Out and about with Mr Walsh
Principal Report
Welcome Back to Term 2
We hope that all of our Surfside families managed to have a restful break and a happy Easter. It has been great to hear stories from students who have travelled throughout the break and also hear of some exciting trips coming up in the future.
We would like to welcome back all of our families and send out a special welcome to the following families who have started with us in term 2 and throughout term 1 - Robinson, Ibbetson and Bishop families.
It has been fantastic to see our students return to term 2 with a confident and calm nature and we look forward to a busy and eventful term ahead. We have definitely hit the ground running in week 1 with school photos, an incursion and plenty of learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.
Parents and Carers we need you!!!
With the return to term 2 and the further easing of restrictions we look forward to increasing our community connection and parent engagement through the planning of school based events. Our planning from term 2 onwards includes the Fresh Food Fair, Parents Association, election BBQ, Trivia Night, working bees, kitchen and garden helpers, classroom helpers, community BBQ afternoon and the list goes on.
Below is an expression of interest for interested parents/carers for specific areas or other skill based areas that you can assist with. If you could please take the time to fill this in and will help us to get in contact and start our planning for the year ahead:
ANZAC Day Service - Ocean Grove
Thank you to our school captains who attended the ANZAC Day service on Monday as representatives of Surfside Primary School to lay a wreath in remembrance of our armed services. All of our students participated in a school ANZAC service on Tuesday which was coordinated and led by our school captains.
Year 6-7 Transition Forms
Families in year 6 have recently received transition forms to start their enrolment and transition process to Secondary School. A reminder to our year 6 families that transition forms, for 2023 Secondary School enrolment are due to be returned by Friday 13th May. All families are to return these forms if you are enrolling in the government or independent school system for 2023. This information can also be found at the following link:
Grounds Work and Maintenance
A big thank you to Gill, Di Mercer, Damien and Terry who completed a number of maintenance and grounds based tasks during the holiday. These works have seen the beginning of the development of the area near our new portables and some updating of our Prep playground. As we complete the foundations of these spaces we may require some mini working bees throughout the term to support the work done.
Staff & Student Netball Fun
The sun was shining and as a fitting farewell to Mr Cunningham at the end of term 1, it was great to see our staff and students battle it out in a fun and intense 'students vs staff' netball match. The staff showed flair, skill and poise to run out eventual winners on the afternoon! Go Team Surfside!!
State Swimming Championships - Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre
A big congratulations to Sofia in year 4 who participated in the School Sport Victoria Swimming Championships at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre. All of Surfside is very proud of Sofia who today was crowned the state champion in the 9/10 multiclass 50m Backstroke.
School Council - May Meeting
Our next school council meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th May at 5:30pm.
Attitude to School Survey Parent/Guardian Information
We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of their school.
The AtoSS (Attitudes to School Survey) is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist your child’s school to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, bullying and life in general.
There are also some questions about student health and wellbeing.
Understanding health and wellbeing needs is important to support students to learn and thrive at school. The Department is providing this addition to the core survey to allow your child’s school to capture this information to support students.
Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their resilience, community connections and physical activity at school.
This year, the AtoSS will be conducted at school over the period of 2nd May -10th June.
What are the benefits?
In our experience, young people enjoy having their say. We have been running this survey for nearly 20 years and it has been invaluable in helping schools understand student views. Your school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.
What are the risks?
While we do not anticipate many risks of participation, some students may find some of the survey questions too personal and sensitive in nature. Should you agree for your child to participate, they are still free to skip questions or to withdraw at any stage if the survey makes them upset or uncomfortable.
The survey has been approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee. The questions are selected from validated survey instruments, are strength-based, and tailored for each year level group.
What will my child be asked to do?
Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time, using a purpose built, secure online survey tool. It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note:
- Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time.
- The survey will take around 20-45 minutes to complete.
How is my child’s confidentiality protected?
Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey from their teacher. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used to link data for statistical and research purposes only. Personally identifiable data will not be recorded in the survey response file. This ensures that the confidentiality of your child’s responses is protected at all times.
How will results be reported?
The survey results will be reported back to the school in an aggregate form throughout the survey period. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only, so that no individual student can be identified. Data suppression rules are used for schools with low student numbers per year level.
Your school may share the results of the survey with parents, in documents such as the School Annual Report.
Options for participation
Participation in this survey is voluntary. If you do not wish for your child to do the survey, please opt out via email to your school: surfside.ps@education.vic.gov.au
If our school does not receive a Refusal of Consent email from yourself, it means that you give your consent for your child to participate in the 2022 Attitudes to School Survey.
A copy of the survey that we are asking your child to complete is available from your child’s school. Please contact the administration office if you would like to see the survey before making your decision about whether you would like your child to participate.
If you would like more information, please speak to your child’s teacher, or contact the Department at attitudes.school.survey@education.vic.gov.au.
Yours sincerely,
The Department of Education and Training Victoria
COVIDSafe Updates
For the remainder of term 2 there will continue to be a focus on the “3Vs” of ventilation, vaccination and vital COVIDSafe steps. This will see either an introduction, continuation or elimination of the following:
- Masks are no longer required within school buildings for students, staff or visitors
- Students, staff or visitors can continue to attend school if considered a household close contact. Household close contacts aged 8 and over are required to wear a mask when indoors and undertake Rapid Antigen Testing for 5 days during the 7 day period
- Families are required to notify the school if their child is identified as a household close contact
- If you are attending a school based event indoors or outdoors all visitors are no longer required to show evidence of vaccination
- If you are volunteering on school grounds or a school event, all volunteers, etc are required to display a 3rd dose vaccination certificate or valid exemption.
- We will continue with surveillance Rapid Antigen Testing and families are to notify the office if a child records a positive result
- We will continue to notify families of a positive case if they attended school while infectious
- Victorians aged over 5 years are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are available at state vaccination centers, participating GP clinics, pharmacies or community health services. Please chat to your local GP for more information.
- Improving ventilation is one of the most effective measures to keep education settings safe. All classrooms and rooms at Surfside Primary School are installed with an Air Purifier
We continue to thank our school community for their support, understanding and adaptability with the return to term 2.
Keeping our community COVIDSafe
The Victorian Government, Department of Health Services and The Department of Education continue to have specific measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our local community. We can all do our part in the following ways:
We have the following in place at Surfside PS to ensure the health and safety of our school community as advised by the Department of Education. We will continue to update recommendations for 2022 as they become available.
- Anyone who is required to participate in school activities as a volunteer will be required to be triple vaccinated or provide a valid medical exemption
- Students and staff are recommended to undertake ongoing Rapid Antigen Surveillance Testing twice per week and if testing positive need to refer to the Department of Health Covid Checklist.
- Continue good health and hygiene practice by washing hands regularly, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and using hand sanitiser regularly.
- When unwell it is essential that you remain home, seek medical advice and be tested if required.
- Ensure 1.5m physical distancing when required.
- Get vaccinated if you are eligible
For further support please visit the DHS Coronavirus webpage
The current guidelines in place are fluid and we will communicate as soon as any changes occur. If you require further clarification please read the below attachments or contact the administration office for further support on 5256 1411.