Welcome

A return to normal school life. It is a simple thing that we all yearn for. Following the last two Covid-affected years, which have caused changes and upheavals in the way we live and how schools operate, it is pleasing to see the 2022 school year begin so positively. Students, parents and staff are keen for this year to be about onsite learning with a full range of educational and community activities and experiences. All students from Prep to Year 6 have settled so well and they show a great energy for learning and being with their friends.

Thank you to Acting Principal, Bianca Gatherum, for her great leadership of the school during my absence late last year. She was ably assisted by Assistant Principal, Felicity Hall-Shulman and the Leadership Team. Now that I have recovered, I am looking forward to working alongside everyone so that we can achieve everything that will benefit the students.

School Review

On Tuesday 15 February we will begin with the Validation Day, which is a key phase of the formal Department of Education and Training School Strategic Review. This review will focus on the school’s achievements detailed in the School Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021. In this period the four key focus areas were: English, Mathematics, STEAM and Student Health and Well-being. The review team will include:

Wendy Larcombe – Reviewer and past-Principal of Yarrawonga PS

Wilma Culton – Challenge Partner – Current Principal of Serpell PS

Jennifer Watson – Challenge Partner – Current Principal of Beverley Hills PS

Rhett Winston – School Council President of Mount View PS

Kerry Wood – Senior Education Improvement Leaders – North-East Victoria Region

Mount View PS Leadership Team – 7 staff

A Panel of Mount View PS Teachers – 3 staff

A range of Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students

The review will continue with two Fieldwork Days on 23 and 24 of February which will involve classroom visits by the review team. The review will conclude on 15 March with the formal report by the reviewer. I look forward to keeping everyone informed about our progress through the review.

Rapid Antigen Test Kits

A resupply of RATS to the Mount View community took place yesterday. I encourage all parents to test their children twice per week in order to collectively manage any infectious transmissions of Covid through the community. Parents are also required to report Positive results through:

Government (DHS) Covid Portal. https://dhvicgovau.powerappsportals.com/rapid-antigen-test/
Department of Education & Training Victoria portal - Student Rapid Test Portal

Masks

An indoor Mask Mandate is still in place in Victoria. Students and staff are not required to wear masks while they are outside. Teachers and educational support staff may remove their masks while teaching or communicating with students indoors. It is important that we exercise discretion in this area as it is important that communication of learning instructions and student responses caters for all students including those with a significant hearing loss.

Air Purifiers and Ventilation of Classrooms

Very good ventilation of classrooms and specialist learning areas is being practised around our school. Ventilation is supplemented with Air Purifiers in high traffic areas such as the Art Room, Staff Room and classrooms.

Vaccinations

I encourage all parents to seek the pediatric Covid vaccinations for students aged 5 – 11 years. Currently, across Victoria 47% of 5 – 11-year-olds have been vaccinated. This compares to 97% of 12 – 17-year-old students who are double vaccinated. Please go to Services Victoria to find out where your child can be vaccinated.

Traffic

A number of parents have been ignoring the parking restriction signs on Shepherd Road. Parents using the Kiss and Go area must not park their cars and then leave. This is strictly and 30 second stopping area so that children may quickly exit the car in the morning or jump in in the afternoon. Parking inspectors have been booking drivers for breaking the rules this week.

Public Service Medal Awarded to Colin Dobson

On behalf of the Mount View community, I would like to acknowledge former Principal, Colin Dobson on the awarding of the Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours 2022. Below is the transcript issued by the Department of Education and Training, Victoria.

Colin Dobson, Principal of Monash Children's Hospital School, has been recognised in the 2022 Australia Day honours in the Public Service Medal category for outstanding public service to education in Victoria. The Public Service Medal recognises outstanding service by employees of the Australian Government and state, territory and local government employees.

Colin has demonstrated exemplary leadership as an educator, director and principal in Victoria for over 32 years. He embodies all DET values, is an excellent role model and his knowledge of education pedagogy, learners as inquirers and authentic enablement of student voice and agency have added value to state education through a range of settings.

Passionate about children’s education and the vital role teachers and professionals play, Colin’s work has been at the forefront of ground-breaking initiatives in education. Colin was Principal at Mount View Primary School, inclusive of the outstanding Deaf Facility, prior to being the inaugural principal of Monash Children’s Hospital School incorporating education and health in the one setting. His integral work has supported education colleagues and health staff to see the important connection between education and recovery.

Colin has a strong capacity to build relationships and is an influential advocate of indigenous culture. He has been a consistent supporter of internationalising education and visited China as part of a regional trip in 2011. Colin was also instrumental in introducing international primary programs to schools within Victoria and Australia. He is an active member of the Manningham and Monash Network Executive and is a highly esteemed peer and mentor to education and other industry colleagues. Colin’s belief that all students have the right to an outstanding education has been apparent in every setting he has led, including in his current role as Principal of the innovative Monash Children's Hospital School. Colin personally took responsibility for recruiting teaching staff, developing policies and curriculum, initiating infrastructure, establishing relationships with local schools and hospital schools internationally, innovating on a global scale in this important field of education. The growth and effective operation of the school under Colin’s stewardship has ensured positive outcomes for some of Victoria's most vulnerable students and their families.

Congratulations Colin!

28 January 2022

Glenn Butler

Principal

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