Dear Parents
It has been quite a while since I have corresponded with you in the form of a newsletter. Most of our communication is currently achieved through regular brief statements using our Facebook site. If you are not a member please follow us. It is a great way to be kept informed and see some of the great things our students are achieving.
We continue to be driven by the directives from Queensland Health in terms of our management and responses to COVID. Whilst we have been doing this for such a long time it has almost become common practice I provide the following summary as a reminder.
- Students are not to come to school if they are unwell. Should they become unwell at school they will be sent home. Parents will be offered a RAT to be conducted at home.
- Close contact children are able to attend school but should carry out a RAT every couple of days to ensure they are not carrying the virus.
- Parents are very welcome in our grounds to drop off or pick up their children. If parents wish to volunteer as a helper they must sign in at the office and provide proof of vaccination.
The greatest effect COVID is having on our school at present is the loss of learning time for students and the loss of teaching time for teachers. Like most schools throughout the state we struggle to fill teacher absences.
This week many of our children will participate in the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy. These assessments are now conducted online and are fully managed at a school level. This assessment can sometimes cause anxiety for children and parents however all I ask is that the children have a good go at responding to the questions. Whilst you will receive an assessment result in each of the areas for your child, our teachers amalgamate this information with their own data that has been already gathered. This data rich set then informs the way teachers will individualise their curriculum and pedagogy.
Last week it was terrific to have Instrumental Music students from a range of schools along the Coast spend their day in our hall playing and learning together. Keep an eye on Facebook for some pictures.
This year's AGM for our P&C will be on Tuesday 24 May at 8pm. Please contact the school for log in details.
Thank you to those families that marched with us recently to show their respects on ANZAC Day. It was terrific to see our students in uniform walking with mums and dads. We also had our very own school ANZAC ceremony that consisted of our school leaders addressing the assembly and each class laying a wreath.
We have some exciting news around facilities with an additional eating area being created behind our school hall. This will mean a reduction in the distance many of our students have to walk to go from their eating and play areas back to their classrooms. The large concrete area covered by four shade sails and an additional drinking trough should start in the next few weeks. This additional area is being fully funded from our school budget.
Unfortunately from time to time a family unit can break down. This often means that mum and dad go their separate ways. During this time it is common for the school to be used as leverage against the other parent with requests that are unable to be fulfilled. Our school will treat both parents with the same rights and access unless a Court Order is presented providing alternate directives. Having stated that, I am also responsible for ensuring child safety so this will form the foundations of my decisions should there be any grey area. Should your family unit be struggling and you think it may have a negative effect on the schooling of your child please make a time to meet with me.
Cheers
Wayne