Interschool Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to all the students that participated in the Interschool Athletics on Wednesday and Friday last week. All students demonstrated their ARBOR Values throughout both days with students showing great effort and sportsmanship.
I would like to thank the school community for following the request of the Network Principals and not attending the school grounds during the carnival, thus ensuring a COVID safe event for all students and staff.
I would like to thank Mr Williams and Mrs McCabe, as well as the host of teachers and pre-service teachers that helped in the running and organisation of the two days.
Arbor Grove came a close second on the day.
Year 6 Update
It was a pleasure to see the Year 6 students off on their second excursion day on Monday to see a movie, and then return for some pizza. The Year 6 teachers reported that student behaviour was exemplary and that everyone seemed to have a great time. Weather permitting the students have another fun day organised for later this week.
Thank you to the Year 6 teachers for organising these days for the students, which are to replace the camp that was cancelled in term 2 due to the COVID situation.
Thank you to the many families that attended the recent parent meetings at the school, the many parents that have expressed their support for the school’s graduation planning in a COVID world, and to a small number of parents who have expressed their concerns directly to the school in a constructive manner.
We continue to reflect on and take on board all the feedback we receive. We understand that a child completing primary school education is a big landmark and of course we would like parents to be present. You will appreciate, however, that we also need to consider the relevant health advice (currently Stage 4 restrictions, specifically the 2 metre rule).
The school continues to examine and explore a range of options and we hope to be in a position to advise our Year 6 families of the final structure of the graduation event by the end of week 8. I can assure you that we will be as flexible as possible in accommodating parents who wish to attend the graduation, though this will be very much dependent upon the health advice at that point in time. We will consult with the School Board before making any final decisions.
High School Transition
The Year 6 students will soon enjoy a transition day to their 2021 high schools where they will meet new classmates and enjoy a little taste of high school. These are exciting times for the students as they near the end of their primary school journey.
2021
It is very important that families that are leaving us this year to let the school know at the earliest opportunity. This information will be essential to ensure the accuracy of our planning and preparations for 2021.
Class Placement Requests
Thank you to the parents that submitted requests. These are now closed and the school will begin finalising class lists.
Book Awards
We are well advanced in our planning for the Book Awards and will issue advice to parents as soon as we finalise our planning. It is most likely that the school will split the event into two or three assemblies on the day as we seek to be as flexible as possible in accommodating parents of award winners as well as meeting the COVID guidelines (currently Stage 4 restrictions, specifically the 2 metre rule).
Movember
I would like to thank the male members of staff who have sacrificed any fashion sense for the month of November to grow a moustache in support of Movember. Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide. Movember will be the recipient of the funds raised in our last free dress day of the year.
Cyber Safety
We accept that an increasing number of parents/carers who for safety, security and/or emergency purposes wish to provide their children with mobile phones. However, these devices do present some greater challenges as they can provide children the means by which to access social media platforms such as Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat and Facebook just to name a few.
We would encourage all parents to visit the eSafetyCommissioner website www.esafety.gov.au for useful hints, tips and resources to help them and their children navigate the many issues and challenges such as what age is appropriate and ideas for parent supervision / monitoring.
Glen Purdy