LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES – Happy/Active Kids 😊

A focus for all schools is providing a safe and welcoming playground for all our students during recess and lunch breaks. Our children’s interests and needs are diverse. Teachers met recently to begin planning some of the lunchtime activities that will run this year. We will soon survey students to hear what it is they would like to participate in during some lunchtimes. Covid is making this undertaking slightly different this year, as we are still encouraged not to mix year levels whilst indoors. We will share these plans with our students as soon as possible.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Last Wednesday 17th March the AGM and March meeting of our School Council were held. Verity Walker was elected President for 2022 with Richenda Sabo supporting as Vice President. Sandra Michela is our Secretary and Karen Phillips, the treasurer. We thank these parents in addition to all of the members of our 2022 council for giving up their valuable time to be part of our school council. The parent members of our 2022 School Council are Verity Walker, Sandra Michela, Karen Phillips, Joshua Stuart, Viren Dholakia, Miranda Welham, Zoe Poulson, Richenda Sabo and Chelsea Wallace. The 2022 staff members are Linda Jones, Sue McGregor, Anna Remfry, Karen Bentata-Grimm and Liz Harley. The PFA representative is Jane Potter.

I remind all parents that they are welcome to attend any School Council meeting.

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

As part of accountability requirements, a report is provided to the school community each year for the previous year. This Annual Report is due to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development by 31st March, 2021 and was presented to School Council March AGM meeting. This report is available on request from the office. It will also be placed on our school website.

2022 CURRICULUM DAY - NO SCHOOL TOMORROW

We have a curriculum day planned for tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd March. Staff will be undertaking learning based on cultural safety training led by local Koorie Engagement Support Officers. There is no school for students on this day. Youth Leadership Victoria will run programs on these days.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Just a reminder to families that children should be wearing navy and gold uniform as outlined in our Uniform Policy. All our uniform is available at the PSW shop on North Road but it is also fine to buy suitable navy and gold clothing at local department stores. With the colder weather on the way, it is necessary to have a few more pieces on hand to see children through the week as things take longer to dry. Our second hand uniform sales are advertised via Compass and the newsletter. They have many different items for sale. Thank you for respecting this school policy. Please ensure EVERY item of school uniform is labelled as the unclaimed lost property box is currently rather full.

FIRST AID PROCEDURES AT SCHOOL

Children who are sick during the day are sent to the First Aid room. If children need to go home, parents or carers are informed and children need to be collected from school.

If children are very sick or more seriously injured and parents or their emergency contact person cannot be contacted by phone, we are obliged to ring an ambulance to take the child to the doctor or hospital. DET does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and guardians are responsible for paying the costs of medical treatment for injured students including medical transport. Teachers cannot take children to the doctor or hospital in private cars. The cost of the ambulance will be the responsibility of the parents. This can be very expensive unless parents have ambulance subscription. It is very important parents consider taking out ambulance cover. Health Care Card holders receive free ambulance service (children’s names must be on the Health Care Card).

LAST DAY OF TERM

The last day of term 1 is Friday 8th April. There will be an assembly at 10am on this day where our Easter Raffle will be drawn. This is always a highlight of the term. Thank you to families who will so generously donate to this raffle. The children finish school at 2.30pm and they will be dismissed from their classrooms. Please note that term 2 commences on Tuesday 26th April.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Our children cannot be ready to walk into the future premade for them. They have to create this future. Whether they can make their future peaceful and prosperous, depends on what we do in schools today.

Yong Zhao

Karen Bentata-Grimm & Liz Harley

Year 1- Celebrate Holi