Principal Message Week 6 Term 2

This week marks the sixth week of remote learning for our school. Despite its challenges I feel as a school we have managed to create an online learning environment that achieved what we set out to do and that was to provide remote learning that was relevant, challenging, engaging and significant, and provided opportunities to focus on and develop concepts, knowledge, and skills. This experience I would have to say has been littered with moments of frustration and anguish but I would like to think that the moments of joy, opportunity and new learnings about ourselves and others far outweighed the negative.

This was always a joint effort so I thank you for your support and commitment. As without your dedication and engagement we would not have been able to achieve all that we have. To our staff, I say congratulations – you have been exemplary and I commend each of you for the commitment you have shown and the care and respect that you have for every child you teach. You managed to create an environment that not only nurtured but also allowed children to come into their own. It has been a powerful journey for us all and has opened up for us so many new possibilities.

Remote learning was a massive undertaking and now we are about to embark on the next step of our COVID-19 journey. Next Tuesday we welcome back our Prep – two children and we can’t wait to see you all face to face again. For many children, the experience of returning to school will be just like riding a bike. They won’t be able to contain themselves with the excitement of seeing their friends and their teachers. However, we know this will not be the experience for all. I imagine for many of you, not just your child or children, the thought of returning to work and school has stirred up feelings of anxiety, sadness and maybe even some trepidation. Whatever you are feeling or they are feeling it has to be acknowledged and as a school we have always placed a great emphasis on a child’s wellbeing. We know children when they feel safe and connected to their peers and school they will flourish and this will be a very important first step in assisting them with their return to school.

Yes, the school still looks the same but things have changed and what was once the norm has now changed. If we think about it realistically it is not just coming back to Term 2 after an extended time away, for many it will be like starting the year anew and like any new start to the year we have nerves, we have anxiety and we have fear of the unknown.

I know that our staff are looking forward to reconnecting with you children. Relationships are so vital to establishing the learning environment that will see every child flourish on their return. There is much to be done but we can’t do all of that before we see the child before us: who they are, what they have learnt whilst they have been remote learning and what they now bring to our classrooms and our school community.

It is indeed a very exciting time for us. We are changed and different now because of this shared global experience but now it is time for us to move forward together, being kind and supportive to all.

I have included the following link. You may find useful:

Andrew Fuller: Seven things for a smooth transition back to school based learning

Back to school reminders

Morning drop off

If your child is unwell or has a temperature I ask that you please do not send them to school.
Children arriving by foot or bike will enter through front gate.
Car drop offs will continue at the front of the school and children will enter via front gate.
No parent will be permitted to enter the school grounds during this time.
If you need the office you should enter through the front administration door. Social distancing in the foyer will apply. A maximum of 2 parents at any given time.
Parents are not permitted upstairs, in the BASC area, hall or in teacher areas.
There will be no play on the playground before school.
Year 3-6 students to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45am.
Children in Year three and four to enter via the front gates.
Children in Year five and six will enter via the bike area door to the staff room.

The following special arrangements will be in place to assist P-2 children in their transition to school:

Year one and two students to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45am.
Prep students to arrive at 8.45am.
Prep teachers will meet their class at the front gate at 8:45am. They will escort their class to the classrooms to minimize and assist with separation anxiety and the return to school.
Similar arrangements for Year one and two students who may find the transition difficult will be communicated to parents.

Afternoon pick up

Pick up times will be staggered as follows:

3:15pm Year 5/6 and siblings
3:20pm Year 1/2 and siblings and Prep
3:25pm Year 3/4 and siblings
To assist with this and social distancing the front gates will be opened at 3:00pm. I ask that you maintain the 1.5m rule when gathering on the school grounds. Please stay on the athletics track only.
There is no play on the playground after school, once you have your child/children I kindly ask you to leave immediately.

School notifications

Andy’s BASC