Principal's Message 

Thank You to Our Amazing Community for Supporting Homelessness Week

We would like to start this newsletter by expressing our gratitude for the generosity of our school community. 

 

Be grateful for what we have, and take action to support those in need.

 

Our Junior School Council recently facilitated a school-wide event to support Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) and "Victorian Homelessness Week". 

We are extremely proud to say that as a school community we raised $365.50

 

Miss Bowles and our some of our Junior School Council members are currently producing a video to highlight the amazing art-pieces which were produced as part of our homelessness event. Next week, we expect to share this video via Google Classrooms, and Compass. 


Notification of Term Three Curriculum Day

School Council met on the evening of Monday 17th August 2020, and have approved a Curriculum Day for Term Three; with a focus upon Assessment/Reporting and Planning for Term Four. 

Therefore, please add the below to your family calendar:

Friday 11th September 2020 will be a Curriculum Day for Upwey South Primary School. 

Please note, on Friday 11th September 2020: 

  • there will be no on-site supervision of students
  • Out-of-School-Hours-Care (OSHC) will not be available
  • there will be no Learning Tasks posted via Google Classrooms.

As referenced in the last edition of our newsletter, there remains two outstanding Curriculum Days which are still to be confirmed; based upon what occurs with Remote vs On-Site Learning in Term Four. 

 

The dates of these two outstanding Curriculum Days will be confirmed with our community in early Term Four. 


Extra-Curricular Opportunities for Students

Following further guidance from the Victorian Government as to what will occur beyond September 13th 2020 (the current designated period of Remote Learning), we hope to be able to confirm extra-curricular opportunities for our students. 

At this stage we can confirm the following opportunities:

 

Victorian State Schools Spectacular (VSSS)

We are extremely fortunate to have been selected as one of only 14 schools (statewide) who have been invited to take part in a new online format of the VSSS. Our singers and dancers are currently rehearsing via Webex, under the guidance of Mrs Lang. 

 

School Captains' Leadership Forums

Due to the current pandemic, our student leaders have been limited in their opportunities to interact with leaders from other schools. 

Therefore, 12 local primary schools are holding a Leadership Forum via Webex during which our School Captains will collaborate with local school leaders to discuss an 'Action Project' for Term Four. These forums will be held over three sessions throughout August and September. 

 

Groove Foundations Concert Performance

Throughout Remote Learning, a number of our students have continued to engage in online instrumental music sessions. Therefore, we are currently in the process of organizing a showcase event. Further details will be provided soon. 

 

Junior School Council Cake Decorating 

Last week our Junior School Council met via Webex to discuss community ideas which could be put into action during Remote Learning. The first of these is a "Cupcake Decorating Challenge". 

Check out the details on the JSC page of this newsletter. Details will also be posted via Google Classrooms for students. 

Keep your eye out for more upcoming events!

 

Student Leaders' Online Videos

Each week between now and the end of Term Three, our student leaders will be producing videos for our community to enjoy. 

 

This week we start with a video from our School Captains, who have taken the time to produce four short video segments which help promote wellbeing during Remote Learning. 

 

These are: 

Holly: "How to Make a Healthy Berry Smoothie" 

Jack: "How to Bunny-Hop on a Bike"

Lara: "Life at School during Remote Learning" 

Lynden: "Making a Lava Lamp at Home"

Check out the video link below:

 

Next week's video is currently being produced by our SWPBL Leaders. 

Upcoming videos will be published each Friday via Google Classrooms, and Compass.  

 


DET Webinars for parents and carers to help build family resilience

Child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg teaches strategies for managing wellbeing in this free webinar on 25 August

On Tuesday 25 August, the Department of Education and Training is presenting a free webinar for parents and carers by renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, on building family resilience during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel safe through uncertain times.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s webinar is aptly named Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown and remote learning. Topics include:

  • your supportive role
  • setting the emotional tone
  • focusing on what you can control
  • how to deal with disappointment
  • further resources and where to get help.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s presentation will run for 45 minutes. This will be followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session in which parents and carers can ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions.

Webinar details

  • When: Tuesday 25 August
  • Time: 7:30pm
  • Duration: 45-minute presentation followed by 15-minute questions and answers session
  • Format: online via Webex
  • Cost: free

How to register

To register and for more information visit the Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era eventbrite page.


Keeping Aware of Information Relating to School

As a school we work hard to keep our families informed of happenings across the school. We acknowledge that receiving information in a timely and consistent manner can help to alleviate the pressures which come from managing a busy family calendar. 

Communicating via Compass

All of our school notifications are sent via the Newsfeed within the Compass app. There is also a calendar of events within the app, which sends push notifications to users to remind them of school events. 

 

In 2020, we are also utilising Compass for families to consent and pay in order for their children to take part in school events. The uptake and comments from families thus far is that it is so easy to do, and helpful to be able to consent at the push of a button. 

 

In order to filter notifications which are received, you will notice that we send out notifications which are year level specific. This means that sometimes not all notifications are sent to all year levels. 

Communicating with the School Administration Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2020, and welcome your input: 

USPS Inbox:

upwey.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

Damien Kitch (Principal)  

Damien.Kitch@education.vic.gov.au

Janet Young (Business Manager)

Janet.Young@education.vic.gov.au

Janette Clarke (Office Manager)

Janette.Clarke@education.vic.gov.au