NEWSLETTER 2022

Dear Families,

COVID update

While it was previously flagged that there would be some potential relaxing of restrictions from week 9 (e.g. indoor concerts and assemblies), the recommendation for schools and preschools is to continue to maintain existing restrictions for the remainder of the term. This means:

·         All students and staff must stay home if unwell, even mildly (runny nose, sore throat etc).

·         Ventilation will be maximised by leaving doors/windows open, use of air conditioning (set to fresh air intake) etc.

·         Outdoor learning where possible/weather permitting.

·         Minimising student intermingling across class groups buddy class, indoor assembly etc.

·         Indoor before school, recess and lunch time venues such as the library, hall and computer room will be closed.

·         To minimize the spread of COVID, parents/carers are not to come on site. I appreciate this is frustrating but we need to keep each other safe. Reception/Year 1 parents are allowed to enter the school grounds to drop off and pick up their child but they must use the QR codes available, wear a mask, social distance and leave immediately. Year 2-6 students can be dropped at one of our school entrances. In the afternoon all students must leave the school grounds with their parents/carers. Please do not congregate in the yard and particularly in the JP playground where bus/OSHC students are supervised by staff.

·         Continue to practice and promote hand and respiratory hygiene. Hand sanitiser is provided for regular use, and disposable masks.

·         Extra cleaning during the day will continue.

·         Face masks are required for adults, except when it impedes the ability to teach.

·         Face masks are strongly recommended for students in years 3 to 6.

·         Choir, band practice and instrumental lessons will continue.

The testing, isolating and quarantine placemats for schools and OSHC and preschool have changed. Please refer to attached document.

 Parent/Teacher Interviews

We have been advised that Parent Teacher interviews can go ahead next week as planned. Please avoid congregating with other parents outside classrooms, physically distance yourself and wear a mask.

At this stage we continue to have more and more students and their families isolating due to close contacts outside of school. To date we’ve only had 8 students test positive to COVID from classroom contacts. Most other positive cases have been linked to a parent or high school age sibling. Our school attendance is not looking great but this cannot be helped. We really have appreciated the support from families keeping their children at home if they are sick, undertaking regular RAT/PCR, and being understanding about the continuing restrictions.

 Wellbeing and Engagement Collection

Our students have been invited to take part in the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection survey. The survey will be conducted next week with students in year 4-6 only.  The purpose of the survey is to gather students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing, school relationships and engagement and learning in school, physical health and wellbeing, and after school activities. The WEC provides the government and schools with information to support improving and maintaining students’ health, happiness, wellbeing and relationships. It gives schools, the community and government an insight into what needs to happen to make sure students experience success and are provided with resources and opportunities to reach their full potential.

Students will complete the survey during class time. They will be asked if they would like to participate and are free to withdraw at any time. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school as soon as possible after receiving attached letter.

 National Day Of Action

The last couple of weeks saw us recognise and celebrate National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, and Harmony Day.  It was great to see the students really enjoy the lunchtime celebrations on Friday and ‘bust a few moves’ to the music at lunch time. The lunchtime picnic brought buddy classes together, despite physical restrictions, in a sea of orange and laughter!

Some of the highlights included the lovely messages in our butterfly mural, including contributions from our parents. Thank you.  The calico bags were decorated with lovely art work and messages, and I was particularly impressed by Room 6 who secretly decorated their bags for another student in their class. I watched the students swap their bags as they made positive comments to each other.

Thank you to those families that have paid the Materials & Services charge of $303 for 2022. The Materials and Services charges are now overdue and need to be paid to avoid debt recovery action by Department for Education. Applications for School Card assistance are still able to be made so please apply online at www.sa.gov.au under the heading Education, Skills and Learning. Please contact the Front Office if you require any assistance.

Payment can be made:

·          via the school bank account BSB 105-021 Account number 104147940 - using your family code or invoice number as the reference.

·          via Cash, Cheque, Eftpos or Credit Card at the Front Office between 8.30 – 9.30am and 2.30- 3.30pm.

·          via Credit Card over the phone between 8.30-9.30 and 2.30-3.30pm.

Any current Direct Debit Payment Plans will continue.

Please contact Kim Oag on 85642215 if you require any further assistance.