Health and Well-Being

Well done to all our families who have so magnificently helped to support their children at home with online learning as well as juggle their own work commitments and keep the household running. I cannot believe we have been working in this manner for four weeks now. As I continue to talk to our parents I am receiving wonderful feedback about the amazing job our teachers are doing and how grateful the parents are for this. However, for some of our families managing daily life as well as supporting others is proving to be very complex and at times very difficult.

Some of our families may not be aware that Beyond Blue https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au currently have a Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service - 1800 512 348. They also provide an online forum where you can communicate with others about your concerns.

Working from home is a very new scenario for many of us, so Beyond Blue has provided information which covers:

- How to look after your mental health when working from home.

- Working from home safely and productively.

- Work and your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.

Managing daily life during lockdown is also a challenge, so Beyond Blue has provided information which looks at:

- Coping with isolation and being at home;

- Staying connected;

- Coping with grief and loss;

- No support network

- Information for Indigenous Australians.

I am supporting others is for our school community a major focus as you are all looking after children and young people. Beyond Blue provides great information on:

Dealing with anxiety tips for parents
From toddlers to teens: how to talk about the coronavirus
How to alleviate fear and worry in children
Reassuring your children about the unknown
Talking about scary stuff in the news.

The Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing support service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the phone, where trained mental health professionals are available to chat to. This particular website is also being updated regularly with advice and strategies to help support our community. So if you feel you need support, this site might be just the right one to help you.

Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Information

Dear Parents,

The Year 6 to Year 7 transition information pack 2020 - “Guidance for parents and carers with Year 6 children at government schools” was sent to the postal addresses of all our Year 6 families during the first week of term 2.

Due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), adjustments to the state wide timetable have been made to help support families with the transition process.

The revised due date for return of the Application for Year 7 Placement 2021 is now 29th May 2020.

It is important to note that there is a DET placement policy which government schools must follow to manage enrolments. Eligible children and young person’s have the right to be admitted to their designated neighbourhood school. A student’s designated neighbourhood school is generally the school that is nearest the student’s permanent address as determined by the school zone. The website Findmyschool.vic.gov.au provides guidance on which school zone a student’s permanent residence is located within.

There is a priority of order of placement which a school must follow when accepting students.

1. Students for whom the school is the designated neighbourhood school.

2. Students with a sibling at the same permanent address who are attending the school at the same time.

3. Where the Regional Director has restricted the enrolment, students who reside nearest the school.

4. Students seeking enrolment on specific curriculum grounds.

5. All other students in order of closeness of their home to the school.

6. In exceptional circumstances a student may be enrolled in a school based on compassionate grounds.

A huge thank you to those families who have already posted back or personally returned to the school office their completed forms, however if you have not received your transition documents in the mail, please contact the office asap.

Just a reminder that if a parent/carer, chooses to return the Application form via email, but are unable to sign the form, the family should clearly indicate in their return email that they authorise the Application form without a signature. This authorisation email should be attached to the Application form.

It is important to remember that Primary Schools are responsible for managing the Year 6 to Year 7 placement process from beginning to end, including all communication with parents not the secondary school.

If you have any queries about this process, please contact Julie or Rebecca.

The Rocket

7th May 2020

Issue 12 · 07 May 2020

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