Principal's Report

Principal’s Report 10-2-2022

Welcome to the first newsletter for 2022. It has been another wonderful start to a new school year. There have been the obvious issues with a small number of COVID cases but the prevalence of COVID is very low considering we have about 970 students and nearly 90 staff this year. I was so pleased to see that some 200 member of our community have booked in for child vaccinations or adult boosters at our pop-up clinic on Saturday. The more of us who are vaccinated, the safer we all are.

Flying Start

What a Flying Start our student have had to 2022! It’s been a week of activity and conversations, establishing the important relationships, rules and routines that ensure a successful school year. The week culminated in our Flying Start Celebration Day. Although the weather was a little warm, it was a fantastic day. Enormous thanks go to our well-being team of Simone Smith and Lisa Howells, who worked closely with a wonderful team of student organisers, to run a great day of activities. I know they were all exhausted by the end of the day but were rewarded of course, by the beaming smiles of our enthusiastic Lyndhurst students. I was particularly proud of this year’s group of student Flying Start Leaders. They were just wonderful in the way they ran the activities, spoke to students, especially the younger students, gave instructions and generally organised the whole day. I received so many positive comments about them from teachers on the day. I’m very proud of them.

Prep Start

On Thursday of the first week of school, we had almost 150 Prep students begin their first day at school. What an exciting time for families! Everything went more smoothly than we could have imagined and again, the staggered start worked well for everyone. The whole morning was so calm with a gradual trickle of families entering classrooms instead of crowds and noise. I thank all of our prep families for your cooperation. It made day one for our prep students so relaxed. I must congratulate parents and our local pre-school centres for the preparation of the children for school. However, it is obvious to us that most children have missed a great deal of 3-year-old and 4-year-old early childhood education. We will certainly be modifying our Prep program to take account of this to ensure they have a successful transition. Fortunately, our classrooms are already wonderful early childhood spaces, so vibrant and welcoming, and so our Preps are settling in really quickly.

Student Leaders 2022 

At the last assembly of 2021, our School Leaders conducted a handover ceremony to congratulate our new senior student leaders.

The senior student leaders for 2022 are:

Further student leader announcements will be made as term 1 progresses.

Mask Wearing

A reminder to all parents that mask wearing is compulsory for years 3- 6 students unless they have a lawful exception. It is also recommended by the Chief Health Officer for students in years P-2, but not compulsory. It is a parent responsibility to provide and maintain masks for students.

RAT Testing

Thank you to those families who are continuing to test children on a regular basis. Already, the testing has identified several asymptomatic students who would otherwise have attended school. The next provision of RAT tests to families will happen on Monday or next week. This is an important to keep students, staff and our community safe and I hope that all families are taking the opportunity to use the provided tests for your children.

Lyndhurst Learning Community

This year, as for last year, we are improving our program of connection with parents to try to better communicate to families about what goes on at school and to give parents a much clearer picture of how they can support the learning that happens each and every day. Instead of traditional parent-teacher “get to know you” interviews, we are continuing our Learning Partnership evenings. This year, you will often hear us talk about the Lyndhurst Partnership and, whilst we have referred to the critical role parents play in the learning process, we will be continuing to focus on this as a priority. We see education at Lyndhurst as a three-way partnership between the student, the school and the home, each playing an important role in the learning. As we focus on Student Voice and give students agency over their learning, we will also be giving parents a much clearer pathway to supporting the learning at home. The upcoming Learning Partnership meetings will be our first opportunity to really connect with parents and carers on this topic. I hope everyone is able to attend. I’m sure you’ll get a great deal from it. Much more information will be going out to parents about the learning partnership as the year progresses. 

Another published author in our midst

Let’s Play- Kanche and other Traditional games of India

Author Swarn Lamba

Swarn Lamba, a member of our tutoring team and mum to our Assistant Principal, Mansi Vadera, has written a book recalling her childhood and the traditional games she played with her friends. It’s a delighful series of tales of childhood, traditional culture and the joys of play and friendship, all such key parts of our school here at Lyndhurst. Swarn has donated a copy to our school library and it will be available for borrowing soon.

Please visit Swarn Lamba’s website for more information-

http://swarnlamba.com/ 

Vaccination for 5-11 Year olds – Information from DET

It’s been really fantastic to see such excitement around the return to school and we want to keep it that way. A crucial part of that is getting as many students vaccinated as possible.

Alongside ventilation and other vital COVIDSafe steps such as regular rapid antigen testing, supporting as many students as possible to be vaccinated will help make our school as safe as possible.

Bookings for children aged 5 to 11 to receive the paediatric Pfizer vaccine are open and we encourage parents and carers to get your child vaccinated, if you haven’t already done so. The Pfizer vaccine is safe and recommended for children. The vaccine will help protect your child from getting sick from COVID-19, help to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and help ensure kids can have more time at school and playing with their friends.

Vaccinations for children aged 5-11 years old are delivered at 2 appointments, 8 weeks apart. Children with specific medical vulnerabilities can access their second dose 3 weeks after their first dose.

If you’d like more information about this, you can read a recent statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI): https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-update-following-weekly-covid-19-meeting-19-january-2022 

To book an appointment You can book at your local GP or pharmacy: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking or you can book at our own local clinic by clicking on this link.

You can also book at a family-friendly vaccination centre by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

You can also make vaccination centre bookings for your children online, though you will need to use an email address that has not been used in the system before: https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/ 

Helping children to get their vaccination

Vaccination centres understand that children may feel anxious about vaccination or have other support needs. A range of options are available to help children get vaccinated. Please discuss your child’s needs with the vaccination centre when you book an appointment.

Appointments are also available at Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations. Find out more about vaccination for kids: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-information-children-and-teenagers 

New Toilets

Last year, we were fortunate to have installed an extra toilet block to cater for our growing student population. The block has been installed behind the year 3 portables on the wetland fence line and is accessible to all students.

Sub-School Arrangements

I remind parents about the sub-school arrangements in the school directed towards better supporting families in our large school. We have divided the school into 3 sub-schools, placing an Assistant Principal in charge of each sub-school. Mansi Vadera takes responsibility for the years 4, 5 and 6 sub-school, Jamie Sharp is responsible for the Prep/1 sub-school and Moira McCann looks after the Year 2/3 sub-school. This focuses each Assistant Principal on a smaller cohort of students and families, allowing us to build stronger relationships and to support students and their families in a more personalized way, even as our school continues to grow. Each of the sub-schools is supported by a Learning Specialist whose main focus is supporting teachers and students to improving learning. Liam Flanagan is working in the 4/5/6 sub-school, Emma Galvin is working in the Prep/1 classes and our new Learning Specialist, Alicia Stevens, is working in the 2/3 area. 

General points of information for parents

To follow are a few general points of information for parents

Mobile phones, smart watches and similar devices

New technology keeps challenging us, especially in the education industry and we have recently encountered a new challenge to which we need to respond. We have always had a rule regarding mobile phones and now we find students wearing watches that, unlike previously, work without a phone being present. Essentially, this is a phone and the same rule now applies to these and similar devices. Below are the current rules regarding mobile phones, phone-capable devices, camera-equipped devices, gaming machines, gaming-equipped devices or phone/communication-capable watches.

Children MUST NOT have the above devices or similar at school. If a device is required before or after school, your child will be required to hand the device in to the office when they arrive at school each morning and collect it again as they leave each afternoon. Children must NEVER have one of the above devices or similar in their bag, locker or in their possession during school time. Any children who wish to bring such devices to school must have parent permission and must apply to the Principal on the appropriate form and agree to adhere to the guidelines.

Policy regarding “Private property brought to school”: Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department nor the school, accepts any responsibility for any loss or damage. This can include mobile phones, electronic devices, expensive watches, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. As the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property, students are discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school. 

 We ask for parent support on this issue.

Helmets and riding to school

Only students from Year 4 or above are permitted to ride to school unaccompanied. Students from Year 3 and below may ride to school in the company of a responsible adult. This includes bicycles and scooters. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that children riding to school are capable and that they understand road rules and road sense. Parents should also ensure that all riders wear helmets at all times and that bikes and scooters are safe and in good repair. Riders should follow all relevant road rules and should be particularly careful when riding close to the school where pedestrian traffic is heavy.

Black only footwear at school

In 2017, a proposal for a change to the Student Dress Code to cover footwear which has previously not been covered well in the policy, was presented to the PFA and the School Council. The change has been prompted by a rise in the amount of inappropriate footwear being worn by children and some teasing that has been happening, especially in senior grades, regarding issues like cost and brand names. The proposal has been strongly supported by the PFA and the School Council and the new regulations come into force during term 1 to allow parents some transition time. Essentially, we will be insisting on black only footwear. The new wording in the policy is shown here:

3.13   Footwear:

• Safe, comfortable footwear must be worn at all times.
• All footwear must be black with no visible logos, colors or decoration.
• Footwear may be school shoes or sports shoes as long as they are black.
• Footwear must completely enclose the foot, must fit firmly and comfortably and must be appropriate for a range of school activities.
• Footwear must be in good and serviceable condition.
• Children may wear sports shoes that are not black, only whilst they are participating in school sport activities.
• Open toed footwear is not acceptable under playground conditions. Thongs, surf thongs and/or open-toed sandals may only be worn whilst in attendance at swimming programs.

Student accident insurance and ambulance cover: Parents are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students who do not have student accident insurance or ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs. It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to look into their preferred options in regard to accident insurance and ambulance cover. It is highly recommended that families consider ambulance cover, in particular. In the event of a serious accident or illness, we will call an ambulance, regardless of whether you have ambulance membership or not. The costs for ambulance transport can be very high. I suggest all parents investigate Ambulance Victoria membership.

Heat Policy: We have formulated a policy to cater for days of extreme heat. Should the temperature reach 37 deg or over at lunchtime (local temperature), children will be kept inside and supervision arrangements as for a wet day timetable will be implemented. If parents feel that children are better off at home on a very hot afternoon, then you are welcome to call at the office before 12.50 pm to pick them up.

Medication: We CANNOT give medication of any kind, without your written permission. If you need your child medicated during the day, whether on a short term or long term basis, you must fill out a medication form, available from the office. The information that you send should have full information as to dosages, times, indications for use and permission for the medication to be administered. This information should be given to the office along with all medication in original containers. If the medication is for ongoing issues such as ADHD or asthma, a full management plan should be given to the school on the appropriate form.

Entering the school: There are several entry gates to the school grounds. Children, upon arrival at school, should come in one of those gates and remain inside the fences until it is time to enter class. Please DO NOT bring children through the car park gates but ONLY USE PEDESTRIAN GATES. The car park gates are dangerous and this sets a very poor example for children.

Entering the building: With over 700 families in the school now, we must reduce congestion in the main building and around the office. We are asking that no parents enter the main building through the office door before school or at pick-up time unless they have specific business at the office. We are also asking that parents drop off children to the external classrooms doors and pick them up from the same place. There should be no parents waiting inside the main building. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Early morning and after school supervision: Children should not be in the school grounds prior to 8.45am each morning. The school grounds are supervised from 8.45am and we have a well-staffed and closely supervised Before School Care program that opens at 6.45am. Beyond this, we cannot take responsibility for children left in the playground in the morning unsupervised. This applies equally after 3.45pm in the afternoon. Drop off and pick up for children in before or after school care is through the side door of the Cormorant room near the staff car park.

Parking and traffic: Please be patient and considerate when picking up and dropping off at school, especially at this time of the year. We understand that it is a difficult situation, especially after school, as it is at most schools. There is plenty of parking around the school grounds. NO PARENTS are to use the staff car park at any time, unless you are legally accessing the disabled parking space. The risk to children with traffic in that car park is high. There should be NO children in that car park at any time. We will be speaking to the children regarding safe practices when travelling home on foot or on bicycles. There are some simple messages about parking and pickup.

• Be patient and courteous
• Please consider our school neighbors and park in designated spaces 
• NEVER double-park to pick up children!
• NEVER call children across the road to your car. Ensure they always use a crossing.

Bicycle and scooter use: It is the school’s policy that children may ride bicycles and scooters to school, unaccompanied, ONLY from Year 4 onwards. Children below Year 4 MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult if they ride to school. Even beyond year 4, it is the responsibility of parents to decide whether children are skilled enough, responsible enough and have sufficient road sense to ride safely. It is also the responsibility of parents to ensure that bicycles and scooters are safe and roadworthy. All bicycles and scooters must be stored in the bicycle shed and children MUST dismount and walk prior to entering a school gate.

Using the school crossings: The school has two supervised crossing but many parents put themselves, their children and the children of others’ in danger by not using the crossings properly or not using them at all. You MUST use a crossing if one is provided within a reasonable distance and you MUST follow the instructions of the crossing supervisor. Road safety becomes such a critical issue in such a large community and we rely on EVERY PARENT to consider the safety of our children.

Uniforms: The wearing of school uniform is compulsory at Lyndhurst Primary School. The uniform policy is there for reasons of uniformity of appearance, pride in the school, convenience for parents and security for children. Please ensure that your children are wearing the prescribed uniforms at all times. On those odd occasions when the drier has broken down or the dog has eaten the only clean shirt, please send a note along. There can often be “variations” that appear in children’s uniforms and that is disappointing. The uniform is attractive, comfortable, functional and good value for money. We don’t want a whole lot of variations appearing. Changes to the school uniform are approved by School Council. I ask for all parents to support our efforts to maintain this important part of our school culture. We are proud of our uniform and we hope that the children feel the same.

“Kiss and Drop zone” in Brookwater Pde: Casey Council have placed special signs outside of our school, indicating a “No Parking” area from 8am-9.30am and from 2.30pm – 4pm. The new “No Parking area will be what is commonly known as a “Kiss and Drop” zone. According to the road rules, a motorist is allowed to stop in a No Parking area for a period of up to two minutes to drop off or pick up passengers, so long as they do not leave the vehicle unattended. A vehicle is unattended if the driver is over 3m from the vehicle. This will improve traffic flow and student safety if everyone follows the simple rules. 

• In the morning, stop, drop off your children and move on.
• In the afternoon, stop, pick up your children and move on.
• Whenever you can, move to the front of the parking area to leave room for others.

Greg Lacey

Principal