Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to Term 4 and to on-site learning. What a year we have had. Let’s keep our fingers and toes crossed that we can remain on-site for the rest of the year. It is important that we continue to follow the guidelines and direction of the Government and the Chief health Officer and for us as a small community within a larger one, we can all play our part. The following are the social distancing measures we all need to follow to ensure that our educational setting remains safe:

Ensuring you follow the times allocated for drop-off and pick-up and use the correct gate (see attached map)

Parents wearing masks during drop-off and pick-up
Keeping 1.5 metres apart from other adults whilst waiting at the gates
Using the signage to determine how many adults can enter a confined space (e.g. office foyer)
Ensuring your child has a named drink bottle, as drink taps are not available for use
Remind your child to use the hand sanitiser available in class as they enter and exit their classroom (teachers will regularly remind them as well)
Keep your child at home if they are unwell, or collect them from school quickly if they become unwell at school
Whilst community transmissions remain low we are not required to take students temperature as they arrive, although this may change if our area becomes an area of concern

Feedback and communication with the school: We’re all excited to see the return of our students to onsite learning this term. During this time, families may wish to provide the school with feedback about their experiences during remote learning or have questions or concerns about the return to onsite learning. We appreciate receiving constructive feedback as it helps us identify what we are doing well and what we can do better.

If you would like to raise your feedback or concerns with myself or school leadership, please email melton.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au We will get back to you about next steps which may include a telephone conversation, meeting or a written response.

It is important that any communication about feedback and concerns is done so in a way that upholds our school values of respect, communication, trust and teamwork. These values set the school’s expectations for the nature and tone of communication between families and the school. We all have a shared responsibility for ensuring that we uphold these values, and I am committed to ensuring that everyone in our school community is treated with respect, fairness and dignity.

I understand that parents value having the opportunity to engage with each other and the school via social media. However, it is difficult for the school to record and manage feedback and concerns that are shared through sites such as Facebook. I would like to reiterate that the best way to have your feedback or complaint addressed, is to contact [me/ school staff] directly. It also saddens me when I hear that our positive school culture may be being undermined by way of inaccurate comments on social media, or talk in the school community, rather than addressing concerns with school staff directly. Thankfully, such instances are very rare as overall we have a very positive, collaborative and respectful school community which is focused on the best interests of our students.

I want to thank my staff, our students and families, and our whole school community for their dedication and contribution during remote and flexible learning. It was not without its challenges, but I think we can all agree that it has shown what we can achieve by working together.

Return ICT Equipment: As the students are returning to school we would appreciate parents returning the ICT equipment lent to families during term 3 as quickly as possible, especially the iPads as they are used within our classroom programs quite frequently. Please bring them to the office at your earliest convenience once the children return to school.

Therapy Dog: Recently School Council approved the policy of having a Therapy Dog at Melton West PS. Her name is Lady Marmalade and she belongs to Ms Korrina Glen. Whilst she is in her training phase, she will have limited to no contact with students. She will stay predominantly in Korrina’s office and if out will ALWAYS be on a lead. I have attached the Policy for your perusal. Next week a letter will be sent home with all children. If you DO NOT wish for your child to have contact with the dog, especially if they are allergic to dogs, please return the form so we can ensure they will not be in her presence.

Baby Li: Over the holiday break, Mrs Li (Speech Pathologist) had her second baby boy. Rory Li arrived safely on the 23rd September 2020 and everyone in the family is doing well. Congratulations on your news Jess.

World Teachers’ Day: On Friday 30th October Australia will celebrate World Teachers’ Day. This is an opportunity for the wider community to recognise and thank the teaching profession. Teachers (with support from parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families and communities. On Friday 30 October, say a big thank you to teachers and celebrate the bright future of teaching. Post a photo in your sunglasses on social media, either on your own or with family or friends. Use these tags on the social media platforms you use: #thankteachers #brightfuture@aitsl If you send a photo of yourself or your children wearing sunglasses to melton.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au we will post it on the Melton West PS Facebook Page as a celebration. World Teachers’ Day is held internationally in early October. As this is during the school holidays for many parts of Australia, we celebrate a little later. Make sure you have Friday 30 October in your diary to celebrate and thank teachers!

No Hat No Play: We have a Sun Smart policy which outlines when hats need to be worn outside during recess and lunch and during sport events and sessions held outside. I have attached a copy of this policy with this newsletter for your information. Please ensure your child has a school approved royal blue, broad-brimmed hat, available at Lowes at Woodgrove Shopping Centre for their protection. We would appreciate if you could have a conversation about the importance of being sun safe to support us and your child by ensuring they have an appropriate hat. Please ensure they have their name clearly marked on the hat.

Prep Enrolments for 2021: If you have a child in preschool, or is turning 5 before 30th April 2021, we are accepting enrolments for Prep 2021. Please call the office for details. If you have family or friends with children who should start school next year, please encourage them to contact the school for a Prep Enrolment Pack. Unfortunately we cannot do School Tours until things settle down. Once we get the all clear we will let everyone know because we are looking forward to showing everyone our school.

Planning for 2021: To help us plan our staffing needs for next year please let us know if your child will not be returning to Melton West PS in 2021. You can let us know in writing by emailing us at melton.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au

High Levels of Learning for All

Michelle Costa

Principal

Please click on the map below to see what time and through which gate your children will be entering the school.

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