During one of our lunchtime clubs, some Kindergarten students were asked to draw what kindness looks like to them. Pictured above is Brindha’s ‘kindness drawing’. When asked about her drawing, Brindha explained, “When I’m with my brother Jai, kindness is what protects us from the rain, and we care for each other when it rains”. 

When walking around our school, we can see kindness in action. Whether it be students helping others when they are upset, helping someone pick up papers they have accidentally dropped, or even speaking up when someone hasn’t shown kindness to another person. At Claremont College, we believe that kindness is a powerful way to help build self-mastery, confidence and acceptance. It helps build a positive school culture that is characterised by friendliness, gratitude, generosity and consideration. It is a value that we cannot become complacent about - we need to continually teach the importance of kindness and to celebrate when kindness is shown to others. We explain to students that kindness is contagious, and we encourage them to spread the kindness around. We explain that researchers know that when people show kindness to others, they not only make the other person feel more positive, but it also boosts their own wellbeing. So I encourage us all to continue to be intentional and to be aware and to demonstrate kindness to others in our school and wider community.

Digital Wellbeing: Raising Your Child in a Digital World - Dr Kristy Goodwin

I encourage you all to mark in your diaries the evening of 18 March to attend a parent webinar hosted by a leading children’s technology researcher, Dr Kristy Goodwin. The webinar, ‘Raising Your Child in a Digital World’ will begin at 7:30pm and will conclude by 9:00pm. Earlier that day, our Primary students will participate in a 'Digital Wellbeing' workshop with Dr Goodwin.

“Many parents are worried about the effects all this technology is having on their children’s physical health and development. They feel guilty about the amount of time their children watch TV or play with iPads, but admit that trying to wrestle a digital device out of their child’s hand can frequently result in massive conflict and tantrums.” (Dr Goodwin)

Dr Goodwin aims to help parents to understand healthy, safe and practical ways to use technology in the home. She uses the latest evidence-based research to explain how parents can develop healthy digital habits whilst promoting and safeguarding wellbeing. 

Next week’s newsletter will include information regarding the specific details, including how to book a spot for this important event.

Traffic and Road Safety 

Thank you for your support of the school’s Traffic Plan and for following the school’s requests when driving and dropping/collecting your children. Please take the time to read the following reminders so that we can reduce the risks and keep our students and families as safe as possible:

• Be considerate of the neighbours. Please allow space for residents to enter/exit their own driveways, and please do not park across their driveway.
• Follow the school’s Traffic Plan when approaching Judge St or Coogee Bay Rd, and do not ‘cut in’ via Judge Lane. (The Traffic Plan can be found on our website.)
• Refrain from making U-Turns.
• Avoid getting out of your car to hug your children. Encourage your children to open the car door and be responsible for their bag themselves, and to greet or thank the staff member on duty for any assistance they may provide.
• Teach your children to buckle their own seatbelt.
• If you have a child in Years 1-6, do not arrive at the collection point until after 3:15pm. If you arrive earlier, please show respect to our staff who will ask you to drive around the block. The traffic needs to keep moving.
• Do not double park and/or run children across the road.
• After school activities external to Claremont College need to start at a time not too close to our bell time, so you have plenty of time to drive safely and follow our procedures.
• If your children end up in TeamKids after 3:30pm, you will be given a few minutes grace before being charged.

Please share this information with relatives who may collect your children who do not read the newsletter. Thank you very much for your cooperation. 

School Canteen

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we are very fortunate to have a few parent volunteers help serve snacks from the canteen during recess and lunch times each Friday this term. Please note that they will not be serving meals, so parents/carers will need to send their children to school with their lunch, or continue to order via Welcomeasy. Today’s canteen was so overwhelmingly popular, that the canteen ran out of snacks! We ask you also pack recess on Fridays, as a ‘back-up’, just in case we have another incredibly busy canteen day. A reminder that no more than $3 should be given to your child. Please refer to the P&F section of this newsletter for specific food items and pricing. Thank you again to our volunteers who have helped serve our school.

Further updates regarding our School Canteen for Term 2 and beyond will be provided in the coming weeks.

More Staff News!

Last week we announced the engagement of Mr Ko and Miss Tan. We are excited to announce they are not the only staff members who have had recent celebrations. Congratulations to Miss Kelly on her engagement during the summer holidays. We are delighted for her and her fiance, and we wish them a wonderful lead up to their ‘special day’. We are also thrilled for Mr Geering, who celebrated his wedding over the break. We wish him and his wife a lifetime of happiness.

As we come to the end of another busy week, I wish you all a safe, relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
Patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.

Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
Galatians 5:22-23

Larissa Cameron
Co-Principal

Follow us
Website: www.claremont.nsw.edu.au 
Instagram: @claremontcollege

  @claremont2031

Earlier this week you would have received an email with a link to the questionnaire for each child and a link to book a meeting time.

We hope you will consider taking up one of these suggestions:

• Complete the questionnaire with your child only, or
• Complete the questionnaire with your child and request a 'phone call time' for the teacher to call you, or
• Complete the questionnaire with your child and choose a face to face meeting time or
• Complete the questionnaire with your child and choose a Zoom meeting time.

We value ‘student voice’ at Claremont, and therefore want the students to have their say about their hopes, goals and dreams for the year ahead, and/or for each one of them to talk about what is worrying them about the year ahead.

Janelle Ford
Co-Principal

A year has gone by since COVID hit our world. Many of us are worried about the future and upset with the ongoing restrictions as we feel we are missing out on important occasions in our children’s lives. As a mother of one (and another on the way) I empathise with you. There are many ‘firsts’ that we cannot be part of. It can be difficult to maintain positivity but we must not lose perspective and take things for granted. When I feel frustrated with our situation in Australia, I think of my parents in Ireland. Still in lockdown, a lockdown that is extended week by week. We need to be grateful for how we have been protected and not dwell on the things that we are still missing. I thank God that I can sing with the children again, we can play sport and connect... whatever the limitations and guidelines are around this. 

We are all extremely grateful with each day that brings zero cases in our local community but we must continue to be meticulous when planning to keep our students safe. This is a priority for us at Claremont College. We hope for the day we can gather again for events in the way we once did but for now, we must just stick to the rules. The Senior Leadership Team looks at each circumstance, studies the current restrictions for schools, and applies these for what is best for our students, staff and community. These decisions take time, careful deliberation and consideration. We must prioritise student learning and safety. 

Please refer to the COVID19 update app alert sent today.

We will continue to keep you informed should any changes occur. 

Tara Barr
Acting Deputy Principal

The ‘Fathering Project’ events at Claremont College are organised to equip and resource our fathers to be the very best dads that they can possibly be, in the midst of our busy schedules and very full lives. Our nights at the Coogee Diggers Club always provide us with a great opportunity to get to know others, build community, and to also plan some of the Dad’s and Kids’ events for the year ahead. We always need some helpers to ensure the success of our initiatives. I hope to see you there on Monday 8 March (please note change of date) for a 7:00pm start. 

It’s 2021 and we are now living the ‘new normal’. So with this, our Fathering Project discussion topic for the night will ponder a little on this thought: 

'What is new normal parenting? What are some of the current issues that dads (and mums) are facing, what should be our priorities, what is a father’s role in keeping our kids safe, and is this any different from how our dads raised us? What is the power of a dad?'

One of the goals for the night will be to throw some issues and questions up in the air for you to be provoked and challenged by. We won’t necessarily be trying to come up with all the answers, but we will certainly get the ball rolling for ongoing discussion at future Fathering Project events across 2021… including our Dads’ and Kids’ Camp at the end of the year, (save the date for Friday 8 - Sunday 10 October).

Sean Johns from ‘The Fathering Project’ and I will both give some short talks and lead the discussion that follows. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Please RSVP using the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/BPAHK. There is no charge for the event. Food and beverages are available at the venue. Note that specific COVID venue requirements will be confirmed closer to the date.

Mr Doug Thomas
Co-Principal

Following on from our information last week, we thought it would be helpful for you to know how to turn on your notifications to ensure you are making the most of the Claremont App on your mobile device. You will need to do the following to ensure you are receiving notifications regarding permissions and absentees that need to be actioned:

1. Open your Claremont App
2. Click on the ‘Settings’ icon (this can be found in the bottom left hand corner - the little cog)
3. Click on ‘Notifications’
4. Select 2 options listed
5. Absence Alerts, Requests and Verifications
6. Event Permissions and Appointment Requests

Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you require any assistance at all - we are here to help.

Maree Lee
Front Office

Despite our new school uniform looking fresh, staff have noticed that some of our students need to ‘neaten’ the presentation of their hairstyles. Our school policy states that boys must have a conventional style haircut, which looks tidy and without hair long enough to touch the collar of their shirt. Girls’ hair must be tied back unless it is impossible to tie the hair back due to its short length. (Most ‘bobs’ can still be put into an elastic band.) A green elastic hair-band must be worn, with the option of also wearing the original green ribbon or the new striped ribbon.

Please ensure that you do not send your child with a glass drink bottle, as these can be very dangerous should there be any breakages.

Learning new things supports our wellbeing and helps us to show positive behaviour:

Think about something you would like to learn. Maybe a new language, a new recipe or a new sport. Start working towards learning this new skill!

Larissa Cameron
Co-Principal

During the December/January school holidays, a group of students participated in community volunteering programs at Kids Giving Back. Their contribution resulted in over 3700 meals and resources being prepared and distributed during that period. 11 charities were assisted as a result of their work which supports the homeless and vulnerable in the community.

The following students participated in one or more of these programs during the school holidays: Max L, Charlotte F, Costantia G, Evie MZ, Henry B, Isabelle W and Isla B.

Kids Giving Back is a charity whose mission is to create the next generation of generosity. The programs are delivered for children 6-18 years old and their families, and they offer opportunities to assist vulnerable people in the community.  Embracing the concept of making a contribution back into the community, their programs deliver a range of volunteering experiences to assist students to develop empathy, experience altruism and achieve a sense of belonging. 

Congratulations to you all.

Today in Year 3 we were looking at suffixes and prefixes.

A teacher said, ‘This word comes from a Latin root word’

A child, mishearing, leant over their friend and whispered, ‘Oh Aladdin root word?! I love that movie!”

Term 1 2021

Goal Setting Meetings - Book a meeting time

Goal Setting Questionnaire - Years 1-6 

Set4School Meeting Invitation

Kindy News - Week 4

Year 1 Goal Setting Meeting Invitation and Questionnaire Link

Year 2 Goal Setting Meeting Invitation and Questionnaire Link

Year 3 Goal Setting Meeting Invitation and Questionnaire Link

Year 4 Goal Setting Meeting Invitation and Questionnaire Link

Year 5 Goal Setting Meeting Invitation and Questionnaire Link

Year 6 Goal Setting Meeting Invitation and Questionnaire 

Book Week 2021

Each year across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. It is a time when schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children's literature. At Claremont, we love to celebrate Book Week in a number of ways, but one of the most memorable for the students is our annual Character Parade. This year, award-winning author, illustrator and film-maker Shaun Tan has illustrated the CBCA Book Week 2021 theme, 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'.

What a wonderful theme, especially considering how restricted we are currently in where we can travel physically. This theme allows students to appreciate the joys of travelling to infinite locations through literature. The CBCA website has its entire list of its previous books of the year. If you are looking for quality books to be reading with your child, it is a great place to start.

Mrs Stephanie Affleck
Teacher Librarian

New Books for the Collection

We continue to celebrate Library Lovers’ Month in the library so it was lovely to add the following books to the collection, written by two very popular children’s authors.

This entertaining book is written by David Walliams, OBE, English actor, comedian and successful children’s author. Code Name Bananas is set in World War ll. Britain is at war with Germany and bombs rain down on London. A little orphan boy called Eric forms an extraordinary friendship with a huge gorilla named Gertrude, who resides at London Zoo. This latest book from Walliams is another action packed, page-turning adventure that will capture the imaginations of children around the world.

Jackie French AM is an Australian author, historian and ecologist. Jackie has written over 200 books and sold millions of copies. Her books have won over 60 awards in Australia and internationally. Jackie is dyslexic and is a patron of literacy programs across Australia.

This is a timely book that tells the story of the Spanish flu pandemic that swept across the world in 1918. The story is partly based on stories told of that time by Jackie’s Great Grandma. It is a powerful story of humanity prevailing during a pandemic.

The illustrations are by Bruce Whatley who illustrated the book whilst in isolation in an Adelaide hotel in 2020. The use of ballpoint pen and colour washes really add to the story.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Library Assistant

Muso in the Spotlight 

We love to celebrate the achievements of our students in the wider community. Please email the office with any musical or performing arts news in your child’s world. We would love to include this in our future newsletters and celebrate with your child.

Sydney Youth Orchestra

SYO is short for Sydney Youth Orchestra. It is an orchestra that has students who are passionate about music. I feel very privileged to be part of their string orchestra.

To get into SYO, you have to audition via zoom. We had to prepare four difficult, short pieces assigned by SYO. These are pieces from famous, classical songs. We also had to do sight reading. I auditioned back in November and received my result in December. I started class in February. The classes are held in Santa Sabina College. 

During my first week, I met my new friends. I hung out with a couple of them. Friends are helpful. The teachers are kind and the songs they give us are challenging. These are concert songs and they are enchanting to the ear. 

I am thrilled to be in SYO. It will be hard work, but I will enjoy it. I hope to be better at music.

Taka M
Year 5

Key Dates

Important Dates for Term 1 

Claremont Cross Country Carnival
Wednesday 24 February

IPSHA Swimming Carnival 
Tuesday 2 March

IPSHA Cross Country Carnival
Saturday 27 March

Cross Country Carnival

The 2021 Cross Country carnival will be held on 24 February at Centennial Park. As there are still restrictions regarding parents attending school events, the day will operate quite similar to the swimming carnival. I.e. students will arrive at school at normal time and catch a bus to Centennial Park. They will return via bus to school at lunchtime and will resume normal lessons in the afternoon. It is expected that all students will be travelling via bus (no students being dropped off directly at the venue). Please read the event note for further details and visit the parent portal on Edumate to give permission. 

Cross Country Event Note

If you and your child would like to familiarise yourself with the course leading up to the event, please refer to the attached course map below.

Course Map

IPSHA Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to the following students who qualified to represent Claremont College at the upcoming IPSHA Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 2 March at Sydney International Aquatic Centre. Further information will be communicated directly with parents of students representing Claremont at the event.

IPSHA Swimming Team List

Claremont Champions

Congratulations to Oliver W (Year 6) who recently attended the IPSHA tennis trials at Pymble Ladies College. He competed in a number of matches throughout the day as part of a round robin and finished in the top 4. The top 4 then played against each other to determine the players that make the squad. Oliver just missed out, narrowly losing his finals match. Well done, Oliver.

Mr Joel Geering
Sports Coordinator

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, this event has been postponed. More information will be provided later in the year.

The Uniform Shop is run by Ranier on the school premises during school terms on the following days:

Monday: 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday: 8am - 11am

Methods of Payment: Cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard and Visa.

For new students, fittings are by appointment. Simply book online at www.shop.ranier.com.au

The Uniform Shop is located within the main body of the School. Please access the Uniform Shop via Coogee Bay Road lower side gate. 

Ranier has added a new option when ordering uniforms. For more information click HERE

CONTACT

Email: claremont@ranier.com.au
Phone: 02 9213 0720

Responses will be provided during opening hours
Note: The website can answer most of your questions at www.shop.ranier.com.au

For more immediate assistance, head office details are:

Online: ranier.com.au/contact
Email: custservice@ranier.com.au 

Phone: 02 8337 7290

Welcomeasy will continue to deliver recess and lunch orders to school.

Please place your orders by 11:59pm the previous evening. Parents can order by 9:00am the same day but a small surcharge does apply.

To order go to: www.welcomeasy.com.au 

Term 1 Welcomeasy Menu

The P&F will be serving snacks for purchase from the Canteen each Friday during recess and lunch for the remainder of Term 1. 

Friday Canteen Menu

Does your child just love music and drama? Would they like to have fun and grow their skills in singing, acting and performance? Enrolments for our after school extracurricular class, Curtain Call are underway! Learning how to sing and perform on stage is a great way to gain a love for music, grow in confidence, build self-esteem as well as self-discipline, and of course have a lot of fun. Curtain Call is an all encompassing group class where students learn how to sing and how to apply performance skills and stage presence as a performer. 

Class times each Wednesday during Term:

K-2: 3pm-4pm
Y3-4: 4pm-5pm
Y5-6: 5pm-6pm

Enrolments are still open so please email our singing tutor, Lyndell at l.arthur@claremont.nsw.edu.au for more information and to secure a spot for your child today.