Principal's Message  

Bumpy Ride ....

It feels like we have been on a roller-coaster ride over the last few weeks. Just when we thought things were coasting along nicely with the wind in our hair,  the State Government's snap five-day lockdown returned the school to remote learning. 

We quickly brushed off the cobwebs from our home desks, and with collective resilience we were ready to take on the highs and lows again of being at home. 

Fortunately as quickly as the ride begun it was over. 

I am sure I heard the squeals of delight from the parents as the announcement was made that children would be able to return to school. 

I would like to commend our community for your positive approach to this undesirable challenge. It feels like the ride has just begun and that lock-downs could be something we will have to cope with until there is an end to COVID. Thank you for your cooperation, flexibility and kindness over the last few days. 

Buddies

On Thursday there was an excited chatter in the air as the Foundation children finally had the opportunity to meet with their Year 5&6 Buddies. 

I am not sure who was looking forward to this lunch date more, the children in Year 5&6  or the Foundation children. A lunch date was had, with tales of the recent lock down, discussions about their likes and dislikes and hopefully the beginning of strong connections forged for a lifetime. 

Benefits of our Buddy Program 

Buddy systems play an important role in helping to create safe school environments.

Buddy systems teach, and give children the opportunity to practise, the important values of respect, care, valuing difference, responsibility, friendship and including others.  Through looking after and caring for smaller, vulnerable children who are just starting school, older children learn the skills associated with empathy and compassion through activities in the classroom and in the playground.  This helps combat bullying and other forms of antisocial behaviour such as harassment and teasing.  Teaching pro-social values and skills can also contribute to the development of resilience, a protective factor for children if they experience hardship or loss.

 Buddies enables younger children to feel safe and cared for while older children feel valued and respected.

A buddy program can strengthen the school community and help to challenge stereotypes, misconceptions or fears that students hold about younger or older age groups. A buddy system can also help students to feel valued and supported, teach important social skills and create a caring ethos in the school. They can create connectedness that enables both older and younger buddies to bond more closely with their school, thereby increasing the likelihood of more positive social behaviour. It has been suggested that when students feel connected to their school, they also feel valued and safe and less likely to either bully or be bullied.  Buddy systems help reduce negative behaviors such as bullying.

2020 Remote Learning Devices.

Under DET's and the State Government's "Bridging the Digital Divide" initiative, student's who were loaned a device during 2020's Remote and Flexible Learning are eligible to permanently take ownership of that or a similar school-owned device.

There is no obligation for parents/carers to accept the offer to take ownership of a school owned device. Students/families that choose to take up this offer must abide by the transfer of ownership and conditions which include:

*Agreement that any remaining warranty will transfer with the computer and that you are responsible for contacting the supplier to raise a warranty call. 

 * Agreement that the computer will be         retained to support educational needs                 and not gifted or on-sold, in anyway

 * Liability for accidental damage, technical   support and/or loss.

 *Agreement that the computer is not           insured and that you will need to seek insurance at your own cost to cover accidental damage and/or loss.

*Agreement that GRPS will not provide a replacement computer if the computer is lost damaged, stolen or develops defects that fall outside of warranty or which cannot be resolved by the school technical support. 

A compass event has been set up to include families who are eligible for this offer. Take-up is requested by Tuesday 23rd February 2021 and is an opt-in or an opt-out option. An opt-out will be considered as not wishing to participate. If you select opt-in you will need to contact me directly for further information on 9870-6098.

Karen Rouda 

Principal

Melissa Roberts 

Assistant Principal