A note from Mr Jackson

During this Reconciliation Week it is an appropriate place to start with acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, learn and play, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. We pay our respects to Elders both past, present and emerging.

On Thursday, our School Captains participated in a National Sorry Day Ceremony hosted by the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group. It was an opportunity to join with other students in recognising the history of the stolen generation and the need for healing. Those who were present at the assembly on Friday heard from our Captains about the significance of their experience. Students have continued to participate in a range of activities in classrooms as we have moved through the week!

5/6 Camp Adanac

We wish our campers a wonderful and refreshing time away on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week. We know the significant growth that these experiences can inspire in students. For many, they have had only brief opportunities away from home over the last few years. Two nights away, participating in a range of adventure experiences, will challenge them. We look forward to hearing of the experience of all, upon their return on Friday afternoon.

Volunteers Needed

We are still hopeful that a parent or carer may support our Tennis players by walking to and from Macleod on a Friday at 11:00am. If you have some time and wish to increase your steps then please give the office a call or speak with Kelli! 

Attendance – Every Day Counts 

While we battle the impact of the flu with staff and students, I encourage parents and carers to continue to support the routines of school attendance as much as possible. Daily learning in classrooms is structured into sequences that build on skills and understandings. This focus on differentiated learning ensures students are supported to move through learning cycles. Regular absences disrupt and have a profound impact on learning growth. The absence of students is often unavoidable for a range of reasons, especially during this winter season. Despite this, I continue to encourage parents to ensure their child is in attendance if they are well. Every day counts!

Please ensure that you have provided the appropriate approval for students’ absences on Compass. We will be sending a note home shortly, related to student absences to parents who have not yet entered explanations for absences. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

COVID Notifications

We have been effective in isolating teaching and learning areas over the year thus far. This has been a risk minimisation strategy to limit the potential spread of COVID.  With ongoing statewide staff shortages, we have had to split a number of classes to different sections of the school on several occasions. For this reason, we will now be pushing notifications related to positive reports of COVID to the whole school, rather than those families who may be impacted. 

RATs Continue until the end of Term

RATs were distributed to families this week and the provision of them will continue until the end of Term 2 (the week ending 24 June 2022).

A reminder that RATs are required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7 day period) or who have symptoms.

The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms. Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.

Firewood Available

We have a stack of firewood at the rear of Chandler Hall and would love for some toes and hands to be warmed over these cool crisp evening.  Please help yourself.