PUPIL FREE DAYS (OSHClub will be available on these days)

• Monday 1st November

2021 TERM DATES

• Term 4: 4th October - 17th December (1:30pm finish)

2022 TERM DATES

• Term 1: 28th January (Students start 31 January) - 8th April (2:30pm finish)
• Term 2: 26th April - 24th June (2:30pm finish)
• Term 3: 11th July - 16th September (2:30pm finish)
• Term 4: 3rd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)

2022 SCHOOL CAMP DATES

• Year 3: Arrabri Lodge Camp - Wednesday 8th August to Friday 10th August
• Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp - Wednesday 18th May to Friday 20th May
• Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp - Tuesday 4th October to Friday 7th October
• Year 6: Canberra Camp - Monday 6th June to Friday 10th June

Dear Parents,

STAGED RETURN TO SCHOOL You will be very aware by now that Monday, October 18 marks the start of the ‘staged’ return to school for our students. The first ‘stage’ will be for the week commencing October 18 where our Foundation students will return to onsite learning for Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays ONLY. Our Grade 1 and 2 students will return to onsite learning for Thursdays and Fridays ONLY. All other Grade levels will continue their learning remotely UNLESS approved for onsite supervision (with the same application and approval process as in all other lockdowns).

This will be a much-anticipated time for all of our Grade Foundation to 2 students, at the same time being logistically challenging for staffing, the coordination of drop off and pick ups and more. It will require careful reading of these notes and Compass postings, and a commitment to being kind, respectful and patient. We have done so very well so far, and it is only for three more weeks.

So, for all of next week:-

Arrival

• The top gate on Nevin Parade, and gates on Winston Road and Lascelles Avenue will be open in the morning from 8.45am and will be locked by 9.15am. Students may enter from any gate. Parents are not permitted on site.

Departure

• Foundation students will leave via the gates on Winston Road after being collected from the Tiger Turf – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents will be asked to walk in the double gates near FY and exit via the Winston Rd gate.
• Grade 1 and 2 students will leave via the ramp on Lascelles Avenue- Thursday and Friday.
• All OTHER students approved for onsite learning because their parents are Authorised Workers will continue to leave via the gate near the turning circle on Nevin Parade.

Subject to normal application and approval processes, Grade 3 to 6 students eligible for onsite supervision next week will be supervised in individual classrooms per Grade level. For example, all Grade 6 students will be supervised in Room 20 by a grade 6 teacher, all Grade 5 students in Room 15 by a Grade 5 teacher and so on.

This will also apply to Foundation students approved for onsite learning on Thursday and Friday, and Grade 1 and 2 students approved for onsite learning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Parents will not be allowed onsite.

RETURNING TO SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES The Victorian Chief Health Officer has issued directions for required vaccinations for education workers. These directions are specific to education workers and supersede those for other authorised workers.

All staff who work in schools will be required to have a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 18 October 2021 or be able to produce evidence of a vaccination booking within that week.

All staff are required to be fully vaccinated by 29 November 2021 unless a medical exception applies and will be required to show evidence of their vaccination status. Information on vaccination status will be confidential and privileged and not communicated with the community.

Schools are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces (including shared spaces, staff areas and thoroughfares) whenever possible. Staff and students will maximise the use of outdoor learning areas or environments wherever possible, including as an alternative to staff areas.

We will:-

Natural ventilation

• Keep all windows, doors and vents open as much of the day as possible and when unoccupied, if practicable.
• Keep these openings clear of any obstruction to air flow.
• Use door jambs to keep doors open as far as possible.
• Aim to open windows and vents that are higher or towards the ceiling during poor or windy weather.
• Use exhaust fans as much as possible.
• Take measures to maintain thermal, noise and other comfort, such as flexible uniform and seating arrangements.

Maximise the use of outdoor learning areas or environments

• Try to maximise the use of outdoor learning areas and environments.
• Prefer the use of an outdoor space over an indoor space as much as practicable.

REDUCED SPECIALIST TIMETABLE Over the next few weeks we will be offering a reduced Specialist timetable to minimise the movement of students around the school and reduce exposure to different cohorts. We will review this as the term progresses.

A reminder…

Masks are mandatory as of October 18 for all Grade 3 to 6 students indoors, unless a medical exemption applies. Please contact myself for a confidential conversation if this is the case.

INTENTIONS TO LEAVE Term 4 is always dominated with planning for the following year – grade and staff selection, budgets, enrolments and more. In the first instance, it would be extremely helpful to us that if any family intending to leave our school community in 2022 because of relocation or other reason, advises us as soon as possible. A phone call to the office, or an email to the school or my email account asap would be most appreciated.

ENROLMENTS And on the same ‘numbers’ theme, whilst we think we have nearly all of our current family enrolments for 2022, if there is anyone out there who hasn’t completed the enrolment process yet, please do so asap.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

Wearing Masks at School As Bill has already mentioned, masks are mandatory indoors as of October 18 for all Grade 3 to 6 students and are “strongly recommended” for younger children.

While this is going to take an adjustment to get used to, we all need to work together in order to keep infections low and keep our school open.

We know children can deal with change and they are often more adaptable than adults.

They learn to wear a school hat, follow class rules and use the toilet at recess and lunch. Masks are no different.

When teachers, staff, and students consistently and correctly wear a mask they protect others as well as themselves.

In order to prepare your child, it may be a good idea to –

• discuss the reasons behind mask wearing and acknowledge that it may be uncomfortable at first but will become easier with practise.
• discuss that there may be students who are not wearing a mask for medical reasons and that is okay and we need to be respectful.
• discuss good mask hygiene practices such as storing the mask in a plastic bag, not leaving it on a table, not touching other people’s masks, not wearing another person’s mask and not picking up a mask that someone else has dropped.

To assist us, please name your child’s mask and send them each day with several masks (accidents happen!)

We will not be able to provide spare masks to students on a daily basis and currently, we do not have any child sized masks.

The following resources may help children to understand why they may need to wear a mask.

Return of school iPads Families who have borrowed school iPads may continue to use these at home until all students resume onsite learning on Friday 5th November. We would appreciate all iPads and chargers to be returned on this day in the named bags provided at the time of collection.

Have a great week,

Gill

Remote Learning: Limited Access

Access to school grounds is limited to:

• school staff
• students attending on-site learning
• contractors, including cleaners and maintenance workers
• outside-school-hours-care (OHSC) staff, enrolled children and their families.

If you need to collect or drop off anything at the school please call the office and a staff member will meet you at the main gate (Gate 1) on Nevin Parade.

Thank you for your understanding and stay safe.

Lucy Addati

Business Manager

Japanese News – Autumn in Japan

National Nutrition Week (10–16 Oct) Download this ABC Kids recipe book that's full of simple and delicious Play School cooking ideas. These easy recipes incorporate plenty of pantry staples and healthy ingredients.

What's your knowledge of ethical ratings? Hello my name is Bethany from year 6. This term I am exploring ethical ratings and businesses. Below is a survey I have created which would be amazing if you could fill out. I am hoping to understand a little bit more about our school community’s knowledge on ethical ratings. I hope you enjoy and thanks for your help.

Bakery Lunch Orders - Every Second Thursday - Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, these lunches have been cancelled until further notice.

Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be to providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every second Thursday. These lunches will be implemented via our Parents and Friends Committee and all money raised will be used towards our major school oval upgrade.

Orders need to be placed in advance via Compass Canteen. Ordering will close the Monday before the lunch date at 3pm.

Please see attached a Parent User Guide on how to order via Compass Canteen. Please note a 35 cents order fee will be charged at check out.

​​ICY POLE FRIDAY Students are able to purchase icy poles over the counter at lunchtime every Friday. All icy poles cost $1.00 each. Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, this event has been cancelled until further notice.

Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, these lunches have been cancelled until further notice.

CLASSROOM CUISINE provides lunch orders to our school on a MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAYS.

Lunches must be ordered online using the CLASSROOM CUISINE website.

Extra Curricula Clubs We have a range of weekly extra curricula activities that students are invited to participate in. Some are free and others require parent payment. If your child wishes to join please encourage them to go along on the scheduled day or you may like to contact the school office or the classroom teacher to discuss participation.

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SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE - Every Friday 8:45am to 9:15am, next to the music room. Jumpers with the school logo, long and short sleeve school polo tops and school dresses will be $5.00 and all other items $2.00. We are currently asking for donations of any unwanted reusable school uniform items to sell at our stall.

Instrumental Music Enrolments Can all students who would like to join our school instrumental music programs please inform the relevant teacher below of your expression of interest.

SINGING WITH GABRIELLA - Gabriella

• Email: favrettogab@gmail.com
• Phone: 0413 676 733

STRINGS WITH MR CAI - Gabriella

• Email: favrettogab@gmail.com
• Phone: 0413 676 733

GUITAR/BASS GUITAR - Alec

• Email: alec.stalder@gmail.com
• Phone: 0422 690 842

PIANO/KEYBOARD - Ella

• Email: ellac.blackburn@gmail.com
• Phone: 0410 938 840

DRUMS - James

• Email: orangejimmy@gmail.com
• Phone: 0405 845 628

PHONE NUMBER: 0448 075 422

EMAIL: viewbank@oshclub.com.au

A PLUS SCHOOLWEAR Our uniform supplier is A Plus Schoolwear which is located at 41-43 Northern Road Heidelberg West. Open hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s from 9am to 4.30pm (closed on weekend and public holidays).

You can also purchase your uniform online at www.aplusschoolwear.com.au