Mr. Irwin's Message

Hi families and welcome to Term 4 and welcome to this week’s newsletter. We’ve been so impressed with the way all students have returned to their learning at the commencement of term be it at school or remotely. We look forward over the next few weeks to having all students gradually return onsite, and having everyone back from the 26th of October. In the meantime there’s plenty to talk about so let’s get into it!

Bunnings BBQ Success

On Saturday our Parents' Club coordinated our long awaited Bunnings BBQ. Because of community support this was a very profitable day for the school, raising over $2000. Bunnings have also donated us with $1000 of vouchers which will be used in a raffle later in the year. Proceeds from Parents' Club work this year is going towards developing play space at the front of the school near our Foundation and Mudbrick building. As we get bigger we’re continually looking at ways to develop a range of play spaces for our students. This year we installed our Covered Outdoor Learning Area and next year we’ll develop this front of school play space. This is only achievable because of the support we receive from you.

I want to personally thank the families that supported the day with donations of supplies and time to make the day smooth and well run. Anyone who has been to a Bunnings BBQ to help before would know it’s a frenetic pace all day. I want to particularly thank Sophie Graham and Lauren O’Shannessy who have put in many hours behind the scenes and then more hours on the day to coordinate this fundraiser. Without the hard work of parents in our community these events aren’t possible and as a school community we’re very grateful for the support we receive.

Masks

As of next Monday the 18th of October State Government regulations are that Masks will be mandatory for students in 3-6. I understand families will have varying views regarding this and my strong encouragement would be for us to accept and embrace this change given the benefit is that it allows students to return on-site to school over the coming weeks. I’m yet to receive official advice on how this will be mandated but would encourage families to start preparing to have masks for your children to wear to school. Masks in Foundation to Year 2 will remain a strong recommendation for students.

Camps

I know families of students who have Camps will be hanging out to know whether or not the 5-6 Camp in week 5 and the 3-4 Camp in Week 9 will be going ahead. At this point in time we are preparing as if we are attending Camps in the hope that at the time these Camps are scheduled restrictions will allow us to attend. The 3-4 team will be sending out information regarding the cost of camp next week, but we will take payment for this later in the term when we know it's able to go ahead.

Anaphylaxis

We now have a student at school with diagnosed anaphylaxis from touching or ingesting: cashews, pistachios, hazel nuts or sesame seeds. As the only way to manage anaphylaxis is avoidance, the school has implemented several strategies to help prevent a severe allergic reaction. We can never totally eliminate the risk of anaphylaxis but we can all do things that will help lessen the risk. Families in this student’s cohort will receive specific advice but we’d ask all families to be considerate when packing lunches and put alternatives to these foods in your child’s lunchbox.

Arrival

I finally wanted to bring to your attention arrival times at school. We’ve noticed an increase in students arriving well before the required time for school. Supervision at school of students starts at 8:45am and no earlier. Families whose students require care before 8:45am on a school day can arrange this via OSHC. Schools are only required to provide care before and after school for 10 minutes outside school times. We extend this to 15 minutes before and after school as a support to families and understand parents will occasionally run early or late. However if your family routine requires students to be consistently arriving at school before 8:45am you need to make alternative care arrangements for your children before this time including considering the use of our Before School Care service.

Concert Costumes

A reminder to families to please organise concert costumes as outlined in the attached document. Could all Junior School Students (F-2) please bring their costumes to school by Friday 22nd of October. For year 3-6 students, please bring to school by Friday 29th October.

Healthy Lunch Box Choices

For more information go to: https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/schools/healthy-lunchboxes

Community Events

Community Groups and Events

Teesdale CFA