YEAR LEVEL INFORMATION NIGHTS AND THREE-WAY CONFERENCES
The information nights even though remote were an opportunity to explain areas of curriculum we focus on, learn about what areas you can support your child with and begin this year’s learning journey as a community together. Staff from all year levels spoke about approaches to English, Maths, Wellbeing, Units of Inquiry, the essential elements of the PYP amongst many other areas. Specialist teachers gave us valuable insight into their learning areas of Physical Education, Performing Arts, Chinese (Mandarin) and Visual Art.
We have also had the Three-Way Conferences held on Monday and Tuesday of this week. These were an opportunity to meet the class teacher and hear from your child about areas for learning they will be looking more at this term.
Thank you to all staff for their time, thought and preparation for both of these sessions.
LUNAR NEW YEAR @MCKINNON PS
Students across the school experienced some of the joys of Lunar New Year last week. We were very fortunate to have witnessed a fantastic lion dance performance at school and enjoyed a delicious dumplings lunch.
Please view the video on the school website
There were also red decorations placed all around the school so that students could embrace this cultural celebration. Thank you to everyone who supported this event and worked to make it special for our students.
LEADERSHIP BADGE PRESENTATION WEDNESDAY 2ND MARCH AT 2.30PM
The Leadership Presentation has been scheduled for Wednesday 2nd March at 2.30pm. Mr Nick Staikos MP has prepared a video to congratulate the students. The community are invited to watch via Webex, parents of the badge recipients will be invited to attend onsite. However, for us to have any visitors attend this event we are then limited to maximum numbers in the gymnasium. Therefore Foundation-Year Five students will watch the event from their classrooms and badge recipients and their families will be hosted in the hall for the presentation.
2022 TUTORING PROGRAM
As you may be aware, the Victorian Government Tutor Learning Initiative is still running in 2022, enabling schools across Victoria to engage students who need extra assistance with their learning.
The tutoring program at McKinnon PS is being led by Learning Specialist Amanda Young, with teacher Amy Dove teaching the selected students in both English and Mathematics. Data has been reviewed and families have been notified if their child is involved in the first cycle.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
School Council nominations will be called for next week on Tuesday 1st March and close on Tuesday 8th March, so please look out for the Compass post if you are interested in being on the School Council in 2022. The term of office is a two-year period.
We have eight members whose term has been completed this year. We would like to on behalf of our community thank Natasha Hosein, Wayne Kitney, Rebecca Newboult, Ranjula Nilaweera (Nanayakkara), Soren Lange, William Meng, Louise Schirmer and Molly Sweeney for their contribution and commitment to ongoing school improvement during their time on school council.
STUDENT SAFETY AT SCHOOL – DOGS
With the return to school, we have noticed many new beautiful pets joining in the walk to and from school each day. We love seeing these furry friends around however we encourage you to be mindful of younger children or children who may feel timid around dogs in or around the school. Animals can also be startled by the unpredictable movements of others, so at these busy and bustling drop off or pick up times we just ask you to be aware of where your dog is in relation to others to ensure everyone including your pets are feeling safe.
EVERY DAY COUNTS!!
In the Victorian education system, it is compulsory for all students to attend school each day of the school year. At times an absence may be unavoidable, however, every effort must be made to ensure students attend school on time each day. Evidence tells us that students who regularly miss days of school are at risk of missing out on learning the basic building blocks in subjects and may experience long term difficulties with their learning. School attendance helps children develop social skills, such as friendship building, teamwork, communications skills and develops healthy self-esteem.
Please try to ensure that any appointments are made outside of school hours. To maximise learning opportunities, we need all students at school all day. If this presents a problem for you and your child please make time to see us. All late arrivals and early departures need to be signed in/out at the school office by a parent/guardian. It is not acceptable for a student to sign themselves in or out of the school. The office will locate your child’s class and walk them. Please advise your teacher of early pick up requirements, then your child will be at the office at the time you requested waiting to be picked up. You can place a note in your child’s diary. This is a strong focus of the Department of Education & Training. Further information can be found on the website: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/behaviour/Pages/attendance.aspx
ARE YOU BEING SUNSMART?
In line with the school’s policy, Term One is a SunSmart term. This requires all students to have the appropriate navy wide-brimmed hat. These SunSmart hats are to be worn during all outside activities during Term One and until the 30th of April.
HOT DAYS AND EXTREME WEATHER DAYS
On days when it is extremely hot, the children will remain in classrooms and be supervised as they are on wet days.
UNIFORM/BELONGINGS
We have noticed a number of jumpers and other uniform appearing around the school without names. Please be vigilant in clearly naming all uniform items and personal belongings (lunch boxes, sports equipment etc.) This allows us to return any found items to the rightful owner.
UPDATING CONTACT DETAILS/MEDICAL
We ask all families to please ensure that you have up to date contact details on Compass and at the office. This includes your current address, phone numbers, emergency contact details etc. Student enrolment information was sent out to all families on Wednesday 23rd February by email – please make any amendments and return to the office so the Admin Team can update your file.
Any students who have a medical condition must have up to date medical records at the office. Of most importance is to ensure asthma, diabetes and anaphylaxis management plans are current. These need to be signed off by your local doctor and are required to be updated annually. These documents are important to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, especially yours!
STUDENT SAFETY AROUND OUR SCHOOL – ROADS
Children are our most vulnerable road users and to address this road safety issue school speed zones with lower speed limits were introduced many years ago. Motorists should be aware that children in traffic are not like adults. They can be unpredictable and because they are small, they can be hard to see. So take extra care and slow down when you drive past any school. Research shows that slowing down helps to both avoid crashes and reduce their severity. According to the Monash University Accident Research Centre, an eleven per cent reduction in speed reduces road deaths by forty per cent. Even a small reduction in travelling speed dramatically increases the chance of a child surviving a collision. Read more about safety on our roads via the VicRoads website.
Never leave children unattended in cars on hot days, it is important to remember that you should never leave your child alone in a car. The temperature inside a car on hot days begins to rise as soon as the door closes and within minutes the temperature inside can be double the temperature outside. Leaving children in hot cars – even for a moment – can result in injury or death. Young children’s smaller body size and underdeveloped nervous system places them at a much greater risk of life-threatening heat stroke, dehydration and other serious health risks. Victorian legislation makes leaving a child unattended in a car a criminal offence.
It is important that we all work together in ensuring safety around our school, be patient and know your child will always be supervised until you arrive.
INSIGHTS – PARENT CLASS LISTS, WALKING EXCURSIONS AND MEDIA RELEASE
Just a reminder that we will be preparing the parent contact lists for each class next week. It is important that you complete the Insights on your Compass dashboard. If we do not have permission your details cannot be included on the parent class contact list and your child cannot participate in local walking excursions or appear in the newsletter etc. Please check your Compass dashboard for any outstanding Insights.
Hope you all have a great weekend,
Simone, Suzanne and David