THANK YOU!

I begin this newsletter by firstly saying thank you to our amazing students, staff and families who have worked so hard over the last 6+ weeks. I thank them for their support and dedication, and for the long hours that everyone has put in to ensure our students were supported, and will continue to be supported, through our transition back to a more “normal” school day.

We all know that things are not going to be as they were previously, and that it will be hard, especially for the younger years, to understand why they have to leave mum, dad or their carer at the gate.

We look forward to having everyone return with a sense of gratitude for what we have, and an appreciation of what is important.

We know that our students can’t wait to connect again with their friends, but we also understand that the transition back is going to be challenging for some.

We do want all students to understand that in Australia we care about each other and that others are not to blame for the new rules. We know children conceptualise situations differently to adults, and we will do our best to explain why school procedures have temporarily changed, and at play and recess times we might not see our siblings at the beginning of these new arrangements.

We will have more detailed communication coming out this week with lots of FAQ’s addressed (we hope), but, as you know, things change and there is always a situation that might need further adjustment.

Following announcements last week, we will begin a phased return to on-site schooling.

* Students in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2, will return to school from Tuesday 26 May.

* To support all school staff to prepare for this transition, Monday 25 May will be a pupil-free day.

* All students in Years 3 to 6 will continue learning from home until Tuesday 9 June.

* Students in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 & Year 6 will return to school from Tuesday 9 June.

The health, wellbeing and safety of our community is paramount, and we acknowledge that there may be some uncertainty returning, and that this is to be expected.

We are putting together a short guide and some FAQ’s that may address some of your current concerns and queries, and I am sure that these will be added to, as the weeks go on.

What will be the arrangements from May 26 for Prep-2?

All students in Years Prep-2 should return to school on Tuesday May 26. There is no remote learning for Monday May 25, as it is a pupil free day. There will be no more remote learning options past this date either, unless your child has a medical issue that prevents their return. Please contact the school to discuss the medical reasons for keeping your child at home.

Drop off and Pick up Times:

We have decided to use our school house colours as a way to group students, and stagger start and finish times for drop offs and pickups. Preps who may have forgotten their house colour will be posted a list.

We are asking parents to drop their children off at the following times, using the following gates:

ARRIVAL TIMES

First drop off time

8:40am

Red House please use Weeroona Rd gates

Gold House please use Hobart Rd gates

Second drop off time

8:55am

Blue House please use Weeroona Rd gates

Green House please use Hobart Rd gates

Parents are asked to not enter the grounds and not to wait at the gates, as this may create congestion. Staff will be outside classrooms to help with student arrivals, and students will be able to put their bags in their classrooms and will not line up in large groups.

Please note the Weeroona Rd gates will then be locked until pick up time.

PICK UP TIMES

Teachers will bring students to the basketball area to ensure they have sibling groups together and will proceed to the side of the school allocated to their house colour.

First pick up

3:20pm

Red House use Weeroona Rd gates

Yellow House use Hobart Rd gates

Second pick up

3:35pm

Blue House use Weeroona Rd gates

Green House use Hobart Rd gates

Cycling, riding or walking to school without a parent or guardian:

Students who normally ride to school with a parent will have to be able to manage their own bike and scooter without support. This includes putting it in the racks, unlocking their helmet and being able to take their own helmet and bag to their classroom.

Senior students who can do this independently are to use their normal route to school and come in via their normal entrance, but at the time specified by their house group. We do not want students confused when they are travelling on their own, and hope it helps for them to use their usual entrance, but at the time suggested.

OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE

This service will run as normal and the gate closest to the office will be open for those who have booked to use the service.

Please ensure that if you need to drop your child off before all gates open at 8:40am that you are registered and have a booking for the service.

LATE ARRIVALS

Late arrivals are always an issue, but they will more problematic than previously, as parents have to come in and sign for students via the kiosk.

This should be avoided at all costs to maintain adult distancing and to ensure the safety of our staff.

Please ensure that you allow for extra time to get back into the school routine and ensure you use the 8:40-8:55 window to get your children to school.

YEARS 3-6

What will be the arrangements for Years 3-6 from May 26 –June 9?

During this time, remote learning will continue as it is currently being held. Students who have a parent at home must continue to learn from home.

Staff cannot run two separate programs.

Those students in Years 3 – 6 who have been coming to school for supervision will continue to be supervised and will work on the same remote learning tasks as those at home. Families who have been doing this will continue to receive a weekly form to fill out their details.

We hope our upcoming fact sheet will answer the many questions you have going forward. If, after you receive the notice, you still have concerns please don’t hesitate to call or email.

SCHOOL COUNCIL AND BUILDING UPDATES

Whilst students have been completing remote learning, there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes with our upcoming building repairs to occur later in Term 3, and upgrades to some toilets and play areas.

At the moment, work has been completed on refurbishing the senior boys toilets in the hall; unfortunately this will not be completed by May 26, but they will be completed before the Years 3-6 return on June 9.

School Council has also approved the spending of over $100,000 on new play equipment for the northern side of the school. We will be sending out some information to our senior members of the Student School Council before the final colours are decided and any last minute suggestions are made.

We hope to have news in the next few weeks with a timeline around the installation.

When it is complete, all year levels will have opportunities to play on the new equipment.

We love our big trees, but after the recent wind and rain, there were a large number of branches causing issues. These have been trimmed and the areas are safer and less hazardous.

Our staff can’t wait to see their classes in the coming weeks and, again, I thank you for your patience and the support you have shown to our dedicated hardworking team.

Lynne Foster

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