STUDENT DROP OFF AND COLLECTION
Our Campus has grown and very quickly we have outgrown our carpark. Thank you to parents for your patience over the past days as we have trialled and adjusted our drop off and pick up arrangements. Parents should refer to updated communication emailed on February 2 relating to Before and After School Student Drop Off and Collection. Student safety must be our number one priority. We thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience.
MULTI-AGE CLASSES AND CLASS ALLOCATIONS
Due to growing student numbers we have moved to staged learning across Years 1-6. Staged learning provides wonderful learning opportunities for students. Children continue to learn at their relevant Year level so, for example, children in Year 1 in 1/2P will be learning and assessed at a Year 1 level and children in Year 2 in 1/2P will be learning and assessed at a Year 2 level. Class placement is not based on academic ability across Primary. The letters ‘M’, ‘P’ or ‘C’ after your child’s year level are purely class identifiers for administrative purposes – M = Marsden, P = Park and C = Campus. Similarly, the ‘R’, ‘J’ and ‘S’ classes at Oakhurst Primary – R = Richard, J = Johnson and S = School. All children in Years 1-6 nominated 3 friends they would like in their class. Teachers ensured they are in a class with at least one of the friends on their list. Teachers have placed students in the class they feel is best suited to their learning. As the Campus numbers grow, we will continue to revise our class structures to accommodate increased enrolments. I trust your child will have a great year with their new teacher and classmates.
ASSEMBLY
In Primary Assembly this term, we will be looking at the presence of God as we get to know Him better. Students will learn that God is the creator and sustainer of the heavens and the earth; He is omnipresent, loving, caring, faithful, unchanging and forgiving. What a great way to start our new year, knowing who our great God is and reflecting on His authority in our world.
The Parent Information Note outlines classes presenting throughout the term. Parents are unable to attend Primary Assemblies at this time due to Government COVID restrictions. New students from Years 4-6 will be presented with a bible in Assembly in the coming weeks.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
During lunchtimes students will have opportunities to participate in choir (Years 1-6), dance (Years 1-6), chess (Years 2-6), debating (Years 5-6), library lunch and Lego (K-6), and KFC - Kids for Christ Christian Club (Years 1-6). Staff generously give their break times to provide these opportunities to students.
INITIALIT (Reading and Spelling) – K-2
Children in Kindergarten to Year 2 will be ability grouped for instruction using the InitiaLit program. This grouping will allow students who need more 1-1 teacher attention and opportunity to share their learning the time to do so in a smaller group environment with a qualified teacher. More capable learners will be able to access more advanced words and reading materials. These groups are fluid with regular assessment data determining the best group for your child. Groups will commence during Week 3.
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART
Primary students (K-6) will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart again this year. Skipping ropes will be busily turning over coming weeks during break times. We look forward to your support of this worthy cause. Further details will be provided in coming weeks by Mr Mitchell, Primary Sport Coordinator.
PRIMARY INFORMATION 2021
Parent Information videos for Marsden Park families will be emailed to parents prior to the end of Week 2 in place of Parent Information Evenings. Teachers will send home class related information this week also.
SPONSOR CHILDREN
Our Campus supports a sponsor child, Ashish Tamang, from the New Creation Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal. Ashish is 13 years old. We have sponsored him since he was 8. Each student is asked to bring $1-2 per month to contribute to supporting this child and the orphanage. We thank you for your support of this important ministry.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL – YEARS 3-12
The Years 3-12 School Swimming Carnival will be held this Thursday 4 February at Mt Druitt Pool. Students will take buses from the Marsden Park Campus to and from the Carnival. The Swimming Carnival encourages House team involvement and support. Parents are unable to attend due to COVID restrictions.
YEAR 5 AND 6 CAMP
Our Year 5 and 6 students will be heading to Teen Ranch next week. All notes should be returned. The students and teachers are looking forward to this outdoor recreation camp.
UNIFORM
Our students look wonderful in their School Uniforms. Some items are not consistent with the “School Uniform and Student Presentation Policy” and parents are reminded to refer to this document. Please note in particular:
- Hairs styles may not involve significant differences in the length of hair. No shaved hair or below size 2 clippers. Hair should not fall across the face or eyes.
- Boys: No Jewellery, except for a watch.
- Girls: Earrings are to be plain gold or silver stud/small sleeper earrings only. Necklaces or bangles are not permitted. Only clear nail polish may be used. A watch may be worn.
It is essential that all Uniform items are clearly labeled so they can be quickly returned to students.
Mrs Narelle Taylor
Assistant Principal/Head of Primary - Marsden Park
