Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back after what I hope was a restful break.

This term we welcome Monique Boggia to our music team. Monique comes with a wealth of music experience and will be working across grades one and three. Peta Hirschfeld will continue to teach some junior music sessions.

Please take a look at the important dates so that you are aware of these terms events.

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL ZONES

For the first time, parents can now go to one location to determine their local school, either primary or secondary, by typing in their home address.

Findmyschool.vic.gov.au hosts the most up-to-date information about Victorian school zones. Information on this site is updated in term 1 each year, ready for the Year 6 to 7 transition period.

To visit the site, see: www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au

If you have a question about school zones call the VSBA Hotline on 1800 896 950 or email vsba@edumail.vic.gov.au

PARENT TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS

There has been much in the media recently about the relationships between parents and school staff across Australia. I, therefore, thought it was an opportune time to consider the key rights and responsibilities which underpin the relationships between parents and teachers as outlined in our Student Engagement and Wellbeing Policy (http://www.cliftonhillps.vic.edu.au/main/parents/policies). By encouraging parents and staff interact in a positive and respectful manner, we can ensure the best possible learning environment for our children.

Parent/Carer Rights and Responsibilities

All parents/carers have the right to:

Have access to staff at convenient, mutually agreed times
Be informed and be given the opportunity to express themselves on matters of school policy
Be consulted about serious, inappropriate behaviours involving their children
Be treated fairly and with respect by all members of the school community

All parents/carers have the responsibility to:

Encourage appropriate behaviour in their children
Support school staff in their efforts to maintain a positive teaching and learning environment
Treat others as they would like to be treated themselves

Staff Rights and Responsibilities

All teachers and support staff have the right to:

Have minimal disruptions to the teaching and learning process
Be treated fairly and with respect by all members of the school community
Appropriate support from the school community

All teachers and support staff have the responsibility to:

Provide effective teaching and learning practices
Facilitate a physically and emotionally safe environment
Provide adequate supervision of students
Encourage awareness and understanding of school rules

DROP OFF AND PICK UP - SWITCH OFF

It has been brought to our attention that a number of parents/carers are leaving their car engines idling during drop-off and pick-up times whilst waiting for their children. This is of concern given studies demonstrating the harmful impact of air pollution on human health, particularly children.

Please read the facts below regarding the health impacts of air pollution from light vehicle emissions and please consider this when waiting for your children:

― An adult takes 20,000 breaths each day

― Children breath 50% more per kg than adults

― Children’s height puts them close to exhausts

― Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of air pollution

― Idling consumes 4 litres of fuel per hour

― A single-vehicle dropping off and picking kids at one school puts 1kg of pollution into the air every month

― Keeping the engines on during school drop-offs and pick-ups increases pollution significantly

― Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children

― Asthma symptoms increase as a result of car exhaust

― Exposure to vehicle exhaust increases the risk of death from heart and lung disease

More information can be obtained by watching the BBC Radio 4 program, "Clean Air for Kids" (available via this link https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003d03)

Compass Enhancements

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