Principal's Message

Hmmm, another hard lockdown, huh? We can do this. I know it is very painful to turn your life upside down to accommodate for remote learning. All of our fingers are crossed that the lockdown will only run from Monday to Wednesday this week. A very important Compass Newsfeed has been issued explaining Monday's process with further Newsfeeds to follow regarding Tuesday's and Wednesday's plan. Please stay tuned to Compass Newsfeeds and set push notifications on your phone so you get all information from me directly.

Parking and Drop Offs

I had a report last week of angry adults and raised voices around our beautiful children. It hurt to hear about this. I would ask that no matter how frustrating things get that we all remember the sensitivity of young ears and hearts. It is natural to feel angry when things don't go your way or others upset you. I do ask for self restraint for the sake of our children.

The parking and drop off situation around a school is very challenging. Personally, I don't think it is a good idea to drop your child off straight from the car into the streets closest to the school. I may be talking from a position of ignorance, but it appears sensible to either walk, ride, scoot or park a distance from the school instead of cluttering the roads and letting children get dropped off in the middle of roads.

I do not have any control over local Council and their officers, nor parents who choose to do the wrong thing which can be dangerous for our young ones. I hear the stories but feel quite helpless - apart from putting in a newsletter article asking everybody to take care and be safe on the roads.

Can you please all consider making different arrangements if you are in the habit of dropping off your children from cars close to the school?

Let's work together to keep each other and our children safe from harm.

Photos of All Staff

This week's iNewsletter contains photographs of all the staff. Last iNewsletter had their stories, this one contains their photographs. We hope you like seeing them so you can put a face to the name in these times of COVID when it is hard for us to have parents in the building.

Our staff are a wonderful bunch of human beings!

Two Family Commitments Upcoming

Families have two commitments we would like them to make. We aim to see 100% of Grade 1 - 6 families at:

When

What

Why

Week 5:

22 - 26 February

Parent Information Nights

To find out about the curriculum, routines and expectations of your child's year level.

Week 6:

1 - 5 March

Getting to Know Your Child Chats

To meet one-on-one with your child's teacher and share information about your child.

The process for each one of these expectations is contained on the next page. We want you to turn up to both, please.

Both events will be run via WebEx so please download this program and await further details.

Chinese New Year - Message from Miss Lucy

Dear SMPS Families,

Friday last week was the first day of Chinese New Year. It is celebrated throughout Asia where it is also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. As the celebrations follow the lunar calendar, the date for Chinese New Year changes each year.

Each Chinese New Year we also celebrate the change of the Chinese zodiac or Sheng Xiao in Mandarin. This is a repeating 12-year cycle of animal signs based on the lunar calendar. In order, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

The Year 2021 is the year of the Ox. The Ox represents hard work, positivity and honesty.

Traditionally, celebrations last for 15 days. The first week is celebrated with visits to friends and family following delicious food and special traditions designed to bring good luck. The second week ends with a feast and the Lantern Festival on the evening of the 15th day of the lunar month.

I wish you and your family a Happy Chinese New Year and may this year bring you good fortune and good luck.

Xīn NiánKuài Lè！

新年快乐！

Happy Chinese New Year!

School Council Elections - Nominations Due Monday

Remember to send in your School Council Election forms (see last iNewsletter to download PDF's).

Due to the remote learning situation (with parents not being allowed onto the site to drop off their nomination forms at the office), please remember to email the completed forms to south.melbourne.ps@education.vic.gov.au before the deadline of Monday, February 15 at 4pm.

Grade 3/4 Staff

Welcome to 2021 Grade 3/4 Staff who are based on Level 2 - The Grasslands Level

Kate Alcock (Grade 3/4A and Team Leader)

Ross MacDonald (Grade 3/4B)

Megan Hartwick (Grade 3/4C)

Ciona Cox (Grade 3/4D)

Stephanie Lord (Grade 3/4E)