From the 

Principals Desk

My header photo shows how different life can be. My computer screen saver is of a trip to Budapest. In the foreground, I am wearing a mask while working during the lockdown in my office. My daughter, who currently lives in Melbourne, was very amused as she pointed out I was wearing my mask inside out. While we are all more proficient at wearing our masks now, I’m sure there are a number of adults, like the staff at Burrendah PS, that are pleased this is no longer mandated from next week.

While the wearing of masks is not mandatory from Monday 15th February, social distancing is still in place. Until we move out of Phase 4 the ECE Carpark gate, the Kindergarten gate, and the MAIN gate at Castlereagh Close will continue to be the entry and exit gates before and after school.  Entry during the day will continue to be through the Crosswalk gate or the MAIN gate. Our staggered finish will continue from 2:50pm.

Board Nominations

Further in this newsletter is a nomination form for becoming a Board member, either as a parent representative or as a community representative. I encourage you to nominate to become a member of our Board.

Year 6 Camp (Wed 10th Feb-Fri 12th Feb)

Reports from Mr Crouch, the camp coordinator, the Year 6 students are having a wonderful time and are thoroughly enjoying the opportunities camp brings.

Before School Processes

Our usual school processes in the morning are that Pre-primary –Year 6 students and adults wait in the undercover area if arriving before 8:30am. Kindergarten students with their parents can wait at the Kindergarten playground. Classrooms open at 8:30am with the school day commencing at 8:45am. I ask that students do not arrive before 8:15am unless they are participating in an organised activity.

Term 1 Parent Meetings

At our staff meeting after school on Monday 15th February, we will be confirming when/how class parent meetings will be held to enable social distancing if meeting face to face. Classroom teachers will contact families regarding dates and times using Connect for these meetings. These dates will also be published on our school web page. All year levels from Pre-primary to Year 6 will provide parents/guardians with information specific to the classroom over the next few weeks. Year level, Term 1 planners will be available through Connect from next week.

Assemblies

Our assembly format has changed for 2021. Due to the size of Burrendah PS, our assemblies will now be held in specific combined year groups. Senior School Assembly   Years 4-6, and Junior School Assembly Pre-primary to Year 3. Parents/guardians of the year level are welcome to attend these assemblies. Merit Awards will not be given out. Instead, these awards will be given out at the End of Year Assembly as was the case at the end of last year. In Semester 2, assemblies will be replaced by year level Open Classrooms. 

Each assembly will have a host year level presenting a short digital display that shows what the year level wish to share with the school community. Please see the 2021 Parent Information Booklet on the Community tab of our web page for more information.

Assembly Friday 19th February

Our first assembly is a Years 4-6, Senior School Assembly. The Year 6 students will provide a digital display about their Year 6 camp. The Year 6 Student Leaders will be presented with their badges. Parents/guardians of students from Years 4- Year 6 are welcome to attend the assembly. Parents/guardians of our student leaders have been invited to an event after this assembly to witness their child signing their leader contract.

Paying contributions and charges

Thank you to all of the families who have paid their contribution and/or charges. Thank you for your patience in being attended to at Reception.  We collected $51 000 over the first week in addition to our normal beginning of school processes.  For those yet to do so please pay your contributions or charges as soon as possible.

P & C AGM

Our first P & C meeting of the year will be held this Monday, 15th February at 7:00pm in the school hall. All positions on the P & C are declared vacant each year.  Nominations for these positions will be asked for at the AGM, which is held at this meeting. The P & C is a vital part of every school. I encourage you to attend and become a part of either the committee or be a member at the meetings. The cost to join the P & C is $1:00.

Canteen

It was great to see the canteen operating last Wednesday and families remembering to pre-order on Tuesday. If you want to order lunch for your child next Wednesday, your order will need to be in on Tuesday 16th February, at the canteen, between 8:15-8:45am. 

Third-Party Applications

Mr Bradshaw, Associate Principal, will be contacting every family in the school to complete an online permission form. This form is to collate parent permission for students to use online applications. These applications are part of our everyday learning programs and are usually found on our school iPads. Completion of this form is a new procedure we must follow as directed by the Department of Education. I urge parents/guardians to complete this online form as soon as it is received to ensure your child can participate in planned learning programs.