Dear parents, carers and school community,

Over recent weeks Yarrabah School has proven why it is the small school with the big heart. The word unprecedented has been used by many people for good reason recently. While your child was at home, Yarrabah was planning and supporting the best remote program it could and organising for students to return. I congratulate my team, as they have demonstrated unprecedented collaboration, commitment and energy at a time that was challenging for all.

Purpose

With the happy return of students last week, we focus our attention on the school purpose. It will guide us over the next four weeks to…maximise student potential by providing an individualised safe learning environment that promotes active learning, encourages adventure, independence and self-esteem.

It will also highlight the measures we have taken to….provide all students an individualised curriculum with therapeutic supports that aim to settle, regulate and support our students routine, environment and school community.

Key Messages

We have devised five key messages to focus on over these next few weeks. They align with our purpose and REAL framework. They are:

Regulate before we educate
All behaviour is communication
Relationships result in learning
It's going to be OK
Hand hygiene and frequent cleaning is STILL our best form of defence in the fight against COVID-19

Safe Learning Environment

Providing an individualised safe learning environment is so important to us. Over the last two weeks we have planned your child’s class, learning environment, playground, entry and exit to school to be a safe and supportive place to learn. The Parent Return to School Guide identifies each measure.

Morning and afternoon arrival and departures are orderly, safe and less congested. This has been helpful for students to settle, remain calm and get ready to learn.
A staggered approach has ensured students arrive calm.
Teachers and co educators are immediately beginning their important work with the child in the morning.
A staffed breakfast program has been introduced in each section. We have self funded this initiative for all students who wish to participate in it. Not only does it help to regulate the child, but provides for a very social and calm way to begin each day. It enables speech and communication, life skills and personal hygiene to be taught in practical and purposeful ways.
Students with food intolerances spend quality time in the classroom with their teachers.

Yarrabah has also invested in measures to make the environment safe. Each classroom and learning area is well prepared for cross infection and managing surfaces that require frequent control. Many staff have undertaken courses to manage our current situation.

Stay at home if unwell

It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure we seek medical advice if our child is showing symptoms. Staff will stay at home if they are unwell. Specialist staff are embedded across each section providing peace of mind for all. In cases of staff absence, each section has local staff support. Our Assistant Principal, Lauri Davis, has liaised with the casual relief agency to ensure we are allocated staff of choice. We are also inviting Out of School Hours Care program staff, who have an intimate knowledge of our approach to replace staff during the day if they are available.

Learning program

Student learning is a revision of remote and new active curriculum. Our teachers have ensured your child experiences the breadth of what was offered during the remote period. We are now ensuring that each child is prepared to experience these wonderful lessons, in practical and well-supported ways, here and now. There will be chances to assess your child’s capabilities, but not in a formal way just yet. We have decided that regulation and communication are the most important elements to re establish before formal assessment of ability against the curriculum occurs. When the reports come out, you will not see a level allocated to the curriculum area.

We are watching

Watching your child’s return to school has been important. Our staff have been closely watching your child over the past week. Staff are allocating significant periods of their time interacting positively with your child. It's important that each staff member can determine the extra support needed to boost self confidence, reduce anxiety, improve self esteem and support socialisation. Each class has re-introduced a ‘Check In’ process for each child, and this has been wonderful. It has made your child feel at home from the start of the day.

Buildings are taking shape

Take a look at what is only just around the corner. Our new buildings are really taking shape and so to are our play areas. Here are some pictures that you might be interested in.

Matthew Harris

Principal

Yarrabah School

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