Principal's Report 

Dear Parents, 

Last week we saw approximately 80 of our grade four and grade five students headed off to Edmund Rice Camps - Amberley in Lower Plenty for three days of fun and excitement. Led by a very enthusiastic Anthony Michielin, the staff from Mackellar, and camp personnel, made these three days a very special experience for all, and certainly one that will be remembered for some time. 

The staff who attended this camp did so voluntarily taking time away from their own family and friends to provide a rich experience for the students here. For that, they deserve a very well earned thank you. If your child attended camp, you may like to also add your thank you to the staff should you see them in the yard. Without staff willing to attend camps, these events just simply would not occur.  Further into this newsletter you will see a page devoted to camp. 

In other news, COVID and the flu are certainly striking with a vengeance. The Department of Education is strongly encouraging staff and students to wear a face mask should they so wish. As such, we continue to have face masks readily available at the front office upon arrival and in each of the classrooms for any student who chooses to wear one. In addition, air purifiers are present in all learning areas as is hand sanitiser. 

The Department has also announced they will continue to supply students with Rapid Antigen Tests until the end of the year so please be alert for them coming home soon. We encourage parents to use these tests with their children regularly, and to alert the school if your child contracts COVID.  

As is always the case, if your child is unwell you must keep them at home until they are better.  Stopping the spread of viruses at school is a major way we can limit student and staff illness, and importantly limit staff absence which can affect whole classes of teaching, something we have seen as a major concern in schools across Victoria.  

In more positive news, many of our grades will be attending excursions or incursions this term and next as part of their inquiries. Whilst the details of these will be available via classes at the appropriate time, if these events place a financial stress on families, please do not hesitate to contact the school to see how we can assist. Remember to use the Camps, Sports and Excursion fund if you have qualified.  If you are not sure, please contact the office. 

These experiences are wonderful learning opportunities and one we would hate so see students miss out on. Together we can always find ways to make these things work.

Regards, 

Simon McGlade

Principal