Head of Primary P-4

We have had a fabulous start to the school year. 

The start of a new school year can be an exciting but also challenging time for children. To provide support, there are several things that families can do:

  1. Prepare for the transition: in the first few weeks of school, you can help your child prepare for the transition by talking about what to expect and establishing a routine for bedtime and wake-up time.
  2. Get organised: make sure that your child has all of the necessary supplies, such as a backpack, lunchbox, and school uniform or dress code. Create a designated study area and set up a schedule for homework and other after-school activities.
  3. Encourage a positive attitude: encourage your child to see the start of the new school year as an opportunity to make new friends, learn new things, and grow as a person. Remind them that it’s normal to feel nervous, but that they have the skills and resources to overcome any challenges they may face.
  4. Stay involved: stay informed about what’s going on at school by attending parent-teacher conferences, volunteering at school events, and participating in school activities.
  5. Provide emotional support: listen to your child’s concerns and provide reassurance when they need it. Encourage them to talk to you or a trusted adult if they need support or have any problems.

Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one child may not work for another. It’s important to find what works best for your child and to be there for them.

Welcome to our new students!

We were very excited to welcome our new students to the campus. Each new student is allocated a buddy to support their smooth transition into the Del Monte family. 

Year 1 2023
Shreya Panyam – 1 Niland
Samuel Van Hore – 1 Gibbs
Chloe Zhang – 1 Niland

Year 2 2023
Armando Sulukojian – 2 Pender
Giorgio Sulukojian – 2 Pender
Natalie Sun – 2 Wrightson

Year 3 2023
Sophia Guo – 3 Theile
Madalena Khoury – 3 Laws
Rishaan Panyam – 3 Paterson
Jessica Princi – 3 Theile
Clare Yang – 3 Laws
Angela Li – 3 Laws
Mia Li – 3 Laws
Vera Zhang – 3 Laws

Year 4 2023
Aiden Curran – 4 Daintree
Mariah Saad – 4 Cook
Marla Samaan – 4 Nepean
Elizabeth Van Hore – 4 Daintree
Grace Welsh – 4 Cook
Abby Deng – 4 Nepean

InitialLit Program K-2

Last year we began our InitialLit journey by introducing InitiaLit into our Kindergarten and Year 1 classrooms. After the success of the program, this year we are expanding the program to Year 2. Last week our Year 2 teachers and EALD teacher completed the training along with our Learning Support Officers (LSOs). This allows for consistent language and practice in the teaching of literacy K-2. This program will now be implemented in Year 2 from next week.  

For those families new to the College InitiaLit is a comprehensive research-based three-year beginning literacy program. InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers. 

The approach that InitiaLit takes is based on over 30 years of research into how children learn to read and spell. 

New co-curricular – Kung Fu

We are very excited to introduce a new co-curricular activity for students aged 7 to 11 years – Kung Fu! It will begin in Week 4 Term 1.

External Provider: Head Academy Kung Fu                                                                                             
Grades: Year 1 – Year 4 
Day: Wednesday afternoons
Dates: 22 February to 5 April 
Time: 3:15pm – 4:30pm 
Venue: Del Monte Hall

Head Academy Kung Fu has been teaching Jow Gar Kung Fu in Sydney for over 20 years, in four locations. Head Academy Kung Fu aims to teach your children to build confidence, improve their coordination and movement ability as well as learn effective self defence. Each session will aim to teach these in a fast-paced, fun and engaging way where the students will build fitness and flexibility at the same time. 

Kung Fu is a great style of training for those interested in individual development and would like an introduction to martial arts. There will be plenty of skill-based games that aim to improve different facets of their training. Enrol using the link below!

To register please CLICK HERE

Playground

Playing games on the school ground is an important part of a student’s education. It allows them to get out and get some exercise, have fun, learn to work together as a team, and practise social skills. It also helps to develop their physical and motor skills, as well as improve their coordination. 

Through playing games, students can learn how to use the equipment and how to interact with others. This teaches them essential life skills such as communication, cooperation, and problem-solving. 

In addition to teaching children social skills, playing games in the schoolyard can also help to foster a sense of community. This can help students feel more connected to their peers and to the school as a whole. 

Overall, playing games in the schoolyard is an important part of a student’s education. It helps to promote physical and social development, as well as foster a sense of community. 

With this in mind, Mr Dunlop and Mr Haydon are investigating the most suitable equipment for the playground. Skipping ropes and hoops have already been introduced to the Nets Area. Mr Dunlop has also introduced more organised games to the Field area. 

Over the coming weeks, more equipment will be provided to students. Mr Dunlop will take a few minutes at the beginning of PE lessons to introduce the new equipment and how it is to be used safely. 

Currently, Mr Dunlop and Mr Haydon are exploring other ways in which we can ensure that our playground is a safe place while providing adventure and learning for students of all ages.

Veritas Online Grade Pages

Each grade has a page where families can locate information including Homework, Specialist classes, when to wear sports uniforms, curriculum overviews, and so on. This is the best place to find the information you need for your child’s class. The links for each grade page is below. If you are having difficulty accessing your child/ren’s grade page please contact ICT for assistance.: helpdesk@ssc.nsw.edu.au 

Prep – https://veritasonline.ssc.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2782/

Kindergarten – https://veritasonline.ssc.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2662/ 

Year 1 – https://veritasonline.ssc.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2674/

Year 2 – https://veritasonline.ssc.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2684/

Year 3 – https://veritasonline.ssc.nsw.edu.au/homepage/2697/

Year 4 – https://veritasonline.ssc.nsw.edu.au/homepage/1763/

Please kindly remember that Whatsapp is not official College communication.

Parent helpers – library

We are looking for expressions of interest to volunteer in our fabulous library for Term 1.

As a volunteer, you would be assisting in the library at least one day per week from 9:00am to 10:30am for Term 1. We would love volunteers who are able to assist in the morning on one of the following days: Monday-Fridays. 

If you would like to express an interest in volunteering to assist in the Del Monte Library Parent Helper Program during Term 1, please kindly complete the google form below by Thursday 23 February 2023. On the Google form, you will also be asked if you are available to cover some of our new resources.

An information session will be held. All parents volunteering to help in the library will be required to attend this session if they did not attend a session last year. We will be in contact once the expressions of interests close with more information. 

Please also be advised that unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate toddlers whilst you are volunteering for the program.

Library Parent Helpers Expression of Interest Form

Parent helpers – reading

This year we will be continuing our Parent Helper Reading Program in Kindergarten-Year 2. 

New parents to the program are required to attend a brief information session prior to volunteering. The program will again involve volunteering to assist with individual students or small groups for 30 minutes per week from 9:00am to 9:30 am Monday-Thursday. 

Please note that parent helpers for this particular program are not guaranteed to be allocated to their child/ren’s class. Please also be advised that unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate toddlers whilst you are volunteering for the program.

To ensure the smooth running of the Reading Program all parents who are new to volunteering in this program will need to attend an information session. The Parent Information session will be on Wednesday 1 March at 9:00am in the Hall.

If you would like to express an interest in being involved in the program and are able to attend the Information Session on Wednesday 1 March at 9:00am, please complete the Expression of Interest google form below by Tuesday 28 February 2023.

Those wonderful parents who volunteered last year and would like to volunteer again this year please also kindly complete the Expression of Interest form. Please note that you will not be required to attend the information session.

Thank you in advance for your support by volunteering for this initiative.

2023 Term 1 READING PROGRAM HELPER EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 

Parent helper coffee and resource making morning

As the school year begins we are introducing many new resources into the classrooms for individualised programs.  We are planning a coffee and resource-making morning on Tuesday 21 February 2023 from 9:00am to 11:30am. 

During this time Parent Helpers will be involved in photocopying, cutting, laminating, and building resource packs all while having a coffee and a chat with other parents. If you are able to attend please RSVP via email at n.korman@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Class parent coffee and conversation meeting

A huge thank you to our Class Parents 2023 for volunteering to take on the role of Class Parent. On Tuesday 14 March 2023, we will be having a coffee and conversation to talk about the role, share ideas, and make plans for 2023. An invitation will be sent to our class parents in the coming days. 

Kung Fu punctuation

In Year 3 the students have commenced Kung Fu punctuation! 

Kung Fu Punctuation assists students to learn the importance of punctuation. Kung Fu Punctuation helps the students to identify punctuation marks. Students get a kinaesthetic awareness of what punctuation is, which helps them learn what the punctuation symbols are and what they mean.

In Kung Fu punctuation all punctuation marks are given corresponding kung fu-style actions with accompanying sounds. It is proving highly effective in teaching the intricacies of commas, semi-colons, and full stops.

Please see below photos of the students in Year 3 participating in Kung Fu punctuation!

Drop off and pick up reminders

Here are a few things you can do to help keep your children and others safer during drop-off and pick-up times during the school week: 

Please use the pedestrian crossing at all times. Please avoid crossing in other areas of the road. Make sure your children are fastened in the correct child car seat for their age and size and that it is fitted correctly. 
Stick to the 40km/h speed limit in a school zone and look out for children who may be about.
Watch for flashing lights on buses. They let you know that there may be children crossing or about to cross the road. A 40km/h limit applies when school bus lights flash. 
Always give way to pedestrians, particularly when entering and leaving driveways. 		Always park and turn legally around schools. Maneuvers such as U-turns and three-point turns are dangerous during busy school drop-off and pick-up times. 
Drop your children off and pick them up on the school side of the road in your school’s designated drop-off and pick-up area. Never call out to them from across the road – they may run to you without checking for traffic. 
It’s safest for children to get out of the car through the Safety Door, away from passing traffic. This is the rear footpath side door of the car. 

For more information on keeping our children safe around schools visit the parents’ section on safetytown.com.au 

Assemblies

Our first assembly will take place on Thursday 16 February at 11:30 am with entry to the Hall via the Carrington Ave gate. The Carrington Ave gates will open at 11:25 am. Year 3 will be leading the assembly and we look forward to parents joining us.

Joanne Gianinni
Head of Primary P-4