Dear Families,
It has been a busy couple of weeks at Mansfield Primary School. Grade 5 Melbourne and the Sea camp, NAPLAN, 3-6 Cross Country, G2 Dinosaur Incursion to name a few. It feels like we have made it past the extreme COVID numbers of last term. There are still a few staff and students affected each week and we are still careful to minimise the risk, whilst providing experiences for our kids.
Rapid Antigen Testing
From next week there will be changes to the provision of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2. RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term.
However, from Monday 23rd May 2022, students will no longer be recommended to undertake either twice weekly RATs in mainstream schools or 5 days a week in specialist schools. RATs however will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7 day period) or who have symptoms.
The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms. Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.
Thank you also to all families who have had their child vaccinated. Vaccination continues to remain the best way to protect students and staff in our school. Getting vaccinated is easy and bookings can be done via the coronavirus website. If you have any questions about the vaccines, I encourage you to speak to your GP or a health practitioner.
Isolation Plans
From next week teachers will not be sending ISO plans home with their weekly email. These plans served us well when we had high numbers of students isolating but they are not specific to the needs of individual students. With fewer numbers this term, classroom teachers are now able to have a conversation with families to see if your child is well enough to complete some schoolwork whilst at home and make sure that work is suited to your child. Classroom teachers will work with you to provide some tasks.
Education Week
Education Week is next week. The theme, ‘150 Years of Public Education’ commemorates the past, celebrates the present and imagines the future of education in Victoria. We will be celebrating Education Week with a number of events during the week. Please see flyer attached.
This year, Mansfield Primary School is also 150 years old. We will celebrate 150 years at a community event on the 7th and 8th October this year.
Prep 2023 Transition
As part of Education Week, we have some Prep Transition activities planned. If you have a child starting Prep next year, please come along to our Parent Information Session (5:30pm Wednesday 25th May) and the Come and Play session and School Tour (2:35pm Thursday 26th May). If you know any families who are looking at enrolling their 2023 Preps please direct them to the MPS website http://www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au/more-info.html.
The Resilience Project: Gratitude
This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude.
Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.
Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.
View Part 2 of the series here - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub/
There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a Wellbeing Journal.
(Source: Psychology Today, resources and support The Resilience Project’s Support Page.)
Working Bee: 4th June 11:00am until 1:00pm
The last couple of years have been challenging for working bees due to COVID restrictions. School Council would like to get back to our routine of one working bee each term. Please put June 4th in your diary. We are hoping to get lots of people here for a couple of hours. Many hands...
Grade 5 and 6 Skiing
Mt Buller has had some real challenges over the last couple of years and these have impacted operations for 2022. We are currently trying to work out how we can run our Grade 5 and 6 ski program in a way that works for everyone. An expression of interest note will be sent out next week.
Like always, please get in touch with us with any questions or concerns. Call or email your classroom teacher, call the front office or email me tom.macmunn@education.vic.gov.au.
Have a great weekend.
Take Care,
Tom