Kindergarten 2021

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land.

We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.

We recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of the Awabakal People.

We celebrate with and respect members of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations

Where Everyone Can Succeed

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We do appreciate that the information attached is a change to previously advised dates. This change was necessary to accommodate increasing numbers of students, who will be commencing at Glendore in 2021; and also to follow recent NSW DoE advice.

The change will provide increased assessment time for Best Start, which will provide better data for our teachers to teach your child(ren) to their individual points of need. The change is also necessary and due to the NSW DoE gazetting a secondary mandatory Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day) at the beginning of the year for mandatory courses, compliance training and professional learning.

It comes with 12 weeks advance notice, that provides you with the opportunity to apply for a day's leave from work if you would like to join us for 'Tears and a Tea' (COVID-permitting) on your child's first day.

We already have a range of photography options planned to support you in preserving this treasured moment as both Best Start and the first day of school (3rd Feb) occur across the first week.

As an extra parent/caregiver support, we have been extensively liaising with one of our educational partners YMCA Glendore OOSH.

I am very pleased to advise that all new Kinder 2021 students may commence attending Glendore YMCA OOSH Vacation Care from the first week of January 2021.

This is a wonderful addition to our support of new families. Please reach out to YMCA Glendore OOSH for enrolment directly if interested.

Thank you for your understanding and entrusting your child(ren) into our care,

Mr Khalil Khay | FACE | School Principal | Glendore PS | Where Everyone Can Succeed |

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to Glendore Public School. I thank you for sharing the most trusted thing in your world, your child, to our inclusive school community. Four years ago, I too made a very difficult decision, which was to leave a school, where I had served a community for ten years. I am pleased to say, I have never regretted that decision. You may have heard the phrase: 'A Happy Life'. At Glendore Public School, we take that to the macro scale. The staff at Glendore sometimes refer to our school, including its students, staff, parents and caregivers, as The University of Glendore. Why?

Glendore Public School is a place Where Everyone Can Succeed. We refer to and live our School Vision daily. Each year, all staff at our school complete over 100 hours of professional learning. This is registered with the NSW Education Standards Authority and is often partnered in with a higher education institution or think-tank, e.g. The University of Newcastle, The University of Melbourne, The Glasser Institute, The Gonski Institute, The Haileybury Institute.

Our plan is simply this: if we ensure that all of our teachers are developed to be the best they can be, then all of our students will be developed to their best potential. We teach them to the point of need, based on the work of Professor Dylan Wiliam, one of the world's leading authorities on Teaching for Learning. Fundamentally, every five weeks, we teach our students what they need to know by thoroughly diagnosing the data of what they have learnt the five weeks previous.

Should you or the school have aims or aspirations that are still to be addressed, we encourage open, honest and early collaboration, often in partnership with other educational, medical and psychological providers. Our students are happy. They work with our staff on The Happier Schools program weekly.

If our staff are happy, and our students are happy, then you too Glendore Community will be happy. We each succeed through collaboration, not at the expense of each other.

We are hoping that on Thursday, 29th November, we will be even more happy as Glendore competes from a Top 8 finalist position to be named as Australian Primary School of the Year in the Australian Education Awards. Please click on the link below if you read this article before that date as you may wish to watch the live ceremony, as well as the results of our two other national nominations. Please also access the download link below to access the recent prospectus shared across our Maryland-Fletcher community.

2021 will see the roll out of a $700,000 playground upgrade to meet the needs of all students; additional technology capacity and online learning programs, enhanced provision of student learning and food service areas for both the school and our national-standards excelling YMCA OOSH facility.

Glendore is a school where we ensure that we get to know your child, and how we can best work alongside you to help them succeed.

Welcome to our wonderful school,

Mr Khalil Khay FACE

School Principal

• Congratulations Glendore Public School.
• Not long now until we all find out if our 630 students, 75 staff and 2500-strong community are named as Australian Primary School of the Year.
• This will be in the Government (Public Education) category.
• What a wonderful Top 8 result in a year that COVID-19 has challenged us all.
• Please register via the survey link if you would like to watch the live feed of the awards ceremony on November 27th.

If your child is turning 5 on or before July 31, 2021 and you are interested in a possible Kindergarten enrolment, please complete the Kindergarten 2021 Enrolment Expression of Interest form to express your interest in enrolling your child for Kindergarten at Glendore Public School in 2021.

We hope the following information explains the enrolment process and outlines important dates and details within our Kindergarten Transition Program at Glendore Public School, a school whose vision is: "Where Everyone Can Succeed".

Documentation Required:

The following documentation is required to finalise enrolment and also explained in detail on our Kindergarten 2021 Enrolment Checklist. Please ensure all documentation is included in your enrolment application prior to submitting it to the school office.

• Application to Enrol -online https://enrol.education.nsw.gov.au/#/?schoolCode=4620&catchmentLevel=primary or Click here to download printable version.
• Proof of Residential Address (see 100pts supporting documentation requirements on Kindergarten Enrolment Checklist.)
• Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement
• Birth Certificate
• Copies of any Family Law or other relevant court orders (if applicable)
• Copies of medical/healthcare or emergency action plans (if applicable)
• Evidence of disability or other support needs, including any learning and support plans.

You are invited to Glendore Public School’s Zoom Webinar Series.

This zoom webinar link will provide access for all prospective Glendore Public School Kindergarten 2021 Parents and Caregivers to our Webinar Series. The same link will be used for each Parent/Caregiver Enrolment Interview and Information sessions over Semester Two (Terms 3-4), 2020 as the need for Social Distancing continues.

Parents/Caregivers simply need to create a Zoom account.

The first session we will be using this link for is our 2021 Kindergarten Information Evening, being held on Wednesday, 19 August 2020 starting at 6:00pm. Phone Access was available on the Information Evening as well as using this link, should your internet connection prove troublesome. Please see info below:

Zoom Webinar Link Information

When:This is a recurring webinar

Topic: Glendore Public School Kindergarten Webinar Series

Please click this link to join the webinar: https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/61454963647?pwd=WFd3SitWQ0pKRXNVSHBWNVBjcnZadz09

Passcode: 415678

iPhone One-Tap: Australia: +61861193900,,61454963647# or +61871501149,,61454963647#

Telephone (Dial): +61 2 8015 6011 or +61 3 7018 2005 or +61 731 853 730 or +61 861 193 900 or +61 8 7150 1149

Webinar ID: 614 5496 3647

International numbers available at:https://nsweducation.zoom.us/u/eb8cUsDi8S

H.323/SIP room system: H.323: 103.122.166.55 (Australia) or 207.226.132.110 (Japan) Meeting ID: 614 5496 3647 and Passcode: 415678

SIP: 61454963647@zoomcrc.com and Passcode: 415678

Please sign in just before 6:00pm. Remember to have your microphone on mute before the session begins. There will also be an opportunity to have questions answered in the Q&A bar throughout the session. If you have further questions, Miss Dunn will be able to answer them at your Kindergarten Enrolment Zoom meeting that you should have booked via school interviews.

The Kinder pre-enrolment interviews:
• provide us with an opportunity to get to know you and your child a little better;
• discuss how we can make transition to our school a smooth one;
• and enable you the opportunity to have your questions answered.

We have set up an online booking system, which allows you to book your pre-enrolment interview for a time that is convenient for both you and your child. This information will be sent to you via email.

Please remember to send in all documentation before your pre-enrolment interview:

The following documentation is required to finalise enrolment. Please ensure all documentation is included in your enrolment application prior to submitting it to the school office.

• Application to Enrol
  
• Proof of Residential Address (see 100pt supporting documentation requirements on Enrolment Checklist).
  
• Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement
  
• Birth Certificate
  
• Copies of any Family Law or other relevant court orders (if applicable)
  
• Copies of medical/healthcare or emergency action plans (if applicable)
  
• Evidence of disability or other support needs, including any learning & support plans
  

Should you need assistance booking your appointment please contact the school office on 4955 6644 where the staff can assist you.

If you missed the pre-enrolment interview sessions held in Term 3 Miss Dunn will make contact with you via a phone call.

We are excited to announce that we will be able to meet with our Kindergarten 2021 students onsite at our school in a few weeks. With the need for ongoing vigilance around COVID-19 minimisation and a number of DoE and Health, we have worked through a number of models over the past fortnight in line with changing and the most recent Health NSW and Public Schools NSW advice. We do apologise for the delay. However, we have taken the time to ensure your most trusted possession, your child, is being kept safe when they experience our Kindergarten 2021 Transition Program.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and following our transition program guidelines as we begin these sessions in Term 4, Week 4 (2-6 November).

We will be sending an email to the address provided to the school on your enrolment form early in Term 4. This will include all Kindergarten Transition information and requirements to participate in this program. Your child will be invited to attend two ‘Stay and Play’ sessions on an allocated day each week over a two-week period.

We will inform you of what day your child will be required to attend in week 4 (2-6 November) and week 6 (16-20 November). Your child will be given a specific day they are to attend onsite for their ‘Stay and Play Sessions’. This date will be deliberately planned to avoid the day of the week that your child already attended pre-school/day-care (where possible).

If you have not received an email from our School Administration Manager, Lisa Matheson before the transition dates, please check your junk mail or contact the office.

Should you require further information, have not received the email or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 4955 6644 or email us at glendore-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Your child will be given a specific day they are to attend onsite for their ‘Stay and Play Sessions’.

This date will be deliberately planned to avoid the day of the week that your child already attended pre-school/day-care (where possible).

• Stay and Play Session One - Monday - Friday 2-6 November 2020
• Stay and Play Session Two - Monday - Friday 16-20 November 2020
  

We will inform you of what day your child will be required to attend via email.

If you have not received an email from our School Administration Manager, Lisa Matheson by Thursday, 29 October 2020, please check your junk mail and/or contact the school office.

Official School Hours: 8:45am to 2:45pm

The school gates open at 8:15am each morning and students are supervised by teachers on duty from this time.

Learning, Eating and Play Session Times

8:42am - First bell

8:45am - Lessons commence

10:45am - 11.30am - Lunch

1:30pm - 2:00pm - Recess

2:45pm - School day ends

When students wear a school uniform, they feel included in our school community. Students, teachers, parents and carers, as well as members of our local community helped develop our school uniform to make sure it:

• meets the requirements of occupational health and safety, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation
  
• includes items that are affordable, comfortable and made from easy-care and easy-wear fabrics
  
• is appropriate for the full range of school activities
  
• is suitable for all body shapes.

• Please click here for details of our School Uniform, prices, size guide, how to order and link to online ordering system.
• Our P & C are traditionally on hand during Orientation Visits for parents and caregivers to view and try Uniforms for sizing. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, this is currently not possible.
• Orders are to be placed via our online ordering system via Flexi-schools (www.flexischools.com.au) . Instructions how to access and create your Flexischools account can be found on the GPS School Uniform Flyer.
• Orders can take up to 4 weeks to fill if current stock is unavailable so we suggest orders are placed ASAP.
• All orders that are placed before Term 4, Week 4 will be sent home with your child at their final transition day. If your order has not been filled we we will contact you once your order has been filled and is ready to collect from the school office.

What is the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment?

Best Start Kindergarten Assessment identifies student’s literacy and numeracy skills on entry to Kindergarten. It has been conducted in all NSW public schools since 2010.

The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment supports the NSW Government’s Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2017 – 2020 and is mapped to the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions.

The assessment is conducted in line with existing school practices and builds upon teaching and learning programs that support students in the transition to school.

2021 Best Start Kindergarten Assessment

You will be sent an email later in Term 4 with information on how to arrange an appointment for your child to attend one of the three allocated Best Start Assessment days before starting school in 2021.

The allocated days are:

• Friday, 29 January 2021
  
• Monday, 1 February 2021
  
• Tuesday, 2 February 2021.

Your child will be required to attend the assessment onsite at Glendore Public School for approximately 40 minutes.

The purpose of Glendore PS buddy program is to support a smooth transition for our Kindergarten children starting school. This program will promote social and support networks for children beginning Kindergarten and promote a sense of community and belonging in our school.

Kindergarten students are placed in a Buddy Group with a Group of Year 6 Buddies on their first day of school. Buddies look after the kindergarten students for the first few weeks of school. Year 6 buddies come to the Kindergarten classrooms each lunch and recess and look after our new students in the playground. They help teach our Kindergarten students the school rules and values, assist them with eating times and encourage them to play with their new friends.

Back in the classroom, throughout the year, Year 6 buddies are invited to come and join in with the kindergarten activities. These may include reading to the students, helping them with their writing and join in with art and craft activities.

• The School Canteen is open for online lunch orders only via Flexi-schools orders before 8:00am each day.
• No over the counter orders or sales to students for lunch orders.
• No cash payments will be taken for lunch orders or Uniform orders. All orders to go through Flexi-schools.
  
• School hats can be ordered online via Flexi-schools and collected from the canteen.

Please see the 'How to order my child's lunch via Flexischools' Link - https://glendore-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/g/glendore-p/Flexischools_flyer.pdf

Please see the 'How do I volunteer in the canteen?' https://glendore-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/g/glendore-p/Canteen_Volunteers_Flyer.pdf

Before School, After School and Vacation Care is operated by the YMCA and is operated on the school premises.

Parents can drop their children off early in the morning for supervision by highly qualified and trained YMCA staff from 6:30am and concludes at 8:30am. Supervision commences again after school by YMCA Staff at 2:40pm and lasts up until 6pm.

The children's interests are the foundations of our programs. We encourage children to be involved in interesting and exciting play experiences and explore their natural talents and potential. Children enjoy different team sports, dancing, indoor discussions and activities, such as art and craft. Homework is encouraged.

We inspire all children to engage in a healthy lifestyle. We offer breakfast and afternoon tea in accordance with government recommended healthy eating guidelines. We also encourage children to participate in outdoor active play.

Opening Hours

Mondays - Fridays 6:30am - 8:30am

Mondays - Fridays 2:40pm - 6:00pm

Contact Number: 0417 604 248

Email: oshc.glendore@ymcansw.org.au

Our P&C plays an important role in supporting the school’s teaching and learning activities and is the forum for parents, caregivers and citizens who have an interest in their children’s education.

Aims:Bringing the community, students and staff together, to promote the best interests of the school

• Assist in the provision of resources, facilities and amenities for the school

• Encouraging communication, cooperation and participation within the school community

• Providing a forum of discussion on school issues and gathering of ideas

• The fostering of community interest in education

Our P&C is interested in actively promoting a strong and vibrant school community with open, transparent lines of communication, so to provide our children with a first-class learning environment.

Communication

Information is posted on the school website, posted on our Facebook page and included in our Newsletter.

You are welcome to email suggestions to the school at any time.

While not everyone wants to or is able to be a position holder, everyone can be involved. This can include:

• reading about what the P&C is doing;

• making suggestions on how we can improve our school;

• supporting fundraising efforts with either time or donations; and

• attending meetings to participate in positive, vibrant discussions.

All important and welcomed.

Fundraising

An important element of our P&C is fundraising. The P&C organises numerous fundraising activities each term including Mothers’ Day & Fathers’ Day Stalls, Xmas Raffle and many more. Without the support of families, teachers and the wider community in fundraising activities, the P&C are not able to give back to the school. The extra money we raise, the more resources that can be purchased for our school, benefiting all our children.

We thank all families and the community for supporting our fundraising activities, so that we can support our school and students!!

Meetings

The P&C meets Mondays, twice a term (the third Monday of each month) in the school library. Our meetings start at 6:30 pm and dates are posted on the school website, Facebook page and Newsletter.

A spread of parents from throughout the school helps ensure decisions made encompass and benefit all. The more that people involved, the easier it is to enhance our wonderful school community. It’s also a great way to meet other parents.

We look forward to seeing you at our meetings.

Kindergarten students will be invited to participate in the PAIR – Parent Assisted Immersive Reading Program next year when enrolled at school. Participating students will be given Read Aloud Books to take home as part of our Home Reading Program with the book being changed on a weekly basis.

P.A.I.R books provide parents and caregivers with scaffolding (in the form of questions, tips and prompts) embedded in each page. Applying these strategies during a home Read-Aloud session can assist students with the development of their reading skills. P.A.I.R reading is designed to improve literacy skills, vocabulary and comprehension involving parents and caregivers reading aloud to their children at home and engaging them further by following the prompts.

An introduction to P.A.I.R reading is available for those parents and caregivers wishing to share some time with their children reading.

The cost of the pack which includes 2 books in a ‘Sniff and Snuggles’ carry bag is $20.00. Please refer to the attached PAIR Reader flyer for more information and details how to order.

We are delighted to announce our Sentral Parent Portal is now available for use by all parents and caregivers.

By registering and accessing the Parent Portal, you will:

receive important News Feed information

have access to Newsletters and copies of Permission Notes

have easy access to make a payment or place a Flexischools order

notify absences and mark off any unexplained absences

view details of upcoming events via the Calendar

Information on how to access the Parent Portal, along with family access keys will be sent home with kindergarten students in 2021. In addition to the Parent Portal, the ‘Sentral for Parents App’ has been developed to compliment the Portal and is available from the AppStore and Google Play.

Please ensure when you sign up you ‘allow notifications’ so you receive alerts at the time they are sent.

Click here https://info.sentral.com.au/new-app-getting-started and see our smore link https://www.smore.com/bk3ah-sentral-parent-caregiver-portal for assistance getting started or visit our Sentral Parent Portal Newsletter for more information about the features and benefits of the app and instructions how to register.

If you are having problems accessing the Parent Portal, or require technical support, please contact the office on 4955 6644.