Newsletter 9 - 4 June
It was an absolute pleasure to address all the children across the campus on Tuesday of this week and to give out merit awards, using video conferencing. With children watching on classroom whiteboards, we were able to acknowledge the fantastic work of our students and present their awards. While this is a little unusual, we are always looking for opportunities to make sure we can reward our students for their positive work habits and behaviour!
We would like to thank the parents of the South Ballajura campus for your cooperation and assistance over the past couple of months. It has been a very unusual situation, however we have noticed some real benefits for our students.
With children getting to classrooms on their own, we have noticed them being more responsible for their own behaviour and organisation. We have seen an increase in the use of several of our Keys to Success. Resilience has improved because the children are now just getting to the classrooms and overcoming problems by themselves; their organisation has improved as they are now being responsible for getting ready for the day taking care of their own items and as a result, they are showing the confidence that “they can do it” when faced with challenges.
Although from next week the rules have been relaxed somewhat, It would be good to see these improvements continue so we ask that parents still drop off and pick up from the gate where possible.
The relaxed rules state:
Can parents enter the school with their child? Yes.
- Parents/carers may come on to school sites to attend pre-arranged meetings and for drop off and pick up purposes.
At South Ballajura, we would ask that, if possible, you continue to drop your child off at the gate.
It is not allowed for parents just to pop into the classroom. Meetings need to be pre- arranged. If you need to send a message to your child’s teacher, please use class Dojo, email or phone the office as appropriate.
- The total number of parents on school grounds should not exceed 100.
Because of this we need to keep track of how many parents are on the school grounds so we ask that you do not come into the grounds unless it is necessary and that you sign in if you are here to attend a meeting.
- Physical distancing of one person per 2 square metres and good hygiene practices apply.
Whilst restrictions have been relaxed, we are still governed by the community rules which state that we should have no more than 100 people in an indoors space and 300 people in an outdoor space. Therefore, whole campus assemblies will not be able to be held at this stage.
We are now able to hold incursions and excursions within the 100/300 limit and will recommence these as appropriate.
Parking
The parking situation has improved dramatically, with parents now being more aware of taking a very careful approach to drop off and pick-ups in the carparks. Thank you to Mr Donegan for his continued vigilance in patrolling this aspect of our operation. We would ask that you remind your child to use the “safe side” when entering the car, that is the side closest to the side of the road or path. This reduces the need for your child to walk into the middle of the carpark or driveway.
We also ask that parents are very careful in ensuring that children are properly seated and restrained (ie wearing a seatbelt) in the car before it moves off. We have observed a number of occasions when children are not in seats correctly and this is extremely dangerous and of course illegal.
School Development Day
Last Friday was a School Development Day for both schools. This was a day spent with the staff undertaking some professional learning, especially in the area of the Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework and the strategic directions of the schools and Education Department and how this will be applied in our classes.
Pizza with the Principal
Congratulations to all student across the South Ballajura campus who were awarded Pizza with the Principal last Tuesday. This reward is given to students who demonstrated outstanding citizenship qualities.
The students had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of Pizza’s, garlic bread and a cold drink, which is a huge honour. Special thank you to Kathy and Bronwyn from the canteen for helping to set this event up and picking up the pizza’s. The next pizza with the Principal will be held Tuesday the 30th of June, week ten this term.
ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 27 May, some classes participated in activities for the ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2020. The book this year was “Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas” by Lucinda Gifford. The senior students helped some of the juniors in mask making activities after the story was read and there were some fantastic looking fox and chicken divas at school on the day. Well done to everyone who participated, all the students had a great time!
Attendance
Great to see all our students back at school and classrooms full of student’s engaged in theirlearning. I would like to take this moment and remind parents and members of the school
community that it is really important that we are punctual to school. Students will be supervised from 8:15, so all students arriving at this time, need to make their way straight to the undercover area. The first bell will ring at 8:40 for students to make their way to class to set up for the day. The second bell will sound at 8:50, this will indicate the commencement of the first session. It is crucial that students are on time to class so they don’t miss out on vital instructions for the day.
Thank you for your support in this matter.
School Uniforms
As the winter weather begins a gentle reminder to all families that school uniforms are required as part of our daily attendance. Please avoid sending your child to school in casual attire as we would like our students to be positive representatives of our wonderful school community. If your child is more prone to feel the cold, it is ideal for them to wear winter thermals underneath that are similar to the uniform colours. Don’t forget to have your child check the lost property basket for lost items as we have quite a large number of unclaimed items.
Primary School Kindy Enrolments
The enrolments for 2021 are underway and all families within our local catchment are encouraged to apply to enrol their children in school by 24 July 2020.
Please find a Kindy Application attached below. Alternatively please come to the front office Monday to Friday, between 8am and 3:30pm and we can give you a hard copy.
When returning the application ,you will be asked to present:
- Your child’s Birth Certificate (original or certified copy) or birth extract or equivalent identity documents;
- A copy of your child’s Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement printed in the last two months(no Older than two months)
- Proof of your child’s usual place of residence: for example, utilities account, lease agreement, ownership of the property, driver’s licence, statutory declaration;
- Copies of any Family Court or other court orders (If applicable);
- and Visa details (If applicable).
We are looking forward to meet all new students in 2021!
Performance Learning
On Friday 29th May (School Development Day), The ESC staff broke off in to groups (meeting current physical distancing norms) to learn how to use a reflection tool developed by school leaders in the north network. This reflection guided the staff in developing professional development goals and to identify areas of strength and areas for growth.
Aussie of the Month
Kelvin has been a positive role model for his peers as he consistently shows the 5 keys to success in all his school endeavours. He is always enthusiastic to take on any given task and has shown a huge increase in his resilience towards challenging work and situations. Keep up the ‘can do’ attitude, Kelvin!
Equal Maths
A couple of our Equals Maths groups have been working on AB Patterns! The students used figurines, counters and blocks to make their patterns, and have been looking in their environment to find other patterns around them.
Meet the Board
My name is Avram Iancu. I have been a YouthCARE School Chaplain for 8 years in two schools and I’m in my second year in this capacity at the ESC. I consider it a privilege to be able to provide pastoral care support to the school community.
I am married, with three children (29, 27 and 8) and in my spare time I enjoy playing piano, guitar and table-tennis.Indonesian
This fortnight the students will be working on the following activities:
Year 3 students will be assessed on numbers 0 – 10 through a matching activity and will continue with colours working on a sleuth and communicating their favourite.
Year 4 students have learnt the names of domestic animals and will revise vocabulary learnt through written activities, then continue with learning the names of wild animals by viewing flash cards and completing activities in their work portfolio.
Year 5s will be looking at an Indonesian town from Ketawa Year 5 Unit 2 Activity 1 and 2 and completing tasks in their Student Work Portfolio.
Year 6 students will be working on a dialogue inviting a friend to play a game with them and interviewing friends about sport they like and dislike through activities in their work portfolio.
Stay healthy and keep safe!
Salam
Ibu Francis