Welcome to the 2021 school year!

We are all so excited for this year! Firstly, let us get the Covid 19 issue addressed though. We do have ongoing restrictions and increased admin and hygiene practices that are part of our new normal. We also have to be prepared in the case of a second wave or local outbreak to adhere to increased restrictions or closures and online learning. Our staff are highly skilled, flexible and deeply committed to supporting our students so I can reassure you that we have all necessary contingency plans in place.

In terms of what this means for the start of the school year parents may come onto school grounds at the start and end of the day but need to maintain physical distancing (1.5m) at all times. Due to managing social density restrictions we cannot allow parent access to classrooms. On a positive note we found that our students are so positive and independent and have no anxiety about going into class atall and so this will not be an issue for them. For parents of Preschool children and for Reception children this may seem daunting though and so we modify things a bit for the youngest members of our school community. Preschool parents may go into the building for drop off and pick up, stay no longer than 5-10 minutes and maintain physical distancing. Reception parents in week 1 may enter the building, not the classrooms, in Week 1 for drop off and pick up and maintain physical distancing. From Week 2 the Reception teachers will collect the children from you in the yard (at the Vista building entrance that is near the canteen, and bring them out to you at the end of the day.

At the start of the new school year many parents like to take the opportunity to have a look at their child's new class and put a face to the name of the new teacher. We have some new teachers this year and are keen to have an open morning, albeit modified, to give you the option of this. On Friday 5th February, Week 2, we will have a meet and greet in the yard first thing in the morning and give parents the option of signing in for a classroom visit from 9am. We will need to limit the number of parents in the classroom at any one time and so ask that you stay for a maximum of 10 minutes so that we can allow other parents through.

On the subject of new teachers we welcome Stefania Chiro who will be teaching Italian, Ilona Atterton who will be in Preschool and also share one of the Reception classes with Olivia Radic, Beth Freeman in Year 1/2 (The Orchard), Sarah Colwell in Year 3 (The Greenhouse) and Lauren Burton sharing the Year 2 class with Lisa MacMahon (who has won a Co ordinator position and so will be working in Leadership two days a week.

Calling all volunteers!

When you bring your child to school in Week 1 you may find yourself with some time on your hands and be looking for ways to connect with the school again to help support your child's learning. We warmly invite you to join us for tea/coffee and a chat with the Leadership team about all the different ways you can be a volunteer at Para Vista. While we are restricted to no volunteers in classrooms there are any many ways that you can still come in and help - in the Library, Canteen, with Grounds and Facilities, on Excursions. You don't have to commit to coming in daily or even weekly - we are happy for whatever time you are willing to give us.

Dropping off on Don Street

Please take care when dropping off and collecting children and note the road rules and parking restrictions. There is a kiss and drop zone at the front of the school on Montague Road. If you wish to collect your children from the back of the school you will need to park safely on Lorraine Avenue and walk up. There is no parking on Don Street which is a school access road to the staff car park. There have been a couple of situations of parents driving in along Don Street and then having to turn using a residents driveway and we are concerned about the safety of pedestrians with this behaviour. Parking along here also severely restricts the safe visibility of pedestrians and other drivers. Police and council traffic officials will be monitoring this area and issuing infringement notices from Week 1 to ensure safe practices for our children and families so please take care.

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