Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends,

Well........ I'm wondering if some parents are feeling like their children are missing out because they are at home being supported by you rather than at school. Please let me reassure you that I believe all of the children are learning, from what I can access on line, with the dedication of home and school. It is just SO different! They are also in the very fortunate position of spending time as a family far more often than usual and that will bring unexpected benefits. Their learning may be different, but it is learning! I am sure you will create lasting memories for them as they grow older which they will look back on fondly.....even if you as parents are going prematurely grey or feeling like you need extra medication!!!

Thanks so much for the feedback you have provided on how remote learning is working for you. I know occasionally links don't work, devices that you thought would be fine aren't (please ring the office if this is the case for you) and other such small hurdles. If this happens in your house first point of contact is your class teacher. They solve so many issues so quickly as we go through this period of adjustment. Your children can complete some art, go outside for a break, read or draw if you need a break and the teacher hasn't had a chance to respond which should enable you to get on with what you need to do at home in the meantime.

Our specialist teachers continue to provide their program for the children. Please continue to engage with this learning and do let these teachers know through an upload of a picture onto Seesaw or a comment to your child's teacher of art, music, PE and Italian.

A reminder again that we are having to mark our attendance roles each day. As such, to enable the school to mark your child as 'present' they need to have engaged with at least some of the learning in the period between when it was set and the next morning. I can only presume to understand how difficult remote schooling is for some of our families so we at school fully understand that there will be occasions when all the work set on a day is not completed. In fact, sometimes all work in classes at school is not fully completed either. However some level of engagement that is clear for the class teacher to see will allow the school to mark a child as present.

You should hear and see more regarding video conferencing next week. I have asked staff to arrange class meeting times with a wellbeing focus towards the end of next week. Assuming everything goes ahead as planned I look forward to seeing the teachers connect with their classes visually.

I thank Mrs Ary for sharing student work. Her Anzac Day slideshow was a joy to watch. I know she is finding it a challenge to create these but love seeing the student's work as I trust you do too. I really enjoyed the Art activity this week where students were asked to re-create a famous artwork. I saw a wonderful 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and a couple of great self portraits of 'Frieda Kahlo'. Those eyebrows!!

Mrs Thomas has set up every student with a Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge log in. You can find the log in on your seesaw. This year, perhaps better than any other year, affords our students with an opportunity to complete this. Congratulations to Sophie R, Hayden C and Sophie H who have already completed the challenge.

A reminder again that we are very aware of how stressful this time is for many families regarding health and financial circumstances. As a school community we will continue to do our best to support your family in ensuring an ongoing education for our students. Please let us know if there is something we may be able to do to support you.

God is with us - let your light shine!

God Bless

Rod

School Attendance and Unexplained Absence

Please ensure you contact the school before 9:30am if your child is going to be absent or late by leaving a message on 9786 4736 and press #1.

If you are running late (after 9:00 am ) please attend the office to sign your child into school.

As per our policy this will be our morning routine for absences:

Parents will be contacted as soon as practicable on the morning a student is absent via a phone call or text message.

If parent does not reply or is unreachable the emergency contacts will be contacted by the school.

If there is still no response, and the school feels that the child is in danger, the police will be contacted.

Ongoing unexplained absences or lack of cooperation regarding student attendance will result in

a formal conference being organized. Unresolved attendance issues will be referred to D.H.H.S.

This is a legal requirement.