I would like to welcome everyone back for what will be a very busy term 4 and hope that everyone had a good break.

For our Year 6 students this marks the start of their last term with us. I know the Year 6 teachers are busy organising a memorable graduation and a series of end of year activities for these students. It has been such a shame to see the impact of the COVID crisis on the Year 6 students this year.

Our Year 5 and 6 students have swimming lessons at the beach to look forward to. This should be a great experience for the students, particularly given the role that the ocean plays in the Australian lifestyle.

It will be very important that all families keep a regular eye on our webpage and on the newsletter to ensure that they don’t miss any of the activities.

Changes in term 4 to end of day processes

Last term I advised parents that we would trial a change to the departure arrangements due to concerns with unsafe parking and general traffic chaos at the front of the school and the potential risk of injury to the students.

We will no longer be opening the front gates in the afternoon, and instead children will leave via the side gates on Brookmount Drive and from the bottom gates that open onto the oval. Please refer to the diagram below.

The trial will run for the whole of term 4. Whilst this may present some minor short term inconvenience or change to routines I am sure parents will support the school in its efforts to improve the safety of the students and avoid an injury to a student.

I would like to thank the parents for their efforts on Tuesday. It was a much safer exit for students and there were only a few instances of parents not following the parking signage at the front of the school.

COVID

Term 4 will continue to be impacted by COVID restrictions, with the State Government scheduled to make a further announcement prior to the commencement of week 3.

The school will continue to review the events scheduled for later in term 4 after any further announcement. I am pleased that the school is actively investigating and evaluating scenarios and contingencies to ensure events such as Graduation and the Book Awards will happen no matter if restrictions are eased further, remain the same or are tightened.

Faction Carnival

Next week we will have our Faction Carnival. Due to the COVID restrictions the carnival this year is a modified format as previously advised to families.

With a modified format for this year we are very excited that the students will get to compete as they were busy refining their skills last term.

We regret that due to the requirements of the 2 square meter rule and the 1.5 meter social distancing, parents are encouraged not to attend the carnival.

Should we be unable to provide a safe environment for the carnival due to non-compliance with the COVID advice then the school will unfortunately have to cancel the events for the day.

2021

It is very important that families advise the school if they are leaving at the end of the year at the earliest opportunity. This information will be essential to ensure the accuracy of our planning and preparations for 2021.

Class Placement Requests

I would ask that any parents with specific requests for 2021 submit these to the Principal marked “Private and Confidential” by the close of business Friday 30 October.

Only written requests with an educational focus will be considered and whilst we endeavour to satisfy parent requests it is important to note that the school cannot guarantee this.

Before / After School

I would like to remind all parents and students that the Nature Play, the play area at the back of the Science Room and the Megatoy are out of bounds before and after school. Students arriving before 8.30am are to sit outside the library or with their parents outside their classroom.

We hope that the next easing of COVID restrictions, when they are announced, will allow us to recommence allowing parents to stay until 3.30pm to supervise their children playing on the Megatoy and on the playground behind the Science Room. The Nature Play, however, will remain out of bounds after school.

Glen Purdy

Telethon DETECT Survey

You may remember that our school is one of 80 public schools, education support settings, and residential colleges from the metropolitan area and the regions participating in the DETECT Schools Study: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools.

In this week students in Years 4-6 will be asked to complete the second survey as a follow up from the survey completed in Term 2.

Children will be asked to answer questions about

• Their age, gender, languages spoken at home
• How COVID-19 has affected them at school, at home and with their relationships

Students who have parental consent to complete the survey, e.g. their parent did not complete an ‘opt out form’, will be asked to provide consent e.g. if they would like to fill out the survey or not.

Students who have enrolled at Arbor Grove after the first survey will not be required to complete the survey.

If your child is showing any signs of distress after completing this survey, please contact the school.

PEAC (Primary Extension & Challenge) Testing

This week our Year 4 students will be sitting the screening test for possible entry to the PEAC program in Year 5.  The PEAC Program provides part time extension and enrichment for exceptionally able students in Years 5 and 6.

The test measures Verbal and Mathematical reasoning.  The scores from the test will be used in the selection of students for PEAC courses and extension programs conducted in 2021 and 2022.

Barbara Newman

Tips To Help Your Children Be Safe And Responsible Online

We have had a recent spike in incidences occurring on social media and some of these issues are then brought to school. It is important that students are using the internet and social media in an age appropriate way.

Social media for children

Social media is a term for the online platforms that people use to connect with others, share media content, and form social networks. Online multiplayer games are also becoming important social media spaces for young people, where they connect with other gamers and chat while playing.

Using social media means uploading and sharing content.
This includes:

• creating online profiles
• posting comments or chatting
• uploading photos and videos
• sharing links
• tagging photos and content
  
  

Social media risks

Social media sites can also pose risks.
For your child, these risks include:

• being exposed to inappropriate or upsetting content like mean, aggressive, violent or inappropriate comments or images
• uploading inappropriate content like embarrassing photos or videos of themselves or others
• sharing personal information with strangers – for example, phone numbers, date of birth or location
• cyberbullying
  
  

Navigating the risks of social media

Talking about social media use is the best way to protect your child and ensure your child’s internet safety.

Talking gives you the opportunity to help your child:

• work out how they want to behave and be treated by other people online
• understand the risks involved in using social media – for example, risks like being tagged in an embarrassing photo taken on the weekend
• understand the dangers involved in sharing content and personal information – this includes not only content that your child shares but also images of your child that other people share, or posts and images that others tag your child to
• learn how to navigate the risks – for example, if your child posts an identifiable image of themselves, they can reduce risk by not including any other personal information
• learn what to do if people ask for personal details, are mean or abusive online, post embarrassing photos of your child, or share information that links back to your child

For further information - https://www.education.wa.edu.au/cyber-safety

Astrid Morgan

Faction Carnival

The carnival this year will take place over the whole week commencing on Monday 19 October. The carnival will be divided into Junior (PP-2) Monday, Intermediate (3-4) Tuesday and Senior (5-6) Friday. We will be running a modified program and each child will compete in an age race and at least one team game. On Wednesday selected students from PP – Year 6 will take part in our Jumps Day.

Unfortunately, with the restrictions we encourage parents not to attend the carnival. Due to these restrictions we will not be sending home a list of what events students are competing in. All adults that do attend are expected to maintain the required 2 meter social distancing requirements and are asked not to enter the school grounds or the carnival area. Should we observe that parents are not meeting this requirement we may have to cancel the events due to the potential health hazard. Parking is available for parents in the bays surrounding the oval.

Students are reminded that they will need a hat, water bottle and sunscreen. Please ensure all your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their full name. We are looking forward to all the children participating and having fun along with great sportsmanship and faction cheering.

We hope to see all students dressed up in their faction colours.

Swimming Lessons Year 5 and 6

Just a reminder that swimming lessons will be held at Mullaloo Beach between Monday 7 December and Friday 11 December, week 9 term 4, for all students in Years 5 and 6. It is important to complete the enrolment forms and return them to the school with the payment of $35 no later than 3.30pm Wednesday 11 November 2020.

Student participation is strongly encouraged as the program forms part of our Physical Education curriculum and develops your child’s water safety and swimming skills. Students not attending swimming lessons will remain at school and be provided with an educational program. 

Kym McCabe