Plattsburg Public School Newsletter

Our Education Support Dogs have a very important role within our school. We see every day the positive impact Sadie, Toby and Rennie have on our students. We have a responsibility to ensure we continue to inform and educate our community on the role and policies around our dogs at school.

Rationale

Plattsburg PS is committed to differentiation across the curriculum and to align with that we have Education Support Dogs. The dogs can provide support to students in a number of ways, including offering emotional support, recognising signs of anxiety, and helping improve concentration and communication skills as well as reducing the incidence of antisocial behaviour and bullying.

Guiding Principles for Practice Research into the effects of therapy dogs in schools identifies many benefits including:(Fine, 2015; Zents et al.,2017; Herbert & Lynch, 2017)

- Animals can teach empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills

- Help individuals develop social skills- The relationship between therapy animals and the therapist can be a model for a healthy relationship

- The presence of animals is soothing and can more quickly build the therapeutic relationship for children, adolescents and adults

- Patting an animal has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure, lower anxiety and lessen stress

- It has been shown that animals have the potential to lower human anxiety by simply being present

There is also evidence suggesting Education Support Dogs can:

- Reduce the severity of aggression and hyperactivity among children and reduce disruptive classroom behaviours which is conducive to learning

- Increase captivation of student attention when an animal is present

In summary, the Education Support Dogs at Plattsburg PS play a vital role in supporting our students. These dogs serve as ambassadors of empathy and kindness, fostering an inclusive school environment where students learn the importance of respect, compassion, and tolerance. Through their presence, they help create a sense of unity and discourage negative behaviours, ultimately promoting a safer and more harmonious school community.If you have any questions or concerns regarding our education support dogs please contact the office.

REMINDER TO BE SUN SAFE

With the temperature on the rise, as we get closer to summer, it is important your child has a hat and a refillable drink bottle. Students without hats have their play in the shade of the COLA during the lunch breaks instead of the gully.Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in students coming to the office wanting "loan hats" and we have now given them all out. So please check your child's bag for a hat before school each morning.

We would like to welcome Jordy to Plattsy.

Jordy has recently graduated Year 12 at CCJSC where he was a recipient of a Deadly Award, "Commitment to Aboriginal and School Culture". 

We are excited to have Jordy share his love of culture with our Plattsy students. He will be coming in each Tuesday to work with our didge boys where he will also be teaching them dance.  We look forward to seeing our Cultural groups perform later this year. 

Applications for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in 2025 open on 9 October 2023. Applications will close on 20 November 2023. The due date is strictly observed. Requests for late applications will be approved only under very specific and well-documented circumstances. 

Find information about the application and placement process and apply online at Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7 website 

All candidates are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test to be held on 9 May 2024. 

The online application dashboard enables parents to log in to make updates and add attachments even after an application is submitted. Parents also communicate directly with the Selective Education Unit through the system’s messages feature. 

Please visit the Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes website for updates and complete information about the placement process. 

  Contact can be made through the SHS and OC School’s site messaging feature (principal's Education login is required) or at ssu@det.nsw.edu.au. 

 An information booklet can be collected from the Plattsburg PS Office. Please ring Mrs Dyson in advance so she can print the booklet.