Eastlakes Edition

On behalf of the students, teachers and parents of Eastlakes Public School, we would like to pay our respects and acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past, present and future who have the first connection to this land. 

We are thankful for the Gadigal and Kameygal clans for taking care of the land, sky and waterways on which we learn and play today.

Together we will rise to the challenge and be respectful andresponsible to care for our country. 

Always was, always will be Aboriginal land

 Welcome back to what is going to be a term full of fun and exciting learning experiences and events. I hope all our families had a restful and enjoyable break. It is wonderful to see students refreshed and ready for another term of learning. We got off to a great start with everyone settling back into school routines, catching up with their friends and teachers sharing what they got up to in the holidays.

The term ahead is busy! Events and activities are returning such as the swimming scheme which has not been running for the last 2 years due to the pandemic. Students in Years 2 -4 will be participating in the swimming scheme at Botany Aquatic Centre in Weeks 3 and 4.  Next week we welcome 2023 kindergarten students and their parents to Kinder Transition. We will also have the Life Education van visiting in Week 4 with Healthy Harold talking to students about staying healthy, friendships, cyber safety and other safety rules.

Other events and activities throughout the term include, Stage 3 Camp, Student Leader Speeches, Presentation Day, The Talent Show, Gymnastics, special end of year celebration for the school community excursions and incursions. Term 4 is also a very special term for Year 6. It is their final term in primary school and have special activities for them throughout the term including the Middle school program, the Fun Fair, Fun Day out, Year 6 Vs Teachers, and Graduation evening. 

I wish everyone a great term ahead and look forward to seeing parents and carers join us throughout the term at the various events.

Have a relaxing and safe weekend.

Anthia Tsantoulis

Principal

Schools will continue to follow COVID-smart measures to help reduce the risk of transmission for students and staff members. These key COVID-smart measures include:

• staying home and getting tested if unwell, and only attending school when symptom free

• rapid antigen testing for symptomatic students and staff, and household or close contacts attending school to learn or work (note that household/close contacts may not attend an SSP or support unit)

• strongly encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations for students, staff and their families, including a booster shot (when eligible) and maintaining double dose vaccination requirements for staff who work in an SSP

• good hygiene practices including regular hand washing with soap and warm water and/or use of hand sanitiser

• maintaining natural ventilation, with consideration of local environmental circumstances

• boosted cleaning during the day, with particular attention given to high touch surface areas
• wearing a mask for all staff and visitors when working with or visiting Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs), support units or schools with students who are at greater risk of serious illness should they contract COVID-19 particularly indoors and when physical distancing is not possible

• assessing risk and applying appropriate safeguards across activities and events

• learning remotely where face-to-face learning is not possible.

  You can find further advice to families from the NSW Department of Education here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families