Principal's Report

Principal’s Report 25th February, 2022

We listened with interest to the announcements regarding changes to COVIDsafe measures recently. Those measures though, continue virtually unchanged in primary schools until, it seems, the end of this term. The reasoning from the Department of Health is that the level of vaccination levels of our 5-11 year olds is still too low. After an initial rush, the vaccination rate has slowed considerably. Interestingly, almost 100 people who booked for vaccinations at our recent pop-up clinic, failed to attend. Over 100 did attend, which was great but there is more to do. Whilst I accept that individuals have varying attitudes towards vaccinations, and I know there is some reticence on the part of children to “have a needle”, all the credible science tells us that vaccination is the best way forward to normality and the best way of protecting everyone. 

Future Vaccination Clinic at the school

To this end, we are in the midst of organising another pop-up clinic at our school later in the term. We hope that we can do our part in raising the level of vaccination for our children and so, more quickly return to a safe and normal life at school.

Mount Martha Beach Program

Next week, most of our year 6 students are attending a beach and water safety program at Mount Martha Beach Life Saving Club. Conducted by qualified life-saving personnel, the program builds skills, confidence and knowledge about the water and beach environment, so important in our coastal lifestyle. I will be down at the program next week as it's a part of our school program that I really enjoy and I know how valuable this is for our children. 

Shade Sail Grant

Before moving on to her new role as Principal of Sorrento PS, Elaine Lesiuk was successful in gaining a grant for two new shade sails in our school ground. One will be erected in the front area where alongside Brookwater Parade and the other will go over our rock seats on our Growing Patch.

Student Leaders – Next Steps

On Monday, at our online assembly, we will be announcing our next crop of student leaders, our House and Specialist Leaders. It’s another exciting step in the building of our 2022 leadership team. The next step will be the selection of our grade SRC (Student Representative Council) reps who will be elected by their classmates. Already, I can see that we have a wonderful group of student leaders who will help to maintain the standards at our school and will advise and support as we continue to improve. 

Online Safety and Responsibility

Recently, I wrote to year 6 parents on an important matter of great concern. We, once again, had to  deal with an issue related to the irresponsible use of social media, resulting in the bullying of students at our school. Whilst the students are from our school, the irresponsible and bullying behaviour was happening at home. 

Once again, we emphasise to parents the importance of knowing what your children are doing online, who they are communicating with and what they are saying. Online bullying is a scourge. It ruins people’s lives and can have irreversible consequences. 

 To combat this, there is no substitute for close supervision.

• Do not allow children to use devices on their own
• Do not allow them to join age-restricted platforms
• Ensure that children are in full view when they are using their devices
• Install quality child-safe screening software on your internet connection
• Create a family “agreement” about online use – times, regularity, location, etc.
• BE AWARE. Know what they are doing, when and with whom

As we have made clear to students, the internet is neither safe nor private. It is your responsibility as parents to ensure your children can access the online world safely and responsibly. Online bullying is damaging and we take it very seriously. Please help us to keep your children safe.

School Council 2022

The current 2022 council is:

Greg Lacey                          Principal               Executive Officer

Parent Member category

Duncan Hadley-Harris    Parent                  New member - Elected 2022

Diane Gakhal                     Parent                  Continues from 2021

Aftab Hussain                    Parent                  Continues from 2021

Bable Kaur                          Parent                  New member - Elected 2022

Leanne McDonald            Parent                  New member - Elected 2022

Aden Hogan                       Parent                  Continues from 2021

Community member category

Emma Thompson             Community position – to be co-opted 2022

Adam Rowson                   Community position - Continues from 2021

DET employee category

Sharon Steele                    DET                        Re-elected 2022 

Katrina Mills                       DET                        Continues from 2021

Jamie Sharp                        DET                        Continues from 2021

Thanks to those Councillors who are continuing in this important role and a big welcome to our new Councillors, Duncan, Leanne and Bable. 

Greg Lacey

Principal