From the Principal

Term 3!

I started to write this newsletter a couple of weeks ago & then lockdown hit!  So here we are in week 5 & I am still unsure about all the information that I was to tell you and whether it can go ahead or not. 

At this stage  we can not hold assemblies or excursions.  I have been ensuring that information is shared frequently on Class Dojo & facebook to keep you all up to date.  I am also unsure if we can go ahead with face to face parent teacher interviews to start booking them in with you and will let you know the format for these when I have that information.

Remote Learning

Thanks for all your support last week.  We would love some feedback about how our communication and learning packs were to support your students while there were learning at home.  

Wearing of Masks and other restrictions

We know that wearing masks makes an enormous difference to controlling the spread of the Delta strain and has contributed to enabling us to lift the lockdown in South East Queensland.  Wearing masks at school and regional and corporate offices will continue to be a requirement for secondary school students (Year 7 and above) and all school staff, across the 11 LGAs in South East Queensland  you must wear a mask if you:

• are in an impacted area, or
• have been in an impacted area at any time since 1am AEST 29 June, unless 14 days have passed since you were there; or
• reside in the same household as a person who has been in an impacted area at any time from 1am AEST 31 July 2021 until 14 days have passed since those people were in the locked down area (whichever is shorter).

Further information about wearing masks including when they must be worn can be found on the Queensland Health website.

Additional restrictions on school sites  

To minimise the risk for staff and students, revised restrictions will operate on school sites until further notice. These restrictions have been in place in the past, particularly last year and we are reinstating these previous practices.  For more information on school arrangements in the 11 South East Queensland LGAs, please see the FAQs for schools and families on our website.

Parents/carers on school site 

We will return to restricting parents being on school sites unless absolutely necessary. I realise the challenge this will be for students, and families, especially our youngest students; however, we have done this before and these restrictions are necessary so our students can return to their normal learning environments as quickly as possible.  For these reasons we will be re-instigating the arrangements we had in place last year, drop off at the front of the school or in the parent carpark.  Ring the office if your child is late and send the child to get the late slip.  If you are picking up early also ring the office and we will get your child signed out and walk them to the carpark.

 School activities Assemblies and other large group activities including instrumental music groups, choirs, performances, extra curricula sporting activities, and dancing will not be permitted. We will continue virtual activities where possible.  

Step Up to Education

These sessions are currently on hold.  Keep an eye out on FaceBook and Class Dojo for updates.

More information about Prep can be found here: https://www.qld.gov.au/education/earlychildhood/prep/enrolments 

Other News

Big thanks for your messages on Friday last week for Primary Principal's day!  You warmed my heart and maybe wet my eyes a little.  It is the biggest honour to have this role and work with you and your children every day.

Parking/Pick up and drop off

I have had some complaints from families again about the parking and drop off zone.  I have also had some feedback from Department of Transport and Main Roads and the council about our parking situation across from the school.

When you are dropping off or picking up your child you must remain in your car and keep moving forward to let other parents into the zone.  This is not a parking space.  I dropped my son off one morning on the way to a meeting and was stuck behind a parent talking on their phone.  Please ensure you are following road rules and paying attention to the islands and lines on the road.

Several vehicles are parking illegally on the footpath opposite the school .  This is the area between the church yard and the crossing area.  When students/pedestrians cross at the designated crossing they essentially cross from/to illegally parked vehicles.  It is important for this area to remain free of parked vehicles to allow maximum visibility for both pedestrians waiting to cross and motorists visibility when approaching the crossing.

There have also been several parents that are driving into the back of the school where staff park to come to the office or collect their children.  No parents are to drive on school grounds unless they have been instructed to or have principal approval to do so.

Most young children are still developing skills needed to judge safe road situations such as the ability to judge distances, speed of vehicles and distinguishing traffic sounds.   As such they should not be left to make their own way to school until these skills are developed.  This is usually around 10 to 12 years of age.

Children learn most of their road safety skills through the observation and imitation of adult behaviour, so even if your children are not with you, it is important that you set a good road safety example near the school or any other place where children may be watching you.

You can also help your children learn road safety by explaining to them the hazards they face and how to negotiate them while travelling to and from school.  You can use examples to explain the difference between safe and unsafe behaviour. For children this can be a fun activity.  You can also try a different mode of transport each week such as walking, riding a bicycle or using the bus.   

"Know the rules – and apply them all the time".

Western Ranges Sports

Unfortunately we received the news yesterday that his has been cancelled.