Principal's Report
Principal’s Report - 14th October 2021
Once again, things are about to change significantly for our school, our students and our community. Whilst the return to face-to-face learning is positive and welcome, there will still be some difficulties associated with this, as there are for any major life transition. Anxiety is likely in all of us as we negotiate the concerns and uncertainties that we are all feeling as the community begins to “open up.” It will be a time when we all need to show understanding and consideration. There will be parts of the government’s “Roadmap” agenda that we may disagree with but, in the end, we can only go by the advice of those in the know, the Health Experts. Their job is to keep us safe and I trust that they will try to make to best decisions to ensure that happens.
Back to Lyndhurst
As we plan to welcome our students back to school we also give a special welcome back to Elaine Lesiuk who rejoins our staff, our leadership team and Principal Class team here at Lyndhurst after a journey of over 12 months, exploring and expanding her knowledge, experiences, connections and capacities in a range of roles in other schools. Elaine returns as Assistant Principal and Year 4/5/6 Sub-school Leader. I know that you all join me in welcoming Elaine back and that we look forward to hearing about, and learning from, her experiences.
Return to school is coming!
You will have already received the calendar for the gradual return of students to school. The timetable is stretched out over 3 weeks and all year levels will have a mix of face-to-face and remote learning over that period before all students return on Friday, November 5th. Of course, those students who have already been attending on-site supervision because they are vulnerable or because their parents are essential (permitted) workers, will continue to have daily access to on-site supervision. As has been the case, those students will be taught remotely by their class teachers and supervised at school. The criteria for access to on-site supervision has not changed and this will be closely monitored.
Mask wearing for students
Mask wearing has become a normal part of our daily life. Up until now, our primary students have not been required to wear a mask. As they return to school, this advice has changed. The current advice has been amended by the Chief Health Officer to: Face masks are mandated for students in Year 3 to Year 6, when indoors on school premises, unless an exception applies. Face masks are highly recommended for students in Prep to Year 2. You can find info about this at: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks
This will, no doubt, be difficult for some children but this is about keeping everyone safe – our children, the children of other families and our staff. I ask parents to talk positively about this change, even if you have reservations about it. Your reaction will impact on your child’s ability to manage this change effectively. Please don’t pass your concern on to your children. Ensure that your child has a comfortable, well-fitted mask and send them to school with it in an encouraging way. Make sure they have a couple available for cleaning purposes, clearly name the mask, perhaps even leave an extra in their school bag and help them firstly, to wear the mask correctly and secondly understand why mask wearing is required. We know that it is an effective tool in reducing the spread of infection and I’m confident that our resilient and sensible Lyndhurst students will adapt quickly and easily.
An exception is made for children with a disability and for whom mask wearing would be inappropriate. If you feel your child has an exception, please inform the school in writing or call to discuss the situation. Please note that disagreeing with the mask mandate is NOT a reason for children to be kept at home. All children are expected to attend school on the appropriate days. No remote learning will be available where parents choose to keep children home. Also note that, this decision is not mine, nor is it the teacher’s. This is a Public Health Order and we have no recourse but to comply. If you have objections, direct them to the decision makers, not me and not the teachers!
Staff Vaccinations
Many parents will be aware that there is a mandate for all education staff to have vaccinations. We are following this policy and are currently working through that. Please note that the school is following government guidelines and the individual vaccination status of staff is private health information and will not be communicated to parents.
Well-being for students in transition
As a staff, we have always had the safety, health and well-being of our students at the heart of all of our decision-making. Whilst the return to school offers great scope for teaching and learning, well-being will still be our key driver during this period of transition and return to school. If you have any concerns about the well-being of your child over this period, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or sub-school leader for advice and support.
Look after our teachers
Whilst we’re talking about well-being, we also need to be mindful of our amazing teachers and their well-being. They also are making a significant transition to on-site learning, facing the same anxieties and disruptions as other families are experiencing. I know that they will be working their hardest to ensure the very best for your children. As parents, I ask you to look after our teachers. Be kind, be thoughtful and be respectful in your communications and be realistic and mindful in your expectations.
Building confidence in our kids
On a positive note, I read an article on the ABC News website called, “Nippers training made his kids confident in the water and out. He wondered if he could follow their lead.” It’s about how challenge, both physical and psychological, can be a wonderful tool to develop resilience and confidence in our children, but also in ourselves. I think the message is relevant for all of us and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Click here to read: Nippers training made his kids confident in the water and out. He wondered if he could follow their lead.”
Online safety and parent supervision
Parents will also receive a letter regarding online safety for children. There have been a number of concerns expressed to me regarding the completely inappropriate content of material that our students are viewing online. There are only two reasons why children would have access to such materials. The first is that parents think it’s OK. It’s not! The damage from early exposure to “adult” content is clear and significant. The second reason is that parents just don’t know what their children are viewing and that’s just as concerning. We have communicated directly with some parents and it is clear that the supervision of internet use, in some cases, is simply not adequate or not happening at all. The internet can be a marvelous learning tool or a seriously dangerous place for children to be. It’s up to you as parents to help them navigate that. Read the letter, please. It’s full of very useful advice.
Community safety during the “opening up”
Finally, I just wanted to ask our whole community to get behind our efforts to make this a safe a successful return to school. Please follow the rules and regulations and do what you need to do to keep everyone safe and stop the spread of the disease in our community. The City of Casey has some of the highest rates of infection in Victoria. Let’s change this together. Stay home. Follow hygiene and health advice. Get tested. Get vaccinated.
Greg Lacey
Principal