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