Principal Message – Term 3

Principal’s Message Week 1 Term 3 2022

Welcome back everyone! I trust you all had a restful and enjoyable holiday. I know that many families headed overseas or interstate for some respite from Melbourne’s chilly weather. I hope you enjoyed the time spent with your children and that your children have returned to school refreshed and ready for the challenge of term three.

One of the startling effects of COVID has been the impact to children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Recent studies have shown that for some children there can be up to nearly two years of social – emotional developmental loss, impacting their relationships, their ability to make friends, play with other children and is presenting as anxiety, clinginess, boredom, tantrums and under- stimulation. Given the importance of relationships in this growth stage for children, we prioritize the first week of every term at school as Wellbeing Week. It plays an important part in setting the foundations for the term ahead by revisiting routines and expectations, it enables children to reconnect to their peers and teachers and focuses on relationships and friendships. A priority for all year levels has been on developing resilience and a growth mindset, both of which are essential components of becoming a self-motivated and engaged learner. The staff are working with the children to develop the skills, mindset, positive self-talk and attributes needed for this.

If there is one thing that has emerged from recent studies – school’s provide a place where children can practice and learn through play; learn and practice how to negotiate relationships; and provide children with a place where they can make mistakes, take safe risks and try new things in a safe and supported environment.

You will receive today, via Skoolbag, an outline of what is happening over the term in your child’s class through the class overviews. This will be a busy term and teachers have planned some wonderful experiences for each year level. Please refer to these as they outline what the class will be focusing on in each area of the curriculum, the days your child has specialist lessons, homework and important dates for the year level.

We look forward to working in partnership with you this term and hope to see you at assembly and invite you to take part in the many opportunities we have planned for the term.

We respectfully acknowledge the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which we learn and play. WeI pay respect to ongoing living cultures of First Peoples, their ancestors and their Elders; past, present and emerging.

The new Child Safety Standards

On 1 July this year the new Child Safety Standards came into effect. There are now 11 standards as opposed to 7.

Key changes include new requirements:

to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
for greater clarity on the governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.

Changes have been made to support greater national consistency, reflecting the National Principles for a Child Safe Organisation developed following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

As such I wish to draw your attention to the updated polices that can be found on our website https://www.stcolumbasprimary.org/macs-policies.html

I ask that you familiarise yourself with the Child Safety and Wellbeing policy, the Parent, Guardian and Carer Code of Conduct and parents wishing to volunteer at the school or school events will need to sign the new Code of Conduct and return it with you Working With Children’s Check to the office.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

To minimise disruption to learning and potential loss/ damage all mobile phones and smart watches (with the capability to send and receive calls and texts) are to be handed into the office on arrival at school and can be collected at the end of the day. Please encourage your child to seek assistance from staff during school time.

Should you need to contact your child during the day please call the office 95316560 and a message will be passed on.

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