Dear families,

The NPS team have been overwhelmingly encouraged by the support of our school community. It has been a challenging couple of weeks for everyone and we thank all of those people who have taken the time to connect with us and show their appreciation. I continue to be impressed by our school based team. It truly has been a team effort with admin, learning support assistants and teachers combining to prepare for what may come in Term 2.

As many teachers are now working from home our preferred method of contact is via email. You can directly email your child's teacher, a school leader or the info email adddress and your message will be sent to the best person to respond. 

General School Email: info@ngunawalps.act.edu.au

Principal Rebecca Turner rebecca.turner@ed.act.ed.au

Deputy Principal K-2 Arilia Abell arilia.abell@ed.act.edu.au

Deputy Principal 3-6 Arianna Cansdell arianna.cansdell@ed.act.edu.au

Preschool/Specialist Executive Erin Salleo erin.salleo@ed.act.edu.au

Kindergarten/Year 1 Executive Danielle Parker danielle.parker@ed.act.edu.au

Year 2/Year 3 Executive Vernetta Rolls vernetta.rolls@ed.act.edu.au

Year 4/5/6 Executive Will Powell william.powell@ed.act.edu.au

Staff Changes Term 2

I would like to let everyone know Ms Catheirne Beckett will be commencing with 2NE from week 3 Term 2. We wish Nichole all the best with her new arrival and look forward to hearing her news.

Mrs Naomi Smidt will be commencing with 4XB from the beginning of Term 2. 4XB will see Naomi in one of their trial lessons next week and have been very lucky to have been connecting with Naomi during Term 1. You may see Xian popping up in Google Classrooms from time to time as she is unable to commence her leave at present. As soon as she is able, Xian will be moving to Western Australia. In the meantime NPS is very lucky to have her with us.

School Improvement

Over the weekend our hall entry has received a much needed face lift.

Our courtyard painting has started today! We can't for you all to see it when you return.

Our preschoolers may also notice some new pops of colour in the outdoor area when they return.

Does your child have permissions to access Google Classrooms?

There are a small number children who currently don't have permission to use the Google Platform. In order for us to provide passwords on Friday we need families  who have not provided permissions via regular school processes to email their child's teacher indicating they give consent for their child to have access to the Google platform.

If you receive an email on Friday with a missing password, then it means we need to hear from you if you would like your child to access the platform.

It is also crucial we have current email addresses. If this changes for your familiy at any time, please email info@ngunnnawalps.act.edu.au to update your details.

Week 9-  Getting ready to trial Google Classrooms 

On Friday, K-6 teachers will send an email to each of their families via family email addresses. This email will contain our google classroom expectations for students, what can you expect from teachers and all the login and access information you need to get started.

Preschool families will be switching to Seesaw Classes which enables the sharing of learning experiences more easily than the current Seesaw Family app which is designed as a portfolio of learning.

Week 10 Trial

• On Monday morning teachers will post their first google classroom trial class.

• Be sure to log on  between 8.45am and 9am to catch the start.

• If you miss the start, teachers will record the presentation so you can revisit the instructions at any time.

• The slides referred to throughout the presentation will also be available to students and their families to clarify instructions.

• At 12pm get ready for your specialist trial class.

• Note on the schedule below there is not a specialist lesson every day for every year group.

What happens if my teacher is unavailable?

Our teachers all have a buddy. If your teacher is unavailable to post you may receive a link to another teacher's classroom for that day.

If a teacher is going to be absent for a week or more, families will receive an email. Learning will continue with a different teacher.

In week 10, Simone and Melissa will be absent. Therefore 3SB and 5/6MN will join another class.

Our teachers are working closely together to ensure every class has a similar experience regardless of who is leading the learning that day.

Which online platform when…

If you see this symbol it means the teacher would like you to send them a response via Seesaw for P-2 or Google Classroom 3-6.

Rebecca Turner

Principal

Teanna

Amelia

Kendra

Jordon

Spotlight on Year 2

Writing

This term, Year 2 has been focusing on writing to recount. We have been learning about the purpose and structure of recount writing. We are learning how we can write recounts while including the key components such as title, orientation, events and ending so that other people find it interesting to read.

Gross Motor

During weekly gross motor lessons the students have been working on their fundamental movement skills of throwing, catching, running, kicking and using hand-eye coordination.

Maths

In mathematics we have been learning about number patterns and sequences. For measurement and geometry lessons the students have been busy exploring shapes. They have been discussing the properties of shapes such as faces, edges and vertices. Also, we are making connections between 3D objects and their nets.

Inquiry

The students have been water detectives by investigating the many different uses for water. They have looked at water as a very precious natural resource and the ways that it can be used conservatively. We have been on a water walk around our school to identify where we can find water and what it is used for.

Acknowledging ANZAC Day in the coming weeks

With ANZAC Day services and marches cancelled for this year, many families are thinking about how to best commemorate this occasion. ANZAC Day is the day to remember the service and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April in 1915 during World Ward 1, as well as recognising the sacrifices of many servicemen and servicewomen in all wars, conflicts and peace keeping missions. We also acknowledging and thank the Ngunnawal Primary School past and current serving community members.

Here are some age appropriate ways to discuss ANZAC Day with your child:

Read an ANZAC book for children. Here’s a list of age appropriate books:   https://newywithkids.com.au/anzac-day-books-children/

Listen to your ANZAC book on https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/

Visit a virtual memorial:

https://placesofpride.awm.gov.au/

https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day

Viewing: These sites have several resources appropriate for primary school aged children:

The Red Poppy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UHRC1H06Cc&feature=youtu.be

BTN on ABC Kids: https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/the-gallipoli- story/10526742

Bake ANZAC Biscuits using the original 1914 recipe: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/recipes/anzac-biscuits/8929636

                       

Dear parents and carers,

In 2017 the ACT Government commenced an audit of Government owned buildings for cladding materials consisting of either Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).

At NPS, this is limited to 2 panels on the hall.

Both of these cladding types are potentially combustible and, in the case of a fire, can increase the likelihood of a fire spreading more quickly. I have included a fact sheet for more information about potentially combustible cladding and its associated risks.

The audit was conducted by a team from Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) who undertook visual assessments of government owned buildings and found that some buildings may have potentially combustible ACP or EPS, including a number of ACT public schools.

Experts from the Environment, Planning, Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) have assessed that all of these buildings are safe to occupy.

Our school building has been found to contain some Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP).

It is important to note that the presence of ACP cladding does not necessarily mean that there is an increased fire risk to your school community.

There are four types of ACP and a more comprehensive assessment is required to determine which type our school has. This work will soon be undertaken by qualified Fire Engineers to assess the fire risk these materials may pose.

As the comprehensive assessment is undertaken, we will be advised of the type and location of the potentially combustible cladding and we will work with the assessment team on plans to mitigate any risk through management strategies or removal of the material.   

The safety of our students and staff is paramount and this work is being prioritised. General information about cladding in schools will be available on the Education Directorate website later this week.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Turner

PRINCIPAL
NGUNNAWAL PRIMARY SCHOOL