The Teesdale Times

Mr Lindsay's Message

Mr. Lindsay's Message

Hi Families, 

 

I’m not the usual face you see delivering this message, but I’m very excited to step in for Mr. Irwin as he begins his family leave. 

 

Over the next 6 weeks, I will be stepping into Sam’s role and any correspondence that would usually be directed towards Sam, can be directed to me whilst he enjoys the crazy newborn phase (again!). 

 

I’m so excited, because over the period that Sam is away, I will have the support of Mr Smith and Miss Armstrong who each have a three week block out of class. 

 

Mr Smith will be in this role for the next 3 weeks (weeks 6, 7 and 8 of term, replaced in class by Mrs Perrett) and Miss Armstrong will be in this role for weeks 9, 10 and 11, replaced by Mrs Lowe. 

 

Mr. Smith and Miss Armstrong will still be available for contact via Sentral for parents in their class. 

 

We are lucky to have Mrs Perret and Mrs Lowe in as excellent CRT's who will provide continuity of learning for students in those respective classes. 

 

COVID-19 Update

On Friday the Department of Education released an updated operations guide which provides advice for school on COVID safe practices. 

 

I’m going to touch on the most crucial points outlined in the guide

  • Parents/carers are allowed back on the school grounds for pick up/drop off times.
  • Parents/carers who need to enter ANY building must check in using the QR code on the door at the entrance of that building and have ready their vaccination certificate to show the staff member they are meeting with.
  • Parents/carers who need to enter ANY building must show evidence of having had their first vaccination and by November 29th must show evidence of having had both their COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Any parents/carer who isn’t vaccinated but needs to meet with a teacher can do so online/phone etc.
  • Any parent/carer that needs to pick up their child outside of the usual drop off/pick up time needs to do so through by phoning administration staff in the office.

Camp

Last week our year 5/6 students finally got to head off to Phillip Island for 3 days for their camp. I was lucky enough to attend the camp and it was wonderful to spend time with our 5/6 students outside of the classroom and to take part in a range of activities. It was a jam-packed three days that included raft building (some were more successful than others), viewing the penguin parade, archery, low-ropes and many hours of Gaga ball. However, the moment I will cherish was sitting around the bonfire chatting to our students about their highlights from 2021 and hearing about their plans for the future.  

 

I won’t go into any more detail about camp because some of our students have written a detailed recount which you’ll find in this edition of the newsletter. 

Transition

Scarily, we are already at the point of thinking about transition for 2022. This involves all of our current students as well as our new Foundation cohort for 2022. We are aware that students have had less time than ever on site over the last 18 months and we are busily making plans to support our students to transition to their 2022 year level in a supportive environment. 

 

Our Foundation transition sessions begin on Monday 22nd November and will run weekly over three weeks.

 

For our current students in Foundation-Year 6 we will be supporting their transition by running a comprehensive transition program which will include the usual transition sessions where our 2022 teachers will be on site and time will be spent with peers in their 2022 cohort as well as the addition of transition lunches. Over the course of a fortnight, all students will spend lunch eating time with peers from their 2022 cohort and where possible teachers from that year level. This will allow students to settle into their new learning environment in a less structured way before ending the year.  

Remembrance Day - 11 November

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the bloodshed of World War I. Over the past century, this moment has been adopted across the globe as a time to remember those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts.

 

Teesdale Primary School is proud to support the sale of poppies which our students are helping to sell by visiting every classroom. Students can bring money to school to purchase a poppy for $2 or wrist bands are $3.

 

Your donation helps greatly and allows the RSL to tailor specialist services to the needs of our current and former service men and women, and their families.

 

LEST WE FORGET

 

Healthy Lunch Box Choices

For more information go to: https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/schools/healthy-lunchboxes