Congratulations to our Gr 6 school leaders who were presented with their badges and certificates at today's assembly.

Key dates for Term 1

Tuesday 15 Feb Information Night

Prep - 6pm

Year 1/2 - 7pm

Thursday 17 Feb Information Night

Year 3/4 - 6pm

Year 5/6 - 7pm

I encourage all families to attend their child's information night. Where possible, and to keep us Covid safe, I ask that you don't bring your children and that only one parent attends. You will need to sign in using the QR code and show evidence of vaccination to enter into school buildings.

Friday 18 Feb Green Thumbs Certificate Presentation at assembly

Tuesday 22 Feb Meet the teacher Interviews

3.50pm - 8pm

Thursday 24 Feb 3.50pm - 5pm

Friday 25 Feb Tasty Treats Extravaganza at the canteen - Recess sales

Monday 28 Feb School Photo Day

Saturday 19 Mar Warrandyte Festival

Assemblies will now be held on a Friday afternoon at 2.45pm each week unless advertised otherwise. At present we will be holding our assemblies outside on the blue basketball court. We welcome parents and carers to all our assemblies and highlight next week's badge presentation assembly for our Year 6 leaders.

School Council Elections

It’s that time of the year again when we invite members of the school community to nominate for vacant positions on School Council. If you are passionate about ACPS I would encourage you to apply.

As Executive Officer of School Council I need to conduct the 2022 Elections and fill the seven retiring School Council positions.

The following points are intended to explain procedures and timelines for the process.

The present Council has fifteen members - 10 parent representatives and 5 DET representatives.

The composition of the Council is as follows:

ONGOING

CO- OPTED

VACANT

TOTAL

PARENT REPRESENTATIVES

4

Nick Austin

Matt West

Nooshin Evans

Georgie Jones

(end date March 2023)

1

These positions are not part of the election. They are casual vacancies for one year.

5

10

DET REPRESENTATIVES

2

Susan Dyos

Amanda Callaway

(end date March 2023)

1

These positions are not part of the election. They are casual vacancies for one year.

2

5

Unless elected to fill a casual vacancy, all councillors are appointed for a two year term. This year we will be seeking nominations for five ongoing parent representatives. We also require two DET representatives for a two year term

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES:

This is the first step in the process and nominations must be handed to the Principal by Monday, 21 February, 2022 at 4.00 pm. If you would like to nominate a candidate, official Nomination Forms (Form 4) may be obtained from the Office from Monday, February 14, 2022 at any time prior to the close of nominations. Self-nomination forms are also available (Form 3).

If there are more nominations than positions available, a ballot will be conducted. If a ballot is required, candidates will be asked to submit a personal profile of not more than 200 words. These personal statements will then be circulated within our school community prior to the election.

VOTING PROCEDURES:

DET and parents candidates require separate elections. Teachers vote for teachers and parents vote for parents.

Parents who are DET employees can stand as parent members of School Council.

The ballot paper will be required to be in a sealed blank envelope then placed in the ballot box at the front office with the voters name and address on the back of the sealed envelope.

All voting must be completed by 4.00 pm on Tuesday, 8 March, 2022.

A register of all voters will be retained at the office of the school.

A vote may be recorded in one of two ways:

1. Returning a postal vote to the school by 4.00 pm on Tuesday 8 March, 2022.

2. Completing a vote and depositing it in the ballot box prior by 4.00 pm on Tuesday 8 March, 2022.

CLARIFICATION:

Please contact me if you require further clarification.

Principal/Executive Officer of School Council

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTION PROCESS AND TIMETABLE

ANDERSON’S CREEK PRIMARY SCHOOL

EVENT	DATE
Notice of election and call for nominations	Monday, 14 February 2022
Closing dates for nominations	Monday, 21 February 2022
Date by which the list of candidates and nominators will be posted	Tuesday, 22 February 2022
Date by which ballot papers will be prepared and distributed	On or before Monday, 28 February 2022
Close of ballot	Tuesday, 8 March 2022
Vote count	Thursday, 10 March 2022
Declaration of poll	Friday, 11 March 2022
First council meeting to elect office bearers (the Principal will preside)	Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Sustainability & Green Thumbs - Certificates presented next week

We are looking to create a friendly group of staff and parents who would like to join us to maintain and improve our beloved Children’s garden and Cluckingham palace chicken coup. Tasks will include:

Help out with the Grade 1+2 gardening program on a monthly basis (Thurs/Friday).
Weekend care for chickens in Cluckingham Palace (they are arriving mid-Term 1).
Help create 2 new wicking beds for our Children’s garden (no prior knowledge required).
Maintain a “Swap and Share” trolley – new initiative this year!

The garden has been hit by Summer again and is ready for some keen gardeners to come and breathe life into it again. Experience or just willing hands are welcomed.

Please contact 2SB Class teacher Sarah Bailey Sarah.Bailey2@education.vic.gov.au to register your interest.

“GREEN THUMBS” – Our 2022 student Sustainability group is currently being organised with speeches and selection process within classrooms in the coming week. Certificates will be presented at assembly on Friday 18 February. Assembly soon when positions have been appointed.

Rapid Antigen Tests coming home with your child today

Please check your child's bag to find your second box of RATs. I thank you for your continued support in following our Covid safe practices at school.

It’s been really fantastic to see such excitement around the return to school and we want to keep it that way. A crucial part of that is getting as many students vaccinated as possible.

Alongside ventilation and other vital COVIDSafe steps such as regular rapid antigen testing, supporting as many students as possible to be vaccinated will help make our school as safe as possible.

Bookings for children aged 5 to 11 to receive the paediatric Pfizer vaccine are open and we encourage parents and carers to get your child vaccinated, if you haven’t already done so. The Pfizer vaccine is safe and recommended for children. The vaccine will help protect your child from getting sick from COVID-19, help to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and help ensure kids can have more time at school and playing with their friends.

Vaccinations for children aged 5-11 years old are delivered at 2 appointments, 8 weeks apart. Children with specific medical vulnerabilities can access their second dose 3 weeks after their first dose.

If you’d like more information about this, you can read a recent statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI): https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-update-following-weekly-covid-19-meeting-19-january-2022

To book an appointment You can book at your local GP or pharmacy: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking

You can also book at a family-friendly vaccination centre by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

You can also make vaccination centre bookings for your children online, though you will need to use an email address that has not been used in the system before: https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/

Helping children to get their vaccination

Vaccination centres understand that children may feel anxious about vaccination or have other support needs. A range of options are available to help children get vaccinated. Please discuss your child’s needs with the vaccination centre when you book an appointment.

Appointments are also available at Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations. 👉 Find out more about vaccination for kids: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-information-children-and-teenagers

Following a disrupted few years due to Covid, it's wonderful that school is really looking and feeling like 'school' again!

Have a happy and safe weekend...

Sue Dyos

LIFE ED