Spring Gully Primary School - Be Awesome

Principal's Report

2022 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)

All parents of Grade 4-6 would have recently received correspondence from their child's teacher regarding the upcoming AtoSS. These surveys will be carried out over the next two weeks.

 

At SGPS we value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of their school.

 

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist us to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. 

Principals’ Conference 2022

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Principal Conference in Melbourne on Monday and Tuesday. Being at the 'G' on Sunday afternoon to watch Collingwood win their much-hyped game against Carlton was a great lead in to the conference for me. For all the Carton supporters who have asked me about the 'free kick' that wasn't paid to Sam Walsh in the final seconds, I swear I tried my best to alert the umpire to this, unfortunately he couldn't hear me!

 

The Department of Education provided access to some amazing guest speakers and workshops, including a number of educators who are highly regarded internationally. However, it was the voices of three local guest speakers that resonated with me the most during the two days. These guest speakers were Chris Varney (I CAN Network), Toby Adams (Leading with Strength) and Graeme Innes (Human Rights Practitioner). 

 

Chris, an Autistic law graduate and a pioneer of Autistic-led service provision in Australia, spoke about the power of Principal leadership and how to create an inclusive school culture for all students. Toby, a proud Kullilli man from Queensland, spoke about the role education can play in the reconciliation process, for both our youth and adults. Graeme, a lawyer, author and company director, spoke about inclusion. He provided a wonderful insight into this given that he is blind. All speakers shared a consistent message of inclusion, which is very important to me and a big part of what makes our school so special.

Teddy - Getting Ready for Class

Teddy, our wellbeing dog, is now attending school each day. He has been doing lots of yard duties, as well as visiting classrooms and running messages. His next step will be to spend extended periods of time in various classrooms.

 

Please remember our 3 expectations below. These will support Teddy to be a calm and relaxed member of our school.

Education Week

Thanks to those families that were able to visit our school last Friday to help celebrate 150 years of public education. I'm sure you enjoyed spending some time with your child/children. Having a strong partnership with our families has always been a strength of SGPS and the current advice and guidelines are now allowing us to get back to normal in this sense.

Prep Enrolments 2023

If you have a child who will be attending Spring Gully Primary School in Prep next year, you are most welcome to enrol now. 

 

Prep enrolments for 2023 close on Friday, 24th June. 

Parents will be notified of the outcome of their application within a week of the closing date.

 

Prep 2023 - Orientation Program Dates 

Thursday, 17th November – 9:00am-10:00am 

Thursday, 24th November – 9:00am-10:00am

Thursday, 1st December – 9:00am-10:00am

Tuesday,13th December – 9:30am-12:00pm

Mid-Year Student Reports and Student Absences / Late Arrivals

As absences are included in Student Reports, parents are asked to verify any outstanding unexplained absences/late arrivals. 

 

As absences are included in Student Reports, parents are asked to verify any outstanding unexplained absences/late arrivals.  Reports are due to be sent home via Compass on Thursday, 23rd June. Hard copies are available only upon request. 

Winter Health – Beating the Bugs    

I thought the following information might be a timely reminder, particularly given the current environment.

 

In Australia, our influenza 'flu' season typically runs from May to October, usually peaking in August. It is just not possible to stop all bugs from spreading at school, however, a lot of illnesses can be prevented and controlled simply by practising good hygiene.

 

How to reduce the spread of flu

Many of the steps put in place to prevent the risk of COVID-19 will also prevent the risk of flu.

 

It is most important that students or staff with any symptoms of the flu stay home until symptoms pass and take a COVID-19 test on the days that symptoms are apparent.

 

If a student develops symptoms at school such as fever, arrange for the student’s family to collect them.

 

Remind staff and students and encourage them to:

  • wash and sanitise their hands regularly
  • avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze
  • get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell
  • get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19.

Face masks are available in all schools and can be worn by any staff or students who wish to do so, including those who are medically at risk.

 

Handy hygiene tips for you and your family

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
  • Throw used tissues in plastic-lined rubbish bins
  • Wash your hands with soap and water, preferably warm water if available
  • Reduce the spread of germs by avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Further information on influenza is available at the Better Health Channel (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au).

 

What can you do to prevent the spread of infectious diseases?

The three main ways of preventing the spread of infection are:

1. Remind your child of effective hygiene methods.

2. Keep your child home when they are unwell. Your doctor will let you know if your child has an 'excludable' condition. You will need to advise the school as soon as possible and keep your child home for the length of time that your doctor advises. 

3. Ensure your child's immunisations are up to date. Do you know when you should keep your child home from school?

 

The Department of Health and Human Services outline the minimum period of exclusion from school for various infectious diseases. To find out more about the minimum period of exclusion for infectious diseases, search online for: School Exclusion Table. 

 

End of Term 2 – Early School Finish and Assembly

Term 2 will conclude at 2.15pm on Friday, 24th June.  Please make appropriate arrangements for the safe collection of your child/ren due to the earlier dismissal time.  There will be a brief assembly at 2.00pm in the Hub.

 

Bus Travellers – End of Term Pick Up

The school bus will be collecting our students an hour earlier than normal on the last day of term.  This means that the bus is scheduled to arrive at our school at 2.45pm on Friday, 24th June.