Principals’ Blog

Jun 25, 2021 | News

2022 ENROLMENT OR RELOCATION

A reminder for any parents who are yet to enrol their children for 2022, please do so as soon as possible as places are filling fast and planning for next year has commenced. Please let us know if you are intending to enrol or if you are relocating next year and will no longer be attending McKinnon Primary.

GROUNDS UPDATE

We have planted some beautiful trees in Collins Street and repaired the wooden climbing frame and added some seats for students to sit and share stories with one another. It has really improved this area and increased the number of trees we have in our school to provide shade.

The vegie patch has also been replanted with silverbeet, lettuce and herbs.

While the grounds are being updated, our students have also been working hard to keep our school clean. Great to see them taking ownership and responsibility for their environment.

CHILD SAFETY

Child Safety is everyone’s responsibility and at McKinnon we are committed to the health and safety of our students. We have established a variety of policies and processes to provide an environment where children are safe and feel safe. In its planning, decision-making and operations McKinnon Primary School will:

  1. Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety.
  2. Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives.
  3. Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children.
  4. Respect diversity in cultures and child-rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount.
  5. Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children.
  6. Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high-quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development.
  7. Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues.
  8. Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities.
  9. Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk.
  10. Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.

All the school’s child safety documents are readily available on the school’s webpage for all staff, parents and students to read at any time. If any member of our community has concerns about the health, safety or wellbeing of any of our students at any time, we encourage you to make contact with DHHS or the school to discuss.

JUNE SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE

In the June School Council meeting we:

  • discussed the Year Six cancellation of the Canberra Educational Tour with an alternative camp being tentatively booked for Term 4 Week 1.
  • rescheduled the date for Curriculum Day to Friday 20th August
  • reviewed and approved the Language Policy and the Bikes and Scooters Policy
  • considered the Team Kids presentation of their program and reviewed their current attendance rates
  • Reviewed the letter to Nick Staikos MP focused on gaining funds: as our buildings are deteriorating whilst other local schools are being rebuilt.

 SRC PYJAMA DAY

This was a huge hit as we all enjoyed the fun and the relaxed nature of pyjama day at McKinnon whilst we raised funds for the Year Six Graduation. Thanks to the SRC team who organised the event to support our senior students.

 PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS

The Parent Teacher Meetings still went ahead despite the constant adjustments being made due to COVID-19. We had up to 80% of our families book in online and utilise this opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher.

 SECURITY OVER THE HOLIDAYS

If you do notice anything untoward happening on the school grounds over the holidays can you please call the police on 000 immediately.

REMINDERS

  • Don’t forget pick up is at 2.30pm today!
  • No school on Monday 12th July as there is a Curriculum Day. Team Kids available.
  • First day of Term 3 Tuesday 13th July

As we finish up the end of term we would just like to say a big thankyou to the teachers and the Education Support staff for their contribution and their continued desire to reflect and refine what they do, to make a difference to the community they work with. Thank you to our wider community who have continued to move with us as we have had to continually adjust and re-adjust to COVID-19 restrictions.

Have a relaxing break,

Simone, Suzanne and David

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