Principal Team's Report

We Made It!

We made it, the return of all students back to school, beginning Monday 1st November. Students will need to follow some changes but if it means keeping the school open and filled with our students, it is worth it.  During the fortnight, it has been great to see cohorts of students enjoy at least one day back before returning fulltime this week.  Our favourite time of the day has definitely been the mornings when we have been able to welcome and greet all the smiling faces as they walk through the gate.

Changes to School

• Mask wearing for students in Years 3-6 indoors (unless medically exempt) will be treated like uniform.  Staff are being extremely supportive and sensitive towards supporting students in remembering to correctly wear their mask and mindfully maintaining social distancing when students are unable to wear a mask.  DET have directed all schools to treat deliberate and persistent non-compliance (staff/students/families) of mask wearing as a serious matter.
• Mask wearing for students in Years P-2 is optional but recommended by the Chief Health Officer and DET
• We are moving learning outdoors as much as possible
• Physical Education lessons will be taken outdoors (hats and sunscreen needed)
• We are keeping windows and doors open during learning times
• High touch areas and devices regularly wiped down
• Sanitising before and after break times and during lessons as needed

New Operations Guide

As of Monday 1st of November, all Victorian schools have new directions regarding general school operations including excursions and incursions, visitors to the school and COVID safe practices and policies.  We will continue to follow the latest advice to ensure PSPS remains a safe learning environment for students and staff.  We are pleased to see that some planned events seem possible and we will continue to update families with the finer details as they become clearer.

Students Settle into Routine

Having had all year levels back over the last fortnight for at least one day has been terrific and the leadership team have been so impressed with how calm each class returned.  We are so proud of our staff and students for 'slipping' back into routine and showing excellent learning behaviours and modelling the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.  Families, you deserve the credit here too, THANKYOU for your support, your courage, your resilience and your positivity in tough times.

Please note, photos taken prior to the masks being mandated in Years 3-6

Upgrade to Play Areas

We have been busy brightening up the school with new line marking and bright coloured paint.  We are looking forward to seeing students outside enjoying these games with their friends this week.  All it takes is a little imagination!

Thank you to Mrs Rosalie MacKenzie for organising these great designs for our school.

24hr School Closures

Over the last fortnight, Pakenham Springs has needed to close twice for 24hours due to positive COVID-19 cases and exposures onsite.  We can only hope that no more closures occur, whilst being realistic and prepared.  During school closures, teachers will be available for two WebEx learning sessions per day.  Our Specialist teachers will also begin to teach through WebEx to continue the learning content as best as we can.  Your child's teacher will communicate these online sessions through the Newsfeed function on Compass if required.  When the school is notified of a positive case and exposure at school, set procedures must take place.  Whilst we empathize with the frustration and disruption a school closure causes to both families and staff, we will continue to follow all directives and processes to keep staff, students and families safe.  If you have a student 12 years and over that has been vaccinated, it would be appreciated if you let the school know.  This is an optional and parent choice.

Today Show Appearance

On Friday we got to celebrate World Teachers' Day with the rest of the country when we were invited onto the Today Show on Channel 9.  Mr. Rook and Mr. Harris were joined by a smiley group of students as they discussed with the hosts the amazing achievements of the community of Pakenham Springs throughout the last two years of Lockdown.

WATCH THE CLIP on the TODAY SHOW FACEBOOK PAGE: CLICK HERE

2022 Planning

Planning for the 2022 school year is well underway.  Thank you to the families who have let us know if they are intending to leave or have new enrolments.   Our Prep numbers are very important as we employ staff.  Please let us know if you know of an enrolment that isn't on our books yet.  As we begin interviewing and confirming staffing for 2022, this information is vital to ensure we plan for providing excellence in teaching and learning.

Don't forget the hat!

While we understand that it has been a little difficult getting to the shops to make sure we have the correct uniform items (that still fit our fast-growing children!), we encourage all parents to have a chat with your child/ren about wearing our uniform with pride.  A reminder that hair colour should be 'natural' and jewellery should be minimal under our dress code regulations.  A SunSmart (broad-brimmed or legionnaire style) hat is mandatory for all students during term 1 and term 4.  Students without a hat will be directed to sit in an undercover area during break times.

We are very much looking forward to a busy and productive fortnight ahead, take care.

The PSPS Leadership Team