Dear Parents,

Last weekend I read a newspaper article where the journalist wrote about the impact great teachers had on him and all other students. The journalist wrote that teachers have the power to shape a young person’s ambition and life. The author wrote, “The influence of teachers becomes apparent later in life and it’s their enthusiasm, encouragement, mentorship and sense of fun that I remember. They have the capacity to leave memories and make an impact that lasts a lifetime.”

I am sure you will agree with my belief that your children are so lucky because they have outstanding Auburn North teachers who:

• Are so enthusiastic and encouraging.
• Use their excellent teaching knowledge and skills and caring nature to provide guidance and support to students, and assist every student achieve outstanding wellbeing and learning outcomes.
• Are so much fun.
• Make school and learning fun.

Earlier this week we asked some students to write about their 2021 teachers. Please find below just a few of the delightful comments made about their teachers. I have no doubt these comments reflect the views of all K-6 students about all Auburn North teachers.

As I only asked some students from some classes to write about their wonderful teachers, I have not included the names of the students or their teachers.

Student Comments

“In my class we get to learn new things. I love coming to school every day to see my teacher and my friends. My teacher is very kind and teaches me new things that I didn't know before. I like it when my teacher helps us to learn really big numbers in maths and when we do science experiments. My class is a great class because we are all friendly and kind. We work together to get marbles in our jar so that we can have a class party.”

“My teacher is smart, kind, and funny. When someone needs help, my teacher helps them to learn. She doesn't mind if we make a mistake. In my class we have so much fun together and we like to learn maths, writing, reading and computers. My favourite part of the day is when we get to read a story together because my teacher is really good at reading stories. I am going to miss my teacher and class so much next year.”

“We have loved having our teacher this year because she is committed to her teaching, and she is clear in her instructions. Our teacher also follows the school rules and her own moral values, such as keeping promises.”

“Our teacher comes to school every day with a positive mindset and makes sure we have fun activities. Her encouragement also keeps us motivated and doing our best.”

“A highlight of this year in learning has been receiving feedback from our teacher, even online during learning from home time.”

“Our teacher’s personality makes everyone’s day better.”

“I have loved having my teacher teach me because she is loving, helpful, and fun. My teacher shows all the school values, especially kindness and responsibility.”

“I have enjoyed having my teacher as a teacher this year because she helps us when we are having trouble with our learning. She makes us laugh all the time and provides fun and happy lessons.”

“My teacher has made my year happy and memorable because she has encouraged me to try my best with my work. She lets me share my ideas, and she taught me how to use the algorithm to solve maths problems.”

“This year has been magnificent. My teacher is so kind, helpful, and encouraging. In zoom, she made the games great fun, she allowed us to co-host, and the games were so engaging. My teacher has helped me improve my handwriting and my coding skills.”

“Thanks to my teacher, this year has been the best year in my whole life.”

“I have loved having my teacher teach me this year because she is always so supportive of all my classmates and me, and she makes every day the best day you could ever have. She’s always caring and loving.”

“My teacher has made sure we have had fun while studying. She has helped us understand the success criteria of lessons and has assisted students who needed support.”

“Our teacher asked us to note in our journals what happened to us this year so when we grow up to become adults, we can remember the special memories we made this year.”

“I love having my teacher teach me this year because she has made our class feel like a family and I really like the way she has been in contact with our parents."

STAFF INFORMATION

Unfortunately, some teachers will be leaving our school at the end of the year. I will write about those teachers in the last newsletter of the year, which will go home during the last week of this school year. However, two teachers will be leaving our school either today or next week.

Mrs West has been an outstanding and very important teacher at Auburn North for many years. Mrs West has always shown that she cares a great deal about her students and has used her passion and expertise to assist students love school, love learning, and succeed in their learning. Mrs West has also been very popular with her teaching colleagues and our parents.

Mrs West has decided to return to Scotland to teach or teach in another Australian state. We thank Mrs West for everything she has done for our school, and she leaves today knowing that all members of her Auburn North family wish her the very best in her future life and career.

Mrs McIntyre will start maternity leave from the end of next week. Mrs McIntyre has led the Kindergarten teaching team exceptionally well this year, and has strategically worked with all Kindergarten teachers, students, and parents to ensure this year’s Kindy students began their formal education very successfully.

As one of our school’s relieving Instructional Leaders this year, Mrs McIntyre has also been an integral member of the school’s executive team.

We look forward to Mrs McIntyre proudly bringing Baby McIntyre to school one day next year.

WE REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE

We are in the process of forming 2022 classes. Attached to today’s newsletter are two notes. One is headed ‘Not Returning- Transferring to Another School.’ The second letter is headed’ Holidays -Returning Late’.

To ensure that there will be minimal changes to our classes in Term 1 next year, we request your assistance.

1. If your family is moving during the holidays and your child will not be returning to Auburn North, could you complete the attached note headed ‘ NOT RETURNING - TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL’. Please return this note to school by 3rd December this year.
2. If your child will be returning to Auburn North but will be returning later than Tuesday 1st February 2022, could you complete the attached note headed ‘HOLIDAY – RETURNING LATE’. Please return this note to school by 3rd December.

CLASS REPORTS – KS, 2D, 4HL

Please find attached to this newsletter very interesting class reports from KS, 2D, and 4HL. I would like to thank the students from these classes and their teachers Ms Saidi, Ms Davies, Mrs Harrouk, and Ms Lascala.

Regards

Mark Harris

Principal

It has been a real pleasure seeing the joy and excitement on all the faces of the KS student’s upon returning to face-to-face learning. Students have transitioned so brilliantly into class routine and have shown immense determination to achieve their very best in all areas of their learning.

In literacy, KS students have been including exclamation marks to write interesting sentences that centre on a variety of imaginative stimulus. One such example involved students’ writing sentences about a volcano experiment, which was conducted as a whole class. Students worked diligently to produce creative and inspiring sentences that reflected the writing goals. 

On Monday, KS engaged in their very first gymnastic lesson. The enthusiastic students displayed wonderful perseverance and skill to accomplish each task such as balancing, jumping and stretching. The students gained confidence in themselves as they were able to move at different speeds whilst completing each intricate movement. Fantastic work KS on all your hard work this term!

We are such collaborative learners in 2D! 2D have been showing how well they work as a team this term in all learning areas. In maths, 2D recently participated in a mass relay. In small groups, students needed to solve some tricky mass related questions hidden around the classroom. All students showed communication, collaboration, critical thinking and character to successfully complete these questions. This consolidated student understanding of mass for the year.

In writing, students have been learning how to write persuasive texts. This week students are responding to the opinion that all children should do chores around the house. All students must include a topic sentence, example and reminder. They have been working so hard to ensure they include everything they need in their writing.

We only have a few more weeks of Term 4 and I am looking forward to seeing what all of the students in 2D can achieve before they graduate to Year 3. Keep up the amazing work 2D!

Learning in 4HL, Term 4

In 4HL, we have been very busy since returning back to ANPS after learning from home.

In reading, we have been focusing on reading fluently and with expression. Along with this, we have been using our knowledge of skimming and scanning to answer direct locate comprehension questions AND using clues from the text and our background knowledge to answer very tricky inferential questions.

During writing we have been focusing on writing persuasive expositions. Some topics we have covered are, “homework is not important”, “city life is better than country life” and “Zoos are no place for animals”. We have been using very high modal words and phrases in our writing to persuade our readers. We also use lots of persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions, exaggeration and facts to sway the thinking of our readers.

Our math lessons are always so hands on and fun! This term we have covered the following areas:

• Position
• Mass
• Length
• Chance

Along with ensuring we were always revising and practicing adding and subtracting 5-digit numbers, recalling multiplication and division facts and converting fractions to decimals and visa versa.

It has been wonderful to return to school and see everyone in person, we are very sad that our year together is ending soon BUT we are very excited for a new chapter to begin in 2022.

A special end of year event for year 6 students to celebrate all their hard work in primary school. All year 6 students are invited to the Year 6 Farewell. Year 6 Students only.

Auburn North Public School introduced a 3 bin waste system in 2021 as part of the Sustainability Project. The 3 bins help students to sort their waste and minimise the amount of waste going into landfill. The 3 bins are:

Landfill - red bin	Co-mingled recycling - yellow bin	Organic waste - green bin
This bin is for all waste than cannot be recycled or composted. For example: plastic wrap and zip-lock bags	This bin is for all recyclable waste such as aluminium cans, foil, plastic drink bottles and lunch order bags.	This bin is for all compostable food waste such as banana skins, fruit peels and left over food.

How can you support the school and our sustainability goals?

• Discuss with your child which bins they would use for their lunch box waste. 
• Reduce lunch box waste by using reusable containers, cutlery and drink bottles.
• Look at your bins at home and use them correctly.