What a fantastic three weeks it has been here at Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School. We are continuing to build relationships in class, in the yard and with families every day.

It has been exciting for me to celebrate the start of the year with our students and staff. I have been welcomed back with 'open arms' by so many staff, students, and our wider community members. With new staff, new students, and programs introduced to our school environment, we continue to seek clarity of roles and expectations across our school. I appreciate people’s patience and attention to this fact and look forward to the conversations and organisation around the changes.

One of our whole school focus is on writing, so it is lovely to see students being so engaged every day with their reading to support their writing journey.

Parents Action Group (PAG)

The Parent Action Group (PAG) are excited to be organising events to raise much needed funds for the fantastic programs we have here at ETRPS. If you would like to be a part of our PAG, please let us know via ClassDojo or simply call the office to express an interest. We encourage and support parent input as much as possible. Anthea would love to hear from you.

Newsletter

Thank you to all the families who have contacted the office and updated personal details, including email addresses. This ensures we can effectively communicate with all families. We are continuing to use the iNewsletter platform to distribute news about the school fortnightly. Access Facebook, ClassDojo or the website on alternate weeks for our virtual newsletter.

Please contact us if you have any feedback about the newsletter. The newsletter will be published on a Friday.

Student Conferences –

Wednesday 21 February 10.00am – 6.00pm.

Conferences will take place on Wednesday 21 February for every student in our school.

Conferences (Student Led) provide an opportunity for you and your child to meet with the classroom teacher and discuss student interests, strengths, medical or well-being needs and together set learning goals for your child. There is an allocation of 15 mins per student (30 mins where necessary). This can occur in person, or a phone call. This will not apply to our Prep students in Term 1, as they will have had interviews already. Please contact your Foundation teacher to determine the day Prep families will participate in the conferences next term.

We strongly encourage our students to attend these meetings. Students are to be in full school uniform and attend school for the interview time only.

We have enjoyed meeting with you in the past and look forward to seeing you again next week.

Please note students attend school for their conference time only and must be in full school uniform. Schools Out is available on this day.

Traffic Management

This is a reminder that the drive through bus zone located at the front of the school is for the Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School buses only. Please keep this zone clear for these services. Students can enter and exit the school at pick up and drop off time via the front gate (located to the side of the main building) and the back gate (located at the back of the oval, near the bike shed). Please park in the car parks provided, closest to the gate your child/ren enter and exit. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.

SunSmart Policy: Hats On

All students are required to wear their broad brimmed hats, even when playing or participating in activities under any shelters.

Our SunSmart Policy is based upon the Cancer Council guidelines that hats should be worn when UV levels are above 3 on the index (usually around the beginning of September in each year). We source this information from the following website: www.bom.gov.au/products/UV/Bendigo_VIC.shtml

Please remember that only our school hats may be worn.

1st September… Hats Remember.

1st May… Hats off Day.

REMINDERS:

School Council

School Council is seeking three very enthusiastic parent representatives to join our team. School Council is our governing body of whom make important decisions to do with funding, budgets, communicating with our community and developing the best possible programs for our students. We meet every third Monday of the month at 6 pm in the Conference Room at ETRPS.

Should you wish to join this team, please contact Julie, Matt and / or the office to collect a nomination form.

Please note: Student Accident Insurance

The Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance for students.

Parents are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any ambulance attendance/transport costs. Reasonable low-cost accident insurance policies are available from the commercial insurance sector. Complete a google search on ‘Student Insurance’ if you are interested.

It is recommended that personal property stays home as there is no insurance cover for personal belongings.

Naming Clothing

Please clearly name all clothing (including hats) so that it can be quickly returned to its owner. We have white material markers in the Office and we will happily record student’s names on hats and clothing if needed. Just send your child to ask for help.

Communication

As parents and carers, you will at times need to meet with classroom teachers to clarify classroom programs and sometimes discuss problems that may have arisen. The teachers and Leadership Team will endeavour to meet and discuss any range of school issues as soon as possible, however, please be aware staff meetings occur each Tuesday and Wednesday nights straight after school. There is an assumption all teachers will attend meetings on time. No teacher will dismiss your question or concerns, so calling to organise a time to meet will ensure the question or issue can be addressed with plenty of time and no interruptions. Don’t forget you can always message on ClassDojo, email or call the school on 5410 7700.

Respect, Inclusion, Responsibility, Resilience, (Academic Excellence)

Wishing everyone an enjoyable weekend.

Julie Hommelhoff

Principal

From the Classroom