Principal's Report
Friday, 9 October, 2020
Return to School
We are all very excited about the return to school on Monday, 12 October for all students from Prep to Year 6. It will be wonderful to have the energy of the students back at school and I am certain that everyone will feel that positive energy too. Some students will be a little anxious and this is to be expected. The school will do everything to make sure that all students are included and that good routines are quickly established. Please note that all students are required to attend school for their learning. There will be neither remote learning nor substitute work sent home. A resumption of normal education is the aim.
Covid19 Safety Plans
Mount View Primary School has planned for the safe management of students’ arrival and exit from school each day. The arrangements are:
Returning to School – Term 4 Pick-Up and Drop-Off Process
Due to size of our student population, our school will continue to implement a staggered drop-off and pick-up protocol for the foreseeable future:
Families with surnames A-L will start school at 8.50 am and finish at 3:15pm
(Students arriving after 9 am will be marked as late).
Families with surnames L-Z will start school at 9.00 am and finish at 3.30 pm.
(Students arriving after 9.15am will be marked as late).
Camp Australia will be available with normal operating hours. These students will join their classes at 8.50 am and leave at 3.30 pm irrespective of surnames.
To ease traffic congestion and adult movement in the mornings and afternoons, parents are asked to drop off and pick up their children in a 15min time bracket.
Surnames A-L
Drop Off between 8:30-8:45am at one of the five coloured gates (Zones).
Pick Up between 3:15-3:30pm at one of the five coloured gates (Zones).
Surnames M-Z
Drop Off between 8:45am -9:00am at one of the five coloured gates (Zones).
Pick Up between 3:30pm- 3:45pm at one of the five coloured gates (Zones).
Parents need to discuss with their child, which (Coloured) gate they will be using to enter and exit school. This gate will then be the only gate used by that child for the foreseeable future. Please refer to map attached.
Older siblings are encouraged to walk their younger sibling to their classroom in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day. Parents are asked to inform the teacher of their individual entry and exit point arrangements via email.
Families are encouraged to walk where possible to alleviate congestion.
School grounds will be restricted to entry by staff and students only. Five entry points will be manned by staff during the scheduled drop-off and pick-up times.
Parents are encouraged to practise social distancing, non-contact greetings and to exit the vicinity as quickly as possible while dropping off or picking up students to alleviate social congestion around gates.
Early leavers and late arrivals
- As parents arrive they will ring the office, Sharyn will then ring classroom teacher to ask student to come and meet parents/carers outside the office.
- Late arrivals: Students must check in at the Compass kiosk at the front entrance.
Temperature Checks
- Department of Education no longer requires schools to take temperatures on arrival due to low COVID 19 community transmission.
- If a child has a high temperature they will be sent to the school nurse.
- Parents will be contacted if they need to leave school because of their elevated temperature.
Student Illness
If your child is unwell, even if symptoms are very mild, they should stay home. They should not attend school until they have recovered.
If your child has symptoms of COVID-19 or of cold and flu-like illness eg. fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and headaches please do not send them to school.
Hygiene
- All staff members will wear masks when not teaching.
- All primary students may wear masks but this is not mandatory.
- Hand sanitiser is available in each classroom, specialist learning areas and student toilets.
- All students are encouraged to bring their personal hand sanitiser.
- Good ventilation of learning spaces will be a priority.
- All students should drink from their own drink bottle in order to minimise their use of the drinking fountains at school.
Physical Distancing
- All staff will maintain appropriate physical distancing around the school.
- A range of staff lounge areas will be maintained around the school.
- All staff meetings will continue to be conducted on line unless outdoor meetings are deemed appropriate.
Cleaning
- Regular contact surface cleaning around the school during the day will be maintained.
SunSmart
All students are required to wear their school hat while outside during Term 4. Please make sure that your child has their labelled hat in their bag each morning.
School Photos
The School Photos for 2020 have been further postponed due the Covid19 restrictions.
Book Week
The Book Week activity will be conducted on Monday, 19 October. Teachers will work with their classes to prepare all students. This will minimise the pressure on families with costumes and props.
Student Led Conferences and Parent/Teacher Interviews
The Parent/Teacher Interviews will take place on Monday, 19 and Tuesday, 20 October. Please book online.
Welcome to Emma Vanin and Anna Waterworth
The Year 2 AW class will be taught by Emma Vanin and Anna Waterworth during Term 4. These experienced teachers will work to ensure that the class is well catered for during the absence of Annalei Warren.
Camp Australia
The Camp Australia program will resume normal operations on Monday, 12 October.
Out of School Hours Care Program 2021
Throughout the last few months School Council has been reviewing the provision of Out of School Hours Care at Mount View. With the end of the current contract with Camp Australia, it has been decided by School Council to move to a new provider. A thorough examinations of the market and the various programs available the most appropriate provider was identified.
In 2021 and 2022 the Out of School Hours Care Program will be conducted by Their Care. Parent Information sessions will be conducted mid Term 4. Their Care will begin working at Mount View in the new year with the Holiday Program and then the regular program once the 2021 school year begins.
iPads
All school owned iPads which were used during remote and Flexible Learning must now be returned to school.
Prep Transition
Mount View teachers will begin visiting the local kindergartens in the next few weeks as part of the Prep Transition program. Information sessions for parents and activity sessions for all 2021 Preps are planned for Term 4.
AFL Grand Final Public Holiday
There will be a public holiday on Friday, 23 October in preparation for the AFL Grand Final.
Planning for 2021
If your child or children are not returning to Mount View next year you should email mount.view.ps@education.vic.gov.au so that we can make accurate plans for next year.
Enrolments for 2021
We are currently taking enrolments for 2021, if you know of anyone who is planning to attend Mount View next year and has yet to enrol please get them to contact the office or by emailing mount.view.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Glenn Butler
Principal