From the Principal's desk

It was great to welcome our four junior classes back to school over the last 2 weeks and we look forward to the rest of the school returning on Tuesday 9th June. Below are some of the snaps from the classroom this week.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all teachers, parents, carers and children during this remote learning phase. Of course, it has had its challenges, but more importantly everyone has learnt new skills, communication between parents and teachers has increased and there is now more a sense of us as a learning community.

Changes to School Routines

In line with department advice we are asking parents to avoid congregating around school grounds and have therefore modified our entry and exit points for children. Class teachers and support staff will greet the children and direct them to their classrooms. Children are to arrive at school between 8:40-9:00 am. Normal finish time applies.

Drop-off & Pickups:

P1A and P1J and any older siblings of the children enter and exit through the front gates on Quinn Street.
12R, 56H & 56S and any older siblings enter and exit by the East gate near the Multipurpose Room on Gray Street.
23C, 34W & 34S and any older siblings and exit by the West gate on McCaskill Street
Bus travellers enter and exit through the Northern gate on Callander Street.

We will carefully monitor the situation and adjust entry and exit points if required.

Playtime

On arriving at school children will begin the day in their classroom. There will be no play before the school day begins. Recess and Lunch times will remain the same with children directed to play in certain areas. At the end of the day children are to go straight home.

School Health & Safety Measures

Our school is following the School Operation Guidelines released by the Education Department which instructs us to have progressive and end of the day cleaning of high touch surfaces such as, chairs, tables, entry and exit points, toilets, washbasins, playgrounds etc.

The following measures also apply:

Students are to bring a water bottle to school as they are not to drink out of the school taps. Water bottles may be refilled at school.
We are focusing on hand hygiene with the children and ensuring they wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before and after breaks or when in contact with high use items or areas.
If a child or staff member is feeling unwell, they must not attend school. They must remain home and seek medical advice. If students become unwell throughout the day, parents will be contacted to come and collect their child. We have also recently purchased an infrared temperature gauge which can assist us, if we become concerned about the health of a staff member or child.
Parent queries to the school must be made via phone rather than in person, this includes dropping off items to students and requests to pick students up early.

Student Wellbeing

Our Wellbeing Team has been meeting weekly and making regular contact with families over the term. We acknowledge that while for some children it may be exciting to return to school, for others it may be a source of anxiety. If you are concerned about your child returning to school or have an issue you would like to discuss, please give the school a call and a member of our wellbeing team will speak with you.

Regards

Debbie Oliver

Principal