Term 3 - Week 6

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to express our solidarity with and care for, our students and families of Afghan background and to their loved ones still in Afghanistan. We want you all to know that we are here, we see what you are going through. We are so glad that you are here in our community and we want to offer our support to you and your families. We will be reaching out to families and please contact us if we can help.

This is certainly a challenging time in our community and across the world. With our three school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience; I certainly am seeing the 'resilience' of our learning community and I am so proud to be able to call Pakenham Springs Primary School 'home'. Networking with local schools in and around the Cardinia area, I can confirm that we are doing a wonderful job as a school, supporting each other, encouraging each other, and participating in the learning to the best of everyone's abilities.

After this week's announcement we know we are required to continue remote learning for another 14 days, this is tough I know. We are restricted by the government-provided criteria for students on-site and I greatly appreciate families who are making alternative arrangements to support the learning of their children at home. Families with students

on-site are being supportive by having their children dropped off and picked up within employment hours and also by making advance bookings as required. Our Administrative staff has a tough job ensuring eligibility and recording all attending students for Covid safe practice and accountability.

Step into Prep

This week our wonderful Prep team ran an information session for next year’s Prep parents. We are so excited to welcome them into our Springers Community. If you know of someone in our zone and ready to start in 2022, but not enrolled, please encourage them to enrol as soon as possible. This helps us plan and secure our staff.

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our first Step into Prep session but we are keen to have our future Prep students complete sessions when restrictions ease.

Keep an eye out for the next Pakenham Springs Newsletter which will include a Step into Prep section with information and handy tips to help support your child’s transition to school.

Event Changes and Updates

Our Bookweek celebration will commence virtually on Monday 23rd August with students on-site dressing up and students off-site celebrating their favourite book character attire in class Webex meetings and sharing via our official school Facebook page.

The Year 3 excursion to Cranbourne Botanical Garden unfortunately cannot be rebooked. Information regarding refunds will be emailed to families affected by this. The Year 3 teaching team is disappointed by this too, they are however crossing fingers and toes for a swimming excursion being planned for Term 4.

Year 4 Camp - again! The Year 4 team had it all planned and organised, I am sure you all had begun thinking about that packing list too. Whilst a camp cannot be replaced or rebooked, the team is madly brainstorming how to make these kids smile despite the disappointment of missing camp.

2021 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey

Our school is currently conducting a survey to find out what parents/caregivers/guardians think of our school. This survey gives us valuable feedback. 30% of our families have received the survey which needs to be completed by Friday, September 3rd. This date has been extended by the Department of Education.

Carpark

Please remember the car park at the front of the school is for staff only. This is not a school pick-up and drop-off point. Please ensure you find a safe meeting place to drop off and collect students.

Kerryn Baillie

PRINCIPAL

Pakenham Springs School Leadership Team

Communication

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