From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Can you believe it? This is our first full week back at school since June! It is absolutely wonderful to have all our children back on site, engaging with their friends, teachers and their learning. We look forward to making every day count as we draw closer to the end of the school year.

We are also mindful and respectful that all students have returned to school with different feelings and emotions regarding the current climate. We can sometimes pick-up on these feelings in the way children respond and behave at school, however sometimes we may not be aware of the feelings they may have inside. We encourage parents to share any concerns they have about their child's return to school with their classroom teacher should the need arise.

Covid Safe restrictions and guidelines continue to be in place in work and school settings. These are changing on a regular basis and we will work within these guidelines over the coming weeks.

As we move forward, having a positive close contact in the school will not necessarily mean that the entire school will be closed. Our first action will be contact our Regional Covid Lead Advisor who will then advise us of the next course of action. This will be based on the date and time of contact, students or staff who may have been close contacts and other relevant information. Parents will be notified should there be a need for children to be tested and/or isolation required. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation should we need to proceed with further Covid Safe protocols.

In the meantime, with everyone's cooperation, we will continue to maintain Covid Safe practices within the school.

School Promotions

Next Tuesday we will commence filming a new promotional video for our school website. We feel that the time is now right given the completion of the building works and more appealing courtyard. The use of a drone will also capture the land size of our facility; incorporating the oval, tennis court, hall and main building and courtyard.

Prep 2022

Last night we held our Prep 2022 Parent Information session via a Google Meet. It was lovely to see the new families who will be joining our community next year as well as the familiar faces who already have older children at the school.

With the easing of restrictions, we can happily confirm that we will be able to hold three Orientation sessions for our new 2022 Prep class.

These will be held at 11:45am - 1pm on the following dates:

Wednesday 17th November

Wednesday 24th November

Wednesday 1st December

STEM MAD National Schools Finalists

Following the success of our STEM MAD finalists here at COHR, our 5/6 team who designed the Fluro Glove, will now move into a National Competition on Tuesday 16th November. Our team will participate in a virtual STEM MAD National Finals virtual meeting, participating in a number of fun challenges, listen to interesting keynote speakers and be present for the announcement of the national winners. We wish our team a fun, challenging and enjoyable day.

Garden Help

After a decent amount of rain and a little sunshine our Reflective Garden has become somewhat overgrown.

We are looking for parent helpers who may be willing to assist with some weeding and tidying up of the area. Due to current restrictions we are avoiding having a large number of parents working in the area all at the same time. However, we would be happy to have 2-3 parents working in there at any one time. So if you have an hour or so and perhaps a buddy to work alongside we would welcome your assistance at a time that is convenient to you.

Condolences

Our condolences to the Opasinis family on the passing of Joshua's grandfather.

Graduation

Graduation plans for our Year 6 children are underway for a special ceremony on Thursday 9th December. Under current restrictions we have planned to have just the students and teachers and will be live-streaming the event to homes. We would however, if restrictions and guidelines ease, be able to have parents attend this event with their child. Ideally we would like to hold the event in the hall as we will be using the projector and screen. Using the projector outside will be ineffective as we wont be able to see the screen. We understand that some schools will work differently as they have different group sizes and facilities. Please be assured we will do our best to offer a lovely ceremony with a strong focus on the children as a graduating group, including as many as we can, either virtually or in person.

School Closure Day

A reminder that Friday 26th November is a school closure day. This day will be used as a curriculum planning day for 2022.

Book Week

Please refer to the Library News for important information about our Book Week Parade being held next week.

Thank You

Sincere thanks for the many prayers, thoughts and messages of condolences on the passing of my mum. Mum was an amazing woman whose love was limitless. She had time for everyone. Thank you also for the lovely card and orchid I received from the Parents Association on behalf of the school community.

I am also very grateful to Jo Cowan, our Deputy Principal, and all our amazing COHR staff who so competently looked after the school in my absence.

Take care everyone

Brendan Welsford

Principal

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