Acting Head of Arlington Campus
A TREMENDOUS START
A very warm welcome to Arlington for 2020, to families who are returning, and to families new to our community. Across summer we were busy in the grounds and in our beautiful classrooms making everything ready for a magical year to come. Even Rex and Ruby, our blue tongue lizards, found themselves in a new home.
We had a wonderful first week back, with excitement about new class groups and new children being balanced by a sense of industriousness which saw everyone in our community settling in. Along with our new families, we welcome to the staff Oliver Breedon who will be based in the Loft Room. Oliver will also further develop our philosophy program from Kindergarten through to the Elevens. With the recent departure of Anna Tibb, this year sees Sophia Tsolakis move from classroom support campus wide to the role of assistant teacher in our Lighthouse. And I feel honoured to be standing in for the incomparable Natalie Jensen, as she takes a year’s leave. Thank you to all the messages of support.
Our staff began this year with two days of professional development focusing on driving conceptual learning facilitated by IB Educator Rachel Poff. We were able to work together to be reflective, thinkers and inquirers, as all workshops offered by the IBO are guided by the attributes of the IB learner profile. This workshop helped us further hone our craft to promote engagement with significant ideas through conceptually driven inquiry.
COMPASS
Preshil uses the online Compass School Manager platform across both campuses. This platform allows for efficient communication between school and families, and allows parents to:
- Enter approvals for absence or lateness
- Access your child's semester reports
- Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences
- View up-to-date class and school attendance information
- Consent and pay for excursions and camps
- Update your registered email and mobile number
- View your child’s timetable and the school calendar
Families new to our community should have received information to establish their username and password to enable access. These credentials carry over each year. Families new to the school will need to update their email details as school-wide notifications are made using the Compass registered email. Please remember that Compass does not take the place of all other communication and parents are always welcome and encouraged to make contact with teachers, office staff or even the Acting Head of Campus, as the need arises.
If you have any issues or questions about gaining access to Compass please contact me via email.
To access Compass, use the link here and enter your username and password.
SCHOOL TIMES
Each day begins at 9:00 for all children at Arlington, from the kindergarten to the 10s & 11s. To support a smooth transition each day, we encourage families to aim to be here at 8:45 so children have the opportunity to ease into their day before bell. For late arrivals and early departures please make sure you sign the register at the office. The school day unfolds as follows:
- Morning Session: 9.00am -10.40am
- Fruit time: 10.40am - 11.10am
- Middle session: 11.10am -12.50pm
- Lunch: 12.50 pm - 1.50pm
- Afternoon session: 1.50pm - 3.30 pm
Kindergarten session times differ, and are flexible to the needs of the children, and the day finishes at 3:15
AFTER SCHOOL PLAY
Many families stay to enjoy the grounds with their children at the end of the day, and all are very welcome to do so. We ask families to be mindful that Kelly Club is operating out of the Hall, and ask that after school play move to the Front Garden by 3:45 to avoid confusion of the duty of care for our Kelly Club team.
KELLY CLUB
The Kelly Club OSHC Program runs at Arlington Monday to Friday, following the end of the school day at 3.30pm, 3:15 for our kindergarten children. The Program is focused around sports, cooking, art and craft activities as well as structured ‘free-time’ after a busy day at school. Activities are optional for students and incorporated into themed subjects each week that give children the opportunity to extend their learning outside of the school classroom. Children have opportunities to explore and discover through resources provided each day. You can find out more about Kelly Club here.
Enrolling in Kelly Club is easy. To receive an enrolment form please call 03 9384 2204 or email
CALENDAR
Important dates for the year, including term dates, special events and whole school activities have been published on the 2020 calendar on Compass. We hope that these published dates for the year will help with your planning.
Some events which are coming up over the next couple of weeks include:
- Fireside Chats - Class group information evenings - Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th February
- School Photos - Monday 24th February
- Parent Teacher Check-Ins - Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th March
We warmly invite all families to attend the whole school Family Welcome Picnic to be held on the front lawn of Blackhall from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Friday 13th March. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, students and staff. Don't forget a picnic rug or fold-up chair.
HOT WEATHER POLICY
Our first days for the school year were seasonally hot, and it prompted some questions about a hot weather policy. We are fortunate that our classrooms have air-conditioning, and are comfortable in the heat. However, if you feel that your child is sensitive to the February heat or is ailing due to back-to-back hot days, then please feel supported to keep your child home for a spell. Just let us know through Compass.
Cressida Batterham-Wilson
Acting Head of Arlington Campus