Chilwell Primary School

PRINCIPAL UPDATE 

Dear Families

 

This last week has had many highlights. Experiences that students, staff and our community have missed during the challenges over the last few years: 

  • Grade 5/6 Winter Lightning Premiership
  • Grade 3-6 Division Cross Country Championships 
  • Grade 2 Local Geography of Geelong Excursion 
  • Grade 5 National Gallery of Victoria Excursion 
  • Education Week: including school tours and Information Night for prospective families 
  • Grade 5/6 Puberty Parent Information Session
  • Grade 5/6 Puberty sessions commence this week. 
  • Prep Alphabet Dress Up Day is on this Friday! 

Illness Prevention: 

As we about to enter June, it is interesting to reflect back on where we were in 2020 and in 2021 at this time. - In 2020, we had welcomed our P-2s back to school from a lockdown and we were planning for a Grade 3-6 return on June 9th. There were staggered entrances and times and no parents onsite at all. - In 2021, we were heading for another ‘snap’ lockdown for the whole school. This one was a long and challenging one. Flash forward to 2022 and we remain grateful that schools and society is open and we can teach and learn collaboratively with others on a daily basis. The pandemic is not over but we have a new way to navigate forward. But 2022 has presented new challenges – other illnesses like the flu, gastro, other bugs and COVID are prevalent in society. It is important that we all stay diligent with hygiene during this time, stay home with any symptoms to prevent spread and communication remains key so that we can monitor illness within our school. These measures will continue to help everyone, but especially students and staff who are medically vulnerable within our community. When students are unwell, they are not expected to do learning from home. 

 

Education Week - School Tours and Information Night: 

Last week we welcomed many families to Chilwell PS as part of Education Week. They toured classrooms to see learning in action, viewed our facilities and heard about our learning approaches and opportunities from our student leaders. On Thursday night, families were presented the opportunity to attend our open night to hear from teachers about our programs, initiatives and what makes Chilwell PS a great school. They were entertained by our Chilwell PS ensemble group and school leaders, Evan and Phoebe, spoke of the wonderful learning and experiences that Chilwell PS has offered them. It was so great to open our doors once again after no tours and Webex meetings over the last few years. We look forward to more community events in the future where we can welcome our current families back onsite. 

 

Reconciliation Week: 

This week is Reconciliation Week. The theme is, "Be Brave. Make Change." is a challenge to all Australians-- individuals, families, communities, organisations and government--to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. Last year Reconciliation Australia encouraged all Australians to take action; not just in National Reconciliation Week but every week of the year. We saw unprecedented response to our suggested actions for everyday and for braver action. This year we are asking everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives - where they live, work, play and socialise. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Over the past few weeks, we have made the following changes in our school to show greater respect and acknowledgement for the land we are privileged to live, learn and work on. - Inclusion leaders (Mrs Fisher and Mrs Jeffreys) met with the Koorie Education Coordinator to discuss improvements we can make within our Reconciliation Action Plan. These will be actioned to improve authentic learning experiences in the classroom and in our environment. - On Friday we installed two new flagpoles. The third and final flagpole will replace our existing flagpole in the coming weeks. We look forward to proudly flying the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander flags in the future. - Today, our Grade 5 students have travelled to the National Gallery of Victoria to participate in the ‘Start with Art’ program that includes reconciliation workshops as part of Reconciliation week. Take the opportunity to talk with your children about their learning and their experiences this week. 

 

Attitudes to School Survey: 

A friendly reminder to our Grade 4-6 families of the email sent last week in relation to the Attitudes to School Survey. This will be completed next week within school time. Please refer to last week’s newsletter for more information. 

 

Principal’s Conference: 

On Monday and Tuesday this week, Mr Welsh and Mrs Jeffreys were fortunate to attend the Victorian Principal’s Conference – the first conference event since 2019! Mr Welsh was fortunate to attend onsite at The Exhibition Centre. Here he could attend conference sessions, teaching and learning sessions, as well as networking opportunities with Principal Colleagues. Mrs Jeffreys was fortunate to attend conference sessions online. Some of the key messages for the conference were: - Aligning learning, engagement and wellbeing. - The power of education- Education for reconciliation- Transformative possibilities of inclusion- Leading in uncertainty and complexity. This was a valuable learning opportunity that allowed for reflection and future planning.  

 

As I close, a special ‘chookas’ (theatre term for best wishes) to Daniel Lim (Grade 5). Daniel is set to star as Gavroche in CentreStages’ production of ‘Les Miserables’ at Costa Hall. Daniel’s performance dates are Friday 3rd June, Sunday 5th June and Friday 10th June. We know he would love the support of the Chilwell PS community – parents only probably as the storyline is a bit above Primary School! Daniel, we know you’ll be amazing and we want you to enjoy this very special experience. 

The weather may be cold and dreary this week but let us look forward to a bright week ahead with more great opportunities for our students. 

 

Sarah Jeffreys

Assistant Principal Chilwell Primary School