Well that went fast!

It's been a month since the last Newsletter was published and, as always, it astounds me as to what we manage to fit into our school lives. Along with the events that have been happening that are visible, there has been a power of work done by or staff around EDI or Explicit Direct Instruction, in the classrooms. Staff have been learning about the benefits of EDI and putting them into practise with a lot of success. Consistently checking for understanding is a classroom tool that we expect all staff to utilise.

Fraser has performed a clean sweep again in the Swimming and Athletics, they seem to have the participation numbers working very well and this is paying off for them. Both Carnivals showed wonderful examples of our values and the coming together as teams across year levels is always a wonderful sight to behold.

To the students going on to further Glenelg District Aths today in Casterton I wish you all the very best and know that you will represent our school with Pride, I am looking forward to being there with you.

To those students who represented us already in Portland in the GD Swimming I commend you, well done. Results and reports are supplied by Miss Boxall so I won't spoil that for her here.

Parent Student Teacher Conferences

This week we held our Parent Student Teacher conferences, with 726 bookings made we had many opportunities to receive feedback from parents and lots of goals were set between home and school. We already know that when school and home have a good relationship that students prosper, so thank you to everyone who took the time to come in and see us.

Inspirational

Our School Captain Abbey Phillips represented our school and delivered an outstanding speech at the WDHS International Women's Day luncheon this week. Her speech and some images are featured later in this newsletter and I'm sure you will agree that she did an amazing job. Well done Abbey.

Abbey Phillips was supported by our Business Manager Sharon Donehue at the WDHS International Womens Day Luncheon.

2021 is looking promising

I was impressed with the number of parents of Grade 6 students that attended the Information Evening and Principal Tour in the last week of February. We spend a lot of time developing these sessions with the Transition Team so that they deliver a short presentation because we understand busy family life but make ourselves available for those who wish to talk and investigate further. One theme that arose consistently was the pressure parents are feeling to decide now - this is not the case unless you are relying on scholarship applications at other schools. You have until Friday 15th May to make a decision on your school. Scholarship applications to Baimbridge have no costs attached to them and are due on Friday 22nd May. You can head to the website and download application forms and read up on transition dates and know that we are available for walk through's at any time.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visitors from the district Grade 6 students, they all had fun and we look forward to seeing many of them return as Baimbridge students on Orientation Day in December.

Investiture

The Baimbridge College Investiture was held yesterday and it was wonderful to see our students in leadership positions formally recognised. I would like to thank our School Council President Mr Lee Emsley for attending and commend our school captains on their speeches. My speech was as follows:

"I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gundijimara people and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. I would also like to welcome our guests, School Council President Mr. Lee Emsley, Parents, family members, friends and students.

Today we are here to acknowledge the elected leaders of our school and thank them for taking on these important roles and proudly wearing the Baimbridge Logo to show Courage, Pride and Respect.

As these leaders will find throughout the year and the rest of their lives, leadership does not always come naturally, it is a set of skills that develops, is certainly not easy and it is rarely rewarded.

For me, my true test of leadership is having the courage to continue to try to do the right thing even when it is difficult.

Today we acknowledge those recognised as leaders because they have demonstrated they are up for the challenge, but to be a leader you don’t need a title or a badge. All of us here today can show leadership in many ways.

Calling out poor behaviour amongst friends is one of the toughest things to do but it is the right thing to do and it does show strength, courage and leadership.

Picking up rubbish left behind, helping to set up and pack up are not easy tasks but they set the tone for what becomes a culture of the way we do things and what is expected.

There are celebrities all over the world making millions of dollars using their talents and one of them, Katy Perry has chosen to give back and show leadership by not only donating money to the CFA following fires but taking her road show to the small Victorian town of Bright.

Last night, instead of performing to packed out stadiums, she was leading a concert to raise money for those suffering after the devastating fires and to acknowledge the first responders who gave everything to help others.

Now you don’t have to become a singing sensation to lead, you just have to be brave and lead by doing the right thing in your class, in your home, at your sporting club or in your community.

You have some amazing role models who will be acknowledged today, one of them your captain who spoke at international women’s day just yesterday and gave an incredible speech. But you also have some amazing role models in your friends, parents and other family members who lead by doing every day. The choice as always is up to you. I look forward to seeing you continue to lead by doing the right thing even when it is hard because I know you can.

Thank you. "

Coronavirus

There has been quite a lot of talk about COVID-19 and schools closing as a result. We are reliant on the Department of Education and Training to issue us directives and will follow protocol issued by them at all times. Our staff have had a brief meeting to ensure that, if required, our anytime learning is in full swing so that education can continue in the event of extended holiday periods or quarantine periods.

In the mean time we will adhere to the following protocols delivered to us by the DET, here is the email I sent to our staff yesterday:

In the event of a local outbreak being confirmed

Review Emergency Management plan

There is a Pandemic Incident Response plan on the DET website, it is currently being updated

Incident Response

Teachers with flu like symptoms will need to isolate and apply for sickleave.
Students and staff will be expected to attend the sick bay or conference room should they become ill during the day where they will be quarantined until they are picked up.

Hygiene Measures / Containment Strategies

In the event of a local outbreak it is expected many major events will be postponed
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly ( posters on display)
Cover your cough and sneeze by expelling air into your elbow

Communications

Communication will be through compass using push mail, SMS and phone calls.
Only confirmed information will be published.

Continuity of Student learning

If the school closes, teachers are likely to be expected to still be working, but from home.
There is an expectation that they will still interact via Compass or email with students.(Anytime Learning)
Ensuring teachers are making full use of putting resources for classes on Compass.
Have students take their text books home out of their lockers each night if possible, so they will have access to them if the closure is sudden.
Ensure students know how to use Edrollo and are enrolled.

Reporting Obligations

Notify DHHS 1300 651 160 as soon as you hear of someone at your school has a connection to the virus, and to log an IRIS Alert 1800 126 126 You will then be told by DHHS what to do. 1300 651 160

Link to the latest from the DET about coronavirus – please bookmark

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Again, there is no confirmed cases at this point and we are merely being as best prepared as we can be at this time.

In the mean time here are ten ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus

Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.
Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication ensure you have adequate supplies.
Phone your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep, and now is the time to quit smoking. Call the Quitline 137 848.
Don't wear a face mask if you are well.
Buy an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
Get the flu shot (available April).
Shaking hands is optional!

And yes, we have plenty of toilet paper.

Sheets put up around the school

We have these on display for the students around the school.

Open Door

Whilst acknowledging that I am sometimes unavailable due to meetings, I would like to reiterate that I welcome all feedback that can be used to make our school grow, whether that be from parents, students, staff or the wider community.

Canteen

Canteen Roster