Dear Parents and Families,

This term has been the longest uninterrupted term of learning since Covid began over two years ago. We have had no remote learning, circuit breakers, travel restrictions or lockdowns. What a great feeling that has been! Life feels like it is getting back to normal again even with everyone continuing to be careful. The teachers have been concentrating on building up our student's resilience and social skills after two years of interrupted learning. Our blitz's have been focused on showing positive behaviours by kindness, giving compliments, inclusion of others, problem solving skills in social situations and identifying our strengths. Two mornings a week for 15 minutes we gather as a school for a fitness or a whole school activity. This week, we enjoyed playing with the parachute as a team and enjoying being a school community again.

Staffing

Thank you to Mrs Garland for teaching Music this term. I know the students have really enjoyed your lessons. It is always one of my favourite parts of the week, when I can hear Music throughout the school. We appreciate your effort in making time for us this term out of your very busy schedule.

Mrs Rachel Huf will begin teaching Music on a Tuesday morning next term with all classes having small group sessions. Mrs McNaughton will continue with Friday mornings in the school and she will be also teaching French to the students. By learning another language this will help them students develop communication skills of speaking, listening and will extend their knowledge of other cultures.

A note from Mrs Garland

I would like to thank Cavendish Primary School for the warm welcome and all the families for the honour of teaching your children music this term. It has been a real privilege and pleasure.

On the Saturday of the Redgum Festival , 23rd April, at 12:45 the Euc-Calypso Festival is on at the Redgum Stage. Our Grades 5/6's have been practising ukuleles for this event. If any grade 5/6's can come along, I will be there with the school ukuleles. It will be a great event.

Police colouring competition

Paul McLean our local policeman came to school on Wednesday to judge the colouring competition that he had organised for the students. First prize went to Indi Keymer-Newley and honourable mentions to Addison, Ctayah, Thomas, Cooper, Mietta, Talia, Ms Thompson and Tammy. Paul has put up all the colouring pages on the police station windows if you wanted to go and have a look.

Easter Egg Raffle

Thank you to everyone for purchasing and selling tickets for our Easter Egg raffle. The Junior School Council are proud to announce that the raffle has raised $1,034. The JSC will now be banking this money and deciding the best way of using this to help improve our school facilities for the students.

Red Gum Festival

The school will be a busy place over the upcoming Redgum Festival on Saturday April 23rd. The committee have asked the school to host an Environmental Forum in the classrooms and are using our grounds for many events. Thanks to Pat Dixon, Trent Adams and to some of our parents for helping tidy up the school prior to this weekend. Thank you to all the families who are helping with events either for the school or the community. A festival of this scale takes a huge amount of planning and time and we look forward to a successful event and a chance to show case our wonderful community.

Rapids testing

The Department of Education has advised that schools will continue with the RAT testing of students for the first four weeks of Term 2. RAT tests have been sent home with students today in case you require them over the school break. If your child has any cold or flu like symptoms please make sure you continue to test them, especially before the return to school on Tuesday 26th April.

ANZAC Day

On Monday 25th April, the Cavendish community will be holding their ANZAC service at the Cenotaph at 9am. Our School Captains - Talia and Lexi will be representing our school and will be laying a wreath on our behalf.

Hospital Dress Up Day

The students and staff had a hospital dress up day to raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal. We donated $108.00. Thanks to everyone who went to the effort to dress up and donate. We had an Ambulance, patients, theatre nurse, doctor, hospital visitors, cleaners and Ms Ferrier decided to dress as Easter Bunny in readiness for the treasure hunt.

School resumes on Tuesday 26th April.

Have a lovely holiday break and I hope the Easter Bunny finds you all,

Lisa Ferrier