From the Principal

Return to Term 3 Remote Learning

Once again we find our students, parents and staff undertaking remote learning.  In the few weeks we were back on site at the end of Term 2 the staff and students spent some time reflecting on the term and everything they had learnt about themselves as a learner and teacher.  As we move into the next stage of remote learning we will be taking some of these reflections and implementing some changes to the delivery of curriculum.  

Our Foundation to Grade 2 students will continue to be provided with approximately 2.5 hours of curriculum per day.   Whereas, our Grade 3-6 students will be provided with approximately 4.5 hours of learning per day.  In order to maintain a balanced approach to learning remotely and family life, we are hoping that families can support their child to complete the work online in a timely manner and then spend the rest of the day exercising or playing.

Your child's classroom teacher will be in touch with you regularly via Webex learning sessions, telephone conversations and emails.  Please do not hesitate to contact them if you are in need of assistance. 

Technology and Devices

The move to remote learning over the last term and a bit, has placed increased demand for more up-to-date technology across the school.  We have been very fortunate to receive two very generous donations, from a source who does not want to be named.  This person has provided funds to purchase 20 iPads and to pay for the first year of a lease agreement for 60 new Chromebooks.  These devices are being rolled out this week across classrooms for students who are being supervised on-site and will be used in classrooms when we return to learning on-site.  

Over the last week we have supplied devices to families who require them for remote learning and will continue to do this if families are in need of an extra device.   Please contact Kelli in the office to arrange this if needed.

Recording Attendance 'at school'

It is a requirement that we continue to maintain accurate records of student attendance, our classroom teachers are using the morning check in on-line to mark the roll for student attendance 'at school'.  If your child is unwell, we do not expect that they attend to their lessons on-line, but an absence needs to be recorded on Compass to let us know what is happening for your child that day.

Wearing of face masks

You would be aware of the new advice from the Victorian Chief Medical Officer that those living in metropolitan Melbourne must wear a face covering when they leave the home, starting today.   That means that staff who are onsite at school will be required to wear a face covering at all times when they are not directly teaching.  Primary school students who attend on-site supervision will not be required to wear a face covering.

The Department of Health and Human Services website has advice about face coverings, including:

• different types that can be used
• how to make your own
• how to safely wear
• how to safely remove
• lawful exemptions for not wearing a face covering

Whole School Webex assembly and Feedback session

Tomorrow morning, Friday, we will be running a Whole School Assembly for students and families at home and for those students who are at school.  Following the assembly I am opening up an opportunity for parents to grab their own coffee and join me for a catch up session with the aim to provide some feedback on the first week of our return to on-line learning.  I am keen to hear how we can continue to improve on our provision of curriculum, keen to know if there is more we can do to support you at home.  I will send out invites to both these events this afternoon and look forward to seeing you online tomorrow.

Foundation 2021 enrolments due 7 August

For families who have children starting Foundation at Mullum Primary School in 2021, you are reminded that enrolment forms are due to school by Friday 7 August.  Please contact the office to have an electronic enrolment form sent out to you if you need one for yourself or a friend.

Building works are all on track

Much has been happening while students have been on holidays and off-site.  The entire Block B building, which used to house our library, art room, toilet block and classrooms, along with the top half of Block A, which had toilets and classrooms, has been demolished.  This has really opened up the spaces for the new Learning Centre which has nine new classrooms, a library and indoor toilet facilities to be delivered on-site at the beginning of September.  This is the first stage of the build, with our second stage, the new art room, science room, first aid room and administration arriving in October.  

Work is also underway to construct a new retaining wall at the rear of the school, with additional stairs and disability access to the rear of the school property, this is well on track to be completed before we return to at school learning. 

Check out these photos:

Flourishing Families

The Maroondah Network of principals have collaborated to provide families with an opportunity to explore the key principles of Positive Education through online zoom sessions with Edwina Ricci (Project Manager for Maroondah Positive Education Network). There are four sessions throughout this term, starting next week. I will send home a flyer as soon as it is available via Compass.

School Crossing Supervisors

Crossing supervision is provided on Mullum Mullum Road for families whose children need to attend school.  To enable school crossing supervisors to operate school crossings while wearing a face covering, voice commands will replace the use of whistles.  Please listen out for the following commands:

• WALK  - pedestrians are to commence walking.
• STOP - pedestrians must stop and not cross the road.