Dear Families,
We’ve had a very cold and wet start to winter. I am still amazed by the number of students arriving at 8.15am in shorts and t-shirt telling me they don’t feel the cold! We are encouraging students to dress appropriately for the weather conditions to prevent cold/flu like symptoms that may be confused with COVID.
COVID update
COVID restrictions have been eased in schools. From week 5, face masks in schools will be:
· strongly recommended for all adults (including visitors) while indoors, except when it impedes ability to teach.
· strongly recommended (but not required) for students in years 3 to 6 while indoors.
Anyone who is a close contact and is aged 12 years and older will need to wear a mask when they leave the house for 7 days following exposure as per the SA Health close contact guidelines. Employees and non-employees who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a mask while indoors, at all times as per the COVID-19 vaccination policies.
Face masks will be required to be worn temporarily in education settings when COVID-19 transmission reaches certain outbreak thresholds, based on SA Health advice. When certain outbreak thresholds are reached, face masks will be required to be worn by students in years 7-12 only, and all staff and adult visitors in the school, preschool, or children’s centre for a 14-day period.
We have resumed the following activities:
· Access to the library, computer room and hall in the morning/lunchtime.
· Student Leadership Council meetings
· Buddy Class
· ‘Grouping’ across classes within units
· Indoor assemblies with parents of host classes invited to attend.
All these activities will be conducted in a COVID safe manner as per DfE and SA Health protocols, that is, wearing face masks indoors, physical distancing, and not attending the site if unwell.
Our school COVID numbers have significantly reduced in the Junior Primary unit. It is great to see most of our students and all staff back at school.
Mid Year intake Preschool and School
The state government recently announced the introduction of a mid-year intake in preschool in 2023 and school in 2024. The commitment for a mid-year intake gives families earlier access to educational programs for their child.
STARTING PRESCHOOL - From 2023 children who turn 4 years old:
· before 1st May continue to start preschool at the beginning of the year .
· from 1st May to 31st October start preschool through the mid-year intake at the start of term of that year.
· after 31st October start preschool at the beginning of the following year.
Children will undertake 4 terms (1 year) of preschool, regardless of whether they start at the beginning of the year, or through a mid-year intake.
STARTING SCHOOL - From 2024 children who turn 5 years old:
· before 1st May can start primary school (Reception) at the beginning of the year.
· from 1st May to 31st October start school through the mid-year intake at the start of term 3 of that year.
· after 31st October start school at the beginning of the following year.
Students who start school at the beginning of the year will complete 4 terms of reception. Students who start school through a mid-year intake (start of term 3) will complete 6 terms of reception.
FURTHER INFORMATION is available at www.education.sa.gov.au
Materials and Services charge – discount or rebate for families
You may have read about the state government’s initiative to provide a $100 discount on both the 2022 and 2023 Materials and Services Charge. I am pleased to provide you with a letter signed by the Premier and the Minister for Education, Skills, and Training. The letter provides additional information about the initiative.
You can access the letter via this link: www.education.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/letter-from-premier-and-minister-materials-services-charges-7-june-2022.pdf
You don’t need to do anything at this stage. We will be processing the discount or rebate as soon as we can, however there are preparations that need to be made first.
Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 14th June is a Pupil Free Day. Staff will spend the day participating in professional learning covering the Teaching and Learning Cycle/Learning Sprints, and Teacher Clarity.
Last week we celebrated National Reconciliation Week – Be Brave Make Change. Students spent time in classrooms learning about our First Nations people and unpacking the theme of reconciliation. Thank you to the Student Leadership Council class reps and their mentors for presenting their learning at assembly on Friday. We listened as the students talked about changes made by brave people such as Eddie Mabo. We saw posters of First Nations people who have made contributions to Art, Sport, and cultural awareness. We heard words like kindness, bravery, inclusion which complement our school motto, and the values demonstrated by our students. A special mention to Room 9/Schultz for sharing their poetry and supporting their younger buddies to run the assembly. Room 1/Irwin kept us entertained with their storytelling, wonderful acting, reading and costumes.
Congratulations to the following students who received Encouragement Awards during the assembly:
Archie Clarke | Elsie Feist | Chase Pedder |
Oliver Warncken | Douglas killey | Ethan Walker |
Julia Harris | Hunter Viney | Lola Rudiger |
Macey Grant | Byron Mitchell | Liam Pendergast |
Jessica Bartsch | Ivey Merkel | Teddy Blythman |
Cody Pedder | Jessica Rosenzweig | Ruby Warren |
German Awards: Henry Barnett
Chase Pedder Flynn Trappmann |
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Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before. Bonnie Blair
Lynda Fitzpatrick-Brown