From Mrs Barr's Desk

Term 4 Welcome- Picnics, Bike Riding and Gardening

Welcome back to another term. If this year has taught us anything, it is the focus on the 'now' because we are unable to control the future. I hope you have found some peace and time with your family during the break for home learning. The stress of everyday home learning and levels of fatigue was evident.

Many of us have discovered the joy of picnics as well as gardening, bike riding and walking. I have certainly noticed many students, families and ex-students finding the school site for play during the holidays. And I know my garden has never looked better with this extra attention. We have worked on projects around the school during the term break in readiness for the long awaited return of our students.

Thank you for your work during remote home learning - may it soon be over!

This term will be different and we aim to keep you informed through emails, newsletter, Facebook, class ambassadors, webpage and our teachers. Multiple sources for vital information.

SCHOOL RETURN - IMPORTANT DATES

Starting next week there will be a staggered return to school for our students from home learning over 3 weeks starting in week 3 of term 4 and finishing with all students back on site on Friday November 5.

Week 3

Monday 18 October - Wednesday 20 October -Foundation students attend school

Thursday 21 October & Friday 22 October -Grade 1 and 2 students attend school

Week 4

Monday 25 October - Wednesday 27 October -Foundation students attend school

Tuesday 26 October & Wednesday 27 October -Grade 3 and 4 students attend school

Thursday 28 October & Friday 29 October -Grade 1, 2, 5 and 6 students attend school

Week 5 (Melbourne Cup Holiday on Tuesday 2 November)

Monday 1 November & Wednesday 3 November -Foundation students attend school

Wednesday 3 November -Grade 3 and 4 students attend school with Foundation students

Thursday 4 November Grade 1, 2, 5 and 6 students attend school

Friday 5 November ALL students attend school and it is Silly Sock Day

DET guidelines indicate that schools will not provide home learning when students are required on site unless the absence is for medical reasons.

Transition back to onsite learning – Woohoo!

The staff have been planning for the return to onsite learning. Teaching teams will have a mix of onsite and remote learning for the 3 weeks. Leadership has been working on the timetable for specialist programs and the attendance of Authorised Workers’ children and students who qualify under the vulnerability and disability category.

Teachers will be monitoring students return to the classroom and there will be additional support from our team of tutors. Time has to be given to our students finding their feet and reconnecting with their class mates and teachers. They will need time to adjust to the expectations of the school environment. Programs will be adjusted to give your children time and rebuild the learning community at school. The focus will be on the social and emotional wellbeing of everyone. Our Wellbeing team has been planning for this scenario.

Our Social Worker Natalie Powell and our Wellbeing Assistant Principal Marika Ferguson will work closely with teachers and support staff to ensure that there is a safe and supportive learning environment. We know that many families and students are looking forward to the return. However, that is not the same for everyone so please contact the office or your class teacher if you feel that your child will find the transition back to school a challenge.

COVID Safe Practice for the return to school

Staggered starts:

More information to be sent out. As we have many different access gates into the school, this may not be necessary.

Entry Gates:

Enter from your normal gate. We are hoping that parents for students in foundation and grade 1 and 2 will be able to accompany their child onto the site to their line up if necessary and leave promptly to avoid congestion at the gates (TBC). Parents cannot enter the buildings.

We ask older students to enter the school without their parents to reduce the number of adults on the site.

Masks:

All adults must wear masks including staff and essential visitors.
Parents must wear masks.
Students from grade 3 to 6 must wear a mask indoors. Families to supply the named masks. It is recommended that students in foundation to grade 2 also wear masks.

Air filtration:

At this stage Rangeview has not been given any further information about air filtration or purifiers. However, we have had the practice in place of windows and doors open for air flow through ventilation since last year. This will continue.

Outdoor Learning

Staff are encouraged to take learning outside whenever possible. Rangeview is applying for the shade sail grant to put a sail over the new large deck area outside the library.

Class Ambassadors Morning Tea via WebEx

Our principal class have been meeting the class ambassadors for an informal morning tea. It is an opportunity for feedback from our families and a chance to share information from the school. Thank you.

School Council Meetings

Advice has been sent to schools about limiting the number of council meetings for the remainder of the year. Therefore, we have cancelled the October meeting. The November will go ahead as planned for important financial reports for 2022.

Pupil Free Day on Wednesday 13 October

We will be using a proportion of the Pupil Free Day this Wednesday for the essential Cultural Understanding and Safety Training (CUST). This training is a requirement of Department of Education and Training employees. We have introduced Acknowledgement of Country at our school assemblies and school council meetings and flags in the hall and office foyer. This training led by Seth Nolan is a starting point to assess Indigenous cultural curriculum content and review opportunities to incorporate an awareness across the school community.

Danny Hyndman will be working with teaching staff on the reading workshop aligned to our instructional model. Danny has worked with our staff over a number of years and we value his advice and teaching.

All this professional learning has to be remote because of the current COVID restrictions.

Please note that OSHClub is offering care for Authorised Workers’ children and students that qualify under the disability or vulnerability category.

Classes for 2022

Traditionally, we have asked parents and carers to keep us informed about any strong educational reasons that they have for their child’s placement next year. At our school every child is encouraged to build friendships and resilience.

All classes put a strong focus on the culture of the beginning a new class with the teacher and students on how we learn and work together. All students are given an opportunity to nominate 4 friends. These friendship groupings are considered when planning 2022 classes but they are not the only consideration. If a student is not with one of those nominated friends, their classroom teacher will contact the family before the classes are announced in the last week of this term.

Please note that in 2021 students moved into their grade 6 year with their grade 5 teacher from 2020. This was a school decision based on consultation with teaching staff. This will NOT be happening for 2022 grade 6 students. Current grade 5 students will be allocated to new teachers in 2022 in line with the rest of the school.

If you wish to inform us about educational considerations for your child’s 2022 placement, you have until Friday 5 November to do so. Please put this in writing to myself through an email or note, addressed to the Principal re Parent Request.

Planning For the Future Survey

Please take this link. The survey is for a master plan concept to develop the buildings to reflect a contemporary learning environment.

Community survey- please take the link for parents, students and staff and our community. Thank you

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