Letter from the Principal 

Flu season

It seems that Winter has arrived and COVID continues to linger in our school and community, with the number of cases per week dropping. However, the flu has become the latest health concern for students and staff. Our health recommendations remain, if your child has flu like symptoms, they need to stay at home. The flu, like COVID is a virus and while your child may test negative to COVID, they are still contagious and can spread this to their peers and staff. It is important that students remain at home if they are unwell. We will request that parents come and collect students who are unwell and attend school. 

Extended leave

As borders are opening, families are planning trips overseas. Families are reminded and strongly encouraged to try to travel during school holidays. If travel is necessary during the school term, it is essential that families complete an application for extended leave. Absences related to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and will contribute to your child’s total absences for the year. 

As the principal, I do not need to accept applications for extended leave. When thinking about accepting the application I will look at: 

1. The student’s current attendance rate. If the child’s rate is low, then I may decline the application because it is not in the best interests of the student to go overseas and miss more school. 
2. The length of the leave and previous leave related to travel for the student. 

When thinking about an acceptable level of attendance I use the Department of Education recommendations, which is that students should attend at least 90% of the time. If the student’s attendance is already below 90% and the leave period will impact on attendance, so that the child will not reach 90% by the end of the year, then I may decline the leave. 

Families should contact the school prior to planning travel of more than 50 days. 

Driver and pedestrian behaviour 

The school continues to hear from the local community about the actions of pedestrians and drivers around the school. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to:

• Use the path and pedestrian crossing. Please do not wait for students on traffic islands. 
• Pay attention to line markings and not do ‘U turns’ across double white lines.
• Select safe parking spots. Avoid parking in ‘No Stopping’, ‘No Standing’ and ‘Bus Zones’, in front of resident’s driveways or blocking access to side streets. 

Campbelltown Council has information about parking in the local area here.

Ongoing maintenance

Work has commenced on the Administration roof. This will continue, weather permitting for a couple of weeks. Access around the office may be an issue and there may be times when you cannot get into the office. 

Fencing will be in place for the safety of the community. The fencing, may re-direct you to take different routes around the school. Please ensure that you do not enter the fencing at any time. 

Disruptions to access for the office and 1/2P will be communicated via Sentral and Seesaw. 

The Cooler Classrooms program will commence either this term or during the holidays. Impact on school operations will also be communicated.