Dear Jamberoo Public School Community,
World Teachers' Day
Tomorrow is World Teachers' Day and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge every single one of the teachers at Jamberoo Public School and to recognise their relentless commitment to our students.
Every teacher at Jamberoo Public School goes above and beyond for our students and community. They are professional, dedicated and inspirational in the way they approach all aspects of teaching and learning and their efforts to support the emotional, social and wellbeing needs of Jamberoo students.
If you have the time today or on Friday, please don’t hesitate to send your child’s teacher a message on Class Dojo to show your appreciation.
Temporary Closure of the School Forest
Over many years, the school’s forest has been a place of exploration, adventure and learning for our students. It’s a place where our students have connected with nature and developed invaluable skills. Unfortunately, due to concerns regarding student safety, student behaviour and teacher supervision, the school has made the difficult decision to temporarily close the forest area during second half of lunch. The safety and wellbeing of our students are of paramount importance, and we believe that this temporary closure is a necessary step to ensure their protection while we address these concerns.
The decision to close the forest has been made due to the following reasons:
1. Safety Concerns – The dense vegetation of the forest makes it difficult for the teacher on duty to supervise the students. Recent incidents of negative behaviour in the forest have highlighted this as being an issue. The school has also experienced negative behaviour on the top oval during games of soccer, touch football etc.
2. Teacher Supervision – During second half of lunch we currently have a teacher on forest duty, who supervises the forest and bottom oval. A second teacher supervises the top oval and hard surfaced areas. With the temporary closure of the forest, the school will trial having one teacher supervise the oval and the second teacher supervise the hard surface area. The school will evaluate how this new process improves student safety over the next few weeks.
The temporary closure of the forest at lunch time is part of the school’s commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our students. While we understand that the temporary closure of the forest will be disappointing for many of our students, we believe that it is essential to prioritise their wellbeing. The safety of Jamberoo students is a collective responsibility, and we appreciate your understanding and support as the school strives to create a safer playground environment for our students.
The closure of the forest is only being enforced during second half of lunch. Jamberoo Public School teachers have been encouraged to take their classes to the forest during brain breaks/lesson breaks to ensure that Jamberoo students have the opportunity to continue to enjoy the forest environment.
If you have any questions or concerns about this temporary closure or the school’s plans for improved student safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school. Your input and feedback are important to us.
Confidentiality
As we continue to navigate the educational journey with our students, I wanted to address an important matter regarding the role of parent helpers in our classrooms. First and foremost, I want to express my deep appreciation for the support and involvement of parents within our school community. Your dedication to your child's education and your willingness to assist our teachers in the classrooms is invaluable. This collaborative effort is a significant factor in our students' success.
However, I would like to take a moment to emphasise the critical importance of confidentiality when it comes to student behaviour and achievement. Every child is unique, and their progress is a personal and sensitive matter. We respect their individual journeys, and we must maintain their trust. Confidentiality is not just a requirement; it's a fundamental aspect of our school's culture. We expect that all parent helpers, in their role as observers in the classroom, will treat all information they encounter as confidential. This includes but is not limited to:
· Student behaviour, including any incidents or challenges that may arise.
· Academic progress and achievements, whether exceptional or requiring additional support.
· Any personal information that may be shared by students or staff members.
In the same way, we uphold the privacy and dignity of our own children, we must extend the same courtesy to all students within our school community. Maintaining confidentiality builds trust and fosters a safe and supportive learning environment for all. It allows students to be open, honest and unafraid of making mistakes or seeking help when needed. As parents, you play an integral role in upholding this principle.
Please remember that if you ever have concerns or questions about your child's progress or behaviour, the school’s staff are readily available to address these matters privately. Your open communication with us helps us provide the best support for your child and others.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Together, we can continue to create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all our students.
Newsletter Calendar
Please take the time to read over the Term Four calendar in today's newsletter. There are many important and exciting events coming up this term. At this stage, there are still some end of year activities that have not been confirmed. Keep a look out for the events to be added to the calendar in the near future.
Fun Day
A decision regarding Fun Day for 2023 has been made. We are excited to announce that this year the awesome students of Jamberoo will be heading off to Hoyts at Warrawong to enjoy a movie on Thursday 14th December. This will be followed by an action packed Mini-Olympics, to be held back at school. A decision on which movie will be viewed by the students will be communicated soon. A reminder to all Jamberoo families that the school covers all costs associated with Fun Day.
A permission note for parents/carers will be sent home via School Bytes soon. Please complete the permission form at your earliest convenience so we have a clear indication of the number of students who will be attending Fun Day.
Peak Family Feedback Survey
At Peak, we value your input and would love to hear from parents and carers through a quick survey. Please click on the link below to provide us with some valued feedback on Term 3 2023.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HVLKRNF
Intention to apply for Year 7 entry to a selective high school
If you are the parent of a Year 5 child and you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2025, you need to apply soon. You will need to apply online using a valid email address (not the student’s email address).
Key dates:
· Applications for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in 2025 open on 9 October 2023 and close on 20 November 2023 at our Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7 website.
· All candidates are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test on Thursday 9 May 2024.
Please visit the Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes website for updates and complete information about the placement process.
ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools)
The maths assessment was completed in Term Three. The results achieved by Jamberoo students were very pleasing. The school had 18 participants from Years 2 to 6. Of those participants, we had one merit and six credits. This is a commendable achievement.
Please find below the student results:
Participation – Harrison Kirk, Evie Stearn, Zahli Binks, Elsie Savell, Nell Reys, Maeve Rimmer, India Binks, Atticus Coffey, Ava Kirk, Archie Savell, Sophia Mackay
Merit – Elivia Kirk
Credit – Tyler Leeder, Bryce Bernhorster, Max Leeder, Madeleine Wilkins, Reece Mills, Nyasa Nakhate
The Spelling assessment was also completed in Term Three. The school had 10 participants from Years 2 to 6.
Please find below the student results:
Participation – Faith Kristen, Maeve Rimmer, Tyler Leeder, Evie Stearn, Nell Reys, Samara Kristen, Atticus Coffey, Nyasa Nakhate, Reece Mills.
Merit - Max Leeder
Preschool Visits
To follow up the school’s Kindergarten Orientation sessions, there will be preschool visits occurring in Week Four of this term where the preschool students will be having lunch and engaging in fun activities with our wonderful students throughout the week (11am-12pm).
2024 Enrolments
If you, or anyone else you know, is planning on enrolling a child at Jamberoo Public School next year please get in contact with the school at your earliest convenience to organise enrolment forms.
Alternatively, if you know that in 2024 you will be relocating from Jamberoo and your child/children will not be enrolling at the school it is very important that you make this known to us, so we have an accurate picture of student numbers for next year. Your cooperation and communication in this matter are very much appreciated.
Regards,
Mr Chris Speirs
Principal
