Principal Report
COVIDSafe Update
COVIDSafe measures have changed but important practices will continue to be in place across all Victorian government schools to ensure every possible effort is made to ensure staff and students are safe and that schools remain open.
The COVIDsafe measures focus on the 3Vs: Ventilation, Vaccination and Vital COVIDSafe steps.
A combination of strategies remains necessary to minimise transmission risk. No single strategy completely reduces risk and not every measure will be possible in all educational settings. Where some controls are not feasible, others should be enhanced where possible.
Face Masks - The Victorian Government is stipulating that face masks must still be worn on public transport, in rideshares and taxis, on planes and when visiting sensitive settings such as hospitals and care facilities. With consideration for the sensitive health needs of our students, we are strongly recommending that all adults wear a face mask when onsite at Belmore School.
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) - RAT kits will continue to be available in our school in Terms 3 and 4. RATs continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7 day period) or who have symptoms.
The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.
Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.
Vaccinations - The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated its recommendations around fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccination. From Monday 11 July 2022, people over 30 years will be eligible for a fourth dose. ATAGI recommends that people aged 50 to 64 years should have their fourth dose, while those aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth dose. For further information see the ATAGI website - https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-updated-recommendations-for-a-winter-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine
Pupil Free Day - Wednesday 20 July
We thank you for making care arrangements for your child next Wednesday 20 July. Our focus on this day will be development of school-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS).
SWPBS is a framework that brings together school communities to develop positive, safe, supportive learning cultures.
SWPBS assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.
When SWPBS is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:
- increased respectful and positive behaviour
- increased time focused on instruction
- improved social-emotional wellbeing
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
- increased adoption of evidence-based instructional practices
- a predictable learning environment with improved perceptions of safety and increased attendance.
Official School Photos - Wednesday 27 July
Our official school photos will be taken by Hikari Photography on Wednesday 27 July. Order information has been sent home with parents and carers able to order their photos online or by returning the order form with payment prior to the day of the photos.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR THEIR
BELMORE SCHOOL UNIFORM
FOR THESE OFFICIAL SCHOOL PHOTOS.
Assessment and Reporting
I would like to acknowledge the additional workload teachers and therapists undertake as they complete the Semester 1 assessment and reporting requirements. All students are assessed against the Victorian Curriculum in the areas of English, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social Capability, Digital Literacy and Thinking Skills using the ABLES assessment tools. These assessments assist in the writing of student reports which parents will receive on Friday 29 July in preparation for discussion at the mid-year SSG meetings planned to be held between Monday 1 and Friday 5 August.
Capital Works Update
Foundation work has commenced with the installation of in-ground services and concrete footings. Unfortunately we have also lost a portion of our internal corridor in preparation for the new library to be built into the existing passage way space.
Hawthorn Football Club Annual Inclusion Match
Hawthorn Football Club has reached out to see if any students would like tickets for their families for Hawthorn’s match this weekend against West Coast Eagles.
Hawthorn will host its annual Inclusion Match when it takes on West Coast at the MCG this Sunday.
Celebrating every member in the Hawthorn family, the match has been designed to make the football a safe, supportive, and fun environment for a broader cross-section of society.
As we have completed our Hawks for All Program with Belmore, we wanted to invite some students down.
When: Sunday 17th of July
Where: MCG
Game Commences: 1:10pm
Gates Open: 12pm
Please contact the school on 9859 8762 by 4.30pm today if you are interested.
Belmore School Bank Details (reminder)
The Department of Education and Training have recently renewed their Banking and Financial Services State Purchase Contract with requirement for all Victorian Government schools to change their official account to a bank selected from a panel of three suppliers: Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Bank and National Australia Bank.
Subsequently the Belmore School Council advises that from 11 July 2022, the Belmore School Official Account will change to the Westpac Bank with our new banking details being:
Account Name: Belmore School Official Account
BSB: 033 089
Account Number: 671337
Please be assured our previous Official Account held with Bendigo Bank will still operate for a short time during our transition between banks. I take this opportunity to recognise the incredible support Bendigo Bank has provided to Belmore School over many years through our close association.
Karen Overall
Principal