Principal's Message
Anthony Jackson - Acting Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope you all managed to enjoy the long weekend within your 25km limit.
Return to Onsite Learning
It was lovely to be back at school on Friday with our staff and students, although not quite the return to work I had expected following my leave. We had a good attendance on Friday despite the long weekend with 75% of students returning onsite for school. We are hoping that the remaining 25% of our students return this week after the long weekend. Thank you to all of you for your ongoing support over the last two weeks. We appreciate how difficult lockdowns are for many of our families and students. The work uploaded on our online platforms was fantastic! Thank you. Some examples have been included in this edition.
On Friday 4th June we saw our Year 11/12 students return onsite to continue their Senior Secondary Certificates. They couldn't wait to be back to see their friends. We also had a small number of other students onsite supported by volunteer education support staff. These students were also continuing to work online from the work set by their teachers. A special mention to Ian Phelan for offering to oversee our onsite learners over the last two weeks.
We have recently upgraded our school phone system and had some technical difficulties over lockdown whilst this was transferred by the company and NBN. Apologies if this caused you any inconvenience.
COVIDSafe Settings
State-wide COVID Settings apply to ensure that our school is safe for staff and students to continue learning.
Masks
From 11.59pm Thursday 10 June, consistent with advice for the broader community, school staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older, must always wear a face mask at school, unless an exception applies (including: students who attend specialist schools, who are over the age of 12 and are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability). Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school, or when attending an OHSC program. For communication purposes, teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so, can. Face masks are mandatory for all school students aged 12 or older when travelling to and from school on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles. Visitors and parents must also observe this guidance, including at Parent Pick-up outside. Teaching and learning activities, including assemblies and excursion will continue to be modified until further notice.
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/parents-carers-and-guardians
Stay Home When Unwell
A reminder that if you, your child, or a family member develops symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested at a COVID-19 testing facility and stay home. Each family should regularly check the list of public exposure sites in Victoria (where a person with COVID-19 has attended), and if anyone in the family has attended a site at the times listed, follow the instructions given. If you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, please check out the website for information and bookings. Like getting tested if you have symptoms, getting vaccinated goes a long way to keeping our communities safe and schools open.
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
Everyone's Wellbeing
The wellbeing of all our community is a priority and our school staff and teachers are here to support you and your family. Information that might be of assistance to you in talking to your child about COVID-19 is available. If you are concerned about your wellbeing or that of your child, please contact the school so we can talk with you about how we can best assist. Our school Social Worker & Child Safety Officer is Alex Baynes and our Mental Health Practitioner is Jackie Davie who are available and happy to help you and your family with access to community supports and services, these include: Parent Line 13 22 89 and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
Please find some useful websites below.
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/
https://headspace.org.au/schools/headspace-in-schools/
Professional Practice Days
Over the next two weeks, our teaching staff will be released from their classes for the day to plan for your child's learning in Term 3. Teachers and leadership work together as a team to map out exciting teaching and learning activities and student's assessments. Teachers are currently finalised student's end of term assessments against their Individual Education and Learning Plans. These will be reported in the end of semester reporting which will be sent home to you at the end of Week 10.
Joan's Visit to Fregon School
We currently have three staff members (Ane O'Day, Jess Lister, Courtney Rathgen) who have gone to work at Fregon School. Fregon Anangu School is part of the Kaltjiti community, and associated with Irintata and Watinuma Homelands. Fregon (Kaltjiti) community is situated in the far northwest corner of South Australia in the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands; it is approximately 1300kms from Adelaide by road.
This week Joan (and Phil) visited Fregon School and the surrounding community. They spent time in classes, visiting the rock pools, exploring indigenous rock art and cooking kangaroo tails with a side of witchery grubs. It was pleasing to hear about aspects of Jackson's programs which our staff have used to influence the development and improvement of this school community.
Thank you Principal Team
I would like to thank Kris Parsons and the Principal Team (Robyn Procak, Phil Haigh and Matt Gravatt) for leading the school in my absence. Kris and the team did an outstanding job (as always) to ensure that your child's education was not disrupted. I am extremely grateful for the precious time I was able to spend with my family. I was still able to attend our monthly School Council meeting and weekly Design Meetings to continue to work with our architects FMSA on the masterplanning phase of our $10m building project. More details to follow soon.
Stay safe and well.
Anthony