Principal's Message

We're Back!

Thank you parents and carers for again supporting your children through a difficult week. Last week saw two days of Remote Learning and three days of Onsite Learning. Huge shout out for all you have done and continue to do to make sure that learning is continuing. 

I also know how much we appreciate all the efforts that went in to delivering our events last week- the Foundation 100 Days of School celebration, Indonesian Day and Leadership Centre Athletics Carnival. Teachers, ES, parents/carers and students - what a whirlwind of a week!  I am so grateful that we have a community that can get behind these events. They create positive memories for our students in a time of uncertainty.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

The parent-teacher interviews were held last week. Thank you to all our families for being flexible to chat over the phone. Feedback indicated that families were appreciative of these going ahead despite lockdown. We are mindful of trying to keep to our schedules as best we can.

Event Updates

While we are in the two-week tight restrictions period: 

• No assemblies
• Disco postponed
• I.C.E. start date pushed back a week - start next week
• Kinder Buddies session this week cancelled

Curriculum Day August 13th Postponed 

The planned Curriculum Day on 13th August has been postponed with approval from School Council. Feedback and directives from the Department indicate that families would prefer for students to attend school with all the disruptions that occur when we are in lockdown. We are trying to find a day that will minimise disruptions and will communicate this with as much notice as possible.

ICAS

ICAS assessments commence on the 10th of August (Writing). Please remember:

• Students need to arrive at school at 7:40am with all assessments to commence at 8:00am.
• Parents will need to wait with their child at the front entrance of the school until a staff member opens the glass sliding doors. Due to the earlier arrival time students are not to be dropped off and left unsupervised.
• Students need to have access to a device that can access the school wi-fi. It is also important that the locked-down browser has been downloaded prior to your child sitting any of the ICAS assessments. Students in Year Two will have access to a school device.

https://www.icasassessments.com/support-locked-down-browser/

Free sample questions can be at the link below.

https://www.icasassessments.com/try-free-sample-questions/

If you have any questions, please direct them to Matt O’Hern.

Matthew.O’Hern@education.vic.gov.au 

Year 6 to 7 High School Transition 

Year 6 students attending Government High Schools will be notified of their High School placement this Wednesday the 4th of August. If you have any questions please direct them to Matt O'Hern.

Matthew.O’Hern@education.vic.gov.au 

Foundation 100 Days of School 

It is always a highlight when the Foundation classes celebrate their first 100 days of school.

I had the pleasure of adding to each class's 100 days chart.

This year those charts were tens frames.

Ten frames are used to develop students’ subitising skills, the ability to “instantly see how many”. This skill plays a fundamental role in the development of students’ understanding of number. They were able to tell me the number before and after 100, count by tens to 100 and even by fives.

Indonesian Day

Huge shout out to Bu Mundy who organised for us to celebrate Indonesian Day. It's is always a lovely way to practise our Indonesian and enjoy games and traditional crafts. 

It was amazing to walk through the school and see so much engagement and enthusiasm in all things Indonesian.

Year 5/6 Athletics Carnival

I spoke to all students in 5/6 to commend them on their participation and behaviour at the 5/6 Athletics Carnival. The demonstration of all our school values as shown by students over the course of Semester One has supported staff to organise these experiences for the students. When I visited on Friday the sportsmanship and encouragement between competitors was inspiring. Well done, Leadership Centre!

Thank you to all class teachers, Mrs Butterworth, Mrs Embery, Bu Mundy, Ally Brown and our parent helpers; Liz Clyde, Michael Stutz, Andrew Findlay and Jarrod Marsh for springing into action with such a short time frame to finalise organisation of the carnival. 

Parenting Information Forum - Parenting Anxious Children 

Whitehorse City Council is launching an August Parenting Information Forum Parenting Anxious Children presented by Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic).

Date:     Tuesday 24th August 2021

Times:   7:00pm – 8:30pm

Cost:     Free online session

Further information is provided in the attached flyer.  Families can now book online through the Whitehorse Council website: https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/living-working/people-and-families/family-activities-and-resources/parenting-information-forums or https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/parenting-anxious-children-tickets-154329432487.