I have thoroughly enjoyed being in classrooms across the school each day. I congratulate our teachers and support staff for the rigour in the learning and the engagement of all students in their tasks. I congratulate all students on their positive attitude to their learning in the classroom and for the vast majority displaying respectful play during break times.

Early next week the school will be sending out a School App notification with information inviting all parents to meet with their child’s teacher, between 25 March-11 April (for all classes). The school app will have a code released next Wednesday so parents can book an interview time.

This meeting is a two-way meeting for the sharing of information from not only the teacher but parents too. It is still early in the year but the meeting should reveal information and direction which will benefit your child’s learning progress for the remainder of 2024. Meeting times will vary from teacher to teacher depending on their availability which is usually before or after school hours. We have assigned Wednesday, 3 April for interviews leading into the early evening. Let me stress that this is only a fifteen-minute interview. Please seek an additional time and date if you require more time to discuss your child’s education.    

It was great to see our parents and teachers in collaboration to enable our students to have the best possible start to the school year. Whether you knew most of the content or were presented it for the first time, it is always important to have an opportunity for home and school to communicate and interact. Thank you to those available and willing to be the class parent.

A huge thank you to our school P&C for hosting a welcome barbeque on Friday for our Kindergarten and new to the school families. We are extremely fortunate to have an active and considerate P&C  and OOSH staff working to ensure our students and their families have a wonderful experience at the school. Be mindful that all school parents are encouraged to be part of supporting P&C activity.

Best wishes to the thirty plus SGPS students attending the Castle Hill Zone PSSA trials today.

It has been pleasing to see and hear our bands rehearsing over the last two weeks. Well done to all students who show a commitment to practising their instrument.

The school’s various dance groups are commencing to form and will continue to form and rehearse over the next term.

The choral groups are also starting to form as the Years 3-6 Vocal Ensemble and K-2 Vocal Ensemble.

Lunchtime coding club for Year 1 & 2 and The Hive have also commenced.

Every four years all schools within the NSW Department of Education complete the external validation process. Our school is currently preparing for an external validation. This process requires the school to provide an evidence bank that shows how the school is performing against the school excellence framework. This framework consists of 14 elements in the areas of Leading, Teaching and Learning. The framework places schools on a scale of Working Towards Delivering, Sustaining and Growing and Excelling. In term 2, I look forward to sharing the outcome of our school’s external validation.

Our school panel consists of Ms Barclay, Ms Appave, Ms Keane, Ms Hayley, Mrs McLeod, Mrs Neldner, Mrs Evans, Mrs Spears, Mrs Buckley, Ms Fedczyna, Mrs Medcalf and me.

Digital devices are defined as electronic devices that can receive, store, process and share digital information and connect to applications (apps), websites and other online services. They include desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones and other devices. It has been reported that a small number of students are misusing their smartwatches and phones.

As per Department policy, primary school students must not use digital devices beyond their laptops/iPads during class, at recess and at lunch unless approved by a principal or teacher. Exemptions may be granted by a principal or teacher, including allowing students to use a device for an educational purpose, or as part of a reasonable adjustment for student learning and wellbeing.

At present no student at the school has permission to use a mobile phone or a smartwatch to communicate to any other person onsite or offsite nor can they capture images during class time, at recess or at lunch. 

Scripture classes started today. We are grateful to the volunteers available to deliver these services to our students upon parent consent as per the NSW Education Act. Please understand that coordinating class placements during this time and catering for non-scripture/ethics class students is a complex process. We thank you for your understanding.

The ‘school app’ is the best way to keep up to date with school events. Please continue to use the school app to maintain an up-to-date calendar and the ability to receive notifications when activities like excursions or carnivals are cancelled due to wet weather. If you search for Samuel Gilbert Public School in either store (App Store for Apple users or Play Store for Android users), you should find the app. Alternatively, visit our school website link to School eNews.

Greg McLaren
PRINCIPAL 

NAPLAN is a National testing program for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The reporting format was changed in 2023 from the bands used in previous years to 4 levels of achievement. With the exception of the Year 3 Writing component all tests will be conducted online.
The test period is  between Wednesday 13 March and Friday 22 March. At Samuel Gilbert our plan is to complete the Year 3 and 5 Writing and Year 5 Reading on Wednesday 13 March, Year 5 Conventions of Language and Year 3 Reading on Thursday 14 March, Year 3 Conventions of Language on Friday 15 March and concluding with Year 3 and 5 Numeracy on Monday 18 March. This will leave a few days for catch up tests to be provided.
Ideally students will be at school on the test days so that they can complete these with their classmates. We encourage you to make appointments etc outside the test period and ensure students are on time for school. 

Students will require a working set of headphones. These should be functional headphones as we often find the novelty style of headphones ( eg covered in fur fabric etc) do not pick up the NAPLAN audio effectively.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s participation in NAPLAN please speak to your child’s teacher. Contact will be made by the school to families with children in Years 3 and 5 who may be eligible for exemption or withdrawal. 

Parents and carers can access support and resources on the NAP – National Assessment website https://nap.edu.au
Additional information can be found on the NESA website which is NESA is the Test Administration Authority (TAA) of all NSW schools. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au

 Parents wanting to familiarise themselves with the NAPLAN online platform can visit ACARA's public demonstration site, which includes online demonstration tests for each NAPLAN year. NAP - Public demonstration site

We are looking forward to our swimming carnival next Wednesday at the Waves Swimming centre. This is a 3-6 event and with the new Splash Pad facility making it a fun day for all students regardless of their swimming ability. It is essential that a permission form is completed for every child in Years 3-6. If you have not yet done so please complete this ASAP.

It is important that children arrive at school on time on Wednesday. 

Thank you to the parents who have offered to assist with timing – as there is no shelter provided at the end of the pool we encourage you to wear a hat, sunscreen and perhaps bring an umbrella for shade or rain. 

Students will be under shelter in the grandstand but it would be advisable to send them to school wearing sunscreen and ideally reapplying throughout the day. Hats should be labelled and worn. 

There are limited shaded areas for parents on the opposite side of the pool to the grandstand.  

The canteen is not available to children so recess, lunch, water bottles and snacks should be sent in their bags. 

We ask that parents don’t encourage students to come to you on the spectator side of the pool but remain in their allocated area under the grandstand. If you wish to purchase something for them from the café please wait until the end of the carnival. 

Note: Training Band will be held on Wednesday morning before the carnival, however no instruments, only band books are required. 

The school canteen will be closed on this day. 

On Wednesday 6 March online expressions of interest for High School placements will open. Parents and Carers will be able to use the enrolment tab on the school website to apply.

All Year 6 students need to have an application entered even if they are not seeking an enrolment in a government school and a placement is not required (PNR).

This application process will inform you of your local school on the basis of your home address and will also provide the opportunity to make an application for placement at other government schools.

It is important that if you have changed address this is updated on our system – please notify the office if this is the case.

Paper application forms are available from the office by request but we would prefer families to lodge the applications online if possible. We are happy to provide assistance if you have any queries about the application process.

Please complete your applications by Friday 22 March to enable the school time to process applications before the final closing date of Thursday 28 March. 

For those interested in hearing a little more about Castle Hill High School please see the attached flyer regarding their Open Afternoon next Wednesday 28 February at 4:30pm. 

As mentioned in our previous newsletter assemblies will now be held fortnightly on Friday afternoons at 2:00pm.

We will hold a whole school assembly once a term in Week 10 at the same time. 

We have made a few adjustments to the timetable previously published to facilitate this and include our SRC Induction Assembly and ANZAC service before the end of term. 

School PSSA teams have now been finalised and permission notes and invoices sent via School Bytes. As the competition commences in Week 5 please finalise these as soon as possible. 

Draws will be posted on the school app for your information. Games take place between recess ( 11:10) and lunch ( 1:00). It is difficult to provide precise starting times but usually Juniors play first. 

In 2024 our Year 2 teaching and learning team have organised Swimming Scheme earlier in the year to allow for maximised, uninterrupted learning throughout Term 4 as our students are preparing to move to Year 3. With council restrictions applying to some local pools, we were given late notification of availability and teachers have made the greatest of attempts to disseminate information to students and their families and prepare them for an important component of the Year 2 Department of Education Swim Scheme program. 

Information on the program and payment invoicing has been sent out through SchoolBytes. We strongly recommend that all students participate and encourage you to notify the school of your intent to attend if you have not already done so. 

The timetable will be as follows:

Please note: this is a reversal of dates from the SchoolBytes note. These are the correct dates. 

A reminder that each child should bring a swimming costume, 2 towels (one for pool side and one for drying), a strong waterproof bag, plastic bag for wet costumes, and warm clothing on a cool day. All items MUST be clearly labelled. Where instruction takes place in an outdoor pool, it is recommended that students use adequate sun protection, e.g., an SPF30+ broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen reapplied regularly; a rash shirt is also recommended.

If you have any questions or concerns about swim scheme please contact Ms Appave.

Cathie Barclay & Gilliane Appave
DEPUTY PRINCIPALS 

Oral language is the foundation of all literacy skills. If young children experience rich oral language by talking with and listening to adults and other children, they will have a large ‘bank’ of spoken vocabulary, words they understand when used in spoken communication. 

Young children will have heard and joined in word play and rhyming and be aware of the sounds of English. They will be familiar with lots of different sentence types and understand how language can change in different situations. They will understand that words have meaning, and that we use language to communicate information, ideas, feelings and thoughts. 

All of the above skills assist children in becoming effective and capable readers. As children develop their oral language and communication skills, their vocabulary enhances along with an increase in background knowledge, and as a result, reading comprehension improves. 

You can support your child in their oral language development by providing a variety of opportunities for them to listen and talk for different purposes.

Here are some of the best ways parents and caregivers can encourage oral language:

• Talk to your child about everyday events and activities and listen responsively. Ask open ended questions and answer questions they may have also.
• Read aloud to your child at least once a day. Great books expose children to vocabulary and sentence structures that they won’t hear in everyday situations. Research has shown that reading aloud to children is a major factor in their success in learning to read at school.
• Talk with your child about the books you read aloud together. Ask your child about the characters, plot or setting; the themes and ideas raised by the book; topics they’d like to read or learn more about as a result of reading aloud.

Amanda Keane
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, CURRICULUM and INSTRUCTION  

Thank you  to all those new and returning parents who attended our first P&C Meeting for 2024.   The P&C meets every second Tuesday of the month and all parents and carers are welcome to join us. Our P&C plays an important role in contributing to the life of our school community through our Uniform Shop, Canteen and Band Program and community events. It is a team effort and we are thankful to those who support the P&C including our School Exec who attend our meetings. We would love to see you at our next meeting to be held on Tuesday 12 March at 7:30pm in the School Library and online.

If you would like to receive information from your class parent(s) about your child’s 2024 class and important school reminders and event details, you must provide your contact details to the P&C by Monday 26 February. Due to privacy guidelines, the School cannot provide the P&C with your contact details to join class contact groups. Each year parents must complete the survey to join your child’s class contact list. Joining the class contact list is optional, however you might miss out on vital class messages (e.g. changes to programs or reminders) and/or social opportunities if you are not on the contact list. If you have any concerns about your privacy or the way in which your contact information is used, please contact me at etye@sgpspc.org.au.

To join the 2024 class contact list, please use the QR code below or this link.

Thank you to those who have volunteered to be class parents for 2024. The process of allocating Class parents to each class is underway, and we hope to have a full complement of Class Parents in 2024. Further information will be provided shortly.

It was lovely to welcome Kindergarten families and new families to the wonderful SGPS community last Friday. We would like to acknowledge the support of the School, the School Exec and staff who attended the BBQ. A very big thank you to Matt & Fiona Young & Tym Richardson, for their organisation and coordination of the event. A special thank you to our wonderful parent and OOSH volunteers:  Miss Christie and Mr Josh, Greg and Michelle Pratley, Angela Curtis, Jana and Dan Luchman, James Blair, Lauren Wright, Katie Pike and the P&C members who helped too. Every pair of hands made a difference to those we welcomed, thank you!

Stay Updated: 

 Download the School App

   Like the SGPS P&C Facebook page

    Connect by signing up for the class contact page

If in the meantime you have any questions regarding the P&C, how you are get involved or how we can support you, please do not hesitate to contact our President, Katie Pike at president@sgpspc.org.au. 

Elizabeth Tye
SGPS P&C Vice President
etye@sgpspc.org.au

It is great to see such great attendance at Band in the past two weeks. Just a reminder if your child is unable to make a rehearsal to mark their absence in Bandforte.
Rehearsals commence at 7:30am, which means students should be arriving a little earlier to ensure they are seated and ready to play at this time.

It is essential that all students in the Band are having weekly lessons with a private tutor. If your child does not currently have a tutor and you need assistance organising this, please email sgpsbandcoordinator@gmail.com

Open Rehearsals – Family welcome to sit in on a rehearsal

Monday 25^th and Thursday 28^th March – Performance Band

Wednesday 27^th March – Training Band Hot Cross Buns Festival

Friday 5^th April – Concert Band

 Band Camp – 24-25^th June

Briony Geekie
Band Co-ordinator Samuel Gilbert Public School Band

We are now in week four of the term and each week is getting busier. We would really love your help in the canteen. We still need help on Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday’s.
If you can help once a month or even once a term everyday helps. Please check the sign up app for shifts available, or come in and see us.

Easter raffle tickets will be going out soon for you to purchase. Each child will receive a note with tickets. If you don’t wish to buy them please send them back to the canteen. The tickets will cost $5 and you will have ten tickets.
Write on both sides of your five tickets to give you ten tickets.

 Thank you,  
Jenelle, Sue and Kiarn

Monday 8.30am -9.30am & Wednesday 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Only one family per time will be served in the shop. Please form two lines at the door: one for appointments and one for drop ins. Appointments will take priority.

Please book through the P&C website: //www.sgpspc.org.au/uniformshopappointment// and follow any updates from the P&C or school about COVID safe measures.

Anyone who has an urgent issue, or has trouble booking on the site, can email me for an appropriate appointment time.

If you are unable to attend a booked appointment, please email me, and, remember to cancel the booking on the P&C website so someone else can take that time slot.

Hats have arrived as well as long sleeve blouses and girl’s winter pants.

I am expecting deliveries soon of trousers, long sleeve polos, winter skirts, poly cotton jumpers, and, lemon and navy blue socks.

URGENT NOTICE: would customers who purchased items on Wednesday 14^th February 2024 between 3.15pm and 3.30pm please contact me by email as below.

Sheryl Naylor
SGPS P&C Uniform Shop Manager
Email: //uniformshop@sgpspc.org.au//

The Premiers Reading Challenge opens on 26 February 2024. Please use this information to access the Premier’s Reading Challenge to register your child/ren for the challenge:
How to Log-on to the Premier’s Reading Challenge: 
On the PRC website homepage, click on the NEW STUDENT SITE image.
https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/
 It will take you to the PRC student site.
Then click on LOGIN in the top right-hand corner. This will take you to the NSW Department of Education portal login page, students need to enter their username and password here.

If you do not know your username or password for the PRC website, please see the PRC coordinator at your school, or ask your teacher to help you find out your login details. 
 
 A link to the Premier’s Reading Challenge website can be found in the Student Portal under the Learning section.  Students are also able to add a link to the PRC in the My Link List section to make the PRC easier to find.  The URL to use is: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/.

Public school students can also log in directly to the PRC websiteusing their Department of Education (DoE) username and password.  These are the same details a student would use to access the Student Portal and the computer network at school.  If you are unaware of your username and/or password, please contact your class teacher and ask for your Student Portal username and/or password.

For all the rules and booklists for the Premier’s Reading Challenge, please visit the Premier’s Reading Challenge website: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/logon.html 

Rules for the Premier’s Reading Challenge can be found here: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/rules.html 

Booklists can be found here: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html but make sure you read from the right level of books.

If you have any questions, please, come and speak to me before or after school in the library.

Yours in reading,

Adam Hands,
Librarian.

Week 5
Monday, 26 February
Year 2 Swim Scheme commences
Premiers Reading Challenge commences   
Wednesday, 28 February
School (Years 3-6) Swimming Carnival
Thursday, 29 February
Stage 3 Cyber Safety Talk
Friday, 1 March 
PSSA commences


Week 6
Monday, 4 March
School Leadership Team to Halogen Leaders Day
Wednesday, 6 March
Year 6 Aspire Leadership Day  

Coming Events
Tuesday, 12 March
P&C Meeting at 7.30pm in the Library and on-line