Principal's Page
A Message from the Principal
As we begin to look forward to the end of lockdown it has given me a greater appreciation of our freedom, freedom to travel, to visit, to socialise and to access retail and hospitality. These are simple pleasures that we took for granted in the past. Now that we have had time to slow down and reflect on what we have missed, let's be grateful for our good health and the renewed access to all of these adventures, possibilities and avenues, to once again be with family, friends and the community.
Next week we will begin the transition back to school of our students. Our Prep classes will resume on Monday 18 October and the Year 1/2 classes on Thursday 21 October. This will enable us to maintain safe COVID practices with this staggered approach. Year 3/4 will join the Preps from Tuesday 26 October and Year 5 and 6 will join the Year 1/2 on Thursday and Friday 28 - 29 October. All students resume together on Friday 5 November.
Mask wearing is now mandated for all students in Years 3 - 6 and is recommended for students in Prep - Year 2. All masks must be labelled, so please write you child's name clearly on their mask.
Chrome books can remain at home until all students return on 5 November. Students working back at school with their class teacher will not be needing to use chromebooks.
Last week we had new line painting done around the school to upgrade the 4 square games and renew the old basketball and tennis court lines. The hopscotch, mirror me and alphabet caterpillar are also great new additions.
In light of students being away from school for so long we have changed the finishing date of school for Term 4, to Wednesday 15 December. It was originally Tuesday 14 December. Please alter this in your personal calendars.
School Closure Day Cup Weekend - Before and After school care are happy to offer a full day program for Monday 1 November, if there are enough bookings. Please email me or make a booking with after school care, before Friday 22 October to register your interest.
2022 Prep Parent Information Evening
This years Prep 2022 Parent Information Evening will be held online on Thursday 21 October at 7.00pm. Further information and the meeting link will be forwarded to parents shortly.
Squid Game
I am aware that some of our students are watching Squid Game, a new series on Netflix, which is extremely violent. Please be aware that the level of violence is very intense, as characters are systematically tortured and killed for the sadistic pleasure of a game master. There are scenes of sexual intrecourse and threats of sexual violence: Women are grabbed by the hair and beaten. Themes concerning the highs one gets from gambling, winning or conning money are a main focus.
I highly recommend that you do not allow your children to watch this MA15+ series.
COVID Safety Plan for Term 4
We have updated our Term 4 COVID Safe Plan in line with the Chief Health Officer and Catholic Education directives. As the students return to school we want to reassure all families that we have put into place many COVID safe practices including:
- air purifiers in all learning spaces
- ventilation is a priority with windows and doors open
- students in Years 3 - 6 wearing masks indoors and junior students encouraged to wear masks
- hand sanitiser is used across the school, before lessons and after play
- Vic Government app is used to log in all contractors/visitors
- regular hand washing is encouraged
- social distancing of student tables and while on the floor
- all staff are fully vaccinated
- all visitors to the school grounds (including contractors, cleaners, external service providers, volunteers, parent helpers, etc) will need to be signed in and fully vaccinated
- cleaning of all high touch surfaces at the end of each day
MACSSIS Feedback Surveys
The MACSSIS surveys are now open and ready for completion by all staff, senior students and parents. They provide valuable feedback on many aspects of the school, helping to inform our future directions and School Improvement Plans.
Each family will be provided with a unique login. Please take the 20 minutes to complete these anonymous surveys this week. You will receive your family's unique, login code early this week. Thanks for your support.
Fun Fridays
This Friday is Think Pink Day at St John's. This will be our Fun Friday theme and we are asking everyone to wear PINK and to create some Pink Food.
Please share your pink food creations by taking a photo and sending it in. We hope to raise awareness about Breast Cancer and if you would like to find out more or donate online then please do so. This has been a focus at St John's for many years and one that takes on new significance for me this year. https://www.thinkpink.org.au/
Joke of the Week
"Why do seagulls fly over the ocean?"
"Because if they flew over the bay, we'd call them bagels."
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Verona Gridley
Principal