Principal's Report

Welcome back everyone, including our new families to Syndal South.  I hope you enjoyed the break from school routine and were able to recharge the batteries, ready to launch into Term 3. We have another busy term ahead with an array of learning opportunities and experiences planned that includes our Foundations celebrating their 100 days at school, Year 5/6 swimming, the Year 5/6 camp to Log Cabin Camp, Book Week celebrations, aerobic states, and national competitions, and of course lots of learning. We are looking forward to the weeks ahead with great enthusiasm.

Staffing 

We would like to warmly welcome Miss Marina Hughes-Onslow who is replacing Tahni Ross in Foundation R for the remainder of the year and Liz Senn who is replacing Mariko Hioki-Walker as the Japanese teacher to our school.

Enrolments for Foundation 2023 

We are continuing with our popular school tours this term so if you know of anyone in our community considering enrolling for 2023, encourage them to make an appointment to come in for a tour or collect an enrolment pack from the office or online https://www.syndalsp.vic.edu.au/page/171/Enrolments.

This year, the Department of Education have made some changes to the Prep Enrolment process and timeline, applications need to be submitted by 12th August 2022.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)

Last week it was announced that all government schools will be provided with free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) until the end of the year. Covid is very widespread across Melbourne at the moment so please continue to test regularly. We recommend testing twice a week.

Resilience 

As we continue to feel the impacts of COVID across our community, it is a good opportunity to practice the skills of building resilience. The research is clear; the more positive emotions you experience, the more resilient you will be. For that reason, we focus on three key pillars proven to cultivate positive emotion: 

GEM

Gratitude – be grateful. Think about at least three things that went well today. 

Empathy – show empathy towards others. 

Mindfulness – practice mindfulness. 

Be present in the moment and use the resources such as smiling minds and mindful colouring. The classroom teachers put many of these strategies into place in the classroom and participating in all opportunities the school has to offer, including the specialist lessons provide excellent examples of building resilience and lifting your mood and positivity as well as being so much fun. 

Pupil Free Day

We will be holding a Pupil Free Day on Monday 29th August. The staff will work in their professional learning teams to utilise the assessment of student learning to plan and complete some targeted professional learning.

A Date for the Diary - Working Bee

After a long break we now have a date for our first 'Working Bee' - Saturday 30th July.  We are asking as many families as possible to join us from 9am to 11am followed by morning tea.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Flynn in Year 5 who was recently selected as a member of the team to represent the State of Victoria in the 2022 Phil Ginsberg Trophy (Australian National Ice Hockey Championships 13 & Under).  This prestigious event will be held in Adelaide from the 11th to 14th August, with teams participating from all states of Australia.  Flynn has achieved his position in the Victorian team through his strong play, commitment and sportsmanship shown both during the current ice hockey season and during the selection trials.  We wish you all the best Flynn and look forward to hearing how the team performs.

News Just In!

Once again through sheer fitness and resilience Alexa and Zoe have competed in the State Cross Country competition this morning. Congratulations to both of these superstars - Zoe finishing first in her race and Alexa finishing 36th in hers!

Have a fabulous fortnight everyone.

Helen