Welcome to week 5 and the onslaught of winter where we spend a lot of time trying to keep students out of the puddles! Although making a huge splash in puddles is a right of passage, if your child is unable to resist, we would encourage you to pack a spare pair of clothes. We are also entering the prime cold and flu symptoms and encourage you to continue to keep children home if they have symptoms and RAT test them if possible, just to be sure.
Thank you for your flexibility and making the time to speak with teachers about the learning progress of your child(ren). I know teachers have greatly appreciated this opportunity to celebrate success and develop plans for future growth.
MOBILE PHONE POLICY
In 2020 the South Australian government passed legislation regarding the use of digital devices in primary schools. RPS developed a mobile phone policy that was ratified by Governing Council early in term 1 of that year. This was communicated to parents and the policy can be found in full on our website. See excerpt below:
Mobile phone use for primary school students
The department’s position is that primary aged students cannot use their mobile phones and personal devices at school during school hours. Digital devices include, but are not limited to, smartwatches, tablets or laptops that are not part of a separate Bring Your Own Device arrangement. This policy applies while students are at school, or attending an authorised school activity such as an excursion, during school hours.
It has come to our attention that a few parents are texting their children on their smart watches during the school day. We request that this practice cease immediately as it puts your child in a difficult position. Any messages can be passed on via the Front Office.
PUPIL FREE DAY
After a tumultuous start to the year staff are very much looking forward to gathering for our upcoming Pupil Free Day – Friday June 10. This will give us the opportunity to explore Differentiation; what it is and what it isn’t, addressing misconceptions and working towards developing whole school alignment in our approach. This day will build on our capacity to design learning that gives all children the opportunity to make progress and feel successful.
"Differentiation can be defined as a way of teaching in which teachers proactively modify curriculum, teaching methods, resources, learning activities, and student products. The needs of individual students and/or small groups of students are addressed to maximize the learning opportunity for each student in the classroom." — Tomlinson, et al.
COVID UPDATE
The Emergency Management Committee has announced changes to face mask requirements in education settings.
From Monday 30 May, face masks will be:
· Strongly recommended (but not required) for all adults - including visitors and parents - while indoors, except when teaching or interacting with children
· Strongly recommended (but not required) for students in years 3 to 12 while indoors.
Students and staff will be encouraged and supported to continue wearing a face mask if they choose to.
Supplies of surgical face masks will continue to be provided by the Department for Education to our school. They are strongly recommended (but not required) for classroom contacts and close contacts.
Face mask use in outbreaks
The Department for Education and SA Health have advised that face masks will be required to be worn in education settings where COVID-19 transmission reaches certain thresholds, based on SA Health advice.
In these instances, face masks will be required to be worn indoors by all staff and visitors in the school, preschool or and children’s centre for a 14-day period. You will be advised of the dates that face masks will be required if we reach these outbreak thresholds at our school.
Exemptions will be made for students or staff who have a medical condition, such as problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability, or a mental health condition.
Thank you to all parents and students for your cooperation and assistance in implementing the face mask measures at Reynella Primary School.
WHOLE SCHOOL INQUIRY
Inquiry takes critical and creative thinking to a deeper level than knowledge transmission can offer. It means our students will become more independent, curious learners – a crucially important goal because we don’t know what kind of world they will emerge into as adults. We are pleased to announce that, once again, we will be showcasing students’ critical and creative thinking at the end of term 3. Classes are just beginning to embark on another whole-school inquiry journey. We can’t wait to share more with you as the learning unfolds – watch this space!
WELLBEING LEADER
Our wellbeing leader, Fiona Brown, will be extending her leave until the end of term 2. Belle Padgett will continue in this role during this time and Cassie Blackler will continue working with the students in D6.
