Welcome to Week 8
It is great to be able to speak to you, with all of our students at school this week. Thank you to our Kinglake West community for supporting the COVID safe measures we have had to put in place since our return.
The current guidelines continue to be:
From Friday 4th June, 2021 the following guidelines will be in place until otherwise notified:
2. To support contact tracing, schools have been instructed to keep a record of all staff, students and visitors who attend on-site for more than 15 minutes. Schools must record the full name, contact details, date, and time of attendance at school, as well as the areas of the school that the person attended. This can be done at the front office.
3. Visitors to school grounds must comply with physical distancing and face mask requirements set, and practise good hand hygiene.
4. The density limit of 1 person per 4 square metres should be applied to any spaces and activities being attended by parent/carers and other visitors. The density limit applies to all persons in the space, including students.
5. School Tours are NOT to be conducted.
6. Excursions/Incursions are NOT permitted.
7. Assemblies can be held with only school staff and students.
8. Inter-school sports are NOT permitted. Only non – contact physical sport at school.
9. No CANTEEN can be offered at the moment.
10. Community use of school playgrounds is still allowed after school hours.
Face masks
Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school, or when attending an OHSC program.
Face masks are mandatory for all school staff and school students aged 12 or older when travelling to and from school.
As we are still faced with Metropolitan Melbourne currently in lockdown, we will continue to keep our school procedures in place according to the latest Department Guidelines.
Pick up/Drop off Routine
- All parents and carers are to organise drop off and pick up points for their children along Recreation Road for both morning and after school pick up.
- Afternoon Pick Up Process – staggered pick-ups for students with siblings
- Students who have siblings at KWPS- eldest sibling will collect younger sibling/s at 3.20 and parents/carers can pick up students at 3.25pm along Recreation Road.
- All other students will leave at 3.30pm. This includes students who have no siblings, walk or catch the bus.
- Additional staff are rostered on (mornings and afternoons) to support this process for all students when arriving and leaving school.
I encourage each and every one in our community to reach out for support, where needed. This includes, students, parents, carers and all community members.
I have provided you again with three important numbers to contact if support is needed.
1. Kidshelpline – 1800 55 1800
2. Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
3. Lifeline – 13 11 14
Last week was Reconciliation week. This year’s theme was:
More than a Word. Reconciliation Takes Action
The 2021 National Reconciliation Week theme, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
Moving from awareness to action
More than a word. Reconciliation takes action asks people to take their awareness and knowledge, and use it as springboard to more substantive, brave action. For reconciliation to be effective, it must involve truth-telling, and actively address issues of inequality, systemic racism and instances where the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are ignored, denied or reduced.
Growing support
According to the 2020 Australian Reconciliation Barometer, there is far greater awareness of the complexity and magnitude of First Nations cultures and knowledges; and many more Australians now understand the brutal impact that British colonialism and the modern Australian state have had on First Nations families and communities.
We are seeing more people speaking up, speaking the truth, asking the hard questions, seeing the hard facts, and informing themselves about issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
At Kinglake West Primary, we continue to encourage the conversations around Reconciliation and acknowledge the history of the past and its connections to students and their families with an Indigenous background.
Each newsletter I like to highlight an aspect of wellbeing for our students. This week I’d like to highlight how food plays an important part in our student’s ability to have focus and concentration, when at school.
Healthy meals for healthy learners
Parents and carers can help children thrive in their education by ensuring they eat nutritious and healthy food.
· Start the day with a healthy breakfast
Breakfast gives students the energy they need to play, learn, and concentrate throughout their busy day.
A nutritious breakfast is low in sugar and contains healthy whole-grain foods like whole-grain cereal and toast and some protein and healthy fats such as eggs or cheese to keep little stomachs full all morning.
· Pick and mix to make a healthy lunchbox
Making lunch together is a great way for your child to learn healthy eating habits. Stick to fresh, unprocessed foods as much as possible and swap out the sweet treats for a piece of fruit or a tub of yogurt.
· Drink plenty of water
Children don't need fruit juices or other sweet drinks to get the energy they need for their day. Encourage healthy habits by packing water or unflavoured milk in your child's lunchbox instead.
Adding a splash of lemon or filling a colourful, reusable water bottle can help make drinking water a fun experience for your child. In summer, pack an ice block to keep food and drinks cold.
Remember to be a positive role model
· You are an important role model to your child. Show them that healthy eating is delicious and fun.
I wish everyone in our community a safe and productive week.
Mrs Osavkovska
Acting Principal
