From Marie

Grade 5/6 Campers return

This afternoon our Grade 5/6 campers return from their three day camp at Bacchus Marsh and Sovereign Hill.  Thanks to our staff (Helen, Pablo, Jenny and Monique) along with parents (Liz and Poonam) who planned, coordinated and implemented this amazing experience for your child. Students are expected back at around 6:00pm tonight.  Tomorrow our teaching staff on camp will be taking a well earned rest day and students can either rest or return to school.  We look forward to sharing some photos in the next newsletter.

Sickness

As the cooler weather settles in we have noticed a large spike in the number of unwell students and staff. We continue to use a range of health supports across the school to reduce the spread of sickness; including use of air purifiers, hand sanitising and an option to wear a face mask if your child wishes to.  These measures only go so far to ensuring that people remain well, we do require parents to support these efforts by keeping sick children at home.

Headlice

Along with colds and flu, headlice is also on the increase.  Although schools no longer stigmitize students with headlice by sending them home, we do notify you if any active lice or presence of eggs that are evident in your child's hair.  It is then expected that parents treat the lice, repeating the treatment the following week (or longer if needed).  Children can return to school once treatment has commenced.  Regular checks are the best way to keep these little critters in check.  This link can provide you with more information:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/head-lice-nits

Uniform reminder

Our uniform supplier has recently been sold to a new company - Spartan Uniforms. Spartan will continue to provide good quality uniform items to all families. As the weather becomes cooler it is a good time to remind families of the uniform expectations for all students, the following items can be worn:

• plain, black, tracksuit pants or shorts
• polo shirt
• bomber jacket
• Black or white runners or shoes
• Rain jacket can be worn to and from school and when outside playing, it does not replace the bomber jacket

If your child has outgrown items of uniform we do take donations at school that are provided to families in need.

Kiss and Drop Parking 

On the southern end of the school crossing on Panfield Ave there are four spaces available in the morning, until 9:00, for a Kiss and Drop.  This means you can park there for a few minutes as your child gets out of the car, you can assist them with their bag, but then they must walk to the gate on their own and the parent drives on, allowing others to do the same. Maroondah City Council monitor this closely and will take a photo of your number plate and issue a fine if you have moved away from your car.  In the afternoon these four spaces are available for parking.

Road Safety

In the last week we have had two significant incidences on the roads surrounding the school.  These incidences had the potential to cause significant harm to one or more students, but fortunately drivers were alert.  Please take time to discuss with your child safety when walking to school, using the supervised crossings safely and crossing side roads with care.  

Fencing the retarding basin

As mentioned in the newsletter on 2 May, Maroondah City Council has purchased a parcel of school land from the Department of Education.  This land is in the gully, adjoining the vacant block of land on Mullum Mullum Road.  I have been advised that commencing Monday 3 June, Council will be installing fencing and a new driveway and gate into this section of land.  If your child walks across the embankment to the crossing, please let them know that they will need to use the main steps and gate on Mullum Mullum Road instead.

Hoop Time

In just a few short weeks, all Grade 5/6 students are heading to Nunawading Basketball Stadium for a day of Basketball.  From Rookie teams to the more experienced, all students will have the opportunity to improve their skills across the day.  We have five teams, needing at least two adults per team, all helping to make the day a huge success.  Please see the Physical Education page of this newsletter for more details and let Fiona Pumpa know if you can help.