Principal's Report

Hello BRPS Community,

This year has continued to present some challenges and once again I would like to share my appreciation with the Black Rock PS community for the way the recent period of remote learning was handled. We have a very capable and generous community and with everyone working together, learning continued almost seamlessly. Of course we were thrilled to welcome our students back on site last Friday and resume some normality before the school holiday break. 

COVIDSafe Update

The Victorian Government has announced new arrangements for schools in Victoria from and including Friday 18 June. COVID restrictions have been further eased, meaning more flexibility for parents to come on-site for the purpose of pick-up and drop-off. 

Drop-off and pick-up

It remains important that congestion around the school is minimised and that strategies to support physical distancing are put into place. 

• Limit attendance on grounds and drop students off at the gates where possible
• Whilst not compulsory outdoors, with large numbers of people moving around we strongly recommend wearing a mask whilst on school grounds and minimise time on-site
• Not enter classrooms or other internal spaces (including student bag/locker areas) other than administration where necessary. Note: last year during COVID restrictions our students demonstrated their amazing organisation and independence when faced with a similar scenario. We have already observed the same for many students already this year!
• Parents are not required to check in via QR code for the purpose of drop-off and pick-up.

Students will now enter classrooms from 8.50am. Please do not send students to school before 8.45am as supervision is not provided prior to this time.

A letter describing the full extent of changes and QR code requirements is on the COVID-19 update page of this newsletter. 

Appointments During School Day

Full attendance for all learning sessions is important for all students. However, we understand that from time to time parents may need to pick students up early or for appointments during the day. 

I am requesting that parents avoid picking up students during recess (11-11.30am) or lunchtimes (1.10-2pm) as it can be difficult to locate them in a hurry when they are out playing in the yard. 

All visitors to the school must follow COVIDSafe protocols and check-in requirements at these times.  

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mr Peter Murnane (3M) and his wife Emma who welcomed their first child, Fletcher, into the world on June 10th.

We wish them all the best (and a little sleep) at this very exciting time in their lives.

Student Achievement Reports

Semester reports for students are prepared twice per year (June and December)

Parents and carers are advised that there is a slight change to the timeline for publishing student achievement reports. 

Semester One Student Reports will now be published to all families on Compass on Friday 25th June.

In Semester 2, parents will be invited to book a  meeting for their child’s P/T Interview or Student Led Conference. These meetings will take place on Thursday 22nd July. 

I would like to thank the teachers for their tireless work in this area to provide parents with a detailed understanding of their child's achievements, progress and areas for future development. The reports and conferences combined are a true celebration of the learning and growth that occurs for our students across the curriculum. 

NOW OPEN -2022 Enrolments

Sibling Enrolments

Sibling enrolments are now open, please collect an enrolment form from the office.

To support planning for next year it is vital that we have a clear indication of enrolment numbers as soon as possible.

I strongly encourage anyone from our local community to submit enrolments  as soon as possible as our transition program will commence early in Term 3. 

Student Attitudes to School Survey

WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK! 

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing, and quality instruction, and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of our school. The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist our school to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, bullying and life in general. 

Students from Year 4 to 6, at our school will participate in the survey over the period Monday 12th July to Friday 23rd July. Parents and carers of students in Year 4-6 will receive further detailed information in a letter next week.   

Bayside Climate Action Summit

On Wednesday the 16th of June, the Black Rock Sustainability Leaders attended the 2021 Annual School Climate Action Summit on Microsoft Teams. This was for Bayside schools to learn about the importance of climate change. There were lots of guest speakers. Some of the speakers were, Mia and Lili, they were Year Eleven students from Firbank Grammar School who went to the council and convinced them to call a ‘Climate Emergency’. There was also Cr. Laurence Evans who is the mayor of Bayside and Dr. Susie Burke.

Some of what we talked about was how to be sustainable and how to not get stressed about climate change.

We also learnt some useful things everyone can do to help the environment. For example we would like more people to walk or ride to school and back home if they can. We also would love everyone to bring nude food (no wrappers) when they can. 

We are very hopeful that our school can be a more sustainable place and we have a lot we are planning to do next term.

Finally we would like to end with a quote from the day:

“The world doesn't need us, we need the world because there is no Planet B”

Karl, Jack, Jagger and Heidi

Solar Installation 

The school solar system is now fully installed and will be 'switched on' over this weekend.  We're really looking forward to the benefits this system will bring, both in terms of energy/cost savings, as well as the positive impact on the environment. More from our student 'Green Team' later. 

Year 5 Camp

'The Island' Phillip Island, Wed 16 - Fri 18 June

After almost missing out again this year due to COVID restrictions, our Year 5 students have been lucky enough to enjoy a wonderful camp away at Phillip Island this week. 

They packed an enormous amount of fun and activities into their days away and we're looking forward to a full report in the next newsletter after they return today. 

Our students are very lucky that they have such professional, dedicated, well-organised and caring teachers who genuinely love facilitating the camp experience for students and providing the social and developmental benefits that it brings. 

I'd like to thank the Year 5 teachers (Rowan Doyle, Alannah Rowell and Beth Tyrrell), as well as volunteer staff Jayne Timms, Steve Muller, Sophie Moir, Sarah Hogan and Sally Hewitt for their efforts, particularly as it means voluntary time spent away from their own families and (usually) very little sleep!

Term 4 Curriculum Day

Please note in your diaries that our final curriculum day for the year is scheduled for Monday  1st November (Melbourne Cup Monday). Further information about the purpose of the day will be provided to parents in Term 4. 

End of Term/Casual Day

A reminder that Term 2 concludes next Friday 25th June with early dismissal at 2.30pm. Please note the earlier finishing time and ensure you have made arrangements for your child to be collected from school.

Casual Day

As the final day of term is also the final Friday of the month it will be a casual clothes day.

Have a sensational break, see you in Term 3. 

Have a great weekend.

Sam Tyndall

PRINCIPAL