Dear families,

This week is Education Week in Victoria. Many schools's celebrate the week with an Open Night. We have recently held an Open Night for our prospective Prep families for 2025. We will host our own celebration of learning at Rolling Hills in Term 3 at the end of August.

Our focus will be celebrating the wonderful work our Specialist Teachers undertake each day. For many students their specialist day is their favourite day of the week!

We have not let Education Week slip by at Rolling Hills. We have offered a fun activity each day in our afternoon play spot. Lots of children have chosen to participate across the week in STEM focussed fun. Next stop will be Rolling Hills kinder to showcase STEM activities for our future preps.

Prep Enrolment for 2025

We are still busy completing weekly tours. These continue until the end of the term. If you have not completed your enrolment online for any siblings, it is really important that you complete them before the end of July. The sooner the better so we can reserve your spot. We have 63 spots for next year and lots of interest. If you miss the date there are no guarantees we can offer siblings a spot. This is a scenario I would never wish for! Please let us know your intentions early. It is appreciated.

Working Bee

A special thank you to the families and children that attended the two recent working bees. Lots of leaf clearing Friday... only for them to return by Saturday. The Saturday crew planted the new garden beds. They will need some time to bloom but once they do they will look amazing.

Walk to school day

A big thank you to Ms Poole, Mr Smith, Ms Murcott, and Mr Huntington for either organising and/or walking on the day. Lots of families joined us in the rain to walk from the bottom and top of Landscape Drive. It would be great to have a 'Walk to School Wednesday' approach to school. Go on, get those steps up!

Stay well this winter

It is that time of year where germs are in the air. We want all children at school when they are well. When they are unwell the best place is at home recovering. If you have an unwell child, please make plans for them to be home or cared for away from school. Once they are feeling better please send them to school.

Staff come into contact with lots of children and are not immune to winter illnesses. We have an amazing team of replacement teachers waiting in the wings to help and support the continuation of learning. If your teacher is away, we will try our very best to replace them until they are able to return.

The best way to stay healthy is to look after yourself and your health. One way may be to choose to be vaccinated against winter illnesses. This is your choice.

Influenza

Symptoms of influenza (flu) can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.

Keeping our school community well -

Parents, carers and students are encouraged to practice prevention measures, including:

· washing and sanitising hands regularly

· avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

· covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing · staying home if unwell and consulting a general practitioner (GP) or Nurse-on-call as required

· staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 booster

The 2024 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.

Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people aged over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness.

Children aged between 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2024 booster dose.

You can get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. To find one near you, refer to the vaccine clinic finder.

Find out more

For more information about preventing flu, and immunisation, refer to:

· Better Health Channel influenza flu immunisation fact sheet

· Getting vaccinated against influenza.

Child safety and wellbeing at Rolling Hills Primary School: Information for families and the school community

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Rolling Hills Primary School has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view Policies | Rolling Hills Primary School (rollinghillsps.vic.edu.au)

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact Craig Bradley (Principal) or Emily Murcott (Assistant Principal)

What is coming up this term?

Grade 56 camp to Phillip Island (27th - 29th May)
Grade 34 Art excursion to Tarra Warra (30th May)
Grade 34 Camp to Camp Adanac (5th - 7th June)
Grade 34 Science excursions to Quantum (18th and 19th June)
Grade 12 fun night and sleepover (21st June)
STOMP dance event and performance for Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. (weeks 3-8)

We also have:

School Disco (27th June)

And in sport we have:

District Cross Country - with 60 students making it to district! (24th May)
Grade 56 Winter Sports Day (21st June)

What an amazing term of exciting events for every level!

Craig

Art