Curtin Primary School Newsletter

Week 7 Term 1 2020

We at Curtin Primary acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, past, present and future.

We would like to thank the traditional custodians for nurturing this precious land where we live, learn and play.

We promise to protect plants, animals, earth, water and sky and care for everyone in our community.


Principal - Merryn O'DeaOUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Deputy Principal - Maryanne HayesJuniors - 0476 846 570
Board Chair - Alastair James - 0428 776 626Seniors - 0472 820 865
P&C President - Megan Moore - megankm4@gmail.comBefore school - 0472 820 865
If your child is absent please notify the school via email - curtinps.absences@ed.act.edu.au - or via the Skoolbag appBookings - 02 6147 3318

Dear Curtin families,

What a challenge it is to write today’s newsletter. In the space of a few short weeks, our lives have changed dramatically and will continue to change. Like most adults in the community, I am managing my own feelings of fear, information overload and confusion. All staff at Curtin understand the choices so many of our families have  made to quarantine indefinitely, limit contact with grandparents or work from home. Many staff are considering the steps they will take for the wellbeing of their own health and families. These choices are demonstration of the deep love that exists within families and our desire to protect those with vulnerability. Being an early adopter of some of these strategies is very brave and takes a lot of sacrifice. You are not alone, as many others in the Curtin community have made the same choices and we are able to use technology to maintain connection.

Across the community, we are witnessing shortages and uncertainty about what each new day holds. As a school, we feel the same lack of certainty about where our next rolls of toilet paper and sanitiser are coming from, and are receiving information from the media before official messages have time to get through. Our usual networks and meetings have also been shut down to reduce contact.

What stands out at this time is the resilience of your children, and the joy they take in playing, imagining and just existing. Many have had questions about coronavirus itself, community issues, cancellations and long term plans. Some have honestly expressed their fears and worries. Where possible, we have been giving them honest information and reassurance, providing advice on living with uncertainty and listening to their ideas. Despite this, they have taken changes to routines in their stride and taken seriously our requests for hand washing and using their elbows to over any coughs or sneezes. My own three year old proudly informed me yesterday, ‘it has to be your own elbow, not your neighbour’s.’ Overall, at school, our children are, at this early stage, continuing with learning and getting on with the job of being kids. As I have moved around the school today, I have heard laughter, reading, questioning, counting and witnessed the smiles of achievement. I have seen children replacing high fives with foot taps, still with big smiles. More and more, I am aware of students physical at home participating in their virtual classrooms and continuing with learning. The capacity of our kids to be so normal in a time that feels so unusual is incredible.

Children are not able to do this without the support of adults. As parents, the school understands you are carrying more than usual and supporting your children each day. I encourage you to continue connecting with school staff and each other. If your child requires support or is sharing emotional challenges, please let us know. If you have questions about their learning, be in touch by email. As we put more physical distance between us, we encourage you to consider ways that children can keep in touch, share ideas and laugh. Reimagining what community looks like is protective for all of us and will enable us to move forwards into the future.

We will continue to provide daily updates for the foreseeable future. These will be posted on Skoolbag and give updates, ideas and resources to support you. We will sent out advice on managing anxiety in children. All students will bring home a small comic explaining basic facts about the virus. Please, as this situation unfolds, let us know if there is information or advice that would be beneficial. In the meantime, as we all make the decisions we need to for our families, all staff at Curtin urge to feel reassured you are part of strong community.

Merryn

If your child is absent please notify the school via email - curtinps.absences@ed.act.edu.au - or via eforms in the Skoolbag app

SCHOOL EVENTS

Events may be viewed and added to your personal calendar on the Skoolbag app

Date
Yellow Possums School Photos19 March
Harmony Day - wear rainbow colours or orange20 March

Notes to be returned

 Notes may be downloaded from links found below

Date Due
Years K-6 Medical information and consent formASAP
Year 5 Camp deposit payment note20 March
Years K-6 Voluntary Contributions9 April

Years K-6 Voluntary Contributions

Download

Kindergarten excursion to the Arboretum note

Download

Harmony Day and National Day of Action against Bullying - Friday 20 March

We are the same, but different - understanding and respecting our differences.

Did you know that at Curtin Primary, 42 different languages are spoken at home!

We have 120 students from diverse backgrounds -this is approximately one fifth of our students.

During Harmony Week this week, your child may come home and ask:

  • Where was I born?  
  • Where were my (parents/grandparents etc.) born?
  • What are our family traditions?
  • What is unique to our family?


Students can also wear odd socks each day, to demonstrate ‘like socks’… we are all ‘different, but the same.’

We also encourage students and staff to wear rainbow colours or orange on FRIDAY 20 March.

From the Curtin Cultural Integrity Team

NAPLAN Coordinated Practice Test

ACT schools will participate in NAPLAN Online testing from 12-22 May 2020. Please find attached a letter with information.
Download

2020 Extension and Enrichment Opportunities for Years 2 to 6

The attached document outlines extension and enrichment opportunities that are being offered in 2020 to meet the needs and interests of students in Years 2 to 6.

These opportunities will be available to all students in the school. Gifted/highly able students and those with high potential may particularly benefit from participation in them.

If you think your child may be interested in these enrichment or extension activities, please discuss the list with them  being mindful of not overloading their schedule.

Email chosen activities to Deborah Fitzgerald by Friday 20 March - deborah.fitzgerald@ed.act.edu.au.

Further information including registration details with costs will then be sent home.

For all information about any of the activities, please refer to the individual websites.

Download

P&C NEWS

P&C Meeting Cancelled

Dear Parents and Carers,

Due to the evolving situation re COVID-19, the P&C meeting scheduled for this Thursday, 19th March, has been cancelled.

As you know, the P&C organises a range of events to assist with community building and fundraising throughout the school year. Due to public health measures, we will regrettably need to cancel or postpone a number of planned events in the coming months.

The P&C will continue to look for ways to support the school while these exceptional circumstances are in train and will keep you all informed about any initiatives that are put forward.

Thanks again to all of you for your support and attendance at P&C meetings and events - it is great to know that we have a strong and supportive community of parents and carers at Curtin. As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a P&C office bearer if there is anything you would like to discuss.

Best regards, Megan, Ken, Kimberlee and Sophie

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen orders

With the current situation, some supplies are hard to come by. This means that not all items will be available to purchase from the canteen. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

CANTEEN HOURS OF OPERATION

The canteen is open from 8.45am until 1.45pm. If you have any canteen queries, Lizzy can be contacted on 6142 2581 during these hours.

Canteen Menu

Download

Ordering at the canteen

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop is located opposite the canteen and is open from 8.30am until 9.30am each Wednesday. 

Uniform Shop order form

Download

COMMUNITY NEWS