Appreciations

Today it was pointed out that there was something on the footpath outside the main gate I just had to see …

Someone, I believe a parent, had brought along some bright coloured chalk and written a message inside a giant love heart. ‘Thank you teachers and staff (at) WFPS’. The chalk was left and others were encouraged to share their messages too. It was a beautiful thought and very much appreciated when I shared the image with our teachers at our after school staff meeting.

News ...

Corona Virus – As we regularly update our knowledge of the effects of this scourge, we too are reviewing all aspects of the teaching and learning program to keep FWPS as safe as we possibly can.

We have considered a raft of practical changes to put in place as we negotiate this difficult time.

This week we have:

… cancelled the 1/2 swimming program after the decision of Maribyrnong Council to close swim programs followed by the pool and fitness centres. Each family will be credited the full cost for future school costs.

… rearranged our meeting schedule to prepare online/remote tasks in the event of school closure and for students who have already stayed at home

… postponed Classroom helpers session on Thursday

… postponed the Camp Quality performances

… reviewed cleaning arrangements and access and placement of soap and hand sanitiser dispensers

… reviewed Grade 5 and 6 sport on Friday (no contact rules in place)

… postponed the proposed grade 6 Social on Friday

… been in communication with our Canteen proprietor – the last day for the canteen to operate will be tomorrow (Friday)

Next week

Assembly over the public address. Pupils of the Week awards presented in classrooms. This includes the Preps very first presentation of POTW awards.
School Council meeting on Monday to be presented as an online meeting for all participants not already on site.
All visitors (including parents) to be health assessed and follow clear hygiene procedures before attending classes or programs.
No parents or community helpers will be able to provide classroom support with exception of the Orchard to Plate program where stringent hygiene requirements will apply.
Parents who are collecting children to wait in reception for students to meet them.
Sausage sizzle and mufti day (to support grade 6 graduation) planned for next Tuesday to be postponed.
The Lunchbox canteen to be closed next week.
A free mufti (casual dress day) is now due to be held on the last day of term.
Students to be dismissed at 2.30 pm (as usual) on Friday week – there will be no outdoor assembly.

Despite this we will maintain school life as normally as we can. It is already very evident that our dedicated staff continue to expertly manage our students with care and professionalism. In busy and engaging classrooms, the world’s worries can be dispelled for a while.

We acknowledge that up to 25% of students who have stayed home this week have been absent for a variety of reasons. We appreciate many parents have kept kids home who have coughs, sniffles, cold, or flu like symptoms and we understand that students may be absent due to anxieties and concerns that contraction of COVID-19 may pass on illness to older and vulnerable members of their family. Please ensure that the school is aware that your child is absent and the reason for the absence. The easiest way to do this is via the Flexibuzz app.

Please note that we anticipate that FWPS is likely to remain open through to the end of term unless a confirmed case of COVID-19 affects a staff member or student. In the case of critical information we will inform parents by Flexibuzz and text message. With this in mind, if you are one of the minority of families yet to return contact information, (even if there are no amendments to be made) please do so as a matter of importance,so we can be sure we have the most up to date contact details.

Please note that some teaching and learning ideas for students out of school for part or all of the last two weeks of term have been provided today by Flexibuzz and are replicated in today’s newsletter (nothing wrong with borrowing some ideas from another grade level).

Thank you for all the many members of our community who have been courteous, gracious and kind to peers and staff. We have a long period of challenges ahead and we will get through it best by not abandoning the notion that working collaboratively will always provide the best result.

Look after yourself, look out for others.

Brendan

Cheers,

Brendan

The West Weekly

Issue 7 · 19 Mar 2020

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