Message from the Principal Team
Principals' Update
Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is an ongoing acknowledgement of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their land, families and culture. Although the day relates in part to the tabling of the ‘Bringing Them Home Report’ to the Federal Parliament in 1998 and the ‘Uluru Statement of the Heart’ in 2017, we are all called to consider what we are all taking, large and small, to enable healing to take place. When we say sorry we are acknowledging that wrongs happened in the past and that we are striving to understand this. We are also called to recognise and acknowledge the strength and resilience of the oldest surviving culture on earth. Funds raised through today's gold coin donation drive will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Reconciliation Week
Our school inquiry into Indigenous Culture continues during reconciliation week (27th May-3rd June). A range of literacy resources have been curated and students will be exploring a range of issues in age appropriate ways including Treaty, First Peoples, Assembly of Victoria Truth Telling, and the Uluru Statement of the Heart. This builds on our development of Welcome to Country statements and Indigenous planting which has taken place over the last few weeks.
Education Week
This year, Education Week has focused on 150 years of public education. This has been an opportunity for all schools to commemorate the past, celebrate the present and imagine the future of education. Carlton North Primary school has a long and proud history stretching back to 28th July 1873. In a little over a year we will celebrate 150 years as an established Victorian school.
Year 5/6 Camp
Our year 5 and 6 students head off to Queenscliff on camp next week. It is wonderful that after several years of interrupted camps, we are able to go. We ask that all students attending camp complete a RAT test prior to attending school on Monday, and if any students return a positive test or display any symptoms of illness that they do not attend school or camp. Masks will also be worn on the bus trips to and from camp. We are looking forward to a wonderful time for all at camp however we have procedures in place in the event of a positive COVID case. Parents and carers need to be aware that they will be required to collect their children from camp in the event of a positive COVID test.
Divisional Cross Country
All the best to the students who are competing in the divisional cross country next Thursday. Reaching this level of competition is a real achievement.
Digital Learning Policy
The digital learning policy is currently up for review at school council. Community consultation regarding the policy is called for. You can read the current policy here, and comments can be emailed to the school or communicated to Keith in person.
Election Day
The election day festivities were a great success here at Carlton North Primary School. The queue for democracy sausages was busy from very early in the day until all of the sausages were gone. Stalls selling cakes, plants and our Lee Street cookbook were also busy and we even had some entrepreneurial students selling soap that they had made themselves. A massive thank you to the fundraising subcommittee and all of our hardworking volunteers. A great day.
Keith McNeill & Jane Bilby