Dear parents, carers and school community,

Thank you for your positive feedback over recent weeks. Your children appear settled and have returned to school enthusiastic and ready to learn.

I would like to focus on the organisational elements that seem to have really worked around the school.

The pick up and drop off times are working really well and again I have received personal feedback on the successfulness of this approach.

The reduction of students moving around the school, moving in loud and large groups and moving between programs has helped.

Our specialists are continuing to conduct programs within designated sections. Therapists are embedded in the sections meaning they are always on hand and ready to support students with their communication, personal, social or life skills needs.

Student attendance on site has been excellent and I thank each and every parent for having the trust in the school to do the right thing for your child. We have only had to send three of four children home showing flu or cold like symptoms. We thank you for being responsible in this regard. Children across the site have been healthy and no doubt our approach to hygiene and cleanliness has something to do with that.

There may be a need to review pick up and drop off times in the primary school next term. I will send home a quick survey over the next few weeks for these families to complete. The other change that will begin as of next week is the use of Physiotherapy staff. These staff will be able to spend more time working within their discipline and across the wider school. Student families who work with the physios will be contacted soon about the reintroduction of specialised therapy and support.

We will not be attending or running school based swimming programs until the advice recommends it. All camps will be postponed this year. Interschool sports remain on hold and excursions to local shopping centres and alike are also not available at this point.

In the meantime, students will be undertaking local walks, bike rides, and excursions to local areas that are outside and not highly populated. Students have returned now to a focus on their IEP goals with specific attention being payed to communication needs, personal and social growth and life skills. Once again our key messages and focus at this time is:

Regulate before we educate

we know that before students can learn they need to be ready to learn
we will maintain our 'Alert' approach
we will draw of School-Wide Positive Behaviour principles
we will co-regulate

Relationships result in learning

we will make time now to build /re-establish strong, nurturing relationships with your students and families
we will have FUN together at school- play, listen and support
we understand that the next four weeks are not the time to be reaching for academic goals.

All behaviour is communication

we will be using visual timetables, Now and Next schedules for routine and structure,
we will be using core boards and devices to provide our students with a voice and support understanding
we will be making time to check in using visuals, in the morning and over the day

It's going to be OK

we know your children
we will refer to your child's support plans and profiles
we will use the outstanding support teams available onsite

Hand hygiene and frequent cleaning is STILL our best form of defence in the fight against COVID-19

Students have revelled in the ability to play and enjoy the schools outdoor areas. We are all looking forward to finally getting our Early Education Program playground back at the beginning of term three.

Building works continue to run smoothly with little hold up over the past weeks. We are on track to complete the rest of the major buildings by the beginning of term four 2020. Landscape works and other works on stage three will then begin, and that includes the removal of unnecessary relocatable buildings.

Compass is coming to Yarrabah. Compass will replace the Flexibuzz system and will provide families much more access to everyday school needs and information. We will be launching compass in term 3 however you will receive information about becoming compass ready over the next two weeks.

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