Virginia Primary School Newsletter

Issue 3, 28/02/2020

From the Principal

We have had a busy last couple of weeks, with students and teachers settling into their classroom routines focusing on targeted and intentional learning. Arriving to school on time enables students to be well prepared for the day's learning.

As a school, we pride ourselves on having high expectations whereby EVERY student gets the 'good teacher'. Quality teaching and learning is at the core of what we do. We strive for excellence, focusing on improvement and continual growth across all areas of literacy and mathematics. 

Students in every class have been busy setting their reading and personal goals. Teachers continue to be intentional with their planning and programming to ensure EVERY child is successful, yet challenged and engaged with their learning. 

We continue to refine and strengthen our 'reading and literacy' work, to maximize growth and achievement. This is not possible, without getting to know our students on all levels (social, emotional, academic) - 'the whole child'.

Building positive relationships with students and families is also something I am strong about. We welcome and are open to feedback, as feedback enables us to continue to improve and further strengthen what we do. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our community for all your ongoing support. Whether it being concreting, tinting windows, providing seedlings or fruit and veg - we thank you! We have a wealth of expertise and breadth of skills among our families who are always willing to lend a helping hand. This help, enables more  funds to go towards student learning. We are forever grateful for the strong partnership we have with our community and want to continue to build upon and strengthen this.

I feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful community and will continue to work hard to ensure that we provide a high quality education for all. 



Reminders

Clean Up Schools Day

Friday 28th February 2020

Clean Up Schools Day is a great way to inspire our students to learn about the impact rubbish has on our local environment, whilst also playing an active role in our community.

It's a day when students and teachers work together, to clean up different areas around our school and local community.

In 2019 over 2,240 preschools and primary schools participated in Schools Clean Up Day and here at Virginia Primary, we too, are proud to be part of this initiative. 

Did you know??

  • Your soft plastics  & plastic bags can be returned to your supermarket for recycling but only 3% are currently recycled.
  •  Australians currently use 4 billion plastic bags annually, which means over 10 million new bags are used every day.
  • Australians throw away about 7,150 recyclable plastic bags a minute, with 429.000 recyclable plastic supermarket bags dumped into landfill every hour.
  • Most States/Territories in Australia have either banned or committed to implement a ban in the near future.
  • It is estimated that it costs governments, businesses and community groups over $4 million per annum to clean up littered plastic shopping bags

Riley's Big Ride

For those new to our school, we would like to re-post about one of our year 3 students, Riley Evitts. 

Riley is in training with his Pop for something really amazing!

Riley will be riding his bike with his Pop from Melbourne to Adelaide to help raise money for a charity he chose himself, Little Heroes.  He was inspired as a 5 year old when one of his heroes, Ed Pratt was riding his unicycle around the world. Riley rode his bike in the rain with Ed as he passed through Adelaide.

Soon it will be Riley's Big Ride, which is coming around quickly!

The Whitehorse Inn at Bolivar are holding a charity Schnitzel Night, $5 from every schnitzel will go towards the Little Heroes Foundation via Riley's Big Ride. If you love a schnitzel & I mean who doesn't, make sure you come along on Monday the 2nd of March from 6-9 pm.

Donations can also be made via Riley's blog page or up in the Front Office at school.

We hope to see you there to support Riley on this HUGE adventure.

If you are interested in tracking Riley’s preparation and ride, you can follow him on his blog    https://rileysbigride.home.blog/ or via his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rileysbigride/

Social Media Fact Sheets

Be Smart, Play Your Part!

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we thought families might find it useful if we shared some insightful resources about social media apps. 

These fact sheets  about social media apps, online games and trending issues may help and inform discussions with your children. It is important that we as parents are aware of what our children are exposed to via social media & the internet.

Did you know most apps like Instagram, Facebook, Snap Chat, YouTube etc are not private unless selected in the settings?

Did you know that all apps have age restrictions?

Take a moment to have a look at the attached SNAPCHAT fact sheet. You might also be interested in the following Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety/

Volunteering

Can you help…? We are currently looking for volunteers for a range of different activities.

It has been a Department for Education (DfE) requirement that all parents and other volunteers who work with or in close proximity to children have Working With Children Check pursuant to the Children's Protection Act 2016

Last year the Department for Education updated its screening policy to make it easier for parents and guardians to volunteer their time.

Parents and guardians volunteering in schools and preschools to support their own child’s education no longer need to undertake relevant history screening.

Screening is still required for any parents/ volunteers attending any overnight camps or supporting other children within the school. Should you wish to obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC) we are able to assist you. This process can be started at the school office.

Each WWCC lasts for five years so it is important that any expired ones are updated.

Please see Deb Smith at the front office to start this process which is now an online application. We will also be holding a volunteer induction session this term for all volunteers. 

We have attached forms here which you access through the download button or you can collect from the Front Office if you are willing to volunteer within our school.

Download

National Pharmacies Members

Pupil Free Days 2020

Pupil Free Dates & School Closures (approved by Governing Council) 

  • Term 2: Week 1  Monday 27th April - OSHC available 
  • Term 2: Week 10  Wednesday 1st July - OSHC available 
  • Term 3: Week 7  Friday 4th September - School closure Show Day - NO OSHC available
  • Term 4: Week 2 Wednesday 21st October - OSHC available  
  • Term 4: Week 7 Friday 27th November - OSHC available 

Parent Articles

Going to school for most children is a positive experience however some children can struggle making the transition from their home environment to school. It’s naturally distressing to see your child upset at school drop-off but there is a great deal you can do to make school drop-offs easier for you and your child.

Click on the download button to read the full article

Get the latest on topics such as resilience, confidence, wellbeing and developing your children into the best they can be, through the following link https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/

Download

Staff Training - First Aid 2020

Jewellery at School

A reminder to all families with regard to earrings. For safety reasons, we ask that children with pierced ears, wear studs or sleepers rather than hooped and other hanging/dangling earrings. The following is a statement from our uniform policy that is on our website and handed out with every enrolment pack;

JEWELLERY/ MAKE-UP

Again in the interests of student safety jewellery must be kept to a minimum, eg small sleepers, studs. Necklaces/ bracelets should not be worn (medical or religious/ cultural necklaces are exempt but must be kept tucked under tops where appropriate) Coloured nail polish and make-up of any sort is also not appropriate.

 Again – we thank you in advance for your support with this. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the front office. 

Car park safety

Please help  by supporting us with the following;

- Reduce your speed, there have been some instances where we have had cars moving fairly quickly through this area.

- Never reverse more than you have to. Little people can be hard to see, we are yet to have any issues and want to keep it this way.

- DO NOT park in a disabled car park unless you have a permit!

- Make sure you park your car in an allocated space when picking or dropping off your children. Stopping in traffic zone areas is not permitted.

STUDENT SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY.

THANK YOU!

Term 1 Calendar 2020

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