A Proud Mudgee Moment this week. Congratulations Louise Carr Junior Teacher and Knowledgeble Other for Writing Teacher Support, Natasha Markwick Deputy Principal and our teaching staff for your second nomination this term. You are all One in a Million.

My greatest excitement when I was coaching today in Middle 9 was to find the students being authors, illustrators and publishers of their Ch Book. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did being part of their development.

Reading is magic! Being a Writer is magical!

Mrs Hope

During week 9 our students will revisit the learning from the past 3 weeks of school.  Through explicit and incidental teaching, students have explored the skills below;

Week 6

We pay for our items, we report damaged items.

Week 7

We are environmentally friendly, we place our rubbish in the bin, we place our recycling items in the proper bin

Week 8 

We ask to use the toilet, we flush the toilet and wash our hands, we close the toilet door, we respect the right to privacy.

Parents you can assist with this learning in a home school partnership, by encouraging your young person to.

Week 6

• Direct your young person whilst shopping to look at items on shelves only.
• Pay for items at the checkout.
• Learn their pin number to pay for items at the checkout.

Week 7

• Undertake recycling in your own home.
• Sort recyclable items and bring aluminium cans to school.

Week 8 

• Flush the toilet after each use and wash their hands.
• Visually schedule each step of washing hands or toileting.

Our Annual Day for Daniel Walk will be held on Friday 30^th October, 2020. Due to the current restrictions in place with COVID-19, we have made this a student and staff only event. Your young person will have the opportunity to fundraise for the event which will go to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and our playground upgrade. Prizes are given to students who raise $10 and above. In your communication book your young person would have received the flyer (below) and a sponsorship form. Information for fundraising will be within the flyer and sponsorship form.

NEXT STEPS ANNUAL DATA

2020 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2019, before completing Year 12. This short, confidential survey collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The results of the survey help provide valuable information to improve services available to school leavers in the future.

Between August and September, these school leavers can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of Next Step post-school destination surveys in 2020.

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

2020 has been a year like no other please make sure we highlight everyday how important it is to check in on each other. If you need support know there is assistance and our school is here to connect you to the community resources.

Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Maintaining the required hygiene and physical distancing measures in place in our school. These are our most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is not preferred however for Term 3 we will maintain limiting large groups of adults onsite or outside personnel from outside agencies eg therapists. All contractors for work repairs will adhere to Departmental guidelines. We are working with providers for School Graduation as we need to meet guidelines re dancing so 2020 Graduation most likely will look different. Schoolies has been officially cancelled and we already modelled this in the best way possible through accessing the Tallebudgeera Camp Facility in Term 3 Week 10.

we would like to clarify that if a member of your household is sick, you are not required to stay home unless you have received health advice to do so.

Any person who is sick (staff, student or parent) should stay home and if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Loss of taste or smell
• Tiredness and muscle aches
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Shortness of breath

If students or staff present at school as unwell we will follow up and request an imediate early departure until a medical clearance is provided and confirmation that the person is well.

We need to ensure we stay home if recurring flu like symptoms present to decrease the spread of influenza.

Further information about COVID-19 testing is available via the link below:

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-feverclinics

If you have any questions, please call your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Border restrictions Remain in Place

You would be aware that the Premier announced that from 1am Saturday 8 August, all local government areas in NSW and the ACT will be declared COVID-19 hotspots.

This means that any person who has been in NSW or the ACT during the past 14 days must not enter Queensland.  There are some exceptions subject to strict conditions including Queensland residents returning home who will be subject to government-directed quarantine at their own expense.

Podcast: 'Talking to children about our "new normal" during COVID-19 pandemic'

Speakers: Dr. Linda Nicolotti 

With parents and families trying to adjust to a new way of doing life with remote job tasks, virtual learning from home and social distancing, Dr. Linda Nicolotti with Brenner Children's talks with us about discussing and working through this process with our children.

Listen Now Link >>

Article: 'How Students Are Organizing Extracurricular Activities During COVID-19'

Published by: Re:set 
Author: Aarya Sinha
Published on June 1, 2020

Extracurricular activities have been one of the most integral aspects of many students’ school lives. As schools closed down, extracurricular activities and student tournaments got cancelled.In light of the pandemic, many students have stepped up to the plate and taken the initiative to move after-school activities online

• Student attendance 8.30 am till 2.45 pm.
• Phone the office and request the classroom. Please always be mindful of students' learning and teachers teaching times.
• If you are late to start the school day please attend the School Office and staff will assist with contacting your class.
• Utilise the students' Communication Diary and Seesaw.
• Request face to face meetings through your class teacher before, after school or in their noncontact time.

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