Dear Parents/Caregivers,
DON’T FORGET QR CODES WILL COMMENCE IN WEEK 3.
A GREAT START TO 2021
We have had an excellent start to 2021 having started the year with 415 students and a staff that is looking forward to working closely with students and the school community throughout the year ahead. Students were very settled, happy and working closely with staff when Andrea Hayden, Naomi Pudney and I visited during the first day and subsequently throughout the last 2 weeks.
THANK YOU TO OSHC
Have you been in the school and noticed new paving near House 9 and a number of new games painted on the ground in different places? If you have I am sure you will agree that they are bright and provide extra focal points for play around the school. I would like to sincerely thank the OSHC, (and therefore its families), for providing these additions to our schoolyard for all students to enjoy. This contribution is greatly appreciated.
CHANGES TO STAFFING
Naomi Pudney, (our new Wellbeing Leader), is the only new staff member this year, with all other staff working at some time during 2020. I would, however, like to give a special welcome back to Aisha Venner who has returned to HCEPS after the birth of her daughter last year, and Emma Belshaw, who has returned to support our specialist programs. Tania Bailey has also changed from classroom teacher to providing classes lessons in the Performing Arts (specifically Music and Drama). A full list of staff and their roles/responsibilities is attached to the newsletter notification and is called "2021 Staff List".
SPECIAL THANK YOU AND FAREWELL TO JENNY McFADYEN
It is with some sadness that I announce that Jenny McFadyen, our long term Finance Officer/Business Manager has now officially retired from HCEPS. Jenny has been a very important member of staff for many years, starting firstly as a parent, then becoming a regular volunteer, then classroom support SSO and then moving into Finance. Many of you will have worked closely with Jenny around Finance matters over the year and know she has been very supportive and accommodating. What you may not be aware of is that with the unique structure of the school in domestic housing, the Facilities management in the school is much more complex than in a regular school site. Much of Jenny’s work over the years has also been managing the Facilities in the school. I am sure you will agree with me when I say that the fruits of her work in this area are very evident throughout the school, with our grounds and buildings being beautiful.
On behalf of the school and students I would like to say a very big thank you to Jenny for her significant contribution to our school over many years and wish her well as she starts a new chapter in her life, enjoying time with family including watching her 3 grandchildren grow up, travelling and spending time with her other interests.
Imelda Jolly will be Business Manager for 2 terms until a process to choose a permanent replacement for Jenny is found. Joanne Berry will also continue fulltime in Finance during that time.
ACQUAINTANCE MEETINGS
By now you should have received an invitation to the Acquaintance Meeting evening to be held next Wednesday 10th February from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Hopefully you have been able to book into a session with your child’s teacher. I encourage all families to have a representative attend these meetings.
Individual parent/teacher/student meetings will be held later in the year and we will provide further details of these meetings in due course.
SICK STUDENTS
As you are no doubt aware, there is currently an increase in cases of gastro enteritis in the community. We have already had a couple of cases reported this week. I would ask that you please let us know if your child is sick with gastro and please keep him/her home until fully well. Thank you.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to our many wonderful volunteers who support the school in a variety of ways throughout the year. We highly value positive working relationships with volunteers and the support you provide to our school programs. If you are interested in volunteering we would love to have you. There are some official processes that do need to be undertaken first but please do not let that put you off. Please contact the front office to ask for a Volunteer pack, discuss the Working with Children Check process and any other information you need. Due to COVID restrictions regarding parents in classrooms, volunteers must sign in at the front office and will be issued with a Visitor sticker to show that you are authorised to be in the buildings.
NOMINATIONS FOR GOVERNING COUNCIL (2021/2022)
Membership of the Governing Council provides an opportunity to participate in discussions around a variety of school issues as a representative of the parent community and is a great way to learn how schools operate. The Hallett Cove East Primary School Governing Council Constitution states that the Governing Council will consist of 17 Council members. This is comprised of the Principal, 2 Staff of the School and 14 elected Parents. Currently there are some vacancies that are required to be filled. We now welcome applications for the new Governing Council. If you are interested, information regarding nominating for Governing Council will be sent separately through Skoolbag early next week, so please look out for this notification. Nominations will close on Friday 26th February.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is a key priority for all schools and it is vital that students are at school and on time every day. Even being late in the morning, means they miss part or all of the R-7 Reading Block. Children are expected to arrive at school between 8:30am and 8:40am and be in classrooms ready to commence tasks at 8:45am. If children arrive at classrooms after this time, they are deemed to be late and will need to check into the front office to have their electronic attendance status changed from Absent to Late. We ask please that students are signed in with parents through the front office when arriving late. At a designated time each morning, a text will be automatically sent to the parents of any students with unexplained absences who have not arrived by then. (If you receive an absence text, we ask that you please either reply to the text with the reason for absence, or, ring the school.)
Not being at school at all, means 6 hours and 20 minutes of important learning time is lost. Obviously we understand that children do become ill and that families have urgent issues that arise from time to time. If these events occur we ask that you please ring the school. Not only is it important that students maximise their time in learning, this information also helps you and us to know where your child is ensuring s/he is safe. Attendance is a key Department for Education (DfE) priority and as such is subject to ongoing monitoring. The school’s Attendance brochure and policy are on the school’s website and can provide further information. I thank you in advance for your cooperation with this process.
COMING EVENTS
SCHOOL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The School AGM will be held on Monday March 1st at 7:00pm in the Pavilion.
Please save this date!
The AGM is a very important event because it gives us an opportunity to share work from 2020 with the school community, through delivery of the Annual Report. This year, due to COVID restrictions around social distancing, we will not be able to hold our usual student presentations at our AGM. Instead I will present the highlights of 2020. After the presentation the Governing Council for 2021 will be approved. This year there will be a number of vacancies on Governing Council and we encourage you to consider membership of this very important school committee. Early next week, I will send out more information via Skoolbag, about the vacancies and how you can nominate to Governing Council. (Please refer to the information about membership of Governing Council in the previous section). More information about AGM will be out soon.
R-5 SWIMMING
Please note that R-5 Swimming will be held in Week 6 (March 1st – 5th). More information will be out shortly.
SPORTS DAY
Due to some restrictions still in place around COVID, the staff has decided to have Sports Day in Term 3 on a date to be decided. We hope that by delaying, this will maximise the possibility of as many parents/caregivers being able to attend. You will be provided further information in due course.
With regards,
Anne Rathjen
Principal
