From the Principal
Flying High - 2023 starts with a BIG Splash
The year has certainly started with a great BIG splash for our seniors Year 5 and Year 6 as they enjoyed a three day camp at Portsea. The weather was glorious and our seniors' embraced all the activities at Camp Portsea with great enthusiasm, perseverance and courage. We are incredibly proud of the way they worked together in teams, supported each other and completed tasks. Friendships were formed and strengthened as they got to know each other. Our students were able to navigate the demands of managing their own things and stepping out of their comfort zone to try new experiences. They all did very well and we can all be very proud of all of them.
Our students' tackled a variety of activities from the giant swing where they went up as high as they felt comfortable, to snorkeling and fishing off the pier. They got to work together to build a raft that a person or two could stay afloat on to enjoying sandcastle building and a variety of sports. The Flying Fox was a favorite activity for all, as was the afternoon swim at Shelly's Beach.
The first night's Talent Show was hilarious and very entertaining. It was one of the BEST I have seen on camp! We certainly have some very talented students, from singers, dancers and even a few comedians. It showcased the array of personalities and the great supportive spirit among these young leaders. It will be great to repeat this talent show later this year when we have our new hall so that parents and the rest of our school students can enjoy the performances as well. The first night finished with a disco before lights out.
The second night finished with a peaceful prayer on the beach at sunset with the sound of pounding waves and the cruise ships lighting up the horizon, as they sailed by with passengers enjoying Valentine's evening on the bay. A night walk was enjoyed and then a movie. At lights out they were all fast asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.
On the final day of our camp we went to Enchanted Adventure at Arthur's Seat on our way back to school. Here our students were certainly flying high as they went tree surfing. Some led the way as they had been before and for others they had to be very courageous as they took their first tentative steps high above the trees. There was great satisfaction and exhilaration on completing a section of the course. Some were able to do all three stages several times. Apart from tree surfing there was a new playgound to enjoy while having lunch, tubes to slide down and mazes to tackle. We all had a great last day together.
Our campers arrived back at school on Wednesday ready for a BIG sleep but all delighted by the experiences they had enjoyed together. What a great start to 2023 by our seniors! A BIG thanks to our staff who went to camp for all their preparation prior to the camp and their care for the students during camp. Thanks Sandi, Tanya, Maddison, Anthony, Natasha, Mavis, Shehani, Amy, Melody, Rozeta, Ursula and Keely. A big thanks also to Ange who shared the night watch duty with me. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful staff team.
Medical Management Plans for an ALLERGY
As reflected in Ministerial Order 706 and the school’s enrolment agreement, parents/guardians/carers are required to provide the school with up to date medical information to enable the school to carry out its duty of care.
Parents/guardians/carers are responsible for the provision of an updated Individual Action Plan (ASCIA Action Plan) signed by the treating medical practitioner together with a recent photo of their child and any medications and autoinjectors referenced in the plan and recommended for administration.
Parents/guardians/carers are also responsible for replacing the recommended medication and/or autoinjectors prior to their expiry date.
Parents/guardians/carers must participate in an annual Program Support Group meeting to revise their child’s anaphylaxis management plan and update the plan based on medical advice.
Providing accurate information is essential on Operoo. Parents are asked to check and update information shared with the school. It is mandatory to share a Medical Management Plan signed by a doctor for any child with a medical condition. Parents are required to upload the approprate ASCIC plan for their child with an allergy.
ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2021 EpiPen®
or ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2022 Anapen
This plan is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed EpiPen® adrenaline autoinjectors or Anapen® adrenaline autoinjectors.
ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions (GREEN) 2021
This plan is provided to people with allergies who have NOT been prescribed an adrenaline injector.
These plans are not for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) due to pollen, dust mite, animals or other inhaled allergens.
If your child has an allergy they must have a ASCIA medical management plan from a doctor. It is important that parents provide this by the end of this month if they have not done so already.
If you state your child is allergic to e.g nuts, eggs, bees, milk etc they must have an ASCIA plan either a red plan if they have an adrenaline autoinjector or a GREEN plan for other allergies but do not require an adrenaline autoinjector.
Your support is vital for the protection of your child.
NAPLAN 2023
This year's NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy) will be conducted in Term 1, as opposed to Term 2; this is a nationwide scheduling decision. The formal test window for NAPLAN 2023 will be 15th - 27th March.
Parents should note that catch up opportunities for the writing test can only be scheduled for students in Year 3, in the case of student absences. Catch up writing tests are only allowable in Year 5 if there is a disruption to the test due to technological issues.
NAPLAN tests are conducted online for all subjects, except for Writing in Year 3, which is conducted on paper. We encourage all students to participate in NAPLAN, however there are circumstances where families may wish to withdraw their child from taking part. In this instance we encourage you to reach out to either your child's teacher, or Angela Faiola, Deputy Principal.
Testing adjustments are available for our students with formal diagnoses, or who usually receive significant classroom adjustments; further information will be sent to all families in Year 3 and Year 5 next week regarding this.
Parents seeking additional information about NAPLAN, including test demonstration pages, are encouraged to visit the NAP website: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public
Regards
Christine White
Principal