The Talk Around ...
Welcome back to school for 2021
We hope you have all had a well deserved break and opportunity to spend time with friends and family over the school holiday period. We look forward to seeing you all again when students begin on Friday 29th January.
We particularly welcome new students and families to our school community. As well as our new Foundation students, we warmly welcome a number of new students at other year levels. A number of our new students were able to join us on orientation day. For those that will have their first day at Trafalgar Primary School on Friday we look forward to meeting you and sending you home with some new friends.
This January edition of the Talk Around Traf contains important information about the daily operations of the school. Please take the time to reacquaint yourselves with bell times, attendance, uniform requirements and other policies and procedures that help our students make a positive start to the new school year. Included with this issue is Diary Dates. Please note the student free days in 2021.
Learning Conference 2021
Many of our teachers have been working onsite during January. They have been preparing classroom spaces and refining learning programs to meet the individual needs of each student in their new classroom.
All staff will be participating in our annual Learning Conference. The Learning Conference is held over two days prior to the return of students. During this event our staff will reflect on our performance during 2020 and our strategic direction for 2021.
We are very excited about a number of new initiatives that will be launched this year including Out of School Hours Care, an extensive Tutoring Program to support students in need of Catchup, and the Student Excellence Program to provide extension for our highest achievers. We look forward to sharing more about these programs with you in coming weeks.
This year a guest presenter will work with our staff to help us better support students that have suffered trauma including the impact COVID-19. We call this work Trauma Informed Practice. The aim of our learning will be to better understand, recognise and respond more effectively to the impact of trauma on students. important elements of a trauma-informed practice approach are to:
• understand what trauma is • realise the impact of trauma on students’ relationships, behaviour and learning • recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma • respond by adapting policies, procedures and practices • identify potential paths to success for students
Our 2021 student and parent opinion survey results indicated that Trafalgar Primary School is considered a safe and respectful school by our community. By adopting a Trauma Informed approach we aim to further enhance our reputation and performance by providing greater strategies and support for students that require it. This will also help to reduce the impact negative behaviours can have on the learning of others.
Support for students and parents
- Parentline - phone 13 22 89
- Kids Helpline - phone 1800 55 1800
- Mental health support after an emergency or natural disaster
Reception Hours
The office will be open January 27th and 28th 2021 - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Normal office hours resume from Friday January 29th 2020 which are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Booklists and Parent Payments
Booklists, Parent Payment Schedule and Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund application (for those eligible) were distributed to families in early December 2020. Additional copies are available from reception. Parents had the option to purchase the booklist from Select Office Supplies Warragul via the internet or purchase identical items from any other supplier.
Please note that Parent Payment Schedule is due by 28th February 2021.
Outstanding Fees from 2020
Any families that have outstanding balances for 2020 will need to either:
- have your account paid in full by 31st January 2021, or
- Organise a payment plan with the school
Payment Plans
We are very happy to stylise parent payments to suit individual family needs. Payment plans over time are supported by the school. Please contact us if you would like to organise a plan for 2021
Outside School Hours Care
This is a new service we offer in 2021 in partnership with the YMCA. Information including a description of the service and how to enrol your student can be found using the link below.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club runs every day commencing Monday 1st February from 8.15 am to 8.45 am in the BER building. Once students enter they must remain until 8.45.
The Victorian Government has continued its partnership with Foodbank Victoria. Foodbank supports programs that give students the opportunity to eat a wholesome, nutritious breakfast on a regular basis. Having breakfast has been shown to have a positive impact on factors such as physical and mental health, social skills, concentration, behaviour, attendance and academic outcomes.
Our School Breakfast Club aims to ensure that students who may not have had the opportunity to have breakfast before coming to school can still start the day with a healthy meal.
While we greatly appreciate those who have expressed an interest in volunteering to support this program due to Covid-19 visitor restrictions Breakfast Club will be run by school staff at this stage.
For more information about the School Breakfast Clubs Program visit:
www.foodbank.org.au/VIC/school-breakfast-clubs-in-action
2020 Bell Times
8:50 am - Classrooms open (Music plays)
9:00 am - Learning Starts
11:30 am - Recess
1:40 pm - 2:30 pm Lunch
3.25 pm - finish
It is important that parents and carers understand that with the exception of bus travellers, staff supervision is not possible before 8.45am and that students are expected to leave promptly at the end of the day. Parents are responsible for ensuring supervision at other times.
COVID-19 Restrictions
The COVID-19 settings as outlined in the Term 4 Operational Advice (updated Tuesday 8 December 2020) remain in place at the commencement of Term 1.
Physical distancing measures are still in place, parents are required to maintain 1.5 metres between each other as far as is practical at the start and end of the school day.
- Parents and carers must continue to wait outside the school grounds during pickup and drop off times
- Parents and carers should not come onto the school grounds during drop-off and pick-up times unless visiting reception. Parents are asked to say goodbye to their child/ren at the school gate, “Kiss and Go.”
- Parents and carers are not to attend student classrooms without first making an appointment with reception
- To reduce traffic at peak periods parents and carers are encouraged to park vehicles a short distance from the school and encourage students to walk the remaining way.
- To support contact tracing schools must continue to keep a record of all staff, students and visitors who attend on site for more than 15 minutes.
- Staff will continue to be available for students that need additional support at drop off and pick up times
Since implementation Kiss and Go has significantly reduced the number of accidents and injuries before and after school. Teachers in the yard report the decrease in traffic has made the supervision of students easier. We have seen a significant reduction in the number of students suffering from separation anxiety at drop off time. While we know this has not been the case for every child, we believe the current pick up and drop off arrangements have helped to build independence and resilience in our young people.
Staff will be available at the front gate with additional support provided for Foundation and new students. This will include facilitation of First Day of School photos.
Student Pick Up and Drop Off
All students will be expected to be at school by 8.50 am when the music sounds before the bell.
The last class will finish at 3.25pm. Please play your part in maintaining a safe environment by complying with parking regulations, speed limits and other traffic controls.
Enhanced Cleaning
We will also keep in place our enhanced cleaning arrangements. This includes increased hand washing. Students are encouraged to bring their own drink bottle each day.
Students with sensitive skin allergies or medical conditionals are welcome to bring their own hand sanitiser.
Chromebooks
Students in Years 3 to 6 are expected to bring their chromebook to school every day. It is also expected that students will recharge their Chromebook overnight, ready for a full day’s use at school. We ask all parents to ensure Chromebooks are used responsibly at home.
Parents and Guardians are also reminded that private property brought to school by students is not insured by the school or covered by school insurance, and that it is not the responsibility of the Department if that property is lost, stolen or damaged. Therefore the school asks staff and students to take home personal property each night. Further information on DET policy can be found here.
To enable your child to sign-on and access these online services as part of our schools teaching and learning program, Google require access to your child’s Department of Education and Training username, first and last name, year level and school.
You may request that our school not provide this information to Google, and opt-out your child from using Google Apps. As a result, your child will not have access to the online services and alternate
arrangements for allocating work will be made. Link to opt-out form.
Providing a safe online environment
Use of online services will be subject to classroom supervision during school hours. Students should report unacceptable behaviour, and a nominated member of staff will address the issue during school hours.
To further assist your child in having safe and positive experiences online, you can refer to parent information on the Australian Government’s Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner website: https://esafety.gov.au/
In addition, staff at our school have been advised that the use of Google Apps for Education is strictly for teaching and learning material only (e.g. lesson plans and classwork) and staff do not upload your child’s personal, sensitive, health; or security classified information into Google Apps for Education.
Student responsibilities when using online services
When using Google Apps for Education, students continue to be responsible for their behaviour as
outlined in our school’s Students Acceptable Use Agreement. The main themes of this agreement are:
communicate respectfully; protect personal information; and look after yourself and others.
Damaged your Chromebook over the holiday?
You don't have to wait until your child returns to school to have your device repaired. Simply visit the Edunet website complete the details and a repair can be organised.
Your device can be up and running for day one of school.
Have your contact details changed?
Please ensure we have up to date phone/address/ email details to ensure you are receiving important information and can be contacted. We are trying as much as possible to reduce the amount printing/paper usage and providing families more detail electronically.
If there is a change in your family circumstances, please contact Reception promptly to enable details to be amended accordingly. Thank you!
Annual Privacy Reminder
Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.
Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement.
For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in nine community languages:
Amharic
Arabic
Dari
Mandarin
Somali
Sudanese
Turkish
Urdu
Vietnamese.
Medications
Please note that if your child is required to take any medication during school hours, a Medication Request Form must be filled out, signed and brought to Reception together with the medication. The medication must be in its original packaging clearly stating the child’s name and dosage required. Also please note that Trafalgar Primary School requires up to date Allergy/Asthma/Anaphylaxis Plans. These plans need to be updated yearly.
Personal Injuries at School
Families are reminded that The Department does not have insurance for accidental injuries. A claim for compensation will only be successful if shown that the injury sustained is the result of The Department failing to discharge the duty of care that was owed to your child. The duty is one to take reasonable steps to avoid reasonably foreseeable injury.
Families should make their own arrangements for accidental injury insurance if this is a concern.
Allergies - Anaphylaxis
Students who are enrolled at our school may have allergies to bees or peanut products. These allergies can cause anaphylaxis. While the school has an emergency management plan developed, it is important to have preventative procedures in place to minimise any likelihood of an incident. As you know, all students need to have a safe environment at school, and therefore I would like to ask the assistance of all parents to establish a safe environment particularly for their student. Parents please notify Reception if your child suffers from anaphylaxis. This will make a major difference in our preventative program and care of the student. If any parents have questions or queries concerning this request, please contact the School on 5633 1566.
Communication
The school newsletter is published each fortnight. The newsletter is in two editions; “The Talk Around…”, and “Message from the Principals.” Each edition includes a copy of the latest “Diary Dates" to keep students and parents informed of all events taking place within the School. Alternatively, hard copies can be collected from the office.
Compass Parent Portal
Our online communication service for families called ‘Compass’. This is the primary means of communication between the school and home. Parents are able to login to Compass via the link https://trafps-vic.compass.education
You can access Compass on any web enabled device: laptop, iPhone, iPad, tablet or android phone.
Each family has a unique login for Compass and can be used straight away.
Compass provides the school community with a range of functions which streamline the school’s communication processes and provides enhanced access to information for parents. Parents should access Compass on a regular basis for news and information.
1. Email address and mobile phone number – are able to be updated through the portal. The details listed will be used to send emails and SMS alerts.
2. News Feed – the school will post news to parents to remind you about events and activities at the school. Your news feed will be customised, showing only the information relevant to you and your children.
3. Attendance – view your child’s attendance online, approve absences, and indicate future absences.
4. Reports – view your child’s report as an electronic PDF file.
5. Newsletters – Diary Dates, The Talk Around… and Message from the Principals is published on Compass.
6. Teachers email link – email your child’s teachers directly.
7. Excursions – approve your child’s participation in excursions and other special events.
8. Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews – appointments are made online for these interviews in Term 2 and Term 4.
9. Consent and Payments – you can consent and pay for excursions, also pay for school fees.
Information Session
On the first day of school the Principal and some members of the leadership team will be available to meet with new parents, answer questions and introduce services and tools including Compass. If you are a new member of the school community and would like to participate please head to reception at 9 am. After signing in you will be directed to the Adult Learning Centre.
It's not Okay To Be Away
Attendance Information For Parents/Carers - Frequently Asked Questions About Attendance:
What is my responsibility as a parent/caregiver?
Make sure your child attends school on ALL school days and is on time every day
Make sure you:
• provide the school with an explanation if your child is away
• contact the school if your child does not want to go to school
• arrange doctor and dentist appointments out of school hours
• arrange personal shopping trips with your son/ daughter or birthday celebrations out of school hours
• do not allow your child to stay at home for minor reasons
Attendance - It’s not okay to be away
Daily student attendance is essential for your child to reach their potential at school in 2020. Non attendance at school makes it difficult for students to complete work requirements and consequently to pass subjects. If your son or daughter is going to be absent for any reason please telephone
Reception on 5633 1566 and tell us:
• the name of the student
• length of the absence
• reason for the absence
Late Arrival/Early Departure
In some exceptional circumstances, such as medical or dental appointments, students arrive late to school, or need to leave early. Students arriving late are expected to bring an appropriate note of explanation. This must be presented at the office where they formally ‘sign in’. Students who need to leave early are required to present an explanatory note to their teacher and then ‘sign out’ at Reception.
SunSmart Policy
Trafalgar Primary School’s SunSmart policy is in place to:
Ensure all students and staff are protected from over-exposure to UV radiation;
• ensure the outdoor environment provides shade for students and staff;
• ensure students are encouraged and supported to develop independent sun protection skills to help them be responsible for their own sun protection;
• support duty of care requirements; and
• support appropriate OHS strategies to minimise UV risk and associated harms for staff and visitors.
Background
Too much of the sun’s UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer in later life.
The sun protection times are a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology for the time of day UV levels are forecast to reach 3 or higher. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. In Victoria, UV levels regularly reach 3 or higher from mid-August to the end of April.
1. Seek shade
• The availability of shade is considered when planning all other outdoor activities.
• Students are encouraged to use available areas of shade when outside. Students who do not have appropriate hats or outdoor clothing are asked to play in the shade or a suitable area protected from the sun.
2. Slip on sun protective clothing
• Cool, loose-fitting, sun protective clothing made of densely woven fabric is included in our school uniform / dress code and sports uniform. It includes shirts with collars and elbow-length sleeves, longer dresses and shorts and rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming.
3. Slap on a hat
• All students are required to wear hats that protect their face, neck and ears (broad-brimmed), whenever they are outside. Peak caps and visors are not considered a suitable alternative.
4. Slop on sunscreen
• Students must wear SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. This is included on the school’s booklist each year or can be provided by parents.
Uniform Policy
School Uniform is a proud and distinctive part of the Trafalgar Primary School identity. It is a practical dress code which has Parents and Friends Association support and has been made compulsory by School Council.
The following list will be of assistance to you when purchasing items for school wear. Our school colours are red, white and black. The official supplier of the uniform is Sport2Street, 16 Contingent Street, Trafalgar. There is no obligation for parents to purchase uniforms from Sport2Street however, they are the only supplier authorized to print garments with the school logo. Iron-on name labels are available for purchase also.
Uniform
Red hat with school logo. Must be wide brimmed 7cm (or more). To be worn in Terms One and Four and on days of high UV.
Polo shirt with logo, red
Skivvy red or white
Red windcheater or handknitted jumper with logo
Black shorts plain black with no trim, stripes or pictures
Black pants plain black with no trim, stripes or pictures
Dress red and white check (white collar and cuffs)
Skirt black winter - knee length
Socks red, white or black to compliment the uniform
Black shoes - plain black school shoes (lace up, pull on, buckles, velcro or T-bar)
Sports Uniform
Sports shirt (supplied by school when representing Trafalgar Primary School)
Black shorts - as above
Red netball skirt
Sports brief - red or black
School socks - as above
Shoes - plain black school shoes or appropriate sports footwear
Optional Items Available from Sport2Street
Spray jacket red, Raincoat red and fully waterproof, School bags with logo
Year six jacket, school logo (iron-on logo) available at Sport2Street (for
year six students only). Beanie plain black, Polar fleece bucket hat red.
Link to Dress Code Legislation Policy
Link to Dress Code Exemptions Policy
Link to Developing and Reviewing Dress Code Policy
Meet the Teacher Evening
Don't forget we have Our Meet The Teachers Evening happening on Tuesday 9th February 4:00pm until 6:00 pm.
This is an opportunity for parents to visit classrooms, find out about programs and routines, ask questions and get to know the teacher. It is also an opportunity to share information about your child with the teacher.
When parents and teachers work together the educational outcomes are always better for children. Benefits of a strong parent teacher partnership also include maintaining the wellbeing of children, parents feeling more confident in the teaching and learning process and teachers feeling supported by parents. As it is very early in the school year teachers will not be able to talk about children's progress at this time.
If you have confidential information to share with the teacher be aware that there will be other parents and children in the room and it may be better to organise a separate time to meet with the class teacher.
No School on Wednesdays for Foundation Students
Parents and Carers are reminded that for the first five Wednesdays of Term 1 Foundation students are not required to be at school. Although we use this time to make an appointment with each child for 1 hour. This time is used by teachers to assess the children to help gain a better understanding of their knowledge around Literacy and Mathematics. The assessment that we use is called the English Online Interview and the Maths Online Interview. Parents are not required to stay for this hour.
A schedule for interviews has been developed and families will be contacted shortly.
Foundation students attend school full time starting 8th of March.
CCTV
Schools have an obligation to ensure the school environment is safe and secure and fulfil a duty of care to students, staff and visitors. The CCTV system exists to assist our school to fulfil these obligations and to prevent and manage other inappropriate behaviour on school grounds.
CCTV provides enhanced capability to protect our school’s assets against vandalism and theft. CCTV strengthens our school’s security by providing an appropriate level of surveillance on school grounds and assists our school to take all reasonable steps to prevent reasonably foreseeable harm on school premises (duty of care). The presence of CCTV cameras deters misconduct and inappropriate behaviour and reassures students, staff and visitors that they are protected when on school grounds. The schools CCTV policy describes how our CCTV system does this, consistent with Victorian privacy law.
Parents and Friends Association
Parents and Friends meet once a month and you do not need to be a member to attend. If you would like more information or would like to provide correspondence for our next meeting please contact our Secretary at pandfsecretary3824@gmail.com. Thank you again for supporting our Parents and Friends events.