Education Support Staff

Once again this year Victoria joined with the international education community to celebrate the work of our ES staff on 16 May. The term Education Support (ES) covers all staff working in a school who are not qualified teachers or undertaking the role of a teacher. At Belmore School our ES team comprises:

therapists
classroom and program support staff
nurses
administration staff
technicians
maintenance staff

Last Wednesday our teachers hosted a special morning tea to celebrate the magnificent contribution our ES team make to our school and the time, energy and care they provide to enhance the educational opportunities for our students. Our ES staff are integral members of our Team Around the Learner framework, contributing their significant range of specialised skills to ensure our students experience a co-ordinated and seamless service provided by a collaborative and collective team effort.

WE SINCERELY THANK OUR EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF

Election Day Cake Stall

Many thanks to the many members of our school community who supported our defibrillator fundraising initiative through their generous donation of sweet and savoury treats to sell at our election day cake stall. We had a wonderful selection on offer and we went close to a sell out on the day, with most voters appreciating the opportunity to purchase a home baked treat to enjoy.

Our collective efforts raised the magnificent total of $750.75.

I take particular delight in recognising the members of our school community who volunteered their time to operate the stall between 9.30am and 1.00pm on Saturday morning:

Student: Erica
Siblings: Grace and Hayley
Parents: Bron and Sharon
Staff: Marcia, Carmel, Kim and Laura

The generosity of our school community, particularly our parents, through their financial donations has been considerable and is sincerely appreciated. There is still opportunity to make a donation to the purchase of a new defibrillator by making a payment directly to the school or through a direct deposit into the school bank account as detailed below.

Capital Works Program

As detailed in my BSC message, last Sunday marked a milestone in Belmore’s history as we dismantled our play equipment to donate to the Gippsland Heritage Park in preparation for the commencement of the capital works program. Our alternate recreation spaces have been established and we are well prepared to support our students to assimilate to the changes to occur over time at Belmore School

SSG Meetings

It has been a real delight to meet up with our parents and carers both in person and online over the last two weeks. Sharing of our student's goals and progress toward these is an important component of our Student Support Group process. If you haven't yet taken the opportunity to arrange a meeting our teachers are very keen to connect with you, even if it is via a telephone conference.

Education Week

Victoria is celebrating Education Week 2022 from Sunday 22 May to Saturday 28 May 2022. This year’s Education Week theme, ‘150 Years of Public Education’, commemorates the past, celebrates the present and imagines the future of education in Victoria.

Education Week 2022 is an opportunity for all special schools, primary and secondary schools, higher education providers, and early childhood education and care services to showcase their part in Victoria’s education story.

At Belmore School we have created a week of fun and engaging activities including:

Fun and fitness showcasing movement activities for all classes. Parents are invited to visit during their child’s fitness/movement session and participate along with our wonderful therapy team.
Historical Melbourne Museum virtual incursions - all week
YouTube clips about schools both past and present - all week
African Drummers whole school incursion - Thursday
A selection of Book of the Week stories about schools - all week
A special Friday assembly to celebrate our schools’ history.
Dress up day - Let’s brighten up the day and come dressed in your favourite colour - Friday

PUPIL FREE DAY

In consultation with our School Council, I would like to advise you of an additional pupil free day this term.

Professional Practice Day – Wednesday 15th June

As part of the current VGSA (Victorian Government Schools Agreement) all teachers receive a day per term away from face to face teaching duties. Given the current staffing shortages and pressures across the education system, the DET has announced that schools should hold a common Professional Practice Day for Term 2. This is where all staff at the school are released from face-to-face teaching on a set day and as such students do not attend. As a staff team we acknowledge the closeness in timing of this additional date to our existing pupil free days and appreciate the arrangements you need to put in place to care for your child at home.

VOLUNTEERS

Last week was National Volunteer Week, facilitating the opportunity to recognise and thank our wonderful volunteers who provide much needed additional assistance to support our students in their learning programs. We are so grateful for the amazing contribution we receive from these very special people who give freely of their time to value add to our wide variety of programs.

This year's theme of 'Better Together' highlights the importance of volunteering bringing people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone.

National Volunteer Week is a fitting time to recognise and thank our long serving volunteer Sue G. who has advised us of her retirement following 22 years of loyal service to the students and staff of Belmore School.

Sue has been nominated for the Federal Government's Kooyong Volunteer Award and while we are still waiting to hear an outcome, we believe Sue is a very deserved winner. Sue will be farewelled by the school community at our whole school assembly on Friday.

Karen Overall

Principal

Dates to Remember

Monday 23 May - Friday 27 May

Friday 27 May

Monday 13 June

Wednesday 15 June

Friday 24 June

Monday 11 July

Wednesday 20 July

Wednesday 27 July