St Leonards Primary School

Newsletter 5, 27 March 2020

From the Leadership

We are so proud of SLPS Community. These are very trying times with life as we have known it change so rapidly. Worry and fear for the health of our loved ones; especially those in the high risk category, for the economic repercussions affecting the livelihood of many, and just wondering “What next?” has placed enormous stress and anxiety across our community.

It is with sincere gratitude that we thank our parents/carers, staff and students for being understanding of the daily notices and for respecting the measures put in place. It’s not always easy to follow directives, when we’d really like to be doing something else, so it has been so positive to see our community acting in such a cohesive manner.

The corridors are beginning to resemble the streets, with far less traffic being noticed daily. For those who have been home, we are thinking of you, miss you and look forward to seeing you. For those who are here, it is a pleasure to see such positivity and joy in these trying times.

So please, our number one message, is to look after yourself and each other. You will have noticed a Well-Being section in the Home Learning Support documents made available to you on Skoolbag. It is so important that your family have some fun and keep laughing as much as you can.

In addition to those, we’d like to support you to deal with any anxiety in your home, and suggest that you look at these sites.

Mental Health Resources

Mindfulness, “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, in Purser, 2015) has many benefits including improved physical and mental health, enhancing social/ emotional skills and developing intellectual skills.

https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/mindfulness.html

Cybersafety Resources

Whether through choice, necessity or clear direction, an increasing number of people are staying home and the digital platform is being promoted as a way to stay connected and for students to access learning. We would like to encourage parents and students to revisit online safety, and have therefore included these websites from which you can get good information for parents and a range of age appropriate materials for children including games etc.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/cyberbullying

https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/bullystoppers/rtppix.pdf

Family Struggles

In this economic climate, more than ever, you may find your pantry looking pretty empty.

There are donations of snacks in the Well-being room, so please tell your child/ren to visit Mrs Baker, because her cupboard isn’t bare. There are also some items in the Community Care Pantry.

In addition to the support of our school community you may find these websites useful.

https://anglicaresa.com.au/support/food/

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions-and-grants/emergency-financial-aid

https://www.foodbank.org.au/

Please reach out if you are in need.

Pupil Free Days

You will have noticed that the final day for students at school is Friday 3 April. Please remember that the Monday of next term is a planned Pupil Free Day so our first day back will be Tuesday 28 April. We will continue to keep you informed of the latest information from the DfE about the delivery of your child’s education at SLPS.

COVID-19

Tips on how to stay safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic

Whether through choice, necessity or clear direction, an increasing number of people are staying home as COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, sweeps the globe. It’s a worrying time, with implications for personal wellbeing right through to international stability.

We are adding new content every day to help you stay safe online through Skoolbag and our Website.

It is with the warmest of hearts that the staff from SLPS thank you for your well wishes, and we would like to wish you well also. Take care and stay safe.

Jo Meredith, Acting Principal

Kathy Baker, Inclusive Education Coordinator

Diary Dates

Week 10

Sunday 5 April - turn clocks back 1 hour

Week 11- Pupil Free Days

Monday 6 April

Tuesday 7 April

Wednesday 8 April

Thursday 9 April

OSHC available - please book as soon as possible 8294 9811

Upcoming in Term 2

Pupil Free Days

  • Monday 27 April
  • Tuesday 9 June




Notices

Overview of Current Changes and Restrictions

  • No onsite visits from outside providers eg OT, Speech, Psychology
  • No school banking
  • No volunteers onsite
  • Kiss and Drop for school drop off and pick up (as much as possible)
  • No families on school grounds from 3:15pm
  • If you need to collect your child early sign out at the Office and we will collect your child/ren for you



Overview of Cancelled Events

  • Reception to Year 5 Swimming
  • Year 4/5 Camps
  • Three Way Conferences
  • Growth & Development Sessions
  • Volunteer Workshops
  • Musica Vivica Performance
  • Out of School Hours Sport and SAPSASA
  • Site Inductions for Volunteers
  • Assemblies

Starting Secondary School in 2021

For families of Year 7 students, the process for applying for High School is now online. Please make sure we have your current email address. For more information please see the attached document.
Download

Photo Day

School Photo Day is has been postponed until Term 3. Dates to be announced.

What's Been Happening at St Leonards

A Trip Around the Classrooms

St Leonards Primary School

Learning Together

Respect, Resilience, Readiness

"Building a community that inspires curious, creative and innovative thinkers."

Principal: Dave Henty-Smith

Deputy: Jo Meredith

Inclusive Education Coordinator: Kathy Baker