Trundle Central School Newsletter · COVID-19 sounds like an eighties movie featuring great actors...

Telephone: (02) 68921303 Fax: (02) 68921184 Email: [email protected] School webpage – https://trundle-c.schools.nsw.gov.au Facebook - www.facebook.com/TrundleCentralSchool

1st June 2020 Term 2 Week 6

Trundle Central School Newsletter A school that provides a

professional, stimulating and challenging learning

environment

Principal Mr John Southon

Head Teacher Secondary Mr Gerry Capell

Assistant Principal Mrs Fiona Sanderson

Reminders

P&C President

Vacant

Secretary Vacant

Treasurer Vacant

All K-6 participated in a range of activities to acknowledge Sorry Day and

Reconciliation week. The students were immersed in quality literature, class

discussions, art activities and documentaries related to the apology

by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. K-6 worked together to create an

artwork specifically related to Sorry Day.

GUITARS—TERM 2

Due to the COVID-19

restrictions that are in

place, please ensure that

you bring your allocated

guitar.

If you forget your guitar,

you will remain in your normal class instead of

attending the guitar lesson.

Mr Chris Orr

Guitar Teacher

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.trundle-c.schools.nsw.edu.au/


Term 2 Week 6

Principal’s

Message

The school is operating well under the COVID-19

increased hygiene measures. We are blessed in this

school with compliant students and outstanding staff

who understand that they are part of the bigger picture

of whole school responsibility. This has allowed us to

transition back to face to face learning relatively easily.

Considering some schools are yet to return, this is

extremely positive. We are starting to run low on anti-

bacterial wipes and delivery is very slow. Hopefully

these supplies will come this week and the new-normal

operations can continue.

Our school community should always remember that

we are following the directions and protocols of our

political and corporate masters. We can modify these

slightly to suit the local context. However, we must

follow restricting visitors to the school, stopping

excursions, inter-school sport and implement increased

hygiene measures. These are unfortunately non-

negotiables at this stage. An indication of the frustration

that some students are feeling is a comment from a

Kinder student last week: ‘I cannot wait for this crap to

be over!’ Often from the mouths of children is

expressed what we all are thinking.

I wish health officials and media would go back to calling

it the Corona virus. I can completely understand after a

case of Corona you would not be allowed or able to do

anything. COVID-19 sounds like an eighties movie

featuring great actors such as Arnie Schwarzenegger.

COVID-19, the action movie, would be a crime against

the proper use of the English language, not a world-wide

pandemic. I am sure Arnie playing the main character of

the virus would say ‘wash your hands or I will be back!’

As Principal, I find the lack of extra-curricular activities

incredibly frustrating. Over the last six years, I have

been trying to introduce as much as possible to the

school to try and expose our students to different

experiences, cultures and geographic areas. The

motivation is simple. The more a young mind is exposed

to the diversity of the world, the less they are inclined

to develop one dimensional thinking. I believe, a lack of

ability to think beyond a simplistic one-dimensional

pattern often encourages the world’s evils, such as

racism. Closed minds also limit the enormous potential

of young people to positively change the world. If you

consider the great political and social changes in this

country they did not stem from the Bingo rooms of

Service Clubs. They were generated by young, active

minds, recognising a problem and willing to bring about

positive change.

Open minded, globally thinking young people do not see

the need to stereotype people or use the excuse

statement. An example of what I call the ‘the excuse

statement’ is: ‘I am not racist but’………or ‘it is none of

my business and I hate to gossip but’…………… As

soon as a person starts a sentence with an excuse

statement, you can bet they are 100% what they are

claiming not to be. Stereotyping is also incredibly

dangerous because it eliminates rational debate about

issues or people. An example of a common stereotype

is that all Muslims are dangerous terrorists. On a very

simplistic level, how could any person know every

Muslim person in the world? Also in terms of social

cohesion, how could all 3 billion plus Muslims possibly

be evil? World order would collapse if that was the

case. Closed minds kill rational debate and place strain

of cohesive societies.

One of the problems generated by the extended

COVID-19 lockdown is some children are out of

routine. Also, some students are tragically yet to return

to school. The Education Act clearly states that children

should attend school every day the school is

operational, for whole days, unless they have a reason

acceptable by the Principal. I have regular meetings with

the Department Attendance Officers, so any non-

attendance will be closely monitored and action taken. I

also have a policy of asking local police to do welfare

checks on students who are not attending school. This

at times gains me a spontaneous character reference by

some in the community, but I have a professional and

moral obligation to make sure children are in school.

All students will have a modified report for Semester

one, commenting on what students have achieved to

date rather than against all syllabus outcomes. With the

exception of Stage 6 at this stage, students we will also

not be graded using the A-E scale for this once off

report. The Education Minister has given schools until

Week 6 next term for reporting. A timeline for reports

will be published in the near future.

The reasons for the modified report are both complex

and simple. In terms of complexity there is the equity

issue where some students had access to electronic

resources and extensive support and others did not

during the work from home period. So grading would

disproportionally affect those students with limited

internet or support at home, a situation I cannot accept

in a public school. A simple reason is that over a

quarter of face- to- face learning has been lost this year

because of COVID-19, making some of the syllabus

outcomes impossible to achieve at this stage.




Term 2 Week 6

The global pandemic has had some positive results. I

believe partnerships have been strengthened between

our Stage 6 students and their teachers. This can only

be a positive. Also, our students have now an increased

awareness of positive hygiene practices. This school will

continue the increased hygiene practices throughout

the flu season and we are currently purchasing

automatic sanitation stations for public access and for

staff. We are trialling them with adults with the idea of

rolling them out to student areas in the future.

National Reconciliation Week is from 27th May to 3

June. The National Reconciliation Week 2020 theme is:

‘In this together’. This theme reinforces that we all

have a role to play in reconciliation. Through playing

our part, we collectively build relationships and

communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people, histories and cultures. I think Australia

has moved towards this theme but we still have a long

way to go in some areas.

This school has outstanding Aboriginal students. Robert

Stokes is an example of a role model for his people.

Robert is currently a School Captain and has been

involved in the leadership of the school over a number

of years through the SRC and sport. Through

indigenous role models such as Robert Stokes, we

move our nation towards closing the gap in educational

outcomes and indigenous health. I believe this gap is a

national tragedy and disgrace. Our Aboriginal students

are at, or above school and regional standards and

represented across all aspects of the school. All

schools, including this one, can do better but this is a

very good start.

This year, the school NAIDOC celebrations will be

held on the 10th of August. Again this year, we will have

the services of Mark Saddler, an Aboriginal artist and

story teller. Mark presents a new program every year

and is highly entertaining and informative. He delivers a

traditional and contemporary viewpoint on Aboriginal

culture to students. This year, NAIDOC is later in

August in the hope that some more COVID-19

restrictions will be lifted. Australia is without a doubt the best country in the

world, daylight second. We have one of the most multi-

cultural populations but very limited dysfunctionality

and violence. Once again, the fundamental problems of

disadvantage, based on race, have manifested into

violence in the United States. Donald Trump is an

interesting character but it is simplistic in the extreme

to blame him completely. The entrenched disadvantage

has resulted in riots previously, even when iconic

presidents such as Kennedy and Regan were in office.

Australia has outstanding public education and universal

health care. We also have compulsory voting to allow

everyone, not only the elite to have a say in

government. This is the importance of public education.

No sandstone gates, exclusively high socio-economic

demographic attending or narrow religious doctrine,

but opportunity. That is public education.

School photos will be conducted on the 21st of July.

This year, the photographers cannot do whole staff or

a traditional whole school photo on the oval. The

whole school photo will be constructed from a

compilation of head shots. This is not ideal, but it is

more satisfactory than missing out on a school photo

altogether.

The school from a generous donation is purchasing

four e-reader pens at a cost of 1440 dollars. These

pens read text from a page into an ear piece. It is

hoped these pens will help students who have had long

term struggles learning to read. This school tries

incredibly hard to teach reading because it is a vital skill

for life. However, we also are realistic that if this

amazing technology can help in this process, we will

embrace it.

This week, I have received calls from Phillip Donato,

State Member for Orange and Sam Farraway, MLC for

rural NSW in relation to the staffing of the Police

Station following correspondence from the school.

These outstanding local members have made

representations to the commander of Western Area

Police and NSW Minister for Police in relation to our

station staffing. Western Area Police have made a

commitment that our station will continue to be

permanently staffed. I have assurances that there are no

plans to remove an officer from the station. This is

good news and I will receive this assurance in writing in

the near future. I do not believe we have a crime

problem in Trundle as it is a very safe community but a

police presence is always re-assuring and country

people should not be neglected. I thank Mr Donato and

Mr Farraway for their prompt and comprehensive

response to an issue raised by the school.

I have attempted to gain a response from Parkes Shire

is relation to the dog issue in Trundle. I am yet to

receive anything besides a superficial acknowledgement.

Dogs barking all night affect students that attend this

school and their families and I believe is a totally

unacceptable situation. This school believes in being

proactive in the community rather than a transient

workforce visiting the town, taking money back to

other communities.

The news this week that News Corporation is

discontinuing numerous country and regional

publications or moving to an on-line format is, I believe,

devastating for country towns. The country paper with

local news is a cultural institution that corporate




Term 2 Week 6

Australia is consigning to the same large scrap heap, that

many of the small but essential things that enhancing our

lives in the country are thrown. Naturally, country

people will adapt and cope because apparently we are

tough, or neglected because we are non-vocal and

compliant, your call.

John Southon

Principal




Term 2 Week 6




Term 2 Week 6

Ajax’s

Weekly Woof

Woof Woof Awards: 500 happy barks to all the happy, laughing people I

see enjoying the autumn sun around Trundle. One

of Southo’s many jobs was a grave digger. He buried

many people but very few were happy about it, so

don’t worry be happy!

499 happy barks to all the students putting their

rubbish in the bin at breaks. Cleaners are employed

to clean unavoidable mess. Throwing rubbish on the

ground is definitely avoidable. Not bad for a two

year old to get avoidable and unavoidable in the

correct context. Public education.

500 happy barks to the primary children for their

artwork for Sorry Day. A very impressive way to

mark and respect this day.

500 happy barks to Dylan Martin. Excellent catching

of the football right up to the part you hurt your

fingers. However, a high tolerance of pain big fellow,

not even a little tear in the eye.

500 happy barks to the whole of primary. Great

start to the term. As I walk around, everyone seems

to be focused and working.

500 happy barks to Jacko and Miss Rowlands for the

new outdoor learning area. The area is great and functional and a lasting addition to the school.

500 happy barks to Dannielle Ward for the

excellent meals and service she has provided during

the lockdown. The pub also has a coat of fresh paint

in the bar I hear. I am sure opening for takeaway

would have at times not covered wages but it is all

part of community responsibility and spirit.

500 angry growls to the students that are feeding

me. I looked in the mirror and I look like a four

legged version of Southo. I need to lose weight so

you are not helping me by feeding me. I am a

Labrador, I will eat so do not tempt me.

Until next week, Ajax

Bark with laughter with

Ajax:

Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut?

He just needed a little space!

Ajax carefully

listening to the

presentation

on why paw

cleaning is so

important.




Primary

Term 2 Week 6

Students of the Week K/1/2 - Jed Spicer

3/4 - Thomas Sanderson

5/6 - Shaniqua Money

Mrs Sanderson - Katanah Price

Sportspersons - Sabrina Ferguson, Shaniqua Money, Katanah Price

The students and teachers started and finished the

week with great enthusiasm.

Students were keen to see their friends, connect

with their teachers and the SLSO’s and begin

working hard on all their school tasks!

Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week All K-6 participated in a range of activities to

acknowledge Sorry Day and Reconciliation week.

The students were immersed in quality literature,

class discussions, art activities and documentaries

related to the apology by Prime Minister Kevin

Rudd in 2008. K-6 worked together to create an

artwork specifically related to Sorry Day.

Friday Sport Last Friday all K-6 participated in an active, engaging

and enjoyable afternoon of sport. The students

rotated through a variety of skipping activities.




Term 2 Week 6

Year 1/2 Maths Last week year 1/2 used the Dash bots to explore

the concept of length. They were given multiple

tasks including measuring using handspan as well as

measuring specific lengths using a ruler.

Please ensure that your child

has a hat for sport on Fridays.

Please return all work packs to school as soon as

possible even if they haven’t been finished. Please

be reassured that over the next few weeks, all

concepts will be revisited.




Term 2 Week 6

Secondary

Students and staff have quickly settled back into the

usual routine of schooling at Trundle Central

School. The students need to be congratulated on

their application they are demonstrating in their

learning. Thanks to all our dedicated and

enthusiastic staff for creating such a positive

environment for the students return.

We are still discussing our Year 7-10 Semester 1

reports. When these are issued they will be

reporting on how your child is progressing in terms

of the teacher’s expectations of each student

individually. These will be focused on what the

students have achieved and what they

demonstrated to the teachers that they are capable

of doing. We will be relying heavily on the

teacher’s judgement rather than empirical marks

for these reports. Our school community is

extremely lucky that we have such talented and

dedicated staff members that know our students so

well.

This week we have altered our cleaning routine for

our classes. The new procedure is that at the end of each class the students will pack up the material

they have used during the lesson and put away

their personal equipment and collect some paper

towel. The teacher or SLSO in the class will then

spray the desk area and each student will wipe

down their own desk. They will deposit the paper

towel into the bin as they leave the classroom and

then go and wash their hands before their next

class. As they enter each class they will have their

hands sanitised. Well done to the students for

adapting to these new requirements.

Stage 6 students are continuing with their studies

as usual. As the department view the Western

Access Program as one school with different

campuses we will be allowed to start visiting other

schools for the purpose of our Vocational

Educational Training courses practical days. The

first of these days will occur on 18th of June with a

Year 11 Construction day here at Trundle followed

by a Year 11 Hospitality day at Peak Hill. Obviously

these days are imperative for our students to

acquire the practical skill required to satisfy the

award they are progressing towards. Strict hygiene

measurements will be in place to protect students

and staff.

As always if you have any questions please contact

me at school.

Haver a great week

Gerry Capell

Head Teacher Secondary Studies

Secondary Sportspersons of the Week Cooper Holloway, Charlie Anderson, Ryan

Dorman and Will Charlton

GUITARS—TERM 2 Remember your guitars on Tuesday and

Wednesday.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions that are

in place, please ensure that you bring your

allocated guitar.

If you forget your guitar, you

will remain in your normal class

instead of attending the guitar

lesson.




Term 2 Week 6




Term 2 Week 6 Page 11

from our Library Term 2 Week 6:

OUR EXCITING NEW LITERACY VENTURE the ‘STAR’ Reading Program is finally

underway. Students from Year 3 to Year 10 are participating in an intensive literacy

program where they will be reading novels from our fantastic library selection and our

online eBooks.

Regular reading will increase our student’s literacy; develop their vocabulary; build their

knowledge; boost their confidence; and ensure success here at Trundle Central School

and beyond !

The benefits of our students READING regularly

• Children who read often achieve better at school

• Reading exercises the brain

• Reading improves concentration

• Reading teaches children about the world around them

• Reading improves vocabulary, language and writing skills

• Reading develops the imagination

• Reading helps children to develop empathy for others

• and …. Reading is fun !!

BOOK CLUB IS BACK !

Catalogues were distributed last week – orders due 17th JUNE 2020

Have a great Week 6 - Library Staff � �

Term 2 Week 6




Community

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Trundle Central School Newsletter · COVID-19 sounds like an eighties movie featuring great actors...

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