From the Principal's Desk

Dear Monty South community,

Welcome back to everyone as we as we begin the third term of the year. And what another busy term it will be! We hope that everyone enjoyed the break of routine and packing of school lunches during the school holidays and had some quality family time together to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. 

And just like that, things pivot again as we see ourselves back to a lock down and period of remote and flexible learning. Thank you to staff, students and parents for your cooperation and understanding as we again work towards providing continuity of learning and support the welfare of all in our community.

Whilst we are used to the system by now, we thought we would give you an update on the expectations of the next two days and moving forwards.

HOME LEARNING INFORMATION:

• Friday, 16th of July was used for planning & preparation and teaching staff checked in with students
• If remote learning continues beyond Tues 20th July, Specialist Day will be Wed, 21st July. Specialists will be available on this day to respond to questions from students and families regarding specialist learning tasks
• The Tutoring Program will be running on Mon 19th & Tues 20th July. Tutor teachers will contact involved students to arrange session times
• Each student will have received an overview for Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th
• Each student will receive a printable daily schedule the evening before the learning day, no later than 9:30pm
• P & 1 students will receive a daily welcome video
• 2-6 students will be required (when possible) at a daily WebEx roll call
• P-6 will have 2 x priority task over Mon, 19th July and Tues, 20th July- 1 x literacy and 1 x numeracy (this will be clearly displayed on schedule/overview) over this 2-day period
• If an item is expected to be posted on Seesaw, the Seesaw icon will be displayed on the schedule/overview
• Students will be given feedback in varying ways; verbal/written feedback on tasks via Seesaw as well as during individual or group WebEx sessions
• Expectation is that feedback will be given for both priority tasks within the week
• Likes for any priority task that doesn’t receive ‘feedback’
• The main form of written communication (teacher-parent, parent-teacher, teacher-student, student-teacher) will be via Seesaw. (Year 6 students/teachers may also use Microsoft Teams)
• Students will connect with their teachers, individually or in groups via WebEx a minimum of once during the 16th July-20th July lockdown (3 school days) for a social/emotional/feedback/instructional session. If whole class, they will be daily
• If a student doesn’t participate in remote learning, including daily roll calls and parent has not confirmed absence, teachers will make contact with parents, this is especially important if they are part of the Tutoring Program

Staffing

We wish both Elise Van Ooi and Rosie Morton well as they begin family leave and look forward to hearing of the safe arrival of their newest family additions. All the very best to them and their families as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. We warmly welcome Brad Kendall (1C) and Katie Borczuch (4B) who will replace them for the remainder of the year.

We also welcome Sharon Arena who will replace Laura Johnstone in Phys Ed, and Allison Byth and Carmie Isaacs who will replace Rachel Phillips, whilst on Long Service Leave.

Dogs on school grounds

We often have a number of dogs accompanying families to school drop off and pick ups and it is lovely to see many happy faces on the children, adults and dogs during interactions. Whilst many people can’t go past without talking to or patting the dogs, it is important to remember that not all people, including children, have that same comfort level or love.

We kindly request dog owners be mindful and considerate by having dogs remain on a short leash, held by an adult at all times and waiting away from entrance and exit points and busy walkways.

Facilities Update

Each year we ask parents to make a voluntary contribution to the Building Fund which helps the school plan for, and carry out, a range of building and maintenance jobs. 

Using these funds, several jobs were undertaken during the holidays. 

• Painting of a green wall in the AV room next to the library in preparation for student filming
• New replacement air conditioner installed in Year 4 room

Term 3 projects include:

• Re-painting of portables damaged by students
• Plans for construction of toilets in portables at end of school
• Commence works (Covid permitting) for a pathway from Reichelt Ave to Prep area to enable prams and wheelchairs to enter via street
• Commence planning (Covid permitting) for area outside Prep room to be landscaped and slides and play equipment to be installed
• Purchase of new furniture for Year 6 area

VSBA Government grant

As you are aware the school was given a grant for $167,000 to landscape near the SAKG area and install play equipment.  The Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA) is currently tendering for architects to design and oversee all projects funded in schools throughout Victoria.  Once this is completed, they will arrange a meeting with all the schools involved and the process will begin.  I will keep you updated. 

WORKING BEE - Covid permitting

We are planning on holding a working bee on Sunday 8th August from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Of course, this is very dependent on how things pan out in the next week or so. 

If it does go ahead, we urge families to attend even if it’s for an hour to lend a hand. 

The working bee will include a range of maintenance tasks such as: 

• Raking and weeding garden beds
• Sweeping
• Installing sand in the sand pit (section of the fence needs to be taken down to allow that to occur)
• Sanding and painting fence around gym.
• Sanding and painting the SAKG deck area

As you can see, there is a lot to be done and many hands make light work. With a wonderful sausage sizzle and refreshments being served, you won’t want to miss helping out. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL & SUB COMMITTEES- MEETING DATES 

The School Council aims to meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. 

(Public holidays and school holidays impact this)

Welcome back to the SAKG Kitchen for Term 3 2021 (written pre-lockdown but on standby for when we return)

Please find following the class dates and times for this term.

3A Aili Adamson, Wednesdays 9.00am to 10.50am. 11/8, 25/8 & 8/9

3B Tracey Cole, Tuesdays 12.30 to 2.15pm. 13/7, 27/7, 10/8, 24/8 & 7/9

3C Bianca Hrovat, Wednesdays 9.00am to 10.50am. 21/7, 4/8, 18/8, 1/9 & 15/9

3D Daniel Jacobs, Tuesdays 12.30 to 2.15pm. 20/7, 3/8, 17/8, 31/8 & 14/9

4A Nerinda Hodgson, Mondays 9.00am to 10.50am. 12/7, 26/7, 9/8, 23/8 & 6/9

4B Lucy Skipper, Fridays 9.00am to 10.50am. 16/7, 30/7, 13/8, 27/8 & 10/9

4C Chris Anagnostou, Thursdays 9.00am to 10.50am. 15/7, 29/7, 12/8, 26/8 & 9/9

4D Tegan Caldwell, Fridays 9.00am to 10.50am. 23/7, 6/8, 20/8, 3/9 & 17/9

5A Carmie Isaacs, Tuesdays 9.00am to 10.50am. 20/7, 3/8, 17/8, 31/8 & 14/9

5B Lachy Holmes, Tuesdays 9.00am to 10.50am. 13/7, 27/7, 10/8, 24/8 & 7/9 

5C Lisa Symons / Chelsea Ross, Mondays 12.30pm to 2.15pm. 12/7, 26/7, 9/8, 23/8 & 6/9

5D Eliza Crellin / Jenny Farrelly, Mondays 12.30pm to 2.15pm. 2/8, 16/8, 30/8 & 13/9

6A Andy Glembin, Wednesdays 12.30pm to 2.15pm. 21/7, 4/8, 18/8, 1/9 & 15/9

6B Dale Weston, Thursdays 12.30pm to 2.15pm. 22/7, 5/8, 19/8 & 2/9

6C Hayley Hender, Wednesdays 12.30 to 2.15pm. 14/7, 11/8, 25/8 & 8/9

6D Bec Buckley, Thursdays 9.00am to 10.50am. 22/7, 5/8, 19/8 & 2/9

6E Jess Head, Thursdays 12.30 to 2.15pm. 15/7, 29/7, 12/8, 26/8 & 9/9

The teachers and students are so pleased to welcome volunteers back to the kitchen. If you or a family member are interested in volunteering, please contact Cathryn Hulme (Kitchen Specialist) cathryn.hulme@education.vic.gov.au

Best wishes especially during the next week.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any support,

Leanne Sheean