Principal's Report
Dear Families,
How exciting it was to hear of the early return of all students this Friday. It will be wonderful to have everyone back onsite. Thank you to all families for your patience and efforts throughout Remote Learning, I know it certainly has had its challenges. To our staff I cannot express how proud and appreciative I am of you and how you have responded in such a positive manner to the ever-changing situations.
COVID SAFE PRACTICES
Keeping our school community safe, is one of our key priorities. To do this we have implemented the three V’s:
- Vaccination
- Ventilation - We can open the louvre windows in the classroom and the upper windows in the central learning street and in other rooms the windows with screens.
- Vital COVIDSafe steps
- Social Distancing
- Face masks for Grades 3-6 from next Monday, compulsory unless a medical exemption, highly recommended for F-2. (Supplied by parents)
- Hygiene and testing, sanitising and washing hands at key points throughout the day, if a child or adult displays any cold or flu like symptoms, they are not to attend school.
MASK WEARING
As we implement the new mask requirement, please understand that, as a school, we are required to ensure that we are following the COVID safe requirements as directed. This is not a school rule and, as such, we are not able to either change it or the exceptions associated with it. Staff have been positive role models with mask wearing and very supportive, as the children adjust to this expectation. If your child has a medical exemption to go without a mask, I ask that you please send this through to the school office. Please ensure that your child has an adequate supply of masks in their school bag.
REMOTE LEARNING PACKS
Tomorrow the F-2 students will bring home an Emergency Learning Pack. If the event that we have a positive COVID case in the school, we would very quickly have to revert to remote learning. This pack is to be kept at home just in case. We certainly hope we don’t have to use it!
CAN ADULTS COME ONSITE?
Current restrictions mean that parents and visitors are not able to come onsite. I would respectfully ask that wherever possible communication with the school should be conducted through phone or email and if it is necessary to come onsite e.g., to pick up your child for an appointment please phone the school office ahead of time and the office staff will assist you. Your child's teacher is always happy to chat by phone or email or may walk out to the car park after school if it is a matter you would prefer to discuss in person.
VACCINATIONS
Mandatory vaccinations have been a talking point in the community since they were introduced, and it seems that double vaccination will be a necessity in many industries going forward. In schools, this ruling applies to all staff, visitors to the school and anyone who works with children on site in any capacity. We have two policies related to vaccinations which will be presented to School Council Monday night and then circulated to the community.
CURRICULUM DAY
Monday 1st November is a Pupil Free Day; staff will be using it as a Reporting Day.
GRADE 5 & 6 CAMP
Unfortunately, the Grade 5/6 camp to Canberra could not go ahead. Fortunately, Camp Toolangi can accommodate Grades 3-6. I’m sure the children will have a wonderful time despite the necessary changes. Many thanks to Samee for organising this.
FIRST AID STAFF
On Saturday, staff will be completing their annual Emergency First Aid training.
COLOUR RUN
This exciting event is scheduled for Tuesday 16th November. Leaflets were sent home with the students last week. We encourage you to go online and register.
NEVILLE’S BLOCK
Currently we are in conversations with the Department around the possibility of them purchasing Neville’s block. We will keep you informed of our progress; I feel it might be quite a drawn out process even though the land acquisition makes perfect sense. Currently our Area Executive Director Sharon Hensgen-Smith is assisting us.
Enjoy your week,
Regards Heather