Dear Families,

This week and last week we have really started to feel Winter. This has added to the current COVID pandemic and influenza illness in our community, we have many members of our community unwell. I ask to keep all unwell in your prayers. Also, please ensure your children have their jumper clearly named as we have many in the lost property in the office.

As we move into the Winter months we are embracing inside activities during the wet days at lunch time and recess. I have been so impressed with the calm classrooms at these times. Walking through the buildings during the wet day timetable has been a delight. I thank the children for their ability to self-regulate when there is less routine. I thank our teachers and our beautiful Education Support Officers for their patience and the engagement they share when interacting with the students in this more relaxed time.

I continue to extend my thanks to all families for keeping to the RAT testing schedule. This is the best way to identify COVID and help to minimise the spread. At school we have maintained a double cleaning schedule during the day, have air filters in all learning areas and still have the play equipment cleaned between play times. If you have been unwell please allow yourselves and your children the time to recover, we are all in the same situation and to function well in all areas of our lives we need to look after our health.

Children who have any symptom of illness must stay at home regardless of the RAT result.

RATs tests were placed in school bags yesterday.

FAMILY INFORMATION EVENING

I would like to thank the families who braved the cold dark night and came to our information evening. The positive response from our community is energizing for me and I thank you all for this. I thank also the dedication of the teaching staff who perpetually give their time and are so committed to being open to up-levelling their skills as teachers. Their commitment to being open to change in the school setting    by using evidence-based teaching strategies and collaboration to support the learning of all children is instrumental in improving learning outcomes.                                                                                                   
CONFIRMATION

Again, I ask you to continue to pray for the children who have begun their journey of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. With illness we have had to cancel and renegotiate meetings for their preparation. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts at this special time in their lives.

Grade 5/6 Camp

It is with great excitement that we are approaching our 1^st camping experience of the year. The Grade 5/6 students will travel to Log Cabin Camp next week with the highlight of the camping experience being a day at Sovereign Hill. This will bring to life many aspects of their historical study. The students are asked to explain the causes of significant events that shaped the Australian colonies. The experience at Sovereign Hill will include visits to a gold pour, a mine tour and the stunning light show. The light show begins with dream-time stories and gives an insight to the students about how the Gold Rush effected Federation and the Aboriginal people.

Please enjoy the blessings of your children over the weekend,

God Bless,

Anne-Marie Robb