A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW STUDENTS

A new year means that we have a number of new children in our school. I would therefore like to extend a very special ‘welcome’ to each of them and also to their families. As well as the new Kindergarten students who will be joining us this week, we welcome the following students:

Max Murray (Year 2), Amelie Antonio (Year 4),  Gabriel Ferri De Barros (Year 4), Maxwell Leadston (Year 4), Theodore Galtier (Year 5) and Mila Tsen (Year 5).

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

We would like to wish all of our families who are celebrating the Chinese New Year, the year of the Rat, a Happy Chinese New Year.

Doug Thomas      
Principal

  Follow me @DougJThomas

This morning your child/ren were excited to find out who the teachers on their grade are going to be for 2020. The students on all grades do not know yet, who will be the teacher who will be pastorally responsible for each of them personally, as this will be confirmed by Week 3. The reason for this is because we feel it is better for all of the children to get to know all of the staff on their grade equally and the same applies for the staff getting to know the students. The only times the students will be divided into 2 groups will be for their specialist classes.

During the first four weeks of term we will not be diarising any parent-teacher meetings, however we ask that you make contact with the following staff if you have any urgent messages you need to have passed on:

Mrs Ford for academic or curriculum discussions or concerns;
Mrs Cameron for pastoral care discussions or concerns;
Mrs Dalheim for learning support needs: and/or
Ms Neville in the front office for medical needs.

Senior TEAM LEADERSHIP

L-R: Mrs Larissa Cameron, Mr Doug Thomas, Mrs Janelle Ford

ADMINISTRATION STAFF

The Administration Staff
L-R (Back): Mr Andrew Nield, Miss Bronwyn Brown, Mrs Kathy-Clare Rochester, Mrs Gaye Crafts, Mr Charlie Blevins
L-R (Front): Mrs Maree Lee, Mrs Karen Wiggins, Ms Sallie Neville

TEACHING TEAMS FOR 2020

Classroom Teacher (CT); Interns and Teaching & Learning Assistant (TLAs) Learning Support Teacher (LST)

KINDERGARTEN

L-R (Back): Mrs Jesse Hitchens, Ms Lisa Tyson, Mrs Fiona Vula, Mrs Carol Giles
L-R (Front): Mrs Nicole Nunn, Mr Julian Ko

Year 1

L-R (Back): Mrs Emily Eu, Mrs Melanie Stewart, Ms Lisa Tyson
L-R (Front): Mr Jake Smith, Mrs Beatrix Kirkland

Year 2

L-R (Back): Miss Deborah Tan, Mrs Nicola Breakspear
L-R (Front): Mrs Emily Crerar, Mrs Susan Nicolaides

Year 3

L-R (Back): Mrs Michelle Parker, Miss Sinead Kelly
L-R (Front): Miss Meghan Duff, Miss Roxanne Morrison, 

Year 4

L-R (Back): Mrs Hayley Irwin, Miss Bianca Rees
L-R (Front): Miss Sinead Kelly, Mrs Lisa Speranza 

Year 5

L-R: Miss Hannah Mackay, Mrs Adelaide Marquet, Miss Sinead Kelly, Ms Rachel Shiels

Year 6

Year 6 Teaching Team: L-R: Mrs Nicola Breakspear, Mr Angus Ryan, Mrs Alanna James, Miss Jessica King (not pictured)

SPECIALIST TEACHING STAFF

L-R (Back): Mrs Tara Barr, Mr Joel Geering, Mrs Jillian Shoebridge
L-R (Front): Mrs Tiffany Knoll, Mrs Susan Kesur, Mrs Stephanie Affleck (not pictured)

LEARNING SUPPORT STAFF

L-R (Back): Mrs Brenda Dalheim, Mrs Nicola Breakspear, Ms Lisa Tyson
L-R (Front) Miss Catherine McKersie, Mrs Anna Robinson, Miss Sinead Kelly

SCHOOL ASSISTANTS

MUSIC TUTORS

OTHER EXTRA CURRICULAR TUTORS

This year we are pleased to introduce our new Home Learning Policy, to replace our previous Homework Policy. For the past 18 months, we have researched, discussed and trialled a number of approaches to Home Learning, with the aim of producing a set of guidelines and a document that will provide clarity and consistency across the school. Our staff will begin to implement the strategies and guidelines from the beginning of next week.

I am looking forward to explaining this document further during our Parent Teacher Evening.

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal
Curriculum Development, Student Learning, Staff Professional Learning & Accreditation

Our Parent Information Evening for 2020 will be on Thursday 13 February. This is an important evening for all parents (not children). This evening serves a number of purposes and will provide an opportunity for you to meet and hear from your child’s teachers, and to join a presentation which will be delivered by Mr Thomas, Mrs Ford and Mrs Cameron about important news and vision for 2020. This presentation will also provide the opportunity for you to be introduced to the Staff Team of 2020.

Key Dates

Important Dates for Term 1

Wednesday 5 February - 8 April - K- 6 Sport  
Wednesday 12 February - Claremont Swimming Carnival (Years 2 to 6) 
Wednesday 4 March - IPSHA Swimming Carnival    
Saturday 4 April - IPSHA Cross Country Carnival 

Swimming Carnival

Our annual Swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday 12 February for all students in Years 2 to 6. The carnival will start at 9:00am sharp and finish at approximately 2:30pm. Buses will run to and from the carnival. Students must be at school by 8:30am for the bus. Parents are encouraged to transport their children to and from this event, and stay to enjoy the action. Claremont buses and before/after school care will operate as per usual. 

*REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL and must be completed via the link on the Event Note.

Parent assistance is always required and appreciated in various roles throughout the day.

Extra-Curricular Sport and Morning Skills 

Due to some recent changes there are limited additional spots still available for the Friday morning Football (soccer) program. This program is available to students in Year 1 & 2 and has been opened up to Year 3 as well. If you are interested in registering for these additional places, please contact the office ASAP as places are limited. 

All extra curricular Sports have already closed registrations and will begin from Week 4 (beginning 17 February) for those students already registered.

Monday
3-6 Tennis @ ESTC (7:30am-8:30am) 

Tuesday
1-2 Tennis @ Claremont (7:40am-8:30am)
3-6 AFL @ Grant Reserve (7:30am-8:30am)

Wednesday
3-6 Netball @ Claremont (7:40am-8:30am)

Thursday
1-2 Dance (Hip Hop) @ Claremont (7:40am-8:30am)

Friday
1-3 Football (soccer) @ Claremont (7:40am-8:30am)

All students should wear sports uniform for morning skills, and change into full school uniform following their session. The Claremont bus will transport students to school following sessions at Grant Reserve and Eastern Suburbs Tennis Centre.

PE Lessons

Days for PE in Term 1 are as follows. Students should wear full sports uniform, including white socks and predominantly white shoes on these days. 

Kindergarten - Thursday
Year 1 - Tuesday
Year 2 - Tuesday
Year 3 - Thursday
Year 4 - Monday
Year 5 - Monday
Year 6 - Tuesday

Wednesday Sport 

Sports uniform should be worn to school on Wednesdays, including white socks and predominantly white sport shoes. Formal hats are also required to be worn on sport/PE days, to and from school. A drink bottle and Claremont sports hat should be taken to all sport sessions. Students attending swimming programs should have their Claremont swimming costume, cap, goggles, towel and sports bag. Thongs/sandals may be brought for infants students to assist with changing.

Our first day of sport for the term will be held on Wednesday 5 February. 

Term 1 Sport 

Kindergarten - Gymnastics
Year 1 - Gymnastics 
Year 2 - Learn to Swim, UNSW
Year 3 - Swimming, UNSW
Year 4 - Swimming, UNSW
Year 5 - European Handball/football (soccer) run by GotGame at Grant Reserve
Year 6 - European Handball/football (soccer) run by GotGame at Grant Reserve

IPSHA Carnivals 

There will be two IPSHA Representative Carnivals this term. IPSHA Swimming will be held on Wednesday 4  March, and IPSHA Cross Country on Saturday 4 April. Teams for these representative carnivals will be selected based on the results of our school carnivals. The Cross Country team, selected based on 2019 Claremont Carnival results, will be invited to join our ‘Jogging Club’ later in the Term  in preparation for IPSHA. For students in Years 2-6 who are new to Claremont, please contact me should your child have experience in cross country running.

Representative Sport 

Each year selections take place for students in Years 6 (and on occasion, exceptional athletes in Year 5) to represent their school, region and state. Students who play at an ‘elite’ club or representative level are invited to trial for a number of sports throughout the year. For students in Year 5 and 6, please contact me as soon as possible if your child is at the expected standard and would like to attend. Please note, these trials take place in school hours and parents are responsible for attending with their child. IPSHA and CIS Sport trials include netball, basketball, cricket, rugby league, rugby union, AFL, golf, hockey, soccer, tennis and gymnastics.

Gala Days 

A number of gala days are available for Year 3 to 6 students to participate in throughout the year. Students are encouraged to attend any trials or training that may occur, and whilst every effort is made to place students in a team, this is not always possible. Although not compulsory, morning skills programs are a great way to develop the skills and confidence necessary to represent Claremont at a gala day/event. Information about each gala day will be communicated closer to the event, and students will need to register their interest to be eligible for selection.

Parent Assistance 

Throughout the year we rely on the generosity of parents to offer successful programs and events to our students. Whether at a checkpoint, as a timekeeper, minding bags or jogging alongside students, parents are vital to the success of Sport @ Claremont. We must insist that all parents who assist have provided their Working with Children Check number to the office as part of the Anglican School Corporation’s policy. This is not an onerous task, and will come in handy whenever the opportunity arises to put your hand up in the classroom, canteen or sporting field over the course of your time at Claremont. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Communication and Registration 

Each week information about sporting events, results, carnivals and featured students can be found in the newsletter. In addition, wet weather alerts for extra curricular sports will be communicated by SMS by 7am.

Online registration is required for all extra-curricular sport programs, as well as our major Claremont carnivals: Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country. Please ensure registration is completed by the date specified to assist in the smooth running of all events. Registration links can be found on your Parent Portal noticeboard throughout the year.

Code of Conduct 

We take very seriously our students’ right to enjoy sport safely and enjoyably, whether played educationally, socially or competitively. We believe the utmost respect must be shown between students, staff, parents and officials at all times. Please take a minute to read with your child our “Sporting Code of Conduct” and ensure we model all areas of sport at Claremont in an appropriate spirit of fun, participation and encouragement. 

Sporting Achievements 

I encourage families to email me outlining your child’s success and participation in any sporting arena throughout the year, including photographs. Students enjoy being acknowledged for their achievements in class, at assembly or in the school newsletter. Sometimes our Mums and Dads also shine in sport and events, and we love to celebrate with you! Please send all correspondence to office@claremont.nsw.edu.au.  I look forward to a wonderful year of sport, and am especially excited about seeing the continued success, camaraderie and character of Claremont students on and off the field. I invite you to contact me via the school office should you have any queries, concerns or feedback throughout the year.

Mr Joel Geering 
Sport and PDHPE

"Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now." -Barack Obama

For well over 20 years scientists have warned that climate change would increase the risk of extreme bushfires in Australia. This warning has proven to be accurate. It has been deeply upsetting to witness the catastrophic, unprecedented fire conditions currently affecting our beautiful country. Without substantial and rapid action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists expect incidents of extreme fire weather will only continue to increase in both frequency and severity in the future.

We believe that the time has passed for Australians to ask whether climate change is happening – or whether humans are causing it. Instead, we need to ask: “what can we do?”

It’s up to us what happens next! At Claremont College, we believe that we already have some of the solutions at our disposal to tackle climate change. This year, the Eco Warrior team* will lead our school in making a determined effort to develop and sustain an ongoing commitment to the environment. Claremont College will be carrying out a number of projects and initiatives in the area of environmental education and awareness, with the hope that we can all work together to take action. 

In order to begin the year on the right foot, all Claremont College students and staff members will be participating in a ‘Schools Waste and Recycling’ workshop run by Randwick Council. This program will better educate students and staff about waste, waste reduction and recycling. We have already started planning important environment calendar dates that we hope to participate in as a school community. We encourage you to take the time to read about the many things that we can do at a community level and encourage you to join us, as Claremont College moves forward and makes many important environmental changes.

* The Eco Warrior team consists of 2 students from each grade in Year groups 2-6. Students may volunteer to be their grade’s Eco Warrior representative.

Environment Calendar Dates 2020

Sustainability Tip of the Week:

Nude Food

Last year, Claremont College launched a ‘Nude Food’ campaign in an attempt to reduce unnecessary lunchbox waste and to inspire our students to make environmentally sound choices in their daily living. A ‘Nude Food’ lunch is one that does not contain foil, plastic or commercial packaging. Let’s see how often you can send ‘Nude Food’ to school for morning tea and lunch. 

Due to a number of children and staff having high risk allergies, our school is a nut aware zone. Peanut Butter and Nutella sandwiches, along with cookies, biscuits, muesli bars and other food products containing nuts must NOT be brought to school under any circumstances. This is very important, as highly allergic students may have an anaphylactic reaction leading to death. Some students are so sensitive that nuts on another person’s breath or on their hands can lead to a reaction. At this stage, products that “may contain traces of nuts” are permitted. Thank you for your cooperation with such a serious and important matter.

Again this year, treats, cakes or food will not be permitted for birthdays. Instead, when a child celebrates their birthday, they will be honoured in different ways eg: special jobs, singing, birthday badge/sticker/certificate etc. This is to avoid unnecessary sugar intake and to promote healthy eating whilst at school.

If your child suffers from a serious illness or allergy (including asthma) and requires medication to be administered during school hours, please contact Ms Sallie Neville in the office immediately. Phone (02) 9399 3217 between 10:00am – 2:00pm or email through office@claremont.nsw.edu.au Attention: Ms Neville

We would like to remind all parents about the traffic procedures we have implemented which help to make our school as safe as possible for the children, parents, staff and community. Children should be dropped off and collected in the SCHOOL ZONES on either Judge Street or Coogee Bay Road where teachers will be on duty from 8:30am to 8:45am and from 3:10pm until 3:30pm. 

You are also reminded of the 40kph school zone speed limit. The streets surrounding the school are quite narrow, so please slow down to ensure the safety of residents and of children. In order for us to get children safely into cars, it is imperative that all drivers comply with the following: 

• Please delay your arrival until after 3:15pm as queuing before 3:10pm causes major congestion. We often experience our worst problems with traffic because parents arrive early. Please allow us to get the children to the gates first to enable the traffic to flow more smoothly and to avoid us from having to ask you to move on. If your child is not at the gate upon your arrival be prepared to be directed by staff to go around the block.
• Please consider arriving closer to 3:30pm.
• Do not choose to park directly in front of the school gates. Move forward to the front of the zone as much as possible to enable as many cars as possible to pull up behind you. Please do this even if you are the only car in the zone upon your arrival.
• Do not jump the queue of traffic. We consider this to be very bad manners!
• If your child is not at the gate when you pull up, you will be asked to drive around the block again to keep the traffic moving and to comply with our traffic management plan.
• Please do not get out of your car as teachers will assist children if this is necessary.
• Despite the fact that we wish to move things quickly, please ensure that your child’s seat belt is securely fastened before pulling away from the curb.
• Please display a clear sign with the family name. This request is not only for new families.
• Please remember that we have new staff and the nameplate allows them to get to know the cars, the children and the parents at their gate. You may request a laminated family name sign (or signs) at the office.
• Do not do U-turns anywhere within the vicinity of the school.
• Do not double park across the road on Coogee Bay Road and escort your child across the road.
• If you are in a queue do not move into the school zone until you know for certain that space is available. If you end up stopping in the ‘No Stopping’ zone, by law you are liable to be booked AND lose demerit points.
• Only drive along Judge St if you are collecting your child at the Judge St gate, not at Coogee Bay Rd gate.
• Do not park across the school or neighbours’ driveways if you are visiting the school or attending events or functions.

Please inform Grandparents or carers of these expectations should they collect your children. The cooperation and patience of all parents and carers, (Grandparents, babysitters and others) is essential if we are to make both our school pick up and drop off zones and the surrounding streets, as safe and efficient as possible for everyone.

Please remember that strict penalties apply in all school zones. In addition to a fine, demerit points also apply.  

The Canteen is open 5 days a week. Please place your orders via Flexischools.

A reminder that children who bring their own food to school need to bring their own cutlery from home, only children who have ordered from the canteen will be provided with a spoon or fork.

Also due to WHS issues, the canteen is unable to heat food brought from home.

The Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesdays this year. The dates for Term 1 are as follows: 

5 February, 19 February, 4 March, 18 March and 1 April 

The Uniform Shop is situated below the School Hall with entry via the small gate next to the units. Whether you can make it at this time or not, parents are encouraged to place online orders (especially if you are purchasing accessories) via Flexischools. Please note, the Uniform Shop does not accept any second hand clothing except for Claremont school uniforms. It is very inconvenient if you leave other items. Thank you.

All *new uniform items* can be purchased from ‘Wylies’ at 629 Anzac Pde, Maroubra
(02) 9344 5796.

Bookings for Term 1 are now available online for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday after school workshops

Bookings Online at www.artisanathome.com.au

Classes are limited and if spots are not available please email phi@artisanathome.com.au and we will put you on a wait list.

Parents and After school Art Students,

Over the extended break our team, Phi and Shallal, have been taking short courses and have been inspired by distant lands, their traditions and culture.

We look forward to returning to class in week 3 of term 1 for all classes.

This summer break may have got you thinking... how precious our time together is and how the beautiful things in life are held together so delicately needing our understanding and care.  Art helps in ways to evoke what cannot be expressed with words.  It can help us to stop and ponder, to linger with a memory, idea or dream.  Our term 1 will be inspired by this theme of 'engaging topics' that matter the most to us, as led by our student art community.

We have made a change to Monday Mixed Media class and extended it to 90 minutes to get the most out of the new skills learnt.

If you have any questions, please contact Phi on phi@artisanathome.com.au or on WhatsApp 0403377420

Wishing you a good start to the new year and smooth transitions back into school routine!

Phi Morton Artisan at Home Workshops

Happy New Year! Calling all students from Year 1 to Year 6 for a free trial drum lesson in Term 1 2020. What better way to start the year than to take up a new instrument? Dip your feet in, test the waters of music and have a go! There’s nothing to lose but to have a whole lot of fun, build self esteem, boost confidence, cultivate patience and maybe even score a free pair of drumsticks in the mix. Perhaps your child and their buddy from their year group could sign up for individual lessons together?

As advised by Claremont College Kindergarten students are able to commence instrumental lessons from Term 3. Email to book a spot in advance today! 

Please email p.reddy@claremont.nsw.edu.au to reserve a spot for your child. Trials commence in Week 2 and 3 of Term 1. Spaces are limited. I’m excited to meet the new and upcoming drummers in 2020! 

Here to serve,
Percy Reddy