Principal Report

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some family time over the Easter break and recharge ready for a busy term ahead.

Capital Works Program

Following a rigorous tender process, SJ Higgins Group is the successfully appointed Building Contractor, unanimously selected by the building control group and approved by the independent auditor. SJ Higgins have considerable experience within the education portfolio having completed a significant number of major works projects on a range of both government and private schools. They also have extensive experience in undertaking works in the health sector while the facility remained fully operational. Management of the construction site, minimising impact on our school operations and maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff are three extremely important factors for us and we feel SJ Higgins has the experience and care to manage this well.

https://www.sjhiggins.com.au/education.htm

Staff have been diligently working to prepare the school for commencement of works with two main recreation spaces now developed along with additional alcoves located within the school and outside alongside the eastern boundary. Simon, our extremely multi-skilled maintenance officer has created a temporary wall and door covering the kitchenette in the room previously used as the therapist office to ensure students can play freely within a safe environment. Recreation opportunities and times will be trialled and reviewed as we adjust to life at Belmore without the use of our playground.

Term 2 COVIDSafe Measures

Following the announcement in the holidays of the Victorian Government’s changes to COVIDSafe measures for schools, upon return the COVIDSafe team met and determined that while we were all required to undertake daily rapid antigen tests we would continue to take a conservative approach as we transition to a reduction in safety requirements.

Term 2 COVIDSafe measures include:

Continuation of the five days a week RAT screening program (for at least the first 4 weeks).
Face masks, while no longer mandated, remain recommended. Staff will be required to wear face masks when supporting students with their personal care and mealtime needs and encouraged to wear them when working in close proximity with students and colleagues.
Household contacts are no longer required to quarantine, however those who cannot wear a face mask or maintain physical distancing will be precluded from attending onsite, with each case being given careful consideration by the principal and school nurse.
Parents, carers and visitors will be welcomed back onto the school site and those not performing work will not be required to provide evidence of vaccination.
Parents and carers bringing their child to school are now welcomed to bring them into the administration area. Parents and carers collecting their child at the end of the day will continue to wait outside as this has proven to be the preferred process.
Extra-curricular activities will resume.
Staff meetings and professional development can be held face-to-face.
School community events will be permitted.
Temperature testing of students will be phased out.

SSG Meetings

Over the next two weeks parents and carers will be invited to attend SSG meetings to review their child's IEP and take the opportunity to provide input into their annual goals. While we are finally able to meet in person here onsite for these meetings, we understand that some parents and carers may prefer the flexibility to continue to meet online through Webex. Further information will be sent home.

Happy Mothers' Day

Sadly the difficult decision was made to cancel our much loved Mother’s Day celebration due to the limitation on space availability as we prepared for the capital works project. With community events now permitted we will ensure we provide opportunities throughout the year to re-connect onsite with our parents and carers. The first of these is planned to take place during Education Week later this month.

We wish all our very special Belmore mothers the most magical day with your children on Sunday and hope you enjoy the special gifts they have lovingly prepared at school.

Karen Overall

Principal