Principal's Report

Appreciations

Our thoughts are with Caren Taylor, our esteemed Assistant Principal who received the sad news earlier this week that her mum, Esme Taylor died at the care home she resided at in Auckland. We can all sympathise that Caren and her family will be unable to travel to attend the funeral.
Thanks to Sonia Lear, parent of Juliette, Lucas and Morgan Pham. Sonia is a consummate media professional and has been a wonderful support assisting Karri and I in preparation of the videos we have done for our 2021 Prep families, in lieu of the series of onsite tours we normally would have run throughout this term. Thank you Sonia.
Well done to Molly Dunn 1JN and her mum, Amanda, who were happy to support my request to be guests on ABC Radio’s Virginia Trioli’s morning show on Tuesday as the program featured the return of students in grades prep to 2.

The radio interview can be listened to at: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/mornings/mornings/12267368

Our school’s story is referenced at two points; about 3 minutes into the program and again at the 1:06 mark.

A Facebook link featuring a segment of the presentation can be found by clicking on the following link: https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F49384278925%2Fposts%2F10158395323993926%2F&data=02%7C01%7CBrendan.Millar%40education.vic.gov.au%7C2482d2cb72d54e5c0b6508d802244396%7Cd96cb3371a8744cfb69b3cec334a4c1f%7C0%7C0%7C637261702077336294&sdata=OV7kddtIlhqaY2n9GtSwBhksfbBMV0sOxSDY2IOi%2F1g%3D&reserved=0

Thanks to class captains Leah, Noah, Tilly, Grace, Ben, Alana & Harry for presenting aspects of our video assembly this week. We are looking forward to many student contributions again next week.

News – Return to school feedback

We are very pleased with the status at the conclusion of the first two days of face to face onsite learning for the students in grades Prep to 2. On Tuesday the excitement in the yard and classrooms was palpable. I was fortunate to be in the position of visiting every classroom in the morning and there was a great deal of joy and enthusiasm from students and their teachers.
Starting the day has been relatively straightforward for many families. Getting used to entering through a specific gate, one that might well be the most inconvenient, has been a task most families have managed splendidly. As all class teachers were already in class ready to welcome their charges, all available specialists, 3-6 teachers, classroom Ed support staff and leaders were busy assisting at the entrance gates. This process will be repeated daily but has been a little more relaxed over the two subsequent days.
The end of the day has been understandably more challenging, as reuniting over 300 children with their mums, dads and carers is a logistically more complex task. We have made some minor adjustments to gate times to better aid the flow at the Argyle St entrances, as the capacity to use the long path from Blandford St has allowed that exit to be relatively straightforward. We understand that social distancing for adults is a challenge. As long as your children can see you, we can quickly and safely ensure you are able to meet up. The really busy period at each gate takes only 3 or 4 minutes, so please be patient and remind your children not to be anxious. Staff members will stay with children and if parents are running late, all children are directed to the office foyer (as is our usual practice) where our Office team will take over and contact parents.
Weather conditions – As we move into cooler conditions it seems inevitable that we will encounter rain at some stage. Please bear this in mind in ensuring your child has a coat or umbrella packed in their bag. There is little alternative to forging on with our morning/afternoon embarkation and disembarkation program, even in wet and miserable conditions.
Our TheirCare OSHC program is operating daily before and after school and is available until the end of this term free of charge due to Federal government subsidy. Currently the program is not fully subscribed. Book online, or contact the team by phone if you wish to utilise this service.

Hygiene – The students have demonstrated strong awareness of the importance of practising a heightened level of hygiene on their return to school. Hand-sanitiser stations are available on entry to all classrooms and specialist spaces and the children have already become adept and efficient in using sanitiser on their entry to rooms.

Health – Any student exhibiting cold, cough or flu symptoms will be provided with a mask, isolated and parents will be called to collect them. No one should be at school if they are showing signs of such illness, or return to school if they have been previously sent home having exhibited such symptoms. It is very important that parents and carers are supportive of this priority, even though it may be a considerable inconvenience. All school communities are vulnerable to the effects of a COVID-19 outbreak, including the necessary and immediate temporary closure of a school where a case is confirmed. It is also incumbent on parents to ensure current contact details are correct and if a call from school is missed, you quickly make a return call.

Drinks and food – As our canteen will not operate at all this term, it is very important that every child has a packed lunch and fruit/veggie snack every day. All students should by now have a labelled water bottle at school. No drinking taps will be accessible for the foreseeable future.

Additional cleaning – We are benefitting by significant additional cleaning throughout the day, an unexpected bonus of our current situation.

Play equipment …

We are pleased that works on the new accessibility pathway is complete and the new cubby house is now in place.

This was made possible from a grant from the DET. These works will improve access for students with movement disabilities.

The children are also delighted that they are able to use the play equipment that has been upgraded over the time of flexible and remote learning. However please note that it is impractical to clean sports and play equipment satisfactorily and regularly. This underlines the importance of students using good hygiene, washing hands with soap thoroughly when they are able to, and using hand sanitiser when entering, or returning to classrooms or specialist programs.

Loaned iPads – All students in grades P-2 who have returned from learning at home should by now have returned loan iPads. As students in grades 3 – 6 also transition back to school, all our iPads will be required daily.

Grade 6 Transition information – A reminder that all grade 6 students are required to return a year 6 to 7 transition form even if they are attending an independent or religious secondary school. Please contact the office, or email Marco Pitisano marco@fwps.vic.edu.au

Best regards

Brendan