Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

Last Friday was World Teachers Day. Teachers, with support from parents and carers, have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of students, their families and communities.

On Tuesday and Wednesday we welcomed our Kindergarten students for 2021 at our annual Kindergarten Orientation. Parents and preschool students had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with our school, the grounds and programs they will be involved in next year via our online Seesaw portal. This is a very exciting milestone for our beginning students and their families. I welcome you all to our school.

Our school will hold a special online assembly next Wednesday to mark Remembrance Day. At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the German invaders back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months. In November the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted allied terms that amounted to unconditional surrender.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilisation of over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their war dead.

The ‘Value of the Month’ in November is ‘Democracy’. Students are able to be part of our democratic system by voting for our school leaders in 2021. A number of our Year 5 students have nominated for election as school captains, vice captains and prefects. We will hold our elections later this month. Presentation of badges to our school leaders will be made early next year. Our current school captains have done an excellent job representing our school and modelling school leadership.

Term 4 guidelines for schools managing COVID-19 have been published. We still need to comply with NSW Health advice to ensure we maximise the health and safety of staff, students and community. All adults must maintain a minimum of 1.5 metres physical distance from each other at all times.

In addition, NSW Health through a Public Health Order, has restrictions for all gatherings of more than 20 people indoors or 30 people outdoors. Where gatherings are allowed, they must comply with the relevant COVID-19 Safety Plans which include the requirement for 4 square metres of space per person attending regardless of their age.

Schools are exempt from some requirements under the Public Health Order including the 4 square metre rule on school sites for the purpose of delivering educational services and normal running of the school. For example, class size numbers for students in classrooms, day to day staff meetings and briefings.

Our P&C meet Wednesday 18 November at 7.00pm in the evening on zoom to review the planned changes to our school for Term 4, end of year organisation and student reporting.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Regards,

G. Walker

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