Dear Famililes,

We are nearly there! I hope there was as much excitement in your families as their was in mine as Mr Andrews announced a return to schooling for the 3-6 students. Finally we get to be back together and continue our 2020 educational journey face to face. It is completely understandable for children to be feeling both excited and nervous. They will be looking forward to seeing friends but also worrying they might not remember or still have those friends. They will be excited to see their teacher but will miss the freedom of being able to take breaks as needed and to have that close contact each school day with family. 

Our focus for the first week back is very much on the wellbeing of the children. We will be taking the time to help reestablish routines and refamiliarise with peers and staff. All of us will be taking a gently gently approach so that everyone, students and staff, have a great first week back. 

My youngest two children returned to the classroom this week (as we are in regional Victoria). One was excited, one not so. Both have settled quickly back into school routine which is a relief as a parent.

Things will be a little different for some classes this term. In order to follow the directions of the government to ensure that the connectivity and wellbeing of children are paramount we are moving some classes so that students are in level groups. This is to promote the mixing of similar aged children to build strong relationships that will sustain both the end of this year's schooling but also to prepare for 2021. This is especially vital for the Prep and Year 6 students. Teachers have alerted the children if their class has moved and let them know where they will meet on the first day back. 

Drop off and pick up will also be different - we will have two locations for this to occur - families with a surname beginning A-J along Denis lane (the lane with the roundabout) and families with K-Z in the lane in front of the school. We hope this will streamline the process. Pick up will begin at 3.15. Children walking home or exiting through the pedestrian gate will be released at 3.30pm which is the official end of school time. Any parents waiting at the gate must stand at least 1.5m away from anyone else.

Children will be temperature tested on the way into school. Any child with a temperature above 37.5 will be kept aside from other people and retested after about 10 minutes to see if the temperature has reduced. If not you will be called to collect your child. If a child becomes unwell during the day we will temperature test and inform you.

I am looking forward to meeting many more of you - mostly with a wave through the car window at this time and to meet your wonderful children.

Wishing you all a blessed weekend.

Kate

"The proof of prayer is real love for our neighbour" Pope Francis 7.10.20