29-Jan-2021
Dear Families
It was fabulous to see our students and families back at school yesterday. The energy and excitement could be felt throughout the school and our students were incredible in the way they transitioned into their new surroundings.
Thanks also to our families who helped to make the start of the year such a smooth one. It was wonderful to see many friendly and familiar faces in the yard before and after school and to meet many of our new families as well.
Information from each Year level that outlines some of the processes and learning that our students will be doing in Term 1 will be sent through to you at the end of next week. Please take a read and seek out your child’s teacher if there are any questions you have over the content.
We understand that for some families, the start of the school year (particularly after such a disruptive 2020) brings with it unwanted financial pressures. I urge you to please touch base with us so that we can assist in this space. We are fortunate to have a devoted benefactor who is keen to help ensure our students and families are given every opportunity to participate in the great learning programs that are on offer at Edithvale Primary. A limited amount of money has been set aside to assist with books, clothes and excursions for anyone struggling to make ends meet.
Welcome BBQ on Feb 12-
On Friday February 12 our School Council and Staff will be hosting a welcome back to school BBQ straight after assembly. It will be a chance to catch up with other members of our school community and meet new families as we try to keep making strong connections and recreating the community ‘feel’ of our great school. We ask that anyone attending checks in using the QR codes available throughout the school and that where social distancing isn’t possible, a mask is recommended to be worn.
Student Free Day- Friday March 5
We are excited and delighted to have the opportunity to again work with our Literacy Critical friend – Cathy Harrison on Friday 5 March. Cathy worked with us extensively throughout 2020 and she will continue to work with us this year to expand our skills and knowledge in the explicit teaching of Reading – including phonological and phonemic awareness and morphology. This date has only recently become available and with very few other Fridays available in term 1, we have jumped at the chance to work alongside Cathy on this day. TeamKids will be running a whole day program for anyone in need of this service. Please contact the team directly on 1300 035 000 or via email teamkids.com.au
Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school
Schools have been asked to remind their communities that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Please note that:
* parents or guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs; and
* parents or guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers and it is the responsibility of parents or guardians to look into their preferred options in this regard.
The Department cannot provide advice to parents or guardians on the purchase of individual student accident policy or ambulance cover.
Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage.
This can include mobile phones, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. As the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property, students and staff should be discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school.
Dogs in School
For many of us Dogs are an important part of life and are often included in day-to-day activities such as walking children to and from school. We appreciate and value pet ownership as an educational experience and at the same time acknowledge that some students can find contact with dogs stressful or even frightening. For this reason and to ensure the safety of all students we do not allow dogs on school grounds or have them left unattended near our entry and exit points. If you are walking your dog to or from school, please remain outside the school grounds and stay with your pet at all times. Thank you.
Annual privacy reminder
Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.
Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website https://www.edithvaleps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Collection_Statement-primary_school.pdf
Mobile phone Policy
The DET’s phone policy for all government schools remains in place. The policy means phones brought to school must be switched off and stored securely during the school day. In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Edithvale Primary School during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted.
Tip of the week #1
Getting back into school routines after an extended break over summer can be difficult. For anyone starting out at our school for the first time, it can be even tougher. To help make the transition back to school a little easier I have attached an article that caught my eye a couple of years back that I hope you might find handy.
Letter from the Victorian Chief Health Officer
The Victorian Chief Health Officer has provided a letter online for all schools to share.
Victoria Term dates
Term 1: Tuesday 27 January (teachers), Thursday 28 January students— Thursday 1 April
Term 2: Monday 19 April — Friday 25 June
Term 3: Monday 12 July — Friday 17 September
Term 4: Monday 4 October — Friday 18 December
James Whitla