Loch Primary School

Principal's Ponderings

Welcome to Term Three

Dear Families,

I hope you have enjoyed your holiday break and are ready for Term Three.  We have a busy term ahead with some special activities for students and a solid ten week block of learning.  We are looking forward to Jump Rope for Heart, Footy Day, National Tree Planting Day, Science Day and a visit from the Life Ed Van.  Families are encouraged to join us for Parent Teacher Conferences,  special information sessions on Explicit Instruction, Minute to Win It Fathers Day Fun and a Family Bush Dance; all which promise to be loads of fun. Our Year Six students begin formal Transition activities with three days at Korumburra Secondary College. I’m also inviting parents to join me monthly for an informal chat about our school.  A range of topics will be covered and these sessions will be an opportunity for parents to provide feedback and contribute ideas for our school.  You will find these sessions on the calendar “Morning Tea Time with Tracey” and evening sessions “Evening Supper Chat Time with Tracey”.  A hard copy of our calendar will be sent home with students on Tuesday.

Bus ZONE & Parking

Parents are advised that the school bus now has a dedicated bus zone in the staff car park.  The school bus will be using this space for morning and afternoon school runs. There is to be no car parking in this bus zone at any time. Students will board the bus under teacher supervision in the afternoon and all students are asked to exit the bus and move directly into the school grounds after the morning arrival at school.  The staff car park is not be accessed by parents for parking. With that the bus is using this space and student safety as a priority, no students are to walk through the car park to access school grounds. Under no circumstances is the staff car park to be used as a drop off zone - even if you are running late for school.  Please enter school grounds via the Victoria Road gates.  Parents are able to park on Victoria Road, in the church car park opposite the school or on Roy Street.  I also encourage parents to park at Sunny Side Park and enjoy a short walk to and from school in the mornings and afternoons. A one minute 'kiss & go' zone will be available on Victoria Road shortly and this will enable parents to drive in, park, kiss children goodbye as they exit the car and then drive on.  Please be aware of our neighbours driveways when parking on Victoria Road. We have had a visit from the Shire's bylaws officer and a complaint from a neighbour regarding parents parking across driveways and blocking access to properties.

A disabled car park is available in the staff car park adjacent to the bus zone and this can be used by parents with injured or unwell children or by elderly family members when needed.   I thank families for their cooperation in assisting to keep our children safe.

Staffing Update

I wish to advise families of some staffing changes for Semester Two and I am very excited to introduce our school community to the following teachers who are joining our team.

Nisha Feik will be teaching Music

Prue Ainsworth will be teaching PE

Chris Jobe will be teaching Chinese

Chris Jobe and myself will be teaching Year 2/3 while Mrs Massaro is on leave for the beginning of Term Three.  Mrs Jody Achterdenbosch will also be supporting the class.

We farewell Mrs Lea Naismith and Mrs Sarah Coolidge.  We welcome back Mrs Davidge this term who will be doing some CRT work with us and we cant wait to see her smiling face in classes with students again.  I would like to acknowledge and thank our team of staff who always step up and give above and beyond for the benefit of our little people.  We have a highly skilled and passionate team who work together in times of need, especially when we experience challenges such as staff changes and their dedication is very much appreciated. I thank each of them for their loyalty to our students, families and school community.

School Gardens

I would like to thank the Kate Thompson for her work during the holiday break in the school grounds.  The stump from the fallen tree was removed,  planting occurred, the dangerous steps leading down to the arboretum have been removed and signage has been installed. Special thanks to Blake and Eden for feeding chooks and cows too!  Thanks also to Alan Massaro and Wil Jelbart for their donations of hay for Bert & Ernie, our school cows. 

 

The front garden is very wet after the heavy rain over the past few days and students will not be able to play in this space until it dries up. On arrival at school I encourage students to make their way to classrooms or the shed and to not play in the front garden. 

 

Due to the incredibly wet weather at the moment, I recommend that parents pack a change of clothes and shoes for their child ….just in case they may needed. You will know if your child is the one who is most likely to want to play outside and may slip and slide 'accidently' in the mud!!  It is definitely gumboot, beanie and coat weather.

Gorgeous Kids

This term all of our girls in Years 4- 6 will be involved small group weekly 'Loch Gorgeous Kids' mini sessions.  Students will be given opportunities to participate in activities to develop their self confidence, reduce anxiety, build their ability to regulate  their emotions,  resolve friendship conflicts and learn skills for mindfulness.  These sessions will be facilitated by Wendi Rahilly, Dayna Lightowler & Mandy Stephens for 20 minutes at lunchtime. Sessions start this week. This program will culminate in a Gorgeous Kids Pamper Day for everyone involved.

 

Drum Beat Action

DRUMBEAT is an acronym for

Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes and Thoughts.  As humans, we are social beings and by our very nature dependent upon relationships for our survival and prosperity. Relationships define identity, connect us in meaningful ways, and let us experience rich and fulfilling lives. DRUMBEAT facilitates the social and emotional skills for healthy relationships and values. This process of re-connection with self and interconnection with others enables profound social and behavioural change.  Small groups of students will be invited to participate in our Drum Beat Action program during Term Three.  These sessions will be led by our trained Drum Beat facilitator Dayna Lightowler.  

Before & After School Activities

Before and After School activities will be open on COMPASS shortly and families are encouraged to book in and register their child’s participation.  Bookings are available on a casual basis however parents are asked to book at least 24 hours prior. Bookings on the day cannot be guaranteed.

Before School Activities are available including breakfast Club on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

 

Instrumental Music Lessons

We have a number of students eager to begin instrumental music lessons and we almost have enough interest for our music teachers to visit Loch to make it worthwhile.  If your child is interested in participating in instrumental music lessons please contact the office.  Lessons are available for piano, guitar, drums & voice.  For further details please see the Instrumental Music Offerings page.

Discounted School Uniform

There is a small amount of left over uniform available for purchase at discounted rates from the school office.

  • Gaberdine Shorts – Size 10 x 2 $10 each
  • Navy Blue Track Pant Straight Leg with Padded Knees Size 8 x 1 Size 10 x 1 $12
  • Navy Blue Track Pant Cuffed Leg with Padded Knees Size 8 x 1 $12
  • Polar Fleece Beanies  - Larger sized suit Years 3 – 6  $4
  • Navy Hair Scrunchie – pack 2 $1

Please contact the office  to purchase.   Preferred payment method is cash and please bring the correct change.

Roma's Op Shop

I am very excited to share the news with our community that Roma's Op Shop will soon be opening. Proceeds from the Op Shop will be shared with Loch Primary School and other community groups and I ask that our families support the opening of this worthwhile venture.  Roma's Op Shop is calling for volunteers to assist with shifts and for donations of quality clothing, books, toys and bricabrac.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday 24th July and bookings are now open on COMPASS. Please log in, access the 2019 July Conferences and register your sessions.  Students are encouraged to attend these conferences and participate in discussions.   Student Semester Reports are available in COMPASS and were published at the end of Term Two. Parents are encouraged to access these reports as they will assist in discussions at the Parent Teacher Conferences.

Teacher Work

I ask all parents to read the reproduced article from The AGE included in this newsletter "Premier’s Reading Challenge no fun for kids who can’t read" and the article "A Parents Perspective on Direct Instruction".  They are both short articles which very clearly identifies the need for schools to ensure they are implementing instruction which is explicit and based on the science of learning and reading. A great Youtube video which clearly explains explicit instruction is 'Expert Minute Anita Archer 1080p v3'. This is what we are doing at Loch Primary School and I am very proud of the vision we are working towards.

     

Over the holiday break  I have spent considerable time reflecting on the work which our teachers are engaged in and the incredible commitment they have made to improving their knowledge skills for the benefit of our students' learning.  Over the past three years our teachers have engaged in some intense professional development which has shifted our understandings of how students learn and has required us to investigate current research and evidence.  Any change requires effort and hard work and our teachers have been working at capacity as they have been learning, gaining new knowledge and skills and then shifting their practice in the classroom and implementing new strategies and approaches.  I am confident that the changes we are making and the instruction which teachers are delivering is best practice and will benefit every student.  The work is hard and demanding for our teachers and I acknowledge this but also I make no apology for this journey as our precious children deserve to be taught by highly trained and knowledgeable teachers.   

I would like our school community to understand and to acknowledge the important and essential work our teachers are engaged in and to appreciate their commitment and efforts.  We really do have an amazing team who are dedicated and determined teachers.

 

Ms Tracey King

Principal