At Claremont College we recognise that every student is unique. Through celebrating our differences, we come together in a place that is vibrant, culturally rich and most importantly, a place where everyone belongs. Held every year in March, Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.

This year, the theme for Harmony Day is ‘Everyone Belongs’.

On Monday, we celebrated the day by participating in a workshop where our very own Mrs Gonzalez performed with her dance group her own cultural Latin American dance. It was such a special occasion. Mrs Gonzalez is from Colombia and it was lovely to witness how proud she is of her heritage.

Today the Infants children celebrated with their Grandparents and Special Friends. The rain held off to make this a beautiful occasion, where Grandparents were warmly welcomed to our school. Our Infants children were very proud to show their special visitors the school they belong to. Guests enjoyed watching performances, partaking in morning tea and having a look at the children’s learning spaces. Thank you to our Grandparents and Special Friends for supporting our school and the ‘little one’ you visited today.

At home, we encourage you to discuss with your child/ren the different concepts of ‘family’ and ‘belonging’. Your child may even enjoy creating some things at home to celebrate their own family.

Below are some ideas ;

• Design a family ‘crest’ or logo
• Draw family members
• Draw or depict foods, customs or traditions special to your family
• Create a family mascot
• Cook a 'family favourite'.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Last week we mentioned in our newsletter that we all need to 'do our bit' to improve the traffic management system for the afternoons at the gates. A reminder that now with COVID-19 restrictions easing, we encourage parents to consider using our after-school program ‘TeamKids’, to sign up to onsite after-school activities or to encourage your older child/ren, in preparation for high school, to ride, walk or catch a bus home.

We cannot make the Traffic Management System successful without your help. We ask parents’ cooperation by following these expectations:

• Do NOT arrive before 3:10pm to pick up your child/ren. If you start queuing before then, the line of cars extends into Belmore Rd (!) and doesn’t move because the children are not at the gate at that time to keep the line moving. The queue must only begin when the children are at the gate, ready to be collected.
• Do not make U-turns. This is extremely dangerous.
• Do not cut in from Judge Lane or in front of a queue on either street. This is rude and dangerous. Judge Lane must not be used at all.
• Do not be disrespectful to our staff if they ask you to drive around the block. They are providing a generous service and they have a duty of care to the children.
• Drive as far as possible in the pick-up bay. This way, more children can be collected at the same time.
• We recommend that you collect your child/ren from 3:20pm. The queue moves much more quickly from that time.
• Do not sign your child up to after-school activities that start too close to bell time. It is not acceptable to collect your child before the bell or to insist on arriving early in the queue so you can arrive at an after-school activity in time, as you  increase the safety risk to our community. We recommend that offsite after-school activities should not begin before 4pm.
• Be patient with our younger students. No Kindy parent should feel the pressure to start driving before their child is buckled in properly.
• Do not block laneways or driveways. Neighbours need to be able to access these laneways and their driveways.
• Please think ‘bigger picture’, rather than how this only impacts your family life. Keep safety for all the highest priority. It would be devastating for all in our community if a tragic accident occurs.
• Please let other carers/grandparents/nannies etc know of these expectations.

It is absolutely essential that we create systems and practices that prioritise students' safety first. If this means we all need to be that bit more patient, gracious and understanding, then let's do it. We thank you for your support, as we continue to work together to improve the traffic system.

Kindness Culture, Yes! Bullying, No Way!

Last week we recognised the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.  This year's theme is ‘Kindness Culture – It Starts with You’. 

This week we have been teaching the children about the different types of bullying and what to do when they experience or witness bullying. We encourage you to talk with your child about what can be done to help build, strengthen and contribute to a Kindness Culture. For more information about our school-wide approach to preventing and responding to bullying, please refer to our updated Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy. 

I encourage everyone in our school - staff, students and parents, to show respect and kindness. Let’s remember that as adults, we need to model positive behaviours to the children. 

"I was under pressure" is not an excuse for toxic behaviour. Being stressed doesn't justify hostility. It's not your responsibility to absorb their pain. Being busy doesn't licence incivility. No one's calendar is too full to be respectful. Most acts of kindness cost nothing."  
Adam Grant

And finally, I would like to say a few 'shout outs' to some people who have been noticed for their contribution to our Kindness Culture…

• Our wonderful P&F - thank you for all that you do for our school. You give up your time to generously serve our school.
• Taylor K and Chloe K for donating all their birthday presents to Ukraine.
• Harriet N for sticking up for her peers when noticing an injustice and for helping others get organised before and after lessons.
• Our Grandparents and Special Friends - who have supported, loved and encouraged the Infants children, not only today but every day.

Thank you.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32

Larissa Cameron
Co-Principal

Ms Sallie Neville will not be leaving us permanently, however, she will be taking some leave, to visit Colombia for 5 months. This means we are looking to cover Ms Neville for Terms 2 and 3. If you know of a Registered Nurse who may be interested in the position, please encourage them to make an application to the School Office by the end of March. Sallie, we hope you have a wonderful time visiting your husband’s family… but don’t have too much fun… we want you back!

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we would like all of our students, staff and parents to get involved in raising money for the two recent humanitarian crises. We encourage you and your children to think of ways they can raise or earn money to donate. This way the students will have a greater sense of empathy and compassion, rather than just bringing in money from Mum and Dad, which also of course is important. 

Every child would have received an envelope with 2 stickers that we would like you to attach to a jar, cup or container of some sort, so they can see and be a part of contributing to the fund raising. 

Please fill both jars or one of your choosing, and bring these in during next week beginning Monday 28 March, with the final collection day to be Friday 1 April 2022. 

The two charities we will be contributing to are:

• Save The Children (www.savethechildren.org) – for the children caught up in the Ukraine war; and
• Australian Red Cross (www.redcross.org.au) – for the NSW and Queensland flood appeal. 

Our suggestions to help get your children involved:

• Donate some of their pocket money to the jars;
• Do extra jobs around the house to raise money;
• Help to bake cakes to sell to neighbours (with parental support); or
• Phone relatives and ask them to donate as well.

If you have some creative ways that your children are involved, please take a photo and send it in, we would love to include these in the ‘Inspired For Life’ section of our newsletters. 

Janelle Ford
Co-Principal

There have been some recent changes made to isolation requirements for household contacts and positive cases.                                                       

• NSW Health & the Association of Independent Schools have outlived that people who have recovered from COVID-19 have a low risk of getting it again in the 8 weeks after they are released as most people develop some immunity. Therefore, if a student or staff member who has recovered from COVID-19 comes into contact with someone with COVID-19 within 8 weeks after they are released, they will not need to self-isolate or get a test unless they have new COVID-19 symptoms.                                            
• If students/staff are a household contact of someone with COVID-19 more than 8 weeks after they are released, they will need to self-isolate, test and follow the NSW Health requirements.                                                       
• A household contact is not obligated to self-isolate as a contact if they are subsequently notified by another household contact and it has been no more than 14 days since the contact completed their self-isolation period. This means a household contact does not need to self- isolate as a contact more than once in a 21-day period unless the person is diagnosed with COVID-19, in which case they will need to self-isolate again for 7 days as a confirmed case. 
• This means if you have one child who has tested positive, and on Day 6, another child or family member tests positive, you do not need to continue isolating.

Despite the easing of restrictions for schools, we continue to follow NSW Health advice and AIS guidelines to ensure our school is as COVID safe as possible.

• If your child/ren are displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, extreme tiredness, unexplained chest pain or conjunctivitis (eye infection), please keep them home and complete a RAHT test. If the RAHT test is negative, please keep your child home until they are symptom free.
• If your child returns a positive RAHT result, please log it via the Service NSW app or website, and inform the school via email [email protected]

Thank you for your ongoing support, flexibility and understanding. 

Mrs Alanna James
Acting Deputy Principal

When you are upset or frustrated, stick up for yourself by saying that you don’t like it, or think it’s ok. Never retaliate by using nasty words or by physically hurting others. Let’s all work together to build and strengthen a Kindness Culture. Remember our 3 school rules: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be a Learner.

Larissa Cameron
Co-Principal

Congratulations to the following students who received their Gold Certificate at Monday’s Merit Assembly

Gold Certificate

Carissa L (1), Rosie McC (2) and Saxon O (6)

Term 1 2022

Term 2 2022

2022 Term 3

Term 4

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advancedlife on Monday 2 May. Whilst an envelope and flyer is available from the school office, it is our preference for ordering to be completed online. This is to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day. 

Package details can be found by clicking HERE.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advanced order code (537 6V3 2EM) or by clicking the link above. Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day. 

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day (ie Sunday 1 May). Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed. 

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please contact us at www.advancedlife.com.au/contac... 

Important Information:

• School photos purchased online DO NOT require envelopes to be returned to school*
• Don’t forget to order your sibling photos now
• Late fees/additional charges will be applied for purchases after photo day
• Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
• Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are available at school’s advancedlife & your advancedyou photo sites (follow the link above) 

*Sibling photographs must be ordered either online or by an order envelope prior to the day of photography.  A photograph will not be taken without an order. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at the school. 

advancedlife would like to express their appreciation to Claremont College. They offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact them at [email protected]

advancedlife Photo Day Information 

Only one week to go until the P&F School Disco, let's fill the school playground with a rainbow of colours! The Year 4 Grade Representatives have been planning away and it is set to be a fun evening filled with disco music, food and activities for the whole family to enjoy. 

We realise that there are many families in our school community who have not had the opportunity to come to a P&F school event due to COVID-19 in the previous two years and therefore might have questions on how these events run. Please find some key points below which to help you plan for the night: 

• All children must attend with a supervising adult.
• All adults and children, except those 4 years old and under must purchase an Entry Ticket.
• Early-bird prices for entry tickets, food & drink and stall coupons can be purchased via FLEXISCHOOLS until 8pm, Wednesday 30 March. These can be collected at the PREPAID SALES desk and will save on queuing at the TICKET SALES desk on the night.
• Coupons, entry tickets and food coupons will be available to purchase throughout the duration of the event at the TICKET SALES desk situated as you enter the school grounds. Both cash and EFTPOS transactions will be accepted on the night.
• There will be NO CASH handling at any of the food or activity stalls. All items will be purchased through paper coupons. It may be helpful to allocate your children a number of coupons to spend throughout the night, but don't be surprised if they come back asking you to purchase more!
• Food and activity stalls range between 1-4 coupons.
• All stalls will be outside in the school playground except for Face Painting which will be in the Team Kids room.

P&F school events such as the Disco and Family Fun Night in October run successfully because of the help of parent volunteers on the night. We are still needing 20 more volunteers to help, especially for the second shift between 7pm - 8:30pm. All volunteers will need a valid Working With Children's Check.

A particular callout to fathers in our community to supervise the front entrance, making sure all attendees belong to our school community and that children leave with an adult. TeamKids educators Lisa, Shirley and Maddie have kindly offered their services to run the face painting stall from 6pm-7pm. We need some more creative parents in our school community to help with the later face painting session as well as many other stalls. 

If you are able to help, please either email [email protected] or sign up with the link that has been distributed. Your help is truly appreciated in making this an enjoyable fun-filled evening for all.

P&F Committee

We had a beautiful morning today celebrating Grandparents & Special Friends Day!

Amazingly the rain held off and the infants were able to welcome lots of proud grandparents and special friends after a few years of restrictions. It was such a happy morning and there were lots of smiles and hugs as the infants did their performances, showed the special visitors their classrooms and enjoyed some morning tea together.

A special thank you to our Year 2 reps who organised the event: Susan S and Kirsty A. And thank you to all the volunteers who helped this morning: Eric S, Diana T, Vicki U, Sandra S, Louisa G, James J, Audrey R, Alicia G and Shireen L.

Kindergarten News - Term 1 Week 8

NAPLAN Letter for Year 3 Parents

NAPLAN Letter for Year 5 Parents

Excursion to The Rocks - Event Note

Year 6 Electricity Showcase - Save the Date!

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, on Friday 1 April, Year 6 will be hosting their Electricity Showcase, where they will be presenting and discussing their knowledge of energy transformations and how these transformations have been demonstrated in their Electricity Projects. 

We would like to invite parents to come to the Year 6 learning space from 2:30pm - 3:00pm on Friday to see Year 6 exhibit their projects. The students' work will be shown inside and outside the Year 6 Learning Space, providing a well ventilated space for all to enjoy the students' hard work. Once you have finished looking at the exhibition, you are welcome to take your child home, ensuring that you sign out through the front office. It is important that all students also take their Electricity Projects home that day, as we will be heading to Canberra the following Monday. 

Looking forward to seeing you all next week!

Mr Angus Ryan, Miss Sophie Valdeck, Mrs Lisa Speranza & Mrs Nicola Breakspear
Year 6 Teaching Team

Recycling Poster Competition

As part of the Woolworths Landcare Grant that we received in 2021, this term the Eco Warriors have introduced Soft Plastic Bins to the school.

Last year, Eco Warrior students from Years 2 - 6 participated in a litter audit on the playground and noticed that most of the rubbish was soft plastic packaging, which was ending up in landfill. The students came up with the idea of introducing soft plastic bins to enable this plastic to be recycled. This rubbish is collected during the week and then recycled through RedCycle who have collection points in major shopping centres such as Woolworths and Coles. RedCycle then turns this plastic into things like roads, footpaths and park benches. 

Over the last few weeks, students have been doing a fantastic job using this bin for their soft plastic rubbish, but at times there is still some confusion about which rubbish goes in which bin. 

As a solution to this, we are running a poster competition! Students need to design a poster for the types of rubbish that goes in the different bins. Students can choose to make one poster for one type of bin or a poster for each type of the following bins: 

• Red: Landfill Bin
• Yellow: Co-Mingle Paper and Plastic Recycling Bin
• Grey: Soft Plastic Bin 

The posters may be hand drawn or made using an app or website, but should be designed in a portrait orientation. The due date for the posters is the end of Term 1, Thursday 7 April. Winners will be announced in the first week of Term 2.

The winning students’ posters will be displayed around the school to help remind other students where to put their rubbish.

Below are some websites that might be useful when creating the posters:

https://redcycle.net.au/ 

https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/services/rubbish-and-recycling/household-rubbish/yellow-lid-recycling-bin#:~:text=Did%20you%20know%3F,furniture%2C%20fleecy%20jackets%20and%20more!

Miss Sophie Valdeck, Mr Jake Smith, Ms Sally Durek and Mrs Lina Gonzalez
The Eco Warrior Team

New To the Collection

New Picture Books

As the flames of the bushfire approach, one small wombat is bravely followed by other animals to the safety of her underground burrow. The tunnels are long and cool and provide a safe haven from the heat and smoke. This is just the beginning of the animal's journey to safety. 

Based on events witnessed by Australian Children’s Laureate Jackie French during the 2020 fires, and co-created with illustrator Danny Snell.

This is a story of courage, compassion and survival, which saw people across Australia come together to save our wildlife from devastation.

Recommended for children from 4 years and older.

This is a visual and lyrical depiction of coming home to Country from acclaimed author illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft. Dr Bronwyn is a proud Bundjalung Woman and artist who has been exhibiting her artwork nationally and internationally for over 3 decades. Bronwyn has illustrated and /or written over 41 books. The text and striking illustrations create a sense of belonging, love and peace.

Recommended for children aged 4 years and over.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Teacher Librarian

Key Dates

Important Dates for Term 1

K-6 Sport
Wednesday 2 February - 6 April

IPSHA Cross Country Carnival
Wednesday 4 May (new date)

Term 2 Extra Curricular/Morning Skills Sport

Term 2 Sport information and registration form have been made available on the Claremont app. Please remember to register online for all morning activities as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as some sports have limited positions.

For billing purposes, registrations will close on Wednesday 30 March. 

Programs commence from Week 2, Term 2 

Monday: Year 3-6 Tennis (Eastern Suburbs Tennis Centre)
Tuesday: Year 1-2 Tennis at school
Wednesday: Year 3-6 Athletics (Grant Reserve)
Thursday: Year K-2 Dance (hip hop), Year 3-6 Basketball both at school
Friday: Year K-2 Football (soccer) at school

Term 2 Morning Skills and Sport Information Booklet

Claremont Champions

Congratulations to Marnie L (Year 5) who competed at the Little Athletics State Championships at Olympic Park over the weekend. Marnie won a gold medal (State Champion!) in all of her  5 events (60m hurdles, 70m, 100m, 200m and junior girls relay). In between races, Marnie made a lucky-dip for gold coin donations for the children in Ukraine. Well done on such an incredible achievement in your races, and for raising money for others in need, Marnie! 

School Holiday Tennis Camp

Gavin from Smart-Fit Training, who runs our infants morning skills tennis program, is offering tennis camps in the April school holidays at the Parklands tennis courts. If you are interested, please see the flyer below for more details. 

Tennis School Holiday Camp

Mr Joel Geering
Head of Sport

St. Nicolas’ Anglican Church invites Claremont families to participate in an Australian wide community survey being conducted as part of the 5 yearly National Church Life Survey. 

It aims to gather thoughts on the local community and its needs, personal spiritual beliefs or religious practices, and peoples experience of church and their involvement in its activities (such as preschool or school scripture).  The results of the survey will help local churches better connect with people in their local community. 

We kindly invite you to participate in this survey to help with our planning.  It will take you less than 4 minutes. 

Please go to communitysurvey.ncls.org.au and use the code ANS04401.

The survey is available until the end of March. 

Looking for a great preschool to prepare your children for Kindy?

Week 8 TeamKids Newsletter

Claremont TeamKids Philosophy

School Holiday Bookings now open!

TeamKids have another amazing AUTUMN Holiday program planned!

• Learn new skills and make new friends
• Qualified and REMARKABLE Educators
• Digital detox with our no screens policy
• Delicious and nutritious morning and afternoon snack
• CCS approved care 

Head to teamkids.com.au to secure your spot! 

For information on the Autumn Holiday Program click HERE. 

A reminder for ALL families to BOOK & VERIFY their bookings for the term. If there are no confirmed bookings the service will be closed. 

Please visit teamkids.com.au to secure your spot! Alternatively, call Customer Service on 1300 035 000.

ORDERING

Orders can be placed for both recess and lunch through an online ordering system called Flexischools (www.flexischools.com.au). You can also download the app and order from any smartphone or tablet device. Orders are required to be placed by 8:30am on the day the order is required, however, you can place orders up to four weeks in advance. 

Recess orders are collected from the canteen by each child who has an order. Lunch orders are collected by class lunch monitors from each grade and brought back to the learning space. Each child’s order is placed in individual bags with their name and ordered item on the bag.  If frozen items are ordered, your child will receive either a separate slip from the canteen or a stamp on their brown bag and will need to collect it from the canteen. The slip or bag will need to be presented to the canteen staff. 

If you have any concerns with your orders or would like to discuss anything with the canteen staff, please feel free to email us at [email protected]

Get Ready for Winter

It's time to get ready for winter

Out of Stock Items

School bags: We are currently waiting for our order of new school bags to arrive. For the interim, students may use the school sports bag or alternate backpack until they are able to be purchased. We also encourage those seeking bags to reach out on WhatsApp groups as some second hand bags may be available. We will advise you when they are back in stock. 

Boys summer socks: Some sizes of boys socks are unavailable. In the interim, the uniform shop will stock a plain grey sock that can be worn until the correct socks arrive. 

Please continue to check the newsletter for stock updates.

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

Monday: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 11:00am

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

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

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

CONTACT

Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 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: [email protected]
Phone: 02 8337 7290

Greek

Greek lessons will recommence in Term 2. Please register by clicking HERE. 

Chess

Sydney Academy of Chess teaches students the fundamentals of Chess on Friday mornings from 8:00am - 8:40am in the school library. Enrolments for Term 2 are now open.

If you are interested in your child learning chess, CLICK HERE to find out more.