Out and about with Mr Walsh

It has been a busy week at Surfside Primary School as we begin to transition back into group activities, cross age activities, sporting opportunities and cross school activities (still in a modified format). We have also faced some challenges this week around staffing and we appreciate our students and families understanding and flexibility with this.

Our Foundation students have now started full time learning and look forward to their first full week next week - we might have some tired little people. It has been exciting for our Foundation students to meet their year 6 buddies. I did hear a rather excited year 6 student say the following - 'I have been waiting 6 years and 1 month for this amazing moment of having my own prep buddy'.This is a great opportunity for our year 6 students to build their leadership capabilities as well as being positive role models for our younger students. This is also a chance for our Foundation students to build relationships with other school members.

We have also had 20+ year 6 students participate in the Rotary Highton Barwon Schools Leaders Conference with 20+ other schools throughout Geelong and the Surf Coast (unfortunately in an online format) with a focus on building the following skills:

• Leading self
• Leading others
• Leading change

2022 brings about exciting opportunities for our student leadership team and having time together to work on their action plans. Our student leaders look forward to communicating and presenting their action goals to our students and school community over the coming weeks.

School Council Overview

Our school council annual general meeting and first meeting with our newly formed school council was held on Tuesday. We would like to thank our 2021 outgoing members - Linda Giggins, Ricky Davis, Georgina McCowan and Andrew Blake for their work and dedication towards Surfside Primary School. We welcome our new members - Anita Mock, Robyn Frew, Tina Mackerness, Stefanie Henderson and Alex Werner and we look forward to working with this group throughout 2022.

Our Tuesday meeting saw the election of office bearers and the following members will take on these roles throughout 2022:

School Council President - Eloise Cann

School Council Vice President - Rose Roberts

School Council Treasurer - Allason Lynch

Assistant Treasurer - Linda Giggins (required signatory - non school council member)

School Council Secretary - Stefanie Henderson

School Council Assistant Secretary - Anita Mock

The following areas were covered throughout the meeting:

• Presentation and endorsement of Draft Annual Report to the school community - this will be available to the school community once endorsed by our Senior Education Improvement Leader
• Presentation and endorsement of Draft Annual Implementation Plan - this will be available to the school community once endorsed by our Senior Education Improvement Leader
• Update of DET endorsed changes to the Surfside PS Mobile Phone Policy
• Finance update following school census
• Curriculum reports, upcoming activities and staffing updates

School council in 2022 will consist of the following:

Student Support Group Meetings and Parent Teacher Interviews

A big thank you to all of our staff and parents for participating in our SSG's over the last week and working towards developing our student goals. This is a large logistical process and is well supported by Gill, Linda and Kellie. A big thank you to our students who are actively involved in the goal setting process.

NAPLAN Online School Readiness Test

Our year 5 students participated in the NAPLAN online school readiness test on Wednesday. This was a trial run to test the capacity of our network and infrastructure but also allowed students to become familiar with the format of conducting the test online. Students in year 3 and year 5 will undertake a number of practice tests in an online format until the real testing period. If you need to discuss NAPLAN testing further please make contact with your classroom teacher.

COVIDSafe Updates

The Victorian Government has announced a 6-week extension of some of the COVIDSafe measures for schools. 

For the remainder of term 1 there will continue to be a focus on the “3Vs” of ventilation, vaccination and vital COVIDSafe steps. This will see either a continuation or elimination of the following:

• The use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) as a screening tool will continue for the remainder of term 1 and families should anticipate to receive their next allocation prior to week 6.
• Victorians aged over 5 years are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are available at state vaccination centres, participating GP clinics, pharmacies or community health services. Please chat to your local GP for more information. 
• Face Masks - staff, students (Years 3-6) and on-site vistors/volunteers will be required to wear a face mask when indoors.
• Improving ventilation is one of the most effective measures to keep education settings safe. All classrooms at Surfside Primary School are installed with an Air Purifier and Department of Education is anticipating a further allocation throughout term 1 in preparation for winter.
• QR codes will no longer be required within schools. Normal sign in process is still required for emergency management procedures.
• Buddies, cross cohort activities, incursions, excursions, etc will begin to be organised and take place from week 4.
• Whole school assemblies will now take place from week 4 and will be conducted outdoors. Parents are welcome to attend but will be required to participate social distancing requirements.

We continue to thank our school community for their support, understanding and adaptability.

Keeping our community COVIDSafe

The Victorian Government, Department of Health Services and The Department of Education continue to have specific measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our local community. We can all do our part in the following ways:

We have the following in place at Surfside PS to ensure the health and safety of our school community as advised by the Department of Education. We will continue to update recommendations for 2022 as they become available.

• All adults, staff and visitors to the school are required to wear a face mask when indoors. Anyone who is required to enter the school via a building is required to enter via the administration office and sign in for normal . Anyone who is required to participate in school activities as a volunteer will be required to be double vaccinated (Triple vaccinated from February 25th)
• All adults who enter a school building are required to wear a mask unless an exemption applies and it is recommended for students in years 3-6 to also wear a mask when indoors.
• Students and staff are recommended to undertake ongoing Rapid Antigen Surveillance Testing twice per week and if testing positive needs to refer to Department of Health Covid Checklist.
• Continue good health and hygiene practice by washing hands regularly, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and using hand sanitiser regularly.
• When unwell it is essential that you remain home, seek medical advice and be tested if required.
• Ensure 1.5m physical distancing when required.
• Get vaccinated if you are eligible

For further support please visit the DHS Coronavirus webpage

There has been plenty of information for all families regarding the COVIDSafe return to school plan. It has been very pleasing to see our Surfside community continuing to show respect and kindness at all times. The current guidelines in place are fluid and we will communicate as soon as any changes occur. If you require further clarification please read the below attachments or contact the administration office for further support on 5256 1411.

YOUR COVID CHECKLIST - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

QR Code Check In - Services Victoria

When attending Surfside Primary School as a visitor it is essential that you sign in via the Services Victoria QR code. All visitors need to report to the administration office prior to entering the school grounds. This is required when entering buildings or classrooms. This will require everyone to download the Services Victoria App on their device.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SUPPORT ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE APP