Newsletter 7 - 7 May
Term 1 ended in unusual circumstances! It was very strange to be at school, but not to have students here. We would like to thank all parents and carers at South Ballajura for their assistance in keeping children at home where possible during those final weeks of the term to ensure we were able to plan for what is now an unusual start to term 2.
It is so good to have our students back at school with their smiles and laughter. Over the past two weeks our attendance has increased and we are looking forward to more and more of the students being back at school in the coming days. The students who are not at school have been able to access the distance learning packs developed in the final weeks of term 1. The curriculum concepts addressed through the packages are the basis of the teaching at school. Of course the depth of coverage and range of activities does vary. We are very strong on the fact that the best place for students to learn is at school and that the current expert medical advice is that schools are safe places. We will continue to provide the best opportunities we can for students at our school.
Over the next week or so we would expect that the increase in attendance will continue. We will continue to provide packages where necessary until further updates are given. Further information about this will be sent home through our normal communication channels.
As you are aware, at present, parents are not able to come onto the school grounds. This is to keep the numbers of adults on school grounds to a minimum. Whilst the medical advice shows schools are safe places for students, the state government has instructed us stop parents and other adults from coming onto the site for the safety of everyone. I would like to thank our parent body for their cooperation in this matter and the staff for ensuring we are able to operate in this different scenario. While the Campus Inclusive Playgroup has been suspended, families can join in WA Playgroup online sessions.
In addition, we have employed extra cleaners around the campus. This is to ensure our grounds and facilities are as clean and hygienic as possible for students and staff. This is working well with cleaners around the school all day, cleaning play areas, classrooms and toilets constantly.
It is great to see the canteen back up and running at school. Thank you to Bronwyn and Cathy for their efforts in keeping this important asset to the school running. During this week, the students at South Ballajura also had the opportunity to purchase that special gift for mum or that special person in their life at the Mother’s Day stall. Thank you to the P &C for a wide range of products for the kids to purchase. Also a special thank you to Bronwyn, Cathy, Lina and the year 6 students for helping out and making this possible. Mother’s Day is a very special time to celebrate and reflect on all the wonderful things our mum has done for us over the years. We hope you all have a wonderful Sunday celebrating Mother’s Day.
At this time, we are not holding assemblies, excursions or incursions. This is to minimise opportunities for the spread of COVID 19. When we are able to, we will reintroduce these activities to our schools' agenda and will inform you as soon as we can.
Thank you all again for your support of our schools.
Wayne Press
Menthal Health - Check in
Over the past three weeks the staff have been working through a number of online modules, looking at Mental Health, Resilience and strategies to support the well-being of all our students.With the current events, it is an important time to make sure we are looking after ourselves and taking the time to listen to our young ones. How are they feeling? Like everyone, students are looking for answers. The world around us has really changed in the last month, and changing on a daily basis. So take the time to sit down and listen and most of all take the time to do something nice for yourself.
If you are looking for any resources to support you, please check out the following websites.
Uniform Shop Notice
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL MOTHERS
ESC Term 2 Update
It was reassuring and felt like a weight was lifted when the government increased the group size limit to 10 on the ANZAC weekend, restoring our confidence that the community were supporting retrictions to reduce Corona virus spread. Consequently, about 70% of our students (most with smiles) came back at school during the first two weeks of this term, which was fantastic. (By the way, not all absences are COVID-19 related!)
Parents have indicated that more students are likely to return to school over the next week or so depending on continuing control of this Corona virus spread and pending announcements from the Prime Minister, which will be based on data monitoring, research and Chief Medical officer advice. 80 WA schools will participate in COVID-19 testing to improve strategies and outcomes for everyone.
The majority of ESC staff have been able to resume work on site, so our classes are unchanged and the range of learning programs are continuing, creating stability and re-establishing school routines. However, Some notable changes, are in place for everyone’s safety:
- Drop off and Pick up must be at the gate
- Late arrivals – We have extended the drop off time, however if parents arrive after 9.05am and your child’s entry gate is locked, you will need to enter via the open pedestrian gate near the front office and report to the office. Parents are not permitted to walk students to classes. PARENTS MUST always wait for an ESC staff member to handover their child. It is not safe to just drop off from the car and go. (Primary School staff have many other students to supervise)
- Therapist and Chaplain support is available to parents off-site.
Integration activities and special events have been temporarily reduced– ESC students still have lunchtime clubs practices.- Assemblies have been suspended.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Class teachers will be in regular contact with supporting families who are still learning at home.
Lunchtime Groups
Whilst we are not having Integration Lunchtime Clubs at the moment, in order to maintain smaller groups, ESC students are still being given the opportunity to ‘hone’ their Signing, Jump Jam and Drumming skills.
I was delighted to be able to ‘have a go’ with some drummers on Tuesday to practise “The Adams Family” Great fun, but think I should keep my day job!(Mrs Lennox)
Lego Playskills
Mrs Quigley started ESC Lego playskills group at recess today and was awesome.
School Chaplaincy Services
While parents are not allowed within school grounds due to COVID-19 school restrictions the Chaplaincy Services are still available to parents. Avram can meet parents outside school for a coffee or for a walk if the weather permits. Alternatively, phone, skype or zoom conversations could be organised as needed.
TA5 Celebrates Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas's Star Wars media franchise. Observance of the commemorative day spread quickly through media and grassroots celebrations. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase "May the Force be with you" as "May the Fourth be with you". TA 5 celebrated Star Wars day by learning a bit more about their favourite characters and completing some incredible Lightsaber and Baby Yoda artworks.
Therapy - Tele therapy Form
Meet the Board
Hi my name is Glyn Davies and I have recently joined the ESC Board. My association with SBESC comes through supporting people with disability and their families to access the NDIS.
I also have over 35 years’ experience working in the not for profit sector, with much of this time in senior management positions within the disability service sector, including Uniting Care West, People Who Care, Save the Children and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
In non Covid-19 times, I enjoy playing soccer, which I attempt to do twice a week. I also enjoy traveling overseas and meeting new people.
I have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren including a grandson with a disability.Indonesian - Welcome back! Selamat dating kembali !
As Term 1’s program was interrupted, we are completing work planned for Term 1 before moving on to the program planned for Term2.
Year 3 students are learning numbers from 0 – 10 through song, games and interactive activities.
Year 4 students are revising rooms in a house and will be moving on to the topic of “My Day” where they will be learning to say ‘I wake up, I have breakfast etc.’
Year 5 students will be practising using the rupiah (Indonesian currency) by shopping for essentials from a catalogue then learning to convert the rupiah to Australian dollars.
Year 6 students will recall work done in Term 1 about “My daily Routine” and continue with activities on the topic of “Sport”
It’s good to see so many students back at school. Please take care and keep safe!
Salam
Ibu Francis
Scholastic
During Term 2, Scholastic is offering their great value Book Club catalogue online.
Please go to the bellow link for your online catalogue.
Please submit your orders by May 12, 2020. Online orders through the scholatic website are preferable, however, cash orders can still be done through the school library as per normal.
If you choose to submit a cash order, please write down the book number from the catalogue, the name of the book and the cost of each book, the student's name and classroom number, parent contact number and total cost on a sheet of paper and submit to the library with the correct amount of cash in an envelope by the due date.
Any questions, please contact the school on 08 9207 0100.