Principal Update
Thursday 28th April
Dear families,
Welcome to Term 2. We are looking forward to enjoying another exciting term of learning that will build upon last term, our first term in 2 years without any lockdowns!
Parent Information Evening next Wednesday 4 May at 6:30pm
As communicated late last year our MCPS teaching team has undertaken a huge amount of professional learning in teaching reading. As a staff we are determined to update our knowledge in this area to ensure we are using evidence-based best practice methods.
We immersed ourselves in the body of research commonly referred to as the science of reading. We began with some neuroscience research about how the brain learns to read and then dug deeper with research into the ‘Big 6’ —oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. We also researched the importance of morphology and background knowledge.
Starting in the Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms we have implemented a systematic synthetic phonics program called "Little Learners Love Literacy" and we will be providing information about this approach and how you can assist your child’s reading at home.
Year 6 jackets
These have arrived and are being proudly worn. You will notice that they are also a different colour to give our students in their final year of primary school a point of difference and to feel a little special.
Thank you to the Emerald Men’s Shed
The Emerald Men’s Shed have made some tables and benches that we can utilise as outdoor learning spaces. The tables will soon be undercover as we get our shade sails installed in the next month or so. This will provide a great learning space for our Year 5/6 students to enjoy. See attached photo of the benches in the playground area near the hall
School Photos
We had many students absent on the day of our school photos due to illness and isolation. As a result, we have arranged to have another day to catch up. This will be happening on Thursday, May 12.
Federal Election – Saturday May 21
You may have become aware that we are having an election in a few weeks! Our school will be open as a polling centre. We will be having a BBQ up and running and may be seeking some volunteers.
We have had updates from the Department around Covid:
Face masks
While recommended, are not required in any school setting. This means students in Years 3 to 6, staff and visitors are no longer required to wear face masks. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at-risk.
Screening requirements
Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.
Household contacts
Students and staff who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are no longer required to quarantine. They can return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period and wear face masks indoors if they are aged 8 and above unless they have a valid exemption.
If any household contact returns a positive RAT result during this period, they must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.
Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools
Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
RAT screening program extension reminder
The supply of RATs will continue for the first 4 weeks of this term. The screening recommendations remain the same for mainstream schools – recommended to test at home twice a week. We will be sending home more kits today or tomorrow.
Assembly
Tomorrow we will be having our assembly from 2:45pm.
We will have this outside in the green space!!!
Regards,
Dale McInerney