We are filled with anticipation with what will be an exciting term. The staff cannot wait to see the children ‘in person’ in the very near future. There’s much to be excited about. Term 4 always presents itself as an exciting time to be engaged in learning, to have fun in the warmer weather and to celebrate the end of the year, our many achievements, and of course, Christmas. This term, we will have the added excitement of seeing our children together again. Schools are magical places. Our staff have been committed to providing high quality OCL, but nothing can replace the magic that happens when we are together. 

We trust that you took the opportunity to read our ‘Pre Term 4’ Newsletter which was published last week. If not, please take the time to read this, as it contains some important information relating to our ongoing COVID-19 measures. I also draw your attention to the information below written by Mrs James. We ask for your ongoing support and cooperation with our health and safety guidelines across this term. Please never hesitate to contact us should you require any further information or clarification of our expectations. 

I wish you all a safe and enjoyable weekend ahead - one filled with happiness, perhaps a picnic, engaging in the Dads’ and Kids’ Camp activities, and a ‘sprinkle of magic’. 

Larissa Cameron
Co-Principal

Follow us

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

It is not too late to register for our weekend activities. Please go to this LINK before 5pm. We are going to have lots of fun and action. For those who are getting involved, please check your emails for your top-secret ‘Weekend Adventure Manual’ which will be delivered to your inbox at 5pm. If for some reason you do not receive this email - please join us at this Zoom link at 7pm for the first team meeting. I can't wait to see you. 

Doug Thomas
Principal

As Term 4 begins, we continue to navigate the ever changing circumstances presented by COVID-19. One of the many things we have learnt throughout this period is the need to be agile and adaptive, as things continue to evolve and change at a rapid pace. We saw an example of this yesterday, when the NSW Government adjusted the roadmap for the students to return to school. With this announcement, each year group will return on the following dates: 

18 October - Kindergarten, Year 1

25 October - Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 

We cannot wait to have our Claremont students back at school. In the lead up to Week 3, we will communicate the operational guidelines about your child/ren’s return to school. At this stage, students will be returning under Level 3 Plus restrictions, and therefore the following activities will not take place:

• singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs
• sport (except for sport within existing PDHPE classes, provided this limits student mixing)
• bands and ensembles
• interschool activities and events including interschool sport, gala days, trials etc.
• assemblies
• school performances, productions, concerts, speech nights and award presentations
• excursions, camps, field trips and principal-endorsed activities for students
• community events

As various events approach throughout Term 4, please be assured that we will make decisions case-by-case, based on the individual context, venue and the nature of each event. Safety of our staff, students and wider community remains our priority.

The NSW Government released a Public Health Order to ensure all workers onsite are fully vaccinated from 8 November. All schools in NSW are mandated to ensure that this requirement is in place for all staff, casuals, contractors and volunteers.

We understand that parents may be feeling anxious and have concerns about sending their child/ren to school. If you choose to keep your child at home, learning will continue to be provided, however we cannot guarantee that the same Off Campus Learning model will be in place, based on the need for staff to be teaching face-to-face.

Please complete this survey by Monday 11 October 9am to assist us with our planning for Term 4. Please complete only one per household.

If you have any questions or concerns, please use our Communication Guide to contact the appropriate person to support you.

Please take care and stay safe. 

Mrs Alanna James
Acting Deputy Principal

‘Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.’ (PBLworks) 

This term, the Claremont students will be utilising the geographical skills they began learning in Term 3 to solve real world problems. The PBL projects are an engaging culmination of learning where the students are involved in real-life problems by going on a ‘learning adventure’.

Our students follow a model of inquiry, based on the work of Lee Watanabee-Crokett, and Wabisabi Learning’s Solution Fluency Classroom Guide. The 6 D’s of Solution Fluency are:

Across the Term the students will (roughly) follow this sequence:

Week 1 – DEFINE the problem by deciding what needs to be solved

Weeks 2-3 – DISCOVER all of the information they can about the problem

Weeks 4-5 – DREAM up all of the possible solutions to the problem

Weeks 6-7 – DESIGN the final solution to the problem

Week 8 – DELIVER the solution to an audience

Week 9 – DEBRIEF the learning. This is where students reflect on what has worked or has not and what they could improve in the future.

If you are a Kindergarten parent thinking, ‘how is my child going to achieve this’, you will not be alone. The whole process is heavily scaffolded in Kindergarten, with a gradual release of scaffolding as the children move in Primary, to a process of mentoring and support for the Year 6 students.

This year, the audience for the delivery will not only be the other students in the grade and their teachers, but we are also planning to show parents, in small groups, via zoom, as it is unlikely you will be able to come into the school in large numbers. The best ‘submission’ from each grade will be then showcased during our end of year School Presentation Day Service. NB Every part of the 6 D’s will be considered, as the learning is in each part of the process, not just the final submission.

This term, students will need to do some Home Learning throughout the process, and each grade will keep you informed of this along the journey.

The PBL Themes across the school are:

Kindy: How can we care for Centennial Park in our local community?

Year 1: How can we care for Coogee Beach?

Year 2: How can we protect and respect heritage places in our local community?

Year 3: Protecting World Heritage Areas

Year 4: Dams and Sustainability

Year 5: Bushfires and Sustainability

Year 6: Oceans and Sustainability

Parents, Grandparents and Friends, if you are an expert or just passionate about any of these topics and would be happy to be interviewed by the students please let us know. The children love to interview people (we will send you the questions in advance), and this is a great way for them to collect information without Googling it.

We are looking forward to sharing the PBL progress across the term in the newsletter and via the school’s social media platforms.

Janelle Ford
Co-Principal

As we head into the new term, Chapel will focus on one of our Core Values - ‘Compassion’. 

There are so many exciting possibilities for what we will be learning and doing, as the students (K-6) embark on their Project Based Learning (PBL). Today in Chapel we looked at compassion being a daily response to the love and goodness of God in our lives. For Christians compassion should be embedded deep into our character and who we are. The student PBL will provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and seek to explore ideas and solutions for caring for our planet, the environment and ultimately people. Compassion provides one of the strong foundations for our motivation and responsibility to serve others and to make the world a better place. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23 

I love this verse because of the wonderful encouragement that it brings me with the reminder that because of God’s love for me I will not be consumed. It’s easy to feel consumed and overwhelmed by the constant impact of the COVID pandemic. I must remember that love prevails and I can respond to this by showing love in action to those around me. Don’t we all need a little extra love and compassion at the moment? 

Doug Thomas
Principal

Often parents ask me how my projects are going in India (at www.projecthelpindia.co) and I am always thankful for the encouragement your interest brings me. It’s certainly hard for me to not be able to travel and visit the many people I know and love. This year has been significant in that my team has been responsible for not just ensuring for the continuation of children’s learning during the extended 18 months of lockdown but also feeding many hungry children and their families. During the most critical time in the Indian COVID crisis we provided food and cooking rations to needy people providing over 100 000 individual meals. I am most grateful to a number of Claremont families for their generosity in supporting this work. Over the past couple of weeks I am delighted that the Indian kids have returned to school. I wrote this blog as I reflected on the importance of school for children all around the world - from India to Claremont, there is so much that we share and have in common.

School is back and we are all relieved and delighted

For the past 2 weeks our 9 education centres across three states in Northern India have resumed their full delivery of classes, along with a daily meal for each child, 5 days a week. COVID has not stopped the kids from coming to school, in fact due to the impact of poverty we have more students than ever! Another 100 students have started at our 2 centres in Punjab bringing our current total enrolments across the 9 centres to 542 students.

18 Months of Continuous Lockdown For Most Children

With the exception of a few short weeks last week, our centres have not been fully ‘open’ since March 2020. We honour our teachers, project officers and the leadership team who despite the most difficult of circumstances have worked tirelessly to continue to care for our students and their families - feeding them when hungry, supporting mental health issues, checking in on their physical safety, not to mention providing for their ongoing learning with the delivery of worksheets and lessons when possible to their homes.

The children are smiling and great happiness fills the classrooms. Isn’t this what it’s all about! When I reflect on the core purpose of Project Help India, it starts with the kids. The COVID lockdown and the challenges that we have and will continue to face remind me of why I am so passionately dedicated to the cause of education. Globally, we must get children back to school safely and quickly. Whether it’s in Australia, or in one the remotest parts of the planet in Northern India... schools worldwide, are places of hope, health, happiness …and magic!

Hope

When I think of hope I think of children learning - equipping them with the skills for their success both for their present life circumstances as well as giving them a sense of purpose, confidence and optimism for a bright future. Hope is found where parents work hard for their family, contributing to the good of others and the strength of the community for generations to come. 

Health

When I think of health I think of children’s safety - their physical and emotional health and wellbeing, their nutrition and not going hungry. Health is found in an inclusive community where all children, regardless of their gender, creed, abilities or disabilities have equal access to the resources required for them to live and to learn well.

Happiness

When I think of happiness, I think of the joy and wonder of childhood, the friendship, fun games, sports, and having a second family at school where they are loved, valued, are ‘known’ and belong. Happiness is found in a place filled with culture, art, dancing, music and curiosity – discovering and nurturing the talents and gifts of each remarkable individual child. Happiness is found in a community where children laugh with joy, bringing smiles and fond memories to the elderly who sit and watch nearby.

It’s At School Where The Magic Happens

Please help us to make the magic happen. If you can, we would value your generous donation to resource our schools. We can’t wait to share some of the stories about our schools and students over the weeks to come. Thank you.

Doug Thomas
Principal

Our Social Media Team is working to increase connections, especially during lockdown, as it is important for us to all stay connected. We know everyone has been doing wonderful things during this time and we would love to be able to share these with the Claremont community. 

In the coming week we are focusing on Camp Photos and/or Kids Quotes About Camp. 

If your child would like to be considered to be featured on Claremont College's social media platforms and in the whole school assembly, please send your photos and videos to socialmedia@claremont.nsw.edu.au with: 

• Child's Name
• Grade
• Quote or Caption

OR, feel free to tag @claremontcollege on Instagram,
or @claremont2031 on Twitter,
or to follow us on LinkedIn Claremont College 

Please feel free to submit any photos and most importantly, have fun!

The Social Media Committee

Follow us

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

We are incredibly sorry to say that we still have not received the NAPLAN papers. We were told they were with a courier at the end of last term and they still have not turned up. Please trust that we are trying to locate them. This is the most recent response we received on 7 October 21: 

Thank you for your email.

Some deliveries have been delayed due to disruptions in the supply chain related to COVID. Delays are also expected due to industrial action on 30 September and the public holiday on 5 October.

Unfortunately, these factors are outside of NESA’s control.

We will follow up with TNT Express ... with regards to your delivery and request this to be sent as soon as possible.

Janelle Ford
Co-Principal

There were no Gold Certificates and Pennants handed out this week, they will begin again next Monday, so will be published in next week’s newsletter.

School photos have now been booked with Advanced Life onsite at Claremont on Monday 22 November (see below). While we remain positive that this will go ahead, we have also decided that it might be fun to attempt a school photo via Zoom on Tuesday 12 October at 9:00am to capture some images of this year with Off Campus Learning. The screenshot/photograph taken will be by class (eg 3W or 3G), not the whole grade.  We are unable to screenshot/photograph the whole grade at once as only so many Zoom squares will fit onto the computer screen. 

On Tuesday, students will sign into Zoom at the beginning of the day (8:45am) as usual to meet their teachers and will put the students into a break out room (eg. 3G or 3W). A photograph/screen shot will then be taken. 

This photograph/screenshot is meant to be fun and relaxed, but might be the only class photo your child receives in 2021, so your assistance is appreciated in the following ways. 

• Please ensure your child is in either their summer or winter school uniform, with their blazer. No hats please.
• Please ensure your child’s Zoom display name is their first name and surname only.  See instructions below. 

     1. On the iPad, open Zoom
     2. Select 'Join a Meeting'
     3. Enter first and last name          

• Please ensure your child is sitting at a distance from their Ipad which shows them in their Zoom square from their shoulders up;
• The screenshot/photograph will be taken at 9:00am, so please ensure your child is online before that time. We will not be able to wait for students to come onto Zoom late or redo the photograph screenshot at a later time or day;
• Students are to remove their headphones when the photo is taken.

If you would prefer that your child/ren are not included in the Zoom screenshot/photograph of their class, please contact the office on office@claremont.nsw.edu.au

We are pleased to advise that we will be holding our Kindergarten Orientation for children commencing Kindergarten next year on Thursday 28 October, (originally this day was planned for Thursday 21 October), due to COVID restrictions we will have three session times on this day. 

You will receive an email today regarding session times and booking details.

Information sessions for parents will be held via Zoom on the following days: 

Thursday 21 October 4-5pm. Mr Thomas along with our Senior Leadership Team - Welcome and introduction to Claremont College.

Thursday 4 November 4-5pm. Kindergarten teachers will speak on the practical aspects of starting Kindergarten. School routines, times etc.

We would like to remind parents that a full term’s notice in writing to the Principal is required before terminating a student's enrolment. In the event of failure to provide the required notice of withdrawal, a charge equal to 100% of the applicable term’s school fees will become payable, including all outstanding fees and charges, in addition to fees and charges payable in respect to the entire current term. The time required for ‘a full term’s notice’ has now concluded.

With the return of school onsite just around the corner, you may like to give one of your friends a phone call, to touch base with them. It will be exciting to see friends again at school soon, but you may also feel a little bit nervous about seeing everyone again. A phone call may be able to help build your confidence, connect again and to help build confidence in your friend too. 

Larissa Cameron
Co-Principal

If your child uses the school bus, or you would like to register to use the school bus, in Term 4, please complete the registration form by CLICKING HERE.

The buses are only able to carry 24 passengers each, and also service certain areas. If you have any questions in relation to the school bus service, please email bus@claremont.nsw.edu.au

Term 4 Bus costs will be invoiced on your Term 1 account in arrears.

Term 4 2021

Term 1 2022

ICAS stands for International Competition and Assessments for Schools. Due to the rapid changes that have impacted our return to campus, the ICAS sitting window has been extended to Friday 26 November 2021.

ONLINE ORDER CODE: 537 6V3 2EM

Online Order link: https://www.advancedimage.com.... 

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by Advancedlife on Monday 22 November. Whilst an envelope and flyer was sent home with students, 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.

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 21 November). 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 enquiries@advancedlife.com.au

New Titles To The Collection 

This is the perfect book to share with students and staff on their return to school. It is a book that everyone no matter where you live can relate to. This is a beautiful poem about the COVID-19 pandemic and conveys an optimistic message about the possibility of profound healing for people and the planet. 

The American author Kitty O’Meara is a former teacher who lives in Wisconsin surrounded by rescue dogs, pets and books. This is her first print book. O’Meara wrote the poem when she and her husband first went into quarantine and they felt anxious and unsure of the future. She wrote it for family and friends to give them hope and encouragement. O’Meara posted the poem on Facebook and her blog and within days it was all over the world. People contacted her from everywhere to share their personal stories. She was so humbled by people telling her that her poem gave them peace, encouragement and comfort. 

This book is recommended for children aged 4-8 years old but will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. 

There are almost 8 billion humans living on Earth, it's hard to visualise such a large number of people. So instead, this book makes us imagine the whole planet is a village where 100 people live- each person representing around 80 million people in the real world. By focusing on just 100 people, it's easier to see the things we have in common, and the things that make us different. What languages do they speak? How many have access to the internet or have enough food to eat? Does everyone have access to clean water and electricity? This book invites the reader to come and meet the people in our global village, and think about the big questions that affect us all! The author Jackie McCann has worked in children’s publishing for several years and is an experienced writer and editor. This thought-provoking book is suitable for children of all ages. 

Mrs Susan Kesur
Librarian Assistant

Under the current NSW Department of Health Orders and the NSW Department of Education, the canteen will reopen on Monday 18 October.

Please place orders via Flexischools.

We look forward to seeing you back at school.

James Anthony and the Claremont Canteen Team

The Uniform Shop will be opened for click and collect orders by appointment only. Unfortunately due to the current Health Orders, appointments for fittings are currently not available. 

For online ordering and appointments CLICK HERE. 

Thank you and keep safe. 

Regards

Jennifer Niduaza | Client Services Manager

CLICK HERE to read the most recent newsletter from TeamKids.

A reminder for ALL families to RE-BOOK & VERIFY the dates for the remainder of the TERM. If there are no confirmed bookings the service will be closed. Space is limited exclusively to authorised workers. If you have any questions, email or please call customer service on 1300 035 000.

Unfortunately during Term 3 our previous afternoon coding coaching company (CodeCreate) ceased operating due to COVID-19. We have been able to engage Code Camp which offers an online after school program. Please note that students require access to either a laptop or desktop computer with a keyboard, a tablet or phone won't be adequate. 

Code Camp

Code Camp is offering their online after school program, following an 8 week schedule where students receive weekly videos tutorials on our Code Camp World platform. The one hour session is released every Monday at 3:30pm, but can be completed whatever day during the week. Live Tech Support will be online to assist between 3:30pm - 7pm on Mondays to Fridays (Sydney/ Melbourne time) to help the children with any questions or debugging needs. Claremont students will be able to access online support from Phillip and Chesty who have both complied with all child safe regulations. The direct booking link is: https://my.codecamp.com.au/course/1043/signup