What an action-packed two weeks we have had since our last newsletter. There is never a dull day at Bimbadeen, and it has been wonderful to experience the continued excitement of our students about being back at school and reconnecting with their friends. The smiles we are greeted with at the gate each morning, along with the buzz at recess and lunch times continues to be the highlights of our day.

World Teachers’ Day

Today is World Teachers’ Day. World Teachers’ Day is held internationally in early October. As it falls during the school holidays for many parts of Australia, we celebrate a little later. This year’s theme for World Teachers Day is 'Teachers: leading in crisis, reimagining the future', and it is certainly a timely opportunity to reflect on the impact our amazing teachers have made on our children's lives this year alone.

Our teachers (with support from parents and carers) have ensured education has continued this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families and communities. World Teachers' Day is a chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions teachers have made in Victorian communities, as they help to teach the future.

I am sure you would agree with us that our teachers are not only highly skilled and effective professionals but also that their dedication to every child's social, emotional, and academic wellbeing during 2020 has been extraordinary. Thank you for joining with us and taking the time to say thank you to our teachers today.

We are so very fortunate to have an incredible group of professions guiding the learning of our Bimbadeen students.

Stay Hydrated and Cool

With the change in weather this week, I would like to remind our students to ensure they are wearing their SunSmart hat and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. It is important to keep up our fluid intake and find a comfortable place to play in the shade when the weather heats-up. Please ensure your children bring two drinks bottles to school each day as the drink fountains continue to be de-commissioned as part of our COVID Safe strategies. Students will be able to refill water bottles at classroom sinks across the school when needed.

‘Day for Daniel’ – Wear Red and Educate

It was fantastic to see so many children wearing red today and supporting the nationwide ‘Day for Daniel’ organized by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Each year, we hold our own ‘Day for Daniel’ with the focus to continue the important work of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to educate children to keep them safe. In our classrooms today and throughout the week, there has been a strong focus on teaching strategies to help students to keep themselves safe and what to do if they feel unsafe. Our children are the most precious part of our society and keeping them safe and happy must be our school community’s number one priority.

School on Monday

While Melbourne Cup Day is on Tuesday next week, school will continue as normal on Monday for all children. While many families in our community usually take the Melbourne Cup weekend as an opportunity for a family break and teachers subsequently adjust their programs to ensure students do not miss out on core learning, with the current COVID-19 25km travel limit still in place, teachers are planning to implement their teaching and learning programs as planned.

2021 Foundation Transition

Today was an exciting day for our 2021 Foundation students as they participated in their first online transition session. This year’s transition program has been adjusted to reflect the current COVID restrictions and will include a strong focus on online sessions. Students have been provided with a transition activity pack that includes resources to support these sessions and help prepare them for a positive start to school. With the recent lifting of some restrictions, we are working on new plans to provide the opportunity for our 2021 Foundation students to attend an onsite transition session in coming weeks.

2021 Enrolments

As mentioned in last fortnight’s newsletter, as we plan for the school structure and class lists for next year it is critical that we know the number of children who will be attending Bimbadeen. If you are planning on moving out of the area and know that your child/ren will not be attending Bimbadeen Heights in 2021 it is very important that you let us know. Please drop by the Office to let a member of our Administration Team know. If you are departing the Bimbadeen community, it is also important that you inform us of the name of the school your child/ren will be attending so we can complete the required student transfer process and support your child/ren in their move to a new school.

On the other hand, if you have a child/ren who will be attending our school next year and you have not let us know, or you know of someone who is planning on enrolling their children, can you please let us know so we can ensure that we get enrolment forms completed and their enrolment confirmed as soon as possible.

We hope all members of the Bimbadeen community enjoy a wonderful weekend and upcoming fortnight of learning.

Kind regards,

Adele Gregson and Sabrina George

Year 5

5SB