Mooresville

Dear Families,

Welcome to Term 2. What can we say that hasn’t been said already? Well done to the RHPS community for embracing Learning @home. I know it’s not easy, however, having friends in other countries that have way more cases of Covid-19 that Victoria, I am hopeful that lives will be saved. It’s really interesting to share personal teacher stories from USA, Canada, Ireland, Argentina and other parts of Australia. The saying, “We are all in this together” may be trite – it’s just so true. I think of my ancestors who moved countries to seek better lives. I think of ancestors who were in the wars and moved from city to country to avoid troubles. How about Anne Frank? New respect for those times where lockdown didn’t have technology, government support, community backing or global unity [as much as that’s possible!]. Whilst I don't have my own children, I am video supporting my brother and his three regularly during the week. He gets home from work and supervises their learning - kids are 13, 10, 8 - he was almost bald at the beginning of this. No hair left now. I don't think I'm helping much! However, he hit his low point on Tuesday night. It was our parent's 58th wedding anniversary and normally we would all be together. I know we all have stories like that.

Student Wellbeing:

Kids Hope Mentors will be in touch very soon
Super Siblings – watch out for our zoom catch up
Care Connections. Our ESO staff [integration, library, canteen] have all been allocated a class across the school. They will act as care connectors whilst Learning @home is in place. Their role is touch base with you to just have a chat with your child in that class on a friendly, wellbeing check in. Please check the note that went home on Compass for further information.
Students with additional needs: You will have a weekly contact from our Integration ESOs.
Chaplain – Angelique Vardis will be making check-ins with her current caseload on Thursdays and Fridays. If you would like your child to hear from the Chaplain, please email me for the referral.
Learning Support – Helen Plunket will still be supporting students who were part of her LLI program and Maths Club. Watch out for her contact.
OSH – our OSH staff, Debbie, Sue and Nicole, will also be checking in to say hi as I know they are missing your smiley faces.
Region has put in place School health and wellbeing officers. Each school has a rep and I am it for RHPS. It's a good fit with my role as student wellbeing leader. If your family needs support, please let me know.
Thanks heaps to Pam B, a grandparent, who made all staff care packages with tea bag, chocolate and bookmark to show appreciation. Thanks to other families who have brought up some morning tea for the staff volunteering to be at school. It has meant a lot.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any student wellbeing and engagement needs. My virtual door is still open : - )

TRIBES:

We have Tribes activities for Learning@home in your learning materials. Well done to Jamieson for her understanding of Appreciation, one of our Tribes Agreements. We appreciate you too, Jammi.

Bits and Bobs:

We were scheduled to broadcast on Radio this term as part of our enrichment activities. This is now cancelled. I’m sure we have some budding broadcasters out there who may like to write up or record what they might say on the radio for RHPS.

Lego – we have some great Lego photos coming in. Keep sending them. I will collate them into a RHPS Lego Masters book at the end of term. Please send a photo of the student and the lego creation.

Fish – our fish often go to new homes when our tank gets too full of amorous boys! Here are a couple of photos of some of our fish enjoying life Learning @home with Bryce

ANZAC DAY

ANZAC Day is on Saturday this year. It will be different than past years due to Covid-19.

My thoughts on ANZAC Day were never much growing up. Sure, I learnt about the ANZACs in school. However, my father had emigrated from Ireland to Australia many years after the World Wars and I knew nothing of my mother's Irish/Jewish ancestry. Move forward some years and I travel to Gallipoli. To visit the trenches, see one of the battlefields, hear the stories behind the gravestones was a privilege. Then to discover that my great grandfather was a "Russian Anzac". He was in the Australian Defence Force in World War 1 - Soldier 5351 from Warnambool in the 14th Battalion. I haven't missed an ANZAC Day commemoration since.

Wear blue for Jack

Last week, Jack Austin [Gr 6] lost his battle with cancer. Jack has been at RHPS since Prep, following his sister Mia and then followed by his brother, Tyson [Gr 5]. “Jack’s space” was on our school fence for a couple of days for school and families to pay tribute to the bravery Jack showed during his battle. He showed determination, courage, resilience and grit as he went through the ups and downs of treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Rest in Peace, Jack.

20/04/2008 - 09/04/2020