As we enter the last 4 weeks of the term, we have many events, excursions and celebrations ahead of us. Please check the Key dates section of the newsletter and also keep an eye out for Compass newsfeeds for all the details and news.

STEP Up day/meet the teacher

We have organized a day for all students to 'step up' to the next grade level as part of our transition program for 2024. The teachers will stay in their 2023 classrooms and provide a morning orientation session with the new cohort of 2024 students. The students will experience being in the next year level as well as getting to know the other students they have been placed with for the coming year. After lunch, the 2024 class teachers will join the newly formed class for the afternoon session, to get to know the students they will be teaching in the coming year.

The Step Up day coincides with year 7 transition so the grade 6 students will be visiting their new secondary school for 2024.

We have been working throughout this term to create the best placement for all students. The teachers have been providing opportunities for the grades to socialize and work together so that the children get to know the people in their grade level in preparation for the new year.

Concert news

We are all looking forward to the concert performances next week. Samantha and the students have been rehearsing over the past term to fine tune their acts for the concert.

Please make sure that you allow plenty of time for parking and taking your child to the side entrance by 6.30 so that we are all ready to go on time. You will need to sign your child in with your child's teacher at the time of arrival.

There is to be no food brought to the venue on the night for the students, only a named drink bottle. As we will be sharing the space downstairs throughout the performance, it is important to keep the area clear of food to support our students who have allergies. The no food policy is also a directive from the venue.

At the end of the performance, we will give instructions about collection points in the hall. We ask that you see your child's teacher before you take your child/children home so they can be marked on the roll. This may take some time as we will have 300 students each night so we ask for patience at the end of the night.

Last assembly

We will have our last assembly on Tuesday 19 December at 9.15am. As we are a Sunsmart school, it is an appropriate time to be out on the oval as a whole school for the last time in 2023. We will have a performance from the Rock choir as well as the graduation dance by the grade 6 students and final announcements. The last assembly is also a time to farewell our departing grade 6 families and introduce our new teaching teams for 2024.

The last day of school will be Wednesday 20 December and an early finish-1pm dismissal.

Morning tea with the principal

The winners of the silent auction item - Morning tea with the principal was won by Elise and Max Milisavljevic. We had a lovely time last Friday, sharing cookies and hot chocolate while discussing our favourite school activities and our best holidays. The children also received commemorative mugs organised by the silent auction committee. Thank you to all concerned- it was a fun morning!

Parent teacher interviews

Just a reminder that parent teacher interviews will be held on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 of December. The virtual interviews will be ten minutes and held over Webex. Class teachers will send the information for the meeting codes in the week before the interviews. Please ensure you are aware of your time and logged in before the time to assist us with keeping to time. These are normal school days for students and they will be supervised by specialist staff while the class teachers are conducting interviews. Bookings can be made through the Conferences tab on Compass.

Parent helpers- Thank you morning tea

It has been a productive and rewarding year in terms of community engagement and fundraising efforts that could not have happened without the many hours that have been volunteered throughout the year. The staff would like to thank and acknowledge the wonderful efforts of our parent community in 2023. If you have baked a cake, run a stall at the fete, sizzled a sausage, pulled a weed out of the garden, been a class rep, attended an excursion or helped out in any way, we invite you to the staffroom on Friday 8 December at 9.30am for morning tea to say thank you for being a parent helper in 2023.

For catering purposes, please RSVP via the button here.

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to our grade 5 and 6 students who recently competed in the Thornbury High Italian Poetry competition. The students performed their selected poems individually, to a panel of judges. Dina was very proud of the students and their efforts on the day.

Congratulations to Jett Mack- grade 6 and Lucas Pietsch- grade 5 who both won first prize in their category.

End of year picnic

Wales Street Social have organised the end of year picnic and raffle draw which will be held on Friday 15 December from 6pm. The ABC music team will be showcasing the students' musical talents on this night also. Communications have been sent out via Compass regarding the raffle and we will send a reminder with more details closer to the date.

COVID- increase in transmission

There is at present an increase in community transmission of COVID-19 in Victoria.

You can help us keep our school as safe as possible by taking 2 important steps:

1. Ensure your COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date. Information on how and where to get vaccinated is available on the Get vaccinated webpage.

2. If your child shows symptoms of COVID-19, please ensure they stay home and get tested. The easiest way to test is to use a rapid antigen test (RAT). Free RATs are available from your local council where you can collect 2 packs of 5 RATs and an extra 2 packs for each person in your household. People with disability and their carers can get 4 packs of 5 RATs. You are not required to have a Medicare card and you can collect RATs as many times as you need. You can also buy RATs at supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers.

If your child has symptoms but tests negative, please ensure they stay home until they no longer have symptoms.

If the RAT test result is positive, please ensure they say home for at least 5 days and until there are no more symptoms.

Thank you for your support – these steps will help us all stay well.

Grade 5 Bowling program