Our school really is a very special place… a place of connection, belonging, purpose and most importantly - love. It has been a fabulous week with so many things happening. I checked in with some students this morning and asked what have you enjoyed the most this week, the responses were varied and included;  “the (Year 3) excursion”, “Amazing Me last night”, “Sport”, “Choir”, “talking about camp”, “looking after the preschoolers when they came to Kindy”(referring to yesterday’s Kindy Orientation), “thinking about Family Fun Night tonight”, “STEM robotics”, “data in Maths” and of course, always the most popular response “recess with my friends”. One of the things that I have most appreciated this week is being part of the incredible staff team. Today we celebrate ‘World Teachers Day’ but at Claremont we have re-named today as ‘Claremont Staff Day’. I honour and thank my team of incredible professionals, teachers and support staff, who ensure that our students love school each and every day.

I encourage all parents to take the opportunity this weekend, to write a short note of thanks and encouragement to your child’s teacher, and/or to another member of the Claremont staff team, who you know goes above and beyond. 

Welcome to Claremont

Yesterday it was wonderful to welcome new students and families to Claremont for the 2023 Kindergarten Orientation. It was so good to have you here.

Thank you P&F

Thank you to the P&F and Year 6 students, staff and parents for the incredible hard work you have put into the preparation of our Family Fun Night. It’s going to be so much fun and reflects the heart and spirit of our school community. It just can’t wait to be dunked - ha!

Think Pink! 

Today Harriet and Valentina (Y4) raised money for the McGrath Foundation. It was great to see so much pink at school. Thank you girls for organising this event - the cupcakes were yummy and the glow sticks were a hit! 

‘Sydney Morning Herald’ Article on Open Plan Classrooms

I draw your attention to Mrs Ford’s response (see below) to the article that was published on Wednesday. Thank you Mrs Ford for writing this. 

Calling all Alumni Dads

Last term I extended an invitation to all Alumni Dads to take the opportunity to meet with you in September and to hear your reminiscences about your time here as a student of Claremont College. The meeting will be on Wednesday 2 November from 6:30pm-8:00pm at school. I will order some pizzas and beverages and spend a couple of hours sharing your memories and recollections. If you haven’t already, please let the school know if you can attend… it’s not too late to let us know.

A glorious weekend

It looks like it will be a glorious weekend. Enjoy the sun, the weather and your beautiful family. God’s love is with us each and every day - may you know and experience His love for you this weekend. 

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning’ Lamentations 3:22-23

Doug Thomas
Principal

Follow Us

Website: www.claremont.nsw.edu.au 
Instagram: @claremontcollege
Twitter: @claremont2031

This poorly informed article in the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday suggests that the classrooms of the past will provide the right environment for the current and next generations. Both students and teachers deserve to work in new and innovative learning environments in all education systems, not outdated traditional classrooms the Parliamentary Inquiry is suggesting.

It appears that the comments in the SMH article are all based on one of twenty Parliamentary Inquiry findings into “the planning and delivery of school infrastructure in New South Wales”. That is:

Finding 11

That school design should follow pedagogy and encourage, as much as possible, high-effect-size teaching methods. Regressive classroom practices should be avoided. 

Recommendation 11

That School Infrastructure NSW follow the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation CESE’s and John Hattie’s findings on pedagogy, ensuring that school and classroom design fosters the use of Direct or Explicit Instruction teaching methods for the proven benefit of students.

What evidence could possibly suggest that explicit instruction can only occur in a traditional classroom? To infer classroom design encourages poor teaching is an insult to teachers. Explicit instruction still occurs in open-plan classrooms, flexible learning spaces or innovative learning environments, whatever term you may use to refer to classroom designs and collaborative teaching methods of today’s schools. 

Furthermore, no child is challenged and engaged by explicit teaching alone. Humans learn by doing, and explicit teaching is only one part of learning. To suggest that classrooms (regardless of their shape or size) should “foster the direct or explicit instruction teaching” as the only proven method of instruction is ill informed and again offensive to teachers and the complicated work of educating students. 

“How teachers teach is the key determinant of student results.” Yes of course it is, but there is not only one way to do this! 

New creative and open-plan classrooms are not a ‘fad’ – this is a ridiculous comment. Buildings do not stop teachers from doing the exceptional work they do. Give teachers Professional Development to align with the spaces and teaching will thrive. Our teachers use research-based Collaborative Teaching Models to ensure students receive explicit, scaffolded AND independent lessons. The students are also blessed to receive online learning, experiential learning, differentiation, blended learning, game/play-based learning, student-centred learning and inquiry learning so that we meet the needs of all students. 

And finally, the teaching and learning structures and strategies that exist in Claremont’s learning spaces to support student learning, focus and engagement, are in place so that students do not “find it difficult to concentrate in the expansive spaces”. Unbelievably antiquated thinking to blame a learning space on lack of student focus! 

I would like to end with this quote from Sharratt and Fullan (2012):

Co-teaching is the most powerful way to improve teaching practice and to implement the changes in assessment and instruction that we’ve studied, observed and discussed…  It pushes professionals to make their practices transparent and public in order to become increasingly more skilled, reflective and thoughtful.

Please, please, please come along and talk to me if this article raised any concerns for you. I am happy to take you on a ‘walk and talk’ around the school so you can see our teaching and learning in action.

Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal

You would be aware that it is no longer mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive to COVID-19. NSW Health strongly recommends however, that people who are sick or have tested positive to COVID-19 stay home until their symptoms have gone.

NSW health strongly recommends that any students or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 follow the advice outlined in this NSW Health fact sheet . If your child tests positive, please:

• Inform the school via email [email protected].
• Register the positive RAHT result on the Service NSW App (this is no longer mandatory, however NSW Health continues to strongly recommend doing so).
• Your child must stay home until acute symptoms have gone.
• Your child is strongly encouraged to wear a mask when returning to school, if they are returning within 5 days of testing positive.
• If someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, please monitor your child for symptoms, and complete daily RAHT tests prior to attending school. 
• Please contact the office if you require RAHT kits.  

Previously, we have consistently informed the Claremont community of year groups with positive cases. We will no longer do this for each individual case, but rather when there is an increased risk for a particular cohort, or more broadly across the school.   

At Claremont, as with any infectious health issue, we would ask that you follow these recommendations. Children who display cold, flu, gastro, or other symptoms at school will be sent home. We ask that you continue to remain vigilant and please contact the school if you have any further questions or concerns. 

Alanna James & Doug Thomas

It is important that we all respect other people’s privacy. Whether it be when we go on camp, when your friends chat with teachers, or if people share personal information with you, respecting people’s privacy needs to remain that way - private.

Remember to show empathy - imagine if your privacy wasn’t respected. Let’s all be safe and respectful at all times.

Larissa Cameron
Deputy Principal

One way we encourage and nurture the leadership of our students is through the appointment of Grade Captains. Our Grade Captains represent their house for their grade and hold special responsibilities within their learning spaces. It is amazing to witness how many students 'step up' and take this responsibility seriously. This term, we would like to congratulate the following students who have filled the Grade Captain positions:

Kindy - Juliette L, Mila W, Ava P, Madeleine C
Year 1 -Kale C, Alana L, Ethan S, Harley T
Year 2 - Isabella W, Aston T, Cole G, Tahlia P
Year 3- Amelia D, Rose L, Charlotte K, Isabel R
Year 4 - Lawrence K, James L, Rocco R, Sam ER
Year 5 - Chloe K, Dion T, Summer L, Leni OL
Year 6 - All of Yr 6 are grade captains!

Congratulations to all these students.

CLICK HERE to read all about The Austins 

Term 4

Term 1 2023

Dads and Kids 'BIG Day Out' to Jamberoo

It’s Time to Purchase Tickets

Dads and Kids

It is time to get excited for the warmer weather with a trip to Jamberoo Action Park on Saturday 12 November

You can now purchase tickets via Flexischools. 

Things to Remember

• Jamberoo opens at 10:00am, and closes at 5:00pm.
• Tickets must be purchased by Monday 31 October.  Your entry tickets to Jamberoo will be in an envelope with your family name on it, and available on the day from the desk outside the Jamberoo Souvenir Shop.  Once you have collected your tickets, please enter the park and make your way to Bayview Huts #9 and #10 (the Jamberoo staff will be able to point you in the right direction) These 2 huts are for the exclusive use of Claremont families throughout the day.
• Families who book bus transportation to and from Jamberoo will need to be at Claremont College for an 8:00am departure.  These same families will depart Jamberoo on the bus at 3:00pm and return to Claremont by approximately 5:00pm.
• Families should organise their own food and drinks for the day.
• Mums are warmly welcome to attend should you wish to make this a family day out.
• For further information, please refer to the FAQ on the Jamberoo website.https://www.jamberoo.net/park-info/faqs/ 

Christmas Comes to Claremont

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, on Monday 7 November, we are putting up the Christmas decorations around the school. 

Time: 9:15am-10:30am. 

If you are available to help out please let us know by clicking the link below. 

Christmas Decoration Parent Helper Registration form 

Orangutan Day - Thursday 10 November

It’s on again!

On Thursday 10 November in Week 5 there will be a very special day at school to raise funds and awareness of the plight of the seriously endangered orangutan. 

Just a gold coin donation will enable students to wear orange or brown clothing. However, if you don’t have clothes in these colours you may wear mufti instead, also for a gold coin donation.

We would really appreciate any additional donations from anyone in the community which will be donated to The Orangutan Project.

Once again, there will be delicious Orangutan cupcakes (thanks to My Little Cupcake).  These will be by pre-order only, via Flexischools. Closing date will be Monday 7 November.

There will also be a lucky door prize (any student providing a gold coin donation will be given a ticket - 1 ticket/child) featuring Darrel Lea products which are all now, by the way, palm oil free!  

We are looking forward to having everyone support the Orangutan Project. Let’s try to raise even more funds than last time, for our orangutan friends!  

Bu Jill 

The P&F invites all parents to join the final AGM meeting for 2022. It has been a very active year for the P&F and great to see that despite the past two years of COVID that the Claremont community continues to flourish. 

We would like to extend a warm invitation to all parents to consider joining the P&F in 2023. It is only with the engagement of parents year after that the P&F continues to be a healthy, active part of school life. 

At the AGM the committee for 2023 will be elected, which consists of the P&F executive team (President, VP Fundraising, Secretary and Treasurer) and Grade Representatives, ideally at least two persons per grade. Please see attached the descriptions of these roles and invite you to consider applying for an Executive role or to be a Grade Representative in 2023. Please email your interest to [email protected] 

Kindergarten & Year 1 Swimming Intensive

During Week 7 (Week beginning 21 November), Kindergarten and Year 1 will be transported by bus to UNSW each day for a 30 minute lesson with qualified Austswim instructors, as well as a number of supervising staff. These lessons make up part of the students’ normal school day and we ask that parents do not attend. Swimming is an important part of our curriculum and indeed our Australian culture, and we expect to see the aquatic skills and confidence of our students greatly improve during this program. 

Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 may wear their full sports uniform to school each day of the week. By allowing students to change with ease, this will maximise swimming and learning time, and we believe it will be more comfortable for students throughout the day. Students should wear formal hats to and from school and ensure they wear white sports shoes and white socks. 

Claremont swimming costumes and house swimming caps can be purchased from the Uniform Shop.

The Claremont sports bag should be brought each day, in addition to their school bag, with a towel, goggles, underwear and thongs or sandals (for travelling to and from the pool). For safety, thongs or sandals are not to be worn to and from school. The Claremont swimming costume may be worn under the sports uniform, and girls often prefer to wear it with the shoulder straps down to assist when using the bathroom during the day. Students will be getting changed at school prior to heading to the lessons and back into uniform when they return.

We are looking forward to our students participating in a tailored and expertly delivered program with high staff to student ratios.

Thank you as always for your support, and please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have further queries about this program.

Kindergarten & Year 1 Swimming Intensive

During Week 7 (Week beginning 21 November), Kindergarten and Year 1 will be transported by bus to UNSW each day for a 30 minute lesson with qualified Austswim instructors, as well as a number of supervising staff. These lessons make up part of the students’ normal school day and we ask that parents do not attend. Swimming is an important part of our curriculum and indeed our Australian culture, and we expect to see the aquatic skills and confidence of our students greatly improve during this program. 

Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 may wear their full sports uniform to school each day of the week. By allowing students to change with ease, this will maximise swimming and learning time, and we believe it will be more comfortable for students throughout the day. Students should wear formal hats to and from school and ensure they wear white sports shoes and white socks. 

Claremont swimming costumes and house swimming caps can be purchased from the Uniform Shop.

The Claremont sports bag should be brought each day, in addition to their school bag, with a towel, goggles, underwear and thongs or sandals (for travelling to and from the pool). For safety, thongs or sandals are not to be worn to and from school. The Claremont swimming costume may be worn under the sports uniform, and girls often prefer to wear it with the shoulder straps down to assist when using the bathroom during the day. Students will be getting changed at school prior to heading to the lessons and back into uniform when they return.

We are looking forward to our students participating in a tailored and expertly delivered program with high staff to student ratios.

Thank you as always for your support, and please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have further queries about this program.

Excursion to Royal Botanic Gardens

On Thursday, Ranger Jamie Tours delivered a wonderfully crafted excursion at the Royal Botanic Gardens for our group of enthusiastic Year 3 students. 

The day kicked off with an exciting and engaging presentation, where we were shown different taxidermied native animals. What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Ask your Year 3 student! Did you know that flying foxes cannot sweat? So how does a flying fox cool itself down?... Your Year 3 student now knows (beware - the answer is pretty gross!).

Following the presentation, the students participated in two activities; Dip Net Fishing for Macro-organisms and Bushwalking.

Our ‘bushwalk’ was a walking tour of the Gardens, exploring flora from around the world. Our Claremont students impressed their guides with their knowledge of the continents!

When ‘fishing’, students used long poles with sieves on the end to dip in a pond for macro-organisms. Not surprisingly, no one caught an eel or large fish, but we did manage to secure one tiny fish, two tadpoles, a water spider and a worm. 

After a picnic lunch in the sunshine, some dark clouds gathered…

Our sweaty walk in the spring sun quickly turned into a blustering storm. The quick thinking tour guides instructed us to design and construct a rainproof shelter using the groundcover tarpaulin and a tree. 

Fighting against a billowing cold wind, our raincoat-clad students raced against time to erect a lean-to. The sturdy shelter finally succumbed to the weight of the rain just in time for the bus to arrive to whisk us home!

Year 3 had a lovely and highly informative excursion to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Here’s what our students have to say about our day:

Some thoughtful reflections from some of our Year 3 students:

‘I loved when we got to go ‘fishing’! I saw an eel and a big fish! We all chatted and showed off our catches!’
Lennox R

‘I liked the trees and plants from all the different continents. The only continent that wasn’t represented was Antarctica' Aleks P

‘It was really cool. It started pouring with rain, so we made a shelter out of the tarp that we had been sitting on!’ Dylan A

‘I loved the fishing! I didn't catch any fish, but I did catch a toy car in the mud!’ Scarlett O

‘I really enjoyed walking through all the plants and learning about where they came from.’ Aria J ‘We had to work as a team to make a shelter from the rain! It was real! Also, the eels were so active - it was like cat and mouse.’ Isabella Z

Year 4 - Amazing Me Event Note

Year 6 - Amazing Me Event Note

New Titles To The Library Collection

This book introduces us to Zadie Ma, a girl who writes magical stories that sometimes come true. One day she starts to write about rescuing a poor unwanted dog called Jupiter, who’s just waiting to be rescued by a loving girl like Zadie. Can Zadie bring to life her most important story of all… the one where she finds the dog of her dreams?

Gabrielle Wang is the award-winning author and illustrator of this new title. Born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage, her stories are a blend of Chinese and Western culture with a touch of fantasy. Gabrielle is the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022 to 2023.

Recommended for children aged 8 years and older.

This is a heartwarming tale of courage and friendship from the Australian author Favel Parrett. In her first book for children, she brings us the true story of Wandi, one of Australia’s endangered alpine dingoes. A dingo club is snatched from his mountain home by a giant eagle and then dropped injured in a suburban garden. This is where he meets his first human, and begins his long journey to becoming the most famous dingo in the world.

Recommended for children aged 8 years and older.

Mrs Susan Kesur
Librarian Assistant

Key Dates

Wednesday Sport
12 October - 30 November.

K-1 Swimming Intensive 
21 November - 25 November 

Mr Joel Geering
Head of Sport and PDHPE

St Andrew’s Cathedral School will offer one full or part scholarship to a Claremont student (boy or girl) for entry into Year 7 2024. This scholarship is in recognition of the excellent relationship between the two schools, and acknowledgement of the high standard of Claremont graduates. The scholarship, and amount of scholarship will be based on the following criteria:

• Results in the ACER Scholarship Selection Test which will be run at Claremont late February or early March 2024 TBC.
• Demonstrated commitment to school life at Claremont through Music, Drama, Sport, Leadership or other school programs
• School reports and NAPLAN.

Application forms can be downloaded at

https://www.sacs.nsw.edu.au/enrol/scholarships/academic-scholarships/

Applications close on 10 February 2023.

Please contact Mr Bruce Perry, Registrar at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Dear Parent/Carer

Selective high schools cater for academically gifted students with high potential who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic standard. Selective high schools help these students to learn by grouping them with students of similar ability, and by using specialised teaching methods.

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2024, you need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student’s email address).

Detailed instructions on how to apply and the link to the online form will be available in early-October 2022 at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7.

Applications open on 18 October 2022 and close on 16 November 2022. You must apply before the closing date.

You must submit only ONE application for each student.

The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Applications are now open for students to apply for a School Opal Card for 2023. If a student currently does not hold a School Opal Card and is eligible, they may visit the below website for more information.

Click here for the School Opal Card application link

Please remember that all school students MUST tap on and off with their Opal Cards. Every time a student taps on and off, they are counted on our service – when they do not, they are invisible. Transport for NSW has the option of withdrawing school bus routes which show low patronage data.

Our Full Menu is Back!

Check out our extended list of offerings… some old faves have returned, and some new items added. 

We have also updated our items to include ingredients and allergen information. 

Click HERE to see the full menu.

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.

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].

Happy Ordering

Claremont College – Canteen
Anthony Catering

Click HERE to read the TeamKids Term 4 Newsletter

Term 4 Bookings

A reminder for ALL families to book and verify their bookings for Term 4. Also, if your child is away or will not be attending a pre-booked session, please assist by contacting Customer Service to cancel your booking on the day. Please note this has an impact on the service’s staffing for each session. 

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

We would like to make you aware that the NSW Government has given parents a $500 voucher to use at childcare centres. This is applicable to TeamKids and we encourage you to take advantage of this great scheme. Follow the instructions on the NSW Service website to apply. Then email or bring in the QR code on your voucher so we can scan and redeem it for you. This will be credited to your account to use until June 2023.

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 Uniform Shop 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