Message from Acting Principal Sarah 

COVID-19 safe changes

As you may have seen in my Compass post last week, there are some important changes that have come into place as we are now in the Last Step of the Victorian roadmap to reopening. I would like to thank everyone for their continued flexibility and understanding as we move through these ever-changing guidelines. 

Managing safe school arrival and departures

Schools must continue to implement actions to reduce the congregation of adults around the school and reduce congestion. To manage this the multiple entry points for students will remain in place for the remainder of term 4.

We no longer need to implement a staggered start and finish to the school day, therefore all students will finish school at 3:30pm and will be dismissed at their current year level or sibling gate.

The morning routine will remain the same. NMPS staff members will open the gates at 8:45am and students will independently walk to their learning space. Gates will be closed at 9am, therefore any late arrivals need to enter via the main office at gate 1.

Parents onsite

Visitors are now able to come onsite, however we have strict limitations in terms of capacity, aligned with DET operations guidelines and gathering limits for community facilities. This means that we ask parents to refrain from entering the school grounds unless they have a prior appointment arranged with a teacher or staff member. All visitors must enter through the main office (Gate 1) and will be required to sign in and out of the school. If adults are attending onsite, they must wear a facemask while indoors and adhere to the indoor density quotients. Facemasks must be carried at all times.

Other COVID safe information

• Drinking fountains are reopened for normal use.
• All staff, students and visitors must continue to practise good hygiene.
• Schools are no longer required to maintain cohort bubbles, however it is encouraged that we continue to establish good practices for the remainder of Term 4 and reduce mixing between year level groups where possible.
• Indoor and outdoor contact and non-contact sport can resume, however outdoor facilities continue to be recommended for physical education where possible.
• Excursions and incursions can resume with health and safety requirements in place.
• Stay home when unwell – any unwell student should remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms.

In Other News

The next three weeks prove to be extremely busy as we wind down towards the end of the year. Below is a snapshot of what has been happening and some of the events we have planned for the reminder of the term.

Kinder to School Transition Update

On Friday 27th November, we welcomed our first groups of 2021 Prep students and parents on-site. The preps that visited were excited to begin their transition to NMPS and settled straight into their 30-minute session with one of the 2021 Prep teachers, which was pleasing to see. We look forward to seeing the next groups of 2021 Preps on Friday 4th December and Tuesday 8th December.

Restrictions have continued to ease in relation to kinder to school transition sessions. As such, we will now be offering an additional transition session on Friday 11th December to 2021 Preps. Further information will be shared with our 2021 Prep families shortly.

Year 6 Events & Farewell 

Our Year 6 students are beginning to engage in their end of year activities, last Friday attending their Fun Day at ‘Coburg Go Climb’. This Friday our Year 6 students will partake in the annual Year 6 Race Around Melbourne. This event has been approved following health and safety guidelines.

Restrictions have eased in relation to school gatherings, however there are strict number limitations we need to follow. We are now able to have the Year 6 Farewell celebration at school with a limit of 300 people outdoors (including students, parents and staff). More information has been shared directly with our Year 6 families.

Swimming Program

Swimming will continue for Prep to Year 2 students Monday to Friday this week (Friday 4th December being the make-up session from Monday 23rd November). The Year 3 to 6 swimming program will commence on Monday 7th December running through week 10 & 11.

Year 5 Leadership Speeches

Year 5 students will have the opportunity to present their leadership speeches this week as we begin to think about farewelling our current Year 6 student leaders and welcoming our new 2021 student leaders. We wish those students, that have chosen to present, all the best with their speech.

North Melbourne Hill Primary School Community Information Session

A community information session is being planned for the week commencing the 14th December. Eventbrite invite details will be shared with the school community as soon as possible. Community members will have opportunity to send in questions prior to the event on Eventbrite.