Principal's Report
Semester 1 School Reports
This semester's student reports will be published on COMPASS on the 4th June. Semester 1 Reports will not contain any Progression Points (this is consistent with nearly all Victorian Government schools) and will contain a summary of what students have learnt this semester, how they have gone with that learning and how they have engaged with Remote Learning.
We decided that Reports will be completed by teachers as soon as possible, so that when we return to school, we can view it as the start of Semester 2. We will direct all our energies to well-being and engagement and be mindful that many students are returning from difficult, and sometimes traumatic, situations. Mrs Hopkins will speak in more detail about this in her Assistant Principal's Report of this newsletter.
Gratitude
During this time, when so many in our community and around the world are going through an extremely tough time, I find it extremely important to have gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life and for the amazing work others are doing around me, both at Kalinda and in the wider community.
I wanted to share with you an amazing display of gratitude from one of our Yr 3 students. Gabe has written this amazing letter below to our Premier, Dan Andrews. I hope that many of you, like Gabe can find things to be grateful for during this extremely tough time.
Leading the School Remotely
As our staff returns to school next week, I will continue to be working from home for the remainder of this term. All staff members will be following social distancing measures, so I will be connecting with our staff members via video conferencing. I will also continue to be available for communication from all families within the school.
Hopefully I will be able to return to school at the beginning of next term. Until I am able to return to school, Lauren Hopkins will be the leader on site.
Return to School Plan
Please make sure you have a look at the Return to School Plan that was sent out earlier this week via COMPASS. Our aim is to maximise safety for our school community whilst also ensuring that school can be as normal as possible for all of our students.
One key part of the plan was staggered drop off and pick-up times. These staggered times were following the directions of the Department of Education and Training, particularly in terms of reducing the number of adults entering the school site.
Families with surnames beginning with A-K are to drop their children off at school at 9:00am and collect them at 3:10pm.
Families with surnames beginning with L-Z are to drop their children off at school at 9:20am and collect them at 3:30pm.
Staggered drop-off and pick up times will take effect from the 26th May 2020, when our F-2 students return to school.
Between the 26th May and the 8th June all parents will be permitted on the school grounds when dropping off and collecting their children, however are not allowed inside the school buildings (unless there is an urgent reason to come to Admin such as delivering student medication).
From the 9th June, when all F-6 students will be at school, only Foundation and Yr 1 parents are allowed to accompany their children on the school grounds. Everyone else is asked to drop or collect their children at one of our many school gates. Please contact me via kalinda.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au if you have an exceptional reason to accompany your child to their classroom and these allowances will be catered for.
Please see Lauren's Assistant Principal report in this newsletter for some advice on organising an agreed upon drop-off and collection point with your child/ren.
Thank you so much to everyone with your understanding and patience with these new school routines.
Enrolments
Enrolments are now open for 2021 and it would be great to start receiving your enrolment forms for students beginning in Foundation (or at other levels next year). The sooner we receive enrolments, the sooner we can begin planning for next year. Please find the enrolment form below and it can be sent to the school via post (Kalinda Primary School, 39-49 Kalinda Rd, Ringwood 3134) or by email to kalinda.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
For any new families to the school please contact the school via email kalinda.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au or phone 9876-3289 and we will send you information about the school and organise a 1-on-1 video conference with you.
We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.