Dear parents and carers,

Thank you for your efforts and hard work during this very challenging time. I understand how worrying the past few months have been and how difficult remote learning can be for families. I truly appreciate your dedication and ongoing support of our school and community.

I am immensely proud of the good news stories from our teachers, the many photos of your children happily enagaging in home learning; and the high standards of personalised learning being achieved.

The Department of Education, in partnership with NSW Health, has developed a framework for Covid-safe school operations. Currently, we are classified as a Level 4 Plus School. This means, as a school located within an LGA of concern, we are now adhering to the highest level of restrictions in the state.

Recently, the NSW Premier announced the return to school road map for students, which included provisions for either a staged or full return to face-to-face teaching. This plan is subject to change depending on health conditions in our area, new information via the Public Health Order and/or advice from NSW Health.

Looking ahead, Holroyd School must continue to adhere to Level 4 Plus restrictions whilst Cumberland remains an LGA of concern.

I recommend that you follow this link to stay up-to-date with the most recent return to school advice, plus other useful Covid-19 related school information - https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

Lockdown is an unsettling time for us all. I know that many children will be missing the routine of school and interactions with teachers and friends. We are missing them too and looking forward to welcoming them back on-site when NSW Health advises that it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, please reach out if you feel that you or your child needs more support. If you have any questions about your child's learning or their wellbeing, please contact your child's teacher or the school office on 9637 1219.

We will get through these challenging times together.

Take care and stay safe,

Kylee Thorson

Principal (rel)

Last Thursday (9 September), was R U OK Day. It's a reminder to us all that it is more important than ever that we stay connected. Do you know how the people in your world are really going? Please take the time today to check-in with loved ones, family or friends. A simple text message or phone call could make the world of difference to someone who is doing it tough.

Please know that we are here for you as well and, if we can help, please reach out. I can be contacted via email at liz.brannon@yahoo.com.au. I would love to hear from you.

There is no doubt that your efforts this term with remote learning have played a big part in keeping our community safe. It is certainly challenging but you are all doing a great job (please give yourselves a pat on the back!)

Once again, we must thank our teachers and school support staff for their ongoing enthusiasm and commitment to our children's education. As parents, we are truly appreciative of their continued efforts and guidance.

So please stay at home and be kind to yourselves these school holidays. Enjoy the Spring sunshine and well-deserved rest.

Until next time,

Liz Brannon

President

How long have you worked at Holroyd School?

Since 2019.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

Helping my grandparents feed the chickens and collect their eggs.

What was your favourite subject at school?

Food Technology and Hospitality.

If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

My phone, photo albums, car, laptop and grandmother's ring.

What is your favourite book?

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.

If you could invite any three guests to a dinner party, who would they be?

I would invite American comedians and actors Kevin Hart and Gabriel Inglesias; and Italian/Australian comedian Joe Avati.

What is your favourite song to sing along to?

I Follow Rivers by Lykke Li.

What pets did you have growing up?

A dog named Pebbles.

What is your favourite day of the year?

My birthday.

What fad or trend do you hope comes back?

Drive-in movies! 

How long have you worked at Holroyd School?

This is my second year.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

Going to my grandparent's holiday house in Vincentia, south of Sydney.

What was your favourite subject at school?

Studies of Religion.

If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

My phone, water bottle, glasses, pair of comfortable sport shoes and car.

What is your favourite book?

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.

What is your favourite song to sing along to?

Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney.

What pets did you have growing up?

Two collies named Jessie and Shelia.

What is your favourite day of the year?

Christmas Day.

What fad or trend do you hope comes back?

The Rubik's Cube - I could solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute!

Here are some of the wonderful messages of support our students sent to their favourite athletes in the lead-up to the recent 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

We love seeing your learning-from-home photos! Send photos directly to your child's class teacher or email Melissa at holroyd-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au.

J3 has had a wonderful first semester and participated in a range of learning activities, from reading and switch work (making our communication requests known) to walking, swimming and time spent outdoors.

During mealtimes we have focussed on eating more independently, as well as learning to communicate our needs, such as pressing a switch to ask for 'more', signing 'more' by tapping our hand to our chest, or using PECS symbols to say 'I want'.

Students have also enjoyed the opportunity to make their own food choices. Class staff will often present students with two options, and they are learning to either look at or reach for the food item they would prefer.

This term we welcomed Adam to our class and look forward to meeting him officially once at-school learning resumes. Until then, we trust that everyone is keeping safe and well.

During semester one, J17 enjoyed participating in the science unit of work titled 'Let's Experiment'. We investigated how matter can change states from a solid, to a liquid, to gas by melting ice cubes with hair dryers, making ice cream and juicing oranges.

The highlights of our weekly schedule are swimming in our school's heated, indoor pool; music lessons; and tasting the delicious, tasty food we make during our weekly cooking program.

We also enjoy spending time outdoors. On Thursdays, we spend the morning participating in sports lessons and the afternoons riding bikes and scooters. It's safe to say that our students are happy and tired when they board their buses home on a Thursday afternoon!

The students in J17 have been a pleasure to teach this year. Thank you parents and carers for all your hard work during the difficult lock down period. I hope to see all our students back in the classroom very soon!

The students in S27 enjoy coming to school and engaging in meaningful experiences that broaden their horizons. They had a busy and productive first semester, with many highlights.

We were fascinated by the many animals (and particularly the elephants) that we saw during our excursion to Sydney Zoo. Mario and Kuhan were able to identify most of the zoo animals; and Michael referenced 'The Lion King' movie when we encountered the lion enclosure. Andy, Steven, Billal, John and Khoder enjoyed face painting at the zoo's interactive Aboriginal Dreamtime workshop.

Back at school, Steven and John particularly enjoy art lessons. They sit patiently with their teachers and experiment with different textures and materials, such as jute and coffee.

Weekly class highlights also include interacting with our peer class groups. We garden with our friends in S19; and participate in sports sessions and play board games with students in S22. 

This week concludes what has been a challenging and unforgettable term.

Enjoy a restful, well-deserved two week break.

Please continue to monitor the school's Facebook page, website and SZapp for important Covid-19 related school information.

The last day of Term 3 is Friday 17 September, 2021.

Term 4 and learning from home resumes on Tuesday 5 October, 2021.