Principal's Report

Gratitude

It has been a very long fortnight of our school community with a lot of challenges felt across the school with Covid Cases and news of bereavements. With everyone already being pushed past their own capacity, these two weeks have asked even more from all of us at school. In these times stopping to focus on what we can be grateful for can provide us some important relief from the negative news that is around us. 

I would like to, once again, thank our staff who have been working through the same emotions as our families over this time. Their willingness and 'can do' attitude has continued to support our student learning programs. This has also supported the Rapid Antigen Testing kits being made available to families, including sitting in the cold (in November of all times) and also being available from 7am to enable families to have their child return to school earlier. 

I also thank our students who have once again rolled with the punches and done their Personal Best. They never fail to amaze me in how they are able to get on with learning, pivot at any moment and work through the emotional roller-coaster that Term 4 has been. 

Thank you as well to our families, who have again shown their understanding and kindness. We understand that when the phone calls have come in response to a Covid Case at school we have had understanding and thanks from most of our community. 

I would like to highlight the work and support of Clare Arthurs (School Council President) and Jackson Taylor MP in supporting our efforts to have Marlborough's name at the very top of the list for Rapid Testing kits to be sent out. This was a mammoth effort and took a lot of work late on Friday afternoon and over the weekend, and the result has been that we have the option for our students to be back earlier than the 14-day timeline. 

End of Year Arrangements

As we move through the remainder of the 2021 school year we will have a number of our usual end of year activities taking place. A few of the highlights will be our Foundation Transition Sessions, Year 6-7 Transition Day, Whole School Transition Session, Year 6 Graduation. 

One event that will not be taking place will be our Carols Concert. As we have learned over the past two weeks, this would increase the risk should there be a positive case attend, and we have made the decision not to hold the event for this year. 

I have had a number of families talk to me about their plans to not send their child to school in the last week of the school term, again as a risk management strategy against a Covid positive case, and ensuring that a school-based Covid case does not impact Christmas Plans. I would say that every day of school is an important day of school, however, if this is your plan, I would ask that you email your classroom teacher to notify them as this way your child is able to bring home their books etc on their last day. These absences will be recorded as unapproved/parent choice. 

Enrolments

If you have a younger sibling who will be attending Marlborough Primary next year their enrolment should be into school by now. Enrolment forms can be accessed on our website and emailed into marlborough.ps@education.vic.gov.au