Principal's Report
Return to On-Site Schooling - Stage Two
It has been wonderful to have our Foundation to Year 2 students on-site this past two weeks and next Tuesday (9th June) we look forward to welcoming back our Years 3 to Year 6 students.
I'd like to thank all our parents for their amazing support over the last couple of weeks and congratulate our wonderful students for the way they have embraced the new arrangements.
From Tuesday, all students will be expected to attend school as normal. This means if you choose to keep your child home after their year level has returned to on-site schooling, we can no longer support their learning from home. This does not apply to children who need to be absent for their own health or medical reasons. For those families, please contact us so we can make an appropriate plan.
This same approach is being taken by all government schools in Victoria.
School Operation
While the Chief Health Officer has advised that students will not be required to maintain physical distancing at school, there will continue to be a number of important changes to our school operations, consistent with health advice including: student drop off and pick up, parent/teacher contact, School Council and Committee meetings, hygiene and cleaning.
Hygiene and Cleaning
To support the health and wellbeing of all our students and staff, our school will continue an enhanced cleaning routine and will encourage frequent hand washing and sanitising throughout the day.
Unwell Children
If your child is ill or is feeling unwell, they must not attend school. They must remain home and seek medical advice. Children who are unwell will be sent home.
Drop Off and Pick Up
As has been successfully happening for the last two weeks we have adjusted arrangements for drop off and pick up. Children need to arrive at school at 8:45am. As they arrive all children will line up in their designated areas. Teachers will be out at 8.50 am to welcome their class and to issue sanitiser before the students enter the building. Parents are not permitted to enter the school buildings.
Changes to School Routine
There will be no assembly type gatherings, inter-school sports, camps, swimming programs, incursions, or excursions until further notice. Parent helpers’ programs, for example, PMP, class reading, is not operating until further notice.
Student Safety
There has been a gradual increase in traffic around the school in the last couple of weeks and from Tuesday this will increase again especially around drop off and pick up times. It is extremely important that speed limits, parking restrictions and walking to school rules are all adhered to. I have had some recent alarming reports of students and in some cases, families not using the designated crossings. Please reiterate to your children the safe way to come and go from school.
Return of School iPads
For those families who borrowed school iPads could these please be returned on Tuesday 9th June.
Support for Students
As students are returning to school their social and emotional health is of the highest priority. There will be a period for many where they struggle to settle back in. Some may be over-excited, and some may feel quite distant. All staff are aware of the need to watch out for any signs that alert them to identify students who need extra support. I ask parents to please alert their child’s class teacher of any concerns that they might have regarding their child returning to school or that they become aware of once the child has returned to school. This can be done via email where a phone call or virtual meeting can be organised.
Life Beyond Coronavirus
I would like to draw your attention to an informative presentation that I was alerted to on the weekend which I would like to recommend to you ‘Life Beyond Coronavirus, the Expert View’.
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/watch-episode-4-life-beyond-coronavirus-the-expert-view
The key to me is that it is based on the views of experts in the three disciplines of physical health, education and mental health with students at the centre.
Some of the areas in the presentation, I have heard, discussed in many settings as we move through the COVID-19 journey but I felt that the panel gave a clear ‘big picture’ perspective on life beyond coronavirus.
Finally, I would like to again thank you for your continued support and patience during this time. We look forward to welcoming our wonderful students back to the classroom.
Kindest Regards,
Helen