Tuesday 2nd May 2023
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to term 2. This is the shortest term that I can ever remember. It is 8 weeks and 3 days long, so things may seem a little rushed over the next few weeks.
Tomorrow our grades 4. 5 and 6 students head off to Forest Edge Camp. This is an adventure activity camp with bushwalks, a flying fox, archery, hut building and indoor rock climbing. It is set in a beautiful environment in Neerim South. I will be heading to Forest Edge on Thursday to spend a day with the children (and to tackle the flying fox!!! đ). Thanks so much to Joe, Jessica, Amy and Vicki who are all giving up their family time to attend the camp with the children. I hope that they all have a wonderful time at camp.
Next week, we start the whole school swimming program. This year our two weeks of swimming will be spilt into one week in May and one week in October. The timetable during this week is a masterful work of art to make sure that we make the most out of each day that includes a trip to Gisborne Aquatic centre. Lunch times are staggered, so please call the call the school if you need to pick children up early. Children will be placed in groups allocated by the swim teachers. On the first day they will assess the children in their group and move them to a different level if needed. Parents are welcome to come down to the pool and watch the lessons.
On Friday 12th May, FOS are organising a high tea to celebrate Motherâs Day. It will be held in the school hall from 2.30-4.00pm. Between 3.30 and 4pm I will supervise the children in the yard (as per a normal yard duty day). Please make the time to come along to eat some delicious food and spend some time celebrating. RSVP on QKR!
On Friday 19th May our Grade 2/3 students will be going on an excursion to Kyneton to see The Orkestra Llektriq. This is a modern technologically augmented orchestra. The students will learn about instruments from the past and how technology has enhanced them. They will also do a backstage tour of the sound and lighting equipment.
That night, to further add to the musical theme, we have our Neon Disco. This will be on from 6pm-8pm. Children will get a goodie bag and drink, as well as some hot food as they boogie the night away. This is always a much loved event on our school calendar.
Whew!! So much on, but through it all we will continue to focus on learning and wellbeing.
All our students are now involved in the Skodel program, where they do a regular wellbeing check-in via a dedicated school app, and we track how they are travelling. If any student uses a key word (such as âbullyingâ) I get an immediate email informing me and I can follow it up immediately.
As a staff we look at the Skodel data we are getting, and we can address whole school issues (such as end of term fatigue) as well as create individual programs for students who are not travelling well. This program has certainly helped us to hone in on student wellbeing, and allowed us to take proactive actions to support our students.
This term I commence school tours for Foundation 2024. The system has changed a little and prospective students are now expected to be enrolled in a school by the end of July. If you know of any parents who would like their child to attend the school, please let them know that school tours have started.
Have a lovely week everyone.
Trish
