Assistant Principal
Megan Franklyn
Assistant Principal
Welcome back to the 2022 school year. It was a wonderful first week of school for all of our students and teachers and we were delighted to see so many happy and smiling faces in our classrooms and around our playgrounds.
This year we are having a focus on reconnecting to our community. After the restrictions that the past two years have had on movements in schools, it is time for our gates to re-open and for us to regain our sense of being part of a thriving school community. It was wonderful to see so many of our new Prep parents at our Tea and Tissues event on Tuesday, thanks to our Parent Association for organising. There were lots of happy parents and very few tissues needed!
One important way that you can support our school community is by completing classroom helper training (the link is on Compass). Once completed, you will be able to help on excursions, camps, school sports events, in the Kitchen and Garden program, in the library, and in the classroom. Please see your child’s teacher and let them know that you would like to help in the classroom, Sonia Nista for Kitchen/Garden, or Lucie Hill for the library.
School Dental Van
We are excited to welcome the School Dental Van which will be visiting us from February 28th to the 4th of March. Forms have been sent home to give permission for your child to be seen in the van and are due back by the 18th of February. Children are collected in groups of 2-3 and escorted back to class once appointments are finished. Parents/carers will be called during the visit to discuss any further treatment or concerns. Children also take home an oral health report.
Psychologist/School Counsellor
Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure the services of a new psychologist to service Mental Health Care Plans. If your child has a current Mental Health Care plan we suggest that you ask your GP for suggestions of services local to you and get your child on a waitlist. If we regain this service later in the year I will communicate with you as soon as possible.
While we do not have the services of a psychologist we have employed a school counsellor for 6 hours a week who will be providing small group sessions. These will be focussed on areas such as emotional regulation, social relationships, initiating play, conflict resolution, dealing with anxiety etc.
Our psychologist is Melissa Godeassi. Melissa is a warm and caring person who enjoys working with clients of all ages – young people through to adults. As an experienced Primary Teacher of 30+ years and a qualified counsellor, she provides a caring, supportive and non-judgemental environment. Her safe space and trusting therapeutic relationship helps facilitate positive change. Melissa volunteers some of her time to a local group, has practiced across a variety of settings including men’s and women’s sporting clubs and educational and private practice services. She always adapts the therapy to suit the person and their circumstances.
Melissa Godeassi
State Schools’Relief
Issues such as poverty, neglect, unemployment, health issues, financial hardship etc continue to affect many Victorian families. State Schools’ Relief is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that supports the needs of disadvantaged government school students by providing new school uniforms, school shoes and other essential educational resources so that all students can attend school in warmth and comfort with a greater sense of belonging and improved self esteem. If you are a parent or carer and you need financial assistance, please make an appointment to speak to me (megan.franklyn@education.vic.gov.au) and we can discuss your situation and how State Schools’ Relief may be able to help you.
Reporting a Positive Covid Case
If your child does become positive for Covid, please ensure you follow the parental reporting process for a positive case of Covid via Mr Cox's newsfeed of "Parental Reporting Process for Positive Covid and Close Contact Cases" and to follow the advice from The Department of Health.