Dear Parents and Carers

This week our Year Six children have been attending camp at the Sports and Recreation Camp at Jindabyne. The camp runs for three days and two nights, starting on Wednesday morning and concluding on Friday afternoon. The camp is essentially held outdoors and is structured around physical activities which require the children to take some risks and build their resilience. The other central feature is the development of team building skills.

It is a fabulous opportunity for the children that encourages them to work cooperatively with their classmates and teachers. For most children it is the highlight of the school year.

Thank you to our staff who are attending; Mrs Cole, Miss Beissner, Mr Hunt, Mr Payne, and Mrs Hogan. You can well imagine that the care of these children over three days is a big responsibility, which our staff take very seriously. I thank them on your behalf for their generosity. 

Think U Know
This outstanding presentation, which has been offered in schools for many years, was delivered to the parents of our Years Five and Six children last Tuesday evening.

The following outline which gives a good summary of their work, appears on their website.

ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry partners to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

The program incorporates up-to-date research, real case studies and examples from reports made to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.

The program is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.

The program is a partnership  with the AFP, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Datacom and Microsoft Australia, and in collaboration with all State and Territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.

Volunteer’s Survey
A survey asking for volunteers to assist in the running of our community functions was sent home via Compass on Monday. The survey also asked for any ideas as to initiatives which could be undertaken to make our community stronger during this year.

Please complete the survey and return it as soon as possible. The results will be discussed at our next Community Council meeting later this term.

Staffing
Mr Hunt will be taking some Long Service Leave over the next four weeks to travel overseas. During this time Mrs Farhadi, who is well known to our school community, will be teaching Year 6B.

I know you will join with me in wishing Daniel safe travels and a happy holiday.

May God bless you and your families this week. 

Graham Pollard
Principal