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No child will be turned away from school

25 Mar 2020

The NSW Department of Education’s advice regarding schools is very clear. No child in NSW will be turned away from school.

Schools will remain open for parents who want their children to attend irrespective of their profession or working arrangements.

The decision to keep schools open has been made based on advice from NSW Health, which has not changed.

The department will provide continuity of learning for all students both on and off campus and the Premier, for practical reasons, has encouraged parents to keep their children at home if they could.

Schools will communicate directly with parents on what learning options are available using their communication methods such as the school website, newsletters, emails and other online tools.

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New COVID-19 restrictions begin as schools move towards online learning

23rd March, 2020

The NSW Government has taken significant new steps to increase restrictions across the state – triggering the next level of enforcement necessary to fight COVID-19.

Following the decisions made by National Cabinet, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the shutdown to protect NSW citizens.

“I understand many in the community are worried, and these changes will affect everyday lives, and may be upsetting,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“But these decisions will make us all safer, they are taken with the health of all citizens in mind, and they must be taken now.

“If you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so.”

In line with health advice, from midday today, the following non-essential activities and businesses will be temporarily shut down:

  • pubs, registered clubs
  • gyms, indoor sporting venues
  • cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
  • restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
  • religious gatherings, places of worship (excluding small weddings and funerals that comply with the 4m2 rule, which can proceed).

It is important to note essential gatherings at places such as hospitals, workplaces, constructions sites and for public transport are exempt and will continue.

As confirmed last night by the Prime Minister schools will remain open, based on health advice, which has not changed.

But from tomorrow, in NSW, for practical reasons, parents are encouraged to keep their children at home.

“Because nearly 30 per cent of children are already being kept out of school, for practical reasons NSW is encouraging parents to keep their children at home,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This will ensure there is only one unit of work, whether the student is at home or at school.

“No child will be turned away from school.”

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Letter from NSW Health re. School Closures

Dear school community,

Please find above a letter from Dr Kerry Chant PSM, Chief Health Officer at NSW Health, regarding the issue of school closures in relation to the community transmission of COVID-19. Please note, at this stage, the advice is that, “…pre-emptive closures are not likely to be proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.”

As always, we are providing the most recent information to the whole school community, in an effort to allay fears, avoid impulsive action and keep you informed of current medical advice to schools and their communities. We are aware that the circumstances are changing with frequency, and that the closure of schools will continue to be prominent in federal and state Health Departments’ informed discussions.

A decision will be made on SRE and SEE classes ASAP and advice sent out in a timely fashion to all.

 

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‘Distancing Measures’ in response to COVID-19

Dear School Community,

Please read the latest press release in regards to the Department of Education’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All schools have been asked to implement ‘Distancing Measures’ and, as of Monday 16/3, all school assemblies and excursions will be cancelled until further notice. The Year 6 camp, which was scheduled for next week, has been cancelled and Year 6 parents informed. 

We thank you for your flexibilty and understanding in these troubling times. As you will be aware, circumstances are changing very quickly and we will endeavour to keep you updated as new information arises. 

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Robotics

During Term1, Years 3-6 are taking part in a 10 week Robotics program run by Robokids. Students are learning to code and program through hands on challenges specifically designed to their year level outcomes across KLA’s. Each student will create at least 6-8 programs throughout the 10 weeks. They are working in pairs and have one robot and laptop between them. Each lesson is run and supervised by trained teachers from Robokids.

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Library Mural

Library Mural
Artist, Bhavna Khanna, did such an amazing job with the mural outside the DHPS library that it made the NSW Department of Education Facebook page!
The students are delighted in seeing their books, the ones they voted for, in colour on the wall.

 

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Year 1 Bake Sale for Drought Affected Communities

On Monday the 9th of December, Year 1 had a bake sale to raise money for drought and bushfire affected communities.

There were lots of cakes donated so thank you to all those families. There was lemon cake, butter cake, cupcakes, jelly cups, butter filled macaroons, biscuits, sponge rolls, spring rolls, savoury tarts, crackers, marshmallow tea cups, toffee and brownies.

We would like to thank all the teachers that helped us run the stall. Most of the food was gone by the end of the day. We raised $870! This included $57 raised by wonderful students in 5/6B, Alice and Chloe, who held a lemonade stand over the weekend. Thank you to all those who supported the bake sale!

Written by Annie, Sadie & Lily

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First Nations Bedtime Stories Challenge

 

                                                               Day 1: The One-Eyed Rainbow Serpent

3/4RN really enjoyed listening to the Dreamtime story, The One Eyed Rainbow Serpent read by Garrard Anderson, a Luritja, Pintupi, Arrernte, and Warlpiri man. We watched the film in a lovely warm classroom with the lights off while sipping hot chocolate made by Mrs Ng. The perfect environment for a BEDTIME STORY. The story was filmed in Ulumbarru, a natural springs about 250km West of Alice Springs.

 

The story of the One-Eyed Rainbow Serpent is about the natural environment and teaches us about the importance of looking after Country, so it can look after us.

 

No one has ever seen the One-Eyed Rainbow Serpent, they have only seen his one eye shining bright like a light.

 

Here are our pictures of what the One-Eyed Serpent might look like, or the baby One-Eyed Rainbow Serpent.

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Earn & Learn

This year, Dulwich Hill Public School will once again be taking part in the Woolworths Earn and Learn Program. This program involves families who shop at Woolworths collecting stickers that go towards earning points for the school that can then be exchanged for resources to aid the students.

Over the past 7 years the school has been able to build resources across literacy, numeracy, science and history, visual arts and music. Resources have been able to support students across all year groups and have been a valued addition to classrooms.

The program is currently underway and will run until the 25th June. If you choose to shop at Woolworths, please collect a sticker sheet from your local store, download a form on line or collect a form from the school office. Stick the stickers to the forms and completed sheets can then be returned to the front office for collection. Thank you to for your support.

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From the Library

To all the mums who covered library books at home this year a big THANK YOU!

All borrowing for the library has now ceased for 2018. Please help your child to find and return their library books, to the return box, on any day. Thank you.

Summer Reading Challenge 2018-2018

Once again, our students are encouraged to participate in the ‘Challenge’ which runs from Saturday, 1st December to Friday, 15th February 2019. Our school won the 2017-2018 Challenge from the 45 schools who entered!

Students have received entry forms from Inner West Libraries on which they record 10 or more books of choice they have read and write a book review.

Students may enter as many times as they like. Ms. Gray in the library has extra copies of the entry form.

Completed entries can be taken to any Inner West library branch. For more information please go to https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/explore/whats-on/events-in-detail/summer-reading-challenge.

HAPPY READING!

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End of Year Working Bee & BBQ

As we wind down, or ramp up, towards the end of the year it’s a good time to give our grounds some TLC. The school grounds provide crucial outdoor learning and play space, and have an important role in supporting local biodiversity.

Come dig-in to help keep our school grounds alive.

  • When: Sunday 9th December, 9am-12pm followed by a picnic lunch provided by your P&C.
  • What: Weeding, whipper-snippering, mulching, dismantling old chicken coop, litter-picking (for the kids!)
  • Who: Jobs for all shapes and sizes, bring the kids – they love to muck in or just explore the grounds

Questions? Contact Sarah via dullygrounds@gmail.com

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Transition at School

As 2018 draws to a close, our school has been looking into how we support our students in transitioning into the new school year, new classes, new grades and stages. Returning to school after the holidays is a time of transition and may present challenges and worries for some students.

Each week the Learning Support Team will provide some useful ideas and strategies for families to consider, making the transition back to school a little easier.

This week, the Learning and Support Team has directed their efforts into running individual sessions around transitioning into a new grade. They have discussed some of the similarities and differences between their current and new grade in regards to routines, classrooms and locations around the school.

Tip #1
Talk with your child about how they are feeling as the year comes to a close. Discuss highlights from this year at school and what they are looking forward to next year.

Tip # 2
Discuss with your child some of the things that will be different in their new grade and the things that will stay the same. Encourage them to express how they feel about the things that might be a bit different next year, and discuss any of their concerns without judgment.

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Year 6 Musical

Year 6 Musical – Leaving Neverland

A reminder that all Year 6 students will stay at school after 3.15pm until the end of the performance at 8pm. During the time before the show they will be provided a pizza snack and some free time. Staying at school ensures that they are on time and costumed for the evening performance.

  • All parents and family are invited to attend. If you are not attending the performance you must be ready to pick up your child at 8pm.
  • Performance Start Time: 6pm
  • Approximate Duration: 2 hours
  • Cost: As per previous years, there is no ticketing, although we will be taking donations at the door to contribute towards next year’s performance.

Food available from the Canteen at 5pm

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DHPS School Band Program General Information

Being involved in the school’s band program is a lot of fun, a source of enjoyment, a challenge and a commitment. Students will develop skills and attitudes that will last for life.

The Dulwich Hill program consists of two bands: a training band for beginners and a senior band for experienced players. Our bands give performances to the other students at school, to parents & the community at special musical events, and to other schools as part of a school concert program.

There are currently around 60 students participating in the band program.

Who Can Join?

Students can apply for the band program from Year 4 onwards. They do not need any prior musical experience to join the band.

Instruments

The instruments which are included in the school concert bands are:
Trumpet, Trombone, French horn, Euphonium/Baritone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Electric Bass guitar, Glockenspiel, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Percussion/Drums.
The school owns many of these instruments and they are available for hire. Parents can also hire or buy instruments from local or online suppliers.

How do I Choose an Instrument?

In Term 4, a band information evening is held with a student demonstration of each of the instrument groups. Students from year 4 and above are offered three instrument choices for rent and the band leader will make all efforts to accommodate student instrument preferences and will allocate school owned instruments according to availability and suitability. There may be limitations on what instruments children can play, due to their hand size or arm length.

Students are notified of their instrument allocation by the band leader via email.

If you did not able to attend the band information evening and would like to play or have your own instrument, please contact the Band Director Martin Taylor.

Band Director Biography – Martin Taylor

Martin Taylor is a graduate from The Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He has been directing bands and taking instrument tutorials since 1998. He has taught high school class music in schools in Sydney and London as well as working at the Australian Institute of Music for five years and being a guest lecturer and tutor at The University of Western Sydney.

Martin currently runs the band programs at two inner west Public Schools and also performs with Musica Viva group ‘Zeeko’ as well as directing four Latin American bands in Sydney.
Martin performs regularly on Trombone, Bass guitar and Percussion and has been a tutor and band director at Dulwich Hill Public School since 2012.

Weekly Sectional Rehearsals and Band Practice

The Band Program will run on Wednesday afternoons from 3:15 until 5pm. It consists of two sessions: a whole band practice and sectional rehearsals.
Whole band practice is where the whole band rehearses together with their conductor, either the senior or junior band.

Sectional Rehearsals are run by tutors hired by the school and occur in smaller groups. The tuition groups are based on ‘sections’ of similar instruments. These group lessons provide the basis for learning how to play the instrument and to practise the tunes that the whole band is currently learning.

Expectations

It does not really matter which instrument a child plays, as they will learn how to read music and play in a group. In practical terms, it will mean that students will undertake to practise their instrument at least 3 times a week for about 10 -20 minutes per practice.

Parent support is essential. They will need somewhere in the house away from distractions (especially TV) to practise. Students will have to commit themselves to “sticking with the Band” for at least one year. It is not just having talent, it is about daily will power to achieve what you set out to do.

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School Band Sign Up for 2019

For ALL families wishing to have children in the School Band in 2019.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday 12th December at 5pm in the Hall. Attendance at this meeting is a requirement for all new members and parents, (Year 4 and above in 2019).

Arrangements for invoices, student behaviour expectations including tutorial expectations, parent contracts – all will be provided for applications in 2019. The range of instrument hiring options will be explained and your questions answered. Put the date up front of your up-coming and important events.

This invite is for all Students in Years 4-6 in 2019. No musical experience necessary.

Note Regarding Younger Students: Younger students may be considered, on a case by case basis, at the discretion of the Band Leader, Martin Taylor. It would be expected that a younger student would already be playing an instrument with a tutor. You are most welcome to come along and see if this is for you.