Principal News
Parent Information Packs:
In recent years the attendance at our parent information sessions has dropped off. We understand that these evenings can be challenging to manage activities, children and work to attend the sessions. We have also received feedback from families echoing our thoughts about the challenges of attending. Some evenings, after significant teacher preparation, we have found ourselves presenting to a small handful of attendees. We have listened and considered the feedback and have made the decision to create year level parent information booklets containing everything you need to know about your child’s year level. The booklets will be emailed to families next week prior to our meet the teacher meetings to enable you to have the information to read and process. You will be able to discuss any queries related to the information with your child’s teacher if you have them. All year levels have moved to this format. The specialist teachers will also be providing their information as a booklet.
We are pleased that the new process means the information will reach more families and reduce the pressure on families to attend up to 3 information sessions in a week as many families have been required to do in the past.
PST Conferences
Yesterday we opened the bookings for our PST Conferences that are running next Thursday February 12th. Prep students attend the day for their full day. Students in years 1-6 attend only for their appointment time. Our OSHC program is running for families that require care on the day.
School Council elections
We are at the time of the school year where we are calling for parents to consider joining school council. Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills and a range of experiences and knowledge that can help inform and shape the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging. Some parents in the past have shared concerns about whether they know enough or need special skills to be on school council. Each member brings their own valuable skills and knowledge to the role, however, if they need support or training to successfully perform their duties, councillors may need to gain some new skills and knowledge which the school provides. It is important to have an interest in your child’s school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school’s future.
We have 6 vacancies for parents to join our School Council this year. We have moved to holding most meetings online this year to support members to attend from the comfort of the couch and to not have to think about childcare on those nights. To stand for election, you will need to arrange for someone to nominate and second you as a candidate in the parent category. Once the nomination form is completed (available from the me), please return it to me by the close of nominations on Monday 16th February by 4.00 p.m.
I would love to chat about the role if you are thinking about joining and are not sure what to do.
Hot weather arrangements
When the temperature is extreme, we enact measures to keep students as comfortable as possible. If the temperature is predicted to be 35 degrees or over, we will change our longer break (lunch recess) to occur from 10:40-11:30am to beat the heat. If the temperature is still below 35 degrees at 1:10 pm we will run a short recess (1:10-1:40pm) outside. If during either of these breaks the temperature reaches 35 degrees, students will spend the remainder of the break and day inside. The leadership team make use of multiple weather apps to ensure that students are not outside once the temperature reaches 35 degrees. All classrooms are air-conditioned. Students are encouraged to regularly hydrate on these days, so we ask that you remind them to bring their refillable water bottle every day.
We ask that all students arrive each day with sunscreen applied. Every classroom has a supply of sunscreen for students to self-apply prior to going outside for the breaks.
Swimming Carnival
Next Friday 13th February we will be holding our school carnival. Students in years 3-6 will be heading to Aquarena Doncaster first thing in the morning and will be back at school for the afternoon. Event details are on Compass. Sarah is currently looking for parent helpers so please contact her if you would like to be involved. Her email is Sarah.VanNieukerk@education.vic.gov.au
Assembly this week.
Our student leaders will be presented with their badges for their various roles. This is always a great assembly, and it will awesome to be able to do it at our first assembly. We often struggle with the weather, and I can’t recall the last time that we were able to do this so quickly after the commencement of the school year. Congratulations to all our year 6 student leaders and we know they will do a great job this year. It won’t be long before you will see our school captains leading assemblies!
Wishing you all a great first weekend after our first full week at school!
Tandy Johnson