Information for Parents – 2 March 2022
Dear Families,
Please find attached Noranda Primary School’s Response to Covid19 in Our School Community Plan. The plan is a guide so you are aware of the steps Noranda Primary will take should we have Covid19 cases in our school.
Kind regards,
Kristy Harrison, Principal
Scenarios for Home Learning – Noranda PS
Information for Parents – 5 February 2021
Parents/Carers
I look forward to welcoming our students and all the excitement of day 1 when our school opens on Monday 8 February.
The five-day lockdown for Perth, Peel and the South West ended 6pm Friday 5 February, however some COVID-safe measures will continue until 12:01am, 14 February, details at WA.gov.au
For the next week, teachers and staff in our school will need to wear masks, however our students do not. You might want to let your child know that they will see staff wearing masks, and that teachers may take their mask off when teaching. Our staff will explain to our students the importance of wearing a mask as together we work through this transition.
You are permitted to enter the school grounds but you must be wearing a mask. Please be mindful of physical distancing especially on Monday when we may have more than the usual amount of parents and carers at school.
There may be some impact on assemblies and school activities next week, but we will work through those. The main thing is that our students are back, ready for learning and we’re ready to teach them.
I want to assure you that the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our top priority and we will continue to follow the latest WA Health advice at ww2.healthywa.gov.au
Thank you to all students and parents for your understanding and support during the lockdown.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me at Kerry.Fullarton@education.wa.edu.au
Kerry Fullarton
Acting Principal
Noranda Primary School
Information for Parents – 4 February 2021
Dear Noranda Primary School Community
I hope you are all keeping safe and well during this time.
Thank you for adhering to directions from the Premier and Education Department to not send your children to school.
Please continue to listen to updates from the Premier and Health Department, as we are finding out information at the same time as you. We will forward any information from the Education Department as it is received.
At this stage schools will be open from Monday 8 February but this can change very quickly. In terms of events that were planned for next week eg Parent Information night/community barbeque, we will hold off until further information is received. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Kerry.Fullarton@education.wa.edu.au should you have any questions.
Full newsletters will resume once school staff are back on site.
Best wishes
Kerry Fullarton
Acting Principal
4 February 2021
Further Information for Parents – 31 January 2021
Dear parent/carer,
I am writing to advise that our school will be closed tomorrow following the Premier McGowan’s announcement earlier today.
The Perth metropolitan area and the Peel and South West regions are moving to a 5-day lockdown effective at 6pm, Sunday 31 January, 2021 until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021.
This means all public schools in these regions will be closed this coming week. Our teachers and school staff will also remain at home. This will be an extension of the school holidays and no lessons or supervision will be provided.
Public schools in all other areas of the State return on Monday 1 February.
Information about the lockdown is available on the wa.gov.au site. The latest health information is available through WA Health Department.
I will provide more information during the week about school arrangements beyond Friday.
Kerry Fullarton
Principal, Noranda Primary School
31 January 2021
Information for Parents – 31 January 2021
Good afternoon everyone,
As you no doubt have heard, Perth, Peel and the Southwest region will go into full lockdown for 5 days from 6pm tonight. As a result, the school holidays have been extended for one week. This means that SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED this week. We are following the advice of our Premier and the Department of Education.
We will update our school community as further information is provided. Please check our school website for the latest updates and the Department of Education website www.education.wa.edu.au
Look after one another.
Kind regards,
Noranda Primary School Admin Team
Information for Parents – 22 April 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
I am writing to you during the school holidays to let you know about the arrangements for our school for Term 2 and what it will mean for you and your children.
These are unprecedented times and therefore, we will need to do some things differently in schools over the coming weeks, to maintain learning and to keep your children and our staff safe.
I understand this may be an uncertain and difficult period for you and your family. That is why the State Government has given parents a choice about whether their children return to school for face-to-face teaching or learn from home. It is a personal decision influenced by each family’s circumstances.
To assist with your decision making, please note the following:
- Monday 27 April is a public holiday;
- Tuesday 28 April will be a pupil free day. There will be no students at school as staff will be using this day for preparation;
- From Wednesday 29 April, school is open for all students whose parents/carers choose to send them. Please be aware that children learning from home will not be disadvantaged in any way, nor will it negatively affect their attendance records.
- Students who attend school will be taught a face-to-face program and timetable;
- For those children learning from home, this will be through online or hard copy packages provided to you from school. These hard copy packages will be available from the school undercover area on Tuesday 28th April from 8.30am.
- For those students who are learning from home, contact by school will be made each week by phone and/or online;
- All extra – curricular activities are currently on hold. This includes assemblies, carnivals, incursions, excursions, support programs and the school choir. Families will be informed when changes are made.
- It is imperative that any student who is unwell does not attend school during this pandemic.
- Parents are asked to drop their child/children at the school gate, please do not enter the school grounds.
Gates will be open at 8.30am
Students will be met by staff in the mornings and escorted to these gates in the afternoons. These drop and collection points will be clearly signposted.
To reduce congestion at gates we would like parents and students to access the school using the following entrances.
Kindy and Preprimary- Double Gates on north side of Walmsley Drive going into the kindergarten playground and the normal gate inside main entrance.
Junior Block Rooms 9-12 Gate on East side of Walmsley Drive (near basket ball court).
Senior Block Rooms 1-8 Gate on north side of Walmsley Drive and Main Entrance.
The State Government is providing $43 million in additional funding to expand school cleaning, in line with the health advice. Cleaners will work throughout the day to ensure all high-use areas, such as benchtops, desks, doorknobs, taps and hand rails, are regularly cleaned and surfaces disinfected. Some of our playgrounds will be open and play equipment will be cleaned before school and after each break.
These arrangements will be in place and reviewed ahead of Week 4 commencing 18 May. As always, State Government decisions will be based on the best health advice.
To assist us with our planning for the return of students we ask parents to complete a quick survey by going to the link below and completing the survey. It will help us plan for the number of children possibly returning to school on Wednesday 29th April.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DTHXQCP
We want all families and children to feel supported and informed during this time. I thank you for your continued support as we plan our way through this together. The information provided is our current position. We will provide further information on how our school will manage this situation should anything change ahead of school beginning on Wednesday 29 April.
Kind regards,
Jeff Murphy, Principal
Information for Parents Learning at Home – 8 April 2020
As a result of the COVID 19 global pandemic, social distancing advice and directives from our government, all schools are now preparing for students to learn at home through various platforms and mediums.
At Noranda Primary School we understand that in these unprecedented times this may be a challenge for many of our families. We are working hard to make this process as simple and as helpful as possible. So, here is some information to help you get started.
How will learning at home work?
- Learning at home will start if the government gives a directive to do so. Our learning modules will be ready for the start of Term 2 April 29th. Until then please access the websites we sent home via email on the 27th March to families
- Teachers are planning their work packages in two week blocks. Families will receive a timetable to see what is planned for each module of work
- Students who are working online will receive the next day’s work by 3.30pm the previous day through Class Dojo
- Students who do not have internet connectivity or printers will receive a hard copy package with two weeks work in it. This package will be picked up from school by parents
- Modules of work will have sufficient work for each day
- Lessons will be flexible and we have suggested daily time allocations. Parents can modify the programs to meet the needs of their individual children and the commitments of your family
- Additional supplementary lessons are also provided through the Department of Education’s learning at home portal. This will be available throughout the term
- Your teacher will identify three pieces of work for students to submit each week via Class Dojo or parents can drop off completed work on the Friday you pick up the new module of work (fortnightly)
- Teachers will provide encouraging comments and feedback for the pieces of work submitted by Class Dojo or on the hard copy sample.
Teaching and learning takes place at home using the resources that are distributed via Class Dojo to families or through the completion of a hard copy of activities. Teachers will communicate to students and parents through dojo, email or telephone depending on what is appropriate for families. Teachers will inform parents of a communication window (two hours a day) where they will respond to questions and queries they receive. This will occur through their usual communication platforms.
Package Content
Each fortnight the learning at home module will;
Contain options for:
- Activities that require connectivity to the internet and
- Activities that do not require connectivity and may be implemented without technology
- Include a mix of new curriculum not yet covered as well as revision activities of content already covered
- Indicate which activities are new curriculum (have not done it before) and what activities are revision
- Require students to read every day
- Require students to write everyday
- Require students to complete maths fluency activities each day
- Include a suggested timetable/time frames with each year level.
Suggested time allocations for parents/students
Kindergarten – 60 minutes throughout the day.
Pre-Primary – 90 minutes throughout the day.
Year1 – 120 minutes throughout the day.
Year 2 – 140 minutes throughout the day including specialist activity.
Year 3 – 150 minutes including specialist activity.
Year 4 – 150 minutes including a specialist activity.
Year 5 – 180 minutes including a specialist activity.
Year 6 – 180 minutes including a specialist activity.
We suggest you take regular breaks throughout the learning sessions. You should time the learning sessions around home routines. For some families a morning learning time will suit. For others the afternoons will be better.
Achieving Success learning at Home
Learning at home is dependent on close communication between teacher, student and parent. Parents work with their child to organise and complete school work.
Parents have a vital role and are a link between the class teacher and the student. Their main role is to guide, encourage and support their child in developing independent learning skills and completing tasks on time.
Children learn best when they have a secure and positive learning environment. Parents should encourage children to:
- Develop good study habits and be responsible for their own learning
- Organise module materials and equipment
- Complete work in the allocated time
- Prepare for each day’s lessons.
It is important that the parent models this behaviour. Parents should feel free to mark, comment and give feedback on their child’s school work as it is completed. Teachers value the participation of parents. Communication is a two- way process and we encourage parents to:
- Contact teachers early if you, or your child experiences difficulties
- Complete feedback sheets
- Write positive and constructive comments on student work
- Communicate through Class Dojo, email as first contact points.
Feedback and Assessment
Teachers will clearly indicate on the timetable of work three (3) activities that students will need to submit each week to their teacher for assessment and the opportunity to provide feedback and encouragement. Families working online can submit to teachers online. Families working from the hard copy packages can drop off the pieces of work when they pick up the new package of work on the Friday (Each Fortnight).
How can we complete all the required activities?
It may sometimes be a challenge to complete all activities.
- A regular timetable and study routine is recommended as it creates a stable environment in which your child can develop self- reliance and independence
- Develop the timetable to suit your situation. Some parents prefer to start school early and finish early, while others prefer the morning free and children work later in the day
- Vary the curriculum during the day including regular breaks for activities such as physical education and fitness, work modules and silent reading.
How can I support my child when learning at home?
Parents can support student learning in different ways.
- Be positive and enthusiastic, and take interest in your child’s work. Discuss the work with your child during study time so that he/she receives immediate feedback or extra assistance if needed
- Be consistent. Most children look for order, firmness and fairness
- Encourage learning beyond the classroom -Playing, cooking and outdoor activities
- If you have more than one child allow them to work together. For example, an older child could conference a writing task with a younger child or read to a younger child
- Check your child’s work and go through any incorrect work with them. It is important to leave any incorrect work showing with corrected attempts underneath because this informs the teacher’s understanding about the processes your child is using
- When you receive teacher feedback discuss this with your child
- There will be times when you need to be flexible. Your child may be ill or you may be too busy with other demands. Speak with your class teacher about your child’s workload.
Week One
If the school is going to online learning for term two and all indications at the moment say we are, school for children at Noranda Primary School will start on Wednesday 29th April.
Tuesday 28th April
- Families who will be able to work from home online will receive from teachers through Class Dojo a copy of the first two-week timetable as well as the next day’s lessons by 3.30pm. Teachers will send out the next day’s lessons to parents by this time each day
- Families who require a hard copy of the two-week work package will need to come into school on Tuesday 28th April to pick up the packages. The packages will be placed on tables in the undercover area for each year level Kindergarten to Year 6. (Pick up from 8.30am to 4.00pm)
- Kindergarten and Pre-Primary parents will all need to pick up an initial resource package of support resources on Tuesday 28th April. These resources will complement the student work packages
- Parents picking up the hard copy packages each fortnight will do so on a Friday after we start. Week 3 and 4 work will be available on Friday 8th May and every fortnight after that. When parents pick up the package we would ask them to sign a class roll on the table to assist us in identifying who has collected a package
- Parents picking up packages could also drop off their child’s assessment work and leave it in the box for their teacher to collect.
Further Advice for Parents
We will alert you via our Schoolzine app of any updates and changes to the learning at home arrangements as they occur. Please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher to ask for clarity or help.
Yours sincerely,
Jeff Murphy, Principal
8th April 2020
Covid-19 Information_Update 26 March 2020
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Today the Premier announced whilst all public schools will remain open until the end of term, families are strongly encouraged to keep their children at home if they have the capacity to do so.
I would like to share with you what this will mean for our school community:
- All children who attend school will be taught as normal.
Final week of Term –Monday 6 April to Thursday 9 April
- Students who attend will be supervised, but not taught normal lessons.
- Teachers and education assistants will prepare teaching programs for Term 2.
Term 2 –commencing Tuesday 28 April
- At this stage arrangements for Term 2 have not been finalised. The State Government is working on developing a longer term education model for Term 2 and beyond in response to COVID-19.
As a school we will send out to parents’ tomorrow, through email, a document listing online activities that children can access at home. Please be assured that when I receive further information I will provide details to you as soon as I can.
I would like to thank you for your support and cooperation during this unprecedented situation.
Kind Regards,
Jeff Murphy, Principal
Covid-19 Information_Update 25 March 2020
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Additional to information in yesterday’s update.
Drinking fountains will now only be used to refill water bottles. Please make sure your child has a water bottle clearly marked with their name. Bottles will be stored a safe distance apart during the day.
Jeff Murphy, Principal
25 March 2020
COVID-19 Information 24.03.2020
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
At this time Noranda Primary School will remain open through to the end of the current school term to support students whose parents have chosen to send them to school. This may change, however, and we wait on advice from the Education Department. The Department issues regular updates.
Teachers are not expected to provide work packages for students whose parents have chosen to keep them home without seeking medical advice, before the end of Term 1. The priority for staff is to maintain focus on classroom learning programs.
The following is information that relates directly to our school.
Absences
We ask that you notify the school in writing, from now on, (Noranda.PS@education.wa.edu.au or via class Dojo) if you choose to self-isolate as a family or are staying away because of a travel or medical risk factor. Please take the time to read the information below to ensure we are all on the “same page” with regard to the health and well-being of our school community.
Hygiene
· Please keep your children home if they are sick. We will be contacting parents to take children with coughs and sniffles home to recuperate.
· Staff continue to educate and encourage good hygiene, particularly surrounding hand washing, coughing, sneezing and nose-blowing. We also encourage children to keep their hands away from their faces.
· Our cleaners and other staff will be working hard to ensure that our facilities are correctly and regularly cleaned, and that we are stocked with soap and hand-drying materials.
Social Distancing
· Avoid touching others. This includes high fives, hugs, kisses or handshakes.
· We will spread children/classes out to work and play wherever possible.
· Parents and caregivers, please adhere to social distancing requirements when dropping and collecting your children to and from school. Please do not enter classrooms but drop your children at the door.
In order to comply with Social Distancing requirements, the following scheduled events for Semester 1 have unfortunately been cancelled, postponed or altered until further notice:
· Year 6 camp
· Excursions and incursions
· Interschool sports and carnivals
· Noranda Nippers
· Parent helpers
· School banking
· Bush wardens
· Chinese Language Reading Club
· School Board and P & C meetings and events
· Parent interviews either postponed or conducted over the phone by agreement between teachers and parents
· Assemblies – room 4 postponed for this term. More information to be provided in term 2.
· Running Club will still take place for those attending school with warm up happening on the grass outside the undercover area
NAPLAN
As you may be aware, the Education Ministers across Australia announced that NAPLAN testing for Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students across Australia will not occur this year.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
· It is important that information about the current situation is provided to students in a developmentally appropriate and reassuring way. Take the time to chat to them but not to hold adult conversations around your concerns in front of them.
· Turn off the “news” when young children are around.
· It is normal for children (and adults) to feel anxious or sad in these situations and if social isolation is in place they will need support. Keep them connected with friends and family electronically.
· Our School Chaplain, teachers and admin staff are available to talk to students and parents who have concerns.
Communication
It is vital that the school has the correct contact details for your family.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding during these uncertain times.
Jeff Murphy Principal
24 March 2020
COVID-19 General Information 24.03.2020
How to minimise the spread of COVID-19
- Frequently washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using an alcohol based hand gel
- Refraining from touching mouth and nose
- If coughing or sneezing, covering your nose and mouth with a paper tissue or flexed elbow
- Dispose of the tissue immediately after use and perform hand hygiene
- Avoiding close contact with anyone if you, or they, have a cold or flu-like symptoms (maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres).
COVID-19 symptoms
People with COVID-19 may experience:
- fever;
- flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue; or
- shortness of breath.
For the latest health information and health related enquiries please visit WA Department of Health or access the helpline 1800 020 080.