No 16. Term 4, Week 1, 6th October 2021
Principal News
On behalf of all the staff, I want to say a big thank you to all our students, parents and carers for your continued resilience and support throughout this year. I know remote and flexible learning has not always been easy, but through our collective efforts, our students continue to make valuable progress in their learning. You can be confident that our school will support any student who has fallen behind to catch up.
The Victorian Government has outlined the staged return to on-site schooling for all students as part of its gradual roadmap towards reopening. The purpose of the plan is to get students back in the classroom as soon and as safely as possible. You can read further details on what this process looks like further into this newsletter.
I also wish to thank families for their understanding with regard to accommodating our recent school closure days. We know that such days can place strain on families when care for children is difficult to organise. On the last day of term 3, staff engaged in highly valuable learning about how to make even better use of technology as a powerful tool for communication and collaboration, research and analysis, designing and publishing. We look forward to seeing the fruits of this learning during remote learning and in the classroom.
The first day of term was also a highly beneficial day as we looked deeply at how we can best teach children to read. Some very exciting scientific research has come to our attention that demonstrates how the brain actually learns to read and what we as teachers need to do to take full advantage of that. This has provided us with valuable insight into what we already do very well and what we can do differently to maximise learning for all children. I look forward to sharing more details of how we will adapt our teaching from here in the coming years ahead.
Stay safe everyone. I encourage you all to be vaccinated as soon as you are eligible and look forward to seeing you all in person very soon.
God bless.
Jason Micallef,
Principal
SZ App is our primary means of communicating with families for those day to day reminders and other pieces of information that need to communicated quickly and efficiently. In an emergency situation, SZ App is our most effective means of keeping in touch with families.
It is crucial that all families have the app installed on all of their mobile devices.
If you do not have the app installed on your mobile devices and need help to do so, please contact the office on 9709 8600 for support.
The plan from here...
How we will move toward a return to on-site learning this term?
All students will continue to participate in Remote & Flexible Learning from home for the first two weeks of term 4. Strict criteria remains in place for those students eligible to attend school for the supervised program. It should be noted that these students are also participating in the Remote Learning Program.
The Premier has indicated that the following timeline is dependant on the circumstances at the time which means it is possible this plan will change. Currently though, this is the plan we are working towards. If there are any changes we will let you know via SZ App.
- All students not attending on site, will be expected to participate in the online remote learning program as normal from home.
- The supervision program will be available throughout this plan for students who are eligible and will need to be booked in using the current booking system.
What are we doing to minimise any risk of transmission at school?
Families can feel reassured that the school is maintaining the highest level of vigilance when it comes to protecting our staff and students from Covid-19. Further strategies are currently being developed as we prepare for the students' return to face-to-face learning. Some of which includes:
- Adhering to vaccination requirements of all staff, visitors and tradesmen
- Limiting personnel on site to only those that must be there
- Ongoing adherence to strict hygiene practices
- Preparation of outdoor learning spaces to be used when appropriate
- Ensuring adequate ventilation exists for all indoor spaces
- Arranging timetables and daily schedules to include staggered playtimes / spaces
- Re-introduction of drive in - drive out drop off and pick up of students
Sacramental Program Update
Students and families awaiting details of when we will be able to hold First Eucharist and Confirmation celebrations will not have to wait much longer. We are finalising details with the Parish this week and will notify families very soon. Rest assured, it is our preference that these very important traditions of our faith are scheduled in a way that allows for maximum participation of families and staff, however we may have no choice but to impose limits according to what is permitted at the time. Please be aware, this may mean only vaccinated parents will be permitted to attend such events.
School Improvement Surveys
In 2021, our school is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings students, families and staff have about how their school can improve. These surveys help inform the ongoing improvement of schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
We encourage as many families as possible to complete this survey. The survey is available online and can be accessed from Thursday 7 October. The survey needs to be completed by Thursday 28 October 2021. Instructions on how to access the survey will be sent to all families in the coming days via email. Please be sure to read the instructions carefully and call the office if you have any questions.
We value our partnership with families and are committed to hearing your perspectives about how we can strive to be the very best school we can be.
Welcome to the team Mr Crozier
This term we are excited to introduce to you, a new member of our 3/4 teaching team. Mr Sean Crozier will share the classroom teaching duties of 3/4BB with Mrs Bonato.
"Hi everyone, I have been teaching for over 25 years now and have taught in many different areas, from the Latrobe Valley to Lakes Entrance and recently at Crib Point and Hastings. I grew up on a farm and was surrounded by beef cattle, chickens and dogs. I learnt how to ride a horse when I was 5 and rode them almost everyday till I was 18. I love sport and have played football and cricket since I was about 5 years old. I now play golf every weekend and love the challenge of getting better each week. I am married with 2 children who are 17 and 15 years old. Some of my favourite things to do are reading a variety of books and growing food in my vegie patch. I am very excited about the opportunity to teach in a large school and meet new students and their families and become a better teacher and person by getting to know you all." Sean Crozier
Welcome to the team Mr Crozier. We are sure you will feel at home and come to love our school community as we all do.
School Uniform
A reminder to all families that when students return to school, they will need to be wearing their full uniform. This includes hats, which need to be worn whenever a student is outside between the hours of 10am and 4pm. We have received a small supply of hats in the Office that may be purchased.
Beleza, our uniform supplier is currently open and accepting 'click and collect' and online orders. See below for further information.
It is recommended, but not a requirement, that children wear masks to and from or while at school. If parents wish for their child to do so, we ask that families please ensure you child's name is clearly labelled on the mask so that we prevent sharing or mistakenly wearing someone else's mask.
Given that students will likely be conducting their learning outdoors at various times, we have decided that a common sense approach needs to be taken with regard to which uniform students wear. This means that once students return to school and for this term only, students will be able to choose whether they wear summer, winter or sport uniform as they like. The only rule with this is that children do not mix uniforms. Children must choose either full winter, full summer or full sport, not a mix and match of the three. Hats are compulsory regardless of which uniform they wear.
What's happening in 3/4 DM!
School Fees
It is with great honour and gratitude that we extend a huge thank you to all the families who have been making payments toward their school fees and / or finalised their accounts for this year. It is particularly humbling that despite the pandemic and all its challenges, many families have chosen to increase their payments and support our school. If you have not yet finalised your fees for the 2021 year however, we need you to do so as soon as possible or get in touch with us to discuss your circumstances.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, it is vital you speak with Mr Micallef so that a mutually beneficial arrangement can be organised. With all the other pressures of life in a pandemic, school fees should not be one of those. Naturally, your circumstances will be treated with discretion and compassion and your privacy assured.
October Birthdays to Celebrated
4th Lyla 5/6 DA, Lilly 3/4 MG, Rayan 1/2 DC, Dihein 5/6 ME, Nearra 3/4 FO
5th Aiden 1/2 HE, Jason 5/6 BU
6th Ava 3/4 PE
7th Malar 5/6 LN, Pearly 1/2 FE
11th Elly 1/2 LO
12th Amberlee 3/4 TI
13th Kacy 1/2 RO, Ayden 3/4 TI, Leon 1/2 FE
14th Letitia 1/2 RO
15th Alexander 1/2 AL, Zoe 1/2 LO
16th Nathan 5/6 MB
17th Ira 1/2 HE, Chantelle 5/6 BU, Aria 1/2 DC
18th Isabella 1/2 RO
20th Chris PEA
21st Sharika 3/4 DM
22nd Casey 1/2 AL
23rd Nicole 1/2 DC
24th Hayden 1/2 AL, Ekamjot 5/6 SP
26th Paul PEA
27th Christiano 1/2 RO, Nene 3/4 BB
28th Abill 3/4 TI, Peter 3/4 MG
29th Phoenix PKK
30th Sophia 1/2 DC
31st Shanaya 5/6 ME, Thanesha 5/6 ME
Beleza, School Uniforms
Community News
