Dear Parents and Carers

On Friday, we celebrate Grandparents’ Day/Grandfriends' Day. This day acknowledges and celebrates the unique contribution grandparents (or someone similar) make in the lives of their grandchildren. It is very pleasing that despite the limitations that Remote Learning and lockdown puts on us all, such occasions can still go ahead and be celebrated. Students will have the opportunity to contact their grandparents and interview them about their life. At next Monday’s assembly, students will speak about their grandparents and their relationship. My thanks to Fron Garrett-Rumba for coordinating the event.

Parent/Teacher Conversations

Yesterday and today, parents have had the opportunity to make a time to meet online 1:1 with their child’s teacher/s. The meetings provide an invaluable opportunity for home and school to collaborate and discuss the needs of the children, and to ensure that good communication takes place regarding the needs of each child. In particular, the opportunity gives teachers and parents the chance to discuss any possible needs that may need attending. If you have not yet met with your child’s teacher, I encourage you to make contact and set a time to discuss your child’s progress over the remote learning period, and his or her return to face-to-face learning.

Face-to-Face Learning

Happily, we are almost at the point of students returning to school. At the beginning of Week 4, October 25^th, we welcome back students from K – 2 and Grade 6. The following week, at the beginning of Week 5, November 1^st, we welcome back students from Grades 3 – 5. It will be wonderful to have them back, we have missed the students a great deal. No doubt, many parents have questions about the protocols and safety measures that the school will need to have in place to ensure that students are as safe as is possible, upon their return. The Leadership Team and the school staff more broadly, have been discussing various scenarios and conditions that need to be addressed. Next Wednesday, October 20, at 4 p.m., Sean Rutledge and I are conducting a Teams meeting with any interested parents, to outline our safety measures and protocols once the school returns to face-to-face learning. The meeting will be repeated the following day, Thursday October 21^st, at 1 p.m. The links for the meeting can be found here:

• Parent Meeting: Return to face-to-face learning: Wednesday October 20, 4 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting
• Parent Meeting: Return to face-to-face learning: Thursday October 21^st, 1 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

I encourage all parents, if possible, to attend one of the meetings, to hear the significant steps put in place by the staff. In particular, end-of-day carline will have necessary significant changes that will affect the majority of parents. A letter from me will also be going home on the Thursday, summarising the main points from the meetings, so that parents unable to attend the meetings will have access to the information.

I would ask that any children attending school now, undertaking their remote learning on the school grounds, be dropped off at car line in the mornings, and proceed to the playground via the Kindergarten courtyard, rather than through the school. As per standard practice, we have a teacher on duty from 8.30a.m. each day. Thank you for your support.

Awards Assembly and Monday Morning Assembly Links

A reminder that this Thursday we have our Awards Assembly, online, starting at 2 p.m. A link to the assembly can be found here:

• Week 2 Thursday awards assembly: Click here to join the meeting

Next Monday, Week 3, we have our Whole School Morning Assembly. A link to the assembly can be found here:

• Week 3 Monday Morning Assembly: Click here to join the meeting

Kaboom Music Incursion

Finally, a reminder that next week, we are holding an online Music Incursion, provided by Kaboom. Students will be able to watch the incursion via Teams. There is a K – 2 component and a 3 – 6 component. My thanks to our wonderful performing arts teacher, Alissa Pearson, for her work in coordinating this incursion.

Have a wonderful week with your families. I look forward to seeing you online at the Awards Assembly on Thursday.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal