Across Oliver's Desk 

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to term 2.  We had a busy and successful first term with swimming, grade 5 and 6 camp, athletics and lots of face to face learning.  Our school continues to do it’s best to provide a great education to our students.  We however, also always do our best to help the system at large.  Last term our school hosted teachers from Camberwell South P.S. who are keen to adopt some of our approaches.  Jess Howe and I were also invited to speak on behalf of the DET to schools and early childhood educators in the outer east on how we transition children into the school. I do feel privileged to work at Woori Yallock P.S. 

My favourite time of every day is being outside before school listening to our wonderful students laughing, playing and looking forward to the day ahead.  It is impossible for me not to start my day with a smile on my face as I scan our playgrounds. The best thing about our school is definitely our happy motivated children. 

BUILDING WORKS

I’m sure you have noticed the area around where the building works will be has been fenced off.  You may not see lots happening for a while as they begin to do all the pre-work.  But they tell me that once all the ground works have finished, we will see lots of progress.  The 5/6 building will be moved during the next school holidays.  As promised the school will just continue to operate as normal with a minimum amount of disruptions.  It is exciting to see it all start after a year of preparations and planning. 

NEW COVID RULES

Face masks

Face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. This means students in grades 3 to 6, staff and visitors in primary schools are no longer required to wear face masks.  Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so.

Screening requirements 

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation.  This was previously 8 weeks. 

Household contacts 

Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period.  They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact.  Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption.  If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days. 

Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools 

Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The testing recommendations will remain the same this Term for students and staff.

READING AT HOME

Reading has always been an important skill. In our modern world it is more important than ever.  Children learn about the importance of reading as they watch family members use reading and writing for everyday purposes. Reading with your child at home will help your child in all learning areas of school.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME

• Be yourself. Involve children in everyday conversations.
• Read aloud to children. It helps them to learn the language of books and will encourage them to enjoy books and reading.
• Talk about books, read together and make reading an enjoyable, shared activity.
• Make sure there is a wide range of reading material for your child at home, both fiction and non-fiction.
• Make a ritual of reading with your child before bed. Doing this makes children look forward to bed time and finishes the day on a really positive fun note.

ANZAC DAY

Thank you to all the families who participated in the Upper Yarra RSL ANZAC Day march at Yarra Junction on Monday. 

It was wonderful to see our students attend in their school uniforms and be so respectful during the march and the service. To me, Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.  I feel it is really important for our students to understand the history behind ANZAC Day. 

MOTHERS DAY STALL

Our mother’s day stall will operate next Thursday 5th of May.  Gifts are priced from $1 to $5.  Thank you as always to our ‘Parents and Friends’ group that coordinates the mother’s day stall every year.

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

Just a reminder that school photo day is on Friday 6th of May.  All students should be in full school uniform.  Please see the compass post regarding how to purchase photos.

Have a great week, and remember when life gets a little difficult, escape to the wonderful world of a book!