Principal's message
Dear Parents/Carers,
SWIMMING CERTIFICATES
Swimming Certificates will be coming home with students over the coming days. These certificates have been completed by the swimming teachers at the Splash Factory, and are based on your child's abilities throughout the 8 lesson program. It's important for you to read and understand the level of swimming your child is at, especially coming in to summer and being around water more often.
Below is a guide as set by Surf Lifesaving Victoria to help you understand what swimming skills your child should have at their current age.
Swimming is a part of the school curriculum and will occur again in Term 4 next year.
If your child requires further swimming lessons there are some great swim schools in the area. Please contact any of the below to arrange.
Jayson Lamb's Splash Factory - 5561 1139
Aquazone - 5559 4500
Southcoast Junior Aquatics - 5560 5964
VICSWIM (Main beach open water program) - 9271 3800
KOORIE GRADUATION
It was my pleasure to attend the Year 6 Koorie Network Graduation last Friday at Merri River School.
It was organised by the Wimmera South West Area Koorie Engagement Support Officer Robbie Lowe and was attended by a variety of students from our Network schools.
Jess’s smoking ceremony was wonderful. Graduating students walked through the smoke and they each put a gum leaf on the fire, with all of their intentions in the gum leaf. They were given a certificate and a plaque. The students had a great day mixing with their friends from other schools and completing the activities.
Thanks must go to Gina Mills for her continued support for our Koorie students and to Brian Keillor-Reed who also attended.
Our graduating students are Hunter Chatfield and Jay-Dee Chatfield (our Koorie Student Leaders), Tiyler Bausch and Aysha Heenan.
YEAR 3/4 CAMP- ROSES GAP
We are currently away on the Year 3/4 camp to Roses Gap. You will remember that it was postponed earlier this term when the weather was inclement and there were severe weather warnings across the state. The forecast is perfect over the next few days and so we headed off with optimism and excitement. The children will no doubt have many tales to tell on their return. Thank-you to all staff for organising and participating in this camp and to all parents for supporting our camping program.
CLASS GROUPINGS 2023
We have settled our class groupings for 2023 and where possible we have reverted to straight classes in all year levels. The configuration is as follows:
Prep x2
Year 1 x3
Year 2 x2
Year 3 x2
Year 3/4 composite x1
Year 4 x 2
Year 5 x3
Year 6 x3
Letters will be sent home with your child on Monday 12th December letting them know their class grouping and teacher for 2022.
Tuesday 13th December is the state wide Orientation Day including Step-up Day for all students at Jamo. Students will have an opportunity to visit their new classroom, meet their teacher and spend some time with their new classmates.
UNIFORM
Thank-you for your participation in the uniform survey earlier this term. The results were significantly in favour of a uniform review and we have now formed a sub-committee to see what alterations may be made in the future.
Please note any alterations to the school uniform will be phased in over time with the view to a 2024 uptake. Importantly, our current uniform is required for 2023.
KEY END OF YEAR DATES
We are certainly winding up for a busy end of year program with camps, excursions and special events planned over the next two weeks.
Please make sure you are looking at the school calendar in the newsletter and checking Compass to provide the necessary consent and payment for excursions.
BEGINNING 2023 SCHOOL YEAR
The school year commences for staff only on Friday 27 January 2023. Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st January 2023, student literacy/numeracy testing will take place as per the past several years. Keep an eye out on Compass for test times and choose the one which best suits you. All formal classes will resume on Wednesday 1st February 2023 for all students.
Enjoy your weekend.
Peter Lee
Principal