FROM THE PRINCIPAL .....
As we move through the mid-part of Term 2, winter has hit the hills, with a warm jacket becoming a necessity. This is not always the case for a number of our students who wear shorts and T-shirts all year round – I’m not sure how they do it!
Facilities Upgrades
I am very pleased to announce that we have two major works projects that should be completed this year. The first is the largest in terms of scale and cost, being the redevelopment of the path area between the Library and the year 1 & 2 classrooms. For a long time, we have been working toward improving the pathways, retaining and general safe passage around this area. This project will cause a degree of disruption across the school site; however, it will be a fantastic addition to the school grounds once complete.
The second project is a complete rebuild of the Turner building toilets (next to the Science room and closest to the oval). No schedule of works has been released as yet, and we will provide further updates as they develop.
The Pathway and Access Rectification Project has been scheduled to begin late this month. Below is a basic design of how the area will be modified. All pathways, railing etc. will meet current standards and make our school grounds much more accessible and safer for all.
How will this project impact our school site? (Please read and refer to the map below)
- The project area will be fenced off and will not be accessible during the scope of work.
- The walkway between the administration building and the library will be closed.
- Access to the Library will be through the middle school building closest to 5/6B
- The bike racks will be accessible and available for use.
- One or two larger trees may be removed as root disruption will make them unstable.
- Lower vegetation will be removed and replaced at the completion of the project
- The Stairs will still be available for use for the majority of the work
- Visitor car parks between the admin building and the church fence/carpark will be unavailable for use as staff will need to access these, while a number of staff car parks will be unable to be used because of the location of the site compound.
- Approximate timeline - 2 months. We are hoping the maximum length of disruption will be only until the end of Term 3.
COVID-19 / General Illness
Over the last few weeks, there has been an increase in COVID cases as well as an increased rate of other general illnesses within our school community. As we head into the depths of winter, we expect this to continue. Unfortunately, relieving teachers are also in short supply. We do our utmost to cover staff absence aiming to limit interruptions to student learning programs as much as possible.
A friendly reminder to keep your child/ren home if they are:
- unwell
- experiencing any COVID like symptoms.
If you need to report a positive COVID case, please provide the following information by phone or email:
- Name of your child / year level / class.
- Date symptoms first appeared.
- Date of the positive test and the type of test taken – RAT, PCR or both.
- Last day your child attended school / OSHC.
Congratulations
To our Junior Choir who participated in the recent Blackwood Reconciliation walk - accompanied by their parents, walking in the rain down Shepard's Hill road to Colebrook where they sang 'I am Australian' beautifully as part of the ceremony. It was deeply appreciated by the Reconciliation Group Committee and the wider community. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Also, to our Orienteering team, who recently competed in the State Day, placing second with some outstanding group and individual performances.
Mid-Year Reports
Teachers are busy preparing mid-year reports, which will go home to parents/carers in the last week of term. Our teachers have been working collaboratively in year levels teams to determine how students have progressed in their learning in reference to the achievement standards in the Australian Curriculum related to their year level.
Students in Years 1-6 will receive a written report (individual comments in Maths, English & General) with A-E grades, whilst Reception students will receive a written report referenced against the Foundation achievement standard.