From the Principal

Term 1, Week 8, Kevin Kennedy

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Parent Teacher Interviews

Once again this year, West Beach Primary School is using an online parent interview booking system which will enable parents to book interview times and receive instant email confirmation of their booking. The interviews will run during the last two weeks of term and will be face to face (a phone interview is also an option and can be negotiated directly with your child’s classroom teacher). A separate email will be sent home via Skoolbag with instructions on how to book a time.

COVID19 Update

Earlier in the year I was quite buoyant about how COVID was affecting our school. Most of the case were limited to one class and it hadn’t affected our staff significantly. Several weeks later we are facing the daily challenge of not finding enough relief teachers and struggling to meet supervision requirements. Student absences peeked last week with 87 students away, either with COVID19, as close contacts or other.  It is a day by day proposition.

The flow on effects of this are numerous. We are unable to run regular teaching and intervention programs. We are having trouble getting together to meet to discuss teaching and learning strategies and how we implement the school and departments plans.  With so many students away the learning programs become disjointed with some students completing some of the work but not all or missing some part all together. Teachers will have to revisit some elements of what they have taught to ensure no one misses anything critical. This means a reduction on the amount of curriculum classes will get through this year.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming still may not happen. I am not filled with confidence when I talk to the organisers, they are suffering similar staffing issues. Term 4 may have to be our next option, hopefully the COVID restrictions are relaxed by then. In the meantime, should it be postponed once again we will look at having a fun day(s) in week 9. We need to use the pool!

Facilities- Road Safety

A new school ‘Emu’ crossing has been installed on Mayfair Drive to improve safety for all students. Emu crossings are part-time crossings, which only operate when the orange flags are displayed. As a driver, you must give way to pedestrians when the flags are displayed and wait for students to completely vacate the crossing before proceeding. Flags will only be displayed during busy crossing periods.

The crossing has been installed within the existing school zone. In school zones, drivers must travel below 25km/h throughout the entire zone if there is a student present anywhere within the zone, including on the path.

We recommend active travel to school. If picking up your children from school, park a few streets away and encourage your children to use the new crossing to reach you.

If you have any queries or concerns please let me know.

Kind regards,

Kevin Kennedy

Principal